What is the working principle of automotive continuously variable transmission?
4 Answers
The following is the working principle of a continuously variable transmission: 1. The power output from the engine's output shaft is first transmitted to the driving pulley of the CVT, then conveyed via the V-shaped belt to the driven pulley, and finally delivered to the wheels through the reducer and differential to drive the vehicle; 2. During operation, the movable discs of the driving and driven pulleys move axially to alter the working radius where the conical surfaces of these pulleys engage with the V-shaped belt. The axial displacement of the movable discs is controlled by the driver through adjusting the hydraulic cylinder pressure of the driving and driven pulleys via the control system as needed; 3. Since the working radii of the driving and driven pulleys can be continuously adjusted, this enables seamless gear shifting, achieving continuously variable transmission.
The working principle of car CVT is really cool! Simply put, it doesn't use fixed gears, but continuously adjusts the gear ratio through a pair of conical pulleys and a steel belt. When you're driving, the diameter of the engine's pulley automatically changes based on speed and load, causing the steel belt to slide between the input and output pulleys, seamlessly altering the rotation speed and keeping the engine running efficiently. The driving experience is super smooth, without the jerky feeling of traditional automatic transmissions, offering fluid acceleration and better fuel efficiency. However, note that the steel belt and pulleys are prone to wear, and prolonged aggressive driving may cause overheating, so regular transmission fluid changes are crucial—it's best not to neglect maintenance.
I find CVT cars incredibly comfortable to drive. They operate using a flexible system: the engine connects to two cone-shaped pulleys with a steel belt in between. When you press the accelerator, the pulley sizes automatically adjust, changing the gear ratio without needing to shift gears. It performs smoothly both in daily traffic jams and on highways, with low fuel consumption and minimal bumpiness. However, the driving experience feels a bit odd - the engine sound remains constant during acceleration, lacking the satisfying gear-shifting sensation of manual transmissions. Regarding maintenance, the steel belt has a limited lifespan, so it's crucial to follow the manual for servicing, otherwise repairs can be extremely costly.
The principle of CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) is not complicated: a pair of conical pulleys and a steel belt, where the engine drives the input pulley, and the steel belt drives the output pulley. The width of the pulleys adjusts with the throttle, allowing the gear ratio to change continuously. This eliminates the need for gears, making operation smoother and more fuel-efficient. However, the pulley system is prone to issues such as slipping or belt wear, requiring regular replacement of specialized fluid. Otherwise, major repairs can be costly, so avoid aggressive throttle use in daily driving.
