Utv portal axle system

Abstract

A UTV portal axle system is disclosed, including a spindle with a housing for housing input and output drive gears coupled by one or more idler gears. The output drive gear is disposed lower than the input drive gear to provide additional ground clearance to the UTV. The king pin axis angle is substantially the same as that of a stock UTV, while maintaining a scrub radius of substantially one inch or less. This is accomplished by the lower control arm ball joint being located within a recess of the output drive gear. This allows the UTV to be properly controlled when driven at high speeds over rough or uneven terrain. The gears may be interchangeable to allow the gear ratio to be adjusted to be more suitable for use at various driving speeds. A method of changing the gear ratio is also disclosed.

1 . A UTV portal axle system, comprising:
 a housing;   an input drive gear rotationally coupled within the housing, the input drive gear being configured for coupling to a drive axle of the UTV, wherein the input drive gear rotates in response to rotation of the drive axle;   an output drive gear rotationally coupled within the housing a predetermined distance below the input drive gear corresponding to an additional ground clearance desired to be provided to the UTV by the UTV portal axle system, the output drive gear being configured for coupling to a shaft of a drive hub of the UTV, wherein the drive hub rotates in response to rotation of the output drive gear, wherein the output drive gear is separated from the input drive gear; and   at least one idler gear rotationally coupled within the housing, wherein the at least one idler gear meshes with both the input and output drive gears such that rotation of the input drive gear, in response to rotation of the drive axle, rotates the at least one idler gear, which, in turn, rotates the output drive gear.   
     
     
         2 . The UTV portal axle system of  claim 1 , further comprising two idler gears. 
     
     
         3 . The UTV portal axle system of  claim 1 , wherein a gear ratio of the UTV portal axle system is changeable. 
     
     
         4 . A UTV with a UTV portal axle system, comprising:
 the UTV portal axle system coupled to the UTV, wherein the UTV portal axle system comprises:
 a housing; 
 an input drive gear rotationally coupled within the housing, the input drive gear being configured for coupling to a drive axle of the UTV, wherein the input drive gear rotates in response to rotation of the drive axle; 
 an output drive gear rotationally coupled within the housing a predetermined distance below the input drive gear corresponding to an additional ground clearance desired to be provided to the UTV by the UTV portal axle system, the output drive gear being configured for coupling to a shaft of a drive hub of the UTV, wherein the drive hub rotates in response to rotation of the output drive gear, wherein the output drive gear is separated from the input drive gear; and 
 at least one idler gear rotationally coupled within the housing, wherein the at least one idler gear meshes with both the input and output drive gears such that rotation of the input drive gear, in response to rotation of the drive axle, rotates the at least one idler gear, which, in turn, rotates the output drive gear. 
   
     
     
         5 . The UTV of  claim 4 , wherein the UTV portal axle system further comprising two idler gears. 
     
     
         6 . The UTV of  claim 4 , wherein a gear ratio of the UTV portal axle system is changeable.