Design and analysis of a novel wheel type continuously variable transmission

In order to explore new kinds of continuously variable transmission (CVT) with high torque capacity and transmission efficiency, a novel wheel type CVT (W-CVT) is proposed. Same as toroidal CVT and ball-type CVT, it transmits power by friction on the contact points between input and output discs. W-CVT is composed of transmission mechanism and speed changing actuator, and CATIA model is drawn to explain the component parts and working principle of W-CVT. Equations for its theoretical transmission ratio are derived based on schematic diagram. Theoretical analyses including force and kinematic analyses are carried out to evaluate the mechanical property and kinematic feasibility of W-CVT. Based on theoretical analyses, equations for its transmission ratio calculation are modified. Additionally, influences of elastic sliding coefficient and friction coefficient on transmission ratio are discussed. Finally, transmission efficiency of W-CVT is analyzed considering elastic sliding losses and geometrical sliding losses.