New gearbox technology bridges gap between AMT and planetary automatic for heavy-duty applications
A new, heavy-duty version of Zeroshift's award-winning transmission will provide truck, bus and off-highway operators with a competitively priced alternative to traditional automatics
The cost / performance issues traditionally associated with gearbox choice in commercial vehicles is being addressed by a new technology developed by British award-winning innovation company Zeroshift. Following the launch of its second generation transmission for passenger cars and light vans, the company is working on a heavy-duty version of its affordable automatic transmission technology. As well as reducing capital investment for operators choosing a fully automatic transmission, the system will improve fuel economy and refinement, reduce emissions and provide smooth gearchanging with zero torque interruption.
"The CV and off-highway industries currently have to choose between compromises," explains managing director Bill Martin. "Manual boxes are compact, robust, cheap and efficient but can be tiring to use and will deliver poor fuel economy and emissions if used incorrectly. Maintenance and down-time costs can also be high. Automated Manual Transmissions (AMTs) provide automated shifting, improved productivity and useful electronic control, but manoeuvrability and refinement can be poor and maintenance and down-time costs can be high. Sophisticated planetary automatics address most of these issues and further reduce driver fatigue, but capital costs, fuel economy and packaging are compromised."
No comments:
Post a Comment