Technologies relating to two channel transmissions are disclosed. A two channel transmission may comprise a differential or epicyclic gear train disposed inside a case, with input/output shafts extending out of case. A speed variator may link inputs and outputs of the differential or epicyclic gear train. The speed variator may comprise, inter alia, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a speed range gear. The CVT may link to an input/output shaft outside the case, and the speed range gear may link to an input/output shaft or carrier gear inside the case. In high-stability embodiments, the speed variator may be replaced by a belt or a set of gears.

A recreational off-highway vehicle includes a vehicle frame, least one front wheel, a pair of rear wheels, a pair of rear suspensions, a rear differential and a motor. The rear suspensions connect the rear wheels to the vehicle frame. The rear differential connects to the rear wheels. The motor is connected to the rear differential to drive the rear wheels. Each rear suspensions includes a trailing arm, a floating rear knuckle, a shock absorber and a plurality of control links. The trailing arm has a front end pivotally connected to the vehicle frame. The floating rear knuckle is pivotally connected to a rear end of the trailing arm. The shock absorber is coupled between the vehicle frame and the trailing arm. The control links have first ends movably supporting the floating rear knuckle and second ends pivotally connected to the vehicle frame forward of the rear differential.

A second element fixing clutch is switchable between a released state and an engaged state. In the released state, the second element fixing clutch releases a second element of a planetary gear mechanism so that the second element is rotatable. In the engaged state, the second element fixing clutch fixes the second element of the planetary gear mechanism so that the second element is non-rotatable. A transmission is switchable between at least two modes of a first continuously variable transmission mode, a second continuously variable transmission mode, and a direct mode, by the second element fixing clutch being switched between the released state and the engaged state.

A vehicle configuration wherein the center of mass of the vehicle is approximately superimposed upon the passenger and driver centers of mass when seated within the vehicle. An occupant's center of mass can be approximated using a standard center of mass position approximation, or a combination of any number of standard center of mass position approximations. The vehicle's center of mass can be approximately superimposed upon the occupant's center of mass in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions.

A drive package includes a remote located CVT and a motor where the CVT is positioned rearward (or forward) of the motor. An auxiliary drive mechanism couples a drive shaft of the CVT to a crankshaft of the motor. The auxiliary drive mechanism is a belt or chain. The drive shaft is substantially parallel to, and longitudinally offset from, the crankshaft. Thus, the width of the drive package is reduced as compared to ATVs having a CVT located adjacent the motor. A method of making an ATV with the drive package is provided.

A continuously variable transmission, a vehicular powertrain that includes a continuously variable transmission and a method of limiting belt slippage in a continuously variable transmission in a vehicle. The continuously variable transmission includes a pulley assembly, shafts, a clutch and hydraulic system. The hydraulic system is cooperative with both the clutch and the pulley assembly so that hydraulic pressures and associated clamping forces sent to both allow the clutch to preferentially absorb any driving load coming from the axle and wheels that is in excess of the normal load experienced at the continuously variable transmission. This in turn means that any additional load that would ordinarily cause slippage in the belt is instead experienced by the clutch. By providing such a clutch, the pump of the hydraulic system does not need to be oversized in order to provide excess clamping force, as any excess load experienced by the shaft that is coupled to the wheels of the vehicle will be taken up by slippage in the clutch so that slippage-related wear to the belt is avoided.

A utility vehicle comprises a traveling driving power source which generates rotational driving power for driving a drive wheel; a continuously variable transmission including an input shaft to which the rotational driving power transmitted from the traveling driving power source is input, an output shaft which outputs the rotational driving power toward the drive wheel, a drive pulley provided at the input shaft, a driven pulley provided at the output shaft, and a belt wrapped around the drive pulley and the driven pulley; a clutch which is disposed in a driving power transmission path at a location that is between the belt and the drive wheel and is capable of disconnecting the driving power transmission path; and a clutch actuator which operates the clutch.

A drive switching mechanism of a utility vehicle includes: a two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive switching device that switches between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive of the utility vehicle; and a control unit that controls the drive switching mechanism. The two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive switching device switches between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive by using a first clutch. The control unit permits the two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive switching device to switch from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive when a rotation difference of the first clutch becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.

A transaxle system for a golf car, wherein the system comprises a transaxle and a mating interface. The transaxle comprises a plurality of mounting flanges fixedly mountable to at least one axle tube of the golf car, wherein the at least one axle tube houses at least one wheel axle, and the transaxle is operably couplable to the at least one wheel axle. The transaxle additionally comprising a transaxle mounting collar that is fixedly mounted to or integrally formed with a housing of the transaxle. The mating interface is mountable to the transaxle mounting collar, and is structured and operable to have an integrated internal combustion engine-transmission unit of the golf car mounted thereto.

In a control device of a vehicle including a first power transmission path transmitting a power through a belt-type continuously variable transmission and a second power transmission path transmitting a power through a reduction gear mechanism in parallel between an input shaft and an output shaft and including a dog clutch in series with the reduction gear mechanism in the second power transmission path, when the dog clutch is in an engagement transition state and a rotational speed change of the output shaft is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the engagement transition state of the dog clutch is canceled to release the dog clutch.