Continuously Variable Transmission with Fragmentary pulleys and a Plain Belt

Abstract

This new mechanism can effect a smooth change in speed ratio of a variety of machines, namely, in those of automobile gear boxes, motorcycles, bicycles or generally any system that is designed for transferring power which is subject to change in ratio. This idea, however, consists of a pulley that is capable of changing ratio without needing to halt or going through a step-off phase. This pulley, which I call Fragmentary pulley for argument's sake, is made up of, 10, 20, 24, 36 fragments. These fragments can move on path toward the center of the pulley and vice versa, thus varying the diameter of the pulley. In other words, the change in ratio will occur as result of this movement. The aforementioned process is the very foundation of my fragmentary pulley, though. the addition of another pulley with the same structure, spinning the opposite direction, augments the whole process. In short, when the input pulley is working with the smallest diameter, the secondary pulley will be working with its biggest diameter. In other words, the greater speed causes the input pulley to expand and the output pulley to contract.

Claims

1- A fragmentary pulley. A fragmentary pulley is, in effect, a cylinder which has been divided across its axis into an even number greater than two, creating equal triangular segments based on simple geometric rules. The breaking of the base of these triangular segments and connecting them by hinges render these segments mobile outward on their axis. The said movement on the axis can be reversed within the confine of a specified limit, which in turn, changes the diameter of the cylinder accordingly. We can utilize this concept across a wide range of technologies in rotary machines that are in need of maintaining a variable ratio or vehicular machineries.

2- A continuously variable transmission with a pair of fragmentary pulleys and a plain belt. Based on claim 1 we can contrive a pair of fragmentary pulleys, one at its smallest diameter and the other one at its greatest diameter. We can use a plain belt to transfer the angular speed of the first pulley to the second one.

3- A method according claims 1 and 2 by placing the first pulley on a shaft as the input pulley and the second pulley as output pulley on its shaft, we can transfer the torque certain by means of a belt and thus invent a transmission system that transfers the torque by a constant change in the diameters of our input and output pulleys.

4- Considering claim 3 and the creation of our transmission system, the changeable diameters of the two pulleys allow the system to accrue a variety of ratio.

5- based on claim 4, initially, the input pulley is at its smallest, while the output pulley is at its greatest diameter. At this stage, this system generates greater power and less speed. However, gradually the speed picks up and the input pulley gradually gains in its diameter and the output pulley shrinks. The total circumference of the two pulley remains the same all the time.

6- Based on claim 5, changing diameters in fragmentary pulleys provides the appropriate ratio. There are a myriad of mechanisms such as mechanical, hydraulic, electronic, or pneumatic available to be utilized in order for the fragmentary pulleys to effect the required change. The workings of such systems will bring about the required change based on the torque, driving force, the speed of the ultimate user and other information, configuring the information and constantly send signals to the fragmentary pulleys to change their diameters.

7- Based on claim 6, the command mechanism configures and sends a command signal to the pulleys to bring about the required change. The key characteristics for the mechanism is that the length of the belt remains the same and the change in the diameter of the two fragmentary pulleys, at all times, give us a total circumference that is fixed.

8- Pursuant to claim 7, simultaneously two opposite commands are transmitted, in tandem, to the fragmentary pulley system, which causes one fragmentary pulley to shorten in diameter and the other to extend in diameter. The shortening and lengthening of diameters occur in equal measure always maintaining the length of the belt.

9- To accrue a wide range of ratio change, we can create a compound fragmentary pulley system by daisy chaining two pairs of fragmentary pulley systems, what is key here being to attach the shaft of the output pulley of the first system to the input shaft of the third pulley thus creating a wide range of ratio change.

10- Pursuant to claim 1 the flexibility in design is a distinctive quality of a fragmentary pulley system. We can modify the design to fit different purposes. For example, we can increase the number of triangular shape segments in the cylindrical shape, changing the length of radius in the cylindrical shape, changing the location of the joint in the center of the cylindrical shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the location of the power transferring.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows the assembly of the whole fragmentary pulley system along with its belt.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a blow-up representation of the fragmentary pulley system and its belt.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows isometric, front and side views of a fragmentary pulley system with their input and output shafts.

[0023] FIG. 5 shows the assemblage of one fragmentary pulley at its smallest circumference.

[0024] FIG. 6 shows the assemblage of one fragmentary pulley at its greatest circumference.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a blown-up diagram of one fragmentary pulley.

[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates the workings of two pairs of pulleys assembled in a series fashion.

[0027] FIG. 9 shows the isometric, front and side views of the V-shape headpiece that is to take the belt.

[0028] FIG. 10 shows the isometric, front and side views of the angled retaining bar.

[0029] FIG. 11 shows the isometric, front and side views of the sun.

[0030] FIG. 12-16 illustrates 5 variations in the fragmentary pulleys and how we can modify the system to fit different purposes by effecting minor changes.

[0031] FIG. 17 illustrates two different types of shafts with the longer shaft being used in a series compound pulley system.