Link Mfg., Ltd.

Craig A Jungjohan

David Shane Vander Kooi

Tye B Davis

Driven lift axles and associated systems and components are provided for use on heavy duty trucks, trailers, and/or other vehicles. Driven lift axle systems may include one or more motors mounted to the lift axle to provide torque to drive one or more wheels of the lift axle. Various mounting configurations of such motors are possible, such as arranging a motor on the axle to provide torque at a conventional driveshaft input by interfacing with a differential drive gear, positioning a motor at each of the wheel ends of the axle to provide torque directly to the wheels, etc. Each wheel can be driven by a separate motor, allowing for independent control of the torque applied to each wheel. Lift axles described herein can be suitable for use with various motors capable of applying torque to the axle and/or wheels, such as electric motors, hydraulic motors, internal combustion engines, etc.

Driven lift axles and associated systems and methods

An axle suspension system for a load-bearing vehicle is described which comprises first and second mounting brackets secured to the longitudinally extending frame members of the vehicle. First and second lower control arms are pivotally secured at their forward ends to the first and second mounting brackets and extend rearwardly therefrom. First and second axle supports are positioned rearwardly of the first and second mounting brackets and have the rearward ends of the first and second lower control arms pivotally secured thereto. An axle and wheel assembly is secured to the first and second axle supports. First and second air springs are operatively secured to the first and second axle supports. A stabilizer bar assembly is provided and combines the functions of a stabilizer bar and upper control arms. The stabilizer bar assembly includes a central base portion which is pivotally secured to the first and second axle supports and which has forwardly extending end portions provided at the opposite ends thereof. The forward ends of the end portions of the stabilizer bar assembly are pivotally connected to the first and second mounting brackets to perform the function of upper control arms. In a second embodiment, the stabilizer bar assembly combines the function of a stabilizer bar and lower control arms.

Axle suspension system

An axle suspension system for a load-bearing vehicle is described which comprises first and second mounting brackets secured to the longitudinally extending frame members of the vehicle. First and second lower control arms are pivotally secured at their forward ends to the first and second mounting brackets and extend rearwardly therefrom. First and second axle supports are positioned rearwardly of the first and second mounting brackets and have the rearward ends of the first and second lower control rods pivotally secured thereto. An axle and wheel assembly is secured to the first and second axle supports. First and second air springs are operatively secured to the first and second axle supports. A stabilizer bar assembly is provided and combines the functions of a stabilizer bar and upper control arms. The stabilizer bar assembly includes a central base portion which is pivotally secured to the first and second axle supports and which has forwardly extending end portions provided at the opposite ends thereof. The forward ends of the end portions of the stabilizer bar assembly are pivotally connected to the first and second mounting brackets to perform the function of upper control arms. The stabilizer bar assembly combines the function of a stabilizer bar and upper control arms.

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Orange City, IA, United States of America

Craig A Jungjohan