Continuously variable transmission clutch with a peak torque limiter
AssigneeTEAM Industries, Inc.
InventorsStephen James Molde, Alexander C. Yudell, Bruce H. Younggren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) clutch that includes a post, a fixed sheave, a moveable sheave and a peak torque limiter (PTL) is provided. The fixed sheave is rotationally mounted on the post. The fixed sheave is axially fixed in relation to the post. The moveable sheave is rotationally mounted on the post. The moveable sheave is configured to move axially on the post. The PTL operationally couples at least the moveable sheave to the post. The PTL is configured to slip when exposed to a torque over a set maximum toque threshold.
Claims20
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) clutch, the CVT clutch comprising:
- a post;
- a fixed sheave rotationally mounted on the post, the fixed sheave axially fixed in relation to the post;
- a moveable sheave rotationally mounted on the post, the moveable sheave configured to move axially on the post;
- and
- a peak torque limiter (PTL) operationally coupling at least the moveable sheave to the post, the PTL configured to slip when exposed to a torque over a set maximum toque threshold.
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) clutch, the CVT clutch comprising:
- a post;
- a fixed sheave rotationally mounted on the post, the fixed sheave axially fixed in relation to the post;
- a moveable sheave rotationally mounted on the post, the moveable sheave configured to move axially on the post;
- a spider rotationally mounted on the post, the spider including at least one roller, the spider configured to move axially on the post;
- a cam assembly coupled to the moveable sheave, the cam assembly including cam profiles, the at least one roller of the spider engaging the cam profiles of the cam assembly to selectively move the moveable sheave axially in relation to the post based on an amount of toque present;
- a peak torque limiter (PTL) including a clutch pack that operationally couples torque transfer between the spider and the post;
- and
- a bias member configured to exert a bias force on the spider to engage the clutch pack to allow the torque transfer between the spider and the post, the bias force provided by the bias member selected to allow the clutch pack to slip when exposed to a torque over a set maximum toque threshold, wherein the maximum toque threshold varies based on a then current ratio of a PTL torque over a cam assembly torque.
A vehicle comprising:
- an engine to generate engine torque:
- a drivetrain configured to deliver the engine torque to wheels of the vehicle;
- and
- a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupling the engine torque between the engine and the drivetrain, the CVT including a drive CVT clutch in operational communication with the engine and driven CVT clutch sheave in operational communication with the drivetrain, the drive CVT clutch in operational communication with the drive CVT clutch with an endless looped member, at least the driven CVT clutch including,
- a fixed sheave rotationally mounted on one of a post and input shaft, the fixed sheave axially fixed in relation to the one of the post and input shaft;
- a moveable sheave rotationally mounted on the one of the post and input shaft, the moveable sheave configured to move axially on the one of the post and input shaft;
- and
- a peak torque limiter (PTL) operationally coupling at least the moveable sheave to the one of the post and input shaft, the PTL configured to slip when exposed to a torque over a set maximum toque threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.