Gear-based continuously engaged variable transmission

摘要

A method is described for changing gear-ratio by displacing at least one part of the engaging surface of a composite gear (21) and aligning it to the engaging surface of another gear (22), thus permitting a complementary third gear (25) engaged to the engaging surface, to shift from one composite gear to a different composite gear, while being constantly engaged. The method can be employed in a device, which can be used to form a gear-based, continuously engaged, variable transmission. Such a transmission, enhanced by—being combined with a differential assembly and the appropriate gearing, can provide rotational motion at various speeds in one direction and the reverse direction as well as zero motion.

主权项

1. A device comprising at least a first composite gear (23), a second composite gear (22) and a first complementary gear (25), the first composite gear and the second composite gear being connected to be adjacent to and coaxial with one another on a common central axis, each composite gear having a body and a displaceable part that can be displaced relative to said body in a direction parallel to an imaginary line of best alignment that allows the displaceable part of one composite gear to align with the body of the adjacent composite gear, the first composite gear (23) and the first complementary gear (25) being engaged with one another and transferring rotational motion, the displaceable part of the first composite gear comprising an engaging surface for engaging with the first complementary gear (25), the displaceable part of the first composite gear (23) being mounted so as to be functionally alignable, at a first alignment site, to the body of the second composite gear (22), wherein the first complementary gear (25) when engaged to the displaceable part of the first composite gear (23) is connected and configured to rotate across onto the body of the second composite gear (22) after displacement.