CVT VARIATOR BALL AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION THEREOF

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing a variator ball comprising a hollow spherical main portion and a rotational support structure having an axis of rotation well aligned with the center of the hollow spherical main portion, the method comprising:
creating the hollow spherical main portion of the variator ball by
positioning a deformable cylindrical tubular member of predetermined length, diameter and wall thickness between two separated opposing counter-rotating hemispherical dies rotatable on a common axis coincident with the axis of the cylinder, andpress forming the deformable cylinder into a hollow sphere having two circular apertures on opposite sides of the sphere by moving the two hemispherical dies towards each other; and coupling the rotational support structure to at least one of the circular apertures such that the axis of rotation of the support structure passes through the center of the hollow spherical main portion, wherein the rotational support structure comprises a solid cylindrical axle passing through the two circular apertures.