CVT from LEGO with explanation, most simple LEGO CVT

Continuous variable transmission gear made of LEGO parts. Step by step from idea to real working CVT. Used in simple roundabout. This is most simple CVT made of LEGO parts. No slipping machine, high friction. Educational video to explain principles of CVT, how it works. The original idea of ball based CVT was invented by Leonardo Da Vinci and simmilar design from lego bricks was presented by Lego Technic Mastery channel. But there was no explanation of basic principles of this awesome mechanism.

[@DaxtonAnderson]

A new easily broken CVT??? * *Nissan wants to know your location* *

[@xethlorien4736]

I learned of this about 6 months after I bought a sentra... i'm hoping i get lucky

[@DaxtonAnderson]

@@xethlorien4736 Just don't ever floor it, ideally keep it under 4000rpm while accelerating, EVERY time you get an oil change get them to check your trans oil. If you've got a U-Pull near you I'd go get a spare transmission and keep it in the garage for the day you need it. Mechanics love to rip off Nissan owners knowing they're desperate, going in with a spare trans will save you hundreds if not thousands.

[@absolarix]

@@DaxtonAnderson This is some pretty good advice right here.

[@camouflagecamaro99]

@@xethlorien4736 iirc there is a big class action lawsuit against nissan and their cvt's you should see if you're eligible for compensation

[@Dazdigo]

The NuVinci Bicycle CVT video shows the same concept. I am surprised this version of CVT isn't being more used in vehicles since I can see it being more reliable than the belt version.

[@wasuuu]

Why isn't this video more popular? This is really high quality stuff

[@ferdoreznik]

I am new on youtube and I have only few subscribers.

[@Jesus_Christ_loves_you_alot]

Exactly!

[@castortoutnu]

Probably fewer people in the world than you think are actively looking for Lego CVT transmission designs.

[@enchantedspider8842]

@@ferdoreznik dont worry, you just got +1 in my person, and im sure many more will follow

[@dancho0012]

@@ferdoreznik keep it up and you'll blow pretty soon

[@UmUs]

I love the fact that there are no limits for what we can make with legos

[@vincentrobinette1507]

It truly is amazing, what we, as adults, can learn from playing with "kid's toys".

[@anandareisya2396]

Can make child?

[@OswaldoRodriguez]

The real question remaining "is the red ball a Lego part ? " (Ok, I admit I'm interested in testing it)

[@AlbertoDsign]

@@OswaldoRodriguez Yes, it is! Lego technic ball! www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=32474#T=C

[@andreungerer3531]

Lego stays Lego.

[@kosztaz87]

I have had a Nuvinci CVT bike hub for years now, and this is the first time I actually understand how it works. I knew it had balls and they somehow manipulated the transmission, but I needed to see this vid to finally put things together in my brain. Thank you so much for this highly educational video!

[@Ed.R]

I have NuVinci hubs on my bikes to, in fact I'm rather obsessed with them. This video is a rather good representation of how one works.

[@DaxtonAnderson]

1:31 here you see what a Manual CVT would look like, if a company ever made such a thing. A lever in the cab controlling the gear ratio!

[@rossbrumby1957]

You can get that in a rear hub for pushbikes, called the Nuvinci cvt. Has a twist grip for ratio changes and you can change ratios under full load or stationary without any issue unlike derailleur gears.

[@michaelbuckers]

@@rossbrumby1957 Unlike chain & derailer system it also seriously suffers from efficiency loss, and when you're the one providing power even small loss is a big deal. It's why nobody actually uses anything other than chain & derailers, which are upwards of 99% efficient.

[@Ed.R]

@@michaelbuckers I've used NuVinci hubs on my bikes for 8 years now, efficiency is perfectly acceptable. The CVT in this video works exactly like a NuVinci hub except it has only one ball or planet instead of 6.

[@jpsalis]

@@Ed.R there are also planetary gear systems that can be built into the hubs. Some axle-driven and belt-driven bikes are able to get away with unique designs that chain bikes can't as well

[@MAXQ14]

The Fendt vario transmission for tractors can also be used manually, but that's a hydro-mechanical transmission.

[@BeyondtheBrick]

Great video! Can we showcase some of your work on our Facebook page with credit to you?

[@ferdoreznik]

Yeah, of course but so far not so many videos. I will add more in near future.

[@petterikippo9863]

@@o_o-fk7ym and lego technic mastery got the idea from a NuVinci cvt. So making a lego version of a real life thing is plagiarism, but only if someone has done it in lego before. And you really expect that this new guy just happened to see that OVER THREE YEAR OLD video from a 50k sub channel, and plagiarise it? And even if he did, his design is quite distinct from it, like the second ball.

[@SaperPl1]

I wish you've asked me such questions xD

[@SaperPl1]

@@o_o-fk7ym It's a CVT and the video is about explaining how this kind of CV works and how to build it. I don't think he stated anywhere that this is his own creation and that he designed it/invented it and so on. He did a pretty good job explaining how it works, albeit I'd add the rotation axis of the ball to those explanations, and I'd probably make the connection between ball pivot points differently, but that explanation is his content and it's showing off a CVT implementation that probably ton of people could come out on their own without watching LTM video first.

[@MathiasA1000]

Looks very much like the nuvinci n360 gearbox I have on my bicycle

[@MVGEN36]

It took a brilliant mind to figure that out - Jeremy clarkson

[@rizalardiansyah4486]

This is actually incredible!

[@helmutdergroe9457]

No its shit

[@tekbox7909]

@@helmutdergroe9457 why?

[@helmutdergroe9457]

@@tekbox7909 balls are gay

[@jacobtallman8424]

@@helmutdergroe9457 was JnjjjAA I ha

[@Svengrustaben]

@@helmutdergroe9457 lmao

[@LouieFromPikmin]

I didn't know CVTs existed until now, but now I totally understand them! This is so cool!

[@augmentedjustin835]

Yup. A lot of modern cars use CVTs

[@zerodegrees8]

avoid buying a vehicle with a cvt, they were designed to save on weight and parts which also came with a cost of higher failure rates.

[@jpsalis]

@@zerodegrees8 not necessarily, it depends on the design. The principle itself leads to a really smooth driving experience, and like you've mentioned already, there are less moving parts

[@HerbaMachina]

@@zerodegrees8 cvts are great when they're built properly.

[@haxl2200]

most CVTs work using a v belt between 2 variable pulleys so they can use centifugal forces to adjust the speed rather than a manual lever

[@umtpz]

Really would like to see how it performs when force is applied to it. Like on a car. Great design, also can be controlled by a servo

[@Gin-toki]

It have been used for a real life car, so I'm guessing it works rather well under load. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_variable_transmission#Toroidal

[@trevorgray3681]

Cvt tranission in an rc car would be awesome

[@jonborno8550]

It doesn't work that well.. You still have some problem with slip, which reduces the efficency of the transmission.. There is a bike hub which incoporates the same principle (nuvinci) - go check that one out!

[@Nevir202]

@@Gin-toki CVTs in cars are NOTHING like this. Most common design uses belts and adjustable cones.

[@Gin-toki]

@@Nevir202 This particular design with discs and balls, have been used in cars before. Check out the link I provided :)

[@jodiac]

This is incredible! It’s so much simpler and smaller than all other Lego cvt’s ive seen before

[@drumkommandr9779]

This is actually a wonderful transmission for low rpm engines, like steam; it's interesting that you used a variable flywheel for it.

[@turtleb01]

This is the best CVT design I have seen. It looks really efficient and probably could handle a good amount of torque with the right materials.

[@adithyanaik8497]

hey can you please check my question in the recent comments and be explain why.. thank you

[@you900001]

Never seen a cvt like this before, usally it's the belt and cone ones

[@kees7981]

insanely underrated😲

[@Eternon2000]

Awesome explanation as well as demonstration. When i first saw this kind of CVT i didn´t understand it but the way you showed the mechanism it is now clear.

[@tylerlassa9628]

You need to make the CVT Foley automatic by adding a differential on the input shaft with a linkage connecting it to the control rod of the CVT so when there’s more load it all down shift and use a rubber bands to apply tension towards the high-speed side of the lever. Also put a small lever on the rubber band to add more and less tension for high speed gear and low speed gear!!!

[@cl4589]

That mechanism is so clever... You're a genius my man!

[@ferdoreznik]

Not me. Its old mechanism. I just improved it a bit to be really usable. Thank you.

[@cl4589]

@@ferdoreznik oh thank you for you comment. I never seen that mechanism before and this video was really interesting. Thank you!

[@adissentingopinion848]

Now that is truly mechanical skills.

[@hard2getitrightagain314]

Figures the only CVT designer to say "let's make it more robust" is building with Legos.

[@ruuman]

Thats the neatest cvt I've seen, very elegant.

[@fryncyaryorvjink2140]

That governor is a great way to show speed! Nice transmission too

[@shadowlord0162]

you explained it very well and it was easy to understand. its always nice to see that people still put effort into their videos.

[@JamesTDG]

I just wanted to watch gears work, but that explanation was pretty satisfactory...

[@allanploth6031]

This is by far one of the most useful and direct explanations I have found. Many thanks. Long live LEGO.

[@timhout2032]

Fun fact: they used to use a transmission in F1 that also had these *infinite positions* Wich gave them the possibility to run the engine at a static rpm that gave the most torque, but it got banned BCS it was hella overpowered and other teams didn't know how to implement it.

[@chewbubs3533]

F1 stunting development of vehicle technology? Totally unheard of

[@Alasswolf]

@@chewbubs3533 when typing "Do F1 cars have CVT transmission?" on google, you learn that it has been banned for balance between competitors

[@Neeba-q5x]

Really Cool!!! Never thought that changing ratio could done with such a simple ball!

[@Flare-nd]

this is the first mechanical mechanism that actually blew my mind. Subbed

[@herrnase4340]

This should be a LEGO set.. Id buy it in a heartbeat

[@Trades46]

It is a very cool CVT idea which Nissan (now rather infamous for its CVT gearboxes) tried this design in the Y34 Nissan Cedric in Japan back in the late 90s. Using two spherical "balls" to drive two cone shaped input-output shafts it was pretty cool at the time, but its low ratio spread (about 4.3) vs. the more conventional pulley & belt design (which can go up to 6 in Nissan's Xtronic CVT) and high cost meant this roller ball was not to be.

[@filipzemanek1942]

Nice

[@TheDARJAMRAN]

That is so clever, but so simple once broken down, amazing to see

[@Colorado-Coyote]

This is an amazing concept and I absolutely love it

[@bjarnivalur6330]

So simple, I'm surprised that I haven't seen something like it before.

[@pschweiz]

Wow! now I understand vario-transmissions. Thank you

[@ZenoFromTheElea]

Greate explaination and realisation. Good job!

[@chrissmith7669]

I love it. Not for high torque applications but absolutely brilliant for low torque.

[@rossbrumby1957]

They are very good in pushbikes to replace derailleur rear gears.

[@lt.frankdrebin3317]

Genius demonstration! Damn; at 46, I want LEGOs again!

[@justynadabrowski4626]

UR A FOKIN GENIUS

[@AHSEN.]

I had no idea CVTs even existed prior to this video, and I am very impressed. Great job. I appreciate how you're not using very rare parts, and most people can build this with stuff they have (I don't have the ball needed but still this design is great).

[@schlenbea]

I had no idea this concept was so straightforward! Thanks for describing how it works and amazing job on the build, as always!

[@corgraveland4874]

Fantastic idea, design and construction! Credits to you 👌

[@ferdoreznik]

Thank you 🙂

[@TOPSYKRETTSHERE]

couldnt work for a car or truck but definitely work of anything smaller. hell, this would shredd the rc community! still amazing to see new ideas

[@sevendesign1805]

First video where I hit both the like and subscribe button, at the same exact time, in a very long time.

[@nerdtm.5524]

This dude has all the best lego pieces.i would love to come over and tinker with him

[@henrylo6773]

The principle blew my mind. How are people so smart.

[@florian.42]

you are really a genius man even with my knowledge on the subject I would not have thought of that

[@sendcentral8424]

Wow I never would be able to do something like this.

[@lubricatedgoat]

The NuVinci, in Lego form. Nice. I have this transmission on my mountain bike (ebike actually).

[@antman2826]

That’s is actually really cool. Very clever. Very impressed.

[@jam4live99]

I love the usage of differential piece. Just swinging around.

[@marianosantopinto]

Nice work. Love to make transmissions work

[@tavernellomocs]

Amazing work! This was impossible for my mind...but with lego you can do EVERYTHING!!!

[@babygorilla4233]

love the title, here's the simplest version of a complicated thing. which is to say here's the best version of a complicated thing.

[@babygorilla4233]

I want to one day become a teacher. I'm a machinist by trade, you can make a lot of things make a lot of sense by having people make that stuff out of Lego. And come on what high schooler isn't signing up for advanced lego classes. it's budget friendly and you can really teach a lot with Lego, like this video was a better demo then most of my college life.

[@СингонияКубическая]

wow, this is the most interesting cvt idea i seen so far!

[@burgersnchips]

One of those "I can't believe I never thought of that" moments. Excellent work!

[@rhaydon]

Outstanding! Challenge: make an “infinitely” variable transmission next! I’d imagine it’d need planetary gears…

[@rossbrumby1957]

Cvt (continuously variable transmission) is the usual name for infinitely variable trans. This ball version reverses direction due to it's side by side layout as opposed to the Nuvinci bicycle hub version (there's demo videos out there to see) Planetary gears aren't infinitely variable, btw.

[@W0B0N]

Infinite gears to be exact.

[@W0B0N]

@@rossbrumby1957 M a t h

[@rhaydon]

Perhaps I’m wrong but I was under the impression that what makes an IVT “infinitely variable” is the fact that it can run at powered neutral AND in both directions. A CVT can range from low speed to high speed but an IVT can run backwards, forwards, and in powered neutral. For an IVT, either a planetary gear or some other kind of differential gear system is used so that two powered inputs feed into a single output. The difference between the two inputs gives the output; if the two inputs are equal and opposite, the output is zero. One of the inputs is typically a fixed ratio from the original power source whilst the other input is from the same power source but passed through a CVT. The CVT in the video here is certainly not “infinitely variable” by the above definition since it runs between slow and fast but doesn’t have a powered neutral nor can the output shaft run in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.

[@oadka]

Incredible! Never underestimate the power of lego!

[@BloodRose-75]

Man you could probably make some awesome twist and switch puzzles using that design

[@coniow]

Nicely explained :-). Got to say, Lego did NOT look like that when I was growing up! Wish it had!!

[@anthonycannet1305]

This is genius

[@RedVRCC]

This is really cool and I also learned how a CVT works today.

[@CRAZYCR1T1C]

That’s some ingenious engineering right there!

[@Vdub_]

So cool. A selectable ratio cvt.

[@tonysmith8379]

Educational and entertaining. Thank you.

[@jaygryska317]

This is fantastic!

[@Emperor_mtn_Dew]

When it clicked I thought "yup, that's awesome!"

[@vincentrobinette1507]

I saw a transmission using this principle for use on a bicycle. Interesting concept. Thanks for posting!

[@derpdays7067]

This is absolutely amazing

[@vkiperman]

That was awesome!

[@theonorrman7112]

Wow! I love the mechanics of physics... but i've never thought or heard of this! Cool video.

[@gormahek3535]

This is really amazing idea for cvt.

[@badhatharry4323]

well this was brilliantly explained!

[@orangejacket4551]

Interesting automata, I like it.

[@niko_hva]

Simple and brilliant idea

[@123dodo4]

Cheap, compact, and a complete alternative 👍👍👍

[@Ahmadnaweed786]

Wow! You just reinvented the wheel but in a much better way.

[@elliotburing87]

Very very VERY cool video, sir!

[@tyzerro]

I am glad I found you here before you channel blows completely up! You definitely deserve more than 2k subs. Can't wait to see the next video!

[@ferdoreznik]

Hi Tyler, Thank you. Next video will come very soon. I hope you will like it.

[@maxnickel9430]

Omg, thats amazing, car manufacturers could learn a lot from that

[@dabdoube92]

I'm not into lego and such. But I learned something through this vid. Thanks

[@ryanm.191]

That is... absolutely genius...

[@legolas7470]

That is so good!

[@__Mr.Long__]

Where did you get this idea? It's BRILLIANT! It could have applications in real world scenarios. I'd patent the living crap out of it if it were mine. CVTs are usually very complex and hard to make/maintain/fix. Imagine a world were a CVT was this simple at it's core. It could be the next manual!

[@rossbrumby1957]

They sell bicycle hubs with that system. Called Nuvinci cvt. Around $300 or so on ebay. They're great for hilly riding they say.

[@simonlenart6938]

Thanks for sharing this design its exactly what I was needing for a car im making

[@gjaeigjiajeg]

Wow this is brilliant. I've always thought CVTs were made from some cone shape design

[@thedefenestrator2994]

They are in automotive design, that’s a more robust system for the forces of a car and metal composition. Same basic principle of changing the ratio between the input and output by simply shifting the position of the control.

[@Alan_Hans__]

That is absolutely brilliant

[@jonny555ive]

I'm not sure why this came up on my feed. And I'm not sure when, if ever I'm going to need this information..... Now you know two things about me. Thumbs up for I don't know why.

[@kmemz]

I can't believe it took a lego video for me to understand how Enviolo CVT hubs work

[@macheeneraid230]

if only youtube will recommend a lot more kind of these stuff rather than cringy videos. a world will become a better place.

[@kaidwyer]

this makes more sense to me practically than the one with the belt and cones

[@zinussan50]

This is brilliant finding 💯💯💯👍

[@NewSocialistEraVideos]

Incredible...

[@lord_phoenix]

KZbin algorithm has blessed you today

[@thepuzzler2773]

Amazing

[@52Warlock]

Brilliant!

[@firstnamelastname3468]

This is really well done! If you could please document the final ratios, high and low. I got a patent for medical bed maneuverability device from something I first made in Lego. looks like a good mechanism simple and functional, kudos!

[@etaashmathamsetty7399]

tilting the ball was so big brain that my brain nearly exploded

[@andreashofmann7888]

Das ist wundervoll!!! Danke für diese Idee!!!