What are the internal structures of an automatic transmission?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission internal structures include: torque converter, planetary gear transmission mechanism, hydraulic control system, and oil filter. An automatic transmission is a gear-shifting device that can automatically shift gears based on the vehicle's speed and engine RPM, as opposed to a manual transmission. It mainly consists of four types: hydraulic automatic transmission, mechanical continuously variable automatic transmission, electronically controlled mechanical automatic transmission, and dual-clutch automatic transmission. The automatic transmission uses planetary gear mechanisms for shifting, automatically adjusting gears according to the degree of throttle pedal and changes in vehicle speed. The driver only needs to operate the accelerator pedal to control the speed.
I've been in the auto repair industry for over a decade and have disassembled many automatic transmissions—there's quite a lot to them. At its core, there's the torque converter connecting to the engine, which cushions power surges and makes acceleration smoother. The planetary gearset shifts gears through the combination of several small wheels, like a precision puzzle. The hydraulic system, driven by an oil pump, operates the valve body to control the engagement of clutches and brake bands, enabling different gear changes. The electronic control module might sound high-tech, but it's essentially the 'brain' that makes automatic decisions based on speed and throttle input. For maintenance, low or dirty transmission fluid can cause slipping or jerking, so regular checks and fluid changes can prevent minor issues from turning into major repairs. My advice is to get it inspected every few tens of thousands of kilometers—don't wait until strange noises appear to address it.