CVT Drive Pulley Cam Coupling for Low-Noise Torque Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional CVT transmission systems in motorcycles often suffer from significant noise issues when adapting to varying torque demands, limiting their ability to quickly respond to driver requests for more or less torque.

Innovation Solution

A CVT transmission device featuring a drive pulley with a movable and fixed bushing system, utilizing a cam profile with a shape coupling mechanism that minimizes noise by ensuring precise contact between the bushings, allowing for smooth torque adjustments and reduced noise through the absence of lubrication and oil seals, enabling more sporty behavior and efficient gear shifting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional CVT transmission systems are used, then the gear ratio can be varied continuously, but significant noise occurs when adapting to varying torque demands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque adaptation capabilityVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the bushing configuration adjustable rather than fixed. The transmission system can dynamically switch between a movable bushing configuration (for sporty behavior and quick torque adaptation) and a fixed bushing configuration (for reduced noise and comfort). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt its characteristics based on operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between torque adaptation capability and noise generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the structural parameter of the bushing system from fixed to adjustable/movable. By varying the position and configuration of the bushings, the system can modify its mechanical characteristics to either prioritize noise reduction or prioritize responsive torque adaptation, thereby resolving the technical contradiction between these two opposing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the bushing configuration is made movable for sporty behavior, then torque adaptation becomes more responsive, but noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque response speedVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic bushing configuration that can switch between movable and fixed states. When sporty behavior is desired, the movable configuration enables faster torque response. When noise reduction is prioritized, the fixed configuration suppresses noise. This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize performance based on real-time requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission system can periodically or conditionally switch between different bushing configurations based on operating conditions. This periodic reconfiguration allows the system to alternate between high-response modes (movable bushings) and low-noise modes (fixed bushings), effectively managing the trade-off between torque response speed and noise generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a fixed bushing system is used, then noise is reduced, but the ability to quickly adapt to torque demands is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelVSAvoidtorque demand adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than using a purely fixed bushing system, the patent employs an adjustable system that can operate in both fixed and movable configurations. The fixed configuration provides noise reduction, while the movable configuration enables rapid torque adaptation. This dynamic dual-mode system resolves the contradiction by allowing the user to select the appropriate configuration for each operating condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution significantly reduces noise and enhances the CVT's ability to adapt to torque demands, providing a more responsive and reliable transmission system with improved operating reliability and compact design.

Implementation Method 1

A CVT transmission device featuring a drive pulley with a movable and fixed bushing system, utilizing a cam profile with a shape coupling mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

The rollers create centrifugal masses which push the first half-pulley 8, and in particular the movable bushing 9, towards the second half-pulley 10 as the number of engine revolutions increases.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3721120B1Continuous variation transmission device with adjustment device
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 PIAGGIO & C SPA
  • EP3721120B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3721120B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3721120B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A continuous variation transmission device (1) for a motorcycle with two/three/four- wheels comprises a drive pulley (4) provided with a movable bushing (9), a fixed bushing (11) and a cam system (95,111;97,113) between the fixed bushing (11) and the movable bushing (9). The cam system has a driven cam portion (95) of the movable bushing (9) and a drive cam portion (111) of the fixed bushing (11). The driven cam portion (95) comprises at least one recess (99) and the drive cam portion (111) comprises at least one tooth (115) or vice versa. The recess (99) and the tooth (115) have respective sides (99a, 99b; 115a, 115b) which form a shape coupling with each other to guide the relative movement between said movable bushing (9) and said fixed bushing (11).