HK1163611B - Vehicle - Google Patents

Description

Vehicle with a steering wheel

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a vehicle, and more particularly to a utility vehicle having an operator area including side-by-side seats.

Background

Utility vehicles are known. The present disclosure relates to vehicles, including utility vehicles. The present disclosure relates to utility vehicles having foot-controlled pedals. The present disclosure relates to a floor for use with utility vehicles, particularly utility vehicles having foot-controlled pedals.

Disclosure of Invention

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes: a plurality of ground members including at least two front ground members and at least two rear ground members; a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging members; a CVT supported by the frame; a prime mover supported by the frame and operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members through the CVT to power movement of the vehicle; and an operator area supported by the frame and positioned between the at least two front ground engaging members and the at least two rear ground engaging members. The operator area includes seats for at least two occupants arranged side-by-side. The operator area also includes an operator control and at least one cup holder. At least one cup holder is disposed in the operator area forward of and spaced apart from the seat and lower than a seating surface of the seat.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes: a plurality of ground members including at least two front ground members and at least two rear ground members; a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging members; a CVT supported by the frame; a prime mover supported by the frame and operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members through the CVT to power movement of the vehicle; and an operator area supported by the frame and positioned between the at least two front ground engaging members and the at least two rear ground engaging members. The operator area includes seats for at least two occupants arranged side-by-side, a steering controller operatively coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of ground engaging members, a prime mover controller operatively coupled to the prime mover, and a floor having a quasi-flat floor portion extending from a central longitudinal plane of the vehicle to a left side of the vehicle and a right side of the vehicle. The prime mover and the CVT are positioned on a first side of the quasi-flat floor portion of the floor and are operatively coupled to at least one of the ground-contacting members positioned on a second side of the quasi-flat floor portion.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of cooling a CVT of a utility vehicle including an operator area is provided. The method comprises the following steps: positioning the CVT within the housing; providing a cooling system having a fluid inlet and a fluid conduit, the interior of the housing being in fluid communication with the fluid conduit of the cooling system; and positioning the fluid inlet to draw air from the operator area into the fluid conduit of the cooling system.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a plurality of ground engaging members including at least two front ground engaging members and at least two rear ground engaging members. The frame is supported by a plurality of ground engaging members and the prime mover is supported by the frame and operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members to provide motive power for movement of the vehicle. An operator area is supported by the frame and positioned between the at least two front ground engaging members and the at least two rear ground engaging members, and the operator area is at least partially defined by the front wall. The vehicle has an air intake system in fluid communication with the prime mover and has an air intake positioned forward of the front wall.

Drawings

The above-mentioned and other features of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary utility vehicle;

FIGS. 2 and 2A illustrate a top view of the floor of the operator area of the utility vehicle of FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial perspective view of an operator area of the utility vehicle of FIG. 1 from a general floor level on the left side of the utility vehicle;

fig. 4 shows a passenger-side cup holder of the operator area located at a front wall of the operator area;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the drive train, CVT cooling system, and prime mover cooling or air intake system of the utility vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a second perspective view of the components of FIG. 5, showing portions of the CVT cooling system and the prime mover cooling or air intake system exploded;

FIG. 7 illustrates the location of the CVT cooling system and the prime mover cooling or air intake system relative to the frame of the utility vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 illustrates coupling an inlet housing of the CVT cooling system to a wall of an operator area of the utility vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates a first perspective view of the utility vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 illustrates a second perspective view of the utility vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 illustrates a view of the utility vehicle taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11A illustrates the positions of the frame rails, fluid conduits of the prime mover cooling system, drive shafts, and the floor assembly of FIG. 11;

FIG. 11B shows a detail of FIG. 11A;

FIGS. 12 and 12A illustrate views of the utility vehicle taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 2A; and

fig. 13 shows a representative view of air flowing from a fluid conduit of a CVT cooling system, through a portion of an engine, and into a housing of the CVT.

Detailed Description

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, the drawings are to scale.

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. Although the present disclosure is primarily directed to a utility vehicle, it should be understood that the features disclosed herein may be applied to other types of vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, and golf carts.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle 100 is shown. As shown, the vehicle 100 includes a plurality of ground engaging members 102. Illustratively, the ground engaging member 102 is a wheel 104 and an associated tire 106. The illustrated vehicle 100 includes two front wheels defining a front axle 108 (see fig. 9) and two rear wheels defining a rear axle 110 (see fig. 9). Both front and rear wheels are coupled to the frame 112 by suspension systems 116 and 118. Exemplary suspension systems are disclosed in one or more Utility vehicle applications, which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Although four wheels are shown, other arrangements of wheels are contemplated, such as more than two wheels per axle or with additional axles, such as disclosed in the utility vehicle application expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Other exemplary ground engaging members include skateboards and tracks. In one embodiment, one or more of the wheels may be replaced by tracks, such as the Prospector II track provided by Polaris Industries, Inc. located at highway 2100 No. 55 (55340) of Metdina, Minn.

The vehicle 100 includes an operator area 120, the operator area 120 including seats 122 for one or more passengers. As shown, the seat is for at least two passengers in a side-by-side arrangement. Operator area 120 corresponds to a portion of vehicle 110 where an operator is located with one or more passengers when operating vehicle 100. The operator area 120 is bounded by the floor assembly 230, the wall 222, a rear wall 570 positioned below the seat 122, and the roll cage 180 extending above the seat 122.

The operator area 120 also includes a plurality of operator controls 130, and an operator may provide input through the plurality of operator controls 130 to control the vehicle 100. The controller 130 includes a steering wheel 132, the steering wheel 132 being rotated by an operator to change the direction of one or more ground engaging members 102, such as wheels associated with the front axle 106, to steer the vehicle 100. In one embodiment, steering wheel 132 redirects the wheels of shaft 106 and shaft 108 to provide four-wheel steering.

Referring to fig. 2, the controller 130 also includes a first foot pedal 134 that is actuatable by an operator to control operation of the prime mover 352 (see fig. 6). In the illustrated embodiment, the prime mover 352 is an internal combustion engine 356, and the first foot pedal 134 may be actuated to control the acceleration and speed of the vehicle 100 through control of the internal combustion engine 356. The controller 130 also includes a second foot pedal 136, which the operator may actuate 136 to slow the vehicle 100 via a braking system (not shown). Additional details regarding exemplary braking systems are described in one or more Utility vehicle applications, which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Returning to fig. 1, the vehicle 100 also includes a front body assembly 150 supported by the frame 112 and a side body assembly 152 supported by the frame 112. The front bumper 154 is also supported by the frame 112. In one embodiment, vehicle 100 includes a front platform as described in one or more utility vehicle applications expressly incorporated by reference herein.

The vehicle 100 also includes a cargo bed 160 supported by the frame 112 rearward of the operator area 120. The cargo bed 160 includes a plurality of walls 162 and a floor 163 (see FIG. 10) that define a cargo area of the vehicle 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the cargo bed 160 includes a rear fender 164, and the rear fender 164 is rotatable in a direction 166 to improve access to the cargo bed 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the cargo bed 160 is bottom dump, wherein the front portion may be raised in the direction 168. A latch member 170 is provided to release the platform 160 for dumping. In one embodiment, a vibratory device or other device is provided to assist in the rotational movement of the plate 160 in direction 168. In one embodiment, the platform 160 is rigidly coupled to the frame 112. In one embodiment, vehicle 100 includes a rear platform as described in one or more utility vehicle applications expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Cargo bed 160 also includes a plurality of fasteners 161 (see fig. 12) for receiving expansion retainers (not shown) that may couple various accessories to bed 160. Additional details of these fixtures and Expansion Retainers are provided in U.S. patent No.7,055,454 entitled "Vehicle Expansion Retainers" filed by Whiting et al on 7/13 2004, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The vehicle 100 includes a roll cage 180, the roll cage 180 protecting passengers located in the operator area 120. Roll cage 180 is supported by frame 112. Handles 182 and 184 are provided to assist an occupant, such as an operator, in entering and exiting operator area 120.

Referring to fig. 7, frame 112 includes a pair of frame rails 200 that extend substantially along the longitudinal length of vehicle 100. In one embodiment, frame rails 200 extend from the front of vehicle 100 to beneath cargo bed 160 forward of rear axle 110. Frame rail 200 includes a hitch bracket 202 for front suspension 116 of front axle 108. A plurality of frame rails 204 extend between frame rails 200. An operator area support structure 206 including a rail 208 is attached to an exterior portion of frame rail 200. Frame 112 also includes a first upper portion 210 that supports a dashboard assembly 212 (see FIG. 10) and a second upper portion 214 that supports seat 122. In one embodiment, the structure of frame 112 may be the same as described in one or more utility vehicle applications expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Referring to fig. 10, the instrument panel assembly 212 includes a driver-side storage compartment 216, a passenger storage compartment 218, and an operator communication center 220. The operator communications center 220 may include output devices such as speedometers, other gauges, lights, and other suitable output devices, as well as input devices such as switches and other suitable input devices. In one embodiment, the VEHICLE 100 includes an under-dash storage space, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/134,909, entitled "SUSPENSION System FOR VEHICLE (SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE"), filed 6.2008, and having attorney docket number PLR-06-22542.03P, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/135,107, filed 6.2008, 6.26, and having attorney docket number PLR-06-22542.02P, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The lower portion of the operator area 120 is separated from the front portion 220 of the vehicle 100 by a wall 222. As shown in fig. 2, the wall 222 extends generally from the driver-side opening 226 to the passenger-side opening 228 and has a generally U-shaped profile. Referring to FIG. 11, wall 222 is coupled to instrument panel assembly 212 by a plurality of fasteners 224. In addition, the wall 222 is coupled to the floor assembly 230 by a plurality of fasteners 232.

As shown in fig. 11, a driver side cup holder 240 and a passenger side cup holder 242 are coupled to the wall 222. As shown in fig. 10, a driver side cup holder 240 and a passenger side cup holder 242 are disposed within the operator area 120 in front of the seat 122 at a distance from the seat 122. Referring to fig. 12, the seat 122 includes a seat back portion 244 and a base portion 246. The base portion 246 includes a seat surface 248, the height of the seat surface 248 being generally indicated by a plane 250 passing through the uppermost portion of the base portion 246. Referring to fig. 12A, the forwardmost portion of the base portion 246 is generally indicated by a plane 252. The seat surface 248 may be generally flat or contoured. In one embodiment, the base portion 246 is inclined from horizontal by approximately 8.5 degrees such that the rear edge of the base (proximate the flat plate 160) is lower than the front edge of the base. In one embodiment, the back portion 244 is angled approximately 17 degrees from vertical toward the plate 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat surface 248 is a bench. In one embodiment, the base portion 246 includes separate sections that may be spaced apart or abutted. In the illustrated embodiment, the seatback portion 244 is a continuous segment. In one embodiment, the seat back portion 244 includes a separate section that may be spaced apart from or abutted against the seat surface of the seat.

As also shown in fig. 10, the driver-side cup holder 240 and the passenger-side cup holder 242 are disposed lower in the operator area 120 than the plane 250 of the seat 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the driver side cup holder 240 and the passenger side cup holder 242 are mirror images of each other. Referring to fig. 12A, the driver side cup holder 240 is shown. The top surface 260 of the driver side cup holder 240 (see fig. 4 showing the corresponding top surface of the passenger side cup holder 242) is below the plane 250. In one embodiment, top surface 260 is about 7.6 inches below planar surface 250 (corresponding to distance 254 in FIG. 12A), planar surface 250 is about 19.7 inches above flooring assembly 230 (corresponding to distance 256 in FIG. 12A), and top surface 260 is about 12.1 inches above flooring assembly 230 (corresponding to distance 258 in FIG. 11).

In one embodiment, at least one of the driver side cup holder 240 and the passenger side cup holder 242 is below the plane 250 such that the distance 254 from the plane 250 to the top surface 260 is at most about 39% of the distance 256. In one example, the driver side cup holder 240 and the passenger side cup holder 242 are at the same height. In one embodiment, at least one of the driver side cup holder 240 and the passenger side cup holder 242 is below the plane 250 such that the distance 254 from the plane 250 to the top surface 260 is at least about 39% of the distance 256. In one example, the driver side cup holder 240 and the passenger side cup holder 242 are at the same height. In one embodiment, at least one of the driver side cup holder 240 and the passenger side cup holder 242 is positioned such that the distance 254 is less than half of the distance 256. In one embodiment, at least one of the driver side cup holder 240 and the passenger side cup holder 242 is positioned such that the distance 254 is greater than half of the distance 256. In one embodiment, at least one of the driver side cup holder 240 and the passenger side cup holder 242 is positioned such that the distance 254 is half the distance 256.

Referring to fig. 12A, both driver side cup holder 240 and passenger side cup holder 242 are positioned lower than dashboard assembly 212. Additionally, the driver side cup holder 240 and the passenger side cup holder 242 are forward of a rear portion of the instrument panel assembly 212 as indicated by plane 270.

Referring to fig. 2, the driver side cup holder 240 and the passenger side cup holder 242 are offset from a central longitudinal plane 272 of the vehicle 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the driver side cup holder 240 and the passenger side cup holder 242 are offset from the central longitudinal plane 272 by approximately the same distance. In one embodiment, the driver side cup holder 240 and the passenger side cup holder 242 are offset different distances from the central longitudinal plane 272.

As shown in fig. 2A, the left side plane 274 is parallel to the central longitudinal plane 272 and generally corresponds to the left side of the vehicle 100, and the right side plane 276 is parallel to the central longitudinal plane 272 and generally corresponds to the right side of the vehicle 100. The plane 278 is shown as being parallel to the central longitudinal plane 272 and passing approximately through the center of the driver side cup holder 240. The center of driver side cup holder 240 includes a drain 280, drain 280 being disposed on a bottom surface 282 of a container holding area 284 of driver side cup holder 240. Plane 290 is shown as being parallel to central longitudinal plane 272 and passing approximately through the center of passenger side cup holder 242. The center of the passenger-side cup holder 242 includes a drain 292, and the drain 292 is provided on the bottom surface 294 of the container holding area 296 of the passenger-side cup holder 242. In one embodiment, the distance 288 between the central longitudinal plane 272 and the plane 278 is approximately 21.4 inches, and the distance 286, which corresponds to half the width of the vehicle 100, is approximately 26.7 inches. In one embodiment, distance 288 is at most about 80% of distance 286. In one embodiment, distance 288 is at least 80% of distance 286.

Referring to fig. 11, the driver side cup holder 240 is positioned such that the plane 278 overlaps at least a portion of the left front ground member 102 and the passenger side cup holder 242 is positioned such that the plane 290 overlaps at least a portion of the right front ground member 102. The driver side cup holder 240 is coupled to the left wheel well 300 of the wall 222 and the passenger side cup holder 242 is coupled to the right wheel well 302 of the wall 222.

Referring to fig. 4, passenger side cup holder 242 is shown spaced from wall 222. Like the driver side cup holder 240, the passenger side cup holder 242 includes a side flange 310 and a rear flange 312. The side flanges 310 support two tongues 314. Each of the tabs 314 defines a slot 316 between a lower portion of the tab 314 and the side flange 310. To assemble passenger side cup holder 242 to wall 222, two tabs 314 enter slots 318 in side 320 of wall 222. Slot 316 is generally aligned with side 320 and slot 316 receives a portion of side 320 as passenger side cup holder 242 moves downward in direction 322. As such, the tongue 314 and side 320 may be considered locators. The rear flange 312 also includes two openings 324, and the two openings 324 receive fasteners (not shown) to secure the rear flange 312 to the right wheel well 302. The right wheel well 302 is also shown to include an opening 326 for receiving a fastener. In one embodiment, the fasteners are rivets. In one embodiment, the fasteners are screws or bolts. In one embodiment, both passenger side cup holder 242 and wall 222 are made of a polymeric material.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, one or more ground engaging members 102 are operatively coupled to a drive train 350 to power movement of the vehicle 100. The drive train 350 is supported by the frame 112. The exemplary powertrain 350 includes a prime mover 352, such as an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, or a combination thereof, along with a transmission 354. In one embodiment, drivetrain 350 may include a multi-fuel engine capable of utilizing multiple fuels. An exemplary multi-fuel engine capable of utilizing multiple fuels is disclosed in U.S. patent 7,431,024, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, the drivetrain 350 includes a hybrid electric engine. In one embodiment, the drive train 350 includes an electric machine.

In the illustrated embodiment, prime mover 352 is an internal combustion engine 356, and further, transmission 354 includes a continuously variable transmission ("CVT") 358 and a shiftable transmission 362 positioned within a housing 360. Shiftable transmission 362 is coupled to a rear differential 364 that powers rear axle 110 and a front differential 366 that powers front axle 108. In one embodiment, shiftable transmission 362 includes a forward high speed setting, a forward low speed setting, a neutral setting, a park setting, and a reverse setting.

Generally, power from the internal combustion engine 356 is provided to a drive member 370 (shown in fig. 1) of the CVT 358. The driving member 370, in turn, provides power to the driven member 372 (shown in FIG. 1) via the belt 374 (shown in FIG. 1). The drive member 370, the driven member 372, and the belt 374 are contained within the housing 360. Exemplary CVTs are disclosed in U.S. patent No.3,861,229, U.S. patent No.6,176,796, U.S. patent No.6,120,399, U.S. patent No.6,860,826, and U.S. patent No.6,938,508, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

A driven member 372 is coupled to and powers the shiftable transmission 362. Shiftable transmission 362 is coupled to rear differential 364 within housing 380. One exemplary internal combustion engine 356 is a product of EH500PLE231(1203585) available from Polaris Industries, Inc at highway 2100 No. 55 (55340), midland, mn. Additionally, an exemplary shiftable transmission and rear differential combination is product 1322624, also available from Polaris Industries, Inc., located at highway 2100, No. 55, Mdta, Minn (55340).

Shiftable transmission 362 is coupled to front differential 366 via drive shaft 382. Drive shaft 382 is coupled to an output shaft 388 of shiftable transmission 362 via a first universal joint 384 and to front differential 366 via a second universal joint 386. As shown generally in fig. 1 and described in greater detail herein, the flooring assembly 230 includes a generally planar flooring portion. This is accomplished in part by having drive shaft 382 travel between frame rails 200, as shown in fig. 11. Floorboard assembly 230 includes a member 231 molded as part of section 416, member 231 providing strength to the recessed area of section 416 and acting as a spacer with frame rail 200.

Referring to fig. 12A, the amount by which drive shaft 382 is tilted upward from horizontal is represented by angle 398. In one embodiment, angle 398 is approximately 4.3 degrees. The inclined arrangement of drive shaft 382 is due to the positioning of universal joint 386 above a pair of frame rails 200 and the generally flat floor section being desirable. As such, although drive shaft 382 is coupled to universal joint 386 above the pair of frame rails 200, drive shaft 382 is angled downwardly toward the rear of vehicle 100 between the pair of frame rails 200 to enable a substantially flat floor section of floorboard assembly 230. Downwardly inclined drive shaft 382 meets a downwardly inclined output shaft 388 of shiftable transmission 362 at universal joint 384. The amount output shaft 388 is tilted downward from horizontal by angle 400. In one embodiment, angle 400 is approximately 13.7 degrees. Joint 384 is positioned such that it remains above a bottom surface or plane 404 (fig. 11B) of a pair of frame rails 200.

Floorboard assembly 230 includes a raised portion 410 to accommodate drive shaft 382 proximate second universal joint 386. The raised portion 410 also acts as a foot stop to reduce the likelihood of the passenger's foot actuating the foot control 134. Raised portion 410 also includes a footrest surface 412. The raised portion 410 is part of a central floor member 414, the central floor member 414 being coupled to a main floor member 416.

Referring to fig. 11A and 11B, the top surface 418 of the central floor member 414 is at the same height as the top surface 420 of the main floor member 416. As such, the top surface 418 and the top surface 420 provide a flat surface that extends in a transverse direction from the central longitudinal plane 272A distance of about 22.1 inches, as shown by distance 422 in fig. 2A. As such, in one embodiment, the floorboard assembly 230 has a flat surface in the lateral direction of at most about 83% of the width of the vehicle 100, represented by the double distance 286. In one embodiment, the floorboard assembly 230 has a flat surface that occupies at least about 83% of the width of the vehicle 100 in the lateral direction, represented by the double distance 286.

Referring to FIG. 2, the flat surface of the floorboard assembly 230 has a length of about 11.3 inches and extends forward from the rear edge of the floorboard assembly 230 toward the tread 134. As shown in fig. 2A, the top surface 418 and the top surface 420 extend a distance 424 (approximately 11.3 inches) before encountering the raised portion 410. Distance 424 is longer than the effective opening size of driver side opening 226 and passenger side opening 228, which is approximately 9.4 inches, represented by distance 426. In one embodiment, distance 424, which is the length of the flat portions of top surface 418 and top surface 420 before encountering the elevated object, is at least about 120% of the effective opening size of driver side opening 226 and passenger side opening 228, as represented by distance 426. In this manner, a person entering operator area 120 through either driver side opening 226 or passenger side opening 228 may walk on a flat surface through operator area 120 to the other of driver side opening 226 and passenger side opening 228.

The area bounded by distance 424 and twice distance 422 in fig. 2A is not completely flat, but includes some recessed areas 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, and 440. Recessed areas 430, 432, 434, and 436 provide channels for collecting and transferring fluid out of operator area 120. These grooves are sloped from the central longitudinal plane 272 toward the driver-side opening 226 (recessed regions 430 and 432) and the passenger-side opening 228 (recessed regions 434 and 436) to convey fluid in these directions. Each of the areas 430, 432, 434, and 436 proximate the driver side opening 226 or the passenger side opening 228 intersects the recessed areas 438 and 440. Fluid from zones 430, 432, 434, and 436 empties into zone 438 or 440, respectively. As shown in fig. 11A, areas 438 and 440 are at the same elevation as covers 442 and 444 that are secured to side rails 208 of frame 112.

Recessed areas 430, 432, 434, and 436 are typically about 0.5 inches below top surface 420, as indicated by distance 450. Recessed regions 438 and 440 are typically about 1 inch below top surface 420 as indicated by distance 452. The combination of planar surfaces 420 and 418 and recessed areas 430, 432, 434, 436, 438 and 440 provide a quasi-planar floor section. The term "quasi-flat floor section" as used herein is defined as a floor section: it acts as a flat floor section for the object supported thereon, but with some height variation. For example, a passenger's foot placed in an area 460 (see FIG. 2) of the flooring assembly 230 will provide the impression that the flooring assembly 230 is a flat floor (e.g., minimal rocking), even if portions of the operator's shoes are placed on the recessed areas 434. Exemplary height variations may be: recessed regions for directing fluid, such as recessed regions 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, and 440 in the illustrated embodiment; a foot grasping member, such as a tread; height variations due to floor section overlap; concave-convex marks; a textured surface; crowning (crown) in the entire surface from one side to the other, and other features that cause height variations. In one embodiment, the acceptable height variation is at most 1 inch. In one embodiment, the acceptable slope for a coronal surface is 0.04, corresponding approximately to a 1 inch (distance 452) drop over an extension of 24.2 inches (distance 462).

Returning to fig. 5 and 6, powertrain 350 includes an engine air intake system 500 and a CVT cooling/air intake system 502. Referring to FIG. 6, an engine air intake system 500 includes an air intake housing 504 having an air intake 506. Air enters air intake housing 504 through an air intake 506 and is delivered to an air conduit 508 coupled to air intake housing 504. The other end of the air conduit 508 is coupled to an air cleaner housing 510, the air cleaner housing 510 housing an air cleaner to filter dust and other particulates from the air. Air cleaner housing 510 includes an air conduit 512 coupled to engine 356, air conduit 512 communicating air to an air intake 514 of engine 356 for combustion. Alternatively, in the case of an air-cooled engine, a portion of the air may be delivered to a cooling system within the engine to cool the engine. Exhaust from the engine 356 is exhausted through the exhaust system 516.

Referring to fig. 7, an air intake housing 504 is positioned forward of operator area 120 and is coupled to first upper portion 210 of frame 112. First bracket 520 is coupled to a top portion of air intake casing 504 and to a first cross member 522 of first upper portion 210. Second bracket 524 is coupled to a lower portion of air intake housing 504 and to second cross member 526 of first upper portion 210.

Referring to fig. 12 and 12A, the front face of air inlet 506 (fig. 6) is generally along direction 530. An air filter may be positioned within air intake housing 504 or coupled to air intake housing 504 to filter the air before it enters air conduit 508. Air duct 508 extends downwardly from air intake housing 504, below operator area 120 between frame rails 200 and below floor assembly 230 (see fig. 11), and then upwardly to air cleaner housing 510. In the illustrated embodiment, air intake housing 504 is positioned at a height that is substantially in line with plane 250 (see FIG. 12A).

Returning to fig. 5, CVT air intake system 502 includes an air intake housing 540 having an air inlet 542. The front face of air inlet 542 is generally along direction 532 (see fig. 12A). The air cleaner may be located within air intake housing 540 or coupled to air intake housing 540. Intake housing 540 is coupled to an air conduit 544, and air conduit 544 is coupled to engine 356 at an intake 546. As shown in fig. 13, air enters an interior 548 of the internal combustion engine 356 and is exhausted through an exhaust port 550 of the engine 356. The output shaft 566 of the engine 356 also passes through an exhaust port and is coupled to the drive member 370. The air then enters the interior 558 of the housing 360 through an air inlet 552 in the base portion 554 of the housing 360. The interior 558 of the housing 360 is bounded by a base portion 554 and a removable cover 556 of the housing 360. The air within the interior 558 cools CVT components, particularly (see fig. 1) the drive member 370, the driven member 372, and the belt 374, and then exits the housing 360 through the fluid conduit 560 (see fig. 5) in the removable cover 556. An exhaust conduit or passage 562 (see fig. 5) is coupled to the fluid conduit 560. Exhaust conduit 562 has an exhaust port 564 (see FIG. 12), and exhaust from interior 558 is communicated to atmosphere through exhaust port 564.

Referring to fig. 12 and 12A, air intake housing 540 is coupled to a rear wall 570 of operator area 120. A rear wall 570 extends from seat 122 to floor assembly 230. The top portion of the air intake housing 540 is located approximately at the height of the top surface 260 of the driver side cup holder 240. The center of air inlet 542, represented by plane 572, is below plane 250 and above flooring assembly 230. In one embodiment, the plane 572 is about 9.2 inches below the plane 250.

Referring to fig. 8, the back of the rear wall 570 is shown. Rear wall 570 includes a plurality of openings 580, through which air from operator area 120 can pass through rear wall 570 and into air intake housing 540 through air intake 542. The rear wall 570 further includes a bearing 582, the bearing 582 including two openings 584 that receive the tabs 586. The top tab 588 on the air intake housing 540 includes an opening that aligns with the opening 590 in the rear wall 570. Fasteners couple top tab 588 to rear wall 570. To assemble the air intake housing 540 to the rear wall 570, the tabs 586 are placed within the openings 584, and the top tabs 588 are secured to the rear wall 570 with fasteners.

Air inlet 542 of air intake housing 540 is positioned lower than seat 122 and is generally aligned with front plane 242 of seat 122. In one embodiment, air travels approximately 3.25 feet (1 foot =0.3048 meters) from air inlet 542 to air inlet 552. In one embodiment, air travels up to about 3.25 feet from air inlet 542 to air inlet 552. Making the distance from air inlet 542 to air inlet 552 approximately 3.25 feet results in improved cooling of CVT 358. In one example, the temperature of CVT358 during operation is approximately 250 and 270 degrees Fahrenheit.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. For example, rather than a footwell, the floor 500 may include an upstanding tab against which a portion of the driver's heel may engage. The projections may be triangular or pyramidal in shape, or may take other forms. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.

Claims (16)

1. A vehicle (100) comprising: a plurality of ground members (102, 104), the plurality of ground members (102, 104) including at least two front ground members and at least two rear ground members; a frame (112), the frame (112) supported by the plurality of ground engaging members; a CVT (358), the CVT (358) supported by the frame and contained within a CVT housing (360); a prime mover (352), the prime mover (352) supported by the frame and operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members through the CVT to power movement of the vehicle; and an operator area (120) supported by the frame and positioned between the at least two front and rear ground engaging members, the operator area including side-by-side seats (122) and a rear wall (570), the rear wall (570) positioned adjacent to and below the seats and forward of the prime mover, the vehicle characterized by a CVT cooling system (502) in fluid communication with an interior of the CVT housing and having: an air inlet (542) positioned forward of the CVT and adjacent the rear wall to draw air from the operator area through the rear wall into an interior of the CVT housing; and an exhaust passage (562) in fluid communication with the CVT housing and including an exhaust port (564) positioned rearward of the intake port.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, further characterized in that the operator area includes an operator control (130), the operator control (130) operatively coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of ground engaging members and the prime mover.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, characterized in that the air inlet (542) of the CVT cooling system is positioned lower than the seat.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, characterized in that the air intake of the CVT cooling system is located below the seat of the operator area.

5. The vehicle of claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the air intake is substantially aligned with a front plane (252) of the seat.

6. The vehicle of any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the air intake is disposed within an air intake housing (540), the air intake housing (540) being coupled to the rear wall (570) of the operator area, the rear wall having at least one opening (580) positioned proximate to the air intake housing such that air from the operator area passes through the at least one opening and the air intake into the air intake housing.

7. The vehicle of any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the exhaust port of the exhaust passage is positioned lower than the intake port of the CVT cooling system.

8. The vehicle of any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the CVT cooling system is 3.25 feet in length from the air inlet to the interior of the CVT housing.

9. The vehicle of any of claims 1-4, characterized in that a length of the CVT cooling system from the air inlet to an interior of the CVT housing is at most 3.25 feet.

10. A method of cooling a CVT (358) of a utility vehicle (100), the utility vehicle (100) including an operator area (120), the method comprising the steps of:

providing the operator area with side-by-side seats (122) and a rear wall (570), the rear wall (570) being positioned adjacent to and below the seats;

providing at least one opening (580) through the rear wall;

positioning the CVT within a CVT housing (360);

providing a cooling system (502) having an air inlet (542) and a fluid conduit (544), an interior of the CVT housing being in fluid communication with the fluid conduit of the cooling system;

positioning the air inlet adjacent to the opening (580) to draw air from the operator area into the fluid conduit of the cooling system through the opening, an

Positioning an exhaust port (564) of an exhaust conduit (562) in fluid communication with the CVT housing lower than the intake port.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the air intake is disposed within an air intake housing (540), an interior of the air intake housing (540) being in fluid communication with the fluid conduit of the cooling system.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

positioning the air intake housing under a seat (122) disposed in the operator area;

coupling the intake housing to a rear wall (570) of the operator area; and

at least one opening (580) is provided in the rear wall of the operator area through which air from the operator area passes and enters the interior of the air intake housing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of coupling the inlet housing to the rear wall includes the steps of positioning tabs (586) of the inlet housing in corresponding openings (584) of the rear wall and securing the inlet housing to the rear wall with fasteners.

14. The method of claim 10, further characterized by the steps of: positioning the air intake such that the air intake intersects a central longitudinal plane (272) of the utility vehicle.

15. The method of any of claims 10 to 14, further characterized by the steps of: positioning the air intake such that the air intake draws air from an area of the operator area that is located lower than seats of the operator area.

16. The method of any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein air travels a distance of at most 3.25 feet from the air inlet to a fluid inlet of the CVT housing.