System for detecting the transmission ratio in an infinitely variable transmission

Claim 1

An improved system for detecting the transmission ratio in an infinitely variable transmission for transmitting the power of an internal combustion engine, the transmission comprising a primary pulley having a hydraulically shiftable disc and a hydraulic cylinder for shifting the disc, a secondary pulley having a hydraulically shiftable disc and a hydraulic cylinder for operating the disc of the secondary pulley, a belt engaged with both pulleys, a hydraulic circuit having a pump for supplying oil, a transmission ratio control valve responsive to engine speed for controlling the oil and for shifting the disc of the primary pulley to change the transmission ratio, and a pressure regulator valve having a spool responsive to the transmission ratio for increasing the line pressure of the hydraulic circuit with an increase of the transmission ratio, and a spring held by a retainer for urging the spool in a direction, wherein the improvement comprises: a sensor slidably mounted on a guide tube so as to move in parallel with the axial direction of the primary pulley; the sensor having a sensor head engaged with the disc of the primary pulley and an arm engaged with the retainer so as to shift the spool in dependency on the movement of the disc of the primary pulley to control the line pressure; and a lubricating system comprising passages provided in the guide tube and the sensor so as to communicate a part of the hydraulic circuit with an end opening of the passage of the sensor for lubricating contact surfaces of the head of the sensor and the disc of the primary pulley.