Continuously variable transmission
First Claim
1. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:
- a plurality of tiltable traction planet assemblies arranged angularly about a main shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the CVT;
a first stator coupled to each traction planet assembly of the plurality of traction planet assemblies, the first stator configured to guide the traction planet assemblies, wherein the first stator comprises a plurality of radially offset slots;
a second stator coupled to each of the plurality of traction planet assemblies; and
a stator driver assembly coupled to the first stator, the stator driver assembly comprising a compound planetary gear set having a plurality of planet gears coupled to a first ring gear and a second ring gear, wherein the first ring gear is coupled to the main shaft and the second ring gear is coupled to the first stator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a stator plate configured to have a plurality of radially offset slots. Various inventive traction planet assemblies and stator plates can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the stator plate. In one embodiment, the stator plate is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a stator driver is operably coupled to the stator plate. Embodiments of a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.
598 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:
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a plurality of tiltable traction planet assemblies arranged angularly about a main shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the CVT; a first stator coupled to each traction planet assembly of the plurality of traction planet assemblies, the first stator configured to guide the traction planet assemblies, wherein the first stator comprises a plurality of radially offset slots; a second stator coupled to each of the plurality of traction planet assemblies; and a stator driver assembly coupled to the first stator, the stator driver assembly comprising a compound planetary gear set having a plurality of planet gears coupled to a first ring gear and a second ring gear, wherein the first ring gear is coupled to the main shaft and the second ring gear is coupled to the first stator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for controlling a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a plurality of tiltable traction planet assemblies arranged angularly about a main shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the CVT, a first stator coupled to each traction planet assembly of the plurality of traction planet assemblies and configured with a plurality of radially offset slots to guide the traction planet assemblies, a second stator coupled to each of the plurality of traction planet assemblies, and a stator driver assembly coupled to the first stator, the stator driver assembly comprising a compound planetary gear set having a plurality of planet gears coupled to a first ring gear and a second ring gear, the first ring gear coupled to the main shaft and the second ring gear coupled to the first stator, the method comprising:
rotating the second ring gear to rotate the first stator relative to the main shaft to generate a skew angle in a first plane to tilt the plurality of tiltable traction planet assemblies at a tilt angle in a second plane other than the first plane. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system comprising:
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a power source; and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising a plurality of traction planet assemblies arranged angularly about a main shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the CVT, a first stator coupled to each traction planet assembly of the plurality of traction planet assemblies, the first stator configured to guide the traction planet assemblies, wherein the first stator comprises a plurality of radially offset slots, a second stator coupled to each of the plurality of traction planet assemblies, and a stator driver assembly coupled to the first stator, the stator driver assembly comprising a compound planetary gear set having a plurality of planet ears coupled to a first ring gear and a second ring gear wherein the first ring gear is coupled to the main shaft and the second ring gear is coupled to the first stator. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification