Drivetrain Provided with a CVT

摘要

A drivetrain provided with a CVT that can be used in both CVT and Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) configurations and that includes a high-low gear selection assembly and a power mixer is described herein. The drivetrain includes a high-low gear selection mechanism that provides, in combination with the CVT, high and low ranges of gear ratios. The drivetrain further includes a power-mixer that allows the IVT configuration for transitions between high and low configurations that are seamless to the operator.

主权项

1. A drivetrain for connection to the output of a prime mover and to the input of a final drive therebetween; the drivetrain comprising:
a CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) including an input disk coupled to the output of the prime mover and an output disk; the CVT being adapted to provide between the input and output thereof a primary continuous range of gear ratios; a high-low gear selection mechanism having an input coupled to the output disk of the CVT and an output coupled to the input of the final drive; the high-low gear selection mechanism being adapted to selectively provide, in cooperation with the CVT, one of low and high continuous ranges of gear ratios between the output of the prime mover and the input of the final drive; the low continuous range of gear ratio ranging between minimum and maximum low gear ratios; the high continuous range of gear ratio ranging between minimum and maximum high gear ratios; and a power mixer having a first input coupled to the output of the prime mover, a second input coupled to the output disk of the CVT and an output coupled to the input of the final drive; the power mixer being adapted to provide, in cooperation with the CVT, a continuous mixed gear ratio ranging between the maximum low gear ratio and the minimum high gear ratio between the output of the prime mover and the input of the final drive.