A primary clutch of a continuously variable transmission with a launch mechanism is provided. The primary clutch includes a central post, a fixed sheave assembly, a movable sheave assembly and a locking mechanism. The central post is configured to receive rotational torque from a motor. The fixed sheave assembly is statically mounted on the central post. The movable sheave assembly is mounted on the central post. The movable sheave assembly includes a movable sheave system that is configured to move axially on the central post towards the fixed sheave assembly as RPM of the primary clutch increase. The locking mechanism is configured and arranged to selectively prevent movement of the movable sheave system independent of the RPM of the primary clutch.

A primary clutch of a continuously variable transmission with a launch mechanism is provided. The primary clutch includes a central post, a fixed sheave assembly, a movable sheave assembly and a locking mechanism. The central post is configured to receive rotational torque from a motor. The fixed sheave assembly is statically mounted on the central post. The movable sheave assembly is mounted on the central post. The movable sheave assembly includes a movable sheave system that is configured to move axially on the central post towards the fixed sheave assembly as RPM of the primary clutch increase. The locking mechanism is configured and arranged to selectively prevent movement of the movable sheave system independent of the RPM of the primary clutch.

A bearing assembly is for movably coupling a first member having a centerline and displaceable about a rotation axis perpendicular to the centerline and a second member displaceable about the centerline and/or another axis perpendicular to the centerline. The bearing assembly includes a laminated bearing having an inner axial end coupled with the second member and an outer axial end spaced from the inner end along the first member centerline and coupleable with the first member. A clutch mechanism releasably couples the bearing outer axial end with the first member when the first member angularly displaces about the rotation axis. The clutch mechanism preferably has a first portion connected with the bearing outer axial end, a second portion coupled with the first member and engageable with the first portion to couple the two members, and a biasing member spaces apart the two clutch portions when the first member is non-rotational.

A bearing assembly is for movably coupling a first member having a centerline and displaceable about a rotation axis perpendicular to the centerline and a second member displaceable about the centerline and/or another axis perpendicular to the centerline. The bearing assembly includes a laminated bearing having an inner axial end coupled with the second member and an outer axial end spaced from the inner end along the first member centerline and coupleable with the first member. A clutch mechanism releasably couples the bearing outer axial end with the first member when the first member angularly displaces about the rotation axis. The clutch mechanism preferably has a first portion connected with the bearing outer axial end, a second portion coupled with the first member and engageable with the first portion to couple the two members, and a biasing member spaces apart the two clutch portions when the first member is non-rotational.

A drive device for a motor vehicle, with a first drive assembly, a second drive assembly, and an auxiliary drive having at least one auxiliary assembly. The auxiliary drive being coupled to or can be coupled to, respectively, the first drive assembly and the second drive assembly via an epicyclic gear transmission. The auxiliary drive is coupled to a first transmission element of the epicyclic gear transmission. In this case, a second transmission element of the epicyclic gear transmission is coupled by a gearshift transmission, which is shifted in a speed-dependent manner, to a secondary drive shaft, which is coupled to or can be coupled to the first drive assembly.

A drive device for a motor vehicle, with a first drive assembly, a second drive assembly, and an auxiliary drive having at least one auxiliary assembly. The auxiliary drive being coupled to or can be coupled to, respectively, the first drive assembly and the second drive assembly via an epicyclic gear transmission. The auxiliary drive is coupled to a first transmission element of the epicyclic gear transmission. In this case, a second transmission element of the epicyclic gear transmission is coupled by a gearshift transmission, which is shifted in a speed-dependent manner, to a secondary drive shaft, which is coupled to or can be coupled to the first drive assembly.

A clutch assembly includes an output shaft extending along an axis and output teeth. A movable component is disposed adjacent to the output component. The movable component includes drive teeth and an annular engagement weight track including a groove circumscribing the axis. The movable component is movable between an engaged position, wherein the drive teeth are drivingly engaged with the output teeth, and a disengaged position, wherein the drive teeth are not engaged with the output teeth. An input component is disposed adjacent to the movable component. The input component includes engagement weight pockets. Spherical engagement weights are disposed in each engagement weight pocket. The groove has a generally uniform radial cross section across its circumference.

A clutch assembly includes an output shaft extending along an axis and output teeth. A movable component is disposed adjacent to the output component. The movable component includes drive teeth and an annular engagement weight track including a groove circumscribing the axis. The movable component is movable between an engaged position, wherein the drive teeth are drivingly engaged with the output teeth, and a disengaged position, wherein the drive teeth are not engaged with the output teeth. An input component is disposed adjacent to the movable component. The input component includes engagement weight pockets. Spherical engagement weights are disposed in each engagement weight pocket. The groove has a generally uniform radial cross section across its circumference.

A clutch comprises a bell alternatively engaged and disengaged by a rotating transmission component, wherein mutual engagement of the bell and the rotating transmission component by first engagement elements results in the bell being dragged in rotation by the transmission component in a first rotation direction, wherein the bell defines an engagement profile formed so as to be alternatively engaged and disengaged by second engagement elements dragged in rotation by the transmission component, and wherein mutual engagement of the second engagement elements and the engagement profile is a result of both the rotation of the transmission component in a second rotation direction, opposite to the first rotation direction, and the rotation of the bell in the first rotation direction. Mutual disengagement of the second engagement elements and the engagement profile is a result of both the rotation of the transmission component in the first rotation direction opposite to the second rotation direction, and the rotation of the bell in the second rotation direction.

A synchronous engagement clutch (SEC) assembly is provided. The SEC assembly includes a starter ball guide and a carrier support. The starter ball guide includes opposed first and second sides and the carrier support includes opposed first and second sides. The first side of the starter ball guide defines an annular groove and the second side of the carrier support defines pockets. The starter ball guide and the carrier support are disposable with the first side of the starter ball guide facing the second side of the carrier support such that engagement balls are retainable in the pockets and the annular groove.