Nissan and Jatco developing innovative continuously variable transmission
By Andrew C., 27 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
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Nissan and transmissions builder JATCO have jointly come up with a new continuously variable transmission that features a wider ratio spread than any previous example of the type. Offering better fuel efficiency, Nissan/JATCO have expanded the maximum spread from low to high at 7.3:1, compared to a range of 6:1 in the past. Since this is a friction belt type CVT, expanding the ratio spread normally led to problems due to the physical limitations of bending the steel belt around the pulleys. However, the duo has developed a novel solution that essentially creates a hybrid transmission. It's not a transmission that passes electrical and mechanical power. Rather it's a combination belt CVT and conventional geared transmission. A small auxiliary gear-set is added to the CVT to provide an extra range to the ratios. In spite of the new hardware, the new unit is 10% shorter in length and 13% lighter. Nissan has yet to announce which vehicles will get the new unit.
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