Disclosed is a mobile robot adapted to traverse vertical obstacles. The robot comprises a frame and at least one wheel positioned in a front section of the robot, at least one middle wheel positioned in a middle section of the robot, at least one back wheel positioned in a back section of the robot, and at least one further wheel in the front, middle or back of the robot. The robot also comprises at least one motor-driven device for exerting a downward and/or upward force on the middle wheel and at least two motors for driving the wheels and the motor-driven device. Also disclosed is a method of climbing using a mobile robot as disclosed.

A vehicle is provided including an electronic power steering system, an electronic throttle control system, and a stability control system.

A frame, in particular of a universal carrier, which includes a chassis of the frame, a left axle with two portal suspensions at the ends of the left axle, a right axle with two portal suspensions at the ends of the right axle, and the double-sided stabilizing lever. The double-sided stabilizing lever is pivotally mounted on the chassis of the frame in the transverse direction. The axles are pivotally mounted on the chassis of the frame in the longitudinal direction. The double-sided stabilizing lever is connected to the left axle and the right axle and is arranged between them transversely.

Disclosed herein is a hydraulic jounce bouncer comprising a damper body, a shaft telescopically engaged with the damper body, a piston slidably disposed within the damper body and threadedly coupled to a first end of the shaft, wherein the piston has at least one compression port therethrough, and a negative spring disposed between the shaft and the damper body.

An apparatus and methods are provided for a chassis for an off-road vehicle that includes a chassis strut support. 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. The chassis strut support includes one or more pairs of rear strut gusset plates for distributing loading on a rear strut crossmember by rear struts to at least a seat crossmember comprising the chassis. The rear strut gusset plates generally comprise thick sheet-members configured to be attached to a vertical brace between an upper mount and a lower stay comprising the chassis to reinforce the vertical brace and impart increased strength to the chassis. The rear strut gusset plates are configured to be attached to the vertical brace by way of bolts, rivets, welding, or any combination thereof.

A suspension monitoring and adjustment system for an off-road vehicle includes a distance sensor arranged to measure shock displacement of a suspension of the vehicle. The system may include an output device configured to output shock displacement data generated by the distance sensor and a processor or programmable circuit operable to produce a visual representation of the shock displacement data output by the output device. The system may include a processor or programmable circuit operable to generate an adjustment signal based on shock displacement data generated by the distance sensor and a suspension adjuster arranged to adjust the suspension of the vehicle in response to the adjustment signal.

A shock absorber for a vehicle, the shock absorber having an absorber body with an outer surface, and a movable piston having a first end configured to couple with the vehicle, and a second end disposed within the absorber body. There is a magnet assembly disposed around and external of the movable piston at the second end. The absorber has a sensor assembly having a sensor body coupled with the outer surface. An inner sensor body has a sensor disposed therein configured to detect a change in a linear position of the magnet assembly.

A utility vehicle includes a rear suspension assembly which has a trailing arm generally extending longitudinally. Also, the rear suspension assembly includes an upper radius rod extending in a generally lateral direction relative to a centerline of the vehicle. Additionally, the rear suspension assembly includes a lower radius rod extending in a generally lateral direction relative to the centerline of the vehicle. The rear suspension assembly further includes a suspension member configured to control toe of the at least one rear ground-engaging member.

A rod-end front suspension is provided for an off-road vehicle. The rod-end front suspension comprises a spindle assembly that is pivotally coupled with an upper suspension arm by way of a first rod-end joint and pivotally coupled with a lower suspension arm by way of a second rod-end joint. A steering rod-end joint coupled with the spindle assembly pivotally receives a steering rod. An axle assembly coupled with the spindle assembly conducts torque from a transaxle to a wheel coupled with the spindle assembly. Each of the first and second rod-end joints comprises a ball rotatably retained within a casing. The ball is fastened within a recess between parallel prongs extending from the spindle assembly. A threaded shank extending from the casing is threadably fixated with the suspension arm, such that the spindle assembly may be moved with respect to the casing and the suspension arm.

A modular electronic damping control system is described and includes a damping component located at a vehicle suspension location. The modular electronic damping control system also includes a control system configured to control the damping component, and determine the type of damping component present. Also, the control system is configured to automatically tune a vehicle's suspension based on the type of damping component present, and automatically monitor the damping component and determine when a change has been made to the damping component so that the control system can then automatically re-tune the vehicle's suspension based on the change to the damping component.