摘要 |
A continuously variable transmission system having a fixed variable diameter pulley connected by a drive belt to at least one other pulley. A tensioner pulley maintains the tension on the drive belt within predetermined limits as the effective diameter of the variable diameter pulley changes. The effective diameter of the variable diameter pulley is determined by a balance between a resilient force biasing a plurality of belt engaging members in a predetermined direction and a radial force acting on the plurality of belt engaging members in the opposite direction. In a first embodiment, the resilient force biases the plurality of belt engaging members outwardly and the radial forces are generated by displacing the tensioner pulley to increase the tension on the drive belt. In an alternate embodiment, the plurality of belt engaging members are biased inwardly by a resilient force and are displaced outwardly by centrifugal forces. |