Abstract: A high ratio traction drive transmission includes a sun roller, a traction ring, a plurality of traction planets in contact with the sun roller and the traction ring, at least one reaction roller in contact with at least one of the traction planets, and a carrier assembly coupled to at least one of the traction planets and the at least one reaction roller. The sun roller has a first longitudinal axis and the traction ring is aligned coaxially with a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis is radially offset from the second longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A high speed ratio drive system is formed of planet rollers, each having varying diameter, an outer fixed ring in contact with one diameter of the planet rollers, and an outer drive ring in contact with another diameter of the planet rollers. An inner drive element is provided by a sun drive roller in contact with the planet rollers or by a planet carrier. Preferably the system has an axial reflective symmetry minimizing twisting forces on the planet rollers.

Abstract: A contact and separating device includes a roller member disposed to be capable of being contacted to an abutted member, a bearing member supporting the roller member and configured to be movable together with the roller member in a contact and separation direction with respect to the abutted member, and a biasing member biasing the roller member toward the abutted member through the bearing member. The contact and separating device further includes a separation member holding the roller member and the abutted member in a separation state where the roller member is separated from the abutted member against a biasing force of the biasing member by engaging with the bearing member in the separation state, and a release member releasing engagement between the bearing member and the separation member by moving the separation member.

Abstract: A fluid pump includes a drive shaft driven by power from an engine, a rotor adapted to be provided at a housing and rotating unitarily with the drive shaft, a driving wheel which is provided separately from the drive shaft and to which the power from the engine is always transmitted when the engine is running, a driven wheel transmitting the power from the engine to the drive shaft upon being in contact with the driving wheel, and a displacement mechanism causing the driving wheel and the driven wheel to be out of contact from each other by moving at least one of the driving wheel and the driven wheel.

Abstract: An unlocking controller is provided for an irreversible rotary transmission system having the irreversible rotary transmission system having an irreversible rotation transmission element arranged between an input shaft and an output shaft. The unlocking controller includes an input shaft rotation direction determination section and an unlocking torque setting section. The input shaft rotation direction determination section determines whether an input shaft rotational direction is the same as, or opposite to, a direction of the load torque of the output shaft. The unlocking torque setting section conducts an unlocking torque control that sets the unlocking torque a higher value when the input shaft rotational direction and the direction of the load torque of the output shaft are the same as while the lock is released, than when the input shaft rotational direction is opposite to the direction of the direction of the load torque of the output shaft.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a friction wheel drive with a driving roller capable of being driven in a rotary manner, which is mounted on a bearing unit so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The bearing unit is displaceably guided transversely to the axis of rotation, and a circumferential surface of the driving roller can be brought into driving engagement with a friction surface. The bearing unit is coupled to a first mechanical forced guidance system, by which the driving roller, responding to a driving force acting in a first direction, can be automatically pressed against the friction surface with a contact pressing force that increases as the driving force increases. The bearing unit is also coupled to a second mechanical forced guidance system, by which the driving roller, responding to a driving force acting in an opposite second direction, can be automatically pressed against the friction surface with a contact pressing force that increases as the driving force increases.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to further develop a bevel friction ring gearing. The invention thus relates to a bevel friction ring gearing in which the friction ring can be displaced by means of an adjusting device that comprises a guide on which an adjusting bridge for the friction ring is arranged in a free axially displaceable manner. The adjusting device comprises a worm-gear drive that engages with the guide.

Abstract: Riding lawn mowers may utilize friction drives configured with a variable normal force between frictional components. In a riding lawn mower, an internal combustion engine may be coupled to a differential via a friction drive, wherein the friction drive is configured with a variable normal force in order to provide improved power transfer and/or shifting performance.

Abstract: A drive force distributing device includes first and second rollers rotatable jointly with main a drive wheel system and a subordinate drive wheel system, respectively. Control of the drive force distribution between the main drive wheels and the subordinate drive wheels is performed by adjusting an inter-roller pressing force. A structural body suppresses turning of one of the first and second rollers at a predetermined position. A reference position setting mechanism turns either one of the first and second rollers to turn in one direction, detects a position at which the turn is suppressed by the structural body, and sets a reference position based on the detected position. A turning amount of one of the first and second rollers is detected with respect to the reference position set by the reference position setting mechanism and the control of drive force distributing is performed based on the detected turning amount.

Abstract: A vehicle drive force distributing apparatus includes an irreversible transmission mechanism, an operating state determining component and a command value resolution switching component. The irreversible transmission mechanism prevents a radially oriented pressing force, generated between first and second rollers based on an inter-roller radial pressing force command value, from decreasing during a period while command value is constant to maintain the radially oriented pressing force at a prescribed value without operating an inter-roller radial pressing force generating source. The operating state determining component determines whether first or second vehicle operating states exists during which a first or a lower second precision level of drive force distribution control, respectively, is to occur between main and subordinate drive wheels.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission, in which the driver and driven members can exchange their roles—with the driver becoming the driven, and vice versa. The initially chosen driver carries within it a number of movable parts, which the driving forces bring into contact with the driven member, in a manner designed to produce a momentary lock between the driver and driven members, at the point of the torque transfer between them. In one embodiment the driven member—which can be a flat disc—is clamped between two oppositely placed drivers. Infinite variability is achieved by controllably relocating the fixed diameter drivers to smaller or larger diameter points on the so clamped disc. The output can be harvested from the rotation of said driven disc directly. Or one or more driver members like these which are used to rotate said disc, can be brought into contact with different locations on said disc, and become driven by it.

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 invention is directed to a friction wheel drive with a driving roller capable of being driven in a rotary manner, which is mounted on a bearing unit so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The bearing unit is displaceably guided transversely to the axis of rotation, and a circumferential surface of the driving roller can be brought into driving engagement with a friction surface. The bearing unit is coupled to a first mechanical forced guidance system, by which the driving roller, responding to a driving force acting in a first direction, can be automatically pressed against the friction surface with a contact pressing force that increases as the driving force increases. The bearing unit is also coupled to a second mechanical forced guidance system, by which the driving roller, responding to a driving force acting in an opposite second direction, can be automatically pressed against the friction surface with a contact pressing force that increases as the driving force increases.

Abstract: A traction transmission capacity control device used in a drive force distribution device includes a second-roller turning means configured to turn the second roller around an eccentric axis deviated from a rotation axis of the second roller, and thereby to control a mutual radially-pressing force between the first roller and the second roller so that a traction transmission capacity is controlled.

Abstract: A vehicle drive force distributing apparatus includes an irreversible transmission mechanism, an operating state determining component and a command value resolution switching component. The irreversible transmission mechanism prevents a radially oriented pressing force, generated between first and second rollers based on an inter-roller radial pressing force command value, from decreasing during a period while command value is constant to maintain the radially oriented pressing force at a prescribed value without operating an inter-roller radial pressing force generating source. The operating state determining component determines whether first or second vehicle operating states exists during which a first or a lower second precision level of drive force distribution control, respectively, is to occur between main and subordinate drive wheels.

Abstract: A friction drive device has first and second rollers, in which the ratio of the transmission power and the pressing power is nearly constant regardless of the magnitude of the transmission power. The rollers have center axes that are spaced apart by prescribed radial distance, and arranged relative to an x y coordinate system when the rollers are not under load such that the x y coordinate system has an origin corresponding to the center axis of the first roller, and the y-axis passes through the center axis of the second roller. The cam surface is located in a first quadrant of the x y coordinate system, and has a concave arc with a single radius, such that the concave arc has a cam surface center located in a third quadrant of the x y coordinate system near or on an imaginary arc defined by the prescribed radial distance.

Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.

Abstract: A friction drive device transmits torque by frictional contact between rollers. The friction drive device includes a casing, a drive roller that is supported for relative rotation with respect to the casing, a driven roller that is supported for relative rotation with respect to the casing, a cam mechanism that presses the drive roller and the driven roller into contact with each other, and a damper. The cam mechanism includes a surface that is disposed at an angle with respect to a tangent of the contact between the drive roller and the driven roller, and includes a rotational support part that is disposed on the surface and supports one of the drive roller and the driven roller such that displacement along the surface by the rotational support part maintains the frictional contact for transmitting the torque. The damper reducing vibration of the rotational support part.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to further develop a friction ring-type transmission. According to the invention, a friction ring-type transmission comprises 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. According to the invention, 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 means of an individual, axial guiding device.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The continuously variable transmission may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

Abstract: A friction drive including a drive shaft that is in rotational motion and in frictional contact with a follower at a contact area. The drive shaft transfers a thrust at the contact area. The follower receives the thrust and provides motion in response to the thrust. A flexure hinge couples the drive shaft to the follower with a constant force while restraining movement of the contact area in the direction of the thrust.

Abstract: An eccentric planetary traction drive transmission in which a planetary roller is positioned between and in contact with an outer ring member and a sun roller member. Rotation of either the outer ring member or the sun roller member wedges the planetary roller within a convergent gap which squeezes the planetary roller between the outer ring member and the sun roll member. Friction between the planetary roller, the sun roller member, and the outer ring member transmits rotational motion and torque between the outer ring member and the sun roller member. An internal carrier with a plurality of bearings supports the sun roller member within the outer ring member.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

Abstract: An auxiliary equipment of driving force for bicycle is provided wherein a reduction gear of the traction roller type is adopted, and the contact pressure between the outer peripheral surfaces of the traction rollers and the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable shaft and the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring is controlled corresponding to the torque to be transmitted, so that the battery is less exhausted and that the traveling distance of the electrically power augmented bicycle is prolonged.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method control a continuously variable transmission of a motor vehicle which includes a power transmitting member for power transmission by use of friction. A controller of the apparatus detects slippage of the power transmitting member in a predetermined period of running of the vehicle, and increases a clamping pressure that is applied to the power transmitting member when slippage of the power transmitting member is detected. The controller also stores a state of increase of the clamping pressure in a memory, and increases the clamping pressure applied to the power transmitting member in accordance with a previous state of increase of the clamping pressure that was stored in the memory in a previous period of operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is 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: To provide a continuously variable transmission for motor vehicles which transmits power with a speed change from a driving member to a driven member. In the continuously variable transmission, power transmission is effected by moving a carrier which supports a shifting rotating member in frictional contact with the driving member and the driven member. No other special mechanism other than the continuously variable transmission is needed to push to move the motor vehicle with a small force. At least either one of the driving member and the driven member is driven by a power disconnecting means to move away from the other member along the axis of a transmission shaft, thereby releasing at least one of the driving member and the driven member from frictional contact with the first and second friction transfer surfaces.

Abstract: A frictional transmission comprises first and second rotary shafts arranged in directions in which the central axes thereof crossed each other, a roller supported coaxially with the first rotary shaft for rotating with the first rotary shaft, a first frictional surface provided on the roller coaxially with the first rotary shaft, a disc supported coaxially with the second rotary shaft for rotating with the second rotary shaft, and a second frictional surface provided on this disc coaxially with the second rotary shaft. The second frictional surface and the first frictional surface are brought into frictional engagement with each other. A loading cam device is arranged so as to press the second frictional surface toward the first frictional surface at the time of driving. A further disc coaxial with the aforementioned disc is disposed in the environs of the second rotary shaft, and the roller is sandwiched by and between the two discs.

Abstract: A friction-roller speed changer has three intermediate rollers (12a, 12b, 12c). Two rollers (12a, 12b) of which act as a wedge roller and can be moved into the narrower area of an annular space (10) by the transmission of power, wherein during power transmission from the input side in the normal state to the output side. The other intermediate roller (12a or 12b), which does not act as the wedge roller, moves into the wider area of the annular space (10) against the elastic force of the spring (14) whereby transmission efficiency for bidirectional rotation is maintained while preventing backflow of power.

Abstract: A driving hub for a vehicle, particularly a bicycle, comprising a hub axle, a hub sleeve enclosing the hub axle, a driver, a friction gear, a coupling arrangement as well as a control arrangement for infinitely variable adjustment of the transmission ratio of the friction gear, is provided with a ball friction gear comprising a driving ring and a driven ring, a plurality of friction balls frictionally connecting the rings to one another, a friction ball carrier rotationally rigidly connected to the hub axle and a control arrangement for jointly pivoting of the ball spindles, said driving ring and said driven ring being in frictional contact with the friction balls on the respective side of the friction balls which faces away from the axis. A driving hub of this kind is of simple design, can be produced inexpensively and exhibits a high degree of efficiency.