Increase of Traction Coefficient due to Surface Microtexture

Increasing the traction coefficient of a traction drive system is a key factor in obtaining a smaller, lighter unit and also greater torque capacity. This study focused on the microtexture of the rolling elements, and effect of microtexture was examined with the aim of improving the traction coefficient in the viscous region. Three textures—dimple, transverse, and longitudinal—were examined using a 4-roller tester that enabled tests to be conducted under high pressure and high rolling speed. As a result, it was found that the longitudinal surface texture is the best for improving the traction coefficient. The results obtained with EHL analysis showed that only the surface texture with longitudinal grooves increased the traction coefficient, just as in the tests conducted with the 4-roller tester. The longitudinal surface texture was optimized using the 4-roller tester. The test results made it clear that the groove depth, groove pitch, and also the radius of curvature of the convex portion of the rolling elements are important parameters of the longitudinal grooves for improving the traction coefficient while assuring high durability at the same time. An attempt was then made to increase the traction coefficient of an actual CVT variator by applying the optimized longitudinally grooved microtexture to the traction surfaces. The test results show that the traction coefficient can be increased without sacrificing durability by optimizing the surface microtexture.