A friction-type continuously variable transmission includes first to third rolling elements of which are annular and is centered on a principal axis, planetary rollers arranged in a circumferential direction about the principal axis, support pins arranged to rotatably support the planetary rollers, and a planetary roller support portion arranged to support each support pin such that the support pin is capable of inclining in a section including the principal axis. Each planetary roller includes a recessed portion in the shape of a circular ring in an outer circumference thereof centered on the support pin. The first rolling element is arranged to make contact with a rolling contact surface of the planetary roller from one side in a radial direction axially below the recessed portion. The first rolling element is arranged to make contact with the rolling contact surface of the planetary roller from the one side in the radial direction axially above the recessed portion. The third rolling element is arranged to make contact with the recessed portion of the planetary roller from an opposite side in the radial direction, and is supported to be capable of moving in a vertical direction relative to the planetary roller support portion.

A radially inner race and a radially outer race for a continuously variable transmission includes a first inner race structure and a second inner race structure spaced along an axis wherein at least one of the first inner race structure or the second inner race structure is axially movable. A sun shaft is coupled to the radially inner race and planetary members in rolling contact with the radially inner race, and a torsion damping mechanism is coupled to the first inner race structure to apply torque between the first inner race structure and the sun shaft to reduce a transition amplitude during a torque impulse.

An infinitely variable transmission capable of shifting from infinity to zero speed ratios in forward and reverse is provided. The transmission offers reciprocal blocking and supports high torque and power, while requiring a fixed number of planetary gears and a hydraulic flow control, without brakes and/or clutch by varying the angular displacement or rotational movement separating the contained vectors (speed and torque) to exploit, in a reciprocal manner, the working flow by maintaining the full potential of the movement force source without a continuity flow break-up.

An electric phaser for dynamically adjusting a rotational relationship of a camshaft with respect to an engine crankshaft of an internal combustion engine includes an electric motor and a tapered roller drive. The tapered roller drive includes a sun, rollers, a carrier, at least one ring, and at least one load generator providing an axial load. The rollers are maintained in rolling engagement with the sun and the ring without the use of teeth. In some embodiments, the tapered roller drive is based on a fixed-sun design. In other embodiments, the tapered roller drive is based on a split ring design.

An infinitely variable transmission capable of shifting from infinity to zero speed ratios in forward and reverse is provided. The transmission offers reciprocal blocking and supports high torque and power, while requiring a fixed number of planetary gears and a hydraulic flow control, without brakes and/or clutch by varying the angular displacement or rotational movement separating the contained vectors (speed and torque) to exploit, in a reciprocal manner, the working flow by maintaining the full potential of the movement force source without a continuity flow break-up.

An electric phaser for dynamically adjusting a rotational relationship of a camshaft with respect to an engine crankshaft of an internal combustion engine includes an electric motor and a tapered roller drive. The tapered roller drive includes a sun, rollers, a carrier, at least one ring, and at least one load generator providing an axial load. The rollers are maintained in rolling engagement with the sun and the ring without the use of teeth. In some embodiments, the tapered roller drive is based on a fixed-sun design. In other embodiments, the tapered roller drive is based on a split ring design.

A friction-type continuously variable transmission includes first to third rolling elements of which are annular and is centered on a principal axis, planetary rollers arranged in a circumferential direction about the principal axis, support pins arranged to rotatably support the planetary rollers, and a planetary roller support portion arranged to support each support pin such that the support pin is capable of inclining in a section including the principal axis. Each planetary roller includes a recessed portion in the shape of a circular ring in an outer circumference thereof centered on the support pin. The first rolling element is arranged to make contact with a rolling contact surface of the planetary roller from one side in a radial direction axially below the recessed portion. The first rolling element is arranged to make contact with the rolling contact surface of the planetary roller from the one side in the radial direction axially above the recessed portion. The third rolling element is arranged to make contact with the recessed portion of the planetary roller from an opposite side in the radial direction, and is supported to be capable of moving in a vertical direction relative to the planetary roller support portion.

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.

Provided herein is a variator including: a first traction ring assembly and a second traction ring assembly in contact with a plurality of balls, wherein each ball of the plurality of balls has a tiltable axis of rotation; and a traction patch oil control member coupled to the first and/or second traction ring assembly.

Provided herein is a powertrain including: a main shaft; a variator having a first plurality of balls, each ball provided with a tiltable axis of rotation, each ball in contact with a first traction ring assembly and a second traction ring assembly, and each ball operably coupled to a first carrier assembly; a first planetary gear set having a first ring gear, a first planet carrier supporting a first plurality of planet gears coupled to the first ring gear, and a first sun gear coupled to the first plurality of the planet gears; and a second planetary gear set having a second ring gear, a second planet carrier supporting a second plurality of planet gears coupled to the second ring gear, and a second sun gear coupled to the second plurality of the planet gears.