Continuously variable transmission and torque retaining differential

A variable ratio transmission having a torque proportioning output comprising a common power input shaft driving a pair of substantially identical variable ratio transmissions and a pair of output shafts, a separate output shaft driven by each of the transmissions, each of said transmissions comprising:

• a gear cluster,
• means to rotatably mount the gear cluster about a separate first axis generally parallel to the first axis of the other transmission,
• a plurality of rotatable gears including an input gear rotatable about an axis coincident with the first axis, output gear means for driving one output shaft, and first control gear means carried on the gear housing to effect a driving connection between the input gear and output shaft through the output gear means,
• means for selectively controlling rotation of the gear housing to vary the effective ratio of rotation between the input gear and output shaft through the output gear means,
• second control gear means mounted for rotation with respect to the output shaft, said second control gear means controlling the final ratio to the output gear means and the output shaft with respect to the speed of the input gear;
• and
• means for simultaneously controlling rotation of each of the second control gear means comprising a pair of worms, one driving each of said second control gear means, and a worm gear common to and engaged by both of said worms, whereby each of the worms will rotate only when the other worm rotates in an opposite direction, said worms and worm gear cooperating to permit rotation of one of the second control gear means as a function of the rotation of the other second control gear means to control differential rotation of said output shafts.

A variable ratio transmission having an output shaft and comprising:

• a gear cluster
• means to rotatably mount the gear cluster about a first axis;
• a plurality of rotatable gears including a bevel gear comprising an input gear rotatable about an axis coincident with the first axis, output gear means comprising beveled gears arranged as spider gears mounted on radial shafts fixed to the output shaft for driving the output shaft, and controls gear means carried on the gear cluster effect a driving connection between the input gear and output shaft through the output gear means;
• a second set of bevel gears carried by a gear housing which controls the ratio of drive between the input gear and output gear means, said second set of bevel gears being rotatably mounted on the gear housing on axes radially extending with respect to the output shaft and said gear housing surrounding the second set of bevel gears;
• and
• means for selectively controlling rotation of the gear housing to vary the effective ratio of rotation between the input gear and output shaft through the output gear means.