Trunnion linkage structure for toroidal continuously variable transmission and method of assembling the structure

A method of assembling a trunnion linkage structure of a dual-cavity toroidal continuously variable transmission including a transmission casing having a top wall with a hole, the structure including trunnions each having an axis and an axial end portion, an upper link displaceable along the axis of the trunnion and formed with connection holes through which the upper link is coupled to the axial end portion of the trunnion, a stop mounted to the axial end portion of the trunnion, the stop having an outer diameter larger than each of the connection holes and limiting displacement of the upper link in an axial direction of the trunnion in which the upper link is released from the axial end portion of the trunnion, a snap ring mounted to the axial end portion of the trunnion and performing positioning of the stop in the axial direction of the trunnion, and a stop positioning portion disposed on one of the upper link and the stop and engaged with the other of the upper link and the stop so as to limit displacement of the stop in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the trunnion, the method comprising:

• inserting a jig into the transmission case through the hole of the top wall so as to project an end surface of the jig to an inside of the transmission case;
• placing the snap ring and the stop on the end surface of the jig;
• placing the upper link on the stop such that the connection hole is coaxially aligned with the stop;
• and
• inserting the axial end portion of the trunnion from a side of the upper link more distant from the stop into the connection hole of the upper link until the stop is positioned in place relative to the axial end portion of the trunnion and the snap ring is placed in a mount position where the snap ring is engaged with the axial end portion of the trunnion and limits displacement of the stop in the axial direction of the trunnion.

A method of assembling a trunnion linkage structure of a dual-cavity toroidal continuously variable transmission including a transmission casing having a top wall with a hole, the structure including trunnions each having an axis and an axial end portion, an upper link displaceable along the axis of the trunnion and formed with connection holes through which the upper link is coupled to the axial end portion of the trunnion, a stop mounted to the axial end portion of the trunnion, the stop having an outer diameter larger than each of the connection holes and limiting displacement of the upper link in an axial direction of the trunnion in which the upper link is released from the axial end portion of the trunnion, a snap ring mounted to the axial end portion of the trunnion and performing positioning of the stop in the axial direction of the trunnion, and a stop positioning portion disposed on one of the upper link and the stop and engaged with the other of the upper link and the stop so as to limit displacement of the stop in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the trunnion, the method comprising:

• placing the stop on an inside surface of the top wall of the transmission case;
• placing the upper link on the stop such that the connection hole is coaxially aligned with the stop;
• inserting the axial end portion of the trunnion from a side of the upper link more distant from the stop into the connection hole of the upper link until the stop is positioned in place relative to the axial end portion of the trunnion;
• inserting a first jig into the transmission case through the hole of the top wall until the first jig contacts the axial end portion of the trunnion;
• and
• inserting a second jig with the snap ring into the transmission case through the hole of the top wall and guiding the snap ring in cooperation with the first jig to a mount position where the snap ring is engaged with the axial end portion of the trunnion and limits displacement of the stop in the axial direction of the trunnion.

A method of assembling a trunnion linkage structure of a dual-cavity toroidal continuously variable transmission including a transmission casing having a top wall with a hole, the structure including trunnions each having an axis and an axial end portion, an upper link displaceable along the axis of the trunnion and formed with connection holes through which the upper link is coupled to the axial end portion of the trunnion, a stop mounted to the axial end portion of the trunnion, the stop having an outer diameter larger than each of the connection holes and limiting displacement of the upper link in an axial direction of the trunnion in which the upper link is released from the axial end portion of the trunnion, a snap ring mounted to the axial end portion of the trunnion and performing positioning of the stop in the axial direction of the trunnion, and a stop positioning portion disposed on one of the upper link and the stop and engaged with the other of the upper link and the stop so as to limit displacement of the stop in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the trunnion, the method comprising:

• inserting a jig into the transmission case through the hole of the top wall so as to project an end surface of the jig to an inside of the transmission case;
• placing the snap ring on the end surface of the jig;
• placing the stop in a predetermined position relative to the top wall of the transmission case;
• placing the upper link on the stop such that the connection hole is coaxially aligned with the stop;
• inserting the axial end portion of the trunnion from a side of the upper link more distant from the stop into the connection hole of the upper link until the stop is positioned in place relative to the axial end portion of the trunnion;
• and
• guiding the snap ring placed on the end surface of the jig, to a mount position where the snap ring is engaged with the axial end portion of the trunnion and limits displacement of the stop in the axial direction of the trunnion.