Infinitely variable transmission with lubricating wick means

Abstract

A variable speed drive mechanism in which power is transmitted from an input driving disc to an output driven disc through an intermediate member of spherical configuration. The driving and driven discs are supported with their axes of rotation at an angle and offset. The intermediate spherical member is held by gravity or other means in the trough defined between the two inclined discs. A cage member holds and linearly guides the intermediate member .[.and a wick provides lubrication for the intermediate member.].. The radial position of the spherical intermediate member along the faces of the discs determines the drive ratio between the input and output shafts of the mechanism.

Having thus described the invention by way of examples of specific embodiments thereof, what is claimed as new and sought to be protected by U.S. Lettes Patent is as follows: 
     
       1. A motion transmitting mechanism comprising a pair of shafts, a pair of .Iadd.parallel .Iaddend.discs mounted spaced from each other with their faces mutually angularly inclined, the axes of rotation of said discs being offset by a predetermined distance, .Iadd.thrust bearing means supporting said discs, .Iaddend.a ball in engagement with the .[.surface.].  of each of said discs, and guiding means for said ball comprising a pair of spaced parallel rod members for linearly displacing said guiding means radially relatively to the faces of said discs to vary the speed at which one disc drives the other, .[.said guiding means for said ball comprising a wick in contact with the peripheral surface of said ball,.]. and constant angular velocity coupling means connecting each of said shafts to a different one of said discs, wherein said constant angular velocity coupling means comprises a recessed cupped portion on each disc, a plurality of socket-like .Iadd.peripheral .Iaddend.pockets formed at the end of each shaft .[.end.]., a like plurality of socket-like pockets formed in the opposed surface of the cupped portion of the disc, and a ball disposed in each .[.of said pairs.]. .Iadd.pair .Iaddend.of opposed pockets. 
     
     
       2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein each of said shafts and the disc connected thereto are supported by separate bearing means, the bearing means supporting said disc are of the thrust bearing type disposed substantially at the periphery of each disc, and means are provided for placing a load on said bearings supporting said disc in a direction substantially parallel to the force exerted by said ball on said discs when in driving engagement therewith. 
     
     
       3. A motion transmitting mechanism comprising a driving disc and a driven disc, each having its forward face spaced .[.one.]. from the other and inclined at a relatively small angle relative to the other, a pair of parallel offset shafts, each coupled to one of said discs, an intermediate ball retained between the faces of said discs and in tangential contact therewith, cage means for displacing said ball along a linear path between the faces of the driving and driven discs for causing a variation in the speed of the driven disc relative to the driving disc, thrust bearing support means rotationally supporting each of said discs about the periphery thereof for maintaining said discs against axial displacement away from each other as a result of the pressure exerted thereon by said ball while in driving engagement with the faces of said discs, means for exerting a predetermined preload on said discs in a direction parallel to said pressure exerted by said ball, and constant angular velocity coupling means connecting each of said shafts to one of said discs, and coupling means comprising an end portion of said shaft having a plurality of ball retaining recesses formed therein projecting in a cupped recess about the axis of rotation of said disc on the rear face thereof, a plurality of ball retaining recesses in the wall surface of said cupped recess .[.each of said ball retaining recesses comprising successively a spherical concave portion, a tangential cylindrical portion and a spherical concave portion,.]. and a ball disposed partly in peripheral engagement with the surface of corresponding ball retaining recesses. 
     
     
       4. The mechanism of claim 3 wherein said intermediate ball is disposed in a cage, said cage being supported and guided for linear displacement between said discs by means of a pair of parallel support and guiding rods. 
     
     
       5. The mechanism of claim 4 wherein a pair of roller elements are mounted on said cage for supporting said intermediate ball therebetween. 
     
     
       6. The mechanism of claim 5 wherein a wick is mounted on said cage, said wick having one end in contact with the surface of said intermediate ball and another end dipping in a source of lubricant for continuously wetting the surface of said intermediate ball with a film of said lubricant.