Patent ID: 6669588
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A continuously variable transmission including a pair of side-by-side conical disks for transmitting torque, wherein one of the disks is axially movable relative to the other disk in response to a contact pressure applied through a pressure chamber associated with the movable disk, said transmission comprising: a torque sensor that influences the contact pressure in the pressure chamber, wherein the torque sensor includes balls that are positioned between a pair of cam surfaces that are formed on components that are movable relative to each other and that transmit a torque that acts on the movable disk; guide surfaces carried by the movable conical disk and that receive the balls between them and guide the balls radially so that as the position of the movable disk is adjusted the components carrying the cam surfaces move relative to each other as a result of movement of the balls along the guide surfaces, to thereby adjust the contact pressure; wherein at least one guide surface includes at least one raised portion to define a ramp so that a component of an adjustment force Fv that operates on the balls in a circumferential plane passes through the center of the balls and substantially coincides with lines of application of force components F1â€² and F2â€² of forces F1 and F2 that are imposed on the balls by the cam surfaces.