A universal assembly platform for lightweight vehicles, wherein the platform comprises a main vehicle chassis structure, a front suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more front wheel assembly is mountable, and a rear suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more rear wheel assembly is mountable. The rear suspension system is connected to the main vehicle chassis structure such that when the one or more rear wheel assembly is mounted to the rear suspension system a rear wheel of the one or more rear wheel assembly defines the distal end of an overall length of the vehicle.

Axle seat assemblies and methods of manufacturing thereof, are provided for attachment to an axle body (15). The axle seat assembly may be comprised of a first piece (42) and a second piece (50). The first piece (42) may have a first wall, a second wall and a first axle seat piece engagement portion providing a first engagement surface. The second piece (50) may have a third wall and a second axle seat piece engagement portion providing a second engagement surface. The first wall and the second wall of the first piece are oriented to engage a front surface of an axle body and the third wall of the second piece is oriented to engage a rear surface (30) of an axle body. The first and second engagement surfaces of the respective first and second pieces of the axle seat assembly are positioned and configured to engage one another to removably and reversibly secure with the use of a fastener the first piece to the second piece to form an axle seat assembly.

A cradle assembly for housing and supporting a motor and a gearbox of an electric axle assembly. The cradle assembly has generally an “open air” design which provides a space for a motor and/or gearbox to be positioned within a pre-assembled cradle assembly and allows for easy access to the motor and gearbox for maintenance. The cradle assembly includes two end caps, a plurality of tube portions connecting the end caps and a plurality of motor mounts for supporting the motor and gearbox.

A universal assembly platform for lightweight vehicles, wherein the platform comprises a main vehicle chassis structure, a front suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more front wheel assembly is mountable, and a rear suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more rear wheel assembly is mountable. The rear suspension system is connected to the main vehicle chassis structure such that when the one or more rear wheel assembly is mounted to the rear suspension system a rear wheel of the one or more rear wheel assembly defines the distal end of an overall length of the vehicle.

A universal assembly platform for lightweight vehicles, wherein the platform comprises a main vehicle chassis structure, a front suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more front wheel assembly is mountable, and a rear suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more rear wheel assembly is mountable. The rear suspension system is connected to the main vehicle chassis structure such that when the one or more rear wheel assembly is mounted to the rear suspension system a rear wheel of the one or more rear wheel assembly defines the distal end of an overall length of the vehicle.

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.

A vehicle for transporting persons and/or goods, having at least one frame which includes of at least one frame element which extends substantially parallel or obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, at least one wheel carrier which can be detachably secured to the frame element and which, together with the frame element, forms a receiving region between the wheel carrier and the frame element. The wheel carrier and the frame element are spaced apart from one another at least in sections so as to form a cavity. The frame also includes at least one wheel unit which includes a wheel and can be fixed or is fixed in a rotatably mounted manner at least in sections in the receiving region between the wheel carrier and the frame element.

A steering knuckle of a utility vehicle has a main body, a steering knuckle bearing for receiving in a rotating articulated manner a vehicle axle, a hub-type, cup-shaped receiving portion, open towards a rim of a vehicle wheel, in which portion an anti-friction bearing and a bearing journal can be received. The main body has an opening for receiving a drive shaft. The opening leads into the hub-type receiving portion. An axle assembly and a vehicle axle of a utility vehicle are also provided.

A vehicle for transporting persons and/or goods, having at least one frame which includes of at least one frame element which extends substantially parallel or obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, at least one wheel carrier which can be detachably secured to the frame element and which, together with the frame element, forms a receiving region between the wheel carrier and the frame element. The wheel carrier and the frame element are spaced apart from one another at least in sections so as to form a cavity. The frame also includes at least one wheel unit which includes a wheel and can be fixed or is fixed in a rotatably mounted manner at least in sections in the receiving region between the wheel carrier and the frame element.

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.