Continuously variable transmission case cover
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsNorman Schoenek, Charles Harsch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A case cover for a continuously variable transmission includes a wall having a plurality of fastening elements thereon and at which a sheave assembly is rotatably mountable. The wall forms at least a portion of a cavity for containing at least a portion of the sheave assembly. Two surfaces define a slot that is configured to position and positively locate a portion of the bearing retainer to result in coarse alignment of bearing retainer fastening elements with the case cover fastening elements. The bearing retainer fastening elements are preferably protruding nuts, and the case cover fastening elements are preferably tapered holes configured to further align the nuts for engagement with threaded fasteners.
Claims11
A case cover for a continuously variable transmission having a sheave assembly including a bearing retainer with a plurality of bearing retainer fastening elements thereon, the case cover comprising:
- a wall having a plurality of case cover fastening elements thereon at which the sheave assembly is rotatably mountable, the wall defining at least a portion of a cavity configured to contain a portion of the sheave assembly;
- and
- two surfaces defining a slot therebetween configured to contain a portion of the bearing retainer;
- wherein the cavity has an open end for receiving the portion of the sheave assembly;
- wherein the slot has an open end for receiving the portion of the bearing retainer;
- wherein the slot is sufficiently positioned and shaped such that the plurality of bearing retainer fastening elements are substantially aligned with the plurality of case cover fastening elements when the portion of the bearing retainer is inserted sufficiently into the slot.
A continuously variable transmission comprising:
- a first sheave assembly having a bearing retainer with a plurality of bearing retainer fastener elements thereon;
- and
- a case cover member having a wall with a plurality of case cover fastening elements thereon at which the first sheave assembly is rotatably mounted, the wall defining at least a portion of a cavity containing a portion of the sheave assembly, and two slot-defining surfaces defining a slot therebetween containing a portion of the bearing retainer;
- wherein the slot is sufficiently shaped such that the two slot-defining surfaces prevent rotation of the bearing retainer that results in misalignment of the bearing retainer fastening elements and the case cover fastening elements.
A continuously variable transmission comprising:
- a sheave assembly having a generally ring-shaped bearing retainer with a plurality nuts thereon, each of the nuts having a segment protruding from a surface of the bearing retainer;
- a case cover member having a wall with a plurality tapered holes formed therein at which the sheave assembly is rotatably mounted, the wall defining at least a portion of a cavity containing a portion of the sheave assembly, and two slot-defining surfaces defining a tapered slot therebetween containing a portion of the bearing retainer;
- a plurality of bolts engaged with said nuts through said holes;
- and
- at least one hole-defining surface surrounding the holes;
- wherein the bearing includes a race;
- wherein the bearing retainer is characterized by an inner diameter and an outer diameter;
- wherein the race includes a portion that is protuberant with respect to said at least one hole-defining surface;
- wherein the inner diameter of the bearing retainer contacts said portion of the race;
- and wherein the bearing retainer is deformed as a result of tightening the bolts such that each of the nuts exerts a lateral force on one of the bolts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.