Constantly Variable

Transmission (CVT)

Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT)

Unconventional transmission design.
No fixed forward speeds.
The gear ratio varies with engine speed.
Fitted with a one-speed reverse gear.
CVT uses belts and pulleys.

Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT)

The constantly variable transmission (CVT) uses a pair of
cone-shaped pulleys connected by a metal belt.
The key to the operation of a CVT system is a high-friction
drive belt .
The belt, made from high performance steel, transmits drive
by thrust rather than tension.
The ratio of the rotations, or the gear ratio, is determined by
how far the belt rides from the centres of two pulleys.

Pitch
Radius

Pitch
Radius

Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT)

Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT)

The transmission can produce an unlimited number of
ratios.
As the car changes speed, the ratio is continuously
adjusted.
Cars with this system are said to use fuel more efficiently
than cars with set gear ratios.
In the gearbox, hydraulic control is used to move the pulleys
and hence change the ratio.

Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT)

To achieve forward and reverse, a standard epicyclic gear
set is used.
The drive belt transmits torque from the primary cone pulley
to the secondary cone pulley unit .
The belt is V-shaped and consists of several hundred steel
elements held together by steel strips.

Operation (CVT)

Operation (CVT)

Operation (CVT)

Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT)

Most CVTs only have three basic components:
A high-power metal or rubber belt
A variable-input "driving" pulley
An output "driven" pulley

CVTs also have various microprocessors and sensors,

but the three components described above are the
key elements that enable the technology to work.
The variable-diameter pulleys are the heart of a CVT.
Each pulley is made of two 20-degree cones facing
each other.

Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT)

The distance between the center of the pulleys to
where the belt makes contact in the groove is known
as the pitch radius.

When the pulleys are far apart, the belt rides lower
and the pitch radius decreases.

When the pulleys are close together, the belt rides

higher and the pitch radius increases.
The ratio of the pitch radius on the driving
pulley to the pitch radius on the driven pulley
determines the gear.

Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT)

The simplicity and stepless nature of CVTs make
them an ideal transmission for a variety of machines
and devices, not just cars. CVTs have been used for
years in power tools and drill presses. They've also
been used in a variety of vehicles, including
tractors, snowmobiles and motor scooters. In all of
these applications, the transmissions have relied on
high-density rubber belts, which can slip and
stretch, thereby reducing their efficiency.

Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT)

The introduction of new materials makes CVTs even
more reliable and efficient. One of the most
important advances has been the design and
development of metal belts to connect the pulleys.
These flexible belts are composed of several
(typically nine or 12) thin bands of steel that hold
together high-strength, bow-tie-shaped pieces of
metal.
Metal belts don't slip and are highly durable,
enabling CVTs to handle more engine torque. They
are also quieter than rubber-belt-driven CVTs.

Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT)

One pulley is the driven member and the other is the drive.
Each pulley has a movable face and a fixed face.
When the movable face moves, the effective diameter of
the pulley changes.
The change in effective diameter changes the effective
pulley (gear) ratio.
A steel belt links the driven and drive pulleys.

The good and the bad of

CVTs:

ADVANTAGES

Decreases engine fatigue

Allows for an infinite number
of gear ratios, maintaining the
engine in its optimum power
range
More mechanically efficient
than Automatic transmissions.
Greater fuel efficiency than
both manual and automatic
transmissions.(Fuel savings of
more than 17% have been
achieved).
Cheaper and lighter than
Automatic trans.
Smooth, responsive and quiet
to drive
Newer CVTs have a manual
option, giving the driver more
control, simulating a MT.
CPU can be configured to suit a
wide range of driving modes
and styles.

DISADVANTAGES
Limited torque capacity when
compared w/manual
transmissions.
Larger and more costly than
manual transmissions.
Slipping in the drive belt or
pulleys.(NO LONGER AN ISSUE
DUE TO NEW ADVANCES).
Rubber band effect.(SOLVED)
Complacency by the automobile
industry, unwilling to discard
billions of dollars in
development in MT & ATs.

CVT Vs. Manual

Transmission
Theoretical comparison under ideal
1991 FIAT UNO: M=1250kg conditions.
0-100 km/h
Torque=101.2 N-m
n=5700rpm

CVT

MT

8.8 sec.

11.9 sec.

The Continuously
Variable Transmission
(CVT) proved 35% more
efficient than the Manual
Transmission (MT).

With same car and

engine, the CVT takes
only 75% of the time to
accelerate to 100km/h,
compared to the MT.

Types of Belts(CVT)
Van Doorne Steel
Belt
LuK-PIV chain

Types of Belts(CVT)
Van Doorne Steel
Belt

The first metal belt system was introduced into the market place in 1987 as
the Transmatic, by Van Doornes Transmissie (VDT) of the Netherlands.

Types of Belts(CVT)
Van Doorne Steel
Belt

Types of Belts(CVT)
Van Doorne Steel
Belt

Van Doorne Steel Belt :

oAlmost all of
todays belt
driven CVTs use
this design
invented by Dutch
CVT specialist Van
Doorne.
o Maximum torque
it can withstand is
around 150 lb-ft
(190hp).
Used in:
Honda Civic HX
Nissan Primera
Toyota Prius
Honda Insight
BMW Minicooper
Saturn Vue .

Types of Belts(CVT)
LuK-PIV chain

Types of Belts(CVT)
LuK-PIV chain

Types of Belts(CVT)
LuK-PIV chain

link-plate chain made

entirely from steel

As flexible as a V-belt

Composed of several
layers of platesside by
side connected by
high strength pins.

The chain's tension is

transmitted to the
variator pulleys at the
pin ends.

Torque capacity of
around 280 N-m.

Types of Belts(CVT)
LuK-PIV chain