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US 8,534,413 B2Granted
Primary clutch electronic CVT
AssigneePolaris Industries Inc.
InventorsStephen L. Nelson, Brian R. Gillingham, Urs Wenger, Brian D. Krosschell, Beat Kohler, Ronald Zurbruegg, Donald E. Frost
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided for use on a recreational or utility vehicle. The CVT is electronically controlled by a control unit of the vehicle. The CVT includes a primary clutch having a first sheave and a second sheave moveable relative to the first sheave. An actuator may be positioned between the primary and secondary clutches.
Claims39
A continuously variable transmission including:
- a shaft;
- and
- a clutch having a first sheave and a second sheave each supported by the shaft, the clutch further including a sliding assembly and a screw assembly, the screw assembly and the sliding assembly being configured to cooperate to move the second sheave relative to the first sheave along the shaft, the sliding assembly including a bearing configured to move with the second sheave along the shaft, the screw assembly including a screw portion, the second sheave and the screw portion each having an outer profile, at least a portion of the bearing being positioned outside of the outer profile of the second sheave and at least a portion of the bearing being positioned inside the outer profile of the screw portion.
A continuously variable transmission including:
- a shaft;
- and
- a clutch having a first sheave and a second sheave each supported by the shaft, the second sheave having an outer profile and being configured to move relative to the first sheave along the shaft, the clutch including a screw assembly having a screw portion, the screw assembly being configured to move the second sheave axially along the shaft, the clutch further including a bushing assembly and a bearing configured to move with the second sheave, at least a portion of the screw portion of the screw assembly being axially between the second sheave and the bearing.
A continuously variable transmission including:
- a shaft;
- and
- a clutch having a first sheave and a second sheave each coupled to the shaft, the second sheave having an inner diameter near the shaft and an outer diameter, the clutch further including a sliding assembly coupled to the shaft and to the second sheave, the sliding assembly and the second sheave cooperating to form a sliding interface near the outer diameter of the second sheave, the sliding assembly being configured to transmit a rotational force to the second sheave at the sliding interface to rotate the second sheave.
A continuously variable transmission including:
- a first clutch including a first sheave and a second sheave moveable relative to the first sheave, the first clutch having an axis of rotation;
- a second clutch;
- a belt coupled between the first and second clutches;
- and
- an actuator configured to move the second sheave of the first clutch relative to the first sheave of the first clutch, the actuator being positioned between the first clutch and the second clutch and in a plane intersecting the first clutch and the second clutch, the plane being normal to the axis of rotation of the first clutch.
2 more elements
A recreational vehicle including:
- a chassis;
- a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis;
- an engine supported by the chassis;
- a continuously variable transmission driven by the engine, the continuously variable transmission including a first clutch and a second clutch, the first clutch being adjustable to modulate a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission;
- and
- an electro-hydraulic circuit configured to control the first clutch, the electro-hydraulic circuit including a motor, a hydraulic pump driven by the motor, and an actuator driven by the hydraulic pump and configured to adjust the first clutch, the actuator being coupled adjacent the continuously variable transmission and at least one of the motor and the hydraulic pump being positioned away from the continuously variable transmission.
3 more elements
A vehicle including:
- a chassis;
- a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis;
- an engine supported by the chassis and having an output;
- a continuously variable transmission driven by the engine, the continuously variable transmission including a first clutch driven by the engine, a second clutch driven by the first clutch, and a belt coupled between the first and second clutches, the first clutch having an interior region, the first clutch being adjustable to modulate a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission;
- and
- a centrifugal starting clutch coupled to the output of the engine and positioned in the interior region of the first clutch, the centrifugal starting clutch being configured to engage the first clutch upon a speed of the engine reaching a threshold speed.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.