INFINITELY VARIABLE TRACTION DRIVE EMPLOYING ALTERNATE STEERABLE ROLLERS

摘要

The invention relates to a method for achieving a continuously variable transmission. A power transmission is realized by a drive and driven members creating at least one point of a contact between each other. Each of members may be at least one roller pressed against an opposite members surfaces with virtual surfaces. The method consists in adjustment of movement directions between the surfaces and the roller defined by a first movement vector of the surface relative to contact point, a second movement vector of the roller and a third movement vector of rolling direction of the roller, a steering angle and a correction angle. The steering angle is varied in accordance with a desired transmission ratio and lateral/thrust load on the roller while respecting the deformability of the contact points.

主权项

1. Method for achieving an infinitely variable drive or transmission by providing a drive member and a driven member either of which can be represented by at least one roller pressed against an opposite member's surface thus creating at least one point of frictional or traction contact capable of transmitting power and additionally creating a virtual surface tangential to the roller and to the said surface at said contact point; the first direction of movement defined by the first vector of movement of said surface relative to said contact point and the second direction of the movement defined by the path comprised of the second vector of the movement of said roller as projected to said virtual surface; and the third direction as defined by the third vector of rolling direction of the roller as projected to said virtual surface where the movement direction angle between said first vector of movement and said second vector of movement and the steering angle defined as an angle between second vector of movement and third vector of movement is generally defined by said steering angle and a correction angle applied in addition or subtraction to said steering angle and which are for each roller varied in accordance with desired transmission ratio and lateral/thrust load on the roller while respecting the elastic/elasto-plastic/plastic deformability of said traction points of contact for a given physical condition of the contact: