Universal chassis frame with variable rear axle positions for medium/heavy duty configurable electric trucks

A universal chassis frame for a configurable electric truck having a gross vehicle weight rating in a range above 10,000 lbs with the chassis frame configured to interface with any of a set of multiple configurable rear payload modules, the universal chassis frame comprising:

• a central frame having a pair of main frame rails configured to support at least two battery modules within an intra-frame space defined between the pair of main frame rails and between at least a pair of cross members transversely interconnected to the pair of main frame rails;
• a front subframe configured to support a front axle assembly and a cab, the front subframe including a pair of upper frame members operably connected to the corresponding pair of the main frame rails;
• and
• a rear subframe configured to support at least one rear axle assembly having an electric motor powered by the battery modules and any of the set of multiple configurable rear payload modules via a common connection interface having a standard set of mounting holes in each of a pair of secondary frame rails that are operably connectable by a set of plates extending horizontally above and on an outer side of both of the corresponding rear frame rails, and the pair of main frame rails and the pair of rear frame rails are operably connected by a set of plates extending horizontally therebetween on an outer side of both of the corresponding frame rails,
• wherein the rear subframe includes a pair of rear frame rails transversely connected by at least a pair of cross members and operably connected to the corresponding pair of main frame rails, the rear subframe further including a set of pre-drilled mounting holes in each rear frame rail at a plurality of predetermined longitudinal positions such that a mounted location of the rear axle assembly is longitudinally variable at different predetermined distances from a back of the cab corresponding to different ones of the set of pre-drilled mounting holes.

A universal chassis frame for a configurable electric truck having a gross vehicle weight rating in a range above 10,000 lbs with the chassis frame configured to interface with any of a set of multiple configurable rear payload modules, the universal chassis frame comprising:

• a central frame having a pair of main frame rails configured to support at least two battery modules within an intra-frame space defined between the pair of main frame rails and between at least a pair of cross members transversely interconnected to the pair of main frame rails;
• a front subframe configured to support a front axle assembly and a cab, the front subframe including a pair of upper frame members operably connected to the corresponding pair of the main frame rails;
• and
• a rear subframe configured to support at least one rear axle assembly having an electric motor powered by the battery modules and any of the set of multiple configurable rear payload modules via a common connection interface, the rear subframe including a pair of rear frame rails transversely connected by at least a pair of cross members and operably connected to the corresponding pair of main frame rails, the rear subframe further including a set of pre-drilled mounting holes in each rear frame rail at a plurality of predetermined longitudinal positions such that a mounted location of the rear axle assembly is longitudinally variable at different predetermined distances from a back of the cab corresponding to different ones of the set of pre-drilled mounting holes,
• wherein the pair of main frame rails and the pair of rear frame rails are operably connected by a set of plates extending horizontally therebetween on an outer side of both of the corresponding frame rails.

A universal chassis frame for a configurable electric truck having a gross vehicle weight rating in a range above 10,000 lbs with the chassis frame configured to interface with any of a set of multiple configurable rear payload modules, the universal chassis frame comprising:

• a central frame having a pair of main frame rails configured to support at least two battery modules within an intra-frame space defined between the pair of main frame rails and between at least a pair of cross members transversely interconnected to the pair of main frame rails;
• a front subframe configured to support a front axle assembly and a cab, the front subframe including a pair of upper frame members operably connected to the corresponding pair of the main frame rails;
• and
• a rear subframe configured to support at least one rear axle assembly having an electric motor powered by the battery modules and any of the set of multiple configurable rear payload modules via a common connection interface, the rear subframe including a pair of rear frame rails transversely connected by at least a pair of cross members and operably connected to the corresponding pair of main frame rails, the rear subframe further including a set of pre-drilled mounting holes in each rear frame rail at a plurality of predetermined longitudinal positions such that a mounted location of the rear axle assembly is longitudinally variable at different predetermined distances from a back of the cab corresponding to different ones of the set of pre-drilled mounting holes,
• wherein the common connection interface comprises a standard set of mounting holes in each of a pair of secondary frame rails that are operably connectable by a set of plates extending horizontally above and on an outer side of both of the corresponding rear frame rails.