Infinitely Variable Transmission Inversion for Compact Drivetrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infinitely variable transmission devices for vehicles occupy significant structural space and have high manufacturing costs due to elaborate bearing arrangements and long connecting shafts between the planetary transmission device and the variator.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of the gearshift transmission device between the variator and the transmission output allows for a shorter, simpler connecting shaft between the planetary transmission device and the variator, reducing structural space and manufacturing costs, with options for different variator types like belt-type or friction-wheel variators for adaptable performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the gearshift transmission device is arranged between the planetary transmission device and the variator, then the transmission device can transmit torque along two power paths, but the active connection requires an undesirably long connecting shaft with elaborate bearing arrangement, increasing manufacturing costs and structural space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the gearshift transmission device between the variator and transmission output rather than between the planetary transmission device and variator. This reversal shortens the connecting shaft between the planetary transmission device and variator, eliminating the need for elaborate bearing arrangements and reducing manufacturing costs.
2Productivity
If the gearshift transmission device is arranged between the planetary transmission device and the variator, then torque can be transmitted along two power paths, but the transmission structure occupies significant structural space
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the arrangement and placing the gearshift transmission device between the variator and transmission output, the patent achieves compact spatial utilization. The two power paths are maintained (one through planetary transmission device to variator, another through gearshift transmission device), but the overall structural footprint is reduced due to the shorter connecting shaft and more efficient space arrangement.
3Power
If a long connecting shaft is used to connect the planetary transmission device and the variator, then torque transmission is enabled, but the bearing arrangement becomes elaborate and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by inverting the component arrangement, which naturally shortens the connecting shaft length required for torque transmission. The gearshift transmission device is repositioned to allow a more direct connection between the planetary transmission device and variator, reducing shaft length and eliminating complex bearing arrangements, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining full torque transmission capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An infinitely variable transmission device (4) for a vehicle drivetrain (1) which includes a variator (8) and a gearshift transmission device (9), which produce gear ratios in a plurality of ratio ranges with continuous variation. The device has a planetary transmission device (7) in active connection with a transmission input (12), in an area of a first shaft (11), with the gearshift transmission device (9), in an area of a second shaft (14), and with the variator (8), in an area of a third shaft (16). The torque to be transmitted by the transmission device (4) passes, via at least two power paths, between the transmission input (12) and a transmission output (10). The variator (8) is arranged in one of the two power paths and the gearshift transmission device (9) is arranged between the variator (8) and the transmission output (10).