초록 ▼

A two-stage, continuously variable transmission used to power a machine, incorporates self-adjusting features while ensuring a positive engagement. Power from an engine is transferred via a rotatable shaft of a first stage, which engages with a first stage differential gear. The first stage gear del

A two-stage, continuously variable transmission used to power a machine, incorporates self-adjusting features while ensuring a positive engagement. Power from an engine is transferred via a rotatable shaft of a first stage, which engages with a first stage differential gear. The first stage gear delivers power to each of (1) a low ratio and (2) a high ratio first stage output half shafts. A second stage includes each of (1) a low ratio and (2) a high ratio second stage input half shaft. The low ratio half shafts are engaged providing a first pathway. The high ratio half shafts are engaged providing a second pathway, both shafts in positive engagement. A second stage differential gear receives low and high gear ratio power simultaneously, over the first and second pathways and aggregates the power to be output at an automatically selected optimum gear ratio for the machine, determined by the kinetic status of the machine.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A self adjusting positive engagement continuous variable transmission configured for operable connection to a machine bearing a load, said transmission comprising: a first stage assembly and a second stage assembly; said first stage assembly comprising a first stage power inp

What is claimed is: 1. A self adjusting positive engagement continuous variable transmission configured for operable connection to a machine bearing a load, said transmission comprising: a first stage assembly and a second stage assembly; said first stage assembly comprising a first stage power input means, a first stage power channeling means, and two first stage power output means, namely a low ratio first stage power output and a high ratio first stage power output; said first stage power input means being operably connected to said first stage power channeling means and being configured for applying power, in the form of rotational energy, to said first stage power channeling means; said first stage power channeling means being operably connected to said two first stage power output means and being configured for applying power, in the form of rotational energy, separately and at differing rotational rates, to each of said two first stage power output means; said second stage assembly comprising, two second stage power input means, namely a low ratio second stage power input means and a high ratio second stage power input means, a second stage power channeling means, and a second stage power output means; said low ratio second stage power input means being operably connected to said low ratio first stage power output means; said high ratio second stage power input means being operably connected to said high ratio first stage power output means; said two second stage power input means being operably connected to said second stage power channeling means for applying power, in the form of rotational energy, separately and at differing rotational rates to said second stage power channeling means; said second stage power channeling means being operably connected to said second stage power output means, which is operably connected to said machine bearing a load, said first stage and said second stage being configured to cooperate for delivering power, in the form of rotational energy, at continuously variable rotational speeds and torque values, according to the load on said machine; and a ratchet bearing in communication with at least one of said first stage power output means, wherein said ratchet bearing prevents reversal of the first stage power output means. 2. The transmission of claim 1, wherein: said first stage power channeling means is a first stage differential gear and said second stage power channeling means is a second stage differential gear; said first stage power input means is a rotatably mounted first stage input shaft, each of said first stage power output means is a rotatably mounted first stage output half shaft, each of said second stage power input means is a rotatably mounted second stage input half shaft, and said second stage power output means is a rotatably mounted second stage output shaft; said operable connection between said low ratio first stage power output means said low ratio second stage power input means is provided by a low ratio power output gear mounted on said low ratio first stage power output half shaft and a low ratio power input gear mounted on said low ratio second stage power input half shaft, each having a circumferential run of gear teeth, said low ratio power output gear and said low ratio power input gear being adapted and positioned so as to mesh in positive engagement; said operable connection between said high ratio first stage power output means and said high ratio second stage power input means is provided by a high ratio power output gear mounted on said high ratio first stage power output half shaft and a high ratio power input gear mounted on said second stage high ratio power input half shaft; said high ratio power output gear and said high ratio power input gear being adapted and positioned so as to mesh in positive engagement; whereby a positive engagement power train on a first pathway including said first stage input shaft, said first stage differential gear, said low ratio first stage output half shaft, said low ratio second stage input half shaft, said second stage differential gear, and said second stage output shaft and a positive engagement power train on a second pathway including said first stage input shaft, said first stage differential gear, said high ratio first stage output half shaft, said high ratio second stage input half shaft, said second stage differential gear, and said second stage output shaft, aggregated in said second stage to output rotational energy in continuous variable gear ratios, according to the load on said second stage output shaft. 3. The transmission of claim 2, wherein: said first stage differential gear and said second stage differential gear each include: a rotatably mounted crown wheel; a housing box, having a wall defining an inside space, fixed to said crown wheel, for synchronous rotation; a plurality of pinions, rotatably mounted on pinion shafts extending into said inside space generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said crown wheel; said pinion shafts being connected to said wall for synchronous rotation with said housing box; a pair of facing spaced apart bevel wheels meshed with said pinions and rotatably mounted in said inside space; said bevel wheels having an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of said crown wheel; said pair of bevel wheels, of said first stage differential gear, being a low ratio first stage bevel wheel, mounted on said low ratio first stage output half shaft, and a high ratio first stage bevel wheel, mounted on said high ratio first stage output half shaft; said pair of bevel wheels, of said second stage differential gear, being a low ratio second stage bevel wheel mounted on a low ratio second stage input half shaft, and a high ratio second stage bevel wheel, mounted on a high ratio second stage input half shaft; said crown wheel, of said first stage differential gear is operably connected to said rotatably mounted first stage input shaft and said crown wheel, of said second stage differential gear is operably connected to said rotatably mounted second stage output shaft.