Gear Shift Quality Assessment

The Ricardo GearShift Quality Assessment (GSQA) system is a complete hardware and software test solution which allows objective analysis of gearshift quality in manual transmissions.

GSQA

Ricardo GSQA Manual

Manual

Gearshift quality has traditionally been determined by subjective assessment conducted by test drivers, unfortunately this suffers from inevitable variations due to different driving styles and individual driver interpretation of a given gearshift. Since 1993 Ricardo has continually developed techniques to characterise synchronised shift quality using objective measures, rather than relying on traditional subjective rating techniques.

GSQA comprises the following: Signal conditioning rack (16 analogue channels plus 32 CAN channels) Strain Gauged Gear Knob Potentiometer Assembly Pole Mount System Manual Trigger Switch

Acquisition (GDAS Gearshift Data Acquisition Software)

The Ricardo GSQA data acquisition system has been developed using the proprietary software MATLAB for execution on Windows PC. The main functions of the software are to: Set up data acquisition channels.  Teach and align gear positions to a common axis system, thus allowing instrumentation to be installed across vehicle platforms without compromising accurate data comparison. Capture representative gearshift data for all modes of operation: -- Static (detent) data -- Dynamic (synchroniser) data -- Crossgate (detents and biases) data -- H-Gate (limits of gate travel) data Capture clutch hysteresis loop data.  Save the data in a format recognised by OGAS, the Ricardo Objective Gearshift Analysis Software. These procedures are executed through a menu driven user interface that enables the operator to use the software without any detailed knowledge of MATLAB. The shifts are triggered by force applied at the gearlever and the software automatically recognises the shift type, saving the data appropriately. Once in acquisition mode the driver can shift freely and the software will save the appropriate data automatically without further user input. Typically the main analogue signals are: 3 x Gear knob force 3 x Gear knob travel 2 x Speed 1 x Temperature

Analysis (OGAS Objective Gearshift Analysis Software)

The OGAS package has been designed to function specifically with GDAS but will import and analyse data from text files, GSQA AUDIT, Test Rig and Dynamic Modelling software. OGAS imports the acquired data, allowing user verification, data analysis and ultimately the generation of gearshift quality objective measures. The main features of OGAS are described below: H-Gate Plots H-Gate maps the shift pattern in the shift plane (x/y-travel). Shift plane data is plotted against a colour contour of applied force and is used to identify the in-gear voids limits and compliance of the H gate. H-Dot and H-Loci H-Dot and H-Loci enable visualisation of the static and dynamic shifts in the shift plane. H-Dot highlights the shifts start and end points and H-Loci shows the path taken for each shift. Cross-Gate Plotting Cross-gate acquisition is based on left/right sweeps across the neutral plane. The analysis defines the physical dimensions of the crossgate, the bias loads/unloads, the compliance and stiffness of the cross-gate. Mean Shift Forces For each shift type the force vs travel data is averaged allowing comparison between static and dynamic shifts, over-plotting of all shift data and generation of the confidence bands. From these average plots system variation and shift forces are interpreted.

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Gear Shift Quality Assessment

Static and Dynamic measures
The objective measures of static and dynamic gearshift quality that are created in OGAS can be plotted in either Bar Plot, Scatter Plot or Distribution Plot format, or may be tabulated. For static shifts a Static Shift Loop plot is also available. Different vehicle plots are able to be overlaid for detailed comparative assessment. Both the plots and table are fully configurable and are key for comparison of vehicle performance. Bar Plot is a whisker diagram that defines the mean value for the sample and the 90% confidence limits or min and max values. A typical example of a bar plot is the comparison of Impulse levels for two different transmissions. Scatter Plot individually plots a measure for each shift of a given shift type, and individual shifts can be accessed for inspection through clicking on the data point of interest. A selection of the commonly used objective measures for shift effort, shift definition, shift feel and general performance description are given below:Measures relating to shift effort

Technical Specification
DC Micro-Analog 2 Chassis with DC 10-36 V power supply Integrated Analogue to Digital conversion USB connection to PC - 480Mbits/sec Analogue signal acquisition - 16 channels -- 3 x FE-366-TA Analogue Cards (2 channels per card) -- 2 x FE-356-OA Displacement Cards (2 channels per card) -- 1 x FE-386-TC Temperature Card (2 channels per card) -- 1 x FE-396-FV Speed Freq to Volt (2 channels per card) -- 1 x FE-376-IP NVH/Sound Card (2 channels per card) Up to 25kHz, allowing NVH/Sound measurements CAN acquisition - 32 channels Waterproof FlightCase -- 800 (L) x 400 (W) x 250 (D)
Software

Synchronisation Impulse, Maximum Synchronisation Force, Mean Synchronisation Force, Maximum 2nd Load Force, Maximum Effort in XYZ, Gear Pull Out Force, Force at Neutral.
Measures relating to shift definition

Requires MATLAB 7.5 or higher Supplied as two separate tools; GDAS & OGAS 50 metrics are provided New metrics can be created by the user User manual

Total Shift Travel, Max Travel in Y Plane

Measures relating to shift feel

Double Bump/Synchronisation Force Ratio, 2nd Load Displacement Integral, Time Blocking Release Integral, Free Flight Time, Free Flight Travel, Blocking Release Time.
General measures

Lubricant Temperature, Total Shift Work, Total Shift Power, Total Sync. Work, Total Sync. Power

For prices and further information please contact;

Manager GSQA Ricardo UK Ltd Radford Semele, Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV31 1FQ T: +44 (0)1926 319319 F: +44 (0)1926 319349

Email: gsqa.auto@ricardo.com

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www.ricardo.com