Continuously variable transmission

• US 7,063,640 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Miller, Donald C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US11/006,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20050113209A1
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 475/189, 475/192, 475/195, 476/37, 476/38
• US Class Current: 476/38
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 11/00 Transmissions characterised by the use of interengaging toothed wheels or frictionally-engaging wheels with roller engaging the periphery of ground wheel B62M13/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/28 with external friction surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/664 Friction gearings

Abstract

A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The single axle transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. An additional embodiment is disclosed which shifts automatically dependent upon the rotational speed of the wheel. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The disclosed transmission may be used in vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. The transmission may, for example, be driven by a power transfer mechanism such as a sprocket, gear, pulley or lever, optionally driving a one way clutch attached at one end of the main shaft.

Claims

1. A support member for a spindle of a traction roller in a continuously variable transmission, the support member comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

a bore at the first end of the body for receiving an end of the spindle; and

a wheel attached to the second end.

2. The support member of claim 1, further comprising a spindle roller having a bore for receiving an end of the spindle, the spindle roller positioned adjacent to the first end of the body.

3. The support member of claim 2, further comprising a stationary support roller positioned between the first and second ends of the body, wherein the axis of rotation of the stationary support roller is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spindle.

4. The support member of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the support member is defined by a line connecting the first end and the second end.

5. The support member of claim 4, wherein the support member is positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the support member is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spindle.

6. The support member of claim 3, further comprising a roller pin that supports the stationary support roller.

7. The support member of claim 4, further comprising an axle that supports the wheel attached to the second end.

8. The support member of claim 7, wherein a longitudinal axis of the axle is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support member.

9. The support member of claim 6, wherein a longitudinal axis of the roller pin is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support member.

10. A method of manufacturing a support member for a spindle of a traction roller in a continuously variable transmission, the method comprising:

providing a body having a first end and a second end;

making a bore at the first end of the body for receiving an end of the spindle; and

attaching a wheel to the second end of the body.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising coupling a stationary support roller to the support member, wherein the support roller is positioned between the first and second ends of the body, and wherein the axis of rotation of the stationary support roller is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the support member.

12. The support member of claim 10, wherein providing a body having a first and a second end comprises configuring the body such that a longitudinal axis of the support member is defined by a line connecting the first end and the second end of the body.

13. The support member of claim 10, wherein making a bore further comprises making a bore wherein the longitudinal axis of the support member is substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the bore.

14. The support member of claim 11, further comprising providing a roller pin for supporting the stationary support roller.

15. The support member of claim 10, further comprising providing an axle for supporting the wheel attached to the second end.

16. A support member for a spindle of a traction roller in a continuously variable transmission, the support member comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

a bore at the first end of the body for receiving an end of the spindle; and

at least one support roller coupled to the body.

17. The support member of claim 16, further comprising a spindle roller having a bore for receiving an end of the spindle, the spindle roller positioned adjacent to the first end of the body.

18. The support member of claim 17, further comprising a wheel coupled to the body adjacent to the second end of the body.

19. The support member of claim 16, further comprising a roller pin that supports the support roller.

20. The support member of claim 18, further comprising an axle that supports the wheel.