A wheeled work vehicle (1) comprises a forward chassis part (4) and a rearward chassis part (5) pivotally connected about a substantially vertically extending primary pivot axis (7) for steering thereof. A pair of forward ground engaging wheels (29) are carried on a forward suspension unit (32), and a pair of rearward ground engaging wheels (30) are carried on a rearward suspension unit (33). The forward suspension unit (32) is pivotally connected to the forward chassis part (4) by a pair of main forward transverse pivot shafts (63) pivotally coupled to the forward chassis part (4) by corresponding main forward pivot mountings (65). The main forward transverse pivot shafts (63) defines a main forward transverse pivot axis (59) about which the forward suspension unit (32) is pivotal relative to the forward chassis part (4). The forward suspension unit (32) comprises a pair of spaced apart trailing arms (35) which are joined by a torsion shaft (68) of tubular steel, which is rigidly connected to the trailing arms (35). The torsion shaft (68) defines a torsional axis (70), and permits limited upward and downward pivotal type torsional deflection of the trailing arms (35) relative to each other. The rearward suspension unit (33) is substantially similar to the forward suspension unit (32) and is coupled to the rearward chassis part (5) about a pair of main rearward transverse pivot shafts (87) in a similar manner as the forward suspension unit (32) is coupled to the forward chassis part (4).

An exemplary actuator includes a motor, a transmission, and a support structure. The motor includes two torque sources that apply respective input torques to a rotor, which rotates about a rotation axis in response to a net input torque. The torque sources are arranged such that the input torques are additive, resulting in a vector-summated torque output. The torque sources also generate corresponding reactive torques that are applied to the first stator and the second stator. The transmission couples and constrains the first stator and the second stator such that rotational motion of one stator causes counter rotation of the other stator. Thus, the reactive torques are subtractive resulting a differential torque output. In some applications, the differential torque output is used to actuate a suspension of a vehicle. The actuator is also coupled to the vehicle via the support structure, which also reflects a reaction force or torque to actuate other subsystems (e.g., anti-dive, anti-squat).

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.

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.

An electric wheel drive system, an electric generator, a hybrid internal combustion electric vehicle, and associated methods are described that include sleeve bearings rotating on support cylinders. Fluid pumps provide lubrication and cooling. Examples include hydraulic cylinders for steering one or more electric wheel drive systems independently. Suspension is also provided to individual electric wheel drive systems independently in some examples.

Provided is an in-wheel motor drive device (21) including: a motor (28); a wheel bearing (53); and a speed reducer (38). The speed reducer (38) comprises: a speed reducer input shaft (S.sub.in) including an input gear (34); a speed reducer output shaft (S.sub.out) including an output gear (37); and an intermediate shaft (S.sub.m) including a small-diameter intermediate gear (36) and a large-diameter intermediate gear (35). The large-diameter intermediate gear (35) has a circumscribed circle which is superimposed with a pitch circle of a plurality of rolling elements (42) of the wheel bearing (53) when viewed from an axial direction.

A strut-type suspension apparatus, including: a steering knuckle rotatably holding a wheel; a shock absorber configured to damp a relative movement of the wheel and a vehicle body in an up-down direction; and an in-wheel motor unit including a motor, a speed reducer configured to transmit rotation of the motor while reducing a speed of the rotation, and a housing in which the motor and the speed reducer are housed, wherein the in-wheel motor unit is fixed to the steering knuckle while the shock absorber is fixed to the in-wheel motor unit, so that the shock absorber is connected to the steering knuckle via the in-wheel motor unit, wherein the housing includes a first bracket in which a through-hole is formed and a second bracket disposed under the first bracket, and wherein the shock absorber passes through the through-hole of the first bracket and is fastened to the second bracket.

An in-wheel motor unit coupling structure includes an in-wheel motor unit and a shock absorber. The in-wheel motor unit is disposed inside a wheel of a vehicle. The in-wheel motor unit is configured to support the wheel such that the wheel is rotatable. The in-wheel motor unit includes an electric motor that serves as a rotational driving source of the wheel. The shock absorber is coupled to the in-wheel motor unit. The shock absorber is a component of a vehicle suspension. A lower end portion of the shock absorber is fastened to a vehicle center side, in a vehicle width direction, of a motor part so as to be pressed against the motor part outward from the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The motor part is a part in which the electric motor of the in-wheel motor unit is built.

An independent wheel suspension having an upper suspension having an extending first arm, a lower suspension arm having an end pivotally attached to the first arm and a second end adapted for attachment to a spring, a wheel motor having a wheel motor mount positioned between the upper suspension member and the lower suspension arm, a first wheel motor linkage arm having a first end pivotally attached to the first arm of the upper suspension member and a second end pivotally attached to the wheel motor mount, a second wheel motor linkage arm having a first end pivotally attached to the lower suspension arm and a second end attached to the wheel motor mount, wherein the upper suspension member includes a spring mount adapted for attachment to a spring.

The present disclosure generally relates to an omni-direction wheel system and methods for controlling the omni-direction wheel system. The omni-direction wheel system includes a plurality of suspension systems that operate independently of one another. Each suspension system may include an electromagnetic steering hub configured to rotate a wheel 360 degrees about a vertical axis based on a polarity of an electromagnetic signal applied to the electromagnetic steering hub. The suspension system may further include an in-wheel motor configured to rotate with the wheel and drive the wheel about a horizontal axis.