Continuously variable transmission
AssigneePolaris Industries Inc.
InventorsStephen L. Nelson, Amery D. Kuhl, Narender Bejawada, Bruce E. Herrala, David J. Hicke, Ryan A. Tholen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A continuously variable transmission for a vehicle includes a drive clutch, a driven clutch operably coupled to the drive clutch, and a belt extending between the drive and driven clutches. The continuously variable transmission also includes an inner cover and an outer cover removably coupled to the inner cover. At least one of the inner and outer covers includes an air inlet for providing cooling air to the drive and driven clutches and the belt.
Claims18
A vehicle comprising:
- a frame;
- a plurality of ground engaging members supporting the frame;
- a power source supported by the frame and operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members;
- a CVT supported by the frame and operatively coupled to the power source, the CVT including a CVT housing, a drive member, and a driven member operatively coupled to the drive member, wherein the housing defines a single inlet positioned adjacent to the driven member and a single outlet positioned adjacent to the driven member, wherein the single inlet is axially aligned with an axis of rotation of the driven member, wherein the CVT housing includes an inner cover and an outer cover, and wherein the inner cover of the CVT housing includes a removable diverter member configured to direct air toward the drive member.
A vehicle comprising:
- a frame;
- a plurality of ground engaging members supporting the frame;
- a power source supported by the frame and operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members;
- a CVT supported by the frame and operatively coupled to the power source, the CVT including a CVT housing, a drive member, and a driven member operatively coupled to the drive member, wherein the housing defines a first air inlet positioned adjacent to the driven member, a second air inlet port positioned adjacent the drive member, and a single outlet positioned adjacent to the driven member, wherein the CVT housing includes an outer cover and an inner cover, wherein the inner cover defines a rear surface, wherein the rear surface includes a recessed portion and a non-recessed portion, wherein the CVT further includes an intake duct operably coupled to the second air inlet, and wherein the intake duct is positioned substantially within the recessed portion.
A continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) for a vehicle, comprising:
- a drive clutch including a moveable sheave and a stationary sheave;
- a driven clutch operably coupled to the drive clutch and including a moveable sheave and a stationary sheave;
- and
- a housing generally surrounding the drive and driven clutches and including an inner cover and an outer cover, and the outer cover includes a channel configured to direct air toward the drive clutch, wherein the inner cover includes a diverter member positioned adjacent the stationary sheave of the drive clutch and configured to direct air from the channel toward the stationary sheave, the diverter being removably coupled to the inner cover, and wherein the outer cover includes a single inlet axially aligned with an axis of rotation of the driven clutch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.