CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION
First Claim
1. A system for controlling skew in a ball planetary continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a plurality of traction planets distributed radially about a main axle defining a longitudinal axis, each traction planet rotatable about an axle defining a tiltable axis, a first traction ring and a second traction ring in contact with the traction planets, the plurality of traction planets interposed between the first traction ring and the second traction ring, and an idler assembly positioned radially inward of and in contact with each of the traction planets, the system comprising:
- a first stator having a plurality of radial guide slots for engaging a first end of each planet axle;
a second stator having a plurality of radially offset guide slots for engaging a second end of each planet axle, the plurality of radially offset slots formed at an angle relative to the plurality of radial guide slots; and
a timing plate having a plurality of helical grooves for further engagement with one of the first end or the second end of each planet axle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a stator plate configured to have a plurality of radially offset slots. Various inventive traction planet assemblies and stator plates can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the stator plate. In one embodiment, the stator plate is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a stator driver is operably coupled to the stator plate. Embodiments of a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A system for controlling skew in a ball planetary continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a plurality of traction planets distributed radially about a main axle defining a longitudinal axis, each traction planet rotatable about an axle defining a tiltable axis, a first traction ring and a second traction ring in contact with the traction planets, the plurality of traction planets interposed between the first traction ring and the second traction ring, and an idler assembly positioned radially inward of and in contact with each of the traction planets, the system comprising:
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a first stator having a plurality of radial guide slots for engaging a first end of each planet axle; a second stator having a plurality of radially offset guide slots for engaging a second end of each planet axle, the plurality of radially offset slots formed at an angle relative to the plurality of radial guide slots; and a timing plate having a plurality of helical grooves for further engagement with one of the first end or the second end of each planet axle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification