The system of the preferred embodiments is a transmission including: at least two axle segments; at least one crank arm attached at one end to each axle segment, wherein the space between the at least two crank arms has a gap between the at least two axle segments; a connecting rod; a connecting axle rotatably connected to one end of the connecting rod, wherein the connecting axle is attached at either end to the at least two crank arms; an actuator adapted to move the attachment point between the connecting axle and the at least two crank arms up and down the length of the at least two crank arms; at least one of a wheel and a crank arm with a pivot axle connected at least one of near the periphery of the wheel and near the end of the crank arm, wherein the distal end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the pivot axle; a one way clutch connected to the wheel and connected to a rear axle; a drive gear connected to the rear axle and adapted to output drive power. The transmission of the first preferred embodiments is preferably designed to provide a compact transmission that does not use a derailleur and limits or does not use a chain at all, while being suitable for use on human powered vehicles like bicycles and having the potential in some variations of providing continuous variability in ratio of input axle rotation to output axle rotation. The system of the preferred embodiments may, however, be used for any suitable purpose.
VARIABLE RATIO CRANKSHAFT TRANSMISSION
2017-08-10
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch