Dual strategy control for a toroidal drive type continuously variable transmission

Abstract

An apparatus and method for operating a continuously variable transmission (CVT), such as a toroidal drive type transmission, is disclosed. The CVT is selectively operated in either a torque control strategy and a ratio control strategy, depending upon the operating conditions of the vehicle. Thus, the CVT is operated in such a manner as to benefit from the advantageous aspects of both the torque and ratio control strategies, while avoiding the disadvantageous aspects of both strategies. The transition from the torque control strategy to the ratio control strategy (and vice versa) can be accomplished by simultaneously calculating the control pressures that would result from operation in both the torque and ratio control strategies, and further assigning a weighted value to each of such calculated control pressures based upon the current operating conditions. The summation of such weighted values provides a composite control signal that facilitates a smooth transition between the two control strategies. The transition from the torque control strategy to the ratio control strategy preferably occurs before a mode shift is effected. Negative feedback is provided in response to ratio changes effected by the control signals to increase stability and to compensate for sensitivity differences at different ratio angles, loading, speeds, and temperatures.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A continuously variable transmission comprising: 
 an input shaft;    an output shaft;    a continuously variable drive section connected between said input shaft and said output shaft, said continuously variable drive section including a roller that is mounted on a trunnion for movement therewith, wherein movement of said roller causes a change in a ratio provided by said continuously variable drive section between said input shaft and said output shaft;    a control system for selectively operating said continuously variable drive section in a torque control strategy under first predetermined operating conditions and in a ratio control strategy under second predetermined operating conditions.    
     
     
         2 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 1  wherein said control system operates said continuously variable drive section in the torque control strategy when the rotational speed of said output shaft is less than a predetermined value, and operates said continuously variable drive section in the ratio control strategy when the rotational speed of said output shaft is greater than a predetermined value.  
     
     
         3 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 1  further including first and second gear assemblies that are alternatively connected between said continuously variable drive section and said output shaft, wherein portions of said first and second gear assemblies rotate at a synchronous speed at a predetermined mode point.  
     
     
         4 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 3  wherein said control system operates said continuously variable drive section in the torque control strategy when the rotational speed of said output shaft is less than the mode point, and operates said continuously variable drive section in the ratio control strategy when the rotational speed of said output shaft is greater than the mode point.  
     
     
         5 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 3  wherein said control system operates said continuously variable drive section in the torque control strategy when the rotational speed of said output shaft is less than the mode point, and operates said continuously variable drive section in the ratio control strategy when the rotational speed of said output shaft approaches the mode point.  
     
     
         6 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 1  wherein said control system gradually transitions from operating said continuously variable drive section in the torque control strategy to operating said continuously variable drive section in the ratio control strategy.  
     
     
         7 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 6  wherein said control system assigns a first weighted factor to the torque control strategy and a second weighted factor to the ratio control strategy.  
     
     
         8 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 1  wherein said control system varies the first weighted factor and the second weighted factor to the ratio control strategy in response to the predetermined operating conditions.  
     
     
         9 . A continuously variable transmission comprising: 
 an input shaft;    an output shaft;    a continuously variable drive section connected between said input shaft and said output shaft, said continuously variable drive section including a roller that is mounted on a trunnion for movement therewith, wherein movement of said roller causes a change in a ratio provided by said continuously variable drive section between said input shaft and said output shaft;    a control system that is responsive to an input signal for effecting movement of said trunnion and said roller; and    a feedback mechanism that is responsive to movement of said trunnion and said roller for causing said control system to alter the movement of said trunnion.    
     
     
         10 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 9  wherein said feedback mechanism is responsive to axial movement of said trunnion and said roller for causing said control system to alter the movement of said trunnion.  
     
     
         11 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 9  wherein said wherein said feedback mechanism is responsive to rotational movement of said trunnion and said roller for causing said control system to alter the movement of said trunnion.  
     
     
         12 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 9  wherein said wherein said feedback mechanism is responsive to axial movement and rotational movement of said trunnion and said roller for causing said control system to alter the movement of said trunnion.  
     
     
         13 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 9  wherein said control system includes a trunnion control valve that selectively provides pressurized fluid to a trunnion cylinder containing a control piston, said control piston being connected to said trunnion for movement therewith, said feedback mechanism being responsive to movement of said trunnion for varying the operation of said trunnion control valve.  
     
     
         14 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 14  wherein said feedback mechanism includes a cam that is connected to said trunnion for movement therewith and a link that extends between said cam and said trunnion control valve such that movement of said cam with said trunnion causes movement of said link for varying the operation of said trunnion control valve.  
     
     
         15 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 14  wherein said control system includes a trunnion actuator that is connected to said trunnion control valve by a link such that movement of said link by said trunnion actuator controls the operation of said trunnion control valve.  
     
     
         16 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 15  wherein said feedback mechanism includes a cam that is connected to said trunnion for movement therewith and said link further extends between said cam and said trunnion control valve such that movement of said cam with said trunnion causes movement of said link for varying the operation of said trunnion control valve.  
     
     
         17 . The continuously variable transmission defined in  claim 14  wherein said cam includes a ramped surface that is engaged by said link.