Vehicle Center of Mass Alignment for Off-Road Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) seat drivers and passengers high off the ground, leading to excessive rocking and swaying over uneven terrain, causing discomfort and affecting the driver's ability to control the vehicle due to an imbalance between the vehicle's center of gravity and the occupants' center of mass.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle is configured with a weight distribution between 35-45% on the front axle and 65-55% on the rear axle, positioning the engine, transmission, and seats such that the center of mass aligns with the driver's and passenger's center of mass in both longitudinal and vertical directions, minimizing the impact of vehicle movement on occupants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the driver and passenger are seated high in the vehicle to maintain under-body clearance and ground view, then the vehicle can travel over rough terrain and obstacles, but the vehicle rocks and sways excessively over uneven terrain causing discomfort and affecting driver control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoiddriver control

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions heavy components (engine, transmission, fuel tank, battery) to create a counterbalancing effect that offsets the high seating position. The engine is mounted low in the vehicle body, the transmission is positioned centrally, and the fuel tank and battery are strategically placed to lower the overall center of gravity, thereby reducing excessive rocking and swaying while maintaining driver control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the driver and passenger are seated high in the vehicle to maintain under-body clearance and ground view, then the vehicle can travel over rough terrain and obstacles, but the occupants experience excessive rocking and swaying causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidoccupant discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions heavy components (engine, transmission, fuel tank, battery) to create a counterbalancing effect that offsets the high seating position. The engine is mounted low in the vehicle body, the transmission is positioned centrally, and the fuel tank and battery are strategically placed to lower the overall center of gravity, thereby reducing excessive rocking and swaying and minimizing occupant discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Data Source

PatentUS9180801B2Vehicle configuration

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 ARCTIC CAT INC

AI summary

A vehicle configuration wherein the center of mass of the vehicle is approximately superimposed upon the passenger and driver centers of mass when seated within the vehicle. An occupant's center of mass can be approximated using a standard center of mass position approximation, or a combination of any number of standard center of mass position approximations. The vehicle's center of mass can be approximately superimposed upon the occupant's center of mass in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions.