Continuously variable transmission

• US 7,140,999 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• 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:
  US11/006,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20050079944A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 475/189, 475/192, 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. An apparatus for facilitating the shifting of a roller traction continuously variable transmission, the apparatus comprising:

a hollow shaft having a slot;

an annular member mounted on the shaft, the annular member capable of axial movement along the shaft and capable of rotation about the shaft;

first and second platforms mounted on the shaft and adapted to slide axially on the shaft, wherein the annular member is positioned between the platforms;

a sleeve that is slidingly and coaxially positioned over the shaft;

a pin contacting the sleeve through the slot; and

wherein the platforms move axially in response to axial movement of the sleeve and the pin.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the annular member comprises a substantially cylindrical surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface of the annular member is adapted to frictionally contact the rollers of the transmission.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platforms each comprises a convex surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the platforms each comprises a substantially flat surface opposite the convex surface, and wherein the flat surface is adjacent to the annular member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising two bearings mounted on the shaft, each bearing being positioned between a plaftform and the annular member.

7. A shifting mechanism for a continuously variable transmission having a plurality of power adjusters, each power adjuster adapted to rotate about an axis centrally located within the adjuster, the shifting mechanism comprising:

at least one platform; and

a plurality of spindle supports engaged with the platform such that the spindle supports adjust the axis of rotation of the power adjusters in response to axial movement of the platform.

8. The shifting mechanism of claim 7, further comprising a spindle for each power adjuster, the spindle located within the power adjuster, and wherein each spindle support comprises a bore for receiving one end of a spindle.

9. The shifting mechanism of claim 8, wherein the platform comprises a convex surface.

10. The shifting mechanism of claim 9, wherein each spindle support comprises at least one wheel that is slidingly engaged to the convex surface of the platform.

11. The shifting mechanism of claim 10, additionally comprising:

a hollow shaft having at least one slot;

a sleeve that is slidingly and coaxially positioned over the hollow shaft;

a pin contacting the sleeve through the slot in the hollow shaft; and

wherein the platform contacts the sleeve and moves axially in response to axial movement of the sleeve and the pin.

12. A method of manufacturing a shifting mechanism for a continuously variable transmission having a plurality of power adjusters, each power adjuster adapted to rotate about a spindle that defines an axis centrally located within the adjuster, the method comprising:

mounting on a shaft at least one platform having a convex surface;

attaching at least one spindle support to the spindle of a power adjuster

engaging the spindle support with the platform such that the spindle support adjust the axis of rotation of the power adjuster in response to axial movement of the platform.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising mounting an annular support member to the shaft, the annular support member in frictional contact with the power adjusters.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing the spindle support with a wheel configured to ride on the convex surface.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing the spindle support with a bore for receiving an end of the spindle.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing a hollow shaft having at least one slot;

providing a sleeve that is slidingly and coaxially positioned over the hollow shaft;

providing a pin contacting the sleeve through the slot in the hollow shaft;

wherein the pin and sleeve are configured such that an axial movement of the pin causes an axial movement of the sleeve; and

wherein the axial movement of the sleeve causes an axial movement of the platform.