The Potential And Advantages Of Continuously Variable Transmissions For Automotive Applications

The theoretical advantages of continuously variable transmissions (CVT) in vehicles can only be realized in practice if new design approaches are taken as a basis. The possible fuel savings and reduction of pollutants require transmissions with a wide overdrive gear ratio spread. The combination of gears and CVT is the only way of achieving the necessary gear ratio spread. The paper introduces a new modular design system embracing both the new manual transmission for the future and the new CVT. This new design system makes it possible to produce both transmission versions economically on one production line.