| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 476036000 | FRICTION GEAR IS BALL | 25 |
| 20080248917 | CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080305919 | Friction Gear Frej - Actuators for adjustments of office and assembling work tables, hospital beds, windows, process valves are some examples on applications where the current gear technology gives noise problems and needs space. Friction gears give silent running but are sensitive for alignment errors of the output shaft. These errors give changes in the gear geometry which cause micro slip and bad efficiency and shorten the gear life time. This friction gear invention is unsensitive for alignment error of the output shaft. The theoretical optimal gear geometry is maintained even when the screw is oscillating during running. FIG. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20100113212 | TRANSMISSION AND MEASURING INSTRUMENT - A transmission | 05-06-2010 |
| 20110136619 | SPEED INCREASING/DECREASING APPARATUS - A first rotary shaft and a second rotary are disposed such that they are rotatable around a rotation axis. The second rotary shaft has a cylindrical supporting part that covers the end section of the first rotary shaft. A case supports the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft. A first rolling bearing is disposed between the first rotary shaft and the case and supports the first rotary shaft such that it is rotatable. A second rolling bearing is disposed between the supporting part and the first rotary shaft and supports the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft such that they are rotatable relative to each other. A transmission part of the second rotary shaft transmits to the second rolling bearing a preload force that pushes the second rotary shaft to the first rotary shaft side. A load-receiving part of the case that receives the preload force transmitted from the second rolling bearing to the first rolling bearing. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20130252782 | Friction Driving Mechanism - Friction driving mechanism for converting a rotating movement of a member into an axial movement of the same and consisting of driving means and to its rotating member connected friction means. The friction means comprises a holder | 09-26-2013 |
| 20140274552 | CVT VARIATOR BALL AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION THEREOF - Hollow variator balls and methods of manufacturing hollow variator balls are disclosed. Certain methods include press forming of a cylindrical body into hollow sphere using counter rotating spherical dies, hot roll forming and skew rolling, and means of rotational support are coupled to the hollow spheres such as axles, half axles, or sleeves. | 09-18-2014 |
| 476037000 | With condition responsive means to vary contact pressure | 2 |
| 20140206499 | ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR CLAMPING FORCE GENERATION - Mechanisms and methods for clamping force generation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a clamping force generator system includes a permanent magnet bearing coupled to a traction ring and to a torque coupling. The traction ring can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing rotor and the torque coupling can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing stator. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam, a permanent magnet bearing, and an electromagnetic bearing cooperate to generate a clamping force between the traction rings, the power rollers, and the idler. In other embodiments, a series of permanent magnet bearings and a mechanical bearing configured to produce a clamping force. In one embodiment an electromagnetic bearing is coupled to a control system and produces a specified clamping force that is associated with a torque transmitted in the transmission during operation. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam produces a clamping force proportional to torque, while a permanent magnet bearing provides a minimum clamping force. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20150024899 | VARIABLE-RADIUS CONTACT GEOMETRY FOR TRACTION DRIVES - A ball-type variator having a variable contact patch geometry wherein the variator efficiency is improved when the effect of spin is reduced under light load. Said ball-type variator having said variable contact patch geometry wherein the maximum stresses are reduced at high loads. | 01-22-2015 |
| 476038000 | Variable ratio | 17 |
| 20090082169 | CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE GEAR TRANSMISSION - A continuously variable gear is described having an input shaft ( | 03-26-2009 |
| 20100173743 | CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive power roller-leg assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20110105274 | INFINITELY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS, CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS, METHODS, ASSEMBLIES, SUBASSEMBLIES, AND COMPONENTS THEREFOR - Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously and infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a variator is adapted to receive a control system that cooperates with a shift nut to actuate a ratio change in an NT. In another embodiment, a neutral lock-out mechanism is adapted to cooperate with the variator to, among other things, disengage an output shaft from a variator. Various inventive mechanical couplings, such as an output engagement mechanism, are provided to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT for maintaining a powered zero operating condition. In one embodiment, the output engagement mechanism selectively couples an output member of the variator to a ratio adjuster of the variator. Embodiments of a ratio adjuster cooperate with other components of the IVT to support operation and/or functionality of the IVT. Among other things, user control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20120322609 | POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE - A power transmission device includes first and second rings arranged opposite each other, having a common rotation center axis, and rotatable relative to each other; a plurality of planetary balls having rotation center axes parallel to the rotation center axis, and radially arranged between the first and second rings and around the rotation center axis; a transmission control unit configured to change a rotation ratio between the first and second rings by changing the respective contact points of the first and second rings and each of the planetary balls through tilting motion of each of the planetary balls; and a rotation restricting unit disposed between the planetary balls adjacent to each other. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130079191 | ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR CLAMPING FORCE GENERATION - Mechanisms and methods for clamping force generation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a clamping force generator system includes a permanent magnet bearing coupled to a traction ring and to a torque coupling. The traction ring can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing rotor and the torque coupling can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing stator. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam, a permanent magnet bearing, and an electromagnetic bearing cooperate to generate a clamping force between the traction rings, the power rollers, and the idler. In other embodiments, a series of permanent magnet bearings and a mechanical bearing configured to produce a clamping force. In one embodiment an electromagnetic bearing is coupled to a control system and produces a specified clamping force that is associated with a torque transmitted in the transmission during operation. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam produces a clamping force proportional to torque, while a permanent magnet bearing provides a minimum clamping force. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130095977 | CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130281256 | CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130337971 | CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE GEAR TRANSMISSION - A continuously variable gear is described having an input shaft, a plurality of traction balls distributed radially around the axis, each traction ball is mounted on an axle passing there through, the axles are tiltable in the radial grooves in the housing and support plate. To control the position of the traction balls, the axles are guided in curved slots of a turnable iris plate. To control the axial placement of the traction balls, there is a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the traction balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the traction balls opposite the input disc, and a pre-spanning ring around the traction balls such that each of the traction balls is making three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the pre-spanning ring, the contact surface of the pre-spanning ring having a specific curvature larger than the radius of the traction balls. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20140011629 | CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - Provided with first and second rotational members, a sun roller, a plurality of planetary balls sandwiched between the first and second rotational members, a support shaft of each of the planetary balls, a shaft, a carrier, an iris plate and a worm gear for tilting each of the planetary balls, and an input shaft and an output shaft individually fixed to the first and second rotational members, respectively, in which a movable amount of the sun roller relative to the carrier in an axis line direction is set to be smaller than the movable amount of the second rotational member relative to the carrier in the axis line direction when the input shaft is arranged so as to be relatively rotatable on an outer peripheral surface of the output shaft. | 01-09-2014 |
| 20140094339 | CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - A continuously variable transmission includes a plurality of planetary balls interposed between a first and second rotating elements on a shaft, an iris plate and a worm gear that tilt the planetary balls, a sun roller that includes a first sun roller that includes a first tubular section having first contact points with the planetary balls and a second tubular section having a smaller outer diameter than the first tubular section and is capable of relative rotation with respect to the shaft and a second sun roller that includes second contact points with the planetary balls and is capable of relative rotation with respect to the first sun roller on an outer peripheral surface of the second tubular section, and thrust bearings that are arranged between the first sun roller and the second sun roller and bear thrust loads transmitted from the planetary balls to the first sun roller and the second sun roller. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140148303 | CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive power roller-leg assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140235401 | CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - A continuously variable transmission includes plural planetary balls, a carrier, a sun roller, an input shaft, an output shaft, and thrust bearings sandwiched between respective holding surfaces of the input shaft and the output shaft, wherein the holding surface at a time of rest is formed such that a space between the holding surface and a race on one side of the thrust bearing becomes wider on an outside in a radial direction than on an inside in the radial direction, and the holding surface at the time of rest is formed such that a space between the holding surface and a race on the other side of the thrust bearing becomes wider on the outside in the radial direction than on the inside in the radial direction. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140243146 | INFINITELY VARIABLE TRACTION DRIVE EMPLOYING ALTERNATE STEERABLE ROLLERS - The invention relates to a method for achieving a continuously variable transmission. A power transmission is realized by a drive and driven members creating at least one point of a contact between each other. Each of members may be at least one roller pressed against an opposite members surfaces with virtual surfaces. The method consists in adjustment of movement directions between the surfaces and the roller defined by a first movement vector of the surface relative to contact point, a second movement vector of the roller and a third movement vector of rolling direction of the roller, a steering angle and a correction angle. The steering angle is varied in accordance with a desired transmission ratio and lateral/thrust load on the roller while respecting the deformability of the contact points. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140287868 | CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE DRIVE MECHANISM - A drive mechanism includes an input member rotatable about an input axis of rotation. The input member includes a partial spheroid-shaped input traction surface. The drive mechanism further includes an output member rotatable about an output axis of rotation. The output member includes a partial spheroid-shaped output traction surface. A ring member overlays the input and output members. The ring member is rotatable in a rotational plane and includes a ring traction surface that engages the input traction surface of the input member and the output traction surface of the output member to rotatably couple the input member to the output member. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140329637 | INFINITELY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS, CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS, METHODS, ASSEMBLIES, SUBASSEMBLIES, AND COMPONENTS THEREFOR - Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in operating mode of an IVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a drive clutch coupled to a source of rotational power; the drive clutch is configured to selectively engage a traction ring and a carrier of the IVT. The control system includes a one-way clutch assembly configured to selectively engage the traction ring and the carrier. In some embodiments, the control system governs the actuation of the one-way clutch to selectively lock and unlock components of the IVT. In some embodiments, the control system implements an IVT mode wherein the carrier selectively couples to a source of rotational power. In other embodiments, the control system implements a CVT mode wherein the traction ring selectively couples to a source of rotational power. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20150038285 | CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - A continuously variable transmission includes a first rotating element, a second rotating element, a rolling member, a support shaft, and a support rotating element. The support rotating element includes a fixed element provided with a first guide portion guiding a first guide end portion, and a movable element provided with a second guide portion guiding a second guide end portion. The support shaft is configured such that: either one of a moving distance of the first guide end portion and a moving distance of the second guide end portion at the time when the support shaft is tilted together with the rolling member is relatively large, and the other one of the moving distances is relatively small; and an outside diameter of that one of the first guide end portion and the second guide end portion which has a relatively large moving distance is relatively larger than an outside diameter of the other one which has a relatively small moving distance. This yields such an effect that the continuously variable transmission is able to realize a smooth change gear operation. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20160076646 | VARIATOR BYPASS CLUTCH - A dog clutch operable to bypass a variator of a transmission is disclosed. The dog clutch includes a housing engaged with an input ring of the variator. The dog clutch also includes a piston engaged with the housing and movable from a first position in which the piston is disengaged from an output ring of the variator to a second position in which the piston is engaged with the output ring. The variator input ring and output ring are locked together when the dog clutch is in the second position to prevent the variator from producing continuously variable torque output. The variator is operable to produce continuously-variable torque output when the dog clutch is in the first position. | 03-17-2016 |
