(Updated on November 19, 2021)
An automatic transmission system is found in most vehicles on the road today. It is such a bigger convenience for drivers to use an automatic transmission system than having to use the manual transmission system. Automatics don’t require the driver to switch gears while they’re traveling at different speeds. There is also no clutch pedal to worry about for disengaging the clutch. The vehicle performs all these actions automatically, which allows the driver just to sit back and only worry about their steering, accelerating, and braking.
An automatic transmission system is run like a hydraulic control system. There are several moving components in the system which allow the transmission to automatically switch the ratios of the gears while the vehicle is in motion. Sometimes you’ll find automatic transmissions that are mechanical or electrical based instead. Regardless of how the energy of the transmission is generated, it still works almost the same and has the same components.
Parts of an Automatic Transmission
Below is a list of the parts of an automatic transmission system. Each part has a special purpose in allowing the transmission to function smoothly. If any of these components were to go bad, then it would interfere with the ability for you to drive your vehicle.
1) Friction Clutch– The friction clutch connects the gears to the drive shaft. It basically allows the engine and input shaft to rotate at the same exact speeds. In other words, it supports the friction which is created in the middle of the transmission and engine. As a result, the vehicle can move.
2) Bands – The bands keep the gears in a stagnate position. They are attached to the pistons, and when the pistons are activated, the gears are locked by the steel of the gear wheels.
3) Spring-Loaded Valve – The spring-loaded valve is linked to the drive wheels. It is a rotation speed sensor of the output shaft. If the rotation axis moves fast, then it will cause the valve to open wider. This allows hydraulic fluid pressure to be supplied to the system. The slower the rotation axis, the more the valve is closed.
4) Load Sensor – The automatic transmission uses the load sensor to detect the amount of weight and load on the vehicle. When you step on the gas pedal, more pressure is applied to a cable that is attached to the pedal. In some vehicles, a vacuum modulator is used instead. When you put more load and weight stress on the engine, the load sensor can detect these conditions and translate them to the engine control unit.
5) Shift Valve – This component manages the supply of transmission fluid for the bands and pistons. There is a different amount of working pressure for every shift valve. If the shift valve is positioned higher, the ratio of working transmission pressure will be higher.
6) Torque Converter – The torque converter is the miracle component which replaces the clutch mechanism of the manual transmission. In an automatic, the torque converter is responsible for slowing down and stopping your car and still allowing the engine to run.
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7) Seals and Gaskets – There are various seals and gaskets throughout your automatic transmission system which prevents transmission fluid from leaking out into places where it shouldn’t go.
8) Gear Stick – Automatic transmissions also have gear sticks, but they work a bit differently than manual transmission gear sticks. In an automatic, you don’t use the gear stick unless you’ve come to a complete stop (in most cases). The gear stick is usually for changing the gear to Drive, Reverse, Park, or Neutral. In some cases, you’ll use 1st or 2nd gear while driving, but that’s only if the driving conditions are unusually rough. Normal driving conditions just require you to switch to the Drive gear and then leave it alone.