MAIN TRENDS AND DIRECTIONS IN THE OPTIMAL DESIGN OF WHEEL MACHINE TRANSMISSIONS (REVIEW ARTICLE)

Modern requirements for the design process of any technical object are very strict. Focus and independence, reduction of time for the process itself, maximum automation of the process, complexity - all these are integral characteristics of modern design. Therefore, approaches to the optimal design of technical systems are quite widespread. For technical objects, it is advisable to use the term optimal-rational design. In this paper, mechanical step transmissions are considered. It should be noted that mechanical step transmissions is the most common type and covers all classes of vehicles, from light vehicles, through trucks, to military vehicles and special-purpose equipment. This prevalence has led to a wide range of layout schemes and different aggregate-saturation. These aspects led engineers to formulate a number of specific requirements for mechanical step transmissions, which resulted in certain quality characteristics - criteria and use various concepts, techniques and design approaches. For the authors, it is mechanical step transmissions of wheeled vehicles that is of interest, as the big segment of transport equipment. Thus, the description of methods, approaches and directions to the optimal-rational design mechanical step transmissions wheeled vehicles is an urgent task that will reveal the "blank spots" of this issue, determine the advantages and disadvantages of existing areas and help to choose a vector of further scientific thought and determine the approaches and methods to optimal-rational design mechanical step transmissions wheeled vehicles. Several general directions of mechanical step transmissions wheeled vehicles design are highlighted: the choice of transmission parameters, taking into account the dynamics of torsional vibrations, rational distribution of torque between the drive wheels, power distribution in the transmission, selection of rational shift phases, etc. The main objects of research and common methods for solving design problems are described. A graphical representation of the presented material is provided, which allows you to quickly navigate the issue, and, if necessary, modify existing or synthesize new tasks. Keywords: transmission, optimal design, research directions