Simulational energy analyses of different transmission (automated manuel transmission vs continuously variable transmission) selection effects on fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles’ energetic performance

Abstract

In recent years, the adoption of alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles has necessitated radical changes to meet the energy needs of the automotive sector. Hybrid electric vehicles are used as a perfect step between traditional fossil fueled internal combustion engines and fully electric vehicles. Deeply related to this, complicated industry and manufacturers need simulation programs to reduce both the cost of test sets and to use time with the highest efficiency. Before the production, especially in automotive sector, the simulation and prototyping procedure is playing an indispensable role. For this study, the AVL-Cruise simulation tool was chosen. Due to its capability to keep up with evolving technological structures, this program can be easily implemented in hybrid vehicle simulations. In this study, a hybrid engine model was created based on a 1.5 L, four -cylinder gasoline engine and a 10 kW electric motor. Energy analysis, based on the variations in the CVT and AMT transmissions of a hybrid motor, was conducted under three different driving cycles and compared in detail. Additionally, energetic balance like exergy is executed for this model. Sankey diagrams were employed to illustrate the differences and energy consumptions of the vehicle based on the selected modeling criteria. As a result, the CVT is slightly better behaviors than AMT both fuel consumption (2.5 - 4%), emission reducing (1.5 - 4.6%) and energetic balances (3.6 - 5%).