Vehicle having speed control unit

• US 8,930,109 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2013
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Inventors: Utke, Jeremy J., Jubie, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US14/014,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20140000972A1
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 701/70, 701/100, 701/116, 123/90.12, 123/90.13, 123 9022- 9026, 123/90.32
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 13/02 concerning intake
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0284 Adjustable seat-cushion length B60N2/0224 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/10 tiltable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2875 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/505 Adjustable suspension including height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/522 characterised by dampening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/544 Compression or tension springs B60N2/542 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2009/023 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/501 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/006 for maximum speed control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/02 concerning induction conduits throttle valves, or arrangements thereof in conduits F02D9/08
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/14 the members being slidable transversely of conduit
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/10032 specially shaped or arranged connecting duct between carburettor or air inlet duct and the plenum chamber; specially positioned carburettors or throttle bodies with respect to the plenum chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/162 Motorcycles; All-terrain vehicles, e.g. quads, snowmobiles; Small vehicles, e.g. forklifts

Abstract

A tractor is disclosed as a four-wheel drive vehicle with a movable seat back, with a seat height adjustment and with a varying load capability.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a frame;

ground engaging elements;

an engine for motively driving one or more of the ground engaging elements; and

an air valve positioned intermediate an air intake and the engine wherein the air valve is comprised of;

a valve body having an upper end, and a lower end having an intake side and an exhaust side, wherein an air channel opening extends between the intake side and the exhaust side;

a gate valve member positioned within the valve body and operated by a guillotine movable transversely of the air channel opening between up and down positions, the gate valve member providing an opened and closed condition between the intake side and an exhaust side, the gate valve member closing off air flow when the guillotine is in the down position;

a diaphragm positioned at the valve body upper end and operatively connected to the guillotine, the guillotine being movable based upon the position of a center of the diaphragm, a first pressure chamber being defined above and a second pressure chamber being defined below, the diaphragm; and

an aperture through the diaphragm connecting the first and second pressure chamber.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the aperture extends down through the gate valve member.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a controller assembly for opening and closing the air valve, the assembly including a speed sensing mechanism and a controlling unit for opening and closing the air valve.

4. A vehicle comprising:

a frame;

ground engaging elements;

an engine for motively driving one or more of the ground engaging elements; and

an air valve positioned intermediate an air intake and the engine wherein the air valve is comprised of;

a valve body having an upper end, and a lower end having an intake side and an exhaust side;

a gate valve member positioned within the valve body and operated by a guillotine, the gate valve member providing an opened and closed condition between the intake side and an exhaust side;

a diaphragm positioned at the valve body upper end and operatively connected to the guillotine, a first pressure chamber being defined above and a second pressure chamber being defined below, the diaphragm;

an aperture through the diaphragm connecting the first and second pressure chamber; and

a controller assembly for opening and closing the air valve, the assembly including a speed sensing mechanism and a controlling unit for opening and closing the air valve;

wherein the controlling unit, when the vehicle is operating at a speed below an upper speed limit, allows the diaphragm to be raised and maintains the guillotine and the gate valve open.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the controlling unit, which when the vehicle operates at a speed approaching the upper speed limit, controls the diaphragm to a closed position, which closes the air valve and slows the vehicle.

6. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the controlling unit is a solenoid valve.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the solenoid valve is connected to an area above the diaphragm.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein when the vehicle is operating at a speed below an upper speed limit, the solenoid valve is closed.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein when the vehicle is operating at a speed below an upper speed limit, the solenoid valve is open and connects atmospheric pressure to the area above the diaphragm, and closes the guillotine.

10. A vehicle, comprising:

a frame;

ground engaging elements;

an engine for motively driving one or more of the ground engaging elements; and

an air valve positioned intermediate an air intake and the engine wherein the air valve is comprised of;

a valve body having an upper end, and a lower end having an intake side and an exhaust side, the intake side comprising a raised and contoured section;

a gate valve member positioned within the valve body and operated by a guillotine, the gate valve member providing opened and closed positions, wherein in the closed position, the gate valve member is positioned behind the raised and contoured section; and

a diaphragm positioned at the valve body upper end and operatively connected to the guillotine, a first pressure chamber being defined above and a second pressure chamber being defined below, the diaphragm.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the raised and contoured section extends upwardly from front to back, and from the side to side towards a center of the valve body.

12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein an aperture extends through the diaphragm connecting the first and second pressure chamber.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the aperture ends down through the gate valve member.

14. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a controller assembly for opening and closing the air valve, the assembly including a speed sensing mechanism and a controlling unit for opening and closing the air valve.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the controlling unit, when the vehicle is operating at a speed below an upper speed limit, allows the diaphragm to be raised and maintains the guillotine and the gate valve open.

16. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the controlling unit, which when the vehicle operates at a speed approaching the upper speed limit, controls the diaphragm to a closed position, which closes the air valve and slows the vehicle.

17. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the controlling unit is a solenoid valve.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the solenoid valve is connected to an area above the diaphragm.

19. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein when the vehicle is operating at a speed below an upper speed limit, the solenoid valve is closed.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein when the vehicle is operating at a speed below an upper speed limit, the solenoid valve is open and connects atmospheric pressure to the area above the diaphragm, and closes the guillotine.