CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION AND AN INFINITELY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION VARIATOR DRIVE

摘要

A transmission having a variator drive capable of being placed in a continuously variable operating mode or an infinitely variable operating mode, capable of having a wide ratio range, and capable of integrating a clutching capability within the transmission. The variable transmissions can be operated in at least two different operating modes, depending on an engagement status of the clutches therein. Methods of running the variable transmissions and drivelines that incorporate such variable transmissions are provided.

主权项

1. A variable transmission comprising:
an input shaft; a first ring assembly rotatably disposed in a housing, the first ring assembly drivingly engaged with the input shaft using a plurality of double planet gears rotatably disposed on the first ring assembly, the first ring assembly configured to be prevented from rotating relative to the housing by a second grounding clutch, and the first ring assembly comprising a first variator ball engagement surface that is in driving engagement with a plurality of tiltable variator balls; a variator carrier assembly rotatably disposed in the housing and configured to be militated from rotating relative to the housing by a first grounding clutch, the variator carrier assembly comprising
a drive shaft drivingly engaged using a second sun gear engaged with a second gear of each of the double planet gears, andan annular arrangement of the plurality of tiltable variator balls each having ball axle shafts; and a second ring assembly rotatably disposed in the housing drivingly engaged with a vehicle output, the second ring assembly comprising and a second variator ball engagement surface that is in driving engagement with each of the variator balls, wherein said transmission has an infinitely variable operating mode and a continuously variable operating mode.