JP2003269559A - Power roller supporting structure for toroidal-type continuously variable transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of resonance when a connecting link between trunnions is oscillatably supported by a transmission case shiftably in a direction crossing a trunnion axis for tolerance absorption. <P>SOLUTION: When an upper link 8 connecting upper ends of trunnions 7 supporting a pair of power rollers 6 rotatably is supported by a transmission case, a link post 22 attached in the transmission case with the bolt 21 is provided, the link post 22 is loosely fitted in an opening 8b formed in the upper link 8 between a pair of the trunnions 7, and a viscoelastic material 23 such as rubber is interposed between the outer circumferential surface of the link post 22 and the inner circumferential surface of the opening 8b to form an oscillating suppressing means. Even if the upper link 8 is likely to resonate in a displaceable direction crossing a trunnion axis, the oscillating suppressing means comprised of the viscoelastic material 23 can suppress the resonance of the upper link 8, and the toroidal type continuously variable transmission does not continue transmission while keeping a resonant condition. Thus, the commodity value of toroidal type continuously variable transmission can be enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power roller support structure for a toroidal type continuously variable transmission, and more particularly, to a link for connecting trunnions that rotatably support the power roller.
The present invention relates to a proposal for improving an attachment structure for a transmission case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A toroidal continuously variable transmission normally has a pair of power rollers between input and output disks arranged coaxially.
The pair of power rollers are arranged on both sides of the rotation axis of the input / output disk and are rotatably supported by the individual trunnions. Upon transmission, the power roller is squeezed between the input and output disks by a force corresponding to the transmission torque, and the power roller transfers the power between the input and output disks by shearing the oil film according to the squeezing pressure.

Therefore, in order to prevent the power roller from being ejected between the input and output disks due to the thrust in the direction of being ejected between the input and output disks due to the above-mentioned clamping force, the power rollers are individually rotatable. The upper ends and the lower ends of the trunnions supported by the above are connected to each other by links.

In shifting, each trunnion is in-phase by a servo piston from a non-shift position where the rotation axis of the power roller intersects the rotation axis of the input / output disk in the swing axis (trunnion axis) direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the power roller. By synchronously offsetting (in the same gear shift direction), the gear shift can be performed by causing tilting of the trunnion and the power roller around the swing axis.

For this reason, both links and each trunnion are connected by a joint structure so that the above-mentioned offset and tilting can be performed, and each trunnion forming a pair so that each link can swing with the above-mentioned offset. Support the transmission case at the center of the space. By the way, in order to swingably support the link to the transmission case at the center between the trunnions, this has conventionally been done as described in, for example, JP-A-6-34010, and as shown in FIGS. It was

1 to 3 show a so-called double-cavity type toroidal in which two toroidal transmission units 2 and 3 are coaxially housed in a transmission case 1 as shown in FIG. 1 in order to double the torque transmission capacity. 1 shows a type continuously variable transmission. These toroidal transmission units 2 and 3 respectively include an input disk 4 and an output disk 5 that is coaxially opposed to the input disk 4.
A similar structure is mainly composed of the power roller 6 between the input and output disks.

As shown in FIG. 2 for the toroidal transmission unit 2, the power roller 6 is interposed between the corresponding input / output disks 4 and 5 so as to transmit power by shearing the oil film between the corresponding input / output disks 4 and 5. The power rollers 6 are rotatably supported by the individual trunnions 7 with the rotation axis O ₃ of the input / output disk sandwiched therebetween.

All the trunnions 7 of the toroidal transmission units 2 and 3 have four corners of the plate-like upper link 8 having common upper ends on the same side (upper side near the top wall of the transmission case 1). Connect to. Therefore, the plate-like upper link 8 has openings 8a at its four corners, into which the upper ends of the trunnions 7 enter, as clearly shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an opening 8b for loosely fitting a lubricating cylinder 9 hanging from the top wall of the transmission case 1 between the trunnions 7 of the transmission unit 2 is clearly shown in the upper link 8 in FIG. And the transmission case 1 between the trunnions 7 of the transmission unit 3 as shown in FIG.
The long hole 8c into which the spherical joint 11 provided in the lubricating cylinder 10 hanging from the top wall of the above is fitted is formed as clearly shown in FIG.

The elongated hole 8c receives the spherical joint 11 without play in the disc axial direction (front-back direction) indicated by the arrow A1 in FIG.
Arrange them so that there is play in the left-right direction. As a result, the upper link 8 is positioned in the front-rear direction indicated by the arrow A1, but in the state in which it can be displaced in the left-right direction indicated by the arrow A2, the upper case 8 is attached to the transmission case 1 so as to be able to swing during the gear shift. Supported.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, all the trunnions 7 of the toroidal transmission units 2 and 3 further have a plate-like lower link 12 having common lower ends adjacent to each other.
Connect to each other by connecting to the four corners. For this reason, the plate-shaped lower link 12 has openings 12a, as shown in FIG. 2, into which the lower ends of the trunnions 7 enter at the four corners thereof, similarly to the upper link 8 shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower link 12 is further provided with a long hole 12b in which a spherical joint 14 protruding from a servo piston body 13 attached to a lower portion of the transmission case 1 is fitted between the trunnions 7 of the transmission unit 2. At the same time, the openings 12c are formed between the trunnions 7 of the transmission unit 3 as shown in FIG. 1 for loosely fitting the spherical joint 15 protruding from the servo piston body 13.

The elongated hole 12b functions in the same manner as the elongated hole 8c in FIG. 3, and receives the spherical joint 14 without play in the disc axial direction (front-back direction) indicated by an arrow A1 in FIG. 3, but at right angles to the disc axial line. It is arranged so that there is play in the left-right direction indicated by arrow A2 in the figure. As a result, the lower link 12 is positioned in the front-rear direction indicated by the arrow A1, but in the state where it can be displaced in the left-right direction indicated by the arrow A2, the transmission case 1 can be rocked during the shift.
Supported by.

According to such a conventional power roller support structure, since the upper link 8 and the lower link 12 are supported so as to be displaceable in the left-right direction with respect to the transmission case 1, both links 8 and 12 are arranged in the same direction. Relative displacement can be performed, and this relative displacement absorbs assembly errors and placement errors in the joints between the links 8 and 12 and the trunnion 7, and prevents the generation of prying force between the parts after assembly. can do.

[0013]

However, when the upper link 8 or the lower link 12 or both of them are supported so as to be displaceable in the left-right direction with respect to the transmission case 1 as described above, the following problems occur. I have a concern. That is, due to the eccentricity and inclination of the input / output disks 4, 5 during manufacturing or assembly, these disks 4, 5
When 5 produces the first-order vibration of rotation, links 8, 12
May resonate to make it impossible to suppress the vibration, and the transmission in the resonance state may be continued to lower the commercial value.

This concern is not limited to the case where the upper link 8 or the lower link 12 or both of them are supported so as to be displaceable in the left-right direction with respect to the transmission case 1 as shown in FIGS. Can be displaced in any direction to be supported by the transmission case 1, or can be displaced in both the left-right direction and the front-rear direction to be supported in the transmission case 1, or can be displaced in all directions within a plane that traverses the trunnion axis. Naturally, it occurs when supporting.

According to the present invention, when the link is swingably supported on the transmission case, even when the link is supported so as to be displaceable in the direction transverse to the trunnion axis with respect to the transmission case as described above. It is an object of the present invention to propose a power roller support structure which improves the commercial value of a toroidal type continuously variable transmission without causing the above resonance.

[0016]

To this end, a power roller supporting structure for a toroidal type continuously variable transmission according to the present invention has a pair of power rollers individually rotatably supported as set forth in claim 1. In one in which a link connecting mutually adjacent one ends and the other ends of the trunnions to each other between the trunnions is swingably supported with respect to the transmission case in a state of being displaceable in any direction across the trunnion axis, Vibration suppressing means for suppressing vibration of the link in a displaceable direction across the trunnion axis of the link is provided between the link and the transmission case.

[0017]

According to the power roller support structure of the present invention, when the link is swingably supported by the transmission case, the link is supported by the transmission case so as to be displaceable in the direction transverse to the trunnion axis. Even if you do
Since the vibration suppressing means suppresses the resonance of the link in the displaceable direction, it is possible to avoid continuing the transmission in the resonance state and increase the commercial value of the toroidal type continuously variable transmission. it can.

The vibration suppressing means may be composed of a viscoelastic material such as rubber interposed between the link and the transmission case. In this case, the above-described effects can be achieved with a simple and inexpensive structure in which a viscoelastic material such as rubber is interposed.

Instead of this, the vibration suppressing means is constituted by a piston / cylinder device as described in claim 3,
One of the piston and the cylinder of the device is arranged so as to be displaced together with the link, and the other is arranged on the transmission case side,
The vibration suppressing action can be generated by the limited displacement flow of the working fluid performed between the cylinder chambers on both sides of the piston through the communication hole provided in the piston. In this case, it is possible to freely adjust the strength of the vibration suppressing action by adjusting the flow passage cross-sectional area of the piston communication hole.
The degree of freedom in design is high and versatility can be improved.

The vibration suppressing means further comprises a piston / cylinder device for performing a contraction stroke in response to a one-way displacement of the link, and a piston for performing a contraction stroke in response to a reverse displacement of the link.・ Consists of a cylinder device so that vibration suppression action is generated by the flow resistance when the working fluid leaks from the pressurized cylinder chamber through the gap between the piston and cylinder during the contraction stroke of these piston and cylinder devices. be able to. In this case, it is not necessary to seal the working fluid in the piston / cylinder device, and the vibration suppressing function can be generated using the working fluid of the toroidal type continuously variable transmission. There is an advantage that maintenance is excellent without the occurrence of

When the construction according to claim 4 is adopted, as described in claim 5, replenishment of the working fluid to the pressurizing cylinder chamber during the extension stroke of the piston / cylinder device is performed by using a toroidal type. It is preferable that a branch oil passage branched from the lubricating oil passage of the step transmission is used to perform the check valve. In this case, it is not necessary to newly install a pressure source for replenishing the working fluid to the cylinder chamber, the existing pressure source can be used for the shift control circuit, and the replenishment of the working fluid is performed. Most of the oil passages can use existing oil passages, and the newly added branch oil passage can be short, which is a great cost advantage.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 shows a power roller support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and in the figure, portions having the same functions as those in FIGS. Figure 4
Shows an embodiment in which the idea of the present invention is applied to an upper link 8 similar to that in FIGS. 1 to 3, and in the present embodiment, a trunnion 7 that rotatably supports a pair of power rollers 6, respectively. The upper link 8 connecting the upper ends of the above is supported by the transmission case with the following configuration.

That is, the link post 22 attached to the transmission case with the bolt 21 is provided, and the lubricating oil passage 22a is provided in the link post 22.
Is formed so that the link post 22 functions similarly to the lubricating cylinder 9 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Because of this, the lubricating oil passage 2
2a is made to communicate with a lubricating oil passage (not shown) of the transmission case when the link post 22 is attached. The link post 22 is loosely fitted into the opening 8b (see FIG. 3) formed in the upper link 8 between the pair of trunnions 7,
A viscoelastic material 23 such as rubber is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the link post 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening 8b to form vibration suppressing means.

The viscoelastic material 23 can achieve the object of the present invention if it exists in a displaceable direction (left and right direction shown by arrow A2 in FIG. 3) across the trunnion axis of the upper link 8, but here the trunnion axis is used. It is an annular body that exists in all directions in the plane that traverses. The ring-shaped viscoelastic material 23 is engaged with and attached to the groove 22b formed on the outer peripheral surface of the link post 22.
The outer periphery of 3 is closely contacted with the inner peripheral surface of the opening 8b. Needless to say, this contact may be performed in a preloaded state if necessary.

According to this embodiment having such a configuration,
The upper link 8 is supported by the transmission case in a state of being displaceable in a direction transverse to the trunnion axis line, and even if the upper link 8 is likely to resonate with the vibration of the input / output disk, the vibration suppressing means constituted by the viscoelastic material 23. It is possible to suppress the resonance of the upper link 8 in the displaceable direction.
Therefore, the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission does not continue transmission in the resonance state, and the commercial value of the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission can be increased.

As in the present embodiment, the vibration suppressing means is made of a viscoelastic material 23 such as rubber interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the link post 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening 8b formed in the upper link 8. When configured, the above-described effects can be achieved with a simple and inexpensive configuration in which a viscoelastic material 23 such as rubber is interposed.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the vibration suppressing means is constituted by a piston / cylinder type oil damper as described below. That is, a horizontal blind hole-shaped cylinder hole 22c is formed at the position of the link post 22 in the opening 8b, and extends in the displaceable direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5) across the trunnion axis of the upper link 8. . The piston 24 is slidably fitted in the cylinder hole 22c and the open end of the cylinder hole 22c is closed by an end cover 25 to define closed cylinder chambers 26 and 27 on both sides of the piston 24, and the working fluid is contained in these chambers. Is enclosed.

Piston rods 2 are provided on both sides of the piston 24.
8 and 29 are integrally connected to each other, and these piston rods 2
Reference numerals 8 and 29 penetrate the corresponding cylinder chambers 26 and 27, respectively, and are slidable from these chambers, and are projected under the sealing and abut against the inner peripheral surface of the opening 8b. The piston 24 has
A communication hole 24a is formed to communicate between the cylinder chambers 26 and 27 on both sides thereof, and when the piston 24 makes a stroke, the communication hole 24a allows a limited displacement flow of the working fluid to be performed between the cylinder chambers 26 and 27. The channel cross-sectional area of 24a is determined to be relatively small.

In this structure, the upper link 8
Is about to generate vibration in the displaceable direction,
Inner peripheral surface of opening 8b and piston rod 28 or 29
The piston 24 tries to reciprocate in the cylinder hole 22c via. The stroke of the piston 24 at this time passes through the piston communication hole 24a and the cylinder chambers 26, 27.
This is performed against the limited displacement flow of the working fluid that is performed between them, and the vibration of the upper link 8 can be suppressed by the flow resistance at this time. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of resonance due to the vibration of the upper link 8, and the toroidal type continuously variable transmission does not continue transmission in the resonance state, and the toroidal type continuously variable transmission product Value can be increased.

When the vibration suppressing means is constituted by the piston / cylinder device as described above, the strength of the vibration suppressing action can be freely adjusted by adjusting the flow passage sectional area of the piston communication hole 24a. The degree of freedom in design is high and versatility can be improved.

In the above description, the piston 24 is arranged so as to be displaced together with the upper link 8 and the cylinder 22c is arranged on the side of the link post 22 (transmission case). It goes without saying that it can be arranged on the transmission case side and the cylinder can be arranged so as to be displaced together with the upper link 8.

FIG. 6 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the vibration suppressing means is constituted by a piston-cylinder type oil damper in the following one-to-one combination. That is, in the portion of the link post 22 in the opening 8b, a cylinder hole 22 having a lateral blind hole shape is formed.
d and 22e are formed back to back, and these are arranged in a displaceable direction across the trunnion axis of the upper link 8 (see FIG. 6).
Left and right).

Pistons 31 and 32 are slidably inserted into the cylinder holes 22d and 22e from their open ends to define cylinder chambers 33 and 34, and between the cylinder holes 22d and 22e and the pistons 31 and 32. Sets a small gap. Accordingly, when the cylinder chambers 33, 34 are pressurized by the pushing strokes of the pistons 31, 32 (contraction strokes of the piston / cylinder device), the working fluid from the chambers becomes
The cylinder holes 22d and 22e and the pistons 31 and 32 are allowed to leak through the above-mentioned gaps.

The cylinder chambers 33 and 34 have the link post 2
2 is made to communicate with the lubricating oil passage 22a by the branch oil passages 35 and 36 formed so as to be branched from the lubricating oil passage 22a, and the check valves 37 and 38 are inserted into these branch oil passages 35 and 36,
The check valves 37 and 38 are arranged so as to allow the oil flow toward the cylinder chambers 33 and 34. Thus, a part of the pressurized lubricating oil to the lubricating oil passage 22a opens the check valves 37, 38 and passes through the branch oil passages 35, 36, whereby the cylinder chambers 33, 3
4 and the pistons 31 and 32 can be projected (the piston / cylinder device can be extended stroke). Therefore, the pistons 31, 32 have their tips abutted against the inner peripheral surface of the opening 8b.

In such a structure, the upper link 8
Is about to generate vibration in the displaceable direction,
One of the pistons 31 and 32 is pushed through the inner peripheral surface of the opening 8b, and a gap is created between the other and the inner peripheral surface of the opening 8b. The case where the upper link 8 is displaced to the right in the figure will be described in detail. At this time, the inner peripheral surface of the opening 8b pushes the piston 31 to cause the corresponding piston / cylinder device to contract and stroke to open the opening 8b.
The inner peripheral surface of the is trying to separate from the tip of the piston 32.

The piston by pushing the piston 31
During the contraction stroke of the cylinder device, the cylinder chamber 33 is in a pressurized state, and from this pressurized cylinder chamber 33 to the piston 3
The vibration resistance can be generated by the flow resistance when the working fluid leaks through the gap between the No. 1 and the cylinder hole 22d. On the other hand, the piston 32 is released from the inner peripheral surface of the opening 8b from the tip end thereof, and as a result, the constraint is released. As a result, the piston 32 passes through the branch oil passage 36 and the check valve 38, and then inside the cylinder chamber 34. Is pushed out by the working fluid flowing in (the corresponding piston-cylinder device makes an extension stroke), and the tip of the piston 32 is continuously brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the opening 8b.

Even when the upper link 8 is displaced in the leftward direction in the figure, the piston 32 is pushed in and the piston 31
When the working fluid leaks through the gap between the piston 32 and the cylinder hole 22e from the cylinder chamber 34 which is in a pressurized state due to the contraction stroke of the piston / cylinder device due to the pushing of the piston 32, The vibration resistance can be caused by the flow resistance. By repeating the above operation, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of resonance due to the vibration of the upper link 8, and the toroidal type continuously variable transmission does not continue transmission in the resonance state, and the toroidal type continuously variable transmission does not occur. It is possible to increase the commercial value of the gear transmission.

In the present embodiment, unlike the case of FIG. 5, it is not necessary to enclose the working fluid in the one-to-one set of piston and cylinder devices, and the working fluid of the toroidal type continuously variable transmission is not required. Since it is possible to generate a vibration suppressing function by utilizing, there is no concern about leakage of the enclosed fluid, and there is an advantage that the maintainability is excellent. Further, in the present embodiment, replenishment of the working fluid to the cylinder chamber during the extension stroke of the piston / cylinder device is
Since the branch oil passages 36, 36 branched from the lubricating oil passage 22a of the toroidal type continuously variable transmission go through the check valves 37, 38, it is not necessary to newly install a pressure source for supplementing the working fluid. It is possible to use an existing pressure source for the shift control circuit, and most of the oil passages for supplementing the working fluid can also use the existing oil passage 22a. The paths 35 and 36 may be short,
It is also very advantageous in terms of cost.

As the vibration suppressing means, instead of the above-mentioned type, vibration suppressing means may be used which suppresses the vibration by frictional force, or gas such as air instead of oil may be used as the medium. Further, in all of the above, the vibration suppressing means is arranged between the central opening 8b of the link 8 and the link post 22 for effective use of the space, but the vibration suppressing means is not limited to this, and the link 8 and the transmission case may be arranged. Needless to say, it can be arranged at any other place that causes relative displacement with respect to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view showing a toroidal type continuously variable transmission including a conventional power roller support structure.

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the toroidal type continuously variable transmission as a cross section taken along the line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an upper link in a toroidal type continuously variable transmission.

FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing the fitting structure of the upper link and the link post in the power roller support structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing a power roller support structure according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to FIG. 4 but showing a fitting structure between an upper link and a link post.

FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing a structure for fitting an upper link and a link post similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, showing a power roller support structure according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Transmission case 2 Toroidal transmission unit 3 Toroidal transmission unit 4 input disks 5 output discs 6 power rollers 7 trunnions 8 upper links 8b opening 9 Lubrication cylinder 10 Lubrication cylinder 11 Spherical joint 12 Lower Link 13 Servo piston body 14 Spherical joint 15 spherical fitting 22 Link Post 22a Lubricating oil passage 22b groove 22c Cylinder hole 22d cylinder hole 22e Cylinder hole 23 Viscoelastic material 24 pistons 24a Piston communication hole 25 Cylinder hole end cover 26 closed cylinder chamber 27 Closed cylinder chamber 28 Piston rod 29 Piston rod 31 piston 32 pistons 33 Cylinder chamber 34 Cylinder chamber 35 branch oil passage 36 branch oil passage 37 Check valve 38 Check valve

Continued front page    F term (reference) 3J048 AA01 AA06 BA10 BE03 DA06                       EA20                 3J051 AA09 BA03 BB01 BE09 CA05                       CB06 DA04 DA05 ED07                 3J069 AA50 AA55 DD06 EE03 EE80

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A pair of power rollers for transmitting and receiving power by shearing an oil film according to a pinching force between coaxially arranged input and output disks are rotatably supported on individual trunnions, and adjacent one ends of these trunnions are provided. There is provided a link for connecting the parts and the other end part to each other, and the toroidal type support is swingably supported with respect to the transmission case in a state in which the link can be displaced between trunnions in any direction across the trunnion axis. In a continuously variable transmission, a power roller for a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, characterized in that vibration suppressing means for suppressing vibration of the link in a displaceable direction crossing the trunnion axis of the link is provided between the link and the transmission case. Support structure. 2. The power roller support structure according to claim 1, wherein the vibration suppressing means is composed of a viscoelastic material such as rubber interposed between the link and the transmission case. Power roller support structure for the speed change gear. 3. The power roller support structure according to claim 1, wherein the vibration suppressing means is constituted by a piston / cylinder device, and one of a piston and a cylinder of the device is arranged to be displaced together with the link, and the other is arranged. It is arranged on the transmission case side, and is configured to generate the vibration suppressing action by a limited displacement flow of the working fluid performed between the cylinder chambers on both sides of the piston through a communication hole provided in the piston. Power roller support structure for toroidal continuously variable transmission. 4. The power roller support structure according to claim 1, wherein the vibration suppressing means responds to a displacement of the link in one direction to perform a contraction stroke and a displacement of the link in a reverse direction. And a piston / cylinder device that performs a contraction stroke, and the vibration is suppressed by the flow resistance when the working fluid leaks from the pressurized cylinder chamber through the gap between the piston and the cylinder during the contraction stroke of these piston / cylinder devices. A power roller support structure for a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, characterized in that it is configured to produce an action. 5. The power roller support structure according to claim 4, wherein the working fluid is replenished to the pressurizing cylinder chamber during the extension stroke of the piston / cylinder device by a lubricating oil passage of a toroidal type continuously variable transmission. A power roller support structure for a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, characterized in that a branch oil passage branched from the above structure is configured to perform a check valve.