Continuously variable transmission

US6210298A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG · DE

Inventors

• Erwin Baur · Friedrichshafen, DE
• Franz Muller · Blankenloch, DE
• Helmut Konrad · Aulendorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 8, 1999
• Grant date: Apr 3, 2001
• Expiry date: Dec 8, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16H2037/088
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a continuously variable transmission with two driving modes designed as split power transmission comprising a power branch in the form of a variator with a continuously adjustable rotational speed and a mechanical power branch. The mechanical power branch and the variator are coupled in the first driving mode with a compound gear. The mechanical power branch is opened in the second driving mode and the total power is directly transmitted by the variator. Both driving modes can be switched by clutches K1 and K2 and can be optionally connected to the transmission input shaft (1) by means of a clutch Kv for forward drive and via a clutch Kr for reverse drive. The clutches Kv and Kr are designed as a twin clutch which acts as a start clutch and as a reverse unit.