How a stepless variator works

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

In this article we will consider such a topic as a stepless variator. Let us briefly describe the principle of its operation, the main differences, advantages and disadvantages. But first of all, you should pay attention to the history of the origin of this entire system, to understand where this transmission came from in the automotive industry, and who mainly uses it.

A little history lesson

The starting patent for a stepless variator, which, in fact, was the first in the world, appeared in 1886. The principle of its operation was extremely simple: the drive function in this transmission was performed by a leather belt, which was clamped between two pulleys. An interesting fact is that such a patent was developed back in the Renaissance by the famous creator Leonardo da Vinci. However, people were able to put it into practice only a few centuries later. Progress did not stand still, and soon the stepless variator began to function with the help of a rubber belt. The first car that worked on a similarprinciple, was the "Volvo 360", released in the late 80s. And after another decade, stacked steel belts began to be used in the continuously variable transmission.

Transmission principle

Now let's look at how this very stepless variator functions. Feedback from car owners with a similar control system suggests that it has something in common with an automatic transmission. However, speaking from the point of view of mechanics, only the word “automatic” is common in these two systems. This means that the driver does not manually change high-speed gears, while this task is performed by the car's electronics and its hydraulics. This principle of operation can be compared with a bicycle. In it, gears connected by a chain begin to rotate faster at the time when you start to pedal harder. In the interior of the car itself, the stepless variator is no different from an ordinary "automatic". It has a selector with PNRD indicators, and there are two pedals under the steering wheel - gas and brake. However, on the machine, all gears that are switched depending on the characteristics of the motor start from 1st and end at 6th. In this case, the number of gears that turn on by themselves is almost infinite.

Advantages and features of this transmission

When you are in the cabin of a car equipped with a continuously variable transmission, a feeling of drive, jerks, which are possible inwhile driving disappears. You feel only smooth movement in the first place because the minimum details are involved in the process of activation of motor processes. Only two blocks of pulleys that are inside the box rotate, and a belt stretched between them. By the way, the last part automatically changes its position depending on the speed of the car.

A stepless variator can be installed on many modern machines. Toyota, Nissan, Volvo are some of the brands, among which you can choose models with just such an economical and comfortable control system.