Objectives • Identify the basic parts of an automatic transmission • Describe the operation of the major sections of an automatic transmission • Explain how automatic transmissions shift gears • Understand how an electronic automatic transmission works
Introduction • Automatic transmission – Shifts gears automatically – Does not require a manual clutch • Front-wheel-drive vehicles – Combine transmission with differential in transaxle • Most automatic transmissions use a torque converter – Some use a dual clutch arrangement
Stall Speed and Lock-Up Converters • Stall speed – Point of maximum torque multiplication • Lower stall speed converters: more efficient • Lock-up converter – Pressure plate behind turbine locks it to back of converter housing • Provides mechanical link between crankshaft and transmission input shaft – Fluid is directed to one side of pressure plate and is exhausted from the other
Planetary Gears and Simple Planetary Gearset • Planetary gears – Change gear ratios by holding and turning different members – All gears are in constant mesh – Load is distributed over several gears • Simple planetary gearset – Has sun gear, planetary pinions, carrier, and a ring gear – Several types: compound, Simpson, Ravigneaux, and tandem
Simple Planetary Operation • Basic gear rules – Two gears with external teeth in mesh rotate in opposite directions • Two gears in mesh, one with internal and one with external teeth, rotate in same direction – Forward gear reduction • Turn sun gear while holding ring gear • Holding sun gear while turning ring gear – Reverse • Use only the rear gearset
Compound Planetary Operation (Simpson) • Double reverse: Simpson geartrain low-gear operation – Results in forward operation • Ravigneaux operation: two sun gears, two sets of pinions, and a ring gear – Large and small sun gears – Six planetary pinions: three long and three short • Lepelletier geartrain – Combines different planetary arrangements
One-Way Clutches • Characteristics – Holds part of planetary gearset from turning – Commonly used in drive low gear – Have inner and outer race and a set of springs and rollers – Sprag clutch: different-shaped locking device between inner and outer races – Mechanical diode: used in some torque converters and transmissions
Transmission Valves and Pressure Regulator • Spool valves – Lands and valleys control fluid flow • Valves can be moved – Done by spring, lever or rod, or hydraulic pressure • Pressure regulator valve – Determines pressure in the system • Orifice restricts fluid flow – Also reduces pressure of moving fluid
Hydraulic Valve Body • Valve body – Senses engine load and adjusts shift points and fluid pressure – Usually bolted to bottom of transmission inside of the pan – Spacer plate fits between transmission and valve body – Manual control valve is attached to shift lever – Shift quadrant tells the gear the transmission is in – Shift order always PRNDL or PRNDD2L
Governor and Vacuum Modulator • Governor – Located on output shaft – Variable-pressure relief valve – Pressure is no greater than line pressure • Vacuum modulator valve – Controls throttle pressure – Has diaphragm and hose fitting attached to vacuum source at intake manifold
Kickdown Valve • Either manually operated by cable or electrically operated solenoid – Causes throttle pressure to go to highest point – Spring loaded: extends from the valve body side • Contacts lever that applies it from outside the transmission • Bushings are made of bronze alloy or steel with soft bearing surface – Thrust washers control end play – Snap rings maintain part position on a shaft
Auxiliary Cooler/Heat Exchanger and Park Pawl • Auxiliary cooler/heat exchanger – Added to motor homes and vehicles that pull trailers • Resembles small radiator • Hooked into cooler line in series • Installed before the radiator cooler • Park pawl – Lever that locks transmission output shaft when shift lever is in park
Electronic Pressure Control • Electronic pressure control (EPC) types – On/off variable force solenoids – Pulse width modulated • Variable force solenoids – Electronic modulators • Pulse width modulation slides back and forth – Opening or closing a passage • Different types of solenoids are used – Depends on application