The automotive industry is developing by leaps and bounds. If a couple of decades ago there were no automatic transmissions, and everyone just drove on the mechanics, now the situation has changed dramatically. Robotic gearboxes appeared. It is about them that will be discussed in this article. Consider the main advantages and disadvantages, the cost of repairs and reviews of motorists.
What is a robot box
A manual gearbox that is shifted automatically is considered robotic. The gear and clutch drive is usually hydraulic or electric, depending on the manufacturer and class of the car. Actually, the principle of operation of the box itself is practically no different from classical mechanics. The whole point lies in the actuators. It is the servos that are responsible for shifting gears while driving. The actuator incorporates an electric motor with a gearbox and an actuator.
Actually, there is nothing complicated, but, as the reviews confirm , a robotic gearbox is extremely convenient. Do not confuse it with an automatic one that works a little differently.
About management features
The first thing you should pay attention to is the lack of a classic gear lever mounted on manual gearboxes. A kind of joystick is already used here, which only sets the electronics to turn on one or another gear. The computer is responsible for the processing of all digital data. The key advantage of this type of gearbox is its efficiency and high reliability, as well as smooth gear changes. It turns out that we have the strengths of the automaton and mechanics. In addition, when buying a new car on a robot, it will cost a little cheaper than on a machine.
Usually in the design there are two servos. One of them is responsible for turning the clutch on and off, and the second is for the movement of gears in the box. Consequently, there are only 2 pedals, as well as automatic transmission, therefore, driving such a car is much easier than mechanics.
Two types of actuators
It is worth paying attention to the fact that servos differ in the principle of action. They should be divided into two groups:
- Electric drive - even installed on budget cars. The composition of such an actuator includes an electric motor, an actuator and a gearbox. Such a servo drive costs less, and its maintenance is somewhat cheaper.
- Hydraulic drive - more expensive, installed on a premium car segment. The principle of operation of the actuator is to push cylinders with electromagnetic valves. The pluses are obvious - the complete absence of failures and quick response. But at the same time, repairing robotic gearboxes with an electro-hydraulic drive is much more expensive.
All received data is processed by a computerized node. He reads the readings from the car’s sensors and, based on this, makes decisions.
The first and second generation of robots
The first robotic gearboxes had one clutch. After testing, this design proved to be not the best. Many shortcomings have been identified. Therefore, the designers decided to make the clutch doubled. Consider each type of box in more detail.
The essence of the operation of a single clutch box is as follows. The drive shaft is rotated by the engine. There is a clutch between the shaft and the motor. From the driven shaft, rotation is applied directly to the wheel drive. When the first servo disengages the clutch, the second moves the synchronizers. In view of the careful attitude of electronics to the clutch at the time of separation, a significant failure is noticeable.
By introducing dual clutch, designers have tried to minimize failures during gear shifting. The principle of operation of the box in this case is as follows. Both shafts - both master and slave - have a clutch with the engine. When the vehicle starts to move, the first gear on the drive shaft is engaged, and at the same time, the driven shaft is engaged with the second gear. When the first gear is disconnected, the second gear is immediately engaged. This box is called "preselective" - a predictive choice.
Robotic Gearbox: Pros and Cons
The main advantage is the reliability of the node. The fact is that they are based on mechanical boxes that have long been tested by time. And the robotic boxes under the hood take up much less space, which expands the layout options for the manufacturer. Automata and CVTs are much more expensive to maintain, and the latter are also less reliable. The wet clutch performance is almost 30% higher. Fuel consumption is the same as on the mechanics, and the mass is less than that of the machine.
As for the shortcomings, they look like this:
- Long delay when shifting gears. On some robots, the figure reaches 2 seconds.
- The use of an electrohydraulic drive leads to a significant increase in the cost of construction. Maintaining high brake fluid pressure takes part of the engine power. Therefore, the use of hydraulics is justified on powerful motors and premium cars.
- The high cost of repairing a preselective robotic box and the lack of spare parts.
Robotic Gearbox Repair
As for maintenance, then, as was noted above, the machine will cost the owner a little more. This is if you do not take into account the latest preselective boxes. The mechanical part itself is quite tenacious and can withstand severe loads. But the "damp" ECU can easily lead to failure of the clutch. And the same actuator or other attachment costs a lot. Therefore, when purchasing a used car with a preselective gearbox, it is necessary to carefully diagnose its condition. In some cities, it will be extremely difficult to make a robot, because it is not always possible to quickly find spare parts. This also applies to smart specialists.
Before buying a car on a robot
It is worth collecting as much useful information as possible on the model as a whole. It is advisable to talk with the owners on thematic forums and find out the strengths and weaknesses. An important role is played by consumer reviews. Mostly they are positive, but not always. Some robots are incomplete and cause significant problems that usually disappear after flashing the control unit. Well, in fact, the box itself must be carefully checked, starting with its appearance and ending with computer diagnostics at the service station.
A few important points
We examined the main disadvantages of a robotic gearbox. As you can see, far from always a robotic box can satisfy the needs of a motorist. The fact is that some ECUs have not yet been finalized, and sometimes the design of the robot itself is not the most successful. A hydraulic drive increases comfort but costs more. Budget car models are usually not equipped with adaptive systems. Because of this, the driver may experience some discomfort for some time.
But even despite all the shortcomings, the automatic robotic gearbox has many more advantages that look very convincing. Low fuel consumption, high reliability and lightning fast reaction - all this will allow you to enjoy driving a car. But in order to minimize various kinds of problems with robots, it is advisable to buy a new car, where the gearbox is worked out as well as possible.
To summarize
Progress does not stand still. Not only mechanical and automatic transmissions are developing, but also their hybrids. The latter have a large number of strengths, but are not yet without drawbacks. With moderate driving, a maintenance robot is cheaper. It is more convenient for mounting attachments in the engine compartment, as it takes up less space, and the weight is also lower.
But only high-quality service using original oils will make the operation of such a box ideal. Do not neglect the recommendations of the manufacturer and delay with the planned maintenance. With a careless attitude, even the most indestructible mechanics can be disabled. Well, if you live in a small provincial town, then repairing a robotic box of a preselective type will not be easy. Not only because there are no craftsmen who saw this product from the inside, but spare parts will have to wait a long time.