Toroidal Variator Roller Carriage Resilient Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infinitely variable ratio transmission apparatuses, or variators, are overly complex and expensive for low-torque applications, requiring sophisticated control regimes that are not necessary for simpler applications like driving auxiliary engine appliances.
Innovation Solution
A simplified variator design using resiliently deformable means, such as springs, to apply a reaction force to roller carriages, eliminating the need for complex control systems by making the end load dependent only on input torque, and featuring adjustable abutment and camming mechanisms to optimize torque transfer and ratio control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sophisticated control regimes are used to ensure optimum operation of the variator, then reliability and performance are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resiliently deformable means automatically adjusts the reaction force on the roller carriages based on the input torque, eliminating the need for external control systems. The system serves itself by using the input torque to deform the resilient means, which in turn applies the appropriate reaction force, creating a self-regulating mechanism that simplifies the overall control structure while maintaining reliable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control regimes (such as hydraulic pistons or lever systems) with a resiliently deformable means that uses elastic deformation to control the reaction force. This substitution of mechanical control with elastic deformation simplifies the device structure while maintaining the ability to optimize variator operation across different torque conditions
2Device complexity
If resiliently deformable means are used to apply reaction force, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the resiliently deformable means by selecting materials and designs with specific elastic characteristics. By adjusting parameters such as material composition, geometry, and elastic modulus, the system achieves the desired reaction force characteristics without requiring complex control mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while managing manufacturing precision requirements through material and design selection
3Adaptability or versatility
If the variator is designed for low-torque applications, then adaptability to auxiliary engine appliances is improved, but the required end load and reaction force decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The resiliently deformable means provides a dynamic reaction force that automatically adapts to the input torque level. For low-torque applications like auxiliary engine appliances, the resilient means deforms less and applies a correspondingly smaller reaction force, while for higher torque applications it deforms more and applies greater force. This dynamic adaptation allows the same variator design to be versatile across different application requirements without manual adjustment
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 simplified variator design reduces complexity and cost while maintaining efficiency and durability, making it suitable for low-torque applications like superchargers by using resiliently deformable means to apply the required reaction force and adjust the ratio effectively.
Implementation Method 1
resiliently deformable means for applying a reaction force to the roller carriages
Implementation Method 2
An elasto-hydrodynamic oil film is present between the rollers and the input and output discs. The properities of the elasto-hydrodynamic fluid are such that when the fluid is compressed it becomes highly viscous
Data Source
AI summary
A variator has an input shaft (18), an input disc (10) mounted coaxially with the input shaft and rotatable by the input shaft, an output disc (12) facing the input shaft (18) and being mounted coaxially with the input disc, a toroidal cavity defined between the input and output discs and a plurality of rollers (14, 16) located in the toroidal cavity, in rolling contact with the input and output discs (10, 12), each of the rollers being mounted on a roller carriage (17). The variator has means (34) for applying an end load to the variator to urge the rollers (14, 16) into contact with the input and output discs (10, 12) and resiliently deformable means for applying a reaction force to each of the roller carriages.