A continuously variable transmission. The transmission includes a plurality of power adjusters, such as spherical balls, frictionally interposed between a driving and a driven member. The driving and the driven member are each rotatably disposed over a main shaft. The spherical balls are configured to rotate about a modifiable axis and thereby provide a continuously variable shifting capability by adjusting the ratio between the angular velocity of the driving member in relation to the driven member. The system includes automatic and manual shifting gearing for adjusting the speed of the transmission. The system also includes a support a support member which is rotatably disposed over the main shaft and frictionally engaged to each of the spherical balls.
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0. 29. A continuously variable transmission, comprising:
three or more spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a cylindrical hole extending through its center;
three or more cylindrical spindles, each spindle positioned in the hole of one power adjuster;
a rotatable driving member adjacent to and in contact with each of the power adjusters;
a rotatable driven member adjacent to and in contact with each of the power adjusters;
a cylindrical rotatable support member having first and second sides and a substantially uniform outer diameter, the rotatable support member located radially between and in contact with the plurality of power adjusters, wherein the rotatable support member is capable of axial movement; and
a shift rod operably connected to the support member and adapted move axially and control axial movement of the support member in order to control the ratio of the transmission.
0. 20. A continuously variable transmission, comprising:
a shaft;
a rotatable driving member rotatably mounted over the shaft;
a rotatable driven member rotatably mounted over the shaft;
a plurality of spherical power adjusters frictionally interposed between the rotatable driving member and the rotatable driven member and adapted to transmit power from the rotatable driving member to the rotatable driven member, each power adjuster having a cylindrical hole extending through its center;
a plurality of cylindrical spindles, each spindle positioned in the hole of one power adjuster;
a rotatable support member located between the power adjusters and frictionally engaged with the plurality of power adjusters so that the power adjusters each are in frictional contact with each of the driving member, the driven member, and the rotatable support member;
a first annular bearing positioned on a first side of the rotatable support member;
a second annular bearing positioned on a second side of the rotatable support member;
at least one stationary support; and
a plurality of legs attached to the at least one stationary support.
6. A continuously variable transmission, comprising:
a shaft;
a rotatable driving member rotatably mounted over the shaft;
a rotatable driven member rotatably mounted over the shaft;
a plurality of spherical power adjusters frictionally interposed between the rotatable driving member and the rotatable driven member and adapted to transmit power from the rotatable driving member to the rotatable driven member, each power adjuster having a cylindrical hole extending through its center;
a plurality of cylindrical spindles, each spindle positioned in the hole of one power adjuster;
a rotatable support member located between the power adjusters and frictionally engaged with the plurality of power adjusters so that the power adjusters each are in frictional contact with each of the driving member, the driven member, and the rotatable support member;
a first annular bearing positioned on a first side of the support member;
a second annular bearing positioned on a second side of the support member;
at least one stationary support with an aperture at its center; and
a plurality of legs attached to the at least one stationary support.
0. 30. A continuously variable transmission comprising:
a drive sleeve;
a driving member;
a first roller cage, the first roller cage assembly interposed between the drive sleeve and the driving member, whereby a torque applied to the drive sleeve is transferred via the roller cage assembly to the driving member;
a driven member;
a plurality of power adjusters in contact with each of the driving member and the driven member, whereby torque is transferred from the driving member to the driven member via, at least in part, the power adjusters;
a hub driver;
a second roller cage assembly, the second roller cage assembly interposed between the driven member and the hub driver, whereby torque is transferred from the driven member to the hub driver through the second roller cage assembly;
a hub shell coupled to the hub driver;
a support member interposed between the driving member and the driven member, wherein each power adjuster contacts the support member at a point that is radially inward relative to the points where the power adjusters contact the driving member and the driven member; and
a hollow shaft adapted to support the driving member, the driven member, and the support member.
0. 15. A continuously variable transmission, comprising:
three or more spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a cylindrical hole extending through its center;
three or more cylindrical spindles, each spindle positioned in the hole of one power adjuster;
at least one stationary support;
a rotatable support member having first and second sides, the rotatable support member located between the power adjusters and frictionally engaged with the plurality of power adjusters, wherein the rotatable support member has a substantially uniform outer diameter, wherein the rotatable support member is capable of axial movement, and wherein the rotatable support member has at least two areas that are bearing surfaces to control axial movement of the rotatable support member;
a first annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the first side of the rotatable support member;
a second annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the second side of the rotatable support member;
a first planar platform capable of axial movement, positioned so that the first annular bearing is between the rotatable support member and the first planar platform;
a second planar platform capable of axial movement, positioned so that the second annular bearing is between the rotatable support and the second planar platform; and
a ratio changer operably connected to the cylindrical spindles, wherein an adjustment in the ratio changer causes the cylindrical spindles to change their axes of rotation.
1. A continuously variable transmission, comprising:
three or more spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a cylindrical hole extending through its center;
three or more cylindrical spindles, each spindle positioned in the hole of one power adjuster;
at least one stationary support with an aperture at its center;
a rotatable support member having first and second sides, the rotatable support member located between the power adjusters and frictionally engaged with the plurality of power adjusters, wherein the rotatable support member has a substantially uniform outer diameter, wherein the rotatable support member is capable of axial movement, and wherein the rotatable support member has at least two areas that are bearing surfaces to control axial movement of the rotatable support member;
a first annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the first side of the support member;
a second annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the second side of the support member;
a first planar platform capable of axial movement, positioned so that the first annular bearing is between the rotatable support member and the first planar platform;
a second planar platform capable of axial movement, positioned so that the second annular bearing is between the rotatable support and the second planar platform; and
a ratio changer operably connected to the cylindrical spindles, wherein an adjustment in the ratio changer causes the cylindrical spindles to change their axes of rotation.
0. 24. A continuously variable transmission, comprising:
a rotatable driving member;
three or more spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a cylindrical hole extending through its center;
three or more cylindrical spindles, each spindle positioned in the hole of one power adjuster;
at least one stationary support;
a rotatable support member located between the power adjusters having first and second sides, and frictionally engaged with the plurality of power adjusters, wherein the rotatable support member has a substantially uniform outer diameter, wherein the rotatable support member is capable of axial movement, and wherein the rotatable support member has at least two areas that are bearing surfaces to control axial movement of the rotatable support member;
a first annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the first side of the rotatable support member;
a second annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the second side of the rotatable support member;
a first planar platform capable of axial movement, positioned so that the first annular bearing is between the rotatable support member and the first planar platform;
a second planar platform capable of axial movement, positioned so that the second annular bearing is between the rotatable support and the second planar platform;
a shifting member, having an end that extends outside of the transmission, that is positioned along the axis of the rotatable support member and is operably engaged with the rotatable support member; and
wherein an adjustment in the position of the shifting member causes the rotatable support member, the first annular bearing, the second annular bearing, the first planar platform, and the second planar platform to all move simultaneously and a substantially equal distance.
10. A continuously variable transmission, comprising:
a rotatable driving member;
three or more spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a cylindrical hole extending through its center;
three or more cylindrical spindles, each spindle positioned in the hole of one power adjuster;
at least one stationary support with an aperture at its center;
a rotatable support member located between the power adjusters having first and second sides, and frictionally engaged with the plurality of power adjusters, wherein the rotatable support member has a substantially uniform outer diameter, wherein the rotatable support member is capable of axial movement, and wherein the rotatable support member has at least two areas that are bearing surfaces to control axial movement of the rotatable support member;
a first annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the first side of the support member;
a second annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the second side of the support member;
a first planar platform capable of axial movement, positioned so that the first annular bearing is between the rotatable support member and the first planar platform;
a second planar platform capable of axial movement, positioned so that the second annular bearing is between the rotatable support and the second planar platform;
a shifting member, having an end that extends outside of the transmission, that is positioned along the axis of the rotatable support member and is operably engaged with the rotatable support member; and
wherein an adjustment in the position of the shifting member causes the rotatable support member, the first annular bearing, the second annular bearing, the first planar platform, and the second planar platform to all move simultaneously and a substantially equal distance.
0. 16. A continuously variable transmission, comprising:
a rotatable driving member;
three or more spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a cylindrical hole extending through its center;
three or more cylindrical spindles, each spindle positioned in the hole of one power adjuster;
a drive sleeve;
three or more ramped surfaces on the drive sleeve that face the rotatable driving member;
three or more rollers positioned to roll on the three or more ramped surfaces of the drive sleeve and also roll on the rotatable driving member;
a roller cage positioning the three or more rollers;
the three or more ramped surfaces of the drive sleeve configured so that when the three or more rollers rotate they compress the rotatable driving member against the three or more spherical power adjusters upon an increase in torque and decompress the rotatable driving member upon a decrease in torque;
a rotatable support member located between the power adjusters that has first and second sides, and is frictionally engaged with the three or more power adjusters, wherein the rotatable support member has a substantially uniform outer diameter, wherein the rotatable support member is capable of axial movement, and wherein the rotatable support member has at least two areas that are bearing surfaces to control axial movement of the rotatable support member;
a first annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the first side of the rotatable support member;
a second annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the second side of the rotatable support member;
a first planar platform capable of axial movement, positioned so that the first annular bearing is between the rotatable support member and the first planar platform;
a second planar platform capable of axial movement, positioned so that the second annular bearings is between the rotatable support and the second planar platform;
at least one stationary support; and
wherein the rotatable support member, the first annular bearing, the second annular bearing, the first planar platform, and the second planar platform are all capable of simultaneous axial movement.
2. A continuously variable transmission, comprising:
a rotatable driving member;
three or more spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a cylindrical hole extending through its center;
three or more cylindrical spindles, each spindle positioned in the hole of one power adjuster;
a drive sleeve;
three or more ramped surfaces on the drive sleeve that face the rotatable driving member;
three or more rollers positioned to roll on the three or more ramped surfaces of the drive sleeve and also roll on the rotatable driving member;
a roller cage positioning the three or more rollers;
the three or more ramped surfaces of the drive sleeve configured so that when the three or more rollers rotate they compress the rotatable driving member against the three or more spherical power adjusters upon an increase in torque and decompress the rotatable driving member upon a decrease in torque;
a rotatable support member located between the power adjusters that has first and second sides, and is frictionally engaged with the three or more power adjusters, wherein the rotatable support member has a substantially uniform outer diameter, wherein the rotatable support member is capable of axial movement, and wherein the rotatable support member has at least two areas that are bearing surfaces to control axial movement of the rotatable support member;
a first annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the first side of the support member;
a second annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the second side of the support member;
a first planar platform capable of axial movement, positioned so that the first annular bearing is between the rotatable support member and the first planar platform;
a second planar platform capable of axial movement, positioned so that the second annular bearings is between the rotatable support and the second planar platform;
at least one stationary support with an aperture at its center; and
wherein the rotatable support member, the first annular bearing, the second annular bearing, the first planar platform, and the second planar platform are all capable of simultaneous axial movement.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/823,620, filed Mar. 30, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,475, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/133,284, filed Aug. 12, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,636, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/062,860, filed on Oct. 16, 1997; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/056,045, filed on Sep. 2, 1997; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/062,620, filed on Oct. 22, 1997 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/070,044 filed on Dec. 30, 1997, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention relates to transmissions. More particularly the invention relates to continuously variable transmissions.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to provide an infinitely variable transmission, various traction roller transmissions in which power is transmitted through traction rollers supported in a housing between torque input and output disks have been developed. In such transmissions, the traction rollers are mounted on support structures which, when pivoted, cause the engagement of traction rollers with the torque disks in circles of varying diameters depending on the desired transmission ratio.
However, the success of these traditional solutions have been limited. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,403 to Schievelbusch, a driving hub for a vehicle with a variable adjustable transmission ratio is disclosed. Schievelbusch teaches the use of two iris plates, one on each side of the traction rollers, to tilt the axis of rotation of each of the rollers. However, the use of iris plates can be very complicated due to the large number of parts which are required to adjust the iris plates during shifting the transmission. Another difficulty with this transmission is that it has a guide ring which is configured to be predominantly stationary in relation to each of the rollers. Since the guide ring is stationary, shifting the axis of rotation of each of the traction rollers is difficult. Yet another limitation of this design is that it requires the use of two half axles, one on each side of the rollers, to provide a gap in the middle of the two half axles. The gap is necessary because the rollers are shifted with rotating motion instead of sliding linear motion. The use of two axles is not desirable and requires a complex fastening system to prevent the axles from bending when the transmission is accidentally bumped, is as often the case when a transmission is employed in a vehicle. Yet another limitation of this design is that it does not provide for an automatic transmission.
Therefore, there is a need for a continuously variable transmission with a simpler shifting method, a single axle, and a support ring having a substantially uniform outer surface. Additionally, there is a need for an automatic traction roller transmission which is configured to shift automatically. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission.
The present invention includes a transmission, comprising three or more spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a cylindrical hole extending through its center and three or more cylindrical spindles with each spindle positioned in the hole of one power adjuster. There may be at least one stationary support with an aperture at its center and a rotatable support member having first and second sides. The rotatable support member can be located between the power adjusters and frictionally engaged with the plurality of power adjusters. The rotatable support member can have a substantially uniform outer diameter, and is capable of axial movement. The rotatable support member may have at least two areas that are bearing surfaces to control axial movement of the rotatable support member. Interacting with the rotatable support member is a first annular bearing, capable of axial movement, is positioned on the first side of the support member and a second annular bearing capable of axial movement, positioned on the second side of the support member. A first planar platform capable of axial movement, is positioned so that the first annular bearing is between the rotatable support member and the first planar platform. A second planar platform, capable of axial movement, is positioned so that the second annular bearing is between the rotatable support and the second planar platform. A ratio changer operably connected to the cylindrical spindles causes the cylindrical spindles to change their axes of rotation.
One embodiment includes a transmission, comprising a drive sleeve with three or more ramped surfaces on the drive sleeve that face the rotatable driving member. Three or more rollers are positioned to roll on the three or more ramped surfaces of the drive sleeve and also roll on the rotatable driving member. A roller cage positions the three or more rollers. The three or more ramped surfaces of the drive sleeve are configured so that when the three or more rollers rotate they compress the rotatable driving member against the three or more spherical power adjusters upon an increase in torque and decompress the rotatable driving member upon a decrease in torque. The embodiment may have at least one stationary support with an aperture at its center.
Yet another embodiment includes a plurality of legs rigidly attached to the at least one stationary support. The plurality of legs extend in a direction from the at least one stationary support towards the spherical power adjusters. The plurality of legs are designed to assist in holding the spherical power adjusters in a stationary position.
Another embodiment includes a shifting member having an end that extends outside of the transmission. The shifting member is positioned along the axis of the rotatable support member and is operably engaged with the rotatable support member. An adjustment in the position of the shifting member causes the rotatable support member, the first annular bearing, the second annular bearing, the first planar platform, and the second planar platform to all move simultaneously and a substantially equal distance.
The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.
The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial power equipment, such as a drill press.
Referring generally to
A first roller cage assembly 110 is coaxially coupled to the drive sleeve 106 opposite the rotatable driver 401 and also rotatably disposed over the main shaft 102. The first roller cage assembly 110 has a plurality of cylindrical rollers 112 radially arranged about a midpoint of the roller cage assembly 110. Each of the cylindrical rollers 112 are rotatably mounted on the first roller cage assembly 110 such that each of the rollers may rotate about its lengthwise axis. Preferably, a one-to-one correlation exists between each of the shallow grooves 108 and each of the cylindrical rollers 112. Optionally, the cylindrical rollers 112 may be replaced with rollers of an alternative geometric shape, such as with spherical rollers.
A tension inducer 118 (FIG. 2), such as a spring, is rotatably disposed over the main shaft 102 and frictionally coaxially coupled to the first roller cage assembly 110 opposite to the drive sleeve 104. Further, a rotatable driving member 120 is rotatably affixed to the main shaft 102 and coaxially coupled to a side of the first roller cage assembly 110 opposite the drive sleeve 104. A surface 107 (
A plurality of spherical power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C are in frictional contact with a side of the rotatable driving member 120 opposite the roller cage assembly 110. In one embodiment of the invention, the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C are spheres made of hardened steel; however, the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C may alternatively include other shapes and be manufactured from other materials. A plurality of spindles 130A, 130B, 130C (
A plurality of pivot supports 134A, 134B, 134C respectively hold the spindles 130A, 130B, 130C (FIG. 2). The support 134A includes two legs 135A and 137A for connection to a ratio changer 166 which is discussed in further detail below. Similarly, the support 134B includes two legs 135B and 137B, and the pivot support 134C includes two legs 135C and 137C.
The pivot supports 134A, 134B, 134C respectively include pivot rings 136A, 136B, 136C. The pivot ring 136A has four apertures 138A, 140A, 142A, 144A (FIG. 2). Similarly, the pivot support 134B has four apertures 138B, 140B, 142B, and 144B, and the pivot support 134C has four apertures 138C, 140C, 142C, and 144C (FIG. 2). The apertures 138A, 138B, 138C are respectively located opposite to the apertures 140A, 140B, 140C on the pivot rings 136A, 136B, and 136C. Together, the apertures 138A, 138B, 138C, and the apertures 140A, 140B, 140C are respectively configured to receive the spindles 130A, 130B, 130C (FIG. 2).
The apertures 142A, 142B, 142C (
A support member 154 is slidingly and rotatably disposed over the main shaft 102 proximate to a side of the stationary support 152 (
The support member 154 may contact and rotate upon the main shaft 102, or may be suspended over the main shaft 102 without substantially contacting it due to the centering pressures applied by the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C.
Referring in particular to
Still referring in particular to
In regard to the coupling of the support 134A and the ratio changer 166, the linkage pin 172A engages an end of the leg 137A of the support 134A opposite the pivot ring 136A, and the linkage pin 172B engages an end of the leg 135A opposite the pivot ring 136A. Further, in regard to the coupling between the pivot support 134B and the ratio changer 166, the linkage pin 173B engages an end of the leg 137B opposite the pivot ring 136B, and the linkage pin 172C engages an end of the leg 135B opposite the pivot ring 136B. Finally, in regard to the coupling between the pivot support 134C and the ratio changer 166, the linkage pin 173C engages an end of the leg 137C opposite the pivot ring 136C, and the linkage pin 173A engages an end of the leg 137B opposite the pivot ring 136C.
Although only three power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C are disclosed, the transmission 100 of the invention may be configured with fewer (e.g., 2) or more (e.g., 4, 5, 6 or more) power adjusters. Further, the number of legs on the ratio changer 166, the number of legs on the stationary support 152, the number of immobilizers, the number of pivot supports in the transmission may all be correspondingly adjusted according to the number of power adjusters that are employed.
Referring again in general to
Note that the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C are suspended in tight three-point frictional contact with the drive member 120, the support member 154, and the driven member 170.
The hub shell 302 (
Upon an input force, the drive sleeve 104 begins to rotate in a clockwise direction. (It should be noted that the transmission 100 is also designed to be driven in a counterclockwise direction.) At the beginning of the rotation of the drive sleeve 104, nominal axial pressure is supplied by the tension inducers 118, 178 (
The rotation of the drive sleeve 104 in a clockwise direction engages the first roller cage assembly 110 to rotate in a similar direction. At a low torque, the rollers 112 remain centered between the shallow grooves 108, 109 of the rotatable driving member 120 and the drive sleeve 104. As additional torque is applied, the rollers 112 ride up the sloping sides of the grooves 108 and force the drive sleeve 104 and the rotatable driving member 120 farther apart. The same action occurs on the opposite end of the transmission 100 wherein the rotatable driven member 170 engages the hub driver 186 though the second roller cage assembly 180. Thus, the first roller cage assembly 110 and second roller cage assembly 180 compress the rotatable driving member 120 and the rotatable driven member 170 together against the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C, which increases the frictional contact of the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C against the support member 154, the drive member 120, and the driven member 170.
As the first rotatable driving member 120 is rotated in a clockwise direction by the roller cage assembly 110, the roller cage assembly 110 frictionally rotates the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C. The clockwise rotation of the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C causes a clockwise rotation of the rotatable driven member 170. The clockwise rotation of the rotatable driven member 170 engages the second roller cage assembly 180 to rotate in a clockwise direction. In turn, the clockwise rotation of the second roller cage assembly 180 engages the hub driver 186 (
The shifting member 160 is used to modify the axis of a rotation for the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C. To shift the transmission 100, the shifting actuator (not shown) slides the shifting member 160 in a first direction 500 (FIG. 5). A release in tension of the linkage 163 by the shifting actuator (not shown) causes the shifting member 160 to slide in a second and opposite direction 600 (
When the shifting member 160 is moved in either direction by a user, the extensions 162, 164 engage the ratio changer 166 to axially move across the main shaft 102. Referring to
Referring to
A plurality of tension members 702A, 702B, 702C, which may each be a spring, interconnect each of the pivot rings 136A, 136B, 136C. The tension member 702A is connected at a first end to the pivot ring 136A and at a second end opposite the first end to the pivot ring 136B. Further, the tension member 702B is connected at a first end to the pivot ring 136B proximate to the aperture 138B and at a second end opposite the first end to the pivot ring 136C proximate to the aperture 138C. Further, the tension member 702C is connected at a first end to the pivot ring 136C proximate to the aperture 138C and at a second end opposite the first end to the pivot ring 136A proximate to the aperture 138A.
The transmission 700 also includes flexible extension members 708A, 708B, 708C respectively connected at a first end to the pivot rings 136A, 136B, 136C. The transmission 700 also includes a first annular bearing 806 and a second annular bearing 816 to assist in the shifting of the transmission 700. The first annular bearing 806 is slidingly attached to the hub shell 302 such that first the annular bearing 806 can further be directed toward the rotatable driving member 120 or the rotatable driven member 170. The second annular bearing 816 also is configured to be slid toward either the rotatable driving member 120 or the rotatable driven member 170; however, the second annular bearing 816 is not rotatable about the main shaft 102, unlike the first annular bearing 806. The first annular bearing 806 and the second annular bearing 816 supports multiple bearing balls 808. A second end of each the extension members 708A, 708B, 708C connects to the second annular bearing 816 (FIG. 8).
Multiple extension members 718A, 718B, 718C respectively connect the first annular bearing 806 to multiple weights 720A, 720B, 720C. Optionally, a plurality of pulleys 822 may be used to route the extension members 718A, 718B, 718C from the second annular bearing 816 to the weights 720A, 720B, 720C, and route the extension members 708A, 708B, 708C to the first annular bearing 806.
Still referring to
However, to be distinguished from the transmission 100 illustrated in
The movement of the first annular bearing 806 toward the rotatable driving member 120 causes the extension members 708A, 708B, 708C to respectively pivot the pivot rings 306A, 306B, 306C and adjust the axis of rotation of each of the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C. After the adjustment, the rotatable driven member 170 contacts a surface of power adjusters 120A, 120B, 120C closer to the axis of rotation of each of the power adjuster 122A, 122B, 122C. Conversely, the rotatable driving member 120 contacts the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C at a point on a surface of the each of the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C further away from the axis of rotation of the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C. The adjustment of the axis of rotation for the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C decreases an output angular velocity for the transmission 100 because for every revolution of the rotatable driving member 120, the rotatable driven member 170 rotates less than once. When the hub shell 302 rotates more slowly, the compression members 702A, 702B, 702C adjust the axis of rotation of the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C to provide to a lower output angular velocity in comparison to the input angular velocity.
The transmission 900 includes flexible extension members 908A, 908B, 908C respectively connected at a first end to the pivot rings 136A, 136B, 136C. A second end of the extension members 908A, 908B, 908C connects to a synchronization member 912. Further each of the extension members 908A, 908B, 908C are slidingly engaged to a plurality of pulleys 916 (
The hub shell 302 of the transmission 900 is non-rotational. Further, the hub shell 302 includes a plurality of apertures (not shown) which are used to guide the extension members 908A, 908B, 908C to the synchronization member 912.
To be noted, according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
Still referring to
In the transmission 900, the ratio of rotation between the rotatable driving member 120 and the rotatable driven member 170 is adjusted by the manipulation of the synchronization member 912. As the synchronization member 912 is outwardly directed from the hub shell 302, the extension members 908A, 908B, 908C respectively pivot the pivot rings 136A, 136B, 136C such that the axis of rotation of each of the power adjusters 122A, 122B, and 122C is similarly pivoted. The axis of rotation of each of the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C is modified such that the rotatable driving member 120 contacts a surface of power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C further away from the axis of rotation of each of the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C. Conversely, the rotatable driven member 170 contacts the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C at a point on a surface of the each of the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C closer to the axis of rotation of each of the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C. The adjustment of the axis of rotation for the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C decreases an output angular velocity for the transmission 100 because for every revolution of the rotatable driving member 120, the rotatable driven member 170 rotates less than once.
When the synchronization member 912 is directed toward the hub shell 302, the tension members 702A, 702B, 702C compress. This compression causes an end of the pivot rings 136A, 136B, 136C proximate to the rotatable driven member 170 to pivot toward the main shaft 102. The pivoting of the pivot rings 136A, 136B, 136C causes the axis of rotation of each of the power adjusters 122A, 122B, 122C to be modified such that the rotatable driven member 170 rotates slower than the rotatable driving member 120.
When the ratio changers 166, 1110 slide axially to cause a shift in the transmission 1100, the ratio changers 166, 1110 also slide the thrust bearings 1106, 1108. The sliding of the thrust bearings 1106, 1108 forces the support member 154 to slide in unison with the ratio changers 166, 1110. A small amount of play is provided between the support member 154 and the thrust bearings 1106, 1008 so that the thrust bearings 1106, 1108 do not contact the support member 154 except when the transmission 1100 is in the process of shifting.
Still referring to
Multiple linkage members 1532, 1534, 1536, respectively extend from the weights 1526, 1528, 1530 to an annular member (not shown), such as the annular member 806 of FIG. 8.
Turning to the method of operation of the housing 1500 of
Still referring to
The present invention provides a novel transmission which provides a continuously variable input/output angular velocity ratio offering up to a 900% range of input/output angular velocity. Further, the transmission can be actuated either manually or automatically.
Further, the transmission of the invention provides a simple design which requires a minimal number of parts to implement, and is therefore simple to manufacture, compact, light and produces very little friction. The transmission eliminates duplicate, overlapping, or unusable gears which are found in geared transmissions. The transmission eliminates the need for clutches which are traditionally used for changing gears. Lastly, the transmission can save energy or gasoline by providing an ideal input to output angular speed ratio.
While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
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