Continuously variable planetary gear set
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A power transfer assembly comprising:
- a plurality of balls distributed radially about a longitudinal axis of the power transfer assembly, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates;
an input disc in contact with the balls;
an output disc in contact with the balls;
an idler coaxial and rotatable about the longitudinal axis and in contact with the balls;
a cage adapted to maintain a radial and axial orientation of the balls about the idler, wherein the cage is further adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis; and
a housing having a case and a case cap, the case cap securely attached to the case, the case and case cap enclosing the idler, discs, and balls.
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Abstract
A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A power transfer assembly comprising:
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a plurality of balls distributed radially about a longitudinal axis of the power transfer assembly, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates; an input disc in contact with the balls; an output disc in contact with the balls; an idler coaxial and rotatable about the longitudinal axis and in contact with the balls; a cage adapted to maintain a radial and axial orientation of the balls about the idler, wherein the cage is further adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis; and a housing having a case and a case cap, the case cap securely attached to the case, the case and case cap enclosing the idler, discs, and balls. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of manufacturing a power transfer assembly, the method comprising:
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arranging a plurality of balls radially about a longitudinal axis of the power transfer assembly, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates; providing a first power transfer disc in contact with the balls; providing a second power transfer disc in contact with the balls; mounting an idler coaxial with the longitudinal axis and in contact with the balls; providing a cage adapted to maintain a radial and axial orientation of the balls about the idler, wherein the cage is further adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis; and providing a case and a case that are securely attached to each other; and
wherein the the case and case cap enclose the idler, discs, and balls. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification