Continuously variable transmission
First Claim
1. A continuously variable transmission having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
- a plurality of speed adjusters, each having a tiltable axis of rotation, and each speed adjuster located radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis,an input disk contacting a first point on each of the speed adjusters;
an output disk contacting a second point on each of the speed adjusters;
a support member annularly rotatable about the longitudinal axis, located radially inwardly from the speed adjusters and contacting a third point on each of the speed adjusters, the support member having a first end and a second end that are axially separated and having a first diameter at said first end and a second diameter at said second end, wherein the support member is axially movable; and
wherein said first diameter is different from said second diameter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A continuously variable transmission having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
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a plurality of speed adjusters, each having a tiltable axis of rotation, and each speed adjuster located radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis, an input disk contacting a first point on each of the speed adjusters; an output disk contacting a second point on each of the speed adjusters; a support member annularly rotatable about the longitudinal axis, located radially inwardly from the speed adjusters and contacting a third point on each of the speed adjusters, the support member having a first end and a second end that are axially separated and having a first diameter at said first end and a second diameter at said second end, wherein the support member is axially movable; and wherein said first diameter is different from said second diameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An axial force generation mechanism comprising:
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an input disk having ramp side that faces away from speed adjusters; a torque responsive element comprising; a bearing disk similar in diameter to the input disk that is positioned axially near the input disk and that rotates about the same axis as the input disk and has a first side that faces the input disk and wherein the bearing disk provides input torque to the input disk; a first set of ramps located annularly about the longitudinal axis of a transmission, the first set of ramps fixed to the first side of the bearing disk at a fixed radial position; a second set of ramps located annularly about the longitudinal axis of the transmission that are fixed to the ramp side of the input disk at a fixed radial position similar to that of the first set of ramps; a set of ramp bearings which are annularly positioned at a radial position necessary to interact with and fit between the first and second set of ramps; wherein the first set of ramps rotate with the bearing disk and engage the ramp bearings, which in turn engage the second set of ramps such that the input torque of the bearing disk is converted by the first set of ramps to an axial force component and a rotational force component which axial and rotational force components are transferred to the input disk via the ramp bearings and the second set of ramps; wherein the first and second set of ramps engage the ramp bearings at various points so as to allow axial movement of the input disk; and wherein at least one of the first or second set of ramps has a discontinuous slope. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A transmission comprising:
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a plurality of spindle supports, each mounted to one end of a spindle, and extending radially inwardly from the spindles; a first camming surface adjacent to the first end of a support member; a second camming surface adjacent to a second end of a support member, wherein the first and second camming surfaces are each located annularly around a longitudinal axis, and wherein the first and second camming surfaces are in contact with the spindle supports and are axially movable, wherein such axial movement causes radial movement of the spindle supports to tilt the axis of rotation of speed adjusters. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification