Hilite International develops and produces transmission control systems for automatic transmissions, automated manual transmissions, double clutch transmissions, continuous and infinetely variable transmissions. More Hilite International products for transmissions are actuators, valves, integrated solenoids, differential transmissions and electromagnetic clutches for all wheel drives.
- Transmsissions with Hilite International components
Automatic transmissions with hydrodynamic converters were the prefered solution for very high comfortable shifting since many years. The main disadvantages of this transmissions were the low efficiency, a lager space requirement and a higher weight. But the new generations of automatic transmissions have nearly eliminated this disadvantages. By light weight materials, more shifting steps (6-gear, 7-gear, 8-gear), electronic control concepts and converter lockup clutches automatic transmissions are more efficient then ever, reduce fuel consumption and increase the known comfort again.
Automated Manual Transmissions with hydraulic actuators are interesting since electronic controls are able to manage the complex clutch operation and since the environment and fuel consuption requirements increase continuousely. It seems that the new transmission controls are an alternative to common transmissions. The Ferrari F311 and the VW 3 litre Lupo have such a transmission control.
One big disadvantage of AMT systems is the interruption of tration. A solution with the advantages high performance, small package and less parts is the CVT transmission. Many OEM´s are planning the implementation in the next years especially in cars with torque about 300 Nm.
In 1936 Adolphe Kégresse developed the first double clutch transmission. DCT transmissions combine the advantages of manual shifted transmissions and automatic transmissions.
- First double clutch transmission 1936
Toroid transmissions
In the toroidal system four steel disks run against each other with the centre pair being able to swivel and thus varying the contact diameter with the outer pair and thus adjusting the ratio.
- Toroidal system
Sequential Transmissions
With the sequential transmission it is possible to combine the advantages of driving without clutch and shift with fuelconsumption and emission advantages. All gears are controlled by a shift drum.
Valves
All sorts of transmissions with electrohydraulic control units need precision valves for the exact requirements to the shift performance. Hilite is specialist in valve and solenoid development and series prodiuction.
