Simulation Modeling Guided Transmission Design - A Case Study

Automotive transmission design quality is generally judged by the vehicle's performance. Its acceleration, gradeability, maximum speed, terminal speeds, fuel economy and emissions provide these measures. These performance characteristics are optimized through the design process. This process, however, is iterative in nature and requires informed decision making to produce a design that is cost effective and excels in quality. In modern engineering, computer simulation plays an important role in the product design and development process. This paper provides a case study of the design and analysis of a heavy truck automatic transmission. It demonstrates the use of computer simulation models in generating and evaluating innovative design ideas.