Rear suspension assembly for a vehicle
AssigneePolaris Industries Inc.
InventorsAlex R. Scheuerell, David D. Helgeson, Aaron S. Norton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A utility vehicle includes a rear suspension assembly which has a trailing arm generally extending longitudinally. The trailing arm includes a joint along a longitudinal length of the trailing arm. Also, the rear suspension assembly includes an upper radius rod extending in a generally lateral direction relative to a centerline of the vehicle. Additionally, the rear suspension assembly includes a lower radius rod extending in a generally lateral direction relative to the centerline of the vehicle. The rear suspension assembly further includes a suspension member configured to control toe of the at least one rear ground-engaging member.
Claims20
A utility vehicle, comprising:
- a frame assembly extending longitudinally along a centerline of the vehicle;
- at least one front ground-engaging member supporting the frame assembly;
- at least one rear ground-engaging member supporting the frame assembly;
- and
- a rear suspension assembly operably coupled to the frame assembly and the at least one rear ground-engaging member, the rear suspension assembly comprising:
- a trailing arm generally extending longitudinally and operably coupled to the frame assembly and the at least one rear ground-engaging member, the trailing arm including a first longitudinal portion having a first coupling member coupled to the frame assembly and a second longitudinal portion having a second coupling member operably coupled to the at least one rear ground engaging member, the first portion and the second portion coupled to each other via a joint along a longitudinal length of the trailing arm;
- an upper radius rod extending in a generally lateral direction relative to the centerline of the vehicle and operably coupled to the trailing arm;
- a lower radius rod extending in the generally lateral direction relative to the centerline of the vehicle and operably coupled to the trailing arm;
- and
- a suspension member configured to control toe of the at least one rear ground-engaging member and operably coupled to the trailing arm and to the frame assembly.
A utility vehicle, comprising:
- a frame assembly extending longitudinally along a centerline of the vehicle;
- at least one front ground-engaging member supporting the frame assembly;
- at least one rear ground-engaging member supporting the frame assembly;
- and
- a rear suspension assembly operably coupled to the frame assembly and the at least one rear ground-engaging member, the rear suspension assembly comprising:
- a trailing arm generally extending longitudinally and including a front end operably coupled to the frame assembly and a rear end operably coupled to the at least one rear ground-engaging member;
- an upper radius rod extending in a generally lateral direction relative to the centerline of the vehicle and including an outside end operably coupled to the trailing arm and an inside end extending toward the centerline of the vehicle;
- a lower radius rod extending in the generally lateral direction relative to the centerline of the vehicle and operably coupled to the trailing arm;
- and
- a suspension member configured to control toe of the at least one rear ground-engaging member having a first end and a second end the first end operably coupled to the trailing arm and the second end operable coupled to the frame assembly at positions within a zone defined by the trailing arm, the upper radius rod, and a plane defined between the front end of the trailing arm and the inner end of the upper radius rod as viewed from above.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.