FEV to Exhibit New 7H-AMT Electrically Assisted Transmission at SAE World Congress; Functionality for Hybrid or All-Electric Driving
11 March 2010
| Cutaway of the 7H-AMT. Click to enlarge. |
FEV, Inc. will show its internally developed 7-speed hybrid automated manual transmission (7H-AMT) at the upcoming 2010 SAE World Congress, 13-15 April 2010 in Detroit. The 7H-AMT is designed specifically for transverse installation, paving the way for wider use of more fuel efficient transmissions in smaller vehicles.
The 7-speed hybrid transmission is equipped with an electric motor designed to eliminate torque interruption, a major disadvantage of automated manual transmissions (AMT) usually found in smaller vehicles where shift comfort does not play a key role. Torque interruption can be eliminated due to the transmission’s configuration which provides two independent torque paths, one for the combustion engine (CE) and one for the electric motor (EM). During CE gear shifts, the EM fills the torque gap that would usually occur in a conventional AMT.
The 7-speed transmission provides 7 +R gear ratios for the EM without increasing the complexity and part count of a comparable conventional AMT. Due to the ultra-compact design, the transmission can be installed transversely and offers the same torque range of a 6-speed transmission, and features all standard operating modes of a full hybrid transmission, including start/stop and boosting/regeneration in all gears.
The 7H-AMT provides functionality for electric hybrid or all electric driving including stop-start and boosting / regeneration. All electric driving is possible when using the first EM gear, and is sufficient for most urban driving situations. When more torque is needed, the CE is started by controlled slip of the clutch and precise modulation of EM torque.
The 7H-AMT was developed by a global team utilizing the company’s hybrid experience, including FEV’s Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Development Center in Auburn Hills.
This transmission seems to be competing with dual-clutch transmissions. Both are automated manual transmissions providing a smooth torque output during gear changes. But which is better?
Posted by: DavidJ | 11 March 2010 at 09:51 AM
It is a really good idea that makes the idea of parallel hybrids more believable. Series hydraulic hybrids are perfectly adequate for efficiency and fuel saving and likely to cost less than any device with electric motors. Electric motors and their electronic drives are always very expensive. Perhaps their costs will drop when made in China by the tens of millions. This does not even consider the cost of the batteries usually required as well. Much smaller more efficient engines will be required for series hybrids and the number of pistons can be reduced to one big efficient one. Parallel hybrids use more pistons for smoother torque. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 11 March 2010 at 04:20 PM