Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a chassis having a frame member, a tractive element, a suspension assembly having a support linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member so that the support linkage is configured to pivot about a pivot point, and an axle assembly coupled to the tractive element and supported on the support linkage. The axle assembly includes an axle and an electric motor that is oriented so that the electric motor extends in a direction toward the pivot point.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, an energy storage device, and a positioning mechanism coupled to the chassis. The positioning mechanism includes an actuator and a charging coil configured to receive electrical energy from an external charging coil and transfer the electrical energy to the energy storage device. The positioning mechanism is configured to adjust the positioning of the charging coil relative to the chassis by actuating the charging coil in a first direction.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle, comprising a chassis having a frame, a first tractive element, and a first suspension system coupled with the first tractive element and the chassis. The first suspension system may comprise a first knuckle coupled with the first tractive element, and a first strut-damper coupled with the first knuckle and the chassis, the first strut-damper extending between the chassis and the first knuckle. The first suspension system may also include a first control arm coupled with the first knuckle and the frame member, and a torsion bar coupled with the chassis at a first end of the torsion bar. The torsion bar may extend in a direction substantially parallel with the frame member, where the torsion bar may be configured to support a portion of a mass of the electrified vehicle in response to displacement of the first tractive element relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle fleet includes identifying, by a fleet controller, a first vehicle within a vehicle fleet as a charger vehicle, identifying, by the fleet controller, a second vehicle within the vehicle fleet as a vehicle to be charged, navigating, by a controller of the charger vehicle, the charger vehicle to the second vehicle, and transferring, through a first wireless charging coil of the charger vehicle and a second wireless charging coil of the second vehicle, electrical energy to charge a battery of the second vehicle.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle fleet includes providing a first vehicle including a first energy storage device and a first wireless charging coil, providing a second vehicle including a second energy storage device and a second wireless charging coil, providing, by an external device, electrical energy to the first vehicle, charging, by the first vehicle, the first energy storage device using a first portion of the electrical energy, transferring, through the first wireless charging coil and the second wireless charging coil, a second portion of the electrical energy to the second vehicle, and charging, by the second vehicle, the second energy storage device using the second portion of the electrical energy.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a wireless charging coil configured to provide thermal energy, a first heat exchanger thermally coupled to the wireless charging coil, a radiator thermally coupled to the first heat exchanger and configured to transfer a first portion of the thermal energy provided by the wireless charging coil to an interior of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a second heat exchanger thermally coupled to the first heat exchanger and configured to transfer a second portion of the thermal energy provided by the wireless charging coil to a battery of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle, comprising a chassis having a frame, a first tractive element, and a first suspension system coupled with the first tractive element and the chassis. The first suspension system may comprise a first knuckle coupled with the first tractive element, and a first strut-damper coupled with the first knuckle and the chassis, the first strut-damper extending between the chassis and the first knuckle. The first suspension system may also include a first control arm coupled with the first knuckle and the frame member, and a torsion bar coupled with the chassis at a first end of the torsion bar. The torsion bar may extend in a direction substantially parallel with the frame member, where the torsion bar may be configured to support a portion of a mass of the electrified vehicle in response to displacement of the first tractive element relative to the chassis.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a front subframe, a rear subframe, and a body that connects the front subframe to the rear subframe so that forces acting on the front subframe and the rear subframe are transmitted through the body. The vehicle also includes a housing coupled to an underside of the body between the front subframe and the rear subframe. An energy storage system is enclosed in the housing and includes a battery and a battery interface configured to electrically couple the battery to at least one component of the electrified vehicle.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a chassis, a body, and a cab. The chassis is configured to support a tractive element. The chassis includes a battery box. The body is supported by the chassis. The cab is supported by the chassis. The battery box includes a shell defining an internal cavity. The battery box is configured to receive a module. The module comprises a battery and a module terminal. The battery box is configured to transfer energy from the module to a component of the vehicle. The internal cavity of the battery box comprises a system terminal configured to contact the module terminal of the module to facilitate the transfer of the energy from the module to a component of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric vehicle is described herein which includes a microprocessor based interface module which is used to control electric motors coupled to drive wheels. The interface module is configured to include a backup communications link to allow an operator to control the vehicle in situations where control information is unavailable over a primary communications network.

Abstract: An electric traction vehicle is described herein which may be used to provide power to off-board electric power-consuming systems or devices. The electric traction vehicle may provide 250 kilowatts or more of three phase AC power to an off-board electric power consuming system. The electric traction vehicle may also include an electrical power storage device which can be selectively discharged to allow the vehicle to be serviced.

Abstract: An electric traction system for an electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a generator coupled to the engine, a power bus coupled to the generator, a power storage unit coupled to the power bus, a drive controller coupled to an electric motor and to the power bus, and a vehicle controller coupled to the drive controller. The generator is configured to receive electrical power regenerated onto the power bus by the electric motor in order to provide mechanical power to the engine, and the engine is configured to dissipate the mechanical power in order to provide a braking function.