A fuel-saving apparatus using a variable preload of vehicle bearings is provided. The fuel-saving apparatus includes a housing that supports a driving shaft of a vehicle, a bearing that is mounted in the housing and rotatably supports the driving shaft, and a variable preload unit that is provided at the housing or a side adjacent to the housing and applies a preload to an outer wheel or an inner wheel of the bearing. The fuel-saving apparatus using such a variable preload may reduce a driving load acting on the driving shaft by a fixed preload acting by the bearing, thereby reducing the driving load of an engine and saving fuel.

An Automatic Tire Inflation System (ATIS) for use with a vehicle includes a controller, valves controlled by the controller and, for at least one drive axle having inner bearings and outer bearings, a channel formed in a spindle, first hosing coupling controlled by the controller to the channel formed in the spindle, a channel formed in a hub, a rotary air seal coupling the channel formed in the spindle to the channel formed in the hub, and second hosing coupling the channel formed in the hub to at least one wheel. The rotary air seal may transition from a sealed state that forms a seal between the spindle and the hub to support air flow between the channel formed in the spindle and the channel formed in hub and reside in an unsealed state to negate the seal between the spindle and the hub.

An apparatus for transferring driving force at a wheel for a vehicle may include a housing of a constant velocity joint having a center of a first end portion formed to be penetrated and inserted into a hub bearing, and a step formed on an inner peripheral surface of a middle portion of the housing, a hub flange supporting an expansion part by the step by having one end portion coupled to a wheel side and another end portion inserted into the housing to thereby form the expansion part expanded in a radial direction, and a forming member installed in the housing to face the expansion part and having an outer peripheral surface supported by an inner peripheral surface of the housing.

Some embodiments relate to a vehicle corner module (VCM) connectable to a VCM-connection interface of a reference-frame of a vehicle platform (e.g. for regulating motion of a vehicle). Some embodiments relate to a multi-interface connection-element for connection of multiple electronic or flow vehicle subsystems of a vehicle to a Vehicle Corner Module (VCM). Related methods are disclosed herein.

A light mount for mounting a light to a steering arm on an axle may include a bracket designed to attach to the steering arm; and a bracket orifice extending through a portion of the bracket, the bracket orifice sized to accommodate a light pod fastener extending from a light pod, wherein the bracket and, thus, the light pod rotate with rotation of the steering arm. The bracket may have various forms and may be a Z-shaped bracket, a mounting perch integrated into the structure of a steering arm, or a mounting plate designed to be attached to an existing steering arm.

A spindle for a wheel end assembly includes a first end of the spindle receiving the wheel of a vehicle on a first side of the wheel end assembly, and a second end of the spindle defining a flange and receiving the axle of a vehicle is disclosed. The flange includes a socket joint that receives the axle on the second side of the wheel end assembly. Mounting members extend distally from the second side a first distance to secure the spindle to the wheel end assembly via the flange. The socket joint of the spindle extends from the second side of the wheel end assembly a second distance from the second side. The second distance is greater than the first distance. A third distance represents degree of overlap of the axle by a ratio with respect to the outer diameter of the axle ranging from 8% to 20%.

A wheel hub motor includes a motor housing and a motor received in the motor housing. The motor housing includes a first holder, a second holder coupled to the first holder, and a protective ring detachably coupled to the second holder. The motor is received in the first holder and the second holder. An inner diameter of the second holder is equal to an outer diameter of the motor. An outer diameter of the protective ring is greater than the outer diameter of the motor. An inner diameter of the protective ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the motor.

A hitch assembly to hoist a machine having at least one wheel rim includes a mounting flange configured to be disposed on an outer face of the wheel rim; and a hitch protruding from the mounting flange and extending longitudinally away from the outer face of the wheel rim. The hitch assembly further includes an elongated receiver component selectively coupled to the hitch, the receiver component having a first end adapted to releasably engage with the hitch; and a hook element rotatably coupled to a second end of the receiver component, the hook element being configured to rotate about the receiver component.

The presently disclosed invention provides an outer rotor brushless direct current motor that includes a tire integrated as part of the outer rotor, and is thus configured as a direct drive wheel, such as may be used on a mobile robot. The drive wheel includes a cylindrical outer rotor having a plurality of poles positioned on an inner surface, a stationary stator spaced inwardly from the rotor and defining a magnetic clearance gap between the plurality of poles of the rotor and a plurality of electromagnets positioned on an outer circumference of the stator, and a stationary central shaft. The stator is mounted to the central shaft and the rotor is configured for rotation about the stator.

A heat shield assembly is disclosed. In various embodiments, the heat shield assembly includes a first heat shield segment having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end, the first end including a first hook member and the second end including a second hook member; and a first heat shield retainer including a first clip member configured to engage the first hook member and a second clip member.