IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0097872
(2006-08-18)
|
등록번호 |
US-8919464
(2014-12-30)
|
우선권정보 |
GB-0517201.0 (2005-08-22) |
국제출원번호 |
PCT/EP2006/065464
(2006-08-18)
|
§371/§102 date |
20100929
(20100929)
|
국제공개번호 |
WO2007/023138
(2007-03-01)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Greenwood, Christopher John
- Cornwell, Ian David
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
64 |
초록
▼
A transmission arrangement for an engine driven vehicle having two continuously variable transmissions serving to drive left and right hand vehicle wheels at separately variable drive ratios. Each transmission incorporates a variator of the type in which a net torque applied to the variator through
A transmission arrangement for an engine driven vehicle having two continuously variable transmissions serving to drive left and right hand vehicle wheels at separately variable drive ratios. Each transmission incorporates a variator of the type in which a net torque applied to the variator through its input and output is referred to a ratio control part, which may be formed as a control lever, whose position governs the transmission's drive ratio. The control parts of the variators are each operatively coupled to a driver's speed control, such that the speed control determines a mean position of the two control parts. However they are both also able to move relative to the mean position, under the influence of the torque they react. Additionally the control parts are coupled to each other such that any displacement of one control part from the mean position is accompanied by an opposite displacement of the other control part. In this way the transmissions are enabled to the relative speeds of the driven vehicle wheels automatically to reduce or even eliminate wheel slip, whilst still providing the driver with control over overall vehicle speed.
대표청구항
▼
1. A transmission arrangement for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising: a speed control actuable by a driver of the vehicle;a first variator defining a continuously variable ratio device coupled between the engine and a right hand vehicle wheel and serving to determine a first drive ratio at
1. A transmission arrangement for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising: a speed control actuable by a driver of the vehicle;a first variator defining a continuously variable ratio device coupled between the engine and a right hand vehicle wheel and serving to determine a first drive ratio at which the right hand vehicle wheel is driven by the engine; anda second variator defining a continuously variable ratio device coupled between the engine and a left hand vehicle wheel and serving to determine a second drive ratio at which the left hand vehicle wheel is driven from the engine, whereineach variator being configured such that a reaction torque from each variator is reacted through a respective movable ratio control part whose position governs the respective first or second drive ratio,the control parts of the first and second variators are each operatively coupled to the speed control, such that the speed control determines a mean position of the two control parts,each of the control parts is able to move relative to the mean position under the influence of the reaction torque to which that control part reacts, andthe control parts are coupled to each other such that any displacement of one control part from the mean position is accompanied by an opposite displacement of the other control part, so that through the speed control the driver has control over overall vehicle speed, but a difference between the first and second drive ratios is able to vary to accommodate differences in speed of the left and right driven vehicle wheels. 2. A transmission arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a steering control which is actuable by the driver and which acts upon the first and second ratio control parts to influence their displacements from the mean position. 3. A transmission arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the ratio control parts is able to move, under the influence of the torque which it reacts, through a limited range on either side of a position determined by the steering and speed controls. 4. A transmission arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the steering control determines for each ratio control part a target displacement from the mean position, but the actual displacement of the ratio control part is able to vary through a limited range on either side of the target displacement under the influence of the torque reacted by the control part. 5. A transmission arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the steering control acts upon each ratio control part through a compliant coupling arrangement, whereby the ratio control parts are each biased toward displacements from the mean position determined by the steering control, but are able to depart from these under the influence of the torques which they react. 6. A transmission arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the steering control is operatively coupled to at least one steered vehicle wheel. 7. A transmission arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the driven vehicle wheel speeds are able to vary to accommodate a vehicle turn radius dictated by the steered vehicle wheel. 8. A transmission arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio control parts are coupled to each other through a lever pivoted about a fulcrum, the lever serving to ensure that any displacement of one ratio control part from the mean position is accompanied by an equal and opposite displacement of the other. 9. A transmission arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the position of the lever's fulcrum is movable by means of the speed control to determine the mean position. 10. A transmission arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the steering control acts upon the lever to influence its rotational position. 11. A transmission arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the steering control is coupled to the lever through a compliant mechanism. 12. A transmission arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein both variators are toroidal-race rolling-traction variators. 13. A transmission as claimed in claim 1, wherein both variators comprise a pair of races mounted for rotation about a common axis and having facing shaped surfaces which together define a substantially toroidal cavity, and at least one roller running upon the said shaped surfaces of the races to transmit drive from one to the other. 14. A transmission as claimed in claim 13, wherein the roller is provided with mountings which permit the roller to move circumferentially about the common axis. 15. A transmission as claimed in claim 14, wherein the variator's ratio control part acts upon the roller to determine the roller's circumferential position. 16. A transmission as claimed in claim 15, wherein the variator's ratio control part is a ratio control lever coupled to the roller and mounted for rotation about a fulcrum. 17. An arrangement for driving and steering a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising: a user operable steering control; at least one steered vehicle wheel movable by means of the steering control to steer the vehicle; a right hand transmission for transmitting rotary drive between a motor vehicle engine and a right hand driven vehicle wheel at a continuously variable drive ratio; and a left hand transmission for transmitting rotary drive between the motor vehicle engine and a left hand driven vehicle wheel at a continuously variable drive ratio, wherein each transmission incorporates a variator defining a respective ratio-varying device in which a reaction torque from the variator is transmitted to a respective ratio control part whose position governs the variator's drive ratio, the ratio control part of each variator is operatively coupled to the steering control, whereby a difference in speeds of the right and left hand driven vehicle wheels is urged to vary in sympathy with the position of the steered vehicle wheel(s), and the operative coupling of each ratio control part to the steering control is compliant such that the ratio control part is permitted to move, under the influence of the reaction torque transmitted to the ratio control part, as necessary to reduce any mismatch between the aforementioned difference in wheel speeds and the radius of vehicle turn dictated by the steered vehicle wheel(s). 18. An arrangement as claimed in claim 17 wherein the ratio control parts of the respective variators are additionally operatively coupled to each other such that a compliant change in the position of one ratio control part is accompanied by an opposite change in the position of the other. 19. An arrangement as claimed in claim 18 wherein the coupling is such that the said changes of ratio control part position are equal and opposite. 20. An arrangement as claimed in claim 19, wherein the coupling comprises a lever connected between the ratio control parts of the left and right hand variators and arranged to cause one to advance as the other retreats. 21. An arrangement as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a user operable speed control operatively coupled to the ratio control parts of both variators. 22. An arrangement as claimed in claim 21, wherein the speed control dictates a mean position of the two ratio control parts. 23. An arrangement as claimed in claim 21, wherein the speed control dictates an average of the two continuously variable drive ratios. 24. An arrangement for driving a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising: a user-operable speed control; a first variator defining a continuously variable ratio device coupled between the engine and a right hand vehicle wheel and serving to control a first ratio, at which the right hand vehicle wheel is driven by the engine; a second variator defining a continuously variable ratio device coupled between the engine and a left hand vehicle wheel and serving to control a second ratio, at which the left hand vehicle wheel is driven from the engine, wherein each variator being configured such that a reaction torque from each variator is reacted through a respective movable ratio control part whose position governs the respective first or second ratio, and a control arrangement is coupled to the control parts and serves to set target values of the first and second ratios in dependence upon driver input, the variator ratios being able to deviate from their target values under the influence of the reaction torques by the control parts, and the control parts being coupled together such that an increase in one of the ratios is accompanied by a decrease in the other, such that a difference in speeds of the left and right hand wheels is able to vary whilst control over vehicle speed is maintained.
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