Title:
VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION AND METHOD OF USE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2002055901
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A variable speed transmission includes an actuator mechanism that can be remotely activated to cause engagement of a drive unit and to subsequently vary the speed of the drive unit using the same activation mechanism. The variable speed transmission can include a first pulley (400) that has a first (120) and second (110) face that are movable relative to each other by activation of the actuator mechanism (500). When the first and second faces of the first pulley are located in a first position, a belt located on the first pulley remains motionless. The first and second faces can be moved by the actuator mechanism into a second position where the first and second plates engage the belt with enough frictional force to cause the belt to start moving about the first pulley. The first and second faces of the first pulley can also be moved between the second position and a third position such that the space between the faces becomes smaller. As the space between the faces becomes smaller, the belt moves outward and away from the rotational axis of the pulley, thus moving about the axis faster as the space between the faces gets smaller.
Inventors:
WIANS JEFFREY A (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2001/048274
Publication Date:
February 13, 2003
Filing Date:
December 18, 2001
Export Citation:
Assignee:
HONDA MOTOR CO LTD (JP)
WIANS JEFFREY A (US)
WIANS JEFFREY A (US)
International Classes:
F16H7/08; F16H55/56; F16H63/06; F16H9/18; (IPC1-7): F16H61/00; F16H9/18; F16H55/56
Foreign References:
| EP0310402A1 | 1989-04-05 | |||
| DE1108037B | 1961-05-31 | |||
| US4857033A | 1989-08-15 | |||
| US4568315A | 1986-02-04 | |||
| EP0383282A1 | 1990-08-22 |
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