公开(公告)号：US20220120340A1

公开(公告)日：2022-04-21

申请号：US17563910

申请日：2021-12-28

Applicant: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC

Inventor： Jon M. Nichols ,  Brad P. Pohl ,  Daniel J. Dawe ,  Oronde J. Armstrong ,  Charles B. Lohr ,  Loren T. McDaniel ,  Matthew P. Simister ,  Fernand A. Thomassy ,  Ghayyurul I. Usmani ,  Paul M. Elhardt ,  Terry L. Stewart ,  Peter D. Poxton ,  Elton L. Eidson

IPC: F16H15/28 ,  F16H15/52 ,  F16H57/02 ,  F16H57/04

Abstract: 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.

公开(公告)号：US20220074470A1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-10

申请号：US17527775

申请日：2021-11-16

Applicant: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC

Inventor： Jon M. Nichols

IPC: F16H15/52

Abstract: A ball-planetary continuously variable transmission (CVT) capable of stable control in forward and reverse rotation over a range of speed ratios including underdrive and overdrive is provided. Imparting a skew angle (zeta) causes unbalanced forces that change the tilt angle (gamma), resulting in a change in speed ratio of the CVT. Angularly orientating a control system of the CVT with a positive offset angle (psi) configures the CVT for operation in a first direction of rotation or angularly orientating the control system with a negative offset angle (psi) configures the CVT for operation in a reverse direction of rotation. A control system for configuring the offset angle (psi) may lead or trail the planets. The control system may configure a larger offset angle for more stable control or may configure a smaller offset angle for higher sensitivity in potential rollback scenarios.

公开(公告)号：US20210164563A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-03

申请号：US17177046

申请日：2021-02-16

Applicant: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC

Inventor： Fernand A. Thomassy ,  Charles B. Lohr ,  Brad P. Pohl ,  David Brian Jackson

IPC: F16H61/664 ,  B60W10/108 ,  F16H61/66 ,  F16H15/28 ,  B60W30/18 ,  F16H15/52

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission capable of operating in a forward direction or reverse direction may be controlled in the reverse direction by providing an initial skew angle in a first skew direction, followed by a set or sequence of skew angle adjustments in an opposite direction to prevent runaway or other unintended consequences. A continuously variable transmission may include a timing plate to maintain all planets at an angle or within a range of an angle in forward and reverse operations.

公开(公告)号：US20200173527A1

公开(公告)日：2020-06-04

申请号：US16674785

申请日：2019-11-05

Applicant: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC

Inventor： Brian Schoolcraft

IPC: F16H37/02 ,  F16H3/44 ,  F16H37/06 ,  F16H37/04 ,  B60K17/08 ,  B60W30/182 ,  B60W10/04 ,  B60W10/101 ,  B60K17/02

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling transmissions having CVTs are disclosed with multiple modes and gearing arrangements for range enhancements, where embodiments include synchronous shifting to allow the transmission to achieve a continuous range of transmission ratios, while minimizing “empty” cycling of the CVT during mode shifts. Embodiments provide for wide ratio range and performance and efficiency flexibility, while maximizing CVT usage through synchronous shifting.

公开(公告)号：US20200018384A1

公开(公告)日：2020-01-16

申请号：US16276505

申请日：2019-02-14

Applicant: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC

Inventor： Jon M. Nichols ,  Brad P. Pohl ,  Daniel J. Dawe ,  Oronde J. Armstrong ,  Charles B. Lohr ,  Loren T. McDaniel ,  Matthew P. Simister ,  Fernand A. Thomassy ,  Ghayyurul I. Usmani ,  Paul M. Elhardt ,  Terry L. Stewart ,  Peter D. Poxton ,  Elton L. Eidson

IPC: F16H15/28 ,  F16H15/52 ,  F16H57/02 ,  F16H57/04

Abstract: 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.

公开(公告)号：US20190195321A1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-27

申请号：US16048983

申请日：2018-07-30

Applicant: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC

Inventor： Robert A. Smithson ,  Brad P. Pohl ,  Oronde J. Armstrong ,  Donald C. Miller ,  Daniel J. Dawe ,  Fernand A. Thomassy ,  Matthew P. Simister ,  Wesley R. Poth ,  Jon M. Nichols ,  Charles B. Lohr

IPC: F16H15/50 ,  B62M23/00 ,  F16H15/28 ,  B62M9/00

CPC classification number: F16H15/503 ,  B62M9/00 ,  B62M23/00 ,  F16H15/28 ,  F16H15/50 ,  Y10T29/49462 ,  Y10T29/49464 ,  Y10T29/49467 ,  Y10T29/4984

Abstract: 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.

公开(公告)号：US10253881B2

公开(公告)日：2019-04-09

申请号：US15161033

申请日：2016-05-20

Applicant: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC

Inventor： John Hamrin

IPC: F16H15/52 ,  F16H63/06 ,  F16H61/664 ,  F16H13/08 ,  F16H13/14 ,  F16H15/50 ,  F16H15/28

Abstract: A speed based axial force generation mechanism may generate axial force corresponding to a rotational speed of a speed based axial force generation system relative to a central axis. As the speed based axial force generation system rotates at increasing speeds, inertia causes a change in the configuration of a first rigid member and a second rigid member, resulting in a change in the axial force generated by the mechanism.

公开(公告)号：US10253880B2

公开(公告)日：2019-04-09

申请号：US15435859

申请日：2017-02-17

Applicant: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC

Inventor： Brad P. Pohl ,  Fernand A. Thomassy ,  Charles B. Lohr ,  Scott T. McBroom

IPC: F16H15/40 ,  F16H61/664 ,  F02B67/04 ,  F16H15/42 ,  F16H15/50 ,  F16H61/00 ,  F16H61/02 ,  F16H59/40 ,  F16H63/06 ,  F16H59/70 ,  F16H63/42 ,  F16H15/52

Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable accessory drives (CVAD). In one embodiment, a skew-based control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVAD. In another embodiment, a skew-based control system includes a skew actuator coupled to a carrier member. In some embodiments, the skew actuator is configured to rotate a carrier member of a CVT. Various inventive traction planet assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include legs configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In some embodiments, a traction planet assembly is operably coupled to the carrier members. Embodiments of a shift cam and traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US10197147B2

公开(公告)日：2019-02-05

申请号：US15074267

申请日：2016-03-18

Applicant: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC

Inventor： Charles B. Lohr ,  Brad P. Pohl

IPC: F16H15/50 ,  F16H15/52 ,  F16H55/32 ,  F16H57/04 ,  F16C19/54 ,  B62M11/16 ,  F16H57/08

Abstract: Components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT) are provided. In one embodiment, a CVT has a number of spherical planets in contact with an idler assembly. Various idler assemblies can be used to facilitate to improve durability, fatigue life, and efficiency of a CVT. In one embodiment, the idler assembly has two rolling elements having contact surfaces that are angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the CVT. In some embodiments, a bearing is operably coupled between the first and second rolling elements. The bearing is configured to balance axial force between the first and second rolling elements. In one embodiment, the bearing is a ball bearing. In another embodiment, the bearing is an angular contact bearing. In yet other embodiments, needle roller bearings are employed.

公开(公告)号：US20180347693A1

公开(公告)日：2018-12-06

申请号：US16102437

申请日：2018-08-13

Applicant: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC

Inventor： Fernand A. Thomassy ,  Charles B. Lohr ,  Brad P. Pohl ,  David Brian Jackson

IPC: F16H61/664 ,  F16H15/28 ,  F16H61/66 ,  F16H15/52

CPC classification number: F16H61/664 ,  F16H15/28 ,  F16H15/52 ,  F16H61/66 ,  Y10T477/619

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission capable of operating in a forward direction or reverse direction may be controlled in the reverse direction by providing an initial skew angle in a first skew direction, followed by a set or sequence of skew angle adjustments in an opposite direction to prevent runaway or other unintended consequences. A continuously variable transmission may include a timing plate to maintain all planets at an angle or within a range of an angle in forward and reverse operations.