A vehicle has a frame, a motor, a driveshaft operatively connected to the motor, a front differential operatively connected to the driveshaft, a pair of front half-shafts operatively connecting the front differential to front wheels, at least one rear wheel, a steering wheel, a steering column operatively connected to the steering wheel, a rack and pinion assembly operatively connected to the steering column, the rack and pinion assembly being disposed rearward of the front differential, a right tie rod having a left end operatively connected to a rack of the rack and pinion assembly and a right end operatively connected to the right wheel, and a left tie rod having a right end operatively connected to the rack and a left end operatively connected to the left wheel. The inner ends of the tie rods are disposed forwardly of a vertically and laterally extending central plane of the rack.

[Technical problem] To provide a power transmission mechanism for a four-wheel drive vehicle in which a prime mover is disposed at a low position to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle while a driving path from a transmission to a front wheel differential mechanism is also shortened. [Solutions] In a power transmission mechanism for a four-wheel drive vehicle, the power of a prime mover is transmitted to a front wheel differential mechanism which is disposed in front of the prime mover, and to a rear wheel differential mechanism which is disposed behind a transmission, through the transmission which is disposed behind the prime mover. The transmission comprises a front and rear wheel drive shaft that extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The transmission is arranged separately from the prime mover and a rear axle drive device. The rear end portion of the front and rear wheel drive shaft is connected to an input shaft of the rear wheel differential mechanism. The front end portion of the front and rear wheel drive shaft is connected to an input shaft of the front wheel differential mechanism via a front wheel power transmission shaft that extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and passes through the space beneath the prime mover. The front wheel differential mechanism, the prime mover, the transmission, and the rear wheel differential mechanism are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body at the center of the vehicle width of the vehicle.

In a toroidal continuously variable transmission including at least one transmission unit including: an input disc and an output disc disposed coaxially; and a power roller tiltably interposed between the input disc and the output disc and configured to transmit a driving force from the input disc to the output disc, an integrally rotating member disposed so as to be spaced apart in an axial direction from at least one disc of the input disc and the output disc of each transmission unit and configured to rotate together with the at least one disc, and an annular interposed member provided between the at least one disc and the integrally rotating member and configured to rotate together with the at least one disc, are provided, and the interposed member is formed with a balance adjustment portion capable of adjusting weight balance in a circumferential direction.

A shift switching mechanism of a utility vehicle includes: an input gear connected to an input shaft to which a driving force of an engine is input; a shifter that is connected to a counter shaft transmitting a driving force of the input shaft, and enables engagement between the input gear and a gear connected to the counter shaft; and a control unit that controls the shift switching mechanism. At reception of a shift command, the control unit calculates a rotation difference between the input gear and the shifter, and controls output of the engine to reduce the rotation difference.

Systems and methods for controlling transmissions having CVTs are disclosed with multiple modes and gearing arrangements for range enhancements, where embodiments include synchronous shifting to allow the transmission to achieve a continuous range of transmission ratios, while minimizing empty cycling of the CVT during mode shifts. Embodiments provide for wide ratio range and performance and efficiency flexibility, while maximizing CVT usage through synchronous shifting.

An automatic transmission where the first engagement element is positioned between the continuously variable speed change mechanism and a portion of the second power transmission path on the wheel side, at which the second power transmission path is coupled to the first power transmission path, and is allowed to be switched to the disengaged state for inertial traveling.

As a mode switching shift line when a sub-transmission mechanism is switched from a first-speed to a second-speed, a first mode switching shift line, which prioritizes a learning of a hydraulic pressure with which a Low brake starts to slip and a learning of a hydraulic pressure with which a High clutch starts to transmit a torque, or a second mode switching shift line, which is a shift line in a Low side with respect to the first mode switching shift line and prioritizes a fuel efficiency of an engine is selected, and the sub-transmission mechanism is switched from the first-speed to the second-speed on the basis of the selected mode switching shift line.

A power transmission device for a vehicle includes a first power transmission path that is provided between an engine and a driving wheel, a second power transmission path that is provided in parallel with the first power transmission path, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit changes over a secondary clutch to a one-way mode while releasing a first clutch, when a request is made to change over a power transmission path between the engine and the driving wheel from the first power transmission path to the second power transmission path at a time of a predetermined state. The electronic control unit is configured to engage a second clutch when the secondary clutch is changed over to the one-way mode.

A hybrid vehicle may be a series hybrid or a parallel hybrid vehicle. One embodiment of a parallel hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, a front drive coupled to the transmission through a prop shaft, a rear drive coupled to the transmission, a traction motor drivingly coupled to the prop shaft, and a battery to operate the traction motor.

A gearing arrangement that offers a new way to operate an electric motor at a favorable operating point is provided. To this end there is proposed a gearing arrangement (1) for an electric motor (6) of a vehicle (2), including an input interface (5) for coupling to the electric motor (6) and including an output interface (7), such that a drive torque path runs between the input interface (5) and the output interface (7); including a first transmission gearing stage (10) with a first transmission ratio (i1), such that the drive torque path in a first operating state of the gear arrangement (1) runs via the first transmission gearing stage (10); and including a second transmission gearing stage (11), such that the drive torque path in a second operating state of the gear arrangement (1) runs via the second transmission gearing stage (11), the second transmission gearing stage (11) having a continuously variable transmission ratio (i1 . . . i2).