Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine of a snowmobile is disclosed. The method comprises actuating a start switch of the snowmobile; in response to the start switch being actuated, sensing a temperature; in response to the sensed temperature being above a predetermined temperature, starting the engine using a motor-generator; and in response to the sensed temperature being below the predetermined temperature, starting the engine using a recoil starter.

Abstract: A vehicle including a front module including a front wheel and a rear module selectively moveably connected to the front module, the rear module including a rear wheel. The vehicle further includes an electric motor assembly, a mode selector, at least one extension assembly connected between the front module and the rear module for selectively extending and retracting to provide a selective variation in an overall length of the vehicle; and a vehicle control unit being communicatively connected between the mode selector and the electric motor assembly. The vehicle control unit performs a method for selectively changing the overall vehicle length. The method includes receiving from the mode selector an indication to change the overall length, determining that the front wheel is rotationally locked, and causing an electric motor to drive the rear wheel such that the rear module translates relative to the front module.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) is operated as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy. In the first control strategy, electric power is delivered from a power source to the ETM selectively through at least one transistor of an electrical converter. After switching from the first control strategy to the second control strategy, the ETM delivers electric power to an accessory selectively through the at least one transistor of the electrical converter.

Abstract: A drive pulley for a CVT has a fixed sheave, a movable sheave, a spider, a biasing member biasing the movable sheave axially away from the fixed sheave, at least one centrifugal actuator and at least one slider assembly. The at least one slider assembly has a slider block connected to one of the movable sheave and the spider and abutting another one of the movable sheave and the spider. The slider block slides along the other one of the movable sheave and the spider as the movable sheave moves axially. The at least one slider assembly transfers torque between the movable sheave and the spider. A slider block for a drive pulley of a CVT is also described.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (ICE) includes a crankshaft, a cylinder head defining in part a variable combustion chamber of the ICE, a direct fuel injector mounted on the cylinder head, a power source, an electric turning machine (ETM) rotating the crankshaft, an absolute position sensor providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM, and an engine control unit (ECU) operatively connected to the absolute position sensor. The ECU controls a delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM based on the angular position of the rotor of the ETM and causes the direct fuel injector to inject fuel directly in the combustion chamber at a time selected based on the angular position reached by the rotor of the ETM.

Abstract: A method for controlling delivery of electric power between a power source and an electric turning machine (ETM) comprises applying a start signal to a start-up power electronic switch to cause turning on of the start-up power electronic switch and to allow delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM via the start-up power electronic switch. A recharge signal is applied to a run-time power electronic switch to cause turning on of the run-time power electronic switch for delivery of electric power from the ETM to the power source via the run-time power electronic switch. A circuit comprises a discharging circuit including the start-up power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the start-up power electronic switch is turned on. A charging circuit includes the run-time power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the run-time power electronic switch is turned on.

Abstract: A vehicle has a frame; a seat connected to the frame, the seat having a seat bottom, a seat back and a headrest; at least one ground engaging member operatively connected to the frame; an internal combustion engine connected to the frame, the internal combustion engine being operatively connected to at least one of the at least one ground engaging member; and an air intake assembly having at least one air intake assembly inlet and at least one air intake assembly aperture. The at least one air intake assembly aperture fluidly communicates with at least one air intake port of the engine. The at least one air intake assembly inlet is disposed rearward of the headrest and is at least partially aligned laterally and vertically with the headrest.

Abstract: A mooring line assembly for a watercraft has an elastic line having a first end and a second end, the first end of the elastic line being adapted for connection to the watercraft, a mooring line having a first end and a second end, the first end of the mooring line being connected to the second end of the elastic line, and a housing adapted for connection to the watercraft. The mooring line extends through the housing and is pullable therethrough from a retracted position to a plurality of extended positions. The elastic line is adapted for returning the mooring line to the retracted position from the plurality of extended positions. A watercraft provided with the mooring line assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gearbox for a vehicle includes: a housing; first and second shafts extending parallel to one another; first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft; and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. The transmission gears are helical gears. The first transmission gears are in constant mesh with the second transmission gears to form a plurality of gear pairings engageable to operate the gearbox in different gears. A drive gear is mounted to an input shaft extending into the housing. The input shaft is operatively connected to an engine of the vehicle. A driven gear is mounted to the second shaft and is configured to engage the drive gear. The drive and driven gears are spur gears. A flexible driving member is configured to drivingly connect one of the first shaft and the second shaft to an output shaft. A snowmobile including a gearbox is also contemplated.

Abstract: A helmet has a helmet shell, a visor connected to the helmet shell, an electrical device attached to at least one of the helmet shell and the visor, and an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly has a flexible member having a first end magnetically connected to the helmet shell, which is electrically connected to the electrical device. The electrical connector assembly also has a connector connected to a second end of the flexible cord that is electrically connected to the electrical device via the flexible cord. The connector is adapted to connect to a power source.

Abstract: A vehicle has a frame defining a cockpit area. The frame has a roll cage disposed over the cockpit area. The vehicle has driver and passenger seats, an engine connected to the frame, and a plurality of ground engaging members operatively connected to the frame, at least one ground engaging member of the plurality of ground engaging members being operatively connected to the engine. The vehicle also has a fuel tank assembly including a fuel tank connected to the frame. The fuel tank is forward of the seats and at least a portion of the fuel tank is disposed under the roll cage.

Abstract: A door and a vehicle including the door. The door includes a door body; a latch movable between locked and unlocked positions; a first handle accessible from an exterior side of the body; a second handle accessible from an interior side of the body; and a rod connecting the latch and the handles, the handles rotating about a common axis, the first handle being rotatable between a first and a second position, the second handle being rotatable between a third and a fourth position, the latch being in the locked position when the first handle is in the first position and the second handle is in the third position, the latch being in the unlocked position when the first handle is in the second position, the latch being in the unlocked position also when the second handle is in the fourth position.

Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, seats, front and rear suspension assemblies, front and rear wheels, a motor, a rear differential, left and right constant velocity joints operatively connected to the rear differential; and left and right half-shaft operatively connecting the constant velocity joints to the rear wheels. Each of the rear suspension assemblies has: a trailing arm having a front end pivotally connected to the frame; a knuckle pivotally connected to a rear portion of the trailing arm; lower and upper links pivotally connected between the trailing arm and the frame; and a toe link pivotally connected between the knuckle and the frame. Each of the rear suspension assemblies has an instant center axis passing through a connection between the trailing arm and the frame. Centers of the velocity joints are laterally outward of their corresponding instant center axes when viewed in a top plan view of the vehicle.

Abstract: A locking device for an anchor configured to connect an accessory to a vehicle. An anchor lever is pivotable for opening and closing the anchor. The locking device includes a lock body defining a fastener aperture receiving therethrough an anchor fastener portion that is rotatable by moving the anchor lever between open and closed positions. A lock lever is pivotable relative to the locked body between locked and unlocked positions. In the unlocked position, the lock lever permits free movement of the anchor lever. In the locked position, the lock lever prevents the anchor lever from being moved from the closed position to the open position. A key post is movably connected to the lock body. The key post is movable by a key from an unsecured position to a secured position. The lock lever is fixed in the locked position when the key post is in the secured position.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a chassis, a seat, an endless drive track, a rear suspension assembly with at least one slide rail and a substantially inextensible limiter strap extending between the chassis and the at least one slide rail, to limit separation between the at least one slide rail and the chassis. The strap holder is moveable between a first holder position and a second holder position, a position of the end of the limiter strap being different in the first strap holder position compared to the second strap holder position. A control cable is operatively connects the strap holder to a strap adjustment actuator. The strap adjustment actuator is disposed forward of the seat and is operable by a user during operation of the vehicle, the strap adjustment actuator being movable between first and second positions related to the positions of the strap holder.

Abstract: A fuel tank includes a lower fuel tank wall and an upper fuel tank wall. The lower fuel tank wall is connected to an inner surface of the upper fuel tank wall. Each of the lower and upper fuel tank walls is constructed of a single piece of sheet metal. The lower and upper fuel tank walls enclose a volume therebetween configured to be in fluid communication with an engine of a vehicle.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a gearbox having a first shaft, a second shaft, first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. A driven gear mounted to the first shaft engages a forward drive gear mounted to a countershaft. In a first configuration: the first shaft is coupled to the countershaft; when rotating, a driveshaft rotates in a same direction as the countershaft; and configurable portions of the countershaft and second shaft are free of gears. In a second configuration: the forward drive gear is in selective free-spin engagement with the countershaft; a reverse drive gear mounted to the configurable portion of the countershaft is in driving engagement with the countershaft; an actuator selectively transmits rotary motion from the countershaft to the gearbox; a reverse driven gear mounted to the configurable portion of the second shaft meshes with the reverse drive gear.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system has a pitman arm being pivotable about a pitman arm pivot axis in response to pivoting of a steering column, a link pivotally connected to the pitman arm, an idler arm pivotally connected to the link and being pivotable about an idler arm pivot axis, the link extending between the pitman arm and the idler arm, a first tie rod pivotally connected to the pitman arm and extending from the pitman arm in a first direction, and a second tie rod pivotally connected to the idler arm and extending from the idler arm in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction. A vehicle having the vehicle steering system is also described.

Abstract: A method of managing wheel slip in a vehicle. The vehicle has a frame, an internal combustion engine, front and rear wheels operatively connected to the engine, a throttle valve for controlling a supply of air to the engine, a steering assembly operatively connected to at least the front wheels for steering the vehicle, and an unassisted continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connecting the front wheels and the rear wheels to the engine. The method includes: determining a sensed deceleration of the vehicle; comparing the sensed deceleration of the vehicle to a threshold deceleration; and increasing a torque output of the engine from a current engine torque output value to an increased engine torque output value when the sensed deceleration of the vehicle is greater than the threshold deceleration. A method for managing wheel slip in accordance with a drive mode of the vehicle is also disclosed.