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, the input disc operationally coupled to a cam flange;
an output disc in contact with the balls;
an idler coaxial and rotatable about the longitudinal axis and in contact with the balls;
a plurality of cam rollers contacting the input disc and the cam flange;
a roller cage holding the cam rollers, wherein the cam rollers are adapted to press the input disc axially along the longitudinal axis;
a ball cage adapted to maintain a radial and axial orientation of the balls about the idler, the ball cage adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis; and
a motor operationally coupled to the ball cage.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
311 Citations
20 Claims
-
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, the input disc operationally coupled to a cam flange; an output disc in contact with the balls; an idler coaxial and rotatable about the longitudinal axis and in contact with the balls; a plurality of cam rollers contacting the input disc and the cam flange; a roller cage holding the cam rollers, wherein the cam rollers are adapted to press the input disc axially along the longitudinal axis; a ball cage adapted to maintain a radial and axial orientation of the balls about the idler, the ball cage adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis; and a motor operationally coupled to the ball cage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method of manufacturing a power transfer assembly, the method comprising:
-
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 an input, disc adapted to contact the balls, the input disc operationally coupled to a cam flange; providing an output disc adapted to contact the balls;
mounting an idler coaxially with the longitudinal axis, the idler adapted to contact the balls;arranging a plurality of cam rollers to contact the input disc and the cam flange; providing a roller cage to hold the cam rollers; and arranging the input disc and cam rollers such that the cam rollers are capable of pressing the input disc axially along the longitudinal axis; providing a ball cage adapted to maintain a radial and axial orientation of the balls about the idler, the ball cage adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis; and
coupling a motor to the ball cage. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification