New development ZF.8-speed Tiptronic S gearbox. Revolutionary “automatic” - zf has developed a nine-speed automatic transmission. Install a 9-speed automatic 9g tronic
Well-proven seven- and eight-speed automatic transmissions are used mainly on models with a classic layout, since there is practically no space for such units in the engine compartments of front-wheel drive cars. ZF tried to solve the problem by introducing the world's first nine-speed automatic transmission, the 9HP series.
By the way, why a hydromechanical automatic transmission and not, say, a robotic gearbox? After all, the use of multi-stage “robots” with two clutches promises more benefits: production costs are reduced, since most parts are unified with mechanical transmissions, and in addition, due to the higher efficiency of such gearboxes, vehicle dynamics increase and fuel consumption decreases.
However, ZF is confident that automatic transmissions operate more smoothly, are unpretentious in operation, and have fewer problems with reliability.
The new gearbox was designed in two versions: for large, powerful front-wheel drive cars and for mass-produced small cars. We will produce the first version, transmitting up to 480 Nm of thrust, in the USA. We will offer a second, more compact modification for European models. It can withstand a maximum torque of up to 280 Nm,” says Bernard Koziara, one of the ZF managers. –
When creating it, we had two main priorities: improving the smoothness of the ride, as well as increasing efficiency. This is the reason for such a large number of transmissions. Indeed, thanks to the increased range of gear ratios, the engine working in tandem with “9HP” almost constantly operates in modes that are most favorable for fuel economy. For example, when driving in the highest, ninth gear at a speed of 120 km/h, the crankshaft speed does not exceed 2,170 rpm, while the same engine paired with the previous six-speed gearbox has a speed of 2,890 rpm.
The developers of the new automatic transmission faced a difficult task: the unit had to be not only economical, but also compact. For this purpose, four sets of gears were arranged in a checkerboard pattern, standard multi-plate clutches were replaced with hydraulically driven cam clutches, and the torque converter was significantly modernized.
A new adaptive control unit has been created especially for the “9HP”, which not only analyzes the driving style and introduces amendments to the gear shift algorithm, but also gives the driver the opportunity to set various driving modes: from “comfortable” and “economical” to “sporty”. In addition, thanks to this unit, “9HP” is initially aimed at working with start/stop systems, as well as as part of hybrid power plants.
David HAKOBYAN,
photo ZF
Saarbrücken - Moscow
At the turn of the 90s, when foreign cars began to be brought into our country en masse, with rare exceptions, it was believed that an automatic transmission was a design that was far from perfect. Among those who were involved in the topic, the prevailing opinion was: a real professional drives a “handle.” This attitude was largely due to the spoiled health of copies from the secondary market and the structural imperfections of the units of those years.
The authority of the automatic transmission began to strengthen in earnest in Russia with the renewal of the vehicle fleet and the development of the unit itself. Over time, cars with automatic transmissions became available on the primary market, and the gearboxes themselves changed from four-speed to five, thanks to which the logic of their operation increased by an order of magnitude.
The massive emergence of six-speed automatic transmissions occurred in competition with continuously variable CVTs and robotic gearboxes with one or two clutches. It was then that the attitude towards traditional automatic transmissions with a torque converter changed radically. Suspicions have dried up. The automatic transmission began to be perceived as an undeniable advantage. Although mistrust remains regarding robots and CVTs.
Europe has gone crazy. An undeniable feature of the 21st century West is ecology. It largely dictates the trends of modern automotive industry. A car of our time must necessarily comply with environmental standards Euro-5, Euro-6, consume a minimum of fuel and practically not emit CO 2 into the atmosphere.
One way to achieve these goals is multi-speed gearboxes. New era - nine-speed automatic. The first to seriously declare this was the German component manufacturer ZF, which, together with the Jaguar Land Rover engineering team, tried on a nine-speed unit in the Range Rover Evoque in 2013. Now the baton has been taken up by Mercedes-Benz, which recently announced the imminent launch of the 9G-TRONIC transmission, which will first be available on the diesel E350 CDIBluTEC, and will later extend to the rest of the brand’s alphabet.
The main task of the new machine is to combine dynamics, ecology and efficiency. The engineers tried their best to achieve their goal. According to the NEFZ (new European driving cycle) rules, the E350 CDIBluTEC sedan with such an automatic transmission consumes 5.3 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km. The efficiency of the new gearbox is an incredible 92% (for comparison, this figure for the 7G-TRONIC was 85%), and the range of gear ratios is 9.15. Thanks to this, the crankshaft rotation speed is noticeably reduced in high gears and speeds, which improves not only efficiency, but also the level of comfort, which is no less important for the brand than low consumption. In ordinary language, this means that at a speed of 120 km/h in ninth gear, the speed will be 1350 rpm.
An important requirement for engineers when working on a unit is to package the product within the specified dimensional and weight parameters. Mercedes calls it "Compact Lightweight Designs." Despite the addition of two gears and an increase in maximum transferable torque to 1,000 Nm, the new gearbox takes up just as little space as its predecessor and is lighter. The principle of the two-piece crankcase has been retained: the torque converter housing is made of lightweight aluminum, the gearbox housing with a weight-optimized oil bath is made of lightweight aluminum, and the gearbox housing with a weight-optimized polymer oil bath is made of an even lighter magnesium alloy.
And these details are not limited to the technical nuances of the 9G-TRONIC. Although this information is of most interest to engineers from competing companies. Its relevance is not so obvious even for servicemen from dealership centers, not to mention the brand’s reputable clients.
Text: Roman Kharitonov
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ZF introduced 9-speed gearboxes that save up to 16% fuel compared to 6-speed analogues. There are currently two models in the series: 9HP28 and 9HP48, which perfectly combine efficiency with high performance.
The last two numbers in 9HP28 and 9HP48 indicate that these automatic transmissions can handle torque in the range from 280 to 480 Newton meters and transmit it to the front axle wheels. Both models of 9-speed automatic transmissions can be installed on almost all all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive cars with a transverse engine. The modular design allows ZF models to be combined with hybrid powertrains and a stop-start system.
The new 9HP28 and 9HP48 automatic transmissions allow you to change gears faster and without reducing engine speed. Both modifications support manual gear shifting and can also be equipped with a dual-clutch system similar to DSG robotic transmissions.
9 steps vs 6 steps
At a speed of 120 km/h in ninth gear, the engine rotates at just 19,000 rpm. Whereas in standard sixth gear, the engine already needs 2600 rpm to provide the same speed. Due to this, fuel savings are achieved.
Compared to a car equipped with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission, the “nines” significantly improve the driving performance of the car. It becomes possible to make double and triple gear shifts without the risk of damaging the automatic transmission. In general, the new generation of transmission is similar to its predecessor, an 8-speed gearbox, but with even more developed smoothness and ease of control.
Features 9HP
- A special sensor activates the rear axle only at the right moments in accordance with the control algorithm. Fuel savings of up to 5% are achieved compared to permanently operating all-wheel drive.
- 9HP can be used for hybrid cars, which are becoming increasingly popular. In this case, the designers provided for replacing the torque converter with an electric motor.
- A separate electronic control unit (ECU) makes it easier to repair the automatic transmission electronics.
- The hydraulic unit is located on the top of the automatic transmission housing, and the sensors are located inside the transmission. As a result, it is very easy to connect to the ECU via the connector.
ZF already actively cooperates with car manufacturers. Honda announced that from 2014 it will install modified 9HP automatic transmissions on a number of models. Chrysler and Land Rover also plan to move to nine stages.
Since ZF Friedrichshafen AG puts its 8-speed gearboxes in cars from Audi, Bentley, Chrysler, BMW, Jaguar, you can expect the appearance of 9HP28 and 9HP48 in cars of these brands.
9-speed gearboxes are considered the most optimal type of transmission today. Many experts believe that a further increase in the number of speeds will not provide significant improvements in fuel economy and ease of control. Moreover, inflating ranges can even cause negative factors. However, Hyindai, GM and Ford have already announced that they plan to create a 10-speed transmission. The main goal of the development is fuel economy.
The wide gear ratio range of the 8-speed Tiptronic S reduces fuel consumption and contributes to increased comfort and sportiness. Low speed in high gears reduces noise levels in the cabin. The 8-speed Tiptronic S shifts automatically and adapts to your driving style.
New is the expanded Auto Start Stop function. It turns off the engine not only when stopping, but also while the car is still approaching the traffic light.
9-speed automatic transmission! First used on the Range Rover Evoque.
It must be said that most manufacturers claim that six stages is quite enough. But the British have their own arguments. The new transmission has a first speed that is “lower” than the previous gearboxes, and a top gear that is “higher” than theirs. For a car designed both for light off-road driving and at high speeds, this is of great importance. We can say that the 9-mortar has a reduction gear, which will literally allow you to overcome the most difficult off-road sections at a “very slow pace”. Well, on the highway the automatic transmission will shift to ninth speed and demonstrate wonders of efficiency.
Despite the increased complexity of the design, the automatic transmission has increased in size only by millimeters, and the weight has decreased: the 9-speed is 7.5 kilograms lighter than the previous 6-speed.
The ZF engineers who developed this automatic transmission claim that its gear change speed is beyond human comprehension. Gear changes occur in just 150 ms. And if the previous 6-speed automatic transmission changed speeds sequentially, then the new one is able to jump over steps. This will be noticeable, for example, during sharp deceleration: by slowing down and pressing the gas again, you will receive instant traction without any delay.
Several manufacturers have already announced the prospects of switching to nine stages.
Warming up the automatic transmission
There are recommendations for winter warming up from -20℃: Start the engine, after or during warming up, holding the car with the brake and handbrake, engage in turn all gears from 1st to R, not forgetting about N for 3-5 seconds in each gear , then first-second-parking, 1-2-3-P, 1-2-3-D-P and finally 1-2-3-D-N-P, the very last P-N-R-P. This way the box will warm up and the hydraulic transmission will not close very quickly. But in any case, there is no need to sharply accelerate on an unheated automatic transmission, and it warms up not in 1-2 km, but in 19-20 km.
Evolution of transmissions
Transmissions, like many other automotive components, have evolved unevenly. For decades, three- and four-speed automatic transmissions have provided acceptable performance and fuel economy; then they were slowly replaced by five-speed ones, which remained standard for most cars until recently.
However, then a real “war for transfers” began: six, seven, eight, who has more? One of the world's largest transmission manufacturing companies, the German ZF, now supplies Chrysler exclusively with 8- and 9-speed units. What will happen tomorrow?
ZF boss Stefan Sommer (and he knows his stuff) was quite clear on the subject: “I think nine speeds is the natural limit. Nobody is going to just draw the line, but don’t forget the law of diminishing returns. The question is whether further complication will be justified."
ZF North America head Giulio Caspari adds: "We have calculated that a theoretical ideal gearbox would be only 11% more economical than the best currently available. It would not be economically justifiable to close this gap."
Scientific truth or an attempt to slow down competitors? It seems the answer lies somewhere in the middle. We know that Hyundai, GM and Ford were involved in the development of 10-speed gearboxes, but did not present any real results of their work to the world. Disappointed? Or are we waiting for new superboxes? Time will show.
6-speed automatic transmission
New 6-speed automatic transmission from ZF for BMW, Audi
At the regular SAE 2000 congress in Florence, ZF introduced a new 6-speed automatic transmission (6HP26). The advantages of the new automatic transmission include:
Increased efficiency;
more gears;
higher efficiency;
significant weight loss.
Compared to the 5-speed, the weight of the new automatic transmission is reduced by 13%. In the 6-speed automatic transmission, its range is increased by increasing the gear ratio of the first gear. This made it possible to reduce the noise level during automatic transmission operation and increase fuel efficiency by 5-7%. In addition, the 6-speed automatic transmission made it possible to increase the average acceleration of the car during acceleration by 2-5%.
The new automatic transmission is designed to ultimately replace the current generation of 5-speed automatic transmissions. 6НР26 will be installed on standard cars with engines developing torque up to 612 Nm. In addition, it is expected to be used on all-wheel drive vehicles with engines developing torque up to 766 Nm.
ZF has been producing 5-speed automatic transmissions since 1990, and now they make up 80% of all automatic transmissions produced by ZF for passenger cars.
“We are proud of our electronic transmission control system, which is based on the newly developed Adaptive Shift Strategy (ASIS) concept,” said Dr. Michael Paul, Member of the Board of Management of ZF. The electronic system constantly monitors the condition of the automatic transmission, driving conditions, and the driver’s driving style. The signals from all sensors are constantly monitored. All this allows the electronic control unit to quickly respond to driver actions or sudden changes in driving conditions and immediately issue the appropriate commands to the hydraulic actuator unit.
The memory of the electronic control unit contains several automatic transmission control programs:
sports;
economical;
traffic in urban environments;
movements with full load;
driving on slippery roads, etc.
The 6HP26 transmission is controlled by a so-called mechatronics module, in which a hydraulic control unit is combined with an electronic unit. Both the electronic and hydraulic units are located in the automatic transmission housing and interact with each other, providing more precise control of the automatic transmission. All this allows you to improve the quality of gear shifting and thereby increase ride comfort. The use of a mechatronics module has significantly simplified the assembly of the automatic transmission, reduced its weight, and, due to the reduction in the number of contacts and interfaces, increased the reliability of its operation.
Repairing an automatic transmission of this type is not much more difficult than the previous 5-speed ones. But when repairing 6-speed automatic transmissions, sometimes it is necessary to replace the mechatronics, which is quite expensive. It is also necessary to take into account that these types of automatic transmissions use their own specially developed working fluid such as Shell M-1375.4
07/24/2013, Wed, 16:07, Moscow time , Text: Sergey Yurtaikin
The first Mercedes-Benz car with a 9-speed automatic transmission was the E350 BlueTec. Later, the box will be installed in other models of the German concern.The German automaker Daimler began equipping Mercedes-Benz with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The automatic transmission, called 9G-Tronic, is already used in the production Mercedes E350 BlueTec. So far this car has not been officially presented in Russia. Previously, such rear-wheel drive sedans were equipped with a 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission.
The transition to a new gearbox did not change the dynamic characteristics of the car. The same acceleration to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds was maintained. But fuel consumption has decreased - from 5.5 liters. per “hundred” in the combined cycle up to 5.3 liters. In city driving, the E350 BlueTec will consume 6.4 liters. per 100 km, and on the highway fuel consumption will be 4.7 liters, the manufacturer claims. Fuel efficiency was achieved, among other things, through the use of an active Start/Stop system, which turns off the engine during idle times and starts it again when the driver presses the gas pedal.
In addition, the rate of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere has changed for the better. In the case of the 9G-Tronic, it is 138 g/km versus 144 g/km for the model with the 7-speed 7G-Tronic. This fact will contribute to sales of the E-Class in Europe, Daimler expects. Later, 9G-Tronic will be available on other Mercedes-Benz models.
Land Rover has previously announced the use of a 9-speed transmission. The British automaker intends to equip the updated compact crossover Range Rover Evoque, which will be released in 2014, with such a gearbox.
The first Mercedes-Benz car with a 9-speed automatic transmission was the E350 BlueTec
According to preliminary data, the Evoque with a new transmission and 2.2-liter diesel engine (190 hp) will be able to accelerate to 100 km/h in just 7 seconds. instead of the current 8.5 seconds. The production of automatic transmissions for the British brand, as before, will be carried out by ZF.
Mercedes-Benz produces the 9G-Tronic independently. The German version of the 9-speed automatic transmission is designed for installation on cars with a longitudinal engine. Land Rover is designed for a transverse configuration.
In addition to Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover, other automakers are also trying to increase the number of gearboxes. Thus, Ford and General Motors (GM) decided to join forces to create 9- and 10-speed automatic transmissions. The latter will be designed for rear-wheel drive cars.
Most likely, American automakers will be able to bring such transmissions to the mass market only in 3-4 years. At least that’s how long it took Ford and GM to create a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Korean concern Hyundai is also working on 10-speed gearboxes (for the brand of the same name and Kia).
