Modular chassis

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11285994-B2
Application number	US-202016851004-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 16, 2020
Priority date	Apr 3, 2017
Publication date	Mar 29, 2022
Grant date	Mar 29, 2022

Abstract

A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A modular chassis for a vehicle, comprising:
a chassis for supporting components of the vehicle;
a front frame module for coupling with a front of the chassis;
a rear frame module for coupling with a rear of the chassis, wherein a lower portion of the rear frame module is comprised of bottom frame members that extend rearward with respect to the chassis, each toward a bent portion that joins each of the bottom frame members with an angled frame member; and
a bottom mount having brackets configured to connect the bottom frame members to the chassis and further wherein the bottom mount has at least a cross-member disposed between the bottom frame members.

2. The modular chassis of claim 1 , wherein the front frame module supports a first lower suspension arm on a passenger side and a second lower suspension arm on a driver side of the vehicle by way of inboard mounting joints that allow the first lower suspension arm and the second lower suspension arm to pivot vertically with respect to the front frame module.

3. The modular chassis of claim 2 , wherein the front frame module is an elongate member comprised of inboard mounting brackets disposed on opposite sides in locations suitable to receive the first lower suspension arm and the second lower suspension arm.

4. The modular chassis of claim 1 , wherein the front frame module includes a front mount and a rear mount disposed at opposite ends.

5. The modular chassis of claim 4 , wherein the front mount includes a bracket for coupling with a similar bracket disposed at a front-most portion of the chassis.

6. The modular chassis of claim 5 , wherein the rear mount is configured to be coupled with a bracket that is fastened or welded onto the chassis.

7. The modular chassis of claim 1 , wherein the front frame module is configured to support at least a steering gear and a front differential of the vehicle.

8. The modular chassis of claim 1 , wherein the front frame module includes one or more service ports to provide access to various components supported by the front frame module.

9. The modular chassis of claim 1 , wherein the front frame module includes one or more panels for protecting various components coupled with the front frame module.

10. The modular chassis of claim 1 , wherein the rear frame module comprises a tube-frame structure that is configured to support various components of the vehicle.

11. The modular chassis of claim 1 , wherein an angled frame member extends upwards to a bent portion that joins the angled frame member with a vertical frame member that extends acutely toward a top frame member.

12. The modular chassis of claim 11 , wherein one or more cross-members are disposed between any of the bottom frame members, the angled frame members, and the vertical frame members to impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.

13. The modular chassis of claim 11 , wherein the top frame member comprises a rear-most portion of the rear frame module and is configured to be coupled with upper side portions of the chassis by way of a top mount disposed at each end of the top frame member.

14. The modular chassis of claim 13 , wherein the top mount comprises a suitable means for coupling the top frame member with the upper side portions.

15. The modular chassis of claim 1 , wherein the cross-member is fastened between the brackets.

16. The modular chassis of claim 1 , wherein each bottom frame member is adjacent to a midline of the chassis and provides clearance for vertical motion of a rear trailing arm coupled with the chassis.

Assignees

• Gordon Robby

Inventors

• Gordon Robby

Classifications

• B60G7/001 Primary

  Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features (B60G7/006 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60G2204/148

  on the unsprung part of the vehicle, e.g. wheel knuckle or rigid axle · CPC title

• B60G2204/416

  Ball or spherical joints · CPC title

• B60G2204/129

  Damper mount on wheel suspension or knuckle · CPC title

• B62D7/20

  Links, e.g. track rods (means for adjusting camber, castor, or toe-in B62D17/00) · CPC title