Antonov develops low cost gearbox for the low cost car

Antonov’s underlying automatic transmission concept uses its original and pioneering patented shift system, which the company is also currently employing for a number of ancillary two-speed applications including alternators, superchargers and engine front-end pulleys – all designed to make modern engines more energy efficient and to facilitate the powertrain downsizing trend and increased electrical loads imposed on modern vehicles.

The Antonov shift system is implemented through a combination of centrifugal forces and the axial thrust from helical gears. The elegant simplicity of the system is its use of purely mechanical forces already present in meshing gears.

The principle can be extended to produce a simple low cost yet highly robust and efficient three or four speed automatic transmission system.

Antonov’s latest thinking on low cost transmission systems not only builds on its original concepts, but adds years of experience and new ideas to radically simplify the gearbox with respect to launch and shift systems as well as considering the important issue of powertrain and vehicle integration.

A range of alternative launch systems is being considered including a torque converter and various clutch systems including a centrifugal mechanism and stationary magnetic powder clutch.

“A low cost torque converter, for example, can be integrated with the engine to avoid the need for a separate transmission oil pump, circuit and cooler,” says chief engineer Simon Roberts. “A torque converter provides an excellent launch mechanism for a vehicle and allows it to creep along in slow moving traffic – two essential requirements for emerging markets. Efficiency issues are mitigated by having a direct drive for high ratios and only taking the drive through the converter for low ratios.”

In essence, Antonov proposes the use of the simplest possible three or four speed systems depending on the application and precise requirements of each car maker approaching the company as a client.

“Each gear can be selected by a mechanically applied band brake and the whole system splash lubricated to eliminate the need for a pump,” says Roberts.

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