# US 2022/0033005 A1 · Method for assembling vehicles of a family of vehicles and corresponding vehicles

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- Number: US 2022/0033005 A1
- Document ID: US20220033005A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/500,445
- Filed: 2021-10-13
- Published: 2022-02-03
- Earliest claimed: 2018-05-17
- Assignees: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
- Applicants: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
- Inventors: Eric CHALIFOUR
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220033005A1

## CPC

- B62D 21/183: {specially adapted for sports vehicles, e.g. race, dune buggies, go-karts (tubular skeleton B62D23/005)}
- B62D 23/005: {with integrated chassis in the whole shell, e.g. meshwork, tubes, or the like (B62D33/044 takes precedence)}
- B62D 27/00: Connections between superstructure {or understructure} sub-units {(B62D33/0207, B62D33/044 take precedence; between sub-units predominently made of synthetic material B62D29/048)}
- B62D 33/03: by swinging down {(B62D33/0273 takes precedence)}
- B60K 2005/003: {the internal combustion or jet propulsion unit is arranged between the front and the rear axle}
- B60Y 2200/20: Off-Road Vehicles
- B62D 33/02: Platforms; Open load compartments {(flat wagons including posts or standards B61D3/08)}
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY

## Abstract

A vehicle has a frame including a front frame module defining at least in part a cockpit, and a rear frame module having a cargo bed support structure. The vehicle has a rear seat row or a cargo bed support structure extension disposed rearwardly of a front seat row. A wheelbase length measured between centers of front and rear wheels of the vehicle is approximately the same regardless of which of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is disposed rearwardly of the front seat row. A longitudinal cargo pivot distance measured between the center of the front wheels and a cargo bed pivot axis is approximately the same regardless of which of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is disposed rearwardly of the front seat row. A method of assembling a vehicle of a family of vehicles is also contemplated.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle, comprising:
a frame comprising:
a front frame module defining at least in part a cockpit of the vehicle including a front seat row space, the front frame module comprising a front suspension mounting structure;
a rear frame module connected to the front frame module, the rear frame module comprising a rear suspension mounting structure and a cargo bed support structure defining at least in part a cargo bed pivot;
a front seat row, including at least a driver seat, supported in the front seat row space defined by the front frame module;
one of:
a rear seat row disposed rearwardly of the front seat row; and
a cargo bed support structure extension disposed rearwardly of the front seat row;
a motor supported by the frame;
left and right front suspension assemblies mounted to the front suspension mounting structure;
left and right rear suspension assemblies mounted to the rear suspension mounting structure;
left and right front wheels mounted to the front suspension assemblies;
left and right rear wheels mounted to the rear suspension assemblies; and
one of a short cargo bed and a long cargo bed pivotably mounted to the cargo bed pivot, the long cargo bed having a length that is greater than a length of the short cargo bed, the one of the short cargo bed and the long cargo bed being:
the short cargo bed if the one of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is the rear seat row; and
the long cargo bed if the one of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is the cargo bed support structure extension;
the vehicle having:
a wheelbase length measured longitudinally between respective centers of the front and rear wheels, the wheelbase length being approximately the same regardless of the one of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension being disposed rearwardly of the front seat row; and
a longitudinal cargo pivot distance measured between the center of the front wheels and a cargo bed pivot axis defined by the cargo bed pivot, the longitudinal cargo pivot distance being approximately the same regardless of the one of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension being disposed rearwardly of the front seat row.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the rear frame module defines at least in part a motor compartment of the frame; and
the motor is at least partly supported in the rear frame module.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The vehicle of claim 2, wherein:
the one of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is the rear seat row;
the front frame module comprises:
first left and right roll cage mounts;
second left and right roll cage mounts located longitudinally rearward of the first roll cage mounts; and
third left and right roll cage mounts located longitudinally rearward of the second roll cage mounts;
the vehicle further comprises:
front left and front right roll cage legs connected to the first roll cage mounts;
intermediate left and intermediate right roll cage legs connected to the second roll cage mounts; and
rear left and rear right roll cage legs connected to the third roll cage mounts,
the front, intermediate and rear roll cage legs being connected to one another; and
the short cargo bed is disposed rearwardly of the third roll cage mounts.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The vehicle of claim 2, wherein:
the one of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is the cargo bed support structure extension;
the front frame module comprises:
first left and right roll cage mounts;
second left and right roll cage mounts located longitudinally rearward of the first roll cage mounts; and
third left and right roll cage mounts located longitudinally rearward of the second roll cage mounts;
the vehicle further comprises:
front left and front right roll cage legs connected to the first roll cage mounts; and
rear left and rear right roll cage legs connected to the second roll cage mounts; and
the long cargo bed extends, in a lowered position, forwardly of the third roll cage mounts.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The vehicle of claim 4, wherein:
the front frame module comprises:
a lower frame structure supporting a storage compartment floor; and
vertically-extending frame members extending vertically from the lower frame structure;
and
the frame further comprises a storage compartment structure connected to the vertically-extending frame members, the storage compartment structure defining at least in part a top of a storage compartment such that the storage compartment structure and the storage compartment floor partly define the storage compartment therebetween.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the long cargo bed extends longitudinally, in the lowered position, over at least a portion of the storage compartment.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The vehicle of claim 2, wherein:
the front frame module comprises:
a first sub-module comprising the front suspension mounting structure; and
a second sub-module connected to the first sub-module, the second sub-module defining a configurable space, the second sub-module being disposed rearwardly of the first sub-module;
if the one of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is the rear seat row, the second sub-module accommodates at least partly the rear seat row in the configurable space.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The vehicle of claim 7, wherein:
if the one of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is the cargo bed support structure extension, the long cargo bed extends longitudinally, in a lowered position, over at least a portion of the configurable space of the second sub-module.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the front frame module is one of a first front frame module and a second front frame module;
the first front frame module comprises:
a first top portion; and
a first base portion extending below and connected to the first top portion;
the second front frame module comprises:
a second top portion; and
a second base portion extending below and connected to the second top portion;
the first top portion is identical to the second top portion; and
the first base portion is different from the second base portion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the first and second top portions each comprise at least part of a roll cage of the vehicle.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The vehicle of claim 9, wherein:
the first base portion comprises a first lower frame structure for supporting a cockpit floor;
the second base portion comprises a second lower frame structure for supporting the cockpit floor; and
the first lower frame structure has a length that is greater than a length of the second lower frame structure.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The vehicle of claim 9, wherein:
the rear frame module is a rearmost rear frame module;
the rear suspension mounting structure is a rearmost rear suspension mounting structure;
the rear suspension assemblies are rearmost rear suspension assemblies;
the rear wheels are rearmost rear wheels;
the one of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is the cargo bed support structure extension;
the frame further comprises a central frame module, the central frame module being connected between the front frame module and the rearmost rear frame module, the central frame module defining at least in part a motor compartment, the motor is at least partly supported in the central frame module, the central frame module comprising a central suspension mounting structure; and
the vehicle further comprises:
left and right central suspension assemblies mounted to the central suspension mounting structure; and
left and right central wheels mounted to the central suspension assemblies.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
each of the short cargo bed and the long cargo bed has a lock for retaining the cargo bed in a lowered position;
the rear frame module has a first lock-engaging frame subassembly for engaging and supporting the lock of either of the short and long cargo beds;
the cargo bed support structure extension has a second lock-engaging frame subassembly for engaging and supporting the lock of the long cargo bed; and
the first and second lock-engaging frame subassemblies have substantially similar geometries.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The vehicle of claim 13, wherein each of the first and second lock-engaging frame subassemblies includes:
a laterally-extending frame member for engaging the lock; and
a supporting frame member connected to and supporting the laterally-extending frame member, the laterally-extending frame member being disposed at a given angle relative to the laterally-extending frame member,
the given angle being substantially the same in the first lock-engaging frame subassembly and the second lock-engaging frame subassembly.

### Claim 15

A method of assembling a vehicle of a family of vehicles, including at least a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the method comprising:
providing a front frame module defining at least in part a cockpit of the vehicle, the front frame module comprising:
a front suspension mounting structure for mounting left and right front suspension assemblies of the vehicle, the left and right front suspension assemblies being configured to operatively connect left and right front wheels of the vehicle to the front frame module;
providing a rear frame module defining at least in part a motor compartment of the vehicle for supporting a motor of the vehicle, the rear frame module comprising:
a rear suspension mounting structure for mounting left and right rear suspension assemblies of the vehicle, the left and right rear suspension assemblies being configured to operatively connect left and right rear wheels to the rear frame module; and
a cargo bed support structure for supporting a cargo bed of the vehicle, the cargo bed support structure defining at least in part a cargo bed pivot for pivotably mounting the cargo bed;
providing a group of cargo beds, including a short cargo bed and a long cargo bed, the long cargo bed having a length that is greater than a length of the short cargo bed;
when assembling the first vehicle:
connecting the front frame module to the rear frame module;
mounting the short cargo bed to the cargo bed pivot;
mounting first front suspension assemblies and first rear suspension assemblies to the front and rear frame modules respectively; and
mounting first front wheels and first rear wheels to the first front and first rear suspension assemblies respectively,
the first vehicle having a first wheelbase length measured longitudinally between respective centers of the first front and first rear wheels,
the first vehicle having a first longitudinal cargo pivot distance measured between the center of the first front wheels and a cargo bed pivot axis defined by the cargo bed pivot;
when assembling the second vehicle:
connecting the front frame module to the rear frame module;
mounting the long cargo bed to the cargo bed pivot;
mounting second front suspension assemblies and second rear suspension assemblies to the front and rear frame modules respectively; and
mounting second front wheels and second rear wheels to the second front and second rear suspension assemblies respectively,
the second vehicle having a second wheelbase length measured longitudinally between the respective centers of the second front and second rear wheels,
the second vehicle having a second longitudinal cargo pivot distance measured between the center of the second front wheels and the cargo bed pivot axis defined by the cargo bed pivot;
wherein:
the first and second wheelbase lengths are approximately the same; and
the first and second longitudinal cargo pivot distances are approximately the same.