Power Transmission System with Continuously Variable Speed Control

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward an apparatus for continuous speed variation of an output member with respect to a primary input member. In particular, the present invention provides a device having an output that rotates at reduced speed and increased torque relative to its prime input through the low friction, rolling engagement of its members, or alternatively, at increased speed and reduced torque for overdrive applications. Furthermore, the speed of the output member may be varied continuously and infinitely between the apparatus's lowest and highest ratio via a secondary input member and its low friction, rolling engagement with the device's members.

1 . A method for changing the rotational speed of an output, said method comprising the steps of:
 rotating a first input component;   rotating a drive mechanism in response to rotating said first input component;   rotating an output component in response to rotating said drive mechanism, wherein said output component rotates at a reduced rotational speed with respect to the rotational speed of said first input component; and   varying the rotational speed of said output component by further rotating said drive mechanism in response to rotating a second input component.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said rotating a drive mechanism comprises:
 coupling said first input component to a plurality of drive components configured to eccentrically rotate about the axis of rotation of said first input component. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprises:
 engaging a first of said plurality of drive components with at least one other of said plurality of drive components using a plurality of bearing members. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said coupling step comprises:
 engaging at least one eccentric lobe component of said second input component with at least one of said plurality of drive components. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of varying the rotational speed of said output component occurs continuously. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of varying the rotational speed of said output component occurs independent of the rotational speed of said input component. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of varying the rotational speed of said output component occurs while the rotational speed of said input component is maintained at a desired rotational speed. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for controlling the rotational speed of an output, said apparatus comprising:
 a first input component configured to rotate;   a drive mechanism coupled to said first input component, said drive mechanism having the same axis of rotation as said first input component, wherein said drive mechanism is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of said first input component;   an output component coupled to said drive mechanism, wherein said output component is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of said drive mechanism and wherein said output component is configured to rotate at a reduced rotational speed with respect to the rotational speed of said first input component; and   a second input component coupled to said drive mechanism, said second input component configured to further rotate said drive mechanism to vary the rotational speed of said output component.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said a drive mechanism comprises:
 a plurality of drive components configured to rotate eccentrically about the axis of rotation of said first input component. 
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprises:
 a first engagement mechanism to engage a first of said plurality of drive components with at least one other of said plurality of drive components, said first engagement mechanism comprises a plurality of bearing members. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said second input component comprises:
 a shaft member and a plurality of eccentric lobe components attached to said shaft member. 
 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said first input component comprises a shaft member, wherein the shaft member of said second input component has the same axis of rotation as the shaft member of said first input component. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprises a second engagement mechanism to engage at least one eccentric lobe component of said second input component with at least one of said plurality of drive components. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said second input component is configured to continuously vary the rotational speed of said output component. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said second input component is configured to vary the rotational speed of said output component independent of the rotational speed of said input component. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said second input component is configured to vary the rotational speed of said output component while the rotational speed of said input component is maintained at a desired rotational speed. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for controlling the rotational speed of an output, said apparatus comprising:
 a first input shaft configured to rotate;   a drive mechanism coupled to said first input shaft, said drive mechanism having the same axis of rotation as said first input shaft, wherein said drive mechanism is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of said first input shaft;   an output component coupled to said drive mechanism, wherein said output component is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of said drive mechanism and wherein said output component is configured to rotate at a reduced rotational speed with respect to the rotational speed of said first input shaft; and   a second input shaft coupled to said drive mechanism, said second input shaft having the same axis of rotation as said first input shaft, wherein said second input shaft is configured to further rotate said drive mechanism to vary the rotational speed of said output component.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said a drive mechanism comprises:
 a plurality of drive components configured to eccentrically rotate about the axis of rotation of said first input shaft. 
 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  further comprises:
 a first engagement mechanism to engage a first of said plurality of drive components with at least one other of said plurality of drive components, said first engagement mechanism comprises a plurality of bearing members. 
 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said second input shaft comprises:
 a shaft member and a plurality of eccentric lobe components attached to said shaft member.