Continuously variable transmission device

A continuously variable transmission device of the type having planetary members in rolling contact with radially inner and outer races each comprising axially spaced relatively axially movable parts, and control means for determining the axial separation of the parts of one of the two races, in which the planetary members are connected for planetary motion to a planet carrier by connection means which allows the radial position of the planetary members to vary in response to variation in the axial separation of the parts of said one of the two races while maintaining the circumferential connection, which planetary members are compound bodies each comprising two roller elements, said two roller elements each having an outer surface of revolution, for engagement with respective parts of said two races, and being joined by an intermediate element which holds said two roller elements in a predetermined spaced relationship, said connection means being associated with said intermediate element whereby to transmit forces between said two roller elements and said planet carrier, said planetary members being of prolate spheroid shape such that a normal at a point of contact of each planetary member to its radially inner and outer races is in the region of not less than 45° to the axis of rotation of said planetary member.

A continuously variable transmission device of the type having planetary members in rolling contact with radially inner and outer races each comprising axially spaced relatively axially movable parts, and control means for determining the axial separation of the parts of one of the two races, in which the planetary members are connected for planetary motion to a planet carrier by connection means which allows the radial position of the planetary members to vary in response to variation in the axial separation of the parts of the said one of the two races while maintaining the circumferential connection, characterised in that the planets are composite bodies comprising two roller elements each having an outer surface of revolution for engagement with respective parts of the two races,

• wherein the connection means between the planetary members and the planet carrier comprises a connector plate having a plurality of slots, each slot having at least a radial component, within each of which a part of a respective planetary member is engaged, and
• wherein the slots of the connector plate engage respective bushes of the planetary members within which are located rolling element bearings on which the planetary members rotate.

A continuously variable transmission device of the type having planetary members in rolling contact with radially inner and outer races each comprising axially spaced relatively axially movable parts, and control means for determining the axial separation of the parts of one of the two races, in which the planetary members are connected for planetary motion to a planet carrier by connection means which allows the radial position of the planetary members to vary in response to variation in the axial separation of the parts of the said one of the two races while maintaining the circumferential connection, characterised in that the planets are composite bodies comprising two roller elements each having an outer surface of revolution for engagement with respective parts of the two races, wherein the curvilinear generatrix of each roller element is an arc of a circle.

A continuously variable transmission device of the type having planetary members in rolling contact with radially inner and outer races each comprising axially spaced relatively axially movable parts, and control means for determining the axial separation of the parts of one of the two races, in which the planetary members are connected for planetary motion to a planet carrier by connection means which allows the radial position of the planetary members to vary in response to variation in the axial separation of the parts of the said one of the two races while maintaining the circumferential connection, characterised in that the planets are composite bodies comprising two roller elements each having an outer surface of revolution for engagement with respective parts of the two races, wherein the output shaft extends coaxially around the input shaft and both project from the same side of the housing.

A continuously variable transmission device of the type having planetary members in rolling contact with radially inner and outer races each comprising axially spaced relatively axially movable parts, and control means for determining the axial separation of the parts of one of the two races, in which the planetary members are connected for planetary motion to a planet carrier by connection means which allows the radial position of the planetary members to vary in response to variation in the axial separation of the parts of the said one of the two races while maintaining the circumferential connection, characterised in that the planets are composite bodies comprising two roller elements each having an outer surface of revolution for engagement with respective parts of the two races, wherein the two parts of the radially outer race and/or the radially inner race are interconnected by means of a helical coupling, with rolling elements between the two parts to reduce friction.

A continuously variable transmission device of the type having planetary members in rolling contact with radially inner and outer races each comprising axially spaced relatively axially movable parts, and control means for determining the axial separation of the parts of one of the two races, in which the planetary members are connected for planetary motion to a planet carrier by connection means which allows the radial position of the planetary members to vary in response to variation in the axial separation of the parts of the said one of the two races while maintaining the circumferential connection, characterised in that the planets are composite bodies comprising two roller elements each having an outer surface of revolution for engagement with respective parts of the two races,

• wherein the two roller elements are joined by an intermediate element to which the said connection means is connected, and
• wherein said two intermediate elements of each planetary member are joined to the said connection means by roller bearings.

A continuously variable transmission device of the type having planetary members in rolling contact with radially inner and outer races each comprising axially spaced relatively axially movable parts, and control means for determining the axial separation of the parts of one of the two races, in which the planetary members are connected for planetary motion to a planet carrier by connection means which allows the radial position of the planetary members to vary in response to variation in the axial separation of the parts of the said one of the two races while maintaining the circumferential connection, characterised in that the planets are composite bodies comprising two roller elements each having an outer surface of revolution for engagement with respective parts of the two races, wherein the other of the two races is interengaged with an associated drive transmission member (input or output;

• driving or driven) by a screw coupling of the same hand as that of the said helical coupling, there being respective end stop means for limiting the travel of the associated race part of the said other of the two races in a respective directional sense whereby to permit torque transmission through the device in both senses.