Continuously and/or infinitely variable transmissions and methods therefor

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lubricant system for use with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:
 a lubricant manifold comprising
 a disc-shaped body, 
 a central bore, 
 a lubricant passage in fluid communication with and extending radially from the central bore to an outer circumference of the disc-shaped body, and 
 at least one groove formed in the central bore for receiving a seal of the CVT; and 
   a main axle defining a longitudinal axis of the CVT, the main axle comprising
 a first end portion terminating in an axial reaction flange, and 
 a central bore formed along the longitudinal axis from the first end portion to a middle portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The lubricant system of  claim 1 , wherein the central bore comprises at least one lubricant channel for supplying lubricant to one or more of a bearing, a traction ring, a shifting mechanism, and an axial force generator. 
     
     
         3 . The lubricant system of  claim 2 , further comprising a shift rod, wherein the central bore is in fluid with the shift rod to supply a lubricant to the interior of the CVT. 
     
     
         4 . A drivetrain contained in a housing, comprising:
 a continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising
 a main axle defining a longitudinal axis of the CVT, the main axle comprising a first end portion terminating in an axial reaction flange, and a central bore formed along the longitudinal axis from the first end portion to a middle portion, and 
 a plurality of planets arranged angularly around the main axle; and 
   a lubricant manifold comprising
 a disc-shaped body, 
 a central bore, 
 a lubricant passage in fluid communication with and extending radially from the central bore to an outer circumference of the disc-shaped body, and 
 at least one groove formed in the central bore for receiving a seal of the CVT. 
   
     
     
         5 . The drivetrain of  claim 4 , further comprising a drivetrain casing comprising a transmission mounting portion. 
     
     
         6 . The drivetrain of  claim 5 , wherein the drivetrain casing comprises a lubricant sump cavity separated by a main body interior space. 
     
     
         7 . The drivetrain of  claim 6 , wherein the drivetrain casing further comprises cooling fins on an exterior surface. 
     
     
         8 . The drivetrain of  claim 4 , further comprising a mating structure of a power input, the power input being one of a pulley, gear, or sprocket. 
     
     
         9 . The drivetrain of  claim 4 , wherein the central bore comprises at least one lubricant channel for supplying lubricant to one or more of a bearing, a traction ring, a shifting mechanism, and an axial force generator. 
     
     
         10 . A vehicle, comprising:
 a prime mover;   a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to the prime mover by an input shaft, the CVT comprising
 a main axle defining a longitudinal axis of the CVT, the main axle having
 a first end portion terminating in an axial reaction flange, and 
 a central bore formed along the longitudinal axis from the first end portion to a middle portion, and 
 
 a plurality of planets arranged angularly around the main axle; and 
   a lubricant manifold coupled to a lubricant source and the main axle for supplying lubricant to components of the CVT.   
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 10 , further comprising an auxiliary axle having an auxiliary axle lubricant passage aligned with a first lubricant delivery passage of the main axle. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the central bore comprises a plurality of lubricant channels, and wherein at least one lubricant channel is positioned near a bearing of the CVT. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the bearing is a shift cam thrust bearing. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the lubricant manifold comprises:
 a disc-shaped body;   a central bore;   a lubricant passage in fluid communication with and extending radially from the central bore to an outer circumference of the disc-shaped body; and   at least one groove formed in the central bore for receiving a seal of the CVT.   
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the central bore comprises at least one lubricant channel for supplying lubricant to one or more of a bearing, a traction ring, a shifting mechanism, and an axial force generator.