Input clutch assembly for infinitely variable transmission

A method of selectively transferring energy from a power source to an infinitely variable transmission, the method comprising:

• providing an input shaft spaced from an output shaft, a toroidal variator coupled between the input shaft and output shaft, the variator including a first input disc, a second input disc, a first output disc, and a second output disc, wherein the first and second input discs are directly coupled to an input variator shaft and the first and second output discs are coupled directly to an output variator shaft;
• providing a first, second, and third clutch assembly coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft, the second clutch assembly being coupled directly to the input variator shaft and to the first and second input discs, a first planetary gearset directly coupled to the input variator shaft and a second planetary gearset directly coupled to the output variator shaft, and an input coupler disposed between the power source and the toroidal variator;
• rotating the power source in an input direction;
• transmitting energy from the power source to the input shaft;
• engaging the input coupler to selectively connect the power source to the input shaft;
• selectively transferring energy from the power source to the transmission;
• engaging the first clutch assembly and disengaging the second and third clutch assemblies in a first operating mode;
• and
• selectively rotating the output shaft by the power source in a forward direction, a gear neutral, or a reverse direction while in the first operating mode without disengaging the first clutch assembly and the input coupler.