Patent ID: 6547690
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
An infinitely variable toroidal drive comprising:a housing (1), an input shaft (3) and an output shaft (10); a torque shaft (34) disposed co-axially with respect to the input shaft (3); two input discs (5, 15) defining toroidal surfaces disposed co-axially relative to the input shaft (3); two output discs (6, 16) with toroidal surfaces disposed co-axially relative to the input shaft (3) so that a first one of the input discs (5) and a first one of the output discs (6) together form a first pair of input discs and output discs, a second one of the input discs (15) and a second one of the output discs (16) together form a second pair of input discs and output discs and the two output discs are arranged adjacent one another in mirror symmetry; a plurality of friction wheels (11, 21) disposed between the toroidal surfaces of the first and second pairs of input discs and output discs; a carrier (12, 22) for the plurality of friction wheels (11, 21); a pressure device (4) for producing a torque-dependent axial force for loading the input discs by relative movement of the output discs toward one another; a gear system (8, 9) comprising a first output gear wheel (8) and a second output gear wheel (9), the second output gear wheel (9) being supported by the output shaft and the first output gear wheel (8) is located between the output discs and connected therewith for torque transmission; and a stationary cup-shaped bearing support member (7) supporting a bearing (24) to facilitate rotation of the first output gear wheel (8) and transmission of torque from the output discs; wherein the bearing support member (7) supports the first output gear (8) and the bearing (24) is located therebetween to allow the first output gear (8) to rotate relative to the bearing support member (7); one of the two output discs has an engaging spline (57) which engages with a mating engaging spline (57) of the first output gear (8), and the engaging splines (57) are located in area between the first output gear (8) and the one of the two output discs (16); and the first output gear (8) is located on the outside diameter of the bearing (24) which is located with its inner bore on an outer diameter of a hub integrally formed with the bearing support member (7).