CVT frame member
View Patent ↗A vehicle is described with a frame having a plurality of frame members. An engine and a straddle seat are disposed on the frame, the straddle seat accommodating a rider. A handlebar is disposed on the frame for steering the vehicle. A front suspension with at least one front wheel is disposed on the frame. A rear suspension is also disposed on the frame, the rear suspension having a rear swing arm pivotally connected to the frame and a shock absorber disposed between the frame and the rear swing arm. At least one rear is wheel disposed on the rear swing arm. A continuously variable transmission operatively connects the engine to the rear wheel. The continuously variable transmission includes a housing that acts as one of frame members.
1. A vehicle comprising:
a. a frame comprising a plurality of frame members;
b. an engine disposed on the frame;
c. a straddle seat disposed on the frame for accommodating a rider;
d. a handlebar disposed on the frame for steering the vehicle;
e. a front suspension disposed on the frame;
f. at least a front wheel disposed on the front suspension;
g. a rear suspension disposed on the frame, the rear suspension comprising a rear swing arm pivotally connected to the frame at a swing arm pivot axis and a shock absorber operatively disposed between the frame and the rear swing arm;
h. at least one rear wheel disposed on the rear swing arm; and
i. a continuously variable transmission operatively connecting the engine to the at least one rear wheel, the continuously variable transmission comprising:
a housing that comprises at least one of the plurality of frame members; and
a drive pulley and a driven pulley, the driven pulley comprising a centrifugal clutch and the driven pulley has a driven pulley axis,
wherein the swing arm pivot axis is substantially aligned with the driven pulley axis.
2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle has only one front wheel and one rear wheel.
3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle has two front wheels and one rear wheel.
4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle has two front wheels and two rear wheels.
5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the frame members are separately manufactured.
6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the frame defines a storage bin between the handlebar and the seat that is sized to accommodate a helmet.
7. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the driven pulley axis is coaxial with the swing arm pivot axis.
8. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the housing is the lowest-most frame member.
9. A vehicle comprising:
a. a frame comprising a plurality of frame members;
b. a continuously variable transmission comprising a drive pulley, a driven pulley and a housing, the driven pulley having an axis and the housing comprising one of the plurality of frame members;
c. a gearbox disposed proximal to the driven pulley;
d. a centrifugal clutch operatively connected to the driven pulley, the centrifugal clutch having a center of rotation defining an axis, the axis being substantially coaxial with the driven pulley;
e. an engine disposed on the frame;
f. a straddle seat disposed on the frame for accommodating a rider;
g. a handlebar disposed on the frame for steering the vehicle;
h. a front suspension disposed on the frame;
i. at least a front wheel disposed on the front suspension;
j. a rear suspension disposed on the frame;
k. a swing arm pivotally mounted to the frame about a pivot axis;
l. at least a rear wheel disposed on the swing arm; and
m. a brake, the brake having a center of rotation defining an axis, the axis being substantially coaxial with the driven pulley.
10. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the gearbox is a planetary type gearbox.
11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the planetary type gearbox has a center of rotation defining an axis, the axis being substantially coaxial with the driven pulley axis.
12. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the vehicle has only one front wheel and one rear wheel.
13. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the vehicle has two front wheels and one rear wheel.
14. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the vehicle has two front wheels and two rear wheels.
15. A vehicle comprising:
a. a frame comprising a plurality of frame members;
b. a continuously variable transmission comprising a drive pulley, a driven pulley and a housing, the driven pulley having an axis and the housing comprising one of the plurality of frame members;
c. a gearbox disposed proximal to the driven pulley;
d. a centrifugal clutch operatively connected to the driven pulley, the centrifugal clutch having a center of rotation defining an axis, the axis being substantially coaxial with the driven pulley;
e. an engine disposed on the frame;
f. a straddle seat disposed on the frame for accommodating a rider;
g. a handlebar disposed on the frame for steering the vehicle;
h. a front suspension disposed on the frame;
i. at least a front wheel disposed on the front suspension;
j. a rear suspension disposed on the frame;
k. a swing arm pivotally mounted to the frame about a pivot axis;
l. at least a rear wheel disposed on the swing arm; and
m. a drive system including a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket, the drive sprocket having a center of rotation defining an axis, the axis being substantially coaxial with the driven pulley.
16. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the vehicle has only one front wheel and one rear wheel.
17. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the vehicle has two front wheels and one rear wheel.
18. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the vehicle has two front wheels and two rear wheels.
19. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the gearbox is a planetary type gearbox.