Patent ID: 6277043
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
An improved torque monitoring sensor for an infinitely variable transmission, said torque monitoring sensor including a rotary cam disc and an axially displaceable cam disc having a substantially cylindrical housing, said cam discs having confronting cam surfaces bearing upon spherical spreading elements retained therebetween, said cam discs being urged against each other with a force depending upon the transmitted torque, said cam discs functioning to mechanically transmit at least a portion of said torque to meter the flow of hydraulic fluid output from a plenum chamber within said torque monitoring sensor to provide frictional clamping engagement between axially adjustable sheaves and an endless flexible element of said transmission, said improvements comprising:wear reducing means integrally formed in said cam disc housing such that micro-movements generated by said torque sensor are resiliently absorbed by elastic deformation of said cam disc housing reducing mechanical transference of said micro-movements to mating components thereof whereby frictional wear and corrosion of such mating components is minimized.