New Hybrid E-drive from MAHLE
MAHLE has designed a new, completely integrated and modular-based hybrid drive that can be adjusted to be used in different types of vehicles. Mahle engineers wanted to combine the advantages of a serial and parallel hybrid for its new product known as the Mahle Modular Hybrid Powertrain (MMHP) and have therefore designed the bimodal architecture. In comparison with existing hybrid solutions, MMHP is more cost-effective, more space-saving, and lightweight.
The operational capacity of the e-powertrain
applied in MMHP lowers the requirements to the IC-engine, allowing the
development of a cost-efficient “Dedicated Hybrid Engine (DHE).” This engine
solution was developed only for hybrid use and benefits from the innovations
made with help of the passive MAHLE Jet Ignition (MJI) system.
The MJI design includes a small combustion pre-chamber,
which is equipped with a standard ignition plug installed in the engine’s
chamber. It produces hot radical jets, which initiate a short-time combustion
event inside the engine’s cylinder, thereby ensuring a high coefficient of
compressibility as well as enhanced EGR level, which in total lead to
reductions in fuel usage.
The use of PFI injection, SOHC camshaft, and
simple 2-valve per-cylinder tech solution helps to minimize the expenses.
Paired with a transmission unit with adjustable
gear ratios, the engine will be able to operate efficiently at different speed
rates. There are 3 possible transmission versions (one, two, and three-speed
solutions), which can be selected on the basis of peculiarities of the future
application. Therefore, the 100%-integrated, traction e-emotor is directly attached
to the wheels during all stages of operation, ensuring steady performance and a
pleasant driving experience with continuous torque transmission.
The motor may be developed with various power/torque capacities. In pair with customized battery dimension, this ensures complete scalability of the hybrid powertrain for different types of vehicles. In the future, the hybrid drive can find application in a wide range of vehicles (from B to J segment). During primary testing, the engine is notable for an impressive fuel consumption rate of 207. In the long run, thanks to the usage of MJI solution this parameter may be reduced to approximately 195 g/kW·h.
The dimensions of the hybrid powertrain are identical to a standard IC-engine equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The specially developed engine solution ensures possible cost-efficiency of up to 30%.
