Drivetrain Help

[Paul Copioli]

In reply to Andy's post. The CVT you used will actually work quite nice, but you have to add a lot of grease/oil (too much, in my opinion) in order to get the efficiency up ... it is a very good idea. The variable speed transmission 217 will use this year (if the additional parts list allows it) is base on a dual motor planetary gear system. Picture this ... the output from the drill motor transmission is the sun gear for another planetary stage. We use the fisher price motor to rotate the ring gear (as opposed to being fixed), which yields many gear ratios at a constant drill motor speed. The trick is to match the torque curves between the fisher price and the drill motor, because the fisher price hase to be able to react with the torque being produced by the drill motor. The reaction torque relationship is HIGHLY dependant upon the speed relationship between the ring gear and the planet gears and I have spent most of my time figuring out ways to predict the relationship. I have the drive 75% completed and should have results before X-mas holiday. I know this is a confusing post, but I am trying not to give too much away and at the same time trying to explain how the transmission works.

-Paul