Infinitely variable transmissions, continuously variable transmissions, methods, assemblies, subassemblies, and components therefor

Abstract

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a carrier member configured to have a number of radially offset slots. Various inventive carrier members and carrier drivers can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of an IVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In one embodiment, the carrier member is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a carrier member is operably coupled to a carrier driver. In some embodiments, the carrier member is configured to couple to a source of rotational power. Among other things, shift control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . A disengagement mechanism for an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) comprising a plurality of traction planet assemblies arranged angularly about a longitudinal axis and interposed between first and second traction rings, each traction planet assembly comprising a tiltable axle, a first carrier member comprising a first plurality of guide slots configured to guide a first end of each tiltable axle, and a second carrier member comprising a second plurality of guide slots configured to guide a second end of each tiltable axle of the traction planet assemblies, wherein the first and second carrier members are rotatable about the longitudinal axis, the disengagement mechanism comprising:
 a coupling ring attached to the first traction ring, the coupling ring comprising a plurality of splines; and   an outer ring coupled to a housing, the outer ring comprising a plurality of ramps, wherein rotation of the outer ring decouples an input power interface from an output power interface.   
     
     
         2 . The disengagement mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the outer ring couples to the housing and a housing cap. 
     
     
         3 . The disengagement mechanism of  claim 2 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the outer ring. 
     
     
         4 . The disengagement mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator comprises a lever. 
     
     
         5 . The disengagement mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein rotation of the outer ring corresponds to an axial displacement of the first traction ring from the plurality of traction planet assemblies to decouple the input power interface from the output power interface. 
     
     
         6 . An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) comprising a main shaft positioned along a longitudinal axis, the IVT further comprising:
 an input power interface coupled to a source of rotational power;   a plurality of traction planet assemblies arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis and interposed between a first traction ring and a second traction ring, each traction planet assembly comprising a tiltable axle;   a first carrier member comprising a first plurality of guide slots, the first carrier member configured to guide a first end of each tiltable axle of the traction planet assemblies;   a second carrier member comprising a second plurality of guide slots, the second carrier member configured to guide a second end of each tiltable axle of the traction planet assemblies, wherein at least one of the first carrier member and the second carrier member receives a rotational power input from the input power interface, and wherein the first carrier member is capable of rotating with respect to the second carrier member; and   a disengagement mechanism configured to decouple an input power source from the first traction ring or an output power load from the second traction ring, the disengagement mechanism comprising:
 a coupling ring attached to one of the first traction ring and the second traction ring, the coupling ring comprising a plurality of splines; and 
 an outer ring coupled to a housing, the outer ring comprising a plurality of ramps, wherein rotation of the outer ring decouples one of the input power interface from the first traction ring and the output power interface from the second traction ring. 
   
     
     
         7 . The IVT of  claim 6 , wherein the main shaft is coupled to the first carrier member. 
     
     
         8 . The IVT of  claim 7 , wherein the main shaft is coupled to the first carrier member and the second carrier member. 
     
     
         9 . The IVT of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second carrier members receive rotational power from the main shaft. 
     
     
         10 . A method of disengaging an input power or an output load from an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) comprising a main shaft positioned along a longitudinal axis, the IVT further comprising an input power interface coupled to a source of rotational power, and a plurality of traction planet assemblies arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis and interposed between a first traction ring and a second traction ring, each traction planet assembly comprising a tiltable axle, the IVT further comprising a first carrier member comprising a first plurality of guide slots, the first carrier member configured to guide a first end of each tiltable axle of the traction planet assemblies, the IVT further comprising a second carrier member comprising a second plurality of guide slots, the second carrier member configured to guide a second end of each tiltable axle of the traction planet assemblies, the method comprising:
 rotating an outer ring coupled to a housing, the outer ring comprising a plurality of ramps formed on an inner circumference, wherein the plurality of ramps couple to a set of splines formed on an outer periphery of an inner ring coupled to the first traction ring or the second traction ring, and wherein rotation of the outer ring corresponds to axial displacement of the first traction ring or the second traction ring from the plurality of traction planet assemblies.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the outer ring is coupled to the first traction ring, and wherein the input power interface is decoupled from the first traction ring. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the outer ring is coupled to the second traction ring, and wherein an output power interface is decoupled from the second traction ring.