Yea they make incredible use of a planetary gear set, much more so than the planetaries in an automatic trans. I think it's brilliant they made a flawlessly smooth transitioning device that allows additive torque input from 3 different sources. It runs on simple, normal trans fluid, and it shares a separate coolant loop with the inverter/converter solid state control box. Separate from the engine's coolant I mean. And all this stuff runs north of 300-400k miles before even pretending to have problems. And it's certainly worth the battery cost every decade or two since it pays for itself in saved gas money in 2-3 years.
This is one of the best explanations of how the hybrid engine works. Superb graphics and dialog make this a must-see for all Toyota Hybrid car drivers, such as I. This documentation was not easy to do and the creator spent a lot of time. It is worthwhile and I thank you for the excellence and passing on the knowledge. Well done.
There is always something special to me about these "sketchy" animation videos. Like they just explain it casually and straightforwadly rather than trying to have a glamorous looking presentation.
Sir, your video is a piece of jewelry - you're truly an "internet angel" producing high quality content and promoting interest for technology and science. My profound respect and gratefulness!
This is a great explanation. We bought a Prius in 2008, and have been really happy with it. An amazing vehicle. Almost no maintenance, after 151000 miles, and excellent mileage. Lately the battery has shown decreased performance, but we still love it.
I have had a Toyota Camry Hybrid since February 2015. When I drove it away from the dealership, it felt like Star Trek technology to me. After almost four years, it has been 100% reliable with no break downs whatsoever!
Just got an 08 Prius myself. Had a good laugh when I realized it doesn't even have automatic headlights (it's an option)...Good god I hate unnecessary beeps :D But yeah, feels weird after a Mini.
Another channel removed and opened up the ICE of a Prius after 200,000miles/300,000km. It was like brand new. The battery and occasionally the inverter coolant pump is about the only thing that can go wrong with these cars.
Outstanding explanation .. watched several times to fully understand .. I play at 75%, stop frequently, replay and reflect on the actions inside the planetary element .. a pleasure to learn this. Thanks a million !
Just came across this. Absolutely fantastic! What a labour of love. I love animated CAD and thoughtful explanations. Very enjoyable and recommended to a number of friends. Matt Lee (age 62. And old engineer.)
This is a really good video. Starting off by explaining the problems engineers were trying to solve using clutches and gearboxes sets the context and makes you realise just how amazing the HSD is. Great animation - it must have taken a lot of effort. Thank you.
What a great video! Well done, Niels! You have done something which is so necessary: you have used graphics and words to explain CONCEPTS. This is so crucial in explaining the IDEAS behind how things work. Indeed, your are an exceptionally good teacher.
What a fantastic video, and amazing use of 3D software! I asked the man in the Toyota shop yesterday how the engine coupled into the wheels along with the motor - did it use a clutch of some sort - and he fobbed me off with utter nonsense. Now I understand! The explanation given here could not be bettered, and the two-motor-generator system with planetary gears has to be the new challenge for youngster to grasp, just as the differential once was. I wonder if anyone has built it in Lego yet! Thanks very much.
I suspect that very few mechanics (even those working at a Toyota dealer) understand how the hybrid system works. It so seldom needs repair that only a few specialists ever work on it, just the rest of the car and things like cooling system, exhaust, brakes, suspension, etc.
This a beautiful presentation - Simply brilliant! Your motion graphics spared you the effort of at minimum 5,000 words. I'm subscribed and looking forward to your further efforts. thank you-
Best illustration/explanation I've seen on the HSD. I could even say it's the best explanation I've seen on anything on youtube. Well done and thanks a lot!
There's also the old black & white "more spokes" video on the principle of the differential that has the same step-by-step explanatory quality. th-cam.com/video/yYAw79386WI/w-d-xo.html
After spending an afternoon trying to get the hang of the Toyota e-cvt that's appearantly in my Rav4 Plugin, this video was the best and actually manages to explain how it works. Thank you Nils!
I know this is a few years on, but it’s the first time it has ‘come to life’ as it were. You graphics for explaining how the planetary set works is effective - better than the original Toyota presentations. Note that the second planetary set connected to MG2 (the traction motor) is really a fixed ratio reduction set, allowing the motor to run faster. The ‘smaller’ version of this drive (the so-called “hybrid synergy drive” (HSD) ) does not use a chain to connect to the differential gear set - it’s a short shaft from the ‘ring gear’. Although the mechanical arrangement is well described, there’s a bit more to it! In particular, there are three inverters (to work with the motors, which are variable frequency a.c.), and a pair of d.c. converters. The most important battery in this type of car is the high voltage d.c. one - if it’s dead you’ve had it, but if the smaller 12V d.c. one fails, that is easy to overcome with a conventional external d.c. “jump start” device. The contractor for the HSD is Aisin-Seiko - at least 30% of it’s shares being owned by Toyota; it’s own site may be of interest. Also worth noting that the choice of this system is related to the use of the Atkinson cycle for the engine (most of the time), so as to optimise it’s thermal efficiency, at the expense of reduced torque/power at any given engine speed. What is nice about it is that traction motors have maximum torque at zero speed.
A brilliant mind is able to understand complex things, a genius is able to understand complex things and explain them in simple terms to those who don’t understand
Very impressive explanation of the Prius. Complicated to say the least. These cars are ubiquitous. They're everywhere. One of Toyota's greatest successes.
Family has two hybrids, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Ford Fusion Hybrid, the latter actually employs the same identical powertrain as the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive as Ford & Toyota cross licenses patents. The lack of gearshift and no intrusive engine start stop is something that I learn to love in driving hybrids. Even better understanding regenerative braking- no more guilt of riding the brakes and replacing pads & rotors when the MG2 can take it all back and give you more electricity to get even further.
I think it is brilliant to use an generator as a clutch. [that is what MG1 is doing. It is acting like a clutch, all the while it is a generator. The friction that normally would have been lost as heat in a conventional clutch is converted to electricity that runs MG2] Genius!
@ Poker Channel Yeah that's pretty cool. I wonder why hybrid tech isn't more or less mandatory - since it seems naturally more efficient with fuel, in a number of ways.
EXCELLENT video & explanations. my prius just died & stranded me not far from the middle of nowhere last week. your video allows me to better understand what happened.
@8:50 is a good quick eplanation of why hybrid gets more MPH: The engine either is running at an efficient RPM or not running at all. Engines apparently have a window of RPM which is most efficient. Hybrids allow for an engine to get away with only running in that narrow window of efficiency.
It's more than that. The engines used on hybrids are atkinson engines. These engines are far more efficient than standard petrol (otto) engines, but at the expense of torque. The motors make up for that loss of torque where required.
Thank you thank you! I have been watching your video for years learning more. It is an amazing system. I have a Toyota hybrid and love its efficiency and calming ride in city driving. Sitting in a parking lot in summer (35C) with the car on and motor off running the AC is truly marvelous. I would not run the AC long with a regular car.
I have a 2014 Prius, a 2015 Avalon and a 2017 f350 power stroke. All three are excellent for their unique purposes and design strength. Ideally each will last the duration of my life.
Brilliant. Like your humor as well. I wish Toyota would make a transparent (see-through) Prius so we could see the real thing in action on a display stand. Their hybrid system is one of the most wonderful improvements in automotive technology and I don't think many people appreciate how amazing it is. People complain about the design of the Prius body and I do blame Toyota for a self-inflicted wound that reduced sales of the Prius, and thus benefits to cleaner air and less gasoline consumption. Fortunately they are now putting their hybrid system in more conventional looking vehicles. You have done a great service to help with the understanding of how this system works. Thanks.
And if say the combustion engine was replaced by a larger electric motor for a straight BEV, this ECVT will likely still work, enabling near peak efficiency regardless of wheel speed. And because all gears involved are permanently meshed, tooth wear is significantly reduced
Brilliant video. Complex engineering made much simpler to understand. I am sure Neils you will give it the required update and revision when required. One of the most informative animations I have ever seen.
What an amazing video, thanks Niels for all your work. I’m not 100% sure how the damn thing works but I’m much closer and I’ll continuing studying so I can get tp a point where I can explain it to my granddaughter.
You did an amazing job of breaking it down and making it logical and relatively easy to understand!! Thank You!! You have quite a gift of logical communication!
This changes my look on hybrids , I used to see hybrids as the nerds in the car world without any style but just like in real life the nerds in automotive industry are actually waaay cooler and smarter 600 miles per tank ! I've made up my mind I'm buying a Prius next year !
What you mentioned about 600 miles or more per tank, that's assuming your averaging 50/50.5/51 or higher miles per gallon. The farthest I've went on a single tank is 378 plus miles. And that's my current (11/2021) record for how far I've went so far.
Nice explanation! I always wondered exactly how this system worked and it's simpler than I thought. Loved the graphics. Made it much easier to understand. Thanks!
this is such a good animation....thank you so much, toyota needs to use this why the E-CVt is much better than those older clunky mechanical CVT units....
An acquaintances 2001 Prius started playing up, ICE engine would only run for 12 seconds then stop, main battery was very low, eventualy it stayed running and they drove it to a Auto electrician, I think he added ATF to the invertor coolant too, local garage told him it was the Autotrans filling point, who knows what damage he's done. What surprises me as with all the onboard electronics and computers you don't get very good diagnostics on the 2001 model and obd2 reader doesn't seem to work on Japanese models.
Nice explanation, thanks. I have driven my friends on a couple occasions and found I really like the car. Will probably be my next vehicle in some iteration.
I just bought a (used) 2017 Prius Two. This video was very helpful... Thank you. I remain confused, however; (1) on how exactly the breaks work and (2) what it means to drive in "Eco" "Power" and "Battery" mode. In other words, why should one want to drive in any other than normal "Hybrid" mode. Again, thank you, Niels, for an excellent video.
1. Producing power with a generator takes force, that force can be used to brake the car. 2. I think the 17 prius works like my 16 auris (gen4 vs gen3 hybrid system, but that should be irrelevant) Eco mode let's the engine temp go lower before starting the engine again, it also let's the temp inside the car go a bit higher without giving more power to the ac compressor, to maximize engine off time, it also lowers the throttle response. Power does not change engine or cabin temp threshold, only increase throttle response Battery I guess is like EV in mine, keeps the engine from turning on at all for heat, also gives you a bit more throttle freedom before it turns on the engine. I rarely use Eco, only on traffic jams or where it's a lot of redlights. I never use power, full throttle is full throttle regardless of mode. EV I use from time to time if I'm moving the car, like pulling out of the driveway to load stuff or drive around a corner, don't want to start a cold engine a d turning it off 20 seconds later.
The brakes engage when the force of braking is too much for the generator all at one time, (basically when braking "hard") Battery mode is (unfortunately) useless and only uses the small hybrid battery/electric motor to drive the car, but shuts off when the batt is too low, or you accelerate too fast. Eco/Power Mode changes the sensitivity of the accelerator and how much power is required to use more electric or gas engine power.
Toyota Prius Prime (plug in hybrid) you can drive further and faster with much bigger battery, which is ideal for everyday drivers, long distance etc. An ultimate car :D
For those commenting that these systems are more complex than a standard motor, they're actually simpler, as they do without cluch, gears, and the whole mechanical transmission. This takes a lot of stress out of the whole motor/transmission system, and in fact the thermic motor in Toyotas works in a different fashion than a standard car motor, as it is not supposed to work on a full rev range, but it can just work in a limited range, maximizing efficiency, as the other 2 motors take active part in transmission. Thus Toyota hybrids are well known for very high reliability.
Also eliminates the starter motor, starter cable, starter solenoid, giant 12-volt battery, alternator and its belt, (all of which are common failure points) idling, and failing to start in cold weather. ALL Toyotas are known for reliability -- check the annual Consumer Reports "Frequency of Repair" edition at your library. The next time you watch a nature documentary filmed in the middle of nowhere, you'll see nearly everyone drives a Toyota.
@@CharlieGosh True - and anyone venturing into the Australia outback wouldn't be seen in anything other than a Landcruiser, unless of course they had a death wish in which case they'd drive a Land Rover..lol
I had a fair understanding about the hybrid engines but you brought it to a real full understanding of it _ I wanted to thank you _ and I will recommend this video to Prius drivers...
Very good! I drive a Prius for deliveries at work and notice some tremendous RPMs on the MG while in engine braking mode and also when in cruise control mode and reduce the cruise speed while going downhill. You can really hear the high speed winding up of the motor/generator
The cool thing about Toyota in my opinion is that you don't have to buy the Prius to get a hybrid engine. You can have it normal cars now, too. So all the benefits without the Prius looks... Unless you're into that, of course ;-) .
@@tobiasmeier6887 True. But I don't think there's another toyota that matches the efficiency of a prius due to weight, engine, etc? I just like how focused they are with how efficient the car is.
I HATED the prius, everything about it, everything it stood for. I'd laugh at them on the road in the various sports cars that I've owned, various trucks that I've owned. Then I got the chance to buy a USDM gen 1 for $500... It's the best god damn car I've ever owned.
Weber auto and your video just blew my mind. This is all i was looking for the past 3 days and yet you did it. I drive an Auris II and i finally knows how it works thanks to weber auto and you. Keep up the great work!!!
This is the best ever explanation i found out here out many of BullShit explanations that keep you watching many minutes and t the end you end up more confused . Thank-you friend , please up the true work.
I have a 2010 Prius base we bought brand new. This has been the best (better than the lexus we owned) car ever. These are notorious for being extremely reliable. As of this writing we have 59,400 miles and still have the original brakes. I wanted to trade for a bigger SUV (toyota of course) but cannot part with this car.
Excellent explanation!!! I have driven a TOYOTA HYBRID car for 8 years (above 160 000 miles) without single malfunction (yes!). Incredibly well built car! Post Scriptum: I think that with that high level of engineering a TOYOTA/Lexus’s self-charging hybrids have far more bright future in comparison to EV’s (time of refueling vs. speed of charging) than many thinks in favor to EV’s...
The moment you realize the prius is all about the transmission, not the battery...
That’s why the sticker on the back says “Hybrid Synergy Drive” and not “Battery”.
Yea they make incredible use of a planetary gear set, much more so than the planetaries in an automatic trans. I think it's brilliant they made a flawlessly smooth transitioning device that allows additive torque input from 3 different sources. It runs on simple, normal trans fluid, and it shares a separate coolant loop with the inverter/converter solid state control box. Separate from the engine's coolant I mean. And all this stuff runs north of 300-400k miles before even pretending to have problems. And it's certainly worth the battery cost every decade or two since it pays for itself in saved gas money in 2-3 years.
My brain did blow up with that realization. What an elegant and simple solution they made
Yep!!
This is one of the best explanations of how the hybrid engine works. Superb graphics and dialog make this a must-see for all Toyota Hybrid car drivers, such as I. This documentation was not easy to do and the creator spent a lot of time. It is worthwhile and I thank you for the excellence and passing on the knowledge. Well done.
I second this. Thank you Mr. Niels Blaauw sir for this wonderful explanation!
There is always something special to me about these "sketchy" animation videos. Like they just explain it casually and straightforwadly rather than trying to have a glamorous looking presentation.
Sir, your video is a piece of jewelry - you're truly an "internet angel" producing high quality content and promoting interest for technology and science. My profound respect and gratefulness!
Well said
P
ongawd
This is awesome! You opened my eyes for how amazing a hybrid engine really is.
It gets even more awesome most hybrids including the Prius have an Atkinson cycle engine with roughly 40% thermal efficiency.
For real except he closed my eyes
Over the years I've come back to watch this video. This guy really did a great job of simplifying and teaching hybrid this system.
This is a great explanation. We bought a Prius in 2008, and have been really happy with it. An amazing vehicle. Almost no maintenance, after 151000 miles, and excellent mileage. Lately the battery has shown decreased performance, but we still love it.
I have owned a bmw, a Mazda, a Kia, then a Prius, then another Prius. Only the Prius fits the definition of “durable goods”
I have had a Toyota Camry Hybrid since February 2015.
When I drove it away from the dealership, it felt like Star Trek technology to me.
After almost four years, it has been 100% reliable with no break downs whatsoever!
Just got an 08 Prius myself. Had a good laugh when I realized it doesn't even have automatic headlights (it's an option)...Good god I hate unnecessary beeps :D But yeah, feels weird after a Mini.
Another channel removed and opened up the ICE of a Prius after 200,000miles/300,000km. It was like brand new. The battery and occasionally the inverter coolant pump is about the only thing that can go wrong with these cars.
Probably the best explanation of Toyota's hybrid drive on the internet. Excellent.
Outstanding explanation .. watched several times to fully understand .. I play at 75%, stop frequently, replay and reflect on the actions inside the planetary element .. a pleasure to learn this. Thanks a million !
Just came across this. Absolutely fantastic! What a labour of love. I love animated CAD and thoughtful explanations. Very enjoyable and recommended to a number of friends.
Matt Lee (age 62. And old engineer.)
Yeah - very helpful video - explains in a way that I can start to physically grasp how it works. You're right it's the pictures that do the trick.
Wow this is the first video I've watched that actually makes hybrids make sense.
This is a really good video. Starting off by explaining the problems engineers were trying to solve using clutches and gearboxes sets the context and makes you realise just how amazing the HSD is. Great animation - it must have taken a lot of effort. Thank you.
What a great video! Well done, Niels! You have done something which is so necessary: you have used graphics and words to explain CONCEPTS. This is so crucial in explaining the IDEAS behind how things work. Indeed, your are an exceptionally good teacher.
What a fantastic video, and amazing use of 3D software! I asked the man in the Toyota shop yesterday how the engine coupled into the wheels along with the motor - did it use a clutch of some sort - and he fobbed me off with utter nonsense. Now I understand! The explanation given here could not be bettered, and the two-motor-generator system with planetary gears has to be the new challenge for youngster to grasp, just as the differential once was. I wonder if anyone has built it in Lego yet! Thanks very much.
I suspect that very few mechanics (even those working at a Toyota dealer) understand how the hybrid system works. It so seldom needs repair that only a few specialists ever work on it, just the rest of the car and things like cooling system, exhaust, brakes, suspension, etc.
This a beautiful presentation - Simply brilliant! Your motion graphics spared you the effort of at minimum 5,000 words. I'm subscribed and looking forward to your further efforts. thank you-
This is the best explanation about this concept I have ever found
Still the best explanation of the Hybrid Synergy Drive I've seen. Thank you.
Almost didnt watch this….glad i did. Amazing explanation! I was amazed at the detail and engineering genius in discussion
This is like some of the best powertrain modeling I've ever seen... The detail on just the differential is amazing.
Best illustration/explanation I've seen on the HSD. I could even say it's the best explanation I've seen on anything on youtube. Well done and thanks a lot!
There's also the old black & white "more spokes" video on the principle of the differential that has the same step-by-step explanatory quality. th-cam.com/video/yYAw79386WI/w-d-xo.html
Yeah I like that one too :)
The best explanation I’ve ever seen. Man you are the master of logic and visualization!
The data presented here blew my mind. So did the illustrations. Great 3d modeling and beaking down of complwx systems. Thank you for this.
This was the best explanation of a hybrid I’ve ever watched!
I just bought eCVT car, and wanted to learn about how eCVTs actually work... Your video explained me a lot!
I love the little flames in the cylinders. Lovely!
After spending an afternoon trying to get the hang of the Toyota e-cvt that's appearantly in my Rav4 Plugin, this video was the best and actually manages to explain how it works. Thank you Nils!
Absolutely brilliantly done and narrated.
After watching your broadcast, I went and bought a secondhand prius II and am very happy with it.Thank you for your video
He should get a commission!
That's the kind of videos TH-cam should mainly be used for !
Every now and then as I'm cruising Arizona freeways at 84 mph (135 kph) getting 47 mpg I wonder how it all works. Niels- thank you for explaining it!
Hi Niels. Love the explanation. Is there a chance I can use bits of this video for an upcoming video? I'd be happy to link to your channel.
You brought me here from your video!
Also came here as a result of Big Car. What an amazing explanation of drivetrains generally, and Toyota's hybrid specifically
I am here too, by Big Car suggestion
I know this is a few years on, but it’s the first time it has ‘come to life’ as it were. You graphics for explaining how the planetary set works is effective - better than the original Toyota presentations.
Note that the second planetary set connected to MG2 (the traction motor) is really a fixed ratio reduction set, allowing the motor to run faster.
The ‘smaller’ version of this drive (the so-called “hybrid synergy drive” (HSD) ) does not use a chain to connect to the differential gear set - it’s a short shaft from the ‘ring gear’. Although the mechanical arrangement is well described, there’s a bit more to it! In particular, there are three inverters (to work with the motors, which are variable frequency a.c.), and a pair of d.c. converters. The most important battery in this type of car is the high voltage d.c. one - if it’s dead you’ve had it, but if the smaller 12V d.c. one fails, that is easy to overcome with a conventional external d.c. “jump start” device.
The contractor for the HSD is Aisin-Seiko - at least 30% of it’s shares being owned by Toyota; it’s own site may be of interest.
Also worth noting that the choice of this system is related to the use of the Atkinson cycle for the engine (most of the time), so as to optimise it’s thermal efficiency, at the expense of reduced torque/power at any given engine speed. What is nice about it is that traction motors have maximum torque at zero speed.
A brilliant mind is able to understand complex things, a genius is able to understand complex things and explain them in simple terms to those who don’t understand
"Anyone can make the simple complicated. Taking something complicated and making it simple, man, that's creativity." - Charles Mingus
That’s really not genius. That’s being a good teacher. Genius is looking at what everyone has looked at but seeing what no one else has seen.
Excellent presentation! You're a genius! Thumbs up! It is clear that advances in battery technology will completely eliminate the need for the ICE
Very impressive explanation of the Prius. Complicated to say the least. These cars are ubiquitous. They're everywhere. One of Toyota's greatest successes.
This is amazing. It hadn't occurred to me that the resistance from the generator could directly act as the clutch.
And, effectively, a torque converter! Ingenious design.
But it doesn't. Before introducing the planetary gear set he shows an interesting design which is almost completely unlike the Prius transmission.
Best explanation of the hybrid drive I found so far! Thanks!
One of the best explanation of how Prius hybrid drive work. very good video🥰🥰🥰
Very helpful video - explains in a way that I can start to physically grasp how it works - the pictures make it all come together.
Brilliant! Portraying the crankshaft and drive shaft perpendicular to the axel helps old dogs like me :)
Family has two hybrids, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Ford Fusion Hybrid, the latter actually employs the same identical powertrain as the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive as Ford & Toyota cross licenses patents. The lack of gearshift and no intrusive engine start stop is something that I learn to love in driving hybrids. Even better understanding regenerative braking- no more guilt of riding the brakes and replacing pads & rotors when the MG2 can take it all back and give you more electricity to get even further.
MG2 cannot "take it all back." You will lose power riding the brakes. Nothing will ever beat coasting for efficiency.
I think it is brilliant to use an generator as a clutch. [that is what MG1 is doing. It is acting like a clutch, all the while it is a generator. The friction that normally would have been lost as heat in a conventional clutch is converted to electricity that runs MG2] Genius!
@ Poker Channel Yeah that's pretty cool. I wonder why hybrid tech isn't more or less mandatory - since it seems naturally more efficient with fuel, in a number of ways.
EXCELLENT video & explanations. my prius just died & stranded me not far from the middle of nowhere last week. your video allows me to better understand what happened.
@8:50 is a good quick eplanation of why hybrid gets more MPH: The engine either is running at an efficient RPM or not running at all. Engines apparently have a window of RPM which is most efficient. Hybrids allow for an engine to get away with only running in that narrow window of efficiency.
It's more than that. The engines used on hybrids are atkinson engines. These engines are far more efficient than standard petrol (otto) engines, but at the expense of torque. The motors make up for that loss of torque where required.
@@MikelSyn The ICE cubic capacity is also larger to make up for the power disadvantage of Atkinson Cycle.
Thanks Neils for your clear explanation of the workings of the Prius. You have done a great job of it.
Brillant explanation. I know someone said the same below me, but it´s the expression i found to describe this.
Thank you thank you! I have been watching your video for years learning more. It is an amazing system. I have a Toyota hybrid and love its efficiency and calming ride in city driving. Sitting in a parking lot in summer (35C) with the car on and motor off running the AC is truly marvelous. I would not run the AC long with a regular car.
This is so phenomenal! Thanks for making this 3D animation.
I have a 2014 Prius, a 2015 Avalon and a 2017 f350 power stroke. All three are excellent for their unique purposes and design strength. Ideally each will last the duration of my life.
Great clear graphics. Good structured presentation.
I hope you are teaching some lucky people.
Thank you Niels! Nicely produced and animated, give a lot of clarity to my Prius.
A work of art, intellectual art; beautiful. Thanks Niles.
Brilliant. Like your humor as well. I wish Toyota would make a transparent (see-through) Prius so we could see the real thing in action on a display stand. Their hybrid system is one of the most wonderful improvements in automotive technology and I don't think many people appreciate how amazing it is. People complain about the design of the Prius body and I do blame Toyota for a self-inflicted wound that reduced sales of the Prius, and thus benefits to cleaner air and less gasoline consumption. Fortunately they are now putting their hybrid system in more conventional looking vehicles. You have done a great service to help with the understanding of how this system works. Thanks.
this is so much easier to understand than explanation on paper. so awesome.
And if say the combustion engine was replaced by a larger electric motor for a straight BEV, this ECVT will likely still work, enabling near peak efficiency regardless of wheel speed.
And because all gears involved are permanently meshed, tooth wear is significantly reduced
That’s incredibly smart
I understood 50 percent of that. Still better than what I used to think was magic. Gears, capacitors, batteries, Motors. ME LIKEY.
Great job sir. Thank you for going back and forth on the different types too. That made it much easier to understand
Thanks for your fantastic presentation and explanation. Talking slowly so that every one catch up this new technology.
Brilliant video. Complex engineering made much simpler to understand. I am sure Neils you will give it the required update and revision when required.
One of the most informative animations I have ever seen.
This. Is. Amazing. Non-engineer here with a Prius. Fascinating. Thank you.
This is the best explanation of the HSD bar none, ever.
A truly world class video.
What an amazing video, thanks Niels for all your work. I’m not 100% sure how the damn thing works but I’m much closer and I’ll continuing studying so I can get tp a point where I can explain it to my granddaughter.
You did an amazing job of breaking it down and making it logical and relatively easy to understand!! Thank You!! You have quite a gift of logical communication!
Finally someone on youtube that understand it. Good job
I'm still tryin' to wrap my brain around all those moving parts...wow! Good job, Niels.
This changes my look on hybrids , I used to see hybrids as the nerds in the car world without any style but just like in real life the nerds in automotive industry are actually waaay cooler and smarter 600 miles per tank ! I've made up my mind I'm buying a Prius next year !
What you mentioned about 600 miles or more per tank, that's assuming your averaging 50/50.5/51 or higher miles per gallon. The farthest I've went on a single tank is 378 plus miles. And that's my current (11/2021) record for how far I've went so far.
@@morganrussman So far I've had my 2015 for a year, and my average is around 430~ with ECO Mode
I hope Toyota licenses the hybrid mechanism and Mazda makes a hybrid Miata.
@L W we need a 80mpg car nowadays
Nice explanation! I always wondered exactly how this system worked and it's simpler than I thought. Loved the graphics. Made it much easier to understand. Thanks!
This must be the 9th time I watch this video. THANK YOU!
This makes me appreciate my Prius so much :D
ASMR for auto mechanics. Haha.
This dude needs a playlist for falling asleep. Well spoken and made video.
this is such a good animation....thank you so much, toyota needs to use this why the E-CVt is much better than those older clunky mechanical CVT units....
Thank you for all your work presenting this fine video. I now have a good understanding of how my Prius Plug in works.
Oh, best explanation I've seen ... very professional........ fyi the third gen does not have a chain as stated.
Fantastic job Neils! Thank you for explaining it so clearly 👍
Really impressive work!
An amazing design by Toyota at that time in 1998.
Absolutely BRILLIANT
FANTASTIC VIDEO,YOU ARE THE MAN.THANK YOU SO MUCH.STEVE IN CLEARWATER,FL. 2009 PRIUS 48,000 MILES BOUGHT 2 DAYS AGO.!
What a great video. This is why the internet is special.
An acquaintances 2001 Prius started playing up, ICE engine would only run for 12 seconds then stop, main battery was very low, eventualy it stayed running and they drove it to a Auto electrician, I think he added ATF to the invertor coolant too, local garage told him it was the Autotrans filling point, who knows what damage he's done.
What surprises me as with all the onboard electronics and computers you don't get very good diagnostics on the 2001 model and obd2 reader doesn't seem to work on Japanese models.
That is a very good demonstration and I now understand how it works, thank you so much!
I guess this is a semester curriculum.. I need to digest it at least for 40 hrs.. Thanks for uploading it
Nice explanation, thanks. I have driven my friends on a couple occasions and found I really like the car. Will probably be my next vehicle in some iteration.
I just bought a (used) 2017 Prius Two. This video was very helpful... Thank you.
I remain confused, however; (1) on how exactly the breaks work and (2) what it means to drive in "Eco" "Power" and "Battery" mode.
In other words, why should one want to drive in any other than normal "Hybrid" mode.
Again, thank you, Niels, for an excellent video.
1. Producing power with a generator takes force, that force can be used to brake the car.
2. I think the 17 prius works like my 16 auris (gen4 vs gen3 hybrid system, but that should be irrelevant)
Eco mode let's the engine temp go lower before starting the engine again, it also let's the temp inside the car go a bit higher without giving more power to the ac compressor, to maximize engine off time, it also lowers the throttle response.
Power does not change engine or cabin temp threshold, only increase throttle response
Battery I guess is like EV in mine, keeps the engine from turning on at all for heat, also gives you a bit more throttle freedom before it turns on the engine.
I rarely use Eco, only on traffic jams or where it's a lot of redlights. I never use power, full throttle is full throttle regardless of mode. EV I use from time to time if I'm moving the car, like pulling out of the driveway to load stuff or drive around a corner, don't want to start a cold engine a d turning it off 20 seconds later.
"breaks work" . nice oxymoron.....
and why do so many ppl want to "break" their car?
The brakes engage when the force of braking is too much for the generator all at one time, (basically when braking "hard")
Battery mode is (unfortunately) useless and only uses the small hybrid battery/electric motor to drive the car, but shuts off when the batt is too low, or you accelerate too fast.
Eco/Power Mode changes the sensitivity of the accelerator and how much power is required to use more electric or gas engine power.
Toyota Prius Prime (plug in hybrid) you can drive further and faster with much bigger battery, which is ideal for everyday drivers, long distance etc. An ultimate car :D
Thanks very much for taking the time to put together such a clear and concise animation. :)
For those commenting that these systems are more complex than a standard motor, they're actually simpler, as they do without cluch, gears, and the whole mechanical transmission. This takes a lot of stress out of the whole motor/transmission system, and in fact the thermic motor in Toyotas works in a different fashion than a standard car motor, as it is not supposed to work on a full rev range, but it can just work in a limited range, maximizing efficiency, as the other 2 motors take active part in transmission. Thus Toyota hybrids are well known for very high reliability.
I believe the Heat Engines in the first Prius models ran on the Atkinson Cycle, but the later ones ran on the Otto cycle....
@@Dave-wy4so wiki says they run on a Miller cycle, which should be a simplified mechanical version of the Atkinson cycle.
Also eliminates the starter motor, starter cable, starter solenoid, giant 12-volt battery, alternator and its belt, (all of which are common failure points) idling, and failing to start in cold weather. ALL Toyotas are known for reliability -- check the annual Consumer Reports "Frequency of Repair" edition at your library. The next time you watch a nature documentary filmed in the middle of nowhere, you'll see nearly everyone drives a Toyota.
@@CharlieGosh True - and anyone venturing into the Australia outback wouldn't be seen in anything other than a Landcruiser, unless of course they had a death wish in which case they'd drive a Land Rover..lol
Dear Niels, thank you for this nice explanation! It's far the most easily understood all over the internet!
Thank you. An excellent description. I now understand how it works.
I had a fair understanding about the hybrid engines but you brought it to a real full understanding of it _ I wanted to thank you _ and I will recommend this video to Prius drivers...
Almost understood it! I'll get it second time round.. Thank you!!
Very good! I drive a Prius for deliveries at work and notice some tremendous RPMs on the MG while in engine braking mode and also when in cruise control mode and reduce the cruise speed while going downhill. You can really hear the high speed winding up of the motor/generator
This is why I bought the prius! It's so fascinating and very well engineered. Even though lots of people hate it.
The cool thing about Toyota in my opinion is that you don't have to buy the Prius to get a hybrid engine. You can have it normal cars now, too. So all the benefits without the Prius looks... Unless you're into that, of course ;-) .
@@tobiasmeier6887 True. But I don't think there's another toyota that matches the efficiency of a prius due to weight, engine, etc? I just like how focused they are with how efficient the car is.
@@dw2843 I'm guessing the Prius' aerodynamic shape would add to the efficiency in comparison to other Toyota models. So yeah, I get your point...
I HATED the prius, everything about it, everything it stood for. I'd laugh at them on the road in the various sports cars that I've owned, various trucks that I've owned. Then I got the chance to buy a USDM gen 1 for $500... It's the best god damn car I've ever owned.
It's a great car. It just looks gay.
Weber auto and your video just blew my mind. This is all i was looking for the past 3 days and yet you did it. I drive an Auris II and i finally knows how it works thanks to weber auto and you. Keep up the great work!!!
This is the best ever explanation i found out here out many of BullShit explanations that keep you watching many minutes and t the end you end up more confused .
Thank-you friend , please up the true work.
Your explanation and animation are awesome! The Prius Drive is truly one of the most advanced and smart, and yet simple invention.
thanks, pretty amazing video. I drive a Prius. had no idea it was this complicated.
Amazing! Was looking all over TH-cam for someone to explain this
You are brilliant, and a great teacher.
God. I should have been an engineer! Best description of a hybrid I’ve seen.
I have a 2010 Prius base we bought brand new. This has been the best (better than the lexus we owned) car ever. These are notorious for being extremely reliable. As of this writing we have 59,400 miles and still have the original brakes. I wanted to trade for a bigger SUV (toyota of course) but cannot part with this car.
Excellent explanation!!!
I have driven a TOYOTA HYBRID car for 8 years (above 160 000 miles) without single malfunction (yes!). Incredibly well built car!
Post Scriptum: I think that with that high level of engineering a TOYOTA/Lexus’s self-charging hybrids have far more bright future in comparison to EV’s (time of refueling vs. speed of charging) than many thinks in favor to EV’s...