Ball type cvt with powersplit paths

Abstract

A variable transmission comprises an input shaft; three planetary gear sets; a Ravigneaux gear set; a variator comprising, a first ring assembly, a second ring assembly, a carrier assembly; various arrangements of brakes and clutches; and the output shaft. The variable transmissions comprise a continuously variable mode, an infinitely variable mode, or a combination thereof and can provide an input-coupled powersplit solution function. At least one configuration of the variable transmission comprises a direct drive mode.

1 . A variable transmission comprising:
 an input shaft;   a variator comprising a first ring assembly and a second ring assembly;   a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set and a third planetary gear set;   a Ravigneaux gear set;   a first clutch and a second clutch; and   a first brake, a second brake, and a third brake;
 wherein the input shaft is drivingly engaged with a first sun gear of the first planetary gear set having the second brake coupled to a first ring gear of this first planetary gear set, 
 the input shaft is drivingly engaged with a second carrier of the second planetary gear set, 
 a second sun gear of the second planetary gear set is coupled to the first ring assembly of the variator, 
 the second ring assembly of the variator is drivingly engaged with a third sun gear of the third planetary gear set through the second clutch, 
 the third sun gear and a third carrier of the third planetary are coupled by a second clutch, 
 the third brake is coupled to a third ring gear of the third planetary, 
 the third carrier of the third planetary gear set is drivingly engaged with a second ring gear of the second planetary gear set, 
 the second ring gear of the second planetary gear set is drivingly engaged with a fourth sun gear of the Ravigneaux gear set which is coupled to the first brake by a fifth sun of the Ravigneaux gear set, 
 the first clutch engages the fourth sun of the Ravigneaux gear set to a fourth carrier of the Ravigneaux gear set, 
 a fourth ring of the Ravigneaux gear set is coupled to an output of the variable transmission, and 
 the fourth carrier of the Ravigneaux gear set is coupled to a first carrier of the first planetary gear set. 
   
     
     
         2 . The variable transmission of  claim 1 , wherein the third brake is configured to release the third ring of the third planetary gear set. 
     
     
         3 . The variable transmission of  claim 1 , comprising a first continuously variable mode (CVM1), a second continuously variable mode (CVM2), a continuously variable mode (CVM3), and an infinitely variable mode. 
     
     
         4 . The variable transmission of  claim 3  wherein the fourth sun of the Ravigneaux gear set is engaged to the third carrier of the third planetary gear set in each of the first continuously variable mode (CVM1), the second continuously variable mode (CVM2), the continuously variable mode (CVM3), and the infinitely variable mode. 
     
     
         5 . The variable transmission of  claim 3 , wherein in the first continuously variable mode (CVM1), or the second continuously variable mode (CVM2), the third brake is engaged. 
     
     
         6 . The variable transmission of  claim 3 , wherein in the infinitely variable mode the third brake is engaged. 
     
     
         7 . The variable transmission of  claim 3 , wherein in the third continuously variable mode (CVM3), the third brake is disengaged, the first clutch is engaged, and the second clutch is engaged. 
     
     
         8 . The variable transmission of  claim 6 , wherein when the third sun and third carrier of the third planetary are coupled, the third planetary gear set to turn at a 1:1 ratio. 
     
     
         9 . The variable transmission of  claim 1 , wherein the variator continuously changes its torque ratios in the first continuously variable mode (CVM1), the second continuously variable mode (CVM2), the continuously variable mode (CVM3), and the infinitely variable mode to optimize power consumption. 
     
     
         10 . The variable transmission of  claim 1 , comprising a traction fluid. 
     
     
         11 . A vehicle driveline comprising the variable transmission of  claim 1  disposed between an engine and a vehicle output. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle driveline of  claim 11 , wherein the vehicle output comprises a differential and a drive axle. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle driveline of  claim 11 , comprising a torsional dampener disposed between the engine and the variable transmission. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle driveline of  claim 11 , wherein the torsional dampener comprises at least one torsional spring. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising switching between an infinitely variable mode and a continuously variable mode using the variable transmission of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising switching between an infinitely variable mode and two continuously variable modes using the variable transmission of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising switching between an infinitely variable mode and three continuously variable modes using the variable transmission  1 . 
     
     
         18 . A vehicle comprising the variable transmission of  claim 1  disposed between an engine and a vehicle output. 
     
     
         19 .- 29 . (canceled)