A steering assembly for a lawn maintenance vehicle having a control assembly that receives a user rotational input, a transfer assembly for transferring the rotational input from the user to a pair of wheel assemblies. Each wheel assembly includes a knuckle connected to a pivot bar by way of a kingpin, wherein the kingpin is positioned within the rim of the tire operatively connected to the knuckle. The transfer assembly includes a sector gear having a leading edge that forms a rack that is meshingly engaged to a pinion gear of the transfer assembly.

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.

The present invention relates to a rotary sensor assembly and a rear wheel steering system including the same. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a rotary sensor assembly includes: a rotary sensor subassembly configured to sense a stroke of a driving shaft configured to receive rotating power to move linearly; a sensing guide configured to be moved by receiving a moving force when the driving shaft moves such that the rotary sensor subassembly senses movement of the driving shaft; and fasteners which couple the sensing guide to the driving shaft, wherein the rotary sensor subassembly senses movement of the sensing guide to sense the stroke of the driving shaft when the driving shaft moves.

The present invention relates to a rotary sensor assembly and a rear wheel steering system including the same. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a rotary sensor assembly includes: a rotary sensor subassembly configured to sense a stroke of a driving shaft configured to receive rotating power to move linearly; a sensing guide configured to be moved by receiving a moving force when the driving shaft moves such that the rotary sensor subassembly senses movement of the driving shaft; and fasteners which couple the sensing guide to the driving shaft, wherein the rotary sensor subassembly senses movement of the sensing guide to sense the stroke of the driving shaft when the driving shaft moves.

A motion assembly that produces pitch and roll motions includes lower and upper plates. A pivotable coupling having upper and lower shafts extending from its center is coupled between the upper and lower plates. At least two linear actuators are coupled between the plates. Extension and retraction of the actuators pivots the upper plate about the pivotable coupling relative to the lower plate. A vehicle includes two steerable propulsion wheels coupled to a chassis. A lower plate of a pitch and roll assembly, similar to that just described, couples to the chassis via a slew bearing. Seating is coupled to the upper plate. The seating rotates with respect to the chassis via controlled rotation of the slew bearing with reference to the chassis. The seating can be rotated to point in any direction with respect to the chassis regardless of the direction the steerable propulsion wheels move the chassis.

A motion assembly that produces pitch and roll motions includes lower and upper plates. A pivotable coupling having upper and lower shafts extending from its center is coupled between the upper and lower plates. At least two linear actuators are coupled between the plates. Extension and retraction of the actuators pivots the upper plate about the pivotable coupling relative to the lower plate. A vehicle includes two steerable propulsion wheels coupled to a chassis. A lower plate of a pitch and roll assembly, similar to that just described, couples to the chassis via a slew bearing. Seating is coupled to the upper plate. The seating rotates with respect to the chassis via controlled rotation of the slew bearing with reference to the chassis. The seating can be rotated to point in any direction with respect to the chassis regardless of the direction the steerable propulsion wheels move the chassis.

An apparatus and methods are provided for a modular front drivetrain comprising a single assembly that may be installed onto and removed from a vehicle. The modular front drivetrain comprises a modular chassis supporting a transaxle, a front differential, and a steering gear for operating front wheels of the vehicle. The transaxle, the front differential and drive axles convey torque from an engine onboard the vehicle to the front wheels. A spindle assembly is coupled with each front wheel of the vehicle and pivotally joined with the modular chassis by way of a front suspension system. Steering rods coupled with the spindle assemblies horizontally rotate the front wheels according to operation of a steering wheel onboard the vehicle. The modular front drivetrain advantageously facilitates replacing an entire drivetrain and suspension assembly quickly and easily in the event of a part failure during racing applications.

An apparatus and methods are provided for a modular front drivetrain comprising a single assembly that may be installed onto and removed from a vehicle. The modular front drivetrain comprises a modular chassis supporting a transaxle, a front differential, and a steering gear for operating front wheels of the vehicle. The transaxle, the front differential and drive axles convey torque from an engine onboard the vehicle to the front wheels. A spindle assembly is coupled with each front wheel of the vehicle and pivotally joined with the modular chassis by way of a front suspension system. Steering rods coupled with the spindle assemblies horizontally rotate the front wheels according to operation of a steering wheel onboard the vehicle. The modular front drivetrain advantageously facilitates replacing an entire drivetrain and suspension assembly quickly and easily in the event of a part failure during racing applications.

An hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) drives front wheels by a motor-generator via drive shafts by use of electricity generated by an internal combustion engine (ICE). A lower portion of the internal combustion engine is locate on a front side of a lower portion of the motor-generator in the vehicle body with being distanced therefrom. A steering gearbox is placed between the internal combustion engine and the motor-generator and located on a front side of the drive shafts. According to this configuration, driving stability, steering feeling, and noise and vibration can be balanced at a high level.