Continuously variable transmission

摘要

By defining the contact ratio obtained by dividing the lateral width of a saddle surface of metal elements (32) of a metal belt for a continuously variable transmission by the lateral width of a metal ring (31), the transmission capacity and durability of the metal belt can be enhanced. By gradually increasing the width of the metal ring (31) in a state in which the lateral inner edges of the metal ring (31) are in contact with the neck parts (38) of the metal elements (32) so as to gradually decrease the contact ratio, accompanying it the percentage change in the power transmission capacity gradually increases from the negative side and changes positive at a predetermined contact ratio. Therefore, by setting the contact ratio at the percentage change at which the transmission capacity changes from negative to positive as the upper limit of the contact ratio (92%), the percentage change in transmission capacity can be prevented from becoming negative thus preventing the transmission capacity and the durability of the metal rings from being degraded. The lower limit of the contact ratio (85%) is set at a value at which the lateral edges of the metal rings are not in contact with both the neck parts of the metal elements and the V-faces of the pulleys, when taking into consideration a misalignment between the pulleys. <IMAGE>