Design and construction aspects of a zero inertia CVT for passenger cars

This paper concentrates on the design and construction aspects of a transmission for a mid-class passenger car with internal combustion engine. The transmission, consisting of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with a Van Doorne V-belt, a planetary gear set and a compact steel flywheel is used to prove the concept of mechanical torque assist. The design goal is to obtain a proof of concept transmission with maximal efficiency, using proven transmission technology. With the developed so-called Zero Inertia CVT, the fuel economy of the car is improved by operating the engine at its fuel optimal operating line. To achieve a good vehicle acceleration response, the flywheel assists the powertrain mechanically. Low-cost transmission technology is used to upgrade the CVT design (gears, bearings and a steel rotor). The test results, regarding the functionality and the efficiency of the transmission, will be available in due time.