The present invention has a mechanical rotation drive mechanism (50) that drives rotation of at least one rotation pinion sprocket (22; 23) on its axis from among a plurality of pinion sprockets (20). The mechanical rotation drive mechanism (50) drives the rotation of at least one rotation pinion sprocket (22; 23) on its axis in concert with a sprocket movement mechanism (40A) so as to eliminate a phase shift, associated with a radial direction movement of the plurality of pinion sprockets (20) by the sprocket movement mechanism (40A), of the plurality of pinion sprockets (20) with respect to a chain (6).

An actuator system for moving a plurality of pulley segments of a segmented pulley between an engaged region and a disengaged region is provided. The actuator system comprises: a deflector configured to rotate at least between a first position and a second position; and a plurality of followers, each of the followers comprising a protrusion configured to engage the deflector to move the respective one of the pulley segments between the engaged region and the disengaged region, wherein the deflector is configured to move between the first position and the second position to selectively engage the plurality of followers and direct each of the followers between an engaged position and a disengaged position, to move the plurality of pulley segments between the engaged region and the disengaged region. A segmented pulley transmission comprising the actuator system is further provided.

A segmented pulley defining an outer peripheral surface for engaging an endless member of a segmented pulley transmission is provided. The segmented pulley comprises: a plurality of pulley segments configured to be sequentially movable between an engaged region and a disengaged region to transition the endless member between the segmented pulley and a concentric pulley in the segmented pulley transmission, each of the pulley segments having a body defining a portion of the outer peripheral surface. The plurality of pulley segments includes a transition segment having an integrated support extending from the body of the transition segment, the integrated support being configured to support the endless member when transitioning the endless member between the segmented pulley and the adjacent pulley in the segmented pulley transmission. A segmented pulley transmission comprising the segmented pulley is further provided.

A segmented pulley defining an outer peripheral surface for engaging an endless member of a segmented pulley transmission is provided. The segmented pulley comprises: a plurality of pulley segments configured to be sequentially movable between an engaged region and a disengaged region to transition the endless member between the segmented pulley and a concentric pulley in the segmented pulley transmission, each of the pulley segments having a body defining a portion of the outer peripheral surface. The plurality of pulley segments includes a transition segment having an integrated support extending from the body of the transition segment, the integrated support being configured to support the endless member when transitioning the endless member between the segmented pulley and the adjacent pulley in the segmented pulley transmission. A segmented pulley transmission comprising the segmented pulley is further provided.

A pressure piece for articulated connection of links of a CVT plate-link chain for a drive train of a motor vehicle includes a center, a pressure piece lower portion with a lower thickness, a pressure piece upper portion with an upper thickness, and a thickness ratio between the lower thickness and the upper thickness. The lower thickness is measured at a predefined distance below the center when viewed in a vertical direction, and is measured perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper thickness is measured at the predefined distance above the center when viewed in the vertical direction, and is measured perpendicular to the vertical direction. The thickness ratio is greater than 1/1.09.

A pressure piece for articulated connection of links of a CVT plate-link chain for a drive train of a motor vehicle includes a center, a pressure piece lower portion with a lower thickness, a pressure piece upper portion with an upper thickness, and a thickness ratio between the lower thickness and the upper thickness. The lower thickness is measured at a predefined distance below the center when viewed in a vertical direction, and is measured perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper thickness is measured at the predefined distance above the center when viewed in the vertical direction, and is measured perpendicular to the vertical direction. The thickness ratio is greater than 1/1.09.

A toothed CVT using a Cone with One Torque Transmitting Member that is coupled by a Transmission Belt to another Cone with One Torque Transmitting Member for which teeth re-engagement between the Torque Transmitting Members and their Transmission Belt is improved. Said CVT uses a slack-side Tensioning Pulley in order to maintain the tension in the slack-side of the Transmission Belt almost constant so as to ensure smooth re-engagement of the Driven Cone; and a Transmission Diameter Compensating Mechanism, which increases the Transmission Diameter of the Driving Cone when the torque being pulled by the Driving Cone is increased, in order to compensate for an increase in “Transmission Belt Teeth Compression” and an increase in “stretching of the tense-side of the Transmission Belt”, due to an increase in tension in the tense-side of the Transmission Belt when an increased torque is transmitted; to ensure smooth re-engagement of the Driving Cone.

A toothed CVT using a Cone with One Torque Transmitting Member that is coupled by a Transmission Belt to another Cone with One Torque Transmitting Member for which teeth re-engagement between the Torque Transmitting Members and their Transmission Belt is improved. Said CVT uses a slack-side Tensioning Pulley in order to maintain the tension in the slack-side of the Transmission Belt almost constant so as to ensure smooth re-engagement of the Driven Cone; and a Transmission Diameter Compensating Mechanism, which increases the Transmission Diameter of the Driving Cone when the torque being pulled by the Driving Cone is increased, in order to compensate for an increase in “Transmission Belt Teeth Compression” and an increase in “stretching of the tense-side of the Transmission Belt”, due to an increase in tension in the tense-side of the Transmission Belt when an increased torque is transmitted; to ensure smooth re-engagement of the Driving Cone.

A drive clutch having an engine braking feature for a continuously variable transmission is provided. The drive clutch includes a post that is coupled to an output of an engine. A fixed sheave, coupled to the post, has a fixed sheave belt engagement face. A movable sheave assembly that includes a movable sheave belt engaging face, is configured to move axially on the post to move the movable sheave belt engaging face in relation to the fixed sheave belt engaging face depending on a rotational speed of the drive clutch. An idler bearing is mounted on the post at least in part between the movable sheave belt engaging face and the fixed sheave belt engaging face. The idler bearing includes a one-way rotational assembly and has an outer belt engaging surface with outward extending cogs configured to engage teeth of a belt to prevent slippage during engine braking.

A drive clutch having an engine braking feature for a continuously variable transmission is provided. The drive clutch includes a post that is coupled to an output of an engine. A fixed sheave, coupled to the post, has a fixed sheave belt engagement face. A movable sheave assembly that includes a movable sheave belt engaging face, is configured to move axially on the post to move the movable sheave belt engaging face in relation to the fixed sheave belt engaging face depending on a rotational speed of the drive clutch. An idler bearing is mounted on the post at least in part between the movable sheave belt engaging face and the fixed sheave belt engaging face. The idler bearing includes a one-way rotational assembly and has an outer belt engaging surface with outward extending cogs configured to engage teeth of a belt to prevent slippage during engine braking.