Hi All,
I am curious about the CVT in the Prius. Looking at the engine/motor/generator/transmission/axle cross section in the TMC Special Report on the THS II, it looks like the coupling from the power split device to the axle is either a belt or chain drive. In a van Doorne transmission the pulleys change in diameter to cause the variable transmission ratio. I believe most other cars that have a CVT have this configuration.
From the cross section the Prius does not have look to have the variable pulleys. Since first reading about the THS system I have wondered if the power split device had enough RPM range so that the variable pulley system could be eliminated. Does anybody know how that connection from the power split device to the axle is configured?
Thanks, Don...
I am curious about the CVT in the Prius. Looking at the engine/motor/generator/transmission/axle cross section in the TMC Special Report on the THS II, it looks like the coupling from the power split device to the axle is either a belt or chain drive. In a van Doorne transmission the pulleys change in diameter to cause the variable transmission ratio. I believe most other cars that have a CVT have this configuration.
From the cross section the Prius does not have look to have the variable pulleys. Since first reading about the THS system I have wondered if the power split device had enough RPM range so that the variable pulley system could be eliminated. Does anybody know how that connection from the power split device to the axle is configured?
Thanks, Don...