BACKGROUND

The present application relates to vehicles. In particular, the present application relates to the structural frame assembly of a military vehicle.

A military vehicle may be used in a variety of applications and conditions. These vehicles generally include a number of vehicle systems or components (e.g., a cab or body, a drive train, etc.). The military vehicle may also include various features and systems as needed for the specific application of the vehicle (e.g., a hatch, a gun ring, an antenna, etc.). Proper functioning and arrangement of the vehicle systems or components is important for the proper functioning of the vehicle.

Traditional military vehicles include a cab assembly coupled to a pair of frame rails that extend along the length of the vehicle. The drive train, engine, and other components of the vehicle are coupled to the frame rails. Such vehicles may be transported by securing lifting slings to the frame rails and applying a lifting force (e.g., with a crane, with a helicopter, etc.). As the frame rails are the primary structure of the vehicle, a lifting force applied to a rear portion and a front portion elevate the vehicle from a ground surface. In such a configuration, the components of the vehicle must be coupled to the structural frame rails thereby requiring sequential assembly.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a military vehicle. The military vehicle includes a passenger capsule, a front module, a rear module, an engine, a transaxle, a front lift structure, and a rear lift structure. The passenger capsule includes a structural shell having a front end and a rear end. The front module is coupled to the front end of the passenger capsule. The front module includes a first longitudinal frame member, a second longitudinal frame member, and a front axle assembly. The first longitudinal frame member and the second longitudinal frame member extend within a common plane. The rear module is coupled to the rear end of the passenger capsule and includes a rear axle assembly. The engine is coupled to the front module. The transaxle is coupled to the rear module and the engine. The transaxle includes a housing that defines a structural component of the rear module. The rear axle assembly includes at least one of an upper control arm, a lower control arm, a spring, or a damper that is directly coupled to the housing of the transaxle. The front lift structure includes a first protrusion extending from the first longitudinal frame member and defining a first aperture, and a second protrusion extending from the second longitudinal frame member and defining a second aperture. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are generally orthogonal to the common plane. The first aperture and the second aperture form a pair of front lift points. A lifting force applied to the pair of front lift points is transmitted through the front module into the structural shell of the passenger capsule. The rear lift structure includes a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion extending from opposing lateral sides of the structural shell. The third protrusion and the fourth protrusion defining a third aperture and a fourth aperture, respectively, to form a pair of rear lift points.

Another embodiment relates to a military vehicle. The military vehicle includes a passenger capsule, a front module coupled to a front end of the passenger capsule, a rear module coupled to a rear end of the passenger capsule, and a rear lift structure. The front module including a first longitudinal frame member, a second longitudinal frame member, an underbody support structure, and a front lift structure. The first longitudinal frame member is coupled to the front end of the passenger capsule proximate a first side thereof. The second longitudinal frame member is coupled to the front end of the passenger capsule proximate an opposing second side thereof. The underbody support structure is coupled to the front end of the passenger capsule, the first longitudinal frame member, and the second longitudinal frame member. The underbody support structure is positioned beneath the first longitudinal frame member and the second longitudinal frame member. The front lift structure includes (i) a first protrusion extending from the first longitudinal frame member and defining a first lift point, (ii) a second protrusion extending from the second longitudinal frame member and defining a second lift point, and (iii) a lateral frame member extending between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The rear lift structure includes a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion extending from the rear end of the passenger capsule at opposing lateral sides thereof. The third protrusion and the fourth protrusion define a third aperture and a fourth aperture, respectively, to form a pair of rear lift points.

Still another embodiment relates to a military vehicle. The military vehicle includes a transaxle and a suspension system. The transaxle has a housing. The transaxle includes a transfercase and a rear differential. The transfercase is configured to couple to an engine and a front differential of the military vehicle. The rear differential is coupled to the transfercase. The rear differential is configured to couple to a rear axle of the military vehicle. The rear differential and the transfercase are at least partially contained within the housing of the transaxle. At least one component of the suspension system is directly coupled to the housing of the transaxle.

The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried out in various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be recited in the claims.

