Patent ID: 6152253
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: B60K,B66F,E02F

Abstract:
A power system for a vehicle having a central frame member extending along a longitudinal axis in a front-rear direction, comprising:an engine support frame mounted to and extending laterally from the central frame member,an engine mounted to the engine support frame and including an engine output, wherein the engine is laterally offset from the central frame member;a transmission interconnected with the central frame member, wherein the transmission includes an input and an output lying along an axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the central frame member,wherein the engine and transmission are oriented in a side-by-side configuration, anda power transfer arrangement extending between and drivingly interconnected with the engine output and the transmission input for supplying power to the transmission from the engine;wherein the engine and the transmission each define first and second ends, and wherein the power transfer arrangement includes a structural power transfer casing which interconnects the first end of the engine with the first end of the transmission, wherein the structural power transfer casing defines a first end mounting area engaged with the central frame member and a second end mounting area engaged with the engine support frame, wherein engagement of the first and second end mounting areas with the central frame member and the engine support frame, respectively, is operable to support the first end of the engine and the first end of the transmission relative to the central frame member and the engine support frame.