Editing Continuously variable transmission (section)

== Applications ==
=== Passenger vehicles ===
{{See also|List of automobiles with continuously variable transmissions}}
[[File:Toyota Super CVT-i 01.JPG|thumb|upright|2000–present [[Toyota K CVT transmission|Toyota K CVT]]]]

In 1958, the Dutch [[DAF 600]] became the first mass-production car to use a CVT.<ref>{{cite web |title=When Did Cars Start Using the CVT Automatic? |url=https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/when-did-cars-start-using-cvt-automatic-263711 |website=autotrader.com |access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref> Its [[Variomatic]] transmission was used in several vehicles built by DAF and Volvo until the 1980s.<ref>{{cite book |title=20th Century Cars|author=Hilton Holloway, Martin Buckley|isbn=978-1-84222-835-7|year=2002|publisher=Carlton}}</ref>

In 1987, the ''ECVT'', the first electronically controlled steel-belted CVT, was introduced as an optional transmission on the [[Subaru Justy#First generation|Subaru Justy]],<ref name=Nikkei>{{cite journal | title = Fuji Heavy Industries to increase production of ECVT systems | location = Tokyo | date = 13 June 1987 | page = 12 | journal = [[Nihon Keizai Shimbun]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=What Is a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)? |url=https://www.edmunds.com/car-technology/cvt-enters-the-mainstream.html |website=edmunds.com |access-date=10 July 2020 |language=en-us |date=13 February 2001}}</ref> Production was limited to 500 units per month due to Van Doorne's limited production output. In June of that year, supplies increased to 3,000 per month, leading Subaru to make the CVT available in the [[Subaru Rex|Rex]] [[kei car]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Fuji Heavy Industries to increase production of ECVT systems|date=13 June 1987 |page=12|journal=[[Nihon Keizai Shimbun]]}}</ref> Subaru has also supplied its CVTs to other manufacturers (e.g., the 1992 [[Nissan Micra]] and [[Fiat Uno]] and [[Fiat Panda|Panda]]).<ref name=Poulton>{{cite book|last=Poulton|first=M.L.|title=Fuel Efficient Car Technology |publisher=Computational Mechanics Publications|year=1997|isbn=978-1-85312-447-1|page=69}}</ref> Also in 1987, [[Ford Fiesta (second generation)|second-generation Ford Fiesta]] and [[Fiat Uno#Diesel and Selecta models|first-generation Fiat Uno]] were introduced with steel-belted CVTs, which are called CTX and Unomatic in Ford and Fiat, respectively.

The 1996 [[Honda Civic (sixth generation)|sixth-generation Honda Civic]] introduced a pulley-based ''Honda Multi Matic'' (HMM) CVT which included a multi-plate clutch, not a [[torque converter]], to prevent [[idle creep]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://world.honda.com/automobile-technology/CVT/|title=Honda Worldwide – Technology Picture Book – CVT |website=honda.com |access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref>

Use of CVTs then spread in the following years to models including the 1998 [[Nissan Cube#First generation (1998–2002)|Nissan Cube]], 1999 [[Rover 200 / 25#Rover 25 (1999–2005)|Rover 25]] and 1999 [[Audi A6#C5 (Typ 4B, 1997–2004)|Audi A6]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Audi multitronic transmission |url=https://www.audiworld.com/news/99/multitronic/content.shtml |website=audiworld.com |access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref>

The 1999 [[Nissan Cedric#Tenth generation Y34|Nissan Cedric (Y34)]] used a toroidal CVT—unlike the pulley-based designs used by other manufacturers—marketed as the ''Nissan Extroid'', which incorporated a torque converter. Nissan then switched from toroidal to pulley-based CVTs in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/TECHNOLOGY/INTRODUCTION/DETAILS/CVT/|title=Nissan Technological Development Activities Overview: Xtronic Cvt |website=nissan-global.com |access-date=19 September 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905095935/http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/TECHNOLOGY/INTRODUCTION/DETAILS/CVT/ |archive-date=5 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The version of the CVT used with the [[Nissan VQ engine#VQ35DE|VQ35DE]] engine in the [[Nissan Altima#Fourth generation (L32; 2007)|fourth-generation Nissan Altima]] is claimed to be capable of transmitting higher torque loads than other belt CVTs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jatco.co.jp/ENGLISH/CVT/JF010E.html|publisher=Jatco|title=CVT|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204120037/http://www.jatco.co.jp/ENGLISH/CVT/JF010E.html |archive-date=4 December 2010}}</ref>

The 2019 [[Toyota Corolla (E210)]] is available with a CVT assisted by a physical "launch gear" alongside the CVT pulley. At speeds of up to {{convert|25|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}, the launch gear is used to increase acceleration and reduce stress on the CVT. Above this speed, the transmission switches over to the CVT.<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRtkPlKa8O8&t=3m8s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/TRtkPlKa8O8| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|via=YouTube |title=2019 Toyota Corolla Hatch: Top 5 Things You Need to Know! |quote=2019 Toyota Corolla Hatch: Top 5 Things You Need to Know!|access-date=29 December 2019 |date= 15 April 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Marketing terms for CVTs include "Lineartronic" ([[Subaru]]), "Xtronic" ([[Jatco]], [[Nissan]], [[Renault]]), [[INVECS#INVECS-III|INVECS-III]] ([[Mitsubishi Motors|Mitsubishi]]), [[Multitronic]] ([[Volkswagen]], [[Audi]]), "Autotronic" ([[Mercedes-Benz]]) and "IVT" ([[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]], [[Kia]]).

=== Racing cars ===
In the United States, [[Formula 500]] [[Open-wheel car|open-wheel]] [[Auto racing|racing cars]] have used CVTs since the early 1970s. CVTs were [[Formula One regulations|prohibited from Formula One]] in 1994 (along with several other electronic systems and driving aids) due to concerns over escalating [[research and development]] costs and maintaining a specific level of driver involvement with the vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|author=Keith Collantine|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/05/03/banned-continuously-variable-transmission-cvt/|title=Banned! Continuously Variable Transmission|website=F1fanatic.co.uk|date=3 May 2007|access-date=17 June 2011}}</ref>

=== Small vehicles ===
Many small vehicles—such as [[snowmobile]]s, [[golf cart]]s, and [[Scooter (motorcycle)|motor scooters]]—use CVTs, typically of the pulley variety. CVTs in these vehicles often use a rubber belt with a non-stretching fixed circumference manufactured using various highly durable and flexible materials, due to the mechanical simplicity and ease of use outweighing their comparative inefficiency. Some motor scooters include a [[centrifugal clutch]], to assist when idling or manually reversing the scooter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scootnfast.com/scooter/Tuning_mods/Transmission.htm |title=use of clutch with CVT |website=scootnfast.com |access-date=6 January 2012}}</ref>

The 1974 [[Rokon (motorcycle manufacturer)#RT340 TCR Automatic/CVT|Rokon RT340 TCR Automatic]] off-road motorcycle was fitted with a snowmobile CVT. The first [[All-terrain vehicle|ATV]] equipped with a CVT was the [[Polaris Inc.|Polaris]] Trail Boss in 1985.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

=== Farm and earthmoving equipment ===
[[Combine harvester]]s used variable belt drives as early as the 1950s. Many small [[tractor]]s and self-propelled [[Lawn mower|mowers]] for home and garden use simple rubber belt CVTs. Hydrostatic CVTs are more common on the larger units.{{such as|date=July 2020}} In mowing or harvesting operations, the CVT allows the forward speed of the equipment to be adjusted independently of the engine speed; this allows the operator to slow or accelerate as needed to accommodate variations in the thickness of the crop.

Hydrostatic CVTs are used in small- to medium-sized agricultural and earthmoving equipment. Since the engines in these machines are typically run at constant power output (to provide hydraulic power or to power machinery), losses in mechanical efficiency are offset by enhanced operational efficiency. For example, in earthmoving equipment, the forward-reverse shuttle times are reduced. The speed and power output of the CVT is used to control the travel speed and sometimes steering of the equipment. In the latter case, the required speed differential to steer the equipment can be supplied by independent CVTs, allowing the steering to be accomplished without several drawbacks associated with other skid steer methods (such as braking losses or loss of tractive effort).

The 1965 [[Wheel Horse]] 875 and 1075 garden tractors were the first such vehicles to be fitted with a hydrostatic CVT. The design used a variable-displacement swash-plate pump and fixed-displacement gear-type hydraulic motor combined into a single compact package. Reverse ratios were achieved by reversing the flow of the pump through over-centering of the swashplate. Acceleration was limited and smoothed through the use of pressure accumulator and relief valves located between the pump and motor, to prevent the sudden changes in speed possible with direct hydraulic coupling. Subsequent versions included fixed swash plate motors and ball pumps.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

The 1996 ''Fendt Vario 926'' was the first heavy-duty tractor to be equipped with a IVT transmission. It is not the same thing as a hydrostatic CVT. Over 100,000 tractors have been produced with this transmission.<ref name="Fendt History">{{cite web|title=Fendt History|url=http://www.fendt.com/us/history.asp|access-date=26 October 2012|website=fendt.com}}</ref>

=== Power generation systems ===
CVTs have been used in aircraft electrical power generation systems since the 1950s.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

CVTs with flywheels are used{{citation needed |date=July 2020 |reason=Please provide examples where this is used.}} as a [[Governor (device)|speed governor]] between an engine (e.g. a wind turbine) and the [[electric generator]]. When the engine is producing sufficient power, the generator is connected directly to the CVT which serves to regulate the engine's speed. When the power output is too low, the generator is disconnected, and the energy is stored in the flywheel. It is only when the speed of the flywheel is sufficient that the kinetic energy is converted into electricity, intermittently, at the speed required by the generator.

=== Other uses ===
Some [[Drill|drill presses]] and [[Milling (machining)|milling machines]] contain a simple belt-drive CVT system to control the speed of the spindle, including the Jet models J-A5816 and J-A5818.<ref>{{cite web |title=Operating Instructions and Parts Manual 15-inch Variable Speed Drill Press Models: J-A3816, J-A5816, J- A5818 |url=https://content.jettools.com/assets/manuals/354500_man_EN.pdf |website=jettools.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In this system, the effective diameter of only the output shaft pulleys is continuously variable. The input pulley connected to the motor is usually fixed in diameter (or sometimes with discrete steps to allow a selection of speed ranges). The operator adjusts the speed of the drill by using a hand wheel that controls the width of the gap between the pulley halves. A [[tensioner]] pulley is implemented in the belt transmission to take up or release the slack in the belt as the speed is altered.

[[Winch]]es and [[Hoist (device)|hoists]] are also an application of CVTs, especially for those adapting the transmission ratio to the resistant torque.

[[Bicycle]]s with CVT gearing have had limited commercial success, with one example providing a range of gearing equivalent to an eight-speed shifter.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Here's Proof That Commuter Bikes Don't Have to Suck |url=https://www.wired.com/story/priority-continuum-onyx-city-bike/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=8 July 2020}}</ref> The bicycle's short gearing assisted when cycling uphill, but the CVT was noted to significantly increase the weight of the bicycle.<ref>{{cite web |title=How A Bike With Infinite Gears Changed The Way I Commute |url=https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2017/02/how-a-bike-with-infinite-gears-changed-the-way-i-commute/ |website=gizmodo.com.au |access-date=12 July 2020 |language=en-AU |date=5 February 2017}}</ref>

The rise of the [[electric bicycle]] has brought a reappraisal of the CVT as a better solution for an optimal drive train set up in comparison to gearing systems historically applied on human powered bicycles.<ref name="Chiara Contò">{{cite journal |last1=Contò and Bianchi |first1=Chiara and Nicola |title=E-Bike Motor Drive: A Review of Configurations and Capabilities |journal=Energies |date=23 December 2022 |volume=16 |issue=1 |page=160 |doi=10.3390/en16010160 |doi-access=free |hdl=11577/3521993 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Richard Peace">{{cite web |last1=Peace |first1=Richard |title=Guide To E-Bike Gearing Systems |url=https://electricbikereport.com/electric-bike-gear-systems-explained/ |website=Electric Bike Report |date=15 July 2022 |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref> The handsfree and continuously stepless operation combined with low maintenance make the CVT an appealing solution for the use on city eBikes and by [[commuting|commuters]].<ref name="Piancastelli">{{cite journal |last1=Piancastelli, Frizziero and Donnici |title=Study and optimzation of an innovative CVT concept for bikes |journal=ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences |date=August 2014 |volume=9 |issue=8 |pages=1289–1296 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290840714 |access-date=12 April 2024 |publisher=Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN). |issn=1819-6608}}</ref>