[RahulNagaraj]

Toyota has filed a patent application that allows the use of a manual transmission in hybrid vehicles. According to reports, the system would manage the interplay between the car's ICE and its electric motor unit.



As per the patent application, the manual transmission system for hybrids is a bit complex consisting of a shuttle valve and multiple clutch cylinders. These are connected to the clutch pedal and the ECU, allowing drivers to change gears more or less in the same way as they would on a standard gearbox. The ECU helps the car seamlessly shift between the engine and electric power. The computer can cut in and depress the clutch either when the car is coasting to a stop or while taking off.

The driver though will be able to depress the clutch, regardless of what the ECU wants, thanks to the arrangement of the valve. There is also a separate 'driving mode' wherein the computer interference is cut off entirely with the transmission directly connected to the clutch pedal alone.

With hybrid vehicles becoming more popular, the patent could appeal to enthusiasts who still want to drive a manual gearbox. Toyota is working on a simulated manual transmission on electric vehicles as well.

Source: CarScoops

Link to Team-BHP news

[turbowhistle]

This would be great if they can actually bring it to a production car, Toyota already has a strong share globally when it comes to Strong hybrids and this will further cement their place as a leader in the segment.

I am only curious about the real world fuel economy the MT hybrid will have given they rely quite a bit on the transmission to make the correct choice. I have a Mazda which has a mild hybrid with MT ( Similar to Ciaz) and the fuel consumption is nothing to write home about. I rarely see numbers above 15kmpl unless am driving sedately on an open road which can be achieved with an ICE car as well.

[Mak@87]

I was wondering when someone would put this in motion.
When you think about it, this is what a natural advancement of automobile engineering should be like.
Having an electric motor to give a boost at just that opportune moment makes so much sense. As does a Manual Tranny to go with it.
About the Simulated Manual Transmission to go with EV's, I saw a YouTube video of a Gentleman from Pune, who was making a EV conversion kit on Maruti Dzire, using its original Transmission. According to him, the Electric motor would be revved in much the same way as an ICE, and the tranny would push the power to the wheels like a traditional setup. This way the electric motor could be kept in its most efficient power band.
Never-the-less, looking forward to whatever Toyota cooks up in its oven.

[volkman10]

Toyota's manual transmission for EVs - First drive report

It’s a crazy idea. It’s also a blast to drive, and may keep the manual alive a little while longer

in a red Lexus UX crossover that has a little something extra no other UX has. It’s a six-speed manual transmission and a third pedal in the footwell. Making this car extra exceptional is the fact that it’s a Lexus UX 300e—an electric vehicle.

With this system, I love BEV

Obviously, it’s not a real manual transmission—not the way a gas car has a physical gearbox, clutch, and linkage. It’s not needed here.

Instead, the Toyota team cooked up an independent six-speed stick-shift unit with a sensor attached and a clutch pedal with the same. Those sensors detect the movement of those devices and then use software to artificially modulate the amount of torque the electric motor sends to the wheels.

also changed the control program of the electric motor

Coupled with artificial engine noise delivered through the car speakers, it replicates the experience of driving an ICE car in an EV—and it does this so well you might forget what’s under your hood.




Link