In order to boost fuel economy, several automakers are adding transmissions with as many gears as possible. However, just when we thought 10 gears were already overkill, Honda has reportedly patented an 11-speed gearbox that will use three clutches!
According to AutoGuide, Honda has filed the new patent with the Japan Patent Office for a new transmission which features 11 speeds and three clutches instead of two, yep three!
Honda says, by using a third clutch, it will be able to decrease torque removal that occurs with dual-clutch transmissions. The patent application, which is translated from Japanese, also says that the new transmission will allow “speed change to be more effectively restricted and a speed change response to be increased.”
Honda didn’t indicate what type vehicle this transmission will be fitted in, though it sounds like it is being designed to improve efficiency, so a kei economy car could be ideal.
The application was published on May 27, 2016 and is registered to Honda Motor Co Ltd. The inventor credited is Izumi Masao. However, it is no longer available on the Japanese patent office’s website.
Source: AutoGuide
