Categories: Technology

Electrically powered motor unit: The belt and chain lose the battle with electricity

Electrically operated motor unit

Simplifies mechanics, allows for more precise and simple regulation, and reduces losses and drags, improving performance and reducing fuel consumption and harmful emissions

The piston mechanism is the engine (and car), and in order to function properly, a number of auxiliaries are required, which also require propulsion, which consumes valuable energy. First of all, there is an oil pump, a timing mechanism (valves), coolant pump and alternator. There are also devices that are not necessary for engine operation but are common and also need a drive such as a power steering pump or air conditioning compressor drive. All of these devices (except the oil pump driven by the crankshaft-mounted gear assembly) are driven by a chain or strap. What's the problem with straps and chains and can we do without them? 

The basic problem is that the drive of the belt (or chain) consumes a certain amount of power that is subtracted from the engine, which ultimately increases fuel consumption. Although not high power per unit, the total power is a few kilowatts, which is not negligible. Another problem is the maintenance of mechanical components and the controllability. In order to reduce the consumption, ie reduce the amount of CO2, manufacturers resort to different solutions, and one of them is to replace the mechanical drive of the auxiliary systems with electrical ones. This finally leads to the ejection of the belts and the installation of electric motors which instead drive the corresponding devices. 

How do we save money because electric motors also need power (or electricity) to drive? Ejection of belts and chains reduces mechanical losses that are inevitable in mechanical drive. The second, and most important, advantage is the fact that unlike belts that are constantly depressing the engine, the electric motor drives the device only when needed. Also, with electric drive, much better regulation of the operation of the device is possible, which is mechanically controlled solely by the speed of rotation of the motor, while in electric drive it can be regulated completely independently and in a much larger range. 

You may have noticed during warm days that the fan continues to run even after turning off the engine to lower the coolant temperature, which is impossible with mechanical drive. In addition to electric, there are already hybrid models on the market that do not have any straps, and the immediate future is the so-called. a micro hybrid drive that will not use the extra current to drive the vehicle, but solely to drive electric consumers. Addiction to electricity and electronics is the other side of the coin, with advantages in efficiency and economy, it will be difficult to do anything outside of service.

FAN DRIVE: To cool the engine cooling system cooler, the first device where the belt was replaced by an electric motor, which made it possible to use the transverse motors massively

ELECTROMECHANICAL POWER STEERING WHEEL: the moment the driver turns the steering wheel, the electric motor is activated and the mechanism provides additional torque, making it easier for the driver to do the job. The electric motor only works when needed, and the whole mechanism is much simpler than in the case of a hydraulic one

ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVES: In addition to the fact that there is no camshaft or its propulsion in this case, this system provides unlimited valve management capabilities.

ELECTRICAL COMPRESSOR: Extremely fast response, easy operation and low losses are the reason for the increasing frequency of installation of electric compressors in addition to turbochargers.

ELECTRIC VALVE PHASE VARIATOR: The electric motor ensures a relative camshaft rotation to allow the valve opening time to change. The new Lexus LS 500 with bi-turbo petrol 3.5 V6 uses an electric VVT for the intake valve camshafts, and for the camshaft exhaust valves, due to the high temperatures, the hydraulic system is still used.

ELECTRIC OIL PUMP: Submerged in crankcase and driven via crankshaft. The electric oil pump has lower losses and better regulation of oil flow and better lubrication.

ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP: already in use for heating and cooling electric and hybrid cars, and we can expect it soon for those with classic engines

ELECTRICAL BRAKES: Electric parking (hand) braking is already a common occurrence, and there are prototypes with electrical actuation of the main ones, all you need to do is solve reliability and redundancy

ELECTRIC COOLANT PUMP: The classic coolant pump is driven by a belt and activated by starting the engine. The speed and the flow of the pump depend on the speed of rotation of the motor and the pump operates as long as the engine is running. While the engine is cold, the pump should not operate and cannot operate after the engine has been switched off. By replacing the mechanical drive with an electric motor, the pump only works when it is needed, which consumes less energy, and better regulation is possible, so the flow can be increased if the temperature is outside or if the car is running in place to prevent overheating.

Author: Matko Jovic

Retrieved from: www.autoportal.hr


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