Vehicles may be composed of a relatively few number of “modules” that are assembled together during a final assembly process. An example vehicle may include a body module, a first drive module coupled to a first end of the body module, and a second drive module coupled to a second end of the body module. One or both of the drive modules may include a pair of wheels, a battery, an electric drive motor, and/or a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. One or both of the drive modules may also include a crash structure to absorb impacts. If a component of a drive module fails or is damaged, the drive module can be quickly and easily replaced with a new drive module, minimizing vehicle down time.

A chassis frame for an electric vehicle may include: a first frame and a second frame spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the electric vehicle; a center frame disposed between the first frame and the second frame, and configured to have side members spaced apart from each other in a widthwise direction of the electric vehicle; a first fastener which extends from the first frame, and is fastened to a first side of the side member; and a second fastener which extends from the second frame, and is fastened to a second side of the side member, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are configured to be in contact with entire peripheries of the side member.

A front lower suspension connection for a space frame comprises a U-shaped base and upper suspension control arm support sections on the U-shaped base. The U-shaped base can have a cross-beam section and suspension column support beam sections positioned at opposite ends of the cross-beam section, where each suspension column support beam section may include lower suspension control arm pivot joint supports located at opposite ends of the suspension column support beam sections. Each upper suspension control arm support section can have a first support column and a second support column spaced from the first support column, where the first support column may include a first upper suspension control arm pivot joint support, and the second support column may include a second upper suspension control arm pivot joint support and a front mounting surface. A rear mounting may be provided on a rear surface of the front lower suspension connection.

A light duty vehicle includes a vehicle frame, including a pair of vehicle longitudinal beams connected to each other by a plurality of cross-members and a cabin frame, having a pair of cabin longitudinal beams rigidly connected to front ends of the vehicle longitudinal beams. A supporting structure for auxiliary units, such as gaseous fuel tanks or electric batteries, which is carried by the vehicle frame, and includes an auxiliary frame extending between the vehicle longitudinal beams and having connection plates arranged in vertical planes parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle frame and which are in contact with mutually facing inner lateral walls of the vehicle longitudinal beams and are rigidly connected to these longitudinal beams. The auxiliary frame fulfills a structural function equivalent to the structural function of one or more cross-members at an area of the vehicle frame where the cross-members are omitted.

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.

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.

A low suspension arm strut coupling is provided for a suspension of an off-road vehicle. The suspension comprises a lower suspension arm that is hingedly coupled between a chassis of the off-road vehicle and a spindle assembly that is coupled with a front wheel. An upper suspension arm is hingedly coupled between the chassis and the spindle assembly. A strut is coupled between the lower suspension arm and the chassis. A lower pivot couples the strut to the lower suspension, and an upper pivot couples the strut to the chassis. The upper and lower pivots provide a lower center of gravity of the off-road vehicle and a relatively smaller shock angle. The lower suspension arm is reinforced to withstand forces due to movement of the front wheel and operation of the strut in response to travel over terrain.

A low suspension arm strut coupling is provided for a suspension of an off-road vehicle. The suspension comprises a lower suspension arm that is hingedly coupled between a chassis of the off-road vehicle and a spindle assembly that is coupled with a front wheel. An upper suspension arm is hingedly coupled between the chassis and the spindle assembly. A strut is coupled between the lower suspension arm and the chassis. A lower pivot couples the strut to the lower suspension, and an upper pivot couples the strut to the chassis. The upper and lower pivots provide a lower center of gravity of the off-road vehicle and a relatively smaller shock angle. The lower suspension arm is reinforced to withstand forces due to movement of the front wheel and operation of the strut in response to travel over terrain.

The invention relates to a fastening element (100) for fastening a first component (6) to a second component (4). The fastening element (100) comprises a body (102), which comprises a first engagement portion (104) on a first side (106), wherein the first engagement portion (104) comprises either a recess or a projection for mating with a complimentary shaped engagement portion of the first component. The body (102) further comprises a first set of through holes (110) for receipt of fasteners, wherein the first set of through holes are positioned in such a way that the first engagement portion (104) of the body and the complimentary shaped engagement portion of the first component may be held against each other in an engaged state via the fasteners.

The invention relates to a fastening element (100) for fastening a first component (6) to a second component (4). The fastening element (100) comprises a body (102), which comprises a first engagement portion (104) on a first side (106), wherein the first engagement portion (104) comprises either a recess or a projection for mating with a complimentary shaped engagement portion of the first component. The body (102) further comprises a first set of through holes (110) for receipt of fasteners, wherein the first set of through holes are positioned in such a way that the first engagement portion (104) of the body and the complimentary shaped engagement portion of the first component may be held against each other in an engaged state via the fasteners.