Off-road utility vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11046176-B2
Application number	US-201815967944-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 1, 2018
Priority date	Mar 21, 2017
Publication date	Jun 29, 2021
Grant date	Jun 29, 2021

Abstract

An off-highway recreational includes a frame, a prime mover, a transmission, an intermediate shaft and a main shaft. The transmission is mechanically coupled to receive power from the prime mover and to provide mechanical power at a transaxle output shaft. The intermediate drive shaft is mechanically coupled to the transaxle output shaft, wherein the intermediate drive shaft has a first diameter. The main drive shaft is mechanically coupled to the intermediate drive shaft, wherein the main drive shaft has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An off-road utility vehicle comprising:
a frame;
a prime mover mounted to the frame;
a transmission mechanically coupled to receive power from the prime mover and to provide mechanical power at a transaxle output shaft;
an intermediate drive shaft mechanically coupled to the transaxle output shaft, wherein the intermediate drive shaft has a first diameter, and wherein the intermediate drive shaft extends forward from the transaxle output shaft under the prime mover; and
a main drive shaft mechanically coupled to the intermediate drive shaft, wherein the main drive shaft has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, wherein a bottom surface of the prime mover extends below a topmost portion of the main drive shaft.

2. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the transmission is located rearward of the prime mover.

3. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the intermediate drive shaft extends underneath the prime mover.

4. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate drive shaft is mechanically coupled to the main drive shaft via one of a spline, U-joint, continuous velocity (CV), or fixed coupling joint.

5. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate drive shaft is mechanically coupled to the transaxle output shaft via one of a spline, U-joint, continuous velocity (CV), or fixed coupling joint.

6. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate drive shaft is integrally formed with the transaxle output shaft.

7. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate drive shaft is supported by a bearing assembly.

8. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the bearing assembly is mechanically coupled via a bracket to the prime mover.

9. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate shaft is hollow.

10. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the main shaft is connected to a front drive assembly.

11. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 1 , further including:
a shift handle;
a shifter cable coupled between the shift handle and a gear lever on the transmission, wherein shift cable communicates force from the shift handle to the gear lever to select between two or more gears associated with the transmission; and
a shifter spring attached on a first end to the gear lever that applies a force to the gear lever.

12. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the shifter spring is attached on a second end to a bracket attached to the transmission.

13. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the shifter spring is attached on a second end to the frame.

14. An off-road utility vehicle comprising:
a frame;
a prime mover mounted to the frame;
a transmission mechanically coupled to receive power from the primer mover and to provide mechanical power at a transaxle output shaft, wherein the transmission is located rearward of the prime mover and the transaxle output shaft extends forward toward the prime mover;
an intermediate drive shaft mechanically coupled to the transaxle output shaft, wherein the intermediate drive shaft has a first diameter and wherein the intermediate drive shaft extends under the prime mover; and
a main drive shaft mechanically coupled to the intermediate drive shaft, wherein the main drive shaft has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

15. The off-road utility vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the prime mover includes an oil pan located under the prime mover, wherein the intermediate drive shaft extends under the oil pan, and wherein a bottom surface of the oil pan is located beneath a top surface of the main drive shaft.

Assignees

• Arctic Cat Inc

Inventors

• Danielson Devin Joseph
• Braun Joel Merlyn
• Mathison Steven Allen
• Homme Gary Orlen
• Magner Brent Orlin
• Crosby Jacob Tyler
• Thompson Kevin David
• Grangroth Douglas Robert
• Warne Ricky Allen

Classifications

• B60J5/0487

  simplified doors related to cabins of, e.g. golf carts, tractors, jeeps, cranes, forklifts, etc. · CPC title

• B60G2206/124

  the arm having triangular or Y-shape, e.g. wishbone · CPC title

• B60G2202/135

  Stabiliser bar and/or tube · CPC title

• B60G15/062

  the spring being arranged around the damper (B60G15/061, B60G15/067, B60G15/07 take precedence) · CPC title

• B60G2204/129

  Damper mount on wheel suspension or knuckle · CPC title