analysis and simulation of a torque assist automated manual transmission

the paper presents the kinematic and dynamic analysis of a power-shift automated manual transmission (amt) characterised by a wet clutch, called assist clutch (acl), replacing the fifth gear synchroniser. this torque assist mechanism becomes a torque transfer path during gearshifts, in order to overcome a typical dynamic problem of the amts, that is the driving force interruption. the mean power contributions during gearshifts are computed for different engine and acl interventions, thus allowing to draw considerations useful for developing the control algorithms. the simulation results prove the advantages in terms of gearshift quality and ride comfort of the analysed transmission.