초록 ▼

A variable speed transmission includes an actuator mechanism that can be remotely activated to cause engagement of a drive unit and to subsequently vary the speed of the drive unit using the same activation mechanism. The variable speed transmission can include a first pulley that has a first and se

A variable speed transmission includes an actuator mechanism that can be remotely activated to cause engagement of a drive unit and to subsequently vary the speed of the drive unit using the same activation mechanism. The variable speed transmission can include a first pulley that has a first and second face that are movable relative to each other by activation of the actuator mechanism. When the first and second faces of the first pulley are located in a first position, a belt located on the first pulley remains motionless. The first and second faces can be moved by the actuator mechanism into a second position where the first and second plates engage the belt with enough frictional force to cause the belt to start moving about the first pulley. The first and second faces of the first pulley can also be moved between the second position and a third position such that the space between the faces becomes smaller. As the space between the faces becomes smaller, the belt moves outward and away from the rotational axis of the pulley, thus moving about the axis faster as the space between the faces gets smaller.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for using a variable speed transmission that includes a first pulley having a rotational axis, a first face and a second face, the first face being rotatable relative to the second face about the rotational axis and being movable along the rotational axis with respec

What is claimed is: 1. A method for using a variable speed transmission that includes a first pulley having a rotational axis, a first face and a second face, the first face being rotatable relative to the second face about the rotational axis and being movable along the rotational axis with respect to the second face, an actuator comprising a first plate and a second plate located adjacent the first pulley for moving the first face with respect to the second face, and a belt located adjacent the first face and the second face of the first pulley, comprising: driving one of the first face, the second face and the belt about the rotational axis of the first pulley; moving at least one of the first and second plates of the actuator to move the first face, which is rotatable relative to the second face about the rotational axis, along the rotational axis and relative to the second face, which is fixed in its position, such that a portion of each of the first face and the second face frictionally engages the belt to cause one of the first face, the second face and the belt to begin movement about the rotational axis of the first pulley; and moving the belt away from the rotational axis of the first pulley to cause the belt to move faster about the rotational axis of the first pulley. 2. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 1, wherein moving the belt away from the rotational axis of the first pulley includes continuing moving the first face along the rotational axis towards the second face such that the belt is forced away from the rotational axis by the first and second face of the first pulley. 3. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a ball/ramp mechanism and wherein moving at least one of the first and second plates of the actuator comprises moving a ball of the ball/ramp mechanism on a ramp of the ball/ramp mechanism. 4. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 1, wherein activating the actuator includes moving a control line between a neutral position and a second position. 5. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 4, further comprising: providing a driven wheel, wherein moving the control line causes the driven wheel to; be substantially motionless when the control line is located at the neutral position, begin rotation when the control line is moved from the neutral position to an intermediate position; and increase in rotational speed as the control line is moved from the intermediate position to the second position. 6. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 1, further comprising: providing a second pulley having a rotational axis, a drive shaft located along the rotational axis of one of the first pulley and the second pulley, and a driven shaft located along the rotational axis of the other of the first pulley and the second pulley. 7. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 6, wherein the second pulley includes a primary face and a secondary face, the method further comprising: moving the primary face of the second pulley away from the secondary face as the first face of the first pulley moves towards the second face. 8. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the first face of the first pulley includes an extension portion extending along the rotational axis of the first pulley, the method further comprising: supporting the belt on the extension portion of the first face prior to the step of moving the first face along the rotational axis relative to the second face of the first pulley. 9. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the first face and second face of the first pulley angle towards each other as they approach the rotational axis of the first pulley, such that when the first face is moved relative to the second face, the belt is forced by the first and second face away from the rotational axis of the first pulley. 10. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 1, further comprising: providing a second pulley that has a second pulley rotational axis and includes a primary face and secondary face, the second pulley being connected to the belt; biasing the primary face towards the secondary face; rotating the belt about the second pulley rotation axis: moving the belt in one of a first and second direction, the first direction being towards the second pulley rotational axis and causing the second pulley to rotate faster, and the second direction being away from the second pulley rotational axis and causing the second pulley to rotate slower. 11. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 10, wherein moving the belt away from the rotational axis of the first pulley includes causing the belt to move towards the second pulley rotational axis to cause the second pulley to rotate faster. 12. A method for using a variable speed transmission that includes a first pulley having a rotational axis, a first face and a second face, the first face being rotatable relative to the second face about the rotational axis and being movable along the rotational axis with respect to the second face, an actuator comprising a first plate and a second plate located adjacent the first pulley for moving the first face with respect to the second face, a second pulley having a second pulley rotational axis, a primary face and a secondary face, the primary face being movable with respect to the secondary face along the second pulley rotational axis, and a belt connected between the first pulley and the second pulley, comprising: driving one of the first face, the second face and the belt about the rotational axis of the first pulley; moving at least one of the first and second plates of the actuator to move the first face, which is rotatable relative to the second face about the rotational axis, along the rotational axis and relative to the second face, which is fixed in its position, such that a portion of each of the first face and the second face frictionally releases from the belt to cause one of the first face, the second face and the belt to begin movement relative to another one of the first face, the second face and the belt. 13. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 12, wherein moving the first face along the rotational axis and relative to the second face such that a portion of each of the first face and the second face frictionally releases from the belt includes slowing one of the first face, second face and belt to substantially zero speed relative to the other of the first face, second face and belt. 14. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 12, wherein prior to moving the first face along the rotational axis and relative to the second face such that a portion of each of the first face and the second face frictionally releases from the belt, the method includes: moving the belt in one of a first and second direction, the first direction being towards the first pulley rotational axis and away from the second pulley rotational axis, causing the belt to move slower about the first pulley rotational axis and causing the second pulley to rotate slower about the second pulley rotational axis, and the second direction being away from the first pulley rotational axis and towards the second pulley rotational axis, causing the belt to move faster about the first pulley rotational axis and causing the second pulley to rotate faster about the second pulley rotational axis. 15. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 14, wherein moving the belt in the second direction includes providing a biasing mechanism on the second pulley and biasing the primary face and secondary face towards each other to move the belt away from the second pulley rotational axis. 16. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 14, wherein moving the belt in one of a first and second direction includes moving the actuator between a neutral position and a drive position to move the first face and second face towards and away from each other causing the belt to move away from and towards the rotational axis of the first pulley, respectively. 17. The method for using a variable speed transmission of claim 16, further comprising: providing a driven wheel, wherein moving the actuator between the neutral position and the drive position includes causing the driven wheel to, be substantially motionless when the actuator is located at the neutral position, begin rotation when the actuator is moved from the neutral position towards the drive position, increase in rotational speed when the actuator continues movement from the neutral position towards the drive position, and decrease in rotational speed when the actuator is moved towards the neutral position. 18. A method for using a variable speed transmission to drive a propulsion mechanism on a piece of power equipment, comprising: providing a control mechanism that is connected to a drive train which drives the propulsion mechanism, the drive train including a first pulley having a rotational axis, a first sheave and a second sheave with the first sheave being rotatable relative to the second sheave about the rotational axis, an actuator comprising a first plate and a second plate located adjacent the first pulley for moving the first sheave with respect to the second sheave, and a belt having an inner surface located around the first pulley; permitting the first sheave to remain substantially stationary relative to the second sheave, which is fixed in its position; rotating the first sheave of the first pulley with respect to the belt; and moving at least one of the first and second plates of the actuator, thereby engaging the belt with the first sheave of the first pulley with enough force to begin movement of the belt about the first pulley. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first sheave of the first pulley includes a first face and the second sheave of the first pulley includes a second face, and the first face and second face form a groove and face each other, and wherein the engaging of the belt includes contacting the belt with the first face of the first sheave of the pulley to begin movement of the belt about the first pulley. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the engaging of the belt includes moving the first face along the rotational axis towards the second face such that a portion of each of the first face and the second face frictionally engages the belt with enough force to cause the belt to begin movement about the rotational axis of the first pulley. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: moving the belt away from the rotational axis of the first pulley to cause the belt to move faster about the rotational axis of the first pulley. 22. A method for using a variable speed transmission, the method comprising: providing a pulley having a rotational axis, a first face and a second face, the first face being axially movable along the rotational axis with respect to the second face; providing a belt positioned adjacent the first face and the second face of the pulley; providing an actuator comprising a first plate and a second plate located adjacent the pulley and adapted to move the first face with respect to the second face; and moving at least one of the first and second plates of the actuator to move the first face axially along the rotational axis from a neutral position where the first face is located at a first position with respect to the second face and the first face is rotatable relative to the second face, to a drive position where the first face is at a second position closer to the second face and where the first face and the second face frictionally engage the belt such that the first face, the second face, and the belt rotate together.