# US 2013/0158823 A1 · Continuously variable transmission > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0158823 A1 - Document ID: US20130158823A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/613,612 - Filed: 2012-09-13 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Assignees: The Gates Corporation - Inventors: Andrzej Dec - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130158823A1 ## CPC - F16H 61/66259: {using electrical or electronical sensing or control means} - F16H 9/18: only one flange of each pulley being adjustable - F16H 55/56: of which the bearing parts are relatively axially adjustable - F16H 63/062: {electric or electro-mechanical actuating means} - F16H: GEARING ## Abstract A CVT transmission comprising a shaft journalled to a housing, a first sheave fixed to the shaft, a second sheave moveable parallel to an axis of rotation of the shaft, the second sheave locked in rotating relation with the first sheave by a first sheave member cooperatively engaged with a second sheave receiving member, the second sheave receiving member disposed at a helical angle (HA) with respect to the axis of rotation, a sprocket journalled to the housing, the sprocket threadably engaged with a movable member, a bearing disposed between the movable member and the second sheave, the movable member engaged with the housing whereby movement of the movable member is parallel with the axis of rotation, an electric actuator engaged with the sprocket, and the second sheave is axially movable upon a rotation of the sprocket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A CVT transmission comprising: a shaft (1) journalled to a housing (4); a first sheave (14) fixed to the shaft (1); a second sheave (12) moveable parallel to an axis of rotation (1A) of the shaft; the second sheave locked in rotating relation with the first sheave by a first sheave member (22) cooperatively engaged with a second sheave receiving member (12A), the second sheave receiving member disposed at a helical angle (HA) with respect to the axis of rotation; a sprocket (6) journalled to the housing; the sprocket threadably engaged (6B) with a movable member (26), a bearing (16) disposed between the movable member and the second sheave; the movable member engaged (5A) with the housing whereby movement of the movable member is parallel with the axis of rotation; an electric actuator (30) engaged with the sprocket; and the second sheave is axially movable upon a rotation of the sprocket. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The CVT transmission as in claim 1, wherein the helical angle is approximately 20 degrees. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The CVT transmission as in claim 1, wherein the first sheave member further comprises a roller having a roller axis of rotation (24A) that is normal to the shaft axis of rotation (1A). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The CVT transmission as in claim 1, wherein the second sheave receiving member comprises a slot. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The CVT transmission as in claim 1, wherein the electric actuator comprises a motor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The CVT transmission as in claim 1, wherein the moveable member comprises a slot and the housing comprises a radial projection for engaging a slot. ### Claim 7 A clutch system for a continuously variable transmission, the clutch system coupled to a shaft that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis, comprising: a stationary sheave coupled to the shaft; a movable sheave comprising a slot, and moveably coupled to the shaft, the movable sheave being movable with respect to said stationary sheave along the longitudinal axis; a positional motor coupled to the moveable sheave and configured to cause said moveable sheave to move closer or further from the stationary sheave; and the moveable sheave and the stationary sheave coupled via a slot, said slot is generally at a helical angle from said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The secondary driven clutch system of claim 7, wherein the helical angle is in the range of about 5 degrees to about 50 degrees from the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The secondary driven clutch system of claim 8, wherein the helical angle is about 20 degrees when measured from the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The secondary driven clutch system of claim 7, wherein the stationary sheave is coupled to the slot via a roller disposed within the slot. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The secondary driven clutch system of claim 7, wherein the motor is coupled to the moveable sheave via a belt and gear drive system. ### Claim 12 A vehicle comprising a continuously variable transmission system, wherein the continuously variable transmission system comprises: a stationary sheave coupled to a shaft; a movable sheave journalled about the shaft, the movable sheave being movable closer to or further from the stationary sheave along a longitudinal axis of rotation; a motor coupled to the moveable sheave and configured to cause said moveable sheave closer or further from the stationary sheave; and the stationary sheave and the moveable sheave coupled with a pin and slot, wherein said slot is generally at a helical angle from said longitudinal axis of rotation and configured to reduce the longitudinal force needed to move said moveable sheave relative to said stationary sheave, with respect to a moveable sheave with a slot generally parallel to said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the angle is in the range of generally 5 degrees to generally 50 degrees from the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the angle is generally 20 degrees from the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The secondary driven clutch system of claim 12, wherein the motor is coupled to the slot via a belt and gear drive system. ### Claim 16 A method of controlling a CVT transmission comprising: sending engine and transmission system signals to a microprocessor; calculating a speed ratio using the engine and transmission system signals; selecting a required speed ratio from a look up table; determining a transmission control motor speed and direction; and sending a signal to the transmission control motor to change the speed ratio to match the required speed ratio.