Uses[edit]

Chain-driven CVT

Principle of variator

Motorized vehicles[edit]
Simple rubber belt (non-stretching fixed circumference manufactured using various highly durable
and flexible materials) CVTs are commonly used in small motorized vehicles, where their
mechanical simplicity and ease of use outweigh their comparative inefficiency. Nearly
all snowmobiles, utility vehicles, golf carts and motor scooters use CVTs, typically the rubber belt
or variable pulley variety.
CVTs, along with several other electronic systems and driver aids were prohibited from Formula
1 in 1994 due to concerns over escalating research and development costs, and maintaining a
specific level of driver involvement with the vehicles.[3]
More recently,[when?], CVT systems have been developed for go-karts and have proven to increase
performance and engine life expectancy. The Tomcarrange of off-road vehicles also utilizes the
CVT system.
Some vehicles that offer CVT are the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid, the Ford C-MAX hybrid,
the Mitsubishi Lancer, the Dodge Caliber, the Toyota Corolla, the Scion iQ, the Honda
Insight, Fit, CR-Z hybrid, CR-V, Capa, Honda Civic, Honda Accord, the Nissan Tiida/Versa (SL,
SV, and Note S Plus or higher models), Cube, Juke, Sentra, Altima, Maxima, 2013 1.2
Note, Rogue, X-Trail, Murano, Pathfinder, Sunny and the non-Mexican Micra, the Jeep
Patriot and Compass, the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross, and the Subaru
Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback and Crosstrek, Suzuki Kizashi, Toyota Allion 2009 onwards,
Toyota Premio 2009 onwards, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Mark X, etc.
CVTs should be distinguished from power-sharing transmissions (PSTs), as used in newer hybrid
cars, such as the Toyota Prius, Highlander and Camry, the Nissan Altima, and newer-model Ford
Escape Hybrid SUVs. CVT technology uses only one input from a prime mover and delivers
variable output speeds and torque, whereas PST technology uses two prime mover inputs and
varies the ratio of their contributions to output speed and power. These transmissions are
fundamentally different.
Farm equipment, namely harvester combines, used variable belt drives as early as the 1950s, as
well. Many small tractors and self-propelled mowers for home and garden also use simple rubber
belt CVT. Hydrostatic systems are more common on the larger units—the walk-behind self-
propelled mowers are of the slipping belt variety.
Ratcheting CVT converting rotary motion to oscillating motion and back to rotary motion using
roller clutches are well adapted to reciprocating engines when the oscillating movement is
synchronized with that of the pistons. This solution could have a bright future because such
ratcheting CVT are also IVT (providing the clutch function), and have a very high energy
efficiency. They could help automakers comply with the future emission standards, while also
improving the reciprocating engines performance.
Downsizing electric engines[edit]
Instead of being dimensioned according to the maximum torque (e.g. that required for starting, or
in case of momentary mechanical overload), the motors using this type of CVT may be
dimensioned by matching the maximum power with the maximum desired speed (that of a vehicle
by example). Such CVT is used only at startup or in case of mechanical overload, and may be
disconnected most of the time, the engine transferring the torque directly to the output. New
concepts adapting the transmission ratio to the resistant torque and centrifugal clutches may be
used to make these changes automatic.
Bicycles[edit]
A ratchet CVT has been proposed for bicycles.[4] The crankset causes a lever to swing, which in
turn causes the reciprocating movement of a double rack that rotates the wheel as it moves
backward and as it moves toward the wheel. The NuVinci Continuously Variable
Transmission has been available since 2007.
Medium and high power transfers[edit]
Hydrostatic CVTs are common in small to medium-sized agricultural and earthmoving equipment.
As the engines in these machines are typically run at constant power settings to provide hydraulic
power or to power machinery, losses in mechanical efficiency are offset by enhanced operational
efficiency, such as reduced forward-reverse shuttle times in earthmoving operations. Transmission
output is varied to control both travel speed and direction. This is particularly beneficial in
equipment designed to pivot or skid steer through differential power application as the required
differential steering action can easily be supplied by independent CVTs, allowing steering to be
accomplished without braking losses or loss of tractive effort and allowing the machine to pivot in
place. In mowing or harvesting operations a CVT allows the forward speed of the tractor
or combine harvester to be adjusted independently of the engine speed. This allows the operator to
slow or accelerate as needed to accommodate variations in thickness of the crop.
Power generating systems[edit]
CVTs have been used in aircraft electrical power generating systems since the 1950s and in Sports
Car Club of America (SCCA) Formula 500 race cars since the early 1970s.
Some drill presses and milling machines contain a pulley-based CVT system where the output
shaft has a pair of manually adjustable conical pulley halves through which a wide drive belt from
the motor loops. The pulley on the motor, however, is usually fixed in diameter, or may have a
series of given-diameter steps to allow a selection of speed ranges. A handwheel on the drill press,
marked with a scale corresponding to the desired machine speed, is mounted to a reduction
gearing system for the operator to precisely control the width of the gap between the pulley
halves. This gap width thus adjusts the speed ratio between the motor's fixed pulley and the output
shaft's variable pulley, changing speed of the chuck. A tensioner pulley is implemented in the belt
transmission to take up or release the slack in the belt as the speed is altered. In most cases, the
speed must be changed with the motor running.
Doubly-fed induction generators are usually coupled with multi-stage gearboxes to increase the
rotational speed. These gearboxes might be replaced by fully CVT in the future, but only fully
geared one because they are the only ones providing a sufficient mechanical efficiency. [5]
A CVT and flywheel may be inserted between an energy source (e.g. a wind turbine) and the
electricity generator. When the energy source s sufficient, the generator is connected directly to
the CVT which serves to regulate its speed of rotation. When it is too low, the generator is
disconnected and the energy stored in the flywheel. It is only when the speed of the flywheel is
sufficient that the kinetic energy is converted into electricity, intermittently, but always at the
optimal speed of the generator.
Winches and hoists[edit]
It's also an application of CVTs, especially for those adapting the transmission ratio to the
resistant torque.