Hyundai Motor Group says it has made a breakthrough in hybrid vehicle transmissions.
The Hyundai, Kia and Genesis-owning conglomerate has developed a “world-first technology” that improves gear-shift efficiency for hybrids.
Now set for mass production, the in-house developed is called Active Shift Control (ASC) and Hyundai claims it reduces gear-shift times by 30 percent while at the same time adding to driving fun and improving fuel economy.
The technology monitors gear shifts 500 times per second, “precisely adjusting the transmission rotation speed for faster shift times,” the carmaker explains in a press release. ASC allows the hybrid’s electric motor to also take control of gear shifts by applying new software logic to the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) to shorten shift times which are usually slow on hybrids which typically lack torque converters.
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By aligning the rotational speeds of the engine and transmission gear shift times are reduced by up to 30 percent from 500 milliseconds to 350 milliseconds. Despite quicker shift times, ASC is said to deliver smoother gear changes as well.
The first vehicle to feature Active Shift Control is the upcoming Sonata Hybrid, with the tech later to find its way on other Hyundai and Kia hybrids.
“The development of world’s first ASC technology is a remarkable innovation which incorporates precise motor control to automatic transmission. It will not only save fuel but also provide a more fun driving experience for our customers,” said Kyoung Joon Chang, Vice President and Head of Powertrain Control System Group of Hyundai Motor Group.
Finally, Hyundai claims the new technology also increases durability of the transmission by minimizing friction during gear shift.
