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 saddle-riding motor vehicle (1; 107; 207) comprises a rear driving wheel (5; 105; 205) and a front steered wheel (7; 107; 207). The front steered wheel (7; 107; 207X, 207Y) is connected to a rotatable arm (9; 109; 209X, 209Y) provided with a rotary motion about a steering axis (A-A). A wheel support (37; 137) is connected to the rotatable arm (9; 109; 209) with the interposition of a suspension (17; 117; 217X, 217Y) comprising a shock absorber (22; 122). The suspension (17; 117) comprises a Watt four-bar linkage.

The saddle-riding motor vehicle (1; 107; 207) comprises a rear driving wheel (5; 105; 205) and a front steered wheel (7; 107; 207). The front steered wheel (7; 107; 207X, 207Y) is connected to a rotatable arm (9; 109; 209X, 209Y) provided with a rotary motion about a steering axis (A-A). A wheel support (37; 137) is connected to the rotatable arm (9; 109; 209) with the interposition of a suspension (17; 117; 217X, 217Y) comprising a shock absorber (22; 122). The suspension (17; 117) comprises a Tchebycheff four-bar linkage.

Mounting assembly dimensioned for securement between a vehicle structure and a gas spring and damper assembly include a first end plate securable to the vehicle structure. A second end plate is attached in substantially fixed relation to the first end plate such that a mounting cavity is disposed therebetween. A connector housing is disposed within the mounting cavity and operatively connectable to the gas spring and damper assembly. A first bearing assembly is disposed between the connector housing and the first end plate and permits rotation of the connector housing relative to the first end plate while transferring forces acting longitudinally therebetween. A second bearing assembly is disposed between the connector housing and the second end plate and permits rotation of the connector housing relative to the second end plate while transferring forces acting longitudinally therebetween. Gas spring and damper assemblies are also included.

A work vehicle according to the present invention includes left and right axle cases of a rigid axle type, and left and right suspension mechanisms movable in the up-down direction relative to body frames and separately supporting the left and right axle cases, respectively. The work vehicle also includes (i) a first projection projecting downward from the left or right one of the body frames, (ii) a second projection projecting upward from that position on either the left and right axle cases or a frame body integrated with the axle cases which is opposite to the first projection in the left-right direction, and (iii) a lateral rod having a first end connected with the first projection and a second end connected with the second projection.

Vehicle platforms, and systems, subsystems, and components thereof are described. A self-contained vehicle platform or chassis incorporating substantially all of the functional systems, subsystems and components (e.g., mechanical, electrical, structural, etc.) necessary for an operative vehicle. Functional components may include at least energy storage/conversion, propulsion, suspension and wheels, steering, crash protection, and braking systems. Functional components are standardized such that vehicle platforms may be interconnected with a variety of vehicle body designs (also referred to in the art as “top hats”) with minimal or no modification to the functional linkages (e.g., mechanical, structural, electrical, etc.) therebetween. Configurations of functional components are incorporated within the vehicle platform such that there is minimal or no physical overlap between the functional components and the area defined by the vehicle body. Specific functional components of such vehicle platforms, and the relative placement of the various functional components, to allow for implementation of a self-contained vehicle platform are also provided.

A work vehicle according to the present invention includes left and right axle cases of a rigid axle type, and left and right suspension mechanisms movable in the up-down direction relative to body frames and separately supporting the left and right axle cases, respectively. The work vehicle also includes (i) a first projection projecting downward from the left or right one of the body frames, (ii) a second projection projecting upward from that position on either the left and right axle cases or a frame body integrated with the axle cases which is opposite to the first projection in the left-right direction, and (iii) a lateral rod having a first end connected with the first projection and a second end connected with the second projection.

A snowmobile has a rear suspension assembly including front and rear suspension arms, first and second rear shock absorbers, a first sensor for sensing an angular position of the front suspension arm, a second sensor for sensing an angular position of the rear suspension arm, and a controller communicatively connected to the first and second sensors. A method of controlling the rear suspension assembly includes: sensing an angular position and/or an angular velocity of the front suspension arm; sensing an angular position and/or an angular velocity of a rear suspension arm; and determining a stroke and/or a piston velocity of the first rear shock absorber and/or the second rear shock absorber based on the angular position and the angular velocity of the front and rear suspension arms as sensed by the first and second sensors respectively.

A suspension device includes a damper. The damper includes: a ball screw; a ball screw nut screwed with the ball screw; a bearing that rotatably supports a nut unit (nut assembly) provided with the ball screw nut; and a housing that houses the bearing inside. A part between the housing and the bearing in an axial direction is provided with an elastic body.