NuVinci Continuously Variable Transmission

NuVinci internal mechanisms

Tilting ball variator schematic

The NuVinci Continuously Variable Transmission is a type of roller-based continuously variable transmission (CVT) manufactured and marketed by the American company Fallbrook Technologies Inc. The design saw its initial market application as bicycle gearing system, first available in December 2006 in the Netherlands. NuVinci CVTs are also currently under development for other applications, including wind turbines, light electric vehicles, outdoor power equipment, and automotive front-end accessory drives.

History

Mechanical variators have existed since the 1800s, and they have been used successfully in machinery, particularly the Kopp tilting ball variator. Various attempts have been made to implement them in vehicle transmissions, but commercial success has been elusive.^[1]

Technical

The NuVinci CVT gear system uses a set of rotating and tilting balls positioned between the input and output discs of a transmission. Tilting the balls changes their contact diameters and varies the speed ratio.^[2][3] As a result, the NuVinci CVT system offers seamless and continuous transition to any ratio within its range. The gear ratio is shifted by tilting the axes of the spheres in a continuous fashion, to provide different contact radii, which in turn drive input and output discs. The system has multiple "planets" to transfer torque through multiple fluid patches. The spheres are placed in a circular array around a central idler (sun) and contact separate input and output traction disks. This configuration allows input and output to be concentric and compact. The result is the ability to sweep the transmission through the entire ratio range smoothly, while in motion, under load, or stopped.

Two factors allow the NuVinci CVT to provide a continuously variable ratio range in a compact package:

1. The first is the geometric configuration of the drive, which is based on differing contact ratio of a sphere. Contacting a rotating sphere at two different locations relative to the sphere’s rotational axis will provide a “gear ratio”, which can range from underdrive to overdrive depending on the location of the contact points for input and output torque and speed.^[2]
2. The second factor is elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL).^[4] Transmissions that use EHL to transfer power are known as traction drives. A traction drive transmission operates utilizing a traction fluid that, under normal circumstances, provides lubrication for the drive. When this fluid undergoes high contact pressures under rolling contact between the two very hard elements, the spheres and the disks, the fluid undergoes a near-instantaneous phase change to an elastic solid. Within this patch of traction the molecules of the fluid stack up and link to form a solid, through which shear force and thus torque can be transferred. Note that the rolling elements are actually not in physical contact.^[2]

Comparison to Conventional Transmissions

The NuVinci CVT system has few parts.^[2][5]

Since any CVT may allow a power plant, human or motorized, to operate at (or closer to) the speed at which its efficiency, output torque or output power is optimal, the NuVinci CVT may improve a system's overall efficiency or performance compared to if a 'conventional' geared transmission were used, but only if such gain in the efficiency or performance of the power plant exceeded any loss in efficiency or performance that may be introduced by replacing the conventional transmission with the NuVinci CVT. For example, if the NuVinci CVT were only 85% as efficient as the conventional transmission it replaced, the gain in operating efficiency from the power plant would have to be 18% (i.e., 1/0.85 - 1 = 0.18 or 18%) before the overall efficiency improved.

The NuVinci CVT further offers the ability to accept multiple inputs while varying speed and ratio, managing torque and providing single or multiple power outlets. By supporting a torque-demand rather than a speed-demand control solution, the NuVinci CVT solves the low-speed acceleration problem inherent in some torque-demand vehicles.^[2]

The NuVinci CVT is simple design and low part count make it easily scalable, with tooling that can be used across a wide variety of applications.

Comparison to other CVTs

The NuVinci uses rolling traction to transfer torque, just as do toroidal transmissions. However, unlike toroidal CVTs, it distributes the transmitted torque over several spheres, thus lowering total clamping force required.

This arrangement allows the NuVinci CVT to combine the smooth, continuous power transfer of a CVT with the utility of a conventional planetary gear drive.

As with other traction-type CVTs, transmission of torque through the NuVinci CVT involves some relative sliding between the torque-transmitting contact patches.^[6] This is because, for any given contact patch, parts of the ball are going in a slightly different direction and at slightly different speeds than the disc (this phenomenon of traction-type CVTs is referred to as "contact spin"). "The spin velocity (or drill speed) is defined as the difference in the rotational speed of the driving and driven rollers in a direction perpendicular to the contact patch plane. It is caused by the relative difference in surface speeds of both elements across the contact patch and is a major source of power loss in traction drive CVT’s."^[7] In all traction-type CVTs, this relative sliding necessarily occurs between surfaces which are under the very high clamping pressures required to ensure torques are transmitted reliably. This relative sliding under high pressures cause transmission losses (inefficiency). Fallbrook Technology refuse to publish any efficiency data for the NuVinci CVT.^[8][9] However, The NuVinci is a variant on the "Tilting-ball drive" type of continuously-variable transmission (CVT), and the efficiency of "Tilting-ball drive" type CVTs is typically in the range of 70% to 89%. ^[10]

Such inefficiencies could be significantly greater than the gains in overall system efficiencies that Fallbrook Technology claim are possible with the NuVinci CVT.^{[citation needed]}

Torque inputs can be summed or divided, just as in a conventional planetary.^{[clarification needed]} Ratio control is stable, and can be actuated down the center line of the transmission, which again is similar to the proven planetary transmission. In most applications, there is no need for high-pressure hydraulics.

Other advantages shared with similar CVT designs include that the input and output shafts may be either in-line, offset, or in a U configuration (input and output both coaxial and coplanar), making the transmission simple, small, light and easy to package.

Fallbrook claims the transmission control is stable, linear and does not require a major control system development effort.

Applications

The NuVinci CVT may be applicable to many different products using a mechanical power transmission. The current application currently commercialized:

The 8 pound NuVinci rear hub.

• Internally geared bicycle hub. The NuVinci CVT replaces derailleurs and other internally-geared hubs, and provides a gear ratio range of about 350%, similar to that on bicycles with 8 or 9-speed hub gears, or with double chain rings (most racing or fast road bicycles).^[11] This range is somewhat less than the 526% range found on bicycles with a Rohloff 14-speed hub gear or most mountain/hybrid/touring bicycles with triple chainrings. By conventional standards, a NuVinci bicycle hub is considered heavy. The second generation model N171B weighs between 3.85 and 3.95 kilograms (8.5 and 8.7 lb), including freewheel and mounting hardware.^[12] The N360 model announced early September 2010 weighs 2.45 kg (5.4 lb).^[13] That same article points out that "the combined weight of Shimano SLX front and rear derailleurs, shifters, freehub and cassette comes out to about 1.3 kg (2.9 lb)". However, the NuVinci CVT is targeted towards the less weight-conscientious (cruiser-, comfort-, and commuter) segments.

Awards and publicity

The system and associated bicycles have been the recipients of several awards. These include a 2007 R&D 100 Awards, a 2007 Popular Science Best of What’s New, 2007 Technology of the Year and Bike of the Year in The Netherlands, and an iF Design EUROBIKE Gold 2008 Award.

Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles, a manufacturer of bicycle frames and wheels designed a bicycle around the Nuvinci CVT. In 2007, The Ride received top honors in Popular Science magazine’s annual Best of What’s New review of significant new products.^[14]

Financials

The company has raised approximately $95 million since 2000,^[15] and achieved sales of $2.3 million in 2008^[16] and $871 000 in the first nine months of 2009.^[16]

See also

• Continuously Variable Transmission
• Variator

References

1. ^ Tom Shelley (13/08/2003). "Variators improved with power". Eureka, the site for engineering design. http://www.eurekamagazine.co.uk/article/2307/Variators-improved-with-power.aspx. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Frank Markus (September 2006). "The NuVinci Code". Motor Trend. http://www.fallbrooktech.com/MTRP-060900-TECH.pdf. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 
3. ^ "NuVinci® Overview". http://www.fallbrooktech.com/Nuvinci.asp. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 
4. ^ B.O. Jacobson (1991). Rheology and Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication. Elsevier. 
5. ^ "NuVinci® Technology Demonstration". http://www.fallbrooktech.com/02_Demo.asp. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 
6. ^ Jeremy Carter. "The Turbo Trac Traction Drive CVT (04CVT-38)". Southwest Research Institute. http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/dept/pse/resources/cvt04/papers/04CVT-38.pdf. Retrieved 2011-07-29. 
7. ^ Jeremy Carter. "The Turbo Trac Traction Drive CVT (04CVT-38)". Southwest Research Institute. http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/dept/pse/resources/cvt04/papers/04CVT-38.pdf. Retrieved 2011-07-29. 
8. ^ Rich Wood and Jornole. "NuVinci N171 and N360". Hubstripping.com. http://hubstripping.wordpress.com/atc-nuvinci/. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 
9. ^ NuVinci Support. "NuVinci® Forum". http://nuvinci.informe.com/forum/post1138.html?start=0. Retrieved 2011-07-28. "In regards to the efficiency loss, that is not information that we publish to the public. Unfortunately, you will not be able to find that information anywhere." 
10. ^ Mechanisms & Mechanical Devices Sourcebook. McGraw-Hill. December 11, 2006. pp. 343–344. 
11. ^ "NuVinci® Range and Gear Inch Comparison". http://www.fallbrooktech.com/Docs/GearInch_32011.pdf. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 
12. ^ "Fallbrook Technologies". Fallbrooktech.com. http://www.fallbrooktech.com/08_Bike_Specs.asp. Retrieved 2009-12-05. 
13. ^ Ben Coxworth (September 1, 2010). "NuVinci Releases N360 Transmission". gizmag.com. http://www.gizmag.com/nuvinci-releases-n360-transmission/16213. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 
14. ^ "The Infinitely Geared Bike". Popular Science. 2007. http://www.popsci.com/popsci/flat/bown/2007/recreation/item_98.html. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 
15. ^ Bruce V. Bigelow (12/7/10). "IPO Still Awaits as Fallbrook Raises $39M". Xconomy, Inc.. http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2010/12/07/ipo-still-awaits-as-fallbrook-raises-39m. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 
16. ^ ^{a b} Bruce V. Bigelow (2/16/10). "Fallbrook Technologies Files for $50M IPO". Xconomy, Inc.. http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2010/02/16/fallbrook-technologies-files-for-50m-ipo. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 

External links

• Fallbrook technology NuVinci Official site

reviews

• Fallbrook, San Diego Union-Tribune, May 27, 2005
• review, Bicycling Magazine, October 2007
• Industry News, Bicycle Retailer, November 12, 2007
• Industry News, Bicycle Retailer, February 12, 2008
• [1], CNC Machining, Issue 40, Spring 2008
• PDF, Autotech Daily, April 29, 2009
• review, Wired Magazine, April 2009
• Design Product News, June/July 2007
• review, Inventor's Digest, July 2009
• review, Popular Mechanics, August 2009
• Hydro Gear licenses Fallbrook's technology, Xconomy.com, August 31, 2009