Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis defining a longitudinal centerline, a first axle and a second axle coupled to the chassis, a cab, a door, and a driver's seat. The cab is coupled to the chassis and defines a door opening. The cab includes (a) a windshield assembly comprising a first side portion, a middle portion, a second side portion, a first pillar coupling the first side portion to the middle portion, a second pillar coupling the second side portion to the middle portion, (b) an A-pillar defining a front edge of the door opening, and (c) a B-pillar defining a rear edge of the door opening. The door is movably coupled to the cab, disposed within the door opening, and selectively repositionable relative thereto independent of the windshield assembly. The driver's seat is disposed within the cab and positioned along the longitudinal centerline.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis having a longitudinal centerline, a first axle and a second axle coupled to the chassis, a cab, a driver's seat, and a passenger seat. The cab is coupled to the chassis and includes a windshield assembly comprising a first side portion, a middle portion, a second side portion, a first pillar coupling the first side portion to the middle portion, and a second pillar coupling the second side portion to the middle portion. The driver's seat is disposed within the cab along the longitudinal centerline, and the passenger seat is disposed within the cab and longitudinally offset from the driver's seat to improve driver visibility.

Abstract: A self-contained axle module for a vehicle having a support structure is provided. The self-contained axle includes a housing removably coupled to the support structure and an output shaft extending from the housing. An electric motor is coupled to the housing and drives the output shaft. Two wheel end assemblies are coupled to the output shaft, and an independent suspension assembly is coupled between each wheel end assembly and the housing, so that the independent suspension assemblies and the wheel end assemblies and the electric motor and the housing are removable from the vehicle as a unit by detaching the housing from the support structure.

Abstract: A transmission includes a bevel gear configured to provide power to a shaft of a vehicle and that is rotatably engaged with a collar assembly. The transmission also includes a planetary gear set selectively engageable with the collar assembly. The collar assembly includes a first collar and a second collar. The first collar and the second collar are axially coupled together and independently rotatable relative to one another. The collar assembly is slidable between a first position to engage the planetary gear set and rotate the shaft at a first speed, and a second position to disengage the planetary gear set and rotate the shaft at a second speed. Both the first collar and the second collar disengage the planetary gear set in the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an independent suspension for supporting at least first and second wheel ends relative to the vehicle, and a transmission having an input shaft and an auxiliary power output shaft and a respective drive shaft coupled to each wheel end, and an electrical power source, and a variable speed electric motor electrically coupled to the electrical power source and mechanically coupled to the input shaft, where the transmission is configured to apply power from the electric motor to the auxiliary power output shaft dependently or independently of the application of power from the electric motor to the drive shafts.

Abstract: A transmission includes a bevel gear configured to provide power to a shaft of a vehicle and that is rotatably engaged with a collar assembly. The transmission also includes a planetary gear set selectively engageable with the collar assembly. The collar assembly includes a first collar and a second collar. The first collar and the second collar are axially coupled together and independently rotatable relative to one another. The collar assembly is slidable between a first position to engage the planetary gear set and rotate the shaft at a first speed, and a second position to disengage the planetary gear set and rotate the shaft at a second speed.

Abstract: A transmission includes a first gear, and a second gear is fixed to one end of a shaft with the second gear engaging the first gear. A bevel gear is rotatably supported on the shaft and engages a power input gear. A hub is fixed to the bevel gear for concentric rotation about the shaft; the hub having a splined outer section. A planetary gear set including a sun gear and a carrier are arranged concentrically about the splined outer section of the hub. A splined section is fixed to an opposite end of the shaft. A collar assembly includes first and second collars, each having internal teeth and external teeth. The first collar and the second collar are axially coupled together and independently rotatable relative to one another, and the collar assembly slidably engages the splined section and the splined outer section.

Abstract: A self-contained axle module for a vehicle having a support structure is provided. The self-contained axle includes a housing removably coupled to the support structure and an output shaft extending from the housing. An electric motor is coupled to the housing and drives the output shaft. Two wheel end assemblies are coupled to the output shaft, and an independent suspension assembly is coupled between each wheel end assembly and the housing, so that the independent suspension assemblies and the wheel end assemblies and the electric motor and the housing are removable from the vehicle as a unit by detaching the housing from the support structure.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an independent suspension for supporting at least first and second wheel ends relative to the vehicle, and a transmission having an input shaft and an auxiliary power output shaft and a respective drive shaft coupled to each wheel end, and an electrical power source, and a variable speed electric motor electrically coupled to the electrical power source and mechanically coupled to the input shaft, where the transmission is configured to apply power from the electric motor to the auxiliary power output shaft dependently or independently of the application of power from the electric motor to the drive shafts.

Abstract: A transmission includes a first gear, and a second gear is fixed to one end of a shaft with the second gear engaging the first gear. A bevel gear is rotatably supported on the shaft and engages a power input gear. A hub is fixed to the bevel gear for concentric rotation about the shaft; the hub having a splined outer section. A planetary gear set including a sun gear and a carrier are arranged concentrically about the splined outer section of the hub. A splined section is fixed to an opposite end of the shaft. A collar assembly includes first and second collars, each having internal teeth and external teeth. The first collar and the second collar are axially coupled together and independently rotatable relative to one another, and the collar assembly slidably engages the splined section and the splined outer section.

Abstract: A power take-off for an electric vehicle. The power take-off includes a variable speed electric motor for driving at least one wheel of the vehicle. A transmission, including a neutral state, coupled to the electric motor. An auxiliary output shaft is coupled to the transmission. When the transmission is in the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed independent of wheel speed and dependent on the electric motor speed. When the transmission is operably engaged in other than the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed related to both the electric motor speed and the wheel speed.

Abstract: A self-contained axle module for a vehicle having a support structure is provided. The self-contained axle includes a housing removably coupled to the support structure and an output shaft extending from the housing. An electric motor is coupled to the housing and drives the output shaft. Two wheel end assemblies coupled to the output shaft, and an independent suspension assembly is coupled between each wheel end assembly and the housing, so that the independent suspension assemblies and the wheel end assemblies and the electric motor and the housing are removable from the vehicle as a unit by detaching the housing from the support structure.

Abstract: A self-contained axle module for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a support structure, a source for electric power, a source of cooling medium, and a vehicle control device. The self-contained axle includes a first side plate removably coupled to the support structure. A second side plate removably coupled to the support structure. A housing coupled to the first and second side plate. An electric motor coupled to the housing and the source for electric power. A motor drive controller unit coupled to the electric motor and to the vehicle control device to communicate signals to the vehicle control device such that one of the speed and torque of the electric motor is controlled based upon the signals. A gear train is mounted in the housing and coupled to the electric motor and an output shaft, wherein, the self-contained axle module can be selectively coupled and decoupled from the support structure.

Abstract: A V-drive motor arrangement for a motor vehicle, with the motor vehicle including a pair of frame members maintained in a spaced apart relationship. The V-drive motor arrangement includes a first motor mounted between the two frame members and coupled to a first gear set. A second motor is mounted between the two frame members and coupled to a gear set. Each motor is aligned with each respective gear set at a gear mesh angle other than 90°. Another embodiment of the V-drive motor arrangement includes the motors mounted at an angle relative to the horizontal plane of the frame members. Each gear set can be a bevel gear set.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes a steering input device, a front steering subsystem, a rear steering subsystem, a first force transmission route, a steering control mechanism, a second force transmission route, and a third force transmission route. The front steering subsystem is coupled to front motive members to steer the front motive members based upon movement of a front steering subsystem input shaft. The rear steering subsystem is coupled to rear motive members to steer the rear motive members based upon movement of a rear steering subsystem input shaft. The first force transmission route extends from the steering input device to the front steering subsystem input shaft, wherein force is transmitted from the input device to the front steering subsystem input shaft to steer the front motive members. The steering control mechanism has a movable input member and a movable output member.

Abstract: A power take-off for an electric vehicle. The power take-off includes a variable speed electric motor for driving at least one wheel of the vehicle. A transmission, including a neutral state, coupled to the electric motor. An auxiliary output shaft is coupled to the transmission. When the transmission is in the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed independent of wheel speed and dependent on the electric motor speed. When the transmission is operably engaged in other than the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed related to both the electric motor speed and the wheel speed.

Abstract: A V-drive motor arrangement for a motor vehicle, with the motor vehicle including a pair of frame members maintained in a spaced apart relationship. The V-drive motor arrangement includes a first motor mounted between the two frame members and coupled to a first gear set. A second motor is mounted between the two frame members and coupled to a gear set. Each motor is aligned with each respective gear set at a gear mesh angle other than 90°. Another embodiment of the V-drive motor arrangement includes the motors mounted at an angle relative to the horizontal plane of the frame members. Each gear set can be a bevel gear set.

Abstract: A self-contained axle module for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a support structure, a source for electric power, a source of cooling medium, and a vehicle control device. The self-contained axle includes a first side plate removably coupled to the support structure. A second side plate removably coupled to the support structure. A housing coupled to the first and second side plate. An electric motor coupled to the housing and the source for electric power. A motor drive controller unit coupled to the electric motor and to the vehicle control device to communicate signals to the vehicle control device such that one of the speed and torque of the electric motor is controlled based upon the signals. A gear train is mounted in the housing and coupled to the electric motor and an output shaft, wherein, the self-contained axle module can be selectively coupled and decoupled from the support structure.