Macroslip detection and clamping force control for a metal V-belt continuously variable transmission

In this paper, a macroslip detection method is proposed for a metal V-belt continuously variable transmission, and a clamping force control strategy is suggested on the basis of a macroslip detection method. Using the rotational accelerations of the primary and secondary pulleys, the velocity of the secondary pulley and the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission variator, observation signals are defined. The characteristics of the observation signals are investigated by simulations in a vehicle-driving environment. It is found that two observation signals became unsynchronized when macroslip occurs. Considering the oscillations of the acceleration signal and the noise from the sensors or the differentiating process, a signal-processing method for the observation signals is suggested. Based on the signal-processing results, a variable called the 'amplitude difference rate' is introduced for slip evaluation. A macroslip detection method that uses the amplitude difference rate is proposed. The effectiveness of the macroslip detection method is validated by experiments. It is found from the experiments that the proposed method can effectively detect macroslip with an acceptable time delay. In addition, a clamping force control strategy based on the macroslip detection method is developed. In this strategy, the clamping force is maintained at a minimum value with a safety factor of 1 in normal driving conditions but an additional clamping force is applied when macroslip is detected. It is found from the simulation results that macroslip is eliminated by clamping force control. It is expected that the efficiency of the continuously variable transmission system can be improved by reducing the marginal clamping force using the proposed macroslip detection method and the clamping force control strategy.