Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Epic New Transmission? No Friction! Is it perfect?

Rokeby · 11-06-2010, 06:34 PM

I would say that this "transmission" is sufficiently similar to the Prius' Power
Split Device, PSD, that the "inventor" will need whole bunch of lawyers to
defend any claim that it is new and different. Ford has a similar if not
identical unit in its hybrid and shares a cross licensing agreement with
Toyota.

Photos of the PSD aren't really helpful in seeing its innards/workings as it's folded back on itself:

Ford went to great expense and complexity -- three clutches IIRC, with
possible long-term reliability consequences -- to ensure its version is not
similar. After bashing Toyota/Prius for so many years, it seems that GM
would rather shoot itself in the foot than admit to being wrong headed.

Here is an animated PSD simulator from the First Generation Prius with
variable inputs so that you can fiddle with it and see what happens:

Prius driving simulator

FWIW, the PSD has gone virtually unchanged through Gen II and Gen III, and
there is every indication it will appear in the PHEV in 2012.

IIRC, Toyota didn't invent it and pays royalties on the use of the design.

Frank Lee,

You probably already know that deep in the Prius' belly there is a drive chain.
Makes your heart go pitter-pat, don't it?

11-06-2010, 06:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
Rokeby Gen II Prianista Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ballamer, Merlin Posts: 453 Thanks: 201 Thanked 146 Times in 89 Posts	I would say that this "transmission" is sufficiently similar to the Prius' Power Split Device, PSD, that the "inventor" will need whole bunch of lawyers to defend any claim that it is new and different. Ford has a similar if not identical unit in its hybrid and shares a cross licensing agreement with Toyota. Photos of the PSD aren't really helpful in seeing its innards/workings as it's folded back on itself: Ford went to great expense and complexity -- three clutches IIRC, with possible long-term reliability consequences -- to ensure its version is not similar. After bashing Toyota/Prius for so many years, it seems that GM would rather shoot itself in the foot than admit to being wrong headed. Here is an animated PSD simulator from the First Generation Prius with variable inputs so that you can fiddle with it and see what happens: Prius driving simulator FWIW, the PSD has gone virtually unchanged through Gen II and Gen III, and there is every indication it will appear in the PHEV in 2012. IIRC, Toyota didn't invent it and pays royalties on the use of the design. Frank Lee, You probably already know that deep in the Prius' belly there is a drive chain. Makes your heart go pitter-pat, don't it? Last edited by Rokeby; 11-06-2010 at 06:59 PM..