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Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() | Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) - A Technical Overview Introduction & Availability Ford India has launched the Figo and Aspire with the option of a dual clutch 6-speed automated gearbox, known as the PowerShift transmission. This transmission was previously offered in the Fiesta between 2011-2014, and is also offered in the EcoSport since 2013. However, it is only now that Ford are actively pushing this transmission option, both in the Figo/Aspire, as well as by way of increased supply for the EcoSport. Given the likelihood of this transmission becoming more popular on our roads, I've put together this thread to discuss how this particular model of transmission works. While this thread focuses on this model of transmission, many principles are equally applicable to other dual-clutch transmissions, such as the Volkswagen Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) DQ200 and DQ250. ![]() Image copyright Ford Motor Company What is a Dual-Clutch Transmission? It is a type of transmission that has two clutches to drive separate gears. Each clutch drives a separate set of gears, with one clutch serving the odd-numbered gears and another the even-numbered gears. When one clutch is engaged and driving the car on one gear, the gearbox can select the next gear (one higher or one lower) on the other clutch, but with that clutch disengaged. At the appropriate RPM, that clutch is engaged and the other one is disengaged, resulting in a gear change. These transmissions blend good old gearbox mechanicals with electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic actuators, electrical motors, and control electronics. The control electronics has software that assesses various input and initiates gear changes. The Ford PowerShift DCT Ford uses the term PowerShift or DCT to refer to their dual-clutch transmissions. The DCT that comes in the Figo, Aspire and EcoSport is known as the DPS6 model. This is manufactured by Getrag who refer to it as their 6DCT250 model. Given below are the specifications: ![]() Although we use the generic terms transmission and gearbox, technically this is what is known as a transversely mounted transaxle. 'Transversely' means the crankshaft's axis is perpendicular to the direction of travel. Most modern cars that have a front-wheel drive configuration have a transversely mounted engine and transmission. 'Transaxle' means that the gearbox and differential are combined into one unit, and this drives the half-shafts for each driven wheel. The below illustration shows the location of the PowerShift transaxle: ![]() Image copyright Ford Motor Company Notable Features
Benefits
Drawbacks
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Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() | Components of the DCT Components of the DCT As mentioned previously, a DCT mechanically consists of 2 manual transmissions that interact very smartly through the use of electricals and electronics. So, if you're not familiar with how manual transmissions work, it would be useful to read up on that first: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission2.htm. This gearbox combines standard gearbox mechanicals, electro-mechanical actuators and control electronics. We'll now take a run through schematics that help build up these components into the overall gearbox. These schematics are meant to illustrate the concept and are not accurate in terms of dimensions - so please excuse any oddities (e.g. 6th gears not touching!) Dual Clutches and Dual Input Shafts Firstly, we look at the torque input side, namely the dual clutches, and the shafts they are connected to. ![]()
Output Shafts ![]()
Differential ![]()
Synchronizer Sleeves & Selector Forks ![]()
Until this point, the components we've seen are all familiar, since they closely resemble manual gearboxes - rather, two gearboxes, since we have two clutches, two input shafts and two output shafts. It is only at the differential that both these units are unified into a single output. From this point onwards is where the 'magic' of a DCT happens. Shift Actuators ![]() Image copyright Ford Motor Company
Clutch Actuators ![]()
Transmission Control Module (TCM) Until now, we've seen the components that go into the plain gearbox, and we've seen the actuating components (i.e. the muscles) that move things in the gearbox. We now come to the TCM, which is the brain of the DCT. In the image for the shift actuators, you've seen the pink unit described as the TCM. Here's a view of the other side of it, which has input connectors from the ECU. The side opposite to this has the output of the 2 motors that we'd seen earlier. ![]()
Input used by the TCM includes:
The TCM controls the actuator motors via an open-loop control, to allow adaptive control. This allows the TCM to identify and adapt to the following:
In a later section, we will look at the various driving modes and how the TCM determines the appropriate course of action for them. Sensors There are multiple sensors that gather and provide information to the TCM, both from within the DCT, and elsewhere within the vehicle. Those associated with the DCT itself are:
Cutaway Thus far, we've been looking mostly at simplified schematics. Here's a 3-D cutaway of the real thing: ![]() ![]() Images copyright Ford Motor Company Last edited by arunphilip : 28th September 2015 at 08:08. |
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Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() | Power Delivery Power Delivery This DCT has 6 forward gears, and a reverse. The following images show how, upon actuation, the selector forks and synchronizer sleeves engage different gears. In all cases, torque delivery from the input clutches to the differential is indicated with a broken red line. Clutches, shafts and gears that are free-wheeling are represented with faded colours. For initial clarity, I'm only showing the selection of a single gear used to drive the output, and am not showing the pre-selection of the next gear. These images took a few hours to create, so please be gentle if there are any errors! ![]()
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Gears 3 - 6 follow a similar pattern as the first 2 gears, so no description is provided. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Reverse Gear ![]()
Pre-Selection of Gears For clarity, in the preceding diagrams I'd not shown how pre-selection works. In reality, the DCT always has another gear engaged (but with its corresponding clutch open). The below illustration shows how when 1st gear is engaged, 2nd gear is pre-selected. ![]()
Sport Mode and SelectShift Mode
Park (P) Mode ![]()
Hill Start Assist
Neutral Coast-Down / Neutral Idle
Warning Modes & Limp Home Mode
Last edited by arunphilip : 28th September 2015 at 08:02. |
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Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() | Common Characteristics & Common Problems Common Characteristics The automated nature of a DCT means that users might notice sounds or behaviour that is (or seems) different from a normal manual transmission. Some of these are normal and expected, and need not be a cause for concern.
New transmissions require a break in period before they start shifting smoothly. During the break-in period, they may exhibit:
Common Problems If you thought only Volkswagen's DQ200 DSG transmission was plagued with problems, think again. A search for "PowerShift problems" throws up a host of results! Ford has worked diligently in releasing software updates via technical service bulletins (TSBs) to address most (if not all) of these issues.
Despite these issues, Getrag has had success with this gearbox, and from the start of production in 2010, it quickly went on to producing a million gearboxes of the 6DCT250 model by 2012 itself. Below is a photo of the one-millionth gearbox coming off the line: ![]() For more information, check out this brilliant 1-hour video that examines the transmission in detail. I watched it thrice to write this thread! Last edited by arunphilip : 28th September 2015 at 08:59. |
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| Re: Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) - A Technical Overview Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing! ![]() |
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Senior - BHPian | Re: Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) - A Technical Overview This is an excellent thread. For a long time I was searching technical details on this Gearbox but was unable to find such a comprehensive view. Thanks a ton, for bringing it all together. |
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| Re: Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) - A Technical Overview Great thread. Why would manufacturers think dry clutch would be better considering the amount of friction expected? Must be a reason though, I am not getting it! |
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| Re: Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) - A Technical Overview Nice thread Arun. Very informative. Do you have any material on how this compares and differs with VW's DQ200 DSG. For example, we know both are dry clutch boxes, VW has 7 gears which this DCT has 6. Would be interesting to see what other similarities/differences are from a technical perspective (if any). Also Interesting to read that the DCT has also had reliability issues but looks like Ford has been more proactive in taking care of it. |
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| Re: Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) - A Technical Overview Might be OT here but was wondering whether Ford is offering a lifetime warranty on the box? It also might vary from one country to the other I guess. |
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| Re: Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) - A Technical Overview That is a great and in-depth writeup on the working of the DCT. Great one. As rajeevraj indicated, It would be great to have a comparison with the DQ200 since they are similar tech. Also in general, since these gearboxes have dual clutch, Will the clutch life be doubled in this case since the load is shared by two instead of a single clutch in a manual shift car? |
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| Re: Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) - A Technical Overview Quote:
Example: you may even check our forum where most people talk about DSG because of super fast transmission shifts, but those same people never talk about DCT! | |
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Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() | Re: Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) - A Technical Overview Quote:
However, real-world experience has proven that this is not as simple as originally thought. While low-torque engines do reduce the load on the clutch, such engines are usually present in small cars (hatchbacks, sub-compact sedans, etc.). The tight packaging in the engine bay has conversely resulted in heat being retained, even if much is not generated in the first place. That's the reason manufacturers are now looking at improving the efficiency of wet-clutch set-ups. Quote:
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On the other hand, Ford launched the DCT with their ill-fated 2011 Fiesta which was a sales dud. And although they also launched the DCT with the EcoSport in 2013, for two years availability of the EcoSport AT was lousy, with dealers reluctant to take orders for it. So, DCT is a relatively unheard of term outside of enthusiast circles in India. Now is the time that perception might finally change, with the Aspire AT and Figo AT. The Figo AT has an uphill battle on its hands, since the easiest reference is the stellar turbocharged Polo TSI (price differences notwithstanding). Last edited by arunphilip : 28th September 2015 at 12:53. | ||||||
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| Folks, I drive a Ecosport Automatic, the transmission it uses is the 6DCT150 which has a wet clutch. The transmission is sealed and warrantied for 10 yrs and 200000 km if I remember right. It is not the 6DCT 250 with the dry clutch. The 6 DCT150 is rated at 170nm which is compatible with the 1.5 liter engine with 150nm. Found the specs of the transmission Ford is using. ![]() Last edited by Gannu_1 : 28th September 2015 at 14:15. Reason: Back to back posts merged. Please edit your post within the 30 minute edit window to add/edit your posts. |
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Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() | Re: Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) - A Technical Overview Quote:
To be really sure, you could verify your VIN yourself at https://www.etis.ford.com/. Last edited by arunphilip : 28th September 2015 at 14:24. | |
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| Re: Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) - A Technical Overview Quote:
There is no news of such warranty on the new Aspire / Figo. | |
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