Title: Fuel economy and performance improvement enabled by medium-duty dual clutch transmissions

Authors: Graeme A. Jackson; Jerome J. Palazzolo

Addresses: Eaton Vehicle Group, 13100 E Michigan Ave., Galesburg, MI 49053, USA ' Eaton Vehicle Group, 13100 E Michigan Ave., Galesburg, MI 49053, USA

Abstract: In the past decade dual clutch transmissions (DCTs) have gained significant market share over torque converter automatic (TCA) transmissions in the passenger car sector, partially due to fuel economy improvement. Although today's North American medium-duty (MD) truck market is predominantly TCA technology, DCT technology has the potential to improve MD truck fuel economy and performance. This paper includes detailed comparisons of the key technology hardware and controls differences, their influence on driveline efficiency, and vehicle application optimisation. The losses of a DCT and a TCA were characterised over their relevant operating ranges and then incorporated into MATLAB®/Simulink® models. The models were validated with chassis dynamometer data and are capable of quantifying the trade-off between vehicle performance requirements and fuel economy. The analysis concludes with results from the fuel economy studies as well as observations of other performance benefits of the DCT technology in the MD market space.

Keywords: dual clutch transmissions; DCT; fuel efficiency; torque converter automatic; TCA transmissions; medium duty commercial vehicles; fuel economy; performance improvement; medium duty trucks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPT.2015.071727

International Journal of Powertrains, 2015 Vol.4 No.3, pp.243 - 262

Received: 04 Mar 2014
Accepted: 20 Jan 2015
Published online: 16 Sep 2015 *

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