Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.

Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.

Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed.

Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.

Abstract: In an infinitely variable traction roller transmission wherein two toric traction disks are rotatably supported opposite each other so as to define a toric cavity in which at least two traction rollers are disposed in engagement with the two toric disks, the toric disks have, in a plane receiving the axis of rotation of the toric traction disks, a curvature wherein their tangents at the points of contact with the traction rollers intersect on the axis of rotation of the toric disks along with the axis of rotation of the traction roller and the traction rollers are supported by support means including a guide wheel which moves along a guide track during pivoting of the support means so as to maintain engagement between the traction rollers and the toric disks in all pivot positions of the traction rollers.

Abstract: In an infinitely variable traction roller transmission, wherein two toric traction disks are rotatably supported opposite one another and define a toric cavity in which at least two motion transmitting traction rollers are disposed in engagement with the two toric disks and supported by trunnions, the trunnions being pivotally supported to permit changing the ratio of motion transmission between the toric disks, the toric disks each have a different cavity radius, thus causing the circles of contact of the traction rollers with the toric disk to change as the trunnions pivot to various transmission ratio positions, thereby distributing the loads on the traction rollers over a relatively large surface area thus extending the fatigue life of the traction rollers, and consequently, of the transmission.

Abstract: In a high ratio planetary transmission which includes in a housing coaxial input and output shafts and wherein a first sun roller structure is part of one of the shafts and disposed within the housing, a first traction ring is disposed within the housing around the first sun roller structure in spaced relationship therefrom, and a number of planetary traction rollers are supported in the space between the sun roller structure and the first traction ring, each traction roller has two sections of different diameters, one in engagement with the first traction ring and with the sun roller structure and the other being in engagement with a second traction ring which is operatively connected for rotation with the other of the input and output shafts.

Abstract: In an infinitely variable traction roller transmission wherein two toric traction discs are rotatably supported opposite one another so as to define therebetween a toric cavity in which at least two motion transmitting traction rollers are disposed in engagement with the toric discs and supported by trunnions which are pivotally supported to permit changing the ratio of motion transmission between the toric discs, each pivot trunnion has a cylindrical cavity with a support piston disposed therein in axial alignment with the traction roller supported on the trunnion and a plurality of radial lever members are arranged around the axis of the support piston and rest on a fulcrum structure disposed around the cylindrical cavity and, at their inner end, on the support piston, and a bearing disc which carries the traction roller is supported on the radial lever members at a location inwardly from the fulcrum structure to force the traction roller into engagement with the toric discs with the piston force amplified