Patents Assigned to NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
  • Patent number: 10913321
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC, Nikola Motor Company, LLC
    Inventors: Edwin D. Lorenz, Adam P. Sadlik, Michael Schlundt, Rituja D. Marathe
  • Patent number: 10899387
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk
  • Patent number: 10814917
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignees: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC, Nikola Motor Company, LLC
    Inventors: Edwin D. Lorenz, Adam P. Sadlik, Michael Schlundt, Rituja D. Marathe
  • Patent number: 10752300
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Steve Jennes, Adrian Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20200239076
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. MILTON, Kevin M. LYNK
  • Patent number: 10589797
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC, ARVINMERITOR TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Adam Sadlik, Edwin Lorenz, Michael Schlundt, Paul Barr
  • Patent number: 10589788
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk
  • Patent number: 10435075
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignees: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC, Nikola Motor Company LLC
    Inventors: Edwin D. Lorenz, Adam P. Sadlik, Kevin M. Lynk
  • Patent number: 10336379
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC, ARVINMERITOR TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Adam Sadlik, Edwin Lorenz, Michael Schlundt, Paul Barr
  • Publication number: 20190084627
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. MILTON, Kevin M. LYNK, Anthony A. HEATON, Morgan MACKELPRANG, Steve JENNES, Adrian HAWKINS
  • Patent number: 10207751
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Steve Jennes, Adrian Hawkins