Dynamic Simulation of a Metal Belt CVT Under Transient Conditions

Most of the technical literature on CVT consider steady-state conditions. Very few analyze the behavior of CVT under transient conditions (Kanehara et al., 1999; Ide et al., 1995; Carbone et al., 2002) and none of them include the effects of pulley deformation. This paper is an attempt to fill the gap. It is herein presented a mathematical model of a V-belt metal CVT, valid also under transient conditions, where the pulley deformation has been included. The model, implemented in a numerical code, combines Gerbert’s theory of V belts and the contributions of (Sattler, 1999a; Sattler, 1999b) on pulley deformation. An innovative algorithm for the simulation of dynamic effects during shifting is proposed. Inertia effects as well as deformation of pulleys are taken into account. Two type of working conditions have been experimentally monitored and numerically simulated. Finally, the paper contains a description of the experimental apparatus used for the validation of the model herein presented.© 2002 ASME