Split power continuously variable transmission architecture incorporating a planetary type ball variator with multiple fixed ranges

A transmission comprising:

• a housing,
• an input shaft configured to receive torque from a drive unit,
• an output shaft configured to transmit torque to a load,
• a variable-ratio unit arranged between the input shaft and the output shaft,
• at least three planetary gearsets arranged between the input shaft and the output shaft, the at least three planetary gearsets including (i) a first planetary gearset coupled to the input shaft and the variable-ratio unit and (ii) a second planetary gearset coupled to the first planetary gearset, the variable-ratio unit, and the housing,
• at least eight clutches arranged between the input shaft and the output shaft, the at least eight clutches selectively engageable in combination with one another to select one of at least two reverse modes and at least four forward modes, and
• a launch device coupled between the variable-ratio unit and the second planetary gearset, the launch device operable to transmit torque between the variable-ratio unit and the second planetary gearset.

A transmission comprising:

• a housing,
• an input shaft configured to receive torque from a drive unit,
• an output shaft configured to transmit torque to a load,
• a variable-ratio unit arranged between the input shaft and the output shaft,
• at least three planetary gearsets arranged between the input shaft and the output shaft, the at least three planetary gearsets including (i) a first planetary gearset coupled to the input shaft and the variable-ratio unit, (ii) a second planetary gearset coupled to the first planetary gearset, the variable-ratio unit, and the housing, and (iii) a third planetary gearset having a first element coupled to the housing and a second element coupled to the output shaft,
• at least eight clutches arranged between the input shaft and the output shaft, the at least eight clutches selectively engageable in combination with one another to select one of at least two reverse modes and at least four forward modes, and
• a launch device coupled between the variable-ratio unit and the second planetary gearset, the launch device operable to transmit torque between the variable-ratio unit and the second planetary gearset.