Have an Idea ?!........(Electronic Gearbox)

[Nimish]

Hi !
I have an idea to use plc in making the gears system in automabile electronically controlled.Can plc be used in this project.The basic theme is to give electric signal to change gears.
Ur valuable suggestion are awaited.
Thanks

[rsdoran]

You are a few years late: http://www.aa1car.com/library/2002/us90224.htm

[rdrast]

Besides, shifting gears is such a waste of time... CVT's, or the planetary transmission used in the Prius are the way to go.

But, if you must, the answer is Yes. A PLC could generate the signals to control an electrically switched automatic transmission... So could a dedicated microcontroller, a few op-amps and some transistors, or, wow... an actual ECM (Engine Control Module) with the ability to handle a transmission.

[TConnolly]

Originally Posted by rdrast

Besides, shifting gears is such a waste of time... CVT's, or the planetary transmission used in the Prius are the way to go.

Agreed, its a waste of time and power. The ultimate system would be a transmissionless drive train using servomotors to provide both acceleartion power and braking. The only gears necessary would be a fixed ratio reducer at each driven wheel.

Maybe I'm missing something, but why don't the hybrid developers just use servos at the wheels and couple the engine only to an alternator, skipping the mechanical drivetrain?

[geniusintraining]

Originally Posted by rdrast

Besides, shifting gears is such a waste of time... CVT's, or the planetary transmission used in the Prius are the way to go.

rdrast,

Is that what car is in your avatar? a Prius?, what kind of mileage do you get? have you seen the Prius's in Cal. they changed the batteries and are getting 100mpg +, I have a 62 mile commute but I was told that the hybrid was not for me...due to the fact that I only have 6 stops signs on my drive and that the real savings comes from regenerative breaking (I also been told) I'm waiting for the full electric...but also a reasonably priced one.

[rdrast]

Yes, it is a Prius, and I've had zero problems with it in 60k miles so far.

My commute is about 100 miles a day, all highway, no traffic. If I drive, er, uhh... well, somewhat above the speed limit (say in the 80's, hypothetically), with A/C on, I get 40mpg. Slowing down to posted speeds, I go up to about 45.

That is less than I originally got, but I switched to more comfortable (softer rubber) tires. With Low Rolling Resistance tires, I was in the 46 to 50mpg range usually.

[TWControls]

How did it stop and handle with the Low Rolling Resistance tires?

[rdrast]

Originally Posted by TWControls

How did it stop and handle with the Low Rolling Resistance tires?

Actually, handling was fine, and I never had any kind of stopping problem. If anything, stopping is more aggressive than with a conventional vehicle.

I changed out primarily because I needed a new set at 40k or so, and with limited time, had to get what was available at the local Bridgestone shop

[Rod]

Put larger diameter tires on the rear axle.
That way you are usually going down hill and save fuel

Rod

[TConnolly]

Well, that explains a lot.

I always wondered why my trike would always rolled backwards when I was a young tot. Now I know.

[TWControls]

Originally Posted by Rod

Put larger diameter tires on the rear axle.
That way you are usually going down hill and save fuel

Rod

That would be a waste of money. Why not just let the air out of the front tires

[geniusintraining]

I think my next one will be a Jetta (diesel) it gets around mid40's the sticker price is little better then the Toyota, I got 140,000 on my Kia , ya not the best looker, but no issues to date...besides the 140lb dear, I trade it in when I hit 200,000, I should get a good price {sarcastic}

[CaseyK]

Originally Posted by Rod

Put larger diameter tires on the rear axle.
That way you are usually going down hill and save fuel

Rod

Geeee, I put larger tires on the back of my hot rods so they would go faster 'cuse they were always going downhill.

I have seen some nifty ford Rangers that had the gas motor replaced with an electric (actually a large diesel starter motor). The bed was full of batteries, but I think a small genset would be ideal.

What kind of voltage does the Prius and others use?

I know the fire dept's have had some special training as a result of the 120 volt headlights (AC) that some cars are using.

regards all.....kc

[elevmike]

Didn't the Edsel have an electronic, or electric push-button shift?

[eld101]

Most cars us microcontrolers on a CAN network to do stuff like this.

A project I work on can be seen at www.osuchallengex.com