INFINITELY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS, CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS, METHODS, ASSEMBLIES, SUBASSEMBLIES, AND COMPONENTS THEREFOR

• US 20170284520A1
• Filed: 06/16/2017
• Published: 10/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lohr, Charles B., Stevenson, Gregory G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,634,224 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/40 in which two members co-operative by means of balls, or rollers of uniform effective diameter, not mounted on shafts
• 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: F16H 15/52 in which a member of uniform effective diameter mounted on a shaft may co-operate with different parts of another member
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/664 Friction gearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20018 Transmission control

Abstract

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously and infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a variator is adapted to receive a control system that cooperates with a shift nut to actuate a ratio change in an IVT. In another embodiment, a neutral lock-out mechanism is adapted to cooperate with the variator to, among other things, disengage an output shaft from a variator. Various inventive mechanical couplings, such as an output engagement mechanism, are provided to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT for maintaining a powered zero operating condition. In one embodiment, the output engagement mechanism selectively couples an output member of the variator to a ratio adjuster of the variator. Embodiments of a ratio adjuster cooperate with other components of the IVT to support operation and/or functionality of the IVT. Among other things, user control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled to an output shaft, comprising:

receiving, from a command system, an indication of a desired transmission output speed of the IVT, wherein the desired transmission output speed is a zero output speed;

sensing an output speed; and

actuating a ratio adjuster to change a transmission ratio to adjust a non zero output speed to the zero output speed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the IVT comprises a control interface mechanism coupled to the ratio adjuster and a control linkage.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the command system comprises an automated command system coupled to the control linkage.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the command system comprises a semi-automated command system coupled to the control linkage.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising a user control interface coupled to the control linkage, wherein receiving an indication of a desired transmission output speed comprises receiving an input from a user.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the command system comprises an automated command system.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the command system comprises a semi-automated command system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing the output speed comprises using a mechanical coupling.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the mechanical coupling comprises the ratio adjuster comprising an output feedback rod coupled to a shift rod driver.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein sensing an output speed comprises sensing a position of the ratio adjuster of the IVT.