A drive shaft is configured by joining solid stub shafts formed of a medium carbon steel to both ends of a hollow tubular body formed of a medium carbon steel. When expressed as grain size number, the grain size of the hollow tubular body at joint parts where the hollow tubular body and the solid stub shafts are joined together ranges from #5 to #9, and the grain size of the solid stub shafts at the joint parts ranges from #10 to #12.

A drive axle (1) and a motor vehicle having the drive axle (1) are proposed. The drive axle (1) includes an axle body (2) in which at least one axle shaft (3) extends. The drive axle (1) has at least one wheel carrier (5), which is arranged on a wheel-side end (4) of the axle body (2), and at least one steering assembly (6). The drive axle (1) is preferably in the form of a rigid axle and the axle body (2) has a receiving structure (7) for accommodating a drive unit (8), and the steering assembly (6) is directly connected to the axle body (2).

Vehicles are disclosed which have a lower center of gravity than existing all-terrain, amphibious, and unmanned ground vehicles due to the location of propulsion units and other vehicle components inside the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicles can climb over large obstacles vet are also able to corner at high speeds. The vehicles can be configured for direct manual operation or operation by remote control, and can also be configured for a wide variety of missions.

Vehicles are disclosed which have a lower center of gravity than existing all-terrain, amphibious, and unmanned ground vehicles due to the location of propulsion units and other vehicle components inside the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicles can climb over large obstacles yet are also able to corner at high speeds. The vehicles can be configured for direct manual operation or operation by remote control, and can also be configured for a wide variety of missions.

A suspension is provided for coupling a front wheel with a chassis of an off-road vehicle. The suspension comprises upper and lower suspension arms that each includes two inboard mounting points to the chassis and one outboard rod-end joint to a spindle assembly coupled with the front wheel. A ball comprising each outboard rod-end joint is fastened by way a bolt between a pair of parallel prongs extending from the spindle assembly. The upper suspension arm is configured to facilitate coupling a strut between the lower suspension arm and the chassis. A steering rod is coupled with the spindle assembly by way of a steering rod-end joint that is disposed forward of a drive axle, thereby decreasing leverage of the front wheel on the steering rod and substantially eliminating bump steer that may occur due to rough terrain.

A leading-edge steering system is provided for a front suspension of an off-road vehicle. The leading-edge steering system is comprised of a spindle assembly that supports a drive axle assembly to conduct torque from a transaxle to a front wheel. A first rod-end joint pivotally couples an upper suspension arm and the spindle assembly, and a second rod-end joint pivotally couples a lower suspension arm and the spindle assembly. A steering rod-end joint pivotally couples a first end of a steering rod with a leading-edge portion of the spindle assembly. A steering gear is coupled with a second end of the steering rod and configured to move the steering rod, such that the spindle assembly rotates with respect to the upper and lower suspension arms. The leading-edge portion is configured to exert primarily tensile forces on the steering rod during travel over rough terrain.

An axle assembly having at least one lubricant passage. A differential carrier, a motor housing, and a cover may cooperate to at least partially define a first lubricant passage that routes lubricant from an axle housing to the cover. The differential carrier, motor housing, and cover may cooperate to at least partially define a second lubricant passage that routes lubricant from the cover to the axle housing.

An axle device includes a power unit including an electric motor and a differential. A drive shaft transmits power distributed by the differential to a drive wheel. The drive shaft is supported by an axle pipe via a hub bearing. The right and left axle pipes are respectively fixed to right and left portions of the axle frame, and the power unit is fixed to the axle frame.

One or more guide members for use within a drive unit assembly of a vehicle. The one or more guide members have a body portion with an outer peripheral surface, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion interposed between the first end portion and second end portion. The intermediate portion of the one or more guide members have a first angularly bent portion defining a first extending portion and a second extending portion extending outward therefrom. The body portion of the one or more guide members have one or more shaft receiving portions therein.

An electric vehicle includes a chassis, a rigid axle housing, and a suspension system control arm coupling the rigid axle housing to the chassis. The electric vehicle also includes first and second electric motors, each having a rotator and a stator. The stator of the first and second electric motors are rigidly fixed to the rigid axle housing. The electric vehicle also includes a coolant supply system coupled to a radiator and the rigid axle housing to supply coolant from the radiator to a coolant inlet of the rigid axle housing and to supply used coolant from a coolant outlet of the rigid axle housing to the radiator. A first mounting bracket is fixed to the chassis and the coolant supply system. A second mounting bracket is fixed to the rigid axle housing and the coolant supply system, and a third mounting bracket is fixed to the control arm and the coolant supply system.