Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Rob S Zimmerman

Rodney M Frijas

Jason A Sovern

Chad D Raymond

Scott Daniel Batdorf

Matthew J Alexander

Philip Arthur Oakes

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.

An apparatus may, for example, include a first lever pivoting about a first axis. The apparatus may also include a second lever mounted with the first lever, pivoting about a second axis, and biased to a first position. The first lever can be configured to engage a braking system of a vehicle when the first lever is pivoted about the first axis and the second lever is in the first position. The second lever can be configured to be pivoted about the second axis to a second position. The first lever can be configured to disengage a reverse lockout system of the vehicle when the second lever is in the second position. The second lever can be configured to be pivoted about the second axis to a third position, which cases the first lever to engage a parking brake mechanism of the vehicle.

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West Liberty, OH, United States of America

Rob S Zimmerman