Continuously variable transmission
AssigneeAllison Transmission, Inc.
InventorChristopher Gaskell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising a ratio varying unit and a compound epicyclic gear set. The ratio varying unit has a rotating first side and a rotating second side, the rotational axes of the first and second sides being coaxial. The compound epicyclic gear set comprises a first set of planets, being rotationally mounted within a carrier and meshing with a sun gear. The epicyclic gear set also has a first annulus gear and a second set of planets; the second set of planets also being rotationally mounted within the carrier and meshing with a second annulus gear. One of the first or second rotating sides of the ratio varying unit is coupled to the carrier and the other of the first or second rotating sides of the ratio varying unit is coupled to the sun gear.
Claims20
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising a ratio varying unit and a compound epicyclic gear set;
- the ratio varying unit having a rotating first side and a rotating second side, rotational axes of the first and second sides being coaxial,
- the compound epicyclic gear set comprising a first set of planets,
- the first set of planets being rotationally mounted within a carrier and meshing with a sun gear, a first annulus gear, and a second set of planets;
- the second set of planets also being rotationally mounted within the carrier and meshing with a second annulus gear;
- one of the first or second rotating sides of the ratio varying unit being driveably coupled to the carrier and the other of the first or second rotating sides of the ratio varying unit being driveably coupled to the sun gear,
- wherein one of the first and second rotating sides of the ratio varying unit is directly connected to the carrier of the compound epicyclic gear set without any other component connected between the one of the first and second rotating sides and the carrier, wherein the other of the first and second rotating sides of the ratio varying unit is connected to the sun gear through a hollow shaft without any other component connected between the other of the first and second rotating sides and the sun gear, and wherein at least one of the first annulus gear and the second annulus gear of the compound epicyclic gear set is directly connected to an input shaft of the CVT.
A transmission comprising:
- a ratio varying unit having at least one input disc and at least one output disc axially spaced from the at least one input disc, and
- a compound epicyclic gear set coupled to the ratio varying unit that includes a carrier, a first set of planets supported by the carrier and meshing with a sun gear and a first annulus gear of the compound epicyclic gear set, and a second set of planets supported by the carrier and meshing with a second annulus gear of the compound epicyclic gear set,
- wherein the at least one input disc is directly connected to the carrier, wherein the at least one output disc is directly connected to the sun gear, and wherein at least one of the first annulus gear and the second annulus gear of the compound epicyclic gear set is directly connected to an input shaft of the transmission.
A transmission comprising:
- a ratio varying unit having at least one input disc and at least one output disc axially spaced from the at least one input disc, wherein the at least one input disc and the at least one output disc are mounted on a first shaft;
- a compound epicyclic gear set mounted on the first shaft that includes a carrier directly connected to the at least one input disc, a first set of planets supported by the carrier and meshing with a first annulus gear of the compound epicyclic gear set and a sun gear that is directly connected to the at least one output disc, and a second set of planets supported by the carrier and meshing with a second annulus gear of the compound epicyclic gear set;
- and
- a plurality of clutches mounted on a second shaft radially spaced from the first shaft,
- wherein the first shaft is an input shaft of the transmission, wherein the first and second shafts are radially spaced from an output shaft of the transmission, and wherein at least one of the first annulus gear and the second annulus gear of the compound epicyclic gear set is directly connected to the first shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.