A friction roller type reduction gear includes a first sun roller so mounted on an input shaft movably in the axial direction of the input shaft, a plurality of first cam grooves formed in the end face of the first sun roller, a cam plate so mounted on the input shaft as is opposed to the first cam groove side of the first sun roller, a plurality of second cam grooves so formed in the cam plate as are opposed to the first cam grooves, rolling elements interposed between the first and second cam grooves, and a cage for holding the rolling elements rollably, while a pitch circle diameter of the position for holding the rolling elements is different from pitch circle diameter of the first and second cam grooves.

A friction roller type reduction gear includes a first sun roller so mounted on an input shaft movably in the axial direction of the input shaft, a plurality of first cam grooves formed in the end face of the first sun roller, a cam plate so mounted on the input shaft as is opposed to the first cam groove side of the first sun roller, a plurality of second cam grooves so formed in the cam plate as are opposed to the first cam grooves, rolling elements interposed between the first and second cam grooves, and a cage for holding the rolling elements rollably, while a pitch circle diameter of the position for holding the rolling elements is different from pitch circle diameter of the first and second cam grooves.

A frictional roller reducer having a sun roller; a ring roller; a plurality of intermediate rollers having rolling surfaces coming in rolling contact with the sun roller and the ring roller; the sun roller or the ring roller having a pair of roller elements including inclined surface portions on a circumferential surface coming in rolling with rolling surfaces, the inclined surface portions inclined in directions going toward the intermediate rollers in a radial direction as going away from each other in the axial direction; a pressing device pressing the pair of roller elements in directions going closer to each other, and an elastic member arranged between the pair of roller elements, the elastic member urging the pair of roller elements in directions going away from the rolling surface of the intermediate rollers.

A frictional roller reducer having a sun roller; a ring roller; a plurality of intermediate rollers having rolling surfaces coming in rolling contact with the sun roller and the ring roller; the sun roller or the ring roller having a pair of roller elements including inclined surface portions on a circumferential surface coming in rolling with rolling surfaces, the inclined surface portions inclined in directions going toward the intermediate rollers in a radial direction as going away from each other in the axial direction; a pressing device pressing the pair of roller elements in directions going closer to each other, and an elastic member arranged between the pair of roller elements, the elastic member urging the pair of roller elements in directions going away from the rolling surface of the intermediate rollers.

A variety of transmissions, and improvements thereof, are provided having improved efficiency and other benefits. The transmissions include one or more inner members that are driven by one or more cams or other means to engage in precessional rotation about an axis of rotation that, itself, orbits about a primary axis of rotation. A plurality of shaped rollers are in contact with shaped cutouts on the inner member(s) and on a ground member such that an input rotation/torque applied via the cam is realized as an output rotation/torque at an output member that is coupled to the inner member(s). Tire rollers and contact surfaces are shaped such that the rollers engage in rolling motion relative to the contact surfaces, providing improved efficiency. Multiple inner members, and corresponding sets of shaped rollers, can be provided to increase power capacity, reduce torque ripple, reduce wobble, or provide other benefits.

A variety of transmissions, and improvements thereof, are provided having improved efficiency and other benefits. The transmissions include one or more inner members that are driven by one or more cams or other means to engage in precessional rotation about an axis of rotation that, itself, orbits about a primary axis of rotation. A plurality of shaped rollers are in contact with shaped cutouts on the inner member(s) and on a ground member such that an input rotation/torque applied via the cam is realized as an output rotation/torque at an output member that is coupled to the inner member(s). Tire rollers and contact surfaces are shaped such that the rollers engage in rolling motion relative to the contact surfaces, providing improved efficiency. Multiple inner members, and corresponding sets of shaped rollers, can be provided to increase power capacity, reduce torque ripple, reduce wobble, or provide other benefits.

A micro-traction drive unit according to the present invention includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements, a retainer, a micro-traction drive case and a power-transmitting shaft coaxial with the inner ring and incapable of relative rotation around an axis to the retainer. An opposite end of the power-transmitting shaft from the inner ring forms an input end operatively connected to a driving source. An input end of the pump shaft is detachably connected to a central hole of the inner ring in a state incapable of relative rotation around the axis via the access opening of the micro-traction drive case by connecting the micro-traction drive case to the HST case so as to surround the input end of the pump shaft of the HST.

A micro-traction drive unit according to the present invention includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements, a retainer, a micro-traction drive case and a power-transmitting shaft coaxial with the inner ring and incapable of relative rotation around an axis to the retainer. An opposite end of the power-transmitting shaft from the inner ring forms an input end operatively connected to a driving source. An input end of the pump shaft is detachably connected to a central hole of the inner ring in a state incapable of relative rotation around the axis via the access opening of the micro-traction drive case by connecting the micro-traction drive case to the HST case so as to surround the input end of the pump shaft of the HST.

A speed based axial force generation mechanism may generate axial force corresponding to a rotational speed of a speed based axial force generation system relative to a central axis. As the speed based axial force generation system rotates at increasing speeds, inertia causes a change in the configuration of a first rigid member and a second rigid member, resulting in a change in the axial force generated by the mechanism.

Projections protruding towards a cam plate and a disc are provided on both axial side surfaces of the retainer at a plurality of positions at which phases of the projections in the circumferential direction are offset from pockets. One axial direction surface of the cam plate and the disc are formed with concave portions at portions facing the respective projections. The concave portions have an axial depth deepest at a center portion thereof in the circumferential direction and becoming shallower towards both end portions thereof.