HONDA Insight - Manual (Page 57)

57
IMA M
OTOR
/ G
ENERATOR
Role
The thin design motor is located between the 3-cylinder engine and the transmission. The IMA motor
serves a number of functions:
• It assists in vehicle propulsion when needed, allowing the use of a smaller internal combustion
engine.
• It operates as a generator, allowing excess energy (such as during braking) to be used to
recharge the IMA Battery Module, and later be used to provide assist.
• It takes the place of the conventional alternator, providing energy that ultimately feeds the
Insight's conventional 12v electrical system.
• It is used to start the internal combustion engine very quickly and quietly. This allows the
internal combustion engine to be turned off when not need, without any delay in restarting on
demand.
• It is used to dampen crankshaft speed variations, leading to smoother idle.
Location
The IMA motor is located between the internal combustion engine (ICE) and clutch. One end of the
IMA motor rotor is bolted to the ICE crankshaft, and the other end of the rotor is bolted to the flywheel.
Because of the IMA motor adds rotational mass, the weight of the flywheel can be reduced by an amount
equal to the weight of the IMA motor rotor.
The flywheel retains gear teeth for the backup 12v starter motor to mesh with when it is engaged. In
manual transmission Insights, as with other manual transmission vehicles, the clutch also serves as a
surface for the clutch.