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.
Claims12
A method comprising the steps of:
- providing a vehicle frame and a wheel carrier coupled to the vehicle frame by a suspension;
- coupling a tie rod to the wheel carrier at an outer tie rod joint;
- positioning an inner tie rod joint of the tie rod proximate a reference line defined by the intersection of a first reference plane and a second reference plane;
- wherein the first reference plane is defined by a center of the outer tie rod joint and a first instant center axis of the suspension while the suspension is in a full compression position;
- and
- wherein the second reference plane is defined by the center of the outer tie rod joint and a second instant center axis of the suspension while the suspension is in a full extension position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.