# US 2018/0320768 A1 · Multi-mode continuously-variable transmission > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0320768 A1 - Document ID: US20180320768A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/587,796 - Filed: 2017-05-05 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-05 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Chengwu Duan; Robert J. Gonzales; Ying Huang; Jian Yao - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180320768A1 ## CPC - F16H 37/021: {toothed gearing combined with continuously variable friction gearing} - F16H 9/16: using two pulleys, both built-up out of adjustable conical parts - F16H 37/06: with a plurality of driving or driven shafts; with arrangements for dividing torque between two or more intermediate shafts - F16H: GEARING ## Abstract A multiple-mode continuously-variable transmission (CVT) assembly for connecting to an external power-source is disclosed. The assembly includes a continuously-variable speed-ratio unit having an input member and a multiple fixed speed-ratio unit having another input member, wherein the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit is operatively connected to the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit. The assembly also includes a first torque-transmitting device operatively connected to each of the input members of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit. The first torque-transmitting device is configured to receive an input torque from the external power-source. The assembly also includes an output member operatively connected to each of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit and configured to carry an output torque from the assembly. A motor vehicle having such a multiple-mode CVT assembly is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multiple-mode continuously-variable transmission (CVT) assembly for transmitting a torque from an external power-source, comprising: a continuously-variable speed-ratio unit having an input member; a multiple fixed speed-ratio unit having another input member, wherein the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit is operatively connected to the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit; a first torque-transmitting device operatively connected to each of the input members of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit and configured to receive the torque from the external power-source; and an assembly output member operatively connected to each of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit and configured to carry an output torque from the assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multiple-mode CVT assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an assembly housing configured to retain each of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit, the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit, and the first torque-transmitting device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The multiple-mode CVT assembly according to claim 2, wherein: the first torque-transmitting device, the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit, and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit are connected in series; the first torque-transmitting device is directly connected to the input member of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit; the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit is directly connected to the input member of the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit; and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit is directly connected to the assembly output member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The multiple-mode CVT assembly according to claim 2, wherein: the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit are connected to the first torque-transmitting device in parallel; and the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit are configured to selectively transmit the torque from the power-source to the assembly output member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The multiple-mode CVT assembly according to claim 4, further comprising a second torque-transmitting device arranged between the first torque-transmitting device and each of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit, wherein the second torque-transmitting device is configured to selectively connect the first torque-transmitting device to the respective input member of one of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The multiple-mode CVT assembly according to claim 5, wherein the assembly housing is additionally configured to retain the second torque-transmitting device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The multiple-mode CVT assembly according to claim 5, wherein: the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit is configured to transmit the torque from the power-source to the assembly output member in direct drive through overdrive modes; and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit is configured to transmit the torque from the power-source to the assembly output member in underdrive through direct drive modes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The multiple-mode CVT assembly according to claim 1, wherein the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit is configured as a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) including a variable diameter input pulley and a variable diameter output pulley connected via a chain. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The multiple-mode CVT assembly according to claim 1, wherein the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit is configured as a multi-speed automatic gearbox. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The multiple-mode CVT assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first torque-transmitting device is configured as one of a fluid coupling and a friction plate clutch. ### Claim 11 A motor vehicle comprising: an internal combustion engine configured to generate an engine torque; a drive axle; and a multiple-mode continuously-variable transmission (CVT) assembly for connecting the internal combustion engine to the drive axle, including: a continuously-variable speed-ratio unit having an input member; a multiple fixed speed-ratio unit having another input member, wherein the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit is operatively connected to the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit; a first torque-transmitting device operatively connected to each of the input members of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit and configured to receive the engine torque; and an assembly output member operatively connected to each of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit and configured to carry an output torque from the assembly to the drive axle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The motor vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the multiple-mode CVT assembly additionally includes an assembly housing configured to retain each of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit, the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit, and the first torque-transmitting device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein: the first torque-transmitting device, the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit, and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit are connected in series; the first torque-transmitting device is directly connected to the input member of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit; the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit is directly connected to the input member of the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit; and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit is directly connected to the assembly output member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein: the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit are connected to the first torque-transmitting device in parallel; and the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit are configured to selectively transmit the engine torque to the assembly output member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein: the multiple-mode CVT assembly additionally includes a second torque-transmitting device arranged between the first torque-transmitting device and each of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit; and the second torque-transmitting device is configured to selectively connect the first torque-transmitting device to the respective input member of one of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the assembly housing is additionally configured to retain the second torque-transmitting device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein: the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit is configured to transmit the engine torque to the assembly output member in direct drive through overdrive modes; and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit is configured to transmit the engine torque to the assembly output member in underdrive through direct drive modes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The motor vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit is configured as a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) including a variable diameter input pulley and a variable diameter output pulley connected via a chain. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The motor vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit is configured as a multi-speed automatic gearbox. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The motor vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the first torque-transmitting device is configured as one of a fluid coupling and a friction plate clutch.