Patent Description:
Transmissions are well known and can be used to change the ratio between rotating elements in a power train. Potential applications for transmissions are numerous and include motor vehicles, human-powered vehicles, maritime craft and heavy machinery, such as pumps, turbines, mixers, winches, centrifuges and shredders.

Clutchless multi-ratio transmissions allow the ratio between rotating elements to be changed while the transmission is under load. Certain mechanical problems can affect clutchless multi-ratio transmissions that limit their widespread utilization; specifically, the ability of such transmission systems to function at high speeds or under significant loads effectively and efficiently in practical applications. In addition, ratcheting, slippage, and tensioning problems can limit the commercial viability of such transmissions by decreasing their reliability, decreasing their efficiency and increasing wear. Accordingly, segmented pulley transmissions have been developed to reduce or alleviate at least some of these mechanical problem: Document <CIT> shows an example of a segmented pulley.

For example, <CIT> discloses a segmented pulley transmission, wherein a pulley assembly is mounted on an axle. The pulley assembly includes a core pulley having a first set of mating features on a peripheral surface thereof and a pulley segment set that comprises a number of pulley segments slidably mounted in the pulley assembly and arranged in a ring concentric with the core pulley. The pulley segments are individually actuatable into and out of the pulley assembly, The pulley segments have a second set of mating features on a peripheral surface matching the first set of mating features. An endless drive member has corresponding mating features on an inside surface for engaging the first and second sets of mating features of the core pulley and the pulley segments in an engaging position. Contact between the endless drive member and the core pulley defines a contact zone. An actuator actuates the pulley segments between the engaging and non-engaging positions when the pulley segments are outside of the contact zone.

<CIT>discloses a key pulley segment for a segmented pulley transmission that is either first or last in a pulley segment set to engage an endless member. The first or last key segment teeth to engage or disengage the endless member, respectively, are shortened or completely trimmed, and the adjacent pulley segment to the key segment is elongated such that a portion of the tooth profile extends toward the key segment. The shortened tooth or teeth and elongated adjacent segment together allow for many pulley segments to be designed as key segments. Completely trimmed teeth may be engineered to create a supporting surface for the endless member on the key segment The elongated adjacent segment may have an extending portion which slidably mates with the supporting surface of the key segment, thereby receiving radial support therefrom. Multiple pulley segments from different pulley segment sets may be connected or constructed to move together in a unified stack. Unified stacks may be moved by way of a cam or roller-cam system. Chassis-mounted cams engage the rollers outside of the contact zone and, via roller-arms, individual segments of a unified stack are moved into or out of engagement. Rollers may be actuated into and out of engagement with the cams by electromagnets, fixable mounted in an array.

While the contributions of known segmented pulley transmissions are laudable, improvements and/or alternatives are generally desired. It is therefore an object to provide a novel segmented pulley for a segmented pulley transmission and a novel segmented pulley transmission.

It should be appreciated that this summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description of embodiments. This summary is not intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a segmented pulley according to claim <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, the integrated support extends circumferentially beyond the portion of the outer peripheral surface defined by the body of the transition segment.

In one or more embodiments, the transition surface may be spaced apart from the portion of the outer peripheral surface defined by the body of the transition segment. The integrated support may include a proximal portion and a distal portion, and wherein the distal portion defines the transition surface.

In one or more embodiments, a recess is defined in the integrated support for accommodating a portion of an adjacent pulley segment in the plurality of pulley segments. The portion of the adjacent pulley segment may be an enlarged portion that is configured to provide physical support to the adjacent pulley segment during rotational operation of the segmented pulley transmission. The enlarged portion may include a physical support feature for providing the physical support to the adjacent pulley segment. The physical support feature may be a hole defined in the enlarged portion, for engaging a support rod of the segmented pulley transmission to provide the physical support to the adjacent pulley segment.

In one or more embodiments, the plurality of pulley segments includes two of the transition segments that are oppositely oriented in the plurality of pulley segments.

In one or more embodiments, the integrated support is configured to inhibit the endless member from bending beyond a predetermined minimum bend radius, when transitioning the endless member between the segmented pulley and the concentric pulley in the segmented pulley transmission.

In one or more embodiments, the integrated support is configured to control slack in the endless member between the segmented pulley and the concentric pulley, when transitioning the endless member between the segmented pulley and the concentric pulley in the segmented pulley transmission.

According to another aspect, there is provided a segmented pulley transmission for rotationally coupling a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member in a power train, the segmented pulley transmission comprising: a first pulley assembly for coupling to the first rotatable member, the first pulley assembly comprising a first pulley and a second pulley concentric with the first pulley, the second pulley being a segmented pulley as defined in any of the above paragraphs of this Summary; a second pulley assembly for coupling to the second rotatable member and spaced apart from the first pulley assembly; and an endless member engaging the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly and extending therebetween, to rotationally couple the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly.

In one or more embodiments, the segmented pulley transmission may further comprise an idler pulley engaging the endless member and configured to control slack in the endless member.

In one or more embodiments, the segmented pulley transmission may further comprise an actuator coupled to the plurality of pulley segments of the segmented pulley and configured to sequentially move the plurality of pulley segments between the engaged region and the disengaged region, to transition the endless member between the first pulley and the second pulley.

Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As used herein, an element or feature recited in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not necessarily excluding a plural of the elements or features. Further, references to "one example" or "one embodiment" are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples or embodiments that also incorporate the recited elements or features of that one example or one embodiment. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, examples or embodiments "comprising," "having" or "including" an element or feature or a plurality of elements or features having a particular property may further include additional elements or features not having that particular property. Also, it will be appreciated that the terms "comprises," "has" and "includes" mean "including but not limited to" and the terms "comprising," "having" and "including" have equivalent meanings.

As used herein, the term "and/or" can include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements or features.

It will be understood that when an element or feature is referred to as being "on," "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" with, "engaged" with, "contacting," etc. another element or feature, that element or feature can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with, engaged with or contacting the other element or feature or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element or feature is referred to as being, for example, "directly on," "directly attached" to, "directly connected" to, "directly coupled" with, "directly engaged" with or "directly contacting" another element of feature, there are no intervening elements or features present. Additionally, when an element or feature is referred to as being "attached" to, "connected," to, "coupled" with, "engaged" with, "contacting," etc. another element or feature, it should be understood as not necessarily excluding further elements or features being attached to, connected to, couple with, engaged with, contacting, etc. those same elements or features. For example, in some instances, elements may be coupled in a one-to-one relationship; in other instances, a single element may be coupled to a plurality of other elements, or vice versa.

It will be understood that spatially relative terms, such as "under," "below," "lower," "over," "above," "upper," "front," "back" and the like, may be used herein for ease of describing the relationship of an element or feature to another element or feature as depicted in the figures. The spatially relative terms can however, encompass different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

Reference herein to "example" means that one or more feature, structure, element, component, characteristic and/or operational step described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment and/or implementation of the subject matter according to the subject disclosure. Thus, the phrases "an example," "another example," and similar language throughout the subject disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same example Further, the subject matter characterizing any one example may, but does not necessarily, include the subject matter characterizing any other example.

Reference herein to "configured" denotes an actual state of configuration that fundamentally ties the element or feature to the physical characteristics of the element or feature preceding the phrase "configured to.

Moreover, reference to a "second" item does not require or preclude the existence of a lower-numbered item (e.g., a "first" item) and/or a higher-numbered item (e.g., a "third" item).

As used herein, the terms "approximately" and "about" represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, the terms "approximately" and "about" may refer to an amount that is within engineering tolerances that would be readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

<FIG> shows a segmented pulley transmission, generally identified by reference character <NUM>. As will be appreciated, a portion of an external housing of the segmented pulley transmission <NUM> has been omitted in <FIG> to view the interior.

The segmented pulley transmission <NUM> is configured to rotationally couple a first rotating element and a second rotating element in a power train (not shown) and is configured to change the ratio between the first and second rotating elements. In some embodiments, the first rotating element is a driven axle in the power train and the second rotating element is a driving axle in the power train, or vice versa. The segmented pulley transmission <NUM> comprises a first pulley assembly <NUM>, a second pulley assembly <NUM>, an idler pulley <NUM> and an endless member <NUM>. As will be appreciated, the endless member <NUM> is shown as a schematic representation with mating features omitted. The first pulley assembly <NUM>, the second pulley assembly <NUM> and the idler pulley <NUM> are all spaced apart from each other. The endless member <NUM> extends between and rotationally couples the first pulley assembly <NUM>, the second pulley assembly <NUM> and the idler pulley <NUM>. During installation of the segmented pulley transmission <NUM>, the first pulley assembly <NUM> is coupled to the first rotating element in the power train and the second pulley assembly <NUM> is coupled to the second rotating element in the power train.

The first pulley assembly <NUM> is configured to be coupled to the first rotating element in the power train. In some embodiments, the first pulley assembly <NUM>, or a portion thereof, is integrally formed with the first rotating element in the power train. The first pulley assembly <NUM> is configured to engage the endless member <NUM>. The first pulley assembly <NUM> is rotatable about and concentric with a first axis of rotation. The first pulley assembly <NUM> comprises a first pulley <NUM> and a second pulley <NUM>. The second pulley <NUM> is concentric with the first pulley <NUM> and may surround the first pulley <NUM>. Both the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM> are configured for continuous rotational operation with the endless member <NUM>. During a full rotation of the first pulley assembly <NUM> about the first axis of rotation, either of the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM> may continuously engage the endless member <NUM>.

The first pulley <NUM> is configured to be coupled to the first rotating element in the power train. In some embodiments, the first pulley <NUM> is integrally formed with the first rotating element in the power train. The first pulley <NUM> is configured to engage the endless member <NUM>, when the first pulley <NUM> is located in an engaged region as will be described. The first pulley <NUM> is rotatable about and concentric with the first axis of rotation of the first pulley assembly <NUM>. The first pulley <NUM> includes an outer peripheral surface <NUM> for engaging the endless member <NUM>. The outer peripheral surface <NUM> is generally circular and may comprise a plurality of outer mating features <NUM>, for engaging corresponding mating features on the endless member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the outer mating features <NUM> are teeth. The first pulley <NUM> further comprises an inner peripheral surface <NUM> that is configured to be coupled to the first rotating element of the power train (not shown). The inner peripheral surface <NUM> is generally circular and may comprise a plurality of inner mating features <NUM>, for coupling to the first rotating element in the power train. In some embodiments, the inner mating features are at least one of keys, teeth and the like. In the subject embodiment, the first pulley <NUM> comprises a unitary construction. The first pulley <NUM> is a core pulley of the first pulley assembly <NUM>. That is, the first pulley <NUM> is the centermost or smallest diameter pulley in the first pulley assembly <NUM>. In other embodiments, the first pulley <NUM> may be another pulley in the first pulley assembly <NUM>, such as an intermediate pulley that is located between two concentric pulleys in the first pulley assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first pulley <NUM> may be a segmented pulley.

The second pulley <NUM> is configured to be coupled to the first rotating element in the power train. The second pulley <NUM> is configured to engage the endless member <NUM>, when the second pulley <NUM> is located in the engaged region as will be described. The second pulley <NUM> is rotatable about and concentric with the first axis of rotation of the first pulley assembly <NUM>. The second pulley <NUM> includes an outer peripheral surface <NUM> for engaging the endless member <NUM>. The outer peripheral surface <NUM> is generally circular and may comprise a plurality of outer mating features <NUM>, for engaging corresponding mating features on the endless member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the outer mating features <NUM> are teeth. The second pulley <NUM> is a segmented pulley and comprises a plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e. The plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e is circularly arranged to form the second pulley <NUM>.

The plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e are configured to engage the endless member <NUM>. Accordingly, each of the pulley segments 150a to 150e includes a body that defines a portion of the outer peripheral surface <NUM> of the second pulley <NUM>. Each of the pulley segments 150a to 150e further includes one or more enlarged portions <NUM>. The enlarged portions <NUM> are configured to provide physical support during rotational operation of the segmented pulley transmission <NUM>. Each of the enlarged portions <NUM> provides physical support to the respective pulley segment 150a to 150e in which the enlarged portion <NUM> is formed. Accordingly, in the subject embodiment, the enlarged portions <NUM> are generally positioned at the circumferential ends of the pulley segments 150a to 150e, In some embodiments, the segmented pulley assembly includes a plurality of support rods (not shown) for physically supporting the plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e. An example of a segmented pulley assembly with support rods is shown and described in PCT International Application No. <CIT>. Each of the enlarged portions <NUM> includes a physical support feature <NUM> for providing physical support to the respective one of the pulley segments 150a to 150e in which the enlarged portion <NUM> is formed. In some embodiments, the physical support feature <NUM> is a hole for receiving one of the support rods. In other embodiments, the physical support feature <NUM> may be another feature suitable for providing physical support, such as an integrated rod that extends from one or more of the pulley segments 150a to 150e.

The plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e are configured to be sequentially movable between an engaged region and a disengaged region to transition the endless member between the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>. In the subject embodiment, the plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e are configured to be individually movable between the engaged region and the disengaged region. In other embodiments, one or more subsets of the pulley segments 150a to 150e may be configured to be collectively moved between the engaged region and the disengaged region. For example, in some embodiments, two or more of the pulley segments 150a to 150e are configured to be movable together between the engaged region and the disengaged region. In some embodiments, the plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e are moved between the engaged region and the disengaged region by one or more actuators, such as those described in PCT International Application No. <CIT>.

In the context of the subject disclosure, the "engaged region" is a region wherein elements of the first pulley assembly <NUM> will engage the endless member <NUM> during rotational operation of the first pulley assembly <NUM>, when those elements are unsheltered or unobstructed by other elements of first pulley assembly <NUM>. In contrast, the "disengaged region" is a region wherein elements of the first pulley assembly <NUM> will not engage the endless member <NUM> during rotational operation of the first pulley assembly <NUM>, regardless of their exposure or the position of the other elements of the first pulley assembly <NUM>. In the subject embodiment, it will be appreciated that the first pulley <NUM> is permanently located within the engaged region, as the first pulley <NUM> will always engage the endless member <NUM> if unobstructed by other elements during rotational operation of the first pulley assembly <NUM>. In contrast, the plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e will only be located in the engaged region when moved into a plane defined by the endless member <NUM>.

The plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e includes one or more transition segments. In the subject embodiment, the plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e includes two transition segments 150a, 150b. The transition segments 150a, 150b are oppositely oriented in the plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e. Each of the transition segments 150a, 150b is configured to support the endless member <NUM> when transitioning the endless member <NUM> between the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>. In the subject embodiment, one of the transition segments 150a is configured to support the endless member <NUM> when transitioning the endless member <NUM> from the first pulley <NUM> to the second pulley <NUM>, and the other of the transition segments 150b is configured to support the endless member <NUM> when transitioning the endless member <NUM> from the second pulley <NUM> to the first pulley <NUM>. Accordingly, the transition segment 150a is defined as a pulley expanding transition segment, and the transition segment 150b is defined as a pulley reducing transition segment. Each of the transition segments 150a, 150b includes an integrated support <NUM> extending from the body of thereof.

The integrated support <NUM> is configured to support the endless member <NUM> when transitioning the endless member <NUM> between the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>. Supporting the endless member <NUM> inhibits the endless member <NUM> from bending beyond a maximum permissible radius when transitioning between the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>. As will be appreciated, the maximum permissible radius will depend on the endless member <NUM> and may further depend on a load being transmitted by the endless member <NUM>. The integrated support <NUM> also controls slack in the endless member <NUM> between the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>, by diverting the endless member <NUM> between the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>. As will be appreciated, controlling slack in the endless member <NUM> may help to control tension in the endless member <NUM> and/or may help to align the endless member <NUM> with the outer mating features <NUM>, <NUM> of the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>.

In some embodiments, each of the integrated supports <NUM> are the same. In other embodiments, the integrated supports <NUM> are different. In the subject embodiment, the integrated supports <NUM> are oppositely oriented and have slightly different shapes, but are otherwise the same. Accordingly, for brevity, only the integrated support <NUM> extending from the body of transition segment 150a is described below. The integrated support <NUM> extends circumferentially beyond the portion of the outer peripheral surface <NUM> defined by the body of the transition segment 150a. The integrated support <NUM> includes a proximal portion <NUM> and a distal portion <NUM>. The proximal portion <NUM> is located adjacent the body of the transition segment 150a and extends therefrom. The distal portion <NUM> is spaced apart from the body of the transition segment 150a, by the proximal portion <NUM>. In the subject embodiment, the distal portion <NUM> is an enlarged portion having a physical support feature, as described above. In other embodiments, the distal portion <NUM> may not be enlarged. The integrated support <NUM> further includes a transition surface <NUM> and a recess <NUM>.

As will be appreciated, similar to the integrated supports <NUM> themselves, the transition surfaces <NUM> and the recesses <NUM> of the integrated supports <NUM> may be the same, or different. In the subject embodiment, the transition surfaces <NUM> and the recesses <NUM> are oppositely oriented. Moreover, the transition surfaces <NUM> have slightly different shapes. However, the transition surfaces <NUM> and the recesses <NUM> in the subject embodiment are otherwise the same. Accordingly, for brevity, only the transition surface <NUM> and the recess <NUM> of the integrated support <NUM> extending from the body of transition segment 150a are described below.

The recess <NUM> is configured to accommodate an enlarged portion <NUM> of an adjacent one of the pulley segments 150a to 150e, such as pulley segment 150e for transition segment 150a. The recess <NUM> is defined by at least the proximal portion <NUM> of the integrated support <NUM>, and may further be defined by the distal portion <NUM> and/or the body of the transition segment 150a. In some embodiments, the enlarged portion <NUM> of the adjacent one of the pulley segments 150e nests within the recess <NUM> of the integrated support <NUM>, without touching the integrated support <NUM>. In other embodiments, the enlarged portion <NUM> of the adjacent one of the pulley segments 150e may be received within the recess <NUM>, or partially received therein, without touching the integrated support <NUM>. As will be appreciated, including the recess <NUM> in the integrated support <NUM> as described above, allows the integrated support <NUM> to be included without substantially interfering with the physical support provided by the enlarged portion <NUM> near the end of the adjacent pulley segment 150e, and without substantially interfering with movement of the pulley segments between the engaged region and the disengaged region.

The transition surface <NUM> is configured to support the endless member <NUM> when transitioning the endless member <NUM> between the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>. The transition surface <NUM> is spaced apart from the body of the transition segment 150a by the recess <NUM> and is defined by the distal portion <NUM> of the integrated support <NUM>. Accordingly, when transitioning the endless member <NUM> between the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>, a portion of the endless member <NUM> that extends over the recess <NUM> will be unsupported. As the endless member <NUM> extends between the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>, the endless member <NUM> contacts the transition surface <NUM> and is diverted around the integrated support <NUM>. Accordingly, by positioning the transition surface <NUM> of the integrated support <NUM>, slack in the endless member <NUM> between the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM> can be controlled.

The second pulley assembly <NUM> is configured to be coupled to the second rotating element in the power train. In some embodiments, the second pulley assembly <NUM>, or a portion thereof, is integrally formed with the second rotating element in the power train. The second pulley assembly <NUM> is configured to engage the endless member <NUM>. The second pulley assembly <NUM> is rotatable about and concentric with a second axis of rotation. In the subject embodiment, the second pulley assembly <NUM> comprises a single fixed pulley <NUM>. In other embodiments, the secondary pulley assembly <NUM> may be adjustable and may comprise a plurality of pulleys, such as the first pulley <NUM> and/or the second pulley <NUM> described above. The fixed pulley <NUM> is rotatable about and concentric with the second axis of rotation. The fixed pulley <NUM> includes an outer peripheral surface <NUM> for engaging the endless member <NUM>. The outer peripheral surface <NUM> is generally circular and may comprise a plurality of outer mating features <NUM>, for engaging corresponding mating features on the endless member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the outer mating features <NUM> are teeth. The fixed pulley <NUM> further comprises an inner peripheral surface <NUM> that is configured to be coupled to the second rotating element of the power train (not shown). The inner peripheral surface <NUM> is generally circular and, in some embodiments, comprises a plurality of inner mating features (not shown). In some embodiments, the inner mating features are at least one of keys, teeth and the like.

The idler pulley <NUM> is configured to control slack in the endless member <NUM> between the first pulley assembly <NUM> and the second pulley assembly <NUM>. The idler pulley <NUM> is rotatable about and concentric with a third axis of rotation, which is movable within the segmented pulley transmission <NUM> to control slack in the endless member <NUM>. As will be appreciated, controlling slack in the endless member <NUM> may help to control tension in the endless member <NUM> and/or may help to align the endless member <NUM> with the outer mating features of the first pulley assembly <NUM> and the second pulley assembly <NUM>. The idler pulley <NUM> can be moved away from the first pulley assembly <NUM> and/or the second pulley assembly <NUM> to reduce slack in the endless member <NUM>. Alternatively, the idler pulley <NUM> can be moved towards the first pulley assembly <NUM> and/or the second pulley assembly <NUM> to provide slack in the endless member <NUM>. The idler pulley <NUM> is configured to engage the endless member <NUM>. The idler pulley <NUM> includes an outer peripheral surface <NUM> for engaging the endless member <NUM>. The outer peripheral surface <NUM> is generally circular and may comprise a plurality of outer mating features <NUM>, for engaging corresponding mating features on the endless member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the outer mating features <NUM> are teeth.

The endless member <NUM> is configured to rotationally couple the first pulley assembly <NUM>, the second pulley assembly <NUM> and the idler pulley <NUM>. The endless member <NUM> extends between the first pulley assembly <NUM>, the second pulley assembly <NUM> and the idler pulley <NUM>. The endless member <NUM> includes an inner peripheral surface <NUM> that is configured to engage the outer peripheral surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first pulley <NUM>, the second pulley <NUM>, the fixed pulley <NUM> and the idler pulley <NUM>, respectively. Although the endless member <NUM> is shown in the figures as a schematic representation without any mating features, it will be appreciated that mating features such as teeth and/or holes may be included on at least the inner peripheral surface <NUM> of the endless member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the inner peripheral surface <NUM> includes a plurality of complementary mating features for engaging the outer mating features on the outer peripheral surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In other embodiments, the inner peripheral surface <NUM> may not include any mating features and may be generally smooth, and in such embodiments the inner peripheral surface <NUM> may engage the outer peripheral surface <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> by friction. As will be appreciated, the endless member <NUM> may comprise a chain, a belt or other suitable type of endless member.

During rotational operation of the segmented pulley transmission <NUM>, the endless member <NUM> will contact and engage the first pulley assembly <NUM> within an angular region defined as the contact zone. Conversely, the endless member <NUM> will not contact or engage the first pulley assembly <NUM> within an angular region defined as the non-contact zone (NCZ). The pulley segments 150a to 150e of the second pulley <NUM> can be moved into or out of the engaged region while positioned in the non-contact zone without interfering with the endless member <NUM> and while the segmented pulley transmission <NUM> is under load. As will be appreciated, the non-contact zone will vary depending on whether or not the first pulley <NUM> is engaged with the endless member <NUM> and which, if any, of the pulley segments 150a to 150e of the second pulley <NUM> are engaged with the endless member <NUM>.

By sequentially moving the pulley segments 150a to 150e into or out of the engaged region while positioned in the non-contact zone, the endless member <NUM> may transition from engaging one of the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>, defined as an "origin pulley," to engaging the other of the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>, defined as a "destination pulley," without interrupting rotational operation of the segmented pulley transmission <NUM> and without interrupting a load transmitted through the segmented pulley transmission <NUM>. Transition the endless member <NUM> between the origin pulley and the destination pulley is referred to as a "shift event.

<FIG> show a sequence for a shift event that transitions the endless member <NUM> from engaging the first pulley <NUM> to engaging the second pulley <NUM>. Prior to the shift event, the endless member <NUM> is engaged with the first pulley <NUM> of the first pulley assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, the plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e are all located in the disengaged region.

At the step shown in <FIG>, the pulley segment 150a is moved into the engaged region while positioned in the non-contact zone of the first pulley assembly <NUM>. As will be appreciated, in the subject embodiment, the pulley segments 150a to 150e are moved into the engaged region by transversely extending the pulley segments 150a to 150e. As the first pulley assembly <NUM> rotates, the pulley segment 150a will enter into the contact zone and will engage the endless member <NUM> with
the transition surface <NUM> of the integrated support <NUM> of the pulley segment 150a. The integrated support <NUM> of the pulley segment 150a inhibits the endless member <NUM> from bending beyond the maximum permissible radius as the endless member <NUM> transitions from the first pulley <NUM> to the second pulley <NUM>, by supporting the endless member <NUM> with the transition surface <NUM>. As the first pulley assembly <NUM> further rotates, the portion of the outer peripheral surface <NUM> defined by the body of the pulley segment 150a engages the endless member <NUM>. As will be appreciated, since the integrated support <NUM> includes a recess <NUM>, when the endless member <NUM> extends across the recess <NUM>, a portion <NUM> of the endless member <NUM> will be unsupported. This unsupported portion <NUM> extends from the transition surface <NUM> to the portion of the outer peripheral surface <NUM> defined by the body of the pulley segment 150a, and may be generally straight (as shown in <FIG>).

At the step shown in <FIG>, the pulley segment 150b is moved into the engaged region while positioned in the non-contact zone of the first pulley assembly <NUM>. As the first pulley assembly <NUM> rotates, the pulley segment 150b will rotationally follow the pulley segment 150a into the contact zone and will engage the endless member <NUM>, with the portion of the outer peripheral surface <NUM> defined by the body of the pulley segment 150b. However, before the pulley segment 150b may engage the endless member <NUM> with the transition surface <NUM> of the integrated support <NUM> of the pulley segment 150b, the shift event proceeds to the step shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, during the shift event transitioning the endless member <NUM> from the first pulley <NUM> to the second pulley <NUM>, the endless member <NUM> does not engage the integrated support <NUM> of the pulley segment 150b.

At the steps shown in <FIG>, the remaining pulley segments 150c to 150e are sequentially moved into the engaged region while individually positioned in the non-contact zone of the first pulley assembly <NUM>. As the first pulley assembly <NUM> rotates, the remaining pulley segments 150c to 150e will rotationally follow the pulley segment 150b into the contact zone and will engage the endless member <NUM>. Once all of the pulley segments 150a to 150e are in the engaged region, the first pulley assembly <NUM> can operate with the endless member <NUM> continuously engaging the outer peripheral surface <NUM> of the second pulley <NUM>. Accordingly, the shift event that transitions the endless member <NUM> from engaging the first pulley <NUM> to engaging the second pulley <NUM> is complete.

<FIG> show a sequence for a shift event that transitions the endless member <NUM> from engaging the second pulley <NUM> to engaging the first pulley <NUM>. Prior to the shift event, the endless member <NUM> is engaged with the second pulley <NUM> of the first pulley assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, the plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e are all located in the engaged region.

At the steps shown in <FIG>, the pulley segments 150c to 150e are sequentially moved out of the engaged region, while individually positioned in the non-contact zone of the first pulley assembly <NUM>. As will be appreciated, in the subject embodiment, the pulley segments 150a to 150e are moved out of the engaged region by transversely retracting the pulley segments 150a to 150e out of the plane defined by the endless member <NUM>. Accordingly, as the first pulley assembly <NUM> rotates, the pulley segments 150c to 150e will not engage the endless member <NUM>. Instead, as shown in <FIG>, the endless member <NUM> will engage the portion of the outer peripheral surface defined by the body of the pulley segment 150b and, subsequently, the transition surface <NUM> of the integrated support <NUM> of the pulley segment 150b. The integrated support <NUM> of the pulley segment 150b inhibits the endless member <NUM> from bending beyond the maximum permissible radius as the endless member <NUM> transitions from the second pulley <NUM> to the first pulley <NUM>. As will be appreciated, since the integrated support <NUM> includes a recess <NUM>, when the endless member <NUM> extends across the recess <NUM>, a portion <NUM> of the endless member <NUM> will be unsupported. This unsupported portion <NUM> extends from the transition surface <NUM> to the portion of the outer peripheral surface <NUM> defined by the body of the pulley segment 150b, and may be generally straight (as shown in <FIG>).

At the steps shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the remaining pulley segments 150a, 150b are sequentially moved out of the engaged region while individually positioned in the non-contact zone of the first pulley assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, as the first pulley assembly <NUM> rotates the pulley segments 150a, 150b will not engage the endless member <NUM>. Once the pulley segments 150a, 150b are both moved out of the engaged region, the first pulley assembly can operate continuously with the endless member <NUM> engaging the outer peripheral surface <NUM> of the first pulley <NUM>. Accordingly, the shift event that transitions the endless member <NUM> from engaging the second pulley <NUM> to engaging the first pulley <NUM> is complete.

Although the first pulley system <NUM> has been shown and described herein as comprising two concentric pulleys, namely the first pulley <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM>, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the first pulley system may comprise a greater number of concentric pulleys when further ratios for the segmented pulley transmission <NUM> are desired.

Although the plurality of pulley segments 150a to 150e have been shown and described herein as including two transition segments 150a, 150b, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the plurality of pulley segments may comprises a single transition segment. In such embodiments, the single transition segment may include one or more of the integrated supports <NUM>. In some embodiments, the single transition segment includes two of the integrated supports <NUM>, extending from opposing sides of the single transition segment. One of the integrated supports <NUM> can be configured to support the endless member <NUM> when transitioning the endless member <NUM> from the first pulley <NUM> to the second pulley <NUM>, and the other of the integrated supports <NUM> can be configured to support the endless member <NUM> when transitioning from the second pulley <NUM> to the first pulley <NUM>.

Although the integrated support <NUM> has been shown and described herein as comprising a single proximal portion <NUM> and a single distal portion <NUM>, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the integrated support may comprise a plurality of proximal portions and/or a plurality of distal portions. Similarly, although the integrated support <NUM> has been shown and described herein as comprising a single recess <NUM>, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the integrated support may comprise a plurality of recesses. Each recess may be configured to receive a respective enlarged portion of one or more adjacent pulley segments.

Claim 1:
A segmented pulley (<NUM>) defining an outer peripheral surface (<NUM>) for engaging an endless member (<NUM>) of a segmented pulley transmission (<NUM>), the segmented pulley (<NUM>) comprising:
a plurality of pulley segments (<NUM>) configured to be sequentially movable between an engaged region and a disengaged region to transition the endless member (<NUM>) between the segmented pulley (<NUM>) and a concentric pulley (<NUM>) in the segmented pulley transmission (<NUM>), each of the pulley segments (<NUM>) having a body defining a portion of the outer peripheral surface (<NUM>),
wherein the plurality of pulley segments (<NUM>) includes a transition segment (150a) having an integrated support (<NUM>) extending from the body of the transition segment (150a), the integrated support (<NUM>) being configured to support the endless member (<NUM>) when transitioning the endless member (<NUM>) between the concentric pulley (<NUM>) and the segmented pulley (<NUM>) in the segmented pulley transmission (<NUM>), characterized in that the integrated support (<NUM>) extends circumferentially beyond the portion of the outer peripheral surface (<NUM>) defined by the body of the transition segment (150a),
the integrated support (<NUM>) comprises:
a transition surface (<NUM>) for supporting the endless member (<NUM>) when transitioning the endless member (<NUM>) between the concentric pulley (<NUM>) and the segmented pulley (<NUM>); and
a recess (<NUM>),
wherein the transition surface (<NUM>) is spaced apart from the body of the transition segment (150a) by the recess (<NUM>).