Abstract A variable V-belt type continuously variable transmission for vehicles which includes an input shaft and an output shaft, a first torque transmitting gear mechanism alternatively connectable with the input shaft and the output shaft, a countershaft connected to the first torque transmitting gear mechanism, a variable V-belt and pulley assembly, one end of which is connected to the countershaft, and a second torque transmitting gear mechanism connected to an opposite end of the variable V-belt and pulley assembly and alternatively connectable with the input shaft and the output shaft such that torque transmission from the input shaft to the output shaft occurs via a first route through the first torque transmitting gear mechanism, the countershaft, the variable V-belt and pulley assembly and the second torque transmitting gear mechanism and via a second route through the second torque transmitting gear mechanism, the variable V-belt and pulley assembly, the countershaft and the first torque transmitting gear mechanism. As an alternative, a gear mechanism can be used to substitute for the clutch members.
A variable V-belt type continuously variable transmission for a vehicle having an engine comprising: an input shaft operatively connected to said engine; an output shaft; first gear means engageable with said input shaft; first clutch means disposed between said input shaft and first gear means for engagement of said first gear means and said input shaft; a chain connected to said first gear means; a countershaft connected to said chain; a variable V-belt and pulley assembly one end of which is connected to said countershaft; second gear means connected to said first gear means; an intermediate shaft one end of which is connected to an end opposite said one end of said variable V-belt and pulley assembly; third gear means carried by said intermediate shaft; second clutch means disposed between said input shaft and an end opposite said one end of said intermediate shaft for interconnecting said intermediate shaft and said input shaft; fourth gear means connected to said third gear means; third clutch means disposed between said output shaft and said fourth gear means for coupling said output shaft to said fourth gear means; fourth clutch means disposed between said second gear means and said output shaft for coupling said second gear means to said output shaft; clutch control means for controlling said first, second, third and fourth clutch means; and pulley actuator control means for variably changing the effective diameter of said V-belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A variable V-belt type continuously variable transmission for a vehicle having an engine comprising: an input shaft operatively connected to said engine; an output shaft; first gear means engageable with said input shaft; first clutch means disposed between said input shaft and first gear means for engagement of said first gear means and said input shaft; a chain connected to said first gear means; a countershaft connected to said chain; a variable V-belt and pulley assembly one end of which is connected to said countershaft; second gear means connected to said first gear means; an intermediate shaft one end of which is connected to an end opposite said one end of said variable V-belt and pulley assembly; third gear means carried by said intermediate shaft; second clutch means disposed between said input shaft and an end opposite said one end of said intermediate shaft for interconnecting said intermediate shaft and said input shaft; fourth gear means connected to said third gear means; third clutch means disposed between said output shaft and said fourth gear means for coupling said output shaft to said fourth gear means; fourth clutch means disposed between said second gear means and said output shaft for coupling said second gear means to said output shaft; clutch control means for controlling said first, second, third and fourth clutch means; and pulley actuator control means for variably changing the effective diameter of said V-belt.