Study on the Dynamic Characteristics of a Manual Transmission Using Linear Models

Torsional vibrations, such as the gear rattle of the manual transmission in vehicle systems, are correlated with the firing stroke from the engine. These vibro-impacts can be examined based upon linear time-invariant analysis. In order to understand the gear dynamics, a specific manual transmission with a front-engine front-wheel drive configuration is investigated. A method to reduce the degrees of freedom is suggested based upon the eigensolutions and frequency response functions, which will lead to the development of an efficient matrix size. The dynamic characteristics of single- and dual-mass flywheels are then compared. The effect of the dual-mass flywheel is investigated based upon the mobility analysis, which will lead to understanding of the concepts for avoiding vibro-impacts. A linear time-invariant system model is examined by employing the effective clutch stiffness from a two-stage clutch damper. Thus, the relationship between the dynamic characteristics and the clutch damper can be predicted by assuming a combination of different stage stiffness levels.