Dual Clutch Transmission

A dual-clutch transmission, (DCT) (sometimes referred to as a twin-clutch gearbox or double-clutch transmission), is a type of semi-automatic or automated manual automotive transmission. It uses two separate clutches[1] for odd and even gear sets. It can fundamentally be described as two separate manual transmissions (with their respective clutches) contained within one housing, and working as one unit.[2][3] They are usually operated in a fully automatic mode, and many also have the ability to allow the driver to manually shift gears,[1] albeit still carried out by the transmission's electro-hydraulics.
Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Overview
2.1 Clutch types
2.2 Clutch installation
3 Suppliers
3.1 BorgWarner
3.2 Fiat Powertrain Technologies
3.3 FEV GmbH
3.4 Getrag
3.5 Graziano
3.6 LuK
3.7 Ricardo
3.8 ZF
4 Applications
4.1 BMW
4.2 BYD
4.3 Chrysler
4.4 Fiat Group
4.5 Ford Motor Company
4.6 General Motors
4.7 Honda
4.8 Hyundai
4.9 Lotus
4.10 McLaren Automotive
4.11 Mercedes-Benz
4.12 Mitsubishi
4.13 Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation
4.14 Nissan
4.15 PSA Peugeot Citroën
4.16 Porsche
4.17 Renault
4.18 Volkswagen Group
5 Railcar use
6 References
History[edit source | editbeta]

This type of transmission was invented by Frenchman Adolphe Kégresse just before World War II but he never developed a working model. The first development of the Twin Clutch or Dual-clutch transmission started in the early part of 1980 under the guidance of Harry Webster at Automotive Products (AP), Leamington Spa with prototypes built into the Ford Fiesta Mk1, Ford Ranger & Peugeot 205. Initially, the control systems were based on purely analogue/discrete digital circuitry with patents filed in July 1981.[4] All of these early AP Twin Clutch installations featured a single dry clutch & multi-plate wet clutch. Following discussions with VW/Porsche, DCT work continued from Porsche in-house development, for Audi and Porsche racing cars later in the