The torque-current characteristics of a motor-generator developed for a Lotus hybrid car have been comprehensively mapped by a TorqSense digital torque sensor.
Specialist electromagnetic design company Elektro Magnetix (EMX) of Brighton developed and tested the motor-generator for Lotus’s EVE(Efficient, Viable, Environmental) Hybrid. This is a technology demonstrator showcasing solutions that reduce vehicle CO2 emissions.
EMX worked with a testhouse to design a simple yet effective test rig. They used a TorqSense unit from Sensor Technology as they could design a rig around it very easily, that is quick and simple to use.
TorqSense is a plug-and-play digital torque sensor, is fully self-contained and generates outputs that can be read locally by computers/control systems for data analysis. The result is highly refined real time information, which designs out the data processing and assessment phases of the test programme.
Unlike other torque sensors TorqSense is mechanically simple with its sensors fixed to the shaft and a rotating RF antenna used to allow non-contact coupling to digital electronics offering immunity from magnetic fields, eliminating complicated and delicate slip rings or large transformer assemblies, making it a very cost effective, drag free, low inertia sensor.
The Lotus EVE programme focuses on establishing the processes for integrating hybrid technology with minimal development time and cost. Engineers have produced the EVE demonstrator, based on a Proton Gen.2 compact midsize car with a 1.6l gasoline engine. This currently showcases a 'micro-hybrid' start-stop system, a full parallel hybrid drive and Continuousladm=231921T