A vehicle body front structure includes: a front subframe; left and right suspension lower arms swingably supported by the front subframe; and a steering gearbox supported by the front subframe. The front subframe includes left and right longitudinal members extending in a fore-and-aft direction, a cross member extending laterally and joined to the longitudinal members, and a front lower arm support and a rear lower arm support provided on each longitudinal member to be spaced from each other in the fore-and-aft direction and swingably supporting the corresponding lower arm. The steering gearbox includes a laterally extending rack shaft and a pair of joints provided at either end of the rack shaft and joined to ends of respective tie rods. The longitudinal members extend obliquely so as to approach each other toward rear, and each front lower arm support is positioned more rearward than the steering gearbox.

A vehicle body front structure includes: a front subframe; left and right suspension lower arms swingably supported by the front subframe; and a steering gearbox supported by the front subframe. The front subframe includes left and right longitudinal members extending in a fore-and-aft direction, a cross member extending laterally and joined to the longitudinal members, and a front lower arm support and a rear lower arm support provided on each longitudinal member to be spaced from each other in the fore-and-aft direction and swingably supporting the corresponding lower arm. The steering gearbox includes a laterally extending rack shaft and a pair of joints provided at either end of the rack shaft and joined to ends of respective tie rods. The longitudinal members extend obliquely so as to approach each other toward rear, and each front lower arm support is positioned more rearward than the steering gearbox.

Provided is a trailing arm riding mower suspension system that includes trailing arms adapted to support hydraulic motor units and having leading ends pivotally coupled to a mower frame by way of leading end spherical joints and trailing ends having hydraulic drive unit mounts, where the trailing arms are adapted to pivot about leading end pivot locations defined by the leading end spherical joints.

Provided is a trailing arm riding mower suspension system that includes trailing arms adapted to support hydraulic motor units and having leading ends pivotally coupled to a mower frame by way of leading end spherical joints and trailing ends having hydraulic drive unit mounts, where the trailing arms are adapted to pivot about leading end pivot locations defined by the leading end spherical joints.

A vehicle suspension comprises a hub carrier on which a wheel hub is suitable for being mounted, a suspension arm having an outer end connected to the hub carrier by a ball joint and an inner end suitable for being attached to a suspended structure of the vehicle, and a shock absorber. At least one load responsive device is arranged on the suspension arm, the load responsive device comprising a sensor able to generate an output signal in response to a load applied to the suspension arm, wherein a control unit is configured to receive the output signal generated by the sensor and to adjust the stiffness of the shock absorber through a valve adapted to vary passage cross-sections of the fluid contained in the shock absorber.

Vehicle platforms, and systems, subsystems, and components thereof are described. A self-contained vehicle platform or chassis incorporating substantially all of the functional systems, subsystems and components (e.g., mechanical, electrical, structural, etc.) necessary for an operative vehicle. Functional components may include at least energy storage/conversion, propulsion, suspension and wheels, steering, crash protection, and braking systems. Functional components are standardized such that vehicle platforms may be interconnected with a variety of vehicle body designs (also referred to in the art as top hats) with minimal or no modification to the functional linkages (e.g., mechanical, structural, electrical, etc.) therebetween. Configurations of functional components are incorporated within the vehicle platform such that there is minimal or no physical overlap between the functional components and the area defined by the vehicle body. Specific functional components of such vehicle platforms, and the relative placement of the various functional components, to allow for implementation of a self-contained vehicle platform are also provided.

A vehicle load-bearing member includes an electro-active material, a lead wire for delivering an electric current to the electro-active material, and a controller in communication with a power supply for supplying electric current to the electro-active material for changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material, wherein changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material changes at least one of dampening and stiffness of the vehicle load-bearing member by changing the shape of the electro-active material.

A vehicle load-bearing member includes an electro-active material, a lead wire for delivering an electric current to the electro-active material, and a controller in communication with a power supply for supplying electric current to the electro-active material for changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material, wherein changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material changes at least one of dampening and stiffness of the vehicle load-bearing member by changing the shape of the electro-active material.

The present invention provides a vehicle differential linked to and is arranged to move with a control arm and/or an a-arm of a suspension assembly, providing a floating differential suspension system. The differential is adapted to be mounted independent of the vehicle frame. Advantages of a floating differential suspension system include better alignment between the differential and the transfer case, reduced drive shaft movement in the vertical direction, minimal plunge at the drive shaft splines, longer axle length with increased wheel travel, decreased angle at mechanical connections, reduced camber change through the wheel travel, lower frame construction with increased range of suspension travel, and reduced risk of vehicle roll over without compromising the range of suspension travel.

The present invention provides a vehicle differential linked to and is arranged to move with a control arm and/or an a-arm of a suspension assembly, providing a floating differential suspension system. The differential is adapted to be mounted independent of the vehicle frame. Advantages of a floating differential suspension system include better alignment between the differential and the transfer case, reduced drive shaft movement in the vertical direction, minimal plunge at the drive shaft splines, longer axle length with increased wheel travel, decreased angle at mechanical connections, reduced camber change through the wheel travel, lower frame construction with increased range of suspension travel, and reduced risk of vehicle roll over without compromising the range of suspension travel.