# US 10,502,308 B2 · Driveline for powersports vehicle

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- Number: US 10,502,308 B2
- Document ID: US10502308B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/389,147
- Filed: 2016-12-22
- Published: 2018-06-28
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2016-12-22
- Assignees: Polaris Industries Inc.
- Applicants: Polaris Industries Inc.
- Inventors: Keith A. Hollman; Michael J. Whiting; Daniel S. Weber; Evan R. Wozniak; Anthony J. Ripley; Jason Carl Plugge; Na Her
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502308B2

## CPC

- F16H 57/028: characterised by means for reducing vibration or noise
- B60K 17/04: characterised by arrangement, location or kind of gearing
- B60K 17/165: {provided between independent half axles (B60K17/18, B60K17/20 take precedence)}
- B62D 21/09: Means for mounting load bearing surfaces
- F16H 57/025: Support of gearboxes, e.g. torque arms, or attachment to other devices
- F16H: GEARING
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)

## Abstract

A Powersports vehicle is disclosed which includes a frame, ground engaging members supporting the frame, comprising at least two front wheel, and a power source for driving the front wheels. A front drive is coupled to the power source and to the front wheels, the front drive being coupled to the frame through isolation mounts to reduce vibration of the front drive through the frame.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle, comprising:
a frame;
ground engaging members supporting the frame, comprising at least two wheels;
a power source;
a drive coupled to the power source at a drive input and coupled to one of the at least two wheels at a first drive output on a first side of the drive and to the other of the at least two wheels at a second drive output on a second side of the drive, the drive being coupled to the frame through at least one isolation mount to reduce vibration of the drive through the frame;
wherein a lateral outermost edge of the isolation mount extends beyond a lateral outermost edge of the drive output on at least one side of the drive and at least a portion of the isolation mount is supported by the drive.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein lateral outermost edges of the isolation mount extends beyond a lateral outermost edge of the drive outputs on left and right hand sides of the drive.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the drive is suspended by the isolation mount.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the drive includes a housing and at least one collar is mounted adjacent to a top of the housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the isolation mount is positioned in the at least one collar and extends to at least an end of the collar at each end.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the isolation mount extends along a substantial length of the collar.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the at least one collar extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the collar is a tubular member of substantially consistent lengthwise geometry.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the isolation mount comprises resilient isolation grommets which are inserted into the collar.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the collar is a tubular member and the isolation grommets include a body portion which contacts an inner surface of the tubular member.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the isolation grommets having outer head portions at their ends which abut the ends of the collar.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a sleeve positioned in the collar intermediate the isolation grommets, and wherein inner ends of the isolation grommets abut opposite ends of the sleeve.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The vehicle of claim 9, wherein a second collar extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, and includes resilient isolation grommets positioned in each end of the second collar.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The vehicle of claim 13, wherein a first axis is defined between a center of the drive outputs and a center of the first collar, and second axis is defined between a center of the drive outputs and a center of the second collar, and an angle (θ) between the first and second axes is between 70° and 170°.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the angle (θ) is between 75° and 120°.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the angle (θ) is between 80° and 100°.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The vehicle of claim 13, wherein a line drawn between centers of the collars does not intersect the drive outputs.

### Claim 18 (depends on 5)

The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the drive further comprises a ring gear and a forwardmost position of the at least one collar is forward of a forwardmost edge of the ring gear.

### Claim 19 (depends on 5)

The vehicle of claim 5, wherein an extreme vertical position of the at least one collar extends above a vertical height position of the ring gear.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the frame is comprised of two frame tubes and the drive extends between the frame tubes and a portion extends below a top of the frame tubes.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the drive is a front drive.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the isolation mounts provide multiple rates of resistance in relation to the deflection of the isolation mounts.

### Claim 23

A vehicle, comprising:
a frame;
ground engaging members supporting the frame, comprising at least two wheels;
a power source;
a drive coupled to the power source at a drive input and to the wheels at a drive output on each side of the drive, wherein the drive includes a housing having a first collar mounted adjacent to a top of the housing, and a second collar extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, and includes resilient isolation grommets positioned in each end of the second collar the drive being coupled to the frame through at least isolation mounts to reduce vibration of the drive through the frame, wherein the isolation mounts comprise resilient isolation grommets which are inserted into the collars and wherein a lateral outermost edge of the isolation mount extends beyond a lateral outermost edge of the drive output on at least one side of the drive, and wherein extreme lateral positions of the second collar extend beyond a lateral width position of the drive housing and wherein isolation mounts are positioned in the second collar and extend to at least an end of the second collar at each end.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The vehicle of claim 23, wherein a rearwardmost position of the second collar is rearward of a rearwardmost edge of the ring gear; and an extreme vertical position of the second collar extends above a vertical height position of the ring gear.

### Claim 25

A vehicle, comprising:
a frame;
ground engaging members supporting the frame, comprising at least two wheels;
a power source;
a drive coupled to the power source at a drive input and coupled to one of the at least two wheels at a first drive output on a first side of the drive and to the other of the at least two wheels at a second drive output on a second side of the drive, wherein the drive includes a housing having a first collar mounted adjacent to a top of the housing, and a second collar extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, and includes resilient isolation grommets positioned in each end of the second collar the drive being coupled to the frame through at least isolation mounts to reduce vibration of the drive through the frame, wherein the isolation mounts comprise resilient isolation grommets which are inserted into the collars and wherein a lateral outermost edge of the isolation mount extends beyond a lateral outermost edge of the drive output on at least one side of the drive, and wherein the extreme lateral distances from first and second collars and lateral outermost edges of the drive output on each side is in the range of 20-40 mm.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The vehicle of claim 25, wherein the extreme lateral distances from first and second collars and lateral outermost edges of the drive output on each side is in the range of 25-35 mm.

### Claim 27

A vehicle, comprising:
a frame comprised of two lower frame tubes and upper frame tubes;
ground engaging members supporting the frame, comprising at least two wheels;
a power source;
a drive coupled to the power source at a drive input and coupled to one of the at least two wheels at a first drive output on a first side of the drive and to the other of the at least two wheels at a second drive output on a second side of the drive, the drive being suspended by an upper portion of the drive and a portion of the drive extends between the lower frame tubes and a portion extends above a top of the frame tubes.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The vehicle of claim 27, wherein the drive is suspended by at least one isolation mount to reduce vibration of the drive through the frame.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the drive includes a housing and at least one collar is mounted adjacent to a top of the housing.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The vehicle of claim 29, wherein the isolation mount is positioned in the at least one collar.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the at least one collar extends perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The vehicle of claim 31, wherein the drive further comprises a ring gear and a forwardmost position of the at least one collar is forward of a forwardmost edge of the ring gear.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The vehicle of claim 32, wherein extreme lateral positions of the at least one collar extend beyond a lateral width position of the drive outputs.

### Claim 34 (depends on 32)

The vehicle of claim 32, wherein an extreme vertical position of the at least one collar extends above a vertical height position of the ring gear.

### Claim 35 (depends on 29)

The vehicle of claim 29, wherein a second collar extends perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and an isolation mount is positioned in the second collar.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The vehicle of claim 35, wherein a rearwardmost position of the second collar is rearward of a rearwardmost edge of the ring gear;
extreme lateral positions of the second collar extend beyond a lateral width position of the drive outputs; and
an extreme vertical position of the second collar extends above a vertical height position of the drive housing.

### Claim 37 (depends on 35)

The vehicle of claim 35, wherein the collars are tubular members of substantial consistent lengthwise geometry.

### Claim 38 (depends on 37)

The vehicle of claim 37, wherein the isolation mounts comprise resilient grommets inserted into opposite ends of the tubular members.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

The vehicle of claim 38, wherein the grommets include body portions which contact an inner surface of the tubular members.

### Claim 40 (depends on 39)

The vehicle of claim 39, wherein the grommets include an outer head portions at their ends which abut the ends of the tubular member.

### Claim 41 (depends on 39)

The vehicle of claim 39, further comprising a sleeve positioned in the collar intermediate the grommets, and wherein inner ends of the grommets abut opposite ends of the isolation mounts.

### Claim 42 (depends on 27)

The vehicle of claim 27, wherein the drive is a front drive.

### Claim 43

A vehicle, comprising:
a frame;
ground engaging members supporting the frame, comprising at least two wheels;
a power source;
a drive coupled to the power source at a drive input and to the wheels at drive outputs, the drive includes a housing having a first collar mounted adjacent to a top of the housing and a second collar extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle;
at least one first isolation mount positioned in the first collar and at least one second isolation mount positioned in the second collar to reduce vibration of the drive through the frame, wherein lateral outermost edges of the isolation mounts extend beyond a lateral outermost edge of the drive output on at least one side of the drive;
wherein the drive is suspended by the isolation mounts, wherein the isolation mounts comprises resilient isolation grommets which are inserted into the collars, wherein a first axis is defined between a center of the drive outputs and a center of the first collar, and a second axis is defined between a center of the drive outputs and a center of the second collar, and an angle (θ) between the first and second axes is between 70° and 170°.

### Claim 44 (depends on 43)

The vehicle of claim 43, wherein the angle (θ) is between 75° and 120°.

### Claim 45 (depends on 44)

The vehicle of claim 44, wherein the angle (θ) is between 80° and 100°.

### Claim 46 (depends on 43)

The vehicle of claim 43, wherein extreme lateral positions of the second collar extend beyond a lateral width position of the drive housing and wherein isolation mounts are positioned in the second one collar and extend to at least an end of the collar at each end.

### Claim 47 (depends on 46)

The vehicle of claim 46, wherein a rearwardmost position of the second collar is rearward of a rearwardmost edge of the ring gear; and an extreme vertical position of the second collar extends above a vertical height position of the ring gear.

### Claim 48 (depends on 43)

The vehicle of claim 43, wherein the extreme lateral distances from first and second collars and lateral outermost edges of the drive output on each side is in the range of 20-40 mm.

### Claim 49 (depends on 48)

The vehicle of claim 48, wherein the extreme lateral distances from first and second collars and lateral outermost edges of the drive output on each side is in the range of 25-35 mm.

### Claim 50 (depends on 43)

The vehicle of claim 43, wherein a line drawn between centers of the collars does not intersect the drive output on either side of the drive.

### Claim 51

A vehicle, comprising:
a frame comprised of two lower frame tubes and upper frame tubes;
ground engaging members supporting the frame, comprising at least two wheels;
a power source;
a drive coupled to the power source at a drive input and to the wheels at drive outputs, the drive including a housing and at least one collar is mounted adjacent to a top of the housing and an isolation mount is positioned in the at least one collar, wherein the drive is suspended by the at least one isolation mount to reduce vibration of the drive through the frame, the at least one collar extends perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and a portion of the drive extends between the lower frame tubes and a portion extends above a top of the frame tubes;
wherein the drive further comprises a ring gear and a forwardmost position of the at least one collar is forward of a forwardmost edge of the ring gear, wherein extreme lateral positions of the at least one collar extend beyond a lateral width position of the drive outputs.

### Claim 52 (depends on 51)

The vehicle of claim 51, wherein an extreme vertical position of the at least one collar extends above a vertical height position of the ring gear.

### Claim 53

A vehicle, comprising:
a frame comprised of two lower frame tubes and upper frame tubes;
ground engaging members supporting the frame, comprising at least two wheels;
a power source;
a drive coupled to the power source at a drive input and to the wheels at drive outputs, the drive includes:
a housing having a first collar mounted adjacent to a top of the housing, a first isolation mount positioned in the first collar, a second collar extending perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and a second isolation mount positioned in the second collar, the drive being suspended by an upper portion of the drive by the isolation mounts to reduce vibration of the drive through the frame;
a ring gear;
a portion of the drive extends between the lower frame tubes and a portion extends above a top of the frame tubes,
wherein a rearwardmost position of the second collar is rearward of a rearwardmost edge of the ring gear, extreme lateral positions of the second collar extend beyond a lateral width position of the drive outputs; and an extreme vertical position of the second collar extends above a vertical height position of the drive housing.

### Claim 54 (depends on 53)

The vehicle of claim 53, wherein the collars are tubular members of substantial consistent lengthwise geometry.

### Claim 55 (depends on 54)

The vehicle of claim 54, wherein the isolation mounts comprise resilient grommets inserted into opposite ends of the tubular members.

### Claim 56 (depends on 55)

The vehicle of claim 55, wherein the grommets include body portions which contact an inner surface of the tubular members.

### Claim 57 (depends on 56)

The vehicle of claim 56, wherein the grommets include an outer head portions at their ends which abut the ends of the tubular member.

### Claim 58 (depends on 56)

The vehicle of claim 56, further comprising a sleeve positioned in the collar intermediate the grommets, and wherein inner ends of the grommets abut opposite ends of the isolation mounts.