CVT Ring Driving Mechanism Reducing Friction Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional continuously variable transmission ring driving mechanisms experience high friction loss, which hampers efficiency in speed adjustment and gasoline consumption reduction.

Innovation Solution

A continuously variable transmission ring driving mechanism featuring a cylinder with a ring-shaped recess, rollers, and a movably received annular unit with oblique guide holes, allowing the transmission rod to be guided axially and reducing friction through rolling contact, combined with an arcuate driving gear rack and driving gear for efficient rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a conventional gear shifting mechanism with a variable transmission rod is used, then speed adjustment capability is achieved, but friction loss is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed adjustment capabilityVSAvoidfriction loss
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Rollers are introduced as intermediary elements between the annular unit and the transmission rod. These rollers convert direct sliding friction into rolling friction, significantly reducing energy loss while maintaining the speed adjustment function. The rollers act as mediators that enable smooth relative motion between the annular unit and the transmission rod without direct contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional direct-contact mechanical transmission system with a rolling contact system. By substituting sliding friction-based mechanics with rolling friction-based mechanics, the system achieves the same speed adjustment function with substantially reduced energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If the annular unit rotates directly without guide holes, then rotation is simple, but axial guidance of the transmission rod is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation mechanism simplicityVSAvoidaxial guidance of transmission rod
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The annular unit is segmented with multiple oblique guide holes distributed around its circumference. This segmentation allows the transmission rod to be guided axially through multiple discrete contact points, improving guidance precision while maintaining the rotational simplicity of the annular unit structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide holes are oriented obliquely rather than axially, introducing a dimensional component that converts rotational motion into axial guidance. This oblique orientation creates a geometric relationship where rotation of the annular unit naturally guides the transmission rod along the axial direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The mechanism achieves low friction loss and high efficiency in variable transmission by restricting friction to rolling friction and enabling smooth axial guidance of the transmission rod, enhancing the overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

the inner ring-shaped surface of the continuously variable transmission annular unit is in contact with the rollers of the ring-shaped bottom wall, and two opposing ring-shaped surfaces of the continuously variable transmission annular unit are in contact with the rollers of the ring-shaped sidewalls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3358221B1Continuously variable transmission ring driving mechanism
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 MOTIVE POWER IND CO LTD
  • EP3358221B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3358221B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3358221B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A continuously variable transmission ring driving mechanism, including a cylinder having a ring-shaped recess with a ring-shaped bottom-wall and two ring-shaped sidewalls, the ring-shaped bottom-wall having axial guide-holes each for receiving a continuously variable transmission rod; rollers pivotally disposed at the ring-shaped bottom-wall and the ring-shaped sidewalls and exposed partially from the ring-shaped recess; and a continuously variable transmission annular unit movably received in the ring-shaped recess, wherein an inner ring-shaped surface of the continuously variable transmission annular unit is in contact with the rollers of the ring-shaped bottom-wall, and two opposing ring-shaped surfaces of the continuously variable transmission annular unit are in contact with the rollers of the ring-shaped sidewalls, the continuously variable transmission annular unit having oblique guide-holes, allowing the oblique guide-holes to guide the continuously variable transmission rod along axial direction of the cylinder when the continuously variable transmission annular unit rotates about the cylinder.