Planetary powertrain configurations with a ball variator continuously variable transmission used as a powersplit

A continuously variable transmission comprising:

• a first rotatable shaft operably coupleable to a source of rotational power;
• a second rotatable shaft aligned coaxial to the first rotatable shaft, the first rotatable shaft and second rotatable shaft forming a main axis of the transmission;
• a third rotatable shaft aligned parallel to the main axis;
• a first variator assembly having a first traction ring assembly and a second traction ring assembly in contact with a first plurality of balls, wherein each ball of the first plurality of balls has a tiltable axis of rotation, the first variator assembly is coaxial with the main axis, and the first traction ring assembly is coupled to the second rotatable shaft;
• a second variator assembly having a third traction ring assembly and a fourth traction ring assembly in contact with a second plurality of balls, wherein each ball of the second plurality of balls has a tiltable axis of rotation, the second variator assembly is coaxial with the main axis, and the third traction ring assembly is coupled to the second traction ring assembly;
• a first planetary gearset having a first sun gear coupled to the second rotatable shaft, a first planet carrier operably coupled to the first rotatable shaft, and a first ring gear coupled to the fourth traction ring assembly;
• a second planetary gear set arranged coaxial with the third rotatable shaft, the second planetary gear set having a second sun gear, a second ring gear, and a second planet carrier operably coupled to the first rotatable shaft;
• a third planetary gear set arranged coaxial with the third rotatable shaft, the third planetary gear set having a third sun gear, a third ring gear, a third planet carrier that is grounded;
• a forward clutch positioned coaxial with the third rotatable shaft and operably coupled to the second sun gear and the third sun gear;
• and
• a reverse clutch operably coupled to the second sun gear and the third sun gear.