PRIMARY CLUTCH ELECTRONIC CVT
First Claim
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1. A recreational vehicle including:
- a chassis;
a drive train including an engine supported by the chassis, a continuously variable transmission driven by the engine, and a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis, the continuously variable transmission including a first clutch and a second clutch, the first clutch being adjustable to modulate a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission;
a suspension system coupled between the chassis and the ground engaging mechanism;
at least one of a speed sensor and a suspension sensor, the speed sensor being configured to detect a speed of the drive train and the suspension sensor being configured to detect a height of the suspension system; and
a controller configured to control the first clutch of the continuously variable transmission, the controller being operative to detect an airborne state of the vehicle based on at least one of the detected speed of the drive train and the detected height of the suspension system, the controller being operative to adjust the first clutch upon a detection of the airborne state to reduce an acceleration of the drive train.
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Abstract
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided for use on a recreational or utility vehicle. The CVT is electronically controlled by at least one control unit of the vehicle. The CVT includes a primary clutch having a first sheave and a second sheave moveable relative to the first sheave. An actuator controls movement of the second sheave.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A recreational vehicle including:
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a chassis; a drive train including an engine supported by the chassis, a continuously variable transmission driven by the engine, and a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis, the continuously variable transmission including a first clutch and a second clutch, the first clutch being adjustable to modulate a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission; a suspension system coupled between the chassis and the ground engaging mechanism; at least one of a speed sensor and a suspension sensor, the speed sensor being configured to detect a speed of the drive train and the suspension sensor being configured to detect a height of the suspension system; and a controller configured to control the first clutch of the continuously variable transmission, the controller being operative to detect an airborne state of the vehicle based on at least one of the detected speed of the drive train and the detected height of the suspension system, the controller being operative to adjust the first clutch upon a detection of the airborne state to reduce an acceleration of the drive train. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of controlling a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle, the method including:
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providing a vehicle including a chassis, a suspension system, and a drive train, the drive train including an engine, a continuously variable transmission driven by the engine, and a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis, the continuously variable transmission including a first clutch and a second clutch, the first clutch being adjustable to modulate a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission; detecting a speed of the drive train with a speed sensor; detecting an airborne state of the vehicle based on at least one of an acceleration of the drive train and a height of the suspension system, the acceleration being determined based on the detected speed of the vehicle; and adjusting the first clutch of the continuously variable transmission upon detection of the airborne state of the vehicle to reduce the acceleration of the drive train. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification