20080202833 | Ratchet drive system - A drive system for a lightweight electric vehicle comprises a drive train for mounting between an electric motor drive shaft and the vehicle's transaxle to provide a forward driving mode and coasting mode. Preferably, the system is shiftable to provide dynamic braking via the motor and differential and to provide a reverse mode. A motor drive shaft coupler couples with the motor drive shaft and a transaxle coupler couples with the transaxle. In the driving mode, the transaxle coupler rotates with the drive shaft coupler and in the coasting mode rotates relative to the drive shaft coupler in the same direction. A ratchet mechanism provides for the driving and coasting modes. A shifter is movable between an uncoupled position which allows the ratchet mechanism to operate in the coasting mode and a coupled position which overrides the coasting mode operation. The shifter provides for the dynamic braking and reverse mode. | 08-28-2008 |