Continuously variable transmission
AssigneeFallbrook Technologies Inc.
InventorsDonald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.
Claims20
A support cage for supporting and positioning power transfer tiltable balls in a rolling traction transmission, the cage comprising:
- first and second support discs, each disc comprising a sheet having a plurality of two-sided slots;
- a first plurality of spacers extending between the first and second discs, each spacer having front and back sides and first and second ends;
- wherein the first and second ends each has a mounting surface, each mounting surface having a curved surface;
- and
- wherein the first plurality of spacers are positioned angularly about the first and second discs, between the slots in the support discs, such that the curved surfaces align with the sides of the slots.
A method of manufacturing a support cage for supporting and positioning power transfer tiltable balls in a rolling traction transmission, the method comprising:
- providing first and second support bodies, each body comprising a sheet having a plurality of slots;
- and
- placing a first plurality of spacers between the first and second support bodies, each spacer having curved first and second ends;
- and
- positioning the first plurality of spacers angularly about the first and second discs, between the slots, such that the curved first and second ends align with the sides of corresponding slots.
A support cage for supporting and positioning power transfer tiltable balls in a rolling traction transmission, the cage comprising:
- a first, second, third, and fourth supports, each support having a plurality of slots;
- a first and second pluralities of spacers, each spacer having first and second curved ends;
- a stator bridge coupled to the first and third supports, the stator bridge comprising a cylindrical body having a central bore;
- wherein the first plurality of spacers is positioned between and angularly about the first and second supports;
- and
- wherein the second plurality of spacers is positioned between and angularly about the third and fourth supports.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.