Electric traction drives
View Patent ↗Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for electric traction drives employing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a variator provided with a plurality of tilting traction planets and opposing traction rings. In one embodiment, an electric traction drive is provided with an electromotive device configured to transfer power to or from a traction sun of a CVT. In other embodiments, an electric traction drive is provided with an electromotive device that couples to certain components of a CVT such as a traction ring, a carrier assembly, and a main axle. Various inventive shifting assemblies having shift cams and shift cam cages can be used to facilitate adjusting the transmission speed ratio of a CVT. Various related devices include embodiments of, for example, a power input apparatus, a speed ratio shifter, a shift cam actuator, a shift nut, and a carrier assembly configured to support the tilting traction planets.
1. A vehicle comprising:
an electric traction drive on a main axle, the main axle defining a longitudinal axis, the electric traction drive comprising
a plurality of traction planets distributed radially about the longitudinal axis, each traction planet rotatable about a tiltable axis,
a first traction ring and a second traction ring in contact with the plurality of traction planets, the plurality of traction planets interposed between the first traction ring and the second traction ring,
a rotatable traction sun mounted on the main axle and positioned radially inward of and in contact with each of the plurality of traction planets,
a traction sun drive shaft coupled to the traction sun,
an electric rotor assembly coupled to the traction sun drive shaft,
a drive shaft operably coupled to the first traction ring, the drive shaft adapted to transfer power to the first traction ring,
a field that is rotationally fixed to the second traction ring; and
a main shell comprising one or more flanges for facilitating the transfer of torque to a load, wherein the main shell is used to drive a wheel, and wherein the one or more flanges is adapted to couple to a plurality of spokes of the wheel.
2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the field is located radially outward of the electric rotor.
3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the field is located radially inward of the electric rotor.
4. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a housing adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis, wherein the housing is operably coupled to the first traction ring.
5. A bicycle comprising:
an electric traction drive on a main axle, the main axle defining a longitudinal axis, the electric traction drive comprising
a plurality of traction planets distributed radially about the longitudinal axis, each traction planet rotatable about a tiltable axis,
a first traction ring and a second traction ring in contact with the plurality of traction planets, the plurality of traction planets interposed between the first traction ring and the second traction ring,
a rotatable traction sun mounted on the main axle and positioned radially inward of and in contact with each of the plurality of traction planets,
a ratio control device coupled to the traction sun,
a traction sun drive shaft coupled to the traction sun,
an electric rotor assembly coupled to the traction sun drive shaft,
a drive shaft operably coupled to the first traction ring, the drive shaft adapted to transfer power to the first traction ring, and
a field that is rotationally fixed to the second traction ring.
6. The bicycle of claim 5 , further comprising a main shell comprising one or more flanges, wherein the main shell is used to drive a wheel, wherein the one or more flanges is adapted to couple to a plurality of spokes of the wheel.
7. A bicycle comprising:
an electric traction drive on a main axle, the main axle defining a longitudinal axis, the electric traction drive comprising
a plurality of traction planets distributed radially about the longitudinal axis, each traction planet rotatable about a tiltable axis,
a first traction ring and a second traction ring in contact with the plurality of traction planets, the plurality of traction planets interposed between the first traction ring and the second traction ring,
a rotatable traction sun mounted on the main axle and positioned radially inward of and in contact with each of the plurality of traction planets,
a traction sun drive shaft coupled to the traction sun,
an electric rotor assembly coupled to the traction sun drive shaft,
a drive shaft operably coupled to the first traction ring, the drive shaft adapted to transfer power to the first traction ring, and
a field that is rotationally fixed to the second traction ring, wherein a power output interface is integral with a housing of the electric traction drive, and wherein a power input is coupled to the power output interface.
8. The bicycle of claim 7 , further comprising a main shell comprising one or more flanges, wherein the main shell is used to drive a wheel, and wherein the one or more flanges is adapted to couple to a plurality of spokes of the wheel.
9. The bicycle of claim 7 , wherein the field is located radially outward of the electric rotor.
10. The bicycle of claim 7 , wherein the field is located radially inward of the electric rotor.