Gearshift actuator dynamics in a dual clutch transmission

The emergence of tougher environmental and fuel efficient legislations have triggered exploration and advance toward new and better vehicle transmission technologies.

Some emerging transmission technologies have seen a growing trend toward increased drive comfort, fuel efficiency, and low CO₂ emission. The most recent additions have been variants or hybrids of the automated mechanical transmission (AMT) including fully automated mechanical transmissions (fAMTs), continuously variable transmissions, hybrid-electric vehicles, and dual clutch transmissions (DCTs).

The AMT variants such as the DCT combine the convenience of an automatic transmission with the high efficiency of a manual transmission by using twin clutches, one for odd-numbered gears and the other for even-numbered gears. This design allows uninterrupted and smooth upshifts or downshifts through the speed ratios without loss of traction, hence no perceptible jolts during gearshifts.