Continuously variable planetary gear set
First Claim
1. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:
- a longitudinal axis;
a plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis of rotation, the plurality of balls arranged on plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the balls arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis;
a first disc in contact with the balls, the first disc mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis;
a second disc in contact with the balls, the second disc mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis;
a generally cylindrical support member in contact with the balls, the support member located radially inward of the balls and mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis;
a first rotary shaft coupled to the first disc;
a planetary gear train comprising;
a carrier mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis and coupled to the first rotary shaft;
a plurality of first planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier;
a first sun gear mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis and coupled to the second disc, the first sun gear meshed with the first planetary gears;
a plurality of second planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier;
a second sun gear mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis, the second sun gear meshed with the second planetary gears;
a ring gear mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis, the ring gear meshed with the first and second planetary gears; and
wherein the carrier supports the first and second planetary gears independently of each other.
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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.
280 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:
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a longitudinal axis; a plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis of rotation, the plurality of balls arranged on plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the balls arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis; a first disc in contact with the balls, the first disc mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis; a second disc in contact with the balls, the second disc mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis; a generally cylindrical support member in contact with the balls, the support member located radially inward of the balls and mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis; a first rotary shaft coupled to the first disc; a planetary gear train comprising; a carrier mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis and coupled to the first rotary shaft; a plurality of first planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier; a first sun gear mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis and coupled to the second disc, the first sun gear meshed with the first planetary gears; a plurality of second planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier; a second sun gear mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis, the second sun gear meshed with the second planetary gears; a ring gear mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis, the ring gear meshed with the first and second planetary gears; and wherein the carrier supports the first and second planetary gears independently of each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:
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a longitudinal axis; a plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis of rotation, the plurality of balls arranged on plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the balls arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis; a first disc in contact with the balls, the first disc mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis; a second disc in contact with the balls, the second disc mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis; a generally cylindrical support member in contact with the balls, the support member located radially inward of the balls and mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis, the support member configured to receive and/or transfer power; a cage configured to support axially and radially the plurality of balls; a first rotary shaft coupled to the support member; a planetary gear train comprising; a carrier mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis and coupled to the first rotary shaft; a plurality of first planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier; a first sun gear coaxially mounted about the longitudinal axis and coupled to the second disc, the first sun gear meshing with the first planetary gears; a plurality of second planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier; a second sun gear coaxially mounted about the longitudinal axis, the second sun gear meshing with the second planetary gears; and a ring gear coaxially mounted about the longitudinal axis, the first and second planetary gears meshing with the ring gear while the carrier supports the first and second planetary gears independently of each other. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:
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a first disc; a first plurality of balls arranged angularly about a longitudinal axis of the CVT, the first plurality of balls in contact with the first disc; a first cage configured to support axially and radially the first plurality of balls; a second disc in contact with the first plurality of balls; a first idler located radially inward of and in contact with the first plurality of balls; a third disc; a second plurality of balls arranged angularly about a longitudinal axis of the CVT, the second plurality of balls in contact with the third disc; a second cage configured to support axially and radially the second plurality of balls; a fourth disc in contact with the second plurality of balls; a second idler located radially inward of and in contact with the second plurality of balls; a carrier of a planetary gear coupled to the first and fourth discs; and a first sun gear of a planetary gear coupled to the second and third discs. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification