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

• US 9,683,640 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2014
• Issued: 06/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enviolo BV
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stevenson, Gregory G., Lohr, Charles B.
• Primary Examiner(s): FENSTERMACHER, DAVID MORGAN
• Application Number:
  US14/338,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20140335991A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/40 in which two members co-operative by means of balls, or rollers of uniform effective diameter, not mounted on shafts
• 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 61/664 Friction gearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20018 Transmission control

Abstract

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously and infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a variator is adapted to receive a control system that cooperates with a shift nut to actuate a ratio change in an IVT. In another embodiment, a neutral lock-out mechanism is adapted to cooperate with the variator to, among other things, disengage an output shaft from a variator. Various inventive mechanical couplings, such as an output engagement mechanism, are provided to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT for maintaining a powered zero operating condition. In one embodiment, the output engagement mechanism selectively couples an output member of the variator to a ratio adjuster of the variator. Embodiments of a ratio adjuster cooperate with other components of the IVT to support operation and/or functionality of the IVT. Among other things, user control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

Claims

1. A ball planetary infinitely variable transmission (IVT) comprising:

a throw-out bearing housing coupled to an output member of the IVT;

a neutral fork arm having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the throw-out bearing housing;

a clevis member coupled to the second end of the neutral fork arm; and

a knob coupled to the clevis member, the knob configured to be accessible from the exterior of the IVT.

2. The IVT of claim 1, further comprising a holding spring coupled to the clevis member.

3. The IVT of claim 1, wherein the knob is configured to move the clevis member.

4. The IVT of claim 1, further comprising a switch cam coupled to the knob.

5. A neutral lock-out mechanism for a transmission, the neutral lock-out mechanism comprising:

a throw-out bearing housing operably coupled to an output member of the transmission;

a neutral fork arm having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the throw-out bearing housing;

a clevis member coupled to the second end of the neutral fork arm; and

a knob coupled to the clevis member, the knob configured to be accessible from the exterior of the transmission.

6. The neutral lock-out mechanism of claim 5, further comprising a holding spring coupled to the clevis member.

7. The neutral lock-out mechanism of claim 5, further comprising a switch cam coupled to the knob.

8. The neutral lock-out mechanism of claim 5, wherein a movement of the knob corresponds to a translation of the throw-out bearing housing.

9. An output shaft assembly for a transmission, the output shaft assembly comprising:

an output shaft having a flange end and a splined end, the output shaft adapted to translate axially;

a throw-out bearing housing operably coupled to the output shaft;

a neutral fork arm having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the throw-out bearing housing;

a clevis member coupled to the second end of the neutral fork arm; and

a knob coupled to the clevis member, the knob configured to be accessible from the exterior of the transmission, wherein an axial translation of the throw-out bearing corresponds to an axial translation of the output shaft.

10. The output shaft assembly of claim 9, wherein the throw-out bearing housing is substantially non-rotatable.

11. The output shaft assembly of claim 9, wherein the flange end of the output shaft is configured to selectively engage an output member of the transmission.