Reflections about Transaxle transmission
Source: “Automatic transmissions and transaxles”
This paper gives my reflection, that is, my understanding of Transaxle transmissions.
Transaxle, which is also known as Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) is the type of automatic transmission responsible for improved performance by supporting better fuel consumption and allowing for the smoother driving experience. Types of CVT engines include Reeves drive or Variable-diameter pulley (VDP), Magnetic CVT, Hydrostatic CVT, Roller-based CVT among others. In most of the vehicles we have today, the most used type of CVT is the VDP. Unlike the ‘traditional’ automatic transmissions, CVT changes gear ratio without someone hearing or feeling the shift in gear change. Like other transmissions, gear ratios move from the least to the highest while dictating both the car and engine speed. As such, CVT provides outstanding breaking and acceleration.
Source: “Automatic transmissions and transaxles”
Some of the components of the CVT include reduction gears and the full drive. The gear reduction system calculates the ratios of those moving gears. The other part is known as the pulley and steel belt system, containing the pulleys for both input and output, what is commonly referred to as primary or secondary pulleys. Widening and expansion of gears in narrow directions allows the CVT to make smooth gear changes. Both the belt and pulley system supports this positive result hence allowing CVT users never to feel the changes or shift of their gears.
Source: “Automatic transmissions and transaxles”
Again, there is the electrical component known as the ECU-electronic control unit, which controls the pulley and steel belt systems. ECU thus takes into account engine torque, accelerator position, engine speed or positioning of the brake pedals at every instance.
Source: “Automatic transmissions and transaxles”
Some of the advantages of CVT include; works at the highest performance level possible due to its change of speed whenever required. The torque equally is at full throttle. It has great and desirable fuel economy. It does not need clutch pedals. It has quicker acceleration and stoppage as compared to the manual or ‘normal‘ automatic transmission.
Source: “Automatic transmissions and transaxles”
Reflections about Drive line
The drive line, commonly referred to as the drive train, has two main purposes. Firstly, it does the work of transmitting power from the power production point (i.e, the engine) to the driving points (i.e., the wheels). It does this function by varying the amount of torque being produced by the engine.
Source: “Automatic transmissions and transaxles”
The driveline has two gear sets; the transmission gear and the differential gear. Transmission component allows for the adjustments of gear ratios to be achieved. The differential, on the other hand, enables the driving/turning wheels make turns/rolls at different speeds. The manual transmission normally has four to five speeds, and just (in most cases) a single overdrive, meaning that output shaft can revolve faster than the input shafts in order to conserve fuel consumption along highways.
Automatic transmissions mostly use three forward gears for speed and torque blending. For the case of a three-speed transmission, gear 1 delivers minimum speed and maximum torque for starting. Gera 2 provides medium speed and torque for high climbing and acceleration. Gear 3 allows for minimum torque with maximum speed suitable for highway traveling. The reverse gear, however, permits backward movement.
Source: “Automatic transmissions and transaxles”
A transmission, therefore, is power and speed changing device which is installed somewhere between the engine and the vehicle driving wheels. It offers the possibility of changing ratios between the engine’s revolutions per minute (RPM) and the driving wheel’s rpm for purposes of satisfying each and every driving circumstance. Some of the types of drive line layouts include Transaxle (which has been discussed in the first part of this paper).
Work Cited
Birch, Thomas Wesley, Chuck Rockwood, and Tom Birch. Automatic transmissions and transaxles. Prentice Hall, (2002): 1-13
