The simultaneous maneuvering system includes a base, a plurality of wheel assemblies including at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the base, a plurality of steering rotors rotatably mounted to the base and the wheel assemblies, and a drive assembly having a drive frame coupled to each of the rotors. Operation of the drive assembly causes simultaneous rotation of the rotors and, thereby, positions the wheel of each corresponding wheel assembly in a desired direction.

The present disclosure generally relates to an omni-direction wheel system and methods for controlling the omni-direction wheel system. The omni-direction wheel system includes a plurality of suspension systems that operate independently of one another. Each suspension system may include an electromagnetic steering hub configured to rotate a wheel 360 degrees about a vertical axis based on a polarity of an electromagnetic signal applied to the electromagnetic steering hub. The suspension system may further include an in-wheel motor configured to rotate with the wheel and drive the wheel about a horizontal axis.

An integrated electronic drive unit constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a differential, a first axle, a second axle and a secondary power system. The differential includes a ring gear fixed for concurrent rotation with a differential case. The differential has a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted to the differential case and meshed with first and second side gears. The first axle is coupled to the first side gear. The second axle is coupled to the second side gear. The secondary power system is selectively engageable to at least one of the first and second axles. The integrated electronic drive unit is operable in an open differential mode, a braking mode, an electric vehicle start mode and a torque vectoring mode.

An integrated electronic drive unit constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a differential, a first axle, a second axle and a secondary power system. The differential includes a ring gear fixed for concurrent rotation with a differential case. The differential has a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted to the differential case and meshed with first and second side gears. The first axle is coupled to the first side gear. The second axle is coupled to the second side gear. The secondary power system is selectively engageable to at least one of the first and second axles. The integrated electronic drive unit is operable in an open differential mode, a braking mode, an electric vehicle start mode and a torque vectoring mode.

A caster apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, there is provided a caster apparatus including a caster wheel and a first driving wheel disposed on a first side of the caster wheel. The first driving wheel is configured to be driven by a first motor. A second driving wheel is disposed on a second side opposite to the first side of the caster wheel. The second driving wheel is configured to be driven by a second motor different from the first motor. A first actuator is configured to move the first driving wheel in a vertical direction to a ground according to a curvature of the ground. A second actuator is configured to move the second driving wheel in a vertical direction to the ground according to a curvature of the ground, wherein the first and second driving wheels are configured to steer the caster wheel.

An automobile having sets of front and rear wheels, of which one or both sets are steerable wheels and one or both sets are driven wheels. Each steerable wheel is rotatably supported on a respective steering knuckle that is swivelable about an upright steering axis, and is coupled to the frame by a suspension system for relative movement upwardly and downwardly of the automobile's frame. The steering knuckle of each steerable wheel is movable through a ninety degree range between a straight-ahead position for longitudinally straight travel of the automobile in a normal road travel mode, and a ninety-degree position for lateral travel of the automobile in another mode.

An automobile having sets of front and rear wheels, of which one or both sets are steerable wheels and one or both sets are driven wheels. Each steerable wheel is rotatably supported on a respective steering knuckle that is swivelable about an upright steering axis, and is coupled to the frame by a suspension system for relative movement upwardly and downwardly of the automobile's frame. The steering knuckle of each steerable wheel is movable through a ninety degree range between a straight-ahead position for longitudinally straight travel of the automobile in a normal road travel mode, and a ninety-degree position for lateral travel of the automobile in another mode.

A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.

An apparatus and methods are provided for a portal spindle assembly for a vehicle front suspension. The portal spindle assembly comprises a spindle portion that is rotatably coupled with upper and lower connecting arms. A leading-edge portion is rotatably coupled with a steering rod-end joint, such that moving the steering rod-end joint rotates the spindle assembly with respect to the upper and lower connecting arms. An inboard case and an outboard case support a pinion gear assembly that is meshed with an output gear assembly for communicating torque from a constant velocity joint to a front wheel coupled to the output gear assembly. The pinion gear assembly is aligned along a pinion axis disposed at an angle with respect to a hub axis of the output gear assembly. The angle facilitates a suspension geometry that provides a camber change of the front wheel that eliminates a change in track width.

A drive arrangement for a vehicle, the drive arrangement comprising a rotatable interface arranged to be mounted to the vehicle, wherein the rotatable interface is rotatably coupled to a mounting arm to allow continuous rotation of the mounting arm in a clockwise and anti clockwise direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axis of the vehicle; and a first electric motor having a stator and a rotor, wherein the stator is coupled to the mounting arm to allow the axis of the rotor to be substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotatable interface, wherein the rotor is arranged to be coupled to a wheel of the vehicle to allow the electric motor to provide drive torque to the wheel.