Infinitely variable transmissions, continuously variable transmissions, methods, assemblies, subassemblies, and components therefor
First Claim
1. A drivetrain comprising:
- a power source;
an infinitely variable variator coupled to the power source, the infinitely variable variator comprising;
a first plurality of traction rollers;
a second plurality of traction rollers;
a carrier operationally coupled to the first and the second plurality traction rollers; and
wherein the carrier is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the infinitely variable variator;
a hydraulic system configured to control the transmission ratio of the infinitely variable variator; and
wherein the hydraulic system is configured to be in fluid communication with the carrier.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A drivetrain comprising:
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a power source; an infinitely variable variator coupled to the power source, the infinitely variable variator comprising; a first plurality of traction rollers; a second plurality of traction rollers; a carrier operationally coupled to the first and the second plurality traction rollers; and wherein the carrier is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the infinitely variable variator; a hydraulic system configured to control the transmission ratio of the infinitely variable variator; and wherein the hydraulic system is configured to be in fluid communication with the carrier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A variator comprising:
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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; a first output traction ring operationally coupled to the first plurality of planet-pivot arm assemblies; a torque transfer device operationally coupled to the first output traction ring; a first axial force generating mechanism operationally coupled to the first non-rotatable traction ring; a second plurality of planet-pivot arm assemblies coupled to the carrier; wherein each of the planet-pivot arm assemblies of the first and second pluralities of planet-pivot arm assemblies comprises; a planet; a planet axle operationally coupled to the planet; and a pivot arm coupled to the planet axle, the pivot arm operationally coupled to a ratio shifting mechanism of the variator. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) comprising:
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a carrier configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the IVT; a first array of planet-pivot assemblies operationally coupled to the carrier, wherein the carrier is adapted to receive and support the first array of planet-pivot assemblies, each planet-pivot assembly having a plurality of planets arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis; an input shaft coupled to the carrier, wherein the input shaft and the carrier are configured to be coaxial with, and to rotate about, a central axis of the transmission; a first non-rotatable traction ring coupled to the first array of planet-pivot arm assemblies; an output traction ring in contact with the first array of planet-pivot assemblies; an idler assembly arranged coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the transmission, the idler assembly in contact with the plurality of planets; and a hydraulic control system configured to be in fluid communication with the carrier and/or the input shaft, the hydraulic control system adapted to adjust the transmission ratio of the IVT. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification