Continuously variable transmission

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12092198-B2
Application number	US-202218053650-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 8, 2022
Priority date	Mar 19, 2018
Publication date	Sep 17, 2024
Grant date	Sep 17, 2024

Abstract

A continuously variable transmission for a vehicle includes a drive clutch, a driven clutch operably coupled to the drive clutch, and a belt extending between the drive and driven clutches. The continuously variable transmission also includes an inner cover and an outer cover removably coupled to the inner cover. At least one of the inner and outer covers includes an air inlet for providing cooling air to the drive and driven clutches and the belt.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A powertrain assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a prime mover;
a shiftable transmission operably coupled to the prime mover;
a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) operably coupled to the prime mover and the shiftable transmission, the CVT comprising:
a drive clutch;
a driven clutch operably coupled to the drive clutch;
a belt extending between the drive and driven clutches; and
a housing generally surrounding the drive and driven clutches, the housing including an inner cover and an outer cover removably coupled to the inner cover; and

a bearing housing positioned intermediate a portion of the prime mover and the CVT and being removably coupled to the CVT and removably coupled to at least one of the prime mover and the shiftable transmission.

2. The powertrain assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bearing housing is positioned adjacent the drive clutch.

3. The powertrain assembly of claim 1 , wherein the shiftable transmission includes a plurality of gears positioned within a transmission case, and the bearing housing is integral with the transmission case.

4. The powertrain assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes at least two of a first volute generally adjacent the drive clutch and configured to direct air toward the driven clutch, a second volute generally adjacent the driven clutch and configured to direct air toward the drive clutch, and a third volute generally adjacent the driven clutch and configured to direct air toward an outlet of the housing.

5. The powertrain assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first volute is adjacent a stationary sheave of the drive clutch and the second volute is adjacent a stationary sheave of the driven clutch.

6. The powertrain assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner cover includes a first air inlet and an air outlet, and the outer cover includes a second air inlet.

7. A powertrain assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
an engine;
a bell housing;
a shiftable transmission operably coupled to the engine through the bell housing;
a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) operably coupled to the engine and the shiftable transmission, the CVT comprising:
a drive clutch;
a driven clutch operably coupled to the drive clutch;
a belt extending between the drive and driven clutches; and
a housing generally surrounding the drive and driven clutches, the housing including an inner cover and an outer cover removably coupled to the inner cover; and

a carrier bearing positioned intermediate the bell housing and the drive clutch and is removably coupled to the CVT and removably coupled to at least one of the engine and the shiftable transmission.

8. The powertrain assembly of claim 7 , wherein the bell housing includes an opening configured to align, space, and couple the engine and the CVT.

9. The powertrain assembly of claim 7 , wherein the bell housing spaces the CVT from the engine such that air is operable to flow along an inner side of the CVT such that the air flows adjacent the drive clutch.

10. The powertrain assembly of claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the carrier bearing is partially receiving within an opening of the bell housing.

11. The powertrain assembly of claim 7 , wherein the carrier bearing includes a bearing housing having a nose and central aperture.

12. The powertrain assembly of claim 11 , wherein the carrier bearing further includes a seal received within the nose of the bearing housing and includes a central aperture that is coaxial with the central aperture of the bearing housing.

13. The powertrain assembly of claim 12 , wherein the carrier bearing further include a rolling element bearing having a central aperture coaxial with the central aperture of the seal and the central aperture of the bearing housing.

14. The powertrain assembly of claim 13 , further comprising an axial shaft operable to transmit rotational force between the transmission and the drive clutch, wherein the central apertures of the rolling element, the seal, and the bearing housing are configured to receive a portion of the axial shaft.

15. The powertrain assembly of claim 12 , wherein the seal includes a body portion and a flange positioned at an axial end of the body portion, the body portion being positioned in the nose of the carrier bearing.

16. The powertrain assembly of claim 15 , wherein the flange is positioned axially outward of the nose.

17. The powertrain assembly of claim 16 , wherein the flange is in sealing contact with the axial shaft and the nose of the carrier bearing.

18. The powertrain assembly of claim 17 , wherein the flange is positioned outwardly of the nose of the carrier bearing.

19. The powertrain assembly of claim 18 , wherein the bearing housing extends into the housing of the CVT such that the flange is exposed to the inside of the housing of the CVT.

20. The powertrain assembly of claim 15 , wherein the body portion has a serpentine configuration.

Assignees

• Polaris Inc

Inventors

• Nelson Stephen L
• Kuhl Amery D
• Bejawada Narender
• Herrala Bruce E
• Hicke David J
• Averillo Paul
• Demetriou Giorgio
• Peterman Jeffrey I

Classifications

• F16D13/72

  Features relating to cooling · CPC title

• F01P5/06

  Guiding or ducting air to, or from, ducted fans · CPC title

• B60K11/06

  with air cooling · CPC title

• F16H57/0412 Primary

  Cooling or heating; Control of temperature · CPC title

• F16H61/662 Primary

  with endless flexible members · CPC title