Gear transmission with automatic continuously variable mechanical advantage
US6053840A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H3/74
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved gear transmission is disclosed having a constantly variable mechanical advantage. This is accomplished by providing two transmission paths for power transmission between the input and the output of the transmission. The transmission comprises a gear casing, an input shaft rotatably mounted in one end of the gear casing, and an output shaft rotatably mounted in the other end of the gear casing (coaxial to the input shaft). At least one offset shaft is rotatably mounted in the gear casing parallel to the input and output shafts and spaced therefrom. A first sun gear is mounted on the input shaft, and a second sun gear is mounted on the output shaft. A pair of planetary gears is mounted on the offset shaft, and one engages the first sun gear while the other engages the second sun gear. The above-described sun gears and planetary gears maintain a positive engagement at all times between the input shaft and the output shaft and transmit power from the input shaft along two different paths including through rotation of the gear case and directly to the rotating output shaft. The output shaft torque determines the speed and torque of either, differential route. Alternative emb…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.