UTILITY VEHICLE

• US 20190308672A1
• Filed: 04/08/2019
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Inventors: Schounard, Kyle J., Barbrey, William L., Peterson, Shawn D., Weber, Daniel S., Frie, Derek M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,988,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/246 located in the interior of the vehicle or in or below the floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3229 characterised by constructional features, e.g. housings, mountings, conversion systems B60H1/3227, B60H1/3233 take precedence
• 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 5/00 Arrangement or mounting of internal-combustion or jet-propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/02 comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/12 assembled from readily detachable parts
• 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 23/005 with integrated chassis in the whole shell, e.g. meshwork, tubes, or the like B62D33/044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/04 Door pillars ; windshield pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 31/00 Superstructures for passenger vehicles passenger vehicles specially adapted to co-operate with aircraft or terminal buildings B64F1/31

Abstract

A utility vehicle is described having front and rear passenger area, and an HVAC system provides treated air to both front and rear areas. The front area includes a tunnel extending longitudinally rearwardly, and a low profile duct extends within the tunnel to communicate treated air to the rear passenger area. The frame has been modified to mount a drive shaft carrier bearing to maximize the area under the tunnel for hose routing. The frame has been modified to maximize the ingress area for the foot of the rear passenger. The frame has been modified to better seal the vehicle when doors are utilized.

Claims

1. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a longitudinally extending frame having a longitudinal centerline, the frame comprising a front frame portion and a rear frame portion;

ground engaging members supporting the frame;

a cab comprising;

a front seating section;

a rear seating section;

a mid-panel forward of the rear seating section separating the front and rear seating sections;

an HVAC duct extending through and under the front seating section and coupling to the mid panel to deliver treated air to the rear seating area.

2. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the HVAC duct has a flat contour in at least part of its length to lower the profile of the duct through the front seating section.

3. The utility vehicle of claim 2, wherein the HVAC duct has a substantially constant height.

4. The utility vehicle of claim 3, wherein the height is less than one inch.

5. The utility vehicle of claim 4, wherein the height is approximately 0.9 inch.

6. The utility vehicle of claim 2, wherein the HVAC duct has a variable width.

7. The utility vehicle of claim 6, wherein the width is greater than 5 inches at least in part along its length.

8. The utility vehicle of claim 7, wherein the ratio of the width/height is at least 4.

9. The utility vehicle of claim 7, wherein the ratio of the width/height is greater than 6.

10. The utility vehicle of claim 7, wherein the ratio of the width/height is in the range of 4-10.

11. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the engine is positioned rearward of the rear seating section and an air conditioning compressor and an alternator are mounted adjacent to, and driven by, the engine.

12. The utility vehicle of claim 11, wherein an air conditioning system further comprises a refrigerant system and an evaporator, wherein the refrigerant system and evaporator are located forward of the front seating section and refrigerant lines run from a front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle.

13. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a frame having a longitudinal centerline, the frame comprising at least two longitudinally extending frame members, a first frame member having a first upper surface, and a reduced height section lower than the first upper surface, the frame further comprising a second frame member having a second upper surface and a mounting portion raised relative to the second upper surface;

ground engaging members supporting the frame;

a powertrain coupled to the frame;

a driveshaft coupled between the powertrain and at least some of the ground engaging members;

a driveshaft carrier bearing supporting the driveshaft along a length thereof, wherein the carrier bearing includes a flange surrounding at least part of the carrier bearing and the flange includes a first flange coupling point coupled to the reduced height section and a second flange coupling point coupled to the mounting portion, such that a line drawn through the first flange coupling point and the second flange coupling point defines a line that is angled relative to a horizontal axis.

14. The utility vehicle of claim 13, wherein the at least two longitudinally extending frame members comprise longitudinally extending frame tubes and the reduced height section is a notch in one of the at least two longitudinally extending frame tubes.

15. The utility vehicle of claim 14, wherein the raised mounting portion is defined by a bracket coupled to the second longitudinally extending frame tube.

16. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a longitudinally extending frame having a longitudinal centerline, the frame comprising a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, the frame further including front pillar portions extending upwardly, rear pillar portions extending upwardly, and center pillar portions extending upwardly, where the center pillar portions extend rearwardly as progressing upwardly;

ground engaging members supporting the frame;

a cab comprising;

a front seating section, generally positioned longitudinally between the front pillar portions and center pillar portions, and further comprising a front floor; and

a rear seating section, generally positioned longitudinally between the center pillar portions and rear pillar portions, and further comprising a rear floor;

a panel portion enclosing each of the center pillar portions, wherein a forwardmost position is defined in the panel portion adjacent to the rear floor and angles rearwardly and upwardly.

17. The utility vehicle of claim 16, wherein the rear seating area comprises a rear seat having a seat back and seat bottom.

18. The utility vehicle of claim 17, wherein the center pillar portions extend rearwardly to a height approximating the height of the rear seat bottom.

19. The utility vehicle of claim 16, further comprising front doors and at least one hinge per door, the hinges being coupled to the center pillar portions through lateral outer surfaces of the panel portions.

20. The utility vehicle of claim 19, wherein the center pillar portions have threaded openings for receiving a fastener.

21. The utility vehicle of claim 20, wherein the panel portions have slots overlying the threaded openings, and the hinges overlie the slots.

22. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a longitudinally extending frame having a longitudinal centerline, the frame comprising a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, the frame further including front pillar portions extending upwardly, rear pillar portions extending upwardly, and center pillar portions extending upwardly;

ground engaging members supporting the frame;

a cab comprising;

a front seating section, generally positioned longitudinally between the front pillar portions and center pillar portions, and further comprising a front floor; and

a rear seating section, generally positioned longitudinally between the center pillar portions and rear pillar portions, and further comprising a rear floor;

a panel portion enclosing each of the center pillar portions; and

front doors and at least one hinge per door, the hinges being coupled to the center pillar portions through lateral outer surfaces of the panel portions.

23. The utility vehicle of claim 22, wherein the center pillar portions have threaded openings for receiving a fastener.

24. The utility vehicle of claim 23, wherein the panel portions have slots overlying the threaded openings, and the hinges overlie the slots.

25. The utility vehicle of claim 22, wherein the center pillar portions extend rearwardly as progressing upwardly.

26. The utility vehicle of claim 25, wherein a forwardmost position is defined in the panel portion adjacent to the rear floor and angles rearwardly and upwardly.

27. The utility vehicle of claim 26, wherein the rear seating area comprises a rear seat having a seat back and seat bottom.

28. The utility vehicle of claim 27, wherein the center pillar portions extend rearwardly to a height approximating the height of the rear seat bottom.