Picture explanations of Mitsubishi Outlander

[Dannyboy]

 

[David]

I keep seeing a block diagram on web pages, that I assume was published by Mitsubishi, that doesn't make any sense to me so here is my take on how the different parts are connected.

I make the following assumptions, that of course could be wrong.

1) Mitsubishi is using Synchronous AC motors.
2) The inverters do more than convert 300VDC from the batteries to AC but also convert AC on overrun, or from the generator, or from external power into DC to charge the batteries. I have colored AC and DC differently to distinguish them.

Here's what I think happens:-

In Serial Mode the Generator creates AC (red) that is converted to DC (blue) by the Front Inverter box to charge the Li-Ion batteries. The Inverters ( front and rear) then convert DC (blue) to AC ( red) to drive the Synchronous AC motors.

When parked and charging the External Power from the socket on the side is AC (red) and is converted to DC (blue) by the Rear Inverter box to charge the Li-Ion batteries.

In "EV" Mode the Front and Rear Inverter boxes convert DC ( blue) to AC (red) to drive the Front and Rear motors.

In Parallel Mode the ICE drives the front axle directly and power to accelerate is supplied by operating the Serial Mode simultaneously instead of using a gearbox as in a conventional ICE driven vehicle.

If anybody thinks I have got it wrong please let me know.

 

[ActionableMango]

There is conflicting information out there.

(1) The diagram shows a rear inverter which certainly implies AC motors, which fits your assumption.

But also I've read that:
(2) The third row isn't possible on the PHEV version to make space for the rear motor and DC-DC convertor. So if in fact it is a DC-DC convertor and not an inverter, then the motors are DC.

There is conversion loss between AC to DC. To covert again back from DC to AC invites that loss a second time. It could be that the front inverter converts the AC from the engine to two different DC voltages, one for battery charging and the other for powering the front DC motor. Then the rear inverter is really a DC-DC convertor which changes the voltage from the battery to the voltage that the rear DC motor needs. This avoids the DC to AC conversion loss.

I am just speculating though. You could be absolutely right, and indeed the diagram states that the large rear device is an inverter.

Is it important to you whether the motors are AC or DC? Or are you just daydreaming like me because there's nothing else to do while waiting for this hit to hit my local market?

 

[Dannyboy]

I'm still not convinced that having two engines is the right choice that Mitsubishi made for the Outlander PHEV, Outlander is a family SUV and they have to have a lot of space, which is severely limited if you have two engines

 

[lalacurf121]

Then the rear inverter is really a DC-DC convertor which changes the voltage from the battery to the voltage that the rear DC motor needs. This avoids the DC to AC conversion loss.
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[user 816]

Then the rear inverter is really a DC-DC convertor which changes the voltage from the battery to the voltage that the rear DC motor needs. This avoids the DC to AC conversion loss.
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Yes I think so. Also you need something that is basically an inverter to control the level of power to the motor by chopping the DC into pulses the average of which is the desired amount of power.