Quote:
Originally Posted by hayden55
How exactly does the prius use its clutch?
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To my knowledge the Prius does not have a clutch. Instead, the engine, electric motor and wheels are attached to the various parts (sun gear, orbital gears, ring gear) of a planetary gear set.
In this kind of gear set there are no frictional parts, and everything is connected via fixed gearing. Basically, no wear parts except for bearings.
The speed the ring gear turns is created by the ratio of how fast the sun gear and planetary gears are turning. The Prius thus can vary vehicle speed even while holding the engine at a fixed speed, by varying how fast the electric motor is spinning, or even by spinning it backwards. It can also vary engine speed without changing vehicle speed the same way. It's a very flexible design.
The Volt used the same design.