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.

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 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.

The present application discloses a wheel beam type axleless vehicle frame that comprises five sections in sequence from front to back, including a front hanging rack, a front wheel carrier, an intermediate coupling rack, a rear wheel carrier, and a rear hanging rack. Every two adjacent sections amongst the five sections are manufactured and connected in a unified and standardized integrated mode; a modular combination structure is used; and the five sections, which are independent respectively, may be assembled and adjusted according to requirements, and have sufficient strength and stiffness as well as completely independent interchangeability. The vehicle frame has the advantages that match with the needs of an electric vehicle, and thus may be used as the optimum configuration frame for the electric vehicle; and the vehicle frame may be improved according to requirements to be applicable to various fuel and hybrid electric passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles.

The present application discloses a wheel beam type axleless vehicle frame that comprises five sections in sequence from front to back, including a front hanging rack, a front wheel carrier, an intermediate coupling rack, a rear wheel carrier, and a rear hanging rack. Every two adjacent sections amongst the five sections are manufactured and connected in a unified and standardized integrated mode; a modular combination structure is used; and the five sections, which are independent respectively, may be assembled and adjusted according to requirements, and have sufficient strength and stiffness as well as completely independent interchangeability. The vehicle frame has the advantages that match with the needs of an electric vehicle, and thus may be used as the optimum configuration frame for the electric vehicle; and the vehicle frame may be improved according to requirements to be applicable to various fuel and hybrid electric passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles.

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.

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.

A utility vehicle includes at least one front ground-engaging member, at least one rear ground-engaging member, and a frame assembly extending along a longitudinal axis and supported by the at least one front ground-engaging member and the at least one rear ground-engaging member. The utility vehicle also includes an operator area supported by the frame assembly and a powertrain assembly supported by the frame assembly. The powertrain assembly includes at least an engine and a gearbox operably coupled to the engine. The utility vehicle also includes a cooling assembly fluidly coupled to at least the engine and supported by a front portion of the frame assembly. The cooling assembly includes a radiator with a lower portion positioned forward of an upper portion of the radiator.

A utility vehicle includes at least one front ground-engaging member, at least one rear ground-engaging member, and a frame assembly extending along a longitudinal axis and supported by the at least one front ground-engaging member and the at least one rear ground-engaging member. The utility vehicle also includes an operator area supported by the frame assembly and a powertrain assembly supported by the frame assembly. The powertrain assembly includes at least an engine and a gearbox operably coupled to the engine. The utility vehicle also includes a cooling assembly fluidly coupled to at least the engine and supported by a front portion of the frame assembly. The cooling assembly includes a radiator with a lower portion positioned forward of an upper portion of the radiator.