Embodiments relate to an off-road vehicle comprising a frame, including at least one cargo box support member, a suspension movably coupled to the frame, a passenger compartment, an engine, a transmission operatively coupled to the engine, and a cargo box. The cargo box includes a floor and a plurality of upwardly extending sidewalls, wherein at least a portion of the cargo box floor extends over the at least one cargo box support member and wherein the cargo box is removably coupled to the at least one cargo box support members and is removable from the off-road vehicle via the removal of fewer than eight fasteners.

An electric drive system including: a rotary motor system including a hub assembly, a first rotating assembly, a second rotating assembly, and a third rotating assembly, wherein the hub assembly defines a rotational axis about which the first rotating assembly, the second rotating assembly, and the third rotating assembly are coaxially aligned and are capable of independent rotational movement independent of each other; a multi-bar linkage mechanism connected to each of the first and third rotating assemblies and connected to the hub assembly and constraining movement of the hub assembly so that the rotational axis of the hub assembly moves along a defined path that is in a transverse direction relative to the rotational axis and wherein the multi-bar linkage mechanism causes the rotational axis of the hub assembly to translate along the defined path in response to relative rotation of the first rotating assembly and the third rotating assembly with respect to each other.

A modular wheel and suspension assembly (MWSA) to provide mobility to a load for towing. The MWSA can have a fender housing and a suspension arm and suspension mechanism that is rotated toward a pivot arm with a suspension mount that engages with the suspension mechanism and a wheel. The suspension arm can be rotatably attached to the fender housing. A linear actuator can rotate the suspension arm to raise the fender housing while deploying the wheel from the fender housing. Rotating the suspension arm in the opposite direction causes the fender housing to be lowered over the wheel and the load to be lowered as the wheel retracts into the fender housing. The MWSA can have a rotary tongue system with an operable connection to the suspension arm. Rotating the suspension arm lowers and raises a tongue when the wheel is deployed from or retracted into the fender housing.

A mounting assembly for a suspension and wheel assembly of a vehicle can include a pair of frame members, a final drive assembly, and a pair of suspension brackets. The frame members can be spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction of the vehicle and can extend upwardly along a vertical direction of the vehicle. The final drive assembly can extend between the frame members. Each of the suspension brackets can connect a respective suspension member to a respective one of the frame members. The suspension brackets can be connected to the frame members and to the final drive assembly such that a lateral load input to one of the suspension brackets is transferred to a different one of the suspension brackets through the final drive housing, and then to the respective one of the frame members to which the different one of the suspension brackets is connected.

A wheel suspension and transmission gear assembly may include: a main arm pivotally connectable at a connection point of the main arm to a shaft point of a wheel; a first linkage unit pivotally connected at its first end to the main arm; and a second linkage unit pivotally connected at its first end to the main arm such that at least a portion of the main arm is between the first linkage unit and the second linkage unit and such that a second end of the first linkage unit and a second end of the second linkage unit are at opposing sides of the main arm with respect to each other; wherein (i) the main arm and (ii) the first linkage unit or the second linkage unit each may include: a first gear and a second gear pivotally connected thereto and interconnected to transmit rotational motion between each other.

A dual trailing link, rear wheel suspension system for a vehicle is described. The trailing links have proximal ends coupled to the vehicle chassis and distal ends coupled to a bracket with a knuckle for the wheel. The distal ends have a larger distance between them than the proximal ends, allowing for an improved instantaneous center, which may be useful for determining lift/squat characteristics. The distal ends may be disposed proximate the knuckle, thereby providing the largest possible knuckle pivot radius, i.e., effective swingarm length, for a predetermined chassis-wheel distance, which provides a smoother, more comfortable riding experience. The disclosed arrangement makes maximum use of the space allotted for the rear suspension system and is suitable for use with an aerodynamic cowling for an energy efficient vehicle.

A vehicle may include a frame structure, four wheels, and four independent suspension systems coupled to the frame structure and configured to support the wheels relative to the frame structure. Each suspension system may include a suspension arm movably coupling a respective wheel to the frame structure, a torsion bar coupled to the suspension arm and imparting a spring force on the suspension arm, a preload arm coupled to the torsion bar, and a preload adjustment motor coupled to the preload arm and configured to rotate the torsion bar to adjust a preload on the torsion bar.

A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a frame includes a control arm, knuckle, spring, damper, and control module. The control arm is pivotably coupled to the frame. The knuckle is coupled to the control arm and supports a wheel hub for rotation relative to the knuckle. The spring is mounted between the frame and the control arm or the knuckle. The damper has an adjustable damping force and includes a first end mounted to the frame and a second end mounted such that a change in caster angle of the knuckle extends or contracts the damper. The control module is in communication with the damper and configured to adjust a damping force of the damper based on an actual or predicted change in caster angle of the knuckle. The control module is configured to increase the damping force in a direction that resists a change in the caster angle.

An electric drive system including: a rotary motor system including a hub assembly, a first rotating assembly, a second rotating assembly, and a third rotating assembly, wherein the hub assembly defines a rotational axis about which the first rotating assembly, the second rotating assembly, and the third rotating assembly are coaxially aligned and are capable of independent rotational movement independent of each other; a multi-bar linkage mechanism connected to each of the first and third rotating assemblies and connected to the hub assembly and constraining movement of the hub assembly so that the rotational axis of the hub assembly moves along a defined path that is in a transverse direction relative to the rotational axis and wherein the multi-bar linkage mechanism causes the rotational axis of the hub assembly to translate along the defined path in response to relative rotation of the first rotating assembly and the third rotating assembly with respect to each other.

A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame at a common pivot axis such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another.