Automatic Transmissions: the Technology of “X-by-Wire”

• Main Author: Leonid G. Krasnevskiy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, State Scientific Institution “The Joint Institute of Mechanical Engineering" 2017-03-01
• Series: Механика машин, механизмов и материалов
• Subjects: automatic transmission; hydromechanical transmission; mechatronic control system; control systems’ safety; mobile machines; technology of “x-by-wire”
• Online Access: http://mmmm.by/en/readers-en/archive-room-en?layout=edit&id=1073

An increase in the use of electronic and mechatronic devices has led to the introduction of mobile machines’ onboard control systems, which are free of usual mechanical link between the operator and the object controlled, and the control is maintained with the supply of electrical signals – with the help of a technology, collectively called “X-by-Wire” (“control-by-wire”). These include mechatronic control systems of automatic transmissions (hydromechanical, mechanical, hybrid electro-mechanical). However, along with the advantages it gives rise to new challenges, the most important of which is the safety of such systems. The main problem of creating mechatronic control systems of automatic transmissions “X-by-Wire” from a position of requirements to the vehicles safety standards is studied. The analysis of the stages of development of such systems, characteristics of their designs, main types of failures and solution methods through the examples of the leading AT manufacturers is conducted. Their analysis shows that implementation of this technology in mechatronic systems, especially in heavy transmissions, is connected with the need to substantially transform the design of all three components of their subsystems — electronic, software and algorithmic and electrohydraulic executive.