Oerlikon bows torque infill transmission

Oerlikon Graziano’s OGeco torque infill hybrid transmission will be one of the main attractions at the 2014 CTI exhibition in Berlin from 8 to 11 December.

Displayed alongside the 2SED and 4SED seamless-shift transaxles for electric vehicles and a new two- speed automated manual full electric transmission, the OGeco transmission has been developed as an alternative to the hybridisation of conventional dual-clutch transmissions (DCTs).

Oerlikon Graziano believes it delivers an efficient, lightweight, compact and cost-effective solution to enable passenger car hybridisation.

Integrating a six-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) with a 120KW electric motor through a two-speed epicyclic transmission, OGeco provides torque infill, electric boost, regeneration, electric drive and engine cranking.

A prototype unit has been installed in a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG by Oerlikon Graziano and UK partner, Vocis. It seems packaging is so effective that the OGeco with its integrated electric motor occupies the same space as the seven-speed DCT normally fitted to the car.

The demonstration vehicle has been well received by OEM customers and Oerlikon expects significant interest from CTI visitors.

“For high performance car applications, the quality and speed of the gear shift are both priorities,” notes Claudio Torrelli, head of product development at Oerlikon Graziano. “We achieved this by a combination of torque infill from the electric motor and a gear change actuation system that integrates each shift valve into its corresponding shift rod. The smooth shifts we achieve at low-to-medium vehicle performance levels match current DCT expectations, without compromising the rapid shift time and responsiveness required during spirited driving.”

Currently suitable for front-engine and mid-engine cars with either four wheel drive or rear wheel drive, the OGeco concept is flexible enough to be adapted to transverse transaxles in the future too.

The 2SED is a dual-speed seamless-shifting transaxle that can be coupled with a transverse electric motor, for front or rear full electric axle application. The 4SED is a four-speed, lightweight transmission that boasts increased efficiency and seamlessly smooth shifting. Its compact, scalable design makes it suitable for a wide range of vehicle types, including electric passenger or commercial vehicles or high-performance, four wheel drive hybrids. A new, two-speed AMT completes the company’s range of advanced transmission technologies.

Oerlikon Group is headquartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland.