Design, Analysis, and Simulation of a Four-Wheel-Drive Transmission for an All-Terrain Vehicle

An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is capable of traveling on any kind of surface or terrain. It is built especially for extreme road conditions. High ground clearance and soft suspension springs are some of the characteristics of an ATV. The use of a four-wheel-drive (4WD) transmission in a light ATV is in high demand. Power on all four tires provides better traction and increases the off-roading capabilities of the ATV. The methodology described in the paper discusses the design and validation of a four-wheel driveline for a light ATV using various modeling and simulation software. Briggs and Stratton engine is coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to provide infinite ratios within its tuned range to deliver effortless shifting. A two-stage reduction gearbox is used to multiply the torque received from the CVT to provide sufficient traction to the tires. Power is transferred to the front differential via a propeller shaft. A shifting mechanism is installed for shifting between two-wheel-drive (2WD) and 4WD. Components are designed in SolidWorks and Fusion 360 is used for parametric iterations. The analysis is done on driveline components using Ansys and HyperWorks for material selection and to validate their durability. The performance of the driveline is mapped using MATLAB Simscape and Simulink models. This research paper aims to lay a foundation for future developments in the driveline used in a light ATV.