Pulley With Belt-receiving Groove Formed By Drive Faces On Relatively Axially Movable Coaxial Confronting Members (e.g., Expansible Cone Pulley, Etc.) Patents (Class 474/8)
  • Publication number: 20090118042
    Abstract: A power transmission chain (1) includes connection members (3; 3A; 4) flexibly connecting corresponding links (2) of a plurality of link rows (52; 52; 53). The connection members (3; 3A; 4) include a first power transmission member (3; 3A) and a second power transmission member (4). The chain (1) includes a module (40; 40A) as a unit element. A moving locus of a contact part (T1; T1A) between the corresponding first and second power transmission members conjunction with flexure between the links (2) defines prescribed curve. The positions of a gravity center (GC; GCA) of the contact part (T1; T1A) and the module (40; 40A) in the chain straight area are space apart by a prescribed distance from each other with respect to an orthogonal direction (V) perpendicular to both a chain advancing direction (X) and a chain width direction (W).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yves Rothenbuhler, Shigeo Kamamoto
  • Patent number: 7506718
    Abstract: An assembly of an engine and a transmission is disclosed. An output shaft of the engine and an input shaft of the transmission extends in parallel to protrude from the assembly. The assembly typically comprises a first fitting portion that is formed in a crankcase of the engine and is configured to surround the output shaft, a second fitting portion that is formed in a housing of the transmission and is configured to surround the input shaft, and a coupling element having a first opening fitted to the first fitting portion and a second opening fitted to the second fitting portion. A center distance between the output shaft and the input shaft is fixed with the coupling element fitted to the first and second fitting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taisuke Morita, Hiroyuki Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20090054181
    Abstract: A clutch includes a clutch inner and a clutch outer that houses the clutch inner and that transmits or interrupts torque between itself and the clutch inner. The clutch outer has a thick portion that has a larger thickness than the other portions of the clutch outer. A position-of-center-of-gravity adjusting portion for bringing the center of gravity of the clutch close to the axial center of a driven shaft is formed at a position separate from the axial center of the driven shaft of the thick portion. Efficiency of manufacture work of bringing the position of the center of gravity close to the center of rotation is thereby enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Sadao NOGI
  • Publication number: 20090036240
    Abstract: A belt drive system including an assembly of a heavy-duty drive V-belt 5 and pulleys 2 and 4 reduces noise generating owing to belt travel while ensuring the durability of the pulleys 2 and 4. The surfaces of belt grooves 6 in the V-pulleys 2 and 4 are micro-blasted or burnished so that their surface roughness satisfies the relational expression y??0.9×tp+100, where tp is the load length rate at a given position of a roughness curve indicating the surface features of the groove surfaces in the V-pulleys 2 and 4 and y is the variable (the degree of height) indicating by percentage the ratio of the height from the lowest valley having a maximum depth to the given position to a maximum height Ry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: BANDO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sakanaka, Mitsuhiko Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20090017958
    Abstract: Two input-shaft-side fixed sheaves of respective first and second pulley-type continuously variable transmission mechanisms are integrally connected and secured to each other while their back sides abut against each other. One of output-shaft-side movable sheaves and the other of output-shaft-side fixed sheaves are provided between one of the output-shaft-side fixed sheaves and the other of the output-shaft-side movable sheaves while their back sides abut against each other, so as to be rotatable relative to each other and so as to be movable together on a sun-gear input shaft. The one of the output-shaft-side movable sheaves is formed consecutively with an input shaft of a planetary carrier of a planetary gear mechanism. The other of the output-shaft-side fixed pulleys is formed consecutively with an input shaft of a sun gear of the planetary gear mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Toshiro KURIHARA
  • Publication number: 20080268991
    Abstract: Rotatable conical disks for a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission. The conical disks have conical surfaces that inclined relative to a conical disk axis of rotation and have surfaces that are induction hardened together with or separate from a shaft component. The induction hardened surfaces of the conical disks include regions of the disk surfaces that are frictionally engaged by an endless torque-transmitting component. The shaft component is induction hardened in regions that experience high mechanical stresses as a result of axial loads imposed on the conical surfaces of the disks by the endless torque-transmitting component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Walter
  • Patent number: 7431674
    Abstract: Continuously variable transmission provided with a primary pulley and a secondary pulley, around which a drive belt is arranged, clamped between two conical pulley discs of the respective pulley, a running surface of at least one pulley disc of the primary pulley and the secondary pulley, via which running surface this pulley disc contacts the drive belt, being provided, as seen in a cross section oriented perpendicular to a tangential direction, with a curvature, so that a pulley angle between a tangent on the running surface and a radial direction varies between a lowest value at the location of a radially innermost position on the running surface and a highest value at the location of a radially outermost position on the running surface. The curvature of the running surface of the primary pulley and that of the running surface of the secondary pulley differ from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Van Doorne's Transmissie B.V.
    Inventors: Adrianus Johannes Wilhelmus Van Der Leest, Johannes Gerardus Ludovicus Maria Van Spijk
  • Publication number: 20080207363
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel M. Maguire
  • Publication number: 20080176692
    Abstract: A belt-driven transmission having an endless torque-transmitting member that is operatively connected with two power transmitting elements. The transmission includes at least one guide rail assembly that engages the endless torque-transmitting member with free play and that has an outer guide rail and an inner guide rail so that the endless torque-transmitting member runs within a guide rail channel defined by the outer and inner guide rails of the guide rail assembly. The endless torque-transmitting member includes one surface that is at least partially provided with outwardly-extending tabs and another, tab-free surface. The guide rail assembly is pressed against the endless torque-transmitting member on the tab-free surface to limit vibratory amplitude of the endless torque-transmitting member during operation of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Andre Teubert
  • Publication number: 20080161141
    Abstract: A water pump pulley for a cooling system for a vehicle is provided. The water pump pulley for a cooling system of a vehicle includes an outer rotational member formed of thermoplastic resin, the outer rotational member being provided at an outer circumference with one or more V-shaped circumferential grooves and at a central portion with a space and an inner rotational member integrally coupled to the space of the outer rotational member through an insert injection molding process and provided with bolt holes for connecting to a rotational shaft of a water pump side. The outer rotational member is provided at one or both of opposite surfaces with a plurality of reinforcing ribs. The inner rotational member is provided with a slip preventing member for enhancing integration with the outer rotational member and dispersing force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Jang-Hyuk Joo, Jae-Duk Jang, In-Sik Joo
  • Publication number: 20080146389
    Abstract: A belt gear-positioning device to be assembled on gear(s) includes positioning rod(s), securing fixture(s), wing nut(s) and positioning strip(s). By turning and adjusting the positioning rod(s), the securing fixture(s) can be respectively engaged tightly in the spoke spaces of the gear(s) for securing the gear(s), avoiding damaging the surfaces of the teeth of the gear(s) and making it possible to safely carry out timing belt removal and/or replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Oliver Sir
  • Publication number: 20080139356
    Abstract: A rocker joint chain having a plurality of chain links, each chain link including at least one link plate. The chain links are connected to each other in a pivoting manner at rocker joints, and the rocker joints each include a rocker member having at least two cylindrical rocker pins that contact each other by rolling or sliding on each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: André Teubert
  • Publication number: 20080125255
    Abstract: A utility vehicle drivetrain includes an engine driving a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that drives a transaxle that drives at least one wheel. The continuously variable transmission has a CVT turn ratio defined as an engine output rotary speed into the CVT divided by a CVT output rotary speed into the transaxle. The transaxle has a transaxle turn ratio defined as the CVT output rotary speed divided by a transaxle output rotary speed to the at least one wheel. The transaxle turn ratio can be greater than five times the maximum CVT turn ratio. The transaxle turn ratio can be greater than twenty times the minimum CVT turn ratio. The transaxle turn ratio can be greater than 17.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Paul Robert Heide
  • Patent number: 7377351
    Abstract: A power train for a vehicle includes a gearbox with an input shaft and an output shaft and is configured such that the input shaft drives the output shaft at a single speed ratio in a first direction and a single speed ratio in a second direction. The output shaft is coupleable with the front and rear vehicle axles to separately drive each axle. Further, a continuously variable transmission is connected with an engine shaft and with the gearbox input shaft such that the engine shaft drives the input shaft within a range of speed ratios from less than 1 to greater than 3. Front and rear differentials are coupled with each axle and with the output shaft and drive the axles at different speed ratios such that a base surface drives the front axle independently of the front differential when at least one rear wheel rolls upon the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Club Car, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven David Smith, Joseph George Land, III, John Thomas Bobbitt, III, Byron Jon Danielson
  • Patent number: 7361108
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission with two conical disk pairs on the input side and two conical disk pairs on the output-side that are connected with each another by two parallel endless torque-transmitting members in a drive mechanism. In one form of the transmission an asymmetrical cone angle on the conical disks enables the installation space to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteillgungs KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Haas, Oswald Friedmann
  • Patent number: 7351169
    Abstract: A power transmission device for utility machinery is disclosed, the device including: a) a sleeve supporting a first sheave member having a first face; b) a hub received through the sleeve and moveable axially in relation thereto, the hub supporting a second sheave member having a second face that opposes the first face such that the first and second faces define therebetween a groove adapted to receive a belt and relative axial movement between the sleeve and the hub being adapted to vary at least one of pitch diameter and grip imparted to the belt from the sheaves; and c) an actuator mechanism adapted, through control of relative axial displacement between the sleeve and the hub, to vary at least one of the pitch and grip, the actuator mechanism comprising a control rod disposed substantially perpendicularly to the line of action of the axial displacement and connected to the hub through a link mechanism, the control rod being adapted to rotate and the link mechanism being adapted to translate rotation of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Marc R. M. Jonckheere, Frank R. G. Duquesne, Marc E. Ramon
  • Publication number: 20080064543
    Abstract: A pulley drive mechanism 26 for driving a second pulley 23 includes: a spline shaft 27 rotated integrally with the second pulley 23, for supporting the second pulley so that the second pulley can be moved in the direction of Y-axis in the drawing; a third pulley 28 arranged at one end portion of the spline shaft 27; and a third belt drive mechanism 29 for driving the spline shaft 27 through the third pulley 28.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Toshifumi Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20080051236
    Abstract: A stepless transmission for a flat planer has a driving shaft connected with a motor and fitted with a driving cam member inside the stepless transmission, able to keep its wheelbase altered. The driving cam member is pivotally connected with a driven pulley set by means of a driving belt. The driven pulley set is correspondingly provided with a driven cam member having an adjustable wheelbase. The driving cam member can be driven by a jaw of a hand rod to keep the wheelbase of the driving cam member altered, so as to control a conveying speed of an input roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Bor-Yann Chuang
  • Patent number: 7316626
    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 the crankshaft is supported for free rotation with the engine case, one end of the crankshaft is projected in cantilever fashion from the engine case into the transmission case, the drive pulley is attached to the projected portion, and the transmission case is made as a component separate from or independent of the engine case and supported with the engine case so that a space is present between the engine case and the transmission case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akifumi Oishi, Yousuke Ishida
  • Patent number: 7311623
    Abstract: An engine has a continuously variable transmission in which a drive pulley is attached to an end of a crankshaft. The drive pulley is coupled by a flexible transmitter to a driven pulley. The driven pulley is attached to an end of a transmission shaft. A centrifugal clutch mechanism is axially aligned with the transmission shaft. The centrifugal clutch is positioned inboard of the driven pulley. A case supports the crankshaft and the transmission shaft. The case comprises a first case portion and a second case portion that are joined along a plane that is positioned between the driven pulley and a longitudinal plane that intersects an axis of a cylinder of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Masuda, Yousuke Ishida
  • Patent number: 7276002
    Abstract: A pulley engageable with a belt for use in a continuously variable transmission includes first and second pulley halves rotatable about an axis and relatively moveable in a direction of the axis. The pulley halves include truncated conical portions symmetrically opposed to each other and outer surfaces which are axially opposed to each other and sloped relative to the axis. The outer surfaces have a circumferential roughness average (Ra,y) measured in a direction (y) circumferential to the axis between approximately 0.15 and 1.0 micrometer. The outer surfaces have a radial roughness average (Ra,x) measured in a direction (x) radial to the axis, and a ratio Ra,x/Ra,y between approximately 0.5 and 2.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yucong Wang, Beizhi Zhou, Serge V. Guillot, Robert J. Porter, Sohail A. Khan, Chester N. Grant
  • Patent number: 7276003
    Abstract: A vertical band saw machine includes a first transmitting shaft driven by a drive force of a motor, a second transmitting shaft journaling a lower blade mounting pulley for rotating an endless band saw blade, and a speed ratio varying device coupling the transmitting shafts. The device includes two pitch-variable first and second pulleys mounted on the transmitting shafts, a belt trained on the pulleys, and a control unit operable to move a movable disc of the second pulley toward or away from a fixed disc of the second pulley so as to vary the radial distance between the belt and each of the transmitting shafts, thereby freely varying the speed ratio of the second transmitting shaft to the first transmitting shaft so as to rotate the saw blade at a desired speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Juei-Seng Liao
  • Publication number: 20070213149
    Abstract: A continuously variable V-belt transmission basically has a driving pulley, a driven pulley and a V-belt wound around the pulleys. The frictional engagement between the pulleys and the V-belt is controlled by regulating pulley axial thrusts to the pulleys. The V-belt has a plurality of torque transmitting connected by an annular ring. A boundary-detection arrangement is provided to detect a boundary position between a first region, in which the elements are arranged without any gap therebetween, and a second region, in which the elements are arranged with a gap therebetween, along a portion of the driving pulley when torque is being transmitted. The detected boundary position is used to estimate the pulley axial thrust applied by the driving pulley against the V-belt, and to control the pulley axial thrust to a lower limit which ensures that the V-belt will not slip upon application of the maximum torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tanaka, Masanori Taguchi, Makoto Momoi
  • Patent number: 7264564
    Abstract: A cone disc infinitely-variable gearbox including a shaft, a cone disc preferably embodied in one piece with the shaft, a cone disc connected to the shaft in a non-rotating axially-displaceable manner, a bearing ring axially fixed onto the shaft at a separation from the rear face of the displaceable cone disc, a radial inner pressure chamber formed between the cone disc and the bearing ring, which may be altered in the axial direction and which may be pressurized with pressure medium, through an opening embodied in the shaft, for displacement of the cone disc and a radial outer pressure chamber which may be altered in the axial direction and which may be pressurized with pressure medium, through a further opening embodied in the shaft, for displacement of the cone disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Walter
  • Publication number: 20070191157
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Kamamoto, Joel Kuster, Seiji Tada
  • Patent number: 7252608
    Abstract: An automatic transmission (1) is described, having a variator (5) that comprises at least two conical disk sets (2, 3), such that a wrap-around element (4) is guided via the conical disk sets (2, 3) for torque transmission with continuous variation of the transmission ratio. In this, the arrangement of the rotation axes of two conical disks of at least one conical disk set relative to one another can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Olrik Weinmann, Bernhard Sich, Michael Ebenhoch
  • Patent number: 7243564
    Abstract: The power transmission system of an engine is mounted on the all-terrain vehicle and has a crankshaft driven by the engine and the crankshaft is arranged in a direction of width of a vehicle body. A sub-shaft is arranged parallel to the crankshaft and the rotation of the crankshaft is transmitted to the sub-shaft via gears. A primary shaft is concentrically mounted on the sub-shaft and is provided with a primary pulley having a variable groove width. A secondary pulley coupled to the primary pulley via a V-belt and having a variable groove width. The rotation of the crankshaft is transmitted to the primary shaft via the sub-shaft arranged parallel to the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsugi Chonan, Masayuki Komuro, Toshiyuki Matsushima
  • Patent number: 7235035
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine that powers a wheel through a drive train. The drive train includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and toothed gearing disposed between the CVT and the wheel. A release clutch is also disposed between the CVT and the wheel. A controller controls the release clutch so as to disengage the clutch when the engine is not running and engage the clutch when the engine is running. The controller includes a hydraulic cylinder that fluidly connects to the engine's oil system so that engine-generated oil pressure engages the release clutch. Disengagement of the release clutch makes it easier to push the vehicle when the engine is not running, for example, when the engine breaks down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Korenjak, Heinz Kusel
  • Patent number: 7217209
    Abstract: A belt type continuously variable transmission includes a drive pulley having a fixed pulley half and a movable pulley half; a driven pulley having a fixed pulley half and a movable pulley half; and a metal belt. The metal belt includes a metal ring assembly having a plurality of endless metal rings laminated on one another and a plurality of metal elements supported on the metal ring assembly. The metal belt is wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The movable pulley half of the drive pulley has a flexural stiffness higher than that of the fixed pulley half of the drive pulley, wherein it is difficult for the edges of the metal ring assembly to contact the metal elements and a V-face of the drive pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Saito, Takemasa Okano
  • Patent number: 7201686
    Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle has an engine unit with a continuously variable transmission. The transmission has a primary sheave and a secondary sheave that are connected by a flexible transmitter such as a belt. The primary sheave, the secondary sheave and the belt are positioned in a transmission case. A starting kick shaft is positioned on the same side of the engine unit as the transmission case but the starting kick shaft is positioned outside of a profile of the transmission case when the engine unit is viewed from a lateral side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Masuda, Yousuke Ishida
  • Patent number: 7189171
    Abstract: A bearing is provided to have sufficient durability even when CVT fluid having a low viscocity is used, with its flow rate kept small, so that the efficiency of the belt-type continuously variable transmission is improved. The material of the races including the outer race 4 is made of a iron-base alloy containing, by weight, C of from 0.15% to 0.5%, Si of 0.1% to 1.5%, Mn of 0.1% to 1.5%, and Cr of 0.5% to 3.0%. This material is subjected to carbonitriding, quenching, tempering and quenching finish. The surface portion of the outer raceway 6 on the inner peripheral surface of the outer race 4 is formed with a surface layer containing C of from 0.8 weight % to 1.2 weight % and N of from 0.05 weight % to 0.50 weight %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Takemura, Yoshitaka Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7163476
    Abstract: In a belt type continuously variable transmission having a variable width drive pulley, a variable width driven pulley, and a metal V belt, which is disposed around the drive and driven pulleys, the contour of the surfaces (V faces) in contact with the metal V belt in the cross-sectional view through the axes of the drive and driven pulleys is an arc that has a first radius of curvature rp and is convex to the metal V belt. The contour of the surfaces (V faces) in contact with these two pulleys in the cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the metal V belt is an arc that has a second radius of curvature re and is convex to the drive and driven pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7131921
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission having two pairs of conical disks operatively connected by an endless torque-transmitting belt. One of each of the disk pairs is axially movable relative to the other along a supporting shaft. The movable disk includes an inner tooth system that engages with an outer tooth system formed on the supporting shaft. The internal tooth system can be produced by a broaching process. The inner tooth system extends outwardly of the conical disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Walter, Elmar Lorenz
  • Patent number: 7081057
    Abstract: A driven pulley system for use in a torque converter of a vehicle is disclosed. The driven pulley system includes a cam. The cam is arranged to be removed from the driven pulley system for replacement of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: GMAC Commercial Finance LLC
    Inventor: Ken Edward Kalies
  • Patent number: 7048658
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Wittenstein Motion Control GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Butsch, Martin Brehmer
  • Patent number: 7037225
    Abstract: A V-belt type of automatic transmitting mechanism includes a drive pulley and a V-belt, and the drive pulley includes a fixed sheave which is fixed to a drive shaft and a movable sheave which is movable in a direction of the drive shaft. When the drive shaft rotates at a higher speed, the movable sheave is moved towards the fixed sheave so that the radius of engagement between each of the sheaves and the V-belt increases. The conical pressure surface of the movable sheave is formed so that an inclined angle thereof is uniform from its radially inner peripheral part to its radially outer peripheral part. Meanwhile, the conical pressure surface of the fixed sheave is formed so that an inclined angle of its radially inner peripheral part is smaller than that of its radially outer peripheral part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Izumi Takagi
  • Patent number: 7029408
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Wians
  • Patent number: 7001293
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) assembly includes first and second pulley pairs having a drive belt extended therebetween. A transmission case cover includes a threaded aperture. A threaded sleeve and bearing assembly is positioned on a stationary pulley member and threadedly engaged with the threaded aperture. The threaded sleeve and bearing assembly is engaged with the stationary pulley member such that rotation of the threaded sleeve and bearing assembly causes axial adjustment of the stationary pulley member. A lock feature locks the threaded sleeve and bearing assembly in the desired rotational position, thereby locking the stationary pulley member in an axially adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Lubben
  • Patent number: 6997832
    Abstract: In a constant horse-power type continuously variable transmission, a pressing force supply path using for a rotation-speed control is supplied to one of an input pulley d an output pulley, and an elastic force supply path using for an axial torque control to the then. However, the one pulley is applied only the pressing force as a control element, although the torque of the other pulley can be regulated by the elastic force, so that the frictional force applied to said one pulley cannot be positively regulated, and consequently, axial torque controls of an input shaft and an output shaft cannot be achieved sufficiently. This effect causes the transmission efficiency to deteriorate at both end ranges of a variable speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Tokyo Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenkichi Onogi
  • Patent number: 6997834
    Abstract: A device, in a continuously variable belt transmission system, for guiding a conical pulley (3) of a variator on a variator shaft (1). The moveable conical pulley (3) is fitted onto two bearing sections (4, 5) of the variation shaft (1). At least one cylindrical pin (6), which is fitted into an axial guide grove (7) in the variator shaft (1) and an axial guide groove (8) of the movable conical pulley (3), is provided to transfer torque between the movable conical pulley (3) and the variator shaft (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Vorndran, Thomas Fichtinger, Andreas Salm
  • Patent number: 6997831
    Abstract: A transmission equipped with a continuously variable ratio-change mechanism CVT and a LOW rotational transmission mechanism GT, which are disposed parallel with each other, comprises a forward clutch 65 and a reverse brake 66, which are used to set a power transmission through the continuously variable ratio-change mechanism, a LOW clutch 46, which is used to set a power transmission through the LOW rotational transmission mechanism, and a control unit ECU and a hydraulic control valve HV, which control the engagement of the clutches and the brake. When the transmission is switched from its neutral mode to its in-gear mode, at first, the forward clutch 65 is brought gradually into engagement, and then it is released before the LOW clutch 46 is brought into engagement in a squat control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kanda, Takao Sato, Yoshimichi Tsubata
  • Patent number: 6994643
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Hoffco/Comet Industries
    Inventor: Ken Edward Kalies
  • Patent number: 6958025
    Abstract: A belt tensioner for use with a torque converter to adjust the overall speed of a vehicle is disclosed. The belt tensioner includes motion transmitting fixed unit configured to be fixed to a vehicle output shaft for movement therewith and a belt tensioning movable unit configured for movement relative to the fixed unit. The fixed unit includes a cam and the movable unit includes a cam follower and a rotation limiter. The cam follower is configured to follow the cam to tension a belt located between flanges of the fixed and movable units. The rotation limiter is configured to engage the cam to limit relative rotation between the cam and the cam follower away from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Hoffco/Comet Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Mike Huddleston
  • Patent number: 6949039
    Abstract: The driven pulley comprises a first sheave and a second sheave coaxially mounted around a main shaft. The first sheave is fixed with reference to the main shaft while the other is allowed to slide and rotate with reference to the main shaft. The driven pulley is designed so that a portion of the second sheave can enter inside the first sheave. The return spring is also provided inside the driven pulley. This driven pulley can be designed as a reversible driven pulley by adding a second set of ramps and followers. The design of the driven pulley allows it to be constructed in a very compact manner and consequently, with a smaller weight compared to an equivalent conventional driven pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Cvtech R&D Inc.
    Inventor: Jocelyn Labbé
  • Patent number: 6938544
    Abstract: A belt drive for a machine for printing images on a flat printing material, having a continuous belt revolving during operation, includes a belt guide having stops for two protruding edges of the belt, the edges being oriented in a longitudinal direction of the belt and opposite one another in a transverse direction of the belt; and a machine for printing images on flat printing material having such a belt drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Dieter Bäcker, Roland Hirth, Richard Mack, Ralf Weiser
  • Patent number: 6926632
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission has a first shaft supporting two first pulleys. The two first pulleys each comprise a fixed disk portion and a moveable disk portion whereby axial movement of the moveable disk portions along the first shaft relative to the fixed disk portions changes an effective diameter of the two first pulleys. An articulating mechanism connects the moveable disk portions. The articulating mechanism has a body that is connected to the moveable disk portions. A second shaft extends generally parallel to the first shaft. Two second pulleys are journaled about the second shaft. The two second pulleys each has a fixed disk portion and a moveable disk portion. The two fixed disk portions are rotationally connected to the second shaft through a differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Albert W. Brown
  • Patent number: 6926631
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Van Doorne's Transmissie B.V.
    Inventors: Arjen Brandsma, Paulus Maria Smeets, Gerardus Johannes Maria Lamers
  • Patent number: 6902502
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission including a driving pulley, a driven pulley, an endless dry-type belt wound around both pulleys, a tension-adjusting device for pressing the slack side of the belt to generate belt tension, stroke mechanisms provided on both pulleys for axially shifting the movable sheaves, a ratio-changing motor, and a gear mechanism for transmitting the rotational force generated by the motor to both stroke mechanisms in such a way that the movable sheaves of both pulleys can be shifted synchronously and axially oppositely in relation to the fixed sheaves. With this arrangement, the belt is prevented from slipping, the transmission ratio can be controlled precisely and stably, and the shift-response of this transmission can be improved. The motor can be reduced both in its size and its consumption of electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisayasu Murakami, Yasuyuki Temma, Masahiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6860826
    Abstract: A vehicle with a continuously variable transmission (continuously variable transmission) includes a torque responsive clutch having a cam and at least one coupling. The cam has a plurality of projecting surfaces, and a plurality of slots being defined between the projecting surfaces. The slots of the cam are used to direct cam followers that move across the slot surfaces as the vehicle is driven forward or in reverse. As the vehicle adjusts from forward to reverse or vice versa, the cam followers may jump from one side of the slot to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Barry A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6840148
    Abstract: A scroll sawing machine includes a first transmitting shaft driven by an output shaft of a motor, a second transmitting shaft rotatable to move a blade-driving member in an upright direction so as to enable a saw blade to perform reciprocating movement, and a speed ratio varying device disposed to couple the transmitting shafts. The device includes two pitch-variable first and second pulleys mounted on the transmitting shafts, a belt trained on the pulleys, and a control unit operable to move a movable disc of the first pulley toward or away from a fixed disc of the first pulley so as to vary the radial distances between the belt and each of the transmitting shafts, thereby varying the speed ratio of the second transmitting shaft to the first transmitting shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventors: Juei-Seng Liao, Pei-Lieh Chiang