US 9,273,760 B2 · Electric traction drives

Abstract

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for electric traction drives employing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a variator provided with a plurality of tilting traction planets and opposing traction rings. In one embodiment, an electric traction drive is provided with an electromotive device configured to transfer power to or from a traction sun of a CVT. In other embodiments, an electric traction drive is provided with an electromotive device that couples to certain components of a CVT such as a traction ring, a carrier assembly, and a main axle. Various inventive shifting assemblies having shift cams and shift cam cages can be used to facilitate adjusting the transmission speed ratio of a CVT. Various related devices include embodiments of, for example, a power input apparatus, a speed ratio shifter, a shift cam actuator, a shift nut, and a carrier assembly configured to support the tilting traction planets.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An electric traction drive having a continuously variable transmission, comprising:

a plurality of traction planets distributed radially about a longitudinal axis, each traction planet configured to rotate about a planet axle, the planet axle providing a tiltable axis of rotation, wherein an adjustment of a tilt position of the planet axle adjusts a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission;
a first traction ring in contact with the plurality of traction planets;
a rotatable traction sun coaxial about the longitudinal axis and positioned radially inward of and in contact with each of the traction planets, the traction sun coupled to a traction sun shaft;
a second traction ring in contact with the plurality of traction planets;
and
an electromotive device operably coupled to the second traction ring, the electromotive device comprising:
an electric motor winding coupled to the traction sun shaft;
and
an electric rotor, wherein the electric motor winding and the electric rotor are configured to rotate in opposite directions on axes coincident with the longitudinal axis.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electric traction drives

Life of this patent

Electric traction drives

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11