Patent ID: 8758181
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. A continuously variable transmission comprising: a first input for receiving rotational power from a primary power source; a second input for receiving rotational power from a secondary power source; a first planetary gear group containing a first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set, each having a sun gear, ring gear, and carrier, wherein the first input and the second input are linked to one or more of the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set such that the first input is directly connected with and drives the carrier of the first planetary gear set and the second input is directly connected with and drives the ring gear of the second planetary gear set; a second planetary gear group containing a third planetary gear set and a fourth planetary gear set, each having a sun gear, ring gear, and carrier; and a nested clutch assembly linking the first planetary gear group to the second planetary gear group, the nested clutch assembly having first and second selectable clutches, the first clutch having a first-clutch inner disk that is directly connected with and driven by the sun gears of the first and second planetary gear sets and an outer disk that is directly connected with and driving the sun gears of the third and fourth planetary gear sets, the second clutch having a second-clutch inner disk that is directly connected with and driving the sun gears of the third and fourth planetary gear sets and an outer disk that is directly connected with and driven by the carrier of the second planetary gear set, wherein the first-clutch outer disk is integrated with the second-clutch inner disk, and wherein activation of the first clutch and not the second clutch fixes the continuously variable transmission in a first speed range, and activation of the second clutch and not the first clutch fixes the continuously variable transmission in a second speed range.