THE WORD ON THE STREET

by Mike Souza
members.atra.com

J
atco has been making CVTs to a stop. Jatco refers to this new, CVT There’s also a CVT7 JF020E
since the early 1990s. The list of clutch-and-planetary stepped design model made for small (not mini) cars,
makes and models throughout as an “auxiliary gearbox” (figure 1). with the auxiliary gearbox (another
the world that use a Jatco CVT would The Jatco designation is JF015E power glide), just like the JF015E.
take up at least four magazine pages. (CVT7 platform); also referred to as These CVT7 model Jatco CVTs apply
We’ll mainly be discussing Nissan Xtronic CVT. the lockup torque converter clutch as
vehicles in this article, since they seem
to be the most common on the ATRA
HotLine.
The RE0F06A (those are zeros;
not the letter O on all models) is one
of the earliest and largest design
CVTs, with a 5.5:1 ratio. It appeared
in Nissans starting as early as 1991 in
some countries. The latest design —
RE0F11A — is the smallest model,
and is used in mini or small vehicles.
Most Jatco CVTs are similar
in design, with differences in size
and some internal components. I
call the RE0F11A the Nissan/Jatco
CVT “Power Glide,” because it has a
Ravigneaux planet assembly, giving
it a two-speed, 7.5:1 ratio capability,
using two forward clutches, a low
brake, a high forward clutch, and a
reverse brake clutch.
It normally shifts from low to high
gear at about 27 MPH (43.4 km/h) in
drive, during takeoff and after coming Figure 1

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 Figure 2

low as 12 MPH (19.3 km/h), which is The major changes with the One thing that’s quite different
often mistaken for a shift. RE0F10D/E/H/J models are that the about this latest design CVT7 platform
For now, other Jatco CVTs ratio control (stepper) motor was — designated RE0F11A (JF015E) or
have only one forward and one eliminated and they have a wider ratio FICJB in Mitsubishi — is that the
reverse clutch, including the new of 7:1, compared to the RE0F10A/B, pulley assemblies, or variators, are
CVT8 (platform) models, such as which has a 6.1:1 ratio. Other changes located above the area of the case that
the JF016/17E. These models are are the use of a chain instead of a belt holds oil (figure 3). This was to provide
referred to as the RE0F10D/E/H/J in on some vehicles with larger engines, less frictional drag and to help prevent
Nissan applications. such as the RE0F10E/H/J and hybrid aeration of the fluid.
In our latest findings, the CVT8 models JF018/19E. In the earlier Jatco CVT designs,
is similar to the RE0F10A/B platform Over time, these CVTs went from such as the RE0F10/09/08A-B/06A,
(JF011E; figure 2). This includes large and heavy with lower ratios to the pulleys are lower, in area of the
hybrid models, such as the JF018/19E. small and light with higher ratios, case that holds oil. Even in the latest
So far we haven’t seen any U.S.- to save space in the newer, more fuel model RE0F10D/E/H/J CVTs, the
manufactured Nissan hybrid vehicles efficient vehicles. pulleys are lower.
with this new Jatco hybrid CVT.

Figure 3

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 The Jatco CVT “Power Glide”

Jatco refers to this new CVT clutch-and-planetary design

as an “auxiliary gearbox.”

There are major dif-

ferences in the way some
of the electronics work on
several models, which we’ll
cover at another time. We’ll
compare the differences in
pulley designs at the ATRA
Powertrain Expo in the
Paris Hotel in Las Vegas on
October 27-30.
Let’s look at what
makes up the auxiliary
gearbox; after all, this
article is about the Jatco
CVT “Power Glide”:
The clutches are
located over the secondary
pulley; in other Jatco
models they’re located
over the primary pulley.
With the front case section
removed, you can see the
clutch assemblies (figures 4
and 5).

Figure 4

Figure 5

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 The Jatco CVT “Power Glide”

Figure 6

The diagram (figure 6) shows the In reverse, the reverse brake clutch
layout of the components and how the will hold the high clutch drum with
auxiliary gearbox works: From takeoff the ring gear installed at the top of the Keep up with Mike Souza
until about 11-12 MPH, the low sun drum, at a 1.7:1 ratio. as he compares
gear is held stationary by the low brake So there you have it: a Jatco CVT
clutch at a 4:1 ratio. “Power Glide.” Even though you can’t the differences in pulley designs
The high clutch receives oil feel the shift or ratio change when of the Jatco CVT
between the sealing rings, above and in drive, you can feel the shift (step)
below the pinion/park gear, which is during manual shifting in the Sport at this year's
splined to the high clutch drum. mode in some models. ATRA Powertrain Expo
The high clutch drum is splined
to the Ravigneaux planet assembly, at the Paris Hotel
which is driven by the secondary in Las Vegas.
pulley. In high gear, the ratio can be as
high as 0.55:1.
For more information visit
powertrainexpo.com

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BorgWarner August 2016.indd 1 7/25/16 12:26 PM