Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.

Christian De Grammont

Daniel Leclerc

Maxime Boisvert

Maxime Desjardins-Goulet

Jean Guillemette

A four-wheeled vehicle includes: a frame; two front suspension assemblies and two rear suspension assemblies connected to the frame; two front wheels operatively connected to corresponding ones of the two front suspension assemblies; two rear wheels operatively connected to corresponding ones of the two rear suspension assemblies; a motor connected to the frame; a front differential and a rear differential operatively connecting the motor to the two front wheels and the two rear wheels respectively; and a steering system. The steering system includes a front steering assembly for steering the front wheels and a rear steering assembly for steering the rear wheels. The front steering assembly includes a user-operated steering input device. The rear steering assembly includes an actuator operatively connected to the rear wheels and operable to modify a steering angle thereof. The actuator is mounted to the frame and is disposed completely rearward of the rear differential.

Rear steering assembly for a vehicle

A method for steering a four-wheeled vehicle includes: determining a front wheel steering angle; determining a responsive low-speed steering angle of the two rear wheels, the responsive low-speed steering angle being (i) negative when the front wheel steering angle is positive, and (ii) positive when the front wheel steering angle is negative; determining a responsive high-speed steering angle of the two rear wheels, the responsive high-speed steering angle being (i) non-negative when the front wheel steering angle is positive, and (ii) non-positive when the front wheel steering angle is negative; determining a responsive rear wheel steering angle being a sum of the responsive low-speed and high-speed steering angles; and controlling a steering actuator to steer the two rear wheels in accordance with the responsive rear wheel steering angle.

A vehicle has a frame, at least one front wheel connected to the frame, at least one front suspension assembly connecting the at least one front wheel to the frame, at least one rear wheel connected to the frame, and at least one rear suspension assembly connecting the at least one rear wheel to the frame. At least one of the at least one front and at least one rear suspension assemblies includes an air spring. A seat is connected to the frame. An engine is connected to the frame and is operatively connected to at least one of the wheels. An air compressor is connected to the frame and fluidly communicates with the at least one air spring for supplying air to the at least one air spring. A control unit is electrically connected to the air compressor for controlling an operation of the air compressor.

Vehicle suspension and pneumatic systems

A vehicle has a frame, at least one front wheel, at least one front suspension assembly, at least one rear wheel, and at least one rear suspension assembly, a seat, a steering assembly, an engine, and an air intake system fluidly communicating with the engine. At least one of the front and rear suspension assemblies includes an air spring. An air compressor selectively supplies air to the at least one air spring. An inlet of the air compressor fluidly communicates with the air intake system. During operation of the air compressor to supply air to the at least one air spring, the air compressor draws air from the air intake system and simultaneously supplies the air to the at least one air spring. A control unit is electrically connected to the air compressor for controlling an operation of the air compressor.

Growing community of inventors

Sherbrooke, Canada

Christian De Grammont