Vehicle With Front-Wheel-Assist System

A heavy-duty vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle frame;
• two rear-wheel assemblies mounted to the vehicle frame;
• and
• two front-wheel assemblies disposed on opposing lateral sides of the vehicle frame, wherein each of the front-wheel assemblies includes:
• a rim;
• a spindle extending into the rim;
• a motor disposed within in the spindle, wherein at least a portion of the motor is disposed between first and second axial ends of the rim;
• and
• a transmission assembly disposed within the rim, wherein the transmission assembly transmits rotary motion of the motor to the rim to rotate the rim relative to the spindle,
• wherein the motor, the transmission assembly, and the rim share a common longitudinal axis.

A front-wheel assembly comprising:

• a rim;
• a spindle extending into the rim such that the spindle is at least partially disposed within the rim;
• a brake assembly disposed within the rim and extending around the spindle;
• a motor disposed in the spindle such that at least a portion of the motor is disposed between first and second axial ends of the rim;
• and
• a transmission assembly disposed within the rim, wherein the transmission assembly transmits rotary motion to the rim to rotate the rim relative to the spindle,
• wherein the motor, the transmission assembly, and the rim share a common longitudinal axis.