Rough terrain vehicle with electric power steering system

• US 20060207823A1
• Filed: 03/16/2006
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Okada, Megumu, Handa, Akio
• Granted Patent: US 7,665,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/443
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/04 electrical, e.g. using an electric servo-motor connected to, or forming part of, the steering gear
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/01 Motorcycles with four or more wheels specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/003
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/08 with steering devices acting on two or more wheels

Abstract

To effectively cool an electric power steering system having an electric motor. A rough terrain vehicle includes an electric motor that is disposed substantially orthogonal to a steering shaft with an engine and an exhaust pipe that are disposed behind the steering shaft and under a seat. A forced air cooling fan is provided for cooling the electric motor. The forced air cooling fan is provided behind the electric motor and in front of the engine or exhaust pipe.

Claims

1. A rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system, in which an electric motor is provided for an electric power steering system with the electric motor being disposed approximately orthogonal to a steering shaft, and an engine and an exhaust pipe connected to the engine being disposed behind the steering shaft and under a seat, the rough terrain vehicle comprising:

an air cooling fan disposed behind the electric motor and in front of at least one of the engine and the exhaust pipe.

2. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor and the air cooling fan are disposed at an equal height when viewed from the side.

3. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor is disposed inside a component member constituting a body frame.

4. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 2, wherein the electric motor is disposed inside a component member constituting a body frame.

5. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 1, wherein a side cover is disposed on the outside of the electric motor and a protection plate is disposed obliquely below and in front of the electric motor.

6. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 2, wherein a side cover is disposed on the outside of the electric motor and a protection plate is disposed obliquely below and in front of the electric motor.

7. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 3, wherein a side cover is disposed on the outside of the electric motor and a protection plate is disposed obliquely below and in front of the electric motor.

8. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 4, wherein a side cover is disposed on the outside of the electric motor and a protection plate is disposed obliquely below and in front of the electric motor.

9. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 1, wherein a body side cover covering a side part of the engine is provided with an opening.

10. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 2, wherein a body side cover covering a side part of the engine is provided with an opening.

11. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 3, wherein a body side cover covering a side part of the engine is provided with an opening.

12. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 4, wherein a body side cover covering a side part of the engine is provided with an opening.

13. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 1, wherein the air cooling fan generates air flowing from the front to the rear of the vehicle to cool both the electric motor and at least one of the engine and the exhaust pipe behind the air cooling fan.

14. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 2, wherein the air cooling fan generates air flowing from the front to the rear of the vehicle to cool both the electric motor and at least one of the engine and the exhaust pipe behind the air cooling fan.

15. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 3, wherein the air cooling fan generates air flowing from the front to the rear of the vehicle to cool both the electric motor and at least one of the engine and the exhaust pipe behind the air cooling fan.

16. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 5, wherein the air cooling fan generates air flowing from the front to the rear of the vehicle to cool both the electric motor and at least one of the engine and the exhaust pipe behind the air cooling fan.

17. The rough terrain vehicle with an electric power steering system according to claim 9, wherein the air cooling fan generates air flowing from the front to the rear of the vehicle to cool both the electric motor and at least one of the engine and the exhaust pipe behind the air cooling fan.

18. A cooling system for use with a rough terrain vehicle having an electric motor for an electric power steering system and an engine and an exhaust pipe connected to the engine being disposed behind the steering shaft comprising:

an air cooling fan disposed behind the electric motor and in front of at least one of the engine and the exhaust pipe for cooling the electric motor and at least one of the engine and the exhaust pipe with an air flow.

19. The cooling system for use with a rough terrain vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the electric motor and the air cooling fan are disposed at an equal height when viewed from the side.

20. The cooling system for use with a rough terrain vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the electric motor is disposed inside a component member constituting a body frame.