Plural Toric Cavities Patents (Class 476/42)
  • 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: 7077781
    Abstract: A power roller unit for a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, has: a trunnion including a support plate portion, a pair of bent wall portions, two pivot shafts, and a connecting member; a displacement shaft; a power roller; a thrust ball bearing including an outer ring, a ball, and a retainer; a thrust bearing, wherein the thrust bearing is held by a hold portion disposed in the support plate portion, and wherein, where the distance between the small end face of the power roller and the connecting member is expressed as a, the distance between the outer ring and the opposed surface of the hold portion opposed to the outer ring is expressed as b, and the thickness of the thrust bearing is expressed as c, the sum of a and b is set smaller than c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Ishikawa, Eiji Inoue
  • 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: 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: 7014588
    Abstract: A plurality of projecting portions are provided on and projected from part of an outer peripheral surface of an input side disk. A plurality of transmitting projection pieces are provided on a base end portion of a transmission shaft. The transmitting projection pieces of the transmission shaft are engaged with the projecting portions of the input side disk to thereby be able to transmit torque between the input side disk and the transmission shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Miyata, Masami Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6991579
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission having first and second discs supported around a rotating shaft and receiving power rollers therebetween includes a ball spline having a first spline groove formed in an outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft, a second spline groove formed in an inner circumferential surface of the first disc, and balls provided between the first spline groove and the second spline groove rollably. An axial position of an end portion of an effective groove portion of the first spline groove is located to correspond to an axial position of an inner end portion of the second spline groove or more closely to the second disc than the axial position thereof when a pressing unit, a preload spring and the first disc are installed around the rotating shaft, pressure oil is not fed to the pressing unit, and the preload spring is not elastically deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihisa Kobayashi, Shinji Miyata, Takashi Imanishi, Hideki Hashitani
  • 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: 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: 6902509
    Abstract: In a toroidal type continuously variable transmission, first pivot shafts provided on both ends of first trunnions are supported within support holes formed in yokes secured to an inner surface of a casing. The support portions are provided with ball splines and radial needle bearings. During operation, loads acting on the first trunnions are canceled within the yokes. Axial displacements and rocking displacements of the first trunnions are effected smoothly by the ball splines and the radial needle bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Machida, Kouji Ishikawa, Takashi Imanishi, Hiroyuki Itoh, Tomofumi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6902510
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, has: a casing; an input rotary shaft; a pair of input side disks each including an input side inner surface and respectively supported on the input rotary shaft; an output cylinder supported on the input rotary shaft; a pair of output side disks each including an output side inner respectively supported on the periphery of the output cylinder; an output rotation transmission member fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the middle portion of the output cylinder; support members interposed respectively between the input side inner surfaces and the output side inner surfaces; power rollers being contacted with the input side inner surfaces and the output side inner surfaces; and, a rolling bearing disposed between the input side inner surface and the output side inner surfaces and rotatably supporting the output cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Imanishi
  • Patent number: 6893376
    Abstract: An inner surface 16a of a torque transmitting disc of a toroidal type continuously variable transmission can be finish-worked without also enhancing accuracy of a cylindrical surface as an outer peripheral surface of the disc. The inner surface is finish-worked with super finish while urging a working surface of a grindstone against the inner surface. In this case, roller shoes are rollingly contacted with the inner surface to prevent the disc from being radially displaced under force from the working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Hatase, Masami Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6878091
    Abstract: The invention relates to an infinitely variable friction gear with several frictional wheels which are to transmit via the driving power. The frictional wheels are rotationally mounted in combined axial-radial-bearings (2), which comprises split bearings (3) which are inserted into the supports (4) for the friction wheels (1) and which are rotated at an pivoting axis angle (?) in relation to angle Y. The opposite-lying supports of each gear unit are connected to each other by an upper coupling rod (6) and a lower coupling coupling rod (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Berhard Sich, Axel Matheis
  • Patent number: 6872162
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission has: a casing; a rotary shaft; outside disks; an inside disk; support members; a plurality of support plates; an actuator body; a pair of support posts including support ring portions, the support ring portions respectively existing in middle portions between the inside disk and the outside disks, wherein the respective one-side end portions of the two support posts are connected and fixed to the actuator body in a state that the rotary shaft is inserted through the support ring portions of the two support posts, the axial-direction two end portions of the inside disk are rotatably supported on the support ring portions of the two support posts, and the support plates are supported on the neighboring portions of the respective two end portions of the two support posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Inoue, Shinji Miyata
  • Patent number: 6863637
    Abstract: A wall mounting structure for a dual cavity toroidal continuously variable transmission (CVT) including two toroidal speed change units. Each toroidal speed change unit includes a pair of input and output disks rotatable about a common rotation axis, the input disks being axially spaced from each other, the output disks being disposed between the input disks and axially opposed to each other in a spaced relation, and a gear set drivingly connected with the output disks. The wall mounting structure includes a transmission case accommodating the toroidal speed change units, an intermediate wall disposed between the output disks and accommodating the gear set, and a fastener fixing the intermediate wall to the transmission case and extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the output disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhito Mori, Eio Sagara, Keiichi Kawashima
  • Patent number: 6849020
    Abstract: The second platenary gear mechanism 18 is a so-called double pinion type planetary gear comprising a sun gear 18a, paired pinions 18b, a carrier 18c which supports the pinions, and a ring gear 18d. The pinions 18b of eeach pair meshes with each other in a state where one of the paired pinions 18b meshes with the sun gear 18a while the other one of the paired pinions 18b meshes with the ring gear 18d. The carrier 18c is coupled to the countershaft 20 and the sun gear 18a is connected to a shaft 11a which is coupled to a gear 11b of a third gear unit 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventor: Yasuo Sumi
  • Patent number: 6846264
    Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission including input and output disks rotatable about a common first axis, and power rollers interposed therebetween and supported on trunnions to rotate about a second axis. The trunnions are displaceable along a third axis extending perpendicular to the second axis and pivotally moveable about the third axis. A link connects the trunnions. A link support supports the link to allow the displacement and pivotal movement of the trunnions. A pin extending parallel to the first axis and a pin guide having an open end cooperate to support the link so as to swing about the pin and offset along the third axis. The pin is disposed on one of the link and the link support, and the pin guide is disposed on the other. Upon mounting the link to the link support, the pin is radially inserted into the pin guide through the open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Sugihara
  • Patent number: 6805654
    Abstract: The present toroidal-type continuously variable transmission comprises an oil passage formed in an input shaft so as to extend in the axial direction of the input shaft, a plurality of ball spline grooves formed in the outer peripheral surface of the input shaft so as to be spaced from one another at a given interval in the peripheral direction of the input shaft, a plurality of oil grooves not only for connecting together the ball spline grooves but also for guiding lubricating oil along the outer peripheral surface of the input shaft, and two oil holes 1a formed in the input shaft 1 for allowing the oil grooves and oil passage to communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Nishii
  • Patent number: 6800047
    Abstract: A toroidal continuously-variable transmission includes a tilt rotation stopper structure to limit a range of rotation of a trunnion supporting a power roller in a toroidal cavity between input and output disks, so as to prevent contact points of the power roller with the input and output disks from deviating from respective rolling contact surfaces. The tilt rotation stopper structure includes a link-side stopper provided in a lower or upper link in a region separated from a left and right tilt rotation synchronizing wire, and a trunnion-side stopper provided in a side of an axial movement limiting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruhito Mori
  • Patent number: 6800048
    Abstract: The infinitely variable friction wheel transmission with two transmission units and a traction element wound around the carriers of each respective transmission unit in the form of a Figure-8, comprises for each carrier a compensating element which exerts a restoring force on the carriers when a differential angle occurs between the two carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Andelko Vesenjak
  • Patent number: 6796923
    Abstract: An output side disk 3 includes a penetration hole 30 for penetration of an input shaft therethrough, and a securing groove 40 formed in the inner peripheral surface of the penetration hole 30 for preventing a needle roller bearing 5 from slipping out in the axis O direction of the input shaft. The first connecting portion R3 of the securing groove 40 is formed as a surface the section of which has an arc-like shape of a large radius of curvature, whereas the second connecting portion R4 of the securing groove 40 is formed as a surface the section of which has an arc-like shape of a small radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Nishii, Nobuo Goto
  • Publication number: 20040147362
    Abstract: A method is provided for optimally engineering a toroidal transmission having a desired input/output ratio to implement the desired ratio of the transmission while meeting the torque and efficiency requirements of the design. Nanoparticle technology is used to manufacture the stator walls to replace the cutting and milling procedures now in use. A novel Mitchell bearing sleeve and its particular hydrodynamic lubrication and cooling method are proposed herein, as well as the introduction of a novel, ultra smooth, amorphous non-oxidizing contact sleeve material used to form the contact sleeve of the drive rollers. A novel self-lubricating system is further provided that includes an oil reservoir disposed within an output shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Manfred R. Kuehnle
  • Patent number: 6764427
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission, in which there are provided a plurality of sets of speed change units each having rollers sandwiched between the opposed faces of input discs and output discs and in which the individual input discs are coupled to an input shaft whereas the individual output discs are coupled to an output shaft. The individual input discs or the individual output discs are held rotatably relative to each other, and the individual input discs are coupled in a torque transmitting manner to the input shaft through individual chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigenori Tamaki, Yasuji Taketsuna
  • Patent number: 6743149
    Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission (CVT) is comprised of first and second pairs of power rollers whose gyration angles are synchronized by first, second and third wires. The first wire is wound in the shape of 8-figure to power-roller supporting members of the first pair of power rollers, and the second wire is wound in the shape of 8-figure to power-roller supporting members of the second pair of power rollers. The third wire is wound around the four power-roller supporting members and fixed to the diagonally-arranged two power-roller supporting members. A pair of guide walls are disposed between the power-roller supporting members of the first pair of power rollers and between the power-roller supporting members of the second pair of power rollers and bend the third wire extending between the first-pair power-roller supporting members and between the second-pair power-roller supporting members toward output discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eio Sagara, Hiroyuki Hirano, Mikoto Ooishi
  • Patent number: 6740001
    Abstract: A double-cavity half-toroidal type continuously variable transmission comprises an input shaft rotatable by means of a drive source, first and second input disks rotatable integrally with the input shaft, first and second output disks opposed to corresponding input disks, and a hydraulic loading mechanism. The hydraulic loading mechanism includes first and second hydraulic chambers arranged in the axial direction of the input shaft. The first hydraulic chamber is defined by the back surface of the first input disk, an end face of the first disk member, etc. The second hydraulic chamber is defined by the inner end face of the first cylinder, an end face of the second disk member, etc. The first and second hydraulic chambers are simultaneously supplied with pressurized oil by means of a pressure source. Under the pressure of the oil, the first input disk is pressed toward the first output disk, and the second input disk is pressed toward the second output disk through the medium of an interlocking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Ishikawa, Takashi Imanishi, Hiroyuki Itoh
  • Patent number: 6733416
    Abstract: In a toroidal type continuously variable transmission, a pair of power rollers are operatively interposed between input and output discs. Each power roller includes a power inner roller frictionally engaged with the input and output discs, a power outer roller receiving an axial load applied to the power inner roller from the input and output discs, a ball bearing operatively interposed between the power inner and outer rollers and a shaft receiving a radial load applied to the power inner roller from the input and output discs. The shaft is a one-body member comprising a first shaft portion on which the power outer roller is coaxially and tightly disposed and a second shaft portion on which the power inner roller is coaxially and rotatably disposed. The power outer roller and the shaft are produced separately. Upon assembly, these two parts are coupled together to constitute an integrated unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhito Mori, Haruyoshi Kumura
  • Patent number: 6729997
    Abstract: In a toroidal continuously variable transmission, a link support structure of one of upper and lower links linking ends of trunnions includes a stationary portion fixed to a transmission casing. Also provided is an engagement portion formed at the link and in contact with the stationary portion. The engagement pair restricts a fore-and-aft movement of the link relative to the casing in a direction of a common rotation axis O1 of input and output disks. A freedom for the fore-and-aft movement of the link relative to the casing is relatively less than a freedom for a vertical movement of the link relative to the casing in a direction of the trunnion axis O2 and relatively less than a freedom for a left-and-right movement of the link relative to the casing in a direction normal to both the common rotation axis O1 and the trunnion axis O2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Watanabe, Toshikazu Oshidari
  • Publication number: 20040043860
    Abstract: A toroidal type 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 therewith, comprises: 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 said rolling member in an axial direction, which is arranged on said holding member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Yasuji Taketsuna, Shigenori Tamaki
  • Publication number: 20040033860
    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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Yasuji Taketsuna, Shigenori Tamaki
  • Patent number: 6666791
    Abstract: A variator transmission apparatus (10) comprises an input shaft (12), one or more input discs (14, 16) mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, one or more inner discs (18, 20), the input and output discs defining between them one or more toroidal cavities, a plurality of rollers (22, 24) located within the one or more cavities for transmitting rotation from the outer disc(s) (14, 16) to the inner disc(s) in which means are provided for preventing the end load locking the inner discs (18, 20) to the shaft (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Christopher J. Greenwood
  • Patent number: 6659907
    Abstract: A dual cavity toroidal type CVT includes two toroidal transmission units (31, 32). A torque delivery shaft (27) carries a first input disc (35) and a second input disc (36) coaxially for a unitary rotation. A third common output disc (37) between the first and second input discs (35, 36) has an output gear (73) fixedly attached to an outer periphery thereof. Radial bearings (39, 40) received in peripheral grooves (27a, 27b) of the torque delivery shaft (27) are in rolling contact with a central opening defining wall of the third common output disc (37). Two supports (41, 42) are fixedly attached to a transmission casing (21) and bear thrust load tending to tilt the third common output disc (37) from a predetermined normal upright position, thereby to hold the third common output disc (37) in the predetermined normal upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hirano, Masaki Nakano
  • Patent number: 6659908
    Abstract: A double-cavity toroidal-type continuously variable transmission includes a case, a drive shaft and a toroidal transmission mechanism portion. The toroidal transmission mechanism portion includes a gear housing for supporting an output gear, and a yoke for supporting a pivot shaft of a trunnion in an oscillatable manner. The support post for supporting the yoke and a fixing member for fixing the gear housing and the support post to the case are connected together or are formed as an integral body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Ishikawa, Nobuo Goto, Takashi Imanishi
  • Patent number: 6656080
    Abstract: Plural cooling passages extending radially are formed from the inner circumference to the outer circumference and within an output disk common to two toroidal transmission units. Lubricating oil which has reached an annular space between the output disk and the main shaft via holes from an oil passage in the main shaft, flows into the cooling passages inside the output disk, and the output disk is thereby cooled from inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Watanabe, Haruhito Mori, Eio Sagara
  • Patent number: 6626793
    Abstract: The present invention provides an hydraulic control circuit for a continuously-variable-ratio transmission An hydraulic control circuit for a CVT transmission includes a first hydraulic pressure control valve V1 for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid to be supplied to the roller control pistons of the variator and a second hydraulic pressure control valve V2 for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid to be supplied to a clutching arrangement of the transmission. Said valves V1, V2 are connected in flow series and by a first fluid directing valve means V3(S1, S2) for directing flow from each pump PL, PR to a first point P upstream of valve V1 or to a second point P downstream of valve V1 but upstream of valve V2. By adopting such an arrangement it is possible to control the clutches without affecting the roller position and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Christopher John Greenwood
  • Publication number: 20030176255
    Abstract: A toroidal variable-speed drive unit includes at least one axial offset transmission, at least one actuating member, pivotable supporting journals, and rollers arranged on the pivotable supporting journals which are coupled to one another by the at least one axial offset transmission and can be supported on the at least one actuating member, wherein the rollers are arranged between the actuating member and the at least one axial offset transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Elser, Steffen Henzler, Dinh Cuong Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6616568
    Abstract: The trunnion of the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission has a pair of journal portions disposed on a trunnion shaft and spaced from each other, a U-shaped eccentric portion disposed eccentric from the trunnion shaft and having two ends integrally connected to the mutually opposing end portions of the pair of journal portions, and a pivot shaft disposed in the eccentric portion for supporting a power roller in a space enclosed by the eccentric portion and the mutually opposing end portions of the pair of journal portions. The mutually opposing end portions of the pair of journal portions are connected together by a reinforcing member and the power roller is interposed between the eccentric portion of the trunnion and the reinforcing member, thereby being able to prevent the deformation of the trunnion due to a load applied thereto from the input and output disks through the power roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Ooyama
  • Patent number: 6592491
    Abstract: In a toroidal type continuously variable transmission, first pivot shafts provided on both ends of first trunnions are supported within support holes formed in yokes secured to an inner surface of a casing. The support portions are provided with ball splines and radial needle bearings. During operation, loads acting on the first trunnions are cancelled within the yokes. Axial displacements and rocking displacements of the first trunnions are effected smoothly by the ball splines and the radial needle bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Machida, Kouji Ishikawa, Takashi Imanishi, Hiroyuki Itoh, Tomofumi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20030114268
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission, in which there are provided a plurality of sets of speed change units each having rollers sandwiched between the opposed faces of input discs and output discs and in which the individual input discs are coupled to an input shaft whereas the individual output discs are coupled to an output shaft. The individual input discs or the individual output discs are held rotatably relative to each other, and the individual input discs are coupled in a torque transmitting manner to the input shaft through individual chains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Shigenori Tamaki, Yasuji Taketsuna
  • Patent number: 6575869
    Abstract: An infinitely variable traction drive variator comprising at least one pair of toroidal discs with torque-transmitting traction rollers situated between the discs. As one disc drives the other, the effective radius of the point of contact of the rollers on one disc is decreased and the effective radius of the point of contact of the rollers with the other disc increases. The rollers are rotatably mounted in a trunnion which is pivotally mounted on a gimbal frame, which in turn is pivotally mounted on a relatively stationary gimbal support. Provision is made for adjusting the angularity of the frame about the axis of the discs, thereby creating an angular offset for the rollers, which results in a change of the effective radius of the contact at each disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventor: James Douglas Ervin
  • Publication number: 20030104897
    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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6568297
    Abstract: A double cavity toroidal-type containing variable transmission, in which one of two input disks is fixed to an input shaft, the other input disk and an output disk are supported so as to be movable in the axial direction thereof, and the other input disk is energized toward one input disk by a cylinder, and power rollers 66 respectively stored in a pair of cavities are contacted with the input and output disks. The input shaft is allowed to shift in the axial direction thereof, whereas the output shaft is prevented from shifting in the axial direction thereof. A drive gear formed in the output disk and a driven gear formed in the output shaft are respectively composed of double helical gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Ooyama
  • Publication number: 20030096672
    Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, has a first continuously variable transmission mechanism and a second continuously variable transmission mechanism: wherein the first and second continuously variable transmission mechanisms are disposed coaxially with each other; the first and second input disks are connected together so as to be rotated in synchronization with each other; the first and second output disks are formed as a unified type output disk including traction surfaces on the two side surfaces thereof; on the side portion at the outer-most outside diameter of the unified type output disk, there is formed a datum plane serving as a machining datum when the traction surfaces are processed; and, an operation for finishing the datum plane is carried out after the unified type output disk is heat treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Imanishi
  • Patent number: 6565481
    Abstract: An input torque limiting device for an infinitely variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein the transmission can vary a speed ratio up to infinity. In the input torque limiting device, the maximum torque which can be input is computed according to the output/input speed ratio which is an inverse of the speed ratio, without adversely affecting the durability and performance of the infinitely variable transmission, and the engine torque is controlled not to exceed the maximum torque. In this way, in the infinitely variable transmission, input of an excessive torque when the speed ratio is in the vicinity of infinity is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobusuke Toukura, Masayuki Yasuoka, Hirofumi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6561941
    Abstract: In an infinite speed ratio transmission a fixed speed ratio transmission (130) outputting the rotation of a first shaft (310A, 310B) at a fixed speed ratio to a first gear (132) on a second shaft (320), and a continuously variable transmission (100) outputting the rotation of the first shaft (310A, 310B) at an arbitrary speed ratio to a second gear (142) fixed to the second shaft (320) are provided. Further, a planetary gear set (120) comprising a sun gear (120S), planet carrier (120C) and a ring gear (120R) is disposed between the first gear (132) and second gear (142), and a final output gear (3) is disposed between the planetary gear set (120) and second gear (142). The sun gear (120S) is joined to the second gear (142), the planet carrier (120C) is joined to the first gear (132) and the ring gear (120R) is joined to the final output gear (3). With this arrangement, the infinite speed ratio transmission can be made compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Nakano, Hiroyuki Hirano, Hirofumi Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20030078133
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission having first and second discs supported around a rotating shaft and receiving power rollers therebetween includes a ball spline having a first spline groove formed in an outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft, a second spline groove formed in an inner circumferential surface of the first disc, and balls provided between the first spline groove and the second spline groove rollably. An axial position of an end portion of an effective groove portion of the first spline groove is located to correspond to an axial position of an inner end portion of the second spline groove or more closely to the second disc than the axial position thereof when a pressing unit, a preload spring and the first disc are installed around the rotating shaft, pressure oil is not fed to the pressing unit, and the preload spring is not elastically deformed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Norihisa Kobayashi, Shinji Miyata, Takashi Imanishi, Hideki Hashitani
  • Patent number: 6547690
    Abstract: An infinitely variable toroidal drive comprising a housing (1), an input shaft (3), a torque converter (34), two input discs (5, 15) with toroidal inner surfaces, two output discs (6, 16) with toroidal inner surfaces wherein one input disc and one output disc each form a pair and the two output discs are arranged next to each other with mirror symmetry, several friction wheels for transmitting a torque from one input disc to the corresponding output disc, an output shaft (10) and a gear wheel system (8, 9) being coupled via engaging gears (57) with an output disc (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Walter Kuhn, Jürgen Wafzig
  • Publication number: 20030054918
    Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission including input and output disks rotatable about a common first axis, and power rollers interposed therebetween and supported on trunnions to rotate about a second axis. The trunnions are displaceable along a third axis extending perpendicular to the second axis and pivotally moveable about the third axis. A link connects the trunnions. A link support supports the link to allow the displacement and pivotal movement of the trunnions. A pin extending parallel to the first axis and a pin guide having an open end cooperate to support the link so as to swing about the pin and offset along the third axis. The pin is disposed on one of the link and the link support, and the pin guide is disposed on the other. Upon mounting the link to the link support, the pin is radially inserted into the pin guide through the open end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Sugihara
  • Patent number: 6527666
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission includes trunnions (4) formed with shoulder portions (40) which oppose an upper link (5) and a lower link (6), and projections (50) on the links (5, 6) which can slide on the shoulder portions (40) when the links (5, 6) perform swinging movement. Along with forming the trunnions (4) in single units by forging, step portions (4B) are arranged between the shoulder portions (40) and sloping portions (45) of the offset portions (4A). Planar portions (40A) are formed in the shoulder portions (40) which can slide on the projections (50) by cutting or grinding so that their radiuses R from the rotation axes (4C) up to the end portions of the step portions (4B) are set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhito Mori, Toshifumi Hibi, Masatoshi Fukuyama