What is SKYACTIV Technology?

What is Skyactiv Technology?

SKYACTIV is a series of technologies developed by Mazda which increase fuel efficiency and engine output. The initial announcement of the SKYACTIV technologies includes new engines, transmissions, body, and chassis, which appeared in Mazda products from 2011. The technology has been the focus of much controversy with understanding exactly what it is and does. There are four different stages of the tech that affects the 2011 vehicles through the current line. We are going to be exploring this technology in a way that is easy to understand and comprehend.

                The first thing that we will be examining is the SKYACTIV innovation to the engine. The reason why the technology was created for the engine was to increase fuel efficiency for the end consumer. There are two primary engines that are used in the Mazda line currently, the SKYACTIV-G and SKYACTIV-D.  They are each highly efficient engines with a world-beating compression ratio developed in pursuit of ideal combustion.  When it comes to an efficient engine, there are two main components you must have for it to run smoothly: great combustion (the rate at which the fuel source is being burned) and great air flow (which is necessary for fuel to burn).  The typical fuel ratio in an engine is 10:1 or 12:1. The new technology has allowed us to change that ratio to 15:1 which considerably improves thermal efficiency. Engine knocking is an effect of abnormal combustion in which the air-fuel mixture ignites prematurely due to exposure to high temperature and pressure. To improve resistance to knocking, shortening of combustion duration was also attempted. The faster the combustion, the shorter amount of time the unburned air-fuel mixture is exposed to high temperatures, allowing for normal combustion to conclude before knocking can occur. Specifically, aside from creating a more homogenous mixture by means of intensifying air flow, increasing injection pressure, and using multi-hole injectors to enhance fuel spray characteristics, a piston cavity is used to prevent the initial combustion flame from hitting the piston and interfering with the flames’ growth. This change in the combustion process is the next step in innovation towards changing the way the engines’ inner workings behave. The difference between the SKYACTIV-G and SKYACTIV-D is merely the difference in the fuel source that powers the two different engines. Gas is the propellant in the G, and diesel is the propellant in the D version of the engine. This allows for true diversity in the application of this new process.

                The SKYACTIV-Drive and The SKYACTIV-MT are the next innovation to Mazda line that we will examine. The technology has been applied to the transmissions in the vehicle line. In an effort to achieve lighter shift effort with a short shift lever stroke, the lever ratio has been increased. However, to overcome the shorter internal stroke, a small module spline is used. Shift throws are reduced by 15%, making it the shortest shifting of any passenger car.  To allow a reduction in weight, the triple-shafted gear train is made with reverse and the first gears on the same shaft, and the use of a shorter secondary shaft. The new process with the shaft opens a new necessity for an upgrade to the torque converter. The torque converter transfers engine power to the transmission through fluid, making a smoother start up and gear-shift.  The drawback is that fuel economy worsens due to the loss of power transfer though the fluid, and slippage during rapid acceleration, which causes vehicle speed to lag behind engine speed. Therefore, a torque converter with a lock-up clutch was developed, which locks the torque converter’s turbine to the impeller (a rotor used to increase, or decrease in case of turbines, the pressure and flow of a fluid) to improve fuel economy and direct drive feel. The revision to this process allows for your transmission and engine to work in tandem and not against each other. This streamlined approach was mandatory, because if you make an innovation in the engine and not the transmission it throws of the ecosphere and harmony of the vehicle.

                The next innovation to SKYACTIV that we will be examining is to the body/carriage.   When it came to approaching structure, we revisited the basic principles of engineering. For the basic framework we adapted the concepts of “straightening”, and a “continuous framework” in which each section functions in a coordinated manner with other sections of the frame. The thing to focus on in creating a safe and sturdy frame is ensuring that the structure disperses force widely throughout the structure, rather than receiving the force in specific sections of the vehicle.  For the underbody, curves were eliminated as much as possible to create a straight frame in a continuous configuration from front to rear. However, it is impossible to completely remove all curves from the structure, so in these instances, we implemented continuous bonding with the horizontal frame to make the structure a closed section. This contributes significantly to weight reduction while at the same time achieving rigidity. To improve crash safety performance, we adopted a multi-load path structure. This allows the frame to absorb the load of force at the time of impact and disperse it in multiple directions. For example, if a SKYACTIV vehicle is involved with a collision, safety for the passenger is higher than in the previous models.

                The final innovation to SKYACTIV to be examined is the upgrade to the chassis. Suspension and steering functions have been improved to achieve “driving pleasure of oneness between car and driver”. The front and rear suspension have been redesigned to deliver a nimble yet highly comfortable ride. We revised the structure of the suspension to improve handling without making the springs and dampeners stiffen. To enhance the operational efficiency of the dampers, the mounts were set at a position that enables a greater lever ratio. By implementing this change, dampening force and the rigidity of the top force mount could be reinforced, reducing the impact on ride comfort.  The rear suspension training link attachment positioning has also been shifted upwards. With this revision, the direction of movement of the trailing links is adjusted to easily absorb longitudinal impact shocks from the road, thus improving overall ride comfort.  Simultaneously, this also prohibits the rear part of the vehicle from rising, increased stability when stopping, and also helps reduce stopping distance.

                In summary, the main focuses of these new SKYACTIV innovations are not only a marvel in the technological world, but also in the engineering world. These advances are focused around creating an overall better automobile and increasing the value for customers in many ways. There is increased value in the fuel savings, which speaks volumes in this economy. There is also a huge value in the improved safety and performance of the overall vehicle. This new technology continues to make Mazda a leader in the vehicular world.