Describe the evolution of the power-split drive technology used in Ford Motor Company’s vehicles.
What will be an ideal response?
The concept of using two electric motors to create a transaxle suitable for hybrid technology was first exposed by an American engineer 40 years ago. This concept is actually an adaptation of the planetary gear set Henry Ford used in the original Model T.
Toyota entered into a partnership with a Japanese transmission design and manufacturing company, Aisin, in 1986 to develop a hybrid transmission with two electric motors. Then Toyota decided to continue development of the transaxle on its own. The result was the transaxle it introduced in the Prius. In the meantime, Volvo joined forces with Aisin and continued to develop the transaxle. Shortly after that, Ford purchased Volvo and the technology. Because of the basic roots, the Toyota and Ford power-split units are quite similar. Due to the similarities and to avoid legal problems, Ford licensed some of the technology from Toyota and Toyota licensed some technology from Ford. Toyota holds over 150 patents on the technology and Ford has received more than 100 patents on its design.
The bottom line is simply, Aisin supplies the transmission used in the Ford hybrids and Toyota makes its own. Toyota does not supply hybrid components to Ford. Both Ford and Toyota state that Ford received no technical assistance from Toyota during the development of the hybrid system.
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