Clutchless Manual

How does a clutchless gearbox work?In a conventional dog engagement gearbox there need to be an interruption to engine torque in order to allow a shift, ofte.
Liberty's Clutchless Equalizer Transmissions Through years of research and development, we have continued to perfect the ultimate clutchless transmission. Because the Equalizer has two cluster shafts instead of one, the power coming into the transmission is.

Clutchless shifting is just another lesson in the difficulty index of the manual transmission system. There are other downsides, as well. For example, the long term impact of clutchless shifting can be a negative one. Let’s take a look at that in the next section.

There are many things that a gas car needs which an electric vehicle does not. Besides the obvious things like gas tank, muffler, oil changes, etc. a manual transmission Electric Vehicle conversion doesn’t even need a CLUTCH!

What?! How is that possible!? Doesn’t that break the laws of physics?

No. It has to do with how gas engines and electric motors are different.

WHAT DOES A CLUTCH REALLY DO?

To start with, a clutch in a manual transmission fulfills several different purposes. The main ones being to disconnect the engine from the wheels to stop the vehicle without stalling the engine and to more easily shift from one gear to another.

On a gas vehicle, the engine must always be rotating. If it’s stopped during normal operating, we call that “killing it” or “stalling the engine”. In the course of normal driving, when the car is stopped, the engine must be disconnected from the wheels so that it can continue it idle. On a manual transmission car, that’s typically done by pushing in the clutch pedal while coming up to a stop sign or red light.

On the other hand, it doesn’t matter if an electric motor stops or not. An electric motor can simply stop spinning, and then be brought to spinning again in a moments notice. There’s no need for a starter or idling the way a gas engine requires. The electric motor can be essentially attached directly to the drive train. In some cases, electric motors are bolted straight to a driveshaft (not uncommon in pickup truck conversions,) or the motor can be built right into the wheel itself (hub motors are popular on electric bikes!)

A clutch is generally required while “going through the gears” accelerating a gas vehicle. Gas engines only produce their peak power at a certain range of RPMs. The various gears allow the driver to match that power band with the speed of the tires on the road and the torque required to accelerate. Electric motors produce high torque over a wider range of RPM. DIY EV conversion drivers often drive using fewer gears, sometimes simply leaving the vehicle in a single gear at all times. Commercially produced EVs commonly only use single-speed gear reduction. In essence, they are permanently left in a single gear!

ACTUALLY SHIFTING

But how DOES a DIY EV conversion driver shift without crunching the gears?
Modern manual transmission have “syncros” in between each gear. Their job is to properly mesh together before the gears do. As they come together, they match speeds and in doing so bring the gears to the correct speed for “crunch”-free meshing before the gears come into contact. The rotating mass of an engine and flywheel would be too great for the syncros. Pushing in the clutch disconnects the rotating mass of the engine and flywheel, and allows the syncros to do their job, quickly meshing the gears.

In a clutch-less EV conversion, the electric motor is directly coupled to the transmission WITHOUT flywheel, clutch, or any of the other typical components. This is often done with a Lovejoy-type coupler, or even a solid coupler made from the hub of a clutch plate to match the transmission input. The spinning mass of the electric motor is SIGNIFICANTLY less than that of an engine and flywheel. The syncros can still do their job of meshing the gears, although it takes a moment longer.

Typically, the EV driver lets off the accelerator for a moment, gently pushes the gear selector into the next gear, and a moment later it drops right in. No need for a clutch, and no grinding gears. It does take a little longer to shift than it would with a clutch.

Keep in mind that a driver doesn’t have to shift out of gear at a stop or shift into a gear before pulling away from a stop. On our DIY 1996 Geo Metro clutch-less conversion, this driver typically just drove in 2nd gear in town and 3rd gear out on faster roads, shifting just once while leaving town. Imagine that! Shift just once on an entire drive!

IT’S YOUR CHOICE

Clutch vs. Clutch-less on an EV conversion is just a personal choice.
Having a clutch allows for faster shifting and a mechanical disconnect between the motor and wheels, but also requires more complexity, more machining and skill to build, and more weight in the car. Going clutch-less means shifting is slightly slower, but also allows for a simpler build and saves weight and rotating mass.

The most common questions about clutch-less shifting come from drivers of manual transmissions who have a lifetime of GAS engine driving behind them. Electric motors and gas engines simply work different, and have different characteristics, but it’s sometimes hard to get misconceptions out when a person only ever has experience with one technology.

In building your own Electric Vehicle conversion, it’s your choice to go clutched or clutch-less, but keep in mind that clutch-less can be a great simple and effective way to go!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Updated Jun 29, 2020 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

How would you like the freedom to row your gears without a clutch?

The Kia Sonet will be publicly offered to the Indian market by August, and this compact SUV is remarkable for a number of things. Its stylish aesthetics, practically carried over from the original concept version, are certainly futuristic.

The upcoming production version of the Kia Sonet will be largely the same as the concept version

The interior amenities are well-suited to a generation currently engrossed with technology, featuring a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, automatic climate control, and a Bose premium audio system. But particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of a clutchless manual transmission as part of the vehicle’s powertrain.

To be precise, the Sonet will debut Kia’s Intelligent Manual Transmission (IMT). Clutchless manuals (also called automated manual transmissions or AMTs) are nothing new, but Kia may be on to something by introducing the technology on a mass-market vehicle.

Clutchless manuals do away with the leftmost pedal

>>> Related: Kia SUVs Philippines lineup: All models with specs, price & review

As the name suggests, a clutchless manual does away with the use of the cumbersome clutch pedal when executing gearshifts. In its place is an array of sensors and processors that complement hydraulics, pneumatics, and actuators in making shifts effortless and less tiresome on the part of the driver.

Gear changes are done through a lever on the shift console, or paddle shifts and buttons on a steering wheel. Note that unlike the H-pattern on a typical manual transmission, clutchless manuals row through the forward gears in sequence – there is no option to skip a gear.

And unlike conventional automatics, clutchless manuals don’t make use of a torque converter. This has several advantages, from simplifying the powertrain design to reducing power loss and increasing fuel economy. This also enables the transmission to withstand the torque output of high-performance engines.

Sources say that Kia's IMT will retain the H-pattern for the gearshift

In Kia’s case, sources say the IMT will have a manual gear lever going along the standard H-pattern, although there will only be two pedals (accelerator and brake).

Kia says that with the driver’s left foot unoccupied, enduring heavy traffic behind the wheel will not be a problem. More spirited drivers can enjoy the feeling of manual shifts without having to time them with the clutch pedal.

Hopefully, the Sonet will find its way to our market soon enough

We’ll have to wait until after the Indian launch to see if Kia’s IMT will be well-received by the public. Is this something you’d like to see being offered on cars in our market?

Catch more updates on automotive tech only at Philkotse.com.

Know more about Kia

Searching for a specific Kia car online? Visit Philkotse.com where every model is offered at a good price. Also, familiarize yourself with the latest news and car review through its user-friendly site, as well as the latest Kia price list in the Philippines to keep you informed of how much your dream Kia is currently.

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Author

Related Reviews

2021 Kia Stonic EX Review | Philkotse Philippines
2020 Kia Sportage GT Line Review | Philkotse Philippines
2020 Kia Soluto EX Review | Philkotse Philippines
2020 Kia Picanto EX Review | Philkotse Philippines

Car Comparison