Torque split infinitely variable transmission

A torque split infinitely variable transmission comprising:

• a continuously variable transmission connected to a unit input shaft of the infinitely variable transmission;
• a power recirculation mode reduction gear unit connected to the unit input shaft;
• a torque split mode reduction gear unit connected to the unit input shaft;
• a planetary gearset comprising:
• a sun gear coupled to an output shaft of the continuously variable transmission;
• a single-planet-pinion carrier coupled to a common output shaft common to the power recirculation mode reduction gear unit and the torque split mode reduction gear unit;
• and
• a ring gear coupled to a unit output shaft of the infinitely variable transmission;
• a power recirculation mode clutch provided in a power transmission line extending from the unit input shaft to the single-planet-pinion carrier of the planetary gearset, for inputting a torque greater than a torque through the unit input shaft into the continuously variable transmission when the power recirculation mode clutch is engaged;
• a torque split mode clutch provided in the power transmission line extending from the unit input shaft to the single-planet-pinion carrier, for inputting a torque smaller than the torque through the unit input shaft into the continuously variable transmission when the torque split mode clutch is engaged;
• a direct mode clutch provided in a power transmission line extending from the output shaft of the continuously variable transmission to the unit output shaft of the infinitely variable transmission, for inputting the torque through the unit input shaft into the continuously variable transmission when the direct mode clutch is engaged;
• and
• the power recirculation mode clutch, the direct mode clutch, and the torque split mode clutch being selectively engaged and disengaged for establishing either of a power recirculation mode, a direct mode, and a torque split mode.

A torque split infinitely variable transmission comprising:

• a continuously variable transmission connected to a unit input shaft of the infinitely variable transmission;
• a power recirculation mode reduction gear unit connected to the unit input shaft;
• a torque split mode reduction gear unit connected to the unit input shaft;
• a planetary gearset comprising:
• a sun gear coupled to an output shaft of the continuously variable transmission;
• a single-planet-pinion carrier coupled to a common output shaft common to the power recirculation mode reduction gear unit and the torque split mode reduction gear unit;
• and
• a ring gear coupled to a unit output shaft of the infinitely variable transmission;
• a power recirculation mode clutch provided in a power transmission line extending from the unit input shaft to the single-planet-pinion carrier of the planetary gearset, for inputting a torque greater than a torque through the unit input shaft into the continuously variable transmission when the power recirculation mode clutch is engaged;
• a torque split mode clutch provided in the power transmission line extending from the unit input shaft to the single-planet-pinion carrier, for inputting a torque smaller than the torque through the unit input shaft into the continuously variable transmission when the torque split mode clutch is engaged;
• a direct mode clutch provided in a power transmission line extending from the output shaft of the continuously variable transmission to the unit output shaft of the infinitely variable transmission, for inputting the torque through the unit input shaft into the continuously variable transmission when the direct mode clutch is engaged;
• the power recirculation mode clutch, the direct mode clutch, and the torque split mode clutch being selectively engaged and disengaged for establishing either of a power recirculation mode, a direct mode, and a torque split mode;
• a reduction gearset comprising:
• an output gear of the continuously variable transmission, coaxially arranged with and rotatably supported on the unit input shaft;
• a counter gear whose rotation axis is parallel to the unit input shaft;
• and
• a gear fixed onto the output shaft of the continuously variable transmission, and meshingly engages via the counter gear with the output gear of the continuously variable transmission, and coaxially arranged with the sun gear of the planetary gearset;
• the power recirculation mode reduction gear unit comprising:
• a first input gear coaxially arranged with the unit input shaft;
• and
• a first output gear in meshed-engagement with the first input gear and coaxially arranged with the single-planet-pinion carrier, the first input gear and the first output gear being provided in the power transmission line extending from the unit input shaft to the single-planet-pinion carrier;
• and
• the torque split mode reduction gear unit comprising:
• a second input gear coaxially arranged with the unit input shaft and parallel to the first input gear;
• and
• a second output gear in meshed-engagement with the second input gear and coaxially arranged with the single-planet-pinion carrier and parallel to the first output gear, the second input gear and the second output gear provided in the power transmission line extending from the unit input shaft to the single-planet-pinion carrier.