Proven High Efficiency Actuation and Clutch Technologies for eAMT™ and eDCT™

The paper reports upon the invention, development and critical assessment of key subsystems applied to electrically actuated AMTs and DCTs, and describes their simulation, design, rig testing and associated demonstration vehicles. Specially, these devices address the following:

• direct clutch and gear actuation using a moving magnet linear actuator;
• devices to reduce the actuation power for sustained control of wet or dry clutches targeting an average actuation energy over the NEDC cycle of < 30W electrical power;
• thermal management of a dry clutch using a heat transfer device to maintain facing materials below 220°C;
• requirement for a device to prevent roll-back on an incline and hence avoid significant clutch heating;
• in combination, increase the life of DCT dry clutch modules to 150,000 miles for small and medium cars.

Advanced prototypes are presented with measured data that indicates equivalent or improved dynamic response and CO₂ relative to in-market alternatives, whilst illustrating the realistic potential for lower manufacturing cost.

In summary, the maturation of previously introduced innovative devices is reported and further novel subsystems are introduced to make viable the adoption of automated layshaft-type transmissions according to the attribute/cost balance for each main market.