Constantly

Variable
Transmission
(CVT)
 Constantly Variable Transmission
(CVT)
• A continuously variable transmission (CVT),
also known as a shiftless transmission,
stepless transmission, pulley transmission, is
an automatic transmission that can change
seamlessly through a continuous range of
effective gear ratios.
Constantly Variable Transmission
(CVT)

Pitch Radius
Pitch Radius
 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.
 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)
High speed Medium speed Low speed
 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 CVT’s:
• ADVANTAGES • DISADVANTAGES
✓ Decreases engine fatigue
✓ Limited torque capacity when
✓ Allows for an “infinite” number
of gear ratios, maintaining the compared with manual
engine in its optimum power transmissions.
range ✓ Larger and more costly than
✓ More mechanically efficient manual transmissions.
than Automatic transmissions.
✓ Greater fuel efficiency than ✓ Complacency by the automobile
both manual and automatic industry, unwilling to discard
transmissions.(Fuel savings of billions of dollars in
more than 17% have been development in MT & AT’s.
achieved).
✓ Cheaper and lighter than
Automatic trans.
✓ Smooth, responsive and quiet
to drive
✓ Newer CVT’s 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.
 CVT Vs. Manual Transmission
Theoretical comparison under “ideal” conditions.

1991 FIAT UNO: M=1250kg 0-100 km/h

Torque=101.2 N-m
CVT MT
n=5700rpm
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.
CVT Belt Va n D o o r n e S t e e l B e l t

The first metal belt system was introduced into the market place in 1987 as the Transmatic,
by Van Doorne’s Transmissie (VDT) of the Netherlands.
CVT Belt Va n D o o r n e S t e e l B e l t
CVT Belt Va n D o o r n e S t e e l B e l t
Van Doorne Steel Belt :
• Almost all of today’s
belt driven CVT’s use
this design invented by
Dutch CVT specialist
Van Doorne.
• Maximum torque it can
withstand is around
200Nm (190hp).

Used in:
• Honda Civic HX
• Nissan Primera
• Toyota Prius
• Honda Insight
• BMW Minicooper
• Saturn Vue .