Control For Variable Input To Output Speed-ratio Patents (Class 474/69)
  • Patent number: 11964731
    Abstract: A bicycle with an electric pedal assist motor capable of driving a chainring independent of cranks includes wheel speed sensors and crank cadence sensors. The wheel speed sensors and the crank cadence sensors measure wheel speed and crank cadence, respectively, and provide the measured wheel speed and crank cadence to controller of the bicycle. The controller activates motor overdrive based on the measured wheel speed and/or the measured crank cadence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Sage Hahn, Brian Jordan, Kevin Wesling
  • Patent number: 11945546
    Abstract: A pedal drivetrain includes an input interface, an output interface, and a power transmission belt. The power transmission belt is engaged with the input interface and output interface to transmit force from the input interface to the output interface. At least one of the input interface and the output interface includes a plurality of movable pins engaged with the power transmission belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Marcelo Alonso Mejia Cobo
  • Patent number: 11724775
    Abstract: A control device comprises a controller configured to control an actuator to move an output member in a first actuating manner in a first state where an electric power source configured to supply electricity to the actuator is in a first power-source state and where a movement of the output member does not reach a target movement after the controller controls the actuator based on control information. The controller is configured to control the actuator to move the output member in a second actuating manner different from the first actuating manner in a second state where the electric power source is in a second power-source state different from the first power-source state and where the movement of the output member does not reach the target movement after the controller controls the actuator based on the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Tachibana, Yuichi Ueyama, Akihiro Nozaki
  • Patent number: 11685471
    Abstract: A shifting system for a human-powered vehicle comprises a controller. The controller is configured to receive a driving torque and a cadence of the human-powered vehicle from at least one sensor. The controller is configured to determine a permitted shift timing based on the driving torque and the cadence. The controller is further configured to control a shift mechanism to perform a gear shift during the permitted shift timing in accordance with a permitted cadence range and a first threshold of the driving torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Fujimoto, Takeshi Ueda, Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 11649888
    Abstract: An isolating decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley journalled to the shaft on at least one bearing, a one-way clutch engaged with the shaft, a torsion spring engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley, the shaft comprises an inner race of the at least one bearing, and the torsion spring having an end welded to the one-way clutch and having another end welded to the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Anthony R. Mora, Essie Rahdar
  • Patent number: 11584477
    Abstract: A sub-assembly is presented, for a bicycle rear wheel, formed by a sprocket-carrying body and a cogset mounted coaxially on the sprocket-carrying body through shape engagement, is sized such that a good compromise is obtained between the ability to house a relatively large number of sprockets and the structural solidity of the sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mirco Civiero
  • Patent number: 11530015
    Abstract: A bicycle with an electric pedal assist motor capable of driving a chainring independent of cranks includes wheel speed sensors and crank cadence sensors. The wheel speed sensors and the crank cadence sensors measure wheel speed and crank cadence, respectively, and provide the measured wheel speed and crank cadence to controller of the bicycle. The controller activates motor overdrive based on the measured wheel speed and/or the measured crank cadence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Sage Hahn, Brian Jordan, Kevin Wesling
  • Patent number: 11428305
    Abstract: A pulley structure includes: a cylindrical outer rotation body; an inner rotation body; and a torsion coil spring. The torsion coil spring includes: one end region which is in contact with one rotation body; the other end region which is in contact with the other rotation body; and a middle region. The other rotation body includes: a first contact surface; a facing surface; an inclined surface; and a second contact surface. The facing surface includes a constraining surface connected to the inclined surface. The constraining surface is configured to be capable of constraining the other end region of the torsion coil spring before press fitting so as to prevent a displacement of an axis of the torsion coil spring before the press fitting with respect to an axis of the other rotation body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventor: Norihisa Ilo
  • Patent number: 11415211
    Abstract: An uncoupling pulley includes a wheel rim including a first area, intended for receiving a belt connecting the wheel rim to a first power-transmission element, and a second area extending from the first area; a hub rigidly connected to a second power-transmission element; a ring gear including a first portion located under the second area and a second portion presented in the shape of a resilient cylindrical skirt extending, from the first portion, along the longitudinal axis, the cylindrical skirt of the ring gear including a plurality of longitudinal slots and consequently a plurality of portions separated from each other by one of the slots, the ring gear being capable of rotating relative to the wheel rim; and a device for driving the ring gear; and a resiliently deformable element, one end of which is attached to the hub and another end of which is attached to the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: HUTCHINSON
    Inventor: Hervé Varin
  • Patent number: 11345441
    Abstract: An adaptable bicycle shifter making use of a torque computation algorithm based on the classical law of conservation of energy and employing a global positioning system (GPS) altimeter for sensing a road inclination, an accelerometer for sensing a bicycle acceleration and a hot wire anemometer for sensing a wind load, serving to automatically attenuate or appreciate programmed shifting speeds in real time to maintain rider standard shifting torques thereof. Adaptable bicycle shifter is additionally provided with capability to sense, record, and interpret rider automatic shift override commands and further adjust automatic shift criteria to rider ongoing preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Hazem Nihad Hamed
  • Patent number: 10926835
    Abstract: The present invention describes power assisted system (PAS) driving the front wheel of a bicycle, including kits and bicycles containing said PAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: My Bui
  • Patent number: 10717496
    Abstract: Electronic shifting systems, mechanisms and methods of using and/or controlling the systems to operate a bicycle that allows front and rear gear changer mechanisms to be controlled with only two switches. The switches can be arranged so that each hand is only required to operate one switch to shift the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 10654542
    Abstract: A shifting control apparatus for a human powered vehicle comprises a position sensor and a transmission controller. The position sensor is configured to sense a rotational position of a plurality of sprockets relative to a rotational reference position. The transmission controller is configured to control a derailleur to move a chain guide of the derailleur relative to the plurality of sprockets in a shifting operation. The transmission controller is configured to change at least one of a speed relating to a movement of the chain guide, a start timing relating to the movement of the chain guide, and a distance relating to the movement of the chain guide based on a target shifting-operation position of the plurality of sprockets, and the rotational position sensed as an actual shifting-operation position by the position sensor at an actual timing of the shifting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Takayama
  • Patent number: 10247287
    Abstract: A gear has an input shaft and an output shaft, the gear includes the following elements: an outer wheel; an inner wheel which is positioned concentrically in relation to the outer wheel; a traction means extending between the outer wheel and the inner wheel; and a revolving transmitter which lifts the traction means from an outer periphery of the inner wheel and pushes the traction means onto an inner periphery of the outer wheel, the transmitter includes a first transmitter element and a second transmitter element provided on a rotatable transmitter carrier, wherein the first transmitter element and the second transmitter element are rotatable on the transmitter carrier and wherein each transmitter element is provided eccentrically from a rotation axis of the transmitter carrier, the first transmitter element includes a first disk, and the second transmitter element includes a second disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: TQ-Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Rudi Hoebel, Antonius Georg Rossberger
  • Patent number: 9834278
    Abstract: In a drive unit in an electric-motor-assisted bicycle, as viewed in an axial direction of the crank axle, a substrate housed in a housing does not overlap a reduction gear but overlaps a driven gear. The substrate is disposed around the crank axle and includes a component side extending in a direction crossing the central axis of the crank axle. The substrate extends in directions crossing radial directions of the crank axle. One end of the substrate in the direction in which the substrate extends is located on the side of the straight line connecting the shaft center of the crank axle and the shaft center of the motor output shaft as viewed in the axial direction, that is opposite to the side having the other end of the substrate in the direction in which the substrate extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masatsugu Uda, Ryota Suzuki, Yasunori Mano, Tomohiro Usami
  • Patent number: 9644716
    Abstract: A belt wave drive transmission system and method are shown involving a first rotor (10) having a first drum configured to rotate about its axis of rotation and a second rotor (20) having a second drum configured to rotate about its axis of rotation, where the first rotor (10) is constrained to orbit concentrically about the axis of rotation of the second drum. A belt (30) encircles the first and second drums to couple the first (10) and second (20) rotors such that the first rotor (10) moves concentrically around the second rotor (20) as the belt (30) advances about a circumference of the second drum. In further refinements, the system and method involve electrically controllably coupling at least one of the first and second rotors to the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Karen Shakespear Koenig, Pablo Eduardo Garcia Kilroy
  • Patent number: 9580146
    Abstract: Electronic shifting systems, mechanisms and methods of using the systems to operate a bicycle that allows front and rear gear changer mechanisms to be controlled with only two switches. The switches can be arranged so that each hand is only required to operate one switch to shift the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 9487268
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission apparatus comprises a controller configured to control at least one transmission device in accordance with a transmission route in response to a shift signal. The controller is configured to adjust the transmission route based on bicycle information relating to a running condition of a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Souta Yamaguchi, Yoshimitsu Miki, Hideki Ikemoto, Masahiko Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9435419
    Abstract: A vehicle has a motor-gear unit, a trailing wheel of the vehicle being connected the output shaft of the gear and an input shaft of the gear being connected to a motor. The gear has an outer wheel, an inner wheel and a traction means extending between the outer wheel and the inner wheel. A revolving transmitter is also provided which lifts the traction means off the outer periphery of the inner wheel and pushes it against the inner periphery of the outer wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: TQ-Systems GMBH
    Inventors: Rudi Hoebel, Antonius Georg Rossberger
  • Patent number: 9423015
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pulley for an alternator, and in particular, to a pulley applicable to an automotive alternator. The pulley effectively mitigates the problem that a belt and a tension pulley of an alternator vibrate because a rotation speed of a vehicle engine changes, thereby improving the overall operating efficiency of the alternator and the service life of the working belt and the tension pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Victory Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Hung-Chih Chang, Szu-En Liu
  • Patent number: 9341254
    Abstract: An isolating pulley comprising a hub, a pulley journalled to the hub, a spring carrier journalled to the hub, a torsion spring engaged between the pulley and the spring carrier, a frictionmember engaged between the spring carrier and the hub, the frictionmember comprising a first multiple ribbed surface to engage the spring carrier and a second multiple ribbed surface to engage the hub, and the first multiple ribbed surface and the second multiple ribbed surface extending in a radial direction normal to an axis of rotation A-A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: GATES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Peter A. Ward
  • Patent number: 9169914
    Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley journalled to the shaft, a torsion spring engaged between the pulley and a carrier, the torsion spring loaded in an unwinding direction, the carrier engaged with a first spring ring, the first spring ring engaged in series with a second spring ring, the second spring ring engaged in series with a wrap spring, the wrap spring frictionally engagable with a shaft surface, the first spring ring, the second spring ring and wrap spring each loaded in an unwinding direction, and a sealing member radially expands under acceleration to sealingly engage the pulley, the sealing member engaged with the shaft when not under acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: GATES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alexander Serkh
  • Patent number: 9008931
    Abstract: A bicycle gear shift control system capable of avoiding frequent gear shifting includes: a power module; a microcomputer electrically connected to the power module for allowing a cyclist to switch between the automatic gear shifting mode and a manual gear shifting mode; a gear shifting driver electrically connected to the microcomputer, substantially connected to a derailleur, and instructed by the microcomputer to drive the derailleur to perform gear shift control; and a manual shifting controller electrically connected to the microcomputer. The microcomputer has an automatic gear shifting logic whereby the microcomputer determines the timing of automatic gear shifting and performs gear shifting. The microcomputer further has a gear shifting delay logic that involves delaying for a delay time interval from commencement of gear shifting according to a gear shifting criterion and ruling out all other gear shifting commands during the delay time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: J.D. Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-Chang Cheng
  • Publication number: 20150024883
    Abstract: A Contoured Radius Continuously Variable Transmission (CRCVT) varies the torque and speed of an output component relative to the torque and speed of the input component by forming the contour of a belt-like component so that the belt-like component's radial distance from the input and/or output axis is gradually altered from being uniform throughout its length to being varied for different periods along its length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Lucas
  • Publication number: 20140323253
    Abstract: Embodiments include a gear shifting system that eliminates the use of a derailleur and is capable of integrating with existing controls on the bike.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Thomas Williams
  • Publication number: 20140296008
    Abstract: The present invention provides a driving device and an electric motorcycle driving system using the driving device. Said driving device comprises a shaft, a pulley disk assembly configured on the shaft, and a motor. The motor is an outer rotor or inner rotor motor. One pulley disk of the pulley disk assembly is connected to one end of the outer rotor sleeve or the inner rotor of the motor, so it can be driven by the outer rotor sleeve or the inner rotor and rotate or move around the shaft; furthermore, an electric motorcycle driving system can use the driving device to connect with a battery and a stepless speed change mechanism, so as to use the electric power of the battery to operate the stepless speed change mechanism, and to consequently enhance the performance of speed and torque output of the electric motorcycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL UNITED UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: YU-CHI WU
  • Publication number: 20140248982
    Abstract: A control mechanism (800) for setting a transmission ratio between a traction means (812), in particular chain, and a wheel set that is rotatable about a wheel axle and includes two or more wheel blades (810, 820, 830), in particular sprocket blades, adjusts the wheel rim sectors relative to a fixed plane of the traction means in a direction transverse to the plane of alignment. At least one of the wheel blades is composed of a plurality of independently adjustable wheel rim sectors (802, 803). By means of a control component (807) mounted decoupled from a rotary movement of the wheel set, a plurality of co-rotating thrust elements (804, 805) are each displaced via rotation-free couplings between a first and a second position at least in the axial direction, wherein each of the wheel rim sectors is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a respectively associated thrust element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Vyro Components GmbH
    Inventor: Gregor Schuster
  • Publication number: 20140171239
    Abstract: The present invention is to installed a unidirectional transmission at the active side, so when a transmission belt is tightened while the active pulley driving a passive pulley in periodically varied speed ratios, meanwhile an auxiliary pulley (312) is linked for storing energy to form a prestressed force, when the force applied by the active pulley to the passive pulley through the transmission belt is zero or relatively smaller, the auxiliary pulley (312) is enabled to release energy for recovering so as to apply force to the transmission belt, because the transmission belt is coupled to the active pulley and/or one end of the active wheel shaft combined with the active pulley is restrained by the unidirectional transmission device, the transmission belt is enabled to link the passive pulley to operate in the original revolving direction for feeding back the kinetic energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Tai-Her YANG
  • Patent number: 8600634
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a normal force in a frictional contact of a continuously variable transmission including an input pulley and an output pulley where between an endless transmission element is arranged that is held between and in frictional contact with two pulley discs of each respective pulley under the influence of a respective normal force, wherein, as part the control method, the normal force at one pulley is actively oscillated, wherein a resulting oscillation of one of, or a ratio or difference between both of, a rotational speed of the input pulley and a rotational speed of the output pulley is determined and wherein at least one normal force is controlled in dependency on a correlation between the active oscillation and the resulting oscillation. The method includes a calibration step wherein a phase difference between the active oscillation and the resulting oscillation is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Francis Maria Antonius Van Der Sluid, Erik Van Der Noll, Antonius Adrianus Helena Maria Van Dongen, Robert Godefridus Matheus Verscheijden
  • Publication number: 20130316862
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) system, which turns the rear wheels of a lawn mower or similar vehicle at different speeds in a coordinated method with the front steering wheels in order to achieve the best turning radius (including a tight or zero turn radius, if desired) under most conditions. The system comprises two stages: the first stage comprising a Fixed Center Distance CVT pulley system, and the second stage comprising dual CVTs (e.g., left and right) that input into dual gear reducers (left and right), which are mechanically connected to the rear wheels. The second stage dual CVTs (left and right) are synchronized with the steering wheel, thus achieving different rear wheel speeds and/or directions based on the steering wheel position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: DENNIS BRANDON
  • Patent number: 8454461
    Abstract: A sprocket assembly mounted to a hub has at least eleven sprockets. The hub is able to rotate about a rotation axis and has a plurality of spoke attachment seats and a fastening portion to a frame of the bicycle. On the hub a predetermined axial distance is defined between a plane, substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, comprising the points of the spoke attachment seats closest to the freewheel body and a plane, substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis and defined in the fastening portion to the frame, comprising the attachment points to the frame closest to the freewheel body. All of the sprockets of the sprocket assembly, when associated with the freewheel body, have an overall axial width that is lower than or equal to the predetermined axial distance. The chain has a maximum thickness between 4.6 mm and 5.8 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Maurizio Valle
  • Publication number: 20130130850
    Abstract: A method for controlling a drive system includes driveably connecting an engine to a variator, using a pulley to transmit rotating power from an electric machine through a gearset that increases speed of an input of the variator relative to a speed of the pulley, controlling a speed ratio of the variator, and transmitting power through the gearset and variator to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
  • Patent number: 8408188
    Abstract: A belt drive pulley system termed a “flip drive” is configured to provide at least two belt drive pulleys that are co-axially and integrally arranged and share common axle/bearing and mounting components. By being co-axially disposed, the belt drive pulleys will operate in separate and distinct planes. The flip drive is adapted for use in various applications so that power received on its first pulley from a first belt drive is transferred from its second pulley to a second belt drive (where the first and second belt drives are not co-planar).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hormilla Performance Engineering LLC
    Inventor: Maxwell Hormilla
  • Patent number: 8403779
    Abstract: A belt type continuously variable transmission includes a primary shaft and a secondary shaft, wherein the primary shaft is supported on a case via a first rolling element bearing, and the secondary shaft is supported on the case via a second rolling element bearing, the case is formed with a bolt hole at each of an even number of locations in a region separate from a shaft center plane, which is a plane that passes through a shaft center of the primary shaft and a shaft center of the secondary shaft, and first and second stopper plates that each hold down outer races of the first and second rolling element bearings are fixed to the case by bolts mounted in the bolt holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumichi Tsukuda, Youichi Murata, Syoichi Sayo, Ryoji Habuchi
  • Patent number: 8360909
    Abstract: A control mechanism for controlling a bicycle transmission to set a speed stage of a bicycle comprises a shift command communication path for communicating electronic shift commands to select a speed stage of the bicycle, a transmission command communication path for communicating information for controlling the operation of the bicycle transmission, and a transmission control unit operatively coupled to the shift command communication path and to the transmission command communication path for receiving the shift commands and for generating the information for controlling the operation of the bicycle transmission. When the transmission control unit receives at least one shift command requesting a shift through N speed stages to a destination speed stage, where N is an integer greater than one, the transmission control unit generates information for causing the bicycle transmission to move to the destination speed stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Tadashi Ichida
  • Patent number: 8313400
    Abstract: A damped isolator comprising a first hub, a first pulley connected to the first hub, a bearing carrier connected to the first hub, an elastomeric member engaged with the first hub, a one-way clutch engaged with the elastomeric member, a bearing received by the bearing carrier, a second hub engaged with the one-way clutch and the bearing, and a second pulley connected to the second hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Lin Zhu, Matthew Kramp, Imtiaz Ali, Dean Schneider
  • Publication number: 20120258825
    Abstract: A vehicle belt-type continuously variable transmission expands the operating range in which belt slip control is permitted with maintained estimated accuracy of a belt slip condition, to reduce drive energy consumption owing to a reduction in belt friction. It includes a primary pulley and a secondary pulley around which a belt is wound to generate a belt clamping force according to an input torque from an engine by controlling a secondary hydraulic pressure, a belt slip control means for controlling the secondary hydraulic pressure according to a phase difference between oscillation components due to oscillation included in an actual gear ratio and in an actual secondary hydraulic pressure, and an input torque change speed limiting means for determining whether or not to limit vehicle acceleration according to a predetermined acceleration limit permitting condition and limiting the change speed of the input torque to less than a predetermined value when determining to limit the vehicle acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kodama, Yasuaki Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20120252612
    Abstract: A vehicle belt-type continuously variable transmission expands the operating range in which belt slip control is permitted with maintained estimated accuracy of a belt slip condition, to reduce drive energy consumption owing to a reduction in belt friction. It includes a primary pulley and a secondary pulley around which a belt is wound to control gear ratio by controlling primary and secondary hydraulic pressures, a belt slip control means for controlling secondary hydraulic pressure according to a phase difference between oscillation components due to oscillation included in an actual gear ratio and in an actual secondary hydraulic pressure, and a transmission speed limiting means for determining whether or not to limit vehicle acceleration according to a predetermined acceleration limit permitting condition and limiting a transmission speed to less than a predetermined value when determining to limit the vehicle acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicants: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kodama, Yasuaki Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8223351
    Abstract: A method of measuring and correcting the Young's Modulus inline to eliminate its impact on image length variation during print runtime. The method includes intentionally perturbing the nominal operating condition of the web printing system which is controlled by the double reflex printing controller. The perturbation creates misregistration in a control target printed image that is detectable by in-situ sensors, from which Young's Modulus is estimated. Specifically, the web tension before the print zone is set differently from the web tension in the print zone to create misregistration. The error is detected by the inline sensors, and it is used to calculate the actual Young's Modulus. The implementation of the method consists of measuring the Young's Modulus at various frequencies. The correct Young's Modulus in then incorporated into the double reflex printing algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yongsoon Eun, R. Enrique Viturro
  • Publication number: 20120100945
    Abstract: The present power transmission mechanism comprises: a first rotation member mounted integrally rotatably on the rotation shaft of a drive apparatus; a second rotation member rotatable integrally with or relative to the first rotation member; an elastic member interposed between the first and second rotation members which, when the first and second rotation members rotate relative to each other, absorbs a rotation difference between them; and, a switching portion which includes a mass member mounted on one of the first and second rotation members and rotatable integrally therewith, and an energizing member for energizing the mass member in a direction where it can be contacted with the other of the first and second rotation members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBOSHI BELTING LTD.
    Inventors: Tomokazu Ishida, Hayato Shimamura
  • Patent number: 8133141
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic system for actuating a continuously variable belt-driven conical-pulley transmission having two conical pulleys encircled by an endless torque-transmitting means, each of which comprises two conical disks, one of which is axially movable depending on the pressure in an associated pressing chamber, and having a torque sensor which includes a torque sensing chamber that is connected to a hydraulic energy source and is linked with the pressing chambers. The invention is distinguished by the fact that the pressing chambers are connected via a first hydraulic resistance element to the torque sensing chamber, and via a second hydraulic resistance element to an additional pressure chamber, in which a lower pressure prevails than in the pressing chambers and/or the torque sensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eugen Kremer, Eric Müller, Jochen Pfister, Reinhard Stehr, Ronald Glas
  • Patent number: 8133140
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a control section having a target secondary pressure setting section configured to set a target secondary pressure within a strength limit of the belt, and an operation switching section configured to switch a shift operation from a normal speed to a high speed higher than the normal speed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The control section is configured to control the secondary pressure regulating valve by a feedback control based on the target secondary pressure and the actual secondary pressure sensed by the hydraulic pressure sensor. The target secondary pressure setting section is configured to modify the target secondary pressure by adding a predetermined quantity when a correction initiation condition is satisfied, the condition initiation including a first condition that the shift operation is performed at a high speed by switching of the operation switching section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Midori Yamaguchi, Yoshihisa Kodama, Toshiji Iida, Toshiyuki Shibuya, Tatsuya Ozone
  • Patent number: 8100789
    Abstract: A sheave for use in a continuously variable transmission comprises a truncated, substantially conical portion having an inner radius, an outer radius and a contact surface extending between the inner radius and the outer radius. The contact surface of the sheave may include a plurality of concentric step features such that the contact surface is graduated between the inner radius and the outer radius. Each step feature may include a rise portion and a pitch portion. The rise portion of each step feature and the pitch portion of each step feature may extend in a circumferential direction on the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher C. Morgan, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110263364
    Abstract: A step less, infinitely variable transmission converting rotational input power to rotational output power using positively engaged mechanics without relying on friction to transmit power and having minimal intermittent motion. The transmission includes a plurality of input chains with drive pins and a rotatable output chain with engagement slots meshing with input pins. The input chains have a plurality of horizontal tracks that control the pins' horizontal position. Precise pin horizontal positions are controlled by another track—a synchronizing track. The synchronizing track is controlled by any combination of high speed electronics, computers, linear actuators, and servo motors. In another embodiment, mechanical gears and mechanical calculators can govern the synchronizing tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Mark William Klarer
  • Patent number: 7998006
    Abstract: In a speed ratio control device for a belt continuously variable transmission according to this invention, when a speed ratio is subjected to feedback control on the basis of a difference between an actual speed ratio and a target speed ratio, pressure supplied to a primary pulley is corrected through feedforward (S17, S18) in order to suppress variation in the groove width of the primary pulley caused by a rapid variation in an input torque into the primary pulley (S17) while traveling in a fixed speed ratio mode (S14) in which the target speed ratio is held at a fixed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Hironori Nihei, Tetsuya Izumi, Seonjae Kim, Fumito Shinohara, Kiyotaka Sawano, Takuya Numata
  • Publication number: 20110183793
    Abstract: A hybrid bicycle is provided which is manually propelled, but may include a motor unit for assisting forward propulsion of the bicycle. The bicycle has a control system for providing a control input for another component of the bicycle. Where that component comprises the motor, the control input is for increasing drive power applied by the motor unit to said bicycle. Where the component is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for the bicycle, the control input is for continuously varying the gearing ratio of the CVT. Located adjacent a drive sprocket is a moveable plate member. The plate member and the drive sprocket are mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation of a pedal spindle, although the sprocket is not fixed for rotation with the pedal spindle. The drive sprocket is loosely coupled to the plate member with the plate member being moveable relative to the sprocket by a limited distance in a rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Yet Chan
  • Publication number: 20110124450
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stepless variable transmission device with parallel low gear wheel group, which is the first case that a low gear transmission wheel group equipped with a one-way transmission unit, which transmits with fixed speed ratio in same rotary direction, is installed between the input shaft and the output shaft of a stepless variable transmission device; and which is installed with the clutch device 212 with angular displacement difference and/or the clutch device 222 for eliminating the vibration produced by the hetero-shaft type stepless variable transmission device 100 and the low gear transmission wheel group 102, the both do not operate with fully same speed ratio, for overloaded transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 7909716
    Abstract: A dual-ratchet wheel transmission apparatus includes: a drive wheel set, having a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel coaxially integrated with a drive shaft; a driven wheel set, being coaxially set with a driven shaft in which the driven shaft is connected to an output for transmission, the driven wheel set including: a first driven wheel being centrally integrated with a unidirectional ratchet wheel, in which the first driven wheel engages with the first drive wheel for transmission, a second driven wheel being centrally integrated with another unidirectional ratchet wheel, in which the second driven wheel is connected to the second drive wheel via a transmission element. By the aforementioned configuration, whether the drive wheel set rotates forward or backward, the transmission set rotates in only one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Junghsen Lieh
  • Publication number: 20110039645
    Abstract: An incrementally variable transmission machine with an input drive and an output drive which are linked by a drive chain, and which includes an oscillating cam arrangement which, at each of two limiting positions, can act on an actuating mechanism to vary the speed of the output drive by an increment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: VARIBOX IP (PTY) LIMITED
    Inventor: Johannes Jacobus Naude
  • Patent number: 7798930
    Abstract: A fixed pulley face of a drive V-pulley of a V-belt type continuously variable transmission includes a belt sliding contact disc having a conical belt sliding contact surface and fixed to a crankshaft so as to be integrally rotated, and a cooling fan fixed to the crankshaft so as to be integrally rotated in adjacent to a side surface opposite to the belt sliding contact surface of the belt sliding contact disc, and a starter driven gear is formed in an outer peripheral portion of the cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuharu Nojiri