CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION

• US 20080200300A1
• Filed: 08/20/2007
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Enviolo BV
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Thomassy, Fernand A., Pohl, Brad P., Simister, Matthew P., Armstrong, Oronde J., Nichols, Jon M., Smithson, Robert A., Dawe, Daniel J., Lohr, Charles B., Miller, Donald C., Poth, Wesley R.
• Application Number:
  US11/842,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20080200300A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 476/42
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 23/00 Transmissions characterised by use of other elements; Other transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/00 Transmissions characterised by use of an endless chain, belt, or the like cycle chain guards B62J13/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/28 with external friction surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/50 Gearings providing a continuous range of gear ratios
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/503 in which two members co-operate by means of balls or rollers of uniform effective diameter, not mounted on shafts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49462 Gear making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49464 Assembling of gear into force transmitting device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49467 Gear shaping
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed.

Claims

1. An axle-ball combination for a ball-leg assembly of a continuously variable transmission (“

CVT”

), the axle-ball combination comprising;

a ball adapted to transmit torque and axial loads between an input disc and an output disc of the CVT, the ball having a central bore through a diameter of the ball; and

an axle comprising;

an elongated, generally cylindrical first portion that fits in the central bore and extends beyond the diameter of the ball on each side of the central bore; and

generally elongated and cylindrical second and third portions on each end of the first portion of the axle, wherein the second and third portions have diameters that are smaller than a diameter of the first portion.

2. The axle-ball combination of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a middle portion having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the rest of the first portion.

11. The axle-ball combination of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third portions are integral and form one solid piece.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

12. An axle-ball combination for a ball-leg assembly of a continuously variable transmission (“

CVT”

), the axle-ball combination comprising;

means for the transmission of torque and axial loads between an input disc and an output disc of the CVT;

means for coupling the axle-ball combination to the ball-leg assembly; and

means for interfacing the axle with the ball.

13. The axle-ball combination of claim 12, wherein the means for interfacing comprises a bearing.

16. The axle-ball combination of claim 12, wherein the means for interfacing uses a bushing.

17. The axle-ball combination of claim 12, wherein the means for coupling couples into a chamfered bore.

18. The axle-ball combination of claim 12, wherein the means for interfacing comprises a babbitt lining.

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. A method of manufacturing an axle-ball combination for a ball-leg assembly of a continuously variable transmission (“

CVT”

), the method comprising;

adapting a ball to transmit torque and axial loads between an input disc and an output disc of the CVT, the ball having a central bore through a diameter of the ball; and

manufacturing an axle, comprising the further steps of;

forming an elongated, generally cylindrical first portion that fits in the central bore and extends beyond the diameter of the ball on each side of the central bore; and

forming a generally elongated and cylindrical second and third portions on each end of the first portion of the axle, wherein the second and third portions have diameters that are smaller than a diameter of the first portion.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first portion comprises a middle portion having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the rest of the first portion.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of placing a bearing between the axle and the ball.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of placing a babbitt lining between the axle and the ball.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein the first, second, and third portions are integral and form one solid piece.

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

29. A method of improving the durability of an axle-ball combination for a ball-leg assembly of a continuously variable transmission (“

CVT”

), the method comprising;

adapting a ball to transmit torque and axial loads between an input disc and an output disc of the CVT, the ball having a central bore through a diameter of the ball;

adapting an axle to provide support for ball; and

providing an alignment component located between the axle and the ball;

whereby the alignment component reduces strain waves distributed through the ball during operation.

5. The axle-ball combination of claim 31, further comprising a radial bearing between the axle and ball.

6. The axle-ball combination of claim 5, further comprising a spacer to separate the bearing from a leg of the ball-leg assembly.

8. The axle-ball combination of claim 31, further comprising a babbitt lining between the axle and the ball.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the alignment component comprises caged needle rollers.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the alignment component comprises bearings.

32. The method of claim 29, the method further comprising means for coupling the axle-ball combination to the ball-leg assembly.