Abstract: Systems for estimating an axle load of a vehicle wherein axle load is estimated in response to an angle between two components of an axle. The angle may change as weight is added to or removed from the axle such that axle load may be determined as a function of the angle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating an axle load of a vehicle are described. In one example, a method is disclosed wherein axle load is estimated in response to an angle between two components of an axle. The angle may change as weight is added to or removed from the axle such that axle load may be determined as a function of the angle.

Abstract: A steering stop mechanism including a fastener, a retention element disposed about the fastener, an adapter configured to receive at least a portion of the fastener therein, and a retention sleeve disposed about at least a portion of the fastener, the retention element, and the adapter. The retention sleeve is deformable and produced from a malleable material to allow the retention sleeve to conform to a shape of the retention element and the adapter during assembly of the steering stop mechanism with a working component.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle includes an axle beam and a suspension system. The suspension system includes a mounting member, at least one positioning member, and at least one coupling member configured to cooperate to maintain a position of a working component. The mounting member having at least one aperture formed therein is freely disposed on the axle beam and the at least one coupling member is disposed through the at least one aperture of the mounting member and entirely outside the axle beam.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle includes an axle beam and a suspension system. The suspension system includes a mounting member, at least one positioning member, and at least one coupling member configured to cooperate to maintain a position of a working component. The mounting member having at least one aperture formed therein is freely disposed on the axle beam and the at least one coupling member is disposed through the at least one aperture of the mounting member and entirely outside the axle beam.

Abstract: A steering stop mechanism including a fastener, a retention element disposed about the fastener, an adapter configured to receive at least a portion of the fastener therein, and a retention sleeve disposed about at least a portion of the fastener, the retention element, and the adapter. The retention sleeve is deformable and produced from a malleable material to allow the retention sleeve to conform to a shape of the retention element and the adapter during assembly of the steering stop mechanism with a working component.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating an axle load of a vehicle are described. In one example, a method is disclosed wherein axle load is estimated in response to an angle between two components of an axle. The angle may change as weight is added to or removed from the axle such that axle load may be determined as a function of the angle.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system having an I-beam and a steering gear housing coupled therewith. An input shaft assembly may be at least partially disposed within the steering gear housing. A steering knuckle having a kingpin boss and an output shaft having a first end at least partially disposed within the kingpin boss. A second end of the output shaft at least partially disposed within the steering gear housing.

Abstract: A king-pin joint assembly used in a vehicle. The king-pin joint assembly includes a king-pin, an axle beam and a steering knuckle. At least a portion of an intermediate portion of the king-pin is received and/or retained within at least a portion of an axle beam king-pin receiving aperture in a connector portion of the axle beam. The steering knuckle has a yoke portion with a first yoke arm and a second yoke arm. At least a portion of a first bearing assembly and a first end portion of the king-pin is received and/or retained within at least a portion of a first yoke arm king-pin aperture in the first yoke arm. Additionally, least a portion of a second bearing assembly and a second end portion of the king-pin is received and/or retained within at least a portion of a second yoke arm king-pin aperture in the second yoke arm.

Abstract: A wheel-end assembly for a vehicle enabling the direct measurement of the wheel-end position. The wheel-end assembly includes a knuckle having a kingpin bore and a kingpin disposed within the kingpin bore. The knuckle is at least partially rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the kingpin. A knuckle cap assembly is coupled with the kingpin bore adjacent to an end of the kingpin. In addition, a sensor is coupled with the knuckle cap assembly which measures a position of the kingpin relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system having an I-beam and a steering gear housing coupled therewith. An input shaft assembly may be at least partially disposed within the steering gear housing. A steering knuckle having a kingpin boss and an output shaft having a first end at least partially disposed within the kingpin boss. A second end of the output shaft at least partially disposed within the steering gear housing.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system having an I-beam and a steering gear housing coupled therewith. An input shaft assembly may be at least partially disposed within the steering gear housing. A steering knuckle having a kingpin boss and an output shaft having a first end at least partially disposed within the kingpin boss. A second end of the output shaft at least partially disposed within the steering gear housing.

Abstract: A king-pin joint assembly used in a vehicle. The king-pin joint assembly includes a king-pin, an axle beam and a steering knuckle. At least a portion of an intermediate portion of the king-pin is received and/or retained within at least a portion of an axle beam king-pin receiving aperture in a connector portion of the axle beam. The steering knuckle has a yoke portion with a first yoke arm and a second yoke arm. At least a portion of a first bearing assembly and a first end portion of the king-pin is received and/or retained within at least a portion of a first yoke arm king-pin aperture in the first yoke arm. Additionally, least a portion of a second bearing assembly and a second end portion of the king-pin is received and/or retained within at least a portion of a second yoke arm king-pin aperture in the second yoke arm.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system having an I-beam and a steering gear housing coupled therewith. An input shaft assembly may be at least partially disposed within the steering gear housing. A steering knuckle having a kingpin boss and an output shaft having a first end at least partially disposed within the kingpin boss. A second end of the output shaft at least partially disposed within the steering gear housing.

Abstract: A wheel-end assembly for a vehicle enabling the direct measurement of the wheel-end position. The wheel-end assembly includes a knuckle having a kingpin bore and a kingpin disposed within the kingpin bore. The knuckle is at least partially rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the kingpin. A knuckle cap assembly is coupled with the kingpin bore adjacent to an end of the kingpin. In addition, a sensor is coupled with the knuckle cap assembly which measures a position of the kingpin relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including an axle housing and a sealing ring disposed on the axle housing. The sealing ring has a conduit formed therethrough. A hub is disposed on the axle housing and adjacent the sealing ring. A hub ring is disposed on the hub and adjacent the sealing ring. The hub ring has a conduit formed therethrough. An inner seal member and an outer seal member are disposed between sealing ring and the hub ring. The conduit formed through the hub ring is in fluid communication with the conduit formed through the sealing ring through an area between the inner seal member and the outer seal member.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including an axle housing and a sealing ring disposed on the axle housing. The sealing ring has a conduit formed therethrough. A hub is disposed on the axle housing and adjacent the sealing ring. A hub ring is disposed on the hub and adjacent the sealing ring. The hub ring has a conduit formed therethrough. An inner seal member and an outer seal member are disposed between sealing ring and the hub ring. The conduit formed through the hub ring is in fluid communication with the conduit formed through the sealing ring through an area between the inner seal member and the outer seal member.

Abstract: A vehicle steering knuckle has an inward contact surface that is attached to a vehicle steer arm that has an outward contact surface, by way of at least one bolt extending through aligned holes in the knuckle and into the steer arm. The bolt connects the knuckle to the steer arm, from a side of the knuckle that is opposite the steer arm. Thereby, the vehicle steering knuckle and vehicle steer arm come in contact with each other at the contact surfaces by tightening the bolt. The steer arm may have a ball bearing, dowel pin, protrusions, or cut-out extending into or out of the vehicle steering knuckle or vehicle steer arm at the contact surfaces.