Analysis of a novel actively controlled split path automotive gear powertrain topology

Automotive powertrains are susceptible to noise and vibration borne from the dynamical excitation of the gear meshes, particularly at partial loads, such as whine and rattling. A novel design has been proposed, based on the subdivision of the power flow into parallel paths via a compact internal gear preloading subsystem. The design allows the real-time control of mesh stiffness, load sharing and backlash, thereby allowing the instantaneous optimisation of the dynamical response of the system and the elimination of rattling and whine at any torque and speed. This paper performs an analysis of the new topology and discusses some of its advantages over conventional and preloaded zero-backlash gear powertrain designs.