Differential transmission drive unit
AssigneeVadetec Corporation
InventorYves J. Kemper
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power splitting differential transmission unit by which input power is transmitted in a controlled manner to one or both of two differential output shafts at continuously variable output/input speed ratios. The unit includes an integrated pair of continuously variable transmission units by which the output/input speed ratio for each output shaft may be adjusted synchronously for driving both output shafts at equal speeds within the speed ratio range of the unit, for varying the output/input speed ratio for each output shaft independently or for simultaneously increasing the output/input speed ratio with respect to one output shaft while decreasing the same ratio with respect to the other of the two shafts.
Claims18
A differential transmission unit for transmitting a mechanical power input to a pair of independently rotatable outputs, said unit comprising:
- a unit frame defining a first axis;
- an alpha body supported by said frame for rotation on said first axis;
- a pair of beta bodies carried by said alpha body on a second axis inclined with respect to and intersecting said first axis at a point of axes intersection, said beta bodies being axially spaced to be positioned on opposite sides of said point of axes intersection and each having a beta rolling surface of revolution about said second axis;
- a pair of omega bodies supported by said frame and each having an omega rolling surface of revolution about said first axis, said omega rolling surfaces being positioned on opposite sides of said point of axes intersection;
- said beta and omega rolling surfaces being in frictional engagement at two contact points located one on each side of said point of axes intersection thereby to establish one such contact point between each beta and omega body of said pairs and whereby nutational movement of said beta body pair results in torque transmission between said beta and omega rolling surfaces, at least one of said beta and omega rolling surfaces having variable radii along the length thereof relative to the other of said beta and omega surfaces so that the ratio of beta/omega surface radii at said contact points is varied by relative shifting of said beta and omega bodies;
- means for drivably connecting the power input and said alpha body;
- a pair of rotatable unit output shafts;
- means for supporting the respective bodies of one pair of said beta and omega bodies for independent rotation;
- means drivably connecting said one pair of said beta and omega bodies to said pair of output shafts;
- means holding the other of said beta and omega body pairs against rotation on the rolling surface axis thereof;
- and
- means for relative shifting of said beta and omega bodies in frictional engagement at each of said two contact points to vary the ratio of beta/omega surface radii independently at said respective contact points.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.