December 2012 – Page 3

Introduction to manual transmission technologies

Transmissions type overview We can define 2 main types of transmissions, the manual transmission (MT) and automatic transmission (AT). The automatic transmission type is then divided in 4 sub-groups: Classic AT, with epicyclical gear trains (no loss of traction during gearshift) Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), with conical pulleys and pushed belt (infinity of gear ratios between […]

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The moose test (or VDA test)

Behaviour, Featured articles, Technology, Technology features, Vehicle dynamics, Vehicle dynamics features

Originally, this maneuver was named “moose test” or “elk test” and designed to provide a criterion to prove the tilt stability of a vehicle. In November 1997, the German automotive industry launched a safety initiative. One aim of this initiative was to simplify the criteria for testing the active safety of vehicles (driving dynamics tests).

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Euro NCAP ratings explained

Featured articles, Passive safety, Safety, Safety features, Technology, Technology features

As of 2009, Euro NCAP only releases one overall star rating for each car tested with a maximum of five stars. This overall safety rating is composed of scores in four areas: adult protection, child protection, pedestrian protection, and safety assist. The overall score is calculated by weighing the four scores with respect to each

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Glossary Combustion

Engine, Glossary_engine, Technology

A/F: Air/Fuel ratio. BDC: Bottom Dead Center. When the piston is at the bottom of the cylinder, at its lowest position in the stroke. BMEP: Brake Mean Effective Pressure. Mean and constant pressure over the piston which would give an engine torque similar to the real mean torque obtained during power stroke. BSFC: Brake Specific Fuel Consumption. Measure of

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Innovative detector of neutral gear position

Manual transmissions, News transmission, News_Technologie, Technology, Transmissions

The electrification of drive trains based on internal combustion engines, engine start stop (ESS), hybridization and automation are placing new requirements on manual transmissions. Whereas the first engine start-stop systems are still based on traditional components, advanced generations of these systems will increasingly be integrated in the flow of information of vehicles thereby creating significant

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