Patent · US Active

Continuously variable transmission

US7976426B2 · kind B2 · utility

108Cited by
229References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 20, 2007
Grant dateJul 12, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 2, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/4984
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a number of tiltable ball-leg assemblies configured angularly about a longitudinal axis. Each ball-leg assembly is in contact with, and guided through a tilting motion by an axially translating shift cam having a convex shape. The convex shape of the shift cam can have a profile defined by a set of parametric equations. In one embodiment, the profile of the shift cam vary according to the location of the contact point between an idler and the ball-leg assembly as well as the amount of relative axial motion between the ball-leg assembly and the idler. In some embodiments, the profile of the shift cam can be configured to control the axial translation of the idler relative to the change in tilt angle of the ball-leg assembly. In other embodiments, a roll-slide factor can be used to characterize the axial translation of the idler relative to the tilt angle of the ball-leg assembly.

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