Compact continuously variable transmission layout for rear wheel drive vehicles

A power transmission system to provide transmission of torque from a power input to a power output, comprising:

• a. an input shaft disposed for operative connection to a power input;
• b. an output shaft disposed for operative connection to a power output, the output shaft being substantially coaxial with the input shaft;
• c. a first transfer gear assembly disposed for operative connection to the input shaft, the first transfer gear being operatively connected to a first intermediate shaft;
• d. a second transfer gear assembly disposed for operative connection to a second intermediate shaft, the second transfer gear assembly being operatively connected to a third intermediate shaft, the third intermediate shaft being substantially coaxial with the output shaft;
• e. a continuously variable transmission assembly comprising a first adjustable pulley mounted to the first intermediate shaft, the first adjustable pulley comprising a first flange fixed to the first intermediate shaft and a second flange mounted to the first intermediate shaft for axial movement along the first intermediate shaft, a second pulley mounted to the second intermediate shaft and a belt interconnecting the first adjustable pulley and the second pulley;
• and
• f. a forward and reverse gear system linking the third intermediate shaft to the output shaft comprising a sun gear mounted to the third intermediate shaft, a ring gear, at least one planetary pinion meshed with the sun gear and the ring gear, a brake disposed to selectively brake the rotation of the ring gear, and a clutch selectively coupling the sun gear to the output shaft and the planetary pinion to the output shaft such that by engaging the brake and disengaging the clutch power is transmitted from the third intermediate shaft to the planetary pinion to the output shaft through the clutch and by disengaging the brake and engaging the clutch power is transmitted from the third intermediate shaft to the output shaft through the clutch.

A power transmission system to provide transmission of torque from a power input to a power output, comprising:

• a. an input shaft disposed for operative connection to a power input;
• b. an output shaft disposed for operative connection to a power output;
• c. a first transfer gear assembly disposed for operative connection to the input shaft and including an idler gear, the first transfer gear assembly being operatively connected to a first intermediate shaft;
• d. a second intermediate shaft substantially coaxial with and operatively connected to the output shaft;
• and,
• e. a continuously variable transmission assembly comprising a first adjustable pulley mounted to the first intermediate shaft, the first adjustable pulley comprising a first flange fixed to the first intermediate shaft and a second flange mounted to the first intermediate shaft for axial movement along the first intermediate shaft, a second pulley mounted to the second intermediate shaft and a belt interconnecting the first adjustable pulley and the second pulley.

A power transmission system to provide transmission of torque from a power input to a power output, comprising:

• a. an input shaft disposed for operative connection to a power input;
• b. an output shaft disposed for operative connection to a power output;
• c. a first transfer gear assembly disposed for operative connection to the input shaft and including an idler gear, the first transfer gear being operatively connected to a first intermediate shaft;
• d. a second intermediate shaft substantially coaxial with the output shaft;
• e. a continuously variable transmission assembly comprising a first adjustable pulley mounted to the first intermediate shaft, the first adjustable pulley comprising a first flange fixed to the first intermediate shaft and a second flange mounted to the first intermediate shaft for axial movement along the first intermediate shaft, a second pulley mounted to the second intermediate shaft and a belt interconnecting the first adjustable pulley and the second pulley;
• and
• f. a forward and reverse gear system linking the second intermediate shaft to the output shaft comprising a sun gear mounted to the second intermediate shaft, a ring gear, at least one planetary pinion meshed with the sun gear and the ring gear, a brake disposed to selectively brake the rotation of the ring gear, and a clutch selectively coupling the sun gear to the output shaft and the planetary pinion to the output shaft such that by engaging the brake and disengaging the clutch, power is transmitted from the second intermediate shaft to the planetary pinion to the output shaft through the clutch and by disengaging the brake and engaging the clutch, power is transmitted from the second intermediate shaft to the output shaft through the clutch.