Idler Is Ring Patents (Class 476/52)
  • Patent number: 11772743
    Abstract: A system and method for a bicycle transmission. Specifically, a bicycle transmission having a housing with a first shaft passing therethrough; a set of two conical gear assemblies in opposing parallel alignment disposed within the housing, each having a plurality of different sized gears arranged in a progressive order. A first conical gear assembly is engaged about the first shaft. A second conical gear assembly engaged about a second shaft parallel to the first shaft, the second shaft structured and arranged to have at least a proximate position and a distal position relative to the first shaft. A drive belt is disposed generally normally about one of the two conical gear assemblies and passing therebetween, the drive belt engaging a gear from the first conical gear assembly with a gear from the second conical gear assembly when the second conical gear assembly is in the proximal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Joseph Francis Keenan
  • Patent number: 9316293
    Abstract: A friction ring-type transmission includes two roller bodies which are arranged at a distance from each other about a gap, which correspond to each other via the friction ring and which rotate (5) on axial roller body axes. The friction ring is arranged in an adjusting bridge in such a manner that it can be axially displaced about an adjusting path along the gap and the adjusting bridge is mounted by an individual, axial guiding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ulrich Rohs
    Inventors: Ulrich Rohs, Christoph Dräger, Werner Brandwitte
  • Patent number: 8733209
    Abstract: In order to further develop drive arrangements with a continuously variable sub-gear mechanism, the invention proposes a drive arrangement with a continuously variable sub-gear mechanism having two circulating transmission elements, which are actively connected to one another via a circulating connecting element, having a hybrid drive comprising a first drive and at least one additional drive, and further having at least one output, wherein at least one of the two drives is interactively connected to the output, either directly or indirectly via the continuously variable sub-gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ulrich Rohs
    Inventors: Heinz-Dieter Schneider, Dieter Voigt
  • Publication number: 20140087915
    Abstract: A friction ring-type transmission includes two roller bodies which are arranged at a distance from each other about a gap, which correspond to each other via the friction ring and which rotate (5) on axial roller body axes. The friction ring is arranged in an adjusting bridge in such a manner that it can be axially displaced about an adjusting path along the gap and the adjusting bridge is mounted by an individual, axial guiding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Ulrich ROHS
  • Patent number: 8303462
    Abstract: A friction-ring transmission has a friction ring, a first friction cone including a first friction-ring running surface, a second friction cone including a second friction-ring running surface, and at least one axial friction-ring securing element for preventing critical travel of the friction ring beyond the friction-ring running surface. The friction ring is disposed to be displaceable axially on the friction-ring running surfaces and in a gap between the friction cones, whereby the at least one axial friction-ring securing element is disposed on at least one of the friction cones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Ulrich Rohs
  • Patent number: 8187142
    Abstract: In order to absorb loadings on friction faces in bevel friction ring gear mechanisms in an improved manner, the invention proposes a bevel friction ring gear mechanism having at least two friction cones which are arranged spaced apart from one another and a friction ring which is arranged displaceably in the spacing and transmits a torque from one of the two friction cones to the other of the two friction cones, wherein at least one friction face varies axially and the axial variation of the friction face has a radius above 0.1 mm in at least two convex regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventors: Ulrich Rohs, Werner Brandwitte, Christoph Draeger
  • Publication number: 20110070996
    Abstract: A conical friction wheel type continuously variable transmission device, wherein speed is steplessly changed by moving a ring in the axial direction. The ring is configured to include a first-side contact surface provided with a linear portion in a cross-section perpendicular to a rotating direction of the ring, and a second-side contact surface provided with a curved portion that is continuous in the cross-section perpendicular to the rotating direction of the ring. A point on the curved portion is positioned offset with respect to a center of the curved portion in a width direction toward a larger diameter portion side of the friction wheel on which the second-side contact surface contacts, and a distance from the point to an edge portion on the small diameter portion side of the curved portion is set longer than a distance from the point to an edge portion on the large diameter portion side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsugi YAMASHITA, Shoji Takahashi, Misaki Kamiya, Masayuki Uchida
  • Patent number: 7780569
    Abstract: A traction drive type continuously variable transmission, comprising a first input/output shaft (6) rotatably supported on a casing (10), a second input/output shaft (7) rotatably supported on the casing (10), a V-pulley (4) supported on the first input/output shaft (6) and having a pair of pulley members forming a V-groove with variable grove width, a ring (3) engaged with the V-pulley (4) and supported at the outer periphery thereof, and a mechanism for moving the ring (3) to the periphery of the second input/output shaft (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Tsugito Nakazeki
  • Patent number: 7654930
    Abstract: Two continuously variable transmission parts are connected to a common driven train through a pick-off gear so as to provide an entire continuously variable transmission operating with high efficiency even at high torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventors: Ulrich Rohs, Christoph Dräger, Werner Brandwitte
  • Publication number: 20100016117
    Abstract: For further development of friction-ring transmissions, a friction-ring transmission has a friction ring, a first friction cone including a first friction-ring running surface, a second friction cone including a second friction-ring running surface, and at least one axial friction-ring securing element for preventing critical travel of the friction ring beyond the friction-ring running surface. The friction ring is disposed to be displaceable axially on the friction-ring running surfaces and in a gap between the friction cones, whereby the at least one axial friction-ring securing element is disposed on at least one of the friction cones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Ulrich Rohs
  • Publication number: 20090312137
    Abstract: In a transmission having two revolving transmission elements, each of which has at least one running surface for a revolving coupling element, at least one running surface having at least two running paths for the coupling element having different running radii and the two transmission elements being braced, while incorporating the coupling element, via a bracing device which presses the two transmission elements against the coupling element with a variable pressure, the bracing device comprises a pressure device connected in series with a spring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Ulrich Rohs, Christoph Draeger, Werner Brandwitte
  • Publication number: 20090305841
    Abstract: In order to absorb loadings on friction faces in bevel friction ring gear mechanisms in an improved manner, the invention proposes a bevel friction ring gear mechanism having at least two friction cones which are arranged spaced apart from one another and a friction ring which is arranged displaceably in the spacing and transmits a torque from one of the two friction cones to the other of the two friction cones, wherein at least one friction face varies axially and the axial variation of the friction face has a radius above 0.1 mm in at least two convex regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Ulrich Rohs, Werner Brandwitte, Christoph Draeger
  • Publication number: 20090247352
    Abstract: A partition plate is provided in a case to separate a first space where a CVT is disposed and a second space where a forward/backward travel switching mechanism and a differential gear are disposed. Bearings respectively supporting an input cone and an output cone and formed as pure rolling cylindrical roller bearings are disposed in the first space. A bearing supporting one end of an input shaft and formed as a conical roller bearing capable of receiving thrust force, a bearing supporting an output shaft and formed as a conical roller bearing capable of receiving thrust force, and a bearing supporting one end of the output cone are disposed in the second space. The first space and the second space are sealed by oil seals. The first space is filled with traction oil and the second space is filled with lubricating oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Misaki Kamiya, Shoji Takahashi, Mitsugi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7584040
    Abstract: The following steps are performed in the control method: determining a mode of operation from amongst a permanent mode and a transient mode, as a function of a set of variables comprising said estimated values; correcting the value of the speed of rotation of the outlet shaft in such a manner that: if the mode has been determined as being the permanent mode, then the moving average (L?) of the gear ratio (L) over a period (T) of a plurality of unit time intervals lies between a first threshold value (S1) that is negative and a second threshold value (S2) that is positive; and if the mode has been determined as being the transient mode, then said moving average (L?) of the gear ratio (L) lies outside the range of values defined by the first and second threshold value (S1, S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Stéphane Rimaux
  • Patent number: 7574935
    Abstract: In a transmission having two revolving transmission elements, each of which has at least one running surface for a revolving coupling element, at least one running surface having at least two running paths for the coupling element having different running radii and the two transmission elements being braced, while incorporating the coupling element, via a bracing device which presses the two transmission elements against the coupling element with a variable pressure, the bracing device comprises a pressure device connected in series with a spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventors: Ulrich Rohs, Christoph Dräger, Werner Brandwitte
  • Patent number: 7553254
    Abstract: A pressing apparatus including two pressing apparatus parts for two gear members running together is proposed, with the second pressing apparatus part partially accommodating the force applied by the first pressing apparatus part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventors: Ulrich Rohs, Christoph Dräger, Werner Brandwitte
  • Publication number: 20090156354
    Abstract: In a revolving transmission having at least two revolving transmission elements which may transmit a torque frictionally, at least one gap, which is preferably only filled with a liquid, is provided between the transmission elements at least during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Ulrich Rohs
    Inventors: Ulrich Rohs, Christoph Drager, Werner Brandwitte
  • Patent number: 6908406
    Abstract: A system for transmitting power from a driving, or input, shaft to a driven, or output, shaft by way of an elastomeric belt nipped between opposing surfaces associated with the driving and driven shafts utilizes opposing surfaces which define a plurality of indentations disposed thereacross. Each indentation of the surfaces includes a cavity for accepting a portion of the elastomeric belt as the belt passes between the opposing surfaces and as edge which borders the cavity at the corresponding surface. As power is transmitted from the driving shaft to the driven shaft, significant shear and normal forces are applied between the edges of the indentations and the portions of the belt accepted by the indentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Albert Overbay, Thomas Christopher Widner
  • Publication number: 20040176209
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical continuously variable transmission in which the power roller is in “line contact” with the counter roller instead of conventional “pinpoint contact”. By utilizing line contact of the power roller and the counter roller, the pressure force between the metal components of a mechanical continuously variable transmission can be reduced. In addition, the line contact also reduces extra energy for maintaining the operation thereof. The configuration of the roll surface of the power roller, which is rotated by a rotation axle connected to an input axle, is formed into a partial configuration of a sphere. A plurality of counter rollers, which are in line contact with the power roller having said roll surface, are arranged in a circle by a disk. Each counter roller is formed with a concave roll surface corresponding to the partial configuration of the sphere on the surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Tadahiro Shimazu
  • Patent number: 6471618
    Abstract: A torque biasing device, based on three friction cones and 2 friction rings, can provide differential outputs from a single mechanical input, by varying the interface of the rings to the cones and a speed matching device based on two cones, a friction ring and a clutch can provide smooth clutching operation for a driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Jerome Pavlov, Richard Michael Krzesicki
  • Publication number: 20020142883
    Abstract: A torque biasing device, based on three friction cones and 2 friction rings, can provide differential outputs from a single mechanical input, by varying the interface of the rings to the cones and a speed matching device based on two cones, a friction ring and a clutch can provide smooth clutching operation for a driven shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Kevin Jerome Pavlov, Richard Michael Krzesicki
  • Patent number: 6139465
    Abstract: Transmission with a ring or belt nipped between two rotating elements of which at least one is cone-shaped. The rotating elements have two parallel lines at their closest point. The ring encompasses one of the rotating elements and directly transfers the power from the drive to the driven element by means of friction. The ring remains in a plane orthogonal to the parallel lines on the rotating elements and that plane can shift to a new point along the parallel lines by a controlling mechanism which travels in back and forth on a line parallel to those parallel lines. Thus the ratio of the cross section of the two rotating elements changes and the device constitutes an infinite speed transmission. If one of the rotating elements is cylindrical instead of cone-shaped, there is the possibility of achieving better traction on the side of the ring which touches the cylinder through a wider contact surface or else through a geared tooth contact instead of a friction contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Sander Holliday
  • Patent number: 6117044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical transmission, which transmission includes guide members for realizing a rotational translating movement of a wheel which is connected to an output shaft and which makes contact with an endless belt of mutually abutting push links, which guide members are assembled from at least two linear guide tracks received mutually perpendicularly in the same plate and guide elements co-acting with the linear guide tracks, wherein guide elements are connected to the wheel for rotational translation and guide elements are rigidly connected to the frame whereby the plate is movable in linear manner relative to the frame and the wheel is displaceable in linear manner relative to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Heerke Hoogenberg
  • Patent number: 6093131
    Abstract: A friction cone gearing assembly for transmitting power from a driving unit to a driven unit includes a housing, a friction cone gearing comprised of first and second bevel wheels rotatable about parallel rotational axes and having same taper angles, and a friction ring operatively engaged with the bevel wheels and encircling one of the bevel wheels, with the friction ring being guided along a generatrix of both bevel wheels, whereby the friction cone gearing is so positioned in a compartment of the housing as to be separated from the driving unit and driven unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Ulrich Rohs
  • Patent number: 5924953
    Abstract: A friction cone gearing includes a housing, first and second bevel wheels received in the housing and rotatable about parallel rotational axes, with the bevel wheels having a same taper angle, a friction ring operatively engaged with the bevel wheels and encircling one of the bevel wheels, whereby the friction ring is guided along a generatrix of both bevel gears, and a cage for retaining the friction ring, with the cage being guided along the generatrix of both bevel gears and swingably mounted to the housing for pivoting about a pivot axis by means of a suitable drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Ulrich Rohs
  • Patent number: 5538484
    Abstract: A biaxial idler comprising a flexible and resilient toroid and a frame. The frame has the capability of allowing the toroid to rotate independently both about the toroid's annular axis and about a straight axis substantially orthogonal to that annular axis. The toroid's outer perimeter can thus roll in a direction parallel to the toroid's straight axis. This biaxial idler is useful in continuously variable transmissions, because it provides a simple and rugged method of transmitting torque continuously across a wide range of varying transmission ratios while suffering minimal frictive losses and wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Tom W. Bell