Patent · US Expired

Continuously variable planetary gear set

US7198582B2 · kind B2 · utility

167Cited by
89References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 3, 2005
Grant dateApr 3, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 12, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/1956
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.