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Chapter 6:

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Automated manual / Semi-automatic, also called Automated-clutch manual, this is a hybrid form of transmission with an integrated electronic (electromechanical, electro-hydraulic, or electro-pneumatic) control system handling manipulation of the clutch automatically, but the driver can and still may be required to take manual control of gear selection. Most modern automated manuals with automated clutches can operate as conventional automatics transmissions in a fully automatic driving mode, removing the need for the driver to take any manual control of the gear selection. This is sometimes erroneously called a clutchless manual or a semi-automatic transmission. 

 

Modern automated manuals can simply and best be described as a standard manual transmission, with an automated clutch, and automated clutch and gear shift control. Many of these transmissions allow the driver to fully delegate gear shifting choice to the control system, which then effectively acts as if it was a regular automatic transmission. They are generally designed using manual transmission "internals", and when used in passenger cars, have synchromesh operated helical constant mesh gear sets.

 

Semi-automatic transmissions are conventional manual transmissions, usually operated with an automatic clutch or another kind of partially automatic transmission mechanism. However, they require full driver control of the manual gear selection, i.e., they are partially automatic, and partially operated manually, by hand. The driver must manually operate and is required to shift through the gear ratios via the H-pattern shifter. An example of this transmission type in automobiles is the VW Autostick semi-automatic transmission, a conventional 3-speed manual transmission, with a vacuum-operated automatic clutch, and an H-pattern shifter. Conventional semi-automatic transmissions do not have an automatic mode, unlike the more modern automated manual transmissions, which is an automatic transmission type containing both manual and automatic shifting modes, and use computerized gear shift and clutch control. Modern automated manuals are essentially automatic transmissions, which use the internal mechanical build and design of a manual transmission, but everything is electro-hydraulically operated. A clutch is also used in place of a torque converter, like in a manual transmission.

 

A dual-clutch transmission alternately uses two sets of internals, each with its own clutch, so that a "gearchange" actually only consists of one clutch engaging as the other disengages providing a supposedly "seamless" shift with no break in or jarring reuptake of power transmission. Each clutch's attached shaft carries half of the total input gear complement with a shared output shaft, including synchronized dog clutch systems that pre-select which of its set of ratios is most likely needed at the next shift, under command of a computerized control system.

 

There are also sequential manual transmissions that use the rotation of a drum to switch gears, like what is used on a fully manual motorcycle transmission. These can be designed with a manual or automatic clutch system and may be found both in automobiles particularly Track and Rally Race cars, motorcycles and quadbikes and scooter with centrifugal clutch.

 

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