A NOVEL CAM-BASED INFINITLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION

Abstract

Infinitely variable transmission system, is the system which allows for continuous (un discreet) variation of transmission ratio including zero transmission ratio. In this paper, the geometric design and kinematics analysis for a novel cam based infinitely variable transmission system are presented. The proposed system has a number of identical units, each unit contains three dimensional cam (camoid), cam follower, grooved wheel, and one way clutch(ratchet). Through each unit the rotational motion is converted to an oscillatory linear motion of variable amplitude and then rectified to rotational motion again. The mathematical expressions for the kinematics analysis are formulated and simulation is established according to this formulation. It was concluded that at fixed transmission ratio, the system produces uniform output for uniform input. On the other hand, during transmission ratio variation there is a little fluctuation in the values of the output angular velocity and acceleration. This fluctuation is decreased when the number of units is increased. Also it was concluded that the maximum transmission ratio of the system depends on the geometric design factors.