CONTUNUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION

BY: Rahul Sadekar

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION HOW CVT WORKS TYPES OF CVT CVT AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FEATURES AND BENEFITS OF CVT ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CVT CONCLUSION REFERENCES

INTRODUCTION

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a transmission which can change sleeplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values This continuous gear ratio spectrum can increase the overall powertrain efficiency and eliminate the unwanted jerks associated with manual and automatic transmissions

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Gears can only give a fixed set of ratios between input and output shafts. Continuously variable transmissions rely on pulleys, wheels. And/ or cones that can transmit drive at any radius thus offering infinitely variable gear ratios, within limits The flexibility of a CVT allows the driving shaft to maintain a constant angular velocity over a range of output velocities. This can provide better fuel economy than other transmissions

HOW CVT IS DIFFERENT FROM REGULAR AUTOMATIC

A regular automatic transmission has a fixed number of gears. The number of gears, or speeds, is what gives a transmission the designation of four-speed automatic, five-speed automatic, etc. In contrast, a continuously variable automatic transmission has an infinite number of gears, made possible by a system of variable pulleys and belts In a vehicles equipped with a CVT there are no noticeable gear shifts like we would feel with a regular transmission

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While driving a regular automatic transmission knows that engine speed drops during the shift from first to second, third to fourth, etc. That drop in rpm during shifts can put the engine below the rpm range where it makes power. In a CVT-equipped car, the drop in rpm never happens Regular transmission CVT

Components of CVT

A continuously variable transmission typically includes the following major component groups: A set of variable diameter pulleys a high-power/density rubber belt a hydraulically operated driving pulley a mechanical torque-sensing driving pulley microprocessors and sensors

How CVT Works

Most of CVTs use a pair of variable diameter pulleys, each shaped like apposing cones with a metal belt or chain running between them One pulley is connected to the engine (input shaft), the other to the drive wheels (output shaft)

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The halves of each pulley are moveable; as the pulley halves come closer together the belt is forced to ride higher on the pulley, effectively making the pulley's diameter larger. Changing the diameter of the pulleys varies the transmission's ratio

TYPES OF CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION

Variable-diameter pulley (VDP) Toroidal or roller-based CVT Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) Ratcheting CVT Hydrostatic CVTs Cone CVTs

Variable-Diameter Pulley (VDP)

Each pulley is made of two 20degree cones facing each other. A belt rides in the groove between the two cones When the two cones of the pulley are far apart (when the diameter increases), the belt rides lower in the groove, and the radius of the belt loop going around the pulley gets smaller. When the cones are close together (when the diameter decreases), the belt rides higher in the groove, and the radius of the belt loop going around the pulley gets larger

Toroidal or Roller-Based CVT

These are made up of discs and rollers that transmit power between the discs. The discs can be pictured as two almost conical parts, point to point, with the sides dished such that the two parts could fill the central hole of a torus. One disc is the input, and the other is the output (they do not quite touch). Power is transferred from one side to the other by rollers

Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT)

Most IVTs result from the combination of a CVT with an epicyclic gear system (planetary gear system) which enforces an output shaft rotation speed which is equal to the difference between two other speeds. If these two other speeds are the input and output of a CVT, there can be a setting of the CVT that results in an output speed of zero

Ratcheting CVT

The ratcheting CVT is a Transmission that relies on static friction and is based on a set of elements that successively become engaged and then disengaged between the driving system and the driven system These CVTs can transfer substantial torque because their static friction actually increases relative to torque throughout, so slippage is impossible in properly designed systems. Efficiency is generally high because most of the dynamic friction is caused by very slight transitional clutch speed change

Hydrostatic CVTs

Hydrostatic transmissions use a variable displacement pump and a hydraulic motor. All power is transmitted by hydraulic fluid. These types can generally transmit more torque they have the advantage that the hydraulic motor can be mounted directly to the wheel hub, allowing a more flexible suspension system and eliminating efficiency losses from friction in the drive shaft and differential components These are used in heavy equipements

Cone CVTs

In the single cone type, there is a revolving body (a wheel) that moves on the generatrix of the cone, thereby creating the variation between the inferior and the superior diameter of the cone. In a CVT with oscillating cones, the torque is transmitted via friction from a variable number of cones (according to the torque to be transmitted) to a central, barrel-shaped hub

CVT AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

The CVT provides smooth and stepless ratio changes, unlike conventional transmission systems that use sets of fixed gears CVT delivers enhanced fuel economy and seamless acceleration with a direct drive feel for enhanced AT driving pleasure Since the CVT is continuously variable, it avoids the shiftshock and peaks and dips in torque transmission associated with a conventional AT

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Comparison of Automatic Transmission and CVT: Engine revolutions versus vehicle speed

FEATURES AND BENEFITS OF CVT

Continuously variable transmissions are becoming more popular for good reason. They boast several advantages that make them appealing both to drivers and to environmentalists. The table below describes some of the key features and benefits of CVTs

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CVT

Advantages CVTs can compensate for changing vehicle speeds, allowing the engine speed to remain at its level of peak efficiency. This improves fuel economy CVTs operate smoothly since there are no gear changes which cause sudden jerks Very few problems have been reported with the CVT transmission, lowering the cost of ownership There are 25% fewer moving parts to a CVT transmission. They are also cheaper, but still expensive to repair The fluids do not have to be changed as often as in an automatic transmission

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Disadvantages

This can give a perception of low power, because many drivers expect a jerk when they begin to move the vehicle. However, the expected jerk of a non-CVT can be emulated by CVT control software, thus eliminating this marketing problem. Since the CVT keeps the engine turning at constant RPM over a wide range of vehicle speeds, pressing on the accelerator pedal will make the car move faster but doesn't change the sound coming from the engine as much as a conventional automatic transmission gear-shift. This confuses some drivers and, again, leads to an impression of a lack of power. CVT torque-handling capability is limited by the strength of their transmission medium and by their ability to withstand friction wear between torque source and transmission medium.

Vehicle brands currently using CVTs

Vehicle brands currently using CVTs

CONLUSION

The Continuously Variable Transmission gives better performance than the Manual Transmission As CVT development continues manufacturing costs will be further reduced and performance will continue to increase, which will intern increase the demand for further development The Continuously Variable Transmission provides smooth and stepless ratio changes, unlike conventional transmission systems that use sets of fixed gears CVT delivers enhanced fuel economy and seamless acceleration with a direct drive feel for enhanced AT driving pleasure

REFERENCES

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cvt.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_variable_transmission How CVTs Work on HowStuffWorks CVT - Continuously Variable Transmission homepage http://www.nissan-global.com Cotrell, J. Assessing the Potential of a Mechanical Continuously Variable Transmission. NREL/TP-500-36371. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, September 2004. http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/36371.pdf