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US 2017/0284508 A1Published application
Planetary Powertrain Configuration with a Ball Variator Continuously Variable Transmission Used as a Powersplit
AssigneeDana Corporation
InventorThibault G. Devreese
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and methods are provided herein for the transmission of power in motor vehicles. Power is transmitted in a smoother and more efficient manner by splitting torque into two or more torque paths. A continuously variable transmission is provided with a ball variator assembly having an array of balls, a planetary gearset coupled thereto and an arrangement of rotatable shafts with multiple gears and clutches that extend the ratio range of the variator. In some embodiments, clutches are coupled to the gear sets to enable synchronous shifting of gear modes.
Claims21
A continuously variable transmission comprising:
- a first rotatable shaft operably coupleable to a source of rotational power;
- a second rotatable shaft aligned coaxial with the first rotatable shaft, the first rotatable shaft and the second rotatable shaft forming a main axis;
- a variator assembly having a first traction ring assembly and a second traction ring assembly in contact with a plurality of balls, wherein each ball of the plurality of balls has a tillable axis of rotation, the variator assembly is coaxial with the main axis;
- a first planetary gearset having a first sun gear operably 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 second traction ring assembly;
- a first-and-third mode clutch operably coupled to the first ring gear, the first-and-third mode clutch coaxial with the main axis;
- a countershaft arranged parallel to the main axis;
- a second planetary gear set coaxial with the countershaft, the second planetary gear set having a second sun gear, a second planet carrier, and a second ring gear;
- a third planetary gear set coaxial with the countershaft, the third planetary gear set having a third sun gear, a third planet carrier, and a third ring gear;
- a second-and-fourth mode clutch coaxial with the countershaft, the second-and-fourth mode clutch operably coupled to the second sun gear and the third sun gear;
- a first synchronizer clutch coaxial with the countershaft, the first synchronizer clutch operably coupled to the second ring gear;
- and
- a second synchronizer clutch coaxial with the countershaft, the second synchronizer clutch operably coupled to the third ring gear.
9 more elements
drivingly engaged with the power source, and a vehicle output drivingly engaged with the continuously variable transmission.
A method of operating a continuously variable transmission, the method comprising:
- providing a continuously variable transmission comprising:
- a first rotatable shaft operably coupleable to a source of rotational power;
- a second rotatable shaft aligned coaxial with the first rotatable shaft, the first rotatable shaft and the second rotatable shaft forming a main axis;
- a variator assembly having a first traction ring assembly and a second traction ring assembly in contact with a plurality of balls, wherein each ball of the plurality of balls has a tillable axis of rotation, the variator assembly is coaxial with the main axis;
- a first planetary gearset having a first sun gear operably 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 second traction ring assembly;
- a first-and-third mode clutch operably coupled to the first ring gear, the first-and-third mode clutch coaxial with the main axis;
- a countershaft arranged parallel to the main axis;
- a second planetary gear set coaxial with the countershaft, the second planetary gear set having a second sun gear, a second planet carrier, and a second ring gear;
- a third planetary gear set coaxial with the countershaft, the third planetary gear set having a third sun gear, a third planet carrier, and a third ring gear;
- a second-and-fourth mode clutch coaxial with the countershaft, the second-and-fourth mode clutch operably coupled to the second sun gear and the third sun gear;
- a first synchronizer clutch coaxial with the countershaft, the first synchronizer clutch operably coupled to the second ring gear;
- and
- a second synchronizer clutch coaxial with the countershaft, the second synchronizer clutch operably coupled to the third ring gear;
- engaging the first-and-third mode clutch to operate in a first mode of operation and a third mode of operation;
- and
- engaging the second-and-fourth mode clutch to operate in a second mode of operation and a fourth mode of operation.
13 more elements
A vehicle driveline comprising:
- a power source, a continuously variable transmission of
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.