Continuously variable transmission and method of operation thereof
US7160226B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2061/6618
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A continuously variable transmission is disclosed comprising a transmission input, a transmission output, and a continuously variable ratio unit (“variator”) arranged to be coupled between the transmission input (205) and output (240) by means of at least one clutch (230,250) thereby to enable transfer of drive between the input and the output at a continuously variable transmission ratio. The variator is connected to a hydraulic control circuit (50) and so subject to a hydraulic control pressure which is adjustable by the control circuit and is also influenced by changes in variator ratio. The variator is constructed and arranged such as to adjust its ratio to provide a variator reaction torque which corresponds to the control pressure. The transmission further comprising means (311,310) for adjusting the torque capacity of the clutch while it is engaged so that by controlling torque loading applied to the variator, the clutch influences the control pressure and the reaction torque.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.