A wheel suspension system is disclosed. The wheel suspension system may include a suspension assembly that may include a sub-frame adapted to be connected to a reference frame of a vehicle, a wheel interface adapted to rotatably support a wheel of the vehicle and to define a wheel rotation axis and a wheel rotation plane, and one or more linking units. Components of the linking unit(s) may be pivotally connected to each other, to sub-frame and to the wheel interface using pivoting connection that may cause components of the linking unit(s) to rotate about axes that are substantially perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis. The components of the linking unit(s) may be dimensioned, and positions of the pivoting connections may be set to cause a substantially linear motion of the wheel interface along a reference wheel interface motion axis that is perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis.

An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a steering member connected to at least one steerable vehicle wheel. The steering member moves axially to effect turning movement of the at least one steerable vehicle wheel. The steering member has an externally threaded portion. A ball nut assembly is connected with the externally threaded portion of the steering member. The ball nut assembly is rotatable relative to the steering member to axially move the steering member. A first gear member is rotatable in response to rotation of a steering wheel. A second gear member disposed in meshing engagement with the first gear member rotates in response to rotation of the first gear member. The ball nut assembly rotates relative to the steering member in response to rotation of the second gear member.

A vehicle steering system has a pitman arm being pivotable about a pitman arm pivot axis in response to pivoting of a steering column, a link pivotally connected to the pitman arm, an idler arm pivotally connected to the link and being pivotable about an idler arm pivot axis, the link extending between the pitman arm and the idler arm, a first tie rod pivotally connected to the pitman arm and extending from the pitman arm in a first direction, and a second tie rod pivotally connected to the idler arm and extending from the idler arm in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction. A vehicle having the vehicle steering system is also described.

Steer-by-wire steering systems for vehicles and related methods are described herein. An example steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel angle sensor to detect a current steering wheel angle (α) of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering actuator to generate a variable steering torque on a steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering angle sensor to detect a current steering angle (β) of the steerable wheel, and a steer-by-wire controller to process signals from the steering wheel angle sensor and the steering angle sensor and control the steering actuator based on the signals. The steer-by-wire controller is configured to vary a transmission ratio between a change in the steering wheel angle (α) and a change in the steering angle (β).

A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. A vehicle is also disclosed with improved cooling, suspension and drive systems. These features enhance the utility of the vehicle.

A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. A vehicle is also disclosed with improved cooling, suspension and drive systems. These features enhance the utility of the vehicle.

A vehicle steering system comprises: an input shaft rotatable in response to an input for moving vehicle wheels; a motor generating torque to be supplied to an output shaft through a belt assembly; a gear assembly; a rotary-linear conversion mechanism, and a sector gear; and the rotary-linear conversion mechanism combining rotary motion of the input shaft and the torque transferred from the motor. The torque generated by the motor can be transferred to the output shaft through the belt assembly, the gear assembly, the rotary-linear conversion mechanism, and the sector gear, thereby improving mechanical efficiency, reducing back-drive torque, and providing a multi-stage reduction mechanism to generate required pitman torque from the motor. The combined use of the belt assembly, the gear assembly, the rotary-linear conversion mechanism, and the sector gear enables to the motor to generate required steering torque, while meeting system back-drive performance requirements and current draw power requirements.

A vehicle steering system comprises: an input shaft rotatable in response to an input for moving vehicle wheels; a motor generating torque to be supplied to an output shaft through a belt assembly; a gear assembly; a rotary-linear conversion mechanism, and a sector gear; and the rotary-linear conversion mechanism combining rotary motion of the input shaft and the torque transferred from the motor. The torque generated by the motor can be transferred to the output shaft through the belt assembly, the gear assembly, the rotary-linear conversion mechanism, and the sector gear, thereby improving mechanical efficiency, reducing back-drive torque, and providing a multi-stage reduction mechanism to generate required pitman torque from the motor. The combined use of the belt assembly, the gear assembly, the rotary-linear conversion mechanism, and the sector gear enables to the motor to generate required steering torque, while meeting system back-drive performance requirements and current draw power requirements.

A low suspension arm strut coupling is provided for a suspension of an off-road vehicle. The suspension comprises a lower suspension arm that is hingedly coupled between a chassis of the off-road vehicle and a spindle assembly that is coupled with a front wheel. An upper suspension arm is hingedly coupled between the chassis and the spindle assembly. A strut is coupled between the lower suspension arm and the chassis. A lower pivot couples the strut to the lower suspension, and an upper pivot couples the strut to the chassis. The upper and lower pivots provide a lower center of gravity of the off-road vehicle and a relatively smaller shock angle. The lower suspension arm is reinforced to withstand forces due to movement of the front wheel and operation of the strut in response to travel over terrain.

A low suspension arm strut coupling is provided for a suspension of an off-road vehicle. The suspension comprises a lower suspension arm that is hingedly coupled between a chassis of the off-road vehicle and a spindle assembly that is coupled with a front wheel. An upper suspension arm is hingedly coupled between the chassis and the spindle assembly. A strut is coupled between the lower suspension arm and the chassis. A lower pivot couples the strut to the lower suspension, and an upper pivot couples the strut to the chassis. The upper and lower pivots provide a lower center of gravity of the off-road vehicle and a relatively smaller shock angle. The lower suspension arm is reinforced to withstand forces due to movement of the front wheel and operation of the strut in response to travel over terrain.