Abstract: A compact hydraulic transmission assembly using an axial piston pump disposed on a center section that also provides a cylindrical running surface for a radial piston motor. This design provides for a compact and low profile assembly, while the combination of an axial piston pump with a radial piston motor provides improved efficiency for higher torque output. The radial piston motor includes a lower mass piston block that improves performance. The center section includes an extension extending outwardly from its circumference and including a check port; and a mounting lobe for securing the center section is secured to the pump housing.

Abstract: A method for setting a shift point for shifting a transmission for a powered vehicle between a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio. The method includes determining input power data points based on real-time input torque data. The input torque data includes a maximum input torque. The method also includes calculating a gear step value based on the first gear ratio and second gear ratio. The method further includes determining a first power value and computing a second power value based on the gear step value. The first power value and second power value are compared to one another and adjustments are incrementally made in the first power value speed until the difference between first and second power values meets a threshold. The shift point is therefore based on the result of comparing the first power value and the second power value and the corresponding speed associated with the first power value.

Abstract: An axle bracket for a front axle or rear axle of a motor vehicle includes two side members and at least one cross member interconnecting the side members and having at least one attachment point for attachment of a drive component, wherein during travel an operating force can be introduced from the drive component via the attachment point to the cross member. The cross member is constructed as a hollow profile of downwardly open U-shaped configuration to define a hollow space bounded by an upper top wall and two sidewalls depending downwards from the top wall. The cross member has a bearing site configured for securement of a stiffening element such that the stiffening element is arranged, at least in part, in the hollow space of the cross member, for increasing a strength of the cross member.

Abstract: A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. A vehicle is also disclosed with improved cooling, suspension and drive systems. These features enhance the utility of the vehicle.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly.

Abstract: A drive unit for an independent suspension includes a single reduction carrier with an offset pinion configuration. The single reduction carrier includes a pinion input gear defining a pinion gear axis of rotation. The pinion gear drives a ring gear, which is coupled to a differential. The differential is laterally positioned to be centered along a longitudinally extending vehicle centerline and the pinion gear axis of rotation is significantly offset from the longitudinally extending vehicle centerline in a lateral direction.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly.

Abstract: A method for replacing an endless power transmitting element in a motorcycle having a rear axle assembly with a pair of driven wheels. The method includes: removing the bearing caps from the carrier structure; disengaging the shafts from the differential assembly; moving the differential assembly away from carrier structure; mounting the endless power transmitting element about the differential assembly and through an opening in the carrier housing; replacing the bearing caps to the carrier structure; and re-engaging the shafts to the differential assembly.

Abstract: An adaptor for an older Corvette drive train provides a structure for coupling the drive shaft extending from a front-mounted transmission to the differential of a C5 or C6 Corvette rear suspension in which the rear mounted transmission has been removed. A housing holds a stub shaft for rotation on front (outside) and rear (inside) bearings. The shaft has a coupling yoke mounted to its front end and engages the differential gearing at its other (rear) end. The housing mounts to the differential at the five mounting points of the removed transmission. A bracket which attaches to frame mounts can be mounted to either the top or bottom front (outside) face of the housing, depending upon the suspension-to-frame geometry. A circular flange on the shaft positions and holds the inside bearing and a rearward extending boss on the yoke positions and holds the outside bearing.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided.

Abstract: A work vehicle comprises a frame, a circle gear mounted to the frame to rotate relative thereto, a moldboard coupled to the circle gear to rotate therewith, and a circle drive gearbox comprising gearing, a first worm, and a second worm, the gearing meshing with the circle gear, the first and second worms meshing with the gearing.

Abstract: An adaptor for an older Corvette drive train provides a structure for coupling the drive shaft extending from a front-mounted transmission to the differential of a C5 or C6 Corvette rear suspension in which the rear mounted transmission has been removed. A housing holds a stub shaft for rotation on front (outside) and rear (inside) bearings. The shaft has a coupling yoke mounted to its front end and engages the differential gearing at its other (rear) end. The housing mounts to the differential at the five mounting points of the removed transmission. A bracket which attaches to frame mounts can be mounted to either the top or bottom front (outside) face of the housing, depending upon the suspension-to-frame geometry. A circular flange on the shaft positions and holds the inside bearing and a rearward extending boss on the yoke positions and holds the outside bearing.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular drive system including a differential mechanism including an electric motor. The drive system includes a switching clutch and switching brake to switch the transmission mechanism between a continuously-variable shifting state and a step-variable shifting state. A shifting control mechanism changes a manner of controlling shifting action of the transmission mechanism during shifting action of an automatic transmission portion, for reducing a shifting shock, depending upon whether a differential portion is placed in the continuously-variable shifting state in which engine speed is variable due to differential function irrespective of rotating speed of power transmitting member, or the non-continuously-variable shifting state in which the engine speed is more difficult to be variable than in the continuously-variable shifting state.

Abstract: According to a present powertrain, a first rotation shaft serving as an input shaft of a front side gear mechanism is located in a portion of a vehicle lower than a second rotation shaft serving as an output shaft, so that a crankshaft of an engine provided coaxially with the first rotation shaft is located in a portion of the vehicle lower than in a conventional example. Solely the engine having a heavy mass is thus disposed in a lower portion, so as to achieve a lower position of the center of gravity of the vehicle. In this manner, a powertrain having a layout structure attaining lower center of gravity as well as high rigidity of a body and improvement in aerodynamic characteristics is provided.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drivetrain for a motor vehicle which has a first and a second axle and a chassis. The drivetrain comprises a drive unit which is mounted to the chassis in the region of the first axle and has an output shaft. Further, the drivetrain comprises a propeller shaft arrangement which is connected to the output shaft and to an input member of a differential which is mounted to the chassis in the region of the second axle. The propeller shaft arrangement comprises at least a first propeller shaft section and a second propeller shaft section which are connected to one another by means of an articulated joint. The propeller shaft arrangement is mounted to the chassis in the region of the articulated joint. The second propeller shaft section of the propeller shaft arrangement is connected rigidly to the input member of the differential. The second propeller shaft section is mounted in the region of the articulated joint and is designed to resist bending moments around the second axle.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to change a layout structure of a hydraulic continuously variable transmission apparatus (HST) particularly constituting a hydromechanical continuously variable transmission apparatus (HMT) as a continuously variable transmission apparatus, thereby achieving a simplification of structures of a working vehicle and a traveling drive system, and an easiness of a maintenance. In a working vehicle provided with an HMT structured such as to combine an HST and a planetary gear mechanism as the traveling drive system so as to output and rotate a power of an engine while shifting gear, the HST is provided with a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor integrally in a front wall of a transmission case, and is arranged in an upper side of a transmission shaft transmitting the power to the transmission case from the engine.

Abstract: An axle driving unit includes an axle, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor having a motor shaft on which an output gear is provided to be drivingly connected to said axle, a center section having a pump mounting surface and a motor mounting surface onto which the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor are mounted respectively so as to be fluidly connected with each other through the center section, a housing constituted by a first housing part and a second housing part joined to each other at a joint surface, a projection integrally formed on the center section so as to be fitted to the housing, thereby fixing a position of the center section relative to the housing, and a fastener fastening the center section to the first housing part. The pump mounting surface and said motor mounting surface may be disposed perpendicular to each other. Said pump mounting surface and said motor mounting surface are disposed perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A tilting chassis vehicle has a differential gear driving opposed half shafts (16,18). Each half shaft is connected to a respective wheel hub. Pivoting tie rods (24,26) are provided between the chassis (12) and these wheel hubs, and a control arm (48) is provided between the chassis and the differential carrier to constrain movement thereof. The arrangement gives a novel tilting vehicle with shaft drive and low centre of gravity.

Abstract: Equal response rear axles (“kera” axles) for vehicles having a front engine and rear wheel drive comprises a left and right rear axle which are sized to different predetermined dimensions. Conventionally, torque is delivered to the rear wheels unequally since the right side axle is longer than the left side axle, yet both axles have the same diameter in their effective length. The equal response axles are dimensioned based upon a formula for calculating spring rates or torsion bars. The calculations includes using the static loaded radius the dimension form the center of the axle to the ground and using either static or dynamic weight on the tire, that is the portion of the tire which is flat on the ground.

Abstract: An anti-deflection structure for a chassis of a remote-controlled car includes a board which is added below a central differential gear at a center of a chassis, to strengthen a rigid structure of the chassis. A center of the board is provided with a hollow part for emplacing a gear set of the central differential gear, and an exterior side of the hollow part is provided with a plurality of pivoting holes. The pivoting holes correspond to through-holes on the chassis for locking the central differential gear, thereby locking and fixing the board. In addition, the hollow part is locked at columns of the central differential gear by transfixing screws from bottom to top into the pivoting holes and the through-holes. On the other hand, front and rear ends of the board provide for connection of two support arms, thereby constituting the anti-deflection structure for the chassis.

Abstract: An axle differential mechanism includes a carrier, a bearing supporting the carrier in rotation about an axis, a bearing adjuster including a adjuster sleeve held against rotation and axial displacement, and an adjuster nut formed with first teeth, and engaged by screw threads with the adjuster sleeve such that rotation of the adjuster nut about the axis causes the adjuster nut to contact the bearing and produce a preload force on the bearing between the adjuster nut and the carrier, and a locking device secured against displacement for engaging the adjuster nut, said engagement preventing rotation of the adjuster nut relative to the bearing and maintaining the preload on the bearing.

Abstract: An electric drive axle, which is located between and powers the left and right drive wheels of an automotive vehicle, includes an electric motor and left and right torque couplings. Torque developed by the motor transfers through the torque couplings to axle shafts which are connected to the drive wheels. Each torque coupling includes a magnetic particle clutch and a planetary set organized such that the current flowing through the electromagnet of the clutch controls the torque delivered through the coupler. The magnetic particle clutches also accommodate slippage so that the drive wheels may rotate at different angular velocities.

Abstract: A drive axle assembly includes a pair of axleshafts connected to a pair of wheels and a drive mechanism for selectively coupling a driven input shaft to one or both of the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes first and second drive units that can be selectively engaged to control the magnitude of the drive torque transferred and the relative rotary speed between the input shaft and the axleshafts. Each drive unit includes a planetary gearset disposed between the input shaft and its corresponding axleshaft, a bi-directional overrunning clutch and a mode clutch that may be activated to cause the planetary gearset to establish different speed ratio drive connections between the input shaft and the axleshaft. A control system including an electronic control unit (ECU) and sensors are provided to control actuation of the mode clutches so as to control the side-to-side traction characteristics of the drive axle assembly.

Abstract: An axle driving unit includes a pair of axles, a differential unit for differently connecting the pair of axles to each other, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, a motor shaft, an output gear on said motor shaft for drivingly connecting to said differential unit, a center section having a pump mounting surface and a motor mounting surface onto which said hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor are mounted respectively, a housing constituted by a first housing part and a second housing part joined to each other at a joint surface, and a fastener fastening the center section to the first housing part. The center section is entirely disposed in the first housing part, whereby the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic motor and the output gear are entirely contained in the first housing part. The motor mounting surface may be disposed in parallel to the joint surface of the housing.

Abstract: A power train assembly having an H-drive configuration is described as having a number of transversely disposed components which transmit drive power from a transversely mounted drive power source to a transversely disposed rear wheel axle via a longitudinally disposed propeller shaft and a conventional axle-mounted differential. The H-drive configuration is ideally suited for use in low floor buses due to its longitudinally compact dimensions, and the resulting significant manufacturing and operating advantages are described. The H-drive configuration takes drive power source torque developed along a vehicle transverse axis, and after a direction changing, folded back arrangement applies the drive torque or power through a right angle gear box to the longitudinal propeller shaft for conventional coupling into the differential.

Abstract: A differential mechanism is arranged below an infinitely variable transmission and a reduction gear mechanism. Front fitting parts and rear fitting parts for fitting suspension arms to a vehicle frame are arranged to the front and rear of the deferential mechanism. Even though the left and right suspension arms swing up and down, or a transmission and a reduction gear mechanism attached on a vehicle frame swing left and right with respect to the suspension arms, there is no interference of the transmission and the reduction gear mechanism with the suspension arms due to a space at the front and the rear of a differential mechanism, so that the vehicle frame can swing left and right and it is also possible to easily constitute a vehicle having an independent suspension.

Abstract: An inverted portal drive axle includes an off-center driving input that is coupled to first and second axle shafts. The first axle shaft drives a first gear box that is coupled to a first wheel assembly. The second axle shaft extends underneath a vehicle floor and drives a second gear box that is coupled to a second wheel assembly. An axle housing extends between the first and second gear boxes. The second axle shaft includes an exposed central portion that is positioned directly between the vehicle floor and the axle housing. Seal assemblies seal first and second ends of the second axle shaft to the axle housing.

Abstract: An axle driving unit having a housing including at least two housing parts joined to each other through a joint surface, at least one of the housing parts including a recess formed in a wall thereof. The axle driving unit further includes a pair of hydraulic devices mounted perpendicular to each other on corresponding mounting surfaces of a center section. The center section further includes a portion extending outwardly parallel to the joint surface, the portion being fitted into the recess of the housing part.

Abstract: In a transfer case the ring gear of the crown wheel and the meshing pinion are arranged on that side of the ring gear carrier of the crown wheel that faces away from the center of the differential gear of the transfer case. Stated simply, the pinion and the ring gear of the crown wheel are arranged so as to be “reflected”, that is, on the “other side” of the ring gear carrier of the crown wheel, as compared to a conventional differential gear. This feature allows the pinion shaft to be mounted rigidly and, thus, optimized for noise and efficiency.

Abstract: An axle driving unit having a housing with an axle and a hydrostatic transmission disposed therein. The hydrostatic transmission includes a center section separably attached to the housing and disposed within the housing, a hydraulic pump mounted on a pump mounting surface of the center section, and a hydraulic motor mounted on a motor mounting surface of the center section. The rotary axis of the pump is disposed perpendicular to the axle and the rotary axis of the motor is disposed parallel to the axle. An output shaft is disposed on the rotary axis of the hydraulic motor and is disposed below the pump mounting surface. The axle is disposed above the output shaft.

Abstract: An axle driving unit having a housing (21,22) for supporting a first axle (17) for mounting thereon a first driving wheel (3L), and a longer second axle (18) for mounting thereon a second driving wheel (3R). The axle driving unit is eccentrically mounted on a body frame (1) in proximity to the first driving wheel (3L). A speed change transmission (T) is disposed in an enlarged region of the housing that extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the axles (17,18). The axle driving unit can thus be easily disposed to the side of a chute (6) of a rear-discharge type lawn tractor.

Abstract: An axle driving unit having a housing (21,22) for supporting a first axle (17) for mounting thereon a first driving wheel (3L), and a longer second axle (18) for mounting thereon a second driving wheel (3R). The axle driving unit is eccentrically mounted on a body frame (1) in proximity to the first driving wheel (3L). A speed change transmission (T) is disposed in an enlarged region of the housing that extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the axles (17,18). The axle driving unit can thus be easily disposed to the side of a chute (6) of a rear-discharge type lawn tractor.

Abstract: An axle driving unit having a housing (21,22) for supporting a first axle (17) for mounting thereon a first driving wheel (3L), and a longer second axle (18) for mounting thereon a second driving wheel (3R). The axle driving unit is eccentrically mounted on a body frame (1) in proximity to the first driving wheel (3L) A speed change transmission (T) is disposed in an enlarged region of the housing that extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the axles (17,18). The axle driving unit can thus be easily disposed to the side of a chute (6) of a rear-discharge type lawn tractor.

Abstract: A differential lock actuating arrangement comprises a pedal assembly including a substantially elongate member, mounting means to mount the said elongate member on the chassis of a vehicle, means to connect the said elongate member to a differential lock actuator, rotating means to rotate the said substantially elongate member about its longitudinal axis, wherein the mounting means mounts the said elongate member for movement between a first differential lock engaging position and a second differential lock disengaging position, and wherein the arrangement further comprises biasing means to hold the elongate member in one of the said first and second positions.

Abstract: An axle driving unit having a housing for supporting a first axle for mounting thereon a first driving wheel, and a longer second axle for mounting thereon a second driving wheel. The axle driving unit is eccentrically mounted on a body frame in proximity to the first driving wheel. A speed change transmission is disposed in an enlarged region of the housing that extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the axles. The axle driving unit can thus be easily disposed to the side of a chute of a rear-discharge type lawn tractor.

Abstract: Described is a mobile apparatus (10) having at least one wheel (14) which is rotatable about a wheel axle (12). A main body (16) of the apparatus is mounted swingingly on the wheel axle (12). Oscillating movements of the main body (16) about the wheel axle (12) are compensated by means of a compensating weight (68) which is definedly movable out of the normal rest position by means of a regulator (56). A drive device (18) is provided on the main body (16) for driving the at least one wheel (14) of the mobile apparatus (10). The wheel axle (12) has at least one differential (20) which is operatively connected to the drive device (18) and which is arranged between the at least one wheel (14) and an associated pinion (36) which is operatively connected to the associated regulator (56) and to the corresponding compensating weight (68) or to the compensating weight (68) formed by the respective regulator (56).

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a cab, an engine located laterally with respect to the cab, an engine transmission operatively connected to the engine, and a telescopic lift arm which, in a front working position, is located between the cab and the propulsion mechanism. The front and rear axles receive motive power from a pair of propeller shafts. A power transfer device of a substantially rectilinear shape is provided between the engine transmission and the pair of propeller shafts. The power transfer device is defined entirely by a number of gears.

Abstract: An intermediate shaft includes, as a single piece (12), a female element (13B) of sliding articulated joint (7B), an internal raceway (15), and a tubular part (16) which stretches, from this raceway, in the opposite direction to the female element.

Abstract: A transmission arrangement for an offroad vehicle is disclosed. The offroad vehicle has a frame, at least two wheels supporting the frame, and an internal combustion engine supported by the frame. The engine has at least one cylinder, a piston positioned in the cylinder and reciprocating along a first axis, the piston driving a crankshaft of the engine. The crankshaft is arranged to drive at least one of the wheels through the transmission, the vehicle having a front end and a rear end and a longitudinal centerline extending through the ends, the crankshaft extending along a first axis parallel to the centerline. The transmission includes a chamber defined by a case, a primary shaft at least partially positioned in the chamber and driven by the crankshaft, a main shaft at least partially positioned in the chamber and offset from said primary shaft, the main shaft driven by the primary shaft by a belt positioned in the chamber. The main shaft is arranged to drive at least one of the wheels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a riding lawn mower comprising: two pairs of ground engaging wheels 2, 2 and 3, 3 disposed at front and rear portions of a vehicle frame 5; a cutter blade 9 supported by the vehicle frame 5; a drive source 7 mounted on the vehicle frame 5 and having an output shaft 8 extending downwardly; a transmission 20 including i) a casing 21; ii) an input shaft 22 substantially vertically supported by the casing 21, and iii) a pair of axles 4, 4 extending substantially horizontally in opposite directions, the pair of axles supporting each one of the two pairs of ground engaging wheels, the transmission 20 being arranged below the drive source 7 and having the input shaft 22 coupled substantially coaxially with the output shaft 8 of the drive source 7 non-rotatably relative thereto; and power transmitting members 10 and 11 for the cutter blade 9, the power transmitting members 10 and 11 being provided to rotate with the output shaft 8.

Abstract: A steerable drive axle for a motor vehicle including a rigid tubular housing, a pair of steering knuckles at opposite ends of the rigid tubular housing, an expanded chamber in the middle of the rigid tubular housing open on one side for access to a differential gear set in the expanded chamber, a differential cover for closing the open side of the expanded chamber, and an electrically-powered steering apparatus on the cover linked to the steering knuckles. The electrically-powered steering apparatus includes a rack bar passage in the differential cover, a rack bar supported in the rack bar passage for linear translation and linked to the steering knuckles, a pinion head rotatably supported on the differential cover having a pinion gear meshing with a rack gear on the rack bar, an electric motor mounted on the differential cover, and a speed reducer on the differential cover between the pinion head and an output shaft of the electric motor.

Abstract: A power train arrangement for an automotive vehicle having a front mounted internal combustion engine and a rear mounted automatic transaxle unit which are interconnected by a single one-piece propeller shaft which is in substantial axial alignment with the output shaft of the engine and the input shaft of the transaxle and which is connected to each of the shafts by a flexible coupling member.

Abstract: Construction equipment is often provided with the same size tires on both the front and the rear of the machine to maintain commonality of tire sizes and to simplify the drivetrain configuration. The present invention provides a smaller pair of tires on one end of a machine than the pair of tires that are positioned on the opposite end. In doing so, the overall height of the end of the machine having the smaller tires is reduced. This lowers the center of gravity of the machine to improve operating stability of the machine. In addition, the reduced height makes that portion of the vehicle more accessible and thereby enhances serviceability.

Abstract: A power train includes a transmission disposed in a transverse direction of a vehicle, in which an engine crankshaft extends. The power train has a wheel drive shaft, disposed in alignment with a transmission shaft, a front differential, having differential output shafts aligned with the transmission shaft, and a speed reduction gear, disposed between the transmission shaft and differential input shaft. The speed reduction gear has an input gear, having an axis of rotation placed parallel to the transmission shaft. The transmission shaft is one of input shaft and output shaft, having axes of rotation which are placed parallel to the engine crankshaft. The wheel drive shaft and differential output shaft are aligned with the one of the transmission input and output shafts. The speed reduction gear, connected to the one of the transmission input and output shafts, is preferably parallel to both of the transmission input and output shafts.

Abstract: An engine-transaxle-belt drive configuration is provided for a lawn and garden rear engine vehicle. The transaxle housing has been adapted to receive the engine drive pulley and electric clutch in order to lower the engine mounting and vehicle center of gravity. A releasable fastening structure is provided to facilitate clutch movement and removal of the transmission and implement drive belts.