 |
2006-04-02 News Headlines
Two clutches with two
plastics
Engineering plastics variants offer the requisite high-temperature and
chemical resistance for an innovative double-clutch automatic transmission
unit.
Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH, headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany
- an international supplier of electronic chassis components for the automotive
industry - employs Ultradur* B4300, a BASF polybutylene terephthalate
(PBT), in the manufacture of the integrated control unit for its new double-clutch
transmission. The transmission control unit is a sophisticated, compact
mechatronic component installed directly on the gearbox, meaning that
it is immersed in hot transmission oil. Two variants of this BASF
plastic offer the requisite high-temperature and chemical resistance.
This innovative automatic transmission – serially produced at VW
for the first time in 2003 – has now found its way into the Golf,
Touran, Passat, Jetta and the new Eos models.
This highly integrated mechatronic part accounts for very smooth gear
shifting in modern automatic cars without torque converters and contributes
to fuel savings.
Find
information about Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH.
Two clutches - eleven sensors - one control unit
The double-clutch transmission consists of two sub-gearboxes, each with
its own clutch, that work together to shift the gears. The integrated
electronic control unit that Temic developed for this transmission comprises
11 sensors and 11 actuators (e.g. valves) in one single component whose
main function is to open one of the clutches and to close the other at
the right moment. This results in smooth shifting without interruption
of the tractive force. The electronic unit processes the sensor signals,
measures the rpm’s, the speed and the load on the transmission,
ascertains the positions of the mechanical components and electromagnetically
operates the valves and slides of the hydraulic gear mechanism.
|
Mechatronic control unit
of the double-clutch transmission from Temic made of Ultradur*.
Click
Go for High Resolution image.Photo: BASF
|
|
Such highly integrated mechatronic parts are only possible with the use
of high-performance engineering plastics: Only a material that can be
freely shaped is able to protect the electronic components while combining
actuation and sensor technology in an extremely small space and in a single
part. The wiring is simplified, the number of cables and plugs is drastically
reduced, and interfaces are rendered unnecessary, thus yielding a component
that is small, lightweight and reliable.
One plastic – two uses
Ultradur B4300, a PBT made by BASF, fulfils a number of mechatronic functions
in the control unit produced by Temic. The standard variant, B4300G6,
containing 30 percent glassfibres, has all of the mechanical and chemical
properties, for instance, dimensional stability, needed to withstand hot
transmission oil. Semiconductor sensors secured in place with this plastic
must not shift their position, even when exposed to high temperatures
and oil. In contrast, type B4300K6, which is reinforced with glass beads,
has to be highly isotropic, so that no oil can get into the structures.
The Swoboda GmbH located in Wiggensbach in the Allgau region of Germany
is in charge of the injection moulding of this plastic.
Continental
Automotive Systems
and Continental Temic
As a world leader and technology partner of the automotive industry, the
Automotive Systems Division of Continental AG combines vast know-how in
the fields of driving safety, power trains and comfort. With its more
than 22,500 employees, this division chalked up sales to the tune of 5
billion euros in 2004. Continental
Teves
and Continental Temic are both part of Automotive Systems. Continental
Teves develops and manufactures electronic and hydraulic braking, stabilizing
and chassis control systems as well as electronic air-suspension systems
and sensors. Continental Temic is a specialist in the fields of electronic
chassis technology, engine management and transmission controls, electric
drives and electronic systems for vehicle occupant comfort.
* Ultradur B4300 and its standard variants are registered trademarks of
BASF -The Chemical Company.
Read a recent press release form BASF about; 'Adam Opel GmbH and BASF
having created a new plastics part
that is instrumental in meeting pedestrian protection when colliding
with motor vehicles of the future.'
Post
Plastics Jobs - Register at our new interactive database
Click
here to view more news headlines.
E-mail this page to a friend 
|
|
Changing
Jobs? View
Homes for Sale in the U.S.
News / Resources
- GE Plastics Drives
Bumper-to-Bumper Solutions for Global Automotive Industry
- Certification, Training and Courses
from The American Management Association
- Specials this month at
Online Metals
-
Looking for a Study Program?
- All this Months News
- How Well Do You Know Yourself? Select from 22 different
tests and find out!
| 
|
The CD-ROM
for mechanical designers and engineers
PartSpec contains millions of predrawn mechanical parts from leading
manufacturers. It's packed with information and tools you need to
find parts and easily insert them into your CAD drawings.
Qualify for Your
Free Subscription! |
Copyright
- Unless otherwise
stated all contents of this web site are © 1998/2006 JOBWERX.COM.
|
