Variable torque limiting clutch for a steel belt continuously variable transmission

A driven sheave and variable torque limiting clutch assembly for a CVT comprising:

• a driven sheave configured to be operationally coupled to a drive sheave via a belt, the driven sheave including a fixed sheave member and a movable sheave member the driven sheave operationally coupled to a drivetrain;
• a variable torque limiting (VTL) clutch coupled between the driven sheave and the drivetrain to selectively couple torque between the driven sheave and the drivetrain;
• and
• a hydraulic system configured to manipulate both the movable sheave member of the driven sheave and the VTL clutch using different hydraulic pressure routing passages such that the movable sheave member of the driven sheave and the VTL clutch are not in hydraulic communication with each other;
• a driven post having at least one driven post hydraulic passage, the movable sheave member of the driven sheave slidably mounted on and rotationally fixed to the driven post;
• and
• the driven sheave further includes a sheave stator that is statically positioned on the driven post, the sheave stator and an inside surface of the moveable sheave member forming a movable sheave chamber, the at least one driven post hydraulic passage of the driven post extending into the movable sheave chamber.

A vehicle including a variable torque limiting clutch for a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the vehicle comprising:

• a motor configured to generate engine torque;
• a drivetrain;
• at least one sensor to generate sensor signals based on at least one operational perimeter of the vehicle;
• the CVT including a drive sheave and a driven sheave, the drive sheave is operationally coupled to the motor, the drive sheave is further operationally coupled to the driven sheave by a belt, the driven sheave including a fixed sheave member and a movable sheave member;
• a variable torque limiting (VTL) clutch coupled between the driven sheave and the drivetrain to selectively couple and uncouple torque between the driven sheave and the drivetrain;
• and
• a hydraulic system configured to manipulate both the movable sheave member of the driven sheave and the VTL clutch using different hydraulic pressure routing passages such that the movable sheave member of the driven sheave and the VTL clutch are not in hydraulic communication with each other;
• a driven post having at least one driven post hydraulic passage, the movable sheave member of the driven sheave slidably mounted on and rotationally fixed to the driven post;
• and
• the driven sheave further includes a sheave stator that is statically positioned on the driven post, the sheave stator and an inside surface of the moveable sheave member forming a movable sheave chamber, the at least one driven post hydraulic passage of the driven post extending into the movable sheave chamber.