Step less Transmission

Step less automatic transmission is one in which the speed ratio between the input shaft and
output shaft can be varied continuously within a given range, providing virtually an infinite
number of possible speed ratios. This system uses a link-plate chain drive, an oil-cooled
multi-plate clutch and complex electronics to overcome the traditional shortcomings of
CVTs.
Continuously Variable Transmission
It is type of transmission system that can change steplessly through an infinite number of
effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other
mechanical transmissions that offer a fixed number of gear ratios. The flexibility of a CVT
allows the input shaft to maintain a constant angular velocity over a range of output
velocities.

The Wheel motors which employ the Principle of CVT are known as CVT wheel motors.

A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) as mentioned previously, provides a

continuously variable ratio between the power source (engine) and the output shaft
(wheels). CVTs offer the potential to take advantage of engine power and reach peak
Efficiency without using shifting gears.

CVT can provide better fuel economy than other transmissions by enabling the engine to run
at its most efficient revolutions per minute (RPM) for a range of vehicle speeds. It can also be
used to build a kinetic energy recovery system.
Alternatively it can be used to maximize the performance of a vehicle by allowing the engine
to turn at the RPM at which it produces peak power. This is typically higher than the RPM
that achieves peak efficiency. Finally, a CVT does not strictly require the presence of
a clutch, allowing the dismissal thereof. In some vehicles though (e.g. motorcycles),
a centrifugal clutch is nevertheless added however this is only to provide a "neutral" stance
on a motorcycle (useful when idling, or manually reversing into a parking space).
The working of CVT
The CVT works upon the ratio of the diameter of the front and rear drive belt pulleys. Both
front and rear pulleys are an assembly of moving plates. At low engine speed, the plates of
the front pulley are pushed apart by the tension of the belt as it forces itself between the
plates. At the same time, the plates in the rear pulley are pushed together by the spring
beneath the automatic clutch. Behind the moving plate of the front pulley there are weighted
rollers, these are thrown towards the outside edge of the variator by centrifugal force, as the
rotation speed of the engine / variator increases. When the rollers move towards the outside
of the variator, the inside plate is forced together towards the outer plate and this moves the
drive belt towards the outside of the pulley. This effectively makes the diameter of the front
pulley larger. As the belt moves out on the front pulley the tension in the belt is increased
which overcomes the spring pressure holding the two plates together in the rear pulley.
The belt moves towards the center of the rear pulley, which effectively makes the diameter of
the rear pulley smaller. In this way, the ratio between the two pulleys is changed and
therefore, the speed ratio between the engine and rear wheel is changed.
The two diagrams below will give you the basic idea of how the gearing ratios change as the
road speed/engine rpm changes.

A moving diagram showing front and rear pulley settings at high and low speeds
Types of CVTs:

1) Variable Diameter Pulley CVT:

• In which there are two V-belt pulleys that are split perpendicular to their axes of
rotation, with a V-belt running between them.
• The gear ratio is changed by moving the two sheaves of one pulley closer together
and the two sheaves of the other pulley farther apart. Due to the V-shaped cross
section of the belt, this causes the belt to ride higher on one pulley and lower on
the other. Doing this, changes the effective diameters of the pulleys which in turn
changes the overall gear ratio.

2) Toroidal or Extroid CVT:

• Toroidal CVT uses rollers to transmit torque /power between the input disc (which
connects the crankshaft) and output disc (which connects the driveshaft).
• The angle of the rollers changes relative to shaft position resulting in a change in
gear ratio.
• Rollers or wheels, located between the discs act like belt, transmitting power from
one disc to the other.

3) Hydrostatic CVT :

• Hydrostatic CVTs uses variable displacement pumps to vary the fluid flow in to
hydrostatic motions.
• This is combined with a planetary gear set and clutches to create a hybrid system
known as hydro-mechanical transmission.
• Hydro-mechanical transmissions are ideal for heavy –duty applications, which is
common in agricultural tractors and all-terrain vehicles.

4) Magnetic CVT:

• M -CVT is a variable magnetic transmission which gives an electrically controllable

gear ratio. It can act as a power split device and can match a fixed input speed from a
prime-mover to a variable load by importing/exporting electrical power through
a variator path.

5) Infinitely variable transmission (IVT):

• The IVT technology allows control of the complete power train enabling optimisation
of the efficiency of the engine. In conventional transmissions the engine and
transmission are controlled separately.
Advantages and Disadvantages of CVT

Advantages
1. Better fuel consumption than a regular
automatic transmission as the CVT is able
to keep the vehicle in its optimum power
range regardless of speed.
2. There is improved acceleration due to
the lower power loss experienced.
3. Stepless transmission
4. It has ability to allow the engine to
revolve almost immediately which delivers
maximum torque
5. Provides a smoother ride than automatic
transmission.
6. Adopts to varying road conditions and
power demands to allow for a better ride.
7. Better emission control and less green
house gas emissions because of improved
control of Engine’s speed range.
Disadvantages
Many of the drivers do not like, do not feel
engine is accelerating, do not feel any shifts
instead they feel the engine racing as it
would with slipping clutch or a failing
Transmission
Higher cost
Belt driven CVTs(VDPs) have a limited
amount of torque.
Transmitting motion by friction causes
greater wear.
Require oil and special materials.

Applications of CVT

1. Automobile applications

 Most major automobile companies have already started experimenting with CVT
technology.
 Can adapt to older vehicles with traditional transmissions.
Claims of a 20% gain in fuel economy compared to past transmission technology.
Examples: 1) Hondas’ V-Belt CVT
2) Audi A6 Multitronic
3) Nissan Extroid /Toroidal CVT
4) Toyota Prius

2. Heavy industry Applications

 Fully adaptable drive system for industrial Land Vehicles.
 Adjustments and maintenance made easier through smaller parts and computer
monitoring technology.
CVT Benefits

• No gear shift.
• Continuous transmission of torque.
• Ability to operate at most fuel efficient point for required output power.

Conclusions

• CVTs could potentially allow IC vehicles to meet the first wave of new fuel
regulations.
• As CVT development continues, costs will be reduced further and performance
will continue to increase.
• This cycle of improvement will ultimately give CVTs a solid foundation in the
world’s automotive infrastructure.
• As automakers continue to develop CVT’s, more & more vehicle lines will begin
to use them.
• As development continues fuel efficiency and performance benefits will
inevitably increase.
• It results in increased in sales competition among the manufacturers in the
development.
• Lately, a number of hybrid vehicles have appeared on the market that use new
kinds of CVT transmissions. For instance, Toyota uses a type of CVT in the
Hybrid Synergy Drive technology that is used on every hybrid vehicle from the
Japanese automaker. These systems allow multiple input sources for power
generally, a gasoline-powered engine along with an electric motor and are much
more complex creatures that take all kinds of computing power to operate.
Additively degrees in engineering and computer sciences to fully understand. Still,
for all intents and purposes, these are continuously variable transmissions as well.

References
1) www.google.com
2) How stuffs work
3) S. Birch: “Audi takes CVT from 15th century to 21st century”. Automotive
Engineering International, January 2000.
4) Wikipedia
5) J. Yamaguchi: “Nissan’s Extroid CVT”. Automotive Engineering International, February
2000.