Development of Electro-Mechanical Actuation System for Continuously Variable Transmissions in Automotive Applications

Abstract

Developing and eventually producing an efficient and environmentally friendly transmissiontechnology for passenger cars has always been a major challenge for transmission manufacturers andcarmakers, with many different ideas to be considered, studied and tested comprehensively.Continuously variable transmission (CVT) with electro-mechanical actuation system is an innovativeidea that has been studied in recent years by many researchers from renowned research institutionswith collaboration from relevant companies as a possible solution for an efficient, practical andenvironmentally friendly automotive transmission. In this paper, a new concept of electro-mechanicalactuation system for CVTs is introduced. Firstly, the basic idea of electro-hydro-mechanical actuationsystem, which is normally used in existing CVTs, is reviewed briefly. Consequently, the workingprinciple together with the fundamental design of the proposed new concept of electro-mechanicalactuation system for CVTs is also described. Lastly, potential benefits that can be gained through thisnew concept are discussed.