Continuously variable transmission
AssigneeMotion Technologies, LLC
InventorDonald C. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The single axle transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. An additional embodiment is disclosed which shifts automatically dependent upon the rotational speed of the wheel. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The disclosed transmission may be used in vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. The transmission may, for example, be driven by a power transfer mechanism such as a sprocket, gear, pulley or lever, optionally driving a one way clutch attached at one end of the main shaft.
Claims43
A continuously variable transmission comprising:
- a rotatable driving member;
- three or more power adjusters, wherein each of the power adjusters respectively rotates about an axis of rotation that is centrally located within each of the power adjusters;
- a support member providing a support surface that is in frictional contact with each of the power adjusters, wherein the support member rotates about an axis that is centrally located within the support member;
- at least one platform for actuating axial movement of the support member and for actuating a shift in the axis of rotation of the power adjusters, wherein the platform provides a convex surface;
- at least one stationary support that is non-rotatable about the axis of red rotation that is defined by the support member, wherein the at least one stationary support provides a concave surface;
- and
- a plurality of spindle supports, wherein each of the spindle supports are slidingly engaged with the convex surface of the platform and the concave surface of the stationary support, and wherein each of the spindle supports adjust the axis of rotation in response to the axial movement of the platform.
A continuously variable transmission comprising:
- a rotatable driving member;
- three or more power adjusters, wherein each of the power adjusters respectively rotates about an axis of rotation that is respectively central to the power adjusters;
- a support member providing a support surface that is in frictional contact with each of the power adjusters;
- a rotatable driving member for rotating each of the power adjusters;
- a bearing disc having a plurality of inclined ramps for actuating the rotation of the driving member;
- a coiled spring for biasing the rotatable driving member against the power adjusters;
- at least one lock pawl ratchet, wherein the lock pawl ratchet is rigidly attached to the rotatable driving member, wherein the at least one lock pawl is operably attached to the coiled spring;
- and
- at least one lock pawl for locking the lock pawl ratchet in response to the rotatable driving member becoming disengaged from the power adjusters.
A continuously variable transmission comprising:
- a rotatable driving member;
- three or more power adjusters, wherein each of the power adjusters respectively rotates about an axis that is respectively central to each of the power adjusters;
- a support member providing a support surface that is in frictional contact with each of the power adjusters, wherein the support member rotates about an axis that is centrally located within the support member;
- a bearing disc having a plurality of inclined ramps for actuating the rotation of the driving member;
- a screw that is coaxially and rigidly attached to the rotatable driving member or the bearing disc;
- and
- a nut that, if the screw is attached to the rotatable driving member, is coaxially and rigidly attached to the bearing disc, or if the screw is rigidly attached to the bearing disc, coaxially and rigidly attached to the rotatable driving member, wherein the inclined ramps of the bearing disc have a higher lead than the screw.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.