Abstract: Outdoor power equipment includes an engine having a throttle and a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a tool coupled to the driven shaft. The engine further includes a transmission coupling the drive and driven shafts and providing a mechanical advantage therebetween. The transmission automatically changes the mechanical advantage in response to torque experienced by the driven shaft.

Abstract: In a control device for an automatic transmission having a flow control mechanism that causes a part of a working oil discharged from a mechanical oil pump to flow into the mechanical oil pump when a differential pressure between an upstream side and a downstream side of a narrowed portion increases beyond a predetermined value, the narrowed portion being provided in a discharge passage through which the working oil discharged from the mechanical oil pump flows, a line pressure is raised when an oil temperature of the working oil is equal to or higher than a predetermined oil temperature and an engine torque is equal to or smaller than a predetermined engine torque.

Abstract: A continuous variable clutch is provided. The continuous variable clutch includes a first sheave member and a second sheave member. The first sheave member includes a first central hub and a first conical-faced surface extending radially from the first central hub. The second sheave member includes a second central hub and a second conical-faced surface that extends radially from the second central hub. The second central hub of the second sheave member is received in a cavity of the first central hub such that the first conical-faced surface of the first sheave member facing the second conical-faced surface of the second sheave portion. The second central hub moving axially within the first central hub based on an amount of torque on the continuous variable clutch. The first sheave member and the second sheave member further forming a central passage to receive an input shaft of a transmission.

Abstract: Four types of pulley sheaves are common with one another in that each includes a pulley forming body having a tubular portion inserted around the corresponding shaft and a main body portion extending radially outward from one side of the tubular portion in an axis line direction, the main body portion including a conical friction surface inclined to be positioned closer to the other side of the tubular portion in the axis line direction, from an inner side to an outer side in a radial direction. The tubular portion of the pulley forming bodies that forms the driving-side and driven-side fixed pulley sheaves includes a fixing hole, while the tubular portion of the pulley forming bodies that forms the driving-side and driven-side movable pulley sheaves includes a sliding slot that allows the tubular portion to move along the axis line of the corresponding shaft only within the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system of continuously variable transmission includes: a first sheave pressure regulating valve (17) that regulates a line pressure (Pl), which is used for hydraulic control as a source pressure, to obtain a first sheave pressure (Pin); a fail-safe valve (19) that selects and outputs any one of the first sheave pressure (Pin) or a fail-safe hydraulic pressure (second sheave pressure Pout) that is applied to a drive pulley (21) at the time of a failure due to an excessive first sheave pressure (Pin) to the drive pulley (21); and an orifice (25) that is provided in an oil passage (24) between the fail-safe valve (19) and the drive pulley (21). Then, a hydraulic pressure in the oil passage (24) on the drive pulley (21) side of the orifice (25) is supplied to the first sheave pressure regulating valve (17) as a feedback pressure.

Abstract: A generator system includes a prime mover having a drive shaft and a throttle, a driven member having a rotor disposed on a rotor shaft, and a continuously variable transmission pulley system. The transmission pulley system includes a drive pulley coupled to the drive shaft and having a variable drive pulley effective diameter. A driven pulley coupled to the rotor shaft has a variable driven pulley effective diameter responsive to varying torque on the rotor shaft. A belt configured to engage the drive pulley and the driven pulley has a belt tension, wherein the drive pulley effective diameter varies in response to the belt tension.

Abstract: Methods and devices for tailoring the functional relationship between the shift ratio of a CVT and the radial force (FR) into the cam surfaces of a CVT's helix. Such tailoring may effect downshifting, and the separation of the design of the upshift function from the design of the backshift function. Such tailoring may be effected by schemes that include the use of a helix with other than a constant distance from the rotational axis to the touch point (touch-point radius), a touch-point radius that is a monotonic function of the shift ratio, or a touch-point radius that is a meandering function of the shift ratio.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission device with a low shift transmission pulley train includes a unidirectional transmission device installed between the input shaft and output shaft of the continuously variable transmission device. During high load operation, when a rotating speed of the driving pulley of the low shift transmission pulley train is lower than that of the input shaft in the same rotating direction, the rotational kinetic energy of the input shaft is transmitted through the unidirectional transmission device and the low shift transmission pulley train to drive the output shaft and further to drive the load.

Abstract: The invention is disclosed by that a high shift transmission pulley train is installed between the input shaft and the output shaft of the continuous variable transmission device, and a clutching device is installed between the output shaft and the driven pulley of the high shift transmission pulley train as well as that a low shift transmission pulley train matching with an unidirectional transmission device is installed between the input shaft and the output shaft of the continuous variable transmission device.

Abstract: The line hydraulic pressure setting portion sets the line hydraulic pressure PL, which is the base pressure for the required shift control pressure Pin and the required belt clamping pressure Pd, based on the higher of the required pressures Pin and Pd. At this time, if the continuously variable transmission is to be shifted up, the required Pin calculating portion calculates the required shift control pressure Pin based on one of the target speed ratio ?* and the actual speed ratio ? with which the required shift pressure Pv is calculated to be higher than with the other. As such, the required shift control pressure Pin is set to the minimum necessary level for shifting up the continuously variable transmission and the line hydraulic pressure PL is appropriately set to a level for obtaining the required shift control pressure Pin.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for controlling a variable-speed transmission utilizing a pulley structure including first and second pulley members coupled for free rotation together about a shaft. The second pulley member can be axially movable relative to the first pulley member, and can include a pulley contact surface disposed generally opposite to the first pulley member. A coupling member is provided for communicating with the shaft to rotatably drive the shaft. The coupling member includes a coupling member contact surface disposed for selective frictional engagement by the pulley contact surface. Torque can be selectively coupled and decoupled to a transmission, as well as vary a speed of the transmission.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for a belt type continuously variable transmission, with which a smooth operation is secured and both superior productivity and reduced manufacturing costs can be expected, includes a first cylinder provided on a movable sheave, a drum having a first drum portion that covers the first cylinder and a second drum portion that is fitted to a boss portion of the movable sheave and formed with a plurality of projections, a first plunger having a cylindrical portion that is fitted to the first cylinder and the second drum portion to form a first hydraulic chamber, and a second plunger fitted to the cylindrical portion and the first cylinder to form a second hydraulic chamber. An oil passage connecting the first hydraulic chamber and the second hydraulic chamber is formed by a gap between the second drum portion and cylindrical portion, which are fitted together.

Abstract: A self-tensioning belt drive for vehicle power train has pulley assembly that comprises a first and a second pulley means and a belt bearing means. First pulley means is fixed coaxial to the power shaft and has a first pitch setting means. Second pulley means is coaxially rotatable relative to the first and has a second pitch setting means. Belt bearing means maintains a gross bearing surface to bear the belt at a pitch by a cooperation with the two pitch setting means. Transmission of power loads the pulley assembly wherein the two pulley means and the belt bearing means all rotate together in the same direction at the same speed while the second pulley means is induced by the loading to rotate relative to the first in the opposite direction. The load-induced relative rotation increases the pitch by adjustment in the cooperation until fixed length of the belt allows no further relative movement between the two pulley means.

Abstract: In a stepping motor cooling apparatus for a belt-type continuously variable transmission, a pair of primary and secondary pulleys are disposed inside a transmission case, and a forward/backward switching unit is disposed coaxially to the primary pulley, furthermore, a stepping motor is disposed below the forward/backward switching unit. An inner case originating from the transmission case surrounds a circumference of the forward/backward switching unit. Through the inner case, a dripping hole is formed at an inner case's portion directly above the stepping motor so that working fluid drained from the forward/backward switching unit can drip on the stepping motor. In order to further improve the cooling effect of the stepping motor, a recess portion is formed immediately below the stepping motor at an upper surface of a valve body disposed under the stepping motor.

Abstract: In a V-belt continuously variable transmission (CVT) of an ATV, a movable sheave half of a primary sheave is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to a fixed sheave half, and a sheave drive mechanism for controlling the respective groove widths of the primary sheave and a secondary sheave through a driving force by an electric motor is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the movable sheave half of the primary sheave. A footboard of the ATV is located on the outer side of the V-belt CVT in the vehicle width direction and below a primary sheave shaft and a secondary sheave shaft. A portion of the electric motor is located above and in front of the primary sheave shaft as viewed in the sheave shaft direction. A straddle-type vehicle having the compact, yet durable V-belt continuously variable transmission achieves a speed change operation highly responsive to the vehicle running condition.

Abstract: In a motorcycle having a V-belt type continuously variable transmission, a resin washer made of a nylon resin is interposed between a boss fixed to a moving sheave half of a secondary sheave and a spring bearing member. The boss contacts the spring bearing member through the resin washer, whereby the moving sheave half is restricted to a Top position, in which a spacing between it and a stationary sheave half becomes maximum. In this manner, the maximum speed is not changed by exchange of the V-belt, the V-belt does not slip or become considerably abraded or deteriorated, and noise generation is suppressed.

Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission changes winding radii of a belt that is wound around an input-side and an output-side pulley to shift speeds. The belt-type continuously variable transmission is mounted on a vehicle that switches between two-wheel drive is transmitted only to front wheels and four-wheel drive. An electronic control unit that controls the belt-type continuously variable transmisson adjusts the belt clamping pressure of each pulley as torque is distributed to the rear wheels, to suppress muffled noise due to resonance of vehicle components with belt span vibrations.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system of continuously variable transmission includes: a first sheave pressure regulating valve (17) that regulates a line pressure (Pl), which is used for hydraulic control as a source pressure, to obtain a first sheave pressure (Pin); a fail-safe valve (19) that selects and outputs any one of the first sheave pressure (Pin) or a fail-safe hydraulic pressure (second sheave pressure Pout) that is applied to a drive pulley (21) at the time of a failure due to an excessive first sheave pressure (Pin) to the drive pulley (21); and an orifice (25) that is provided in an oil passage (24) between the fail-safe valve (19) and the drive pulley (21). Then, a hydraulic pressure in the oil passage (24) on the drive pulley (21) side of the orifice (25) is supplied to the first sheave pressure regulating valve (17) as a feedback pressure.

Abstract: A pulley apparatus of a belt drive comprises a first and a second pulleys and a belt bearing. A first pulley is fixed coaxial to the power shaft and has a first pitch setting device. A second pulley is coaxially rotatable relative to the first and has a second pitch setting device. A belt bearing maintains a gross bearing surface to bear the belt at a pitch by a cooperation with the two pitch setting devices. Transmission of power loads the pulley apparatus wherein the two pulleys and the belt bearing all rotate together in the same direction at the same speed while the second pulley is induced by the loading to rotate relative to the first in the opposite direction. The load-induced relative rotation increases the pitch by adjustment in the cooperation until a fixed length of the belt allows no further relative movement between the two pulleys.

Abstract: Continuously variable transmission includes a set of pulleys, each pulley comprising two discs arranged relatively axially moveable on a central pulley shaft for clamping a transmission belt. The belt includes a continuous array of transverse elements, each having lateral pulley contact surfaces for contacting the belt contact surface of each of the pulley discs, and being provided slideably on an endless tensile element of the belt. Each pulley has a mechanical stiffness as incorporated in the transmission and a stiffness related feature of a pulley when expressed as a parameter Sag that indicates an amount of radial displacement of the belt between the discs in the transmission, occurring in response to imposing a maximum amount of axial force Fax during operation of the transmission, relative to a radial position of the belt in an unloaded state of the transmission, amounts to less than 1.2 mm but more than 0.5 mm.

Abstract: A motorcycle including a power transmission device including a continuously variable transmission having a belt wound around a drive pulley and around a driven pulley and a hydraulically-operated clutch provided on at least one of a drive pulley shaft and a driven pulley shaft and an internal combustion engine wherein a supply of working oil to the clutch and of lubricating oil to a continuously variable transmission is enabled while avoiding a complication of an oil passage configuration and an increase in the diameter of the pulley shaft. A clutch control oil passage directs working oil to a clutch and a lubricating oil passage directs lubricating oil to a continuously variable transmission are provided in the particular pulley shaft on which the clutch is provided, so as to be coaxial with each other and be axially isolated from each other.

Abstract: A torque vectoring drive system is presented for use in a motor vehicle. The torque vectoring drive system includes a differential unit having an input shaft, a first axle shaft, a second axle shaft, and a carrier, the differential rotatably driving the axle shafts while permitting the axle shafts to have independent speeds of rotation. The system includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having an input shaft driveably coupled to the carrier of the differential and an output shaft driveably coupled to the first axle shaft of the differential. The CVT is operable to variably control the drive torque of the first axle shaft relative to the second axle shaft to provide torque vectoring.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a crankshaft extending through a seal cover and into an oil-storing end portion of a driven shaft. The oil-storing end portion of the driven shaft defines a lubricating space filled with lubricating oil, and extends into the seal cover. A unidirectional clutch is disposed in the lubricating space and outwardly of the seal cover.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for controlling a variable-speed transmission utilizing a pulley structure including first and second pulley members coupled for free rotation together about a shaft. The second pulley member can be axially movable relative to the first pulley member, and can include a pulley contact surface disposed generally opposite to the first pulley member. A coupling member is provided for communicating with the shaft to rotatably drive the shaft. The coupling member includes a coupling member contact surface disposed for selective frictional engagement by the pulley contact surface. Torque can be selectively coupled and decoupled to a transmission, as well as vary a speed of the transmission.

Abstract: For enhancement of heating performance of a vehicle, operating speed of a water pump of an engine is varied in accordance with engine operation conditions, so a speed of a coolant temperature increase can be accelerated when needed.

Abstract: A clutch for a belted transmission comprises a sheave, a first torque ramp member, a second torque ramp member, a drive ring and an electromagnet. The first torque ramp member is attached to the sheave and has a ramp face. The second torque ramp member is spaced apart from the first torque ramp member and has a ramp face opposing the ramp face of the first torque ramp. A drive ring is disposed between the first and second torque ramp members and has a button slider engaged between the ramp face of the first torque ramp member and the ramp face of the second torque ramp member. The electromagnet is configured for one of repelling the first torque ramp member from the second torque ramp member along a reference axis and attracting the first torque ramp member toward the second torque ramp member along the reference axis.

Abstract: An engine for an offroad vehicle including a crankcase, a transversely extending crankshaft, and a transmission connected to the crankshaft. The transmission includes a drive pulley, a driven pulley, and a drive belt connecting the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The driven pulley includes a fixed half and a movable half. A spring is adapted to bias the movable half toward the fixed half. A transmission primary shaft is connected to the drive pulley and is coaxial to the crankshaft. A transmission main shaft is connected to the driven pulley. A transmission case is connected to the crankcase. The crankcase includes a cavity and the transmission case includes an opening that corresponds with the cavity such that the main shaft extends through the cavity and the opening. The spring is at least partially positioned within the cavity.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a drive source, a continuously variable transmission, and a controller. The continuously variable transmission includes a primary sheave and a secondary sheave each having of a fixed flange and a movable flange. The movable flange of the primary sheave is moved by an electric motor to adjust the width of a groove of the primary sheave. The movable flange of the secondary sheave is normally urged in the direction to narrow the width of a groove of the secondary sheave by a spring and a secondary side actuator. The controller is connected to a sheave position detecting device, which outputs to the controller information on a position of the movable flange of the primary sheave during hard braking. When the vehicle is restarted, the controller controls the electric motor using the information on the position of the movable flange of the primary sheave.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out a drive belt slippage regulation in a continuously variable transmission. A driving disk set and a driven disk set are connected together for torque transfer by an endless torque-transmitting element in which a power ratio between the driving disk set and the driven disk set of a variable speed drive is set as a function of a safety margin value.

Abstract: An endless loop-like chain 1p consists of a plurality of link plates, laminated, that are linked to be freely bendable by pin members. The endless loop-like chain 1p is looped over each of the upper rollers and a lower roller to make up a polygon. If the chain is rotated endlessly while a tension load is imposed on the chain by each of the rollers, a pretensioned chain is obtained.

Abstract: The driving pulley comprises two centrifugal mechanisms, namely a positive assembly and a negative assembly. Both assemblies comprise a respective set of flyweights subjected to the centrifugal force when the driving pulley rotates. The positive assembly is used as a conventional speed governor that moves one of the two flanges of the driving pulley towards the other in order to increase its winding diameter when the rotation speed increases. The negative assembly is used to apply an opposite force on the positive assembly when the rotation speed is above a threshold value so as to defer the upshift of the CVT to a higher ratio under the action of the positive assembly. This allows to maintain, for instance, a high rotation speed during an intense acceleration and a lower rotation speed when cruising at low vehicle speeds.

Abstract: A device for converting a rotational movement into an axial movement includes driven planetary rollers (10) and a sliding body (5) that can be axially displaced by means of the planetary rollers (10). The planetary rollers (10) are fixed axially in a driven carrier (9), are rotationally mounted and are provided with grooves (11). The grooves (11) of these planetary rollers (10) engage in a thread-type groove of the sliding body (5). In the center of the carrier (9) a bearing body (7) is provided, which engages in the grooves (11). The grooves (11 and 12) have a mutually adapted gradient, and the planetary rollers (10) and the bearing body (7) engage with one another without slip. Also the carrier (9) and the bearing body (7) engage with one another without slip. The carrier (9) and the bearing body (7) are driven in a rotational relationship, which guarantees that no slip occurs between the planetary rollers (10) and the sliding body (5).

Abstract: A variable speed transmission includes an actuator mechanism that can be remotely activated to cause engagement of a drive unit and to subsequently vary the speed of the drive unit using the same activation mechanism. The variable speed transmission can include a first pulley that has a first and second face that are movable relative to each other by activation of the actuator mechanism. When the first and second faces of the first pulley are located in a first position, a belt located on the first pulley remains motionless. The first and second faces can be moved by the actuator mechanism into a second position where the first and second plates engage the belt with enough frictional force to cause the belt to start moving about the first pulley. The first and second faces of the first pulley can also be moved between the second position and a third position such that the space between the faces becomes smaller.

Abstract: A belt type infinite variable-speed drive using a ball-screw mechanism is compact and noise-free. A nut of the ball-screw mechanism is fixed to a casing and a threaded shaft is rotatably coupled to a movable pulley member through a ball bearing so that ball circulating portions on the nut will not rotate while the movable pulley member is movable axially. Also, the ball circulating portions, which are low in load bearing capacity, are oriented in such a direction that a load hardly acts on the ball-screw mechanism. This makes it possible to compactly and rationally design a belt type infinite variable-speed drive and to suppress noise due to vibration of balls in the ball circulating portions.

Abstract: The double-sided sliding button comprises two spaced-apart sliding button halves configured and disposed with reference to a curved medial axis. Each half has a front side, provided with a contact surface, and a rear side. Both contact surfaces are mutually opposite and both sides of each half intersect the curved medial axis. A bridge member allows to rigidly connect the rear side of the two halves. With this configuration, each sliding button can be easily installed and secured in a clamp attached to a part of the driven pulley. Each double-sided sliding button is capable of working in both directions, thereby reducing the number of individual sliding buttons to be installed by 50%.

Abstract: An improvement relating to an infinitely variable ratio transmission having a pair of oppositely oriented variable diameter torque input and output pulleys is disclosed wherein the conical surfaces of the pulleys include a multiplicity of axially and circumferentially movable sprocket bars to accommodate the fixed length of an inextensible drive belt or chain wrapping about the pulleys.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission, provided with two adjustable pulleys, each pulley comprising a pair of mutually displaceable essentially frusto-conical pulley sheaves having a radial dimension provided on a pulley shaft, each sheave having a sheave face, whereby the sheave faces of a pulley are mutually oriented at a pulley angle, and with an endless flexible belt for transmitting torque comprising two lateral side faces, which are mutually oriented at a belt angle (alpha) such that the flexible belt tapers radially inwardly and which are intended for interacting with the sheave faces of a pulley under the influence of a clamping force to be exerted on the flexible belt by the sheaves. The belt angle is marginally, but notionally, larger than the pulley angle (beta) of at least one pulley for at least a substantial part of the radial dimension of the pulley sheaves.

Abstract: A driven pulley system for use in a torque converter of a vehicle is disclosed. The driven pulley system includes a motion-transmitting fixed unit and a belt-tensioning movable unit. The fixed unit is arranged to be fixed to a rotatable output shaft of the vehicle for rotation therewith to transmit motion between the output shaft and a belt included in the torque converter and includes a fixed flange and a cam. The belt-tensioning movable unit is arranged for movement relative to the fixed unit and includes a movable flange and a cam follower. The fixed flange and the movable flange cooperate to receive the belt therebetween for engagement therewith. The movable flange includes a rotation limiter arranged to engage the cam to limit rotation of the cam relative to the cam follower in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A driven pulley system for use in a torque converter of a vehicle is disclosed. The driven pulley system includes relatively axially movable first and second flanges arranged to squeeze a belt of the torque converter therebetween. The driven pulley system also includes a spring positioner that includes a worm gear and a worm arranged to rotate the worm gear to wind or unwind a spring to cause relative axial movement between the first and second flanges to adjust the squeeze of the belt by the first and second flanges.

Abstract: A power transmission comprises a belt type continuously variable ratio-change mechanism CVT and a fixed ratio rotational transmission mechanism GT, which transmit the rotational driving force of a primary shaft 1 rotationally driven by an engine to a countershaft 3 with a speed ratio change. The continuously variable ratio-change mechanism comprises a drive pulley 10, a driven pulley 15 and a metal belt 14 while the fixed ratio rotational transmission mechanism GT comprises a forward drive gear train, a forward output transmission gear train, and a reverse drive gear train. The forward drive gear train transmits the rotation of an input drive gear 31 on the primary shaft 1 through an idler gear 32 to a LOW driven gear 33 on a secondary shaft 2, and the forward output transmission gear train transmits the rotation of the secondary shaft 2 to the countershaft 3.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission having an input shaft; a flywheel integral with the input shaft; a drive pulley idle with respect to the input shaft and defined by a first and second half-pulley defining a groove of variable width for a V belt; and a centrifugal actuating assembly having a centrifugal actuating device, which intervenes above a first threshold value of the angular speed of the input shaft, so as to connect the drive pulley angularly to the flywheel by means of a clutch interposed between the first half-pulley and the flywheel, and a speed regulating device, which is active above a second threshold value of the angular speed of the input shaft to adjust the width of the groove of the drive pulley, and therefore the work diameter of the belt. The actuating device has push means which exert axial thrust on the first half-pulley at each speed value of the input shaft above the first threshold value.

Abstract: An engine having an engine case on one side of which a V-belt type of continuously variable transmission is provided, the CVT being placed in a transmission case and constituted that a V-belt is routed around a drive pulley and a driven pulley, the drive pulley being attached to one end of a crankshaft, the driven pulley being attached to one end of a transmission shaft parallel to the crankshaft, characterized in that

Abstract: A driven unit for a continuously-variable-ratio drive, having a fixed half-pulley assembly having a fixed half-pulley connected to an output member of the drive; a movable half-pulley assembly having a movable half-pulley mounted to slide axially with respect to the fixed half-pulley to form with it a V-shaped groove of variable width for a V-shaped belt; and a spring which forces the half-pulleys towards each other to keep the half-pulleys in contact with the belt; the fixed half-pulley assembly has one or more threaded through axial holes in which to screw respective screws, which cooperate with an annular surface axially facing the holes in the fixed half-pulley assembly to exert thrust on the surface and part the half-pulleys in opposition to the spring.

Abstract: Provided is an infinitely variable cone pulley transmission for which the contact pressure between the cone pulley pairs and the traction is generated hydraulically on one transmission side and mechanical, with the aid of a spring, on the other transmission side. The second transmission side is provided with an axially fixed and an axially movable cone pulley with extended hub. The contact pressure mechanism includes a cam sleeve that is fixed relative to the shaft, a cam sleeve formed by the free end of the hub and roll bodies for the force transmittal, which are inserted between opposite arranged cam curves and rotate around axes extending radial to the transmission shaft. The roll bodies are guided by rings and are held at a mutual distance to each other and with spring force in the axial center region between the cam sleeves, wherein the spring is arranged coaxial on the extended hub.

Abstract: A driven element (100) has a first sheave (13) and a second moveable sheave (9). The sheaves (9 and 13) are rotatably tied together so that there is no relative motion between the two sheaves (9 and 13).

Abstract: A power transmission system has a Neidhart structure in which a damper is shearing-deformed while being press-deformed when torque is applied to a pulley. The torque is transmitted from the pulley to a center hub by the reaction force in response to a vector component of the deformation of the damper, parallel to the pulley rotation direction, while a torque fluctuation is reduced by the deformation of the damper. Thereby, it is possible to set an elasticity modulus of the damper to be smaller. Therefore, it is possible to provide a compact power transmission system having a reduced torque fluctuation.

Abstract: A V-belt-type automatic transmission for a vehicle is provided with a drive pulley and a driven pulley, wherein a plurality of centrifugal weights are arranged between a movable pulley piece of the drive pulley and a cam plate. The centrifugal weights are moved in a radial direction by centrifugal force. A wrapping radius of a V-belt wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley is changed depending on a maximum gear ratio in a low-speed rotation range and a minimum gear ratio in a high-speed rotation range that are set. The movement in a radial direction of the centrifugal weight beyond a predetermined radial distance prevented by a stopper surface at the rotational speed in a middle-speed rotation range, and at least one middle gear ratio is thereby set. This arrangement provides a V-belt automatic transmission providing noise reduction, reduction of machinery wear and facilitates smooth power transmission.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission including two pairs of conical disks of which one disk of each pair is axially movable toward and away from the other disk and having an endless loop member in the form of a belt that passes around each pair of disks and transfers torque between the pairs of disks. The axially movable conical disk includes a contact pressure chamber to move the disk axially by the application of hydraulic pressure. The movable disk also includes an integrated torque sensor that is operative for controlling the contact pressure between the disks of a pair of disks and the endless loop member as a function of the torque.

Abstract: A pulley system for use in a constant variable transmission includes a pair of pulley sheaves or flanges mechanically linked by a belt so that the outer surfaces of the belt interact with the inner surfaces of the flanges. At least one of the pulley flanges has an inclined inner surface disposed at an angle that changes progressively based on a curve have a variable radius. For example, the sheave angle can change progressively from 9 degrees to 12 degrees or from 12 degrees to 14 degrees, with no sharp or stepped edges. The belt can have a complementary angled surface also. The progressively variable angle allows the flange surface to more closely match the side surface of the belt, which can increase the belt life be reducing stress experienced by the belt. The pulley system is useable in a transmission for a vehicle, for example a snowmobile or an all terrain vehicle.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission includes an actuator mechanism that can be remotely activated to cause engagement of a drive unit and to subsequently vary the speed of the drive unit using the same activation mechanism. The variable speed transmission can include a first pulley that has a first and second face that are movable relative to each other by activation of the actuator mechanism. When the first and second faces of the first pulley are located in a first position, a belt located on the first pulley remains motionless. The first and second faces can be moved by the actuator mechanism into a second position where the first and second plates engage the belt with enough frictional force to cause the belt to start moving about the first pulley. The first and second faces of the first pulley can also be moved between the second position and a third position such that the space between the faces becomes smaller.