Abstract: A direct shift continuously variable transmission for a vehicle engine includes a variator having a toroidal cavity; a plurality of traction roller rotatably and radially located within the toroidal cavity; an input shaft rotatably disposed within the variator, the input shaft being adapted to receive a torque from the vehicle engine; an input disk coaxially connected to the input shaft and frictionally contacting the traction roller to provide a rotational force to the traction roller; an output disk opposed to the input disk and frictionally contacting the traction roller, the output disk being annularly rotatable by receiving the rotational force from the traction roller; and an output shaft coaxially connected to the output disk and receiving the rotational force from the output disk.

Abstract: A variator comprises first and second races disposed for rotation about a variator axis and at least one rolling element disposed in a cavity between the races. In a drive configuration, drive is transmitted between the races and the at least one rolling element; and in a neutral configuration, the at least one rolling element and races are configured whereby the races can move independently of one another. In a method of operating the variator, the neutral configuration is obtained by moving the at least one rolling element to a position in which it ceases to make contact with at least one of the races. The drive configuration is obtained by moving the at least one rolling element to a position in which it makes contact with both of the races.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes each planetary ball sandwiched between first and second rotation members on a shaft and a sun roller; a first carrier configured to be rotatable relatively with the shaft as a center and formed with a first guide portion that guides one projection of each support shaft of each planetary ball in a radial direction; a second carrier formed with a second guide portion that guides the other projection of each support shaft in the radial direction; and an iris plate configured to include a throttle portion that holds one projection of the support shaft at an intersection point with the first guide portion formed when seen in an axis line direction, the intersection point being moved in the radial direction with the rotation.

Abstract: An automated manual transmission for a vehicle may include a shifting section between an input shaft and an output shaft, and a continuously variable power transfer unit disposed between the output shaft and the power providing device, wherein the continuously variable power transfer unit includes, a driving circular plate engaged to the power providing device, a driven circular plate engaged to the output shaft of the shifting section and arranged in parallel to the driving circular plate, the driven circular plate being rotatable around a first rotation shaft spaced in parallel from a second rotation shaft of the driving circular plate, a driving member disposed between the driven circular plate and the driving circular plate and a driving member adjustment device selectively moving the driving member.

Abstract: A drive train provided with a CVT that can be used in both CVT and Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) configurations and that include a High-Low gear selection assembly is described herein. Transitions between configurations are seamless to the operator.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed.

Abstract: In a transmission having an input disk, which is installed on an input shaft and whose outer peripheral edge is arranged in close proximity to an output shaft arranged parallel to the input shaft, and an output disk, which is installed on the output shaft and whose outer peripheral edge is arranged in close proximity to the input shaft, a pair of pressure rollers is provided to be movable along a two-axes connecting line of the axes of the input and output shafts, within a disk overlapping area that the input and output disks overlap with each other. The pressure roller pair is configured to sandwich the input and output disks while applying contact pressure from the outside disk faces at a position corresponding to a required transmission ratio, for creating a torque-transmission contacting portion by elastic deformation of the disks.

Abstract: In a transmission having an input disk installed on an input shaft and an output disk installed on an output shaft, a pair of pressure rollers is provided to be movable along a two-axes connecting line of the axes of the input and output shafts, within a disk overlapping area that the input and output disks overlap with each other. The pressure roller pair is configured to sandwich the input and output disks while applying contact pressure from the outside disk faces at a position corresponding to a required transmission ratio, for creating a torque-transmission contacting portion by elastic deformation of the disks. A biasing device is provided for producing a biasing force from which the contact pressure arises. A biasing-force adjustment device is also provided for adjusting the biasing force to produce an appropriate magnitude of contact pressure suited to a shifting condition.

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).

Abstract: A frictional variable transmission for a vehicle comprising a rotating unit rotated by an engine of the vehicle; a power-varying unit that varies, in a state of contacting the rotating unit, a rotational force transmitted from the rotating unit 21 by moving in a predetermined direction; a hydraulic clutch mounted off-center from the rotating unit, and varying between states of frictional contact with or separation from the power-varying unit by hydraulic pressure generated according to a depressed state of a clutch pedal, thereby controlling the transmission of rotational force of the power-varying unit; and a power transmitter linked to the movement of the hydraulic clutch, and transmitting a rotational force corresponding to an input state of rotational force transmitted through the rotating unit and the power-varying unit.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission in which a ratio transfer bearing whose axis is at right angles to a friction disc against which it interacts by friction is moved across the face of the friction disc to continuously vary the transfer ratio between the two. The ratio transfer bearing is varied by means of a jackscrew operated by a train of bevel gears.One friction disc and ratio transfer bearing on the input side and a second friction disc and ratio bearing on the output side are connected through an idler bearing against which the two ratio transfer bearings operate. The jackscrews which move the two ratio transfer bearings are operated through the bevel gear linkages in an inverse fashion so that a higher ratio on one friction disc results in a lower ratio on the other friction disc and inversely. By varying the two transfer ratios inversely, a wider range of output ratios is obtainable.

Abstract: A machining apparatus is disclosed which includes a rotatable tool turret having a plurality of modular machine tools removably supported thereon in circumferentially spaced apart relationship, a transmission assembly for effectuating the indexed rotation of the tool turret, and a multi-disc variable-speed drive system for independently driving each of the modular machine tools supported on the tool turret.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission used for translating between rotary motions or between rotary and linear motions, for use in automotive, industrial and robotics applications, operating with the following principles: an upper section (1) is allowed to freely move in all directions parallel to the surface below, but is not allowed to rotate. A disc (2) in a lower section is constrained such that its centre is always directly below the centre of the upper section (1). The disc (2) in a lower section is constrained such that its centre is always directly below the centre of the upper section (1). The disc (2) is rotated in the direction (12) shown relative to the upper section (1), and the freely rotating wheels (6) are steered by rods (7) that slide through wheel supports (5). The rods (7) meet at a coincidence point controlled by rod (8) which is set at a particular point relative to the upper section (1).

Abstract: A rotary to stepless motion converter that functions as a vehicle linear transmission (1). The converter consists of an upper rotating disc (11A) and lower rotating disc (11B) that are horizontally displaced and enclosed by an upper disc cover (15A) and a lower disc cover (15B). Between the two discs is located a counter-rotating shaft (14) that has attached a front transferrer wheel (13A) and a back transferee wheel (13B). The shaft front is attached to a vehicle engine (7) and the back to a drive shaft (2). When the front wheel (13A) is rotated, and the discs (11a), (11B) are centered, the two wheels remain stationary. When the lower disc (11A) moves in a +Y direction and the upper disc (11B) in a -Y direction, the two wheels move in a +X direction. Conversely, when the discs move in opposite directions, the two wheels move in a -X direction. The converter allows speed changes that are not detectable because the changes are continuous without momentary reductions in speed.

Abstract: A power transmission device comprises a central shaft supporting an axially fixed and rotationally free sleeve with an axially displaceable drive wheel and a fixed pulley for receiving input power mounted thereon, an output sleeve being rotationally free but axially fixed with respect to the central shaft on which output sleeve is fixed and with an output sprocket and a rotationally fixed but axially displaceable take off wheel mounted thereon, and two transfer disks with flat round surfaces for engaging the outer surfaces of the drive wheel and power take off wheel to transfer power from the drive wheel to the take off wheel in accordance with the ratio of the relative distances of the drive wheel and take off wheel to the center of the transfer disks, direction of rotation of the take off wheel reversing as the axial displacement of the take off wheel causes it to pass the center of the transfer disks. The transfer disks are releasibly engageable with power take off wheel and drive wheel.