US3793907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torque transmission device
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1972-04-12
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1992-04-12
Abstract
Abstract In a torque transmission device, an input shaft and an output shaft are disposed in axial alignment within a casing and combine with a pair of inner rings concentrically secured on the input shaft, an outer ring encircling the inner rings, and transmitting elements disposed between and in contact with the inner rings and the outer ring, to form a planetary mechanism. The transmitting elements are operatively engaged with the output shaft. By applying hydraulic pressure to the outer ring the frictional contact between the transmitting elements and the outer ring and inner rings can be varied. Therefore, a large rotating force can be transmitted at a reduced speed by the utilization of friction transmission. The inner rings are of the split type and are located on the input shaft between a pair of supporting plates. Notches are formed in the inner rings and the supporting plates and contain balls which facilitate the transmission of power between the input shaft and the transmitting elements. A servomechanism, located within the casing outwardly of the outer rings, provides the variation in the application of hydraulic pressure to the outer ring in accordance with the variation in speed or torque between the input and output shafts.
Inventors
- 👤 K Nakamura
- 👤 N Fukuma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:53
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H15/00; F16H15/48; F16H15/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
A torque transmission device utilizing friction in the transmission of the torque, comprising a casing, a rotatable input shaft extending into one side of said casing, a rotatable output shaft in axial alignment with said input shaft within said casing and extending outwardly from the opposite side of said casing from the side to which said input shaft extends, axially spaced split inner rings concentrically mounted on said input shaft within said casing, a plurality of transmitting elements each arranged in surface contact with said inner rings and disposed in a circle circumscribing said inner rings, first means for effecting a preload between said input shaft and said transmitting elements, an outer ring spaced radially outwardly from said inner rings and concentrically disposed about and in surface contact with said transmitting elements, second means separate from said first means for effecting a preload on said outer ring for retaining said outer ring in a fixed condition relative to said transmitting elements under normal conditions and for permitting said outer ring to be driven by said transmitting elements in the direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation of said input shaft when a large variation in speed or torque occurs, means for transmitting rotation from said transmitting elements to said output shaft by interconnecting said transmitting elements and said output shaft, and said second means for effecting a preload on said outer ring includes means for supplying variable hydraulic pressure for controlling the torque transmitted between said transmitting elements and said output shaft in accordance with variations in speed between said input and output shafts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
A torque transmission device utilizing friction in the transmission of the torque, comprising a casing, a rotatable input shaft extending into one side of said casing, a rotatable output shaft in axial alignment with said input shaft within said casing and extending outwardly from the opposite side of said casing from the side to which said input shaft extends, axially spaced split inner rings concentrically mounted on said input shaft within said casing, a plurality of transmitting elements each arranged in surface contact with said inner rings and disposed in a circle circumscribing said inner rings, first means for effecting a preload between said input shaft and said transmitting elements, an outer ring spaced radially outwardly from said inner rings and concentrically disposed about and in surface contact with said transmitting elements, second means separate from said first means for effecting a preload on said outer ring for retaining said outer ring in a fixed condition relative to said transmitting elements under normal conditions and for permitting said outer ring to be driven by said transmitting elements in the direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation of said input shaft when a large variation in speed or torque occurs, means for transmitting rotation from said transmitting elements to said output shaft by interconnecting said transmitting elements and said output shaft, and said second means for effecting a preload on said outer ring includes means for supplying variable hydraulic pressure for controlling the torque transmitted between said transmitting elements and said output shaft in accordance with variations in speed between said input and output shafts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
130 words
A torque transmission device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first means for effecting a preLoad between said input shaft and said transmitting elements comprises a pair of supporting plates spaced apart axially on said input shaft and each arranged in contact with a different one of said inner rings with said inner rings spaced between said plates, notches formed in the faces of said plates directed toward said inner rings and similarly shaped notches formed in the faces of each of said inner rings directed toward the adjacent said plate, said notches in said plates and inner rings arranged to align opposite one another in pairs, and a ball located within each pair of said notches for transmitting the preload between said inner rings and said plates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A torque transmission device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein splines are formed on said input shaft for securing said supporting plates thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
145 words
A torque transmission device, as set forth in claim 10, wherein said outer ring having shoulders spaced axially apart and formed on the radially outer edges thereof, said second means for effecting a preload on said outer ring comprises two circles of balls each extending around a different one of said shoulders on said outer ring with said balls therein contact with said shoulder, a pair of retaining rings spaced apart in the axial direction of said outer ring and each located on an opposite side of said outer ring and having the side thereof adjacent said outer disposed in contact with the adjacent said circle of balls, and said means for supplying hydraulic pressure is disposed in contact with said retaining rings for variably biasing said retaining rings against said balls and in turn biasing said balls against said shoulders of said outer ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A torque transmission device, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said shoulders in said outer ring have a concave shape for seating said balls with said shoulders positioned so that said outer ring is biased inwardly toward said transmission elements when said retaining rings are biased against said balls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A torque transmission device, as set forth in claim 4, wherein a spring is positioned radially outwardly from said outer ring and between the adjacent faces of said rataining rings for biasing said rataining rings apart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
A torque transmission device, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for supplying hydraulic pressure is located within said casing and comprises a pair of hydraulic servo chambers each positioned adjacent one of said retaining rings and on the opposite side of its adjacent said retaining ring from said outer ring, each said hydraulic servo chamber including a piston in contact with the adjacent said retaining ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A torque transmission device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for transmitting rotation from said transmitting elements to said output shaft comprises intermediate shafts each located within one of said transmitting elements and having its axis in parallel with the axis of said output shaft, bearing means disposed between each said transmitting element and its associated said intermediate shaft, and means interconnecting said intermediate shafts and said output shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A torque transmission device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said transmitting elements has an exterior surface defining a portion of the surface of a sphere so that oppositely disposed convex surfaces on each of said transmitting elements are disposed in contact with the surfaces of said inner rings and said outer ring.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |