Automatic Transmission Fundamentals

Chapter 73

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

Automatic Transmission Parts and Power Transmission

Automatic transmission consists of several parts
Torque converter, input shaft, transmission pump, valve body, planetary holding members, etc.

Methods of transmitting power

Fluid, friction, and gears Torque converter transmits power using fluid Planetary holding members use fluid and friction Gears transmit power and change speed and torque

Flexplate and Torque Converter

Flexplate and torque converter
Replace the flywheel Flexplate is fastened to crankshaft

Torque converter
Allows vehicle to idle at a stop sign Slips during initial acceleration to prevent stalling Fluid coupling: compared to two fans
First fan (impeller): turns faster Second fan (turbine): picks up energy and turns Pump produces fluid flow to develop pressure

Torque Multiplication and Torque Converter Operation

Torque converter
Increases torque Torque is multiplied whenever the impeller spins faster than the turbine

Operation
Impeller rotates at idle speed: fluid is thrown from impeller toward turbine
Centrifugal force of rotating torque converter also throws fluid to outside of housing

Torque Converter Stator and Operation

Torque converter stator
Makes torque increase possible Stator between impeller and turbine
Redirects fluid flow

Split half-rings in centers of turbine and impeller blades

Direct fluid in a smooth pattern

Stator Clutch Operation

Stator clutch
Locks in one direction and freewheels in other
Fluid strikes stator at a high angle: clutch locks Speed of turbine catches speed of impeller: stator clutch freewheels

Converter
Becomes efficient at power transfer when engine reaches 2300 rpm Turbine speed is 9/10 of impeller: no torque multiplication

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

Driving and Holding Devices and Clutches

Planetary gearset
One member held and another is driven

Fluid clutch
Holds rotating member to input shaft Bands and clutches operate when fluid pressure applied

Multiple disc clutches

Used for holding or driving Steels: held against one element of clutch pack
Friction discs are splined to corresponding part

Clutch Operation
Hydraulic pressure not directed at the clutch: clutch releases
Friction discs and steels turn independently

Driving clutch engaged: fluid directed into clutch drum

Fluid pressure is applied to large piston on inside of drum Piston is applied against discs to compress springs and lock clutch through pressure plate Pressure is released: piston is pushed away

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

Bands and Accumulator

Steel straps with friction lining on inside
Single or double wrap
Double wrap bands are used for low and reverse

Servo operates a band

Fluid pressure is directed into the servos cylinder to apply the band

During shifts: some parts held and others driven

Shuddering or damage result if two components applied at same time
Accumulator has piston and reservoir that must fill

Hydraulic System and Fluid Pump

Hydraulic system
Makes fluid pressure that transmits power through the torque converter

Fluid pump does several things

Creates hydraulic pressure Lubricates transmission parts Fills torque converter Circulates fluid throughout transmission Pressure operates valves

Types of Pumps
Three types
Rotor type Internal/external gear crescent type Vane type

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

Transmission Automatic Shift Selection

Transmission selects correct gear range based on engine load and vehicle speed
Upshift: transmission shifts to higher gear Downshift: transmission shifts to lower gear

Throttle pressure
Results when engine vacuum changes

Governor pressure
Results from increase in vehicle speed

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

Automatic Transmission Fluid and Automatic Transmission Cooling

ATF is oil
Specially formulated for automatic transmissions

Cooling
Transmission develops heat during operation Heat damages transmission fluid Most transmissions have a fluid cooler

Results of radiator heat exchanger leaks:

Engine running: ATF migrates into radiator Engine off: coolant migrates into transmission

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 Automatic Transmissions and Operation

Shifts controlled by computer using engine load, vehicle speed, and other inputs
More precise control
Less expensive solenoids

Electronic transmission shifting

Driver shifts gears without assistance of a clutch
Manually overriding the computer

Computer decides shift points based on power output from the engine
Adaptive learning

Electronic Torque Converter Control

Torque converter clutch
Computer controlled Comes on after engine is warm Typical speed required for lockup is about 40 mph Engages if brake switch closed and throttle position sensor signal does not show a closed throttle

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

Transmission Shift Control

Electronic shift control
Line pressure only No governor or modulator pressure Forward gears are controlled by computer Reverse only works when solenoids are off

Honda/Acura and Saturn use multiple-disc hydraulic clutches and shift solenoids
Gearing similar to manual transmission

Dual clutch transmissions (DCTs)

Being used by several manufacturers

Continuously Variable Transmission

Characteristics
Similar operation to variable-speed drill press Infinite driving ratios Increases fuel economy in the range of 25%
Engine can be run with constant rpm Engine does not accelerate through each gear

Do not handle torque as well Torque travels between steel cones and a steel chain
Special lubricant changes phase to a gassy solid

Hybrid Planetary Transmission Operation

Hybrid planetary transaxle
Three inputs and one output

Toyota hybrid system

Two motor/generators

Hybrid motor/generators
Operate as motors when powering vehicle Generate electricity to recharge battery pack

Some use a third electric motor on rear axle

Double regenerative braking