A multibody dynamic model for predicting operational load spectra of dual clutch transmissions

Abstract

In this paper, a generalized nonlinear time-varying multibody dynamic model of dual clutch transmissions (DCT) is presented. The model consists of clutches, shafts, gears and synchronizers, and can be used to model any DCT architecture. A nonlinear clutch model is used to determine the transmitted power to the transmission at any speed and clutch temperature. The clutch can be a single- or multi-plate clutch and can operate in a wet or dry-clutch configuration. A combined kinematic and powerflow simulation enables calculation of gear, shaft, bearing and clutch quasi-static loads as well as gear mesh frequencies following a duty cycle as the input. For the corresponding Linear-Time-Invariant (LTI) system model, natural frequencies and mode shapes are obtained by solving the eigenvalue problem. The modal summation technique is used to determine the steady state forced vibration response of the system. For the corresponding NTV system, Newmark's time-step marching based integration is used to determine both the steady state and transient forced vibration response of the system. The DCT model is exercised using a common transmission architecture operating at several different operating conditions. The resulting impact of changing operational conditions on gear and bearing loads as well as dynamic transmission error spectra are demonstrated.