The variator is a small, metal component that acts as the driving force between your car’s engine and its transmission. It changes gears by spinning slightly faster or slower than other components in order to keep them matched up with each other.
This device was first introduced by Gottlieb Daimler in 1897. The variator’s original purpose was to make it much easier for cars to drive up hills without stalling.
The Variator is sort of like the human heart, which maintains a steady beat by pumping out slightly more or less blood as necessary. The variator performs a similar function, but instead of pumping blood, it regulates transmission speed.
The variator operates on a set of weights suspended by springs. When the variator is spinning too slow, centrifugal force pushes the weight outward and speeds up transmission gear ratios. Similarly, when the car is going too fast for a lower gear ratio, centripetal force pushes the weights in and slows transmission down to the correct speed.
This makes your car much less likely to stall, and also means you can make a smooth transition from higher gears to lower gears without pressing on the gas or brakes.
The variator is a very useful device, given that it takes a lot of pressure off the engine and lets it run at a more efficient RPM. It also allows drivers to make smooth gear changes without worrying about downshifting and speeding up again.
The variator has since been improved by the invention of the torque converter, which is why you don’t see these components on modern cars all that often. You can get an idea for how this device works by watching the video below.
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