Transmission for performing reliable continuously-variable-speed operation through gear meshing, and vehicle-use continuously-variable transmission device using it

• US 6,645,106 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2002
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Teak-Seo Goo
• Original Assignee: Teak-Seo Goo
• Inventors: Goo, Teak-Seo
• Primary Examiner(s): ESTREMSKY, SHERRY LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/111,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20030004030A1
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 475/1, 475/5, 475/6, 475/72, 475/74, 475/91, 475/207, 475/211, 475/215, 475/340
• US Class Current: 475/72
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/72 with a secondary drive, e.g. regulating motor, in order to vary speed continuously

Abstract

A transmission for performing a reliable continuously-variable-speed operation by using gear meshing with a minimized power loss, and a vehicle-use continuously-variable transmission device that uses it to provide a continuously-variable-speed change ratio optimal for an engine output; specifically, a dual continuously-variable transmission device for effecting a secondary speed change of increasing or decreasing an output-speed increasing ratio when the rotating speed of a turbine shaft is increased or decreased with the rotation speed of a sub-drive speed-change sun gear fixed. Since a distributed torque is synthesized during is applied to automobiles to provide elaborately, flexibly and in real time a speed change ratio which is obtained by computing an engine output, a car speed, a throttle opening ratio, a variable-speed sun gear rotating speed, and a brake pressure by using a controller (TCU), is changed in a time-transforming way, and is optimum for running conditions and road condition, thereby saving on fuel, enhancing an out put, decreasing soot and smoke and noise, and yet ensuring a comfortable running.

Claims

1. A continuously variable transmission in which a rotation power is transmitted with non-step from an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising:

a carrier means engaged with said input shaft, wherein said carrier means rotates by a turbine shaft;

a plurality of sets of planetary gears supported by said carrier means, wherein said planetary gear sets freely rotate in one body and wherein the number of teeth of one of said planetary gear sets is smaller than that of the other of said planetary gear set;

a first output means meshed with said planetary gears having the large number of teeth at an outside thereof;

a second output means meshed with said planetary gears having the large number of teeth at an inside thereof; and

a transmission means meshed with said planetary gears having the small number of teeth at an inside thereof and rotating in the same direction as said carrier means.

2. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 1, wherein said input shaft is mechanically connected to said carrier means through a spline.

3. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first output means includes:

a ring gear meshed with said planetary gears having the large number of teeth at an outside thereof; and

a forward clutch connecting said ring gear to said output shaft.

4. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second output means includes:

a reverse sun gear meshed with said planetary gears having the large number of teeth at an inside thereof; and

a reverse clutch connecting said reverse sun gear to said output shaft.

5. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transmission means includes:

a transmission sun gear meshed with said planetary gears having the small number of teeth at an inside thereof; and

a hydraulic motor providing a subsidiary driving force to make said transmission sun gear rotate in the same direction as said carrier means or make said transmission sun gear rotate stop.

6. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 5, wherein said transmission means is positioned between said input and output shafts in order that a speed change is achieved by a rotation speed of said hydraulic motor at a forward rotation of said first output means,

and wherein said transmission means is positioned between said input and output shafts in order that a constant speed is maintained through a stop of both said hydraulic motor and said transmission sun gear at a reverse rotation of said second output means.

7. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 6, wherein said first output is engaged with said output shaft in order that a main driving force from said input shaft and a subsidiary driving force from said planetary gears combined with a change of speed.

8. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 6, wherein said transmission sun gear is meshed with said planetary gears having the small number of teeth in order that said transmission sun gear rotates by both a rotation power which is caused by said planetary gears in the same direction and a rotation power which is caused by said hydraulic motor.

9. A continuously variable transmission for a vehicle, wherein said vehicle comprising a power generation means, a hydraulic means, a wheel driving means, a control means to control said vehicle, said continuously variable transmission comprising:

a carrier means engaged with a turbine shaft, wherein said carrier means rotates by said turbine shaft;

a plurality of sets of planetary gears supported by said carrier means, wherein said planetary gear sets freely rotate in one body and wherein the number of teeth of one of said planetary gear set is smaller than that of the other of said planetary gear set;

a first output means meshed with said planetary gears having the large number of teeth at an outside thereof;

a second output means meshed with said planetary gears having the large number of teeth at an inside thereof; and

a transmission means meshed with said planetary gears having the small number of teeth at an inside thereof and rotating in the same direction as said carrier means.

10. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 9, wherein said turbine shaft is mechanically connected to said carrier means through a spline.

11. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 9, wherein said first output means includes:

a ring gear meshed with said planetary gears having the large number of teeth at an outside thereof; and

a forward clutch connecting said ring gear to said output shaft.

12. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 9, wherein said second output means includes:

a reverse sun gear meshed with said planetary gears having the large number of teeth at an inside thereof; and

a reverse clutch connecting said reverse sun gear to said output shaft.

13. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 9, wherein said transmission means includes:

a transmission sun gear meshed with said planetary gears having the small number of teeth at an inside thereof; and

a hydraulic motor providing a subsidiary driving force to make said transmission sun gear rotate in the same direction as said carrier means or make said transmission sun gear rotate stop.

14. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 13, wherein said transmission means is positioned between said input and output shafts in order that a speed change is achieved by a rotation speed of said hydraulic motor at a forward rotation of said first output means,

and wherein said transmission means is positioned between said input and output shafts in order that a constant speed is maintained through a stop of both said hydraulic motor and said transmission sun gear at a reverse rotation of said second output means.

15. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 14, wherein said first output is engaged with said output shaft in order that a main driving force from said input shaft and a subsidiary driving force from said planetary gears combined with a change of speed.

16. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 15, wherein said transmission sun gear is meshed with said planetary gears having the small number of teeth in order that said transmission sun gear rotates by both a rotation power which is caused by said planetary gears in the same direction and a rotation power which is caused by said hydraulic motor.

17. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 13, wherein said hydraulic motor is mechanically connected to said hydraulic means in order to obtain a rotation power.

18. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 17, wherein said hydraulic means includes a check valve installed at a sucking inlet of an oil pump in order to flow oil from said hydraulic motor into said sucking inlet of said oil pump.

19. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 17, wherein said hydraulic means includes a servo valve in order to finely control rotation of said hydraulic motor.

20. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 19, wherein said servo valve is controlled by a signal from a transmission control unit, controlling the number of rotation of said hydraulic motor.

21. The continuously variable transmission in accordance with claim 20, wherein said transmission control unit senses an internal pressure of a master cylinder, increases a deceleration ratio of said vehicle based on the sensed pressure so as to allow an engine brake force to be generated.

22. A method for meshing gears for a continuously variable transmission in which a rotation power is transmitted with non-step from an input shaft to an output shaft, the method comprising the steps of:

engaging a carrier means with said input shaft, wherein said carrier means rotates by a turbine shaft;

providing a plurality of sets of planetary gears supported by said carrier means in order that said planetary gear sets freely rotate in one body, wherein the number of teeth of one of said planetary gear set is smaller than that of the other of said planetary gear set;

providing a first output means meshed with said planetary gears having the large number of teeth at an outside thereof;

providing a second output means meshed with said planetary gears having the large number of teeth at an inside thereof; and

providing a transmission means meshed with said planetary gears having the small number of teeth at an inside thereof and rotating in the same direction as said carrier means.