Continuously Variable Transmission

Thought some here might be interested in what an automotive CVT looks like. I know that Toyota uses this in the Corolla but I'm not sure what other models.

 

What’s the belt material and how’s it assembled?

 

I always had an oversimplified understanding of a CVT as a belt over a conical shaft. I'm just wondering what part moves to create the "V" part.

 

Pretty cool to see! I think it is Continuously Variable Transmission though. Constant velocity is for CV axles. Never torn one of those apart

 

Interesting...I always heard it called a Continuously Variable Transmission though, which honestly makes more sense than constant velocity.

EDIT... @AJKlug1 beat me to it

 

You

You are correct about the name. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

I'm more familiar with snowmobile ones but they should operate pretty much the same. Think of them like gears on a bike. Low gear will be with the primary clutch (one on the right in first pic) with the belt/chain deep in the V (like small sprocket on the front of the bike). The secondary clutch (one on the left) will be opposite with the belt/chain high up (like a big sprocket on the rear of the bike). This is like first gear in your car or low gear on bike.

To "shift" it will work just like you would on your bike. One side of the primary clutch face (called a sheave) will twist and close the gap making the belt ride higher up the clutch face changing the ratio (like move to bigger front sprocket on bike). The opposite will happen on the secondary. It will open allowing the belt to move down again changing the ratio (like going to smaller rear sprocket on bike).

 

And I'm guessing (?) that metal band slipping on that pulley makes a LOT of heat?

 

In the provided picture, there is 2 sets of plates, a top and bottom “plate” over and under the belt. When one set of plates open, the corresponding set of plates closes.

 

Pretty sure all the hybrids use them

 

The Rav4 hybrid has a different system that used no pullys and no belts.It actually looks very robust .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O61WihMRdjM