Toyota files patent for more durable electric supercharger, filing hints at hybrid Supra

Has Toyota started the production of a new electric supercharger? Well, a patent that was recently published indicated that they might have. And this electric supercharger looks more durable and more practical to assemble.

The illustrations are very technical that not everyone would understand if it were presented to them. But it basically involves the assembly of the bearing that helps the turbo spin. Instead of the usual plate springs, the company will be using a coil spring, which applies a more consistent pressure. Not only will this making building easier, the coil spring also gives more durability and a better performance especially when revolving at very high speeds.

The newly published patent hints that Toyota, is not just looking into electric superchargers, but is now studying them and learning how these things work. Also, the company’s engineers are considering how they can build parts better, meaning that they must have gone through enough development to make a decision like this.

The United Stated Patent and Trademark Office published this patent on March 22, 2017, though the company had filed this almost two years ago, on May 8, 2015 to be exact. We should be expecting this technology soon enough in Toyota’s newer production vehicles, knowing that they have had access to this for quite some time now.

There have been rumors that the next-generation Supra will be one of the first vehicles to benefit from electric supercharging, as there might be a hybrid variant of the sports coupe when it is launched. Furthermore, a source from the company itself confirms that their engineers are helping them work on a turbocharged electric engine. However, he did not specify if this will be for the 2018 Supra. But then, this patent could apply to the Supra’s hybrid powertrain.

There have been a lot of news going around regarding the 2018 Supra. In fact, the two-seater coupe, was recently spotted at a gas station in Germany. Unfortunately, it came with a camouflaged body, which had extra panels fixed here and there, so we still do not know how the final version of the prototype looks like. If rumors are true, the Supra will be displayed at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show this October.

But take note, Toyota is not alone in this. Audi’s latest SQ7 TDI also promises the same use of electric supercharging as it boasts a 4.0-liter V8 diesel engine that can yield up to 429 horsepower (320 kilowatts) and 663.8 pound-feet torque (900 newton metres). From a standstill, the crossover can drive up to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) at only 4.8 seconds.