Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Jason A Sovern

Lee N Bowers

Seth A Ritchie

Dustin M Schroeder

Rodney M Frijas

Rob S Zimmerman

Chad D Raymond

Bunzo Seki

Hiroaki Tomita

Scott Daniel Batdorf

Takumi Makabe

Brandon E Ricketts

Hiromitsu Shiina

L Tyler Farrar

Matthew P Woolston

Dirk Gavin Westendorf

Tony T Do

Bradford A Mcdavid

Wade W Nelson

Scott D Batdorf

Raghavendra Krishna Tej Bhamidipati

A reaction cable differential interlock system can include a differential lock lever, a shift lever, a mode select lever, a linkage mechanism, and a single cable. The differential lock lever can be configured to be movably mounted on a differential gear assembly and connected to a differential lock collar of the differential gear assembly. The shift lever can be movable between a plurality of transmission mode positions and the mode select lever can be movable between a plurality of differential mode positions. The linkage mechanism can be coupled to the shift lever and the mode select lever, and the single cable can extend from the linkage mechanism to the differential lock lever.

Reaction cable differential interlock system and off-road vehicle including same

A shock absorber for damping movement of a wheel suspension system of a vehicle can include a damper tube, a piston, a damping adjustment assembly, and a protective cover. The damper tube can contain a fluid. The piston can be located in the damper tube so as to accommodate relative movement between the damper tube and the piston. The damping adjustment assembly can be connected to the damper tube, and can include a reservoir, a solenoid valve, and a wire harness connection. The solenoid valve can be in fluid communication with each of the reservoir and the damper tube and configured to selectively open and close fluid communication between the reservoir and the damper tube. The wire harness connection can be in electrical communication with the solenoid valve. The protective cover can contain the wire harness connection.

Protective cover for electrical coupler of vehicle shock absorber and vehicle shock absorber including same

A steering angle sensor assembly for a vehicle steering gearbox can include a protective housing mounted to a housing of the steering gearbox and a steering angle sensor. The protective housing can include a case, a cover and a gasket connected to each other such that the case, the cover and the gasket form an interior space with the gasket sandwiched between the case and the cover. Each of the case and the cover can include an opening configured to receive a pinion shaft of the steering gearbox when the steering angle sensor assembly is mounted on the housing. The steering angle sensor can be secured in the interior space of the protective housing and can engage the pinion shaft when the protective housing is mounted to the housing and the pinion shaft is received by the opening in each of the case and cover.

Steering angle sensor assembly and steering gearbox for a vehicle including same

The disclosure provides a steering system for a vehicle. The steering system includes a wheel having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a tire mounted thereon. The steering system includes a wheel support including an upper arm and a lower arm that rotatably support the wheel. At least one of the upper arm and the lower arm includes a curved member positioned to contact the inner surface of the wheel when the wheel is at a maximum steering angle. The steering system includes a steering rack and a tie rod coupled between the steering rack and the wheel support. The steering system also includes a compressible stopper coupled between the tie rod and the steering rack. The stopper is configured to compress as the wheel is turned toward the maximum steering angle and when the tie rod is moved past the maximum steering angle.

Steering rack stopper

System and method for operating an active suspension system of a vehicle includes actuating a switch on the vehicle, setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a demonstration mode, setting a timer when the active suspension system is set to the demonstration mode, and setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a normal operating mode after the timer reaches a predetermined time. Prior to expiration of the timer, the system and method determines a gear in which the vehicle is placed, determines whether an engine of the vehicle is running if the transmission gear of the vehicle is drive, reverse, or neutral, and determines a throttle angle of the vehicle if the engine is running. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the throttle angle is greater than a predetermined angle. An iterative process determines the status of the timer.

System and method for placing an active suspension system in a demonstration mode

An all-terrain vehicle includes a frame including a front frame part and a separate rear frame part connected to the front frame part via frame joints. A surface is supported by one of the front frame part and the rear frame part. An engine is supported by the rear frame part and is positioned behind the seating surface. Front wheels operably coupled to the front frame part are drivingly coupled to the engine via a front drive unit. Rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame part are drivingly coupled to the engine via a rear drive unit. A brake system is mounted to the frame and includes front wheel brakes and rear wheel brakes. The brake system further includes a brake modulator and a master brake cylinder operably connected to the brake modulator. The brake modulator is mounted to the front frame part.

Side-by-side all-terrain vehicle

A motor vehicle having a tubular frame, an engine, and a brake modulation system comprising sensors and a modulator includes a bracket that includes a bracket body, at least one body attachment point, and at least one bracket fastener for attaching the bracket body to the tubular frame at the at least one body attachment point. The motor vehicle also includes a cover that includes a cover body, at least one cover attachment point, at least one cover fastener for attaching the cover body to the bracket at the at least one cover attachment point, and wherein the modulator is attached to the bracket and is covered by the cover.

Component bracket and cover

A Hill Start Assist (HSA) system for an off-road type vehicle includes a brake system for producing a braking force sufficient to maintain the vehicle in a stopped condition, and a control unit in communication with the brake system for controlling a brake modulator of the brake system to maintain the braking force when a manual brake actuator of the brake system is in a released position. The HSA system is operable in a ready state where the brake modulator is in an open condition and the braking force is not maintained, an activated state and a hold state where the brake modulator is in a closed condition and the braking force is maintained. The HSA system is only in the ready state upon determination by the control unit that predetermined vehicle conditions are satisfied.

Vehicle control system

A Brake Traction Control System (BTCS) for an off-road type vehicle includes a 2WD/4WD switch adapted to switch a drive mode of the vehicle between a two-wheel drive mode (2WD) and a four-wheel drive mode (4WD). The switch is configured to be manually activated by an associated vehicle operator. A control unit is in signal communication with the 2WD/4WD switch. The control unit is operable to activate the BTCS only if the drive mode is switched to the four-wheel drive mode and predetermined vehicle operating conditions relating to engine throttle position or opening and wheel speed are subsequently satisfied.

A rear axle support assembly includes a swing arm assembly, a second axle tube, and a rear final gear assembly. The swing arm assembly includes a first support arm, a second support arm laterally spaced from the first support arm, a first axle tube attached to the first support arm, and an axle support bracket attached to the second support arm. Each of the first and second axle tubes is configured to receive an axle therewithin. The second axle tube includes an axle tube mount flange. The first axle tube is releasably attached to the rear final gear assembly. The axle tube mount flange is positioned laterally between, and is releasably attached to each one of, the axle support bracket of the swing arm assembly and the rear final gear assembly, and in direct, contacting engagement with the rear final gear assembly.

Rear axle support assembly

A steering unit includes a housing, a steering shaft, a bearing, a steering arm, and a stop portion. The housing includes upper and lower portions that cooperate to define an interior. The steering shaft includes an upper and lower end. The bearing is supported by the lower portion of the housing and is disposed at least partially within the interior. The steering shaft is journaled with respect to the lower portion of the housing by the bearing. The steering arm is coupled with the lower end of the steering shaft and is configured for coupling to steerable wheels. The stop portion projects from the lower portion of the housing and into a travel path of the steering arm such that the steering arm selectively contacts the stop portion to prevent over-rotation of the steering shaft. A vehicular frame assembly for supporting the steering unit is also provided.

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Marysville, OH, United States of America

Jason A Sovern