An independent front axle suspension preferably includes a front drive axle, an upper suspension frame, a lower suspension frame, a pair of hydraulic cylinders and a pair of pivot plates. A front pivot plate is attached to a front and middle of the front drive axle and a rear pivot plate is attached to a rear and middle of the front drive axle. A rear of the upper suspension frame is pivotally engaged with a rear of the lower suspension frame. A front and rear of the front drive axle is pivotally retained in the lower suspension frame with the pair of pivot plates. One end of the pair of hydraulic cylinders are preferably spherically retained on opposing sides of the upper suspension frame. An opposing end of the pair of hydraulic cylinders are preferably spherically retained on opposing ends of the front drive axle.

A vehicle axle suspension having a leaf spring unit suspending a rigid axle on a structural component or portion of the vehicle. The leaf spring unit arranged on the vehicle to extend parallel with a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A first bearing unit, secured to the structure, and pivotably connects, at a first pivot axis, to a first end portion of the leaf spring unit. A second bearing unit is secured to the structure. A connection arm pivotably connects at one end, at a second pivot axis, to the second bearing unit. The other end of the connection arm pivotably connects, at a third pivot axis, to a second end portion of the leaf spring unit. The second bearing unit including at least one resilient spring element engaging the connection arm wherein the connection arm is supported on the resilient spring element from a pivoting about the second pivot axis a predetermined extent.

An axle/suspension system (1) has an axle (5) supported from the frame of the vehicle by a pair of rigid longitudinal beams (4) pivoted to frame hangers (3). Air springs (7) and shock absorbers (8) connect between the rigid beams (4) and the frame above to control suspension movement. The axle/suspension system is particularly suited as a mid-lift axle on the tractor of a tractor-trailer vehicle. A characteristic feature is the pivotal connection (21) between each hanger (3) and beam (4), which is through a resilient bush (6) having a compliance ratiobeing a ratio of the longitudinal spring rate to the vertical spring rateof at least 10:1.

An independent front axle suspension preferably includes a front drive axle, an upper suspension frame, a lower suspension frame, a pair of hydraulic cylinders and a pair of pivot plates. A front pivot plate is attached to a front and middle of the front drive axle and a rear pivot plate is attached to a rear and middle of the front drive axle. A rear of the upper suspension frame is pivotally engaged with a rear of the lower suspension frame. A front and rear of the front drive axle is pivotally retained in the lower suspension frame with the pair of pivot plates. One end of the pair of hydraulic cylinders are preferably spherically retained on opposing sides of the upper suspension frame. An opposing end of the pair of hydraulic cylinders are preferably spherically retained on opposing ends of the front drive axle.

A cargo carrying vehicle (10) includes a load support deck (44) comprised of a plurality of laterally adjacent deck pieces (46). Each deck piece includes in transverse cross section a plurality of elongated cavities (56) in which respective support members (100) may be selectively longitudinally positioned. A frame (128) includes a support and mounting arrangement for one or more suspension subframes (142) that each include a wheel supporting axle (144). Brace plates (168, 170, 172) operatively connect with frame rails (130, 132) and lateral support ribs (140) to reinforce the frame structure and attach the suspension subframe.

A suspension system for a vehicle is provided. The suspension system includes a first chassis rail extending longitudinally in an axial direction of the vehicle. The suspension system also includes a second chassis rail extending longitudinally in the axial direction of the vehicle. The suspension system further includes a transverse beam coupled to the first chassis rail and the second chassis rail. The suspension system yet further includes at least one leaf spring extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle, the at least one leaf spring having a spring rate that is actively variable. The suspension system also includes a fulcrum locator operatively coupled to the at least one leaf spring and to the transverse beam, the fulcrum locator in a sliding relationship with the at least leaf one spring.

An axle assembly includes an axle housing having first and second arm portions that extend in opposite directions from a center portion, and an axle interface bracket that is fixedly mounted to the first arm portion. The axle interface bracket includes a base, holes extend from a bottom surface of the base, and channel walls that extend from the base and are disposed opposite the bottom surface.

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 system for a vehicle is provided. The suspension system includes a first chassis rail extending longitudinally in an axial direction of the vehicle. The suspension system also includes a second chassis rail extending longitudinally in the axial direction of the vehicle. The suspension system further includes a transverse beam coupled to the first chassis rail and the second chassis rail. The suspension system yet further includes at least one leaf spring extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle, the at least one leaf spring having a spring rate that is actively variable. The suspension system also includes a fulcrum locator operatively coupled to the at least one leaf spring and to the transverse beam, the fulcrum locator in a sliding relationship with the at least leaf one spring.

An electrified powertrain system for a vehicle is provided that integrates the electric machine(s) as part of the sprung mass of the vehicle, i.e., vehicle components that are supported on the suspension system, such as a unibody arrangement or a body-on-frame arrangement.