CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed.
1 . An axle for a spherical traction roller of a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”), the axle comprising:
an elongated, generally cylindrical body having a first end and a second end;
a first shoulder formed on the body proximate to the first end of the body;
a second shoulder formed on the body proximate to the second end of the body; and
a waist portion on the body between the first and second shoulders.
2 . The axle of claim 1 , wherein the first and second shoulders have chamfers at edges defined by the first and second shoulders.
3 . The axle of claim 1 , wherein the waist portion is adapted to be a lubricant reservoir.
4 . The axle of claim 1 , wherein the axle is made of bronze.
5 . The axle of claim 1 , wherein the axle is made of an alloy of bronze and zinc.
6 . The axle of claim 1 , further comprising a bushing in frictional contact with a portion of the axle.
7 . The axle of claim 1 , further comprising caged needle rollers in frictional contact with a portion of axle.
8 . The axle of claim 1 , further comprising spacers mounted on at least one of the shoulders.
9 . An axle for a spherical traction roller of a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”), the axle comprising:
means for coupling to a ball-leg assembly;
means for allowing a spherical traction roller to roll about an axis; and
means for aligning a spherical traction roller about the axle during operation of the CVT.
10 . The axle of claim 9 , wherein the means for aligning uses bearings.
11 . The axle of claim 10 , wherein the bearings are retained bearings.
12 . The axle of claim 10 , the axle further comprising means for separating the bearings.
13 . The axle of claim 10 , the axle further comprising means for reducing migration of the bearings.
14 . A method of manufacturing an axle for a spherical traction roller of a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”), the method comprising the steps of:
forming an elongated, generally cylindrical body having a first end and a second end;
forming a first shoulder on the body proximate to the first end of the body; and
forming a second shoulder on the body proximate to the second end of the body; whereby
there exists a waist portion on the body between the first and second shoulders.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises the step of forming chamfers on the first and second shoulders at edges defined by the first and second shoulders.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises the step of adapting the waist portion to be a lubricant reservoir.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises the step of placing a bushing in frictional contact with the axle.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises the step of placing a bearing in frictional contact with the axle.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the axle is made of bronze.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the axle is made of an alloy of bronze and zinc.