Continuously and/or infinitely variable transmissions and methods therefor

A method for lubricating internal components of a transmission having a plurality of planets operably coupled to a stator assembly, and a traction ring operably coupled to the planets, the method comprising:

• providing a lubricant manifold configured to cooperate with a lubricant source;
• coupling a main axle of the transmission to the lubricant manifold, wherein the main axle is adapted to receive a rotational power;
• providing a shift rod arranged in a central bore of the main axle, the shift rod having a central bore;
• supplying a lubricant via the lubricant manifold to the main axle;
• delivering the lubricant via a main axle lubricant passage to the shift rod;
• delivering the lubricant through the central bore of the shift rod to a shift rod lubricant passage;
• providing a housing operably coupled to the traction ring, wherein the housing is substantially fixed from rotating with the main axle;
• and
• adapting the traction ring to be substantially fixed from rotating with the main axle.

An infinitely variable transmission comprising:

• a lubricant manifold configured to cooperate with a lubricant source;
• a rotatable input shaft arranged along a longitudinal axis of the transmission, the input shaft coupled to the lubricant manifold, the input shaft adapted to supply a lubricant to the interior of the transmission;
• a stator assembly coupled to, and coaxial with, the input shaft;
• a plurality of planets operably coupled to the stator assembly, wherein the planets are arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis of the transmission;
• a traction ring operably coupled to the planets, wherein the traction ring is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft;
• and
• a housing operably coupled to the traction ring, wherein the housing is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft.