So how it all Started : The split parallel HEV prototype

How the ignition started.....

So we were in our third year when the ignition started. We were not into any of the projects nor did we know what our fields of interest were. We luckily got Prof. Parag Jose as our faculty in charge for the subject Electric Mobility, and he later on, along with Prof. Haneesh sir, went on to become our guides. As i said, we were not into any projects back then, but all three of us really wanted to do a project together and all three of us shared the common interest in the field of EV's. That is when we approached Parag Sir and he guided us to the field of EV and we started of with our prototype of load sharing of split parallel HEV and BMS system. 

Split parallel HEV 

Why HEV ?

So for understanding this, one needs to understand what an HEV is. An HEV is basically a car that can run on both IC engine and an electric motor. So based on when and how it can be operated it is classified into series hybrid, parallel hybrid and split parallel hybrid.

We are aiming at a future where there are no IC engine propelled vehicles and hence no pollution. But the sudden transition from IC engine to EVs is not a practical one, as the energy generation wont be able to meet up with the demand. This is were an HEV comes into perspective and can provide to be an intermediate stage thereby making the transition from IC engines to EVs a smooth and practical one.

So what is a split parallel HEV and what difference does it bring to the society and the future ?

In a series hybrid EV either the IC engine or the electric motor can work at a time. The simultaneous operation of both at a time is not possible. 

In a parallel hybrid EV both the IC engines output and the electric motors output is coupled to a single pair of wheels and so the simultaneous operation of both at a time is possible in this type of arrangement.

Whereas in a split parallel HEV the major standout feature is that the output of IC engine is given to a pair of wheels and the output of the electric motor is given to another pair of wheels. The simultaneous operation of both is possible without the use of a coupler which makes the system more simple. 

 The major advantage of the split parallel HEV is that IC engines can easily be converted to a split parallel HEV. The reason is a pair of wheels is already being powered by an IC engine and all we have to do is add a kit which will successfully make the car into a HEV, thereby helping people to save money by easily converting their vehicles into a more eco friendly option. 

In the present scenario HEVs and EVs are proving to be very costly and this were people can be given a cheaper and feasible option of converting their pure IC engine vehicles to HEVs.

Fig 1 : Split Parallel HEV Prototype and BMS prototype

 Prototypes of split parallel HEV and BMS 

Our project was a combined project in which we implemented battery management system and split parallel HEV. The working of both will be explained separately in the next two posts. So stay tuned.