Course structure
Module 0: Course Overview and Materials
[Total Run Time: 1 hour, 32 minutes]
Module I: General Discussion of Transmissions [Total Run Time: 27 minutes]
- Discuss the historical development of transmission technology
- Clearly articulate the use and time period associated with each component in common transmission designs
- Explain the functional improvements as transmission technology progressed
Module II: Powertrain Concepts
[Total Run Time: 46 minutes]
- Perform a standard assessment of powertrain requirements
- Correctly compare and contrast the benefits of any of the common transmission technologies
Module III: Driveline Analysis of a Passenger Vehicle [Total Run Time: 4 hours, 20 minutes]
- Complete a basic analysis of powertrain ratio requirements and performance assessment
- Apply the concepts of stepped transmission ratios and ratio selection techniques to any vehicle/prime mover performance requirements
Module IV: Stepped Transmission Technology/Manual
[Total Run Time: 30 minutes]
- Correctly identify the major manual stepped transmission components
- Adequately describe each of their functions
- Deduce power flow through a manual/geared automotive transmission
- Explain the phenomenon of shift synchronization and list the common problems that occur in common driving
Module V: Four-Wheel Drive Powertrain Layout
[Total Run Time: 30 minutes]
- Describe the two types of transfer case classifications including their characteristics and applications
- Compare and contrast AWD system types, including how they impact powertrain layout and their influence on vehicle dynamics
- Summarize the influence of AWD systems on transfer case design, including how transfer case internals can differ based on application and functions
- Compare and contrast how power transmits through transfer cases in various designs
Module VI: Stepped Transmission Technology/Automatic
[Total Run Time: 5 hours]
- Accurately describe the difference between a hydrostatic coupling and a torque converter and why a torque converter is a better application to modern vehicle automatic transmission systems
- Explain the fluid dynamic properties of energy transfer within a torque converter
- Explain the principle of torque multiplication through the torque converter
- Determine the need for use of a one-way clutch under the stator in a torque converter
- Perform a torque converter match to application based on wheel geometry and performance data synthetic coefficient
- Compare and contrast application and design considerations of all modern hydraulic charge pumps
- Knowledgeably discuss the power flow through an epicyclical gear train
- Explain each component in an epicyclical gear train
- Correlate each holding element with the configuration it supports, as well as how it affects the power flow through the gear train
- Read the holding element chart for any epicyclical gear train and define that gear train’s power flow
Module VII: PCU/TCU Transmission Communication
[Total Run Time: 14 minutes]
- Define and explain the roles of the powertrain and transmission control units, including what and how they control and what is communicated to the electronic control unit (ECU)
- Summarize improvements gained through the integration of ECUs and their influence on emerging powertrain designs
- Describe the purpose of the Controller Area Network (CAN) and explain how it operates and manages communication within a vehicle
Module VIII: Step-Less Transmission Technology/CVT
[Total Run Time: 2 hours]
- Explain the basic premise of continuously variable transmissions (CVTs)
- Describe the performance benefits of CVTs over stepped transmission systems
- List the common CVT layouts and the function of their basic components
- Calculate the net reduction in accelerative times for a vehicle using a CVT as compared to any stepped transmission design
- Describe in laymen’s terms the theory of operation of one of multiple types of CVT technologies
- Explain the concept of “push-belt” versus “pull-belt” technologies
- Summarize the major components within modern production ready push-belt CVT designs
- List and describe the required components of one of a number of common push-belt style CVT designs
Module IX: AMT/CVT/Etc.
[Total Run Time: 48 minutes]
- Comprehend the operation of new conceptual designs providing continuously variable power transmission
- Clarify the convergence of CVT and dual-clutch transmission technologies
Materials Provided
- 90 days of online single-user access (from date of purchase) to the 16 hour presentation
- Nine video modules (see Topics/Outline tab)
- Integrated knowledge checks to reinforce key concepts
- Online learning assessment (submit to SAE)
- Course handbook (downloadable, .pdf’s)
- Follow up to your content questions
- 1.8 CEUs*/Certificate of Achievement (upon completion of all course content and a score of 70% or higher on the learning assessment)
*SAE International is authorized by IACET to offer CEUs for this course.
