US 7,029,408 B2 · Variable speed transmission and method of use

Abstract

A variable speed transmission includes an actuator mechanism that can be remotely activated to cause engagement of a drive unit and to subsequently vary the speed of the drive unit using the same activation mechanism. The variable speed transmission can include a first pulley that has a first and second face that are movable relative to each other by activation of the actuator mechanism. When the first and second faces of the first pulley are located in a first position, a belt located on the first pulley remains motionless. The first and second faces can be moved by the actuator mechanism into a second position where the first and second plates engage the belt with enough frictional force to cause the belt to start moving about the first pulley. The first and second faces of the first pulley can also be moved between the second position and a third position such that the space between the faces becomes smaller. As the space between the faces becomes smaller, the belt moves outward and away from the rotational axis of the pulley, thus moving about the axis faster as the space between the faces gets smaller.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method for using a variable speed transmission that includes a first pulley having a rotational axis, a first face and a second face, the first face being rotatable relative to the second face about the rotational axis and being movable along the rotational axis with respect to the second face, an actuator comprising a first plate and a second plate located adjacent the first pulley for moving the first face with respect to the second face, and a belt located adjacent the first face and the second face of the first pulley, comprising:

driving one of the first face, the second face and the belt about the rotational axis of the first pulley;
moving at least one of the first and second plates of the actuator to move the first face, which is rotatable relative to the second face about the rotational axis, along the rotational axis and relative to the second face, which is fixed in its position, such that a portion of each of the first face and the second face frictionally engages the belt to cause one of the first face, the second face and the belt to begin movement about the rotational axis of the first pulley;
and
moving the belt away from the rotational axis of the first pulley to cause the belt to move faster about the rotational axis of the first pulley.

1 more element

A method for using a variable speed transmission that includes a first pulley having a rotational axis, a first face and a second face, the first face being rotatable relative to the second face about the rotational axis and being movable along the rotational axis with respect to the second face, an actuator comprising a first plate and a second plate located adjacent the first pulley for moving the first face with respect to the second face, a second pulley having a second pulley rotational axis, a primary face and a secondary face, the primary face being movable with respect to the secondary face along the second pulley rotational axis, and a belt connected between the first pulley and the second pulley, comprising:

driving one of the first face, the second face and the belt about the rotational axis of the first pulley;
moving at least one of the first and second plates of the actuator to move the first face, which is rotatable relative to the second face about the rotational axis, along the rotational axis and relative to the second face, which is fixed in its position, such that a portion of each of the first face and the second face frictionally releases from the belt to cause one of the first face, the second face and the belt to begin movement relative to another one of the first face, the second face and the belt.

A method for using a variable speed transmission to drive a propulsion mechanism on a piece of power equipment, comprising:

providing a control mechanism that is connected to a drive train which drives the propulsion mechanism, the drive train including a first pulley having a rotational axis, a first sheave and a second sheave with the first sheave being rotatable relative to the second sheave about the rotational axis, an actuator comprising a first plate and a second plate located adjacent the first pulley for moving the first sheave with respect to the second sheave, and a belt having an inner surface located around the first pulley;
permitting the first sheave to remain substantially stationary relative to the second sheave, which is fixed in its position;
rotating the first sheave of the first pulley with respect to the belt;
and
moving at least one of the first and second plates of the actuator, thereby engaging the belt with the first sheave of the first pulley with enough force to begin movement of the belt about the first pulley.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Variable speed transmission and method of use

Life of this patent

Variable speed transmission and method of use

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22