All-terrain vehicle, drive train for such a vehicle and method of its operation
OwnerKeith Edward Pestotnikinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A personal all-terrain vehicle (ATV) includes an engine of vertical shaft type, which has a power output shaft extending vertically above the engine. The engine power output shaft carries one pulley assembly of a belt-type continuously variable transmission (CVT), the second pulley assembly is carried by a vertically extending shaft supported in a bearing assembly secured to the engine. The vertically extending shaft carries shaft power vertically to a level below the engine at which a gear unit of T-configuration is disposed. The T-configuration gear unit provides for selection. of forward/reverse directions of travel for the vehicle, and also provides for splitting of shaft power between forward and rear differentials of the vehicle.
Claims17
A vehicle with a chassis having plural road wheels upon which said chassis is supported for rolling travel upon a surface, said vehicle comprising:
- an engine carried by said chassis and having a vertically-extending crankshaft with an external power output shaft portion extending vertically above said engine;
- a drive assembly having a driving first element drivingly carried on the power output shaft portion of the engine, and a driven second element carried on a driven shaft also extending vertically;
- said drive assembly including a power-transfer third element connecting engine power from said first element to said second element;
- and
- additional power train elements drivingly connecting with said driven shaft and transferring engine power to at least one of said plural road wheels to propel said vehicle;
- whereby, said first, second, and third elements are disposed at an elevation above said engine in said vehicle providing improved isolation from moisture when said vehicle is operated in water or mud.
A method of providing motive power to a vehicle having a chassis supported on plural road wheels, said method comprising steps of:
- providing an engine on said chassis having a vertically-extending crankshaft with an external power output shaft portion extending vertically above said engine;
- providing a driving first pulley assembly drivingly carried on the power output shaft portion of the engine, and a driven second pulley assembly carried on a driven shaft, arranging said driven shaft to also extend vertically;
- and a belt connecting engine power from said first pulley assembly to said second pulley assembly;
- and
- providing additional power train elements drivingly connecting with said driven shaft and transferring engine power to at least one of said plural road wheels to propel said vehicle.
A modular power train assembly for a vehicle, said modular power train assembly comprising:
- an engine having a vertically-extending crankshaft with an external power output shaft portion extending vertically above said engine;
- a belt-drive transmission disposed above said engine and having a driving pulley assembly drivingly carried on the power output shaft portion of the engine, a driven pulley assembly carried on a driven shaft also extending vertically, a support bearing assembly for said driven shaft securing to said engine, and a flexible belt trained around said driving pulley assembly and around said driven pulley assembly and transferring engine power therebetween.
A method of providing motive power to a vehicle having an engine and a chassis supported on plural road wheels, said method comprising steps of:
- orienting an external power output shaft vertically above said engine;
- arranging a driving first pulley assembly on said power output shaft, connecting a belt between said first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly carried on a driven shaft, orienting said driven shaft in a vertical orientation relative to said engine, said belt connecting engine power from said first pulley assembly to said second pulley assembly;
- and
- transferring engine power through said driven shaft to at least one of said plural road wheels to propel said vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.