Features Of Belt-driven Starter Generators

By Author: samairareddy
Total Articles: 36
Comment this article

Starter generators are used in hybrid and electric vehicles. In the start mode, it can operate as a starter for the internal combustion engine and while moving it can operate as a generator. There are two types of modern starter generators. There are many advantages to using a starter generator.

Starter generators have many advantages over conventional starters. Conventional starters take a relatively long time to start and they produce vibrations and noise. On the other hand, starting with a starter generator is hardly noticeable and this increases their use in electric vehicles. In starter generators, the time taken to start is also less.

Starters can only start the engine when the crankshaft is at standstill. Starting the engine while driving is a problem. For starters, the start/stop is activated at a very low speed. The starter generators are directly connected to the crankshaft and therefore they can even start the engine at a high speed. The start/stop can be activated at a speed of 20 km/h. When propulsion is not required the engine can be switched off.

Modern ...
... starter generators are of two types: belt-driven starter generators and Integrated starter generators. They are used in various hybrid electric vehicles.

Belt-drive starter generators

This starter generator is like a conventional alternator coupled with a combustion engine using a belt drive. Minor mechanical changes have to be made to the tensioning system of the belt drive because the load side and ideal change during the operation.

The power that can be transferred using the belt drive with less mechanical loss and at reasonable costs is low. Therefore they are used in mild and micro-hybrid vehicles.

Integrated starter generators

These are used with more powerful hybrid vehicles. Integrated starter generators are placed directly on the crankshaft between the combustion engine and the transmission. The power generated is limited to the performance of the starter generator. The main drawback is that considerable mechanical changes have to be made to the existing system.

Advantages of starter generators

● The starter generators offer the boost function which allows you to improve the starting and the acceleration by using the additional torque.

● When compared to the conventional alternators they can provide increased energy recovery and efficiency.

● The combustion engine can be started while speeding and switched off when the accelerator is not used.

● It offers load point optimisation as the starter generator generates energy as an additional engine load when the engine is operated close to the best efficiency point.

● To cool down you can switch off the internal combustion engine frequently.

Author Bio

The author is a writer and likes to write about the automobile industry. Here, the author has discussed the belt driven starter generators and integrated starter generators.