Utility vehicle using brake-steer assisted turning

Abstract

A system and method of controlling an automotive vehicle includes selecting a brake-steer mode, selecting a transfer case so that the front wheels are driven and the rear wheel are not driven and applying brake-steer to the rear wheels to reduce the turning radius of the vehicle.

1 . A method of operating a vehicle having front wheels and rear wheels comprising: 
 selecting a brake-steer mode;    selecting a transfer case so that the front wheels are driven and the rear wheels are not driven; and    applying brake-steer to the rear wheels to reduce the turning radius of the vehicle.    
   
   
       2 . A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein selecting the transfer case mode is performed by moving a switch.  
   
   
       3 . A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the transfer case comprises a center differential.  
   
   
       4 . A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein selecting a transfer case mode is performed in response to selecting a brake-steer mode.  
   
   
       5 . A method as recited in  claim 4  wherein selecting the transfer case mode is performed by moving a switch.  
   
   
       6 . A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein applying brake-steer comprises applying at least one brake at a first wheel to reduce the vehicle turning radius.  
   
   
       7 . A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein applying brake-steer comprises applying a differential torque to the front wheels.  
   
   
       8 . A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the vehicle comprises an all-terrain vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the vehicle comprises a quadracycle.  
   
   
       10 . A method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising determining a steering direction and wherein applying brake-steer to the rear wheels comprises applying brake-steer to the rear wheels in response to the steering direction.  
   
   
       11 . A vehicle having front wheels and rear wheels comprising: 
 a transfer case having a four wheel drive mode and a front wheel drive mode;    a transfer case mode selector for selecting a front drive mode; and    a brake-steer actuator selecting a brake-steer mode for the vehicle; and    a brake controller coupled to the brake-steer actuator to reduce a turning radius of the vehicle during the front drive mode.    
   
   
       12 . A vehicle as recited in  claim 11  further comprising a steering angle sensor generating a steering direction signal, said controller applying brake-steer in response to the steering direction signal.  
   
   
       13 . A vehicle as recited in  claim 11  wherein the brake-steer is provided in addition to an amount of braking from the first brake actuator and the second brake actuator.  
   
   
       14 . A vehicle as recited in  claim 11  wherein the vehicle comprises an all-terrain vehicle.  
   
   
       15 . A vehicle as recited in  claim 11  wherein the vehicle comprises a quadracycle.  
   
   
       16 . A vehicle comprising: 
 a steering actuator having a first side and a second side;    a first brake actuator on the first side;    a second brake actuator on the second side;    a steering angle sensor coupled to the steering actuator generating a steering direction signal;    a transfer case having a four wheel drive mode and a front wheel drive mode;    a brake-steer selector selecting brake-steer for the vehicle;    a brake controller coupled to the brake-steer actuator and the steering angle sensor, said brake controller controlling the brakes to reduce a turning radius of the vehicle during the front drive mode.    
   
   
       17 . A vehicle as recited in  claim 16  wherein the brake-steer is provided in addition to an amount of braking from the first brake actuator and the second brake actuator.  
   
   
       18 . A vehicle as recited in  claim 16  wherein the vehicle comprises an all-terrain vehicle.  
   
   
       19 . A vehicle as recited in  claim 16  wherein the vehicle comprises a quadracycle.  
   
   
       20 . A vehicle as recited in  claim 16  wherein the vehicle comprises a utility vehicle.  
   
   
       21 . A vehicle as recited in  claim 16  wherein the transfer case applies a differential torque to the front wheels.