SIDE-BY-SIDE ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE
Generally, off-road vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles (“ATVs”) and utility vehicles (“UVs”), are used to carry passengers and a small amount of cargo over a variety of terrains. Due to increasing recreational interest in ATVs, specialty ATVs, such as those used for trail riding, racing, and cargo hauling have entered the market place. Most ATVs include seating for passengers which are either seated side-by-side or with the passenger positioned behind the driver of the ATV. Side-by-side ATVs, in which the driver and passenger are seated beside each other on laterally spaced apart seats, have become popular because of the ability to allow the passenger to share the driver's viewpoint and riding experience instead of being positioned behind the driver. According to one aspect, an all-terrain vehicle comprises a frame including a front frame part and a rear frame part. The rear frame part is separate from and connected to the front frame part via frame joints which are spaced laterally from one another in a width direction of the vehicle. A seating surface is supported by one of the front frame part and the rear frame part. An engine is supported by the rear frame part and is positioned behind the seating surface. Left and right front wheels are operably coupled to the front frame part and drivingly coupled to the engine via a front drive unit. Left and right rear wheels are operably coupled to the rear frame part and drivingly coupled to the engine via a rear drive unit. A brake system is mounted to the frame and includes front wheel brakes for the respective left and right front wheels and rear wheel brakes for the respective left and right rear wheels. The brake system further includes a brake modulator and a master brake cylinder operably connected to the brake modulator. The brake modulator is mounted to the front frame part. According to another aspect, an all-terrain vehicle comprises a frame including a front frame part and a rear frame part. The front frame part includes left and right front frame members extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and left and right vertical frame members secured to the respective left and right front frame members. A seating surface is supported by one of the front frame part and the rear frame part. An engine is supported by the rear frame part and is positioned behind the seating surface. Left and right front wheels are operably coupled to the front frame part and drivingly coupled to the engine via a front drive unit. Left and right rear wheels are operably coupled to the rear frame part and drivingly coupled to the engine via a rear drive unit. A non-boosted brake system is mounted to the frame and includes front wheel disc brakes for the respective left and right front wheels and rear wheel disc brakes for the respective left and right rear wheels. The non-boosted brake system further includes a brake modulator and a master brake cylinder operably connected to the brake modulator. The brake modulator is mounted to one of the left and right vertical frame members of the front frame part so as to positioned on a lateral side of the front frame part. According to another aspect, a method of assembling an all-terrain vehicle comprises providing a tubular frame having a front frame part and a rear frame part separate from the front frame part; connecting a forward portion of the rear frame part to a rear portion of the front frame part; mounting a brake modulator of a brake system to the forward frame part; mounting a master brake cylinder of the brake system to the forward frame part; mounting a seating surface to one of the front frame part and the rear frame part; mounting an engine to the rear frame part behind the seating surface; drivingly coupling left and right front wheels to the engine via a front drive unit mounted to the front frame part; and drivingly coupling left and right rear wheels to the engine via a rear drive unit mounted to the rear frame part. The embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or identical elements throughout the various drawings. Referring initially to A protective cage 140 extends over a passenger compartment or cab 142 to assist in preventing injury to passengers of the vehicle 100 from passing branches or tree limbs, as well as, may act as a support in the event of a vehicle rollover. Additionally, in some embodiments a cover including one or more of a roof and windshield (not shown) and doors 146 may be provided to block weathering elements such as wind, rain or snow. The cab 142 also includes a front console or panel 150, an adjustable steering wheel 152, and operational shift levers 154 and 156. As is well known, the front panel 150 may include a tachometer, speedometer, or any other suitable instrument. The front end 102 includes a front body panel 160, a hood 162, and a front suspension assembly 164 which pivotally couples the front wheels 114 Referring now to The rear frame part 122 includes the left and right rear longitudinal frame rails 230, 232, a front cross member 240, and a rear cross member 242. Each of the cross members 240, 242 extends in the width direction of the vehicle 100 and interconnects the left and right rear frame rails 230, 232. An engine support frame assembly 244 is secured to the left and right rear frame rails 230, 232 between the front and rear cross members 240, 242. Left and right front pillars 250, 252 and left and right rear pillars 254, 256 are secured to the respective left and right rear frame rails 230, 232. A left upper longitudinal frame member 260 spans between the left pillars 250, 254, and a right upper longitudinal frame member 262 spans between the right pillars 252, 256. Support members 266, 268 interconnect the left and right upper frame members 260, 262. A rear sub-frame assembly 270 is secured to the rear frame part 122 rearward of the rear cross member 242. The rear sub-frame assembly 270 includes left and right lower longitudinal sub-frame rails 274, 276 located inwardly of the left and right rear longitudinal frame rails 230, 232. A rear sub-frame cross member 278 interconnects the left and right sub-frame rails 274, 276. Left and right upper longitudinal sub-frame members 280, 282 are secured to the left and right sub-frame rails 274, 276 by left and right pillars 286, 288. Support members 290, 292 interconnect the left and right upper sub-frame members 280, 282. With reference to One example of a vehicle control is schematically illustrated in It should be appreciated that the vehicle controller 360 for controlling the distribution of the driving force is by way of example only, and that the drive mode of the vehicle can be manually controlled via a lever or switch provided on the front panel 150. According to one aspect, the exemplary vehicle 100 can travel while arbitrarily making the switch between 2WD mode and 4WD mode. By way of example, a 2WD/4WD switch 364 can be provided on the front panel 150 (instead of the shift lever 156) at a position where it can easily be operated by the vehicle operator. When the 2WD/4WD switch is manually actuated by the vehicle operator the front drive unit 342 is engaged and, thus, the torque of the engine 170 is distributed to both the front wheels 114 The vehicle 100 can further include a FI/AT (Fuel Injected/Automatic Transmission)-ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 366 and a VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist)-ECU 368, each being in communication with the other and the vehicle controller 360. As is well known, the FI/AT-ECU 366 serves as a control unit that controls the engine 170 and the automatic transmission. The FI/AT-ECU 366 can receives a detection signal of a throttle position or throttle opening detected by a throttle position sensor 370, a detection signal of an engine speed detected by an engine speed sensor (not shown), and a detection signal of a shift position detected by a shift position sensor (not shown). In addition, the FI/AT-ECU 366 can have an engine torque map that describes a relationship among the engine speed, the throttle position, and an engine torque estimation value. According to this aspect, the FI/AT-ECU 366 can calculate the engine torque estimation value on the basis of the throttle position detected by the throttle position sensor 370 and the engine speed detected by the engine speed sensor. The VSA-ECU 368 is a control unit that has a BTCS (Brake Traction Control System) function that prevents tire slip in acceleration. With the BTCS of the exemplary vehicle 100, when terrain surface friction is different for the left and right wheels, brake control is applied to the wheel(s) on the low friction side while engine torque is supplied to the wheel(s) on the high-friction side, thus obtaining all wheel traction. The VSA-ECU 368 can also have an ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) function that prevents wheel lock by performing anti-lock control on the left and right front wheels 114 Still further, the vehicle 100 can include a left front wheel speed sensor 376 that detects the wheel speed of the left front wheel on the basis of the rotational speed of the left front drive shaft 322, a right front wheel speed sensor 378 that detects the wheel speed of the right front wheel on the basis of the rotational speed of the right front drive shaft 322, a left rear wheel speed sensor 380 that detects the wheel speed of the left rear wheel on the basis of the rotational speed of the left rear drive shaft 350, and a right rear wheel speed sensor 382 that detects the wheel speed of the right rear wheel on the basis of the rotational speed of the right rear drive shaft 350. Each wheel speed sensor is in signal communication with the vehicle controller 360 and, in turn, each of the FI/AT-ECU 366 and VSA-ECU 368. As indicated above, the vehicle 100 is provided with the brake system including the front wheel brakes 320 for the front wheels 114 The brake system of the vehicle 100 can be controlled by the VSA-ECU 368 and can receive detection signals output from the various sensors in signal communication with the respective FI/AT ECU 366. The vehicle can be provided with a HSA (Hill Start Assist) system for maintaining the off-road type vehicle 100 stationary (via, for example, front and rear wheel brakes 320, 390) while the vehicle is on a grade to permit the vehicle operator to start the vehicle in a desired direction of travel while preventing the vehicle from rolling in the opposite direction. In the embodiment illustrated in It should be appreciated that any suitable controller and/or electronic control unit which acts to receive the desired inputs and calculate the desired outputs may be employed for the vehicle controller 360, FI/AT ECU 366, and VSA-ECU 368. It should be further appreciated by one skilled in the vehicle control arts that each of the vehicle controller, FI/AT ECU and VSA-ECU can be formed from a microcomputer or processor including a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a central processing unit (CPU), and an I/O interface (none are illustrated), wherein the controller and ECUs execute software implemented functions to control operation of the vehicle 100. It should be further appreciated that although each of the vehicle controller 360, FI/AT ECU 366 and VSA-ECU 368 are depicted as separate control units, each can be selectively integrated into a single controller or control unit. Still further, insofar as each of the vehicle controller, FI/AT ECU and VSA-ECU is disclosed as a singular microcomputer or processor it is to be appreciated that each may be composed of several processors or controllers. Further still, it is also to be appreciated that each of the vehicle controller 360, FI/AT ECU 366 and VSA-ECU 368 may include various other modules or components configured to perform other vehicle control related functions. With reference back to As illustrated, the master brake cylinder 410 is positioned on the other lateral side of the front frame part 120 and is mounted to the other of the left and right vertical frame members 190, 192, specifically the left vertical frame member 190 via a bracket 434. The master brake cylinder 410 can be laterally aligned with the brake modulator 400 in a plan view of the vehicle, which provides for compact runs of the brake lines between the brake modulator 400 and the master brake cylinder 410. Further, with the brake modulator 400 positioned above one of the front suspension assemblies 164 in a side view of the vehicle, the master brake cylinder 410 can be positioned above the other of the front suspension assemblies in a side view of the vehicle. As shown, a brake fluid reservoir 436 is mounted near the master brake cylinder 410. As is evident from the forgoing, an exemplary method of assembling the vehicle 100 comprises providing a tubular frame 110 having a front frame part 120 and a rear frame part 122 separate from the front frame part; connecting a forward portion of the rear frame part 122 to a rear portion of the front frame part 120; mounting a brake modulator 400 of a brake system to the forward frame part 120; mounting a master brake cylinder 410 of the brake system to the forward frame part 120; mounting a seating surface (for example, the pair of seating surfaces 130 It will be appreciated that the above-disclosed features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. An all-terrain vehicle includes a frame including a front frame part and a separate rear frame part connected to the front frame part via frame joints. A surface is supported by one of the front frame part and the rear frame part. An engine is supported by the rear frame part and is positioned behind the seating surface. Front wheels operably coupled to the front frame part are drivingly coupled to the engine via a front drive unit. Rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame part are drivingly coupled to the engine via a rear drive unit. A brake system is mounted to the frame and includes front wheel brakes and rear wheel brakes. The brake system further includes a brake modulator and a master brake cylinder operably connected to the brake modulator. The brake modulator is mounted to the front frame part. 1. An all-terrain vehicle comprising:
a frame including a front frame part and a rear frame part, the rear frame part is separate from and connected to the front frame part via frame joints which are spaced laterally from one another in a width direction of the vehicle; a seating surface supported by one of the front frame part and the rear frame part; an engine supported by the rear frame part, the engine is positioned behind the seating surface; left and right front wheels operably coupled to the front frame part and drivingly coupled to the engine via a front drive unit; left and right rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame part and drivingly coupled to the engine via a rear drive unit; and a brake system mounted to the frame and including front wheel brakes for the respective left and right front wheels and rear wheel brakes for the respective left and right rear wheels, the brake system further including a brake modulator and a master brake cylinder operably connected to the brake modulator, the brake modulator mounted to the front frame part. 2. The vehicle according to 3. The vehicle according to 4. The vehicle according to 5. The vehicle according to 6. The vehicle according to 7. The vehicle according to 8. The vehicle according to 9. The vehicle according to 10. The vehicle according to 11. The vehicle according to 12. The vehicle according to 13. An all-terrain vehicle comprising:
a frame including a front frame part and a rear frame part, the front frame part including left and right front frame members extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, left and right vertical frame members secured to the respective left and right front frame members; a seating surface supported by one of the front frame part and the rear frame part; an engine supported by the rear frame part, the engine is positioned behind the seating surface; left and right front wheels operably coupled to the front frame part and drivingly coupled to the engine via a front drive unit; left and right rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame part and drivingly coupled to the engine via a rear drive unit; and a non-boosted brake system mounted to the frame and including front wheel disc brakes for the respective left and right front wheels and rear wheel disc brakes for the respective left and right rear wheels, the non-boosted brake system further including a brake modulator and a master brake cylinder operably connected to the brake modulator, the brake modulator mounted to one of the left and right vertical frame members of the front frame part so as to positioned on a lateral side of the front frame part. 14. The vehicle according to 15. The vehicle according to 16. The vehicle according to 17. The vehicle according to 18. The vehicle according to 19. A method of assembling an all-terrain vehicle comprising:
providing a tubular frame having a front frame part and a rear frame part separate from the front frame part; connecting a forward portion of the rear frame part to a rear portion of the front frame part; mounting a brake modulator of a brake system to the forward frame part; mounting a master brake cylinder of the brake system to the forward frame part; mounting a seating surface to one of the front frame part and the rear frame part; mounting an engine to the rear frame part behind the seating surface; drivingly coupling left and right front wheels to the engine via a front drive unit mounted to the front frame part; and drivingly coupling left and right rear wheels to the engine via a rear drive unit mounted to the rear frame part. 20. The method of BACKGROUND
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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