A transmission controller comprises an actuator which changes a roller position of a toroidal CVT to adjust the tilt motion angle of a power roller; a tilt motion angle information generation unit which generates information of the tilt motion angle; a position estimation unit which derives an estimated value of the roller position; and a position control unit which derives an operation command value of the actuator so that a deviation between a command value of the roller position and the estimated value of the roller position is cancelled. The position estimation unit is configured to derive the estimated value based on the information of the tilt motion angle which is generated by the tilt motion angle information generation unit, and the operation command value, and to compensate the estimated value based on an environment parameter which affects an operation of the power roller.

A continuously variable transmission control system for a rolling vehicle includes an electrically controlled device electrically connected to a transmission driving unit connected to a belt-driven continuously variable transmission or a ball-driven continuously variable transmission. The belt-driven continuously variable transmission includes a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is movably fitted in the driving wheel and the driven wheel. The ball-driven continuously variable transmission includes a transmission frame, transmission units, an annular driving unit, two oblique support units, a power-input rotor and a power-output rotor. Therefore, the continuously variable transmission control system for a rolling vehicle uses the electrically controlled device and the continuously variable transmission to enhance efficiency of transmission.

Provided herein is a vehicle including a continuously variable planetary (CVP), wherein the CVP is a ball-type variator assembly having an input traction ring assembly, an output traction ring assembly, and an idler assembly in contact with a plurality of balls, wherein each ball of the plurality of balls has a tiltable axis of rotation; and a controller configured to control a CVP speed ratio and apply a kinematic ratio constraint and a speed-based ratio constraint to a commanded CVP speed ratio near operation at unity speed ratio.

Provided herein is a control system for a multiple-mode continuously variable transmission having a ball planetary variator. The control system has a transmission control module configured to receive a plurality of electronic input signals, and to determine a mode of operation from a plurality of control ranges based at least in part on the plurality of electronic input signals. The transmission control module includes a CVP control module and a clutch control module. The transmission control module is configured to control the variator and the clutches during a canceled power on upshift, a canceled power on downshift, and a transitional shift based on a driver's command.

Provided herein is a computer-implemented system for a ball-planetary variator (CVP) having a plurality of tiltable balls supported in a carrier, the computer-implemented system including: a digital processing device including an operating system configured to perform executable instructions and a memory device; a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device and including a shift actuator controller configured to control a plurality of operating conditions of the CVP; and a plurality of sensors configured to monitor the operating conditions of the CVP including: a CVP speed ratio setpoint and an input torque to the CVP. The shift actuator controller includes an actuator force model configured to provide a shift force setpoint based on the CVP speed ratio set point and the input torque to the CVP and commands a change in a carrier position of the CVP based at least in part on the shift force setpoint.

An electronic controller for a variable ratio transmission and an electronically controllable variable ratio transmission including a variator or other CVT are described herein. The electronic controller can be configured to receive input signals indicative of parameters associated with an engine coupled to the transmission. The electronic controller can also receive one or more control inputs. The electronic controller can determine an active range and an active variator mode based on the input signals and control inputs. The electronic controller can control a final drive ratio of the variable ratio transmission by controlling one or more electronic solenoids that control the ratios of one or more portions of the variable ratio transmission.

A speed ratio containment process limits the speed ratio of a variator for a CVT for a motor vehicle when rolling backward by commanding a speed ratio that is higher than the actual speed ratio in an overdrive direction. Accordingly, the actual speed ratio moves to a lowest limit, which provides maximum torque when a driver of the motor vehicle steps on the accelerator pedal to resume forward motion of the motor vehicle.

Provided herein is a method and control system for a multiple-mode continuously variable transmission having a ball planetary variator. The control system has a transmission control module configured to receive a plurality of electronic input signals, and to determine a mode of operation from a plurality of control ranges based at least in part on the plurality of electronic input signals. The transmission control module includes a CVP control module. In some embodiments, the transmission control module is adapted to include an engine braking control process. The engine braking control process is configured to adjust the variator corresponding to an engine braking request.

Methods of controlling a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) are described. The CVT has a group of spherical power adjusters. Each power adjuster has a tiltable axis of rotation. The methods may include optimizing a vehicle having a drive motor and a continuously variable transmission. The CVT has a plurality of spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a tiltable axis of rotation. The methods may include optimizing a drive system having a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission.

Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV) having a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. A control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also possible. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example.