The present invention relates to a chassis (10) for a vehicle comprising a plurality of sandwich plate elements (100) and a plurality of connection elements (200, 200′, 200a-c) for connecting said plurality of sandwich plate elements (100). Each connection element (200, 200′, 200a-c) comprises two or more recesses (210, 220) configured to receive an edge portion (160) of one of the plurality of sandwich plate elements (100). The plurality of connection elements (200, 200′, 200a-c) comprises at least one connection element (200′, 200a-c) which has at least one external surface (202a-e) provided with a connection configuration (250a-e) for a mortise and tenon type joint. A method (20) for forming a chassis (10) for a vehicle is also provided.

Aspects are provided for retaining components of an assembly to a support, including additively manufactured (AM) parts of a vehicle chassis to an assembly table. A cartridge for securing the component to the assembly table is provided which includes a housing including at least one compartment, an adhesive disposed within the at least one compartment, a fastener removably attached to the assembly table, and a membrane lid enclosing an opening of the housing. The membrane lid is configured to receive a protruding member from the component such that the protruding member becomes adhered to the adhesive upon penetrating the membrane lid. The cartridge thus allows the component to be quickly retained in any selected position while constraining movement of the component along six degrees of freedom, thereby allowing AM and non-AM parts to be securely retained to accommodate strict tolerance and precise fit between the components of the assembly.

The recreational vehicle trailer chassis includes two main frame rails running front to back with a series of perpendicular connecting main cross-members to form a structural configuration increasing the torsional rigidity of the frame. The main floor and support framing has a front and rear living area generally divided by the direction of structural trusses. Above the rear and middle main frame rails is the rear and middle floor framing formed with a plurality of frame members. Between the rear and middle main frame rails and below the rear and middle main floor support framing are structural web beam trusses perpendicular to the main frame rails along with vertical support columns that connect the lower main frame to the rear and middle living area floor framing further increasing structural torsional rigidity. Above the forward main frame rails and vertical support columns is the front floor framing with a plurality of frame members along with structural web beam trusses running parallel with the forward living area floor. Outward from the main frame rails and vertical floor support columns is the front to back side saddle framing to allow access to the basement area internally and externally. The furthermost forward floor framing sections are where the hitch structure and hitch are located.

The present disclosure discloses an all-terrain vehicle. The all-terrain vehicle includes: a signal acquirer; an engine; an engine controller; a first differential; a first wheel; a driving motor; a motor controller; a battery power source electrically connected with the driving motor; a second differential in transmission connection with the driving motor; and second wheels in transmission connection with the second differential and are located at both lateral sides of the second differential. Therefore, by connecting and matching the first differential, the engine, the driving motor and the second differential with the corresponding components, the hybrid all-terrain vehicle allows intelligent four-wheel drive, reduces energy consumption, and has a compact and reasonable structure.

An apparatus and methods are provided for a front structural bulkhead for improving the strength of an off-road vehicle chassis. The chassis is a welded-tube variety of chassis that includes a front portion and a rear portion that are joined to an intervening passenger cabin portion. Frontward stays and a bulkhead mount couple the front structural bulkhead to the front portion. Bulkhead mount pillars and a bulkhead mount crossmember couple the front structural bulkhead to the passenger cabin portion. The front structural bulkhead includes a modular chassis for supporting drivetrain components that are operably coupled with front wheels of the vehicle. The front structural bulkhead includes upper and lower mounting points configured to receive front suspension controls arms. The upper and lower mounting points are configured to allow the front wheels to move vertically due to the vehicle traveling over 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 three-wheeled vehicle is disclosed having a vehicle frame supported by front ground engaging members and a single rear ground engaging member. The vehicle includes an engine positioned forward of an operator area and a swing arm coupled to the single rear ground engagement member. The operator area of the vehicle may include seating for a driver and a passenger.

A vehicle shown herein is a side by side powersports vehicle having a utility bed recessed in the rear body portion below an upper surface, the utility bed forming a stepped portion relative to the rear body portion and having a maximum lateral width greater than a diameter of at least one of the wheels, and a minimum width less than a diameter of at least one of the wheels, whereby a spare wheel may be stored on the stepped portion of the utility bed. As shown herein, the utility bed is defined as a removable tub, which can be removed from the rear body portion. The utility bed has defined troughs in a floor thereof angled rearwardly wherein the utility bed has drains which drain away from any heat source of the vehicle. The seats of the vehicle allow longitudinal movement and tilt capability.

Land vehicles, powertrain units for land vehicles, and methods of using land vehicles are disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a frame structure having a front cage that defines an operator cabin and a rear floor positioned rearward of the front cage. The frame structure supports a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle. An underside of the frame structure is disposed in confronting relation with the underlying surface.

An all-terrain vehicle is provided comprising a chassis, four wheels and a passenger compartment that includes a passenger seating structure. The vehicle additionally comprises a drivetrain operatively connected to at least one of the wheels comprising at least one drive shaft and at least one torque transfer device. Furthermore the vehicle includes a prime mover that is mounted to the chassis entirely forward of a front edge of the seating structure and operatively connected to the drivetrain. The prime mover is structured and operable to provide motive force to at least one of the wheels.