US 7,959,533 B2Granted

Continuously variable transmission

AssigneeFallbrook Technologies Inc.

InventorsJon M. Nichols, Brad P. Pohl, Daniel J. Dawe, Oronde J. Armstrong, Charles B. Lohr, Loren T. McDaniel, Matthew P. Simister, Fernand A. Thomassy, Ghayyurul I. Usmani, Paul M. Elhardt, Terry L. Stewart, Peter D. Poxton, Elton L. Eidson

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Abstract

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:

a first traction ring;
a second traction ring;
a plurality of power rollers interposed between and in contact with the first and second traction rings, wherein the power rollers are configured to spin about a tiltable axis;
first and second torsion springs, wherein the first and second traction rings each include a recess adapted to receive and partially house the first and the second torsion springs, respectively;
a first roller cage having a circumferential extension, said extension having a slit for receiving the first torsion spring, said extension adapted to cooperate with the first traction ring for substantially housing the first torsion spring in the first traction ring;
and
a second roller cage having a circumferential extension, said extension having a slit for receiving the second torsion spring, said extension adapted to cooperate with the second traction ring for substantially housing the second torsion spring in the second traction ring.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/543,311Filed 3 Oct 2006 · us provisional application
Priority: 9 Dec 2005
Published: US 2007/0155580 A15 Jul 2007
Granted: 14 Jun 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

F16H 15/28
In which the member B has a spherical friction surface centered on its axis of revolution: with external friction surface
F16H 15/52
Gearings providing a continuous range of gear ratios: in which a member of uniform effective diameter mounted on a shaft may co-operate with…
F16H 57/02
General details of gearing: gearboxes; Mounting gearing therein
F16H 57/043
Guidance of lubricant: within rotary parts, e.g. axial channels or radial openings in shafts

Family

Application60/749,315Us provisional application · filed 9 Dec 2005
Application60/789,844Us provisional application · filed 6 Apr 2006
Application60/833,327Us provisional application · filed 25 Jul 2006
US 2007/0155580 A1Pre-grant publication · published 5 Jul 2007
US 7,959,533 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.