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.

In a power steering system employing an end of travel system including valve actuating rings disposed about a Pitman arm shaft, a device is provided for setting the positions of the rings on the shaft. The device includes a fixed member positioned about, and fixed against movement along, a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the shaft's rotational axis and a movable member that moves along the longitudinal axis relative to the fixed member. The movable member defines a pin at one end configured for engagement with the circumferential ends of the actuating rings. A positioning force applied to one of the members causes the movable member to move between set and reset positions in which the pin engages corresponding ends of the actuating rings during rotation of the shaft and a running position in which the pin remains disengaged from the ends of the actuating ring during rotation of the shaft.

In a power steering system employing an end of travel system including valve actuating rings disposed about a Pitman arm shaft, a device is provided for setting the positions of the rings on the shaft. The device includes a fixed member positioned about, and fixed against movement along, a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the shaft's rotational axis and a movable member that moves along the longitudinal axis relative to the fixed member. The movable member defines a pin at one end configured for engagement with the circumferential ends of the actuating rings. A positioning force applied to one of the members causes the movable member to move between set and reset positions in which the pin engages corresponding ends of the actuating rings during rotation of the shaft and a running position in which the pin remains disengaged from the ends of the actuating ring during rotation of the shaft.

A rack and pinion assembly for a steering assembly is disclosed. The rack and pinion assembly has: a housing; a rack disposed in the housing, the rack being translatable in the housing; a pinion engaging the rack for causing translation of the rack; and at least one rolling element connected to the rack. The at least one rolling element is translatable with the rack. The at least one rolling element rolls along an inner surface of the housing as the rack translates. A steering assembly having the rack and pinion assembly and a vehicle having the steering assembly are also disclosed.

An attachment interface is provided for connecting a vehicle composite component having a plate portion that is made of a fiber reinforced polymer and has a passage extending in a through manner along an axis. The attachment interface provides a metal attachment device, which includes an inner portion engaging the passage and an outer portion defining a connection point suitable to be connected to another vehicle element. The plate portion is axially sandwiched between two layers made of a fiber reinforced polymer composite material selected from the group consisting of BMC (Bulk Molding Compound), LFT (Long Fiber Thermoplastic) and DLFT (Direct Long Fiber Thermoplastic).

A method for a steer axle knuckle of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises welding a steer arm and a tie rod arm to a knuckle body by linear friction welding. The method further includes, in one example, pairing a plurality of first contact surfaces of the knuckle body and a plurality of steer arm contact surfaces of the steer arm prior to the welding; pairing a plurality of second contact surfaces of the knuckle body and a plurality of tie rod arm contact surfaces of the tie rod arm prior to the welding. Each of the plurality of first contact surfaces, second contact surfaces, steer arm contact surfaces, tie rod arm contact surfaces is machined prior to the welding.

A method for a steer axle knuckle of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises welding a steer arm and a tie rod arm to a knuckle body by linear friction welding. The method further includes, in one example, pairing a plurality of first contact surfaces of the knuckle body and a plurality of steer arm contact surfaces of the steer arm prior to the welding; pairing a plurality of second contact surfaces of the knuckle body and a plurality of tie rod arm contact surfaces of the tie rod arm prior to the welding. Each of the plurality of first contact surfaces, second contact surfaces, steer arm contact surfaces, tie rod arm contact surfaces is machined prior to the welding.

An autonomous mobile robot may use an improved steering system. The improved steering system may include a steering motor that is operably coupled to a motor shaft. The motor shaft may be aligned at an offset position relative to a center axis of the autonomous mobile robot. The motor shaft may be operably coupled to a front and rear steering linkage. Each steering linkage may include a pitman arm that is coupled to the motor shaft and a drag link. The drag link may be coupled to a first steering arm and a tie rod. The tie rod may also be coupled to a second steering arm. The first steering arm may be coupled to a first wheel and the second steering arm may be coupled to a second wheel.

An autonomous mobile robot may use an improved steering system. The improved steering system may include a steering motor that is operably coupled to a motor shaft. The motor shaft may be aligned at an offset position relative to a center axis of the autonomous mobile robot. The motor shaft may be operably coupled to a front and rear steering linkage. Each steering linkage may include a pitman arm that is coupled to the motor shaft and a drag link. The drag link may be coupled to a first steering arm and a tie rod. The tie rod may also be coupled to a second steering arm. The first steering arm may be coupled to a first wheel and the second steering arm may be coupled to a second wheel.

A vehicle small in width and capable of ensuring both driving stability and drivability includes: a vehicle body with two or more wheels including steered wheels (right front wheel, left front wheel) for steering; an inclination angle detection part that detects the inclination angle of the vehicle body about a roll axis thereof; and a torque applying part (turning mechanism) that applies a steering torque to the steered wheels in accordance with an inclination angular velocity or an inclination angular acceleration of the vehicle body calculated from the inclination angle.