A continuously variable transmission has a variator (4) structured to be able to continuously vary a transmission ratio and a control unit (100). The control unit (100) continuously varies a transmission ratio of the variator (4) in a continuously variable shift mode. In a manual mode in which a manual mode switch (36c) is ON, the transmission ratio is maintained. When a shift switch (36a, 36b) is operated by a driver during the manual mode, the control unit (100) performs shift of the variator (4) so as to change an input rotation speed of the variator (4) by a predetermined rotation speed (N1) regardless of a vehicle speed.

A primary clutch assembly for a continuously variable transmission is provided. The primary clutch assembly includes a fixed sheave and a movable sheave centered on a post for joint rotation therewith. A rotational unit disposed on the post generates centrifugal forces during rotation of the post that are translated axially to urge the movable sheave along the post towards the fixed sheave. The primary clutch utilizes an actuator assembly that is configured to establish a locked condition that prevents axial movement of the movable sheave as the rotational unit builds-up centrifugal force and an unlocked condition to allow sudden axial movement of the movable sheave towards the fixed sheave. The actuator assembly includes a bearing unit that extends through a hole in the post to contact the movable sheave in the locked condition and is housed within the hole and spaced from the movable sheave in the unlocked condition.

A primary clutch assembly for a continuously variable transmission is provided. The primary clutch assembly includes a fixed sheave and a movable sheave centered on a post for joint rotation therewith. A rotational unit disposed on the post generates centrifugal forces during rotation of the post that are translated axially to urge the movable sheave along the post towards the fixed sheave. The primary clutch utilizes an actuator assembly that is configured to establish a locked condition that prevents axial movement of the movable sheave as the rotational unit builds-up centrifugal force and an unlocked condition to allow sudden axial movement of the movable sheave towards the fixed sheave. The actuator assembly includes a bearing unit that extends through a hole in the post to contact the movable sheave in the locked condition and is housed within the hole and spaced from the movable sheave in the unlocked condition.

A return to neutral (RTN) mechanism for a variable drive apparatus having a rotatable control shaft is provided. The RTN mechanism incorporates a neutral lockdown plate secured to the housing of the variable drive apparatus and disposed about the rotatable control shaft, a control arm fixed to the control shaft to impart rotation thereto, a single, rotatable return arm piloted upon a protective cover, and a pair of springs to bias the control shaft back to a neutral position from either a forward or reverse rotation.

A continuously variable transmission pedal control system includes a forward pedal connected to a forward pivoting bracket, a reverse pedal connected to a reverse pivoting bracket, a first spring connecting the forward pivoting bracket to a linkage such as a bell crank at a first attachment point, and a second spring connecting the reverse pivoting bracket to the linkage at a second attachment point. The linkage may be connected by a motion control rod to a continuously variable transmission that provides a variable forward traction drive speed based on a position of the forward pedal and a variable reverse traction drive speed based on a position of the reverse pedal.

A continuously variable transmission pedal control system includes a forward pedal connected to a forward pivoting bracket, a reverse pedal connected to a reverse pivoting bracket, a first spring connecting the forward pivoting bracket to a linkage such as a bell crank at a first attachment point, and a second spring connecting the reverse pivoting bracket to the linkage at a second attachment point. The linkage may be connected by a motion control rod to a continuously variable transmission that provides a variable forward traction drive speed based on a position of the forward pedal and a variable reverse traction drive speed based on a position of the reverse pedal.

A continuous variable planetary (CVP) system includes a CVP hub, which includes a shift mechanism including a shift driver element, and a processing server system to calibrate the CVP system and detect errors within the CVP system. The processing server system performs continuously monitoring or obtaining a transmission speed ratio of the CVP hub. Upon detecting that the transmission speed ratio reaches a particular value, the processing server system records a corresponding position of the shift driver. The processing server system calibrates the CVP system based on the particular value, the corresponding position, and a known relationship between transmission speed ratios and positions of the shift mechanism. The processing server system determines or verifies a full underdrive (FUD) position by iteratively reducing a transmission speed ratio from the particular value until an onset of a backlash condition is detected and determines or verifies a full overdrive (FOD) position.

A continuous variable planetary (CVP) system includes a CVP hub, which includes a shift mechanism including a shift driver element, and a processing server system to calibrate the CVP system and detect errors within the CVP system. The processing server system performs continuously monitoring or obtaining a transmission speed ratio of the CVP hub. Upon detecting that the transmission speed ratio reaches a particular value, the processing server system records a corresponding position of the shift driver. The processing server system calibrates the CVP system based on the particular value, the corresponding position, and a known relationship between transmission speed ratios and positions of the shift mechanism. The processing server system determines or verifies a full underdrive (FUD) position by iteratively reducing a transmission speed ratio from the particular value until an onset of a backlash condition is detected and determines or verifies a full overdrive (FOD) position.

A work vehicle including: a hydraulic stepless transmission that shifts a speed of a driving force from an engine; a gear shift pedal that performs an acceleration/deceleration operation of a shifted output from the hydraulic stepless transmission; a control section that controls the engine and the hydraulic stepless transmission based on an operation amount of the gear shift pedal; and acceleration/deceleration switches that increase and reduce a vehicle speed in performing an auto-cruise mode. The control section stores a set maximum vehicle speed. In a case where the acceleration/deceleration switches are operated in the auto-cruise mode, the control section increases and reduces the vehicle speed stored in shifting to the auto-cruise mode based on the amount of change in accordance with the maximum vehicle speed.

A work vehicle including: a hydraulic stepless transmission that shifts a speed of a driving force from an engine; a gear shift pedal that performs an acceleration/deceleration operation of a shifted output from the hydraulic stepless transmission; a control section that controls the engine and the hydraulic stepless transmission based on an operation amount of the gear shift pedal; and acceleration/deceleration switches that increase and reduce a vehicle speed in performing an auto-cruise mode. The control section stores a set maximum vehicle speed. In a case where the acceleration/deceleration switches are operated in the auto-cruise mode, the control section increases and reduces the vehicle speed stored in shifting to the auto-cruise mode based on the amount of change in accordance with the maximum vehicle speed.