Continuously variable planetary gear set
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A transmission comprising:
- a plurality of traction rollers distributed radially about a longitudinal axis of the transmission, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates;
an input disc in contact with the traction rollers;
an output disc in contact with the traction rollers;
an idler coaxial and rotatable about the longitudinal axis and in contact with the traction rollers;
a speed signaling section on one of the input disc, output disc, traction rollers, or idler;
a speed detecting part cooperating with the speed signaling section to detect the speed of one of the input disc, output disc, traction rollers, or idler; and
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 wherein the cage comprises;
a disc-shaped input stator positioned between the balls and the input disc;
a disc-shaped output stator positioned between the balls and the output disc; and
a plurality of spacers adapted to rigidly connect the stators.
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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
18 Claims
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1. A transmission comprising:
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a plurality of traction rollers distributed radially about a longitudinal axis of the transmission, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates; an input disc in contact with the traction rollers; an output disc in contact with the traction rollers; an idler coaxial and rotatable about the longitudinal axis and in contact with the traction rollers; a speed signaling section on one of the input disc, output disc, traction rollers, or idler; a speed detecting part cooperating with the speed signaling section to detect the speed of one of the input disc, output disc, traction rollers, or idler; and 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 wherein the cage comprises; a disc-shaped input stator positioned between the balls and the input disc; a disc-shaped output stator positioned between the balls and the output disc; and a plurality of spacers adapted to rigidly connect the stators. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of manufacturing a transmission, the method comprising:
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arranging a plurality of traction rollers radially about a longitudinal axis of the transmission, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates;
providing an input disc adapted to contact the traction rollers;providing an output disc adapted to contact the traction rollers; mounting an idler coaxially about the longitudinal axis, the idler adapted to contact the traction rollers; attaching a speed signaling section to one of the input disc, output disc, traction rollers, or idler; providing a cage adapted to maintain the radial and axial orientation of the traction rollers about the idler, wherein the cage is further adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis; and
wherein the cage comprises;
a disc shaped input stator positioned between the traction rollers and the input disc;
a disc shaped output stator positioned between the traction rollers and the output disc; and
a plurality of spacers adapted to rigidly connect the stator; andproviding a speed detecting part adapted to cooperate with the speed signaling section to detect the speed of one of the input disc, output disc, traction rollers, or idler. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification