Automatic Transmission

Fundamentals
Chapter 73

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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
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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
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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

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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
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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
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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
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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
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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
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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
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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
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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
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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

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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
before pressure applied to driving device
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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
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Types of Pumps
Three types
Rotor type
Internal/external
gear crescent type
Vane type

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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

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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
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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

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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

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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
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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
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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

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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
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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

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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
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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
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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
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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
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning