Infinitely variable transmission of racheting drive type based on one-way clutches

An infinitely variable transmission (IVT), based on the use of one-way action clutches, belonging to the family of ratcheting drives is described. The mechanical foundations and numerical simulations carried out along this research envisage a plausible approach to its use as gear-box in general mechanical industry and its prospective use in automobiles and self-propelled vehicles. The system includes one-way clutches-free wheels or overrunning clutches-and two epicyclic gear systems. The output velocity, with oscillatory character, common to the ratcheting drives systems, presents a period similar to that produced by alternative combustion motors, making this transmission compatible with automobile applications. The variation of the transmission is linear in all the working range. The kinematics operating principles behind this IVT is described followed by a numerical simulation of the dynamic analysis. A prototype has been constructed and tested to assess its mechanical efficiency for different reduction ratios. The efficiency values predicted by theory agree with those experimentally obtained on a bench-rig testing equipment.