A multi-functional off-road vehicle has a frame which includes a left lateral frame member and a right lateral frame member. The two frame members are connected by a crossbar. Four wheel assemblies are connected to the frame. At least two of the wheel assemblies are continuous tracks. The crossbar includes a track width adjustment actuator which extends and contracts a length of the crossbar and thereby changes a track width of the vehicle.

An air suspension system which includes a Dynamic Load Transfer (DLT) function. DLT is a process of transferring vehicle load, or varying normal loads applied to each wheel of the vehicle, using switchable volume or variable volume air spring assemblies. Switchable or variable volume air spring assemblies have the ability to change air spring volumes, which results in changes in air spring rates, which result in changes in normal loads applied to each wheel. Changes in wheel normal loads change wheel traction (slip) and vehicle dynamics (pitch, roll, yaw displacement, rate and acceleration). Each air spring assembly may have multiple volume air chambers that are switched “on” and “off,” a variable volume air chamber, or the air spring assembly may be coupled with other air springs, or air chambers, that are switched or varied.

An air suspension system which includes a Dynamic Load Transfer (DLT) function. DLT is a process of transferring vehicle load, or varying normal loads applied to each wheel of the vehicle, using switchable volume or variable volume air spring assemblies. Switchable or variable volume air spring assemblies have the ability to change air spring volumes, which results in changes in air spring rates, which result in changes in normal loads applied to each wheel. Changes in wheel normal loads change wheel traction (slip) and vehicle dynamics (pitch, roll, yaw displacement, rate and acceleration). Each air spring assembly may have multiple volume air chambers that are switched “on” and “off,” a variable volume air chamber, or the air spring assembly may be coupled with other air springs, or air chambers, that are switched or varied.

A method for controlling the safe operation of a rear axle of a set of combined axles powered by a motor vehicle, particularly for a vehicle designed to carry loads and which have 6×4, 8×4 or 10×4 type traction configurations, or tridem models formed by three drive axles. The method includes a set of steps and activities that ensure proper and safe operation of systems and mechanisms for uncoupling and raising a rear axle of a vehicle, and more specifically checking a status of certain operating parameters of the rear axle and of the vehicle itself in order to permit or prevent uncoupling and coupling, as well as raising and lowering of the rear axle of the vehicle.

A three-row wheel vehicle having front, center and rear wheels has laterally spaced leading arms each pivotably connected to a vehicle body, laterally spaced swing arms each connected to the front end of the leading arm swingably in the front and rear direction and rotatably supporting the front wheel at the lower end, and laterally spaced connecting links each attached at one end to the swing arm pivotably around an axis and attached at the other end to the vehicle body pivotably around another axis; heights of the axes are different when the vehicle is on a horizontal flat traveling road; and each connecting link is arranged to apply a reaction force including an upward component to the swing arm when a rearward force acts from the front wheel to the one end via the swing arm.

A work vehicle including: a first link having one end portion supported by a vehicle body so as to be pivotable; a second link having one end portion pivotally coupled to the other end portion of the first link so as to be pivotable, and another end portion that supports a travel wheel; a first hydraulic cylinder capable of changing a swing posture of the first link; and a second hydraulic cylinder capable of changing a swing posture of the second link relative to the first link. The action of the first hydraulic cylinder is controlled such that a swing position of the first link is located at a target position, based on the result of detection performed by a position detection sensor, and the action of the second hydraulic cylinder is controlled such that thrust has a target value, based on the results of detection performed by pressure sensors.

Disclosed is a mobile robot adapted to traverse vertical obstacles. The robot comprises a frame and at least one wheel positioned in a front section of the robot, at least one middle wheel positioned in a middle section of the robot, at least one back wheel positioned in a back section of the robot, and at least one further wheel in the front, middle or back of the robot. The robot also comprises at least one motor-driven device for exerting a downward and/or upward force on the middle wheel and at least two motors for driving the wheels and the motor-driven device. Also disclosed is a method of climbing using a mobile robot as disclosed.

Disclosed is a mobile robot adapted to traverse vertical obstacles. The robot comprises a frame and at least one wheel positioned in a front section of the robot, at least one middle wheel positioned in a middle section of the robot, at least one back wheel positioned in a back section of the robot, and at least one further wheel in the front, middle or back of the robot. The robot also comprises at least one motor-driven device for exerting a downward and/or upward force on the middle wheel and at least two motors for driving the wheels and the motor-driven device. Also disclosed is a method of climbing using a mobile robot as disclosed.

A height-adjusting axle assembly separate from and connectable to a trailer frame. A first pair of wheels is connected to a first cross-beam by a first pair of torsion axles such that rotation of the first cross-beam causes rotation of the first pair of torsion axles. A second pair of wheels is connected to a second cross-beam by a second pair of torsion axles such that rotation of the second cross-beam causes rotation of the second pair of torsion axles. An interconnecting bar is pivotally connected to the first cross-beam and the second cross-beam. A first frame rail and a second frame rail are connectable to the trailer frame. The first cross-beam and the second cross-beam are supported by and extend between the first frame rail and the second frame rail.

A height-adjusting axle assembly separate from and connectable to a trailer frame. A first pair of wheels is connected to a first cross-beam by a first pair of torsion axles such that rotation of the first cross-beam causes rotation of the first pair of torsion axles. A second pair of wheels is connected to a second cross-beam by a second pair of torsion axles such that rotation of the second cross-beam causes rotation of the second pair of torsion axles. An interconnecting bar is pivotally connected to the first cross-beam and the second cross-beam. A first frame rail and a second frame rail are connectable to the trailer frame. The first cross-beam and the second cross-beam are supported by and extend between the first frame rail and the second frame rail.