Utility vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023322076-A1
Application number	US-202318132475-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 10, 2023
Priority date	Apr 11, 2022
Publication date	Oct 12, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A utility vehicle includes a frame assembly defined by a lower frame assembly and an upper frame assembly coupled to the lower frame assembly. The frame assembly supports a plurality of body panels. A roof, front windshield, rear windshield, and doors may be coupled to the frame assembly to enclose the operator area.

First claim

1 - 29 . (canceled)

30 . A utility vehicle, comprising:
a plurality of ground engaging members; a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members; an operator area supported by the frame, the operator area comprising a seat and a seat belt; a powertrain supported by the frame, the powertrain comprising a prime mover operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members and a transmission operably coupled between the prime mover and the at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members; a plurality of sensors supported by the frame, the plurality of sensors comprising at least one sensor configured to determine the presence of an operator seated on the seat; a controller operably coupled to the plurality of sensors, wherein in response to the controller determining an operator is not seated on the seat, a portion of the powertrain is decoupled from the at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members.

31 . The utility vehicle of claim 30 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a seat sensor configured to determine if an operator is sitting in the seat.

32 . The utility vehicle of claim 30 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a seat belt sensor configured to determine if the seat belt is operably coupled with a seat belt receiver.

33 . The utility vehicle of claim 30 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a first sensor comprising a seat sensor configured to determine if an operator is sitting in the seat and a second sensor comprising a seat belt sensor configured to determine if the seat belt is operably coupled with a seat belt receiver, and the controller is configured to determine an operator is not in the seat based upon each of the first sensor and the second sensor.

34 . The utility vehicle of claim 33 , wherein the portion of the powertrain is the transmission.

35 . The utility vehicle of claim 33 , wherein the transmission is a continuously variable transmission comprising a clutch, and the portion of the powertrain is the clutch.

36 . The utility vehicle of claim 35 , wherein the clutch comprises a first sheave and a second sheave, and the controller is configured to move one of the first sheave and the second sheave to decouple the clutch from the at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members.

37 . The utility vehicle of claim 30 , wherein the controller is configured to decouple the portion of the powertrain after a first time after the controller determines the operator is not sitting in the seat.

38 . The utility vehicle of claim 37 , wherein the first time is between 0.5-2.5 seconds.

39 . The utility vehicle of claim 37 , wherein, in response to the controller detecting a user input, the portion of the powertrain is operably coupled to the at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members.

40 . The utility vehicle of claim 39 , wherein the user input is a brake input, and, in response to the brake input, the controller is configured to actuate a solenoid operably coupled to a gear shifter.

41 . A method of operating a vehicle comprising a plurality of ground engaging members supported by a frame, an operator area supported by the frame, the operator area comprising a seat and a seat belt, and a powertrain supported by the frame operably coupled to at least one ground engaging member of the plurality of ground engaging members, a plurality of sensors supported by the frame, and a first sensor of the plurality of sensors operably coupled to a controller configured to determine if an operator is seated within the operator area, and a second sensor of the plurality of sensors configured to monitor a powertrain characteristic, the method comprising:
determining an operator is not seated in the seat; determining the vehicle is in a driving gear; and altering the powertrain to be operably decoupled from the at least one ground engaging member in response to the operator not being seated in the seat and the vehicle being in a driving gear.

42 . The method of claim 41 , wherein the first sensor comprises a seat sensor and a seat belt sensor, and the seat sensor is configured to determine if the operator is sitting in the seat and the seat belt sensor is configured to determine if the seat belt is operably coupled to a seat belt receiver.

43 . The method of claim 41 , wherein, at a first time, each of the determining steps are completed, and the altering step takes place at a second time subsequent to the first-time.

44 . The method of claim 43 , wherein the second time is separated from the first time by 0.5-2.5 seconds.

45 . The method of claim 41 , wherein the powertrain comprises a prime mover and a transmission operably coupled between the prime mover and the at least one ground engaging member, and the altering step comprises:
altering the transmission to be operably decoupled from the at least one ground engaging member.

46 . The method of claim 45 , wherein the transmission comprises a clutch, and the altering step comprises:
moving the clutch to decouple the transmission from the at least one ground engaging member.

Assignees

• Polaris Inc

Inventors

• Frank Lauren E
• Kramer Tyler J
• Hawes Craig
• Levin Nick
• Nysse Brian N
• Martin Stephen
• Stewart Stacey E
• Holm Bryce A
• Steele Richard
• Betcher Andrew
• Rice Daniel J
• Saunders James R
• Fields Jason R
• Carlson Ryan D

Classifications

• B60K28/04 Primary

  responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof · CPC title

• B60R22/48 Primary

  Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness · CPC title

• B62D63/04

  Component parts or accessories · CPC title

• B60R2022/4891

  preventing use of the vehicle when the seatbelt is not fastened · CPC title

• B60Y2300/42

  Control of clutches · CPC title