"Automatic", CVT or robot?
Which gearbox should be preferred
"Automatic" or mechanics? Residents of megacities and big cities are increasingly choosing automatic transmissions. The actual question, in fact, is one - which transmission to prefer?
Hydro manual transmission
In the people it is called the usual or classic "automatic". Actually, it is classic because it began to be used in the first half of the last century, and became widespread already in the 1960s. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that there is no rigid connection between the wheels and the engine. Torque is transmitted to the wheels through the working fluid through two turbines.
Imagine a fan. By turning it on, we get air flow. And now let's take a children's propeller flower on a stick and bring it to a working fan. The propeller will start spinning. The hydromechanical “automatic” works exactly the same way. Only instead of air there is a transmission fluid (rather viscous), under pressure and enclosed in a sealed housing. On the one hand, a screw coming from the engine (instead of a fan), and on the other, a screw that finally connects to the wheels (propeller).
Thanks to the liquid, it is possible to move smoothly and make the shifts soft, without strong jerks. As for gear shifts, they used to take place at the command of hydraulic control units, and now with the help of electronics. Thanks to her, by the way, in modern boxes appeared winter, sports and economical modes, as well as the possibility of manual gear shifting.
Previously, the norm for a torque converter "automatic" was 4 steps, which replaced the entire range of 5-speed mechanics. Typical examples such boxes remained with Peugeot and Renault. But for last years engineering thought has stepped far forward: no one can be surprised by 6-, 7-, 8-speed "automatic machines". Jeep, for example, is already putting 9-speed automatic transmissions on its SUVs, and the mass appearance of 10-speed ones is just around the corner, despite the fact that some engineers have previously stated that a car does not need more than seven gears.
Of course, there are also disadvantages. Switching is still felt and not as fast as we would like. In such a transmission, quite big losses Efficiency for mixing oil. And the most important thing - increased consumption fuel compared to mechanical and robotic gearboxes. Many of these problems have been successfully dealt with by engineers in the last decade. However, manufacturers do not recommend towing a car with such a transmission on a cable for a long time and slipping.
The advantages include high reliability traditional "automatic", the possibility of its use not only on paved roads, but also off-road. It is comfortable in the city and on the highway. In addition, such a box has a service life of about 200-250 thousand kilometers, or even more with proper care. It can be repaired, and most importantly, there are enough specialists in our country who are able to give it a new life.
Variable speed drive
According to the principle of operation, such a transmission is as close as possible to a bicycle gearbox. Several sprockets front and rear are connected by a chain. I threw the chain onto the rear sprocket of a larger diameter - and it became easier to go uphill, but you need to pedal more often. From the hill, on the contrary - the asterisk should be larger in front, and smaller in the back.
In cars, instead of sprockets, there are two pulleys (truncated cones), which, unlike sprockets, change their diameter smoothly. And instead of a chain, as a rule, belts made of metal plates are installed. Although in the designs of Subaru and Audi you can find chain drive. Due to the fact that the diameter of the pulleys can change smoothly, the gear ratios also change smoothly, that is, there are no gear shifts at all. Because of this, CVTs are also called continuously variable transmissions.
In theory, such a design should help save fuel, accelerate the car faster, since the electronics accurately select the best gear ratio and constantly maintain it, and be incredibly comfortable in terms of smoothness. The last statement is a fact. Since you don’t need to switch, then jerks have nowhere to come from. But with all the other statements you can argue.
Previously, when CVT automatic transmissions first appeared, they were connected to the engine using the same torque converter, with all the ensuing pluses (torque increase in transients) and minuses (hydrodynamic resistance). Hence the extra energy costs and, as a result, fuel efficiency at the level of traditional automatic machines (under certain conditions a little more, under others - a little less). But in recent years, a wet or dry clutch block has been used as a link, so that the economy has improved by an order of magnitude.
However, there is work to be done. The belt is not a very reliable thing, it can break under heavy loads. Hence another limitation - you can not use the variator on too powerful machines and diesels with high traction. In addition, the variator cannot be listened to like other gearboxes; when driving, it freezes at certain (the most efficient) speeds and buzzes like a trolleybus. Engineers are fighting this by introducing the possibility of manual shifting and developing an electronic algorithm that simulates the operation of a stepped transmission. But in this case, the very idea is called into question.
These gearboxes are very common in cars. Japanese made and every year they become more comfortable and reliable. CVTs, with proper care, can last a very long time, but categorically do not like slippage, which makes their use off-road and in mud unproductive. The maintainability of the variator is a moot point, we have few specialists who can figure it out.
If we consider buying a used car with a CVT, it should be borne in mind that this type of transmission is frictional, that is, working on friction. And friction is wear and tear. Unlike other boxes, where friction occurs only at the moment of switching, here it is constant. So for drivers who love to drive and skid, the variator wears out very quickly.
Robotic mechanics
The classic robot is an automated manual transmission. They are put, for example, on Smart, Peugeot, Citroen. Its device is the same as that of a conventional manual box, but the clutch pedal is replaced by an electronic unit, which, based on the conditions and driving mode, opens and closes the clutch itself when necessary, clicking gears . Hence the pauses during switching, jerks and pecks during intense acceleration. Like traditional mechanics, the robot does not like slippage.
Main advantage robotic mechanics- high fuel efficiency, usually even better than three-pedal cars. In addition, when buying new car the robot will cost less than other automatic transmissions. However, when buying a used car, you should be careful: Schumachers do not have such boxes for a long time - in best case you will need to change the clutch discs, at worst - the entire box. In addition, during operation, you still need to wield the gear lever. In traffic jams, you must always switch to neutral so as not to overheat the clutch, and on the slopes the car rolls back unhindered.
Frankly, the evolutionary branch of such boxes has reached a dead end, giving rise to more advanced mechanisms.
Preselective transmission or dual clutch robot
The most famous of all such developments is the box DSG gear, massively installed on Volkswagen cars. Today, this is perhaps the most advanced type of transmission. In fact, these are two ordinary robotic boxes combined together. The first is responsible for odd gears, and the second for even ones. Due to this, two gears are turned on at the same time, as it were, with the only caveat that the disk of one of them is closed and the other is open.
This decision helped to get rid of the main disadvantages of conventional robots - long pauses during switching and jerking. As soon as the first disk opens, the second immediately closes. So fast that you don't have time to blink an eye. The switching time of, say, a DSG box is seven milliseconds. Thanks to this scheme, the smoothness of the ride is comparable to the CVT - we just do not have time to notice the interruption in the supply of torque to the wheels. So, a robot with two independent clutches switches not only up, but also down. The gearbox control unit analyzes the data on the pedals and steering gear and prepares in advance the most advantageous gear for the given situation. Thanks to electronics, this transmission has a sporty and manual mode.
Not only VW has such boxes, but also, say, Porsche-PDK, Ford PowerShift. However, all of them are united not only by convenience and a similar design principle, but also by a high price, as well as the complexity of the design. Repair of such gearboxes is not a cheap pleasure, and not all professional service shops take up the work of restoring such “machines”, more often they have to be changed as a whole assembly.
And they can be disabled by long-term slipping, towing and simply careless handling. However, it is these boxes that get everyone widespread not only on civil vehicles, but also sports cars and even supercars.
Manual Transmission
Summing up, it is worth noting some of the advantages of conventional manual transmissions. First, they are the cheapest and most maintainable. With the desire and ability to restore it, you can even kneel in the field. Secondly, you decide how and when to shift gears, not electronics, which allows you to effectively brake the engine, enter a skid or "refuel" the car on a steeper trajectory.
Actually, the disadvantages are a continuation of the advantages. So, most of the time we drive calmly, and wielding with your left foot and right hand is annoying, especially in traffic jams. And the smoothness of the ride among drivers with little experience often suffers.
Our forecast
Robots with two clutches are gaining the greatest popularity. CVTs are developing well and will definitely impose a fight on robotic boxes, especially in a couple of years. But most of the market is now occupied by the classic torque converter "automatic", which has become very good in recent years and must have reached its maximum. But to say that his days are numbered is premature. But as for ordinary robots, they have almost sunk into oblivion. By the way, and mechanical box not as popular as it used to be. Even fastidious Europeans have tasted modern “automatic machines” and do not want to change back to cars with three pedals.
Should I choose manual transmission or automatic? And if automatic, then an ordinary automatic machine, a “robot”, or a variator? Such questions are very popular among motorists when choosing a new or used car. The Internet is filled with the topic of gearboxes, and how useful information, and information "trash". Only a professional in the subject can distinguish the useful from the rubbish. Such is his, the Internet, lack. Therefore, I decided to write a few lines about all these mechanics, automata, robots and CVTs, and, without diving into nuts, so that any reader, regardless of the level of technical literacy, can understand what is at stake and what he, PERSONALLY , will be better.
Manual Transmission
Let's start with the mechanics. In the case of a manual transmission, under the hood we have the engine, the "black box" of the box, with all its shafts, gears, synchronizers and clutches. And between the engine and the gearbox is the clutch assembly. They pressed the clutch pedal - the engine and gearbox were completely separated. As long as you keep the clutch pedal depressed, the powertrain and transmission are uncoupled and you can shift into any gear based on driving conditions. This is the main advantage of "mechanics", especially for an "advanced" driver who knows and knows how to apply techniques active management by car. For example, in the case front wheel drive car, "rest" the engine against the wheels of the front axle before the maneuver. And in case rear wheel drive, “screw” the car into a turn, move to a steeper trajectory. But as often happens, the disadvantages are a continuation of the advantages. Actively “driving”, of course, is nice, but wielding the clutch pedal and shift lever in endless traffic jams of megacities is not the most pleasant experience. This is the downside.
Hydromechanical automatic transmission, or "regular automatic"
In order not to control the box “hand-to-hand”, and not to strain too much with the handles and legs in dense city traffic, an automatic transmission was invented. First came the hydromechanical automatic transmission (automatic transmission). In order to understand how it works, you need ... a fan (ordinary, household) and some kind of children's turntable-toy with a propeller-like fan. Turn on the fan and bring this toy to it. What will happen? The propeller on the toy will spin too! Now imagine that the screw does not drive the fan electric motor, but the car engine. And the second screw is on the shaft, which goes into the "black box" with gears, clutches, and everything else. Both of these screws are enclosed in a sealed case filled with a special transmission fluid which is called a torque converter.
What are these passions for? And in order to move off smoothly, shift gears as smoothly as possible without any clutch "from the driver's foot", as in the "mechanics" between the engine and the "black box" with gears. Indeed, in order to move, you need to smoothly connect the motor and the “black box” of the box. Here is a torque converter, without losing any effort from the engine, this is what it does. A fluid is needed in order to transmit rotational motion through it. And the air, it will not cope. Air density is low for energy transfer at such rotational speeds. As for gear changes, they are performed at the command of the control unit, automatically, depending on driving conditions. Previously, these blocks were hydraulic, now electronic.
In general, everything in the hydromechanical automatic transmission seems to be good. She rides herself, she switches. The driver can only press the "gas" and brake pedals, and the "automatic" selector click between "Park", "Drive" and "Back". And this thing works quite reliably. If you do not pretend to be Schumacher on the automatic transmission, and follow the Maintenance Regulations, then it does not break.
But there are drawbacks. Chief among them are tangible moments automatic switching automatic transmission ranges in a "black box" with gears, and more high consumption fuel, in comparison with the "mechanics" with the same power units. The need for more comfort, rising fuel prices and concern for the environment encouraged engineers to think about automation again.
"Variable speed drive". CVT automatic transmission
To understand what the engineers came up with, imagine ... a bicycle. Pedals, two sprockets, and between them - a chain. On rear wheel slightly more advanced models have several sprockets so that you can switch gears. I switched to a big asterisk - it is easier to pedal and you can go up a steep hill, but you have to pedal more often. At the same time, the speed of the bike drops, but this is the price for high traction. And if you ride on flat terrain, or from a mountain, then you turn on a smaller asterisk at the back - you pedal less often, and the speed of the bike increases. Now imagine that a bicycle has a belt drive instead of a chain drive. That is, instead of a chain - a belt, instead of sprockets - pulleys, only instead of a bunch of sprockets on the rear wheel - ONE pulley, but its diameter can ... change smoothly.
Represented? Here, in front of you, is a CVT automatic transmission! One pulley is of constant size, the second is of variable size and its diameter changes at the command of the control unit, adjusting to the driving conditions. And between them - the strongest "belt", which is either a multi-link chain, or a composite one, made of metal plates. A smooth change in the diameter of one of these pulleys leads to the fact that the switching moments of the automatic transmission are not felt at all. After all, they simply do not exist, these moments of switching. J Amazingly comfortable thing to work with, this variator! But it was not without flaws, significant and smaller.
"Variators" are not cheap. They also categorically do not like slippage. Due to the fact that the same torque converter has to be placed between the “black box” with pulleys and the belt (you need to get under way!), And also due to mechanical friction in the “black box”, energy losses are quite large, fuel consumption, in comparison with the "ordinary" automatic transmission, a little less. And maybe more. And you also have to “conjure” the engine programs so that it does not buzz like a trolleybus at constant speed during acceleration. After all, there is no stepwise gear shifting. Therefore, engineers again opened up scope for research.
"Robots". Robotic gearboxes
To overcome the shortcomings of hydromechanical and CVT automatic transmissions, several design schools turned their attention to ... a conventional manual gearbox. And what if we replace the clutch foot drive with an electric drive, the gearshift lever and traction to the “black box” with electric gears executive mechanisms, and control the clutch and shifts with electronic block based on driving conditions? Of course, it is easy and soon only a fairy tale affects. The engineers had to work hard on the control programs for this unit and the reliability of the electric drive, but automated manual transmissions, which journalists dubbed "robotic", or "robots", went to mass production for small cars. They are precisely the classic "mechanics", in which the clutch and gear shifts are controlled by an electronic unit.
The main advantage of most "robots" is high fuel efficiency, for which they were primarily created. After all, a computer with a perfect control program never makes mistakes, never gets angry, does not get depressed and never gets tired, unlike drivers with different experience, skill and resistance to physical and moral stress. Therefore, a car with a “robot” consumes less fuel than the same car with any other box, including "mechanics". And also such a “robot” is cheaper than any other automatic transmission in the purchase, when ordering a new car. Like this.
But even here it is not without drawbacks. No matter how hard the engineers tried to optimize the moments of switching, the “pecking” of the car with its nose during violent acceleration is very noticeable. Such "robots" for economical and quiet ride, not for Schumacher. They also do not like slippage in clutch units. The engineers had to work hard again.
"Robots" classDSGby Volkswagen
Imagine a car with a six-speed manual transmission. Represented? Only this box is not quite ordinary. In fact, it's not at all common. It seems to consist of TWO units, with 1st, 3rd and 5th gears connected to the engine through one clutch module, and 2nd, 4th and 6th through another. It turns out something like "two in one". Now imagine that all control is fully automatic, electronic and electric. Moreover, when you accelerate, for example, in 2nd gear, the control unit has ALREADY turned on 3rd, and is only waiting best moment to make instant “clack-clack” independent clutches, to “release” the second gear and “cut in” the prepared 3rd in advance. Switching in such an automatic transmission takes not just a fraction of a second, but milliseconds! The driver and passengers simply do not notice these changes, and acceleration is smooth and very fast. For example, in the DSG, which the VOLKSWAGEN concern was the first in the world to put on the conveyor, the switching moments take 7 milliseconds. It's much faster than blinking your eyes. Therefore, there are no jerks and pushes, as with the “robots” described above.
DSG 7 SPEED WARRANTY extended to 5 years or 150,000 km:
Concern VOLKSWAGEN AG, meeting the wishes of customers, in order to maintain customer confidence in the cars of the concern, carries out at the expense of the manufacturer free repair or replacement of gearbox components DSG 7 DQ 200 within a period of up to 5 years or until 150,000 km of mileage is reached from the moment the car was handed over to the first buyer. When contacting a vehicle owner official dealers with a claim for work of the DSG 7 DQ 200 diagnostics will be carried out free of charge and, if necessary, free repairs in accordance with current technical advice concern.
In the same way, such “robotic” boxes switch not only “up” but also down. The transmission control unit carefully "observes" the driver's actions using sensors on the pedals and steering gear, and prepares in advance the best gear for the driver's goals.
If I say that such “robots” of the VW DSG class work brilliantly, then this will not be an exaggeration, and not only in terms of gear changes. Their control units also do not “get tired” and do not “make mistakes”, so the fuel consumption of a car with DSG, especially in the urban cycle, is less than with any other box, including “mechanics”.
As for the shortcomings, there are few of them, but, alas, they exist: The high cost and unacceptability of slippage in clutch units (however, what kind of clutch does it like?).
Here are the options.
Sincerely,
Denis Kozlov (DOK)
Your expert in car selection and maintenance
Technological progress does not stand still, not so long ago it was believed that learning to drive is better on the mechanics, and it is cheaper to maintain it, but now everything has changed. An automatic transmission or a robotic box untie your hands when traveling, the driver no longer has to think about changing gears. Even racing cars equip with such gearboxes, to say nothing of ordinary motorists. To decide which is better, you must first understand the device of each variety, the pros and cons.
According to statistics, about half of the cars currently sold are with automatic transmission. Its purpose is to change the frequency and torque transmitted to the drive wheels in a wider range than the engine can provide. But different box designs do this a little differently.
Automatic transmission
An automatic is a type of transmission where the choice gear ratio happens automatically, depending on several factors. Only those gearboxes are called automatic, where there are necessarily two structural elements: a planetary gear and a torque converter. The transformer is responsible for transmitting torque from the engine, the rotation is transmitted due to the fluid - oil.
Device automatic box gear
The planetary gear appeared as structural element as early as the beginning of the 20th century. The first mass-produced car, the Ford T, had such an element in its design. It has been produced all over the world since 1908 for almost twenty years in millions of batches. But back in 1906 he began to produce Cadillac car, with fully automatic transmission.
The first car with a planetary gear - Ford T
The planetary gear resembles the movement of the planets around the sun. The components of this mechanism are listed below:
- In the center of the gearbox is the so-called "sun" or small gear.
- The carrier is a lever mechanism.
- Large gear wheel with internal gears.
- Satellites - an analogue of the planets of the solar system, gears, revolve around the "sun".
The device of the planetary automatic transmission system
Planetary system - several planetary gears. The torque converter transmits torque, but there is no rigid connection between the engine and the box, unlike mechanics. It's like a clutch in a manual transmission. There is a slight loss of power during the transmission of movement due to the lack of a rigid connection with the engine, but due to the hydraulics, the stroke is softer. Certain gears in the planetary system are blocked, and a reduction, overdrive or direct transmission is obtained.
When you have to get to work through traffic jams, it is more convenient to use automatic transmission. Then the driver does not have to press a lot of levers, and control does not require such concentration as when operating the mechanics. Indeed, after several hours in the stream of cars, the legs get tired, and the loss of concentration can lead to emergency. People for whom manual transmission is incomprehensible choose automation, and many of the students include themselves among them. At the same time, the service life of the above models is the same. The impact on the human factor is also reduced, there is no need to constantly monitor the machine.
The gear shifts smoothly, the car moves without sharp jerks. The gearbox adapts to the driver, so the ride is comfortable, regardless of the chosen driving style. Clutch discs and release bearing last longer, and this feature is noted even by experienced drivers who have used manual transmission all their lives. Automatic machines began to be produced earlier, so there are fewer pitfalls in their behavior. Measures are constantly taken to improve the design, as a result, fuel consumption is reduced.
For comfort during the trip, soft acceleration, you have to pay a higher cost of the gearbox and a decrease in efficiency. During hydraulic transmission, there is a mismatch between the rotational frequencies of the turbine and pump wheels. This process is called hydraulic transmission slip, it is present in any mode of operation of the transmission. But, if the speed is constant, there is no braking and acceleration, torque converter blocking is applied. The hydraulic transformer is excluded from the torque transmission circuit. The motor is directly connected to the gearbox shaft.
Automatic transmission in the context
You will have to leave a considerable amount in a car service if something breaks. The reason for this is the complexity of the mechanism. If the battery dies, you won't be able to start the car. folk methods. With a manual transmission, you can simply push the car, and the automatic transmission will break when using this method. Automatic machines in budget cars may be delayed in responding to commands. The decision is made by the system, not the person, so it is more difficult to control the machine.
The car owner will have to exercise caution when driving. In the cold season, you often have to skid in the snow in order to get through difficult area. When iron Horse equipped with automatic transmission, such manipulations lead to its overheating. If you continue like this, the car will quickly break down.
Handling with automatic transmission in winter is slightly worse than on mechanics
The conclusion is the following — handling in winter is worse than in summer, especially when traveling out of town. The automatic transmission is more suitable for quiet city conditions, rather than cross-country racing. In the event of a breakdown, you can not tow the car, you will have to pay for a tow truck. You can not abruptly start off, switch to parking mode or park carelessly, otherwise you will have to repair the device ahead of schedule.
It works on the same principle as a mechanical one, has a similar design with gears. But the separation of the crankshaft of the motor from power transmission vehicle and gear shifting in the box is carried out automatically. The device is controlled by electronics, and the motorist only submits information to the input.
The control is carried out by an electronic unit with servo drives or actuators, which are of two types - hydraulic and electric motors. When the actuators are given the command to shift, one actuator depresses the clutch. The other one turns on the required speed by moving the synchronizers.
Hydraulic drive is more expensive, and it is installed only on cars executive class or sports cars. Operation involves the use brake fluid. It is under pressure and accelerates the switching process to 0.05 sec. Therefore, hydraulics are chosen by racers and street racers. The electric drive is used more often, as it is cheaper. But the switching delay is tenths of a second, which is felt at the time of acceleration.
Left - hydraulic drive, right - electric drive
There are two operating modes of the box - automatic and manual. In the first case, the computer sends an order to change gears based on the collected data. various systems. This includes the speed of movement, the number of engine revolutions and other indicators. If manual mode is activated, a person gives commands using the control levers - the paddles under the steering wheel and the gear selector. The motorist himself adjusts the selector and sets a limit on the gear change by the robot.
Paddle shift paddle
To fully understand how the robotic box works, it is worth considering its design. The device is identical to the manual transmission. It consists of a body called the crankcase. Inside are shafts arranged parallel to each other. Gears are attached to them, which are engaged in pairs. The box is two-shaft or three-shaft.
Device robotic box gear
Torque is transmitted from the motor to the primary, also called the drive shaft. The converted moment is sent to the drive wheels from the secondary - the driven one. The difference between the shafts is that on the secondary, the gears can rotate freely, while on the drive they are rigidly attached. Often the slave is divided into two to reduce its length and, accordingly, the size of the box. To prevent the torque from being applied to the wheels, select the "neutral" position. In this mode, the gears rotate freely on the driven shaft.
When using a manual transmission, you must press the clutch pedal before changing gear. Otherwise input shaft will not be disconnected from the vehicle engine. Electronics built into robotic modifications relieves the burden on the driver. Therefore, while driving, a person does not need to press the clutch pedal with his foot.
After the clutch has actuated, the driver moves the synchronizers using the gear lever. They are special mechanisms that equalize the speed of the driven shaft and the activated gear. When the clutch is engaged, the torque is transferred to the driven shaft with the desired coefficient. It is then fed to main gear and wheels.
The first robots were presented as an invention that combined positive traits mechanics and automatic. New items with an electronic control unit inherited a robust design from the manual transmission. In the event of a breakdown, it is not difficult to find a master who will repair it.
Improved mechanisms are also distinguished by low fuel and oil consumption compared to automatic transmissions. Compared to many torque converters, robotic modifications consume 30% less fuel.
CVT and torque converter models have a more complex design and break more often. A distinctive feature of robots is simpler control than when operating mechanics.
The advantages of robotic devices include comfort during the trip. To get rid of jerks in modern models two independent clutches are installed. Such boxes are called preselective, they switch gears in 0.02 seconds. They allow you to activate the next stage when the gear is engaged, without interrupting work and maintaining traction. Comfort during the trip and improved dynamics is achieved by reducing the moment of power breaking.
Double-plate clutch in a robotic gearbox
The robot can have up to 10 speeds, as in the recently introduced by the company Volkswagen auto. If you choose manual transmission, maximum amount gears - only 8. Devices with an electronic control unit were invented about 20 years ago and launched in mass production. Now you can find it like budget sedan, and a tuned sports car with robotic gearbox.
Unlike a live driver, the robot cannot feel the moment when the discs close and smoothly change speed. Therefore, the movement can occur with jerks. To make it smoother, the creators of robotic gearboxes have taken steps. In improved modifications, at the moments of gear change, the electronics for some time breaks the power flow transmitted to the wheels from the motor. Therefore, unpleasant dips disappear during acceleration.
The principle of operation of the robotic gearbox
Such designs are smaller, with a smoother ride, but they will cost more. A single electromagnetic servo drive is installed in them. The gear selection mechanism is quicker and the power break time is shortened.
Robots require compliance with the rules of operation. The driver should not press hard on the gas, and when braking, it is recommended to press the pedal harder. With a sharp set or slipping, the gearbox may fail. It is necessary to ensure that the clutch does not overheat during movement.
Automation adjusts to the driving style of the car owner. The firmware of the robot control unit is set to a mode that supports only one style. Another disadvantage is that for racing on the track you will have to buy a modification with a hydraulic drive, and it will cost much more. Manual transmission repair will be cheaper, and when traveling on a worn out pavement such a mechanism will last longer. The electronic mechanism may fail after an incorrectly performed flashing or chip tuning. In the worst case, you will have to change the clutch.
Automatic or robot - the choice is not easy, but there is also a variator. But the variator does not switch speeds, since there they change smoothly. That is, it is not a speed changer. And a robot with automation can be quite compared in terms of material parameters, acceleration dynamics, behavior in adverse conditions- when slipping, maneuvering on difficult road surfaces.
If we consider the comfort of the trip, in the first place is the automatic transmission. When it is more important to strive for profit, the robotic gearbox, which has less fuel and oil consumption, is in the lead. But automatic transmissions are considered more predictable when traveling. In appearance when buying, it can be difficult to assess whether a robot or machine is in front of a future owner. In both options, there is no clutch pedal, so you need to ask in advance which gearbox the selected model is equipped with.
Below you can find a comparison table between automatic transmission and robotic transmission.
| automatic transmission | Robotic checkpoint | |
| pros | Smooth acceleration and movement | The design is simpler than that of automatic transmission |
| Ease of machine control | Fuel economy and more high efficiency compared to automatic transmission | |
| No need to constantly replace the clutch | Repair and maintenance is cheaper than automatic transmission | |
| Minuses | Efficiency is lower than that of a robot | Jerking on start-up and gear changes |
| Higher fuel consumption | Gear shifting slower | |
| High cost, including repairs | Unpredictability of behavior in severe road conditions |
Summing up
It is impossible to say which system is better - automatic or robotic. If such a conclusion could be drawn for all machines, manufacturers have long been producing gearboxes of the same type. When purchasing a car, you need to consider the following factors:
- Which roads are supposed to be driven - urban or suburban. For busy streets better automatic transmission, and when traveling on the tracks, a robot will also do, since you don’t have to accelerate and brake all the time.
- Does fuel consumption matter - automatic transmission has it a little more.
- Recommendations from those who have already tried this box.
- The price of an automatic transmission, as well as its repair, is more expensive than a robotic one.
- Driving with automatic transmission is more comfortable for both the driver and passengers, because there are no sharp shocks during acceleration.
Gearbox robot or automatic: which is better
5 (100%) 1 votedWhen it's time to choose new car, we tend to think about what type of engine and gearbox our future car. If earlier the choice consisted of two options - mechanical or automatic transmission, today, along with the usual "mechanics", you can choose automatic, robotic or stepless gearbox gears. In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of the transmissions listed above.
Simple complex "mechanics"
According to its design, a manual gearbox is just an arranged unit, unless, of course, we compare it with automatic and robotic transmissions. This simplicity determines the low cost of a car equipped with such a box, and ease of maintenance and operation.
However, one can argue about the latter: the principle of operation of a manual transmission involves the active participation of the driver, and therefore the role of the human factor in the operation of the "mechanics" is very large. It's one thing if he drives a car with a manual transmission experienced driver who knows at what speeds it is necessary to switch to one or another gear, and who knows how to operate in difficult conditions(for example, if the car is stuck in snow or sand). It is a completely different matter when a novice drives a car with this type of transmission. There is a big risk here that, due to banal ignorance of the manual transmission operating rules, a novice driver can, as they say, ruin the box in a relatively short period of time (while maximum resource such a unit can be hundreds of thousands of kilometers). Those who still decide to choose a car with a manual transmission should know all about the positive and negative aspects this type of transmission.
Advantages of manual transmission:
1) Simplicity of design, relative cheapness of repair and maintenance.
2) Long service life (some gearboxes of this type can be used even after the "native" car engine fails).
3) Fuel economy (compared to automatic transmission, a car on the "mechanics" consumes 10-15% less fuel) and high acceleration dynamics.
4) High percentage ratio useful action(allows you to use the full power of the engine and its torque).
5) Good acceleration of the car (speed of increase in engine speed) in which the driver himself chooses the style of driving, adjusting the moment of gear shifting.
6) Less weight than automatic transmission.
7) The ability to start the engine with a failed ignition and battery.
8) The ability to tow a car without using a tow truck, on a hard or flexible hitch for any distance.
Disadvantages of manual transmission:
1) Difficulty of operation for beginners (beginning drivers, due to the need to use the clutch, can damage both the clutch itself and the components of the box - for example, by turning on the reverse instead of the forward gear or not fully engaging the clutch).
2) Motor overload due to incorrect gear shifting (also applies to inexperienced drivers who may forget to switch to a higher or lower stage in time, thereby forcing the engine to run at high speeds).
3) Increased, in comparison with the automatic transmission, the shift interval (during the shift from the lowest to the highest stage and vice versa, the engine is disconnected from the transmission for a certain period of time, which leads to a loss of power).
4) Driver fatigue during the operation of the "mechanics" when driving in urban mode (you have to constantly turn on / off the gears).
Convenient, but expensive to maintain "automatic"
If a manual transmission is simple in design, then automatic quantity there are more components and assemblies, which, in turn, affects the high cost of its manufacture, repair and operation.
However, such a box is more convenient to use, especially when driving in the city, since it does not require constant engagement / disengagement of the clutch - this will appeal to novice drivers. Thus, human participation in work automatic transmission minimized. In addition, today the buyer can choose from several types of automatic transmissions: hydromechanical transmission (the usual "automatic"), manual transmission with two clutches, gearbox and continuously variable. Each of these types of transmissions has its pros and cons, which we will dwell on in more detail, but first we will point out the general positive and negative features of automatic transmissions.
Advantages of automatic transmission:
1) Ease of operation (no need to constantly engage the clutch).
2) No risk of overloading the engine (the “automatic” box itself chooses the optimal moment for switching up or down).
3) Reduced time between transitions with lower rung to higher and back without loss of engine power.
Disadvantages of automatic transmission:
1) Expensive repairs and maintenance.
2) The large weight of the unit (compared to a manual transmission).
3) Relatively low throttle response of the car (most typical for hydromechanical automatic transmissions).
4) Higher fuel consumption compared to "mechanics" (typical for hydromechanical, robotic gearboxes and variators).
5) The impossibility of towing a car on a flexible or rigid hitch (only with the help of a tow truck).
6) Lack of engine braking in drive mode(for this type of braking, you have to switch to a lower gear).
7) A small operating life compared to a manual transmission up to (maximum - up to 200 thousand kilometers).
Now let's dwell on the negative and positive qualities of each type of automatic transmission indicated here.
So, the advantages of a hydromechanical gearbox include the possibility of transmitting a large torque from the engine to the wheels, the reliability and durability of the structure. By cons - failures when shifting gears, the impossibility of towing.
TO positive aspects we attribute the relative cheapness (compared to other “automatic machines”) of production and operation to a robotic gearbox, and jerks when switching gears to the minuses.
The dual-clutch transmission delivers maximum torque at the level of a manual transmission without sacrificing engine power. But the negative point in the operation of such a box is its unreliable design and expensive repairs.
Finally, to the pluses stepless variator includes the smoothest gearshift of all the listed gearboxes and the ability to use the maximum efficiency of the engine. And to the minuses - a relatively short service life before overhaul (as practice shows, often carry out overhaul variators account for a run of 100-110 thousand kilometers) and the inability to transmit maximum torque from the engine to the wheels.
Outcome
So far, the most practical in many respects is mechanical transmission. But progress does not stand still, and modern automatic transmissions are becoming more reliable, durable and, most importantly, economical. This type of transmission as a box with two clutches has already been "taught" to consume less fuel than a conventional manual transmission. But the complexity of the design and the resulting high cost of repair and maintenance of such transmissions so far does not speak in favor of "automatic".
Today, automatic transmissions are being installed in an increasing number of new vehicles. And on some cars, for example, only an “automatic” is installed in this way, and the option with “mechanics” is not even offered to the buyer. Even before buying a car, it is useful to know what automatic transmissions are and how they differ.
Today there are three types of "machines"
— « Ordinary"(torque converter),
- Variable speed drive
- robotic(robot).
It is important to know the differences between them not only when buying a new car, but also a used one - to an ignorant buyer, a dishonest seller can easily pass off a CVT or “robot” as a classic “automatic”. So let's find out what is the difference between them and which gearbox is better to choose? Let's start with a regular machine.
Classic machine(torque converter)
This is the most popular and widespread type of automatic transmission. Main Feature of this box is that it works with a special transmission oil. This oil is under pressure and constantly moves in a vicious circle. Thus, it transfers torque from the engine to the wheels.
Recently, the automatic transmission has seriously improved. So, if 10 years ago a 4-speed automatic was considered standard, today such a box is hopelessly outdated, and 6 and 7, and sometimes 8-speed ones have taken its place. Thanks to these, as well as other innovations, fuel consumption has decreased, various modes operation of the box ("Winter", "Sport", etc.), including the manual gear shift mode (type-tronic). Well, the advantages of a torque converter machine are as follows:
- Manual shift mode
- No possible overheating of the engine
- ease of management
But there are also disadvantages:
- The high price of a car with such a box
- High maintenance and repair costs
- Impossibility of long-term towing of the car
— Big expense fuel
Variable speed drive
Variator - variety continuously variable transmission. There may also be a designation CVT. It is an acronym for Countinuously Variable Transmission. The variator gearbox selector is very similar to the conventional automatic gearbox selector, and therefore it can be difficult to immediately understand which gearbox is installed on the car.
Describe the operation of the variator in simple terms you can do this: these are two wheels, between which a belt or chain is stretched. These wheels move apart and shift - due to this, the gear ratio changes.
home distinguishing feature variator is the absence of gears. step change there is no transmission - the transmission changes continuously. Thanks to this, the variator provides the car with impeccable smoothness. Plus the CVT constantly accelerates the car better because the CVT constantly maintains the torque peak. Well, in general, the variator has the following benefits:
— Small consumption fuel
- Fast and smooth acceleration
- Driving comfort
— Light weight
But the variator also has disadvantages, namely:
— increased noise at work
- Short service life (up to 200 thousand km.)
- The high cost of maintenance and repair (plus, some automakers themselves declare that their CVTs are not repairable and do not even release spare parts for them - only a replacement)
- Engine power limitation (variator will not withstand high torque)
- High price
- Poorly tolerates sharp starting and aggressive driving
Robot
A robotic box is something between "mechanics" and "automatic". The main difference between a robot and mechanics is the presence of a control unit, which is responsible for shifting gears for the driver. And there is also some pause when switching.
In addition to the pause described above, the robot has other disadvantages:
- Jerks and jerks when switching
- slow response
- The need to turn on the "N" mode when stopping with the engine running (otherwise it can overheat)
- Impossibility of towing
As you can see, the robot has enough shortcomings. But it’s not for nothing that there is a request for cars with a robot - after all, this transmission has the following advantages:
- Low price compared to "automatic" or CVT
— Low consumption fuel
But still, robots are already a fading past, and they are gradually being replaced by more modern developments, namely ...
shift transmission
shift transmission is a second-generation robotic transmission. She also has the name DSG is an abbreviation for Direct. Shift Gearbox(gearbox with synchronized shifting).
This box is the most perfect at present. It has two clutch discs - one switches even gears, and the second - odd ones.
The key feature of the DSG box is that it has two gears on at all times. But only one of the two disks is connected to the engine, and the second is at the ready. As soon as there is a gear change and the first disk is disconnected, the second one is instantly connected. It takes less than a second to shift gears, and in terms of smoothness, the DSG can be compared to a CVT.
However, DSG also has its drawbacks. This transmission has a very complex design, as a result of which its maintenance is high. In addition, even a large service is not always ready to take on the repair of such a box, and the repair itself, sometimes, is simply impossible. Therefore, in case of breakdowns, often the only way out is to completely replace the transmission, or, at best, replace the electronic control unit. Another disadvantage of the DSG box is that the clutches overheat after a long drive, which can cause the car to jerk when shifting gears.
Automatic, CVT, robot or DSG - which is better?
So which box should you choose? You can answer this question, knowing the financial capabilities and driving style of the car buyer.
However, most motorists still agree that classic torque converter today is the best solution. Despite the smooth running of the variator and the efficiency of the DSG box, the variator has a low resource and is installed only on cars with small engines, and the DSG, due to the novelty of the technology, often turns out to be unrepairable.
Well, in favor of a conventional machine is the fact that its design has passed the test of time and is currently the most “run-in” and reliable, and many of its shortcomings are not critical.
