Continuously variable planetary gear set
First Claim
1. A speed ratio range amplifier comprising:
- a continuously variable 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 rollers;
an output disc in contact with the rollers, wherein the output disc is fixed and does not rotate; and
an idler coaxial with and rotatable about the longitudinal axis, the idler in contact with the rollers;
a planetary gear set comprising;
a sun gear;
a plurality of planet gears engaged with and adapted to orbit the sun gear, wherein each planet gear rotates about a planet shaft of its own;
a ring gear engaging each planet gear; and
a planet carrier that retains and positions each of the planet shafts;
an input shaft coupled to both the transmission and the planetary gear set;
wherein the sun gear, ring gear, planet carrier, or at least one of the planets gears is coupled to an output shaft of the transmission; and
wherein the sun gear, ring gear, planet carrier, or at least one of the planets gears is coupled to an output member that sums torque inputs from one of more power paths of the planetary gear set and the transmission; and
an output shaft adapted to transmit torque from the output member out from the amplifier.
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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.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A speed ratio range amplifier comprising:
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a continuously variable 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 rollers; an output disc in contact with the rollers, wherein the output disc is fixed and does not rotate; and an idler coaxial with and rotatable about the longitudinal axis, the idler in contact with the rollers; a planetary gear set comprising; a sun gear; a plurality of planet gears engaged with and adapted to orbit the sun gear, wherein each planet gear rotates about a planet shaft of its own; a ring gear engaging each planet gear; and a planet carrier that retains and positions each of the planet shafts; an input shaft coupled to both the transmission and the planetary gear set; wherein the sun gear, ring gear, planet carrier, or at least one of the planets gears is coupled to an output shaft of the transmission; and wherein the sun gear, ring gear, planet carrier, or at least one of the planets gears is coupled to an output member that sums torque inputs from one of more power paths of the planetary gear set and the transmission; and an output shaft adapted to transmit torque from the output member out from the amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification