Provided is a friction transmission device having a friction transmission mechanism that transmits power by contact between a take-out member from which output rotation is taken out and a plurality of friction rolling elements. The take-out member has a contact surface inclined with respect to an axial direction. The device includes an output member that is used to transmit the output rotation to a driven device, and a coupling that connects the take-out member and the output member to each other. The coupling is configured to be more easily deformed than the take-out member and the output member with respect to an axial load, and has a function of absorbing deviation of an axial center between the take-out member and the output member and a function of converting a torque acting on the output member into an axial force to transmit the axial force to a take-out member side.

One aspect of an electric actuator of the present invention includes: a motor having a motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis; a transmission mechanism coupled to one side in the axial direction of the motor shaft; an output shaft extending in the axial direction of the motor shaft and to which rotation of the motor shaft is transmitted via the transmission mechanism; and a rolling member group including three or more rolling members arranged to surround the motor axis. The motor shaft is a hollow shaft. At least a part of the output shaft is located inside the motor shaft. The motor shaft and the output shaft are supported with each other in the axial direction and the radial direction via the rolling member group.

An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) having a rotatable input shaft arranged along a longitudinal axis of the transmission. In one embodiment, the input shaft is adapted to supply a lubricant to the interior of the transmission. In some embodiments, a stator assembly is coupled to, and coaxial with, the input shaft. The IVT has a plurality of planets operably coupled to the stator assembly. The planets are arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis of the transmission. In one embodiment, a traction ring is operably coupled to the planets. The IVT is provided with a housing that is operably coupled to the traction ring. The housing is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft. The traction ring is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft. In some embodiments, the IVT is provided with a lubricant manifold that is configured to supply a lubricant to the input shaft.

A transmission assembly includes a ring gear configured to receive an input torque from a power source, a carrier assembly coupled to the ring gear, the carrier assembly configured to rotate about a first axis and including a housing, and a spider gear rotatably coupled to the housing, a carrier outlet shaft including a carrier outlet gear in meshed engagement with the spider gear, wherein the carrier outlet shaft is configured to transmit an output torque to a driveshaft, a control shaft including a control gear in meshed engagement with the spider gear, and a load applicator coupled to the control shaft, wherein the load applicator is configured to provide a resistive torque to the control shaft to resist rotation of the control shaft and vary a gear ratio between the driveshaft and the input shaft.

Systems and methods for operating a driveline system are disclosed and include a step-variable transmission. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is coupled between an input source and the step-variable transmission. The CVT receives a first torque from the input source and outputs a second torque. The CVT has a plurality of planetary members in rolling contact with an inner race and an outer race. A radial distance between the planetary members and a drive-transmitting member corresponds to a transmission ratio of the CVT.

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.

Devices and methods are provided herein for the transmission of power in motor vehicles. Power is transmitted in a smoother and more efficient manner by splitting torque into two or more torque paths. A continuously variable transmission is provided with a ball variator assembly having an array of balls, a planetary gearset coupled thereto and an arrangement of rotatable shafts with multiple gears and clutches that extend the ratio range of the variator. In some embodiments, clutches are coupled to the gear sets to enable synchronous shifting of gear modes.

Devices and methods are provided herein for the transmission of power in motor vehicles. Power is transmitted in a smoother and more efficient manner by splitting torque into two or more torque paths. A continuously variable transmission is provided with a ball variator assembly having two arrays of balls, a planetary gear set coupled thereto and an arrangement of rotatable shafts with multiple gears and clutches that extend the ratio range of the variator. In some embodiments, clutches are coupled to the gear sets to enable synchronous shifting of gear modes.

A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.

A bicycle configurable for operating using a speed based control system and scheme or a torque based control system and scheme. A speed sensor or a torque sensor may detect an operating characteristic of the bicycle and a controller may determine whether to operate using a speed based control system and scheme or a torque based control system and scheme based on the operating characteristic. A signal from a speed sensor or a torque sensor may be used for determining the mechanical limits of a CVT range and when to incorporate an electric motor.