Continuously variable transmission

• US 7,959,533 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2006
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enviolo BV
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Simister, Matthew P., Armstrong, Oronde J., Nichols, Jon M., Stewart, Terry L., Eidson, Elton L., McDaniel, Loren T., Elhardt, Paul M., Poxton, Peter D., Usmani, Ghayyurul I., Dawe, Daniel J., Lohr, Charles B., Thomassy, Fernand A., Pohl, Brad P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyce; William C
• Application Number:
  US11/543,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20070155580A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,715 Days
• Field of Search: 476/36, 476/37, 476/38, 476/45, 476/61, 476/65, 74/56, 74/57
• US Class Current: 476/37
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/28 with external friction surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/52 in which a member of uniform effective diameter mounted on a shaft may co-operate with different parts of another member
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/02 Gearboxes; Mounting gearing therein
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/043 within rotary parts, e.g. axial channels or radial openings in shafts
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0487 Friction gearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/6649 characterised by the means for controlling the torque transmitting capability of the gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/067 mechanical actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18304 Axial cam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19921 Separate rim
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2186 Gear casings

Abstract

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.

Claims

1. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:

a first traction ring;

a second traction ring;

a plurality of power rollers interposed between and in contact with the first and second traction rings, wherein the power rollers are configured to spin about a tiltable axis;

first and second torsion springs, wherein the first and second traction rings each include a recess adapted to receive and partially house the first and the second torsion springs, respectively;

a first roller cage having a circumferential extension, said extension having a slit for receiving the first torsion spring, said extension adapted to cooperate with the first traction ring for substantially housing the first torsion spring in the first traction ring; and

a second roller cage having a circumferential extension, said extension having a slit for receiving the second torsion spring, said extension adapted to cooperate with the second traction ring for substantially housing the second torsion spring in the second traction ring.

2. The CVT of claim 1, wherein the first traction ring comprises a set of ramps.

3. The CVT of claim 2, wherein the first traction ring comprises a first surface configured to engage the plurality of power rollers and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the set of ramps extend from the second surface.

4. The CVT of claim 3, wherein each of the set of ramps extends from the second surface at an incline of about 10 degrees.

5. The CVT of claim 3, wherein the first roller cage comprises a first set of load cam rollers and wherein the second roller cage comprises a second set of load cam rollers.

6. The CVT of claim 5, wherein the first set of load cam rollers are configured to engage the first traction ring.

7. The CVT of claim 6, wherein the second set of load cam rollers are configured to engage the second surface of the first traction ring.

8. The CVT of claim 7, wherein the first torsion spring is configured to bias the load cam rollers to roll up the set of ramps.

9. The CVT of claim 1, further comprising a load cam driver operationally coupled to the first traction ring.