Vehicle chassis assembly
View Patent ↗A vehicle chassis assembly includes a frame assembly having a plurality of frame members connected together, a drivetrain, a suspension system, and an exhaust system. The connection of the frame members provides a low-profile configuration for reduced step height and a kick-up portion to allow ascent of steeper inclines. The frame further includes an exhaust pipe supported within a frame member and two castings bolted to removable wheel arches. The exhaust pipe has a circular cross-section that changes to a rectangular cross-section near the back of the chassis assembly.
1. A casting adapted to be connected to a vehicle chassis assembly comprising a plurality of frame members, the casting comprising:
a cast plate having a top side and an underside;
a cavity on the underside of the cast plate adapted to receive a portion of a suspension system therein, wherein the cavity is defined by a circular ridge on the underside of the cast plate, at least a portion of the circular ridge being spaced inwardly from an outer edge of the cast plate; and
a first flange adapted to be connected to a first frame member of the vehicle chassis assembly, such that the cast plate is fixed against movement with respect to the chassis assembly.
2. The casting of claim 1 , wherein the flange is integral with the plate.
3. The casting of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of strengthening ribs on the underside of the cast plate, at least one of the strengthening ribs extending from the circular ridge toward the outer edge of the cast plate.
4. The casting of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle chassis assembly further comprises a wheel arch, and the casting is adapted to be connected to the wheel arch.
5. The casting of claim 1 , wherein the casting further comprises a second flange adapted to be fixedly connected to a second frame member of the vehicle chassis assembly.
6. The casting of claim 5 , wherein the first flange extends from the plate in a horizontal direction and the second flange extends from the plate in a vertical direction.
7. The casting of claim 5 , wherein the first flange extends horizontally from the top side of the plate and the second flange extends vertically from the underside of the plate.
8. The casting of claim 1 , further comprising a strengthening rib on the underside of the cast plate, the strengthening rib extending from the circular ridge to the outer edge of the cast plate.
9. A vehicle chassis assembly comprising:
a frame assembly comprising a plurality of frame members;
a wheel arch connected to the frame assembly and extending above a top surface of the frame assembly; and
a cast plate having a planar top side forming a portion of the top surface of the frame assembly, the cast plate being directly connected to the wheel arch and directly connected to a frame member so that the cast plate is fixed against movement with respect to the wheel arch and the frame member, wherein the cast plate has an underside opposite the top side, and further comprises a cavity on the underside of the cast plate receiving an airbag of a suspension system therein, wherein the cavity is defined by a circular ridge on the underside of the cast plate, at least a portion of the circular ridge being spaced inwardly from an outer edge of the cast plate.
10. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 9 , further comprising:
a second wheel arch connected to the frame assembly and extending above the top surface of the frame assembly; and
a second cast plate having a planar top side forming a portion of the top surface of the frame assembly, the second cast plate being directly connected to a second wheel arch and directly connected to a second frame member.
11. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 10 wherein the suspension system further comprises a second air bag abutting the second cast plate.
12. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 9 , wherein the cast plate is connected to the wheel arch and the frame member via bolted connections.
13. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 9 , wherein the cast plate further comprises a flange having bolt holes for bolting to the frame member.
14. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 9 , wherein the cast plate further comprises a first horizontally-extending flange having bolt holes for bolting to a horizontal surface of the frame member and a second vertically-extending flange having bolt holes for bolting to a vertical surface of a second frame member.
15. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a wheel supporting the frame assembly and positioned beneath the wheel arch, the wheel having a rotational axis, the rotational axis being located above the top surface of the frame assembly.
16. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 9 , wherein the frame members define a first frame portion and a rear frame portion angling upwardly with respect to the first frame portion.
17. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 9 , wherein the wheel arch is removable from the chassis assembly.
18. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 9 , wherein the frame assembly has an angling frame member, and the cast plate has an angling edge abutting the angling frame member.
19. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 9 , wherein the plate and the wheel arch are located proximate a rear of the chassis assembly.
20. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a first flange extending horizontally from the cast plate and fixedly connected to a horizontal top surface of the frame member, and a second flange extending vertically from the cast plate and fixedly connected to a vertical side surface of another frame member.
21. A vehicle chassis assembly comprising:
a frame assembly adapted to support a vehicle body on a top side thereof, the frame assembly comprising:
an elevated front frame portion comprising a plurality of frame members defining a platform and a front wheel supporting the front frame portion;
a middle frame portion having a top surface on the top side of the frame assembly and comprising a plurality of frame members, a rear wheel supporting the middle frame portion, and a wheel arch positioned over the rear wheel;
a neck portion connecting the front frame portion and the middle frame portion; and
a rear frame portion connected to the middle frame portion and comprising a plurality of frame members;
a suspension system connected to the frame assembly; and
a casting fixedly connected to the wheel arch, a first frame member, and a second frame member, the casting comprising:
a cast plate having a top side and an underside opposite the top side, the top side of the cast plate being substantially flush with the top surface of the middle frame portion;
a cavity on the underside of the plate, receiving a portion of the suspension system therein;
a first flange extending horizontally from the cast plate and fixedly connected to a horizontal top surface of the first frame member; and
a second flange extending vertically from the cast plate and fixedly connected to a vertical side surface of the second frame member,
wherein the casting is fixed against movement with respect to the frame assembly.