Transmission Rotor Synchronization for Clutchless Gear Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern automobile transmissions face increased complexity, cost, weight, and size due to the need for clutches and torque converters to shift gears without damaging them.
Innovation Solution
A shiftable transmission system that synchronizes and engages gears based on speed and torque data, allowing for smooth shifting between gears without a clutch or torque converter, by using a motor to synchronize and decouple rotors to transfer torque efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clutch and/or torque converter is used to shift gears, then gear engagement is protected from damage, but device complexity, cost, weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the clutch and torque converter from the transmission system by implementing direct gear-to-gear engagement. The control system coordinates motor torque reduction with gear engagement timing to eliminate the need for these protective components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining gear protection through controlled engagement conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by synchronizing gear speeds and controlling motor torque during engagement. The control system adjusts motor torque to reduce load on engaging gears and synchronizes rotor speeds to minimize impact during direct engagement, protecting gears without requiring additional protective components.
2Reliability
If a clutch and/or torque converter is used to shift gears, then gear engagement is protected from damage, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the weight of clutches and torque converters by implementing direct gear engagement. The control system compensates for the removed components by coordinating motor torque reduction with engagement timing, maintaining gear protection while reducing transmission system weight.
3Speed
If gear synchronization is achieved through motor speed control, then shifting speed improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary speed synchronization of the motor rotor with the gear rotor before engagement occurs. By pre-synchronizing speeds and reducing motor torque in advance, the system achieves fast, smooth engagement without requiring excessive energy during the actual shifting moment.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided that involve or include a transmission. During one of the methods, a motor is operated based on speed data to synchronize a first rotor of the transmission with a second rotor of the transmission, where the speed data is indicative of speeds of the first and the second rotors. The synchronized first and second rotors are engaged with one another to transfer torque from the motor to the output.