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.

Various suspension systems for vehicles are described that preferably comprise a multi-link suspension where one or more of the links can move independently of the other links. The multiple independent links are connected to an upright, vertical load reaction that is decoupled from horizontal load reaction, thus delivering a more comfortable ride and reduced feedback to the driver or operator of the vehicle. By eliminating that external feedback using the inventive subject matter discussed herein, vehicles can be safer and easier to control in all circumstances.

Suspension assembly including a body associable to the chassis of the tilting vehicle and two junction devices opposite with respect to the body; the junction devices being articulated to the body by means of connecting elements, wherein each junction device includes a first structural junction portion rotationally coupled in a first coupling site to a first connecting element and a second structural joint portion rotationally coupled in a second coupling site to a second connecting element; and wherein the suspension assembly further includes elasto-damping elements associated with the hinge devices and adapted to damp the stresses transmitted by the wheels; and wherein each hinge device includes a dynamic junction portion rotationally coupled to a elasto-damping element in a dynamic junction coupling site; and wherein the junction device rigidly determines the relative positioning and spatial orientation of the first structural joint portion, the second structural joint portion and the dynamic joint portion; ; the suspension assembly further having a rocker arm element associated in a titling manner to the body and to the elasto-damping elements.

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 steering device, including: a steering knuckle rotatably holding a wheel; an electric motor and a speed reducer configured to decelerate rotation of the electric motor, the electric motor and the speed reducer being fixed to a suspension arm; and a joint through which the steering knuckle is supported by the suspension arm in a state in which a kingpin axis is allowed to incline with respect to the suspension arm, the joint coupling the steering knuckle and an output shaft of the speed reducer such that the steering knuckle pivots about the kingpin axis by an operation of the electric motor.

Multi-link suspension systems for vehicles are described having various linkages or links that connect to distinct points of a wheel mount or knuckle. Each of the linkages are preferably coupled to the wheel mount via a spherical ball joint and mounted such that they can independently move or rotate with respect to the other linkages. A shock assembly is preferably mounted between two of the linkages on a separate link and is rotatably mounted to each of the two linkages.

A suspension device and an all-terrain vehicle are provided. The suspension device includes: a first rocker arm having a first end provided with a first position limiting portion; a second rocker arm spaced apart from the first rocker arm; and a steering knuckle arranged between the first end of the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm. The steering knuckle is connected with the first end of the first rocker arm and a first end of the second rocker arm, and the steering knuckle includes a third position limiting portion configured to be fitted with the first position limiting portion. The third position limiting portion is configured to abut against the first position limiting portion when the steering knuckle is moved to a first extreme height position and the all-terrain vehicle has a first maximum steering angle.

A vehicle includes a body frame including an upper frame, a front frame, and a rear frame. On a front-wheel side, a first end of a shock absorber of a suspension and a stabilizer are supported by the body frame via a bracket adjacent to a connection between the upper frame and the front frame. On a rear-wheel side, a first end of a shock absorber of a suspension and a stabilizer are supported by the body frame via a bracket adjacent to a connection between the upper frame and the rear frame.

A high-pressure gas spring for vehicle suspension systems includes an integral gas damping system and an integral counter spring to reduce spring residual force at suspension rebound. The gas spring includes an inverted piston feature that reduces the overall length of the device. Additionally, there are other innovative features incorporated in the gas spring to improve performance, reduce cost and minimise weight.

An apparatus for measuring the steering angle of a wheel assembly including a suspended wheel mount and at least one suspension arm, the apparatus including a reference bracket, a rotating bracket and an angle sensor, the reference bracket and the rotating bracket each respectively including a measurement end and a mounting end, wherein the measurement ends of the reference and rotating brackets are rotatably coupled about a rotation coupling point such that the brackets can rotate with respect to one another, wherein the mounting end of the rotating bracket is coupled with the suspended wheel mount and the mounting end of the reference bracket is coupled with the suspension arm, and wherein the mounting end of the reference bracket is positioned on a plane defined by a steering axis of the suspended wheel mount and a rotation axis between the suspension arm and the suspended wheel mount.