Methods and apparatus for steering an ATV
AssigneePolaris Industries Inc.
InventorMark Chevalier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus related to the suspension and steering of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) are disclosed. An ATV having a frame and a wheel carrier for rotatably supporting a wheel is provided. A tie rod is coupled to the wheel carrier at an outer joint. An inner joint of the tie rod is preferably located in a desirable location. A method for identifying the desirable location may include the steps of defining a first reference plane associated with a full compression position of the suspension, defining a second reference plane associated with a full extension position of the suspension, identifying a reference line formed by an intersection of the first reference plane and the second reference plane, and selecting a location proximate the reference line as the desirable location for the inner joint.
Claims21
A method of identifying a desirable location for an inner joint of a tie rod coupled to a wheel carrier of a suspension, the method comprising the steps of:
- locating a full compression instant center axis of the suspension;
- locating a full compression center point of an outer joint of the tie rod;
- the full compression instant center axis and the full compression center point defining a first reference plane;
- locating a full extension instant center axis of the suspension;
- locating a full extension center point of the outer joint of the tie rod;
- the full extension instant center axis and the full extension center point of the outer joint defining a second reference plane;
- identifying a reference line formed by an intersection of the first reference plane and the second reference plane;
- and
- selecting a location proximate the reference line as the desirable location for the inner joint.
A method of identifying a desirable location for an inner joint of a tie rod coupled to a wheel carrier of a suspension at an outer joint of the tie rod, the method comprising the steps of:
- defining a first reference plane associated with a full compression position of the suspension;
- defining a second reference plane associated with a full extension position of the suspension;
- identifying a reference line formed by an intersection of the first reference plane and the second reference plane;
- and
- selecting a location proximate the reference line as the desirable location for the inner joint.
A vehicle comprising:
- a frame;
- a wheel carrier coupled to the frame by a suspension;
- the suspension having a range of travel extending between a full extension position and a full compression position;
- a tie rod coupled to the wheel carrier at an outer tie rod joint;
- a center of the outer tie rod joint and a first instant center axis of the suspension defining a first reference plane when the suspension is in the full compression position;
- the center of the outer tie rod joint and a second instant center axis of the suspension defining a second reference plane when the suspension is in the full extension position;
- the first reference plane and the second reference plane intersecting to define a reference line;
- and
- an inner tie rod joint of the tie rod being disposed proximate the reference line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.