Side-by-side diesel utility vehicle

• US 9,063,832 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2012
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Inventors: Schlangen, Adam J, Brady, Louis J, Aronson, Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): FRISBY, KEITH J
• Application Number:
  US13/725,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20140062048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 280/124.111, 280/124.116, 280/124.128, 280/124.132, 280/124.11, 280/124.153, 280/124.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 vehicle, comprising:

a frame;

front ground engaging members;

rear ground engaging members, the front and rear ground engaging members supporting the frame;

a rear suspension coupling the rear ground engaging members to the frame, the rear suspension comprising;

an upper suspension member pivotally coupled to the frame;

a lower suspension member pivotally coupled to the upper suspension member;

trailing arms having front ends coupled to the frame and rear ends coupled to the lower suspension member, wherein a first portion of the upper suspension member is positioned above the trailing arms and a second portion of the upper suspension member is positioned above the lower suspension member; and

linear force elements coupled between the trailing arms and the frame, each linear force element having an upper end coupled to the frame and a lower end coupled to one of the trailing arms, and the first portion of the upper suspension member is positioned laterally outwardly of the linear force elements.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the coupling of the trailing arms to the frame and the lower suspension member permits the trailing arms to flex to accommodate torsional movement of the trailing arms.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the trailing arms are defined by U-shaped cross-sectional channels.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the U-shaped cross-sectional channels permit the trailing arms to flex about longitudinal axes of the trailing arms.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the trailing arms are coupled to the frame by way of sleeve assemblies.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the trailing arms include a first member and a second member parallel to the first member, and the sleeve assemblies are coupled to inner sides of the first and second members.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the upper suspension member is U-shaped having a rear lateral extending portion and two forwardly extending arms.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the two forwardly extending arms are coupled to the frame by way of sleeve assemblies.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lower suspension member is pivotally coupled to the upper suspension member about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the upper suspension member is pivotally coupled to the frame about an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the lower suspension member is a solid axle with wheel hubs coupled at opposite ends thereto for coupling with the rear ground engaging members.

12. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the lower suspension member is pivotally coupled to the upper suspension member by way of a bearing assembly.

13. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the linear force elements are shock absorbers.

14. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the linear force elements are coupled to the trailing arms.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein lower ends of the linear force elements are coupled to the trailing arms at a position below the upper suspension member, and upper ends of the linear force elements are coupled to the frame at a position above the upper suspension member.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the linear force elements are positioned along an inner surface of the upper suspension member.

17. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein each of the trailing arms includes a longitudinal portion and an angled portion.

18. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein a maximum width between outer ends of the upper suspension member is approximately equal to a width of the lower suspension member.

19. A vehicle, comprising:

a frame having a longitudinal axis;

front ground engaging members;

rear ground engaging members, the front and rear ground engaging members supporting the frame; and

a rear suspension coupling the rear ground engaging members to the frame, the rear suspension comprising;

a bearing assembly having a center axis parallel to the longitudinal axis;

a lower suspension member pivotally coupled to the bearing assembly, the lower suspension member being pivotal about the center axis of the bearing assembly; and

trailing arms having front ends coupled to the frame and rear ends coupled to the lower suspension member, the trailing arms extending in a direction generally parallel with the longitudinal axis, the rear suspension constraining the lower suspension member to pivotal movement about only the center axis.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, further comprising an upper suspension member pivotally coupled to the frame, wherein the lower suspension member is pivotally coupled to the upper suspension member.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein the upper suspension member is pivotally coupled to the frame about an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

22. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein the lower suspension member is a solid axle with wheel hubs coupled at opposite ends thereto for coupling with the rear ground engaging members.

23. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein the lower suspension member is pivotally coupled to the upper suspension member by way of a bearing assembly.

24. The vehicle of claim 20, further comprising a fastener coupling the bearing assembly to the upper suspension member and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

25. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the coupling of the trailing arms to the frame and the lower suspension member permits the trailing arms to flex to accommodate torsional movement of the trailing arms.

26. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein the trailing arms are defined by U-shaped cross-sectional channels.

27. The vehicle of claim 26, wherein the U-shaped cross-sectional channels of the trailing arms permit the trailing arms to flex about longitudinal axes of the trailing arms.

28. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the trailing arms are coupled to the frame by way of sleeve assemblies.

29. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the upper suspension member is U-shaped having a rear lateral extending portion and two forwardly extending arms.

30. The vehicle of claim 29, wherein the two forwardly extending arms are coupled to the frame by way of sleeve assemblies.

31. The vehicle of claim 19, further comprising linear force elements coupled between the trailing arms and the frame.

32. The vehicle of claim 31, wherein the linear force elements are shock absorbers.

33. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the rear suspension further comprises shock absorbers each having a lower end operably coupled to the trailing arms and positioned below the lower surface of the lower suspension member, and an upper end coupled to the frame.

34. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the bearing assembly includes a bearing joint having a front surface facing a forward direction of the vehicle and a rear surface facing a rearward direction of the vehicle, and the center axis extends through the front and rear surfaces, and a support member is operably coupled to the bearing joint and is spaced apart from the front and rear surfaces of the bearing joint.

35. The vehicle of claim 34, wherein the support member is positioned around a portion of the lower suspension member.

36. The vehicle of claim 34, wherein the support member encircles the center axis of the bearing assembly.

37. A vehicle, comprising:

a frame having a longitudinal axis;

front ground engaging members;

rear ground engaging members, the front and rear ground engaging members supporting the frame; and

a rear suspension coupling the rear ground engaging members to the frame, the rear suspension comprising;

an upper suspension member pivotally coupled to the frame;

a lower suspension member pivotally coupled relative to the frame, the lower suspension member being pivotally coupled to the upper suspension member pivotal about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis;

trailing arms having front ends coupled to the frame and rear ends coupled to the lower suspension member, each of the trailing arms having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a gap defined therebetween for flexing to accommodate torsional movement of the trailing arms; and

linear force elements each having an upper end coupled to the frame and a lower end coupled to the inner and outer walls of each trailing arm, and the lower end of each linear force element being positioned within the gap defined between the inner and outer walls.

38. The vehicle of claim 37, wherein the lower suspension member is a solid axle with wheel hubs coupled at opposite ends thereof for coupling with the rear ground engaging members.

39. The vehicle of claim 37, wherein the lower suspension member is pivotally coupled to the upper suspension member by way of a bearing assembly.

40. The vehicle of claim 37, wherein the upper suspension member is pivotally coupled to the frame about an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

41. The vehicle of claim 37, wherein the trailing arms are defined by a U-shaped cross-sectional channels.

42. The vehicle of claim 41, wherein the U-shaped cross-sectional channels of the trailing arms permit the trailing arms to flex about longitudinal axes of the trailing arms.

43. The vehicle of claim 42, wherein the trailing arms are coupled to the frame by way of sleeve assemblies.

44. The vehicle of claim 37, wherein the upper suspension member is U-shaped having a rear lateral extending portion and two forwardly extending arms.

45. The vehicle of claim 44, wherein the two forwardly extending arms are coupled to the frame by way of sleeve assemblies.

46. The vehicle of claim 37, wherein the linear force elements are shock absorbers.

47. A vehicle, comprising:

a frame;

front ground engaging members;

rear ground engaging members, the front and rear ground engaging members supporting the frame;

a rear suspension coupling the rear ground engaging members to the frame, the rear suspension comprising;

an upper suspension member pivotally coupled to the frame;

a lower suspension member pivotally coupled to the upper suspension member;

a plurality of trailing arms each having a front end coupled to the frame and a rear end coupled to the lower suspension member, and each trailing arm including a lower longitudinal surface, a first side wall extending perpendicularly to the lower longitudinal surface, and a second side wall extending parallel to the first side wall, wherein the lower longitudinal surface, the first side wall, and the second side wall define an open U-shaped channel to allow each trailing arm to flex to accommodate torsional movement of the trailing arm;

a lower sleeve assembly coupled to the front end of each trailing arm and the frame, the lower sleeve assembly including a lower outer sleeve fixedly coupled to the first and second side walls of each trailing arm, a lower intermediate sleeve positioned along an inner surface of the lower outer sleeve, and a lower inner sleeve positioned along an inner surface of the lower intermediate sleeve; and

an upper sleeve assembly coupled to the upper suspension member and including an upper outer sleeve fixedly coupled to the frame, an upper intermediate sleeve positioned along an inner surface of the upper outer sleeve, and an upper inner sleeve positioned along an inner surface of the upper intermediate sleeve.

48. The vehicle of claim 47, wherein the lower suspension member is pivotally coupled to the upper suspension member by way of a bearing assembly.

49. The vehicle of claim 47, wherein the upper suspension member is pivotally coupled to the frame about an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.