US 8,944,207 B2Granted

Mid-engine chassis

AssigneePACCAR Inc

InventorsLarry F. Gulan, Gerald J. Angelo

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A chassis for a vehicle is suitable for mounting the engine of the vehicle between the forward and rear axle assemblies of the vehicle. A first forward rail is positioned opposite a second forward rail, and an engine cradle is positioned between the forward and rear axle assemblies. The engine cradle has first and second upper rails. A forward portion of the first upper rail is angled toward the second upper rail, and a rear portion of the first upper rail is angled toward the second upper rail. A middle portion of the first upper rail is parallel to a middle portion of the second upper rail. The engine cradle further includes first and second lower rails disposed below the first and second upper rails. A plurality of support members coupled the lower first and second lower rails to the first and second upper rails, respectively.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A chassis for a vehicle having an engine disposed between forward and rear axle assemblies, the chassis comprising:

(a) a first forward rail positioned opposite a second forward rail;
(b) an engine cradle positioned between the forward and rear axle assemblies, the engine cradle comprising:
(i) a first upper rail positioned opposite a second upper rail;
a forward portion of the first upper rail being angled toward the second upper rail and extending forward of a rear end of the first forward rail, a rear portion of the first upper rail being angled toward the second upper rail, a middle portion of the first upper rail being parallel to a middle portion of the second upper rail;
(ii) first and second lower rails disposed below the first and second upper rails;
and
(iii) a plurality of support members, each support member being coupled at a first end to one of the first and second lower rails;
wherein (1) a rear end of the first forward rail is coupled to a first of the plurality of support members and is laterally offset from the middle portion of the first upper rail, and (2) a rear end of the second forward rail is coupled to a second of the plurality of support members and is laterally offset from the middle portion of the second upper rail, and
(c) a first rear rail positioned opposite a second rear rail, the first rear rail being aligned with the first forward rail and extending forward of a rear end of the first upper rail, the second rear rail extending forward of a rear end of the second upper rail, wherein (1) a forward end of the first rear rail is coupled to a third of the plurality of support members and is laterally offset from the middle portion of the first upper rail, and (2) a forward end of the second rear rail is coupled to a fourth of the plurality of support members and is laterally offset from the middle portion of the second upper rail.

6 more elements

A chassis for a vehicle having an engine disposed between forward and rear axle assemblies, the chassis comprising:

(a) a left forward rail positioned opposite a right forward rail, the left and right forward rails extending forward of the forward axle assembly;
(b) a left rear rail positioned opposite a right rear rail, the left rear rail being aligned with the left forward rail, the right rear rail being aligned with the right forward rail, the left and right rear rails extending rearward of the rear axle assembly;
and
(c) an engine cradle positioned between the forward and rear axle assemblies, the engine cradle comprising:
(i) a left upper rail positioned opposite a right upper rail, the left and right upper rails being sized and configured allow the engine to be disposed therebetween, the left upper rail extending forward of a rear end of the left forward rail and rearward of a forward end of the left rear rail, the right upper rail extending forward of a rear end of the right forward rail and rearward of a forward end of the right rear rail;
(ii) left and right lower rails disposed below the left and right upper rails;
(iii) a first support member, a first end of the first support member being coupled to a forward end of the left lower rail, a second end of the first support member being laterally offset from the left upper rail;
(iv) a second support member, a first end of the second support member being coupled to a forward end of the right lower rail, a second end of the second support member being laterally offset from the right upper rail;
(v) a third support member, a first end of the third support member being coupled to a rear end of the left lower rail, a second end of the third support member being laterally offset from the left upper rail;
and
(vi) a fourth support member, a first end of the fourth support member being coupled to a rear end of the right lower rail, a second end of the fourth support member being laterally offset from the right upper rail.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/786,150Filed 5 Mar 2013
Published: US 2014/0251714 A111 Sep 2014
Granted: 3 Feb 2015
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B60K 5/12
Arrangement or mounting of internal-combustion or jet-propulsion units: arrangement of engine supports
B62D 21/07
Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted: wide-hipped frame type, i.e. a wide box-shaped mid portion with…
B60K 2005/003
Arrangement or mounting of internal-combustion or jet-propulsion units: the internal combustion or jet propulsion unit is arranged between the…
B60Y 2200/145
Trucks; Load vehicles, Busses: haulage vehicles, trailing trucks