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ZF hybrid drives: Efficient and environmentally friendly

Release time:

2017-10-12

From a fuel consumption point of view, ZF's hybrid drives are more economical and do not require additional installation space

Save up to 30% on fuel consumption

ZF and its strategic partner Automotive Systems cooperate comprehensively in the field of technology

The alternative drive concepts are highly regarded in all respects. Its advantages are not only in terms of environmental protection and energy conservation, but also in compliance with the terms of new regulations and the demand for higher efficiency. ZF offers a wide range of hybrid systems and components, all of which take advantage of additional fuel savings in the drivetrain. The new 8-speed automatic transmission is the latest example of efficient and simultaneous power drive technology, which can be combined with a hybrid module. ZF is at the forefront of developing hybrid solutions and has introduced stricter standards long before climate protection regulations for the automotive industry are issued. The company is already able to offer components, modules and complete hybrid systems based on parallel hybrids. However, fuel efficiency and environmental protection do not mean that driving dynamics, safety and comfort have to be sacrificed. The latest 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF confirms this statement by combining relevant application concepts and maintaining continuous production. 8-speed hybrid drive The newly developed 8-speed automatic transmission is a modular design that enables the combination of different inputs and outputs without having to deviate from the basic transmission concept. This means that the transmission enables additional fuel savings in combination with a hybrid module or system. ZF is focusing more on parallel hybridization, i.e. an electric motor connected to the combustion engine. Depending on the design (e.g. gasoline-electric, micro or full hybrid systems) and drive cycle, the hybrid system can save 5% -8% of fuel consumption, while the full hybrid system can achieve 30% fuel savings. Thanks to the improved installation space, electric motors, clutches, torsional vibration dampers, dual-mass flywheels, and hydraulic mechanisms can all be efficiently and compactly installed into the transmission. At the same time, ZF is developing operating functions for hybrid transmissions with these complete plants. The networking of functions enables efficient power hybrid management of the entire system. As a result, the hybrid version of the 8-speed automatic transmission also meets the needs of ZF's all-wheel drive system at the output. Driving dynamics features such as direct engine matching and responsive response, precise shifting quality and comfortable handling are further enhanced by the hybrid. Through many years of development and production experience in the field of driveline technology, ZF has developed the technical competence to integrate its economical hybrid solutions into any drivetrain or vehicle environment. Other hybrid concepts in the ZF Group also demonstrate this. Hybrid drivetrain capability With the stop/start function, a passenger car can save 8% on fuel consumption, especially in urban driving conditions. However, ZF is more focused on research and development in micro and full hybrids, i.e. the electronic drive is integrated into the drivetrain, which happens to be the opposite of gasoline-electric hybrids. For micro-hybrids, some modules are indispensable, such as the crankshaft starter generator DynaStart. In cooperation with Continental Automotive Systems, ZF is able to offer vehicle manufacturers complete hybrid solutions, including brakes. ZF's development capabilities in hybrid modules and their space savings, as well as functional integration of transmissions and drivetrains, are supported by technical support from Continental Automotive Systems. Continental Automotive Systems specializes in industrial electronics, software integration, energy management and electric control brakes. This is important for micro-hybrid and full-hybrid systems, where the electric motor supports (boosts) the output of the internal combustion engine, and the braking energy is used for the (regenerative) charging of the battery. The interaction between the hybrid transmission, battery, combustion engine and suspension components results in an optimized drivetrain solution – environmentally friendly, economical, comfortable and with good driving dynamics.