Planetary Powertrain Configurations With A Ball Variator Continuously Variable Transmission Used As A Powersplit
AssigneeDana Corporation
InventorsKenneth E. Cooper, Gordon M. McIndoe, Sebastian J. Peters
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.
Claims20
A continuously variable transmission comprising:
- a first rotatable shaft operably coupleable to a source of rotational power, the first 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 tiltable axis of rotation, the variator assembly is coaxial with the main axis;
- a first planetary gearset having a first sun gear, 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 gear set operably coupled to the first traction ring assembly;
- a second gear set operably coupled to the first sun gear, the second gear set operably coupled to the first gear set;
- and
- a third gear set operably coupled to the second traction ring assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.