SEMINAR REPORT

ON
Study of Infinitely
Variable Transmission
Submitted by:
Moanungsang Jamir
S7M1 Roll No:67

CONTENTS
Introduction
What

is CVT?
Infinitely Variable Transmission(IVT)
Study of Infinitely Variable Transmission
Conclusion
Advantages of IVT
Drawbacks of IVT
Applications of IVT
References

INTRODUCTION

There are different types of transmission systems

Manual transmission
Automatic transmission
Continuously variable transmission
IVT is a subset of Continuously Variable
Transmission(CVT).
The IVT dates back to before the 1930s.

Continuously variable transmission

system
This

unique transmission does not have several

set of gears like most transmissions, but rather
have an infinite number of gear ratios.
CVT does not strictly require the presence of a
clutch, allowing the dismissal thereof.
Seamless acceleration with a direct drive feel
for enhanced driving pleasure.
With fewer moving parts, CVT is simpler than AT
in principle.
CVT is emerging as a keystone technology that
enables other innovations.

Working
On

low gear
situation the radius
of drive pulley is
smaller than the
driven pulley.

In

low gear situation

the Torque is high
while the RPMs of
driven pulley are
low.

 On

high gear situation the

radius of drive pulley is
larger than the driven
pulley.

In

high gear situation the

Torque is low while the
RPMs of driven pulley are
high.

CROSS SECTION OF THE BELT

How do sheave move?

INFINITELY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION

A specific type of Continuously Variable
Transmission(CVT).
The range of ratios of outer shaft speed to inner
shaft speed includes a zero output speed.
It can be continuously approached from a definite
higher ratio.
It consists of a combination of Planetary Gear
System(PGS) and CVT.
The CVT acts as a Continuously Variable Regulator
or Variator.

KEY ELEMENTS OF IVT

The Input Gear set: It transmits power from the engine to
the Planetary Gear Set and the Variator.
The Variator: It is a means by which the IVT can deliver an
infinite range of ratios. It affects the speed of rotation of
sun gears and smooth variation of ratios.
The Planetary Gear set: The central gear (sun gear) is
driven by fixed engine rpm

Input Gear Set

The input gear set splits the input power
from the engine to the Planetary Gear set
and the Variator
It can consists of either belt or gear.

Variator

The Variator is the heart of the IVT and is the means by

which the IVT can deliver an infinite range of ratios.

It can be explained as
Toroidal CVT

For this type a belt drive because the toroidal CVT itself will
reverse the direction.
This kind of CVT is called Toro Trak IVT.

Planetary

Gear Set

A gear set in which all of the

gears are in one plane,
grouped around each other
like the planets around the
sun.
The central gear is called the
"sun gear". In mesh with it is
a circular grouping of gears,
called "planet gears",
mounted on a rotating carrier.
The planet gears also engage
teeth on the inner periphery
of the "ring gear".
By holding any one of the
three gear elements
motionless, different ratios
can be produced between the
other two. Planetary gear sets
are common in automatic
transmissions

Toroidal CVT
The toroidal CVT is at the heart of the IVT
It consists of two toroidal shaped input discs and a toroidal output
disc in the middle.
Roller discs are connected in between the input and output discs.
The roller discs are in contact with the disc by special oil called
traction fluid.

Working
The gear ratio can be varied
by changing angle of
inclination of roller discs.
Case 1.

Roller disc connected to

lower radial position of input
and higher radial positon of
output disc
This is similar to a smaller
gear coupled to a bigger
gear through an idler
So higher gear ratio is
obtained
R1

Gear ratio=R2/R1

R2

 Case 2.

Roller disc connected to

higher radial position of
input and lower radial
positon of output disc.
This is similar to a bigger
gear coupled to a smaller
gear through an idler
So lower gear ratio is
obtained
By varying the angle of
inclination of the roller discs,
any gear ratio in between
these two can be obtained
The input and output shafts
will be rotating in opposite
direction because of the idler.

Toro Trak IVT

Toro Trak IVT consists of

Toroidal CVT and a
Planetary Gear set.
The input from engine is
connected to the ring gear
of the planetary gear
system.
The input is also connected
to the toroidal CVT.
Output of toroidal CVT is
connected to the sun gear
of planetary gear system.
The output is taken from
the planet carrier.

Working

Case 1.
Suppose the gear ratio
of CVT is 1:1,both the
sun gear and ring gear
will rotate in the same
speed but in opposite
direction. Then the
planetary carrier will
remain stationary.
Hence the output speed
will be zero and output
torque will be high.

 Case 2.

When the gear ratio of CVT is

greater than 1,then the sun
gear will rotate at a lower
speed than the ring gear but
in opposite direction.
Hence there will be net
output speed i.e the planet
carrier will rotate at a
direction of ring gear with a
velocity
The output will be in opposite
direction of input
Output speed can be varied
by changing the gear ratio of
CVT.

Case 3

When the gear ratio of CVT is

less than 1,then the sun gear
will rotate at a higher speed
than the ring gear but in
opposite direction.
Hence there will be net output
speed i.e the planet carrier
will rotate at a direction of sun
gear with a velocity
The output will be in opposite
direction of input
Output speed can be varied by
changing the gear ratio of
CVT.

Conclusion
This is show the time period for which engine runs at optimum speed for a
Manual Transmission and an Infinitely Variable Transmission.
Initially increase in speed is due to change of engine speed only then once
engine reaches optimum speed gear ratios change to give increase in
velocity while engine constantly runs at optimum speed.

Advantages of IVT

IVT is a positive drive system and thus no frictional and slip

losses occurs.
It can run the engine at optimum conditions at all times for
fuel economy and emissions.
As planetary gear system is used in IVT, engine is in
continuous contact with gear even at zero output thus
eliminating wastage of fuel during shifting of gears as in
manual transmission.
IVT provides a better acceleration due to change of gear ratio
rather than fixed ratio in Manual Transmission.
IVT provides a quieter and smoother operation as compared to
conventional drives.
IVT has 50% lesser number of components than other
transmission so reducing maintenance.

Drawbacks of IVT
Many

drivers believe that they feel

unnatural because the IVTs lack the shift
feel.
A slight misalignment causes a large
amount of stress on gear train which
reduces the service life of the system.
Only finite number of gear ratios are
obtained.

Applications of IVT
Toro

Trak Full toroidal Variator is used in a

concept car called PIXEL developed by TATA and
inspired from NANO.

IVT has been used in earth movers and

Farm movers

References
Zero-Max

Adjustable speed.
Dr Ben McCarty, Report on ENGINEERING
ASSESSMENT OF IVT CONCEPT,
Terry Lester, Solving the Gearbox Reliability Problem
, LESTRAN ENGINEERING.
Case study of TOYOTA Prius Hybrid Synergy Drive,
www.toyotacars.com
Gilmore, D.B., (1988) Fuel economy goals for future
powertrain and engine options. International Journal of
Vehicle Design, Vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 616-631. UK.
Bosch (2004) Bosch Automotive Handbook, 6th ed.,
Plochingen, Germany.
Theory of Machines by RS Khurmi

THANK YOU