Continuously variable transmission

• US 7,422,541 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enviolo BV
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Miller, Donald C
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright; Dirk
• Application Number:
  US11/694,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20070167279A1
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 475/267, 476/5, 474/13, 474/14, 474/15
• US Class Current: 476/5
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 11/00 Transmissions characterised by the use of interengaging toothed wheels or frictionally-engaging wheels with roller engaging the periphery of ground wheel B62M13/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/28 with external friction surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/664 Friction gearings

Abstract

A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The single axle transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. An additional embodiment is disclosed which shifts automatically dependent upon the rotational speed of the wheel. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The disclosed transmission may be used in vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. The transmission may, for example, be driven by a power transfer mechanism such as a sprocket, gear, pulley or lever, optionally driving a one way clutch attached at one end of the main shaft.

Claims

1. A mechanism for facilitating the adjustment of a speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the mechanism comprising:

a spindle that provides an axis of rotation for a speed adjuster of the CVT;

a weight cable operationally coupled to the spindle; and

a weight coupled to the weight cable; and

wherein a movement of the weight causes the weight cable to actuate an adjustment in the tilt position of the spindle.

2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein a rotatable element couples the weight cable to the spindle.

3. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the rotatable element comprises a spindle pulley.

4. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the weight is coupled to a wheel.

5. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the weight is coupled to a wheel of a vehicle.

6. The mechanism of claim 5, wherein the vehicle comprises a bicycle.

7. The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a weight assister coupled to the weight.

8. The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a shift rod operationally coupled to the spindles.

9. The mechanism of claim 8, further comprising a tension member coupled to the shift rod.

10. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein the shift is operationally coupled to the spindles via a shift pin, a sleeve, a platform, and a spindle support.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of weights;

a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to the weights, the CVT comprising a plurality of spindles, each spindle providing an axis of rotation for a speed adjuster of the CVT;

wherein the spindles are operationally coupled to the weights such that a movement of the weights causes an adjustment in the tilt position of the spindles; and

a plurality of weight cables coupling the weights to the spindles.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of rotational elements that couple the weight cables to the spindles.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a shift rod operationally coupled to the spindles.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a tension member coupled to the shift rod.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the weights are coupled to a wheel.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of weight assisters coupled to the weights.

17. A method of adjusting the speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the method comprising:

providing a plurality of weights;

providing a plurality of spindles, each spindle providing an axis of rotation for a speed adjuster of the CVT;

operationally coupling the spindles to the weights such that a movement of the weights causes an adjustment in the tilt position of the spindles; and

wherein operationally coupling the spindles comprises providing a weight cable that couples the weights to the spindles.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein operationally coupling the spindles comprises providing rotatable elements that couple the weight cables to the spindles.