ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING

Abstract

An all-terrain vehicle (2) comprises a chassis (3) having upper tubes (32) with descending sections (321) and lower tubes (33), and comprising a steering mechanism (31) including an electric power steering device (8), a control unit body (81), and an electric motor (82). The body (81) includes axles (811, 812) connected to a steering column (311) and a steering arm (313). Viewed from above, the motor (82) is arranged toward the front side of the vehicle body (7), horizontally with the midline (2a) of the body (7), and is located between the upper tubes (32). For observation from a side view, the motor (82) is located towards the front of the body (7), in an area enclosed by the column (311) and the tubes (32, 33), adjacent to the tubes (32), thus preventing the motor (82) from being affected by the temperature of an exhaust (53). Figure for the abstract: 3

Description

Title of the invention: ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE COMPRISING AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an all-terrain vehicle comprising an electric power steering system, and more particularly to such an all-terrain vehicle protecting the electric motor of the electric power steering system from the high temperature of an exhaust system. PRIORITY OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0002] As illustrated by [Fig.1], in order to improve the ease and precision of steering of an all-terrain vehicle 1, the latter is equipped with an electric power steering 12 mounted on the steering mechanism 11. The electric power steering 12 includes a control device body 121 and an electric motor 122 which controls the control device body 121 in order to make it operate. The electric motor 122 is arranged in a location of the control device body 121 facing the rear side of the vehicle body, i.e. the electric motor 122 is close to a drive unit 13 of the all-terrain vehicle 1, in particular close to an exhaust device 131 of the drive unit 13. As is publicly known, the exhaust device 131 of an internal combustion drive unit 13 is used to expel the high-temperature exhaust gases generated by the combustion and explosion in the drive unit 13.Thus, during the operation of the all-terrain vehicle 1, the exhaust system 131 is in a state of extremely high temperature. Consequently, when the electric motor 122 is placed near the exhaust system 131, the latter's high temperature affects the normal operation of the electric motor 122. In the most severe cases, the electric motor 122 ceases to operate or fails due to heat damage, which prevents the electric power steering system 12 from functioning and causes irregular operation or inability of the steering mechanism 11 of the all-terrain vehicle 1, raising serious doubts about the driving safety of the all-terrain vehicle 1.

[0003] Consequently, it is difficult for manufacturers of off-road vehicles to supply an off-road vehicle with an electric power steering device that solves the problem of installing this device on off-road vehicles of the prior art in order to avoid the driving safety problems that it causes. Summary of the invention

[0004] Problems to be solved

[0005] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an all-terrain vehicle comprising an electric power steering device, which mainly solves the problem that the installation of the electric power steering device of prior art all-terrain vehicles can easily cause concerns about driving safety.

[0006] Solutions to the problems

[0007] To achieve such an objective, the present invention provides an all-terrain vehicle comprising an electric power steering device; the all-terrain vehicle comprises a vehicle chassis unit and a drive unit arranged on the vehicle chassis unit; the vehicle chassis unit is equipped with a steering mechanism, the steering mechanism comprising a steering column, a steering handle arranged on an upper end of the steering column, and a steering arm arranged on a lower end of the steering column; the steering mechanism is equipped with the electric power steering device, the electric power steering device comprising a control device body and an electric motor that controls the control device body so that it operates;According to the invention, the vehicle chassis unit comprises upper tubes and lower tubes arranged in left-right pairs, the upper tubes comprising descending tube sections, the lower ends of the descending tube sections being connected to the lower tubes; the control device body comprises an upper shaft connected to the steering column and a lower shaft connected to the steering arm; for observation from an upper side of the vehicle body, the electric motor is arranged towards the front of the vehicle body and is generally horizontal with respect to a midline of the vehicle body, and is located between the left-right pair of upper tubes;For observation from a lateral side of the vehicle body, the electric motor is arranged towards the front of the vehicle body, in an area enclosed by the steering column and the upper and lower tubes, and is adjacent to the upper tubes.

[0008] Effectiveness of the invention

[0009] The efficiency that the present invention makes possible with certain technical solutions is that the electric motor is placed at a distance from the exhaust device of the power unit, in order to prevent the electric motor from being affected by the high temperature of the exhaust device, and also, when the all-terrain vehicle is in motion, after fresh external air enters the vehicle body covering unit, a large portion of the cool air flows towards the electric motor in order to dissipate heat, thereby improving the performance of the electric power steering device; the lower tubes and upper tubes and the descending tube sections form a protection for the electric motor of the electric power steering device to prevent gravel and sand from the ground surface from hitting the electric motor of the electric power steering device.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the drive unit comprises at least one cylinder block, the cylinder block comprising a cylinder body and a cylinder head; the electric motor of the electric power steering device is generally arranged at the same height as the cylinder head.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the all-terrain vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system mounted on a lower side of the electric power steering device, the anti-lock braking system being located above a front wheel transmission box.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, for an observation made from a lateral side of the vehicle body, the anti-lock braking system and the front wheels of the all-terrain vehicle are partially overlapping.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the electric power steering device comprises an electric motor; the anti-lock braking system comprises a motor; for observation from an upper side of the vehicle body, the motor of the anti-lock braking system is directed towards the rear of the vehicle body and is generally parallel to the central axis of the off-road vehicle body; the electric motor of the electric power steering device is arranged towards the front of this body and is generally horizontal on this axis, and the motor of the anti-lock braking system is arranged towards the rear of the body and is partially overlapping with the electric motor of the electric power steering device.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the drive unit further comprises a transmission box, equipped with an air cooling device, the device comprising an air inlet tube and an air inlet orifice located at one end of the air inlet tube; the air inlet tube is arranged around the outer side of the upper tubes and is connected, at another end of itself which is opposite the air inlet orifice, to the transmission box; for observation made from a lateral side of the vehicle body, the electric power steering device and the air inlet tube are partially overlapping. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an all-terrain vehicle of the art prior.

[0016] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a schematic view showing an all-terrain vehicle according to the present invention.

[0017] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a schematic side view showing the all-terrain vehicle according to the present invention, with removal of a vehicle body cover unit from vehicle.

[0018] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a schematic top plan view showing the vehicle all-terrain according to the present invention.

[0019] [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a partial enlarged view showing a front section of the [Fig.4]

[0020] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0021] For a better understanding of the structure of the present invention and the efficiency achieved thereunder, a description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] First, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the present invention relates to an all-terrain vehicle 2 equipped with an electric power steering device 8. The all-terrain vehicle 2 comprises at least one vehicle chassis unit 3, a seat cushion 4 arranged on an upper side of a rear portion of the vehicle chassis unit, a fuel tank T arranged on the vehicle chassis unit 3 and located at the rear of the seat cushion 4, a drive unit 5 arranged on the vehicle chassis unit 3, an anti-lock braking system 6 for braking the all-terrain vehicle 2, and a body cover unit 7 arranged on, and covering, an outer periphery of the chassis unit 3.As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the vehicle chassis unit 3 is equipped with a steering mechanism 31 located on an upper side of its front portion, and a pair of left and right front wheels FW rotatably mounted, in a left-right paired arrangement, on a lower side of the front portion of the vehicle chassis unit 3 and capable of being steered by the steering mechanism 31. The vehicle chassis unit 3 comprises at least one pair of left and right upper tubes 32 and one pair of lower tubes 33 arranged on a lower side of the upper tubes 32 so as to correspond to them. The upper tubes 32 include, towards the front of the vehicle, downward tube sections 321 (the direction of the arrow in the drawing being the front of the vehicle), and the lower ends of the downward tube sections 321 are connected to the lower tubes 33.Furthermore, the two sides between the front faces of the upper tubes 32 and the lower tubes 33 (towards the front of the vehicle) are each connected to a set of front auxiliary tubes 34, and the sets of front auxiliary tubes 34 are arranged in a left-right pair. The sets of front auxiliary tubes 34 are respectively connected to the down tube sections 321, to the tubes. The rear end (vehicle tail) of the vehicle chassis unit 3 is provided with sets of rear auxiliary tubes 35 on two sides between the upper tubes 32 and the lower tubes 33, and the rear auxiliary tube sets 35 are arranged in pairs. The rear auxiliary tube sets 35 are connected to the upper tubes 32 and the lower tubes 33, respectively. The rear end (vehicle tail) of the vehicle chassis unit 3 is provided with a rear luggage rack 36 arranged on the upper tubes 32. A left-right pair of rear wheels RW is rotatably mounted on a lower side of a rear portion of the vehicle chassis unit 3. The steering mechanism 31 includes a steering column 311 that controls the orientation of the front wheels FW.An electric power steering device 8 is arranged on a lower side of the steering column 311 of the steering mechanism 31. The upper tubes 32 include shock absorbers C mounted on them in the direction of the front wheels FW. The vehicle chassis unit 3 is provided with a connecting frame 37 arranged on the down tube sections 321 and the front auxiliary tube assemblies 34. The anti-lock braking system 6 is attached to the connecting frame 37. The anti-lock braking system 6 includes a controller 61 and a power source motor 62. In the present invention, the controller 61 and the power source motor 62 are made so as to be integrated into a single unit, and, for observation from an upper side of the vehicle body 7, the motor 62 of the anti-lock braking system 6 extends towards a rear side of the vehicle body 7 and is generally parallel to a midline 2a of the body 7. of the all-terrain vehicle 2.For observation from a side view of the vehicle body 7, the anti-lock braking system 6 is located above a transmission box D of the front wheels, and the anti-lock braking system 6 is arranged on a lower side of the electric power steering device 8 in a top-down direction of the vehicle body 7, and the anti-lock braking system 6 and the front wheels FW of the all-terrain vehicle 2 are partially overlapping, so that the anti-lock braking system 6 can be arranged closer to the braking device B of the front wheels FW.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the vehicle chassis unit 3 is provided, on the upper tubes 32 and towards the rear of the vehicle body 7, with a seat cushion 4 for a driver seated on this cushion. The seat cushion 4 can be freely lifted upwards from the vehicle chassis unit 3. A drive unit 5 is arranged on the vehicle chassis unit 3 and between the upper tubes 32 and the lower tubes 33; more specifically, the drive unit 5 is located on a lower front side of the seat cushion 4. In the present invention, an internal combustion engine system is taken as an example for To illustrate the power unit 5. The power unit 5 comprises a cylinder block 51 and a transmission 52 connected to the cylinder block 51. The cylinder block 51 is connected to an exhaust system 53 extending towards the rear of the vehicle. The cylinder block 51 comprises a cylinder body 511 and a cylinder head 512. The exhaust system 53 is primarily intended for the evacuation of exhaust gases generated by the combustion and explosion of fuel in the cylinder block 51 of the power unit 5. The fuel tank T, which stores the fuel intended to supply the fuel for combustion and explosion in the cylinder block 51 of the power unit 5, is mounted on the rear of the unit 3 forming the vehicle chassis. The front end of the transmission box 52 of the drive unit 5 is connected to a cooling air device 54.The cooling air device 54 includes an air inlet tube 541 and an air inlet port 542 arranged in an end portion of the air inlet tube 541. One end of the air inlet tube 541 is connected to the front end of the transmission 52, and the other end of the air inlet tube 541 is connected to the air inlet port 542. The air inlet tube 541 is arranged to extend along the outer side of the upper tubes 32 of the vehicle chassis unit 3 toward the front side of the vehicle body, such that the air inlet port 542 is located at the front end of the vehicle chassis unit 3.Thus, when the drive unit 5 is in operation to move the all-terrain vehicle 2, fresh outside air can be forcibly introduced through the air inlet port 542 into the air inlet tube 541, and is guided by the air inlet tube 541 to enter the transmission box 52 in order to perform a cooling operation, and the hot air generated after the cooling operation is exhausted through the rear end of the transmission box 52 to the outside of it, so as to obtain a temperature lowering and heat dissipation effect for the transmission box 52.

[0024] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the vehicle body cover assembly 7 comprises a front vehicle body cover assembly 71 arranged in front of the steering mechanism 31, an upper decorative cover assembly 72 arranged in rear of the steering mechanism 31 and located in front of the seat cushion 4, side vehicle body cover assemblies 73 arranged under the seat cushion 4 and located on each side of the vehicle body, and a rear vehicle body cover assembly 74 located at the rear end of the vehicle chassis unit 3.

[0025] As illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, the steering mechanism 31 comprises a steering column 311, a handlebar 312 arranged at the upper end of the steering column 311 and a steering arm 313 arranged at its lower end. The steering arm 313 is adapted to drive a coupling rod of Steering 314 is used to orient the front wheels. The electric power steering device 8 is mounted on a lower portion of the steering column 311. This device comprises a control unit body 81 and an electric motor 82 that drives it. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit body 81 and the electric motor 82 are formed as a single unit. The control unit body 81 comprises an upper shaft 811 extending upwards outwards and a lower shaft 812 extending downwards outwards. The upper shaft 811 is connected to the steering column 311, and the lower shaft 812 is connected to the steering arm 313. The electric motor 82 is electrically connected to a battery (not shown) of the all-terrain vehicle 2 to receive the electrical energy required for operation.Thus, when a driver intends to change the direction of the all-terrain vehicle 2, the driver turns the steering handle 312 of the steering mechanism 31, and the steering handle 312 causes the steering column 311 to rotate, and the rotation of the steering column 311 causes the operation of the electric steering device 8, and the electric motor 82 can operate the body 81 of the control device to use the lower shaft 812 in order to move the steering arm 313, and the steering arm 313 is able to drive, via the steering coupling rod 314, the front wheels FW for an orientation of the latter, so that the operation of changing the direction of the all-terrain vehicle 2 can be carried out effortlessly and precisely by means of the motorized assistance provided by the electric power steering device 8.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, in a preferred embodiment of the electric power steering device 8 according to the present invention, the electric motor 82 is arranged on the front side of the control device body 81, and more specifically, the electric motor 82 is arranged further towards the front side of the vehicle body than the control device body 81.Viewed from above the vehicle body, the electric motor 82 is arranged towards the front of the vehicle body and generally horizontally on the central axis 2a of the vehicle body. The electric motor 82 is located between the left and right upper tubes 32 of the chassis unit 3. Viewed from a side of the vehicle body, the electric motor 82 is located in an area enclosed by the lower tubes 33 and the upper tubes 32 arranged in a left-right pair and is adjacent to the upper tubes 32. The electric motor 82 is located behind the downtube sections 321, so as to keep the electric motor 82 away from the ground surface. When viewed from a side of the vehicle body, the electric motor 82 is arranged so that it is generally at the same height as the cylinder head 512 of the cylinder block 51. of the drive unit 5. Viewed from above the vehicle body 7, the electric motor 82 and the anti-lock braking system 6 partially overlap, and the electric motor 82 of the electric power steering unit 8 and the motor 62 of the anti-lock braking system 6 also partially overlap. By arranging the electric motor 82 as described above, the electric motor 82 is positioned away from the exhaust system 53 of the drive unit 5, thus preventing the electric motor 82 from being affected by the high temperature of the front tubular portion 531 of the exhaust system 53.It should also be mentioned that the lower tubes 33 and the upper tubes 32 and the descending tube sections 321 form a protective shield for the electric motor 82 of the power steering unit 8 to prevent gravel and sand from the ground surface from striking the electric motor 82 of the power steering unit 8. When viewed from the upper side of the vehicle body 7, the electric motor 82 is arranged towards the front side of the vehicle body 7, and the motor 62 is arranged towards the rear side of the vehicle body 7 and partially overlaps the electric motor 82.

[0027] The present invention is mainly such that an all-terrain vehicle 2 comprises at least one vehicle chassis unit 3 and a drive unit 5 arranged on the vehicle chassis unit 3; the vehicle chassis unit 3 comprises at least upper tubes 32 and lower tubes 33 arranged in left-right pairs, the upper tubes 32 comprising down tube sections 321, the lower ends of the down tube sections 321 being connected to the lower tubes 33; the vehicle chassis unit 3 is provided with a steering mechanism 31, the steering mechanism 31 comprising a steering column 311, a steering handlebar 312 arranged on an upper end of the steering column 311, and a steering arm 313 arranged on a lower end of the steering column 311;the steering mechanism 31 is provided with an electric power steering device 8 arranged on it, the electric power steering device 8 comprising a control body 81 and an electric motor 82 which controls the operation of the control body 81; the control body 81 comprises an upper shaft 811 connected to the steering column 311 and a lower shaft 812 connected to the steering arm 313; for observation from an upper side of the vehicle body, the electric motor 82 is arranged towards the front side of the vehicle body and generally horizontal on a midline 2a of the vehicle body and located between the left-right pair of upper tubes 32; for observation from a lateral side of the vehicle body, the electric motor 82 is located, towards the front side of the body, in an area enclosed by the steering column 311 and the upper tubes 32 and the lower tubes 33, and is adjacent to the; upper tubes 32, so as to be away from the ground surface; thus, the electric motor 82 is separated from an exhaust device 53 of the drive unit 5 so as to prevent the electric motor 82 from being affected by the high temperature of the front tube part 531 of the exhaust device 53, so as to, by doing so, improve the performance of the electric steering device 8.

Claims

1.

2. Demands All-terrain vehicle (2) comprising an electric power steering device (8); the all-terrain vehicle (2) comprises a vehicle chassis unit (3) and a drive unit (5) arranged on the vehicle chassis unit (3); the vehicle chassis unit (3) is equipped with a steering mechanism (31), the steering mechanism (31) comprising a steering column (311), a steering handle arranged on an upper end of the steering column (311), and a steering arm arranged on a lower end of the steering column (311);the steering mechanism (31) is equipped with the electric power steering device (8), the electric power steering device (8) comprising a control device body (81) and an electric motor (82) which controls the control device body (81) so that it operates, characterized in that the vehicle chassis unit (3) comprises upper tubes (32) and lower tubes (33) arranged in left-right pairs, the upper tubes (32) comprising descending tube portions, the lower ends of the descending tube portions being connected to the lower tubes (33); the control device body (81) comprises an upper shaft (811) connected to the steering column (311) and a lower shaft (812) connected to the steering arm;For observation from an upper side of the vehicle body (7), the electric motor (82) is arranged towards the front of the vehicle body (7) and is generally horizontal with respect to a midline of the vehicle body (7) and is located between the left-right pair of upper tubes (32); for observation from a lateral side of the vehicle body (7), the electric motor (82) is arranged towards the front of the vehicle body (7), in an area enclosed by the steering column (311) and the upper tubes (32) and the lower tubes (33), and is adjacent to the upper tubes (32). All-terrain vehicle (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the power unit (5) comprises at least one cylinder block (51), the cylinder block (51) comprising a cylinder body (511) and a cylinder head (512); the electric motor (82) of the electric power steering device (8) is generally arranged at the same height as the cylinder head (512).

3. All-terrain vehicle (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (6) mounted on a lower side of the electric power steering device (8), the anti-lock braking system (6) being located above a front wheel transmission box.

4. All-terrain vehicle (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that, for an observation made from a lateral side of the body (7) of the vehicle, the anti-lock braking system (6) and the front wheels (FW) of the all-terrain vehicle are partially overlapping.

5. All-terrain vehicle (2) according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that the anti-lock braking system (6) comprises a motor (62); for observation from an upper side of the body (7) of the vehicle, the motor (62) of the anti-lock braking system (6) is directed towards the rear of the body (7) of the vehicle and is generally parallel to the central axis of the body (7) of the all-terrain vehicle (2); the electric motor (82) of the electric power steering device (8) is arranged towards the front of this body and is generally horizontal on this axis, and the motor (62) is arranged towards the rear of the body (7) and is partially overlapping with the electric motor (82) of the electric power steering device (8).

6. All-terrain vehicle (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit (5) further comprises a transmission (52), equipped with a cooling air device (54), the device comprising an air inlet tube (541) and an air inlet orifice (542) located at one end of the air inlet tube (541); the air inlet tube (541) is arranged around the outer side of the upper tubes (32) and is connected, at another end of itself which is opposite the air inlet orifice (542), to the transmission (52); for observation from a lateral side of the vehicle body (7), the electric power steering device (8) and the air inlet tube (541) are partially overlapping.

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