Patent ID: 6629577
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: B60K,B60Y,B62D

Abstract:
A transaxle apparatus for speed changing and steering of a vehicle, comprising:a vehicle chassis; a prime mover mounted on said vehicle chassis; a pair of drive wheels; a first driving unit for driving said pair of drive wheels forwardly and backwardly at various speeds, said first driving unit comprising, a pair of first and second axles differentially connected with each other, said pair of drive wheels being mounted onto said respective first and second axles, a first transmission transmitting power from said prime mover to said first and second axles, and driving output setting means, wherein said first and second axles are driven according to a direction and speed of output rotation of said first transmission determined by said driving output setting means; and a second driving unit for generating a difference of rotary speed between said pair of drive wheels so as to steer a vehicle, said second driving unit comprising, a pair of first and second steering output shafts differentially connected with each other, a second transmission transmitting power from said prime mover to said first and second steering output shafts, and steering output setting means, wherein said first and second steering output shafts are driven according to a direction and speed of output rotation of said second transmission determined by said steering output setting means.