A gearbox for a vehicle includes: a housing; first and second shafts extending parallel to one another; first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft; and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. The transmission gears are helical gears. The first transmission gears are in constant mesh with the second transmission gears to form a plurality of gear pairings engageable to operate the gearbox in different gears. A drive gear is mounted to an input shaft extending into the housing. The input shaft is operatively connected to an engine of the vehicle. A driven gear is mounted to the second shaft and is configured to engage the drive gear. The drive and driven gears are spur gears. A flexible driving member is configured to drivingly connect one of the first shaft and the second shaft to an output shaft. A snowmobile including a gearbox is also contemplated.

A gearbox for a vehicle includes: a housing; first and second shafts extending parallel to one another; first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft; and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. The transmission gears are helical gears. The first transmission gears are in constant mesh with the second transmission gears to form a plurality of gear pairings engageable to operate the gearbox in different gears. A drive gear is mounted to an input shaft extending into the housing. The input shaft is operatively connected to an engine of the vehicle. A driven gear is mounted to the second shaft and is configured to engage the drive gear. The drive and driven gears are spur gears. A flexible driving member is configured to drivingly connect one of the first shaft and the second shaft to an output shaft. A snowmobile including a gearbox is also contemplated.

A snowmobile has a gearbox having a first shaft, a second shaft, first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. A driven gear mounted to the first shaft engages a forward drive gear mounted to a countershaft. In a first configuration: the first shaft is coupled to the countershaft; when rotating, a driveshaft rotates in a same direction as the countershaft; and configurable portions of the countershaft and second shaft are free of gears. In a second configuration: the forward drive gear is in selective free-spin engagement with the countershaft; a reverse drive gear mounted to the configurable portion of the countershaft is in driving engagement with the countershaft; an actuator selectively transmits rotary motion from the countershaft to the gearbox; a reverse driven gear mounted to the configurable portion of the second shaft meshes with the reverse drive gear.

A transaxle and a two-speed drive module thereof. The two-speed drive module comprises an input shaft, an output shaft, and gear sets used for transmitting power between the input shaft and the output shaft. The gear sets comprise: a two-speed gear set having two groups of shift gear pairs that have different speed ratios, the shift gear pairs being capable of transmittingly connecting to or disconnecting from the input shaft so as to output the rotational speed of the input shaft at different speed ratios; a planetary gear set having an output end thereof being transmittingly connected to the output shaft; and a connecting gear set by which the two-speed gear set is transmittingly connected to the planetary gear set. The two-speed drive module can implement a reduction in the radial dimension, and can reduce the ground clearance of a transaxle.

A transmission includes a first shaft with two gears adapted for connecting to a motor and a second shaft with two corresponding gears adapted for connecting to a driveshaft; a shift drum selectively controlling torque transfer between the shafts and defining therein two grooves; a shift rod translatable along a rod axis with a driving member fixedly connected thereto and engaging one groove, at least a portion of the groove causing the driving member and the shift rod to translate along the rod axis upon rotation of the shift drum; an engagement dog disposed on the second shaft for selectively engaging the gears of the second shaft; two biasing members disposed around the shift rod; a fork rod supporting a shift fork slidably connected to the fork rod and the shift rod, the shift fork being engaged in another groove of the shift drum.

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.

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.

A drivetrain for connection between the output of a prime mover and the input of a final drive is described herein. The drivetrain comprises a CVT including an input connected to the output of the prime mover and an output; a power mixer having a first input connected to the output of the prime mover, a second input coupled to the output disk of the CVT and an output; a three-speed transmission having an input connected to the output of the power mixer and an output connected to the input of the final drive.

A continuously variable transmission with both equal-difference output and equal-ratio output includes an input mechanism, a hydraulic transmission mechanism, a planetary-gear-set convergence mechanism, an equal-difference output mechanism, an equal-ratio output mechanism, a clutch assembly, and a brake. The clutch assembly connects an output end of the input mechanism to an input end of the hydraulic transmission mechanism and the planetary-gear-set convergence mechanism and connects an output end of the hydraulic transmission mechanism to the planetary-gear-set convergence mechanism. The clutch assembly connects the planetary-gear-set convergence mechanism to the equal-difference output mechanism and the equal-ratio output mechanism. The clutch assembly connects the equal-ratio output mechanism to the equal-difference output mechanism. A continuously changing transmission ratio between the input mechanism and the equal-difference output mechanism/the equal-ratio output mechanism is provided by adjusting a displacement ratio of the hydraulic transmission mechanism and selectively controlling engagement of the clutch assembly and the brake.

A continuously variable transmission with both equal-difference output and equal-ratio output includes an input mechanism, a hydraulic transmission mechanism, a planetary-gear-set convergence mechanism, an equal-difference output mechanism, an equal-ratio output mechanism, a clutch assembly, and a brake. The clutch assembly connects an output end of the input mechanism to an input end of the hydraulic transmission mechanism and the planetary-gear-set convergence mechanism and connects an output end of the hydraulic transmission mechanism to the planetary-gear-set convergence mechanism. The clutch assembly connects the planetary-gear-set convergence mechanism to the equal-difference output mechanism and the equal-ratio output mechanism. The clutch assembly connects the equal-ratio output mechanism to the equal-difference output mechanism. A continuously changing transmission ratio between the input mechanism and the equal-difference output mechanism/the equal-ratio output mechanism is provided by adjusting a displacement ratio of the hydraulic transmission mechanism and selectively controlling engagement of the clutch assembly and the brake.