Biaxial idler for continuously variable transmission
OwnerTom W. Bellinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A biaxial idler comprising a flexible and resilient toroid and a frame. The frame has the capability of allowing the toroid to rotate independently both about the toroid's annular axis and about a straight axis substantially orthogonal to that annular axis. The toroid's outer perimeter can thus roll in a direction parallel to the toroid's straight axis. This biaxial idler is useful in continuously variable transmissions, because it provides a simple and rugged method of transmitting torque continuously across a wide range of varying transmission ratios while suffering minimal frictive losses and wear.
Claims20
A continuously variable torque transmitter comprising:
- a) a toroidal member of substantially circular cross-section wherein said toroidal member rotates about an annular axis substantially centered within said toroidal member, and
- b) a frame comprising means for allowing said toroidal member to rotate both about said annular axis and about a straight axis substantially orthogonal to and equidistant from said annular axis.
A continuously variable torque transmitter comprising:
- a) a toroidal member of substantially circular cross-section wherein said toroidal member rotates about an annular axis substantially centered within said toroidal member, and
- b) a frame including means for substantially preventing said toroidal member from moving in a direction parallel to said annular axis and means for allowing said toroidal member to rotate independently both about said annular axis and about a straight axis substantially orthogonal to and equidistant from said annular axis.
A continuously variable torque transmitter comprising:
- a) a member of substantially circular cross-section wherein the member rotates about a curved axis substantially centered within said member,
- b) wherein said member may freely rotate about said curved axis, and
- c) a frame including means for substantially preventing said member from moving in a direction parallel to said curved axis and means for allowing said member to rotate independently both about said curved axis and about a straight axis substantially orthogonal to and equidistant from said curved axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.