Continuously variable transmission with wedge actuation mechanism

A continuously variable transmission comprising:

• an output shaft rotatable about an axis;
• a variator assembly including:
• a pulley supported on the output shaft and defining a ramp surface;
• an endless rotatable device frictionally engaged with the pulley, wherein the ramp surface inclines in an axial direction along the axis toward the endless rotatable device;
• a wedge component coupled to the output shaft, wherein the wedge component defines a wedge surface shaped to mate with the ramp surface, and a rotation of the output shaft causes the wedge component to apply a wedge force on the ramp surface;
• a planetary gear set coupled to the output shaft;
• an assembly shaft coupled to the planetary gear set, wherein the planetary gear set is coupled between the output shaft and the assembly shaft;
• a stationary structure;
• and
• a brake selectively coupled between the planetary gear set and the stationary structure, wherein the brake is selectively connected to the stationary structure such that at least one member of the planetary gear set remains stationary to cause the output shaft and the assembly shaft to rotate in opposite directions;
• wherein the planetary gear set includes a carrier, the brake has an engaged state and a disengaged state, solely when the brake is in the engaged state, the brake couples the carrier to the stationary structure such that the carrier remains stationary to cause the output shaft and the assembly shaft to rotate in opposite directions.