Patent ID: 8900087
Filing Date: 2014-12-02
Classification: B62M

Abstract:
1. A multi-speed automatic transmission for a bicycle, comprising: an input cylinder with at least one epicyclical gear set with automatic gear selection disposed within; wherein said epicyclical gear set includes: an output shaft being mounted collinearly with said input cylinder; at least one centrifugal weight being movably positioned within a passage in said output shaft; said centrifugal weight being connected to a control plate by at least one spring, with said spring having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is fixedly connected to said centrifugal weight and said second end is fixedly connected to said control plate; said control plate being disposed within and fixedly connected to said output shaft, collinear to an output shaft centerline; a sun gear selectively attached to said output shaft by an integral one-way overrunning clutch feature, allowing said sun gear to rotate freely about said output shaft unless engaged by said centrifugal weight protruding from said passage, with said output shaft being of a smaller diameter than said sun gear; at least one end plate fixedly connected to a plurality of carrier axles; a plurality of planetary gears rotatably mounted to said carrier axles, with said planetary gears being in meshing engagement with said sun gear; and at least one ring gear positioned to mesh with said planetary gears for relative motion thereabout, with said ring gear being fixedly attached to said input cylinder.