What is the difference between wet and dry transmissions?
1 Answers
The differences between wet and dry transmissions are as follows: 1. Different in transmission efficiency: In terms of clutch structure, the wet clutch has a more complex structure. A more complex structure means higher energy loss, resulting in lower transmission efficiency for wet dual-clutch transmissions, which occupy more engine power. With other factors remaining unchanged, this also means higher fuel consumption. 2. Response speed: The dry clutch transmits power through direct contact of metal plates, making power transmission more direct. When the metal plates are pressed tightly, the transmission ratio increases, and the effect is immediate and significant. On the other hand, the wet clutch uses oil as an "intermediary," requiring a process from the acceleration of the driving plate to the increase in oil centrifugal force, and then to the acceleration of the driven plate. This additional step results in slightly slower response speed. 3. Torque capacity: The metal friction plates of a dry clutch cannot withstand too much torque. If subjected to excessive stress impact, the friction plates can easily be damaged. Therefore, dry clutches can only be used in small-displacement, low-torque output models. In some cases, to adapt to dry clutches, certain models deliberately limit the engine's torque output in low gears to protect the transmission clutch. Wet clutches do not have such issues at all. They can handle everything from 1.5L displacement, 200N˙m family cars to 6.0L displacement, over 1000N˙m supercars, and even large diesel engines and electric motors with torque exceeding tens of thousands of N˙m, where wet clutches are commonly used.
