Primary clutch electronic cvt
AssigneePolaris Industries Inc.
InventorsBeat R. Kohler, Urs Wenger, Peter J. Erasmus, Stephen L. Nelson, Brian D. Krosschell, Jeffrey I. Peterman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided for use on a recreational or utility vehicle. The CVT is electronically controlled by at least one control unit of the vehicle. The CVT includes a primary clutch having a first sheave and a second sheave moveable relative to the first sheave. An actuator controls movement of the second sheave.
Claims20
A recreational vehicle, comprising:
- a chassis;
- a plurality of ground engaging members configured to support the chassis;
- an engine supported by the chassis;
- a continuously variable transmission driven by the engine, the continuously variable transmission including a first clutch, a second clutch, and a belt coupled to the first clutch and the second clutch, the first clutch being adjustable to modulate a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission;
- a position sensor configured to detect a sheave gap of the first clutch;
- at least one speed sensor configured to detect a rotational speed of each of the engine, the first clutch, and the second clutch;
- and
- a controller including control logic operative to:
- determine an expected gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission based on the sheave gap of the first clutch;
- determine an actual gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission based on the detected rotational speeds of the first clutch and the second clutch;
- issue a first warning upon the actual gear ratio deviating from the expected gear ratio by more than a first threshold amount.
A method of monitoring a continuously variable transmission of a recreational vehicle, the method comprising:
- detecting, with a position sensor, a sheave gap of a first clutch of the continuously variable transmission;
- detecting, with at least one speed sensor, a rotational speed of each of a first clutch and a second clutch of the continuously variable transmission;
- determining, by control logic of a controller, an expected gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission based on the detected sheave gap of the first clutch;
- determining, by the control logic, an actual gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission based on the detected rotational speeds of the first clutch and the second clutch;
- and
- issuing a first warning upon the actual gear ratio deviating from the expected gear ratio by more than a first threshold amount.
A controller for a continuously variable transmission of a recreational vehicle, the controller comprising:
- at least one processor;
- and
- a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the controller to:
- receive a signal from a position sensor indicative of a sheave gap of a first clutch of the continuously variable transmission;
- receive signals from at least one speed sensor indicative of rotational speeds of the first clutch and a second clutch of the continuously variable transmission;
- determine an expected gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission based on the sheave gap of the first clutch;
- determine an actual gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission based on the rotational speeds of the first clutch and the second clutch;
- and
- issue a first warning upon the actual gear ratio deviating from the expected gear ratio by more than a first threshold amount.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.