Search Results

The energy crisis and rising gas price in the 2000s led to a growing popularity of hybrid vehicles. Hyundai-Kia Motors has been challenging to develop the new efficient eco-technology since introducing the mild type compact hybrid electric vehicle for domestic fleet in 2004 to meet the needs of the increasing automotive-related environmental issues. Now Hyundai has recently debuted a full HEV for global market, Sonata Hybrid. This system is cost effective solution and developed with the main purpose of improving fuel consumption and providing fun to drive. Presenter Seok Joon Kim, Hyundai Motor Company

A compact and high performance electric motor, called the 3D motor and designed to achieve output torque density of 100 Nm/L, was developed for use on electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. The motor adopts an axial flux configuration, consisting of a disk-shaped stator sandwiched between two disk-shaped rotors with permanent magnets. It also adopts 9-phase current with a fractional slot combination, both of which increase the torque density. The rated torque output of this high power-density motor is achieved by applying a hybrid cooling system comprising a water jacket on the outer case of the stator and oil dispersion into the air gaps. The mechanical strength of the rotors against centrifugal force and that of the stator against torque exertion were confirmed in mechanical experiments. Several measures such as flux barriers, a chamfered rotor rim, parallel windings, and radially laminated cores were adopted to suppress losses.

After the turn of the century, growing social attention has been paid to environmental concerns, especially the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and it comes down to a personal daily life concern which will affect the purchasing decision of vehicles in the future. Among all the sources of greenhouse gas emissions, the transportation industry is the primary target of reduction and almost every automotive company pours unprecedented amounts of money to reengineer the vehicle technologies for better fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emission. Besides those efforts paid for sheer improvements of genuine vehicle technologies, NISSAN testified that “connectivity” with outside servers contributed a lot to reduce fuel consumption, thus the less emission of GHG, with two major factors; 1. detouring the traffic congestions with the support of probe-based real-time traffic information and 2. providing Eco-driving advices for the better driving behavior to prompt the better usage of energy.

There has been a growing need in recent years to further improve vehicle fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. JATCO began mass production of a transmission for rear-wheel-drive (RWD) hybrid vehicle with Nissan in 2010, which was followed by the development of a front-wheel-drive (FWD) hybrid system (JATCO CVT8 HYBRID) for use on a midsize SUV in the U.S. market. While various types of hybrid systems have been proposed, the FWD system adopts a one-motor two-clutch parallel hybrid topology which is also used on the RWD hybrid. This high-efficiency system incorporates a clutch for decoupling the transmission of power between the engine and the motor. The hybrid system was substantially downsized from that used on the RWD vehicle in order to mount it on the FWD vehicle. This paper describes various seal technologies developed for housing the dry multi-plate clutch inside the motor, which was a key packaging technology for achieving the FWD hybrid system.

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has been announced worldwide with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions. However, a significant increase in electricity demand by EVs might impact the stable operation of the existing power grid. Meanwhile, EV charging is acceptable to most users if it is completed by the time of the next driving event. From the viewpoint of power grid operators, flexibility for shifting the timing of EV charging would be advantageous, including making effective use of renewable energy. In this work, an EV model and simulation tool were developed to make clear how the total charging demand of all EVs in use will be influenced by future EV specifications (e.g., charge power) and installation of charging infrastructure. Among the most influential factors, EV charging behavior according to use cases and regional characteristics were statistically analyzed based on the real-world usage data of over 14, 000 EVs and incorporated in the simulation tool.

In the “Nissan Green Program 2010”, released in December 2006, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced plans to offer advanced technology and products to further real-world reductions in CO2 emissions. One solution is the development of a practical fuel cell vehicle (FCV). In 1996, Nissan began developing an FCV and since 2001, has participated in activities to promote the development and to educate the public on the benefits of fuel cell vehicles by participating in fleet programs in the USA (CaFCP) and in Japan (JHFC). In 2006, limited leasing of the newly-developed 2005 X-TRAIL FCV was initiated in Japan, in the Kanagawa Prefecture and in Yokohama City. In 2007, Nissan provided an X-TRAIL FCV to Kanagawa Toshi Kotsu Ltd., for use as the world's first-ever fuel cell taxi in use on pubric roads. The 2005 X-TRAIL is equipped with various newly-developed technologies, including a fuel cell stack that was engineered by Nissan in-house.

In 2006, Nissan began limited leasing of the X-TRAIL FCV equipped with their in-house developed Fuel Cell (FC) stack. Since then, the FC stack has been improved in cost, size, durability and cold start-up capability with the aim of promoting full-scale commercialization of FCVs. However, reduction of cost and size has remained a significant challenge because limited mass transport through the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) has made it difficult to increase the rated current density of the FC. Furthermore, it has been difficult to reduce the variety of FC stack components due to the complex stack configuration. In this study, improvements have been achieved mainly by adopting an advanced MEA to overcome these difficulties. First, the adoption of a new MEA and separators has improved mass transport through the MEA for increased rated current density. Second, an integrated molded frame (IMF) has been adopted as the MEA support.

Energy conserving performance by engine oils is required even for motorcycles from the viewpoint of environmental issues. The fuel efficiency of passenger car engine oils has been improved through lower viscosity and usage of friction modifiers. However, engine oils containing friction modifiers such as Mo compounds may not be applied to four-stroke motorcycles, because motorcycles normally have a wet clutch system inside the crankcase and such engine oils can decrease the clutch capacity. Therefore, it is important to investigate the effects of oil formulation in order to develop motorcycle engine oils, which can improve fuel efficiency and preserve clutch capacity1)∼2). In this study, fuel efficiency of prototype oils was evaluated with a motorcycle engine motoring tester. In addition, friction coefficients of engine oils formulated with different additives such as dispersants and detergents in clutch system were evaluated with an SAE No. 2 clutch friction tester.

From the beginning of the 1990s, we have been vigorously investigating a high-performance power source system for application to environmental vehicles, focusing our research and development efforts specifically on lithium-ion batteries. In order to adapt a battery system to the requirements of the target vehicle, battery performance must be predicted and designed more accurately. In the case of hybrid electric vehicles, for example, battery power must be reliably assured. Improving battery power requires quantitative analytical methods as fundamental techniques for understanding the basic processes that take place in a battery. From this perspective, we began constructing a battery simulation model from scratch in the middle of the 1990s concurrently with our battery R&D activities. The model simulates electrode reactions and charge transport and has been used in investigating the influence of these factors on battery performance.

The probability or risk of traffic accidents must be estimated quantitatively in order to implement effective traffic safety measures. In this study, various statistical data and probability theory were used to examine a method for predicting the risk of crossing-collisions, representing a typical type of accident at intersections in Japan. Crossing-collisions are caused by a variety of factors, including the road geometry and traffic environment at intersections and the awareness and intentions of the drivers of the striking and struck vehicles. Bayes' theorem was applied to find the accident probability of each factor separately. Specifically, the probability of various factors being present at the time of a crossing-collision was estimated on the basis of traffic accident data and observation survey data.

Aiming for an environmental vehicle, since the 1990s we have narrowed our focus to the development of an exclusive use lithium-ion battery, and we have strongly advanced our examinations into high-performance power supply systems. In order to adapt a battery to meet vehicle requirements, it is necessary to more accurately predict battery performance, and have the ability to design it. For example, in the applicability to HEVs(Hybrid Electric Vehicles), ensuring battery power with certainty is required, but in order to improve battery power, the basic process that occurs inside the battery was restrained, so it is possible that the quantitative analytical approach is the necessary fundamental technology.

Just as CO2 reduction is required of four wheeled vehicles for environmental protection, similar environmental concerns drive the development of motorcycle oil technology. Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (Zn-DTP) type additives are widely used for engine oil formulations. However, phosphorus compounds are environmental load materials. The reduction of the quantity of phosphorus compounds in engine oils is required to reduce poisoning of three-way catalysts used to purify exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. Mr. Ito and his co-authors1) reported that they developed a sulfur-based additive as a substitute for Zn-DTP. Their non-phosphorus engine oil formulation for four-wheeled vehicles with a sulfur-based additive was examined to evaluate its anti-wear performance using the following test methods:JASO M328 for gasoline engines (KA24E) and JASO M354 for Diesel engine (4D34T4).

To promote widespread use of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), further improvement of cold start capability is required for operation in various extreme temperature regions all over the world. Sub-freezing, cold start issues of fuel cells must be resolved through gaining a better understanding of the physical phenomena taking place in a cell during cold start and by elucidating the mechanisms hindering cold startup. Nissan has improved its understanding of the physical phenomena occurring in a fuel cell (FC) during cold startup by a laboratory-scale FC experiment at subfreezing temperatures and a numerical calculation that expresses various transport processes in a fuel cell, including those of the reactant gases, water, electrons and heat. The results have identified several necessary conditions for mass transport in a cell during cold startup and the factors that limit and govern the phenomena involved.

Reduction of greenhouse gases or CO2 is the global issue for sustainability. City of Yokohama, where 3.7 million people live, established the Yokohama Climate Change Action Policy “CO-DO30”, aiming to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions by over 30% per person by 2025, and by over 60% by 2050. “CO-DO30” includes 7 areas of approaches, such as Living, Businesses, Buildings, Transportation, Energies, Urban and Green, and City Hall. To achieve this challenging target, practical and effective action on transportation area is definitely required, because it emits 20% of total greenhouse gas emission in the city. In 2008, City of Yokohama and Nissan jointly started YOKOHAMA Mobility “Project ZERO” (YMPZ), a 5-year project aimed at realizing “Eco-Model City, Yokohama”.

Curbing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is believed by many scientists to be a major contributor to global warming, is one of the top priority issues that must be addressed by automobile manufacturers. Automakers have set their own strategies to improve fuel economy and to reduce CO₂ emissions. Some of them include integrated approaches, focusing on not only improvement of vehicle technology, but also human factors (eco-driving support for drivers) and social and transportation factors (traffic management by intelligent transportation systems [ITS]). Among them, electric vehicles (EVs) will be a key contributor to attaining the challenging goal of CO₂ reduction. Mass deployment of EVs is required to achieve a zero-emission society. To accomplish that, new advanced technologies, new business schemes, and new partnerships are required.

This paper describes a new 5.6-liter DOHC V8 engine, VK56DE, which was developed for use on a new full-size sport utility vehicle and a full-size pickup truck. To meet the demands for acceleration performance when merging into freeway traffic, passing or re-acceleration performance from low speed in city driving and hill-climbing or passing performance when towing, the VK56DE engine produces high output power at top speed and also generates ample torque at low and middle engine speeds (90% of its maximum torque is available at speeds as low as 2500 rpm). Furthermore, this engine achieves top-level driving comfort in its class as a result of being derived from the VK45DE engine that was developed for use on a sporty luxury sedan. Development efforts were focused on how to balance the required performance with the need for quietness and smoothness.

The energy conserving by engine oils has been required from the viewpoint of the environmental issue. The fuel efficiency of passenger car engine oils has been improved by adding friction modifiers. However, engine oils containing friction modifiers can not be applied to 4-stroke motorcycles. Because motorcycles normally have a wet clutch system inside the crankcase and such engine oils can decrease the clutch capacity.1) ∼ 2) Therefore, it is important for motorcycle engines to investigate additives, which can increase friction coefficient on paper-based friction materials. In this study, friction coefficients of engine oils formulated with different additives such as dispersants and detergents were evaluated with a reciprocating friction tester. Several types of polybutenyl succinimides, sulfonates, phenates and salicylates were used as dispersants and detergents.

Recent environmental concerns such as atmospheric pollution and energy conservation have intensified the need to develop pollution-free, energy-efficient vehicles. One such solution is the electric automobile which draws its power from rechargeable batteries. There are few vehicles on the road today because present batteries can store very little energy compared with that of a tank of gasoline. To obtain adequate range, this concept vehicle adopts a new battery which can be recharged to 40% of capacity in six minutes. This super quick charging system makes it possible to recharge the batteries at an electric recharging station just as gasoline-powered vehicles are refilled at service stations. The electric concept vehicle also has improved aerodynamics, reduced rolling resistance and a lighter curb weight, which help to assure adequate range.

This paper describes the motor and inverter system developed for the Nissan LEAF that has been specifically designed as a mass-produced electric vehicle. The system produces maximum torque of 280 Nm and maximum power of 80 kW. The motor achieves a small size, high power, and high efficiency as a result of adopting the following in-house technologies. The magnetic circuit design was optimized for an interior magnet synchronous motor to attain the maximum performance figures noted here. The material technologies of the rotor and the stator facilitate high efficiency and the production technology achieves high density winding. The cooling mechanism is optimally designed for a mass-produced electric vehicle. The inverter incorporates the following original technologies and application-specific parts to obtain cost reductions combined with reliability improvements. The power module has an original structure with the power devices mounted directly on the busbars.

This paper describes the motor and inverter of Nissan's newly developed parallel hybrid system for rear-wheel-drive hybrid vehicles. The new system incorporates a high-power lithium-ion battery and a one-motor-two-clutch powertrain to achieve both highly responsive acceleration and better fuel economy. As the main components of the hybrid system, both the motor and the inverter have been developed and are manufactured in house to attain high power density for providing responsive acceleration, a quiet EV drive mode and improved fuel economy. Because the motor is located between the engine and the transmission, it had to be shortened to stay within the length allowed for the powertrain. The rotary position sensor and clutch actuator are located inside the rotor to meet the size requirement. High-density winding of square-shaped wire and a small power distribution busbar also contribute to the compact configuration.