Volkswagen Direct Shift Gearbox in Meccano

Model built by Alan Wenbourne. There is an in-depth article about this model on our website at http://www.selmec.org.uk/article_0004_computer_controlled_dsg_transmission.aspx

There's also over 500 other models for you to discover!

This is a demonstration model of Volkswagen DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox): a 6-speed and reverse, computer controlled dual clutch transmission.

It features an over-centre spring-loaded clutch switching mechanism, a dual clutch using large axle (hollow) and tri-flat parts to split the drive into the constant mesh gearbox, 50-tooth contrate gear synchronizer assemblies and series connected inter-axle and front axle differentials, bevel gear rear axle drive output.

Gear changing and clutch switching is effected by five hobby servos operated from a servo driver board (printed circuit).

The dual clutch principle is to serve the odd numbered gears with one clutch and the even numbered gears served by the second clutch, facilitating rapid and smooth gear changing. In the DSG, clutch (1) serves 1st, 3rd, 5th & reverse; clutch (2): 2nd, 4th, & 6th - this pattern is reproduced in the model.

The model demonstrates the DSG gear changing strategies in pre-selecting the subsequent gear ratio then en-gaging it by switching clutches.

The servo driver board receives its commands from either of two forms of PC software. One is the driver board manufacturer's scripted program; the other is by QBASIC programming code.

The latter enables the gear engagement and pre-selection events to be displayed on the computer screen. Either program enables any sequence of up-shifts, down-shifts and timing of in-gear/neutral events.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• volkswagen
• car
• automobile
• direct
• shift
• gearbox
• dsg
• computer
• controlled
• meccano
• model

[zzfunk13]

is there no sound? No explanation of what's happening?

[LondonMeccanoClub]

My old camera couldn't record sound! But there was no commentary anyway. There is a full explanation of this model on our website (see the video description above for details).

[ZeusDeusEx]

@LondonMeccanoClub just explain it breifly here. Nobody will visit your site like that.

[LondonMeccanoClub]

@ZeusDeusEx Actually there is also a brief summary in the description!

[LachozaTube]

VW is king of engineering. Dual clutch tranny is the most advanced gearbox ever made. Shifts in .3 seconds. Even Ferrari abandoned it's F1 tranny in favor of the dual clutch gearbox. Germany rules in terms of engineering.

[AlchemistHawk]

WOOOOO!!! to many parts for me man

[skysurferuk]

Nightmare...!

[ZeusDeusEx]

@LondonMeccanoClub Missed it :p, sorry.

[KevinByrne2]

LOL ! Unbelievable. The amount of time and effort that you must have invested in building it and eliminating the bugs... boggles the mind. You get an enthusiastic round of applause from me !

[oobuc5]

how many parts ? 1000 ? more , these things are designed for dealership only what twat would desgine an expensive gearbox with no way of checking the fluid level ?

any referance to the gearbox = dealer only , look at it this way ,the gets to be 5 yr old the gearbox is worth more thann the car !

the repair costs are so high more vw are being stolen for the gearboxes causing the insurance costs to rise ,repair costs are scary.

[TNG128MB]

the laptop in the vid is as old as the meccano :D

[skippyxskippy]

has a very bad clunk when shifting from 4-5-6 when going down a certain grade. the transmission gets very confused and vw knows of this issue and has not dealt with it. Something in the drive train has to give out from that torque being displaced in an instant. i.e. CLUNK, THUMP, BOOM!!!!!

[xuser48]

@LachozaTube

Actually it is Porsche you should be thanking. Porsche 956/962 Group C racecars was the first cars to incorporate PDK - Porsche DoppelKupplungsgetribe - the first double clutch gearbox in the world.

[linkfan770]

@LachozaTube during WWII, the americans tried to show how much more advanced in engineering they were to the germans, so the made the smallest peice of wire and send a snippet of it to the germans. they responded by drilling a hole in it and sending it back