Old technology – new applications: The torque converter transmission is still “in” and is very important in automotive engineering. It is used more frequently in hybrid engines, for example. But how does the technology work and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Without the tripod joint, the drive in a car would be inconceivable: The relatively small component creates the power connection between the axle drive and the drive shaft. Why is this technology so important?
Admittedly, the future of the manual gearbox is uncertain given the success of e-mobility and many automatic models. However, millions of cars are still equipped with this solution. What distinguishes the technology in detail?
Planetary gears have been around for over 200 years – the first one was used in a steam engine at the beginning of the 19th century. The technology is still indispensable in cars, for example. What distinguishes the whole thing in detail and what are the differences in design?Â
CV joints are indispensable, especially in vehicle construction. Their greatest strength: they transmit the rotational movement between two shafts completely uniformly. As a result, there is no “jerking” or similar, which would put unnecessary strain on all the components involved. We have compiled some fascinating information about this invention here.
The forces in a transmission are not always transmitted with the help of gears. There are exceptions, such as the CVT transmission, in which a steel belt or a multi-plate chain moves on conical pulleys. We explain exactly how this works here. There is also some interesting information about this invention, which dates back to the 19th century.Â
In a traditional automatic transmission, a torque converter is installed between the engine and transmission. This core component contains an impeller, turbine wheel and a guide wheel. Driven by the engine, the impeller blade catch oil in the housing which creates a flow that will delayed drive the turbine wheel. This principle ensures a smooth startup and separates the drive train from the engine’s vibrations (referred to as engine irregularities).
There are no cars that don’t have differentials in them—otherwise we would be driving through tight curves with the wheels spinning and tires screeching. This essential component is located in the center of the drive axle, where its function is to make sure that the two wheels can turn at different speeds when driving around curves, while nonetheless having exactly the same propulsive power. The torque of the motor is always divided in a fixed ratio.
By the way: All-wheel drive vehicles have a differential on each axle, plus a central differential that distributes the engine power between the axles in a given ratio.