Automatic continuously variable positive mechanical transmission with adjustable centrifugal eccentric weights and method for actuating same
First Claim
1. An automatic continuously variable positive mechanical transmission comprising:
- a transmission case (64) supporting an input shaft (30), an output shaft (31) and defining a point of support (35,
48);
a positive kinematic link comprising a first planetary gear train (44) linking the input shaft to the output shaft, said positive kinematic link being at least partially supported by said point of support (35,
48);
torque compensation means comprising eccentric weights (51,
61) subject to centrifugal forces for producing torque on a first set of planet wheels and a second set of planet wheels in the first planetary gear train;
wherein the first set of planet wheels and the second set of planet wheels are carried by a common planet wheel carrier (E);
the first set of planet wheels (1,
3) engages with at least one toothing (2,
4) which forms said point of support (35,
48), said first set of planet wheels is influenced by a first centrifugal device (36) being provided with eccentric weights (51);
the second set of planet wheels (11, 13,
15) engages with planet wheels (12, 14,
16) linked respectively to the input shaft (30) and to the output shaft (31) and is coupled with a second centrifugal device (37) being provided with eccentric weight (61);
said first and second centrifugal devices (36,
37) comprise, on a planet wheel of the first and the second sets of planet wheels, a secondary planetary gear train (5, 6, 49;
9, 10,
59), and secondary planet wheels (5,
10) of each secondary planetary gear train are linked to the eccentric weights (51,
61) and rotate at a speed equal to that of the common planet wheel carrier (E); and
the eccentricity of the weights are adjustable during operation of the automatic continuously variable positive mechanical transmission.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to an automatic continuously variable positive mechanical transmission, making it possible to avoid using a hydrodynamic torque converter and a switchable gearbox. A planetary unit (44) linking an input shaft (30), transmitting a working torque CM, to an output shaft (31) transmitting a load torque CR. A reaction torque RC resting on a fixed point (35) of the case is added to the working torque in the planetary unit (44) via two successive planetary centrifugal devices (36, 37) with eccentric weights. The second centrifugal device (37) permanently balances the three torques CM, CR and RC. The first centrifugal device (36) transmits the reaction torque CR to the second which it sets using a setting of the eccentricity for its weights. Such a transmission can drive the output shaft at a continuously variable speed between zero and a speed equal to or greater than that of the input shaft. It is applied to driving vehicles or variable speed machines.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. An automatic continuously variable positive mechanical transmission comprising:
-
a transmission case (64) supporting an input shaft (30), an output shaft (31) and defining a point of support (35,
48);a positive kinematic link comprising a first planetary gear train (44) linking the input shaft to the output shaft, said positive kinematic link being at least partially supported by said point of support (35,
48);torque compensation means comprising eccentric weights (51,
61) subject to centrifugal forces for producing torque on a first set of planet wheels and a second set of planet wheels in the first planetary gear train;wherein the first set of planet wheels and the second set of planet wheels are carried by a common planet wheel carrier (E); the first set of planet wheels (1,
3) engages with at least one toothing (2,
4) which forms said point of support (35,
48), said first set of planet wheels is influenced by a first centrifugal device (36) being provided with eccentric weights (51);the second set of planet wheels (11, 13,
15) engages with planet wheels (12, 14,
16) linked respectively to the input shaft (30) and to the output shaft (31) and is coupled with a second centrifugal device (37) being provided with eccentric weight (61);said first and second centrifugal devices (36,
37) comprise, on a planet wheel of the first and the second sets of planet wheels, a secondary planetary gear train (5, 6, 49;
9, 10,
59), and secondary planet wheels (5,
10) of each secondary planetary gear train are linked to the eccentric weights (51,
61) and rotate at a speed equal to that of the common planet wheel carrier (E); andthe eccentricity of the weights are adjustable during operation of the automatic continuously variable positive mechanical transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of actuating an automatic continuously variable positive mechanical transmission having eccentric weights (49, 50, 59, 60) subject to centrifugal forces which produce a torque on a first set of planet wheels and a second set of planet wheels, said method comprising the steps of:
-
comparing a speed of an output shaft (31) with a speed of an input shaft (30); allowing a maximum positive eccentricity to the weights (49, 50, 59,
60) for a minimum value of a speed of the output shaft; andreducing the eccentricity of the weights when the speed of the output shaft approaches that of the input shaft. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
Specification