Continuously variable toroidal transmission
US10221926B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 2013 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 4, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2200/00
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a toroidal variator a plurality of rolling elements (20, 22) are in driving engagement with an input and output race (10, 14) at respective contact regions. Each rolling element (20, 22) is mounted on a carriage assembly (26) for rotation about a rolling axis, and is being free to pivot about a tilt axis, the tilt axis passing through the rolling element (20, 22) perpendicular to the rolling axis, and intersecting the rolling axis at a roller center, whereby a change in the tilt axis causes a change in the variator ratio being the ratio of rotational speeds of the races. The tilt axis is arranged at an angle known as castor angle (see FIG. 4) to a plane (P) perpendicular to the variator axis (V). Each carriage assembly (26) can cause a movement of the rolling element (20, 22) with a component of rotation about a pitch axis (A, B). The pitch axis is defined as passing through the roller center and through the contact regions. Pitching the roller elements (20, 22) causes them to tilt, thereby changing the transmission ratio.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.