Steady state and transient characteristics of a rubber belt CVT with mechanical actuatiors

In this paper, thrust equations for a rubber belt CVT are derived by considering the geometry and mechanism of the mechanical actuators. In order to solve the thrust equations, an algorithm to calculate the speed ratio is suggested for the given driver speed and load torque based on the actuator characteristic equations and existing formula for the belt thrust forces. Experiments are performed to investigate the driver speed-load torque-speed ratio characteristics at a steady state. The speed and torque efficiencies are measured and used to modify the actuator equations. It is found that the modified equations well predict the steady state characteristics. In addition, the shift dynamic model for a rubber belt CVT is derived experimentally. Simulation results of the CVT shift dynamics are in good accordance with the experiments and it is noted that different coefficients are required to describe the CVT shift dynamics for the upshift and the downshift.