A vehicle axle (10), including: a left axle (12L), a first side thereof being pivotally connected (50L) to a left wheel hub (14L); a right axle (12R), a first side thereof being pivotally connected (50R) to a right wheel hub (14R); a connector (20), disposed between second sides of the left (12L) and right (12R) axles for pivotally (28) connecting therebetween, for allowing pivotal motion therebetween; a first mechanism (52A,52B) for allowing and disallowing the pivotal motion between the left (12L) and right (12R) axles.

A vehicle suspension assembly includes an axle member, a pair of mounting brackets configured to couple to a vehicle frame, and a trailing arm arrangement that includes a first trailing arm portion having a first end pivotably coupled to one of the pair of mounting brackets, and a second end rotationally coupled with the axle member at a first position, a second trailing arm portion having a second end pivotably coupled to the other of the pair of mounting brackets, and a second end rotationally coupled with the axle member at a second position, and a first torsional member having a first end fixedly coupled to the first trailing arm portion and a second end fixedly secured to the axle member at a third position, the first torsional member configured to transmit torsion of the axle member to the first trailing arm portion.

A suspension assembly for a commercial vehicle includes a first linkage, an air spring, a carriage, and a second linkage. The first linkage is pivotally coupled at a first end with a structural member of a frame. The structural member extends downwards from the frame. The air spring is coupled with the frame and a second end of the first linkage. The air spring drives the first linkage to pivot about the first end relative to the structural member. The carriage is pivotally coupled with the first linkage at a position between the first end and the second end of the first linkage. The second linkage is pivotally coupled at a first end with the structural member, and pivotally coupled with the carriage at a second end. The structural member, the first linkage, the second linkage, and the carriage define a four-bar linkage.

A steering rack support assembly with a support shaft and a sleeve. The support shaft has a first end, a second end, and at least two mounting members. The cross section of the support shaft may be substantially the same along the length of the support shaft. A first of the at least two mounting members may be affixed to the first end of the support shaft, while a second of the at least two mounting members may be affixed to the second end. Each of the at least two mounting members may be configured to couple to the frame of the vehicle. The sleeve is disposed around an outer surface of the support shaft and is slidably coupled to the support shaft. A bracket affixed to the sleeve may be configured to couple to a rack and pinion assembly, a first tie rod, and a second tie rod.

Systems and methods for improving vehicle rear suspension and operation and to reduce the 3D trajectory motion of the suspension components into separate linear and rotational movements, and allow for a more stable and steady vehicle ride.

A steering wheel system for a semi-trailer is described. The system uses a retractable encoded system releasably connected to a kingpin, a mechanical steer driving system translating the rotation of the kingpin to a hydraulic system, and a non-circular cogged system driven by the hydraulic system adapted to steer the wheels. A hydraulic generator system powered by the rotation of the wheels is used to decrease the electric energy required by the hydraulic system. Other improvements are also present to increase security, decrease weight and improve time expectancy of the components.

A suspension assembly for a commercial vehicle includes a first linkage, an air spring, a carriage, and a second linkage. The first linkage is pivotally coupled at a first end with a structural member of a frame. The structural member extends downwards from the frame. The air spring is coupled with the frame and a second end of the first linkage. The air spring drives the first linkage to pivot about the first end relative to the structural member. The carriage is pivotally coupled with the first linkage at a position between the first end and the second end of the first linkage. The second linkage is pivotally coupled at a first end with the structural member, and pivotally coupled with the carriage at a second end. The structural member, the first linkage, the second linkage, and the carriage define a four-bar linkage.

A work vehicle includes: a wheel support member configured to support a pair of left and right traveling wheels; a link mechanism configured to support the wheel support member such that the wheel support member can be raised and lowered, the link mechanism being provided spanning between a vehicle body and the wheel support member; a suspension mechanism configured to elastically support the wheel support member, the suspension mechanism being provided spanning between a suspension support portion, which is formed on the vehicle body, and the wheel support member; and a lateral link configured to restrict leftward and rightward movement of the wheel support member, the lateral link being joined to a vehicle body-side support portion, which is formed on the vehicle body, and to a wheel-side support portion, which is formed on the wheel support member, wherein the link mechanism has: an upper link with an front end portion supported so as to be able to pivot up and down around an upper pivot axis by a link support portion, which is formed on the vehicle body, and with a rear end portion joined so as to be able to relatively pivot around an upper joint axis by the wheel support member; and a lower link with a front end portion supported so as to be able to pivot up and down around a lower pivot axis by the link support portion, and with a rear end portion joined to the wheel support member so as to be able to relatively pivot around a lower joint axis, a distance between the upper pivot axis and the upper joint axis is set shorter than a distance between the lower pivot axis and the lower joint axis, a gap width between the upper joint axis and the lower joint axis is set larger than a gap width between the upper pivot axis and the lower pivot axis, and when the vehicle body is in an unloaded state, the lower joint axis is located lower than the lower pivot axis.

Systems and apparatuses include a tag axle system including an axle assembly, a linkage coupling the axle assembly to a vehicle chassis, and a hydraulic cylinder coupled between the vehicle chassis and the axle assembly. The hydraulic cylinder actuates the axle assembly between a raised position and a lowered position, and acts as a spring damper suspension component.

A work vehicle according to the present invention includes left and right axle cases of a rigid axle type, and left and right suspension mechanisms movable in the up-down direction relative to body frames and separately supporting the left and right axle cases, respectively. The work vehicle also includes (i) a first projection projecting downward from the left or right one of the body frames, (ii) a second projection projecting upward from that position on either the left and right axle cases or a frame body integrated with the axle cases which is opposite to the first projection in the left-right direction, and (iii) a lateral rod having a first end connected with the first projection and a second end connected with the second projection.