| US 7,393,300 B2 | ||
| Continuously variable planetary gear set | ||
| Donald C Miller, Fallbrook, Calif. (US); David J Allen, Soquel, Calif. (US); and Robert A Smithson, Cedar Park, Tex. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Fallbrook Technologies Inc., San Diego, Calif. (US) | ||
| Filed on Aug. 07, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/834,895. | ||
| Application 11/834895 is a continuation of application No. 10/949741, filed on Sep. 24, 2004, granted, now 7,261,663. | ||
| Application 10/949741 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/844821, filed on May 12, 2004, granted, now 7,166,052. | ||
| Application 10/844821 is a continuation of application No. 10/788736, filed on Feb. 26, 2004, granted, now 7,011,600. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/537938, filed on Jan. 21, 2004. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/512600, filed on Oct. 16, 2003. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/494376, filed on Aug. 11, 2003. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0270268 A1, Nov. 22, 2007 | ||
| Int. Cl. F16H 13/08 (2006.01); F16H 37/08 (2006.01); F16H 15/26 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 475—215 [475/196; 475/219; 476/38] | 22 Claims |
| 1. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:
a longitudinal axis;
a plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis of rotation, the plurality of balls arranged on plane perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis, the balls arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis;
a first disc in contact with the balls, the first disc mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis;
a second disc in contact with the balls, the second disc mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis;
a generally cylindrical support member in contact with the balls, the support member located radially inward of the balls
and mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis;
a first rotary shaft coupled to the first disc;
a planetary gear train comprising:
a carrier mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis and coupled to the first rotary shaft;
a plurality of first planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier;
a first sun gear mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis and coupled to the second disc, the first sun gear meshed with
the first planetary gears;
a plurality of second planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier;
a second sun gear mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis, the second sun gear meshed with the second planetary gears;
a ring gear mounted coaxially about the longitudinal axis, the ring gear meshed with the first and second planetary gears;
and
wherein the carrier supports the first and second planetary gears independently of each other.
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