Side-by-side diesel utility vehicle

• US 10,037,304 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2012
• Issued: 07/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Jeremy C, Schlangen, Adam J, Ripley, Richard D, Peterson, Shawn D, Stenberg, Kurt E, Kinsman, Anthony J, Morison, Angus M, Elia, David A, Kmecik, Matthew S, Czechowski, Eric J, Hicke, David J, Nysse, Aaron J, Kaldor, Matthew J, Lacher, Robert R, Dehnert, Brian P
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tighe, Dana
• Application Number:
  US13/725,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20140065936A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,048 Days
• Field of Search: 454 69, 62239, 280781
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/052 Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/21 Trailing arms connected by a torsional beam, i.e. twist-beam axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/22 Trailing arms connected by a straight torsion bar
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/31 with two trailing arms rigidly connected to the axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/314 with longitudinally arranged arms articulated on the axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/32 pivoted
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/141 The recess being integrally or seamlessly formed
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/16 the arm having a U profile and/or made of a plate
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/20 Constructional features of semi-rigid axles, e.g. twist beam type axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/124 Quads
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/13 Small sized city motor vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 9/02 the axle or housing being pivotally mounted on the vehicle , e.g. the pivotal axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle B60G9/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 9/022 the axle having an imaginary pivotal point
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00207 characterised by the position of the HVAC devices with respect to the passenger compartment B60H1/00021 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00407 for open or convertible vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/00242 Devices in the rear area of the passenger compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/02 with liquid cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 13/02 concerning intake
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/22 characterised by arrangement, location, or type of main drive shafting, e.g. cardan shaft
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/34 for driving both front and rear wheels, e.g. four wheel drive vehicles arrangement or mounting of control devices for changing number of driven wheels B60K23/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2005/003 : the internal combustion or jet propulsion unit is arranged between the front and the rear axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 23/08 : for changing number of driven wheels , for switching from driving one axle to driving two or more axles B60K17/3515 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/04 : from static or dynamic pressure or vacuum, developed by the engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/02 : of initiating means or elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/04 : responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 : including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 : including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/30 : including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/00 : Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. of systems using conjoint control of vehicle sub-units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18181 : Propulsion control with common controlling member for different functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1886 : Controlling power supply to auxiliary devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/20 : Off-Road Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2410/111 : Aggregate identification or specification, e.g. using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/18 : characterised by the vehicle type and not provided for in groups B62D21/02 - B62D21/17
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/183 : specially adapted for sports vehicles, e.g. race, dune buggies, go-karts tubular skeleton B62D23/005
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/186 : for building site vehicles or multi-purpose tractors tracked vehicles B62D55/10; tractors in general B62D49/00; building site vehicles in general E02F; lift-trucks B66F
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/96 : with arrangements for alternate or simultaneous use of different digging elements E02F3/7604, E02F3/769, E02F3/78 take precedence; quick-acting devices to connect tools to arms or booms E02F3/3609, for arms to tractors or the like E02F3/627
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/0808 : Improving mounting or assembling, e.g. frame elements, disposition of all the components on the superstructures for disposition of specific components, E02F9/0858
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2025 : Particular purposes of control systems not otherwise provided for E02F3/16, E02F3/26, sub-groups of E02F3/43, E02F3/651, sub-groups of E02F3/84, E02F3/907, E02F5/145 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2079 : Control of mechanical transmission for hydrostatic transmission or hydraulic torque converter E02F9/2253
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2087 : Control of vehicle steering for steering with hydraulic or pneumatic drives E02F9/225
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/265 : with follow-up actions (e.g. control signals sent to actuate the work tool)
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/267 : Diagnosing or detecting failure of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 : Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00

Abstract

A utility vehicle comprises a plurality of ground engaging members and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. The frame includes a front frame portion, a mid-frame portion, and a rear frame portion. The utility vehicle further comprises an attachment supported at the front frame portion. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes an operator area supported by the frame and including an operator seat and an adjacent passenger seat spaced apart from the operator seat. The operator seat and the passenger seat are in a side-by-side arrangement. The utility vehicle also comprises an auxiliary power assembly having an attachment shaft configured to be operably coupled to the attachment. The attachment shaft extends in a generally longitudinal direction of the utility vehicle and projects outwardly from the front frame portion.

Claims

1. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground engaging members;

a frame supported by the ground engaging members and including a front frame portion and a rear frame portion;

an engine supported by the frame;

an operator area supported by the frame and including an operator seat and a passenger seat each having a seat bottom;

a shear panel positioned forward of the operator area and being coupled to the front frame portion, the coupling of the shear panel to the front frame portion increases a torsional stiffness of the frame of the vehicle, the shear panel extending below the seat bottom of the operator seat, wherein an upper portion of the shear panel is positioned forward of a lower portion of the shear panel; and

a heating, ventilation, and air condition (“

HVAC”

) system supported by the frame and positioned rearward of the shear panel.

2. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the HVAC system includes at least a condenser and an evaporator, and the evaporator is coupled to the shear panel.

3. The utility vehicle of claim 2, wherein the condenser is positioned below the operator seat.

4. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the shear panel is angled in a downward direction.

5. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a tunnel member defining a lower portion of the frame and extending rearwardly from the shear panel, the tunnel member including an upper channel and a lower channel.

6. The utility vehicle of claim 5, wherein the upper channel is configured to receive a plurality of conduits selected from the group consisting of electrical wires, cooling lines, and hydraulic hoses.

7. The utility vehicle of claim 5, further comprising an auxiliary power assembly operably coupled to the engine and including a shaft, the shaft is positioned within the lower channel of the tunnel member.

8. The utility vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least one heat exchanger positioned forward of the shear panel.

9. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the frame includes an upper frame assembly and a lower frame assembly coupled to the upper frame assembly and defining the front frame portion and the rear frame portion, and the shear panel is coupled to the lower frame assembly.

10. The utility vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a windshield coupled to the upper frame assembly.

11. The utility vehicle of claim 9, wherein the lower frame assembly includes a plurality of lowermost longitudinally-extending frame members and a longitudinally-extending skid plate coupled to the plurality of lowermost longitudinally-extending frame members, and the shear panel is coupled to at least one of the lowermost longitudinally-extending frame members.

12. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the shear panel includes an opening.

13. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the shear panel extends at a linear angle between the upper portion and the lower portion.

14. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the operator seat further includes a seat back, wherein at least a portion of the HVAC system is positioned forward of the operator seat and above the seat bottom.

15. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground engaging members; and

a frame supported by the ground engaging members and having an upper frame assembly and a lower frame assembly, the lower frame assembly defining a front end of the utility vehicle and a rear end of the utility vehicle, and the lower frame assembly including at least;

a front portion;

an intermediate portion rearward of the front portion;

a rear portion rearward of the intermediate portion; and

a shear panel supported by the front portion and including an upper portion having an upper end and a lower portion having a lower end which is angled downwardly and rearward from the upper end, the shear panel being configured to deflect heat from the front portion of the lower frame assembly away from the intermediate portion of the lower frame assembly, and the front portion including a plurality of upper front frame members extending between the front end and the intermediate portion and a plurality of lower front frame members extending from the front portion toward the rear portion, the shear panel being coupled to the upper and lower front frame members and being configured to increase the stiffness of the frame.

16. The utility vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a cooling assembly and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“

HVAC”

) assembly, and the shear panel is positioned intermediate the cooling assembly and the HVAC assembly.

17. The utility vehicle of claim 16, wherein the shear panel is coupled to a portion of the HVAC assembly.

18. The utility vehicle of claim 16, wherein the cooling assembly includes a radiator positioned at the front portion of the lower frame assembly, and the shear panel is positioned longitudinally intermediate the radiator and the HVAC assembly.

19. The utility vehicle of claim 15, wherein the lower frame assembly further comprises a tunnel member extending rearward from the front portion of the lower frame assembly, the tunnel member is coupled to the shear panel.

20. The utility vehicle of claim 19, wherein the tunnel member is configured to support a plurality of conduits configured to transmit at least one of a fluid and an electrical signal between the front portion and the rear portion of the lower frame assembly, and the shear panel includes an opening for receiving a portion of the tunnel member and the plurality of conduits.

21. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground engaging members;

a frame supported by the ground engaging members and including a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, and the frame includes an upper frame assembly and a lower frame assembly coupled to the upper frame assembly and defining the front frame portion and the rear frame portion;

an engine supported by the frame;

an operator area supported by the frame and including an operator seat and a passenger seat;

a shear panel positioned forward of the operator area and being coupled to the front frame portion, and the shear panel is coupled to the lower frame assembly, and the lower frame assembly includes a plurality of lowermost longitudinally-extending frame members and a longitudinally-extending skid plate coupled to the plurality of lowermost longitudinally-extending frame members, and the shear panel is coupled to at least one of the lowermost longitudinally-extending frame members; and

a heating, ventilation, and air condition (“

HVAC”

) system supported by the frame and positioned rearward of the shear panel.

22. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground engaging members; and

a frame supported by the ground engaging members and having an upper frame assembly and a lower frame assembly, the lower frame assembly defining a front end of the utility vehicle and a rear end of the utility vehicle, and the lower frame assembly including at least;

a front portion;

an intermediate portion rearward of the front portion;

a rear portion rearward of the intermediate portion;

a tunnel member extending rearward from the front portion of the lower frame assembly and is configured to support a plurality of conduits configured to transmit at least one of a fluid and an electrical signal between the front portion and the rear portion of the lower frame assembly, and the shear panel includes an opening for receiving a portion of the tunnel member and the plurality of conduits; and

a shear panel supported by the front portion and the tunnel member is coupled to the shear panel, the front portion including a plurality of upper front frame members extending between the front end and the intermediate portion and a plurality of lower front frame members extending from the front portion toward the rear portion, the shear panel being coupled to the upper and lower front frame members and being configured to increase the stiffness of the frame.

23. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground engaging members;

a frame supported by the ground engaging members and including an upper frame assembly and a lower frame assembly coupled to the upper frame assembly and defining a front frame portion and a rear frame portion;

an engine supported by the frame;

an operator area supported by the frame and including an operator seat and a passenger seat;

a shear panel positioned forward of the operator area and being coupled to the front frame portion of the lower frame assembly; and

a heating, ventilation, and air condition (“

HVAC”

) system supported by the frame and positioned rearward of the shear panel, wherein the lower frame assembly includes a plurality of lowermost longitudinally-extending frame members and a longitudinally-extending skid plate coupled to the plurality of lowermost longitudinally-extending frame members, and the shear panel is coupled to at least one of the lowermost longitudinally-extending frame members.

24. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground engaging members; and

a frame supported by the ground engaging members and having an upper frame assembly and a lower frame assembly, the lower frame assembly defining a front end of the utility vehicle and a rear end of the utility vehicle, and the lower frame assembly including at least;

a front portion;

an intermediate portion rearward of the front portion;

a rear portion rearward of the intermediate portion; and

a shear panel supported by the front portion, the front portion including a plurality of upper front frame members extending between the front end and the intermediate portion and a plurality of lower front frame members extending from the front portion toward the rear portion, the shear panel being coupled to the upper and lower front frame members and being configured to increase the stiffness of the frame, and the shear panel is angled downwardly and deflects heat from the front portion of the lower frame assembly away from the intermediate portion of the lower frame assembly, wherein a lower end of the shear panel is angled downwardly and rearwardly from an upper end of the shear panel.

25. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground engaging members;

a frame supported by the ground engaging members and including a front frame portion and a rear frame portion;

an engine supported by the frame;

an operator area supported by the frame and including an operator seat and a passenger seat each having a seat bottom;

a shear panel positioned forward of the operator area and being coupled to the front frame portion, and the shear panel extending below the seat bottom of the operator seat; and

a heating, ventilation, and air condition (“

HVAC”

) system supported by the frame and positioned rearward of the shear panel,

wherein the frame includes a tunnel member defining a lower portion of the frame and extending rearwardly from the shear panel, the tunnel member including an upper channel and a lower channel.

26. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground engaging members; and

a frame supported by the ground engaging members and having an upper frame assembly and a lower frame assembly, the lower frame assembly defining a front end of the utility vehicle and a rear end of the utility vehicle, and the lower frame assembly including at least;

a front portion;

an intermediate portion rearward of the front portion;

a rear portion rearward of the intermediate portion;

a shear panel supported by the front portion and including an upper portion and a lower portion which is positioned rearward of the upper portion, the front portion including a plurality of upper front frame members extending between the front end and the intermediate portion and a plurality of lower front frame members extending from the front portion toward the rear portion, the shear panel being coupled to the upper and lower front frame members and being configured to increase the stiffness of the frame; and

a tunnel member extending rearward from the front portion of the lower frame assembly, the tunnel member being coupled to the shear panel.

27. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground engaging members;

a frame supported by the ground engaging members and including a front frame portion, a rear frame portion, an upper frame assembly, and a lower frame assembly coupled to the upper frame assembly and defining the front frame portion and the rear frame portion, and the lower frame assembly includes a plurality of lowermost longitudinally-extending frame members and a longitudinally-extending skid plate coupled to the plurality of lowermost longitudinally-extending frame members;

an engine supported by the frame;

an operator area supported by the frame and including an operator seat and a passenger seat each having a seat bottom;

a shear panel positioned forward of the operator area and being coupled to the front frame portion, and the shear panel extending below the seat bottom of the operator seat; and

a heating, ventilation, and air condition (“

HVAC”

) system supported by the frame and positioned rearward of the shear panel,

wherein the shear panel is coupled to at least one of the lowermost longitudinally-extending frame members of the lower frame assembly.