GALESBURG, Mich. – Eaton debuted an all-new dual clutch transmission, called Procision, for Class 6-7 medium-duty trucks to increase fuel economy by 8 to 10 percent. It’s the industry’s first dual clutch transmission for class 6-7 in North America, and it’s aimed first at the school bus market, along with towing and delivery truck segments, the company said.
Eaton plans on taking its showpiece transmission to this year’s NAPT Summit on Nov. 11 in Kansas City, Missouri. The company also said it plans to make its technology available globally in the future.
The company reported that it will have North American units available by next July for commercial vehicles weighing 19,501 to 33,000 pounds GVW, the equivalent of Type B to Type D school buses. Eaton is currently working with school bus OEMs to make the transmission part of production vehicles.
“We’re bullish on this school bus application. The industry will get our full expertise,” said John Beering, senior vice president and general manager of Eaton Commercial Vehicle Transmission.
Eaton’s Vehicle Group launched the product during a Sept. 4 media ride-and-drive event that STN attended at the company’s commercial vehicle test track, located in Southwest Michigan near Battle Creek. With a concept that was built from the ground up over a five-year period, Eaton leaders explained how they addressed technology gaps in transmissions, based on what customers wanted for their vehicles and fleets.
Eaton’s Procision promises a car-like drive experience, along with other features attractive to the school bus industry: augmented safety, a quieter interior, easy servicing, and up to 10 percent better fuel economy. Based on an analysis of competitor transmissions, Eaton estimates its new transmission can help operators achieve an annual cost savings of up to $474 per school bus.
Eaton Procision contains technology to assist drivers with routes on hilly, difficult terrain, as well as those who navigate tight turns and traffic as part of an urban route.
“It’s great for the type of environment with a lot of stops and starts. It will shine in neighborhood driving,” said Alison Thomas, Eaton’s product strategy manager for medium-duty automation.
As demonstrated on a hilly test track, the transmission utilizes dual clutch technology to allow for more efficient acceleration from a stopped position, and to optimize shift points that will efficiently get to the highest gear. Gear changes are made by swapping the engine torque between clutches with the next gear preselected.
“It allows smooth, continuous delivery of torque to the wheels under all shift conditions,” said Jeff Carpenter, Eaton’s engineering manager for Procision.
Owners and drivers alike will likely appreciate optional and adjustable “Urge to Move” and “Creep Mode,” which provide low-speed maneuverability, the company stated. An optional and adjustable “Hill Helper” technology prevents roll back or roll forward for up to three seconds while on grades of up to eight percent.
The dual clutch module is fully contained within the transmission, hydraulically controlled and oil cooled for extended life. When available next summer, the transmission will come with a five-year warranty with unlimited miles and an optional extended year plan for school bus customers.
