Search Results

In the transmission and powertrain divisions of the automotive industry, audible noise transmitted by gear meshing is one of the highest quality characteristics for customer satisfaction. This paper involves an overview of an approach of reducing gear noise in manual transmissions and powertrain components. A traditional method of full factorial experimentation is usually the norm in gear noise development. This method is very expensive, time-consuming, and yields marginal results. The method of Dr. Taguchi's Design of Experiments was implemented on the speed gear pairs of a manual transmission. Different combinations of gear geometry characteristics were tested using design of experiments. Optimum manufacturing tolerances are then set using the results of the experiment. The significance of this type of experimentation is that it results in a substantial reduction in gear noise, as well as reduction in pre-production gear development time and manufacturing costs.

The Gerodisc hydro-mechanical limited-slip differential has been successfully developed for a racing car application. This racing application requires that the differential's design be both torque and slip sensitive. This paper discusses the operation principle and general construction of the racing differential as well as the development of the limited-slip differential from the design phase to production. The limited-slip differential (LSD) operates within an existing 8.8″ axle housing. The LSD was designed to meet the high torque requirements of the application without sacrificing either durability or high speed tuning by using high thermal resistant friction material and a bimetal valve which thermally compensates for temperature variation.