Infinitely variable transmissions, continuously variable transmissions, methods, assemblies, subassemblies, and components therefor

• US 8,313,404 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2008
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enviolo BV
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Carter, Jeremy, Lohr, Charles, Pohl, Brad, Dawe, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Young, Edwin A
• Application Number:
  US12/527,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20100093476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,741 Days
• Field of Search: 475/192, 475/197, 475/214
• US Class Current: 475/192
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/503 in which two members co-operate by means of balls or rollers of uniform effective diameter, not mounted on shafts
• 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 2037/0866 Power split variators with distributing differentials, with the output of the CVT connected or connectable to the output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 37/084 at least one power path being a continuously variable transmission, i.e. CVT
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/033 Series gearboxes, e.g. gearboxes based on the same design being available in different sizes or gearboxes using a combination of several standardised units
• 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 74/20024 Fluid actuator

Abstract

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for infinitely variable transmissions (IVT) having a variator provided with a plurality of tilting spherical planets. In one embodiment, a variator is provided with multiple planet arrays. In another embodiment, a hydraulic system is configured to control the transmission ratio of the IVT. Various inventive idler assemblies and planet-pivot arm assemblies can be used to facilitate adjusting the transmission speed ratio of an IVT. Embodiments of a transmission housing and bell housing are adapted to house components of an IVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the IVT to support operation and/or functionality of the IVT. Various related devices include embodiments of, for example, a control feedback mechanism, axial force generation and management mechanisms, a control valve integral with an input shaft, and a rotatable carrier configured to support planet-pivot arm assemblies.

Claims

1. A ratio shifting mechanism for a continuously variable transmission having an input shaft and a carrier, the ratio shifting mechanism comprising:

a hydraulic valve adapted to be integral, at least in part, with the input shaft; and

a hydraulic circuit configured to allow a control fluid to flow in and out of the carrier through a plurality of channels and chambers, wherein at least some of the channels and chambers are formed in the input shaft.

2. The ratio shifting mechanism of claim 1, wherein at least some of the channels and chambers are formed in the carrier.

3. The ratio shifting mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a control screw operationally coupled to the hydraulic valve.

4. The ratio shifting mechanism of claim 3, further comprising at least one control screw nut configured to cooperate with the control screw.

5. The ratio shifting mechanism of claim 4, further comprising a pivot pin hub coupled to the control screw nut.

6. The ratio shifting mechanism of claim 5, further comprising control pistons adapted to cooperate with the hydraulic valve.

7. The ratio shifting mechanism of claim 6, wherein the pivot pin hubs are coupled to the control pistons.

8. A method of changing the ratio of a variator of a continuously variable or infinitely variable transmission having a plurality of tiltable planet axles, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a hydraulic control valve;

operably coupling the hydraulic control valve to an input shaft of the transmission;

regulating the hydraulic pressure with the hydraulic control valve;

supplying a hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic control valve through a plurality of channels and chambers in a carrier of the transmission, wherein at least some of the channels and chambers are formed in the input shaft; and

actuating a change in a tilt angle of the planet axles via the hydraulic pressure.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of operably coupling the hydraulic control valve to a plurality of hydraulic pistons.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of operably coupling the plurality of planet axles to at least one of the plurality of hydraulic pistons.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein actuating a change in the tilt angle of the planet axles comprises axially translating at least one of the plurality of hydraulic pistons.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of providing a pilot pressure to the hydraulic control valve, the pilot pressure configured to indicate a desired tilt angle of the planet axles.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein providing a pilot pressure comprises configuring a resolution of the pilot pressure to be about 20 psi for every 1 degree of tilt angle.

14. A variator comprising:

an input shaft;

a carrier coupled to the input shaft;

a first plurality of planet-pivot arm assemblies operationally coupled to the carrier;

a first non-rotatable traction ring operationally coupled to the first plurality of planet-pivot arm assemblies;

an output traction ring operationally coupled to the first plurality of planet-pivot arm assemblies;

a ratio shifting mechanism comprising;

a hydraulic valve adapted to be integral, at least in part, with the input shaft; and

a hydraulic circuit configured to allow a control fluid to flow in and out of the carrier through a plurality of channels and chambers, wherein at least some of the channels and chambers are formed in the input shaft.

15. The variator of claim 14, wherein the carrier is adapted to supply a lubricant to the planet-pivot arm assemblies.

16. The variator of claim 14, further comprising a torque transfer device operationally coupled to the output traction ring.

17. The variator of claim 16, further comprising an axial force generating mechanism operationally coupled to the first non-rotatable traction ring.

18. The variator of claim 17, further comprising a second plurality of planet-pivot arm assemblies coupled to the carrier.

19. The variator of claim 18, further comprising a second axial force generating mechanism operationally coupled to the output traction ring.

20. The variator of claim 14, further comprising a control screw operationally coupled to the hydraulic valve.