Gear drive with infinitely variable transmission ratio

Abstract

The gear drive or transmission comprises toothed elements whose radial spacing from a drive shaft can be selectively altered. There are two sets of such toothed elements whose aforementioned radial spacing can be infinitely varied in increments or sets. Each set of the toothed elements has operatively associated therewith at least one planetary gear which always meshes with one of the toothed elements of the associated set. The drive shaft generates, on the one hand, between the toothed elements and each of its associated planetary gear, on the other hand, a relative revolving or orbiting motion. Coacting with each planetary gear is an intermediate gear train which is positively or form-lockingly connected with one of the freely rotatably mounted starting elements of a differential gearing. A compensation element of the differential gearing is rotatably mounted at the end of a radially protruding arm rigidly connected for non-relative rotational movement with the drive shaft. The autorotation and the revolving or orbiting motion of this compensation element is transmitted by a gear train to a power take-off shaft. Since the toothed elements and thus the planetary gears are infinitely radially adjustable there also is altered the circumferential velocity at their point of engagement, so that there results the infinite variability of the transmission or gear ratio.