In a vehicle installed with in-wheel motors, a continuously variable transmission provided in a power transmission path between the in-wheel motor and a wheel has an input member that rotates as a unit with a rotor, an output member that rotates as a unit with a drive shaft, planetary balls that transmit torque between the input member and the output member, a support shaft that rotatably supports each of the planetary balls, and a carrier that can tilt the planetary balls by changing the radial positions of opposite end portions of the support shaft. The continuously variable transmission can change the speed ratio by changing the tilting angle of the planetary balls by means of the carrier.

In a vehicle installed with in-wheel motors, a continuously variable transmission provided in a power transmission path between the in-wheel motor and a wheel has an input member that rotates as a unit with a rotor, an output member that rotates as a unit with a drive shaft, planetary balls that transmit torque between the input member and the output member, a support shaft that rotatably supports each of the planetary balls, and a carrier that can tilt the planetary balls by changing the radial positions of opposite end portions of the support shaft. The continuously variable transmission can change the speed ratio by changing the tilting angle of the planetary balls by means of the carrier.

An auxiliary machine-driving device is provided for a vehicle. The auxiliary machine-driving device has a first roller, a second roller, a third roller, a fourth roller and a fifth roller. The first roller rotates integrally with a rotary shaft of an engine. The second roller rotates integrally with a rotary shaft of a motor/generator. The third roller rotates integrally with a rotary shaft of an auxiliary machine. The fourth roller is provided between the first roller and the second roller. The fifth roller that always contacts the second roller and the third roller. The actuator switches the fourth roller between a contact state with the first and second rollers and a separation state from the first and second rollers.

An auxiliary machine-driving device is provided for a vehicle. The auxiliary machine-driving device has a first roller, a second roller, a third roller, a fourth roller and a fifth roller. The first roller rotates integrally with a rotary shaft of an engine. The second roller rotates integrally with a rotary shaft of a motor/generator. The third roller rotates integrally with a rotary shaft of an auxiliary machine. The fourth roller is provided between the first roller and the second roller. The fifth roller that always contacts the second roller and the third roller. The actuator switches the fourth roller between a contact state with the first and second rollers and a separation state from the first and second rollers.

Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV) having a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. A control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also possible. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example.

Provided herein is a sun assembly for a continuously variable transmission having a plurality of balls, each having a tiltable axis of rotation, a first traction ring assembly in contact with each ball, a second traction ring assembly in contact with each ball, the sun assembly having a first sun ring and a second sun ring located radially inward of, and in contact with, each ball. The sun assembly is operably coupled to an electromagnetic device. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic device is a bearing configured to provide radial support to the balls. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic device is a motor configured to produce an output power from the sun assembly. In some embodiments the electromagnetic device is a speed sensor. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic device is a selectable torque transmitting device.

Provided herein is a sun assembly for a continuously variable transmission having a plurality of balls, each having a tiltable axis of rotation, a first traction ring assembly in contact with each ball, a second traction ring assembly in contact with each ball, the sun assembly having a first sun ring and a second sun ring located radially inward of, and in contact with, each ball. The sun assembly is operably coupled to an electromagnetic device. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic device is a bearing configured to provide radial support to the balls. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic device is a motor configured to produce an output power from the sun assembly. In some embodiments the electromagnetic device is a speed sensor. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic device is a selectable torque transmitting device.

An infinitely variable transmission includes an input differential and an output differential. The input differential and the output differential both include differentially associated forward path and reverse path gear members. The forward path gear members are meshed indirectly through an idler gear and the reverse path gear members mesh directly to cause counter-rotation of the output differential gear members. The input differential gear members are controlled by a variator so that the forward path gear members may be regulated to rotate faster than the reverse path gear members to cause forward rotation of the output shaft, or so that the forward path gear members may be regulated to rotate slower than the reverse path gear members to cause reverse rotation of the output shaft or so that the forward and reverse path gear members rotate at the same speed to make the output shaft stationary.

A transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The transmission provides multiple powerpaths and can be combined with electrical components to provide motor/generator functionality, which reduces the overall size and complexity of the motor and transmission compared to when they are constructed separately. In one embodiment, rotatable components of a continuously variable transmission are coupled separately to an electrical rotor and to an electrical stator so that the rotor and stator rotate simultaneously in opposite directions relative to one another. In other embodiments, an electrical rotor is configured to transfer torque to or from a disc that is in contact with a plurality of speed adjusters, while an electrical stator is configured to transfer torque to a shaft that is operationally coupled to the speed adjusters via an idler.

A transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The transmission provides multiple powerpaths and can be combined with electrical components to provide motor/generator functionality, which reduces the overall size and complexity of the motor and transmission compared to when they are constructed separately. In one embodiment, rotatable components of a continuously variable transmission are coupled separately to an electrical rotor and to an electrical stator so that the rotor and stator rotate simultaneously in opposite directions relative to one another. In other embodiments, an electrical rotor is configured to transfer torque to or from a disc that is in contact with a plurality of speed adjusters, while an electrical stator is configured to transfer torque to a shaft that is operationally coupled to the speed adjusters via an idler.