An electric drive unit for a wheel of a motor vehicle, including an electric motor for driving a drive shaft joined to the wheel in a manner resistant to rotation. The drive shaft is disposed coaxial to the rotor of the electric motor and is joined thereto in a rotation-resistant manner. The drive shaft is joined to the rotor of the electric motor in a rotation-resistant and axially moveable manner via a bearing.

An electric drive unit for a wheel of a motor vehicle, including an electric motor for driving a drive shaft joined to the wheel in a manner resistant to rotation. The drive shaft is disposed coaxial to the rotor of the electric motor and is joined thereto in a rotation-resistant manner. The drive shaft is joined to the rotor of the electric motor in a rotation-resistant and axially moveable manner via a bearing.

The present invention provides embodiments of modified upper and lower control arms for attachment to the steering knuckle that came with the vehicle, or for attachment to a modified steering knuckle of an embodiment of the invention, such that the steering knuckle, and in particular the wheel hub opening of the steering knuckle, are located at positions that are closer to the front of the vehicle than the positions provided by the control arms that came with the vehicle. The forward position of the wheel hub relative to the position provided by the factory or stock control arms moves the wheel and tire forward by the same distance, thereby allowing much larger wheels and tires to be mounted on the vehicle which do not rub against or interfere with the wheel well, fender or body mount, thereby increasing the approach angle of the vehicle for use in off-road climbing.

The present invention provides embodiments of modified upper and lower control arms for attachment to the steering knuckle that came with the vehicle, or for attachment to a modified steering knuckle of an embodiment of the invention, such that the steering knuckle, and in particular the wheel hub opening of the steering knuckle, are located at positions that are closer to the front of the vehicle than the positions provided by the control arms that came with the vehicle. The forward position of the wheel hub relative to the position provided by the factory or stock control arms moves the wheel and tire forward by the same distance, thereby allowing much larger wheels and tires to be mounted on the vehicle which do not rub against or interfere with the wheel well, fender or body mount, thereby increasing the approach angle of the vehicle for use in off-road climbing.

The tie rod is designed to elongate when subjected to an overload in tension that is placed on the tie rod. A plurality of threads and a reduced diameter section on the tie rod elongated when subjected to a tension overload that exceeds the design parameters of the tie rod. The elongation of the tie rod is designed to provide a warning to the operator of the vehicle that the tie rod has been subjected to an overload and should be inspected and repaired as needed. The deformation and elongation of the tie rod absorbs energy and protects other components of the steering and suspension systems of the vehicle.

The tie rod is designed to elongate when subjected to an overload in tension that is placed on the tie rod. A plurality of threads and a reduced diameter section on the tie rod elongated when subjected to a tension overload that exceeds the design parameters of the tie rod. The elongation of the tie rod is designed to provide a warning to the operator of the vehicle that the tie rod has been subjected to an overload and should be inspected and repaired as needed. The deformation and elongation of the tie rod absorbs energy and protects other components of the steering and suspension systems of the vehicle.

A steering system for a vehicle includes a drive motor having a motor shaft. The steering system also includes a first gear reduction stage for receiving a first rotational input from the motor shaft and providing a first rotational output. The steering system further includes a second gear reduction stage for receiving the first rotational output from the first gear reduction stage and providing a second rotational output. The second gear reduction stage may include at least one of a strain wave gearing, a worm drive, and a planetary gearing. The steering system includes an output shaft for receiving the second rotational output from the second gear reduction stage.

A steering system for a vehicle includes a drive motor having a motor shaft. The steering system also includes a first gear reduction stage for receiving a first rotational input from the motor shaft and providing a first rotational output. The steering system further includes a second gear reduction stage for receiving the first rotational output from the first gear reduction stage and providing a second rotational output. The second gear reduction stage may include at least one of a strain wave gearing, a worm drive, and a planetary gearing. The steering system includes an output shaft for receiving the second rotational output from the second gear reduction stage.

Apparatus, systems, and methods that include a variable length linkage for connecting together tie rods. The linkage includes first, second, and third apertures. There is a first distance between the first aperture and the second aperture and a second distance between the first aperture and the third aperture. The apparatus may include a fourth aperture having a third distance between the first aperture and the fourth aperture. The second, third, and fourth apertures may each have a non-circular cross-section. The linkage may include a base, a first finger, a second finger, and a third finger that each extend from the base. The first aperture may be in the base, the second aperture may be in the first finger, the third aperture may be in the second finger, and the fourth aperture may be in the third finger. The first aperture may be oriented vertically with the other apertures oriented horizontally.

Apparatus, systems, and methods that include a variable length linkage for connecting together tie rods. The linkage includes first, second, and third apertures. There is a first distance between the first aperture and the second aperture and a second distance between the first aperture and the third aperture. The apparatus may include a fourth aperture having a third distance between the first aperture and the fourth aperture. The second, third, and fourth apertures may each have a non-circular cross-section. The linkage may include a base, a first finger, a second finger, and a third finger that each extend from the base. The first aperture may be in the base, the second aperture may be in the first finger, the third aperture may be in the second finger, and the fourth aperture may be in the third finger. The first aperture may be oriented vertically with the other apertures oriented horizontally.