U.S. patent application number 11/083233 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-28 for continuously variable transmission apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to NSK LTD.. Invention is credited to Hashitani, Hideki, Miyata, Shinji.
Application Number | 20050164820 11/083233 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26625263 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050164820 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miyata, Shinji ; et
al. |
July 28, 2005 |
Continuously variable transmission apparatus
Abstract
A continuously variable transmission apparatus has clutch device
having a low speed clutch; a high speed clutch; and, a controller
switching the transmission state into any one of a low speed mode
and a high speed mode by connecting any one of the clutches,
wherein timings for signaling by the controller for switching the
connected and disconnected states of the clutches vary according to
the switching directions of the low speed and high speed modes;
and, a timing for signaling for connecting the low speed clutch
with respect to the moment for signaling for cutting off the
connection of the high speed clutch in order to switch the high
speed mode over to the low speed mode is set earlier than a timing
for signaling for connecting the high speed clutch with respect to
the moment for signaling for cutting off the connection of the low
speed clutch.
Inventors: |
Miyata, Shinji; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Hashitani, Hideki; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
NSK LTD.
|
Family ID: |
26625263 |
Appl. No.: |
11/083233 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11083233 |
Mar 18, 2005 |
|
|
|
10325900 |
Dec 23, 2002 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
475/215 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 477/6217 20150115;
F16H 61/664 20130101; F16H 2306/52 20130101; F16H 37/086 20130101;
F16H 2037/0886 20130101; F16H 2306/44 20130101; F16H 61/061
20130101; F16H 61/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
475/215 |
International
Class: |
F16H 047/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 25, 2001 |
JP |
P. 2001-392514 |
Jan 15, 2002 |
JP |
P. 2002-006599 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A continuously variable transmission apparatus, comprising: an
input shaft connected to a drive source and rotationally driven by
the drive source; an output shaft for taking out power obtained
based on the rotational movement of the input shaft; a
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission including an input
side disk, an output side disk, power rollers interposed between
the input side and output side disks so as to be swingly rotatable,
and trunnions for supporting the power rollers; a transmission
control valve for shifting the trunnions; a feedback mechanism for
transmitting the shift amounts of the trunnions to the transmission
control valve for feedback so that a transmission ratio between the
input and output disks provides a target value; a planetary gear
mechanism including three elements, that is, a sun gear, a carrier
and a ring gear; a first power transmission system for transmitting
the power input to the input shaft to the output shaft through the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission; a second power
transmission system for transmitting the power input to the input
shaft to the output shaft without passing through the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission, the power to be transmitted
through the first power transmission system and the power to be
transmitted through the second power transmission system being
joined to two of the three elements of the planetary gear
mechanism, the remaining one of the three elements being connected
to the output shaft; a clutch mechanism, when advancing a vehicle,
for switching over a first mode on the low speed side and a second
mode on the high speed side to each other; and, a control device,
when switching over the first and second modes to each other, for
controlling the transmission control valve simultaneously with the
switching operation of the clutch mechanism within the time during
which the clutch mechanism is switched, thereby restricting
variations in the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the invention
[0002] A continuously variable transmission apparatus according to
the present invention is used as a transmission unit constituting
an automatic transmission for a vehicle or as a transmission for
any one of various kinds of industrial mechanical apparatus.
Especially, a continuously variable transmission apparatus
according to the present invention is developed in order to reduce
an incongruous feeling given to a driver when switching a low speed
mode and a high speed mode over to each other using a clutch
mechanism.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] As an automatic transmission for a vehicle, such a
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission as schematically
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is known well because it is disclosed in
many publications such as patent publications, and it is also
enforced currently in part of the vehicle industry. When a
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission of this type is in
operation, as an input shaft 1 is rotated, a pressing device 2 such
as a loading cam rotates an input side disk 3 while pressing the
input side disk 3 against a plurality of power rollers 4, 4. And,
the rotational power of the input side disk 3 is transmitted
through the plurality of power rollers 4, 4 to an output side disk
5, so that an output shaft 6 fixed to the output side disk 5 is
rotated.
[0005] To change the rotation speed between the input shaft 1 and
output shaft 6, trunnions 7, 7 supporting the power rollers 4, 4
thereon are respectively swung about their associated pivot shafts
8, 8 which are disposed on the two end portions of each of the
trunnions 7, 7 in such a manner that the pivot shafts 8, 8 are
respectively concentric with their associated trunnions 7, 7. In
this case, in case where the rotation center axes of the power
rollers 4, 4 are swung in such a manner that the peripheral
surfaces 4a, 4a of the power rollers 4, 4, as shown in FIG. 10, can
be respectively contacted with the near-to-center portion of the
inner surface 3a of the input side disk 3 and the
near-to-outer-periphery portion of the inner surface 5a of the
output side disk 5, the rotation speed between the input shaft 1
and output shaft 6 can be reduced. On the other hand, in case where
the rotation center axes of the power rollers 4, 4 are swung in
such a manner that the peripheral surfaces 4a, 4a of the power
rollers 4, 4, as shown in FIG. 11, can be respectively contacted
with the near-to-outer-periphery portion of the inner surface 3a of
the input side disk 3 and the near-to-center portion of the inner
surface 5a of the output side disk 5, the rotation speed between
the input shaft 1 and output shaft 6 can be increased.
[0006] While the basic structure of a toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission is as described above, to swing the trunnions
7, 7 about their respective pivot shafts 8, 8 in order to change
the transmission ratio, the trunnions 7, 7 may be shifted slightly
in the axial direction (in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the front and rear
direction of the sheets of FIGS. 10 and 11) of the pivot shafts 8,
8. As the trunnions 7, 7 are shifted in this manner, the direction
of a force to be applied to the rolling contact portions between
the above-mentioned surfaces 3a, 4a and 5a in the tangential
direction thereof is caused to vary, with the result that trunnions
7, 7 can be swung. The structure of this portion is also well known
because it is disclosed in many publications such as patent
publications, and the present structure is currently enforced in
part of the vehicle industry. Also, structures, each of which is
used to increase the number of power rollers for use in power
transmission to thereby be able to increase the power that can be
transmitted by the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission, are also disclosed in many publications such as
patent publications and thus are known well; and, part of these
structures are now practically applied. As such structures for
increasing the number of power rollers in this manner, for example,
there are widely known a structure in which two pairs of input side
and output side disks are disposed in parallel to each other with
respect to the transmission direction of the power, and a structure
in which the number of power rollers to be interposed between the
input side and output side disks can be increased.
[0007] Further, as disclosed in JP-A-1-169169, JP-A-1-312266,
JP-A-10-196759, JP-A-11-63146, JP-A-11-63148, and JP-A-2000-220719,
conventionally, there is also proposed a structure in which a
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission and a planetary
gear transmission mechanism are combined together to thereby
construct a continuously variable transmission apparatus. The
present continuously variable transmission apparatus is invented so
as to increase the width of the transmission ratio; or, to reduce
the torque that passes through the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission when a vehicle is running at a high speed,
thereby being able to enhance the durability of the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission; or, to allow a continuously
variable transmission by itself to stop the output shaft even
during the rotation of the input shaft, thereby being able to
eliminate the need for provision of a start clutch.
[0008] Now, FIG. 12 shows an example of a conventional continuously
variable transmission apparatus of the above-mentioned type which
is disclosed in the above-cited JP-A-11-63146. This continuously
variable transmission apparatus comprises a double cavity type of
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9 and a planetary
gear mechanism 10; and, specifically, in the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 9, two pairs of input side and
output side disks are disposed in parallel to each other with
respect to the power transmission direction. And, according to this
continuously variable transmission apparatus, in the low speed
running operation, the power is transmitted only by the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9; and, in the
high speed running operation, the power is transmitted mainly by
the planetary gear mechanism 10 and, at the same time, the
transmission ratio given by the planetary gear mechanism 10 can be
adjusted by changing the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 9.
[0009] For the above purpose, the base end portion (in FIG. 12, the
right end portion) of an input shaft 1a passing through a
centrosphere of the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 9 and supporting a pair of input side disks 3, 3 on
the two end portions thereof is connected to a transmission shaft
13, which is fixed to the central portion of a support plate 12
supporting a ring gear 11 constituting the planetary gear mechanism
10, by a high speed clutch 14. By the way, of the pair of input
side disks 3, 3, the input side disk 3 disposed on the leading end
side (in FIG. 12, the right side) of the input shaft 1a is
supported on the input shaft 1a in such a manner that it is
rotatable in synchronization with the input shaft 1a as well as it
is prevented against substantial movement in the axial direction of
the input shaft 1a. On the other hand, the input disk 3 on the base
end side (in FIG. 12, the left side) is supported on the input
shaft 1a in such a manner that it can be rotated in synchronization
with the input shaft 1a as well as can be moved in the axial
direction of the input shaft 1a.
[0010] Also, between the output side end portion (in FIG. 12, the
right end portion) of a crankshaft 16 of an engine 15 serving as a
drive source and the input side end portion (that is, the base end
portion; in FIG. 12, the left end portion) of the input shaft 1a,
there are interposed a start clutch 17 such as a torque converter
or an electromagnetic clutch and an oil pressure type of pressing
device 18 in such a manner that they are connected in series with
each other with respect to the power transmission direction. This
pressing device 18 is structured by inserting the base end portion
of the input disk 3 into a cylinder 19 in such a manner that the
input disk 3 is oiltight and is able to transmit the rotational
power thereof.
[0011] Also, an output shaft 20, which is used to take out the
power based on the rotational motion of the input shaft 1a, is
disposed so as to be concentric with the input shaft 1a. And, on
the periphery of the output shaft 20, there is disposed the
planetary gear mechanism 10. A sun gear 21, which constitutes the
planetary gear mechanism 10, is fixed to the input side end portion
(in FIG. 12, the left end portion) of the output shaft 20.
Therefore, the output shaft 20 can be rotated as the sun gear 21 is
rotated. On the periphery of the sun gear 21, there is supported
the ring gear 11 in such a manner that it is concentric with the
sun gear 21 and can be rotated. And, between the inner peripheral
surface of the ring gear 11 and the outer peripheral surface of the
sun gear 21, there are interposed a plurality of planetary gear
sets 23, 23 each of which comprises a pair of planetary gears 22a
and 22b combined together. Each pair of planetary gears 22a and 22b
are meshingly engaged with each other; and, the planetary gear 22a
disposed on the outside diameter side is meshingly engaged with the
ring gear 11, while the planetary gear 22b disposed on the inside
diameter side is meshingly engaged with the sun gear 21. The thus
arranged planetary gear sets 23, 23 are rotatably supported on one
side surface (in FIG. 12, the left side surface) of a carrier 24.
Also, the carrier 24 is rotatably supported on the middle portion
of the output shaft 20.
[0012] And, the carrier 24 is connected to a pair of output side
disks 5, 5 constituting the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 9 by a first power transmission mechanism 25 in such a
manner that the rotational power can be transmitted between them.
The first power transmission mechanism 25 comprises a transmission
shaft 26 disposed so as to extend in parallel to the input shaft 1a
and output shaft 20, a sprocket 27a fixed to one end portion (in
FIG. 12, the left end portion) of the transmission shaft 26, a
sprocket 27b connected to the respective output disks 5, 5, a chain
28 interposed across the two sprockets 27a and 27b, and first and
second gears 29, 30 which are respectively fixed to the other end
(in FIG. 12, the right end) of the transmission shaft 26 and the
carrier 24 and are meshingly engaged with each other. Thanks to
this, as the respective output side disks 5, 5 are rotated, the
carrier 24 can be rotated in the opposite direction to the output
side disks 5, 5 at the speed that corresponds not only to the
number of teeth of the first and second gears 29, 30 but also to
the number of teeth of the pair of sprockets 27a, 27b.
[0013] On the other hand, the input shaft 1a can be connected to
the ring gear 11 through another transmission shaft 13, which is
disposed concentrically with the input shaft 1a and serves as a
second transmission mechanism, in such a manner that the rotational
power can be transmitted between them. Between this transmission
shaft 13 and input shaft 1a, there is interposed the high speed
clutch 14 in such a manner that it is arranged in series with the
two shafts 13 and 1a. Therefore, the transmission 13, when the high
speed clutch 14 is connected, can be rotated together with the
input shaft 1a in the same direction and at the same speed.
[0014] Also, the present continuously variable transmission
apparatus comprises the high speed clutch 14 and a low speed clutch
31 interposed between the outer peripheral edge portion of the
carrier 24 and the axial-direction one end portion (in FIG. 12, the
right end portion) of the ring gear 11. The low speed clutch 31 and
high speed clutch 14 are structured such that, in case where any
one of these clutches is connected, the connection of the other
clutch is cut off. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 12, between
the ring gear 11 and the fixed portion of the present continuously
variable transmission apparatus such as a housing (not shown),
there is interposed a reversing clutch 32. In case where any one of
the low speed clutch 31 and high speed clutch 14 is connected, the
connection of the reversing clutch 32 is cut off. Also, in case
where the reversing clutch 32 is connected, the low speed clutch 31
and high speed clutch 14 are both disconnected.
[0015] In the case of the above structured continuously variable
transmission apparatus, firstly, during the low speed running
operation, the low speed clutch 31 is connected and, at the same
time, the high speed clutch 14 and reversing clutch 32 are
disconnected respectively. In this state, in case where the start
clutch 17 is connected and the input shaft 1a is rotated, only the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9 is allowed to
transmit the power from the input shaft 1a to the output shaft 20.
In such low speed running operation, the transmission ratios
between respective pairs of input side disks 3, 3 and output side
disks 5, 5 are adjusted similarly to the case previously shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11 in which only the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission 9 is allowed to transmit the power.
[0016] On the other hand, in the high speed running operation, the
high speed clutch 14 is connected and, at the same time, the
connection of the low speed clutch 31 and reversing clutch 32 is
cut off. In this state, in case where the start clutch 17 is
connected and the input shaft 1a is rotated, the transmission shaft
13 and planetary gear mechanism 10 are allowed to transmit the
power from the input shaft 1a to the output shaft 20. That is, in
case where the input shaft 1a is rotated in the high speed running
operation, the rotational power of the input shaft 1a is
transmitted through the high speed clutch 14 and transmission shaft
13 to the ring gear 11. And, the rotational power of the ring gear
11 is transmitted through the plurality of planetary gear sets 23,
23 to the sun gear 21, thereby rotating the output shaft 20 to
which the sun gear 21 is fixed. In this state, in case where the
transmission ratio of the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 9 is changed to thereby vary the revolving speeds (the
rotation speeds around the periphery of the sun gear 21) of the
respective planetary gear sets 23, 23, the transmission ratio of
the whole of the continuously variable transmission apparatus can
be adjusted.
[0017] In other words, in case where the input shaft 1a is rotated
in the high speed running operation, the rotational power of the
input shaft 1a is transmitted through the transmission shaft 13 and
support plate 12 to the ring gear 11, thereby rotating the ring
gear 11. And, the rotational power of the ring gear 11 is then
transmitted through the plurality of planetary gear sets 23, 23 to
the sun gear 21, thereby rotating the output shaft 20 to which the
sun gear 21 is fixed. When the ring gear 11 serves as the input
side, assuming that the respective planetary gear sets 23, 23 are
not rotating (that is, they are not revolving around the periphery
of the sun gear 21), the planetary gear mechanism 10 increases the
revolving speed between the input shaft 1a and the output shaft 20
by the transmission ratio that corresponds to the ratio of the
numbers of the ring gear 11 and sun gear 21. However, the
respective planetary gear sets 23, 23 actually rotate around the
periphery of the sun gear 21, while the transmission ratio of the
whole of the continuously variable transmission apparatus varies
according to the speed of the rotation (around the periphery of the
sun gear 21) of the respective planetary gear sets 23, 23. Thus, in
case where the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission 9 is changed to thereby change the revolving
speed (the rotation speed around the periphery of the sun gear 21)
of the respective planetary gear sets 23, 23, the transmission
ratio of the whole of the continuously variable transmission
apparatus can be adjusted.
[0018] That is, in the above-mentioned high speed running
operation, the respective planetary gear sets 23, 23 rotate around
the periphery of the sun gear 21 in the same direction of the ring
gear 11. And, the slower the rotation speed (around the periphery
of the sun gear 21) of the respective planetary gear sets 23, 23
is, the faster the rotation speed of the output gear 20 with the
sun gear 21 fixed thereto is. For example, in case where the
rotation speed (around the periphery of the sun gear 21) of the
respective planetary gear sets 23, 23 is equal to the rotation
speed of the ring gear 11 (both of which are angular speeds), the
rotation speed of the ring gear 11 is equal to that of the output
shaft 20. On the other hand, in case where the rotation speed
(around the periphery of the sun gear 21) of the respective
planetary gear sets 23, 23 is faster than the rotation speed of the
ring gear 11, the rotation speed of the output shaft 20 is slower
than that of the ring gear 11.
[0019] Therefore, in the high speed running operation, as the
transmission ratio of the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 9 is changed toward the speed reducing side, the
transmission ratio of the whole of the continuously variable
transmission apparatus is changed toward the speed increasing side.
In the state of such high speed running operation, to the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9, there is
applied torque not from the input side disk 3 but from the output
side disk 5 (that is, assuming that torque to be applied in the low
speed running operation is positive, negative torque is applied).
In other words, in a state where the high speed clutch 14 is
connected, the torque, which has been transmitted from the engine
15 to the input shaft 1a, is then transmitted through the
transmission shaft 13 to the ring gear 11 of the planetary gear
mechanism 10. Therefore, there remains little torque that is to be
transmitted from the input shaft 1a side to the input side disks 3,
3 constituting the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission
9.
[0020] On the other hand, part of the torque transmitted through
the transmission shaft 13 to the ring gear 11 is transmitted from
the respective planetary gear sets 23, 23 to the respective output
side disks 5, 5 through the carrier 24 and first power transmission
mechanism 25. The torque to be applied from the output side disks
5, 5 to the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9
reduces as the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission 9 is varied toward the speed reducing side in
order to change the whole of the continuously variable transmission
apparatus toward the speed increasing side. As a result of this, in
the high speed running operation, by reducing the torque to be
input to the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9,
the durability of the composing parts of the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 9 can be enhanced.
[0021] Further, when rotating the output shaft 20 reversely so as
to back the vehicle, the low speed and high speed clutches 31, 14
are disconnected and, at the same time, the reversing clutch 32 is
connected. As a result of this, the ring gear 11 is fixed; and, the
planetary gear sets 23, 23, while they are being in meshing
engagement with the ring gear 11 and sun gear 21, are rotated
around the periphery of the sun gear 21. And, the sun gear 21 and
output shaft 20 with the sun gear 21 fixed thereto are rotated in
the opposite direction to the above-mentioned low speed and high
speed running operations.
[0022] Next, FIGS. 13 and 14 show a more concrete example of the
continuously variable transmission apparatus shown in the
above-mentioned FIG. 12. By the way, the inventors have conducted a
series of tests to be discussed below using the continuously
variable transmission apparatus shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, which
have conducted us to development of the present invention. The
present continuously variable transmission apparatus comprises an
input shaft 1b, an output shaft 20a, a toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission 9a, a planetary gear mechanism 10a, a first
power transmission mechanism 25a, and a transmission shaft 13a
constituting a second power transmission mechanism. Of the above
composing parts, the input shaft 1b is connected to a drive source
such as an engine 15 (see FIG. 12) and can be driven or rotated by
the drive source. Also, the output shaft 20a, which is used to take
out the power based on the rotational movement of the input shaft
1b, is connected through a differential gear (not shown) to a wheel
drive shaft.
[0023] Also, the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission
9a is of a double cavity type and includes trunnions 7, 7 and power
rollers 4, 4 each by threes in each of the two cavities, that is, a
total of six trunnions 7 and power rollers 4. In order to construct
such toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9a, a pair of
input side disks 3, 3 are respectively supported on the two end
portions of the input shaft 1b in such a manner that they can be
rotated in synchronization with the input shaft 1b and the
respective inner surfaces 3a, 3a of the pair of input side disks 3,
3 are disposed opposed to each other. Of the two input side disks
3, 3, the input side disk 3 situated on the base end side (that is,
on the drive source side; and, in FIG. 13, on the left side) of the
input shaft 1b is supported on the input shaft 1b through a ball
spline 33 in such a manner that it can be shifted in the axial
direction of the input shaft 1b. On the other hand, the input side
disk 3 on the leading end side (that is, on the side far from the
drive source; and, in FIG. 13, on the right side) of the input
shaft 1b is fixed to the input shaft 1b in such a manner that the
back surface of the input side disk 3 is held by a loading nut 34
while the input side disk 3 is spline engaged with the leading end
portion of the input shaft 1b.
[0024] And, on the portions of the peripheries of the middle
portions of the input shaft 1b that exist between the pair of input
side disks 3, 3, there are disposed a pair of output side disks 5,
5 in such a manner that the inner surfaces 5a, 5a of the output
side disks 5, 5 are respectively opposed to the inner surfaces 3a,
3a of the input side disks 3, 3 and the output side disks 5, 5 can
be respectively rotated in synchronization with their associated
input side disks 3, 3. And, the power rollers 4, 4, which are
rotatably supported on the inner surfaces of their associated
trunnions 7, 7, are held by and between the inner surfaces 3a, 3a
of the input side disks 3, 3 and the inner surfaces 5a, 5a of the
output side disks 5, 5.
[0025] In order to support these trunnions 7, 7, a frame 37 is
connected and fixed to a mounting portion 36 formed in the inner
surface of a casing 35 by three studs 39, 39 respectively inserted
through their associated mounting holes 38, 38 formed at three
positions in the outside diameter side end portion of the frame 37
and three nuts 40, 40 respectively threadedly engaged with their
associated studs 39, 39. In the illustrated example, a gear housing
41 is fixed between the mounting portion 36 and frame 37 by these
studs 39, 39 and nuts 40, 40. On the inside diameter side of the
gear housing 41, an output sleeve 42 with the two end portions
thereof unevenly (projectingly and recessedly) engaged with the
pair of output side disks 5, 5 is rotatably supported by a pair of
rolling bearings 43, 43; and, an output gear 44 disposed on the
outer peripheral surface of the middle portion of the output sleeve
42 is stored in the interior of the gear housing 41.
[0026] Also, the frame 37 is formed in a star shape as a whole,
while the diameter-direction middle portion or outside diameter
side portion of the frame 37 is forked to thereby provide three
hold portions 45, 45 at regular intervals in the circumferential
direction of the frame 37. And, the middle portions of three
support pieces 46, 46 are respectively pivotally supported on the
diameter-direction middle portions of their associated hold
portions 45, 45 by their associated second pivot shafts 47, 47.
Each of the three support pieces 46, 46 is composed of a
cylinder-shaped mounting portion 48 to be disposed on the periphery
of its associated one of the second pivot shafts 47, 47, and a pair
of support plate portions 49, 49 which are respectively provided on
and projected from the outer peripheral surface of the mounting
portion 48 outwardly in the diameter direction. An angle of
intersection between the pair of support plate portions 49, 49 is
set an angle of 120.degree.. Therefore, the support plate portions
49, 49, which adjoin each other in the circumferential direction of
the frame 37, are parallel to each other.
[0027] In these support plate portions 49, 49, there are formed
circular holes 50, 50, respectively. When the support pieces 46,
46, are respectively held at their neutral positions, the circular
holes 50, 50, which are formed in the support plate portions 49, 49
of the support pieces 46, 46 adjoining each other in the
circumferential direction of the frame 37, are concentric with each
other. And, pivot shafts 8, 8, which are respectively disposed on
the two end portions of each of the trunnions 7, 7, are
respectively supported within their associated circular holes 50,
50 by their associated radial needle roller bearings 51, 51. The
outer peripheral surfaces of outer rings 52, 52, which respectively
constitute their associated radial needle roller bearings 51, 51,
are respectively formed as a spherical-shaped convex surface. The
outer rings 52, 52 are respectively inserted into their associated
circular holes 50, 50 in such a manner that they can be prevented
against shaky motion and can be swingly shifted. Also, in the
support plate portions 49, 49, there are formed screw holes 53, 53
respectively; and, the spherically-convex-surface-shaped leading
end faces of studs 54, 54 threadedly engaged into the screw holes
53, 53 are respectively butted against the two end faces of the
respective trunnions 7, 7. Thanks to this structure, the shift
amounts of the respective trunnions 7, 7 with respect to the
circumferential direction with the input shaft 1b as the center
thereof can be mechanically synchronized with each other.
[0028] On the inner surfaces of the trunnions 7, 7 supported in the
interior of the casing 35 in the above-mentioned manner, there are
supported their associated power rollers 4, 4 through shift shafts
55 structured such that the base half portions and front half
portions thereof are formed eccentric to each other. Also, between
the outer end faces of the power rollers 4, 4 and the inner
surfaces of the trunnions 7, 7, there are respectively interposed
thrust ball bearings 56 and thrust needle roller bearings 57 in the
order starting from the power roller 4 side. Of these bearings, the
thrust ball bearings 56 not only support thrust loads to be applied
to the power rollers 4 but also allow the power rollers 4 to
rotate. On the other hand, in the case of the thrust needle roller
bearings 57, in case where the composing parts of the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 9a are elastically deformed when
the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9a is in
operation and thus the shift shafts 55 are swung about their
respective base half portions to cause the power rollers 4 to shift
in the axial direction of the input shaft 1b, the thrust needle
roller bearings 57 allow such shifting motion of the power rollers
4 to be executed smoothly.
[0029] The peripheral surfaces 4a, 4a of the power rollers 4, 4
supported on the inner surfaces of the trunnions 7, 7 in the
above-mentioned manner are contacted with the inner surfaces 3a, 5a
of the input side and output side disks 3, 5. Also, an oil pressure
type of pressing device 18a is assembled between the input shaft 1b
and the input side disk 3 on the base end side of the input shaft
1b to thereby secure the surface pressure of the contact portions
(traction portions) between the respective surfaces 4a, 3a, 5a, so
that the power transmission by the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission 9a can be carried out with high
efficiency.
[0030] In order to construct the pressing device 18a, an outwardly
facing flange portion 58 is fixedly disposed on the
near-to-base-end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the
input shaft 1b and, at the same time, a cylinder 59 is oiltight
fitted with and supported by the outer surface of the
above-mentioned base-end-side input side disk 3 in such a manner it
projects axially from the outer surface (in FIG. 13, the left
surface) of the present input side disk 3. The inside diameter of
the cylinder 59 is small in the axial-direction middle portion
thereof and large in the two end portions thereof; and, the present
input side disk 3 is oiltight fitted with the inner surface of the
large-diameter portion of the leading end side of the cylinder 59
in such a manner that it can be shifted in the axial direction.
Also, in the inner peripheral surface of the middle portion of the
cylinder 59, there is formed an inwardly-facing-flange-shaped
partition plate portion 60. Further, between the inner peripheral
surface of the cylinder 59 and the outer peripheral surface of the
input shaft 1b, there is interposed a first piston member 61.
[0031] The first piston member 61 includes an
outwardly-facing-flange-shap- ed partition plate 63 formed on the
outer peripheral surface of the middle portion of a support tube
portion 62 which can be fitted with the outer surface of the input
shaft 1b; and, the outer peripheral edge of the partition plate 63
is oiltight slidingly contacted with the small-diameter portion of
the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 59 in such a manner
that it can be shifted in the axial direction. Also, in this state,
the inner peripheral edge of partition plate portion 60 is oiltight
slidingly contacted with the outer peripheral surface of the
support tube portion 62 in such a manner that it can be shifted in
the axial direction. Further, between the outer peripheral surface
of the base end portion of the support tube portion 62 and the
inner peripheral surface of the base end portion of the cylinder
59, there is interposed a circular-ring-shaped second piston member
64. The second piston member 64, when the base-end-side side
surface thereof is contacted with the flange portion 58, can be
prevented from shifting in the axial direction and, at the same
time, can keep oiltight between the inner and outer peripheral
edges thereof, the base end portion outer peripheral surface of the
support tube portion 62 and the base end portion inner peripheral
surface of the cylinder 59.
[0032] Also, the cylinder 59 including the partition plate portion
60 is pressed toward the input side disk 3 by a preload spring such
as a countersunk plate spring 65 which is interposed between the
partition plate portion 60 and second piston member 64. Therefore,
the present input side disk 3 is pressed at least (that is, even in
a state where pressure oil is not introduced in the interior of the
pressing device 18a) by a pressing force corresponding to the
elasticity of the countersunk spring 65, so that the input side
disk 3 applies the surface pressure corresponding to such
elasticity to the contact portions between the respective surfaces
4a, 3a, 5a. In this case, this elasticity is restricted to such a
degree that, when a very small level of power is transmitted by the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9a, slippage
(excluding spin which is unavoidable) can be prevented from
occurring in the respective contact portions between the respective
surfaces 4a, 3a, 5a.
[0033] Also, the oil pressure can be introduced through a center
hole 66 formed in the input shaft 1b into oil pressure chambers
respectively existing between the second piston member 64 and
partition plate portion 60 as well as between the partition wall
plate 63 and input side disk 3. This center hole 66 communicates
through an oil control valve (not shown) with an oil pressure
source such as a pressurizing pump (not shown). When the
continuously variable transmission apparatus including the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9a is in
operation, the oil pressure, which is adjusted by the oil pressure
control valve in accordance with the size of the power to be
transmitted, is introduced into the respective oil pressure
chambers to thereby press the input side disk 3, so that the
surface pressure corresponding to the size of the above power is
applied to the respective contact portions between the respective
surfaces 4a, 3a, 5a.
[0034] Also, transmission of the rotational power to the input
shaft 1b from a drive shaft 67 communicating with a drive source
such as an engine is carried out through the flange portion 58. For
this purpose, at a plurality of portions in the outer peripheral
edge portion of the flange portion 58, there are formed notches 68,
68; and, these notches 68, 68 are respectively engaged with driving
projecting portions 69, 69 formed in the end portion of the drive
shaft 67. Also, for the above purpose, in the case of the present
apparatus, an outwardly-facing-flange-shaped connecting portion 70
is formed in the end portion of the drive shaft 67, while the
driving projecting portions 69, 69 are formed in the
near-to-outside-diameter end portion of one surface of the
connecting portion 70.
[0035] Further, actuators 71a, 71b each of an oil pressure type are
attached to the respective trunnions 7, 7 so that the trunnions 7,
7 can be driven or shifted in the axial directions of their
associated pivot shaft 8, 8 respectively disposed on the two end
portions of each of the trunnions 7. Of the trunnions 7, the
trunnion 7 disposed in the central portion of the lower side of
FIG. 14 can be driven or shifted through lever arms 72, 72 in the
axial directions of the pivot shafts 8, 8 disposed on the two end
portions thereof by a pair of actuators 71a, 71a which are each of
a single action type (that is, a type which is capable of obtaining
only the push-out direction force) and the pressing directions of
which are opposite to each other. When shifting each of the present
trunnion 7, the pressure oil is fed only into the oil pressure
chamber of one of the actuators 71a, whereas the oil pressure
chamber of the other actuator 71a is set free. On the other hand,
trunnions 7, 7 disposed on the two sides of the upper portion of
FIG. 14 can be driven or shifted in the axial directions of the
pivot shafts 8, 8 disposed on the two end portions of the trunnions
7, 7 by actuators 71b, 71b each of a double action type (a type
which is capable of obtaining the push-out direction force or the
pull-in direction force in accordance with switching of the supply
direction of the pressure oil).
[0036] A total of six trunnions 7, 7, which are disposed in the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9a, may be shifted
by the same length in synchronization with each other by supplying
the same amount of pressure oil to the actuators 71a, 71b using a
control valve. For this purpose, to the end portion of a rod 73
which can be shifted together with any one (in the illustrated
example, in FIG. 14, the trunnion 7 on the upper left side) of the
trunnions 7, there is fixed a precess cam 74 and the attitude of
this trunnion 7 can be transmitted through a link arm 75 to a spool
76 of the above control valve.
[0037] The planetary gear mechanism 10a, which is combined with the
above-structured toroidal-type continuously variable transmission
9a, comprises a sun gear 21a, a ring gear 11a, and planetary gear
sets 23a, 23a. The sun gear 21a is fixed to the input side end
portion (in FIG. 13, the left end portion) of the output shaft 20a.
Therefore, the output shaft 20a can be rotated as the sun gear 21a
is rotated. On the periphery of the sun gear 21a, there is
supported the ring gear 11a in such a manner that it is concentric
with the sun gear 21a and can be rotated. And, between the inner
peripheral surface of the ring gear 11a and the outer peripheral
surface of the sun gear 21a, there are interposed a plurality of
planetary gear sets 23a, 23a each set consisting of a pair of
planetary gears 22a, 22b combined together. Each pair of planetary
gears 22a, 22b are meshingly engaged with each other, the planetary
gear 22a disposed on the outside diameter side is meshingly engaged
with the ring gear 11a, and the planetary gear 22b disposed on the
inside diameter side is meshingly engaged with the sun gear 21a.
The thus structured planetary gear sets 23a, 23a are rotatably
supported on one side surface (in FIG. 13, the left side surface)
of a carrier 24a. And, the carrier 24a is rotatably supported on
the periphery of the middle portion of the output shaft 20a.
[0038] Also, the carrier 24a is connected to a pair of output disks
5, 5 structuring the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 9a by the first power transmission mechanism 25a in
such a manner that the rotational power can be transmitted between
them. In order to constitute the first power transmission mechanism
25a, there is disposed a transmission shaft 26a which extends in
parallel to the input shaft 1b and the output shaft 20a, and a gear
77 fixed to the one-end portion (in FIG. 13, the left end portion)
of the transmission shaft 26a. Also, on the periphery of the middle
portion of the output shaft 20a, there is disposed a sleeve 78 in
such a manner that it can be rotated; and, a gear 79 supported on
the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 78 is meshingly engaged
with a gear 80 fixedly secured to the other end portion (in FIG.
13, the right end portion) of the transmission shaft 26a through an
idler gear (not shown). Further, on the periphery of the sleeve 78,
there is supported the carrier 24a through a circular-ring-shaped
connecting bracket 81 in such a manner that it can be rotated in
synchronization with the sleeve 78. Therefore, as the output side
disks 5, 5 are rotated, the carrier 24a can be rotated in the
opposite direction to the output side disks 5, 5 at the speed that
corresponds to the numbers of teeth of the respective gears 44, 77,
79, 80. Also, between the carrier 24a and output shaft 20a, there
is interposed a low speed clutch 31a.
[0039] On the other hand, the input shaft 1b and ring gear 11a are
connected to each other through the input side disk 3 supported on
the leading end portion of the input shaft 1b and the transmission
shaft 13a disposed concentrically with the input shaft 1b in such a
manner that the rotational power can be transmitted between them.
To attain this, a plurality of projecting portions 82, 82 are
provided on and projected from the portion of the outer surface (in
FIG. 13, the right side surface) of the present input side disk 3,
that is, the half portion of the present outer surface that is
situated nearer to the outside diameter of the input side disk 3
than the central portion of the present outer surface with respect
to the diameter direction of the input side disk 3. In the case of
the present example, these projecting portions 82, 82 are
respectively formed in an arc shape and are arranged intermittently
and at regular intervals on the same arc with the axis of the input
side disk 3 as the center thereof. And, the portions, which exist
between the circumferential-direction end faces of the projecting
portions 82, 82 adjoining each other in the circumferential
direction of the input side disk 3, are formed as securing notches
83, 83.
[0040] On the other hand, on the base end portion of the
transmission shaft 13a, there is disposed a transmission flange 85
through a conically-cylindrical-shaped transmission cylinder
portion 84. And, in the outer peripheral edge portion of the
transmission flange 85, there are disposed the same number of
transmission projecting pieces 86, 86 as the number of securing
notches 83, 83 at regular intervals with respect to the
circumferential direction of the transmission flange 85. And, the
transmission projecting pieces 86, 86 are respectively engaged with
their associated securing notches 83, 83, thereby allowing torque
to be transmitted between the input side disk 3 and transmission
shaft 13a. Since the diameter of the mutually engaged portions
between the transmission projecting pieces 86, 86 and securing
notches 83, 83 is sufficiently large, sufficiently large torque can
be transmitted between the input side disk 3 and transmission shaft
13a.
[0041] By the way, in order that the torque to be transmitted
between the input side disk 3 and transmission shaft 13a can be
increased as much as possible, preferably, the projecting portions
82, 82 may be provided on the near-to-outside-diameter end portion
(outer peripheral edge portion) of the outer surface of the input
side disk 3. However, in the case of the present example, in order
to secure the finishing precision of the inner surface 3a of the
input side disk 3, a flat portion 87 is formed in such portion of
the outer surface of the input side disk 3 that is situated nearer
to the outside diameter of the input side disk 3 than the
projecting portions 82, 82, so that, when finishing the inner
surface 3a of the input side disk 3, the near-to-outside-diameter
portion of the outer surface of the input side disk 3 can be
supported using the flat portion 87. Also, the transmission
projecting pieces 86, 86 are formed such that they can be engaged
into their associated securing notches 83, 83 with no shaky motion
between them.
[0042] Also, the leading end portion (in FIG. 13, the right end
portion) of the transmission shaft 13a is rotatably supported on
the center portion of the sun gear 21a. Further, the ring gear 11a
is supported on the periphery of the middle portion of the
transmission shaft 13a through a circular-ring-shaped connecting
bracket 88 spline engaged with the transmission shaft 13a and
through a high speed clutch 14a (which will be discussed later) in
such a manner that the ring gear 11a can be rotated in
synchronization with the transmission shaft 13a. Therefore, while
the high speed clutch 14 is connected, as the input shaft 1b is
rotated, the ring gear 11a can be rotated together with the input
shaft 1b in the same direction and at the same speed as the input
shaft 1b.
[0043] Further, between the ring gear 11a and the fixed portion of
the casing 35 such as a fixed wall 89 formed within the casing 35,
there is interposed a reversing clutch 32a. The reversing clutch
32a, high speed clutch 14a and low speed clutch 31a are all
wet-type multiple disk clutches each comprising a plurality of
friction plates and a plurality of separate plates which are
arranged alternately. These clutches 32a, 14a and 31a can be
respectively connected or disconnected in accordance as the
pressure oil is supplied into a high speed oil pressure cylinder
90, a low speed oil pressure cylinder 91, and a reversing oil
pressure cylinder 92 which are respectively attached to the
clutches 32a, 14a and 31a. Also, in case where any one of these
clutches is connected, the connection of the remaining two clutches
is cut off. By the way, while the clutches 32a, 14a and 31a are
equal in the effective radius to each other, the friction plates
and separate plates are different in number from each other. That
is, the number of the plates constituting the low speed clutch 31a
required to transmit the largest torque is set the largest (for
example, eight plates each); and, the number of the plates
constituting the reversing clutch 32a and high speed clutch 31a
required to transmit relatively small torque is set smaller (for
example, five plates each) than the number of the plates
constituting the low speed clutch 31a.
[0044] The above-structured continuously variable transmission
apparatus is similar in operation to the conventional structure
shown in the previously discussed FIG. 12. That is, firstly, in the
low speed running operation (low speed mode), the oil pressure is
introduced into the low speed oil pressure cylinder 91 to thereby
connect the low speed clutch 31a and, at the same time, oil
pressures existing within the high speed and reversing oil pressure
cylinders 90,92 are discharged therefrom to thereby cut off the
connection of the high speed clutch 14a and reversing clutch
32a.
[0045] Also, in the high speed running operation (high speed mode),
the oil pressure is introduced into the high speed oil pressure
cylinder 90 to thereby connect the high speed clutch 14a and, at
the same time, oil pressures within the low speed and reversing oil
pressure cylinders 91, 92 are discharged therefrom to thereby cut
off the connection of the low speed clutch 31a and reversing clutch
32a. In this state, in case where the input shaft 1b is rotated,
the transmission shaft 13a serving as the second power transmission
mechanism and the planetary gear mechanism 10a transmit the
rotational power from the input shaft 1b to the output shaft 20a.
In this state, by changing the transmission ratio of the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9a to thereby
change the revolving speeds (around the sun gear 21a) of the
respective planetary gear sets 23a, 23a, the transmission ratio of
the whole of the continuously variable transmission apparatus can
be adjusted.
[0046] Further, when reversing the output shaft 20a in order to
back the vehicle, the oil pressures within the low speed and high
speed oil pressure cylinders 90, 91 are discharged therefrom to
thereby cut off the connection of the low speed and high speed
clutches 31a, 14a and, at the same time, the oil pressure is
introduced into the reversing oil pressure cylinder 92 to thereby
connect the reversing clutch 32a. In this state, the sun gear 21a
and the output shaft 20a fixed to the sun gear 21a are rotated in
the opposite direction to the direction in the previously described
low speed and high speed running operations.
[0047] In the case of the conventional continuously variable
transmission apparatus structured and operated in the
above-mentioned manner, according to a study made by the present
inventors, it has been found that, in switching the low speed and
high speed modes over to each other, the number of revolutions of
the engine can vary suddenly to thereby raise a possibility of
giving a driver an incongruous feeling. Also, according to the
study made by the present inventors, it has also been found that
such sudden variation in the number of revolutions of the engine is
caused by the following facts: that is, in the above mode switching
time, there exists a moment when the connection of the low speed
and high speed clutches 31a, 14a (of course, the connection of the
reversing clutch 32a as well) is cut off; and, the low speed and
high speed clutches 31a, 14a are different in capacity from each
other.
[0048] Now, description will be given below of this point with
reference to FIGS. 15 to 17 in addition to FIG. 13.
[0049] Of the above figures, FIG. 15 shows an apparatus used in a
test which was conducted to know not only the timing for signaling
for instructing the connection or disconnection of the low speed
and high speed clutches 31a, 14a (in FIGS. 15, 31, 14) but also the
connecting states of these two clutches 31a, 14a based on this
signal. The present apparatus, using the continuously variable
transmission apparatus previously shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, is used
to find not only the timing for issuance of the signal for
instructing the connection or disconnection of the high speed and
low speed clutches 14a, 31a, but also the timing at which these two
clutches 14a, 31a are actually connected and disconnected.
[0050] By the way, the timing for connection and disconnection of
the two clutches 14a, 31a was judged according to the oil pressures
of the high speed and low speed oil pressure cylinders 90, 91 which
are respectively attached to the two clutches 14a, 31a. That is, in
case where the oil pressures of the high speed and low speed oil
pressure cylinders 90, 91 attached to the two clutches 14a, 31a are
low, it was judged that pressing pistons respectively disposed
within these cylinders are movable, there exist gaps respectively
between the friction plates and separate plates constituting these
clutches, and the connection of the present clutches is cut off. On
the other hand, in case where the oil pressures of the high speed
and low speed oil pressure cylinders 90, 91 attached to the two
clutches 14a, 31a are sufficiently high, it was judged that
pressing pistons respectively disposed within these cylinders
cannot be moved, the friction plates and separate plates
constituting these clutches are contacted with each other, and the
present clutches are connected. Further, in case where the oil
pressures of the high speed and low speed oil pressure cylinders
90, 91 attached to the two clutches 14a, 31a are intermediate
values, it was judged that the present clutches are held in a so
called clutch slipping state in which they transmit the rotational
power while slipping.
[0051] Firstly, description will be given below of the test
apparatus shown in FIG. 15 that is structured based on the
structure of an actually used continuously variable transmission
apparatus. By the way, a toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 9 and a planetary gear mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 15
are similar to those previously shown in FIG. 12; and, a first
power transmission mechanism 25 is also structured such that
sprockets 27a, 27b and a chain 28 are incorporated therein. With
regard to reference characters, there are used the same reference
characters as in FIG. 12 and thus the description thereof is
omitted here. By the way, although there is shown a start clutch 17
in FIG. 15, in the case of an actual test apparatus, this start
clutch 17 is omitted; and, a drive source and the input shaft 1a of
the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 9 are
connected directly to each other. While a reversing clutch 32 is
disposed, an oil pressure pipe is omitted; and, therefore, this
reversing clutch 32 does not function.
[0052] As pressure oil for connecting together the high speed and
low speed clutches 14, 31, there is used pressure oil which is
sucked out from an oil tank 93 (in actual assembly to a vehicle, an
oil pan) and is then jetted out from a pressurizing pump 94.
Between the pressurizing pump 94 and the above-mentioned high speed
clutch 14 {specifically, the high speed oil pressure cylinder 90
(FIG. 13) for connecting and disconnecting the high speed clutch
14}, there is interposed a high speed side switch valve 95; and,
similarly, between the pressurizing pump 94 and the above-mentioned
low speed clutch 31 {specifically, the low speed oil pressure
cylinder 91 (FIG. 13) for connecting and disconnecting the low
speed clutch 31}, there is interposed a low speed side switch valve
96. These switch valves 95 and 96 respectively turn on/off
solenoids attached thereto in accordance with a signal from a
controller 97 to thereby switch the following two modes over to
each other: that is, one mode in which the oil tanks 14, 31 are
allowed to communicate with the jet-out port of the pressurizing
pump 94; and, the other mode in which the oil tanks 14, 31 are
allowed to communicate with the oil tank 93. Also, on such portions
of the oil pressure pipe that exist between the switch valves 95,
96 and clutches 14, 31, there are mounted high speed side and low
speed side pressure gauges 98, 99 respectively, so that the oil
pressures of the clutches 14, 31 (specifically, the high speed and
low speed oil pressure cylinders 90, 91 for connecting and
disconnecting the clutches 14, 31) can be measured.
[0053] The present inventors, using the above-structured test
apparatus, measured not only the timing at which a signal for
switching the high speed side and low speed side switch valves 95,
96 is issued by the controller 97 but also the timing at which the
high speed and low speed clutches 14, 31 are actually connected.
The results of the measurement are shown in FIGS. 16A to 17B. FIGS.
16A to 17B respectively show not only variations in an instruction
signal given to the high speed and low speed clutches 14, 31 in the
switching time of the low speed and high speed modes but also
variations in the connecting states of the two clutches 31, 14.
Also, of the two FIGS. 16A to 17B, FIGS. 16A and 16B show the
variations which occur when switching the low speed mode over to
the high speed mode, while FIGS. 17A and 17B show the variations
occurring when switching the high speed mode over to the low speed
mode.
[0054] Also, the horizontal axes of FIGS. 16A to 17B express the
elapsed time; and, the vertical axes of FIGS. 16A and 17A express
the above-mentioned instruction signals, whereas the vertical axes
of FIGS. 16B and 17B express the connecting states of the clutches.
By the way, these instruction signals are instruction signals which
are transmitted from the controller 97 to solenoids attached to the
respective switch valves 96, 95 in order to control the supply of
the pressure oil to the low speed and high speed oil pressure
cylinders 91, 90 for connecting and disconnecting the clutches 31,
14; and, the vertical axes of FIGS. 16A and 17A show the voltages
of these instruction signals. In case where these voltage are
positive, the clutches are connected and, in case where they are
negative, the connection of the clutches is cut off. Also, the
connecting states of the clutches are expressed by the measured
values of the pressure gauges 99, 98 that are proportional to the
contact pressure ratio between the friction plates and separate
plates constituting the two clutches 31, 14.
[0055] Further, solid lines shown in FIGS. 16A to 17B express the
above-mentioned variations with respect to the low speed clutch 31,
whereas broken lines express the variations with respect to the
high speed clutch 14, respectively.
[0056] In the test, when switching the low speed mode and high
speed mode over to each other, in both of switching directions, the
instruction signals to be applied to the switch valves 96, 95, as
shown in FIGS. 16A and 17A, were switched within the time of about
0.2 sec. That is, in about 0.2 sec. after issuance of a signal for
cutting off the connection of the currently connected clutch, there
was issued a signal for connecting the currently disconnected
clutch. As the results of the test conducted under these
conditions, it has been found that, when switching the low speed
mode and high speed mode over to each other, in case where the
timings for issuance of the instruction signals are set the same
regardless of the switching directions, a continuous time, during
which neither of the clutches are not connected, increases.
[0057] That is, as can be seen obviously from FIGS. 16B and 17B, in
the case of the clutch to which a signal for cutting off the
connection thereof has been transmitted, the connection of the
clutch is cut off in a very short time (see the solid line shown in
FIG. 16B and the broken line shown in FIG. 17B). On the other hand,
as can also be seen obviously from FIGS. 16B and 17B, in the case
of the clutch to which a signal for connection has been
transmitted, there is generated a slight time delay between
reception of the signal and completion of the connection of the of
the clutch. Also, as can be understood clearly from comparison
between the broken line shown in FIG. 16B and the solid line shown
in FIG. 17B, the degree of the time delay varies according to the
mode switching directions.
[0058] Specifically, the time necessary for connection of the
currently disconnected clutch (the time during which the clutch is
held in the clutch-slipping state) is longer in the switching
operation from the high speed mode to the low speed mode shown in
FIG. 17B than in the switching operation from the low speed mode to
the high speed mode shown in FIG. 16B.
[0059] The present inventors not only have studied the reason for
generation of the slight time delay between reception of the
connection signal by the clutch and completion of the actual
connection of the clutch and the reason for the difference of the
time delay according to the mode switching directions, but also
have repeatedly conducted the test for confirmation of these
reasons. Our study and confirmation test results have found the
following facts.
[0060] Firstly, the time delay is caused by the fact that it takes
some time to complete the full-stroke movements of the pistons
incorporated in the high speed and low speed oil pressure cylinders
90, 91. That is, to connect together the friction plates and
separate plates constituting the clutches 14, 31 in order to
connect the clutches 14, 31, it is necessary to shift the
respective friction and separate plates as well as the pressurizing
pistons that are incorporated in the oil pressure cylinders 90, 91.
This shifting operation is carried out by introducing pressure oil
into the oil pressure cylinders 90, 91; however, due to resistance
within the pipes used to introduce the pressure oil, it inevitably
takes time to complete introduction of a sufficient quantity of
pressure oil. This gives rise to the above-mentioned generation of
the time delay.
[0061] Next, the reason for the different degrees of the time delay
according to the mode switching directions is that, between the
high speed clutch 14 and low speed clutch 31, the strokes of the
pressurizing pistons incorporated in the oil pressure cylinders 90,
91, which are necessary to shift the pressurizing pistons up to
such positions as to allow completion of connection of the high
speed clutch 14 and low speed clutch 31, are different.
[0062] That is, as described before, in the case of the low speed
clutch 31 which is required to transmit large torque, the number of
the plates is large; and, on the other hand, in the case of the
high speed clutch 14 which is required to transmit relatively small
torque, the number of the plates is small. As the number of the
plates increases, the strokes of the pressurizing pistons
incorporated in the oil pressure cylinders 90, 91, which are
necessary to bring the disconnected clutches into connected states,
increase. For this reason, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 16B
and by the solid line in FIG. 17B, the time delay in the switching
operation from the high speed mode to the low speed mode (the solid
line in FIG. 17B) is larger than the time delay in the switching
operation from the low speed mode to the high speed mode (the
broken line in FIG. 16B).
[0063] During the above time delay, since the engine serving as the
power source is not connected (or is imperfectly connected) to the
drive wheel, the power cannot be transmitted from the engine to the
drive wheel. To confirm the behavior that occurs in this case, the
present inventors have conducted a test for switching the low speed
mode and high speed mode over to each other using a test apparatus
shown in FIG. 15. In this test, the rotation speed of an input
shaft 1a is fixed to 200.sub.min.sup.-1; and, any other rotary
shaft was not connected to the end portion of an output shaft 20,
while the output shaft 20 was set in such a manner that it can be
rotated freely. Also, in a state where the input shaft 1a and
output shaft 20 were the same in the speed (that is, the
transmission ratio was 1), in order to switch the above two modes
over to each other, the low speed clutch 31 and high speed clutch
14 were connected and disconnected.
[0064] And, the present inventors measured variations in the
rotation speed of the output shaft 20 occurring due to the
switching of these two modes over to each other.
[0065] As a result of this test, not only in the switching
operation from the low speed mode to the high speed mode but also
in the switching operation from the high speed mode to the low
speed mode, the rotation speed of the output shaft 20 was lowered
down (to a value lower than 200.sub.min.sup.-1). Specifically,
however, in the switching operation from the low speed mode to the
high speed mode, the rotation speed of the output shaft 20 was
lowered only by 20.sub.min.sup.-1 from 200.sub.min.sup.-1 to
180.sub.min.sup.-1; and, on other hand, in the switching operation
from the high speed mode to the low speed mode, the rotation speed
of the output shaft 20 was lowered no less than 80.sub.min.sup.-1
from 200.sub.min.sup.-1 to 120.sub.min.sup.-1. And, in either case,
as the clutch was connected after the above-mentioned time delay,
the rotation speed of the output shaft 20 returned back to
200.sub.min.sup.-1.
[0066] Since the above test was done in a state where the output
shaft 20 can be rotated freely, in the mode switching operations,
the rotation speed of the output shaft 20 was lowered. However, in
an actual case, the output shaft 20 and the drive wheel are
mechanically connected to each other through a propeller shaft and
a differential gear. Therefore, in the mode switching operations,
there is no possibility that the rotation speed of the output shaft
20 can be lowered but, in the clutch-slipping state, the rotation
speed of the input shaft 1a increases. For this reason, in the mode
switching operations, after the rotation speed of the engine
serving as the drive source increases for an instant regardless of
the operation of an accelerator pedal, the clutch is connected.
[0067] An increase in the rotation speed of the engine regardless
of the operation of the accelerator pedal, even for an instant, is
not preferable because it gives a driver an incongruous feeling.
Also, in case where the clutch is connected after the rotation
speed of the engine increases for an instant, there is a
possibility that the whole of the power transmission system
including the continuously variable transmission apparatus can be
vibrated, which also gives the driver an incongruous feeling. There
is a possibility that such incongruous feeling can increase
especially in the switching operation from the high speed mode to
the low speed mode.
[0068] The present invention aims at eliminating the
above-mentioned drawbacks found in the conventional continuously
variable transmission apparatus. Accordingly, it is an object of
the present invention to provide a continuously variable
transmission apparatus which can reduce the above-mentioned time
delay at least in the switching operation from the high speed mode
to the low speed mode.
[0069] Also, as another examples of a conventional toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission, there are known toroidal-type
continuously variable transmissions which are disclosed, for
example, in JP-2734583 and JP-A-5-39850. In each of the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmissions disclosed in
these publications, between an input side disk and an output side
disk, there are interposed a plurality of power rollers. The power
rollers are respectively supported by their associated trunnions in
such a manner that they can be swingly rotated. When changing the
rotation speed between input and output shaft, the power rollers
are swingly rotated to thereby change the rotation radius ratio of
the contact point between the input side and output side disks.
[0070] In order to swing and rotate the power rollers, the
trunnions are respectively moved by a desired amount in the axial
directions of the respective trunnion shafts by their respective
actuators including their respective oil pressure pistons to
thereby offset the centers of rotation of the power rollers with
respect to the centers of rotation of the input side and output
side disks. In correspondence to the offset amounts of the
trunnions, in the contact points between the input side and output
side disks, there are generated moment forces which can swing and
rotate the power rollers; and, due to such moment forces, the power
rollers are swingly rotated at an angle which corresponds to the
desired transmission ratio.
[0071] The above actuators move the trunnions in the axial
direction thereof by the desired amount by driving their pistons
using the pressure of oil which can be controlled by a transmission
control valve. In order to stabilize the swingly rotational
operations of the power rollers caused by the movements of the
trunnions, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-11-294549, there is
known a technique which feedbacks the transmission control valve
the shift amounts of the trunnions (the sum totals of the
swung-rotation-direction shift amounts of the trunnions and the
swung rotation angular amounts of the trunnions) by a feedback
mechanism using a precess cam.
[0072] When incorporating a toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission into an actual vehicle, as disclosed in
JP-A-10-196759, there is proposed a technique in which the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission is combined with a
planetary gear mechanism. Here, FIG. 18 shows a continuously
variable transmission apparatus which is referred to as a power
split type of continuously variable transmission apparatus by the
present inventors.
[0073] The present continuously variable transmission apparatus
comprises a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102, a
planetary gear mechanism 103, a first power transmission mechanism
104, and a second power transmission mechanism 105. The two kinds
of power transmission mechanisms 104, 105 are input to any two of
three elements (a sun gear, a carrier, and a ring gear) of the
planetary gear mechanism 103, and the remaining one element is
connected to an output shaft 106 of the continuously variable
transmission apparatus, whereby a differential component between
the two elements (for example, the ring gear and carrier) can be
output to the output shaft 106.
[0074] In a low speed running mode, all of the power (torque) of an
engine 107 is transmitted through a drive shaft 108, toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 102 and first power transmission
mechanism 104 to the output shaft 106. On the other hand, in a high
speed running mode, the power of the engine 107 is transmitted
through the second power transmission mechanism 105 and planetary
gear mechanism 103 to the output shaft 106, while part of the power
is input from the planetary gear mechanism 103 to the output side
disk of the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission
102.
[0075] The above arrangement can reduce the torque to be applied to
the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102 in a
vehicle high speed running operation, can enhance the durability of
the respective parts that constitute the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission 102, and can enhance the torque transmission
efficiency of the whole of the continuously variable transmission
apparatus.
[0076] By the way, in JP-A-11-108147, there is proposed a technique
in which the numbers of rotations of the two elements of the
planetary gear mechanism are measured and, when the numbers of
rotations are almost coincident with each other, the switching
operation between the high speed and low speed modes is executed.
Also, in JP-A-9-89072, there is disclosed a continuously variable
transmission apparatus of a so called geared neutral type in which
a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission is combined with
a single planetary gear mechanism. In the continuously variable
transmission apparatus of a geared neutral type, in a low speed
running operation, power is transmitted through the single
planetary gear mechanism and toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission; and, in a high speed running operation, the power is
transmitted only through the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission. According to the continuously variable transmission
apparatus of a geared neutral type, there can be obtained an
advantage that, in case where, in a low-speed-side speed mode, the
continuously variable transmission apparatus is controlled such
that a differential component of the planetary gear mechanism
provides zero rotation, there can be eliminated the need for
provision of a start clutch.
[0077] However, in this type of continuously variable transmission
apparatus comprising the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission and planetary gear mechanism combined together, in the
mode switching operation, torque to be input to the toroidal-type
continuouslyvariable transmission varies greatly from positive to
negative (or vice versa). For example, in the switching operation
for switching the low speed mode over to the high speed mode, there
is a possibility that the input torque can vary from +300 Nm to
-240 Nm.
[0078] Now, FIG. 19 shows part of a power roller 4 and a trunnion
7a used in the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission
102. In case where a load is applied to the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 102, there occurs a traction
force in the axis X1 direction of the trunnion 7a. In case where
the power roller 4 is shifted, for example, in a direction shown by
an arrow mark M1 due to the traction force, a feedback mechanism
operates in such a manner that it returns the power roller 4 in the
opposite direction (a direction shown by an arrow mark M2).
[0079] In a radial needle roller bearing 124 for supporting the
power roller 4 and in a radial needle roller bearing 125 for
supporting a shift shaft 55, inevitably, there exist gaps.
Therefore, in case where a load is applied to the toroidal-type
continuouslyvariable transmission 102 due to the above-mentioned
traction force, the power roller 4 is moved in the axis X1
direction by the sum total amount of these gaps.
[0080] Since the power roller 4 is moved in the axis X1 direction
for the above reason, the load is applied while the transmission
ratio of the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102
is left fixed, that is, without issuing a transmission instruction.
In other words, in case where the input torque is caused to vary
from 0 Nm, as shown in FIG. 20, as the input torque varies, the
transmission ratio of the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 102 is caused to vary, in spite of the fact that no
transmission instruction has been issued. That is, the movement of
the power roller 4 in the axis X1 direction causes side slippage
between the power roller 4 and disk, which causes the power roller
4 to swing and rotate, thereby changing the transmission ratio of
the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102.
[0081] In FIG. 20, the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 102 varies greatly in the low
torque area. The reason for this is that, in case where the power
roller 4 is moved by the above-mentioned sum total of the gaps in
the low torque area, the power roller 4 is caused to swing and
rotate. FIG. 20 shows the results obtained from a test conducted
under the conditions that the transmission ratio was set about 0.5,
the number of rotations was set constant for about 2000, and the
temperature of oil was set near to the actual temperature of a
vehicle.
[0082] Now, description will be given below further of the
phenomenon in which the transmission ratio varies mainly in the low
torque area in the above-mentioned manner with reference to FIGS.
21A, 21B and 22.
[0083] FIG. 21A shows a state of a trunnion in which a load applied
to the trunnion is zero. In this case, a pair of power rollers
respectively supported on their associated shift shafts 55 are both
situated at their initial positions (that is, neutral positions);
and, trunnions 7a, 7b, following the power rollers, are also
situated at their respective initial positions which are (right and
left) symmetric. Thus, the precess cam 74 of the feedback mechanism
is also held at its given initial position.
[0084] FIG. 21B shows a state of a trunnion in a light load area in
which input of the torque is started. In the light load area, since
the traction force acts, the power rollers and trunnions 7a, 7b are
moved in the axial direction X1 by an amount corresponding to the
above-mentioned gaps. Also, because the shift shafts 55 supporting
the power rollers are respectively held like cantilevered beams,
the flexing amounts of the shift shafts 55 are also included in the
moving amounts of the trunnions 7a, 7b.
[0085] In case where the power rollers are moved in the axis X1
direction in the above manner, there is caused side slippage
between the disk and power rollers and, in response to this, the
feedback mechanism operates, so that the power rollers are finally
returned to their respective initial positions (neutral positions).
During this operation, since the transmission control valve has not
received any transmission instruction, the moving amount of the
transmission control valve depends only on the load and thus the
transmission control valve little moves. Therefore, the power
rollers are swingly rotated by the amount corresponding to the
moving amount of the precess cam in the axis X1 direction, and the
swung rotational movements of the power rollers cause the
transmission ratio to vary.
[0086] FIG. 22 shows a state of a high load area. In the high load
area, since the shift shafts 55 are flexed, the trunnions 7a, 7b
are moved further in the axis X1 direction. However, in the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission of a traction
drive type, since the traction force is generated by pressing the
disk against the power rollers, due to such pressing force, the
trunnions 7a, 7b are elastically deformed in such a manner as shown
in FIG. 22 in an exaggerated manner.
[0087] With the elastic deformation of the trunnions 7a, 7b, the
support portions J1, J2 of each of the trunnions 7a, 7b move in the
direction (axis X1 direction) where they approach each other.
Because the moving direction of the support portion J2 is opposite
to the moving direction of the trunnion 7a caused by the existence
of the above-mentioned gap, the moving amounts of these two
elements cancel each other. As a result of this, the moving amount
of the precess cam 74 in the axis X1 direction is slight. For these
reasons, in the high load area, there hardly occurs such swung
rotation of the power roller (that is, the variation of the
transmission ratio) as occurring in the low load area.
[0088] Also, there can also be found a phenomenon in which, with a
load applied to the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission, the trunnions 7a, 7b are elastically deformed and
trunnion shafts 119 are flexed, so that the transmission ratio of
the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission. In the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission of a traction
drive type, it is necessary to press the disk against the power
rollers and the pressing forces are supported by the trunnions 7a,
7b. The trunnions 7a, 7b, as one trunnion 7a is representatively
shown in FIG. 19, are supported by a pair of support members 49, 49
which are referred to as yokes, whereby mutually-opposite-direction
forces generated between the respective trunnions 7a are allowed to
cancel each other. Due to this, each of the trunnions 7a is
elastically deformed between the pair of support members 49,
49.
[0089] The trunnion shaft 119 itself is not deformed elastically
because it does not receive the above pressing force; however, due
to the influence of the above-mentioned elastic deformation caused
between the support members 49, 49, the trunnion shaft 119 and rod
73 are swung. Due to this, the contact point between the precess
cam 74 and the cam follower of the transmission control valve is
caused to vary, so that the spool of the transmission control valve
is moved in the axial direction.
[0090] As a result of this, the transmission control valve is
operated to generate the oil pressure that moves the trunnions 7a,
7b in the axis X1 direction, thereby changing the transmission
ratio of the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission. For
example, in case where the precess cam 74 is moved in the axis X1
direction, the power roller is swingly rotated by an amount
corresponding to the moving amount of the precess cam 74 according
to the cam lead. For instance, in the case of the cam lead being 20
mm/360.degree., in case where the precess cam 74 moves by 0.3 mm in
the axial direction X1, the power roller is swingly rotated no less
than 5.4.degree..
[0091] In case where these factors are combined together, as shown
in FIG. 23, although no transmission instruction is issued, as the
torque varies, the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission is caused to vary. Accordingly,
even in case where, as disclosed in the above-cited publication
JP-A-11-108147, the clutch is connected when the number of
rotations of the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission
is coincident with the number of rotations of the planetary gear
mechanism, as the torque varies, the transmission ratio of the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission is caused to vary
greatly, thereby causing the number of rotations of the engine to
vary.
[0092] By the way, in case where the driver judges the need for
engine braking and takes his or her foot off the accelerator,
similarly to the above case, although no transmission instruction
is issued, the torque is caused to vary suddenly. In this case as
well, the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission is caused to vary. However, in this case,
since the engine braking is used of the driver's will, the driver
can forgive a certain degree of transmission shock caused by such
variations in the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission.
[0093] However, in the continuously variable transmission apparatus
of the above-mentioned power circulation type, even in case where
the driver does not intend to switch the transmission mode, the
mode is switched involuntarily. Therefore, in case where even a
slight degree of transmission shock occurs in the mode switching
operation, the drive feels incongruous. That is, as in the
conventional the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission
(FIG. 23), in case where, when no transmission instruction is
issued in the mode switching operation, the transmission ratio
varies greatly to thereby cause a transmission shock, the driver
feels badly incongruous.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0094] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances of the prior
art, it is an object of the invention to provide a continuously
variable transmission apparatus which can restrict the occurrence
of a transmission shock in the mode switching operation.
[0095] In attaining the above object, according to a first aspect
of the present invention, there is provided a continuously variable
transmission apparatus comprising a toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission, a planetary gear mechanism and a clutch
device, the clutch device comprising: a low speed clutch connected
in order to increase a speed reducing ratio and disconnected in
order to decrease the speed reducing ratio; a high speed clutch
connected in order to decrease the speed reducing ratio and
disconnected in order to increase the speed reducing ratio; and, a
controller for switching over the connected and disconnected states
of the respective clutches to each other, the controller switching
the transmission state of the continuously variable transmission
apparatus into any one of a low speed mode and a high speed mode by
connecting any one of the clutches, wherein timings for signaling
by the controller for switching the connected and disconnected
states of the clutches vary according to the switching directions
of the low speed and high speed modes; and, a timing for signaling
for connecting the low speed clutch with respect to the moment for
signaling for cutting off the connection of the high speed clutch
in order to switch the high speed mode over to the low speed mode
is set earlier than a timing for signaling for connecting the high
speed clutch with respect to the moment for signaling for cutting
off the connection of the low speed clutch in order to switch the
low speed mode over to the high speed mode.
[0096] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a continuously variable transmission apparatus,
comprising: an input shaft connected to a drive source and
rotationally driven by the drive source; an output shaft for taking
out power obtained based on the rotational movement of the input
shaft; a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission; a
planetary gear mechanism; a first power transmission mechanism for
transmitting power input to the input shaft through the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission; a second power
transmission mechanism for transmitting power input to the input
shaft without passing through the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission; a controller; the planetary gear mechanism,
comprising: a sun gear; a ring gear disposed on the periphery of
the sun gear; a planetary gear interposed between the sun gear and
the ring gear so as to be meshingly engaged with the sun gear and
the ring gear; and, a carrier for supporting the planetary gear so
as to be rotated, wherein the power to be transmitted through the
first power transmission mechanism and the power to be transmitted
through the second power transmission mechanism are freely
transmitted to two of the sun gear, the ring gear and the carrier,
and the output shaft is connected to the remaining one of the sun
gear, the ring gear and the carrier; and a mode switching mechanism
for switching the state of the power input to the input shaft when
the power is transmitted through the first and second power
transmission mechanisms to the planetary gear mechanism, wherein
the mode switching mechanism switches over first and second modes
to each other, the first mode for transmitting the power by at
least only the first power transmission mechanism, the second mode
for transmitting the power by both of the first and second power
transmission mechanisms, the controller connects only one of
clutches constituting the mode switching mechanism to thereby set
the transmission state of the continuously variable transmission
apparatus into one of a low speed mode and a high speed mode, the
low speed mode being one of the first and second modes, the high
speed mode being the other of the first and second modes, and
timings for signaling by the controller for switching the
connection and disconnection of the clutches vary according to the
switching directions of the low speed and high speed modes, a
timing for signaling for connecting a low speed clutch to be
connected when realizing the low speed mode with respect to the
moment for signaling for cutting off the connection of a high speed
clutch to be connected when realizing the high speed mode in order
to switch over the high speed mode to the low speed mode is set
earlier than a timing for signaling for connecting the high speed
clutch with respect to the moment for signaling for cutting off the
connection of the low speed clutch in order to switch over the low
speed mode to the high speed mode.
[0097] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a continuously variable transmission apparatus,
comprising: an input shaft connected to a drive source and
rotationally driven by the drive source; an output shaft for taking
out power obtained based on the rotational movement of the input
shaft; a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission including
an input side disk, an output side disk, power rollers interposed
between the input side and output side disks so as to be swingly
rotatable, and trunnions for supporting the power rollers; a
transmission control valve for shifting the trunnions; a feedback
mechanism for transmitting the shift amounts of the trunnions to
the transmission control valve for feedback so that a transmission
ratio between the input and output disks provide a target value; a
planetary gear mechanism including three elements, that is, a sun
gear, a carrier and a ring gear; a first power transmission system
for transmitting the power input to the input shaft to the output
shaft through the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission;
a second power transmission system for transmitting the power input
to the input shaft to the output shaft without passing through the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, the power to be
transmitted through the first power transmission system and the
power to be transmitted through the second power transmission
system being joined to two of the three elements of the planetary
gear mechanism, the remaining one of the three elements being
connected to the output shaft; a clutch mechanism, when advancing a
vehicle, for switching over a first mode on the low speed side and
a second mode on the high speed side to each other; and, a control
device, when switching over the first and second modes to each
other, for controlling the transmission control valve
simultaneously with the switching operation of the clutch mechanism
within the time during which the clutch mechanism is switched,
thereby restricting variations in the transmission ratio of the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission.
[0098] In the above construction, it is preferable that the control
device, when the clutch mechanism is switched from the first mode
on the low speed side to the second mode on the high speed side,
starts the control of the transmission control valve later than the
time when the switching operation of the clutch mechanism is
started and completes the control of the transmission control valve
at the time when the switching operation of the clutch mechanism is
completed; and, when the second mode is switched over to the first
mode, the control device starts the control of the transmission
control valve at the time when the switching operation of the
clutch mechanism is started and completes the control of the
transmission control valve earlier than the time when the switching
operation of the clutch mechanism is completed.
[0099] According to the above-structured continuously variable
transmission apparatus of the present invention, the time delay in
the mode switching operation from the high speed mode to the low
speed mode can be reduced and an increase in the rotation speed of
an engine in the mode switching operation can be restricted,
thereby being able to reduce the degree of an incongruous feeling
that is given to the driver.
[0100] That is, since, when switching the high speed mode over to
the low speed mode, the timing for signaling for connecting the low
speed clutch is set earlier than the timing for signaling for
cutting off the connection of the high speed clutch, it is possible
to reduce the time from the disconnection of the high speed clutch
to the connection of the low speed clutch.
[0101] As a result of this, in the mode switching operation from
the high speed mode to the low speed mode, there can be reduced the
time during which the high speed and low speed clutches are both
disconnected, which can reduce an increase in the number of
rotations of the engine in the present mode switching operation and
thus can reduce the degree of an incongruous feeling that is given
to the driver.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0102] FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrammatic views of a first embodiment
of a continuously variable transmission apparatus according to the
present invention, showing, according to the passage of time,
instruction signals to be applied to low speed and high speed
clutches and the connecting states of the respective clutches when
the continuously variable transmission apparatus is switched from a
high speed mode to a low speed mode;
[0103] FIGS. 2A and 2B, similarly to FIGS. 1A and 1B, are
diagrammatic views of a second embodiment of a continuously
variable transmission apparatus according to the present
invention;
[0104] FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrammatic views of the second
embodiment of a continuously variable transmission apparatus
according to the present invention, showing, according to the
passage of time, instruction signals to be applied to low speed and
high speed clutches and the connecting states of the respective
clutches when the continuously variable transmission apparatus is
switched from the low speed mode to the high speed mode;
[0105] FIG. 4 is a typical view of a third embodiment of a
continuously variable transmission apparatus according to the
present invention;
[0106] FIG. 5 is a section view of a toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission included in the continuously variable
transmission apparatus shown FIG. 4, taken along the axial
direction thereof;
[0107] FIG. 6 is a section view of the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission shown in FIG. 5, taken along the line F3-F3
shown in FIG. 5;
[0108] FIG. 7 is a section view of a transmission control valve and
a feedback mechanism employed in the continuously variable
transmission apparatus shown FIG. 4;
[0109] FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of the relationship
between the input torque and the operation timings of the
transmission control valve of the continuously variable
transmission apparatus shown FIG. 4;
[0110] FIG. 9 is a graphical representation of the relationship
between the input torque and the operation timings of the
transmission control valve of a continuously variable transmission
apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0111] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the basic structure of a
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, showing a maximum
speed reducing state thereof;
[0112] FIG. 11, similarly to FIG. 10, is a schematic side view of
the basic structure of the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission, showing a maximum speed increasing state thereof;
[0113] FIG. 12 is a schematic section view of an example of a
continuously variable transmission apparatus incorporating a
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission therein;
[0114] FIG. 13 is a section view of a more concrete version of the
above toroidal-type continuously variable transmission;
[0115] FIG. 14 is a section view taken along the line A-A shown in
FIG. 13;
[0116] FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram of an apparatus used in a test
conducted in the process for developing the present invention;
[0117] FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrammatic views of a conventional
continuously variable transmission apparatus, showing, according to
the passage of time, instruction signals to be applied to low speed
and high speed clutches and the connecting states of the respective
clutches when the continuously variable transmission apparatus is
switched from a low speed mode to a high speed mode;
[0118] FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrammatic views of the continuously
variable transmission apparatus, showing, according to the passage
of time, instruction signals to be applied to low speed and high
speed clutches and the connecting states of the respective clutches
when the continuously variable transmission apparatus is switched
from the high speed mode to the low speed mode;
[0119] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the general structure of a
continuously variable transmission apparatus including a planetary
gear mechanism;
[0120] FIG. 19 is a section view of power rollers and trunnions
used in a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission;
[0121] FIG. 20 is a graphical representation of the relationship
between the input torque and transmission ratios of a conventional
continuously variable transmission apparatus;
[0122] FIG. 21A is a typical front view of a trunnion when no load
is applied thereto; and,
[0123] FIG. 21B is a typical front view of the trunnion when a load
is applied thereto;
[0124] FIG. 22 is a typical front view of the trunnion when the
load applied increases further; and,
[0125] FIG. 23 is a graphical representation of variable widths
between the input torque and transmission ratios of a conventional
continuously variable transmission apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0126] Now, FIGS. 1A and 1B show a first embodiment of a
continuously variable transmission apparatus according to the
present invention. By the way, according to the present invention,
there is provided a continuously variable transmission apparatus in
which a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission and a
planetary gear mechanism are combined together through a clutch
device including a high speed clutch and a low speed clutch; and,
the present continuously variable transmission apparatus is
characterized in that the timings for signaling for disconnecting
and connecting the high speed and low speed clutches are improved
to thereby be able to reduce the incongruous feeling that is
generated in the mode switching operation from the high speed mode
to the low speed mode. The structure of the present continuously
variable transmission apparatus, as a whole, is similar to the
structure of the test apparatus shown in the previously discussed
FIG. 15; and, the more specific structure of the present
continuously variable transmission apparatus is similar to that of
the conventional continuously variable transmission apparatus shown
in the previously discussed FIGS. 13 and 14. Therefore, the
duplicate description of the specific structure of the present
continuously variable transmission apparatus is omitted here and
description will be given below of the characteristic aspect of the
present invention, that is, the timings for signaling for
disconnecting and connecting the high speed and low speed
clutches.
[0127] In the case of the present embodiment, in the mode switching
operation from the high speed mode to the low speed mode, at the
same time when a signal for cutting off the connection of the high
speed clutch is issued as shown by a broken line in FIG. 1A, a
signal for connecting the low speed clutch is issued as shown by a
solid line in FIG. 1A. Such time delay of 0.2 seconds as shown in
the previously discussed FIG. 16A is not set in the present
embodiment. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, there
can be reduced the time from such disconnected state of the high
speed clutch as shown by a broken line in FIG. 1B to such connected
state of the low speed clutch as shown by a solid line in FIG.
1B.
[0128] That is, the disconnected state continuing time t (which is
shown in FIG. 1B) from the cut-off of the connection of the high
speed clutch to the connection of the low speed clutch can be
reduced by the time delay (0.2 sec.) when compared with the
disconnected state continuing time T (in which, as shown in FIG.
17A), the time delay (0.2 sec.) is set. In this manner, according
to the present embodiment, in the mode switching operation from the
high speed mode to the low speed mode, the time (the disconnected
state continuing time), during which the high speed and low speed
clutches are both disconnected, can be reduced to thereby reduce an
increase in the number of rotations of the engine in the mode
switching operation, which makes it possible to reduce the degree
of an incongruous feeling that is given to the driver.
[0129] By the way, in the case of the present embodiment, in the
mode switching operation from the low speed mode to the high speed
mode, as shown in the previously described FIG. 16, there is set a
time delay of about 0.2 sec. between the time when a signal for
cutting off the connection of the low speed clutch is issued and
the time when a signal for connecting the high speed clutch is
issued. As described above, the time necessary from issuance of the
signal for connecting the high speed clutch to the actual
connection of the high speed clutch is short when compared with the
low speed clutch. Therefore, in the case of the mode switching
operation from the low speed mode to the high speed mode, even in
case where it is controlled similarly to the previously described
conventional example, there can be reduced the degree of the
incongruous feeling that occurs in the mode switching
operation.
[0130] Next, FIGS. 2A to 3B show a second embodiment of a
continuously variable transmission apparatus according to the
present invention. According to the present embodiment, the
disconnected state continuing time in the mode switching operation
from the high speed mode to the low speed mode is shortened further
than the previously described first embodiment of the present
invention. At the same time, in the case of the present embodiment,
the disconnected state continuing time in the mode switching
operation from the low speed mode to the high speed mode is also
shortened further than the previously described conventional
example and the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0131] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in the mode
switching operation from the high speed mode to the low speed mode,
a little while before a signal for cutting off the connection of
the high speed clutch is issued (in the present embodiment, 0.5
sec. before) as shown by a broken line in FIG. 2A, a signal for
connecting the low speed clutch is issued as shown by a solid line
in FIG. 2A. Therefore, in the process during which the connection
of the high speed clutch is cut off as shown by a broken line in
FIG. 2B (that is, in the case of the clutch-slipping state), as
shown by a solid line in FIG. 2B, the connection of the low speed
clutch is started (that is, the low speed clutch is turned into a
clutch-slipping state). In other words, the high speed and low
speed clutches are both held in the clutch-slipping state. In this
state, the high speed and low speed clutches, while slipping,
transmit torque. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in
the mode switching operation from the high speed mode to the low
speed mode, the time during which the high speed and low speed
clutches are both disconnected (the disconnected state continuing
time) can be eliminated substantially. As a result of this, an
increase in the number of rotations of the engine in the mode
switching operation can be avoided substantially, thereby being
able to reduce greatly the incongruous feeling given to the driver
(or, thereby being able to eliminate the incongruous feeling
substantially).
[0132] Also, in the case of the present embodiment, in the mode
switching operation from the low speed mode to the high speed mode
as well, a little while (in the present embodiment, 0.3 sec.)
before a signal for cutting off the connection of the low speed
clutch is issued as shown by a solid line in FIG. 3A, a signal for
connecting the high speed clutch is issued as shown by a broken
line in FIG. 3A. Therefore, in the process where the connection of
the low speed clutch is cut off in such a manner as shown by a
solid line in FIG. 3B (that is, in the clutch slipping state of the
low speed clutch), the connection of the high speed clutch is
started as shown by a broken line in FIG. 3B (that is, the high
speed clutch is turned into a clutch slipping state). In other
words, the high speed and low speed clutches are simultaneously
turned into their respective clutch slipping states. In this state,
these two clutches transmit torque while slipping. Therefore,
according to the present embodiment, in the mode switching
operation from the low speed mode to the high speed mode as well,
there can be substantially eliminated the time (the disconnected
state continuing time) during which the high speed and low speed
clutches are both disconnected. As a result of this, in the present
mode switching operation, there can be substantially eliminated an
increase in the number of rotations of the engine, which can reduce
the incongruous feeling that is given to the driver (or, can reduce
the incongruous feeling substantially).
[0133] By the way, when enforcing the present embodiment, the size
of the time delay between the timings for issuance of the signals
for disconnecting and connecting the respective clutches is not
limited to the above value but it may be determined in the stage of
design according to the capacity of the high speed and low speed
clutches and the resistance of the oil pressure pipe.
[0134] Also, description has been given heretofore of the present
invention assuming that the present invention is applied to the
structures of a continuously variable transmission apparatus of a
so called split type in which the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmissions 9, 9a are combined with the planetary gear
mechanisms 10, 10a (FIGS. 12 to 15); in the low speed running
operation, the power is transmitted only by the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmissions 9, 9a; and, in the high speed
running operation, the main power is transmitted by the planetary
gear mechanisms 10, 10a, while the transmission ratio is adjusted
by the toroidal-type continuously variable transmissions 9, 9a.
However, the present invention can also be applied to a
continuously variable transmission apparatus of a so called geared
neutral type in which a toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission is combined with a planetary gear mechanism, and,
without switching the clutches, the reversing, stopping and
advancing states can be realized. In the case of a toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission to be incorporated into such
continuously variable transmission apparatus of a so called geared
neutral type, incorporation of the present toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission is effective because it can
reduce the incongruous feeling in the mode switching operation from
the high speed to the low speed and vice versa. Further, the
present invention can also be effectively applied to a continuously
variable transmission apparatus which, as disclosed in the
above-cited publication JP-A-2000-220729, is different from the
continuously variable transmission apparatus of a power split type
and a geared neutral type, comprises a toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission and a planetary gear mechanism, and switches
low speed and high speed modes over to each other using low speed
and high speed clutches.
[0135] Since the present invention is structured and can be
operated in the above-mentioned manner, the present invention can
reduce the incongruous feeling to be applied to the driver in the
mode switching operation and can contribute toward realizing a
continuously variable transmission apparatus which can provide a
high efficiency through a combination of a toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission with a planetary gear
mechanism.
[0136] Now, description will be given below of a third embodiment
of a continuously variable transmission apparatus according to the
present invention with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.
[0137] A continuously variable transmission apparatus shown in FIG.
4, similarly to the continuously variable transmission apparatus
shown in FIG. 18, comprises a double cavity type of
half-toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102, a
planetary gear mechanism 103, a first power transmission mechanism
104, a second power transmission mechanism 105, and a drive shaft
108 which can be rotated by the power of an engine 107. The first
power transmission mechanism 104 corresponds to a first power
transmission system as set forth in the patent claims of the
present invention, while the second power transmission mechanism
105 corresponds to a second power transmission system as set forth
in the patent claims of the present invention.
[0138] The toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102
comprises a first input side disk 117a and a first output side disk
118a cooperating together in defining a first cavity 113, as well
as a second input side disk 117b and a second output side disk 118b
cooperating together in defining a second cavity 113.
[0139] Between the first input side and output side disks 117a and
118a, there are interposed a pair of first power rollers 4a and 4b;
and, the outer peripheral surfaces of the power rollers 4a and 4b
are respectively contacted with the traction surfaces of the first
input side and output side disks 117a and 118a.
[0140] And, between the second input side and output side disks
117b and 118b, there are interposed a pair of second power rollers
4c and 4d; and, the outer peripheral surfaces of the power rollers
4c and 4d are respectively contacted with the traction surfaces of
the second input side and output side disks 117b and 118b.
[0141] As shown in FIG. 6, the first power rollers 4a and 4b are
respectively rotatably supported on shift shafts 55 which are
respectively mounted on their associated first trunnions 7a and 7b.
The second power rollers 4c and 4d are respectively rotatably
supported on shift shafts 55 mounted on their associated second
trunnions 7c and 7d (which are shown in FIG. 7).
[0142] As the trunnions 7a and 7b in the first cavity 113 are shown
representatively in FIG. 6, the trunnions 7a-7d respectively
include their associated trunnion shafts 119. The trunnion shafts
119 are respectively supported on their associated support members
49, 49. The trunnions 7a-7d not only can be moved in the axes X1
directions of their associated trunnion shafts 119 but also can be
swung about the axes X1, respectively.
[0143] Between the power rollers 4a-4d and trunnions 7a-7d, there
are interposed thrust ball bearings 56, respectively. Each of the
thrust ball bearings 56 includes an outer ring, a ball, and a
thrust needle roller bearing 57. The power rollers 4a-4d are
rotatably supported on the trunnions 7a-7d by their respective
thrust ball bearings 56.
[0144] As shown in FIG. 5, an input shaft 1c is disposed so as to
penetrate through the center portions of the input side disks 117a,
117b and output side disks 118a, 118b. In the neighboring portion
of one end portion 1d of the input shaft 1c, there is disposed a
drive shaft 67 which can be driven or rotated by a drive source
such as an engine (not shown). The input shaft 1c and drive shaft
67 are connected to each other by a bearing in such a manner that
they can be rotated with respect to each other.
[0145] The first input side disk 117a is mounted on the input shaft
1c in such a manner that it can be moved in the axis X2 direction
of the input shaft 1c while it is prevented against rotation by a
first ball spline 135. Also, the second input side disk 117b is
mounted on the input shaft 1c in such a manner that it can be moved
in the axis X2 direction of the input shaft 1c while it is
prevented against rotation by a second ball spline 137. Therefore,
the input side disks 117a, 117b can be rotated integrally with the
input shaft 1c.
[0146] The output side disks 118a, 118b are respectively interposed
between the input side disks 117a, 117b. The first output side disk
118a is disposed opposed to the first input side disk 117a, whereas
the second output side disk 118b is disposed opposed to the second
input side disk 117b. These output side disks 118a, 118b are
respectively supported on the input shaft 1c through their
associated bearings 138, 139 in such a manner that they can be
rotated with respect to the input shaft 1c. The output side disks
118a, 118b are connected to each other through an output sleeve 42
and can be rotated in synchronization with each other. On the
output sleeve 42, there is disposed an output gear 44.
[0147] On the back surface side of the first input side disk 117a,
there is disposed a loading cam mechanism 143. The loading cam
mechanism 143 includes a cam disk 144 and a roller 145. The cam
disk 144 is supported on the input shaft 1c through a rolling
bearing 136 in such a manner that it can be rotated. In the
mutually opposed portions of the cam disk 144 and first input side
disk 117a, there are formed cam surfaces 146 and 147 respectively;
and, the roller 145 is inserted into between the cam surfaces 146
and 147.
[0148] In case where the drive shaft 67 is rotated with the roller
145 inserted between the cam surfaces 146 and 147, the cam disk 144
is rotated, with the result that not only the first input side disk
117a is pressed toward the first output side disk 118a but also the
first input side disk 117a is rotated together with the cam disk
144. Also, since the reaction force received by the cam disk 144 is
applied through the rolling bearing 136 to the input shaft 1c, the
second input side disk 117b is pressed toward the second output
side disk 118b.
[0149] The torque of the engine, which has been transmitted from
the drive shaft 67 to the cam disk 144, rotates the input side
disks 117a and 117b, and the rotational movements of the input side
disks 117a and 117b are transmitted through the power rollers 4a-4d
to the output side disks 118a and 118b, thereby rotating the output
gear 44.
[0150] In the above-structured half-toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission 102 of a double cavity type, in case where
the inclination angles of the power rollers 4a, 4b in the first
cavity 113 and the inclination angles of the power rollers 4c, 4d
in the second cavity 114 are changed in synchronization with each
other, the transmission ratio of the output side disks 118a, 118b
to the input side disks 117a, 117b can be changed.
[0151] In other words, in case where, according to the inclination
angle of the power rollers 4a-4d, not only the rotation radius
ratio of the contact points between the power rollers 4a, 4b in the
first cavity 113 and first input side and output side disks 117a,
118a is changed but also the rotation radius ratio of the contact
points between the power rollers 4c, 4d in the second cavity 114
and second input side and output side disks 117b, 118b is changed,
there can be obtained a desired transmission ratio.
[0152] The trunnions 7a, 7b in the first cavity 113 can be
respectively shifted in the axes X1 directions of their associated
trunnion shafts 119 by first actuators 161, 162 using oil pressure
pistons 159 (both of which are shown in FIG. 7). And, the trunnions
7c, 7d in the second cavity 114 can also be respectively shifted in
the axes X1 directions of their associated trunnion shafts 119 by
second actuators 163, 164 using oil pressure pistons 159.
[0153] Referring in more detail to this, when changing the
transmission ratio, in the first cavity 113, the first trunnions
7a, 7b are shifted in the mutually opposite directions using the
first actuators 161, 162; and, in the second cavity 114, the second
trunnions 7c, 7d are shifted in the mutually opposite directions
using the second actuators 163, 164.
[0154] For example, in FIG. 7, when shifting the left-side
trunnions 7a, 7c in the arrow mark A direction, the right-side
trunnions 7b, 7d are shifted in the arrow mark B direction. As a
result of this, the left-side power rollers 4a, 4c are shifted in
the arrow mark A direction and, at the same time, the right-side
power rollers 4b, 4d are shifted in the arrow mark B direction.
[0155] In case where the power rollers 4a-4d are shifted in the
axis X1 direction, the respective centers of rotation C of the
power rollers 4a-4d are offset with respect to the centers of
rotation O (which are shown in FIG. 6) of the respective disks
117a, 117b, 118a, 118b. Thus, at the contact points between the
disks 117a, 117b, 118a, 118b and power rollers 4a-4d, according to
the offset amounts, there are generated moment forces which rotate
the power rollers 4a-4d in an swung manner. Due to such moment
forces, the power rollers 4a-4d are caused to rotate swingly about
the axes X1 at an angle corresponding to the desired transmission
ratio.
[0156] The actuators 161-164 can be driven by a transmission
control valve 170. As shown in FIG. 7, the transmission control
valve 170 is incorporated into a housing 171. The transmission
control valve 170 comprises a sleeve 173 which can be shifted in
the axis direction (that is, in FIG. 7, the direction shown by the
arrow mark D) by a stepping motor 172, and a spool 174 which is
inserted into the interior of the sleeve 173 in such a manner that
it can be moved in the axis D direction. In the sleeve 173, spool
174 and housing 171, there are formed oil passages 176, 177 which,
when the sleeve 173 and spool 174 are situated at their given
positions with respect to each other, allow an oil pressure source
175 and actuators 161, 164 to communicate with each other.
[0157] On the end portion of a rod 73, which can be moved
integrally with the trunnion shaft 119 of one (7a) of the trunnions
7a, 7b in the first cavity 113, there is mounted a precess cam 74.
The precess cam 74, a cam follower 191 to follow the precess cam 74
and a transmission member 195 used to transmit the shifting motion
of the cam follower 191 to the spool 174 of the transmission
control valve 170 cooperate together in constituting a feedback
mechanism 196.
[0158] Next, description will be given below of the operation of
the transmission control valve 170 and feedback mechanism 196.
[0159] When switching the transmission state, in case where the
sleeve 173 of the transmission control valve 170 is shifted by a
desired amount in the axis direction (in FIG. 7, the direction
shown by the arrow mark D) by the stepping motor 172 (shown in FIG.
7), the oil passage 176 of the transmission control valve 170 is
opened by a desired amount. In case where the oil passage 176 is
opened, oil pressurized by the oil pressure source 175 is supplied
through the oil passages 177 to the actuators 161-164, so that the
trunnions 7a-7d are moved in the desired direction (in FIG. 7, the
direction shown by the arrow mark A or B).
[0160] In case where the trunnions 7a-7d are shifted by the desired
amount in the direction of the axis X1 of the trunnion shaft 119 in
this manner, the power rollers 4a-4d are shifted in the axis X1
direction, so that the rotation centers C of the power rollers
4a-4d are offset with respect to the rotation centers O (which are
shown in FIG. 6) of the disks 117a, 117b, 118a, 118b. Thus, at the
contact points between the disks 117a, 117b, 118a, 118b and power
rollers 4a-4d, according to the offset amounts, there are generated
moment forces which rotate the power rollers 4a-4d in an swung
manner. Due to such moment forces, the power rollers 4a-4d are
caused to rotate swingly at an angle corresponding to the desired
transmission ratio and, at the same time, the trunnions 7a-7d are
also rotated swingly in the same direction.
[0161] In case where the trunnions 7a-7d are also rotated swingly
in this manner, the movement of the first trunnion 7a is
transmitted through the rod 73 to the precess cam 74. And,
according to the position (the position in the axial direction
thereof and the position around the axis thereof) of the precess
cam 74, the cam follower 191 is shifted. The transmission member
195 is moved by the angle that corresponds to the shifting amount
of the cam follower 191, so that the spool 174 of the transmission
control valve 170 is moved in the axial direction (that is, in FIG.
7, the direction shown by the arrow mark D). That is, while the
swung rotation angle of the trunnions 7a-7d remain unchanged, the
oil passages 176 of the transmission control valve 170 are closed
to thereby cut off the flow of the oil with respect to the
actuators 161-164. In case where the movements of the trunnions
7a-7d are feedbacked to the transmission control valve 170 in this
manner, the trunnions 7a-7d are shifted in the axis X1 direction
and around the axis X1 by the amount that corresponds to the shift
amount of the sleeve 173 caused by the stepping motor 172.
[0162] Now, the planetary gear mechanism 103 shown in FIG. 4
comprises three elements; that is, a sun gear 110, a carrier 111,
and a ring gear 112. The sun gear 110 is fixed to the
axial-direction middle portion of an output shaft 106. Therefore,
this output 106 can be rotated as the sun gear 110 is rotated. On
the periphery of the sun gear 110, there is disposed the ring gear
112 in such a manner that it is concentric with the sun gear 110
and can be rotated independently of the sun gear 110.
[0163] Between the inner peripheral surface of the ring gear 112
and the outer peripheral surface of the sun gear 110, there are
disposed a plurality of planetary gear sets 115 (normally, three to
four sets). Each of the planetary gear sets 115 is composed of a
pair of planetary gears which are meshingly engaged with each
other. In each of the planetary gear sets 115, one planetary gear
is meshingly engaged with the ring gear 112, while the other
planetary gear is meshingly engaged with the sun gear 110.
[0164] The reason for use of such planetary gear sets 115 each
composed of a pair of planetary gear is to set the rotation
directions of the sun gear 110 and ring gear 112 so as to coincide
with each other. However, in case where such mutual coincidence of
the rotation directions of the sun gear 110 and ring gear 112 is
not necessary due to the relationship with the other composing
elements of the continuously variable transmission apparatus, the
common planetary gears may also be meshingly engaged with both of
the gears 110, 112.
[0165] A pair of planetary gears constituting each of the planetary
gears 115 are rotatably supported by pivot shafts 116 which are
disposed on the carrier 111. The pivot shafts 116 are disposed in
parallel to the output shaft 106. The carrier 111 is fixed to a
circular-pipe-shaped first transmission shaft 121 in such a manner
that it is concentric with the shaft 121. The first transmission
shaft 121 is rotatably supported on the output shaft 106 by a
rolling bearing such as a needle roller bearing.
[0166] A transmission gear 122 is fixed to the outer peripheral
surface of the first transmission shaft 121 through spline
engagement. The transmission gear 122 and an output gear 44 are
respectively meshingly engaged with an intermediate gear 123. The
transmission gear 122, output gear 44 and intermediate gear 123
cooperate together in constituting the first power transmission
mechanism 104.
[0167] The first power transmission mechanism 104 has a function to
transmit the power between the output disks 118a, 118b of the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102 and the
carrier 111 of the planetary gear mechanism 103. As the output
disks 118a, 118b are rotated, the carrier 111 is rotated in the
same direction as the output disks 118a, 118b at the speed that
corresponds to the ratio of the number of teeth between the output
gear 44 and transmission gear 122.
[0168] An input shaft 130 on the engine side and the ring gear 112
of the planetary gear mechanism 103 are capable of transmitting the
rotation power thereof between them through the second power
transmission mechanism 105. The second power transmission mechanism
105 is composed of a drive gear 131 and a driven gear 132 which are
meshingly engaged with each other. The drive gear 131 is fixed to
the axial-direction middle portion of the input shaft 130 between a
start clutch 133 and a loading cam mechanism 143. The driven gear
132 is concentric with the output shaft 106 and can be rotated with
respect to the output shaft 106.
[0169] To the driven gear 132, there is fixed a second transmission
shaft 134 which is formed as a circular pipe. This transmission
shaft 134 is rotatably supported on the output shaft 106 by a
rolling bearing such as a needle roller bearing. Therefore, the
driven gear 132 can be rotated about the output shaft 106. In the
case of the present embodiment, the number of teeth of the drive
gear 131 is set equal to the number of teeth of the driven gear 132
so that the speed reducing ratio of the second power transmission
mechanism 105 is set 1. For this reason, with the rotation of the
input shaft 130, the second transmission shaft 134 can be rotated
in the opposite direction to the input shaft 130 at the same
angular speed as the input shaft 130.
[0170] The continuously variable transmission apparatus according
to the present embodiment comprises an oil pressure type of clutch
mechanism which includes a low speed clutch 140, a high speed
clutch 141 and a reversing clutch 142. The low speed clutch 140 is
interposed between the first transmission shaft 121 and output
shaft 106. In case where the low speed clutch 140 is connected, the
sun gear 110, ring gear 112 and planetary gear sets 115 of the
planetary gear mechanism 103 are prevented from shifting with
respect to one another, whereby the sun gear 110 and ring gear 112
are connected to each other through the planetary gear sets 115.
And, the high speed clutch 141 is interposed between the second
transmission shaft 134 and ring gear 112. In case where the high
speed clutch 141 is connected, the second transmission shaft 134
and ring gear 112 are coupled to each other.
[0171] The reversing clutch 142 is interposed between the ring gear
112 and the fixed portion 142a of the interior of a housing 171. In
case where the reversing clutch 142 is connected, the ring gear 112
is fixed to the fixed portion 142a of the housing 171.
[0172] The low speed clutch 140, high speed clutch 141 and
reversing clutch 142 are structured in the following manner: that
is, they can be respectively driven by oil pressure and, when any
one of the clutches is connected by oil pressure or by an
electrical control circuit, the connection of the remaining two
clutches can be cut off.
[0173] The output shaft 106 is connected to a differential gear 150
through a third power transmission mechanism 151. The third power
transmission mechanism 151 comprises a second drive gear 152 and a
second driven gear 153. Therefore, in case where the output shaft
106 is rotated, a pair of left and right drive shafts 154, 155 are
rotated through the third power transmission mechanism 151 and
differential gear 150, thereby being able to rotate the left and
right drive wheels of the vehicle.
[0174] Between the transmission gear 122 of the first power
transmission mechanism 104 and the fixed portion of the housing
171, there is interposed one-way clutch (not shown). The one-way
clutch has a function which not only allows the composing parts
(such as the transmission shaft 121 and transmission gear 122) of
the present continuously variable transmission apparatus to rotate
in their respective given directions but also prevents the
composing parts from rotating in the opposite directions.
[0175] Next, description will be given below of the operation of
the above-structured planetary gear mechanism 103.
[0176] In the low speed running operation, the low speed clutch 140
is connected, whereas the connection of the high speed clutch 141
and reversing clutch 142 is cut off. In this state, in case where
the drive shaft 108 is rotated by the power of the engine 107, and
also, in case where the start clutch 133 is connected and the input
shaft 130 is thereby rotated, in the low speed running operation,
only the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102 is
allowed to transmit the power for the following reasons.
[0177] That is, in case where the low speed clutch 140 is
connected, the sun gear 110, carrier 111 and ring gear 112 are
coupled to one another. This prevents the sun gear 110, ring gear
112 and planetary gear sets 115 of the planetary gear mechanism 103
from rotating with respect to one another. Also, since the
connection of the high speed clutch 141 and reversing clutch 142 is
cut off, the carrier 111 is allowed to rotate regardless of the
rotation speed of the driven gear 132 that is fixed to the second
transmission shaft 134.
[0178] Therefore, the rotational power of the input shaft 130 is
transmitted through the loading cam mechanism 143 to the pair of
input side disks 117a, 117b and is further transmitted through the
power rollers 4a, 4b to the pair of output side disks 118a, 118b.
And, the rotational power of these output side disks 118a, 118b is
transmitted through the intermediate gear 123 and transmission gear
122 respectively constituting the first power transmission
mechanism 104 to the carrier 111. In the low speed running
operation, because the gears 110, 112 and 115 of the planetary gear
mechanism 103 are prevented from rotating with respect to one
another, the output shaft 106 coupled to the sun gear 110 is
allowed to rotate at the same speed as the sun gear 110 and carrier
111.
[0179] In the low speed running operation, the transmission ratio
of the whole of the continuously variable transmission apparatus
corresponds to the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 102. Also, the torque that is
input to the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102
is equal to the torque that is input to the input shaft 130. And,
in the low speed running operation, the drive gear 131 and driven
gear 132 constituting the second power transmission mechanism 105
idle respectively.
[0180] In the low speed running operation, since all of the power
transmitted from the input shaft 130 to the output shaft 106 is
allowed to pass through the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 102, the transmission efficiency of the whole of the
continuously variable transmission apparatus is determined by the
transmission efficiency of the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 102.
[0181] Also, in the high speed running operation, the high speed
clutch 141 is connected, whereas the connection of the low speed
clutch 140 and reversing clutch 142 is cut off. In this state, in
case where the input shaft 130 is rotated, the rotation power of
the input shaft 130 is transmitted through the drive gear 131 and
driven gear 132 respectively constituting the second power
transmission mechanism 105 and also through the planetary gear
mechanism 103 to the output shaft 106.
[0182] That is, in case where the input shaft 130 is rotated in the
high speed running operation, the rotation power of the input shaft
130 is transmitted through the second power transmission mechanism
105 and high speed clutch 141 to the ring gear 112, so that the
ring gear 112 is rotated. The rotation power of the ring gear 112
is transmitted through the planetary gear sets 115 to the sun gear
110, thereby rotating the output shaft 106 that is fixed to the sun
gear 110.
[0183] In a structure where the ring gear 112 is disposed on the
input side as in the above-mentioned case, assuming that the
carrier 111 stops, the planetary gear mechanism 103 transmits the
power between the ring gear 112 and sun gear 110 according to the
transmission ratio (a value of less than 1) that corresponds to the
teeth number ratio of the ring gear 112 and sun gear 110. However,
actually, since the carrier 111 rotates inside the ring gear 112,
the transmission ratio of the whole of the continuously variable
transmission apparatus varies according to the rotation speed of
the carrier 111. For this reason, in case where the transmission
ratio of the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102
is varied to change the rotation speed of the carrier 111, the
transmission ratio of the whole of the continuously variable
transmission apparatus can be changed.
[0184] In enforcing the present embodiment, in the high speed
running operation, the carrier 111 rotates in the same direction as
the ring gear 112 and sun gear 110. For this reason, the slower the
rotation speed of the carrier 111 is, the more quickly the output
shaft 106 disposed on the sun gear 110 rotates. For example, in
case where the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102
is set in the maximum speed increasing state and the rotation speed
(the angular speed) of the ring gear 112 is set equal to the
rotation speed (the angular speed) of the carrier 111, the rotation
speed of the ring gear 112 is equal to the rotation speed of the
output shaft 106. On the other hand, in case where the rotation
speed of the carrier 111 is slower than the rotation speed of the
ring gear 112, the rotation speed of the output shaft 106 is faster
than the rotation speed of the ring gear 112.
[0185] Therefore, in the high speed running operation, as the
transmission ratio of the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 102 increases (that is, it is varied toward the speed
reducing side), the transmission ratio of the whole of the
continuously variable transmission apparatus varies toward the
speed increasing side. In such high speed running operation, to the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102, there is
input the torque not from the input side disks 117a, 117b but from
the output side disks 118a, 118b. That is, assuming that the torque
to be applied in the low speed running operation is positive
torque, in the high speed running operation, there is applied
negative torque.
[0186] In the case of the present continuously variable
transmission apparatus, the drive gear 131 of the second power
transmission mechanism 105 exists on the upstream side (on the
engine 107 side) of the loading cam mechanism 143. Therefore, in a
state where the high speed clutch 141 is connected, the torque
transmitted from the engine 107 to the input shaft 130 is
transmitted through the second power transmission mechanism 105 to
the ring gear 112 of the planetary gear mechanism 103 before the
loading cam mechanism 143 presses the input side disk 117a.
Accordingly, there exists little torque which is transmitted from
the input shaft 130 through the loading cam mechanism 143 to the
input side disks 117a, 117b.
[0187] The torque transmitted through the second power transmission
mechanism 105 to the ring gear 112 of the planetary gear mechanism
103 in the high speed running operation is in part transmitted from
the planetary gear sets 115 through the carrier 111 and first power
transmission mechanism 104 to the output side disks 118a, 118b. As
the speed reducing ratio of the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 102 increases, that is, as the transmission ratio of
the whole of the continuously variable transmission apparatus
varies toward the speed increasing side, the torque to be input
from the output side disks 118a, 118b to the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 102 decreases. As a result of
this, in the high speed running operation, the torque to be input
the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102 decreases,
which makes it possible to enhance the durability of the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102.
[0188] As described above, since the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission 102 and planetary gear mechanism 103 are
combined together to thereby constitute a continuously variable
transmission apparatus of a power circular type (a power split
type), the torque to be input to the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission 102 can be controlled down to a low level.
This can reduce the loads that are applied to the composing parts
of the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102 such as
the disks 117a, 117b, 118a, 118b and power rollers 4a-4d which are
involved with the torque transmission, so that the durability of
these parts can be secured sufficiently.
[0189] As can be seen clearly from the foregoing description, the
transmission ratio of the whole of the continuously variable
transmission apparatus, in the low speed running operation, varies
in proportion to the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 102, whereas, in the high speed
running operation, it varies in reverse proportion to the
transmission ratio of the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 102.
[0190] Therefore, assuming that the vehicle gradually increases the
speed thereof from the stopping state thereof, the transmission
ratio of the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102,
while the low speed clutch 140 is being connected, gradually
decreases (that is, varies toward the speed increasing side) as the
speed of the vehicle increases. And, after the high speed clutch
141 is connected, the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 102 gradually increases (that
is, varies toward the speed reducing side) as the speed of the
vehicle increases.
[0191] That is, in the switching time for switching the low speed
and high speed running operations, the transmission ratio of the
toroidal-type continuouslyvariable transmission 102 becomes the
smallest (which shows the maximum speed increasing state). For
example, a ratio .beta./.alpha. between the speed reducing ratio
.alpha. (for example, about 2) of the first power transmission
mechanism 104 and the speed reducing ratio .beta. (for example,
about 1) of the second power transmission mechanism 105 is set
substantially equal to the speed reducing ratio i.sub.H (for
example, about 0.5) of the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 102 in the maximum speed increasing time. Therefore,
in the switching time for switching the low speed and high speed
running operations, the transmission ratio of the whole of the
continuously variable transmission apparatus can be restricted from
varying suddenly, so that the low speed and high speed running
operations can be switched smoothly.
[0192] As described above, in the low speed mode, there is used
only the first power transmission mechanism 104 which transmits the
torque only through the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 102; and, therefore, when viewed from the
toroidal-type continuouslyvariable transmission 102, the torque is
transmitted from the input side to the output side. On the
otherhand, on the high speed side, since the two power transmission
mechanisms 104, 105 are joined with the planetary gear mechanism
103, when viewed from the toroidal-type continuously variable
transmission 102, the torque is transmitted from the output side to
the input side; that is, there is input the negative torque.
[0193] When rotating the output shaft 106 reversely in order to
back the vehicle, the connection of the low speed clutch 140 and
high speed clutch 141 is cut off and also the reversing clutch 142
is connected, thereby fixing the ring gear 112. Due to this, the
carrier 111 can be driven or rotated through the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 102 and first power transmission
mechanism 104; and, at the same time, since the planetary gear sets
115 rotate around the sun gear 110 while they are rotating about
their own axes, the sun gear 110 and output shaft 106 are rotated
in the opposite direction to the low speed and high speed running
operations.
[0194] In the present embodiment, there is disposed control unit
160 which uses a microcomputer carried on board a vehicle. As will
be discussed below, the control unit 160 controls a transmission
control valve 170 simultaneously with the speed mode switching
operation to thereby be able to solve the problems found in the
conventional toroidal-type continuously variable transmission (that
is, the characteristics thereof shown in FIG. 12). That is, the
control of the transmission control valve 170 is started
simultaneously with the start of the switching of the clutches 140,
141 when switching the speed modes, that is, simultaneously with
the start of the torque variation; and, the control of the
transmission control valve 170 is ended simultaneously with the end
of the switching of the clutches 140, 141, that is, simultaneously
with the end of the torque variation.
[0195] Specifically, when the toque starts to vary, that is, at the
very moment the clutches 140, 141 are switched, the control is
started and the transmission control is ended before the connection
of the clutches 140, 141 is completed. For example, as shown in
FIG. 8, in the time of "3 sec." in the horizontal axis, the low
speed mode clutch 140 is cut and, just before the time of "5 sec.",
the connection of the high speed mode clutch is completed. During
this period, the clutches 140, 141 are being switched
gradually.
[0196] The term "transmission control" used here means that, by
driving a stepping motor 172 connected to the sleeve 173 of the
transmission control valve 170 as shown in FIG. 7, the sleeve 173
is moved and thus the transmission control valve 170 is switched to
thereby allow the pistons 159 of actuators 161-164 to generate
differential pressure. Due to this transmission control, the power
rollers 4a-4d are shifted in the vertical direction to thereby
reduce variations in the transmission ratio that occur in the speed
mode switching operation. Here, before switching the clutches 140,
141, for example, the accelerator pedal is checked for the opening
and closing angle thereof to thereby calculate in advance the
torque that would be generated after the clutches are switched, or
while reading torque variations from a previously prepared map, the
sleeve 173 is driven so that transmission control corresponding to
the torque variations can be done.
[0197] In FIG. 8, torque of 300 Nm has been input from the engine
to the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102 and,
within the time of 3 sec. during which the switching operation of
the clutches 140, 141 is started, the control of the transmission
control valve 170 is started simultaneously with the clutch
switching operation. At the time when the clutches 140, 141 are
switched to generate power circulation in the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 102, torque is input into the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102 from the
output disk 118a, 118b side and torque of -240 Nm is input onto the
input side disks 117a, 117b, the control of the transmission
control valve 170 is ended; that is, at the time when the
connection of the clutches 140, 141 is completed and thus the
clutches 140, 141 are switched completely, the control of the
transmission control valve 170 is ended.
[0198] Thanks to this, when compared with the characteristics of
the conventional toroidal-type continuously variable transmission,
in the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102, the
width of the variations of the transmission ratio is reduced and,
before and after the clutches are switched, the transmission ratios
are almost the same. As a result of this, the number of rotations
of the engine varies little, which makes it possible not only to
prevent the engine from increasing suddenly in the number of
rotations thereof but also to prevent the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission 102 against vibration.
[0199] While the foregoing description relates to the switching
operation for switching the low speed mode over to the high speed
mode, such description can also apply similarly to the switching
operation for switching the high speed mode over to the low speed
mode. In this case, by driving the sleeve 173 in the opposite
direction to the above description, there can be obtained a similar
effect. That is, at the time when the torque starts to vary, the
control of the transmission control valve 170 is started; and,
simultaneously when the torque variation is ended or before the
torque variation is ended, the control of the transmission control
valve 170 is ended. In the switching operation for switching the
high speed mode over to the low speed mode, the torque varies, for
example, from -240 Nm to 300 Nm.
[0200] Also, in the above-mentioned case, description has been
given of the case where the engine outputs positive torque.
However, even in case where the engine outputs negative torque as
in the case of engine braking, the control of the transmission
valve 170 can be carried out in accordance with a similar concept
to the above case.
[0201] By the way, as in a fourth embodiment of the present
invention shown in FIG. 9, in the switching operation for switching
the low speed mode over to the high speed mode, in case where the
transmission control is started slightly after the start of the
clutch switching operation, that is, slightly after the start of
the torque variation, the variation width in the transmission ratio
of the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102 can be
restricted to a further small range.
[0202] Specifically, in the time of "3 sec." in the horizontal axis
of FIG. 9, the switching operation of the clutches is started and,
slightly after the start of the clutch switching operation and just
before the time of "4 sec.", the above-mentioned transmission
control is started. And, at the time when the clutch switching
operation is ended, the transmission control is ended. As a result
of this, the variation width in the transmission ratio of the
toroidal-type continuously variable transmission 102 can be reduced
further. Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 9, there can be obtained a better
result than the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8.
[0203] In the above described embodiment, the speed mode switching
operation is executed in about 2 seconds. However, even in case
where the speed mode switching time, that is, the clutch switching
time is reduced down to e.g. 1 second or less, there can be
obtained a similar effect.
[0204] Also, the present invention can also apply to a geared
neutral type of continuously variable transmission apparatus. In
the case of a geared neutral type of continuously variable
transmission apparatus, in a first mode on the low speed side, two
power transmission systems, that is, a toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission and a planetary gear mechanism are used to
transmit the power; and, in a second mode on the high speed side,
the power is transmitted only through the toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission. In this case, in the low speed
side mode, in case where the differential component of the
planetary gear mechanism taken out by the output shaft is set for
zero rotation, there can be eliminated the need for provision of a
start clutch.
[0205] In a geared neutral type of continuously variable
transmission apparatus, when the toroidal-type continuously
variable transmission is set on the low speed side, the first and
second modes are switched over to each other. In such geared
neutral type of continuously variable transmission apparatus as
well, by executing the above-mentioned transmission control in the
mode switching operation, there can be obtained a similar effect to
a power circulation type of continuously variable transmission
apparatus.
[0206] The present invention can apply not only to a double cavity
type of continuously variable transmission apparatus but also to a
single cavity type of continuously variable transmission apparatus
similarly. Further, the application of the present invention is not
limited to a continuously variable transmission apparatus in which
two power rollers can be disposed in each cavity, but the present
invention can also apply to a continuously variable transmission
apparatus in which the number of power rollers to be disposed in
each cavity is three or more.
[0207] By the way, the present invention is effective in a
continuously variable transmission apparatus including two or more
modes in which, in the mode switching operation, torque passing
through a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission is
reversed, for example, in such a continuously variable transmission
apparatus as disclosed in JP-A-2000-220719 which does not include a
counter shaft in the same shaft of a combination of a toroidal-type
continuously variable transmission and several stages of planetary
gears, but includes two low speed and high speed modes. Also, in
the above-mentioned description, there is used a loading cam
mechanism which is a pressing mechanism of a mechanical type.
However, even in case where, instead of the pressing mechanism of a
mechanical type, there is used such a pressing mechanism of an oil
pressure type as disclosed in JP-A-11-63146, the present invention
can provide a similar effect.
[0208] According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a
continuously variable transmission apparatus in which a
toroidal-type continuouslyvariable transmission and a planetary
gear mechanism are combined together, the amount of variations in a
transmission ratio occurring in the mode switching operation can be
reduced and thus the occurrence of a transmission shock can be
restricted.
[0209] Also, according to the second aspect of the present
invention, the amount of variations in a transmission ratio
occurring in the mode switching operation can be reduced still
further.
* * * * *