Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle. A movable housing is movably positioned within a closed channel defined by a central housing. The movable housing moves the axle assembly between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A mounting assembly may be coupled to and spaced from the movable housing and slidably positioned adjacent the central housing. A steering actuator is coupled to a steering arm and the mounting assembly such that the steering actuator moves as a unit. A track assist bracket may be fixedly coupled to the central housing and define a gap sized to slidably receive a mounting plate of the mounting assembly. A bushing may be disposed on each wall of a telescoping portion of the movable housing. A bellows may be provided to enclose exposed portions of the bushings in the extended configuration. Methods of adjusting the track of the axle assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric wheel-end assembly comprising a mounting portion, a spindle having an inboard end connected to the mounting portion and an outboard end distal from the mounting portion. A hub is rotatably mounted to the spindle via one or more bearings disposed between the inboard and outboard ends of the spindle. A reduction gearbox is disposed at the distal end of the spindle. An input shaft comprising an inboard end having a drive receiving portion arranged to releasably connect to a drive shaft of an electric motor, extends through the spindle to deliver a rotational input to the drive input of the reduction gearbox, the drive output of the reduction gearbox being connected to the hub to drive the hub in rotation about the spindle.

Abstract: An electric wheel-end assembly comprising a mounting portion, a spindle having an inboard end connected to the mounting portion and an outboard end distal from the mounting portion. A hub is rotatably mounted to the spindle via one or more bearings disposed between the inboard and outboard ends of the spindle. A reduction gearbox is disposed at the distal end of the spindle. An input shaft comprising an inboard end having a drive receiving portion arranged to releasably connect to a drive shaft of an electric motor, extends through the spindle to deliver a rotational input to the drive input of the reduction gearbox, the drive output of the reduction gearbox being connected to the hub to drive the hub in rotation about the spindle.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle. A movable housing is movably positioned within a closed channel defined by a central housing. The movable housing moves the axle assembly between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A mounting assembly may be coupled to and spaced from the movable housing and slidably positioned adjacent the central housing. A steering actuator is coupled to a steering arm and the mounting assembly such that the steering actuator moves as a unit. A track assist bracket may be fixedly coupled to the central housing and define a gap sized to slidably receive a mounting plate of the mounting assembly. A bushing may be disposed on each wall of a telescoping portion of the movable housing. A bellows may be provided to enclose exposed portions of the bushings in the extended configuration. Methods of adjusting the track of the axle assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An axle assembly (200) includes a first axle housing (102), a second axle housing (104), a first wheel end (216), a second wheel end (218), and at least one drive shaft (150) extending through the first axle housing (102) and the second axle housing (104) and coupled to the first and second wheel ends (216, 218). The axle assembly (200) also includes a gearbox (210) having a body (240) with first and second portions (242, 244) defining a cavity (246) with the first axle housing (102) coupled to the first portion (242) and the second axle housing (104) coupled to the second portion (244). The axle housing (200) further includes an electric motor (122) coupled to the first portion (242) of the body (240). The gearbox (210) includes a gear train (153) having an input shaft (160) having one end coupled to the electric motor (122) and an output shaft (172) rotatably coupled to the input shaft (160).

Abstract: Axle assembly includes first and second axle housings extending toward opposing sides of a vehicle frame with the axle housings aligned to define an axle axis, first and second wheel ends, first and second drive shafts disposed within the first and second axle housings, a gearbox having a first surface facing one side of the vehicle frame and a second surface facing the other side of the vehicle frame with the gearbox cantilevered outwardly relative to the aligned axle housings to define a gearbox axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and transverse to the axle axis, and an electric motor coupled to the second surface of the gearbox and extending toward the first side of the vehicle frame to define a motor axis that is parallel to and offset from the axle axis, transverse to the gearbox axis, and transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A dual-wheel differential system includes an in inner hub, an outer hub, and a differential assembly mechanically coupled between the inner hub and the outer hub to allow the inner hub and the outer hub to rotate at different angular speeds. A user-actuatable locking system is configured to mechanically lock the inner hub to the outer hub. The user-actuatable locking system may include at least one axially-translating or radially-translating locking pin configured to engage at least one of the inner hub and the outer hub. The locking system may be pneumatically, hydraulically, or electromechanically actuated.

Abstract: A method of producing a modular independent suspension having portal wheel ends is disclosed herein. The method includes, but is not limited to, assembling a first flank component and a second flank component to opposite sides of a sub-frame configured to receive a carrier. The method further includes assembling a first upper control arm and a first lower control arm to the first flank component. The method further includes assembling a second upper control arm and a second lower control arm to the second flank component. The method further includes assembling a first portal wheel end to the first upper control arm and the first lower control arm. The method still further includes assembling a second portal wheel end to the second upper control arm and the second lower control arm.

Abstract: A modular portal wheel end system for connection to a plurality of different axles for vehicles. The portal wheel end system includes a housing configure to be selectively coupled with any one of the plurality of different axles. A plurality of input gears are configured to be interchangeably connected to the housing about a first rotational axis. A plurality of output gears are configured to be interchangeably connected to the housing about a second rotational axis offset from the first rotational axis. Each of the gears having a different predetermined width along their respective axis. The housing includes an inner portion at least partially supporting the input and output gears and an outer ring coupled to the inner portion with the outer ring having a width corresponding to the predetermined width of the input and output gears to define a cavity surrounding the input and output gears.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a knuckle having an upper end and a lower end. A bracket is mounted to one of the upper end and the lower end of the knuckle. A ball joint is mounted to the bracket and configured for attaching the wheel assembly to the vehicle. One or more pins and/or bolts contained within a respective knuckle bore of the knuckle and a respective bracket bore of the bracket transfers a load between the knuckle and the bracket in both vertical and horizontal directions along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of producing a modular independent suspension having portal wheel ends is disclosed herein. The method includes, but is not limited to, assembling a first flank component and a second flank component to opposite sides of a sub-frame configured to receive a carrier. The method further includes assembling a first upper control arm and a first lower control arm to the first flank component. The method further includes assembling a second upper control arm and a second lower control arm to the second flank component. The method further includes assembling a first portal wheel end to the first upper control arm and the first lower control arm. The method still further includes assembling a second portal wheel end to the second upper control arm and the second lower control arm.

Abstract: A dual wheelend for an axle assembly having a rotatable axle shaft. The wheelend comprises a spindle defining a first axis. An intermediate hub is supported on the spindle for rotation about the first axis during rotation of the axle shaft. An inner wheel hub and an outer wheel hub are adjacent one another and are each supported on the intermediate hub for rotation about the first axis. A differential mechanism interconnects the inner and outer wheel hubs. A pin is disposed through a pinion along a second axis and couples the differential mechanism to the intermediate hub for driving the wheel hubs during rotation of the intermediate hub and permitting relative rotation between the wheel hubs relative to the intermediate hub. The pin includes proximal end with a head disposed on the proximal end for engaging the pinion and sandwiching the pinion between the head and the intermediate hub.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a knuckle having an upper end and a lower end. A bracket is mounted to one of the upper end and the lower end of the knuckle by a plurality of fasteners. A ball joint is mounted to the bracket and configured for attaching the wheel assembly to the vehicle. One of the knuckle and the bracket defines a boss and the other defines a bore. The boss is slideably disposed within the bore in slip fit engagement. The boss transfers a load between the knuckle and the bracket in both a vertical direction along a king pin axis and a horizontal direction along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A dual wheelend for an axle assembly having a rotatable axle shaft. The wheelend comprises a spindle defining a first axis. An intermediate hub is supported on the spindle for rotation about the first axis during rotation of the axle shaft. An inner wheel hub and an outer wheel hub are adjacent one another and are each supported on the intermediate hub for rotation about the first axis. A differential mechanism interconnects the inner and outer wheel hubs. A pin is disposed through a pinion along a second axis and couples the differential mechanism to the intermediate hub for driving the wheel hubs during rotation of the intermediate hub and permitting relative rotation between the wheel hubs relative to the intermediate hub. The pin includes proximal end with a head disposed on the proximal end for engaging the pinion and sandwiching the pinion between the head and the intermediate hub.

Abstract: A strut assembly includes a damper having a housing and a rod moveable relative to the housing along a longitudinal axis. The strut assembly includes a flexible membrane configured to receive a pressurized gas to form an air spring. A coil spring defines an inner diameter with the housing disposed within the inner diameter to permit relative movement between the coil spring and the housing. The coil spring is at least partially disposed outside the flexible membrane relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle comprising a stationary spindle and a rotatable axle shaft. An intermediate hub is supported on the spindle. Adjacent inner and outer wheel hubs are supported on the intermediate hub. A differential mechanism interconnects the inner and outer wheel hubs for driving both of the wheel hubs and for permitting relative rotation between the wheel hubs. At least one differential bushing is disposed between the differential mechanism and the intermediate hub. A gear reduction system interconnects the intermediate hub and the axle shaft for providing torque multiplication. A wet disc brake device is coupled between the spindle and the intermediate hub.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a knuckle having an upper end and a lower end. A bracket is mounted to one of the upper end and the lower end of the knuckle by a plurality of fasteners. A ball joint is mounted to the bracket and configured for attaching the wheel assembly to the vehicle. One of the knuckle and the bracket defines a boss and the other defines a bore. The boss is slideably disposed within the bore in slip fit engagement. The boss transfers a load between the knuckle and the bracket in both a vertical direction along a king pin axis and a horizontal direction along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A modular portal wheel end system allows for connection of a portal wheel end to any of a plurality of differently configured axles for vehicles. The portal wheel end includes a housing that houses an input gear and an output gear. The input gear is coupled to the axle to which the portal wheel end is connected. A wheel hub is coupled to the output gear. A plurality of adapter brackets are each configured to be interchangeably connected to the housing and the axle. Each adapter bracket has a different predetermined configuration for connection to a separate one of the differently configured axles. The portal wheel end system allows the same housing, input gear, output gear, and wheel hub to be connected to any of the differently configured axles with the use of the appropriate adapter bracket.