EP3548767A1

EP3548767A1 - Linkage for the transmission mechanisms

Info

Publication number: EP3548767A1
Application number: EP17816955.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Cyril CLOPET; Pierre AZZOPARDI; Vincent REVOL
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-12-01
Filing date: 2017-11-30
Publication date: 2019-10-09
Also published as: CN110168250A; FR3059751A1; FR3059751B1; JP2020501096A; WO2018100315A1; CA3044719A1; BR112019011039A2; US20190383365A1

Abstract

Transmission linkage (2) for a continuously variable transmission mechanism (1) comprising at least one wheel (3, 4, 5) comprising two rotating flanges (31, 32, 41, 42, 51, 52), said linkage comprising: a first set of first links (210, 210', 410, 410', 510, 510', 700, 800, 900) having bearing surfaces (2106, 2107, 2108, 2109) able to come into contact between two flanges; a second set of second links (212, 412, 512) hinged to one another to form a closed-loop chain, the number of second links being equal to the number of first links; according to the invention, each link of one of the sets comprises a meshing pin (2120, 2120', 2120'', 4103, 505, 600, 632, 642) and each link of the other set comprises at least one closed reception housing (2110, 2110' 415, 515, 615, 621, 631, 641, 651) comprising meshing walls (2111, 624) engaging with said meshing pin via a meshing connection, said meshing connection allowing each first link to move with respect to the second link with which it collaborates, at least in a longitudinal direction (L).

Description

LINK FOR TRANSMISSION MECHANISMS

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of transmission mechanisms, in particular transmission mechanisms with a continuously variable reduction ratio. More particularly, the invention relates to a transmission link for such a mechanism.

State of the art

Patent FR 2 571 113 describes such a transmission link comprising two sets of links forming two distinct chains cooperating with a pair of conical flanges, arranged in such a way that the first set of links comes into contact with the flanges and has a shape allowing to make a meshing connection with the second set.

The two chains are made so that the first set has a greater length than the second set. However, this characteristic implies that the two sets of links have separate paths, so that during the circulation of the chains, there is at least one period during which the first set and the second set are not in contact. Such a loss of contact has several disadvantages:

firstly, to circulate two sets of separate links requires to stretch each set separately, which would prove difficult in a transmission with high compactness constraints; secondly, one or the other of the two sets must have an opening for making the link meshing and disengaging and said opening weakens the links concerned by imposing bending.

The aim of the invention is to provide a transmission link for a continuously variable transmission mechanism, making it possible to overcome the defects of the transmission links known from the state of the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention relates to a transmission link, for a continuously variable transmission mechanism comprising at least one wheel having two flanges rotated about an axis of rotation, said link comprising:

a first flexible set of first links having bearing surfaces adapted to come into contact between two flanges of a wheel of said mechanism;

- A second flexible assembly of second links articulated together to form a chain or a closed loop belt, the number of second links being equal to the number of first links, each of said second links having a longitudinal direction tangent to the closed loop. According to the invention, each link of one of the assemblies comprises a meshing rod and each link of the other set comprises at least one closed reception housing comprising meshing walls cooperating with said meshing rod by a meshing connection, said meshing connection allowing a mobility of each first link with respect to the second link with which it cooperates, at least in the longitudinal direction.

By meshing connection is meant in the sense of the invention that when the links of the first set cooperate with the flange of a pulley, the support of the meshing rods on the meshing walls generates a force in the direction longitudinal allowing the voltage between two successive second links of the second set to gradually decrease within a motor winding and gradually increase within a receiving winding. Thus, the meshing connection existing between the receiving housing and the meshing rod reproduces on a winding of variable diameter the meshing connection existing between a toothed gear and a chain. In addition, when a first link no longer cooperates with the flanges of a pulley, this meshing connection has the particularity of allowing said first link to be moved in the longitudinal direction relative to the second link with which it co-operates with a force. very weak compared to the voltage transmissible by the link. To perform this longitudinal movement, it is, for example, not necessary to elastically deform the first or second link or to deform a spring whose strain force is comparable to the voltage transmissible by the link.

Moreover, each link of the first set is articulated with a single link of the second set. Such articulation makes it possible to have a strong and resistant transmission link because it does not have the disadvantage of the known links of the state of the art. Indeed, it is not necessary to have links with openings. As a result, no bending embrittlement is experienced by the links of the transmission link.

In addition, the two sets of links forming a single link, it is not necessary to stretch each set of links separately from the other set of links.

Advantageously, each first link is separated from another first adjacent link by a first pitch PI and each second link is separated from another second adjacent link by a second step P2, the first step PI being substantially equal to the second step P2.

Thus, when several successive first links cooperate with the wheel and become temporarily integral with it, they are separated by a pitch PI and form a regular solid support at pitch Pl. As PI is substantially equal to P2, then several second links successive are able to cooperate by meshing with said regular solid support PI pitch formed by the first several successive links. Advantageously, the first links are supported against each other in the longitudinal direction in the direction of travel of the link, at least before cooperating with the flanges of a wheel of the transmission mechanism, the first set comprising means for setting in support.

Therefore, during the operation of the mechanism, when the second set of links elongates due to the transmission of a voltage between a driving wheel and a driven wheel, the support means allows the first links of advancing in the longitudinal direction in the direction of travel of the link to compensate for this extension of the second set of links. Thus, the solid support formed by the links of the first set when they wind is not affected by the extension of the links of the second set. Advantageously, each link comprising a receiving housing is able to pivot about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the axial direction A and passing inside the receiving housing of at least one contiguous link, said pivot axis being a nominal position of said receiving housing of the contiguous link, which nominal position is a position that the axis of the meshing rod can occupy.

The fact that each receiving housing has a nominal position coincident with the pivot axis of a contiguous link having a receiving housing provides the advantage, when several receiving housings are located in a motor or receiver winding, to maintain the nominal positions of two successive receiving housings separated by a pitch PI or P2 and similarly, when two successive meshing rods are in said nominal positions, then , the distance separating the axes of said two meshing rods is equal to PI or P2. In a judicious manner, when the receiving housing is in a winding and its meshing walls are constructed such that, the path described by the axis of the meshing rod when it traverses said meshing walls forms substantially a triangle having a bisector from a vertex substantially coincident with a radius, then the nominal position is chosen substantially coincident with said vertex.

Advantageously, the meshing rod has an axis substantially parallel to the axial direction A and coinciding with the pivot axis of two successive links belonging to the set of links comprising said meshing rod.

This provides the advantage, when the links comprising the meshing rod are no longer in a straight line but pivot to enter an engine or receiver winding, to maintain a distance between two axes of two successive meshing rods equal to PI or P2. Advantageously, one or other of the sets of links comprises a means of temporary recall of the meshing rod to the nominal position of the receiving housing.

In this case, the pitch P2 becomes equal to the pitch PI and thus constitutes an alternative means for properly positioning the meshing rods relative to the receiving housing. The fact that this biasing means is temporary allows the meshing rod to move freely inside the receiving housing when said biasing means is no longer active.

Advantageously, each first link comprises at least one contour plate adapted to bear on a contour plate of at least one other first contiguous link, one of said first contiguous links in mutual support is said first reference link, the other first link contiguous mutual support is said first movable link, said first movable link being able to pivot about a pivot axis of said first reference link in a substantially circular path, the pivot axis of the first movable link being separated from the pivot axis of the first reference link by a radius substantially equal to the pitch Pl.

This provides the advantage, in combination with the biasing means, that when two successive first links are in mutual abutment via their contour plate, a non-tensile temporary hinge is formed between said two links. successive, temporary joint retains the nominal positions of two successive receiving housings when they belong to the first links or the axes of two successive meshing rods, when they belong to the first links, separated by a pitch Pl. Advantageously, the receiving housing belongs to a receiving solid integral with one or other of the sets of links or a contour plate forming a receiving solid, said receiving solid being pivotable at least about an axis parallel to the axial direction A and coinciding with the nominal position of the receiving housing.

This provides the advantage, as the transmission link of the present invention is made to operate on motor windings or receivers of variable radius, to allow the meshing walls of the receiving housing to be oriented with respect to a passing ray. by the nominal position

Advantageously, the receiving solid, or the contour plate forming a receiving solid, has at least one orientation means adapted to orient the receiving housing.

In combination with the rotational freedom of the receiving solid, the orientation means provides the advantage of orienting the receiving solid so that the meshing walls of the receiving housing are substantially symmetrical with respect to a radius. passing through the nominal position, despite the change of inclination between two successive links due to a change of winding radius for example. Advantageously, the assembly of the bearing surfaces of a first link in contact on each flange of a wheel has a support barycentre and advantageously, said supporting centers of gravity on either side of said first link are connected by a straight line passing inside the receiving housing.

Thus, when the meshing rod acts on a meshing wall of the receiving housing, the force provided by the meshing rod is substantially coincident with the straight line connecting the centroids of the bearing surfaces of the first link on the flanges. on both sides of the link. This provides the advantage of minimizing or even canceling the torque experienced by the first link because of the engagement of the meshing rod on the engagement wall of the housing and improves the stability of the support of the first. link on the flanges of the wheel. In a judicious manner, said straight line connecting the centers of gravity of the bearing surfaces of the first link on the flanges of the wheel may pass through the geometric center of the receiving housing or by the nominal position.

Advantageously, the receiving housing has a generally triangular general shape.

This triangular shape has three walls, two meshing walls, brought to cooperate with the meshing rod and a closure wall, which is not made to cooperate with the meshing rod in the motor or receiver windings. The fact that the meshing walls are two in number and are substantially arranged in the shape of a "V" makes it possible for the meshing rod to always cooperate with a wall. meshing, even if the direction of the voltage is reversed, that is to say if the motor winding becomes receiver for example. In this, the receiving housing and the meshing rod reproduce, on a winding of variable diameter, the known behavior of the state of the art of the pinion-chain pairs on a winding of fixed diameter.

According to one characteristic of the invention, each link of the first set consists of one or more receiving solids having receiving receptacles whose nominal positions are aligned in an axial direction parallel to the axis of the wheel, said solids of are rigidly fixed to each other and have rigid compression beams extending in the axial direction above and below the closed loop formed by the links of the second assembly, and which are adapted to come into contact with the flanges a wheel on both sides of the link.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the contour plates of the first links comprise at least one circle portion of diameter P1, concentric with the nominal position of the receiving housing or receptacles.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the second set of links is a transmission chain, each second link of which consists of one or more pitch plates P2 linked together by a pivot pin, which pivot articulation is secured to a meshing rod extending in the receiving housing or a link of the first set.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the means for temporarily returning the meshing rod to the nominal position of the receiving housing is a latch being able to be interposed between a first and a second link, said latch being able to be actuated by a cam integral with the frame.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the receiving solid is substantially cylindrical and its axis substantially coincides with the nominal position of the receiving housing, said receiving housing passing through the receiving solid from one side to the other.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the second set of links is a transmission chain consisting of a succession of connecting plates whose pivot pins are cylindrical receiving solids.

According to one characteristic of the invention, each link of the first set comprises a rigid meshing rod in compression in an axial direction, said meshing rod extending through the receiving housing of a substantially cylindrical receiving solid and being able to come into contact with the flanges of a wheel on either side of the link by means of soles, said meshing rod being rigidly connected to at least one contour plate having a circular portion of PI diameter, said circular portion being substantially concentric with the axis of said meshing rod. According to one characteristic of the invention, each meshing rod comprises at least two contour plates on either side of the link, said two edge plates comprising soles in contact with the flanges of a wheel.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the meshing rod comprises, at the place where it cooperates with the receiving housing, a roller coming into contact with the receiving housing. This technique and the advantages it brings are well known in the state of the art of the roller transmission chains whose axes are equipped with rollers coming into contact with the gear teeth, which rollers roll on the teeth of the gears and slide on the axes of joints. In the case of large transmissions, it is possible to replace the roller with a roller mounted in rolling on the axis of the meshing rod.

According to a feature of the invention, in order to limit the internal friction of the links of the links of the second set, the second links can be articulated to each other by a rolling connection, that is to say, either by a bearing separating the pivot axis and at least one set of plates, either by the production of plates hinged together by bars in rolling mutual connection as in the well-known state of the art so-called silent chains.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the transmission link can be used with one or more wheels comprising gripping means operating by buttressing a wedging element.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the links of the second set may form a belt comprising either:

receiving receptacles, in which case the reception receptacles will have their nominal positions along the neutral fiber of the belt and the difference between two nominal positions of two successive reception receptacles will be equal to P2,

or meshing rods and in this case the axes of the meshing rods will be positioned along the neutral fiber of the belt and the distance between the axes of two successive meshing rods will be equal to P2.

According to a characteristic of the invention, in the case where the transmission of a force between a wheel of the mechanism and the transmission link is carried out by gripping means integral with the link operating by jamming a wedging element , the links of the first set may comprise at least one bearing surface on each side of the link, each intended to receive a wedging element adapted to cooperate with a flange of a wheel of the mechanism. In this case, the contour plates by which two successive links of the first set are in mutual support can be made directly on the wedging element. In addition, said wedging element can act on a latch forming a means for temporarily returning the meshing rod to the nominal position.

The characteristics described above relate to preferred embodiments, they can be taken in combination or separately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other features and / or advantages will become apparent on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

Figures 1 and 2 show two general views of a transmission mechanism comprising a transmission link according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figures 3 to 9 show views of a set of links of the transmission link of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 10 is a variant of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 9;

FIGS. 11 to 14 show a second embodiment of the link according to the present invention;

Figures 15 to 18 show variants of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 9 having first links cooperating with the wheels of the mechanism through a wedging element;

Figures 19 to 21 show variants of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 9 having different orientation means;

FIG. 22 represents a variant of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 11 to 14; Figures 23 to 24 show a variant of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 9 wherein the meshing rod has a different shape;

Figure 25 is another embodiment wherein each first link comprises a set of parallel receiving solids;

Fig. 26 shows examples of possible forms of receiving housing.

Figures 27 to 30 show an embodiment wherein each first link comprises a means for temporarily returning the meshing rod to the nominal position of the receiving housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 represents a general view of a continuous variable transmission mechanism 1 comprising an example of transmission link 2 according to the invention. In this example, the link 2 transmission is a chain comprising a set of links 21. In other embodiments as in Figure 10, the link 2 may comprise a belt.

The link 2 forms a closed loop cooperating with two wheels 3, 4 each comprising two flanges 31, 32, 41, 42 conical. Its trajectory defines a stretched strand 22 and a soft strand 23, as well as at least two coiled portions 24, 25 which correspond to the angular portions of the wheels around which the link wraps. In other exemplary embodiments, such as for example in FIGS. 11 to 14, the wheels may comprise flanges comprising gripping means operating by bracing of a wedging element. In other exemplary embodiments, as in FIGS. 15 to 18, the wheels may comprise flat flanges.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the detail D, showing the links 21 forming the transmission chain according to this first embodiment. The arrows L, A, N respectively represent the longitudinal direction L, which corresponds to the direction tangent to the transmission link; the axial direction A, which corresponds to any direction parallel to the axes of rotation of the wheels 3, 4; and the normal direction N, which corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and to the axial direction A. FIG. 3 represents an isometric view of a set of links 21 comprising first links 210 and second links 212. The second links 212 are hinged together to form a closed loop. In this embodiment, the first links 210 successive are not articulated together, but brought into contact against each other by means of springs 213 bearing on the second links 212 and pushing the first links 210. springs 213 thus constitute means for supporting the first links 210 between them. Figures 4 and 5 represent a first link

210, respectively, in an isometric view and in a side view. The first link 210 comprises two lateral plates which are also contour plates 2101, 2102. The two edge plates are interconnected by two pins 2103, 2104, each of which ends on each side with a bearing surface 2106,

2107, 2108, 2109 projecting from the contour plates 2101, 2102. These bearing surfaces 2106, 2107,

2108, 2109 are intended to come into contact with the flanges 31, 32, 41, 42 of the wheels 3, 4 when the first link is in a wound portion 24,25.

Furthermore the first link 210 comprises a third pin which is a bearing pin 2105 serving as a support of the spring 213 (not shown in this figure). Each of the contour plates 2101, 2102 comprises a receiving housing 2110 which has meshing walls 2111. In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving housing 2110 is substantially triangular in shape and the meshing walls 2111 form a "V". ".

In this embodiment, the contour plates 2101, 2102 themselves form receiving solids, since each of them comprises a receiving housing 2110. In other exemplary embodiments, the receiving housing may belong to a receiving solid different from a contour plate.

Furthermore each contour plate 2101, 2102 has two grooves 2112, 2113 for the passage of an orientation means. Each contour plate 2101, 2102 has a partially cylindrical shape, intended to bear on the partially cylindrical shape of a contour plate 2101, 2102 of a first link 210 contiguous. Said partially cylindrical shape has an axis which is also a pivot axis 2114 of a first link 210 contiguous. The pivot axis 2114 is substantially parallel to the axial direction A and passes inside the receiving housing 2110 at a nominal position of said receiving housing 2110. Furthermore, all the bearing surfaces 2108, 2109 of the first link 210 on the flange 31, 41 has a barycentre and all of the bearing surfaces 2106, 2107 of the first link 210 on the flange 32, 42 also has a barycentre, which barycentres are interconnected by a line substantially coinciding with the pivot axis 2114. Because of this partially cylindrical shape, the contour plates 2101, 2102 are able to rotate about itself in rotation about the pivot axis 2114 These edge plates 2101, 2102 thus constitute a receiving solid free to rotate about a pivot axis 2114 substantially coinciding with the nominal position of the receiving housing 2110.

FIG. 6 shows two second links 212 according to the embodiment of FIG. 3. Each link comprises a meshing rod 2120 and two connecting plates 2121. In this embodiment, each meshing rod 2120 is cylindrical and formed of a central portion 2122 and two peripheral portions 2123, 2124 thicker than the central portion 2122. Furthermore, the axis of the meshing rod 2120 is coincident with a pivot axis 2125 of two second links 212 successive . This pivot axis 2125 is substantially parallel to the axial direction A. Due to its cylindrical shape, when the meshing rod 2120 traverses the walls of the receiving housing 2110, the trajectory taken by the axis of the meshing rod 2120 substantially forms a triangle whose one of the vertices coincides with the pivot axis 2114 which is a nominal position of the receiving housing 2110.

In other exemplary embodiments, the meshing rod may have a different shape. When the transmission chain is mounted, the number of second links being equal to the number of first links, each first link cooperates with a second link by a meshing link. Each meshing rod 2120 is inserted into the receiving housing 2110 of a first link 210.

When the link 2 is in motion and transmits tensioning forces, the second links 212 elongate under the effect of the tension and wear and the pitch P2 can increase without the PI step evolving. The meshing rod 2120 moves in the receiving housing 2110 in the longitudinal direction L to maintain a meshing connection with the receiving housing 2110 despite the differences that are created between P2 and Pl.

FIG. 7 represents a view from above of the set of links shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is a front view of the assembly of FIG. 7, on which an orientation means, for example a cable of FIG. orientation 214, passes through the grooves 2112, 2113 of each contour plate 2102. Moreover, the meshing rods 2120, 2120 'are in their nominal position. With this orientation means, the receiving solids formed by the edge plates 2101, 2102 are angularly oriented relative to the pivot axis 2114. This orientation cable 214 allows for example to have the walls of meshing 2111 of the receiving housing 2110 substantially symmetrical with respect to the normal direction N passing through the link 21.

A pitch PI separates each contour plate 2102 'from a first link of a contiguous contour plate 2102' 'and each meshing rod 2120' is separated from a neighboring meshing rod 2120 ''. P2. In this embodiment PI is equal to P2.

Furthermore, the trajectory of a pivot axis 2114 of a first link 210 with respect to a pivot axis 2114 'of another adjacent first link 210' follows an arc of a circle of radius substantially equal to the pitch P1. The pivot axis 2114 'of the first link 210 movable around the first link 210' reference is located inside the receiving housing 2110 'and this pivot axis 2114' is therefore a nominal position of the receiving housing 2110 '.

FIG. 9 shows a view in longitudinal section along the plane IX-IX of FIG. 7. This figure illustrates the connection of the meshing rods 2120 forming the second links between them by the connecting plates 2121 and the connection of the rods of FIG. meshing 2120 with the receiving housings 2110 of the contour plates 2101. Also, as shown, the springs 213 are mounted in opening between the meshing rod 2120, the pin 2103 and the bearing pin 2105, so that that, resting on the meshing rods 2120, the springs 213 push the first links 210 relative to the meshing rods 2120 in the direction of travel of the link indicated by the arrow 215. FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment which differs from the example illustrated in FIG. 9 only in that the engagement rods 2120 of the second link are not interconnected by connecting plates, but by a belt 216. In other words, in this embodiment, the meshing rods 2120 fit through the belt 216 and the distance separating the axes of two successive meshing rods 2120 is substantially equal to P2. The axis of the meshing rods 2120 substantially coincides with a neutral fiber of the belt 216. For the sake of clarity, the means for restoring the first links between them and the orientation means of the receiving solids not shown in this figure 10.

FIGS. 11 and 12 respectively represent an isometric view and a top view of a set of successive links according to a second embodiment of the invention. For the sake of clarity, the flanges have not been shown in these Figures 11 to 14. These flanges may for example comprise gripping means operating by buttresses of a wedging element.

In this example, the first links 410 are cylindrical rods each having two peripheral portions 4101, 4102 thicker than a central portion 4103 forming a meshing rod. In addition, the peripheral parts 4101 and 4102 are cylindrical diameters PI and are also contour plates.

Each second link 412 is formed by a set of parallel connecting plates 4120, 4121 each comprising two bores P2, and a receiving solid 413 in the form of a partially cylindrical sleeve. The receiving solid 413 comprises a receiving housing 415 of substantially triangular shape whose meshing walls form an inverted "V".

FIG. 13 shows a front view of the assembly of FIG. 11. Each first link 410 comprises two elastics 411, one of which is shown in FIG. 13. Each elastic 411 is wound around a peripheral portion 4101, 4102 and around a support pin 414 engaged in the connecting plates 4120, 4121. By bearing on the bearing pins 414, these elastics 411 pull the first links 410 in the direction of scrolling link indicated by the arrow 419. The elastics 411 thus constitute a means of supporting the first links 410 between them. FIG. 14 is a view in longitudinal section along the plane XIV - XIV of FIG. 12. As can be seen in this figure, the axes of two meshing rods formed by two central portions 4103 of two successive first links 410 are separated. of a pitch PI and the pivot axes 420 of two second links 412 successive are substantially parallel to the axial direction A and are separated by a pitch P2. The pivot axis 420 of two second successive links 412 is substantially parallel to the axial direction A, passes inside the receiving housing 415 and is a nominal position of said receiving housing 415. Moreover, when the rod of meshing formed by the central portion 4103 traverses the walls of the receiving housing 415, the axis of said meshing rod has a triangular trajectory whose one of the vertices coincides with the nominal position of the receiving housing 415.

In addition, the trajectory of a pivot axis 4106 of a first link 410 with respect to a pivot axis 4106 'of another adjacent first link 410' is in a circle of radius equal to the first pitch PI, as shown in FIG. 13. The axis of a meshing rod which is also the axis of a central portion 4103 is thus a pivot axis 4106 of at least one first link 410 contiguous.

For two successive connecting plates 4121, 4121 ', called upstream plate, the first connecting plate 4121 in the running direction of the link indicated by the arrow 419, the plate is called downstream the second connecting plate 4121' in the direction of scrolling the link 419.

In order to orient the receiving solid 413, it is mounted non-pivotally in the downstream plate 4121 'and pivoted in the upstream plate 4121. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 14, each connecting plate 4120, 4121 comprises a first cylindrical bore 416 allowing to pivot freely in rotation relative to the receiving solid 413. Each connecting plate 4120, 4121 also comprises a second bore 417 having a flat portion 418 for fixing the receiving solid 413 in rotation with respect to the plate.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the peripheral portions 4101, 4102 can also serve as bearing flanges in contact on the flanges 31, 32, 41, 42 by bearing surfaces 4104, 4105. In this case, the centroids each bearing surface 4104, 4105 on each flange of the wheel are interconnected by a line substantially coinciding with the axis of the meshing rod formed by a central portion 4103 which passes inside the receiving housing 415.

A third exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 15 to 18. FIG. 15 is a cutaway view of the wheel 5 and a transmission link in which each first link 510 cooperates with each flange 51, 52, of the wheel 5. by means of a wedging element 5101 movable along a guide surface 503 belonging to the receiving solid 5103. In this case, the wedging element 5101 also forms a contour plate intended to bear against the contiguous wedging elements 5101 and each wedging element 5101 comprises a bearing surface 5102 coming into contact with the flanges 51, 52.

Figure 16 is a side view of the link of Figure 15 and Figures 17 and 18 show respectively sections according to plans XVII-XVII and XVIII-XVIII of Figure 16.

The orientation of the receiving housing 515 can be given by an orientation of the wedging element 5101 which, for example, is oriented by an orientation and actuating cam 502 hinged to the frame, not shown. This orientation and actuating cam 502 thus constitutes a means of orientation of the receiving housing 515. In order to allow a variation of the winding radius of the transmission chain formed by such links, on the wheel, the cam orientation and actuation 502 can be mounted on a variation actuator, also not shown in the figures.

The wedging element 5101 moves on a guide surface 503. During its movement, it reaches a coincidence position in which the pivot axis 504, defined by the wedging element 5101 forming a contour plate comprising a circular portion of diameter P1 coincides with the nominal position 509 of the receiving housing 515. When two adjacent first links 510, 510 'have their wedging element 5101, 5101' in a position of coincidence and in mutual contact, then the The respective nominal positions of the receiving solids 5103, 5103 'are separated by a distance P1. The pivot axis 504 is substantially parallel to the axial direction A.

Moreover, in order to ensure the support of the first links 510 between them, whatever the direction of circulation of the transmission link, the first The links 510 may each be equipped with two springs 506, 507 shown in FIG. 18. These springs 506, 507 are guided on a meshing rod 505. They rest on the connecting plates 5120 of the second links 512 and push each into an opposite direction. In addition, in order to limit the travel of the two springs 506, 507, they can be contained in two open hubs 516, 517 acting as a stop. When, because of the action of the orientation and actuating cam 502, the first links 510 are oriented, they bear on one of the springs 506, 507, the other spring 506, 507 being inactive from the makes its support on its open hub 516, 517. This support then causes an advance movement of the first link 510 under the effect of its orientation. The means of restoring the first links 510 between them is thus constituted of the springs 506, 507. The springs 506, 507 are also able to be means for orienting the first link 510, when the latter does not cooperate with the orientation and actuating cam 502.

The meshing rods 505 are connected to each other by connecting plates 5120 with a center distance P2 and the axis of the meshing rods 505 is thus merged with a pivot axis 518 of two successive second links 512, which pivot axis 518 is substantially parallel to the axial direction A.

Figures 19 to 30 are schematic and show embodiments of first and / or second links or housing of receiving, contour plates, means of orientation and support or a means for temporarily returning the meshing rod to the nominal position of the receiving housing. For the sake of clarity, these figures 19 to 30 do not include all the elements of the present invention, which elements can for example be taken from other exemplary embodiments. FIGS. 19 and 20 respectively represent an isometric view and a front view of another exemplary embodiment in which the first links 800 have a shape close to that of the first links of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 9; However, in this embodiment, there is no orientation cable. As can be seen in FIG. 20, each contour plate 801 has a convex side 802 and a concave side 803. Each contour plate is pivotable with respect to the adjoining plate.

FIG. 21 represents an exemplary embodiment similar to the example of FIGS. 3 to 9, but in which the first link 900 is provided with two springs 903, 904 bearing simultaneously on a support cam 901 and on the first link 900, the spring 903 pushing the first link 900 in the direction indicated by the arrow 902 and the spring 904 pushing the first link 900 in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrow 902. When the cam pressing 901 is retracted before one or the other of the two springs 903, 904 it stops pushing the first link 900. The cam 901 bearing and the springs 903, 904 are a means for supporting the first links 900 between them.

FIG. 22 represents an exemplary embodiment similar to the example of FIGS. 11 to 14, but in which each receiving solid 1003 is rotatably mounted in the connecting plates 1000, 1000 'and is fixed rigidly to a pin of FIG. 1002 orientation connected to the connecting plates 1000, 1000 'by two substantially identical orientation springs 1001, 1001' which orient the orientation pin 1002 according to the bisector of the angle formed by the connecting plates 1000, 1000 '. The orientation springs 1001, 1001 'thus constitute a means of orientation of the receiving housing.

FIG. 23 represents an exemplary embodiment in which the meshing rod 600 has a cylindrical central portion 601 and two peripheral portions 602, 603 with a substantially triangular section. FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which the meshing rod 600 of FIG. 23 is used to ensure low pressure meshing. The contour plate 610 of the first link is a receiving solid which has a receiving housing 615 adapted to cooperate with said meshing rod 600. FIG. 25 represents a schematic view of another exemplary embodiment in which each first link 700 is formed by a set of parallel receiving solids 701 rigidly connected to each other. Such first links are, for example, used to transmit high power.

Fig. 26 shows examples of receiving solids 620, 630, 640, 650 which have receiving housings 621, 631, 641, 651 according to the invention of different shapes which can be used alone or in combination.

The receiving housing 651 is similar to that shown in Figures 3 to 9, while the receiving housing 641 has on its upper wall which is a closure wall clearance allowing greater freedom of movement of the meshing rod 642 inside the receiving housing 641. The receiving solid 630 is also a contour plate having a pivot axis 633 such that when the engagement rod 632 has its axis coincident with the pivot axis 633, said meshing rod does not cooperate with the meshing walls of the receiving housing. This has the effect of shifting the primitive winding radii of the receiving housings 631 and the meshing rods 632 and allows for a better material thickness around the receiving housing 631. The receiving housing 621 has walls of the housing meshing 624 of non-planar shape, these walls meshing 624 may for example be formed by involutes of circle or arcs of circle. This feature has the effect of changing the force exerted by the meshing rod on the receiving solid 620 depending on the location of the meshing wall 624 with which said meshing rod cooperates.

FIGS. 27 to 30 show an exemplary embodiment in which a link of the first assembly 1001 comprises a receiving housing 1002 and a latch pivotally mounted with respect to the first link and forming a means for temporarily returning the meshing rod to the position nominal 1003, 1003 '.

Figures 27 and 28 are respectively a front view and a sectional view along the axis XXVIII of said first link 1001 having the temporary return means of the meshing rod to the nominal position 1003, 1003 'in an inactive position, the meshing rod 3000 being free to move inside the receiving housing 1002.

Figures 29 and 30 are respectively a front view and a sectional view along the axis XXX of said first link 1001 having the temporary return means of the meshing rod to the nominal position 1003, 1003 'in the active position, said means for temporarily returning the meshing rod to the nominal position 1003, 1003 'cooperating with a cam 1004, 1004' secured to the frame by forcing said meshing rod 3000 to occupy the nominal position of the receiving housing 1002. In a variant, when the link of the first set comprises a first bearing surface adapted to receive a wedging element, the said wedging element can be connected to the means of temporary return of the meshing rod so that the displacement of said element jamming is able to engage or disengage the temporary return means of the meshing rod to the nominal position.

Claims

Link (2) for transmission, for a continuously variable transmission mechanism (1) comprising at least one wheel (3, 4, 5) comprising two flanges (31, 32, 41, 42, 51, 52) in rotation around an axis of rotation, said link comprising:

a first flexible set of first links (210, 210 ', 410, 410', 510, 510 ', 700, 800, 900) having bearing surfaces (2106, 2107, 2108, 2109, 4104, 4105, 5102) adapted to come into contact between two flanges of a wheel of said mechanism;

a second flexible set of second links (212, 412, 512) hinged together to form a closed loop chain or belt (216), the number of second links being equal to the number of first links, each of said second links having a plurality of second links; longitudinal direction (L) tangent to the closed loop;

Characterized in that each link of one of the sets comprises a meshing rod (2120, 2120 ', 2120 ", 4103, 505, 600, 632, 642) and each link of the other set comprises at least one housing closed receiving means (2110, 2110 ', 415, 515, 615, 621, 631, 641, 651) comprising meshing walls (2111, 624) cooperating with said meshing rod via a meshing link, said link meshing allowing a mobility of each first link with respect to the second link with which it cooperates, at least in the longitudinal direction.

2. Link (2) transmission according to claim 1, characterized in that each first link (210, 210 ', 410, 410', 510, 510 ', 700, 800, 900) is separated from another first link adjacent by a first pitch PI and each second link (212, 412, 512) is separated from another second adjacent link by a second pitch P2, the first pitch PI being substantially equal to the second pitch P2.

3. link (2) transmission according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first links (210, 210 ', 410, 410', 510, 510 ', 700, 800, 900) are in support against each other in the longitudinal direction (L), at least before cooperating with the flanges (31, 32, 41, 42, 51, 52) of a wheel (3, 4, 5) of the mechanism

(1) transmission, the first set comprising support means (213, 411, 506, 507, 903, 904). 4. Link (2) transmission according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each link comprising a receiving housing (2110, 2110 ', 415, 515, 615, 621, 631, 641, 651) is pivotable about a pivot axis (2114, 2114 ', 420, 504, 633) substantially parallel to the axial direction (A) and passing inside the receiving housing of at least one contiguous link, said axis pivoting means being a nominal position of said receiving housing of the contiguous link, which nominal position is a position that the axis of the meshing rod (2120, 2120 ', 2120'', 4103, 505, 600, 642, 632) can occupy.

Transmission link (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the meshing rod (2120, 2120 ', 2120' ', 4103, 505, 600, 642, 632) has an axis substantially parallel to the axial direction ( A) and coinciding with the pivot axis (2125, 4106, 4106 ', 518) of two successive links belonging to the set of links comprising said meshing rod.

Link (2) transmission according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each first link (210, 210 ', 410, 410', 510, 510 ', 800) comprises at least one contour plate (2101 , 2102, 2102 ', 2102 ", 4101, 4102, 5101, 5101', 801) adapted to bear on a contour plate of at least one other first contiguous link, one of said first contiguous links in mutual support is said first reference link, the other is said first mobile link, said first mobile link being adapted to pivot about a pivot axis (2114, 2114 ', 4106, 4106', 504) of said first reference link in a substantially path circular, the pivot axis of the first movable link being separated from the pivot axis of the first reference link by a radius substantially equal to the pitch PI. 7. Link (2) transmission according to one of claims 4 to 6 characterized in that the receiving housing (2110, 2110 ', 515, 615, 621, 631, 641, 651) belongs to a receiving solid

(5103, 5103 ', 1003, 701, 620, 630, 640, 650) secured to one of the sets of links, said receiving solid being able to pivot at least about an axis parallel to the axial direction (A ) and coinciding with the nominal position of the receiving housing.

Link (2) transmission according to claim 7 characterized in that the receiving solid (5103, 5103 ', 1003, 701, 620, 630, 640, 650) has at least one orientation means (214, 502 , 1001, 1001 ') adapted to orient the receiving housing (2110, 2110', 515, 615, 621, 631, 641, 651).

Link (2) transmission according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that all of the bearing surfaces (2106, 2107, 2108, 2109, 4104, 4105, 5102) of a first link (210, 210 ' 410, 410 ', 510, 510', 700, 800, 900) in contact on each flange (31, 32, 41, 42, 51, 52) of a wheel (3, 4, 5) has a barycenter d support and in that said supporting barycentres on either side of said first link are connected by a straight line passing inside the receiving housing (2110, 2110 ', 415, 515, 615, 621, 631, 641, 651).

10. Link (2) transmission according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the receiving housing (2110, 2110 ', 415, 515, 615, 621, 631, 651) has a generally triangular general shape.

11. Link (2) transmission according to claim 4 to 10, characterized in that one or other of the sets of links comprises a temporary return means of the meshing rod (1003, 1003 ') to the nominal position of the receiving housing (1002).