Particular Friction Surface Patents (Class 476/72)
  • Patent number: 11009107
    Abstract: An infinitely variable multi-epicyclic friction transmission system for an electric motor, the system comprising: a main shaft; a motor drum comprising two cylindrically shaped half-drums disposed axially around the main shaft and separated by a longitudinal gap, the half-drums configured to bear a series of inverted vee-rings splined on an outer circumferential surface of the half-drums so as to be configured to slide longitudinally along the half-drums; a rotor configured to be accommodated in a cavity defined by the half-drums, the rotor comprising a rotor carrier driver configured to be disposed in the longitudinal gap for rotating at least one planetary carrier about the main shaft; a plurality of twin planetary cone assemblies attached to the at least one planetary carrier and disposed circumferentially around the two half-drums, each twin planetary cone assembly comprising: a torque tube and a planetary cone-hemisphere structure provided at each end of the torque tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: Aidan McAnulla
  • Patent number: 10539915
    Abstract: A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum in a coupling member. The coupling member includes an engageable member having a driving force receiving portion which is capable of entering a recess of a driving shaft to receive a driving force for rotating photosensitive drum. The coupling member includes a holding member configured to hold said engageable member so as to be slidable at least in a radial direction of said drum unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomonori Mori, Tetsuo Uesugi
  • Patent number: 9200698
    Abstract: In a roller-type friction transmission unit, outer peripheral surfaces of first and second rollers are pressed in a radial direction into pressing contact with one another, to allow frictional power transmission between the first and second rollers. The first roller is connected to a driveline to main driving wheels of a four wheel drive vehicle. The second roller is connected to a driveline to auxiliary driving wheels of the four wheel drive vehicle. The transmitted torque capacity between the first roller and the second roller is controlled by changing a distance between rotation axes of the first and second rollers. The outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second rollers are shaped to allow the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second rollers to be in contact with one another at a plurality of spots arranged in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsu Takaishi
  • Patent number: 8758191
    Abstract: A drive unit includes a main wheel having an annular member, and a plurality of driven rollers that are rotatably attached to the annular member, a plurality of first drive rollers and a plurality of second drive rollers, which are provided with the annular member between them and arranged such that they make contact with the outer peripheral faces of the driven rollers, a first holder and a second holder, which are arranged with the annular shaft between them and respectively hold the plurality of first drive rollers and the plurality of second drive rollers while allowing them to rotate, and a first drive unit and a second drive unit that rotationally drive the first holder and the second holder respectively; grooves are formed in the outer peripheral faces of the driven rollers at an angle to the circumferential direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Hiroshi Gomi, Shinichiro Kobashi, Taiji Koyama, Masao Sasaki, Hideharu Izumi, Kazuya Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20130157803
    Abstract: In a roller-type friction transmission unit, outer peripheral surfaces of first and second rollers are pressed in a radial direction into pressing contact with one another, to allow frictional power transmission between the first and second rollers. The first roller is connected to a driveline to main driving wheels of a four wheel drive vehicle. The second roller is connected to a driveline to auxiliary driving wheels of the four wheel drive vehicle. The transmitted torque capacity between the first roller and the second roller is controlled by changing a distance between rotation axes of the first and second rollers. The outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second rollers are shaped to allow the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second rollers to be in contact with one another at a plurality of spots arranged in an axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsu Takaishi
  • Publication number: 20130114983
    Abstract: A power transmission, which transmits a driving force from a driving roller to a driven roller by using a friction roller. The power transmission includes a driving roller, a driven roller spaced apart from the driving roller, and a friction roller to transmit a driving force from the driving roller to the driven roller. The friction roller is disposed above a line connecting between centers of the driving roller and the driven roller. With this construction, the friction roller transmits the driving force in a state of being interposed between the driving rollers and the driven rollers by rotation thereof, thereby allowing the power transmission to have a simplified structure, which does not require a separate pressing spring, and at the same time, to generate a minimum amount of power loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Karp-sik YOUN, Jin-ho PARK
  • Patent number: 8419589
    Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission, in which the driver and driven members can exchange their roles—with the driver becoming the driven, and vice versa. The initially chosen driver carries within it a number of movable parts, which the driving forces bring into contact with the driven member, in a manner designed to produce a momentary lock between the driver and driven members, at the point of the torque transfer between them. In one embodiment the driven member—which can be a flat disc—is clamped between two oppositely placed drivers. Infinite variability is achieved by controllably relocating the fixed diameter drivers to smaller or larger diameter points on the so clamped disc. The output can be harvested from the rotation of said driven disc directly. Or one or more driver members like these which are used to rotate said disc, can be brought into contact with different locations on said disc, and become driven by it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventors: Lawrence George Brown, Gregory A M Brown, Brian Alexander Brown
  • Patent number: 8382637
    Abstract: In a transmission having an input disk installed on an input shaft and an output disk installed on an output shaft, a pair of pressure rollers is provided to be movable along a two-axes connecting line of the axes of the input and output shafts, within a disk overlapping area that the input and output disks overlap with each other. The pressure roller pair is configured to sandwich the input and output disks while applying contact pressure from the outside disk faces at a position corresponding to a required transmission ratio, for creating a torque-transmission contacting portion by elastic deformation of the disks. A biasing device is provided for producing a biasing force from which the contact pressure arises. A biasing-force adjustment device is also provided for adjusting the biasing force to produce an appropriate magnitude of contact pressure suited to a shifting condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tange
  • Patent number: 8308604
    Abstract: An omni-wheel based driving mechanism includes a spherical wheel, a pair of first omni wheels, and a pair of second omni wheels. The first omni wheels are arranged at two sides of the spherical wheel to space from each other by a predetermined distance in a first direction, so that the spherical wheel is rollably positioned between the first omni wheels. The second omni wheels are arranged at another two sides of the spherical wheel to space from each other by a predetermined distance in a second direction, so that the spherical wheel is rollably positioned between the second omni wheels. Therefore, a good driving efficiency can be obtained between the spherical wheel and the first omni wheels and the second omni wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Chung Hua University
    Inventors: Chia-Wen Wu, Chi-Kuang Hwang
  • Publication number: 20120187586
    Abstract: A disc-shaped filter unit including a filter main body having a water absorbability and a holder having a non water absorbability is disposed in a vertical orientation, with a part of a circumferential portion thereof immersed in water reserved in a water tank, and is rotated by a rotation drive mechanism in a circumferential direction. The filter unit has an absorptive region and a non-absorptive region arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Therefore, in accordance with rotation of the filter unit in the circumferential direction, a state where the absorptive region is immersed and the filter main body of the filter unit absorbs water through a water-conduction hole and a state where the non-absorptive region is immersed and water absorption of the filter main body is prevented by a watertight section having a non water absorbability are continuously alternated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Tsutomu Tsuda, Yoshihiko Matsubara, Naoyuki Shigemoto, Hiroshi Kitagaito
  • Patent number: 8187142
    Abstract: In order to absorb loadings on friction faces in bevel friction ring gear mechanisms in an improved manner, the invention proposes a bevel friction ring gear mechanism having at least two friction cones which are arranged spaced apart from one another and a friction ring which is arranged displaceably in the spacing and transmits a torque from one of the two friction cones to the other of the two friction cones, wherein at least one friction face varies axially and the axial variation of the friction face has a radius above 0.1 mm in at least two convex regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventors: Ulrich Rohs, Werner Brandwitte, Christoph Draeger
  • Patent number: 8182389
    Abstract: A technique that makes it possible to switch high-torque power transmission with a compact and simple configuration is provided. A driving force transmitting device that transmits driving force received by one of a first rotating body and a second rotating body to the other includes: the first rotating body; a first engaging section that is provided in the first rotating body; the second rotating body that rotates around a rotating shaft the same as that of the first rotating body; elastically deforming sections that are arranged in the second rotating body; and a second engaging section that is provided in the second rotating body and elastically supported by the elastically deforming sections to engage with the first engaging section and is disengaged from the first engaging section by centrifugal force involved in the rotation of the second rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Koizumi
  • Patent number: 8177678
    Abstract: In a multistage transmission, a pair of pressure rollers is provided to be movable along a two-axes connecting line of input and output shafts within a disk overlapping area of input and output disks, and configured to sandwich the input and output disks while applying contact pressure from the outside disk faces at a position corresponding to a required transmission ratio. A plurality of ridged portions, formed on each of the input and output disks, are configured such that the entire length of the two-axes connecting line is divided into an input-side driving radius and an output-side driving radius, both determined based on the required transmission ratio, and that an apex of a selected input-side ridged portion and an apex of a selected output-side ridged portion, both determined based on the required transmission ratio, are arranged to oppose each other on the two-axes connecting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tange
  • Patent number: 7857727
    Abstract: A concentric joint mechanism includes a frame, a flexible spherical body, a first friction wheel, a first power device, and a fixing device. The flexible spherical body is disposed inside the frame. The first friction wheel is disposed inside the frame and abuts against the flexible spherical body for driving the flexible spherical body to rotate in a first direction. The first power device is connected to the first friction wheel for providing power to the first friction wheel. The fixing device is connected to the frame and abuts against the flexible spherical body for fixing the flexible spherical body inside the frame together with the first friction wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Micro-Star Int'l Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bi-Jang Rung
  • Patent number: 7704184
    Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising a pair of rotary, generally conical, torque-transmitting members, each being mounted for rotation on its geometric axis, the angularity of the axes, one with respect to the other, being variable, the outer surfaces of each member having torque-transmitting needles extending outwardly from the generally conical surface, the needles of one member meshing with the needles of its companion member, the needles being capable of flexing whereby torque may be transmitted through the rotary members without frictional sliding motion at the area of meshing engagement of the needles, the angularity of one member with respect to the other permitting a wide torque-transmitting ratio range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Douglas Magyari
  • Publication number: 20090203494
    Abstract: A technique that makes it possible to switch high-torque power transmission with a compact and simple configuration is provided. A driving force transmitting device that transmits driving force received by one of a first rotating body and a second rotating body to the other includes: the first rotating body; a first engaging section that is provided in the first rotating body; the second rotating body that rotates around a rotating shaft the same as that of the first rotating body; elastically deforming sections that are arranged in the second rotating body; and a second engaging section that is provided in the second rotating body and elastically supported by the elastically deforming sections to engage with the first engaging section and is disengaged from the first engaging section by centrifugal force involved in the rotation of the second rotating body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu KOIZUMI
  • Patent number: 7465249
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission has an input shaft to which a rotation torque is input, an input side disk and an output side disk that are concentrically and rotatably supported by the input shaft in a state that an inner peripheral surface of the input side disk opposes to an inner peripheral surface of the output side disk, a power roller held between the input side disk and the output side disk and a hydraulic loading device applying predetermined pressing force so that the power roller is pressed between the input and output side disks. Fine grooves are formed on at least a radially inner part of the inner peripheral surface of the input side disk and at least radially outer part of the inner peripheral surface of the output side disk, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Nishii, Eiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 7462128
    Abstract: A rolling element including a base metal, and a nickel coat formed on a surface of the base metal and cooperating with the base metal to constitute a rolling contact surface satisfying condition that a mean value of ratios of L1 to L2 as measured in at least three optional observation areas is in a range of from 1.2 to 2.4, where each observation area is disposed in a cross section taken in a vertical direction relative to the surface of the base metal and is defined by two parallel vertical lines; lengths L1 and L2 respectively represent a length of an interface between the base metal and the nickel coat, and a length of a reference line segment extending perpendicular to the vertical direction, in same observation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriko Uchiyama, Keizo Otani, Mitsuhiro Okuhata
  • Patent number: 7458914
    Abstract: An elastically deformable transmission member for use in a friction drive system. The elastically deformable transmission member imparts a thrust to a moveable member at an area of contact between the elastically deformable transmission member and the moveable member. Elastic deformation of the elastically deformable transmission member, such as by application of a pre-load force perpendicular to the direction of motion of the moveable member, causes an increase in contact area between the elastically deformable transmission member and the moveable member. The increased contact area reduces stress in the elastically deformable transmission member and the moveable member, reducing wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Ohara
  • Patent number: 7399254
    Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising a pair of rotary, generally conical, torque-transmitting members, each being mounted for rotation on its geometric axis, the angularity of the axes, one with respect to the other, being variable, the outer surfaces of each member having torque-transmitting needles extending outwardly from the generally conical surface, the needles of one member meshing with the needles of its companion member, the needles being capable of flexing whereby torque may be transmitted through the rotary members without frictional sliding motion at the area of meshing engagement of the needles, the angularity of one member with respect to the other permitting a wide torque-transmitting ratio range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Inventor: Douglas Magyari
  • Patent number: 7261668
    Abstract: A half toroidal CVT disk having an inner surface portion, an outer surface portion and a toroidal surface having a given machining allowance is centered with said inner surface portion worked prior to the heat treatment of said half toroidal CVT disk as the standard thereof, and then is chucked by a chuck mechanism. The toroidal surface of the chucked half toroidal CVT disk is ground by a grinding mechanism with the grinding wheel for grinding the half toroidal CVT disk in a state that one of said half toroidal CVT disk and said tool is inclined at a given angle with respect to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: NKS LTD.
    Inventors: Yuko Kamamura, Hiroyuki Ikeda, Hisashi Machida, Hiroshi Terakubo
  • Patent number: 7077780
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission comprises input and output discs coaxially and rotatably arranged about a common axis. The input and output discs have respective toroidal concave surfaces which face each other. Power rollers are arranged each having a rounded outer surface and being interposed between the toroidal concave surfaces of the input and output discs. A loading cam is provided that presses the input disc against the power rollers by a force that is proposal to an input torque. Trunnions are provided each supporting the corresponding power roller in such a manner that the power roller is inclinable relative to a center of curvature of the input and output discs. Power roller bearings are arranged to rotatably support the power rollers relative to the respective trunnions. The following inequality is established: Ro/(2×R22)?0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7025705
    Abstract: A method is provided for optimally engineering a toroidal transmission having a desired input/output ratio to implement the desired ratio of the transmission while meeting the torque and efficiency requirements of the design. Nanoparticle technology is used to manufacture the stator walls to replace the cutting and milling procedures now in use. A novel Mitchell bearing sleeve and its particular hydrodynamic lubrication and cooling method are proposed herein, as well as the introduction of a novel, ultra smooth, amorphous non-oxidizing contact sleeve material used to form the contact sleeve of the drive rollers. A novel self-lubricating system is further provided that includes an oil reservoir disposed within an output shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Manfred R. Kuehnle
  • Patent number: 6964630
    Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising a pair of rotary, generally conical, torque-transmitting members (20, 22), each being mounted for rotation on its geometric axis (82, 84), the angularity of the axes, one with respect to the other, being variable, the outer surfaces of each member having torque-transmitting needles (86, 88) extending outwardly from the generally conical surface, the needles of member meshing with the needles of its companion member, the needles being capable of flexing whereby torque may be transmitted through the rotary member without frictional sliding motion at the area of meshing engagement of the needles, the angularity of one member with respect to the other permitting a wide torque-transmitting ration range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: Douglas Magyari
  • Patent number: 6893376
    Abstract: An inner surface 16a of a torque transmitting disc of a toroidal type continuously variable transmission can be finish-worked without also enhancing accuracy of a cylindrical surface as an outer peripheral surface of the disc. The inner surface is finish-worked with super finish while urging a working surface of a grindstone against the inner surface. In this case, roller shoes are rollingly contacted with the inner surface to prevent the disc from being radially displaced under force from the working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Hatase, Masami Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20040147362
    Abstract: A method is provided for optimally engineering a toroidal transmission having a desired input/output ratio to implement the desired ratio of the transmission while meeting the torque and efficiency requirements of the design. Nanoparticle technology is used to manufacture the stator walls to replace the cutting and milling procedures now in use. A novel Mitchell bearing sleeve and its particular hydrodynamic lubrication and cooling method are proposed herein, as well as the introduction of a novel, ultra smooth, amorphous non-oxidizing contact sleeve material used to form the contact sleeve of the drive rollers. A novel self-lubricating system is further provided that includes an oil reservoir disposed within an output shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Manfred R. Kuehnle
  • Patent number: 6752740
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission including a rotatable scroll having an axis of rotation and having upper and lower faces, the upper and lower faces each being conical and each having a pitch, the rotatable scroll being alternately upwardly and downwardly skewable along its axis of rotation, the pitches of the upper and lower faces respectively decreasing and increasing upon upward skewing of the rotatable scroll, the pitches of the upper and lower faces respectively increasing and decreasing upon downward skewing of the rotatable scroll; including upper and lower rotatable wheels, each having an axis of rotation and each having a forward face, each forward face being conical; and including a support frame pivotally and rotatably mounting the upper and lower rotatable wheels with respect to the rotatable scroll, the support frame enabling pivotable motion of the upper and lower rotatable wheels to alternately upwardly and downwardly skew the rotatable scroll, the support frame further enabling the upper a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffery T. Semmes
  • Patent number: 6736036
    Abstract: A rotary assembly for traction drives, including a plurality of rolling elements having a rotation axis and traction contact surfaces around the rotation axis and associating with each other to transmit a motive power between the rolling elements via a traction oil film formed between the traction contact surfaces, in which at least one of the traction contact surfaces has a microstructure with irregularities which sizes are larger than a thickness of the traction oil film. The process for the traction contact surface is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Chiba, Toshikazu Nanbu, Makoto Kano, Jun Watanabe, Kenshi Ushijima, Masahiro Omata, Minoru Oota, Hiroo Ueda, Manabu Wakuta
  • Publication number: 20040092360
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission including a rotatable scroll having an axis of rotation and having upper and lower faces, the upper and lower faces each being conical and each having a pitch, the rotatable scroll being alternately upwardly and downwardly skewable along its axis of rotation, the pitches of the upper and lower faces respectively decreasing and increasing upon upward skewing of the rotatable scroll, the pitches of the upper and lower faces respectively increasing and decreasing upon downward skewing of the rotatable scroll; including upper and lower rotatable wheels, each having an axis of rotation and each having a forward face, each forward face being conical; and including a support frame pivotally and rotatably mounting the upper and lower rotatable wheels with respect to the rotatable scroll, the support frame enabling pivotable motion of the upper and lower rotatable wheels to alternately upwardly and downwardly skew the rotatable scroll, the support frame further enabling the upper a
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffery T. Semmes
  • Patent number: 6652413
    Abstract: A traction drive rotary assembly including a plurality of rolling elements having traction contact surfaces associating with each other to transmit power between the rolling elements. At least one of the traction contact surfaces has a surface microstructure including grooves and protrusions alternately arranged. The surface microstructure is represented by an unfiltered primary profile curve including recesses and projections corresponding to the grooves and the protrusions. Each projection includes a portion located higher than a center line of the unfiltered primary profile curve and having a shape selected from a generally trapezoidal shape with rounded corners, a generally crowning shape, a generally elliptic arc shape, a generally sinusoidal shape and a generally triangular shape with a rounded apex. A ratio &lgr;/AMP of a wavelength &lgr; of the unfiltered primary profile curve to a half depth AMP of the recess is in a range of 50-400.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Nanbu, Nobutaka Chiba, Makoto Kano, Yoshiteru Yasuda
  • Patent number: 6629906
    Abstract: A rotary assembly for traction drives, including a plurality of rolling elements having a rotation axis and traction contact surfaces around the rotation axis and associating with each other to transmit a motive power between the rolling elements via a traction oil film formed between the traction contact surfaces, in which at least one of the traction contact surfaces has a microstructure with irregularities which sizes are larger than a thickness of the traction oil film. The process for the traction contact surface is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Chiba, Toshikazu Nanbu, Makoto Kano, Jun Watanabe, Kenshi Ushijima, Masahiro Omata, Minoru Oota, Hiroo Ueda, Manabu Wakuta
  • Patent number: 6623400
    Abstract: In the thus structured toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, at least one of the concave surface of the input side disk, the concave surface of the output side disk, the convex surfaces of the power rollers, the raceway surfaces of the inner races of the power roller bearings, and the raceway surfaces of the outer races of the power roller bearings is, after heat treatment, subjected to grinding, superfinishing and shot-peening and then surperfinishing again, and the resultant surface residual compression stress is in the range from −780 to −1800 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonobu Yoshikawa, Yasuo Murakami
  • Patent number: 6565478
    Abstract: A toroidal CVT is comprised of an input disc, an output disc coaxial with the input disc, and a power roller disposed on opposite surfaces of the input and output disc to transmit power from the input disc to the output disc. Dimensions and relationship of the input and output discs and the power roller are determined such that a spin S generated at each of a first contact point between the input disc and the power roller and a second contact point between the output disc and the power roller takes positive valve throughout a transmission ratio range of the toroidal CVT. When S={sin &thgr;·sin &phgr;−(1+k−cos&phgr;)·cos&thgr;}/sin &thgr;, values &thgr;, &phgr; and k are determined so that S is greater than or equal to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6527667
    Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission including input and output disks having a common first rotation axis about which the disks are rotatable, and a power roller swingably interposed between the disks and having a second rotation axis intersecting the first rotation axis, about which the power roller is rotatable. The input and output disks and the power roller have traction surfaces cooperating with each other to transmit rotation therebetween. At least one of the input and output disks and the power roller has a surface roughness on the traction surface thereof which varies in a direction of the rotation axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Oshidari, Jun Watanabe, Nobutaka Chiba, Toshikazu Nanbu, Makoto Kanou
  • Publication number: 20030040400
    Abstract: A friction transmission unit for transmitting power between input and output members by means of friction and capable of loss reduction and large torque transmission. Power is transmitted between a planar disk (16) and a roller (10), which contacts the upper surface of the planar disk (16). The profile of the peripheral surface (14) of the roller (10) which actually contacts the upper surface (20) of the disk (16) is expressed as z=a·sinh(bx2) This profile realizes a contact stress distribution which is constant over an area corresponding to approximately 80% in the width direction of the entire contact region. This profile also prevents formation of peak stresses near and at the edges of the contact region and, instead, enables formation of monotonic decrease of stress in areas near the edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Tomohiro Suzuki, Shuzo Sanda, Takanori Abekura, Kazuyoshi Ogawa, Masataka Osawa, Masakatsu Kuroishi, Toshinari Sano
  • Publication number: 20020155919
    Abstract: A traction drive rotary assembly including a plurality of rolling elements having traction contact surfaces associating with each other to transmit power between the rolling elements. At least one of the traction contact surfaces has a surface microstructure including grooves and protrusions alternately arranged. The surface microstructure is represented by an unfiltered primary profile curve including recesses and projections corresponding to the grooves and the protrusions. Each projection includes a portion located higher than a center line of the unfiltered primary profile curve and having a shape selected from a generally trapezoidal shape with rounded corners, a generally crowning shape, a generally elliptic arc shape, a generally sinusoidal shape and a generally triangular shape with a rounded apex. A ratio &lgr;/AMP of a wavelength &lgr; of the unfiltered primary profile curve to a half depth AMP of the recess is in a range of 50-400.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Nanbu, Nobutaka Chiba, Makoto Kano, Yoshiteru Yasuda
  • Patent number: 6464616
    Abstract: The inner surface 2a of the input side disk 2 is composed of a near-inside-diameter portion, namely, a first arc surface 16 and a near-outside-diameter portion, namely, a second arc surface 17 in such a manner that the first and second arc surfaces 16 and 17 are allowed to continue with each other smoothly. The first arc surface 16 is formed as a single arc whose radius of curvature is R2a. Also, the second arc surface 17 is recessed in the axial direction of the input side disk 2 further than the extension of the single arc, and the second arc surface 17 is formed so as to have a spiral curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuko Kamamura, Yasutami Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20020086767
    Abstract: In the thus structured toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, at least one of the concave surface of the input side disk, the concave surface of the output side disk, the convex surfaces of the power rollers, the raceway surfaces of the inner races of the power roller bearings, and the raceway surfaces of the outer races of the power roller bearings is, after heat treatment, subjected to grinding, superfinishing and shot-peening and then superfinishing again, and the resultant surface residual compression stress is in the range from −780 to −1800 MPa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonobu Yoshikawa, Yasuo Murakami
  • Patent number: 6413188
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission, includes: at least one pair of disks concentrically disposed on each other and rotatably supported independent from each other; a trunnion swingable about a pivot shaft; a displacement shaft including a support shaft portion and a pivot shaft portion that are parallel and eccentric to each other, the support shaft portion rotatably supported to the circular hole of the trunnion through a radial bearing, the pivot shaft portion being protruded from an inner surface of the middle portion of the trunnion; a power roller nipped between the concave surfaces of the pair of disks while being rotatably supported on an outer circumferential surface of the pivot shaft portion; and a thrust bearings located between the power roller and the inner surface of the middle portion of the trunnions. An eccentric quantity of the displacement shaft being a distance between the support shaft portion and the pivot shaft portion is within a range from 5 mm to 15 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Imanishi, Nobuo Goto, Makoto Fujinami, Hiroshi Kato, Nobuaki Mitamura, Hiroyuki Itoh, Seiji Higuchi, Hiroshi Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6338692
    Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising a pair of rotary, generally conical, torque-transmitting members, each being mounted for rotation on its geometric axis, the angularity of the axes, one with respect to the other, being variable, the outer surfaces of each member having torque-transmitting needles extending outwardly from the generally conical surface, the needles of one member meshing with the needles of its companion member, the needles being capable of flexing whereby torque may be transmitted through the rotary members without frictional sliding motion at the area of meshing engagement of the needles, the angularity of one member with respect to the other permitting a wide torque-transmitting ratio range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas Magyari
  • Patent number: 6328669
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission, includes: at least one pair of disks concentrically disposed on each other and rotatably supported independent from each other; a trunnion swingable about a pivot shaft; a displacement shaft including a support shaft portion and a pivot shaft portion that are parallel and eccentric to each other, the support shaft portion rotatably supported to the circular hole of the trunnion through a radial bearing, the pivot shaft portion being protruded from an inner surface of the middle portion of said trunnion; a power roller nipped between the concave surfaces of the pair of disks while being rotatably supported on an outer circumferential surface of the pivot shaft portion; and a thrust bearings located between the power roller and the inner surface of the middle portion of the trunnions. An eccentric quantity of the displacement shaft being a distance between the support shaft portion and the pivot shaft portion is within a range from 5 mm to 15 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Imanishi, Nobuo Goto, Makoto Fujinami, Hiroshi Kato, Nobuaki Mitamura, Hiroyuki Itoh, Seiji Higuchi, Hiroshi Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6165100
    Abstract: At least one of input/output disks, a power roller and a cam disk of a toroidal type continuously variable transmission is formed of a high-cleanness steel in which a size of a maximum inclusion is estimated by the following extremum statistical process. In step S1, a plane including a central line of the high-cleanness steel is cut out in a direction of rolling of the high-cleanness steel. In step S2, a portion d of the cut-out cross-section, which is defined by 40% of a diameter D in the vicinity of the central line, is used as a to-be-tested surface. In step S3, a test reference area S.sub.0 is set at an area not less than 300 mm.sup.2 within the to-be-tested surface, and a root of an area of the maximum inclusion is measured five times or more. In step S4, a maximum inclusion distribution straight line is obtained. In step S5, the root, that is, the size of the area of the maximum inclusion within an estimation area S is estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignees: NSK Ltd., Sanyo Special Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Mitamura, Tomonobu Yoshikawa, Yasuo Murakami
  • Patent number: 6051080
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power roller used for a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission. This power roller has on its first side a groove for receiving a bearing, and the surface of the groove (bearing surface) has a carbon concentration which is not lower than that of the back surface of a second side opposed to the first side. The power roller has a hardened outer layer having first and second portions which are respectively defined by the bearing surface and the back surface. The first portion of the hardened outer layer has an effective depth which is not shallower than that of the second portion thereof. The power roller is prepared by the sequential steps of surface-hardening, quenching, and grinding. The surface-hardening process is one of carburizing and carbonitriding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kino, Toshifumi Hibi
  • Patent number: 5976053
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a traction roller for a continuously variable transmission comprises placing a layer on a hollow cylindrical material having the volume substantially equal to the traction roller, performing axial pressure forging of the cylindrical material to obtain a work having the axial length substantially equal to that of the traction roller, performing axial die forging of the work to form side wall and outer peripheral surface of the traction roller, and grinding the work subjected to die forging to obtain a finished product of the traction roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kino, Shinji Fushimi, Toshifumi Hibi
  • Patent number: 5868036
    Abstract: A split transport wheel is described including first and second wheel halves, each having an arcuate external tire receiving surface spanned by a joint surface. The two halves may be selectively assembled with the joint surfaces in juxtaposition and with the tire receiving surfaces forming a relatively continuous tire receiving surface. A clamp assembly releasably joins the first and second wheel halves and is selectively operable to (a) draw the respective joint surfaces together in juxtaposition and (b) release the first and second wheel halves to be separated. A tire, formed of a strip of tire material, may be releasably wrapped about the tire receiving surfaces of the wheel halves. A first tire end anchor on the first wheel half releasably receives one of the strip ends, and a second tire end anchor on the second wheel half releasably receives the remaining tire strip end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Donald F. Salzman
  • Patent number: 5718568
    Abstract: A drive shaft for at least a rotating roller wherein the external portion of said drive shaft has surfaces treated by projection of particles to impart to it a controlled roughness designed to enable slip-free non-gear-like tooth drive of the roller by the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Debiotech S.A.
    Inventors: Frederic Neftel, Bernard Bouvier
  • Patent number: 5662546
    Abstract: A power transmission device controlling a contact surface pressure on contact areas between driving surfaces and a driven surface to transmit large power while ensuring a life-span of rolling fatigue. In this device, a traction coefficient .mu. expressed by a ratio T/N is maximized, where T is the driving force transmitted from driving members to a driven member, and N is the pressing force acting on the contact areas in perpendicular directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Takata, Susumu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5601507
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical gearing. This comprises a frame, a first shaft mounted rotatably on the frame and carrying a pair of friction wheels which are disposed at a distance from each other and which have mutually facing friction surfaces together converging outward, a second shaft which is mounted on the frame parallel to but eccentrically relative to the first shaft and which carries a friction wheel which has an internal annular friction surface situated axially between the friction wheels of the first shaft, and a closed belt of mutually abutting push links. The belt forms on mutually opposite sides surfaces co-acting with the pair of friction wheels and on a radially outermost surface forms a surface co-acting with the single belt engaging wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventor: Heerke Hoogenberg
  • Patent number: 5433675
    Abstract: The invention resides in an infinitely variable traction roller transmission with coaxial input and output shafts, a main transmission shaft rotatably supported in spaced parallel relationship with the input and output shafts and with an input traction roller drive interconnecting the input shaft and the main shaft and further an infinitely variable traction roller transmission structure disposed on the main shaft for transmitting motion from the main shaft at variable relative speed to the output shaft via an output traction roller drive wherein the input and output traction roller drives include traction gears mounted in radial alignment respectively on the input shaft and the main shaft and an output shaft of he infinitely variable traction roller transmission and hollow shaft surrounding the input shaft and connected to one of the ring and the planet carrier of a planetary-type transmission whose other of the ring and planet carrier is connected to the output shaft and whose sun is disposed on the input s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Excelermatic Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Kraus
  • Patent number: 5263907
    Abstract: A rotatable disc (1, 3) formed with a coaxial part-toroidal race (26, 27) for use as the input or output disc of the variator for a transmission--especially of the full toroidal kind--of the toroidal-race rolling-traction type, in which the torus radius (r.sub.d) of the race, that is to say the radius of curvature of the race measured at a chose point on the race and in a plane including the disc axis, decreases as the distance of that point from the disc axis (5) diminishes. Such decrease of the torus radius may be either continuous or discontinuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Thomas G. Fellows