US 4,515,028 AGranted

Multi-speed drive

AssigneeFrederick Manufacturing Company

InventorsRoy E. VanDerLinden, John H. Francis

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A multi-speed drive has input and output shafts aligned on a first axis and connected to one another by a cone drive which has a plurality of conical surfaces sloped at various angles to form a "composite" cone. The composite cone is connected to the input shaft by a crank and rotates about a second axis which is oblique to, but intersects, the first axis at a point of intersection which is also a point of coincidence of the apexes of the conical surfaces. The composite cone rolls on one of a plurality of annular, conical surfaces, each of which is aligned with one of the conical surfaces on the cone. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, all of the annular surfaces are free to rotate with respect to the composite cone, with the exception of the single annular surface that the composite cone rolls upon. This surface may be selected by stopping its rotation with a braking device, such as a pin or a prony brake. In the alternative, the conical annular surfaces may be slid axially in and out of engagement with their respective annular surfaces on the composite cone to select the desired output speed. A constant velocity joint connects the composite cone to the output shaft so as to transmit the rotation of the composite cone to the output shaft. By selecting a single angle (.gamma.) between the first and second axis, and by selecting appropriate angles (.alpha.) for the conical surfaces, various output speeds and torques may be applied to the output shaft for a single input speed according to the ratio (R) wherein: ##EQU1## The aforedescribed multi-speed drive provides positive speed reductions and negative speed reductions. In addition, it provides "overdrive", direct drive, "park " and neutral modes of operation.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A multi-speed drive comprising:

a supporting frame;
an input shaft;
means for mounting the input shaft for rotation with respect to the supporting frame about a first axis;
a plurality of first members disposed about the first axis, the first members having conical surfaces thereon of different slopes with respect to the first axis, wherein the conical surfaces have apexes which are coincident at a single point, which point is coincident with the first axis;
means for mounting the first members for rotation with respect to the frame;
means for selectively stopping the first members individually;
a second member having a plurality of second conical surfaces in individual engagement with the plurality of first conical surfaces along lines of contact, said second conical surfaces having apexes which are coincident with the apexes of the first conical surface;
means for mounting the second member for rotation about a second axis which is oblique with respect to the first axis, said second axis being coincident with the apexes of the first and second conical surfaces and with the first axis;
means for connecting the mounting means to the input shaft to rotate the mounting means about the first axis in a first direction, wherein the second conical surfaces revolve around the first axis as the second member rotates about the second axis, wherein one of the second conical surfaces rolls on whichever of the first members is stopped with respect to the frame with progressive line contact with respect thereto and without sliding motion with respect thereto;
an output shaft mounted for rotation in the frame, the output shaft being in alignment with the first axis;
a coupling having first and second ends, the first end being connected to the output shaft, and the second end being connected to the second member at a location in juxtaposition with the apexes of the conical surfaces thereon;
whereby,
the second shaft has an output torque, speed and direction which is determined by whichever of the first members is stopped with respect to the frame by the stopping means.

10 more elements

A multi-speed drive comprising:

an input shaft and an output shaft aligned with one another on a first axis;
a plurality of first conical surfaces disposed around the first axis, said first conical surfaces having apecies coincident with the first axis;
a plurality of second conical surfaces secured to the input shaft and oriented for rotation about a second axis, which second axis is at an angle (.gamma.) with respect to the first axis and intersects the first axis at a point of intersection;
each of the second conical surfaces corresponding to a first conical surface and the second conical surfaces having apecies which are coincident with the first axis;
each of the first and the second conical surfaces having as a generatrix a radially extending straight line which intersects the first axis at a point and rotates about that point through 360.degree. at a constant angle (.alpha.) with respect to a plane normal to the first axis;
means for fixing a selected one of the first conical surfaces with respect to and in engagement with a corresponding second conical surface along a line of contact, which line of contact makes the angle (.alpha.) with respect to the plane normal to the first axis, the line of contact being coincident with the point of intersection of the second axis with the first axis;
whereby a single output speed is selected, and
coupling means for connecting the second conical surfaces to the output shaft, whereby torque generated due to rotation of the input shaft is transmitted to the output shaft at a speed selected by the fixing means.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/480,144Filed 29 Mar 1983 · continuation in part
Priority: 29 Sep 1982
Granted: 7 May 1985
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

F16H 15/56
With members having orbital motion: gearings providing a discontinuous or stepped range of gear ratios
F16H 13/06
Gearing for conveying rotary motion with constant gear ratio by friction between rotary members: with members having orbital motion
Y10S 475/904
Planetary gear transmission systems or components: particular mathematical equation
F16H
Gearing