Antonov develops low cost gearbox for the low cost car

“The brakes across one-way clutches can be eliminated provided the vehicle has sufficient brake capacity to avoid the need for engine braking.

“Shift calibration can be maintained very simply by use of electric solenoids, which only require simple on/off control from a throttle switch and can replace hydraulic pistons.

“And, if required, we can dispense with electric solenoids and hydraulic pistons altogether and employ a purely mechanical means for shift control, making use of direct linkage from the throttle to alter the shift point.”

To help facilitate the continued commercialisation of its patents and intellectual property, Antonov has recently opened a new engineering centre near Warwick, which taps into the UK’s wealth of automotive engineering know-how and experience and is close to other automotive technology specialists and sub-suppliers.

The new facility has allowed the consolidation of all Antonov product development activity onto one site and the expanded engineering team has helped strengthen its design services to the automotive industry and in particular the export of those services abroad.

The new premises were particularly necessary for the development of Antonov’s full electronically-controlled six-speed gearbox, which is the subject of on-going joint venture negotiations with Loncin in China; the development of its ultra low cost three- and four-speed automatic transmission systems; and the two-speed automatic mechanical module which is already in production as a self controlling mechanical drive for a dual-speed supercharger, with additional applications to engine front end accessory drives also under development.

“Antonov can offer a high level of continuing innovation through its motivated and capable team,” says Moore. “Clients globally demand reliable programme delivery and we’re achieving this through the application of the latest computer-aided design and engineering combined with prototype test and development processes to world-class industry standards.”

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