Automotive Transmission 1

Automotive Transmission Its Parts and Functions

Vill Amore P. Padayhag BSME-1

English 12, EN 198 Mrs. Mayflor D. Prantilla-Arambala March 4, 2011

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Automotive Transmission Parts and Functions

An automotive transmission is a device for transmitting power from the engine to the drive shaft, from which it is actually carried to the wheels (Crouse, W.H., 1976).Nowadays almost all of the people are using cars due to our advance technology. We use cars to go to other places and to travel a lot faster than walking. Many car users are just driving without knowing the parts and function of the car that they are using. Like the transmission of a car, we always use it every time we drive. The transmission of a car has two kinds, automatic transmission and manual transmission. Usually here in Philippines we use manual transmission and we need to know what are the parts and function of it. A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission that are usually use in the cars here in the Philippines. Manual transmission parts are simpler than automatic transmission part because manual transmission is not controlled by computer system. Manual transmission gives the driver the will to choose any forward gear ratio at anytime he wants. In using a manual transmission, driver usually use the driver-operated clutch, typically operated with pedal for regulating torque transfer from internal combustion engine to transmission and a gear stick operated by hand. The gear stick is used to choose what gear ration a driver wants to use.

Torque converter, gear pump, clutches and bands, valve body, hydraulic pump, planetary gear set, fly wheel, output shaft, transmission axles, universal joint, gasket, idler, gearshift lever, and speedometer drive gear. These are the parts of the manual automotive transmission.

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The torque converter is one of the most important parts of a transmission. This torque converter allows the transmission to stay in a specific gear that the driver chose. Torque converter makes the engine still running while the vehicle is stationary without stalling. It generates more power whenever the load is heavy and it provides a rational speed with the load. Making the load rational to the power source give an ideal speed for the load of a car.

The torque converter has 3 stages of operation and these are stall, acceleration, and coupling. Stall, in this stage of operation it prevent the car from moving by placing the transmission in a gear by applying brakes. Stall phase last only for a period of time. Initially it will end when the car starts to move. Second stage of operation is the acceleration. In this stage of operation the converter will produce torque multiplication that is less than what could be achieved under stall conditions. The acceleration depends on the actual difference between the pump and turbine speed. The last and third stage of operation is the coupling. In this stage of operation the torque multiplication is stopped. The torque converter is behaving and stable. In this stage it usually the clutch is lock-up to improve the fuel efficiency of a car.

Pumping fluid to the engine is the primary function of gear pump. Gear pumps draw transmission fluid and pressurize it in the engine to make the car operate. This gear pumps provide smoother operation of the car. It provides enough fluid to the engine to pressurize it to keep it running(David, T.B., 2004). Malfunction of pump can cause major damage to the engine and stop it from operating.

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In shifting from low gear to higher gear the clutches and bands are in charge in that. The clutches and band enable to effect gear changes. One of two types of clutches or bands are used to hold a particular member of the planetary gear set motionless, while allowing another member to rotate. It transmits torque and producing gear reductions. These clutches and bands make the changing of gear more effective and faster.

The roller clutch is the one used to manage the up shifts or downshifts of transmission. It transmits torque only in one direction whether free-wheeling and overrunning. The advantage of this type of clutch is that it eliminates the sensitivity of timing a simultaneous clutch release or applies on two planetary. One example of this situation is driving using half-clutch. It helps a faster torque transfer while changing gears. The bands come into play for manually selected gears, such as low range or reverse. This roller clutch is very useful in racing cars transmission.

Pressurizing the lubricating oil and fluid is processed in valve body. The valve body is the hydraulic control center that receives pressurized fluid from the main pump operated by the fluid coupling or torque converter. The pressure coming from this pump is regulated and used to run a network of spring-loaded valves and pistons. The hydraulic pressure controlled by these valves drives the various clutch and brake band actuators. The hydraulic pressure is controlling the operation of the planetary gear set to select the optimum gear ratio for the current operating conditions.

Lubricating oil is very useful in the transmission and hydraulic pump is the one pumping it. This hydraulic pump helps to provide lubricating oil by pumping it. It prevents the other

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transmission and other parts from corrosion. Hydraulic pump provide properties that promote smooth power transmission. Proper maintenance of hydraulic pump increases the service life of the transmission.

Planetary gear set is the one responsible for changing gears. Planetary gear set is a gear system consisting of one or more outer gears. There are one or more outer gears revolving about a central, or he sun gear. Usually the planet gears are mounted on a movable arm or carrier which itself may rotate relative to the sun gear. Planetary gear set makes changing of gear from 5th gear to 2nd gear possible.

Flywheel is a spinning wheel or disc with fixed axle so that it wont move back and forth. It is a mechanical device in which the transmission gets rotation energy. Flywheels resist changes in their rotational speed by the planetary gear set, which makes a steady speed of the shaft which is produced by the power source, the engine.

The output shaft is a rotatable cylindrical bar that is used in automotive transmission systems for transmitting torque from a device. The shaft can be found at the center of the flywheel. The basic parts of an output shaft are plug-in, spline and tapered tool fittings. These automotive transmission parts also called as drive shaft or slow speed shaft are the essential elements of speed reducer. Output shaft is the one responsible for controlling the speed of the car. This output shaft is very useful in a big truck like dump trucks. Behind the engine break of a truck is the output shaft who is the one reducing the speed even without applying brakes.

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Transmission axles usually support the differential shafts and wheels. Transmission axles are the shafts usually rods or bars, which are used for providing support to differential shafts and wheels in order to manage a vehicle. These transmission part is consists of spline at one end and flange at the other end. Both of these components are used for holding tightly the wheel studs. Transmission axle is the metal based shaft to which wheels, brakes and other automotive suspension parts are connected. It is very important to transmission because without this suspension, brakes, wheels, differential and engine will be dismantled.

Universal joint is also known as U joint. This joint is the point of connection in a stiff rod which enables the rod to turn in any desired direction. In other words universal joint is a joining link between two shafts that are in a changing position. These automotive transmission parts are one of the earliest forms of flexible couplings that have two shaft yokes located at 90 degrees angle to each other and a four point cross that fasten.

Sealing leakage is very important thats why there is gasket. A gasket is a type of seal used to seal two stationary parts that are fastened together. Aside from the main seals, there are also a number of other seals and gaskets that vary from transmission to transmission. A common example is the rubber O-ring that seals the shaft for the shift control lever. This is the shaft that you move when you manipulate the gear shifter.

Seals are required anywhere that a device needs to pass through the transmission case with each one being a potential source for leaks. Seals are very important because it prevents fluid leakage. It prevents the transmission from being drained with lubricant oil which is very

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important in preventing the transmission from corrosion. Without this gasket it would cause short lifetime of a cars transmission.

An idler is a mechanical devise that is supporting main transfer of power in a transmission. It is supporting the movement of the rollers which the conveyor belts are moving. It is supporting the weight of the belt and the materials being transported on the conveyor belt and it is usually cylindrical in shape.

The gearshift lever is the used by the driver in shifting gears. It is the one responsible for choosing the desired gear of the driver. In shifting gears the gearshift lever should be on timing with the clutch so that the shifting of gear is smooth. It is always present on a manual transmission at the side of the driver.

The last is the speedometer drive gear which is monitoring the speed of the car. A rotation sensor, usually mounted on the rear of the transmission at the drive shaft, delivers a series of electronic pulses whose frequency corresponds to the rotational speed of the driveshaft. The sensor is typically a toothed metal disk positioned between a coil and a magnetic field sensor. As the disk turns, the teeth pass between the two, each time producing a pulse in the sensor as they affect the strength of the magnetic field it is measuring. The computer converts the pulses recorded into an analog-style needle or digital display.

Literally a car wont function if one of these parts is missing. Even it is the tiniest bolt in the transmission it is still very important to it so that it transmission will function properly.

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References Crouse, W. H. (1976). Automotive transmission and power trains. United States: Scholastic Inc.

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Crouse, W.H. (1976). Transmission, Automotive, p.275.

Drubbel, B. (2003). Automotive, Automatic and manual transmissions, p. 184

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_(mechanics)#Manual

http://www.google.com.ph/imglanding?q=major+parts+of+transmission&hl=tl&sa=X&biw=128 0&bih=709&tbs=isch:1&prmd=ivns&tbnid=tTrFLLgDd-6--M:&imgrefur

http://www.fortwaynetransmission.com/your-transmission-3/how-it-works/

Bibliography

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Crouse, W.H.(1976). Automobile transmission and power trains. United States of America: Scholastic Inc. David, T.B. (2004). Mechanical trades. United States of America: Wiley Publishing Inc. Drubbel, B. (2003). Automatic and manual transmission. Naples, United States: Trident Press International. Giles, J.G. (1971). Gears and transmission. United States of America: Scholastic Inc. Kent, W. (1950). Design and production. New Jersey: Clifton National Band and Trust Press. Nelson, C.A. (2004). Millwrights and mechanic. United States of America: Wiley Publishing Inc. Olney, R. (1998). The shell auto care guide for automobile parts. The function of transmission. V.19,p. 279-280. Schofield, M. (1971). Petersens basic clutches and transmissions. United States of America: Scholastic Inc. Stockel, M.W. (1974). Auto-mechanics fundamentals. United States of America: Trident Press International. Vas, G. (2005). Mechanical Energy. United States of America: New Dawn Press. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flywheel#Applications http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_(mechanics)#Uses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_transmission http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_transmission http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speedometer http://www.tpub.com/content/construction/14273/css/14273_133.htm