Toroidal Patents (Class 476/40)
  • Patent number: 7632208
    Abstract: A continuously variable ratio transmission unit having first and second discs mounted for rotation about a main axis, a toroidal cavity being defined between the discs by facing surfaces thereof and containing a plurality of rollers which serve to transmit drive from one disc to the other, each roller being coupled to a respective carriage through a respective bearing arrangement and each carriage being coupled at a first extremity to a first linear actuator and at a second extremity to a second linear actuator whereby the carriage is movable along a direction transverse to the main axis, the first and second linear actuators working in opposition to exert an adjustable net force on the carriage, the orientation of the carriage being constrained and the bearing arrangement being such as to enable the roller to rotate about a roller axis to thereby transmit drive from one of the discs to the other and also being such as to enable the roller axis to precess relative to the carriage to vary the transmission rati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventors: Christopher John Greenwood, Andrew Damian Defrietas, Brian Joseph Dutson, Ian David Cornwell
  • Patent number: 7591755
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a toroidal transmission comprises: a) a single pump, b) a main pressure controller connected to the pump to generate a main line pressure in a main line, c) a roller controller connected to the main line to generate two roller control pressures from the main line pressure, d) at least one hydraulic roller actuator for adjusting a roller in a toroidal space set up by two disks, the roller actuator being connected to the roller controller, e) a disk controller connected to the main line, a disk control pressure being generated in the disk controller from the main line pressure, and f) at least one hydraulic disk actuator for axially adjusting at least one of the disks, the disk actuator being connected to the disk controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignees: GETRAG Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH, Cie KG and Bayerische Motorenwerke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunther Petrzik, Andreas Wild, Lothar Wolf, Thomas Kress
  • Publication number: 20090221398
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission, which comprises a drive race for receiving power input, a driven race for transmitting power output and a set of rollers between the races. Each roller in the set is capable of rotating to transfer motion from the drive race to the driven race, is capable of tilting about a first tilt axis to vary a ratio of the continuously variable transmission, and is capable of tilting about a second tilt axis different from the first tilt axis. The transmission further comprises a ratio change actuator acting on each roller of the set for tilting the roller about its second tilt axis, a tilt of the roller about its second tilt axis inducing a reaction force on the roller tending to tilt the roller about its first tilt axis and thus provoke a ratio change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Fernand CAREAU, Hugues MALTAIS
  • Patent number: 7563192
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission has a pair of input and output disks each including a first traction surface, power rollers each including a second traction surface and respectively interposed between the first traction surfaces of the input and output disks, an oil passage for guiding lubricating oil to the traction surfaces of the power rollers, input disk and output disk, and a mesh filter disposed on the exit side of the associated oil passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Imanishi, Kazuya Kimura, Sachiko Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7540822
    Abstract: In a toroidal transmission with a continuously variable power transmission ratio, which is adjustable by displacement of a power transmission roller arranged between toric disks along an axis X-X under the control of an adjusting unit including a hydraulic piston, the adjusting unit has a bush which serves on the one hand to seal off the working space and, at the same time, forms two slide surfaces one for the piston and another for the guide bush, all in a small support space pivotally supporting a support member for the power transmission roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Bassler, Steffen Henzler
  • Patent number: 7488270
    Abstract: In a toroidal continuously variable transmission, rolling contact portions of an input disc 4, an output disc 7, and roller 13 are formed of bearing steel, which contains C: 0.8-1.5 wt %; Si: 0.5-2.5 wt %; Mn: 0.3-2.0 wt %; Cr: 1.9-2.5 wt %; Mo: 0.3-1.0 wt %; and a total of 1.0 wt % or more of Si and Mo; with the balance being iron and unavoidable impurities. A residual austenite in a range of depth Z=1.0L, where L is the major axis of a contact ellipse of the traction contact portion, from the surface of the rolling contact portion is 15 wt % or less, and the hardness of the range is HRC 58-62 by tempering a blank with a predetermined shape at a temperature of 250° C. or more after quenching the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Harada, Yoshihiro Ono
  • Patent number: 7481281
    Abstract: Systems and methods for drilling a borehole are provided. One system includes a continuously variable transmission. An input shaft of the continuously variable transmission is coupled to a power supply. An output shaft of the continuously variable transmission is coupled to one or more system components such that the continuously variable transmission controls rotation of the one or more system components. One method for drilling a borehole includes supplying power to an input shaft of a continuously variable transmission. The method also includes controlling rotation of one or more system components using the continuously variable transmission during drilling of the borehole. The one or more system components are coupled to an output shaft of the continuously variable transmission. Also provided is a borehole that is drilled by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Intersyn IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Stuart Schuaf
  • Publication number: 20090023545
    Abstract: A system (1) for transforming a variable output into an input having a desired speed value, including a transmission (30) receiving the output having a first speed (Ve) and producing the input having a second speed (Vgen), first, second and third sensors (12,10,7) producing data (39,32,37) corresponding to the first speed (Ve), second speed (Vgen) and a power demand (Pdem) for the input, a ratio set point controller (34), a ratio controller (36) and a speed controller (4). The ratio set point controller (34) receives the data (39,32,37) and calculates an available power (Pav), a stability level of the system (S,U1,U2), a desired value for the first speed (Ve), and a desired value and rate of change for the transmission ratio. The ratio controller (36) interfaces the ratio set point controller (34) and actuates the transmission (30) to change the transmission ratio to the desired value following the desired rate of change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Samuel Beaudoin
  • Patent number: 7476175
    Abstract: In a variator for an infinitely variable toroidal drive including a support trunnion rotatably supporting motion transmitting traction rollers and means for the lubrication and cooling of the components of the variator, in particular of the bearings, throttles are provided in the lubricant lines directly adjacent to the bearings whereby the pressure level for lubricant is raised for an improved control of the flow of the lubricant to the different lubricating points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Elser, Steffen Henzler
  • Publication number: 20080274855
    Abstract: A gearless speed reducer or increaser consists of an input shaft, an output shaft, and a motor connected to the input shaft. There is an external race connected to one of the shafts, and an internal race attached to the other shaft. Two ball bearings are disposed between the races. After the ball bearings have been inserted, the shafts are tilted relative to each other so that the balls become fixed in pockets created between the races and cannot slide within the races. Rotating one of the shafts thus rotates the other shaft, since the balls do not slip but only rotate between the races. The system acts as a speed reducer or increaser due to the different diameters of the inner and outer races. The system can be uncoupled by pivoting the shafts back into alignment so that the balls can slide freely within the races.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: John Pawloski
  • Patent number: 7434764
    Abstract: A gearbox of a rotary-wing aircraft includes at least one variable speed system which optimizes the main rotor speed for different flight regimes such as a hover flight profile and a high speed cruise flight profile for any rotary wing aircraft while maintaining an independently variable tail rotor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Lappos, Edward Karedes, Harsh Vinayak, Yuriy Gmirya
  • Publication number: 20080167160
    Abstract: To provide a spherical roller which is capable of fully rotating when moving on a rough road surface with a small contact area and which produces no obstacle to the movement in other portions. The present invention comprises a spherical roller in a globular form, a housing on the undersurface of which an opening in a circular form is provided in such a way that the spherical roller is projected in a horizontal down direction, a support roller having rotatable contact with an upper side portion of the spherical roller within the housing, and a drive roller which is arranged in the housing and driven by a drive motor to rotate the spherical roller in a direction at an angle of 90 degrees different from the direction in which the support roller rotates from immediately above for friction drive, thereby driving the spherical roller to move the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: NIKKO CO., LTD
    Inventor: Tomohiko KOIKE
  • Patent number: 7384368
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission includes an input shaft, an input disk and an output disk, plural power rollers, a power roller bearing, an oil passage, and a mesh filter. The input and output disks are supported mutually concentrically with the input shaft and mutually independently rotatably. The plural power rollers are sandwiched between the input disk and the output disks. The power roller bearing rotatably supports the power rollers. The oil passage for leading lubricating oil to the power roller bearing. The mesh filter is provided in the oil passage. Accordingly, the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission can prevent an occurrence of biting-in of foreign substances at a power roller bearing, to thereby increase the life of the power roller bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Ishikawa, Hiroshi Kato, Eiji Inoue, Hiroki Nishii
  • Publication number: 20080070744
    Abstract: A power transmission chain includes a plurality of links aligned in a chain travel direction and a plurality of coupling members that couple the plurality of links one to another. The coupling member includes a first power transmission member and a second power transmission member. The first power transmission member in the coupling member includes an opposing portion that opposes the corresponding second power transmission member. The opposing portion comes into contact with the corresponding second power transmission member on a contact portion that undergoes displacement in association with a change of a bending angle between corresponding links in a contact state including at least one of rolling contact and sliding contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Tada, Shigeo Kamamoto
  • Patent number: 7335130
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission has a casing; an input disk and an output disk rotatably supported concentrically with each other; a plurality of power rollers each held between the input and output disks; a plurality of trunnions disposed at position twisted with respect to a center axis; a drive device for shifting the trunnions in the axial directions or the pivot shafts; a pair of yokes for supporting the pivot shafts of each of the trunnions so as to be swung and shifted in the axial direction thereof, the yokes being swingable according to the shifting movement of the associated trunnion; and, a pair of opposing members each disposed to be opposed to the associated yoke, wherein the yokes each includes projection portion contacted with the associated opposing member, the projection portion being the fulcrum of the swinging movements of the yokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: NSK ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Nishii, Eiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 7326146
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission has a casing; a rotary shaft; a pair of outside disks each including an axial-direction one-side surface and supported on the rotary shaft so as to be rotated in synchronization with the rotary shaft; an inside disk including axial-direction two-side surfaces and rotatably supported on the periphery of the middle portion of the rotary shaft so as to be rotated with respect to the rotary shaft; support members disposed between the one side axial-direction surface and the axial-direction one-side surface so as to be swung and shifted about pivot shafts thereof; power rollers rotatably supported on the support members, the peripheral surface of the power rollers being contacted with the axial-direction two-side surface and the axial-direction one-side surface; and ball bearings for supporting the inside disk in such a manner that the inside disk is rotated with respect to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Miyata, Eiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 7318786
    Abstract: A variator assembly comprising a variator of the toroidal-race rolling-traction type. The assembly has input and output discs and rollers which are acted on by hydraulic roller control actuators. They are positioned between the discs to transmit torque from one disc to the other. Hydraulic end loading means supplied with fluid at an end load pressure to apply an end load to bias the discs and the rollers toward each other, thereby enabling the transmission of torque. Reaction pressure supply means are connected to the roller control actuators to cause them to apply an adjustable reaction force to the rollers. The assembly also has hydraulically influenced valve means which serve to compare an input related to the end load pressure with an input related to the reaction pressure and to control the end load pressure in dependence upon the comparison, thereby maintaining a relationship between the end load and reaction pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventors: Christopher John Greenwood, John William Edward Fuller
  • Patent number: 7303503
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, has first and second disks respectively including inner surfaces; power rollers interposed for transmitting power; a pressing device for pressing the first disk toward the second disk; a main oil pressure control unit for non-electrically detecting the power for setting, as a target value, an oil pressure necessary for the pressing device when a transmission ratio between the first and second disks is a transmission ratio requiring a maximum pressing force, and increase the target value as the pressing force increases; an oil pressure correcting apparatus for electrically finding a necessary value of the oil pressure, the necessary value corresponding to the optimum value of pressing force generated by the pressing device, and also for introducing an oil pressure of a value into the pressing device, the oil pressure of the value being obtained by subtracting a correction value from the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Imanishi, Eiji Inoue
  • 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: 7217220
    Abstract: A toric-drive transmission comprising a drive disk for receiving a power input. A driven disk transmits a power output. A roller device has a roller displaceably mounted between the drive disk and the driven disk. The roller has three rotational degrees of freedom. A first degree of freedom transmits motion from the drive disk to the driven disk to convert the power input to the power output. A second degree of freedom varies a ratio of the power output to the power input as a function of an orientation of the roller along the second degree of freedom. A third degree of freedom initiates a rotation of the roller about the second degree of freedom. A controller system is operatively connected to the roller device for changing the orientation of the roller in the second degree of freedom by actuating a displacement of the roller in the third degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: S.O.E. Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Fernand Careau, Hugues Maltais
  • Patent number: 7211024
    Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission in which a rolling member is arranged between a pair of rotary members with contacting its outer circumferential face with a rolling face of those rotary members being opposed to each other through an oil film, and in which a holding member for holding the rolling member in a rotatable condition is provided includes a lubricating oil feeding hole for spraying lubricating oil to a plurality of portions at the center side of the rotation of at least one of the end faces of the rolling member in an axial direction, which is arranged on the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Taketsuna, Shigenori Tamaki
  • Patent number: 7204783
    Abstract: When, with engine kept stopped, driven road wheels are turned, the toroidal type continuously variable transmission is suppressed from shifting toward a higher speed side. That is, when, with the engine kept stopped, the road wheels are turned in a reverse direction due to a traction of a motor vehicle with its front end facing backward, an extra oil pump driven by the road wheels produces an oil pressure which is applied to a hydraulic servo mechanism to keep a speed change ratio at a lower speed side. While, when, with the engine kept stopped, the road wheels are turned in a forward direction due to a traction of the motor vehicle with its front end facing forward, the oil pressure produced by the extra oil pump is not practically used. Under this condition, a biasing spring suppresses a servo piston from moving in a direction to bring about a speed change ratio for the higher speed side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Masatoshi Fukuyama, Toshifumi Hibi, Jun Sugihara, Toshikazu Oshidari
  • Patent number: 7201701
    Abstract: A power roller supporting structure for a toroidal continuously variable transmission, including a moveable disk, a stationary disk, the disks being rotatable about a first axis, power rollers disposed between the moveable and stationary disks and rotatable about a second axis and pivotally moveable about a third axis extending perpendicular to the second axis upon rotation of the moveable and stationary disks, the power rollers having a low speed ratio position where a reduced speed ratio between rotational speeds of the disks is obtained and a high speed ratio position where an increased speed ratio therebetween is obtained, and an arrangement for allowing the power rollers to move closer to the first axis along the second axis when the power rollers are placed in the low speed ratio position than when the power rollers are placed in the high speed ratio position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichi Shibukawa
  • Patent number: 7192380
    Abstract: In a toroidal continuously variable transmission, a primary oil pump is driven by an engine, whereas a secondary oil pump is driven in response to rotation of a road wheel. A hydraulic servo mechanism is connected to a trunnion to create an offset of the trunnion from a neutral position for a tilting motion of the power roller. Also provided is a hydraulic system that supplies the hydraulic pressure discharged from the secondary pump to the hydraulic servo mechanism to prevent the offset of the trunnion in the trunnion-axis direction, corresponding to an upshift, occurring owing to rotation of the road wheel in a stopped state of the engine. A modulated hydraulic pressure, which is constantly produced by the hydraulic system during operation of the engine, acts to hold the secondary pump at either of an inoperative state and an unloaded condition during the operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Masatoshi Fukuyama, Toshifumi Hibi, Jun Sugihara, Toshikazu Oshidari
  • Patent number: 7166055
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission, in which an input disc and an output disc are arranged on the common axis with being opposed to each other in the rotatable condition, and in which the rolling member is arranged between the input disc and the output disc, so as to transmit a torque between said input disc and said output disc through said rolling member, by applying the clamping force to said input disc and said output disc in said axial direction, characterized by comprising a clamping force controller for controlling the clamping force to be applied to said input disc and said output disc based on a physical quantity relevant to heat stress of said rolling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Taketsuna, Shigenori Tamaki
  • Patent number: 7128685
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission; in which a rolling member for mediating the transmission of a torque is clamped between at least a pair of rotary members; and in which a clamping force for clamping the rolling member in the direction not to let the rolling member be released from between the rotary members is applied to the rolling member, comprises: a detector for detecting temperature rise of either, a temperature of a rolling face of the rotary members for clamping the rolling member, or a temperature of the rolling member; and a rolling member controller for reducing the clamping force in case a temperature rise is detected by said detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Taketsuna, Shigenori Tamaki
  • Patent number: 7125361
    Abstract: A toroydal type continuously variable transmission wherein a rollers is clamped in a rotatable condition by the input disc and the output disc arranged rotatably on the common axis line and opposed to each other; wherein an actuator for moving the roller backward and forward in the direction along a plane vertical to a center axis of rotation of those discs is provided; and wherein those discs, roller, and actuator are accommodated inside of the housing; and an installation portion protruding to the center portion of the housing is provided on inner face of the housing and the said actuators are fixed on the installation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Taketsuna, Shigenori Tamaki
  • Patent number: 7104919
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, has: first and second disks; a plurality of trunnions; a plurality of displacement shafts respectively supported on associated trunnions; a plurality of power rollers respectively interposed between the first and second disks; and, a plurality of thrust bearings respectively interposed between the power rollers and trunnions, each of the thrust bearings including an outer ring, an inner raceway formed in the outer end face of the power roller, a plurality of rolling elements, and a circular-ring-shaped retainer, wherein, in case where the density of a retainer material constituting the retainer is ?d, the elastic modulus of the retainer material is Ed, the density of rolling element materials is ?c and the elastic modulus of the rolling element materials is Ec, { ( ? d · E d ) / ( ? c · E c ) } 1 2 ? 0.6 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kato, Hirotoshi Aramaki, Shinichi Natsumeda
  • Patent number: 7094175
    Abstract: A lubrication device for a toroidal type continuously variable transmission, which can set the speed change ratio continuously by transmitting a torque inputted from a power source by rolling members contacting each other through an oil film, and by varying the position of the contact portion of those rolling members steplessly, characterized by comprising: an auxiliary hydraulic power unit for generating an oil pressure without relying on said power source, a preliminary operation detector for detecting whether or not the preliminary operation relative to the start up of said power source is executed, and a preliminary lubricating mechanism for feeding the lubricating oil to the contact portion between said rolling members by means of said auxiliary hydraulic power unit before starting up said power source, when the preliminary operation is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Taketsuna, Shigenori Tamaki
  • 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: 7036992
    Abstract: A power roller bearing for rotatably supporting a power roller of a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, having: an inner ring; an outer ring; a plurality of balls respectively interposed between the inner and outer rings; and, a retainer for holding the balls therein, wherein the retainer includes a plurality of pockets for storing the balls therein at equi-distant positions in the peripheral direction of the retainer, and the inner peripheral portions of the pockets are respectively formed of elastic material that, when the power roller rotates, allows the balls to shift from the equi-distant positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kato, Hisashi Machida, Masayoshi Shimizuya
  • Patent number: 7033302
    Abstract: In the inner and outer surfaces of the retainer 34b, there are formed recessed grooves 40a, 40a which serve as lubricating oil flow passages for allowing lubricating oil to flow into pockets. Where the axial-direction depth of the recessed groove 40a, 40a is expressed as H and the circumferential-direction width thereof is expressed as 2L, 0.20?H/L?0.97 can be satisfied. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission which can prevent the damage of a retainer 34b incorporated into a thrust rolling bearing for supporting a power roller and also can enhance the lubricating efficiency of the present thrust rolling bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nogi, Norihisa Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7029418
    Abstract: A toroidai type continuously variable transmission wherein a rolling member is clamped between rotary members; and wherein a rolling face of rotary members being opposed to each other has a curved face, in which its sectional face along the plane including a center axis of rotation is shaped into an arc, in order to allow said rolling face of said rolling member inclining against the center axis of the rotation of said rotary member, characterized by: an oiling hole formed on the portion on the center side of the rotation in said rolling face of the rotary members being opposed to each other, or on the portion on the center side of the rotation leading to said rolling face; and the oil passage for feeding the lubricating oil to the oiling hole, formed on the center side of the rotation in said rotary member, with being communicated with the oiling hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Taketsuna, Shigenori Tamaki
  • Patent number: 7018320
    Abstract: A control unit for an infinitely-variable-ratio transmission. The transmission includes a cylinder and a piston with a proximal and a distal end. A support stem is connected to the piston. The piston is hollow and has a head portion for interaction with an associated actuation fluid. A proximal portion extends away from the head portion. The support stem is connected to the proximal portion by an articulated joint and extends from the joint to the head portion to exit from the distal end of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventors: Leslie Kendrick Robinson, Ian David Cornwell, Brian Joseph Dutson
  • Patent number: 7004882
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission which includes: a casing; input and output disks respectively including inner surfaces, disposed concentrically with each other inside the casing, and supported so as to rotate independently of each other; a plurality of trunnions each including even-numbered pivot shafts existing at right angles to a central-axis direction of the disks and disposed concentrically with to in parallel to each other, and being swingable about the pivot shafts; a plurality of shift shafts respectively projected out from the trunnions; a plurality of power rollers held by and between respective inner surfaces of the disks so as to be rotatably supported on the shift shafts; and a support member fixed directly to the casing and supporting the pivot shafts so as to be shifted in an axial and an inclined rotation direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: NSK. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Imanishi, Masami Tanaka, Tomofumi Yamashita, Kouji Ishikawa, Nobuo Goto
  • Patent number: 7004883
    Abstract: A trunnion of a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission has a support plate portion for supporting a displacement shaft and a pair of bent wall portions respectively bent toward the inner surface side of the support plate portion. The support plate portion and the pair of bent wall portions cooperates together in defining a pocket portion for storing a power roller therein. Pivot shafts are disposed concentrically with each other on the outer surfaces of the pair of bent wall portions. The pair of bent wall portions are connected together by a connecting member. The connecting member includes a pressure receive portion contactable with the inner surface of the pocket portion in a direction intersecting substantially at right angles to the thrust direction and receiving a pressing force acting on the pocket portion to crush the pocket portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Ishikawa, Yutaka Sato, Masami Tanaka, Tomofumi Yamashita, Nobuo Goto
  • Patent number: 7001305
    Abstract: In a toroidal continuously variable transmission the amount of traction oil provided to contact areas between the power rollers and the input and output discs is increased as a power to be transmitted is increased. Nozzle holes formed in rockable trunnions of the transmission so that the traction oil ejected from the nozzle holes is sprayed to circumferential positions of inner surfaces of input and output discs that are in contact with peripheral surfaces of power rollers. Transmission efficiency is enhanced while maintaining endurance and reliability without supplying excessive traction oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yoshida, Kouji Ishikawa, Takashi Imanishi
  • Patent number: 6984189
    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·sin h(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: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Tomohiro Suzuki, Shuzo Sanda, Takanori Abekura, Kazuyoshi Ogawa, Masataka Osawa, Masakatsu Kuroishi, Toshinari Sano
  • Patent number: 6979277
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, includes: a trunnion including: a support plate portion; and a pair of bent wall portions formed in longitudinal-direction two end portions of the support plate portion and bent on an inner surface side of the support plate portion, the pivot shafts being disposed concentrically with each other on outer surfaces of the bent wall portions; a trunnion shaft formed integrally with the pivot shaft; an oil pressure piston fitted with an outer peripheral surface of the trunnion shaft for moving the trunnions along the axial direction of the pivot shaft; and, a cut-away portion formed in the outer peripheral surface of the trunnion shaft for forming, between the cut-away portion and the oil pressure piston, an oil passage for a lubricating oil to be supplied to the bearing for a power roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Ishikawa, Takashi Imanishi
  • Patent number: 6960151
    Abstract: The toroidal continuously variable transmission comprises a drive shaft which is rotationally driven by an engine, an input shaft which is disposed adjacent to and coaxially with this drive shaft, input disk which rotate integrally with the input shaft, output disks which are disposed coaxially with the input disks so as to be capable of rotating relatively thereto and to face the input disks, trunnion assemblies which are clamped between the input disks and the output disks so that these trunnion assemblies are free to swing, a pushing cylinder which pushes the input disks and output disks in the respective directions that cause these disks to clamp the trunnion assemblies, and a coupling mechanism which connects the drive shaft and the input shaft by means of an Oldham coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norikazu Kawai, Kazuo Ooyama
  • Patent number: 6953414
    Abstract: A trunnion linkage structure of a dual-cavity toroidal CVT, including trunnions each having an axial end portion, an upper link coupled to the axial end portion through a connection hole, a stop and a snap ring mounted to the axial end portion of the trunnion, and a stop positioning portion arranged so as to limit displacement of the stop in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the trunnion. A method of assembling the structure, including inserting a jig into the transmission case, placing the snap ring and the stop on the jig, placing the upper link on the stop, inserting the axial end portion of the trunnion into the connection hole so as to position the stop in place on the axial end portion of the trunnion, and guiding the snap ring to the mount position on the axial end portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6951524
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, includes: an input shaft; a pair of mutually opposed input and output disks disposed side-by-side in an axial direction of the input shaft; a pressing mechanism pressing said input disk toward said output disk; a hollow shaft disposed around an outer periphery of the input shaft concentrically with the input shaft, and connecting the pair of input disks to each other; an oil hole formed in a no-penetrating portion of the input shaft where the input shaft does not penetrate through the hollow shaft, and opened on an outer peripheral surface of the no-penetrating portion; and, an oil passage formed between an inner peripheral surface of the hollow shaft and an outer peripheral surface of a penetrating portion of the input shaft where the input shaft penetrates through the hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Ishikawa, Masami Tanaka, Takashi Imanishi
  • Patent number: 6945904
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission has: an input shaft; an input disk and an output disk; a displacement shaft having a support shaft portion and a pivotal shaft portion; a trunnion having a support hole for supporting the support shaft portion; a first radial bearing supporting the support shaft portion within the support hole; a power roller having an insertion hole for receiving the pivot shaft portion; a second radial bearing supporting the pivot shaft portion within the insertion hole; and a thrust bearing including an outer ring and rolling elements, wherein a first bottom plate portion is provided at the support hole so as to close an opening of the support hole, a second bottom plate portion is provided at the insertion hole so as to close an opening of the insertion hole; and the displacement shaft and the outer ring are formed integrally with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Ishikawa, Yutaka Sato
  • Patent number: 6942593
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission has: an input shaft; an input side disk and an output side disk respectively disposed on the outer periphery of the input shaft, the input side disk including a first cam surface; and a loading cam device interposed between the input side and output side disks and comprising: a loading cam including a second cam surface and rotatable together with the input shaft; a plurality of rollers interposed rollably between the first cam surface and the second cam surface; and a retainer, the retainer including a retainer main body having a circular-shaped fitting hole, and inside-diameter side projecting portions disposed on a retainer main body for maintaining the attitude of the retainer main body, wherein inside diameters of portions of the fitting hole corresponding to the inside-diameter side projecting portions are larger than that of the remaining portions of the fitting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Nishii, Masami Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6935988
    Abstract: An infinitely variable toroidal drive with several drive units wherein each drive unit has an input disc with a toroidal inner surface disposed coaxially in relation to the input shaft and an output disc with a toroidal inner surface disposed coaxially in relation to the input shaft and several friction wheels which are pivotably situated between each pair of input disc and output discs and mounted on a carrier, respectively. The infinitely variable toroidal drive has a device for support of the reaction forces appearing on the friction wheels due to the pressure of the discs, simultaneously synchronizing the pivoting angle of the carriers. The device consists of respective traction elements; one being provided on both the upper ends and the lower ends of the two carriers, and encircling the ends of the carriers and respectively having the shape of an 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Sich, Axel Matheis
  • Patent number: 6932736
    Abstract: In a toroidal continuously variable transmission having a plurality of power rollers interposed between input and output disks under axial preload and using a tapered roller bearing as a power roller bearing, a radial load and a thrust load acting on an inner race are received or supported by way of the tapered roller bearing. An inner raceway surface formed on the inner race is located to be offset from a line of action common to a radial component of a contact pressure acting on a contact point between the inner race and the input disk and a radial component of a contact pressure acting on a contact point between the inner race and the output disk toward an outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6921350
    Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission includes an input disk, an output disk facing the input disk, a power roller gripped between the input disk and output disk, a pedestal which supports the power roller free to rotate about a power roller rotation axis, and a trunnion which gyrates about a trunnion gyration axis. The trunnion includes a first plane portion perpendicular to the power roller rotation axis, two second plane portions perpendicular to the first plane portion and facing each other across the power roller rotation axis and two inclined portions between the first plane portion and the second plane portions, respectively. A roller bearing unit, including a cage housing a roller, supports the pedestal on the trunnion so that the pedestal is free to slide in a direction that is perpendicular to both the trunnion gyration axis and power roller rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruhito Mori
  • Patent number: 6908410
    Abstract: In a toroidal type continuously variable transmission, a power roller bearing that serves as a thrust bearing includes an inner race composed of a part of a power roller, an outer race opposed to the inner race, and balls arranged for rolling motion between the outer and inner races. The power roller is in rolling contact with input and output disks and pressed thereby in a thrust direction. An end face of the inner race is formed having a first raceway groove having an arcuate cross section and in contact with the balls. An end face of the outer race is formed having a second raceway groove having an arcuate cross section and in contact with the balls. The second raceway groove is shallower than the first raceway groove, and the center of each of the balls is situated nearer to the inner race than a center position between the respective end faces of the outer and inner races is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouji Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6905437
    Abstract: A power roller bearing of a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission unit that is used for a transmission of an automobile or the like comprises a power roller, an outer race, balls, a retainer, etc. Annular raceway grooves are formed individually on the respective opposite end faces of the outer race and the power roller. Treated-surface layers for enhancing the endurance of the power roller bearing are formed individually on the respective surfaces of the raceway grooves. The treated-surface layers include super-finished surfaces with the surface roughness of 0.05 Rad or less, formed individually on the raceway grooves, and low-friction layers formed individually on the super-finished surfaces. Alternatively, the treated-surface layers include residual compression stress layers formed on the respective surface layer portions of the raceway grooves by shot-preening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Itoh, Takashi Imanishi, Nobuo Goto, Yasuo Murakami, Tomonobu Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: RE39647
    Abstract: The disk has a traction surface having a concave-arc-shaped cross section which is interposed between a small diameter end portion and a large diameter end portion. In the central portion of the end face of the disk on the small diameter end portion side, there is formed a through hole which extends through the disk up to the large diameter end portion side end face of the disk, while the inner peripheral surface of the through hole is used as an inside diameter surface of the disk. Here, when, among metal flows existing in the disk, a metal flow, which has such a positional relationship with respect to the surface of the disk that an angle ? formed between a metal flow on the traction surface side and the tangent of the traction surface is smaller than or equal to 30 degrees, is defined as a “metal flow along the disk surface”, the disk is structured such that the “metal flow along the disk surface” exists at least in the traction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Okubo, Akira Tsubouchi, Takashi Imanishi, Nobuo Gotou