Integrated launch clutch and drive sheave for steel belt continuously variable transmission

An integrated launch clutch and drive sheave for a continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:

• a drive sheave including,
• a fixed sheave member statically mounted on a drive sheave post, and
• a movable sheave member slidably mounted on and rotationally fixed to the drive sheave post;
• a launch clutch in rotational communication with a motor, the launch clutch configured to selectively couple engine torque from the motor to the drive sheave post of the drive sheave, the launch clutch being in hydraulic communication with the drive sheave, the launch clutch including,
• a clutch pack configured to selectively couple torque between a motor and the drive sheave post, and
• a clutch piston configured to be manipulated by hydraulic pressure to selectively activate the clutch pack;
• and
• a hydraulic system providing hydraulic communication between the launch clutch and drive sheave, the hydraulic system configured to activate the launch clutch to selectively couple engine torque between the motor and the drive sheave and to axially move the movable sheave member on the drive sheave post of the drive sheave in relation to the fixed sheave member, the hydraulic system including,
• at least one hydraulic pump to generate the hydraulic pressure, the drive sheave post having at least one drive sheave post passage configured to provide a passage for the hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pump to at least a movable sheave chamber formed by the movable sheave member and a sheave stator.

A vehicle comprising:

• a motor;
• a drivetrain;
• a continuously variable transmission (CVT) configured to communicate torque between the motor and the drivetrain, the CVT having an integrated launch clutch and drive sheave, the integrated launch clutch and drive sheave including,
• a drive sheave including,
• a fixed sheave member statically mounted on a drive sheave post, and
• a movable sheave member slidably mounted on and rotationally fixed to the drive sheave post;
• a launch clutch in rotational communication with a motor, the launch clutch configured to selectively couple engine torque from the motor to the drive sheave post of the drive sheave, the launch clutch being in hydraulic communication with the drive sheave;
• and
• an integrated hydraulic system providing hydraulic communication between the launch clutch and drive sheave, the hydraulic system configured to both activate the launch clutch to selectively couple engine torque between the motor and the drive sheave and to axially move the movable sheave member on the drive sheave post of the drive sheave in relation to the fixed sheave member.