What Does Continuously Variable Transmission Mean?

[ElliotMarie]

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is a type of transmission in automatic vehicles, referring to a system that can continuously achieve any gear ratio within the transmission range. CVT allows for optimal matching between the drivetrain and engine conditions. To achieve CVT, three methods can be employed based on the transmission type: hydraulic transmission, electric transmission, and mechanical transmission. The difference between a CVT and a conventional automatic transmission lies in the elimination of complex and bulky gear combinations for speed variation. Instead, CVT uses only two sets of pulleys for speed variation, adjusting the speed by changing the contact radius of the belt between the driving and driven pulleys. Common types of CVTs include hydro-mechanical CVTs and metal belt-type CVTs (VDTcvt). Currently, more and more vehicle models in the domestic market are adopting CVT technology.