Continuously and/or infinitely variable transmissions and methods therefor

• US 9,850,993 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2015
• Issued: 12/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bazyn, Matthew R., Carter, Jeremy, Lohr, Charles B., Malone, Curtis, McDaniel, Loren T., Poxton, Peter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Tisha
• Application Number:
  US14/935,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20160061301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/50 Gearings providing a continuous range of gear ratios
• 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 57/0426 Means for guiding lubricant into an axial channel of a shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/043 within rotary parts, e.g. axial channels or radial openings in shafts
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0471 Bearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0479 Gears or bearings on planet carriers
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0484 with variable gear ratio or for reversing rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0487 Friction gearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19555 Varying speed ratio

Abstract

An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) having a rotatable input shaft arranged along a longitudinal axis of the transmission. In one embodiment, the input shaft is adapted to supply a lubricant to the interior of the transmission. In some embodiments, a stator assembly is coupled to, and coaxial with, the input shaft. The IVT has a plurality of planets operably coupled to the stator assembly. The planets are arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis of the transmission. In one embodiment, a traction ring is operably coupled to the planets. The IVT is provided with a housing that is operably coupled to the traction ring. The housing is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft. The traction ring is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft. In some embodiments, the IVT is provided with a lubricant manifold that is configured to supply a lubricant to the input shaft.

Claims

1. An infinitely variable transmission comprising:

a main axle defining a longitudinal axis of the transmission, the main axle having an elongated tubular body with a central bore and first and second lubricant passages, wherein the elongated tubular body and the first and second lubricant passages define a lubricant passage to the interior of the infinitely variable transmission;

a plurality of planets arranged angularly about the main axle;

a stator assembly coaxial with the main axle;

a traction ring operably coupled to the plurality of planets, wherein the traction ring is fixed to the main axle;

a lubricant manifold for supplying lubricant from a lubricant source to the main axle; and

an auxiliary axle having a lubrication passage for providing lubrication adjacent a reaction flange, wherein the main axle and the auxiliary axle support the lubricant manifold.

2. The infinitely variable transmission of claim 1, wherein the lubrication manifold is fixed to the main axle.

3. The infinitely variable transmission of claim 1, wherein the lubricant is pressurized.

9. The infinitely variable transmission of claim 1, wherein the first and second lubrication passages provide lubrication to one or more of a set of bearings, the plurality of planets, and a sun.

4. An infinitely variable transmission comprising:

a main axle defining a longitudinal axis of the transmission, the main axle having an elongated tubular body with a central bore and first and second lubricant passages, wherein the elongated tubular body and the first and second lubricant passages define a lubricant passage to the interior of the infinitely variable transmission;

a plurality of planets arranged angularly about the main axle;

a stator assembly coaxial with the main axle;

a traction ring operably coupled to the plurality of planets, wherein the traction ring is fixed to the main axle;

a lubricant manifold for supplying lubricant from a lubricant source to the main axle;

a housing subassembly including a first housing cover plate, the first housing cover plate having a plurality of lubrication channels to allow lubricant to drain from within the housing subassembly; and

a lubricant sump for receiving fluid from the lubrication channels.

5. The infinitely variable transmission of claim 4, wherein the first and second lubrication passages provide lubrication to one or more of a set of bearings, the plurality of planets, and a sun.

10. The infinitely variable transmission of claim 4, further comprising an auxiliary axle, wherein the main axle and the auxiliary axle support the lubricant manifold.

11. The infinitely variable transmission of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary axle includes a lubrication passage for providing lubrication adjacent a reaction flange.

12. The infinitely variable transmission of claim 4, wherein the lubrication manifold is fixed to the main axle.

13. The infinitely variable transmission of claim 4, wherein the lubricant is pressurized.

6. A system for lubricating internal components of a transmission having a plurality of planets operably coupled to a stator assembly and a traction ring operably coupled to the planets, the system comprising:

a lubricant source;

a lubrication manifold in fluid communication with the lubricant source;

a main axle of the transmission coupled to the lubricant manifold, the main axle comprising an elongated tubular body having a central bore and first and second lubrication passages, wherein the main axle is adapted to receive a rotational power, wherein the central bore and the first and second lubrication passages form a portion of a lubricant passage;

a shift rod arranged in the central bore of the main axle, the shift rod having a central bore, wherein a lubricant is pumped via the lubricant manifold to the main axle and flows via the main axle lubricant passage to the shift rod; and

a housing operably coupled to the traction ring, wherein the housing is substantially fixed from rotating with the main axle, the housing including a first housing cover plate, the first housing cover plate having a plurality of lubrication channels to allow lubricant to drain from within the housing.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the lubricant source is configured to provide a pressurized lubricant.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the first and second lubrication passages provide lubrication to one or more of a set of bearings, the plurality of planets, and a sun.