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-   -   Parallel Hybrids (https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/parallel-hybrids-15069.html)

NeilBlanchard 11-04-2010 11:23 AM

Parallel Hybrids - Urbee
 
This is a small category of hybrids; as only the Honda IMA is a production parallel-only hybrid, and they are "mild" hybrids because they do not have electric-only modes.

But, we now have a new unique example of a "full" parallel hybrid, called the Urbee:

http://www.autotantra.com/img/urbee-hybrid.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblo...1/04-urbee.jpg

SEMA 2010: Urbee Concept has just one word for us: "Plastics" — Autoblog Green

Urbee Hybrid Is World’s First 3D Printed Car - Green Car Reports

It is electric drive on the two front wheels, and has a very small (single cylinder?) ICE driving the single rear wheel -- that also steers! I'm not sure I like that... But, they have some interesting solutions.

The headroom looks pretty darn low, and the visibility out the windshield is quite limited; as you are looking through a 9-12" high "slot".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWGfx_XumhI

Oh, and there is the GM Precept, which is certainly a full parallel hybrid concept:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ame-14026.html

NeilBlanchard 11-04-2010 01:44 PM

Here's the Urbee website:

http://www.urbee.net/home/

Unfortunately, it is a little thin on info. The pictures on the Autoblog Green site are by far the most helpful.

NeilBlanchard 02-08-2011 01:20 PM

http://www.urbee.net/images/template/header.jpg
(click on image for link)

Actually, I think rear wheel steering may be a non-starter. Driving this at highway speeds could be scaryscaryscary.

I've driven forktrucks and rear wheel steering is required for these, but they take quite a while to get used to, and the faster you go, the harder they get to control.

But, maybe they have a progressive power steering that can handle this?

I like their (general) objectives:

Quote:

1. Use the least amount of energy possible for every kilometre traveled.
2. Cause as little pollution as possible during manufacturing, operation and recycling of the car.
3. Use materials available as close as possible to where the car is built.
4. Use materials that can be recycled again and again.
5. Use parts and materials that last as long as possible.
6. Be simple to understand, build, and repair.
7. Be as safe as possible to drive.
8. Meet the standards and regulations applicable to traditional cars.
9. Be buildable in small quantities so we don't have to wait for it to become more widely accepted before we can begin manufacturing it for the public.
10. Be mass-producable so it can be built more economically once it becomes more widely accepted.
11. Be affordable.
12. Be visually appealing.
These could apply to any car!

Fuzzy video of actual prototype:

[youtube]FzXXC_KUxr8[/youtube]

Gallery of pictures on Jalopnik

euromodder 02-08-2011 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard;219248Actually, I think rear wheel steering may be a non-starter. Driving this at highway speeds could be scary[I
scaryscary[/I].

But, maybe they have a progressive power steering that can handle this?

Speed-sensitive power steering, and limited steering angles at speed, I'd hope.

Depending on their weight distribution, 3wheelers are also quite easily flippable - as quite a few velomobile owners have found out.

JasonG 02-10-2011 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by euromodder (Post 219251)
Speed-sensitive power steering, and limited steering angles at speed, I'd hope.

Depending on their weight distribution, 3wheelers are also quite easily flippable - as quite a few velomobile owners have found out.

The tadpole layout is much more stable than the Delta.
The big issue is with a rear drive tadpole, if you apply power when the inside wheel is lifting, it produces more lift on that wheel. Unload it completely and you have a motorcycle pointed towards the outside of the turn. Instint is to turn more. This causes the now sideways tire to roll under and grab. Apply more power to the rear wheel and over she goes.
Front drive tadpoles are harder to flip than a 4 wheeler.

Yeah, that rear steering scares the poop out of me too.

NeilBlanchard 01-09-2013 01:02 PM

informed discussion of rear steering reverse trike
 
This is an interesting read about the Urbee and how it compares to the Dymaxion:

The Left-handed Cyclist: Bucky Fuller and the Urbee

cRiPpLe_rOoStEr 01-09-2013 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard (Post 202472)
This is a small category of hybrids; as only the Honda IMA is a production parallel-only hybrid, and they are "mild" hybrids because they do not have electric-only modes.

What I knew as mild hybrids were vehicles which had the start-stop (often quoted as "micro-hybrid") and an auxiliary electric motor for accessory drive (power steering pump, A/C compressor, among others) only, not for traction purposes.

niky 01-09-2013 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard (Post 349989)
This is an interesting read about the Urbee and how it compares to the Dymaxion:

The Left-handed Cyclist: Bucky Fuller and the Urbee

A thought comes to mind. Aside from clever steering geometry, since the front wheels are electrically driven, couldn't some form of active torque vectoring be used to both stabilize handling and improve turning? (not knowing how the motor is attached to the wheels...)

-

Interestingly, since this thread started, we've seen one of the rare examples of a Delta layout that's extremely stable... the Nissan DeltaWing... of course, that involved positiong the (front) steering wheels faaaaaaar away from center mass.

freebeard 01-10-2013 04:38 AM

If it has the differential in 'software', torque vectoring should be within easy reach. If the rear steering were speed sensitive, it could trade off with the front as speed increases. 3WD and 3WS.

Jet planes with swept forward wings are inherently unstable too, fly-by-wire makes them manageable and nimble.

NeilBlanchard 05-06-2013 10:01 PM

The Urbee project is apparently still progressing:

3D Printed Cars Could Revolutionize The Automobile - Gas 2


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