A drive pulley for a CVT has a fixed sheave, a movable sheave, a spider, a biasing member biasing the movable sheave axially away from the fixed sheave, at least one centrifugal actuator and at least one slider assembly. The at least one slider assembly has a slider block connected to one of the movable sheave and the spider and abutting another one of the movable sheave and the spider. The slider block slides along the other one of the movable sheave and the spider as the movable sheave moves axially. The at least one slider assembly transfers torque between the movable sheave and the spider. A slider block for a drive pulley of a CVT is also described.

Disclosed is a continuous variable transmission drive system for providing automatic continuously variable transmission for driving wheels of a vehicle. The vehicle includes wheels and either pedals or a motor. The continuous variable transmission drive system includes a drive shaft, a drive wheel, a drive disk, a sensor, a jack mechanism and a transmission unit. The drive shaft having a first end to receive a rotational force and a second end is connected to the drive wheel and moves along the drive shaft. The drive disk receives the power of the drive shaft from the drive wheel. The sensor for measuring compression force between the drive disk and the drive wheel. The jack mechanism applies variable compression force to control friction between the drive disk and the drive wheel. The transmission unit moves the drive wheel along the drive shaft, and changes ratio of angular velocity between the drive wheel and the drive disk to provide continuously variable transmission.

Disclosed is a continuous variable transmission drive system for providing automatic continuously variable transmission for driving wheels of a vehicle. The vehicle includes wheels and either pedals or a motor. The continuous variable transmission drive system includes a drive shaft, a drive wheel, a drive disk, a sensor, a jack mechanism and a transmission unit. The drive shaft having a first end to receive a rotational force and a second end is connected to the drive wheel and moves along the drive shaft. The drive disk receives the power of the drive shaft from the drive wheel. The sensor for measuring compression force between the drive disk and the drive wheel. The jack mechanism applies variable compression force to control friction between the drive disk and the drive wheel. The transmission unit moves the drive wheel along the drive shaft, and changes ratio of angular velocity between the drive wheel and the drive disk to provide continuously variable transmission.

The herein invention presents new technologies for superior performance in bicycles, other human powered vehicles, and other mechanical systems; based on Wide Range Linear to Exponential CVT technology, Energy Saving Geometries, Short Stroke Independent Pedaling, and Reduced Friction Ball Bearings. Said new technologies are superior to prior art technologies in that they enable greater efficiency in the application of power and markedly reduce energy consumption, resulting in higher top speeds as well as much greater hill climbing power.

The herein invention presents new technologies for superior performance in bicycles, other human powered vehicles, and other mechanical systems; based on Wide Range Linear to Exponential CVT technology, Energy Saving Geometries, Short Stroke Independent Pedaling, and Reduced Friction Ball Bearings. Said new technologies are superior to prior art technologies in that they enable greater efficiency in the application of power and markedly reduce energy consumption, resulting in higher top speeds as well as much greater hill climbing power.

A continuously-variable planetary transmission including: (a) first and second spaced rotatable transmission elements spaced around a transmission axis and having first and second contact points, respectively; (b) at least one support element in fixed radial position with respect to the transmission axis and each having a third contact point; and (c) at least one elongate, rotationally-symmetric, rotatable planetary rolling element, each rolling element (1) contacting the transmission elements at the first and second contact points and each support element at its third contact point, the contact points each in frictional rolling connection to the at least one rolling element and (2) being supported by the first and second transmission elements and the at least one support element with freedom to move around the transmission axis; and (d) an adjusting device for displacing the center of each planetary rolling element to change the ratio of the transmission.

A continuously-variable planetary transmission including: (a) first and second spaced rotatable transmission elements spaced around a transmission axis and having first and second contact points, respectively; (b) at least one support element in fixed radial position with respect to the transmission axis and each having a third contact point; and (c) at least one elongate, rotationally-symmetric, rotatable planetary rolling element, each rolling element (1) contacting the transmission elements at the first and second contact points and each support element at its third contact point, the contact points each in frictional rolling connection to the at least one rolling element and (2) being supported by the first and second transmission elements and the at least one support element with freedom to move around the transmission axis; and (d) an adjusting device for displacing the center of each planetary rolling element to change the ratio of the transmission.

Provided is a motorcycle including a frame, a front ground-engaging wheel, rear ground-engaging wheel and a steering assembly. The steering assembly includes handlebars, an upper steering stem, a lower steering stem and a lever assembly intermediate the upper steering stem and the lower steering stem and wherein the steering assembly is operably connected to the front ground-engaging wheel.

Provided is a motorcycle including a frame, a front ground-engaging wheel, rear ground-engaging wheel and a steering assembly. The steering assembly includes handlebars, an upper steering stem, a lower steering stem and a lever assembly intermediate the upper steering stem and the lower steering stem and wherein the steering assembly is operably connected to the front ground-engaging wheel.

In a transmission device, a power roller transmits a rotational driving force from an input disc to an output disc in a transmission ratio (transmission gear ratio) corresponding to a tilt motion angle. The power roller allows the transmission ratio to be changed in such a manner that the position of the trunnion on which the power roller is tiltably supported is changed by a trunnion drive mechanism. Hydraulic oil is supplied from a hydraulic pump to the trunnion drive mechanism via a direction selector valve. The direction selector valve selects a flow direction of the hydraulic oil to supply the hydraulic oil to a speed reduction chamber or a speed increase chamber of the trunnion drive mechanism, and discharge the hydraulic oil from the other. In a case where a discharge condition is met, the controller controls a movement of the discharge valve to discharge the hydraulic oil from the speed increase chamber.