Pneumatically assisted continuously variable transmission

摘要

A CVT pulley includes a shaft having disposed thereon, a first and second sheave, and a spider. A spring biases the sheaves away from one another. The axially moveable second sheave is disposed axially between the axially fixed spider and the first sheave. A plurality of centrifugal weights, connected to either the spider or the second sheave, have a portion that moves radially outward with rotation of the shaft. The axial distance between the spider and the second sheave depends at least in part on the radial position of the portion which depends on the rotational speed. At least one cylinder is adapted to receive fluid. At least one piston, rotatable with the shaft, is adapted to move in the at least one cylinder in response to fluid being received therein, thereby selectively exerting force on one of the sheaves towards the other. CVTs and vehicles are also disclosed.

主权项

1. A pulley for a continuously variable transmission comprising:
a shaft; a first sheave disposed on the shaft, the first sheave having a belt engaging surface; a second sheave disposed on the shaft, the second sheave having a belt engaging surface facing the belt engaging surface of the first sheave; a spring biasing the first sheave and the second sheave away from one another; a spider mounted on the shaft, the second sheave being disposed axially between the spider and the first sheave, the second sheave being axially moveable, the spider being axially fixed, the first sheave, the second sheave and the spider being adapted to rotate with the shaft; a plurality of centrifugal weights connected to one of:
the spider, andthe second sheave,at least a portion of each of the plurality of centrifugal weights moving in a radially outward direction with respect to the shaft in response to rotation of the shaft, a radial position of the portion depending on a rotational speed of the shaft, the axial distance between the spider and the second sheave depending at least in part on the radial position of the portion; at least one cylinder adapted to receive fluid therein; and at least one piston, the at least one piston being moveable in the at least one cylinder, the at least one piston being adapted to move in response to the at least one cylinder receiving fluid therein, and to thereby selectively exert force on one of the first and second sheaves towards the other of the first and second sheaves.