Continuously variable planetary gear set
AssigneeFallbrook Technologies Inc.
InventorsDonald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.
Claims18
A compound transmission comprising:
- a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) comprising:
- a plurality of traction rollers distributed radially about a longitudinal axis of the transmission, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates;
- an input disc in contact with the rollers;
- an output disc in contact with the rollers;
- and
- an idler coaxial with and rotatable about the longitudinal axis, the idler in contact with the rollers;
- a compound planetary gear set comprising:
- a dual sun gear;
- a first plurality of planet gears engaged with the dual sun gear;
- an input ring gear engaging the first plurality of planet gears;
- a first planet carrier that retains and positions the first plurality of planet gears;
- a second plurality of planet gears engaged with the dual sun gear;
- an output ring gear engaging the second plurality of planet gears;
- a second planet carrier that retains and positions the second plurality of planet gears;
- and wherein each of the planet gears of the first plurality of planet gears comprises a planet shaft that extends from the first planet carrier and terminates at a connection point with the input disc so that the first planet carrier rotates the first plurality of planet gears about the dual sun gear and rotates the input disc about the longitudinal axis,
- wherein the CVT is operationally coupled to the compound planetary gear set and wherein the CVT is coupled to the first plurality of planet gears.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.