29-08-2014, 10:00 AM
POWER ASSISTED GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES
POWER ASSISTED.doc (Size: 123 KB / Downloads: 177)
ABSTRACT
This paper is based on the project “Power Assisted Gear Shifting Mechanism for Automobiles”. This is a design, fabrication and implementation project. The project provides solution for gear shifting for the cars. The passenger cars that now ply on the road have transmission either of manual or automatic type of gear changing. The manual type of transmission is preferred for the perfect performance without a loss in power but a compromise for comfort ness. In this type automatic system of power transmission there is easiness of gear shifting but there is a definite loss of power and mileage. The main objective of this project is to create a mechanism to reduce the inconvenience caused when changing gears in the car. The gear shifting here is by mere pressing of feather touch buttons present on the dash board. The gear shifting is by hydraulic force achieved by a simple modification to the gear box. This is a versatile pack, simple and can be fitted to any car equipped with hydraulic power steering. The setup consists of power steering pump, piston cylinder assembly and a set of fluid valves. This project if implemented is a clear alternative for the Automatic transmission because of its low cost and ease of use. Moreover the whole set up is small and requires a very small space. This can sure be a standard fitment if proper marketing strategy is carried out. Further, automatic clutch can be incorporated with this unit to make it fully automatic.
INTRODUCTION
The paper deals with the real time project, “Power Assisted Gear Shifting Mechanism for Automobiles” which was done in the academic year 2009- 2010. The paper deals with the various design aspects of the creation of this project. This project is aimed at giving driver the convenience for gear shifting. The car with this project will have a series of buttons in the format of 4 forward, a reverse and a neutral. The clutch operation may or may not be put in the car depending on the user. Currently the project has been done for the transmission of third and reverse gears. The power for gear shifting is got from hydraulic fluid. The power for fluid is from the power steering pump. So a car with a power steering fitment can be easily adaptable to this project. The project has been started as a concept and it requires a lot more work to be done to put in a car.
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PROBLEM DEFINITION
Whenever a project is carried out there is a reason behind it. The existing cars now pose some problems for the drivers. In the Manual Transmission cars the main problem for the drivers is the gear shifting. But the engineering concept behind this type of transmission paves way for higher power transmission efficiency. More over the mileage of the car and life is also more. These cars do not give much of comfort ness for the drivers in the terms of using the gear lever and the clutch. Also it occupies a major area in the cabin resulting in the space congestion. These are the problems in the Manual Transmission cars.
In the Automatic Transmission type of cars, the gear shifting is easy. We just have to select the drive band, which is already preset. This selection may be either of lever type or a set of buttons. This is easy for the drivers as they don’t have to use clutch during gear shift. But there is a compromise for power transmission and mileage. As the gear selection is by a fluid, power is required to drive it, so the engine performance is reduced. So the problem here is mileage drop, power loss and also it is costly.
The need of the hour, combining the position of both MT and AT a mechanism has to be created for better mileage and comfortable gear shifting. This is the objective of the project. So a car with this project provides ease of gear shift as in AT without a compromise in mileage as in MT. the cost of the project is less as it requires a minor alteration in the gear box.
MECHANICAL COMPONENTS
The main mechanical component for the project is the spring. The spring is used to counter balance the force exerted by the piston. Moreover it is useful in the return motion of the gear selector rod during gear disengagement. Presence of spring on the gear selector rod helps in the
quick action that is required during the gear shift.
CONCLUSION
This project is an innovative concept. It is a new dimension in the transmission system of a car. This is a simple and versatile pack that may be fitted to any cars existing with power steering. By implementing this smart gear shifter in cars, we can achieve more space, smooth operation, more user friendly, less effort to change the gear and no play. Also the project is a boon for physically challenged persons. The present condition of the project is promising for further developments. Lots of inputs are also got from the car specialists and academicians for its improvement. The concept can be transformed to a real time fitment on further development. We estimate a period of two years to see a car fitted with this mechanism.