Dual-Clutch Transmission

(DCT)

or

Direct-Shift Gearbox
(DSG)
Dual-Clutch Transmission
(DCT)
 Dual-Clutch Transmission
(DCT)
• A dual-clutch transmission, (DCT) (sometimes referred to as
a twin-clutch gearbox or double-clutch transmission), is a
type of semi-automatic or automated manual automotive
transmission.
• It uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets.
• It can fundamentally be described as two separate manual
transmissions (with their respective clutches) contained
within one housing, and working as one unit.
• They are usually operated in a fully automatic mode, and
many also have the ability to allow the driver to manually
shift gears, albeit still carried out by the transmission's
electro-hydraulics.
 Dual-Clutch Transmission
(DCT)
• A dual-clutch transmission, (DCT) sometimes referred to as
a

– twin-clutch gearbox

– or double-clutch transmission,

is a type of semi-automatic or automated manual

automotive transmission.

• It uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets.
Dual-Clutch Transmission
Operation
Dual-Clutch Transmission
Operation
 Multi-plate Clutch 1
Multi-plate Clutch 2
Dual Clutch
Inner
Crank shaft

Outer
Clutch Case Transmission shaft
Transmission shaft

Idler
2 4 6 1 3 5 R
Gear
selector
Output to
Differential
 Dual Clutch
1

2 4 6 1 3 5 R
 Dual Clutch
1

2 4 6 1 3 5 R
 Dual Clutch
2 1

2 4 6 1 3 5 R
 Dual Clutch
2 1

2 4 6 1 3 5 R
 Dual Clutch
2

2 4 6 1 3 5 R
 Dual Clutch
3
2

2 4 6 1 3 5 R
 Dual Clutch
3
2

2 4 6 1 3 5 R
 Dual Clutch
3
2

2 4 6 1 3 5 R
 Dual-Clutch Transmission
☺ Advantages ☺
• Better fuel economy(up to 15% improvement) than
conventional planetary geared automatic transmission (due
to lower parasitic losses from oil churning) and for some
models with manual transmissions;
• Due to the seamless gear changes of the DSG there is no
loss of torque from the engine.;
• Short up-shift time of 8 milliseconds due to the next gear
being pre-selected prior to change.;
• Smooth gear-shift operations;
• Consistent down-shift time of 600 milliseconds, regardless
of throttle or operational mode
 Dual-Clutch Transmission
 Disadvantages 
• The overall efficiency of the gearbox is affected by the use
of the wet clutches. This can cause some loss of power
when compared with a conventional manual transmission
system (due to electronics and hydraulic systems).

• Expensive specialist transmission fluids/lubricants with

dedicated additives are required, which need regular
changes.

• Relatively expensive to manufacture, and therefore

increases new vehicle purchase price
 Dual-Clutch Transmission
 Disadvantages 
• Relatively lengthy shift time when shifting to a gear ratio
which the transmission control unit did not anticipate
(around 1100 ms, depending on the situation)

• Heavier than a comparable conventional manual

transmission which can impact on the power to weight ratio
of the vehicle.

• Fuel economy up to 15% worse than a manual

• Due to the multi-plate clutches, the torque handling ability of

the DSG gearbox is limited.