6
YOUR GLOBAL CRAFTSMAN STUDIO
FMAX
PHEV Technology
The
advancement
of
production
technologies is essential to the realization
of fuel efficiency. This is also true in
the metal cutting industry. The turbo
charger is not new technology, but
the production of efficient turbos was
made possible by the advancement of
cutting tools capable of high-efficiency,
prolonged machining of materials that
can withstand high-temperature exhaust
gases, the source of power for turbines.
Additionally, lower production costs have
become possible, for example by the
high efficiency machining of cylinder
blocks and heads previously made of cast
iron but that are now made mainly from
aluminium. Mitsubishi Materials’ cutting
tool business has worked closely with
automobile manufacturers both in Japan
and overseas and has engaged in the
advancement of machining technologies
throughout its 80-year history.
Thus far technologies that support
improved fuel efficiency of automobiles,
with the main focus on the motor
have
been
introduced.
However,
in reality the foundation of such
technologies is extremely wide and
includes transmissions that are used
in combination with the motor, drive
systems and lightweight bodies and even
extends to motor oil, low-resistance
tyres and improvement of the fuel itself.
Nevertheless, motors, transmissions,
drive systems and bodies to which these
components are assembled andmounted
to aremostly made of metal. Automobiles
may someday be made solely of plastic
and electric parts, but that day is probably
still far in the future. Mitsubishi Materials’
cutting tools will therefore continue
to realize machining processes that
contribute to the further growth of the
automotive industry.
Mechanismof the plug-inHybrid EV System
Self-generating electric vehicles that maintain optimal driving
mode in various driving situations
FMAX face milling cutter for high-efficiency finish machining
OutlanderPHEV (MitsubishiMotors)
Fuel efficiency andmachining technologies
EYE ON THE MARKET
Special Feature
The Plug-in Hybrid EV System (PHEV) was developed independently
by Mitsubishi Motors as a new derivative electric vehicle. When
driving at low to medium speeds through residential areas, PHEV
switches to EV Driving Mode that mainly uses electricity from
the drive battery. When the drive battery runs low or powerful
acceleration is needed, it switches to Series Driving Mode so that
the engine automatically begins to generate electricity and supplies
power to the motors and battery. When driving at higher speeds it
switches to Parallel Driving Mode to convey the high-rpm, high-
efficiency driving power of the engine directly to the transmission
and to also assist the motors. Furthermore, when decelerating the
motors act as a generator to regenerate the deceleration energy
and recharge the drive batteries.
Generator
Front motor
Front motor and
generator control unit
Rear motor
Fuel tank
Rear transaxle
Drive battery
Rear motor control unit
Engine
Component layout
Front transaxle
EV-based plug-in hybrid EV system
ɓ A large-volume battery is installed under the floor in the centre to ensure a sufficient
cruising distance.
ɓ Twinmotor 4WD is adopted with a drivemotor in both the rear and front.
ɓ An engine for power generation and drive is installed in the front.
ɓ The driving force of themotor and engine can be switched using the front transaxle.
Drive system
Twinmotor 4WD
Motor (front/rear)
Type
Permanent magnet
synchronousmotors
Max. output
60 kW
Drive battery
Lithium ion battery
Engine
2.0l four-cylinder MIVEC
Photo provided by: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Evolution of Fuel Efficiency
andMachining Technologies
