The present concept is a continuously variable speed transmission and steering differential. It includes a laterally extending central drive axle driven by an external power source, two pairs of drive sheaves mounted to drive axles, and a means for transmitting rotational energy from the drive sheaves to the drive axles. There are two extended shift arms spaced apart for controlling the positioning of movable drive sheaves. Narrowing or increasing the gap between shift arms, does the same for the gap between the drive sheaves, increasing or decreasing the gear ration respectively which provides speed control. Shifting the shift arms left or right varies the gear ratio between the left and right pair of sheaves, providing differential speed between the left and right driven axles, which provides steering control.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) for use with a torque generating mechanism includes an input member connectable to the torque generating mechanism, an output member, a variator assembly, and a controller. The controller is programmed to control a change-of-mind shift of the CVT requesting a transition from an initially-requested shift to a next-requested shift before completion of the initially-requested shift. Additionally, the controller is programmed to execute a method by detecting the change-of-mind shift, determining an acceleration profile of the input member for the change-of-mind shift using a calibration map indexed by a starting and target ratio of the variator assembly, and calculating a required ratio of the input and output pulleys using the acceleration profile. The controller then commands a clamping pressure of the variator assembly to thereby achieve the calculated required ratio. A vehicle includes an engine and the CVT noted above.

An air intake system for a vehicle has a conduit having an internal wall forming an air passage. A deflector is disposed within the air passage. A restricting structure is disposed within the air passage between the deflector and a conduit outlet. The restricting structure defines at least in part an opening substantially laterally aligned with the deflector. The restricting structure has a lateral wall disposed downstream of the deflector and extending within the air passage. The lateral wall has a front surface generally facing a conduit inlet, and a plurality of surface-increasing features provided on the front surface. Each of the surface-increasing features has a length of at least 1 mm measured from the front surface in a direction normal thereto. An air intake system having a collector connected to the deflector and positioned to collect at least some moisture from air flowing past the deflector is also described.

An air intake system for a vehicle has a conduit having an internal wall forming an air passage. A deflector is disposed within the air passage. A restricting structure is disposed within the air passage between the deflector and a conduit outlet. The restricting structure defines at least in part an opening substantially laterally aligned with the deflector. The restricting structure has a lateral wall disposed downstream of the deflector and extending within the air passage. The lateral wall has a front surface generally facing a conduit inlet, and a plurality of surface-increasing features provided on the front surface. Each of the surface-increasing features has a length of at least 1 mm measured from the front surface in a direction normal thereto. An air intake system having a collector connected to the deflector and positioned to collect at least some moisture from air flowing past the deflector is also described.

A snowmobile includes a frame, a tunnel, a seat, an endless track, at least one ski, a handlebar, a cowling defining an engine compartment, an engine, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connecting the engine to the endless track, and a pulley guard assembly disposed over at least a portion of the CVT. The CVT includes a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, and an endless flexible member operatively connecting the primary pulley to the secondary pulley. The pulley guard assembly is disposed between the CVT and a lateral side of the cowling, and defines an air inlet. The air inlet fluidly communicates with a space defined between the pulley guard assembly and the lateral side. In some implementations, the cowling defines an air inlet. In some implementations, an air duct fluidly connects the air inlet of the cowling to the air inlet of the pulley guard assembly.

A snowmobile includes a frame, a tunnel, a seat, an endless track, at least one ski, a handlebar, a cowling defining an engine compartment, an engine, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connecting the engine to the endless track, and a pulley guard assembly disposed over at least a portion of the CVT. The CVT includes a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, and an endless flexible member operatively connecting the primary pulley to the secondary pulley. The pulley guard assembly is disposed between the CVT and a lateral side of the cowling, and defines an air inlet. The air inlet fluidly communicates with a space defined between the pulley guard assembly and the lateral side. In some implementations, the cowling defines an air inlet. In some implementations, an air duct fluidly connects the air inlet of the cowling to the air inlet of the pulley guard assembly.

A continuously variable transmission device (1) for a two-wheel, three-wheel or four-wheel motorcycle includes a cam system (20, 22; 32a, 32b) operating between a fixed bushing (11) and a mobile bushing (9). The device is configured to obstruct the approach between the active surfaces (8a, 10a) or to facilitate the approach of the active surfaces.

A continuously variable transmission device (1) for a two-wheel, three-wheel or four-wheel motorcycle includes a cam system (20, 22; 32a, 32b) operating between a fixed bushing (11) and a mobile bushing (9). The device is configured to obstruct the approach between the active surfaces (8a, 10a) or to facilitate the approach of the active surfaces.

A continuously variable transmission driven pulley movable sheave comprising a beveled face disk, an elongated hollow cylindrical collar extending orthogonally from a center of the beveled face disk, and a triangular shaped tuning pocket disposed in the collar. The tuning pocket is structured and operable to control axial movement of the movable sheave on the elongated neck of the driven pulley. The tuning pocket comprises a first gear side, an acceleration side disposed at a positive angle relative to a reference point on the first gear side, and a deceleration side disposed at a negative angle relative to the reference point on the first gear side.

A continuously variable transmission driven pulley movable sheave comprising a beveled face disk, an elongated hollow cylindrical collar extending orthogonally from a center of the beveled face disk, and a triangular shaped tuning pocket disposed in the collar. The tuning pocket is structured and operable to control axial movement of the movable sheave on the elongated neck of the driven pulley. The tuning pocket comprises a first gear side, an acceleration side disposed at a positive angle relative to a reference point on the first gear side, and a deceleration side disposed at a negative angle relative to the reference point on the first gear side.