Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

Automaker tries to preempt competition for hybrid vehicles

Hyundai Motor said July 19 that it has developed the world’s first Active Shift Control (ASC) transmission technology, which will improve hybrid vehicles.

The Seoul-based company said that the innovative technology optimizes transmission efficiency by monitoring gear shifts 500 times per second, precisely adjusting the transmission rotation speed for faster shift times.

“The new technology will premiere in the upcoming Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and eventually benefit other upcoming Hyundai and Kia hybrids,” a Hyundai official said.

“ASC applies new control logic software to the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU), which then controls the electric motor to align the rotational speeds of the engine and transmission to reduce gear shift time by 30 percent.”

The official stressed ASC technology will allow the hybrid’s electric motor to take control of gear shifts to mitigate issues with slower shift time.

“The HCU monitors the rotational speed of transmission with a sensor installed inside the electric motor at 500 times per second to quickly synchronize the rotational speed with that of the engine,” he said.

“With the synchronization, shift time is reduced by 30 percent from 500ms to 350ms. This not only improves hybrid vehicle’s acceleration performance and fuel economy but also durability of the transmission by minimizing friction during a gear shift.”

Hyundai Vice President Chang Kyoung-joon said that the automaker will continue to come up with advanced technologies for end users.

“The development of world’s first ASC technology is a remarkable innovation which incorporates precise motor control to automatic transmission,” said Chang, who leads the firm’s powertrain control system group.

“It will not only save fuel but also provide a more fun driving experience for our customers.”
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