A model was developed to study the elastohydrodynamics and contact mechanics of toroidal Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) type contacts. The aim is to predict the fatigue life, traction and efficiency of such contacts with the intention of making optimizations based on design criteria and constraints. A generalized Reynolds equation was developed for isothermal, transient lubrication of elliptical rough contacts with mixed rolling, two-dimensional sliding, and spinning conditions, incorporating any non-Newtonian model, roughness asperity isothermal elastoplastic interactions, and a three-dimensional subsurface stress analysis. The output is in the form of film thickness and traction maps, including contact efficiency, three-dimensional stress fields, and, finally, the predicted fatigue lives of CVT contacts, based on the Ioannides-Harris life model. A parametric study reveals the effect of surface roughness, lubricant bulk temperature, contact ellipticity ratio, slide-roll ratio, and contact load on the fatigue life, traction and contact efficiency of CVTs, and allows for design optimizations based on a compromise between life, traction and efficiency.
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October 2002
Technical Papers
Fatigue Life and Traction Modeling of Continuously Variable Transmissions
George K. Nikas, Research Associate
George K. Nikas, Research Associate
Tribology Section, Mechanical Engineering Department, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2BX, England
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George K. Nikas, Research Associate
Tribology Section, Mechanical Engineering Department, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2BX, England
Contributed by the Tribology Division for publication in the ASME JOURNAL OF TRIBOLOGY. Manuscript received by the Tribology Division December 11, 2001; revised manuscript received April 16, 2002. Associate Editor: L. Chang.
J. Tribol. Oct 2002, 124(4): 689-698 (10 pages)
Published Online: September 24, 2002
Article history
Received:
December 11, 2001
Revised:
April 16, 2002
Online:
September 24, 2002
Citation
Nikas, G. K. (September 24, 2002). "Fatigue Life and Traction Modeling of Continuously Variable Transmissions ." ASME. J. Tribol. October 2002; 124(4): 689–698. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1491976
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