Fundamentals of Automotive All-Wheel Drive Systems
This seminar provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts and evolution of passenger car and light truck 4x4/all-wheel drive (AWD) systems including the nomenclature utilized to describe these systems. Basic power transfer unit and transfer case design parameters, component application to system function, the future of AWD systems, and emerging technologies that may enable future systems are covered.
This course is an excellent follow-up to the 98024-A Familiarization of Drivetrain Components seminar (which is designed for those who have limited experience with the total drivetrain).
What Will You Learn
By attending this seminar, you will be able to:
- Identify front wheel drive and rear wheel drive vehicle architectures
- Identify part time, full time, and on demand all-wheel drive systems
- Explain the benefits of all-wheel drive over two-wheel drive
- Quantify all wheel drive traction and mobility benefits
- Describe auxiliary axle disconnect systems
- Explain basic vehicle dynamics performance and the effect of AWD on performance
- Identify couplers vs. biasing devices and their basic function
- Describe the differences between mechanical and electrical implementation in AWD systems
- Describe basic control strategies and logic
- Discuss advanced propulsion concepts and systems
Is This Course For You
This seminar is designed for engineers (working with passenger cars, light trucks, and SUVs) who need to master AWD componentry, and the function and effect of those components. Engineers new to the 4WD/AWD field, as well as managers, marketing personnel, purchasing professionals and others interested in all-wheel drive fundamentals will benefit from this seminar.
Also available as an SAE On Demand Course!
Fundamentals of Automotive All-Wheel Drive Systems (PD730556)
Materials Provided
This data is not available at this time
Course Requirements
This data is not available at this time
Topics
- Front wheel drive and rear wheel drive vehicle architectures
- Engine layout -Transverse vs. longitudinal
- Transmission layout - Transaxle vs. longitudinal
- Axle layout - Independent vs. beam
- Powerflow - typical power transmission arrangements
- Part time, full time, and on demand all wheel drive systems
- Modes of operation
- Performance benefits
- Usage profiles
- Twin systems
- Benefits of all-wheel drive as compared to two-wheel drive
- Performance
- Weight
- Packaging
- Quantifying all-wheel drive traction and mobility benefits
- Vehicle dynamics
- Stability Acceleration
- Auxiliary axle disconnect systems
- Function
- Design
- Basic vehicle dynamics performance and the effect of AWD on performance
- Oversteer
- Understeer
- Neutralsteer
- Traction Effects
- Stability Effects
- Couplers vs. biasing devices
- Functions of couplers
- Functions of biasing devices
- Typesmechanical, electrical, speed sensing, torque sensing
- Mechanical vs. electrical implementation in AWD systems
- Active control
- Passive control
- Effects of AWD driveline configuration on NVH and weight
- Consequences of axle ratio selection
- Halfshaft and propshaft options
- Basic control strategies and logic
- Advanced propulsion concepts and systems
- Active differentials
- Independent wheel control
- Hybrid electric all-wheel drive