Friction Gear Engages Facing Concave Surfaces Patents (Class 475/216)
  • Publication number: 20080153659
    Abstract: A transmission comprises a toroidal variator having first and second spaced-apart drive discs (12, 14) defining a toroidal cavity about a rotational axis (x-x), a transmission input (22) arranged to drive the first and second drive discs (12, 14) in opposite directions and supported on pivotal mountings between the drive discs (12, 14), one or more rollers (18, 20) arranged to contact the said drive discs (12, 14) and be driven thereby, wherein the transmission output (44) is driven by orbiting of the pivotal mountings around the rotational axis of the variator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: TOROTRAK (DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventor: Christopher John Greenwood
  • Publication number: 20080146399
    Abstract: A continuously variable ratio transmission (CVT) comprises a ratio varying unit (“variator”), a first epicyclic (18) having two inputs (A2, S2) connected to opposite sides of the variator (V), a second. epicyclic (16) having an input (C1) driven by a prime mover (12) and components (A1, S1) connected to opposite sides of the variator, a final drive shaft (14), a low regime clutch (L) for selectively connecting the output of the first epicyclic to the final drive shaft in low regime and a third, mixing, epicyclic (20) connected to the output (C2) of the first epicyclic (18) and connected or connectable (F, R) to the variator and being connectible with the final drive shaft in high regime by way of a high regime clutch (F). The high and low regimes are coincident at least one variator ratio (or, more preferably, the operation ranges overlap) and the variator operates in opposite directions in the low and high regimes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: TOROTRAK (DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Andrew Oliver, Alan Fielding
  • Publication number: 20080141810
    Abstract: Traction planets and traction rings can be operationally coupled to a planetary gearset to provide a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT can be used in a bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on the frame of the bicycle at a location forward of the rear wheel hub of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on and supported by members of the bicycle frame such that the CVT is coaxial with the crankshaft of the bicycle. The crankshaft is configured to drive elements of the planetary gearset, which are configured to operationally drive the traction rings and the traction planets. Inventive component and subassemblies for such a CVT are disclosed. A shifting mechanism includes a plurality of pivot arms arranged to pivot about the centers of the traction planets as a shift pin hub moves axially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Miller, Robert A. Smithson, Brad P. Pohl, Charles B. Lohr, Jon M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 7347801
    Abstract: A toroidal transmission, especially for motor vehicles, comprising an input shaft which can be connected to an engine, a first toroidal variator and a second toroidal variator which are connected to the input shaft on the input side. A first output shaft can be connected to the output of the first toroidal variator, and a second output shaft can be connected to the output of the second toroidal variator. The toroidal transmission comprises a first power range shifter for the first toroidal variator and a second power range shifter for the second toroidal variator. The first power range shifter and the second power range shifter have a common clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Ruehle Guenter, Walter Wolf
  • Patent number: 7335126
    Abstract: Rotation of an input shaft is directly transmitted to a front carrier of a planetary gear mechanism, and rotation, which is speed-changed and reversed by a toroidal-type continuously variable speed change unit, is transmitted to a first sun gear. When a Low clutch is applied, rotation of an output carrier of a simple planetary gear unit is transitted to a counter gear mechanism via a common carrier, and then output at an output shaft. When a High clutch H is applied, rotation of a second sun gear is transmitted to the output shaft. Thus, the pinion shaft is shortened and the service life span of a supporting bearing is increased as compared with a planetary gear mechanism that has a three-step pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Equos Research
    Inventors: Saoto Tsuchiya, Masahiro Hasebe, Norihiro Kai
  • Patent number: 7326147
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission apparatus includes a toroidal continuously variable transmission, a planetary gear transmission and a clutch apparatus that connects the toroidal continuously variable transmission and the planetary gear transmission. The clutch apparatus includes: a low speed clutch a high speed clutch and a controller. The controller controls the transmission ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission so that rotational speeds of members connected via the clutch apparatus equals with each other, and then disengages the one of the low speed clutch and the high speed clutch after engaging the other, whereby an instance of simultaneously transmitting the power by the two clutches is set during a time period until disconnecting the other clutch after starting to transmit the power by the one clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Imanishi, Eiji Inoue, Takumi Sinojima, Toshirou Toyoda
  • Publication number: 20070275810
    Abstract: A control unit is imparted a function in which the engagement of a high-speed clutch which had been in disengagement until then is started (or the energization of a high-speed clutch solenoid switch valve is put to ON) before a change-speed of a toroidal continuously variable transmission has reached an optimal value for performance of a mode switch (a point A, for example, 0.46 in a speed increasing ratio) or at a point B (for example, 0.6 in the speed increasing ratio). As a result of this, the problem can be solved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: NSK LTD.,
    Inventors: Takumi Sinojima, Eiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 7273437
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission has a casing, a rotation shaft, a pair of outer side disks having a side surface, supported on the rotation shaft, and rotating in synchronism with the rotation shaft, an inner side disk having two side surfaces, rotatably supported around a middle portion of the rotation shaft, and rotating relative to the rotation shaft, pluralities of supporting members disposed between the two side surfaces of the inner side disk and the side surfaces of the outer side disks, respectively, and swinging on a pivot shaft disposed so as to be twisted to the rotation shaft, and pluralities of power rollers rotatably supported on the respective supporting members, wherein an outer peripheral face of the inner side disk is provided with a detected portion for detecting rotation of the inner side disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Imanishi, Yuji Shimomura
  • Patent number: 7238139
    Abstract: A powertrain for transmitting power to a driven wheel of a motor vehicle includes a power source that includes a reversible electric machine. A first transmission includes an input driveably connected to the power source, a first output, and a mechanism for producing a stepless variable range of ratios of a speed of the output to a speed of the input. An epicyclic transmission includes a second input driveably connected to the power source, a third input driveably connected to the first output, and a second output driveably connected to a drive wheel. The transmissions produce a range of speed of the drive wheel that varies from negative to positive and includes zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Roethler, Michael Berhan
  • Patent number: 7217215
    Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson, Jeffrey A. Birchak
  • Patent number: 7214159
    Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson, Jeffrey A. Birchak
  • Patent number: 7201694
    Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson, Jeffrey A. Birchak
  • Patent number: 7195576
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission apparatus coupled to a drive source has an input shaft, an output shaft, a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission having a pair of input side disks an output side disk, a trunnion, a support shaft and a power roller, and the planetary gear mechanism having a sun gear, a ring gear, a carrier and a planetary gear, wherein a plurality of projections are projected from the one input side disk and provided at positions closer to the outside diameter than to the diameter of a pitch circle of a traction section being close to the outermost diameter of the input side disk, a plurality of engagement sections formed in the carrier, and transmission of power between the carrier and the one input side disk is carried out by coupling the plurality of projections with the plurality of engagement sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshirou Toyoda, Shinji Miyata, Hidekazu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7160220
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission apparatus includes: an input shaft, an output shaft, a toroidal continuously variable transmission, a gear-type differential unit including a plurality of gears, and a controller. The controller calculates a torque actually passing through the toroidal continuously variable transmission to obtain a deviation of the torque from a target value and adjusts a transmission ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission to eliminate the deviation. The controller stops the adjustment of the transmission ratio when the torque is not stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takumi Shinojima, Eiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 7077777
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission has: an input shaft, an output shaft, a toroidal type continuously variable transmission, and a planetary gear mechanism including a sun gear, a ring gear and a planetary gear. The power transmitted to first and second power transmission systems is made to converge to two gears of the planetary gear mechanism, and a remaining gear is coupled with the output shaft. A mode changeover device effects a changeover between, during forward movement, a first mode for a low speed side, which utilizes the first power transmission system and a second mode for a high speed side, which utilizes the first and second power transmission systems. Such changeover is effected by the operation of connecting and disconnecting a first mode clutch and a second mode clutch. The operation of effecting the changeover between the first mode and the second mode is effected in 0.2 to 1 second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Sinji Miyata, Daping Liu
  • Patent number: 7004877
    Abstract: In a variable speed transmission arrangement including an infinitely variable drive having two toroidal input and toroidal output traction wheels with a central shaft connected for rotation with an input traction wheel and extending through the output and the other toroidal input traction wheel and being connected to a planet carrier of a planetary summing gear set while the toroidal traction output wheel is connected, by way of a hollow shaft receiving the central shaft, to the sun wheel of the planetary summing gear set, and the other toroidal traction input wheel is directly connected to the planet carrier by way of a rotational interlocking means rotationally interlocking the planet carrier and the other toroidal traction input wheel, but permitting relative axial movement to facilitate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Elser, Steffen Henzler, Dinh Cuong Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6991575
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission apparatus having input and output shafts, a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission unit (CVT unit), a gear-type differential unit with gears, and a control unit, the CVT unit has; input and output side disks, power rollers, input and output side rotation sensors, wherein the differential unit has; a first input portion and a second input portion, and wherein the control unit regulates the transmission ratio of the CVT unit so as to change relative displacement speeds of the gears of the differential unit to thereby convert the rotational state of the output shaft to forward and backward rotations with a stationary state being interposed therebetween, with the input shaft being kept rotating in one direction, and to calculate a rotational speed of the output shaft based on rotational speeds of the input and output side disks and a gear ratio of the differential unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: NSK LTD
    Inventor: Eiji Inoue
  • 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: 6979276
    Abstract: A control system for a multi-regime continuously variable ratio transmission system. The system has input and output shafts and a continuously variable ratio transmission unit (“variator”) connected to the input shaft. Also included is a mixing epicyclic gear train with a first input gear coupled to the input shaft, a second input gear connected to the variator output and an output gear driving an output shaft. Fluid-pressure actuated clutches engage the outputs and ratio combinations to operate the CVT in a number of regimes. The control system includes means for engaging the clutch of a new regime, retaining both clutches engaged in a synchronous mode and disengaging the clutch of the old regime. The control system also has means for applying fluid pressure to engage the new regime clutch in a single stage at the maximum available clutch engaging fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Stephen William Murray
  • 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: 6949045
    Abstract: A power distributed 2-range transmission comprising one frictional wheel variator (1), one planetary gear (2) arranged coaxially to the frictional wheel variator (1), detachably connectable therewith via one shifting element (K2) and comprising two shifting elements (Kr, K1) and one lateral shaft (9) which connects the frictional wheel variator (1) with the planetary gear (2), the planetary gear (2) containing two minus planetary gear sets (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Wafzig, Bernhard Sich, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger
  • Patent number: 6932739
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission apparatus has clutch device having a low speed clutch; a high speed clutch; and, a controller switching the transmission state into any one of a low speed mode and a high speed mode by connecting any one of the clutches, wherein timings for signaling by the controller for switching the connected and disconnected states of the clutches vary according to the switching directions of the low speed and high speed modes; and, a timing for signaling for connecting the low speed clutch with respect to the moment for signaling for cutting off the connection of the high speed clutch in order to switch the high speed mode over to the low speed mode is set earlier than a timing for signaling for connecting the high speed clutch with respect to the moment for signaling for cutting off the connection of the low speed clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Miyata, Hideki Hashitani
  • Patent number: 6931316
    Abstract: In a toroidal continuously variable transmission (TCVT) control apparatus with a variator unit and a ratio control hydraulic system, an electronic TCVT control unit electronically feedback-controls a transmission ratio based on a deviation from a desired transmission ratio, and generates a normal-period command signal to be input to a step motor for compensating for the deviation. The control unit determines whether the deviation can be compensated for by electronically feedback-controlling the transmission ratio based on the deviation and generates an abnormal-period command signal to be input to the step motor to realize a step-motor displacement capable of shifting or diverging the transmission ratio to a speed-reduction side, while keeping a trunnion out of contact with a stopper in the direction of the trunnion axis, when the deviation cannot be compensated for by electronically feedback-controlling the transmission ratio based on the deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Joe, Taketoshi Kawabe
  • Patent number: 6872162
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission has: a casing; a rotary shaft; outside disks; an inside disk; support members; a plurality of support plates; an actuator body; a pair of support posts including support ring portions, the support ring portions respectively existing in middle portions between the inside disk and the outside disks, wherein the respective one-side end portions of the two support posts are connected and fixed to the actuator body in a state that the rotary shaft is inserted through the support ring portions of the two support posts, the axial-direction two end portions of the inside disk are rotatably supported on the support ring portions of the two support posts, and the support plates are supported on the neighboring portions of the respective two end portions of the two support posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Inoue, Shinji Miyata
  • Patent number: 6866606
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission system designable compact in size and manufacturable at a reduced cost by reducing the number of component parts and securing a maximum transmission ratio width. A toroidal continuously variable transmission has an input member connected to an output shaft of a prime mover, and an output member for outputting rotation of the input member at a continuously variable transmission ratio. A planetary gear mechanism has a first element connected to the output member, a second element connected to drive wheels, and a third element. A first clutch establishes and releases connection between the first element and the second element. A first gear train and a second gear train having a larger gear ratio, are arranged between the output shaft and the third element in parallel. Second and third clutches establish and release respective connections of first and second gear trains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Ooyama
  • Patent number: 6859709
    Abstract: A system for enhanced ratio control in a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes a ratio control element positionable by an actuator in response to an actuator command to establish various CVT ratios in the CVT. At least one sensor generates a train of pulses indicative of speed of rotation of a predetermined rotary member of the CVT. A measured CVT ratio generator derives information of an actual CVT ratio out of at least the train of pulses to give a measured value of CVT ratio. A filter processes the measured value of CVT ratio in a manner to refine the information of the actual CVT ratio to give an estimated value of CVT ratio. A command generator determines the actuator command such that the actuator command remains unaltered when a deviation of the estimated value of CVT ratio from a desired value of CVT ratio stays within a dead zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Joe, Taketoshi Kawabe, Michel Mensler
  • Patent number: 6855086
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission includes a toroidal variable-speed drive unit. The drive unit includes at least an input shaft, a hollow shaft, two driving discs, and a driven disc. The two driving discs are connected fixedly in terms of rotation to one another with the input shaft. The driven disc is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to the hollow shaft arranged concentrically to the input shaft. The hollow shaft is supported axially, at least in one direction, with respect to a transmission case by a bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Elser, Steffen Henzler, Dinh Cuong Nguyen
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6832971
    Abstract: A power roller for a toroidal continuously variable transmission includes: an inner wheel, an outer wheel a power roller bearing for bearing the inner wheel. The power roller bearing includes an inner wheel orbital face formed on the inner wheel, an outer wheel orbital face formed on the outer wheel, and a rolling element interposed between the inner wheel orbital face and the outer wheel orbital face. The rolling element is shaped into a frustum of a cone. A first contact is made between one of the following while a second contact is made between the other of the following: the rolling element and the inner wheel orbital face, and the rolling element and the outer wheel orbital face. The first contact is a point and the second contact is a line. Otherwise, the first contact is shorter in width than the second contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6793603
    Abstract: A power transmission system which includes a transmission device and a power transfer system. The transmission device includes an input shaft to which a drive force from a motor is inputted, a transmission mechanism arranged coaxially with the input shaft, and a countershaft parallel to the input shaft. The power transfer system distributes the drive force transmitted to the countershaft to front and rear wheels, and includes a sub transmission mechanism coaxially arranged in an end of the countershaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignees: Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha, JATCO Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Teraoka, Masayuki Nagai
  • Publication number: 20040142785
    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 cutoff, 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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Eiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 6752735
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, includes: an input shaft; a pair of mutually opposed input and output disks disposed side-by-side in an axial direction of the input shaft; a pressing mechanism pressing said input disk toward said output disk; a hollow shaft disposed around an outer periphery of the input shaft concentrically with the input shaft, and connecting the pair of input disks to each other; an oil hole formed in a no-penetrating portion of the input shaft where the input shaft does not penetrate through the hollow shaft, and opened on an outer peripheral surface of the no-penetrating portion; and, an oil passage formed between an inner peripheral surface of the hollow shaft and an outer peripheral surface of a penetrating portion of the input shaft where the input shaft penetrates through the hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Ishikawa, Masami Tanaka, Takashi Imanishi
  • Patent number: 6726590
    Abstract: In a variable-speed transmission arrangement, a continuously variable toroidal transmission and a planetary aggregating transmission are arranged in the power path between an input shaft and a coaxial output shaft. A central intermediate shaft is mounted to the input shaft for rotation therewith and to an input disc of the toroidal transmission. A planet carrier is connected firmly to the central intermediate shaft which passes through a concentric intermediate shaft, to which an output disc of the toroidal transmission and a second transmission member of the output transmission are connected. A third transmission member of the aggregating transmission is connectable to the output shaft, by means of a first clutch in a low mode, and a fourth transmission member of the aggregating transmission is connectable to the output shaft by means of a second clutch in an upper driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Steffen Henzler, Harald Feuchter
  • Patent number: 6723016
    Abstract: In an infinitely variable transmission with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a planetary gearset, a power recirculation mode clutch, and a direct mode clutch, a torque split mode reduction gear and clutch device is connected to a unit input shaft and located parallel to a power recirculation mode reduction gear and clutch device. The power recirculation mode clutch is provided for inputting a torque greater than a torque through the unit input shaft into the CVT with the power recirculation mode clutch engaged. The torque split mode clutch is provided for inputting a torque smaller than the torque through the unit input shaft into the CVT with the torque split mode clutch engaged. The power recirculation mode clutch, the direct mode clutch, and the torque split mode clutch are selectively engaged and disengaged for establishing either of a power recirculation mode, a direct mode, and a torque split mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Jatco LTD
    Inventor: Yasuo Sumi
  • Patent number: 6719659
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle, such as a motor vehicle EVT, is configures so that the number of teeth of the first planet gear of the epicycloidal gear train, operatively connected to the output toroidal disks by the first sun gear, and of an output element of the epicycloidal gear train form a ratio not equal to one. The transmission ratio of the toroid variator can be varied in such a way, and the number of teeth of the first planet gear of the epicycloidal gear train and of an output element of the epicycloidal gear train are configured in such a way that an output shaft speed approximating zero can be selected according to the variator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Axel Geiberger, Steffen Henzler, Juergen Schweitzer
  • Patent number: 6705964
    Abstract: A power transmission system includes an input shaft, a toroidal CVT arranged on the input shaft, a countershaft arranged parallel with the input shaft for transferring power output from the CVT to wheels, a power distributing device for distributing power from the countershaft to the front and rear wheels, a first casing for defining a first compartment accommodating the CVT, a second casing disposed adjacent to the first casing and for defining a second compartment accommodating the power distributing device, a separation wall arranged between the first compartment and the second compartment and for sealing the compartments in a fluid-tight manner, and first and second oils charged in the first and second compartments and having different characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignees: Jatco LTD, Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Nagai, Masao Teraoka
  • Publication number: 20030220166
    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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Dan Coffey
  • Publication number: 20030220167
    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: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Eiji Inoue
  • 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: 6641497
    Abstract: A drive shaft rotated by a drive gear is coupled to an epicyclic gear arrangement which is rotatable as a unit about the drive shaft's longitudinal axis, as well as about its own axis. A driven gear is rotatably mounted drive shaft between the drive gear and the gear arrangement. Facing surfaces of the drive and driven gears are provided with annular concavities. A pivotally adjustable friction disk extends between, and in contact with, the concave surfaces. The opposite side of the driven gear is operatively connected to the gear arrangement. When the drive shaft is rotated, the gear arrangement is rotated about its own axis in response to drive shaft rotation and is rotated about the drive shaft's axis in accordance with the position of the friction disk. The speed and direction of the wheel-driving output are thus controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Murray, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Deschamps, James F. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6638194
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus (3) outputs drive power of a motor, from a speed changing mechanism (5, 7), via a sub-shaft (25), a power distribution apparatus (4) transmits rotation of an input end member (67) linked to the sub-shaft (25), via output shafts (83, 85), to the front-wheel end and the rear-wheel end, and the sub-shaft (25) and the power distribution apparatus (4) are disposed in an axially overlapping relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignees: Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Jatco TransTechnology Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ishikawa, Masayuki Nagai
  • Patent number: 6616564
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (2) has a first helical gear (204A) for its rotation output. The fixed speed ratio transmission (3) has a second helical gear (203B) for its rotation output. The third helical gear (207) rotates according to the difference of the rotation speeds of the first helical gear (204A) and second helical gear (203B). These helical gears rotate on a same rotation shaft (204). One of the three helical gears positioned between the other two helical gears applies a bending moment on the rotation shaft (204) due to a radial force given by a gear meshed therewith. The direction of the tooth trace of the other two helical gears is set so that at least one of them produces a bending moment in an opposite direction to the first bending moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichi Shibukawa
  • Publication number: 20030158011
    Abstract: A power roller for a toroidal continuously variable transmission includes: an inner wheel, an outer wheel a power roller bearing for bearing the inner wheel. The power roller bearing includes an inner wheel orbital face formed on the inner wheel, an outer wheel orbital face formed on the outer wheel, and a rolling element interposed between the inner wheel orbital face and the outer wheel orbital face. The rolling element is shaped into a frustum of a cone. A first contact is made between one of the following while a second contact is made between the other of the following: the rolling element and the inner wheel orbital face, and the rolling element and the outer wheel orbital face. The first contact is a point and the second contact is a line. Otherwise, the first contact is shorter in width than the second contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6605016
    Abstract: A hydraulic type pressing device secures the contact pressure between the peripheral surfaces of respective power rollers and the inner surfaces of respective input side disks and respective output side disks. When a torque to be transmitted changes abruptly, the pressing force of the pressing device is set to a value corresponding to the maximum torque to be transmitted by a toroidal type continuously variable transmission. According to this configuration, the variation of the transmission ratio based on the variation of the elastic deformation values at the respective portions is suppressed to prevent the uncomfortable feeling of a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Miyata, Daping Liu
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030125155
    Abstract: A variable-ratio transmission comprises a differential kinematic mechanism including at least two drive inputs and one drive output and a speed variator associated with at least one of the two drive inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Antonio Francisco Cesaroni
  • Patent number: 6568297
    Abstract: A double cavity toroidal-type containing variable transmission, in which one of two input disks is fixed to an input shaft, the other input disk and an output disk are supported so as to be movable in the axial direction thereof, and the other input disk is energized toward one input disk by a cylinder, and power rollers 66 respectively stored in a pair of cavities are contacted with the input and output disks. The input shaft is allowed to shift in the axial direction thereof, whereas the output shaft is prevented from shifting in the axial direction thereof. A drive gear formed in the output disk and a driven gear formed in the output shaft are respectively composed of double helical gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Ooyama
  • Patent number: 6569051
    Abstract: An infinite Speed ratio continuously variable transmission comprises a power recirculation mode clutch (9) and direct mode clutch (10). At least one of the power recirculation mode clutch (9) and direct mode clutch (10) comprises an electromagnetic two-way clutch. The electromagnetic two-way clutch maintains the engaged state during excitation and can transmit drive force from both the drive side and non-drive side. On the other hand, when there is a change-over from the energized state to the non-energized state, a one-way clutch state is obtained wherein drive force is permitted only in the transmission direction of drive force in the instant of the change-over to non-excitation. When a drive force is input in the reverse direction to the drive force transmitted in the one-way clutch state, the one-way clutch state is disengaged, and the disengaged state of the clutch is maintained until subsequent re-excitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hirano, Kazuhiro Yamada, Yasushi Narita, Tatsuya Nagato, Hiromasa Sakai, Motoharu Nishio, Hiroaki Kuramoto, Hirofumi Shimizu, Masaki Nakano, Eio Sagara, Masayoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 6561941
    Abstract: In an infinite speed ratio transmission a fixed speed ratio transmission (130) outputting the rotation of a first shaft (310A, 310B) at a fixed speed ratio to a first gear (132) on a second shaft (320), and a continuously variable transmission (100) outputting the rotation of the first shaft (310A, 310B) at an arbitrary speed ratio to a second gear (142) fixed to the second shaft (320) are provided. Further, a planetary gear set (120) comprising a sun gear (120S), planet carrier (120C) and a ring gear (120R) is disposed between the first gear (132) and second gear (142), and a final output gear (3) is disposed between the planetary gear set (120) and second gear (142). The sun gear (120S) is joined to the second gear (142), the planet carrier (120C) is joined to the first gear (132) and the ring gear (120R) is joined to the final output gear (3). With this arrangement, the infinite speed ratio transmission can be made compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Nakano, Hiroyuki Hirano, Hirofumi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6561940
    Abstract: An output rotational driving power of the engine is split into a first split power and a second split power. The first split power is transmitted to a continuously variable speed transmission that transmits the first split power by a shearing resistance of a fluid. The second split power is transmitted to a differential planetary gear system. An output power of the continuously variable speed transmission is transmitted to the differential planetary gear system to combine the first split power and the second split power in the differential planetary gear system. A variation of a rotating speed of the output rotational driving power is absorbed by the continuously variable speed transmission to adjust an output rotating speed of the differential planetary gear system to a constant speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Goi, Koji Kawakami, Kenichiro Tanaka, Takayuki Isano, Hisashi Machida, Hiroyuki Ito, Shinji Miyata