HITACHI : Development of Simple Driver-friendly Electric 4WD System

Volume 53 Number 4 November 2004

AUTHORS

Tatsuyuki Yamamoto	EP Div., Automotive Systems, Hitachi, Ltd.
Hisaya Shimizu	Electric Powertrain Development Center, EP Div., Automotive Systems, Hitachi, Ltd.
Masaru Ito	Electric Powertrain Development Center, EP Div., Automotive Systems, Hitachi, Ltd.
Masami Takano	Power Generation System Design Dept., EP Div., Automotive Systems, Hitachi, Ltd.

OVERVIEW

With their known superiority in stability and versatility under adverse driving conditions, 4WD (4-wheel-drive) systems are starting to be considered for application to ordinary passenger vehicles. However, mechanical 4WD vehicles have a number of drawbacks, most notably their relatively poor fuel economy and lack of cabin space and luggage room. Hitachi, Ltd. has now developed an electric 4WD system that satisfies all the performance advantages of 4WD yet is equivalent or even priced lower than mechanical 4WD systems. Hitachi's electric 4WD system has already been installed on Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.'s March and Cube models that came out in the fall of 2002 and on Mazda Motor Corporation's Demio that went on the market in the fall of 2003. The electric 4WD system consists of a water-cooled alternator, a DC (direct current) motor, a clutch and differential gear unit, and a 4WD control unit that manages the drive system. Being powered by electricity, the system provides a finer degree of control that is beneficial in a number of ways.

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RELEVANT SITES

	Nissan Releases the All-New March
	Electric 4WD Model Added to Mazda Demio Series
	Automotive Systems
	The Hitachi Hyoron (Japanese Only)

KEYWORDS

4WD, 42V, March, Demio

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