Truck OEM's, fleetowners, and truck drivers have a variety of criteria for a transmission system. Easy installation, high reliability, good fuel economy, long clutch life and ease of use are important goals. Concept comparisons between two types of automated mechanical transmissions, torque converter automatics and manual transmissions are discussed. Based on this study a highly integrated transmission system was developed.
The fully automatic solution combines the cost advantages of a manual with the comfort and ease of a converter automatic transmission. One feature of the automated manual is that no clutch pedal is required. The transmission system comunicates with other vehicle systems via a CAN-bus data link. The concept of the electropneumatic components is shown, including the selected integration of sensors, actuators and microprocessor controls into separately testable modules.
The new Class 8 transmission family (10-, 12-, and 16-speed) was introduced in 1997 in Europe and Japan. Feedback from customer experience in the field has been very positive.