| |
What is Fallbrook Technologies
Inc.? |
| |
Fallbrook Technologies Inc. (Fallbrook)
is a technology development
company headquartered in San Diego, California with engineering, operations, and customer-support in Cedar Park, outside of Austin, Texas. The Company's core
technology is its traction based, NuVinci® transmission
–
a continuously variable planetary (CVP) drive ideally suited
for applications in virtually any mechanical device that has
a transmission or requires speed variation.
|
| |
What is the NuVinci CVP? |
| |
The NuVinci
CVP is a continuously variable and broadly applicable technology,
with applications for almost any product using mechanical
power transmission. NuVinci
technology combines the advantages of a toroidal traction
continuously variable transmission (CVT) with the advantages
of a time-proven planetary gear arrangement. The NuVinci
CVP is the only continuously variable transmission
that has a planetary gearset's advantages of high torque density,
versatility of use, inline shafts, and low production cost.
As a result, NuVinci technology is the only technology potentially capable of replacing
the planetary gear transmission – in every application
– as virtually a plug-and-play replacement.
|
| |
Why is the technology named NuVinci? |
| |
The name represents a “tip of the hat” to Leonardo da Vinci who, over 500 years ago, sketched what is considered to be the first documented continuously variable transmission.
|
| |
How does the NuVinci CVP work? |
| |
The NuVinci transmission uses a set of rotating balls between the input and output components of a transmission that tilt and vary the output speed of the transmission. Tilting the balls changes their contact diameters with the discs, which varies speed. As a result, the NuVinci CVP improves acceleration, performance and powertrain efficiency over conventional transmissions. It is far simpler, permits more stable control, is better packaged, provides more scalability across product lines, and is less expensive to manufacture and assemble than traditional CVTs.
|
| |
CVTs have been around
for a long time. Why have they not become commonplace? |
| |
The use of CVTs has not become
widespread due to multiple problems including scalability
challenges, questionable reliability and durability, high
cost, and other factors. Despite some obvious drawbacks, some
manufacturers such as Ford, Nissan, Honda, and Audi have implemented
limited production with old CVT technology because the market
need was so great. However, with the development of the NuVinci
CVP, the technical roadblocks now have been eliminated – clearing the way for a wide range of CVP applications
for which markets are ready and waiting.
|
| |
How is the NuVinci
CVP different from conventional transmissions? |
| |
The NuVinci
CVP offers a wide range of advantages over conventional
transmissions. These advantages include: |
| |
Less complexity
Greater powertrain system efficiency
Greater acceleration and optimum performance
Easier shifting
Ability to accept multiple inputs while varying speed
and managing torque
Multiple power outlets such as for a power take off (PTO) application
Easier to package and potentially lighter
Easier and less costly to manufacture
Greater scalability and potential to reuse tooling
Improved hill-climbing
|
| |
There are four widely accepted
alternative approaches to CVT technology: |
| |
|
Toroidal |
|
| |
|
The NuVinci CVP, comparatively,
offers better torque capacity and simpler
control, and is more easily packaged for inclusion in a given
application due to its concentric input and output shafts. It is also much more
effective to scale across a vehicle range because of its modular
nature, and is more durable because of its greater number of
traction contacts. |
|
| |
|
Push Belt |
|
| |
|
The NuVinci CVP is simpler in design,
more scalable, easier to control, allows for inline shifts, and is less expensive to manufacture.
It also does not have the ultimate torque capacity limitations
of the push belt and is expected to be more durable. |
|
| |
|
Hydromechanical |
|
| |
|
The NuVinci CVP is much easier to
manufacture, easier to control, is lighter, more scalable,
inherently quieter, and easier to maintain. |
|
| |
|
Chain |
|
| |
|
The NuVinci CVP has greater torque
capacity, allows for inline shafts, is lighter, more scalable,
inherently quieter, and less expensive to manufacture and
maintain. |
|
| |
Where can I obtain a transmission utilizing NuVinci technology? |
| |
NuVinci-equipped bicycles are currently available from the following OEMs:
|
|
| |
|
Batavus B.V.
www.batavus.com |
|
| |
|
Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles
www.ellsworthbikes.com |
|
| |
|
Hercules
www.hercules-bikes.de |
|
| |
|
Simpel.ch
www.simpel.ch |
|
| |
|
NuVinci bicycle aftermarket kits are available to bicycle
retailers from the following distributors: |
|
| |
|
|
Seattle Bike Supply www.seattlebikesupply.com
Quality Bike Products www.qbp.com
Consumers may order / purchase a NuVinci CVP drivetrain and controller as a kit by itself or pre-laced in a replacement wheel from local bicycle retailers. Ask for NuVinci. |
|
| |
|
Other applications using NuVinci technology are
currently in development.
For more information please contact info@fallbrooktech.com or register for updates specific to your interests. |
|
| |
What markets have the
greatest potential for NuVinci technology?
|
| |
While the NuVinci CVP
has application potential in virtually any mechanical product
that has a transmission, Fallbrook has initially identified
seven major industries for licensing of NuVinci technology: |
| |
Bicycles
Light electric vehicles (LEVs)
Automobiles
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
Low speed vehicles (lawn tractors and golf carts)
Agricultural equipment
Wind energy
|
| Top |
|
