I've conceived of a pretty good IVT concept. It's efficient, and have no torque limits. Recently I've been trying to finalize the design. It's about 10% to 15% more efficient than a hydro.
To get any wide ratio coverage would ultimately require the system to be large and require many parts.
The problem can be drammatically reduced if I "divide" the overall ratio coverage into 3 "zones". Going from each zone to the next will require a clutch/disengagement. But within the same zone, it can shift continuously however you want.
If you compare it to a 6 speed manual, the first "zone" of the CVT can continuously shift between the ratios similar to that of 1 st gear and 2nd gear. Then, the second part of the CVT will span between the 3rd gear to 4th, then the last part will go from 5th to 6th.
You see, the IVT can shift continously between the same "zone", like from 6th to 5th, or from 4th to 3rd. But to go from one part to the next will require a clutch. So instead of a single big IVT that get all the ratio coverage, imagine my system as 3 separate "mini" IVTs that spans the overall ratio range in 3 "zones".
I wonder if this is a major drawback?
under what circumstances?
The way I see it, it still has advantage over current IVTs/hydro in that it can handle any torque and is more efficient.
It still has advantage over current manual/auto gearboxs in that it requires less shift and can improve acceleration/fuel consumption.
But the fact that it is separated into 3 different zones, and requires some kind of clutch if you go from one zone to the next still makes less than perfect. Of course, as long as the required ratio change falls within the same zone, it doesn't require a clutch. But if it needs to shifting into a ratio outside of a zone, it will require a clutching mechanism.
By the way, it also doesn't have to shift continuously. Because there is a clutch, it can also "simulate" a manual if a fast shift is required. What I'm saying is if you suddenly need to go into a different gear, and that gear falls outside of the zone, it can go directly to that new gear ratio like a manual via the clutch. It doesn't have to shift continuously within the old zone first, then clutch, then shift continuously in the new zone again. It can "jump" directly to any where any time, which is obvious since with the clutch you disengage it from the engine.
I wonder if it can help with any tractor applications?
Thanks a lot.
To get any wide ratio coverage would ultimately require the system to be large and require many parts.
The problem can be drammatically reduced if I "divide" the overall ratio coverage into 3 "zones". Going from each zone to the next will require a clutch/disengagement. But within the same zone, it can shift continuously however you want.
If you compare it to a 6 speed manual, the first "zone" of the CVT can continuously shift between the ratios similar to that of 1 st gear and 2nd gear. Then, the second part of the CVT will span between the 3rd gear to 4th, then the last part will go from 5th to 6th.
You see, the IVT can shift continously between the same "zone", like from 6th to 5th, or from 4th to 3rd. But to go from one part to the next will require a clutch. So instead of a single big IVT that get all the ratio coverage, imagine my system as 3 separate "mini" IVTs that spans the overall ratio range in 3 "zones".
I wonder if this is a major drawback?
under what circumstances?
The way I see it, it still has advantage over current IVTs/hydro in that it can handle any torque and is more efficient.
It still has advantage over current manual/auto gearboxs in that it requires less shift and can improve acceleration/fuel consumption.
But the fact that it is separated into 3 different zones, and requires some kind of clutch if you go from one zone to the next still makes less than perfect. Of course, as long as the required ratio change falls within the same zone, it doesn't require a clutch. But if it needs to shifting into a ratio outside of a zone, it will require a clutching mechanism.
By the way, it also doesn't have to shift continuously. Because there is a clutch, it can also "simulate" a manual if a fast shift is required. What I'm saying is if you suddenly need to go into a different gear, and that gear falls outside of the zone, it can go directly to that new gear ratio like a manual via the clutch. It doesn't have to shift continuously within the old zone first, then clutch, then shift continuously in the new zone again. It can "jump" directly to any where any time, which is obvious since with the clutch you disengage it from the engine.
I wonder if it can help with any tractor applications?
Thanks a lot.
