Patent ID: 7922185

Claim:
A vehicle, comprising: a chassis; a power source supported by said chassis and operable to generate drive torque; first and second wheels rotatable along a first rotary axis; and an axle and suspension assembly having a driveline assembly and a twist beam suspension, said driveline assembly including a differential and first and second torque transfer mechanisms, said differential rotatably supported in an axle housing mounted to said chassis and having an input component driven by said power source and first and second output components aligned for rotation along a second rotary axis, said first torque transfer mechanism is operable to transfer drive torque from said first output component to said first wheel and said second torque transfer mechanism is operable to transfer drive torque from said second output component to said second wheel, said twist beam suspension including a first torsionally compliant unit coupled between said axle housing and said first wheel and encompassing a portion of said first torque transfer mechanism and a second torsionally compliant unit coupled between said axle housing and said second wheel and encompassing a portion of said second torque transfer mechanism.