What's the equation for optimum roller weight if you know the RPM for max power?
It is not a simple equation as much as it is something that you can calculate. The centrifugal force is -mass * angular speed^2 * radius. Angular speed is 2 * pi * revolutions per second (that is what is important as we know what the desired rpm is).
This force has to be slightly higher than the spring force (plus friction) to compress the spring and therefor gear up.
Since the spring force is the spring constant multiplied by distance of compression, we will need to know the spring constant. Test this by placing the spring on a scale weight and compressing it while you note the force it applies and how much you have compressed it to find out what the number that the distance is multiplyed by to find the force. Remember to calculate from kg on the scale weight to newton for use in the calcuations.
So the equation is -m*(2*pi*f)^2=k*s+Ffriction
when m is the total mass of all rollers, f are the frequency (rps), k are the spring constant, s are the distance (should be negative because the force is in the opposite direction than the force that the rollers press against the variator with) and Ffriction are the force of friction.
This means that the mass of each roller is m=-(k*s+Ffriction)/(6*(2*pi*f)^2)
The only thing we do not know is the friction, but since friction is normal force multiplied by the friction coefficient, µ, and the normal force on the rollers are equal to the spring force, the only thing we do not know is the friction coefficient of the rollers against the variator, but this can be measured by dragging a roller of known weight across a surface similar to the variator.
Then the equation for a single roller weight is
m=-(k*s+2*k*s*µ)/(6*(2*pi*f)^2)
And this is without the friction of upgearing the belt or other things in the CVT that changes when upgearing.
As i said, it can be done and calculated, but it is way more effective to just buy a bunch of rollers a little lighter and a little heavier and trying it out on a piece of road going ½g down or up each time and timing the accelleration.
But anyway, the forces in the CVT at the vario are made axial when the rollers try to pry the variator from the back plate and are transfered by the belt to the back pulleys where it is still axial.
The weight of the rider has only 2 impacts on the vehicle: Friction between road and tire and bringing up the total mass of the vehicle, requiring more energy to get up the speed.
LoveMyKymco, i have been told before that weight has an effect on roller weights, but have not found a single reason to why it should affect the axial forces in the CVT when the only force it applies is increased friction between tire and road, but if you can shed light on what effect the weight will have on the CVT, i would love to be educated.
Edit: Found a flaw in the equation, since i forgot that the rollers are being pressed with the same amount of force on both sides, so the friction is double.