Plural Power Paths To Planetary Gearing Patents (Class 475/215)
  • Patent number: 6984187
    Abstract: A multi-stage gearbox with a drive input shaft connected to a reduction planetary gear set, with a drive output shaft connected to a main planetary gear set, and with shift elements. An input speed of the drive input shaft can be transferred, by the engagement of at least seven forward gears to the drive output shaft, in such manner that to shift from one gear to the next-higher or next-lower gear, only one shift element is disengaged and another shift element is engaged. The reduction planetary gear set has an output shaft rotating at an output speed of the reduction planetary gear set. The main planetary gear set is connected to the drive input shaft. The main planetary gear set is connected to the output shaft of the reduction planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Eberhard Biermann
  • Patent number: 6981928
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission apparatus is constructed by a combination of a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission unit (11a) and a planetary-gear-type transmission unit (12c). The planetary-gear-type transmission unit (12c) includes a carrier (24d), a plurality of first planetary gears (44), a hollow rotary shaft (33), a first sun gear (45), a plurality of second planetary gears (46), a second sun gear (47) and a ring gear (48). The first and second planetary gears (44, 46) are meshed with the single ring gear (48) while said first and second planetary gears (44, 46) are supported on said carrier (24d) independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 6958029
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission apparatus, has: an input shaft; a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission; a first rotation transmission shaft; a first planetary-gear-type transmission; a second planetary-gear-type transmission; a second rotation transmission shaft; an output shaft; a first power transmission mechanism; a second power transmission mechanism; and a switching mechanism, wherein, in a state where the power transmission through the first power transmission mechanism is allowed and the power transmission through the second power transmission mechanism is cut off, in accordance with the control of the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, the output shaft be stopped while leaving the input shaft rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 6926635
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission with an input shaft (1) and an output shaft (2) with two spur gear speeds (ST1, ST2) that are connected tightly on the input side with the input shaft (1) and generate two output rotational speeds (n1, n2), with a main gearset that is connected with the output shaft (2) and is constructed as a two webbed four shaft transmission with two coupled, shiftable planetary gearsets (RS1, RS2) to which the output rotational speeds (n1, n2) of the spur gear speeds (ST1, ST2) are transferable through several shifting elements (A to E) through their selective closing to the clutch of at least six forward gears and can be shifted without group shifting. A total of six shifting elements (A to F) are provided. The output rotational speed (n1) of the first spur gear speed (ST1) is transferable through the sixth shifting element (F) to the second shaft of the main gearset, and at least eight forward gears and maximally two reverse gears are shiftable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Eberhard Biermann
  • Patent number: 6849020
    Abstract: The second platenary gear mechanism 18 is a so-called double pinion type planetary gear comprising a sun gear 18a, paired pinions 18b, a carrier 18c which supports the pinions, and a ring gear 18d. The pinions 18b of eeach pair meshes with each other in a state where one of the paired pinions 18b meshes with the sun gear 18a while the other one of the paired pinions 18b meshes with the ring gear 18d. The carrier 18c is coupled to the countershaft 20 and the sun gear 18a is connected to a shaft 11a which is coupled to a gear 11b of a third gear unit 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventor: Yasuo Sumi
  • Publication number: 20040171452
    Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
  • Publication number: 20040087406
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transmission mechanism with a single differential mechanism for an automotive vehicle. The transmission mechanism of the invention is of a compact structure and a relatively less cost of manufacturing, and makes a clearance between the chassis of the automotive vehicle and the ground increased. The performance of the automotive vehicle equipped with the transmission mechanism of the invention can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Xinjiang Shengsheng Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weijin Ma, Mingxue Yang, Yujiang Wang, Yingpu Wang, Bin Liang, Yongge Fan, Wenbin Pan, Feng Gao
  • Patent number: 6659901
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromasa Sakai, Toshikazu Oshidari
  • Patent number: 6648787
    Abstract: A traction drive transmission that operates in a geared neutral condition includes coaxial input and output shafts and a traction drive unit connected to the input shaft. A first gearset has a first carrier attached to the input shaft and the drive unit, a first sun gear attached to the drive unit, and a first ring gear. A second gearset has a second sun gear, a second carrier attached to the first ring gear and a second ring gear attached to the first carrier. A third gearset has a third sun gear attached to the second sun gear, a third carrier and a third ring gear. A first clutch is operative to drivably connect the second carrier and one of the output shaft and the third carrier. A second clutch is operative to brake one of the third carrier and the third ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dan Coffey
  • Patent number: 6604039
    Abstract: The trunnion (23) of a vehicle toroidal continuously variable transmission is displaced by a step motor (52) via a control valve (56) and oil pressure servo cylinder (50) in order to vary a speed ratio of the transmission. A controller (80) calculates a target value (z*) of a control variable (z) based on an accelerator pedal depression amount (APS) and output disk rotation speed (&ohgr;co) (S5). Further, a time-variant coefficient (f) showing the relation between the trunnion displacement (y) and variation rate ({dot over (&phgr;)}) of the gyration angle (&phgr;) of the power roller, is calculated (S10). The error between the speed change response of the transmission and a target linear characteristic can be decreased by determining a command value (u) to the step motor (52) under a control gain determined based on a time differential ({dot over (f)}) of the coefficient (f) (S20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Joe, Taketoshi Kawabe, Itsuro Muramoto
  • Patent number: 6540639
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (1) for a vehicle comprising one variator (4) with a non-positive, special friction-type, power transmission such as a friction gear or a conical disk continuously variable transmission is described wherein the transmission input power can be divided into at least two performance ranges and can be transmitted in a first performance range either by means of a first power split (2) via the variator (4) or by means of a second power split (3) by-passing the variator (4), or by means of both power splits (2, 3). According to the invention the transmission performance is power split in the first and second performance ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Gumpoltsberger
  • Publication number: 20020028722
    Abstract: In an infinitely variable transmission, a continuously variable transmission (2) outputs the rotation of an input shaft (1) at an arbitrary speed ratio, and a fixed speed ratio transmission (3) outputs the rotation of the input shaft (1) at a fixed speed ratio. A planetary gear set (5) varies the rotation direction and speed of the output shaft (6) according to the difference of the output rotation speed of the fixed speed ratio transmission (2) and the output rotation speed of the continuously variable transmission (2). A sensor (81) which detects the rotation speed of the input shaft (1) and a sensor (82) which detects the output rotation speed of the continuously variable transmission (2) are provided, and a microprocessor (80) precisely calculates the rotation direction and rotation speed of the output shaft (6) from these rotation speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromasa Sakai, Motoharu Nishio, Hiroaki Kuramoto, Shinichiro Joe
  • Publication number: 20010024987
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission mechanism is mounted on a transmission input shaft coaxially therewith and joined thereto, and a first power transmission mechanism is provided between the input shaft and a transmission countershaft. A single-pinion type planetary gear mechanism is mounted on a transmission output shaft coaxially therewith, and a second power transmission mechanism is provided between driven discs of the continuously variable transmission mechanism and planetary gear mechanism. A torque-split clutch for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the planetary gear mechanism and countershaft with and from each other, a reversing brake for fixedly holding the carrier, and a starting clutch for engaging and disengaging a sun gear and output shaft with and from each other. A driving gear, which is held firmly between the driven discs, and a driven gear form the second power transmission mechanism, and a ring gear is joined to the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Ooyama
  • Patent number: 6126567
    Abstract: An automatic transmissions for an automotive vehicle includes a variator of the traction drive type, the variator including an input disc, an output disc, and rollers driveably engaged with the discs and adapted to vary continuously the ratio of the speeds of the output disc and input disc. Each of two planetary gearsets includes a carrier, a sun gear and a ring gear and a set of planet pinions meshing with the respective sun gear and ring gear. Angular variation of the rollers causes the variator to drive the ring gear at a variable speed relative to engine speed and the carrier to rotate in accordance with the speeds of the sun gear and ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest William Hoge, Daniel Warren McCarrick, Rudolf Beim
  • Patent number: 6059685
    Abstract: An automatic transmission for motor vehicles includes a traction drive variator having two sets of input discs, a set of output discs, a gearset, a compound planetary gearset, and two clutches for connecting and releasing various elements of the gearsets. The carrier of the gearsets is connected continually to both sets of variator input discs, and a sun gear is continually connected to the variator output discs. The ring gear of the compound planetary gearset is continually fixed against rotation. The transmission operates in geared neutral condition, reverse and forward low ranges, and high and low forward ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest William Hoge, Daniel Warren McCarrick
  • Patent number: 6042499
    Abstract: The engines which have output shafts connected to traction speed change mechanisms via freewheel clutches are decelerated or accelerated at a desired speed change ratio and then rotate and drive a collector gear and a main rotor shaft. A part of output torque of the engines is diverted into gears to drive and rotate accessories and a tail rotor. Such an arrangement is useful for a power transmission for a helicopter in that it enables the speed of rotation of the main rotor to be varied while the speed of rotation of the engines is kept constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Institute of Commuter-Helicopter, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Goi, Nobuyuki Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5984820
    Abstract: A motor vehicle gearbox with an infinitely variable reduction ratio comprises an input shaft, an output shaft, a first gear stage with a continuously adjustable reduction ratio, and a second gear stage in the form of a summarizing gear. The input shaft is connected to the input of the first gear stage and, via a first coupling, to a first input of the second gear stage. The output of the first gear stage is connected to a second input of the second gear stage and, via a second coupling, to the output shaft, which simultaneously forms the output of the second gear stage. The first gear stage is part of a main gear. The main gear and the second gear stage are disposed coaxially relative to each other and to a common main axis. The first gear stage takes the form of a frictional body gear, in particular a frictional wheel epicyclic gear, in which two bodies abut each other in a frictionally engaging manner in a region. The frictional bodies rotate over the entire reduction range at a higher speed (n.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Horst Josef Wedeniwski
  • Patent number: 5921882
    Abstract: An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes two variator of the traction drive type, each variator including an input disc, an output disc, and rollers driveably engaged with the discs and adapted to vary continuously the ratio of the speeds of the output disc and input disc, the output disc of the first variator producing a predetermined speed in relation to the speed of an input shaft and driveably connected to a disc of the second variator. A planetary gear unit includes a carrier, a sun gear connected to mutually connected discs, a ring gear connected to the output disc of the second variator, and a set of planet pinions meshing with the respective sun gear and ring gear. Angular variation of the rollers causes the second variator to drive the ring gear at a variable speed relative to input shaft speed and the carrier to rotate in accordance with the speeds of the sun gear and ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest William Hoge, Daniel Warren McCarrick, Rudolf Beim
  • Patent number: 5876299
    Abstract: Disclosed is an infinitely variable speed transmission, including: a speed changing mechanism for primarily changing power from an engine into a necessary speed ratio, including: a sun gear disposed on an input shaft for transmitting power generated from the engine; a plurality of planet rollers which are disposed around the sun gear at a predetermined distance from each other, each planet roller having a truncated cone-shape and being revolvable around the sun gear and rotatable about its axis; a carrier for connecting the planet rollers with each other; a movable ring disposed to be circumscribed on outer tangential line of the planet rollers and movable by moving member along a longitudinal direction of the planet rollers to change a rotational speed of the planet rollers by varying an operating diameter so that an output speed outputted through the carriers connecting the planet roller with each other can be varied; and a second speed changing mechanism for changing the output speed from the speed changin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Daewoo Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Man Shik Kim, Jeong Cheol Kim, Tae Kwan Eum, Young Deok Choi, Kyeong Hwan Kim, In Wook Yeo, Jeong Yoon Kim
  • Patent number: 5823051
    Abstract: A power transmission has a pair of meshing gear input power paths and a planetary gearset output power path. The meshing gear input power path includes two pair of ratio gears and two pair of transfer gears. The power flow through the meshing gear input power path is drivingly connectible with two members of the planetary gearset. One power path from the input meshing gear is directed to the sun gear through a first transfer gear set and to the carrier assembly through a second transfer gear set and a one-way clutch during first and second ratios. During a third ratio, a direct input path to the carrier and a path through both transfer gearsets is provided. During a fourth and fifth ratio, the direct carrier input path, the meshing gear input paths and the transfer gearset input paths are utilized. Two reverse ratios are accommodated by grounding the carrier and inputting the sun gear through the ratio gear power paths and the first transfer gearset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur Hall, III
  • Patent number: 5820510
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission of a type having a toroidal transmission unit mounted for rotation on a engine torque input shaft and a planetary gear mechanism mounted on an output shaft in parallel to the input shaft to which engine torque is transmitted directly through an output gear fixedly mounted on the engine input shaft and through the toroidal transmission unit, is provided with a thrust generating mechanism mounted on the input shaft and pressed against a toroidal input disk for mechanically generating a axial thrust acting on the toroidal input disk. The thrust generating mechanism is located on the same side of the toroidal transmission unit as the side where the output gear is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Ueda, Hiromasa Yoshida, Hidenao Takedomi
  • Patent number: 5803860
    Abstract: A three mode stepless speed changing device is disclosed. The speed changing device of this invention maintains the operational performance expected by a four mode stepless speed changing device. Because one clutch, two gears and their associated elements, which are necessarily provided in the four mode device for performing the third mode of the four modes, are removed from the three mode device of this invention, the device of this invention has a simple construction. The device of this invention is also free from pressurized oil passages, which are necessary for performing the third mode of the four mode device. In this regard, the speed changing device of this invention is easily produced and assembled at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: LG Cable Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eui Han Kim
  • Patent number: 5707311
    Abstract: A stepless speed changing device is disclosed. The device converts its operational mode between three or four modes thus reducing the load applied to both the summarizer and the speed changing unit. First and second gears are fixedly and rotatably fitted over a torque input shaft, respectively. The second gear is selectively clutched by a first clutch to convert the operational mode into a third mode. Third and fourth rotatable gears of a driven shaft are selectively clutched by a second clutch to convert the operational mode into a first mode. The summarizer constructed of an epicycloidal gear train cooperates with the fourth gear in the first and third modes. A sixth gear of the driven shaft is selectively clutched by a third clutch to convert the operational mode into a second mode. An eleventh gear of the driven shaft is selectively clutched by a fourth clutch to convert the operational mode into a fourth mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: LG Cable Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Euy Han Kim
  • Patent number: 5545101
    Abstract: A frictional type continuously variable transmission having a continuously variable transmission unit with a planetary gear unit attached thereto to increase the speed ratio as a whole while not increasing the size of the entire device. This transmission is composed of the continuously variable transmission, a planetary gear unit and an impeller unit. The planetary gear unit has a drive shaft, a carrier fixed to the drive shaft, a plurality of planetary gears supported on the carrier, and an internal gear meshing with the planetary gears. The continuously variable transmission unit has an input shaft to which is fixed a sun gear meshing with the planetary gear. With this arrangement, the impeller can be rotated at a high speed even if the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission unit is low. The transmission unit also has a pressing mechanism at the input shaft end. Thus, it is possible to manufacture the three units separately and assemble them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Kawase, Naoshi Hattori
  • Patent number: 5453061
    Abstract: A continuously-variable-ratio transmission (CVT) of the toroidal-race rolling-traction type, capable of operating in "low" and "high" regimes with synchronous change between those regimes, and including a variator (3)--that is to say a ratio-varying component--and an associated gearing set (2) of which the components are capable of being set in different combinations for the high and low regimes, in which the output of the gearing is connectable to the output (1) of the CVT as a whole, and the gearing has first (25) and second (29) inputs connected with the variator output (19) and engine output (5) respectively, and in which in low regime the gearing is set to recirculate power and so deliver to its output a power equal to the difference between its two input powers, whereas in high regime it is set to as to split the power flow and to deliver to its output a power representing the sum of the powers at its two inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Thomas G. Fellows
  • Patent number: 5318486
    Abstract: The drive hub for a vehicle, particularly for a bicycle, includes a hub axle 1, a hub shell 9 rotatable relative thereto, and a driver or actuator 13 mounted on the hub axle 1. The driver 13 drives the hub shell 9 over a ball friction gear 17, the ball carrier plates 25 and 27 of which form with the hub axle 1 a rigid gear housing the balls 35 of which, with a guide ring 33, a drive ring 51 and a driven ring 55, enter into a frictional connection which, by the swivelling of the axle pins 37 between drive ring 51 and driven ring 55, permits different rotational speeds. The pressure forces are produced by a thread 47 between driver 13 and drive sleeve 49 proportionally to the driving torque, the pressure spring 57 ensuring a dead-travel-free response of the ball friction gear 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventor: Manfred Lutz
  • Patent number: 5230670
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed which comprises a torque transmitting device to which an engine torque is applied, the torque transmitting device being coaxially arranged on a first axis; a planetary gear mechanism to which a torque from the torque transmitting device is applied, the planetary gear mechanism being coaxially arranged on the first axis; a continuously variable type speed change device to which a torque from the planetary gear mechanism is applied, the speed change device being coaxially arranged on the first axis; an output shaft coaxially arranged on the first axis; a countershaft coaxially arranged on a second axis which is in parallel with the first axis; first gears for transmitting a torque from the speed change device to the countershaft; and second gears for transmitting a torque from the countershaft to the output shaft. The planetary gear mechanism is so arranged as to lower the torque applied thereto and transmit the lowered torque to the speed change device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshifumi Hibi
  • Patent number: 5163884
    Abstract: A friction-type stepless speed change device includes a frictional transmission elements composed of a pair of driving discs connected to an input shaft, and an annular driven disc connected to an output shaft and embraced between and urged against opposite conical surfaces of the driving discs into wedge-engagement to generate frictional force and allow power transmission from the driving discs to the driven disc. The driving discs are at a variable eccentricity relative to the driven disc, with which an effective pitch diameter of the driving discs is varied to effect a stepless speed change. For reducing the size of the frictional transmission elements while preserving a required torque capacity, the device further comprises a driving rotary unit for transmitting power from the input shaft to the driving discs at an increased rotational speed, and a driven rotary unit for transmitting power from the driven disc to the output shaft at a reduced rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kikuzo Takamiya, Yoshitaka Tamura, Nobuaki Shimada, Kiyofumi Hirai
  • Patent number: 5045037
    Abstract: A friction stepless speed change device includes an input shaft, a driven shaft and an output shaft arranged on a common axis, and a countershaft rotatably provided in parallel with the common axis. The device further includes tow rockable arms rockable about the countershaft, a cylindrical driving rotary assembly rotatably provided on free ends of the rockable arms to enclose the driven shaft, a set of driving friction discs rotating together with the driving rotary assembly, and a set of driven friction discs rotating together with the driven shaft. The countershaft includes a first gear in mesh with a gear fixed to the input shaft, a second gear in mesh with a gear fixed to the driving rotary assembly, and a third gear in mesh with a sun gear of a planetary gear provided on the driven shaft. The output shaft is integrally formed with an internal gear in mesh with planet gears of the planetary gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kikuzo Takamiya, Yoshitaka Tamura, Kiyofumi Hirai
  • Patent number: 5030183
    Abstract: A friction stepless speed change device includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a countershaft provided in parallel with the input and output shafts on one side thereof, two rocking arms rockable about the countershaft, a cylindrical driven rotary assembly rotatably supported on free ends of the rocking arms to enclose the input shaft, a set of driving friction discs rotating together with the input shaft, and a set of driven friction discs rotating together with the driven rotary assembly. The sets of the driving and driven friction discs are wedge-engaged with each other. A gear fixed to the driven rotary assembly is in mesh with one gear of an intermediate gear assembly, and a gear arranged on a planet carrier is in mesh with the other gear of the intermediate gear assembly. Planet gears journaled on the planet carrier are in mesh with an internal gear integrally fixed to the input shaft, and a sun gear integrally formed on the output shaft is in mesh with the planat gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kikuzo Takamiya, Yoshitaka Tamura, Kiyofumi Hirai
  • Patent number: 4964316
    Abstract: A mechanical clutch free transmission in which a power input shaft concurrently rotates a rigid sphere and a first gear of a differential, which differential has a second gear. A circumferentially extending sequence of rollers are supported in frictional contact with the sphere by a power transmitting ring that rotates within a tilt ring that may be selectively pivoted about an axis that is normal to the axis of rotation of the sphere. The power transmitting ring has a ring gear secured thereto that by a gear train rotates the second gear of the differential. The first and second gears of the differential engage a pair of idling gears supported on a cross piece connected to the power output shaft of the transmission. When the tilt ring is normal to the axis of rotation of the sphere the sequence of rollers rotate at the same rate as the sphere and the power output shaft rotates at a maximum rate in a positive direction relative to the rate of rotation of the power input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Inventor: Frank M. Perkins
  • Patent number: 4920827
    Abstract: A stepless speed change device has an input shaft and an output shaft. The device inlcudes a planetary carrier proviced at an inner end of the input shaft, a sun gear provided at an inner end of the output shaft to be in mesh with planet gears carried on the planetary carrier, and an internal gear in mesh with the planet gears to form a planetary gear. The device further includes a driven rotor rotatable about the input shaft and in the form of a hollow cylinder having flanges at both ends and concentrically connected to the internal gear, a driving rotor enclosing the driven rotor and including two members connected to the input shaft on both sides of the driven rotor, and an intermediate friction transmission ring whose eccentricity is adjustable and interposed between the flanges of the driven rotor and between the two members of the driving rotor for transmitting rotating power therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kikuzo Takamiya, Yoshitaka Tamura, Yoichi Shibayama, Ritsuo Nishimura, Kiyofumi Hirai, Hiromitsu Serizawa