JP2007162925A - Hemispheric continuously-variable transmission with clutch function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems wherein applications of a conventional CVT are limited owing to to more burden on maintenance work and manufacturing costs caused by its complicated structure, and a clutch and torque converter should be separately prepared to connect and disconnect driving force. <P>SOLUTION: Hemispheric bodies 1 and 2 rotated like a top with the same size are mounted on rotary shafts at both input and output sides, and are brought into press contact with each other opposing at an opposite angle of 45 degrees. Operation shafts 5 of the hemispheric bodies are provided to support the respective rotary shafts at the center of the respective hemispheric bodies. Materials corresponding to a clutch are attached on a polar side end A of the input side hemispheric body 1 and an equator side end C of the output side hemispheric body 2, and the rotary shafts are respectively connected with input/output devices via a universal joints 3 and telescopic joints 4. Connection and disconnection of the driving force and smooth continuously-variable speed change is made by a simple operation such as changing an angle of the operation shaft in a simple structure at the basis of a mechanism for changing speed change ratios by oppositely changing latitudes touched with respective hemispheric bodies by rotation of the operation shafts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a continuously variable transmission that can be used in vehicles such as automobiles, tools, and home appliances.

  Currently, there are belt type and toroidal type CVTs as typical examples of continuously variable transmissions.

  The conventional CVT has a complicated structure, requires maintenance and manufacturing costs, and has a limited range of use. In addition, it is necessary to separately install a clutch or torque converter that controls transmission of driving force.

  The present invention can provide a smooth continuously variable transmission with a simplified structure, and also has a clutch function, so that the cost can be greatly reduced.

  The principle of the present invention is that hemispheres that rotate like the same size are attached to the rotation shafts on the input side and the output side, press against each other at a latitude of 45 degrees, and the speed changes by the opposite changes in the contact latitude. It will change the ratio.

  In addition, the continuously variable transmission has a clutch function by attaching a material corresponding to the clutch to the pole end of the input hemisphere and the equator end of the output hemisphere.

The advantage of the present invention is that the gear ratio can be changed in a relatively short time and the clutch function is also provided, so that the clutch and gear shift can be controlled in one operation.
Further, when used for a power source that does not require a clutch function, such as an electric motor, the gear ratio can be freely selected even when the rotation of the driving force is zero.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The structure of the hemisphere is made of hollow metal 1 and 2 for weight reduction and heat dissipation, with materials A and 2 C corresponding to the clutch action, and B and B ′ with appropriate adhesive strength. Install the resulting elastic material. The range of the spherical surface that comes into contact is a surface that omits the same angle from both sides for mounting the bearing on the equator side and the pole side.

  The rotation axis passing from the pole to the center is connected to the input / output side by the universal joint 3 provided at two places and the expansion joint 4 between the joints.

In order to hold each hemisphere, a rotating shaft 5 is provided in parallel with the equator through the center of the sphere, and the arm 6 is extended through the rotating shaft and integrated with the pole-side bearing.
This is the operation axis.

The lower ends of the two operating shafts are inserted and fixed to a bearing provided on the bottom surface of the holding frame 10, and the two sector gears 7 are attached and meshed to be interlocked.
At the upper end, a connecting fitting 8 capable of adjusting the spherical contact pressure is attached and fixed to the ceiling holding frame 10.
One end 9 of the operation shaft is connected to a control device.

  A stopper that limits the rotation angle of the operating shaft is provided so that the two spherical surfaces are always in the proper positions.

  In FIG. 2, the two hemispheres are in light contact. This is a so-called creep phenomenon.

  When the vehicle is not in a running state, the input operation shaft rotates counterclockwise and the output operation shaft rotates clockwise, so that the two hemispheres are completely separated.

When driving, the input side operation shaft is controlled to rotate clockwise by the accelerator operation from the state of FIG. 2, and the A part and the C part of 2 are gradually pressed and the driving force is transmitted smoothly. .
If the state of FIG. 2 continues for a long time, there is a risk that uneven wear will occur in C, so it is necessary to consider the combination of materials A and C. Also, the structure should be easy to replace when worn.

  The speed change is performed steplessly in the contact range of B and B ′.

  Since the present invention has functions of a clutch and a transmission, it contributes to a reduction in manufacturing costs of automobiles and the like. Further, since the gear ratio can be quickly changed steplessly, it is advantageous for controlling the effective motor speed when using a regenerative brake in an electric vehicle or the like.

If the present invention is combined in parallel in the example of FIG. 5 and interlocked, the transmission of the rotational force can be increased, and if the plurality of combinations in series in the example of FIG. Can be widened.
In addition, the size of the joint can be reduced by replacing the joint with a wire.

  The fragmentary sectional view which shows the form of the components of this invention   External view from above excluding the holding frame showing the actual state of the present invention   Position map of the same shift band   Illustration from the side   The figure which looked at the Example which combines this invention in multiple numbers from the direction of the input shaft   Example of combination in series

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Hemispherical structure A, C Clutch material B, B 'Elastic material 3 Universal joint 4 Expansion joint 5 Operation shaft 6 Arm 7 Fan-shaped gear 8 Connection metal fitting 9 Control shaft 10 Holding frame 11 Bevel gear 12 Input shaft gear 13 Power side gear

Claims (4)

  Two hemispheres on the input side and output side that rotate like a frame are pressed against each other so that they touch each other at a latitude of 45 degrees, and an operation axis is provided to support the rotation axis of the hemisphere at the center of the sphere , The contact latitude by the rotation of the operation shaft is changed on the input side and the output side in a reciprocal manner to change the gear ratio steplessly, and it is driven to the input side and the output side by two expansion joints between the universal joint and the joint, respectively. A continuously variable transmission that transmits power.   A continuously variable transmission having a clutch function by attaching a material corresponding to a clutch to the pole side end of the input hemisphere and the equator side end of the output hemisphere of claim 1.   A transmission in which a plurality of continuously variable transmissions according to claim 1 or 2 are combined in parallel to increase transmission of rotational force.   A transmission in which a plurality of continuously variable transmissions according to claim 1 or 2 are combined in series so that the degree of change in the gear ratio is wider.

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