Vehicle configuration

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A recreational off-highway vehicle comprising:
a front axle; a rear axle, wherein the vehicle has a wheelbase midpoint longitudinally equidistant between the front axle and rear axle; two side-by-side seats, wherein each seat has a bottom portion and a back portion defining an American National Standards Institute point, the American National Standards Institute point being defined as 152 mm above a lowest point of an occupant supporting surface of the bottom portion and 254 mm forward of the back portion; an engine; a transmission; wherein the vehicle has a center of mass having a longitudinal position relative to the vehicle, a vertical position relative to the vehicle, and a lateral position relative to the vehicle; wherein the longitudinal position of the vehicle center of mass is longitudinally offset from the wheelbase midpoint; wherein the seats are positioned relative to the vehicle with the American National Standards Institute points thereof longitudinally between the longitudinal position of the vehicle center of mass and the wheelbase midpoint; and wherein the American National Standards Institute points of the seats being vertically below the vehicle's center of mass.