Continuously variable planetary gear set
First Claim
1. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:
- a longitudinal axis;
a first variator unit comprising;
a first plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis of rotation, the first plurality of balls arranged on a first plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the balls arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis;
a first disc in contact with the first plurality of balls, the first disc configured to be non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis;
a first output disc in contact with the first plurality of balls;
a first generally cylindrical idler in contact with the first plurality of balls, the first idler located radially inward of the first plurality of balls and mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis; and
a first rotatable cage adapted to support the first plurality of balls radially and angularly;
a second variator unit comprising;
a second plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis of rotation, the second plurality of balls arranged on a second plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second plurality of balls arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis;
a second disc in contact with the second plurality of balls, the second disc configured to be non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis;
a second output disc in contact with the second plurality of balls;
a second generally cylindrical idler in contact with the second plurality of balls, the second idler located radially inward of the second plurality of balls and mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis; and
a second rotatable cage adapted to support the second plurality of balls radially and angularly; and
wherein the first and second rotatable cages are coupled to rotate together about the longitudinal axis.
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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.
301 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:
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a longitudinal axis; a first variator unit comprising; a first plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis of rotation, the first plurality of balls arranged on a first plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the balls arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis; a first disc in contact with the first plurality of balls, the first disc configured to be non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis; a first output disc in contact with the first plurality of balls; a first generally cylindrical idler in contact with the first plurality of balls, the first idler located radially inward of the first plurality of balls and mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis; and a first rotatable cage adapted to support the first plurality of balls radially and angularly; a second variator unit comprising; a second plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis of rotation, the second plurality of balls arranged on a second plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second plurality of balls arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis; a second disc in contact with the second plurality of balls, the second disc configured to be non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis; a second output disc in contact with the second plurality of balls; a second generally cylindrical idler in contact with the second plurality of balls, the second idler located radially inward of the second plurality of balls and mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis; and a second rotatable cage adapted to support the second plurality of balls radially and angularly; and wherein the first and second rotatable cages are coupled to rotate together about the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21)
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13. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:
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an input shaft; a first rotatable cage coupled to the input shaft; a second rotatable cage coupled to the first rotatable cage; a first output shaft coupled to the second rotatable cage; a first plurality of tiltable balls; a second plurality of tiltable balls; a first output disc coupled to the first plurality of balls; a second output disc coupled to the second plurality of balls; and a second output shaft operably coupled to the first and second output discs. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22)
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Specification