Application Study of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) on a Prototype of Formula SAE

The use of automatic transmissions currently is associated with softness and comfort while driving, and almost never during races. Despite the many benefits that its application can provide, there is still in the auto racing field a fear of the implementation of this system. Many sport steering fans prefer the manual, sequential or semi-automatic transmissions, because of the fact that in automotive competitions, it is the driver who sets the best time to change the gear. However, the use of Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) does not only keep the engine always at its best power range, but also eliminates waste of time between gear changes, which can theoretically ensure more uniform and efficient acceleration. In this work, we studied the application of a continuously variable transmission in the Formula CEFAST team's prototype at the Federal Center of Technological Education of Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG) in Belo Horizonte. Initially, it was developed a project of a Toroidal CVT for an application without major changes in ES-08 prototype (2014), defining its ratio range. It was developed a routine using the Simulink^® software to evaluate and compare the performance with and without the CVT system in one of the tests during the competition: the acceleration testing, which objective consists in perform the lowest time in a 75 meters straight circuit. The results showed that the use of CVT in the prototype has reduced the time in the test, what could have given the team a higher score. The benefits can be extended to any other test of the competition.