Electric Motor

Traffic · 08-02-2007, 08:07 AM

The Prius has 2 electric motors, Right ????

What is the main purpose of the smaller of the two electric motors?

Is it used mainly as a generator???? Is it ever used to power the car ?

seasalsa · 08-02-2007, 08:39 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Traffic @ Aug 2 2007, 05:07 AM) [snapback]489168[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The Prius has 2 electric motors, Right ????

What is the main purpose of the smaller of the two electric motors?

Is it used mainly as a generator???? Is it ever used to power the car ?
[/b]

MG1: Motor/generator 1. Most commonly used to crank the ICE for starting, and to generate electricity from the output of the ICE, which can then help drive MG2 or charge the battery.

MG2: Motor/generator 2. Most commonly used to drive the car, alone or in combination with the ICE, and to provide regenerative braking.

stukid · 08-02-2007, 08:42 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Traffic @ Aug 2 2007, 08:07 AM) [snapback]489168[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The Prius has 2 electric motors, Right ????

What is the main purpose of the smaller of the two electric motors?

Is it used mainly as a generator???? Is it ever used to power the car ?
[/b]

MG1 is used as a starter for the ICE, and a generator when the ICE is ON. It supplies power to wheels through a planetary gear set, and a gear/chain assy to the differential.

qbee42 · 08-02-2007, 08:51 AM

There is a lot of information on this forum about how the motors work, and some links to few good web sites.

In a nutshell, here is how it works: There are two motor/generators, called MG1 and MG2. From the name, you can guess that they work as both motors and generators. MG2 is the large motor that is primarily used for driving and braking, and is connected to the outside ring gear of the power splitting planetary gear system (PSD, or Power Splitting Device). The Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) is connected to the planet gear carrier on the PSD. This leaves the sun gear of the PSD, and without some way to control it, it would freely spin and the torque from the ICE would never make it to the wheels. MG1 fills this need by connecting to the sun gear.

In normal driving with the ICE on, MG1 is used as a generator to charge the battery and/or transfer power to the wheels via MG2 - think of it as a combination of direct drive and serial hybrid drive like that used on a diesel electric train. Part of the power goes from the ICE through the PSD to the wheels, and part of the power goes through MG1 to MG2 to the wheels. Of course power can also be siphoned off for charging.

When running on just electric, MG1 spins backward to keep the ICE from having to spin (there are speed limits to this, but at lower speeds the ICE is stationary). MG2 provides the driving force.

When the ICE needs to start, MG1 is powered to spin the ICE and start it.

Hope this helps, and check out all of the good information by searching on HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive), PSD, MG1, and MG2.

Tom

Doc Willie · 08-02-2007, 09:30 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Traffic @ Aug 2 2007, 08:07 AM) [snapback]489168[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The Prius has 2 electric motors, Right ????

What is the main purpose of the smaller of the two electric motors?

Is it used mainly as a generator???? Is it ever used to power the car ?
[/b]

At last count there 29 electric motors in the Prius. (see the Obscure Facts topic). Bur there are 2 the power the vehicle.

jiepsie · 08-02-2007, 09:50 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Aug 2 2007, 03:30 PM) [snapback]489188[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

At last count there 29 electric motors in the Prius. (see the Obscure Facts topic). Bur there are 2 the power the vehicle.
[/b]

The one that ejects a CD also generates a forward pushing force on the car while it's ejecting ;-)

usbseawolf2000 · 08-02-2007, 10:32 AM

MG1 has the following roles that I can think of:

- Starter
- Alternator
- Essential part of e-CVT
- Split power from ICE (generate electricity)
- Overdrive (acts as a motor while MG2 acts as a generator)

The answer to your question is YES.

dogfriend · 08-02-2007, 11:03 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lowlander @ Aug 2 2007, 06:50 AM) [snapback]489198[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The one that ejects a CD also generates a forward pushing force on the car while it's ejecting ;-)
[/b]

So if I want to crest the top of a hill without using the ICE, I should eject the 6 CDs in the changer? :P

David Beale · 08-02-2007, 11:08 AM

It would only work if they were heavy metal.

john1701a · 08-02-2007, 05:39 PM

This document illustrates & describes how the electric motors operate...

.

08-02-2007, 08:51 AM	#4
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,691 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	There is a lot of information on this forum about how the motors work, and some links to few good web sites. In a nutshell, here is how it works: There are two motor/generators, called MG1 and MG2. From the name, you can guess that they work as both motors and generators. MG2 is the large motor that is primarily used for driving and braking, and is connected to the outside ring gear of the power splitting planetary gear system (PSD, or Power Splitting Device). The Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) is connected to the planet gear carrier on the PSD. This leaves the sun gear of the PSD, and without some way to control it, it would freely spin and the torque from the ICE would never make it to the wheels. MG1 fills this need by connecting to the sun gear. In normal driving with the ICE on, MG1 is used as a generator to charge the battery and/or transfer power to the wheels via MG2 - think of it as a combination of direct drive and serial hybrid drive like that used on a diesel electric train. Part of the power goes from the ICE through the PSD to the wheels, and part of the power goes through MG1 to MG2 to the wheels. Of course power can also be siphoned off for charging. When running on just electric, MG1 spins backward to keep the ICE from having to spin (there are speed limits to this, but at lower speeds the ICE is stationary). MG2 provides the driving force. When the ICE needs to start, MG1 is powered to spin the ICE and start it. Hope this helps, and check out all of the good information by searching on HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive), PSD, MG1, and MG2. Tom __________________ *Black* 2006 package #7 Northern Michigan

08-02-2007, 05:39 PM	#10
john1701a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,719 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Pioneer #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	This document illustrates & describes how the electric motors operate... . .

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08-02-2007, 08:07 AM	#1
Traffic Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 10 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The Prius has 2 electric motors, Right ???? What is the main purpose of the smaller of the two electric motors? Is it used mainly as a generator???? Is it ever used to power the car ?

08-02-2007, 10:32 AM	#7
usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,636 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 47	MG1 has the following roles that I can think of: - Starter - Alternator - Essential part of e-CVT - Split power from ICE (generate electricity) - Overdrive (acts as a motor while MG2 acts as a generator) The answer to your question is YES.

08-02-2007, 11:08 AM	#9
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,556 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	It would only work if they were heavy metal.