Abstract: In a toroidal continuously variable transmission, a secondary oil pump is provided in addition to a primary oil pump driven by an engine. The secondary oil pump is driven in response to rotation of a road wheel. A hydraulic servo mechanism is connected to a trunnion to create an offset of the power roller from a neutral position for a tilting motion of the power roller. A feedback device is provided for feeding a degree of progress for ratio changing back to the hydraulic servo mechanism so that the power roller returns to the neutral position when a desired transmission ratio has been reached. When the road wheel is rotated in a stopped state of the engine, hydraulic pressure from the secondary oil pump is supplied to the hydraulic servo mechanism so that an actual transmission ratio is brought closer to a desired transmission ratio.

Abstract: A power roller (18c) comprises a power roller inner wheel (93) in frictional contact with a input/output disks (18a, 18b), a power roller outer wheel (94) provided in a trunnion (17a), a ball bearing (92) interposed between the power roller inner wheel (93) and the power roller outer wheel (94), and an inner wheel supporting shaft (95) which supports the power roller inner wheel (93) such that it is free to rotate, the shaft having a shaft base part (95b) supported in the trunnion (17a), and arranged so that the radial support rigidity is set high in a gyration axis direction and set low in the direction perpendicular to the trunnion gyration axis (19a) and the power roller rotation axis (15d).

Abstract: A toroidal type CVT has upper and lower links. The upper link is associated with an upper link supporting member, which is fixedly joined to its casing with a bolt(s). The lower link is associated with a lower link supporting member, which is joined to a cylinder body. An adjusting hole formed in the upper link supporting member and a knock pin extending from the casing are used to permit displacement of the upper link within a predetermined limit in the longitudinal direction of the link. Rotating its input and output discs while the bolt is loosened equalizes the thrust forces acting on the power rollers gripped between the input and output disks.

Abstract: A pair of friction wheels gripped between an input disk and output disk facing each other on a rotation shaft of a friction wheel continuously variable transmission, are supported by a pair of supporting members each comprising a supporting shaft. An end of the supporting shaft of one supporting member and an end of the supporting shaft of another supporting member are joined by a link. The center of the link is supported free to pivot by a pin. The link supports the supporting member against an outward force exerted by the input disk and output disk on the friction wheels in a direction away from the rotation shaft. The link and supporting shaft are joined by inserting a joint into an engaging hole of the link. The shapes of the outer circumferential surface of the joint and inner circumferential surface of the engaging hole are set so that the force exerted by the joint on the link due to the action of the outward force does not generate a moment assisting inclination when the link inclines.

Abstract: A pair of power rollers which is gripped between an input disk and an output disk and transmits torque by friction, is supported rotatably by a pair of trunnions. The upper ends and lower ends of the trunnions are respectively connected by links, and the power roller is prevented from being driven out from between the input disk and output disk by the grip force. When the trunnions and the power rollers are displaced by the servopistons in the trunnion axis direction in mutually opposite directions, the trunnions and power rollers gyrate around the trunnion axis as pivot, and a speed change will occur. Links are provided with slots which lengthen in the trunnion axis direction, and are supported in the transmission case free to displace in the trunnion axis direction via pins inserted in the slots.

Abstract: A pair of friction wheels (3) gripped between an input disk (21) and output disk (22) facing each other on a rotation shaft (2) of a friction wheel continuously variable transmission, are supported by a pair of supporting members (4) each comprising a supporting shaft (4A). An end of the supporting shaft (4A) of one supporting member (4) and an end of the supporting shaft (4A) of another supporting member (4) are joined by a link (5, 6). The center of the link (5, 6) is supported free to pivot by a pin (15). The link (5, 6) supports the supporting member against an outward force exerted by the input disk (21) and output disk (22) on the friction wheels (3) in a direction away from the rotation shaft (2). The link (5, 6) and supporting shaft (4A) are joined by inserting a joint (9) into an engaging hole (14) of the link (5, 6).

Abstract: A clutch apparatus includes a torque cam mechanism and a clutch actuator for compressing a clutch disc pack for clutch engagement through the torque cam mechanism. The clutch actuator includes a first fluid chamber for pushing the torque cam mechanism from a first position for all-time clutch disengagement, to a second position toward the clutch disc pack, and a second fluid chamber for pushing the torque cam mechanism from the second position to a third position for all-time clutch engagement toward the clutch disc pack. At the second position, the torque cam mechanism functions as a one-way clutch by extending axially in response to relative rotation between both sides in one rotational direction.

Abstract: An output shaft (4) of a continuously variable transmission (2) is joined to a sun gear (5A) of a planetary gear mechanism (5), and joined to a final output shaft (6) via a direct mode clutch (10). An output shaft (3C) of a fixed speed ratio transmission (3) is joined to a planet carrier (5B) of the planetary gear mechanism (5) via a power recirculation mode clutch (9). Oil pressure supply to the direct mode clutch (10) and power recirculation mode clutch (9) is controlled by a controller (80) via a mode fixing valve (160). A cam (280) which moves in synchronism with a trunnion (23) of the continuously variable transmission (2) locks the mode fixing valve (160) in a position which shuts off oil supply to one of the clutches (9), (10) when the speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission (2) is smaller than a predetermined value lcC, and releases the lock when the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission (2) is larger than the predetermined value lcC.

Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission including input and output disks having a common first rotation axis about which the disks are rotatable, and a power roller swingably interposed between the disks and having a second rotation axis intersecting the first rotation axis, about which the power roller is rotatable. The input and output disks and the power roller have traction surfaces cooperating with each other to transmit rotation therebetween. At least one of the input and output disks and the power roller has a surface roughness on the traction surface thereof which varies in a direction of the rotation axis thereof.

Abstract: A power roller (18C, 18D, 20C, 20D) of a toroidal continuously variable transmission is supported by a pedestal (94) such that it is free to rotate. A first roller bearing (96A) supporting the pedestal (94) in the trunnion (17) against a horizontal load which makes a right angle with an input shaft (16) of the transmission, and a second roller bearing (96B, 96C) supporting the pedestal (94) in the trunnion (17) against a vertical load which makes a right angle with the input shaft (16) of the transmission, are provided between the trunnion (17) and the pedestal (94). These roller bearings (96A), (96B), (96C) permit the pedestal (94) to easily displace parallel to the input shaft (16).

Abstract: A speed change control system is equipped with a feedback mechanism which feeds back the gyration angle of a power roller and the axial displacement of the power roller, to a speed change control valve (100) via a speed change link (12). The feedback mechanism comprises a cam plate (2) which outputs a feedback amount according to the gyration angle of the power roller, an L-shaped link (7) which outputs a feedback amount according to the axial displacement of the power roller, and a feedback link (3) connected to the cam plate (2) and L-shaped link (7), and connected to the speed change link (12). The feedback gain of the feedback amount according to the axial displacement of the power roller due to the L-shaped link (7), is varied according to the gyration angle of the power roller.

Abstract: A three-way clutch unit (9) comprising a forward clutch (91), second clutch (92) and forward one way clutch (93) which sets a power recirculation mode, a high clutch (10) which sets a direct mode, and a mode change-over valve (175) which supplies an oil pressure to one of the high clutch (10) and second clutch (92), are provided.

Abstract: A power roller (18c) comprises a power roller inner wheel (93) in frictional contact with a input/output disks (18a, 18b), a power roller outer wheel (94) provided in a trunnion (17a), a ball bearing (92) interposed between the power roller inner wheel (93) and the power roller outer wheel (94), and an inner wheel supporting shaft (95) which supports the power roller inner wheel (93) such that it is free to rotate, the shaft having a shaft base part (95b) supported in the trunnion (17a), and arranged so that the radial support rigidity is set high in a gyration axis direction and set low in the direction perpendicular to the trunnion gyration axis (19a) and the power roller rotation axis (15d). When one of the disks is pressed and displaced in the direction of the other disk by the press member, the power roller inner wheel (93) displaces with the ball bearing (92) by the displacement of the one of the disks.

Abstract: A pair of power rollers which is gripped between an input disk and an output disk and transmits torque by friction, is supported rotatably by a pair of trunnions. The upper ends and lower ends of the trunnions are respectively connected by links, and the power roller is prevented from being driven out from between the input disk and output disk by the grip force. When the trunnions and the power rollers are displaced by the servopistons in the trunnion axis direction in mutually opposite directions, the trunnions and power rollers gyrate around the trunnion axis as pivot, and a speed change will occur. Links are provided with slots which lengthen in the trunnion axis direction, and are supported in the transmission case free to displace in the trunnion axis direction via pins inserted in the slots.

Abstract: A preloading mechanism (16) of a toroidal continuously variable transmission applies a predetermined preload to disks (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) by belleville springs (9a, 9b). The input disk (1b) displaces in such a compressing direction of the belleville spring (9a) as the speed ratio increases. The displacement of the input disk (1b) is limited by a spacer (50), so the clearance (S) of the belleville springs (9a, 9b) is never zero and a large force is prevented from acting on the belleville springs (9a, 9b).

Abstract: Plural trunnions of a toroidal continuously variable transmission are joined by a link so as to synchronize the axial displacement of the trunnions. A needle bearing and a spherical joint are interposed between the trunnions and link to permit rotation of the trunnions and inclination within a small range thereof. When the needle bearing is inclined with respect to the trunnion, an axial force acts on the trunnion as it rotates. A member is therefore provided which prevents the relative inclination of an inner contact member and an outer contact member of the needle bearing in order to prevent such an axial force from acting on the trunnion.

Abstract: When a vehicle comprising a toroidal continuously variable transmission is pulled or run under its own inertia when the engine has stopped, the rotation torque of the drive wheels varies a gyration angle of a power roller (44FR, 44FL, 44RR, 44RL) via an output disk (18, 20) in a direction so as to reduce a speed ratio. This decrease of speed ratio reduces starting performance when the vehicle is restarted by the engine. This invention suppresses the variation of gyration angle by a spring (100) which limits the displacement of a trunnion (46FR, 46FL, 46RR, 46RL) supporting the power roller (44FR, 44FL, 44RR, 44RL).

Abstract: The upper and lower ends of plural trunnions (46) of a toroidal continuously variable transmission are joined by links (50, 52). A trunnion shaft (70) is joined to the lower end of the trunnion (46). A boss (78A) of a piston (78) is attached to the outer circumference of the trunnion shaft (70), and tightened toward the trunnion (46) by a nut (82) which screws into the trunnion shaft (70). The upper end of the boss is formed as a plane surface, and a supporting surface (76E) of a supporting member (76) which supports this plane surface on the trunnion (46) is formed as a spherical surface. When the spherical surface and plane surface under a relative displacement, a bending load which acts on the trunnion (46) is prevented from acting on the piston (78), and wear of the piston (78) is suppressed.

Abstract: A toroidal type CVT has upper and lower links. The upper link has a link supporting member joined to its casing and the lower link has a link supporting member joined to a cylinder body. An adjusting hole and a knock pin are used to permit displacement of either the upper or the lower link within a predetermined limit in the longitudinal direction of the link. This adjustment equalizes the thrust forces acting on the power rollers, which are gripped between an input and output disks, and maintains the torque transmission efficiency at an optimum level.

Abstract: A gear shift control apparatus for use in an automatic transmission having friction elements each of which is operable on a working fluid pressure applied thereto in an engaged and released state. A change is produced from the current gear ratio to a desired gear ratio by increasing the pressure of the working fluid to a first one of the friction elements at a first rate to engage the first friction element while decreasing the pressure of the working fluid to a second one of the friction elements at a second rate to release the second friction element. A time elapsed for a torque phase in the gear ratio change is measured. The first rate is decreased when the measured torque phase time is shorter than a predetermined value. The second rate is increased when the measured torque phase time is longer than the predetermined value.