Provided is a vehicle sub-frame including a front cross member, a rear cross member, and left and right side members mounted to connect the front cross member and the rear cross member to each other. Each of the left and right side members has a protrusion that protrudes laterally at a corner portion of a rear end portion thereof, the corner portion being joined to a corner portion of the rear cross member. A weld joint is formed by welding to the rear cross member along a laterally extending portion of a trim line portion of the protrusion, in which the trim line portion of the protrusion is the perimeter of the protrusion.

An embodiment skateboard platform for an electric vehicle includes a skateboard frame including a center module, a front module connected to a front of the center module, and a rear module connected to a rear of the center module, and a battery assembly mounted on the skateboard frame, wherein the battery assembly is detachably connected to the center module.

A vehicle includes a body including a first frame rail and a second frame rail and a cross-brace directly connected to the first frame rail and the second frame rail. A powertrain-electrification component is supported by the cross-brace. A vehicle subframe is directly connected to the cross-brace. A vehicle-steering gear is connected to the subframe. The direct connection of the subframe to the cross-brace dampens vibration, e.g., road vibration and noise, in the subframe to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness transferred to a vehicle occupant through the vehicle-steering gear.

A vehicle includes a body including a first frame rail and a second frame rail and a cross-brace directly connected to the first frame rail and the second frame rail. A powertrain-electrification component is supported by the cross-brace. A vehicle subframe is directly connected to the cross-brace. A vehicle-steering gear is connected to the subframe. The direct connection of the subframe to the cross-brace dampens vibration, e.g., road vibration and noise, in the subframe to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness transferred to a vehicle occupant through the vehicle-steering gear.

An embodiment vehicle impact energy absorption system includes a dash panel, a pair of front side members extending toward a front of the dash panel, a front subframe disposed below the pair of front side members, and an electric motor mounted on the front subframe, wherein a front edge of the electric motor is pivotally connected to the front subframe, and a rear edge of the electric motor is pivotally connected to the dash panel.

An embodiment vehicle impact energy absorption system includes a dash panel, a pair of front side members extending toward a front of the dash panel, a front subframe disposed below the pair of front side members, and an electric motor mounted on the front subframe, wherein a front edge of the electric motor is pivotally connected to the front subframe, and a rear edge of the electric motor is pivotally connected to the dash panel.

A wet dry barrier support system for a vehicle includes a support structure portion with mounting locations for mounting suspension components of a vehicle, mounting locations for coupling to a body of the vehicle, and a barrier portion to provide an environmental barrier to separate a first area of the vehicle from a second area of a vehicle. The support structure portion may provide a stiff mounting interface between the body and the suspension components by transferring loads therebetween and may define a through-cavity configured to pass a vehicle component through the through-cavity. The barrier portion may plastically deform upon receiving an energetic input from an impact of the vehicle and may prevent the wet dry barrier support system from entering a passenger compartment during the impact.

A wet dry barrier support system for a vehicle includes a support structure portion with mounting locations for mounting suspension components of a vehicle, mounting locations for coupling to a body of the vehicle, and a barrier portion to provide an environmental barrier to separate a first area of the vehicle from a second area of a vehicle. The support structure portion may provide a stiff mounting interface between the body and the suspension components by transferring loads therebetween and may define a through-cavity configured to pass a vehicle component through the through-cavity. The barrier portion may plastically deform upon receiving an energetic input from an impact of the vehicle and may prevent the wet dry barrier support system from entering a passenger compartment during the impact.

Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.

Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.