Abstract:
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for the transmission of power in motor vehicles. Power can be transmitted in a smoother and more efficient manner, with smaller and even less mechanical components, by splitting torque into two or more torque paths. A power transmission apparatus comprises a power input shaft, a planetary gear set coupled to the power input shaft, and a variator, such as a continuously variable transmission (CVT), coupled to the gear set. The various components of the planetary gear set and the variator are arranged such that torque is split between two or more torque paths and then recombined before power is output to a gear box and a differential of the motor vehicle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/425,600 filed on Mar. 3, 2015 which is a United States National Phase Application of International Application No. PCT/US/2013/057868, filed on Sep. 3, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/697,917, filed Sep. 7, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/779,687, filed Mar. 13, 2013, which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Automatic and manual transmissions are commonly used on automobile vehicles. Those transmissions become more and more complicated since the engine speed has to be adjusted to limit the consumption and the emissions of cars. This finer control of the engine speed in usual transmissions is typically done by adding gears and increasing the overall complexity and cost. 6-speed manual transmissions then become frequent as are 8 or 9 speed automatic transmissions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Systems, devices, and methods are provided for the transmission of power, particularly in motor vehicles. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, power can be transmitted in a smoother and more efficient manner, typically with smaller and even less mechanical components, by splitting torque into two or more torque paths. The apparatus described herein, or obvious to one of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, may be used in a transaxle or any other type of transmission. 
         [0004]    An aspect of the disclosure provides an apparatus for transmitting power. This apparatus comprises a power input shaft, a planetary gear set, and a variator, such as a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Aspects of the CVTs are described in US2006084549 or AU2011224083A1, incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The planetary gear set is engaged with the power input shaft, typically from an internal combustion engine. The variator is engaged with the gear set. The apparatus, and in particular the configuration of the planetary gear set and the variator, is configured to split torque between a first torque path and a second torque path. 
         [0005]    The variator may comprise an input ring and an output ring. The planetary gear set may comprise a set of planet gears, a sun gear engaged with the set of planet gears and with the input ring of the variator, a carrier engaged with the power input shaft and with the set of planet gears, and a ring gear engaged with the set of planet gears and with the output ring of the variator. The first torque path may pass from the power input shaft to the carrier, to the planet gears, to the sun gear, to the input ring, to the output ring of the variator, and then to the ring gear of the planetary gear set. The second torque path may pass from the power input shaft to the carrier, to the planet gears, and then to the ring gear of the planetary gear set. In some embodiments, a gear box for outputting power from the apparatus may be coupled to the planetary gear set. The gear box may be coupled to the ring of the planetary gear set and to a differential of a motor vehicle. The gear box may be, for example, a three speed gear box. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of transmitting power. An input shaft, typically from an internal combustion engine, is driven. Torque from the input shaft is split between a first torque path and a second torque path. The first and second torque paths are combined to form a single output (i.e., power-split configuration). The first and second torque paths pass through various components of a planetary gear set and a variator coupled to the planetary gear set as described herein. The variator may comprise a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The first torque path may, for example, pass from the power input shaft to a carrier of the planetary gear set, to planet gears of the planetary gear set, to a sun gear of the planetary gear set, to an input ring of the variator, to an output ring of the variator, and then to a ring gear of the planetary gear set. The second torque path may, for example, pass from the power input shaft to the carrier of the planetary gear set, to the planet gears of the planetary gear set, and then to the ring gear of the planetary gear set. 
         [0007]    Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides an apparatus for power transmission. The apparatus comprises a power input shaft, an input planetary gear set engaged with the power input shaft, a variator engaged with the input gear set, an output planetary gear set engaged with the variator, and one or more clutches and brake for switching between a plurality of operational modes of the power transmission apparatus. The apparatus is configured to split torque between a plurality of torque paths. 
         [0008]    The variator may comprise an input ring and an output ring, and may be a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The input planetary gear set may comprise a set of input planet gears, an input sun gear engaged with the input planet gears and with the input ring of the variator, an input carrier engaged with the input planet gears and with the power input shaft, and an input ring engaged with the input planet gears. The output planetary gear set may comprise a set of output planetary gears, an output sun gear engaged with the power input shaft and with the output planet gears, an output carrier engaged with the output planet gears and with a gear box for outputting power from the apparatus, and an output ring engaged with the output planet and with the output ring of the variator. The power transmission apparatus may further comprise a counter shaft engaging the input ring and the output ring gears of the two planetary gear sets. The one or more clutches may comprise a first clutch and a second clutch. The first clutch may be configured to be engaged to engage the output sun gear with the output ring of the variator. The second clutch may be configured to be engaged to engage the power input shaft with the output sun gear. The power transmission apparatus may further comprise a brake for holding the output sun to achieve an additional operation mode of the power transmission apparatus. The power transmission apparatus may further comprise a gear box, such as a three speed gear box, coupled to the output carrier of the output planetary gear set as well as to a differential of a motor vehicle. 
         [0009]    The plurality of operational modes of the power transmission apparatus may comprise a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. The first, second, and third modes may comprise various continuously variable transmission (CVT) modes. The first mode may be selected by engaging the brake while releasing the first and second clutch. The second mode may be selected by engaging the second clutch while releasing the brake and the first clutch. The third mode may be selected by engaging the first clutch while releasing the brake and the second clutch. In this embodiment, torque may be split into two paths—a first path through the variator and a second path through the countershaft in the first and third modes. Torque may also instead be split into three paths—a first path through the variator, a second path through the countershaft, and a third path between the power input shaft and the output sun gear of the output planetary gear set in the second mode. 
         [0010]    Provided herein is a vehicle comprising the power transmission apparatus of any of embodiment described herein, or obvious to one of skill in the art upon reading the disclosures herein. Embodiments of the power transmission apparatus (variable transmission) described herein or that would be obvious to one of skill in the art upon reading the disclosure herein are contemplated for use in a variety of vehicle drivelines. For non-limiting example, the variable transmissions disclosed herein may be used in bicycles, mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, automobiles, electric automobiles, trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUV&#39;s), lawn mowers, tractors, harvesters, agricultural machinery, all terrain vehicles (ATV&#39;s), jet ski&#39;s, personal watercraft vehicles, airplanes, trains, helicopters, buses, forklifts, golf carts, motorships, steam powered ships, submarines, space craft, or other vehicles that employ a transmission. 
         [0011]    While the figures and description herein are directed to ball-type variators (CVTs), alternate embodiments are contemplated another version of a variator (CVT), such as a Variable-diameter pulley (VDP) or Reeves drive, a toroidal or roller-based CVT (Extroid CVT), a Magnetic CVT or mCVT, Ratcheting CVT, Hydrostatic CVTs, Naudic Incremental CVT (iCVT), Cone CVTs, Radial roller CVT, Planetary CVT, or any other version CVT. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the power transmission apparatus further comprises a traction fluid. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0013]    All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side sectional view of a continuously variable planetary (CVP) variator; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a magnified, side sectional view of a ball and ring of the CVP variator of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) used in an automobile; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure used in an automobile; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a graph of a speed diagram of the CVT of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure used in an automobile; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a graph of a speed diagram of an input planetary gear of the CVT of  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a graph of a speed diagram of an output planetary gear of the CVT of  FIG. 6  in its different modes. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Besides automatic and manual transmissions commonly used on automobile vehicles are developed Continuously Variable Transmissions or CVTs. Those CVTs are of many types: belts with variable pulleys, toroidal, conical, etc. The principle of a CVT is that it enables the engine to run at its most efficient rotation speed by changing steplessly the transmission ratio in function of the speed of the car. If needed for example when accelerating, the CVT can also shift to a ratio providing more power. A CVT can change the ratio from the minimum to the maximum ratio without any interruption of the power transmission, at the opposite of usual transmissions which require an interruption of the power transmission by disengaging to shift of ratio. A specific use of CVTs is the Infinite Variable Transmission or IVT. Where the CVT is limited at positive speed ratios, the IVT configuration can perform a neutral gear and even reverse steplessly. A CVT can be used as an IVT in some driveline configurations. 
         [0024]    In many currently used motor vehicle transmissions, including manual transmissions, automatic transmissions, and CVTs, power and torque are not transmitted in a smooth or efficient manner. This can reduce fuel efficiency and can result in an unsmooth ride. Therefore, improved motor vehicle transmissions for smooth and efficient power and torque transmission are desired. 
         [0025]    Within this disclosure, we introduce new driveline configurations based on a ball type CVT, also known as CVP, for constant variable planetary, for which Fallbrook Technologies, Inc. has applied for patents under the references US20060845449P and AU2011224083A1. This CVT comprises of a certain number of balls  997  (for example, 3-15 balls), depending on the application, two discs  995 ,  996  with a conical surface contact with the balls  997 , as input  995  and output  996 , and an idler  999  as shown on  FIG. 1 . The balls are mounted on axles  998 , themselves hold in a cage or carrier allowing changing the ratio by tilting the ball&#39;s axes. An idler  999  sits below the balls in the cage. Other types of ball CVTs also exist, such as the one produced by Milner but are slightly different. 
         [0026]    The working principle is shown on  FIG. 2 . The CVP itself works with a traction fluid. The lubricant between the ball and the conical rings acts as solid at high pressure, transferring the power from the input ring, through the balls, to the output ring. By tilting the ball&#39;s axles, the ratio can be changed between input and output. When the axis is horizontal the ratio is one ( 1 : 1 ), when the axis is tilted the distance between the axis and the contact point change, modifying the overall ratio (input radius&gt;output radius=underdrive; input radius&lt;output radius=overdrive). All the ball&#39;s axles are tilted at the same time with a mechanism included in the cage. 
         [0027]    In a car, the CVT  103  includes a CVP (continuously variable planetary) and is used to replace traditional transmission and is located between the engine  100  and the differential  102  as shown on  FIG. 3 . A torsional damper  101  has to be introduced between the engine and the CVT  103  to avoid transferring torque peaks and vibrations that could seriously damage the CVT  103 . In some configurations, this damper  101  can be coupled with a clutch for the starting function. 
         [0028]    One configuration depicted in  FIG. 4  uses a planetary gearset  8  to split the torque between two different paths. A part of the power will pass through the CVP  5  while the other part of it will pass directly from the planetary gearset  8  to the output through a mechanical path with higher efficiency. This power splitting allows a relatively small CVP and increases the native efficiency of the transmission. The central part of that configuration is the variator  5  described previously in the document. A ball ramp on each side of the variator provides the clamping force necessary to transfer the torque. 
         [0029]    This configuration uses only one mode performing CVP function. To extend the speed range in the low speed and reverse area, a three speed gearbox  22  can be added after the CVP. Since this configuration does not have an IVP mode, a slipping clutch or a torque converter is optionally used to allow the start from standstill. 
         [0030]    The internal combustion engine (ICE) is linked to the carrier  3  which in turn is linked to the planets  1  of the planetary gearset  8 . The sun  2  of the planetary gearset  8  is connected to the variator input ring  6 . The ring  4  of the planetary gearset  8  is linked to the variator output ring  7 . This common ring  7  is connected to a three speed gearbox increasing the spread and allowing higher reverse speeds. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  shows the speed diagram of the planetary gearset  8 . The three horizontal axes represent respectively, from the bottom to the top, the sun rotation speed, the carrier rotation speed and the ring rotation speed. The carrier is the input and typically always turns at ICE speed. The ring is the output and is linked to a three speed gearbox. The output speed achievable is noted on the top horizontal axis in diagonal shading between the two dotted diagonal lines. 
         [0032]    The dashed area noted on the top horizontal axis can be covered by the additional gearbox. The dotted area noted on the top horizontal axis has to be covered by a slipping clutch or a torque converter. 
         [0033]    This device is able to change continuously its ratio to provide the best ratio achievable for the engine in function of the objectives of consumption or power. In a manual or automatic transmission, only some predetermined and discrete ratios are available and an interruption of the power transmission is needed to shift of ratio. Generally, the power interruptions in this device only occur during gear shifting of the additional gearbox. Other advantages of this configuration are that a very small variator can be chosen; spread is similar to a traditional gearbox if an additional (smaller) gearbox is added and the native efficiency of the transmission is increased by using the CVP in a powersplit device, therefore letting a part of the power passing through a more efficient mechanical path. Native efficiency will be high, because the variator input ring is connected to the sun, where the torque is lower, so more power is transmitted through the mechanical path (the ring). 
         [0034]    Another embodiment configuration (depicted in  FIG. 6 ) uses two planetary gearsets (input planetary gearset  10 , output planetary gearset  12 ) to split the torque between different paths. The input planetary gearset  10  includes a planet la, a sun  2   a,  a carrier  3   a,  and a ring  4   a . Similarly, the output planetary gearset  12  includes a planet  1   b , a sun  2   b,  a carrier  3   b,  and a ring  4   b.  A part of the power will pass through the CVP  5  while the other part of it will pass to the output through a mechanical path with higher efficiency. Two clutches (first clutch  16 , second clutch  18 ) and one brake  14  may be needed to have three different CVP modes. This power splitting allows to have a smaller CVP and to increase the native efficiency of the transmission. The central part of that configuration is the variator described previously in the document. A ball ramp on each side of the variator provides the clamping force necessary to transfer the torque. 
         [0035]    There exist three modes performing a CVP function. To allow forward low speeds and reverse speeds, a three speed gearbox is added after the CVP. Since this configuration does not have an IVP mode, a slipping clutch or a torque converter can be used to allow starting from standstill and low speeds. 
         [0036]    The ICE is linked to the carrier  3   a  of the input planetary gearset  10  and can be linked to the sun  2  of the output planetary gearset  12  through a second clutch  18 . The sun  2   a  of the input planetary gearset  10  is linked to the variator input ring while the variator output ring is connected to the ring  4   b  of the output planetary gearset  12 . Both rings  4   a,    4   b  of the two planetaries gearsets  10 ,  12  respectively are linked by means of a countershaft  20 . The variator output ring can also be connected to the output planetary sun  2   b  by engaging a first clutch  16 . A brake  14  allows holding the output planetary sun  2   b  to perform an additional mode. The output is made by the carrier  3   b  of the output planetary and is directly linked to an additional three speed gearbox  22 . 
         [0037]    The three modes are selected by engaging one of the two clutches  16 ,  18  or brake  14  and releasing the two others. The first mode (CVP 1 ) is obtained by engaging the brake  14 , thus holding the sun  2   b  of the output planetary gearset  12  fixed. The second mode (CVP 2 ) is selected by engaging the second clutch  18  and releasing the others, while the third mode (CVP 3 ) is selected by engaging the first clutch  16 . In the first and third mode, a part of the power is passing through the CVP  5  and a part of it is passing through the countershaft  20 . In the second mode (CVP 2 ), an additional power path is created between the ICE and the sun  2   b  of the output planetary gearset  12 , thus splitting the power twice. The output planetary gearset  12  combines those different paths to a single output on its carrier  3   b.    
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows the speed diagram of the input planetary gearset  10 . The three horizontal axes represent respectively, from the bottom to the top, the sun  2   a  rotation speed, the carrier  3   a  rotation speed and the ring  4   a  rotation speed. The carrier a of the input planetary gearset  10  is directly connected to the ICE. The ring  4   a  speed is determined in function of the CVP ratio and is then directly applied to the output planetary ring  4   b  through the countershaft  20 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  shows the speed diagram of the output planetary gearset  12  for the three modes. This figure shows for mode CVP 1 , the sun  2   b  is held by the brake  14  and the output speed achievable can be observed on the carrier  3   b  axis. Mode CVP 2  is selected by connecting the sun  2   b  of the output planetary gearset  12  to the ICE. The output speed achievable by doing this is shown on the carrier  3   b  axis with the text CVP 2 . Finally, mode CVP 3  is engaged by linking the sun  2   b  and the ring  4   b  of the output planetary gearset  12 . The output planetary gearset  12  is then turning as a whole and the output speed equals the ring  4   b  speed. 
         [0040]    An additional gearbox  22  is added to increase the spread, allowing lower forward speeds and reverse. Since this concept has not an IVP function, a slipping clutch or a torque converter may be needed to start from standstill and to have very low driving speeds. 
         [0041]    The transition between the three modes can simply be done by closing one of the clutches  16 ,  18  or brake  14  and releasing the others. This device is able to change continuously its ratio to provide the best ratio achievable for the engine in function of the objectives of consumption or power. In a manual or automatic transmission, only some predetermined and discrete ratios are available and an interruption of the power transmission is needed to shift of ratio. Generally, the power interruptions in this device only occur during gear shifting of the additional gearbox  22 . Other advantages of this configuration are that a very small variator can be chosen; spread is similar to a traditional gearbox if an additional (smaller) gearbox is added and the native efficiency of the transmission is increased by using the CVP in a powersplit device, therefore letting a part of the power passing through a more efficient mechanical path. Native efficiency will be high, because the variator input ring is connected to the sun  2   a,  where the torque is lower, so more power is transmitted through the mechanical paths. An additional feature of this configuration is that in CVP  2  mode, powersplitting occurs two times. Provided herein is a vehicle comprising the power transmission apparatus of any of embodiment described herein, or obvious to one of skill in the art upon reading the disclosures herein. Embodiments of the power transmission apparatus (variable transmission) described herein or that would be obvious to one of skill in the art upon reading the disclosure herein are contemplated for use in a variety of vehicle drivelines. For non-limiting example, the variable transmissions disclosed herein may be used in bicycles, mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, automobiles, electric automobiles, trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUV&#39;s), lawn mowers, tractors, harvesters, agricultural machinery, all terrain vehicles (ATV&#39;s), jet ski&#39;s, personal watercraft vehicles, airplanes, trains, helicopters, buses, forklifts, golf carts, motorships, steam powered ships, submarines, space craft, or other vehicles that employ a transmission. While the figures and description herein are directed to ball-type variators (CVTs), alternate embodiments are contemplated another version of a variator (CVT), such as a Variable-diameter pulley (VDP) or Reeves drive, a toroidal or roller-based CVT (Extroid CVT), a Magnetic CVT or mCVT, Ratcheting CVT, Hydrostatic CVTs, Naudic Incremental CVT (iCVT), Cone CVTs, Radial roller CVT, Planetary CVT, or any other version CVT. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the power transmission apparatus further comprises a traction fluid. 
         [0043]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.