Patents Assigned to NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
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Patent number: 10913321Abstract: A suspension system having a knuckle that rotatably supports a wheel end assembly. The knuckle may include a first platform that may have a toe link mount, a second platform that may have a stabilizer bar mount, a brake torque plate that may facilitate mounting of a brake subsystem, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignees: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC, Nikola Motor Company, LLCInventors: Edwin D. Lorenz, Adam P. Sadlik, Michael Schlundt, Rituja D. Marathe
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Patent number: 10899387Abstract: A frame arrangement for a vehicle may include a first side member and a second side member that each have an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portions are spaced laterally apart by a first distance, and the lower portions are spaced laterally apart by a second distance less than the first distance. The frame arrangement may further include a first battery positioned between the lower portions of the side members, and a second battery positioned between the upper portions of the side members.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLCInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk
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Patent number: 10814917Abstract: A skid plate module for a vehicle. The skid plate module may include first and second pillars that may extend from a skid plate. The first and second pillars may be disposed along a center plane of the skid plate and may be adapted to be mounted to a chassis of a vehicle. A lower control arm, a mounting bracket subassembly, or both may be mounted to the first and second pillars.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignees: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC, Nikola Motor Company, LLCInventors: Edwin D. Lorenz, Adam P. Sadlik, Michael Schlundt, Rituja D. Marathe
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Patent number: 10752300Abstract: A motor gearbox and suspension arrangement is provided for a vehicle. The arrangement includes a drive system for driving a wheel of the vehicle, and the drive system includes an electric motor and a gear train associated with the motor. The arrangement further includes a housing that receives the motor and the gear train, and a suspension control arm having a first end configured to be connected to the vehicle and a second end configured to be connected to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLCInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Steve Jennes, Adrian Hawkins
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Publication number: 20200239076Abstract: A frame arrangement for a vehicle may include a first side member and a second side member that each have an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portions are spaced laterally apart by a first distance, and the lower portions are spaced laterally apart by a second distance less than the first distance. The frame arrangement may further include a first battery positioned between the lower portions of the side members, and a second battery positioned between the upper portions of the side members.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLCInventors: Trevor R. MILTON, Kevin M. LYNK
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Patent number: 10589797Abstract: A front suspension system is provided for a front-wheel drive vehicle having a drive shaft for driving a front wheel. The front suspension system includes a suspension device configured to be connected to the vehicle, a control arm configured to be connected to the vehicle, and a yoke mount configured to connect the suspension device to the control arm. The yoke mount has first and second legs that receive the drive shaft therebetween when the front suspension system is mounted on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignees: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC, ARVINMERITOR TECHNOLOGY, LLCInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Adam Sadlik, Edwin Lorenz, Michael Schlundt, Paul Barr
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Patent number: 10589788Abstract: A frame arrangement for a vehicle may include first and second longitudinally extending side members that each have an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portions are spaced laterally apart by a first distance, and the lower portions are spaced laterally apart by a second distance less than the first distance. The frame arrangement may further include at least one storage tank or battery positioned between the side members.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLCInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk
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Patent number: 10435075Abstract: A suspension module having a subframe assembly. The subframe assembly may include a lower subframe that may pivotally support at least one lower control arm. An upper control arm mounting plate may be mounted to the lower subframe. The upper control arm mounting plate may pivotally support an upper control arm.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignees: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC, Nikola Motor Company LLCInventors: Edwin D. Lorenz, Adam P. Sadlik, Kevin M. Lynk
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Patent number: 10336379Abstract: A rear suspension for a vehicle includes a knuckle for supporting a rear wheel of the vehicle, and the knuckle defines an opening. The rear suspension system further includes two suspension devices configured to be connected to the vehicle and an upper portion of the knuckle, such that each suspension device is oriented along an upright axis when the rear suspension system is mounted on the vehicle. In addition, the rear suspension system includes a control arm having a first portion configured to be connected to the vehicle and a second portion configured to extend between the axes of the suspension devices and into the opening of the knuckle when the rear suspension system is mounted on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignees: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC, ARVINMERITOR TECHNOLOGY, LLCInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Adam Sadlik, Edwin Lorenz, Michael Schlundt, Paul Barr
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Publication number: 20190084627Abstract: A motor gearbox and suspension arrangement is provided for a vehicle. The arrangement includes a drive system for driving a wheel of the vehicle, and the drive system includes an electric motor and a gear train associated with the motor. The arrangement further includes a housing that receives the motor and the gear train, and a suspension control arm having a first end configured to be connected to the vehicle and a second end configured to be connected to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLCInventors: Trevor R. MILTON, Kevin M. LYNK, Anthony A. HEATON, Morgan MACKELPRANG, Steve JENNES, Adrian HAWKINS
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Patent number: 10207751Abstract: A motor gearbox assembly is provided for a vehicle having two wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle. The assembly includes two independent drive systems that each include an electric motor and an associated gear train, each drive system being configured to independently drive one of the wheels. The assembly further includes a common housing that receives the motors and the gear trains such that the gear trains are at least partially positioned between the motors. Furthermore, at least portions of the drive systems have generally inverse orientations in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the motor gearbox assembly is mounted on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLCInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Steve Jennes, Adrian Hawkins