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Powertrain System (AT, CVT, Differential)

Automobile Maintenance (SSW 2) · 自動車整備分野(2号) · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

Torque Converter Structure, Torque Ratio, Clutch Point, and Lock-Up Mechanism

A torque converter consists of three elements: the 'pump impeller' driven by the engine, the 'turbine runner' connected to the transmission input shaft, and the 'stator' supported on the case via a one-way clutch, transmitting and multiplying power through internal ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid).

'Torque ratio' is the 'value obtained by dividing turbine runner torque by pump impeller torque'; when the 'speed ratio (e = turbine speed ÷ pump speed) is 0 (turbine stopped / stall condition)', the torque ratio reaches its 'maximum (approx. 2.0–2.5)'.

As turbine speed rises and the speed ratio increases, the torque ratio decreases; the speed ratio (around 0.85) at which the torque ratio reaches '1.0' is called the 'clutch point'.

The region where the speed ratio is smaller than the clutch point is the 'converter range' where torque multiplication occurs; beyond the clutch point where the speed ratio is larger, the stator freewheels via the one-way clutch and operates as a simple fluid coupling in the 'coupling range (torque ratio 1.0)'.

Additionally, the 'lock-up mechanism' mechanically presses the lock-up piston mounted on the turbine hub against the front cover during high-speed driving to connect power directly (reducing fluid slip to zero) and improve fuel economy, while torsional shock upon engagement is absorbed by 'damper springs'.

Torque Converter Structure, Torque Ratio, Clutch Point, and Lock-Up Mechanism

Key points


  • Torque ratio = Turbine runner torque ÷ Pump impeller torque, reaching its maximum when speed ratio is '0' (claiming it is maximum when speed ratio is maximum is incorrect).

  • The point where torque ratio becomes 1.0 is the 'clutch point'; the region with a higher speed ratio is the 'coupling range', and the lower region is the 'converter range'.

  • The lock-up mechanism presses the lock-up piston against the front cover to transmit power directly and mechanically.

  • Example: When pump impeller torque is 150N・m and turbine runner torque is 300N・m → Torque ratio = 300 ÷ 150 = 2.0

  • Example: When pump speed is 2,000min⁻¹ and turbine speed is 1,600min⁻¹ → Speed ratio = 1,600 ÷ 2,000 = 0.8
WordMeaning
pump impeller, turbine runner, stator
torque ratio and speed ratio
clutch point
converter range and coupling range
lock-up piston and damper spring

Planetary Gear Set and Friction Elements of an Electronic 4-Speed Lock-Up AT

The gear-shifting mechanism of an electronically controlled automatic transmission (AT) uses a 'planetary gear unit' consisting of a central 'sun gear', 'pinion gears (supported by a planetary carrier)' that rotate on their own axes while revolving around the sun gear, and an outer 'ring gear (internal gear)'.

A 'wet multi-plate clutch' that connects or releases gear elements uses a hydraulic piston to press alternating drive plates and driven plates together, while a 'dish plate' incorporated inside acts to cushion engagement shock.

Meanwhile, a 'band brake' that locks a rotating drum element consists of a 'brake band' lined with friction material wrapped around the outer circumference of the drum and tightened by a hydraulically operated 'servo piston' to stop rotation.

A 'one-way clutch (sprag type or roller type)' is a mechanical element that locks rotation in one direction only and freewheels in the opposite direction, allowing smooth shifting without requiring complex hydraulic overlap timing.

Based on vehicle speed sensor and throttle opening signals, the AT-ECU controls shift solenoid valves and linear solenoid valves inside the valve body to produce the optimal gear stage and line pressure.

Key points


  • The 'dish plate' in a wet multi-plate clutch cushions engagement shock and assists plate return upon release.

  • A band brake consists of a 'brake band' and a hydraulically operated 'servo piston' that clamps the outer circumference of a drum.

  • A sprag-type one-way clutch locks rotation in one direction only and is used to reduce shift shock.
WordMeaning
planetary gear set (sun, pinion, and ring gears)
wet multi-plate clutch and dish plate
band brake and servo piston
sprag-type one-way clutch

Steel-Belt CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) Structure and Power Transmission

A 'steel-belt CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)' continuously varies the groove widths of the input-side 'primary pulley' and output-side 'secondary pulley' using hydraulic pressure, changing the contact radius of the steel belt wrapped between both pulleys to shift steplessly.

The steel belt is constructed by aligning hundreds of 'steel elements (metal blocks)' along left and right 'steel bands (laminated rings)' made of multiple layers of thin steel strips.

Power transmission from the primary pulley to the secondary pulley by this steel belt is performed not by pulling the belt, but by the 'pushing (compression) action of the steel elements' (statements describing a pulling action are incorrect).

Regarding the division of hydraulic control roles: hydraulic pressure applied to the 'primary pulley' changes groove width to control the 'pulley ratio (gear ratio)', while hydraulic pressure applied to the 'secondary pulley' controls 'belt tension (clamping force)' so the belt does not slip.

On the 'High' side where the gear ratio is smallest, the groove width of the primary pulley becomes 'narrow (large contact radius)' and the groove width of the secondary pulley becomes 'wide (small contact radius)' (and vice versa on the Low side).

Steel-Belt CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) Structure and Power Transmission

Key points


  • Power transmission in a steel-belt CVT is accomplished by the 'pushing (compression) action of the elements' of the steel belt.

  • Hydraulic pressure at the 'primary pulley' controls the 'pulley ratio (gear ratio)', while hydraulic pressure at the 'secondary pulley' controls 'belt tension (clamping force)'.

  • On the High (high-speed) side, the primary pulley groove width becomes 'narrow (large radius)', and on the Low (low-speed) side it becomes 'wide (small radius)'.
WordMeaning
steel belt (elements and steel bands)
pushing action of elements
primary pulley and secondary pulley
pulley ratio (gear ratio) and belt tension

Differential and Limited Slip Differentials (Viscous Coupling & Helical Gear LSD)

A differential is a device that absorbs the rotational speed difference between the left and right drive wheels during cornering; the sum of the left and right side gear rotational speeds is always 'twice the ring gear (differential case) rotational speed'.

However, with a standard differential, if one wheel spins (slips) on mud or ice, drive force can no longer be transmitted to the other grounded wheel; therefore, an 'LSD (Limited Slip Differential)' that restricts differential action is used.

A speed-difference-sensing 'viscous coupling LSD' has a structure in which 'high-viscosity silicone oil' is sealed between inner plates and outer plates arranged alternately with tiny clearances.

In a viscous coupling LSD, 'the larger the rotational speed difference between the left and right drive wheels, the larger the viscous torque (differential limiting force) generated by the shear resistance of the silicone oil', transferring torque from the faster wheel to the slower wheel.

Conversely, a torque-sensing 'helical gear LSD' generates differential limiting force by utilizing 'frictional resistance between the tooth tips of the planetary pinion gears and the inner wall of the diff case' as well as thrust-direction friction from helical gear meshing.

Key points


  • Sum of left and right drive wheel speeds = Ring gear speed × 2 (if one wheel stops, the other spins at twice the ring gear speed).

  • A viscous coupling LSD is filled with high-viscosity silicone oil and generates a larger viscous torque as the rotational speed difference becomes 'larger'.

  • A helical gear LSD limits differential action via 'friction between pinion gear tooth tips and the case inner wall' and thrust friction.

  • Example: When ring gear speed is 500min⁻¹ and the right drive wheel is at 400min⁻¹, the left drive wheel speed → 500 × 2 − 400 = 600min⁻¹
WordMeaning
differential (ring, pinion, and side gears)
Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
viscous coupling type (high-viscosity silicone oil)
helical gear LSD

Clutch, Propeller Shaft, Constant Velocity Joints, and 4WD Mechanisms

A 'diaphragm spring clutch' widely used in friction clutches has a flatter spring characteristic than a coil spring type, giving it the feature that 'pressure plate clamping force hardly drops even when the clutch disc facings wear'.

Furthermore, the diaphragm spring type suffers less clamping force loss from centrifugal force at high RPM and has a lighter pedal effort; however, in mechanical linkage systems, as the disc wears, 'clutch pedal free play becomes smaller', requiring inspection and adjustment.

A 'Hooke's joint (Cardan joint)' used on propeller shafts of FR vehicles produces rotational speed and torque fluctuations twice per revolution when installed at an angle, so two joints are arranged with equal angles to cancel out the fluctuations.

Meanwhile, FF vehicle drive shafts use 'Constant Velocity Joints (CVJs)' that produce no rotational fluctuation even at large angles; a 'Birfield (Rzeppa) type' is used on the wheel (outer) side, and an axially sliding 'Tripod type' or 'Double Offset type' is used on the differential (inner) side.

Full-time 4WD vehicles are equipped with a 'center differential' or electronically controlled coupling between the front and rear wheels to absorb front-to-rear wheel speed differences during cornering and prevent the 'tight-corner braking phenomenon'.

Key points


  • In a diaphragm spring clutch, clamping force hardly changes even when the disc wears, and pedal free play becomes 'smaller' as it wears.

  • Drive shaft constant velocity joints use a 'Birfield type' on the outer side and an axially sliding 'Tripod type' on the inner side.

  • The center differential of a full-time 4WD vehicle absorbs front-to-rear rotational differences to prevent the 'tight-corner braking phenomenon'.
WordMeaning
diaphragm spring clutch
Hooke's joint and Constant Velocity Joint (CVJ)
Birfield type and Tripod type
tight-corner braking phenomenon

Common Exam Points and How to Remember Them

In the powertrain section of the Type 2 written exam, questions appear every year from four themes: Torque Converter, Electronically Controlled AT, Steel-Belt CVT, and LSD.

For the torque converter, firmly memorize the 4-point set: 'Torque ratio = Turbine ÷ Pump', 'Torque ratio is maximum at speed ratio 0 (turbine stopped)', 'Torque ratio 1.0 = Clutch point', 'Below clutch point = Converter range, above = Coupling range'.

For AT and CVT, the most frequent points are: 'Multi-plate clutch dish plate = cushions engagement shock', 'Steel-belt CVT = transmits power by pushing action of elements (pulling is false)', 'Primary hydraulic pressure = gear ratio, Secondary hydraulic pressure = belt tension'.

For LSDs, keep clear: 'Viscous type = filled with high-viscosity silicone oil, larger speed difference produces larger viscous torque', 'Helical type = uses friction between tooth tips and case inner wall plus thrust friction'.

Key points


  • Torque converter: Torque ratio = Turbine ÷ Pump; max torque ratio at speed ratio 0; beyond the clutch point (torque ratio 1.0) is the coupling range.

  • AT friction elements: Dish plate cushions engagement shock; lock-up piston presses against the front cover.

  • Steel-belt CVT: transmits power via the 'pushing action of elements'; primary pulley controls gear ratio, secondary pulley controls belt tension.

  • Viscous LSD: uses high-viscosity silicone oil, generating a larger viscous torque as rotational speed difference becomes 'larger'.
WordMeaning
torque ratio and clutch point
dish plate
pushing action of elements
viscous coupling LSD

Drivetrain (AT, CVT, Differential)

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Official references

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