Direct shift continuously variable transmission

A direct shift continuously variable transmission, comprising:

• a variator having a toroidal cavity;
• a plurality of traction roller rotatably and radially located within the toroidal cavity;
• an input shaft rotatably disposed within the variator, the input shaft being adapted to receive a torque from the vehicle engine;
• an input disk coaxially connected to the input shaft and frictionally contacting the traction roller to provide a rotational force to the traction roller;
• an output disk opposed to the input disk and frictionally contacting the traction roller, the output disk being annularly rotatable by receiving the rotational force from the traction roller;
• an output shaft coaxially connected to the output disk and receiving the rotational force from the output disk;
• a preload component located within the variator and applying the traction roller a radially inward force so as to make frictional contact between the traction rollers and the input and output disks;
• wherein the preload component comprises a roller retainer, a preload washer, a track plate and a thrust bearing;
• the roller retainer is configured to affix the traction roller within the variator;
• the thrust bearing is located on opposed surface of the flat surface of the traction roller;
• and the preload washer and the track plate are located between the roller retainer and the thrust bearing to provide a thrust to the thrust bearing and therefore make frictional contact between the traction rollers and the input and output disks.