The Fundamentals of Automotive All-Wheel Drive Systems PD730556
Topics: Powertrain & Propulsion
This on-demand course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts and evolution of passenger car and light truck 4x4/all-wheel drive (AWD) systems, including the nomenclature utilized to describe these systems. It covers basic power transfer unit and transfer case design parameters, component application to system function, the future of AWD systems, and emerging technologies that may enable future systems.
Based on the popular classroom seminar, this eight-module course includes the instructor's insights and industry experience, including answers to participant questions. To engage the learner and ensure that the objectives are met, interactions, knowledge checks, and summaries have been added. A downloadable course handbook is also included.
Objectives
By participating in this on-demand course, you'll be able to:
- Identify front wheel drive and rear wheel drive vehicle architectures
- Identify part time, full time, and on demand all-wheel drive systems
- Explain the benefits of all-wheel drive over two-wheel drive
- Quantify all-wheel drive traction and mobility benefits
- Describe auxiliary axle disconnect systems
- Explain basic vehicle dynamics performance and the effect of AWD on performance
- Identify couplers vs. biasing devices and their basic function
- Describe the differences between mechanical and electrical implementation in AWD systems
- Describe basic control strategies and logic
- Discuss advanced propulsion concepts and systems
Materials Provided
- 90 days of online single-user access (from date of purchase) to the six hour presentation
- Eight video modules (see Topics/Outline tab)
- Integrated knowledge checks to reinforce key concepts
- Course handbook (downloadable, .pdf's)
- Online learning assessment (a passing score of 70% or higher is required))
- Follow-up to your content questions
- 0.6 CEUs*/Certificate of Achievement (upon completion of all course content and a score of 70% or higher on the learning assessment)
*SAE International is authorized by IACET to offer CEUs for this course.
Is this On Demand Course for You?
This course is designed for engineers (working with passenger cars, light trucks, and SUVs) who need to master AWD componentry, and the function and effect of those components. Engineers new to the 4WD/AWD field, as well as managers, marketing personnel, purchasing professionals and others interested in all-wheel drive fundamentals will benefit from this seminar.
This course is the equivalent to Fundamentals of Automotive All-Wheel Drive Systems seminar and satisfies a requirement in the Transmission/Drivetrain Certificate Program. It is an excellent follow-up to the A Familiarization of Drivetrain Components seminar or on-demand course (which is designed for those who have limited experience with the total drivetrain).
Have colleagues who need this course? See Special Offers to the right.
Click on the Requirements tab to make sure you are properly equipped to interact with this course.
Testimonial
"The course content exceeded my expectations and left me much more confident in my understanding of driveline systems."
Mark Schulte
Senior Sales Engineer
Stoneridge, Inc.
"A good introduction to all-wheel-drive systems with good balance between theory and real-world experience."
Chris Teslak
Technical Specialist
Ford Motor Company
"This program was very beneficial to my general understanding of the components and dynamics of various all wheel drive systems."
Andrew Schulte
Engineer
Honda R&D Americas
For More Details
Email CustomerService@sae.org, or call 1-877-606-7323 (U.S. and Canada) or 724-776-4970 (outside US and Canada).
Module I: All-Wheel Drive Systems Overview
[Total Run Time: 70 minutes]
- Explain the differences between understeer, oversteer, and neutral steer vehicle dynamics behavior
- Compare and contrast front-wheel drive-based versus rear-wheel drive-based powertrain architectures
- Discuss the history of all-wheel drive systems
- Identify the need for differentials in a vehicle
- Calculate percent grade and understand its importance
- Front wheel drive and rear wheel drive vehicle architectures
Module II: Part-Time Systems
[Total Run Time: 40 minutes]
- Explain the powerflow of a transfer case in all part-time modes
- Articulate the need and benefit of auxiliary axle disconnects
- Describe the history and evolution of disconnect systems
Module III: Full-Time Systems
[Total Run Time: 25 minutes]
- Explain the powerflow of a full-time transfer case
- Explain the powerflow of an on-demand transfer case
- Identify the difference between a transfer case and power transfer unit
Module IV: Transfer Case Design
[Total Run Time: 34 minutes]
- Identify typical transfer case design parameters
- Recognize the operation of chain drive systems
- Explain the need for lubrication pumps
- Identify the components and function of manual versus electric shift systems
- Assess the powerflow of low range
- Compare the differences between a "simple" and "complex" power transfer unit
Module V: Couplers
[Total Run Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes]
- Name the difference between a coupler and a torque biasing device
- Explain the operating differences between active and passive systems
- Articulate the function difference between speed sensing and torque sensing devices
- Discuss the many different actuation types and methods in use today
- Explain the influence on vehicle dynamics behavior of different devices and implementations
- Compare and contrast the performance of different devices in many different vehicle situations
Module VI: Noise, Vibration, and Harshness
[Total Run Time: 10 minutes]
- List the elements that cause noise, vibration, and harshness
- Analyze system ratio and its effect on overall design considerations
- Predict chassis interaction to all-wheel drive system implementation
Module VII: Emerging Technologies
[Total Run Time: 11 minutes]
- Explain the basic function of a twin coupling approach
- List performance benefits achievable with independent wheel control
- Discuss the history and current status of torque vectoring systems
- Identify some current implementation methods of electrified all-wheel drive
Module VIII: All-Wheel Drive Interactions/New Developments
[Total Run Time: 11 minutes]
- Explain torque split ratio and its influence on vehicle behavior
- Describe the tire friction circle and its relationship to lateral and longitudinal acceleration
- Discuss the history and function of ER and MR fluids
- Windows 7, 8, 10 (other operating systems and mobile platforms are not supported but may work)
- Internet Explorer 11, Mozilla Firefox 37, Google Chrome 42 (other browsers are not supported but may work)
- Broadband-1Mbps minimum
Joe Palazzolo
Joe Palazzolo is Director of Business Development and Electrified Product Strategy at Dana Incorporated’s Light Vehicle Drive System business where he is responsible for managing business development for electrified systems and guiding the strategy for electrified products. Previously, Joe was at GKN Automotive where he held roles of increasing responsibility, including chief engineer for geared products. Prior to that, he was a development engineer and technical fellow at other automotive suppliers.
Mr. Palazzolo holds more than a dozen patents and is an award-winning author of two books, High-Performance Differentials, Axles & Drivelines and How to Rebuild the Ford 8.8 and 9-inch Axles. He also wrote three chapters in the Automotive Engineering Encyclopedia. He maintains the ASE certified Master Technician and Undercar Specialist certifications, has chaired the SAE All-Wheel Drive Standards Committee, and has been an active SAE member since 1990. Mr. Palazzolo was a recipient of the SAE Forest R. McFarland Award for distinction in professional development and education in 2007. In 2010, he achieved the SAE Master Instructor designation and continues to maintain this in his three seminars, which he has been teaching globally since 1999. In 2013, he reached the SAE Fellow membership grade which recognizes his technical and professional accomplishments to the industry.
He has designed, built, campaigned, and supported various race cars and teams for both professional and amateur racing organizations. His scope of work has been inclusive of the entire vehicle but also focused on competitive, high-performance drivetrain systems. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cleveland State University and a master’s degree in Automotive Engineering from Lawrence Technological University. He has received numerous patents for his work and creativity in advancing mobility systems.
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