US 12,269,333 B2
Trailer frame rail suspension for electric and hybrid transport
Ryan Kennedy Kemmet, Phoenix, AZ (US); Jeffrey C. Flath, Warwick, RI (US); and Robert W. Doane, Harwich, MA (US)
Assigned to ENOW SYSTEMS LLC, Warwick, RI (US)
Filed by eNow Systems LLC, Warwick, RI (US)
Filed on Mar. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/685,758.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/193,708, filed on May 27, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/155,962, filed on Mar. 3, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0281307 A1, Sep. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. B60K 1/04 (2019.01); B60G 1/02 (2006.01); B60H 1/00 (2006.01); B62D 21/20 (2006.01)
CPC B60K 1/04 (2013.01) [B60G 1/02 (2013.01); B60H 1/00278 (2013.01); B62D 21/20 (2013.01); B60K 2001/0444 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tractor-trailer vehicle arrangement having a trailer with an articulation coupling at a forward end of the trailer and a plurality of wheels on respective axles at a rearward end, the trailer having longitudinal frame members for engagement with a wheeled suspension, and a slide frame undercarriage device, wherein the slide frame undercarriage device comprises:
a pair of elongated parallel rails, the elongated parallel rails having a spacing based on an alignment with the longitudinal frame members on an underside of the trailer;
a suspension assembly adapted to receive one or more axle assemblies, each axle assembly having opposed wheels adapted for road transport;
an attachment between the elongated parallel rails and the suspension assembly, the attachment transferring a load from the trailer to the axle assemblies; and a containment area suspended from a forward extension of the elongated parallel rails on a forward side of the suspension assembly, the containment area adapted to receive and support an electrical storage device disposed across a width of the elongated parallel rails and connected to a vehicle-based load.