A Study on the Torque Capacity of Belt CVTs for 2.0-Liter and 3.5-Liter Front-Drive Cars

An actual-size belt box tester was used to measure the slip characteristics of 2.0-liter and 3.5-liter class CVTs under a condition of their lowest pulley ratio. The measured results were then used to calculate and compare the element-pulley friction characteristics of both CVTs and the active arc of the element compressive force generated on their primary pulley. A 3-D finite element model, capable of analyzing the 3-D dynamic behavior of the belt and pulleys and stress, was applied to compare the band tensile force and element PV values of the two CVTs. As a result, it was found that the 3.5-liter class CVT has approximately the same percentage of torque capacity allowance and strength limits as the 2.0-liter class unit.