What are the main components of a metal belt-type CVT system?
2 Answers
Metal belt-type CVT systems mainly consist of basic components such as the driving pulley set, driven pulley set, metal belt, and hydraulic pump. The metal belt is composed of two metal rings and hundreds of metal segments. Both the driving pulley set and the driven pulley set are made up of movable discs and fixed discs. The side of the pulley close to the cylinder can slide on the shaft, while the other side is fixed. Additional information: 1. Working principle: Both the movable disc and the fixed disc have a conical surface structure, and their conical surfaces form a V-shaped groove to engage with the V-shaped metal transmission belt. The power output from the engine's output shaft is first transmitted to the driving pulley of the CVT, then transmitted to the driven pulley through the V-shaped transmission belt, and finally passed to the wheels via the reducer and differential to drive the vehicle. 2. Characteristics: The most notable feature of a CVT is its stepless control of the output speed ratio, providing a smooth and seamless driving experience without the sensation of gear shifting. Passengers do not feel any gear shift shock, and the power connection is continuous. This enhances comfort during driving, and acceleration is also faster compared to an automatic transmission.
From my driving experience, the metal belt-type CVT system is primarily the component that enables ultra-smooth gear shifting. Its core includes the metal belt itself—a band-like structure composed of multiple steel link rings, connecting the input pulley and output pulley. The pulleys adjust their width in response to engine speed changes to control the gear ratio. Additionally, there's a hydraulic control unit that adjusts the pulley diameter via oil pressure to ensure seamless power transmission, along with an electronic control module that processes sensor data to optimize efficiency. The overall design is fuel-efficient and quiet, but the metal belt may wear under prolonged high loads, requiring regular checks of the transmission fluid level to prevent slippage or breakage, which could pose driving risks. This is both the greatest strength and weakness of CVTs.