Automotive

Technology

Powertrain
POWERTRAIN OVERVIEW
• Transfers the output torque of the engine to the drive wheels
REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE POWERTRAIN FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE POWERTRAIN
Transmission  Manual  A front-wheel-drive vehicle uses a transaxle,
Drivetrain contains a clutch assembly, which allows which is a combination of a transmission and
the driver to disengage engine torque from the differential in one assembly.
transmission to allow the driver to shift from one  Drive axle shafts then transfer the engine
gear ratio to another torque to the front drive wheels from the
 Automatic output of the transaxle
uses planetary gear sets and electronic controls to
change gear ratios

Drive Shaft Also called a propeller shaft, is used to connect and

transmit engine torque from the transmission to the
rear differential
Differential A differential is used at the rear of the vehicle and
performs three functions
 Allows different axle speeds for cornering
 The differential increases the torque applied to
the rear drive wheels by reducing the speed
 The differential also changes the direction of the
applied engine torque and uses axle shafts to
transfer the torque to the drive wheel
WHAT IS A POWERTRAIN?
• The purpose of the powertrain is to transfer the torque output of the engine to the
drive wheels.
• There are three main types of power trains;
• Rear Wheel Drive Powertrain
• Front Wheel Drive Powertrain
• Four Wheel Drive System

• In a front wheel drive car, the engine drives the front wheels - the rear wheels are just
'dragged' along by the car, and are free to roll until you use the footbrake or handbrake
• In a rear wheel drive car, the engine powers the rear wheels, the front wheels are
therefore free to roll unless the brakes are applied
POWERTRAINS

• Rear Wheel Drive is a combination of transmission

system, drive shaft and differential

• A front-wheel-drive vehicle uses a transaxle, which is a

combination of a transmission and differential in one
assembly. Drive axle shafts then transfer the engine
torque to the front drive wheels from the output of the
transaxle
TRANSMISSION

• An automatic transmission usually uses planetary gear

sets and electronic controls to change gear ratios.

• In a manually shifted transmission, the drivetrain

contains a clutch assembly, which allows the driver to
disengage engine torque from the transmission to allow
the driver to shift from one gear ratio to another.
Manual
Transmissio
n
 Manual TRANSMISSION

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And Manual Transmission Operation demo by ‘Weber Auto’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOo3TLgL0kM
Transmission Components
 CLUTCH
The clutch assembly is located between the engine and the
transmission/transaxle.

A clutch is used

• To disconnect the engine from the transmission/transaxle

to permit the engine to remain running when the vehicle is
stopped and to permit the transmission/transaxle to be
shifted
CLUTCH

• To connect and transmit engine torque to the transmission

• To dampen and absorb engine impulses and drive train

vibration

• To provide a smooth engagement and disengagement

between the engine and the transmission/transaxle
CLUTCH
CLUTCH PEDAL LINKAGE
• There are three methods of transferring the force of the driver’s foot to the throwout
(release) bearing, including:
• Levers and rods. Through a series of levers and rods, the release fork is forced against
the throwout bearing. This method was commonly used on many older vehicles
• Cable operation. A cable is used similar to a brake cable used on a bicycle
• Hydraulic. A small master cylinder and a slave cylinder located near the throwout
bearing is a very common method of connecting the clutch pedal to the release fork on
vehicles equipped with a manual transmission
Cable operation – Clutch Linkage
Hydraulic – Clutch linkage
CLUTCH DISC
• The clutch disc is round with a splined center hole that slips over the splines of the
input shaft of the transmission/transaxle
• Friction material is riveted to both sides of the clutch disc—one side touches the
flywheel of the engine and the other side touches the friction surface of the pressure
plate
• Friction material is either woven or molded from a mixture of other materials. Woven
materials are softer and help cushion clutch engagement, but they may not last as long
as molded materials
CLUTCH DISC
• Friction materials operate in high heat and pressure. For many years, asbestos was the
most common material used in both clutch and brake linings. However, it is no longer
used because inhaling tiny particles of asbestos causes lung damage
• Today, clutch friction material may contain paper, cotton, and bits of copper or brass
wire with resin holding the mixture together
Drive Shaft - Rear Wheel Drive Powertrain

• Driveshaft is the term used by the Society of Automotive

Engineers (SAE) to describe the shaft between the transmission
and the rear axle assembly on a rear-wheel-drive vehicle

• A drive shaft, also called a propeller shaft, is used to connect

and transmit engine torque from the transmission to the rear
differential
Drive Shaft - Rear Wheel Drive Powertrain
Drive Shaft - Rear Wheel Drive Powertrain

• Most drive shafts are made up of hollow steel tubing

• The forces are transmitted through the surface of the
driveshaft tubing
• The surface is therefore in tension, and cracks can develop
on the outside surface of the driveshaft due to metal
fatigue.
Drive Shaft - Rear Wheel Drive Powertrain

• Most rear-wheel-drive cars bearing

and light trucks use a one- or
two piece driveshaft
• A steel tube driveshaft has a
maximum length of about 65
in. (165 cm)
• Beyond this critical length, a
center support bearing must
be used. A center support
bearing is also called a
steady bearing or hanger
Drive Shaft - Rear Wheel Drive Powertrain
• Universal joints (U-joints) are used to allow the rear differential to move up and
down on the rear suspension and still be able to transmit engine torque
U-Joint - Rear Wheel Drive Powertrain

• Universal joints (U-joints) are used at

both ends of a driveshaft.
• A simple universal joint can be made
from two Y-shaped yokes connected
by a cross member called a cross or
spider
• The four arms of the cross are called
trunnions
U-Joint - Rear Wheel Drive Powertrain
Automatic Transmission

Output Shaft
Input/Driven Torque Planetary
(To
Shaft Converter Gear sets
differential)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Automatic Transmission
Torque Converter

The torque converter is located between the engine and the

transmission/transaxle and performs the following
functions.

• Transmits and multiplies engine torque

• Acts as a clutch between the engine and the transmission/

transaxle
Torque Converter

A torque converter consists of three parts:

• The turbine is located at the engine side, attached to the

housing, and is driven by the impeller

• The impeller is located at the transmission side, and is

driven by the fluid flow from the impeller and drives the
input shaft of the transmission

• The stator redirects the flow to improve efficiency and

multiply torque
Torque Converter
Torque Converter
Torque Converter
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
• There are many types of gears present in an automatic transmission
• Sun Gears
• Planet Gears
• Planet Carriers
• Ring Gears
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Rear Wheel Drive Powertrain

• Differential
The difference
between the travel
distance of the drive
wheels is controlled by
the differential
Rear Wheel Drive Powertrain

Differential

A differential is used at the rear of the vehicle and performs three

functions:

• Allows different axle speeds for cornering

• The differential increases the torque applied to the rear drive

wheels by reducing the speed

• The differential also changes the direction of the applied engine

torque and uses axle shafts to transfer the torque to the drive
wheels
Differential
Differential
When the vehicle turns a
corner, the inner wheel
slows and the outer wheel
increases in speed to
compensate. This difference
in rotational speed causes
the pinion gears to “walk”
around the slower side gear
Differential