Title: A systems modelling and simulation approach to gear shift effort analysis

Authors: J. Marco, R. Ball, R.P. Jones, K. Lillie

Addresses: Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. ' Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. ' School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. ' Rover Group, Advanced Technology Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.

Abstract: Synchronized gear shift quality is a major contributor to vehicle refinement. A number of papers have recently presented analytical methods for studying shift quality. However, in these papers consideration is given to the transmission in isolation from the dynamics of the powertrain and the external environment. In order to obtain a more holistic understanding of the phenomena, the use of a systems modelling and simulation strategy is adopted. A mathematical model of a conventional transmission is formulated. The model is employed in conjunction with the shift quality measures to provide numerical information relating to how the gear shift performance of a vehicle is affected by external factors acting on the transmission and also to variations of pertinent transmission parameters. Particular consideration is given to operation of the vehicle in an off-road environment and variations in input pinion inertia.

Keywords: manual transmissions; off-road vehicle performance; shift effort; systems modeling; simulation, transmission refinement; gear shift performance; shift quality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2001.005205

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2001 Vol.25 No.4, pp.317 - 338

Published online: 10 Sep 2004 *

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