Vehicle having a variable assist power steering assembly
US8701820B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 2013 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62K5/08
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A recreational utility vehicle has a frame, four wheels, a pair of seats mounted laterally beside each other, a cage, a steering assembly, an engine, a front differential, a rear differential, an actuator selectively operatively connecting the engine to the front differential, and a vehicle drive mode switch for selecting between a first and second drive mode. When the first drive mode is selected, the actuator operatively connects the engine to the front differential, and when the second drive mode is selected, the actuator operatively disconnects the engine from the front differential. An electric motor is operatively connected to the steering assembly. A steering control unit is electrically connected to the electric motor, determines an output torque to be applied by the electric motor based at least in part on a speed of the vehicle, and controls the electric motor to apply the output torque to the steering assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.