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 unsprung power supply apparatus is provided for an in-wheel motor vehicle. The unsprung power supply apparatus includes a steering knuckle, an in-wheel motor and a third link. The steering knuckle is configured to turn and steer a tire of the in-wheel motor vehicle. A virtual kingpin axis is an axis passing through a knuckle side coupling point at which the third link couples with the steering knuckle. In the unsprung power supply apparatus, a power supply cable connects the in-wheel motor and a power supply unit with a part of the power supply cable on a vehicle body side being fixed to the third link.

Generally, a suspension system for a wheel of a vehicle is disclosed. The system may include at least one pair of arms each including a first arm and a second arm. Each of the first arm and the second arm of the at least one pair of arms may have a first end adapted to be rotatably connected to a wheel interface and a second end adapted to be rotatably connected to a reference frame of the vehicle, while the first arm and the second arm may be set across each other and define a mobile steering axis at a virtual intersection therebetween such that the mobile steering axis moves with respect to the reference frame when the wheel interface changes its steering angle relative to the reference frame.

A vehicle has a body, a flat component arranged under the body, and at least one axle carrier arrangement for two front or two rear wheel suspensions. The axle carrier arrangement includes a left-hand suspension arm bracket for connecting at least one suspension arm of the left-hand wheel suspension, a right-hand suspension arm bracket for connecting at least one suspension arm of the right-hand wheel suspension, and a center suspension arm bracket for connecting at least one suspension arm of the lefthand wheel suspension and at least one suspension arm of the right-hand wheel suspension. The three suspension arm brackets are each mounted on the body and the flat component, wherein the three suspension arm brackets are three separate components that are not directly connected, and wherein at least one of the suspension arm brackets has a bearing for an electric machine that drives the vehicle.

A suspension structure includes a pair of trailing arms (12) each having at its front end a pivot (14) that is attached to a vehicle body, a beam member (13) connecting the pair of trailing arms, and a pair of in-wheel motor drive devices (31) coupled and fixed to rear end regions of the trailing arms. The position of the pivot (14) in a lateral direction of a vehicle is included in a range A, B, and C from an inner end to an outer end of the in-wheel motor drive device (31) in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

The present invention relates to an autonomous omnidirectional drive unit including a chassis (40) defining a front third (41), which contains a first drive wheel (11) with a first gearbox (13), a second drive wheel (21) with a second gearbox (23) coaxial with a horizontal geometric axis (EH), and a battery (30) between same, an intermediate third (42) which contains a first motor (12) and a second motor (22) connected to the first and second drive wheels (11, 21) and a vertical housing (70) between same concentric with a vertical geometric axis (EV); and a rear third which contains at least one caster wheel (50), the first and second motors (12, 22) being controlled by a control device (80) which generates control commands considering the distance (D) existing between the horizontal and vertical geometric axes (EH, EV).

A wheel-side device provided for each of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle includes: a drive mechanism provided on a suspension arm connecting a wheel support member that supports the wheel and a body-side member of the vehicle and including a drive actuator, an output shaft of the drive actuator being connected to the wheel via a constant velocity joint to rotationally drive the wheel; and a steering actuator provided between the suspension arm and the wheel support member without a link member interposed therebetween and configured to steer the wheel.

A utility vehicle configured for traveling off-road includes: a chassis; and a drive wheel assembly coupled with the chassis and including: a drive wheel assembly rotatable portion configured for rotating and thereby for enabling the utility vehicle to traverse a ground; a hub carrier coupled with the drive wheel assembly rotatable portion, which is configured for rotating relative to the hub carrier; and an electric motor configured for causing the drive wheel assembly rotatable portion to rotate, the electric motor including a stator which is fixedly coupled with the hub carrier.

The vehicle includes: a chassis which includes a front cross-member and a rear cross-member; a nacelle receiving a person or a load, pivotally mounted relative to the central part of the cross-members about a substantially longitudinal hinge axis, the center of gravity of the nacelle being situated below said hinge axis; a front train and a rear train, each including two movement supports on the ground, each movement support being connected to the end part of the corresponding cross-member by a connecting system; the cross-members, situated in the upper part of the nacelle, being separate pieces linked together only by the nacelle, via the hinge axis, so as to be able to pivot about the hinge axis independently of one another.