Infinitely Variable Transmission Power Reverser Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infinitely variable transmissions (IVTs) for work vehicles face challenges such as complexity, bulkiness, weight, and inefficiencies in combining engine and infinitely variable power sources, leading to limitations in speed, fuel efficiency, and increased manufacturing time and cost.
Innovation Solution
An IVT system with a power reverser that enables both forward and reverse modes, utilizing a variator with planetary gearsets to combine engine and infinitely variable power sources, providing continuous and infinite gear ratios while being compact and lightweight, and allowing seamless switching between modes without additional reverse gear elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a planetary gear set is used to sum rotational power from engine and electric machine, then power transmission with infinitely variable effective gear ratio is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power reverser unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a power summation device combining engine and electric machine power, provides forward and reverse rotation capability, and enables infinitely variable gear ratios. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate reverse gear mechanisms and simplifies the overall transmission architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the reverse gear function directly into the power summation mechanism by configuring the power reverser unit to inherently provide both forward and reverse rotation. This integration eliminates the need for separate reverse idler gears or additional planetary gear sets dedicated to reverse operation, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Power
If traditional IVT configurations are used to combine engine and infinitely variable power sources, then power transmission is achieved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power summation function and reverse gear function into a single integrated power reverser unit. This merging eliminates redundant components such as separate reverse idler gears and reduces the overall mass of the transmission system while maintaining full power transmission capability in both forward and reverse directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The power reverser unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: summing power from both engine and electric machine, providing forward rotation, and providing reverse rotation. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and associated weight compared to traditional IVT configurations that require separate mechanisms for each function.
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate components are used for reverse gear mechanism, then reverse operation is achieved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the reverse gear mechanism directly into the power summation unit, creating a single assembled component rather than multiple separate parts. This integration reduces the number of assembly steps and fasteners required, thereby reducing manufacturing time and assembly complexity while maintaining full reverse operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power reverser unit is designed as a multi-functional component that handles both power summation and reverse gear operation within a single assembly. This approach reduces the total part count and simplifies manufacturing processes compared to traditional designs that require separate reverse gear mechanisms to be manufactured and assembled independently.
4Ease of operation
If additional reverse gear elements are added to the IVT system, then reverse mode is enabled, but the IVT becomes bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reverse gear function into the existing power summation unit by configuring the power reverser to inherently provide reverse rotation capability. This integration eliminates the need for additional reverse idler gears or separate reverse planetary gear sets, thereby maintaining a compact transmission layout without increasing overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The power reverser unit is designed to perform multiple functions including power summation and reverse gear operation within a single compact assembly. This multi-functionality avoids the volume increase that would result from adding separate reverse gear mechanisms, maintaining a space-efficient design while enabling full reverse mode operation.
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 IVT system achieves efficient power transmission with continuous and infinite gear ratios in both forward and reverse modes, reducing weight and complexity, enhancing fuel efficiency, and simplifying manufacturing and assembly, while providing equal torque in both directions.
Implementation Method 1
a planetary gearset having a first gear, a second gear, and an output gear. The first gear is configured to receive engine power from the engine, the second gear is configured to receive e-power power from the electric machine, and the output gear is configured to output summed engine power and e-power
Data Source
AI summary
An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) for a work vehicle includes a variator with a first transmission component configured to receive engine power from an engine, a second transmission component configured to receive IVP power from an IVP machine, and an output transmission component configured to output summed engine power and IVP power. The IVT also includes a power reverser that connects the engine to the first transmission component of the variator and that transfers engine power to the first transmission component. The power reverser has a forward mode and a reverse mode. The power reverser, in the forward mode, is configured to rotate the first transmission component in a forward direction. The power reverser, in the reverse mode, is configured to rotate the first transmission component in a reverse direction.