[Original by Aika Automotive Technology Channel]
CVT continuously variable gearbox has the advantages of simple structure, small volume, light weight, smoothness and fuel saving, and is very common in small displacement vehicles. For the structure of CVT, many fans are familiar with it. Generally speaking, the core of CVT is conical wheel and steel belt. The improvement of CVT performance in recent years is due to the progress of steel belt structure and material. But what if I told you that CVT continuously variable gearbox can be used without conical wheel and steel belt?
Maybe you have to say, "CVT doesn’t use steel belt, so use a ball?"
Congratulations on your correct answer, just use the ball.
CVT continuously variable gearbox was born as early as 19th century. In the course of more than 100 years’ development, there have been many kinds of CVT with different structures, which can be mainly divided into two schools. One is the familiar cone-belt/steel belt structure, and the other is the ball as the core variable speed component.
How does the sphere realize the change of transmission ratio? Under the condition that the rotation axis of the sphere is fixed, the distance that different points on the sphere move in one revolution is different. By changing the angle of the rotating shaft of the ball, the speed difference can be formed between the power input end and the output end in contact with the ball, thus changing the transmission ratio.
Editor’s comment:CVT continuously variable gearbox with ball as transmission element has been around for a long time, but it has not been applied to automobiles due to various problems. Dana planetary gearbox has solved these problems and its performance is worth looking forward to. At present, Dana has been working with two large vehicle companies to apply this technology to production models. Can it shake the monopoly position of conical wheel-steel belt structure in CVT continuously variable transmission field? Let’s wait and see.
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