All terrain vehicle with multiple steering modes
First Claim
1. A method for activating one of a plurality of rear wheel steering modes for a vehicle traveling on the ground and having a rear wheel and a front wheel, each rotatable about a corresponding steering axis, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a handlebar rotatably supported by a chassis of the vehicle and a switch disposed on an arm of the handlebar;
providing an operator input signal, via the switch, to a controller of the vehicle;
sensing a degree of slippage between the ground and at least one of the rear and front wheels using one or more sensors;
comparing the degree of slippage to a threshold parameter; and
providing an enabling signal to the controller when the degree of slippage is greater than the threshold, the controller selecting and activating one of the rear wheel steering modes when the input signal and the enabling signal are received.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for steering a vehicle are disclosed. A vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is capable of operating in a first steering mode and a second steering mode. The vehicle may comprise an input device capable of providing an input signal indicating that operation in the second steering mode is desired. The vehicle may comprise an electronic control unit (ECU) capable of providing an enabling signal when the ECU determines that operation in the second steering mode is appropriate for the present riding conditions.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for activating one of a plurality of rear wheel steering modes for a vehicle traveling on the ground and having a rear wheel and a front wheel, each rotatable about a corresponding steering axis, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a handlebar rotatably supported by a chassis of the vehicle and a switch disposed on an arm of the handlebar; providing an operator input signal, via the switch, to a controller of the vehicle; sensing a degree of slippage between the ground and at least one of the rear and front wheels using one or more sensors; comparing the degree of slippage to a threshold parameter; and providing an enabling signal to the controller when the degree of slippage is greater than the threshold, the controller selecting and activating one of the rear wheel steering modes when the input signal and the enabling signal are received. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for activating a rear wheel steering mode of an ATV while traversing variable terrain in the ATV, the ATV including at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel, the method comprising:
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selecting, via an operator input switch, one of a plurality of rear wheel steering modes; and enabling the activation of the selected rear wheel steering mode by;
sensing the movement of the vehicle and providing a first riding parameter;
sensing the movement of a ground contacting portion of at least one of the front and rear wheels and providing a second riding parameter;
providing an enabling signal to a rear wheel controller based upon a comparison of the first riding parameter to the second riding parameter. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for selecting between and activating one of a plurality rear steering modes in a recreational vehicle, the vehicle having a first rear wheel, a second rear wheel, at least one front wheel and a steering member operably coupled to the at least one front wheel and adapted to be operated by the operator to steer the at least one front wheel about a front steering axis, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting one of the plurality of rear steering modes using an input device switch positioned on the steering member, the input device generating an input signal indicative of the selected rear steering mode; generating a first riding parameter by sensing the linear acceleration of the vehicle using a vehicle acceleration sensor and generating a first parameter signal indicative of the first riding parameter; generating a second riding parameter by sensing the acceleration of a ground contacting portion of at least one of the wheels using a wheel rotation sensor generating a second parameter signal indicative of the second riding parameter; calculating any inconsistency between the first and second riding parameters using a comparator, the comparator receiving the first and second parameter signals; comparing the inconsistency with a threshold parameter; generating an enabling signal based on the comparison between the inconsistency and the threshold parameter; and controlling at least one actuator to selectively and independently rotate the first and second rear wheels about respective first and second rear steering axes in response to the enabling signal.
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Specification