Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. An electric drive axle system includes, in one example a gear train configured to rotationally attach to an electric motor-generator, the gear train includes an output shaft having a clutch arranged thereon and configured to selectively rotationally couple a gear to the output shaft. The gear train further includes a lubrication channel extending between an output shaft and an axle shaft and including an outlet extending through the output shaft and opening into the clutch.

Abstract: Systems are provided for an electric motor housing. In one example, a system comprising a phase connection enclosure comprising a bus bar assembly sealed between a motor lead and a plurality of phase cable connections. The phase connection enclosure is integrally arranged within a cooling jacket of the electric motor housing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator configured to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a multi-sensor sub-assembly having two or more sensor configured to monitor a position of the electromagnetic solenoid actuator.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle are provided. An electric drive axle, in one example, includes an electric machine rotationally coupled to a gearbox which includes a higher range planetary gear set coupled to a lower range planetary gear set via a clutch. The clutch is configured to selectively rotationally couple an input gear to a sun gear in each of the higher range planetary gear set and the lower range planetary gear set in different positions or selectively rotationally couple a carrier in the higher range planetary gear set to a carrier and a sun gear in the lower range planetary gear set in different positions.

Abstract: A gasket for a combustion chamber is provided. The gasket comprises an upper assembly including an upper combustion sealing section with a raised bead positioned between a first component and a second component adjacent to a combustion chamber and an upper fluid sealing section positioned between the first component and the second component at a location spaced away from the combustion chamber. The upper combustion sealing section includes an anti-fret coating on a metal layer, the upper fluid sealing section includes a synthetic rubber coating on a metal layer, and the upper combustion sealing section is greater in thickness than the upper fluid sealing section.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating axles of a vehicle are provided. In one example, a propulsion source of a first axle is operated in a torque control mode at a first torque and a propulsion source of a second axle is operated in a torque control mode at a second torque. Torque of the propulsion sources may be adjusted as a function of steering angle.

Abstract: A temperature measurement system of a vehicle includes a controller, a first temperature sensor associated with a first location, and a second temperature sensor associated with a second location. The temperature measurement system is calibratable based upon a comparison of a temperature of the first location and a temperature of the second location, wherein the temperature of at least one of the first location and the second location is determined after a predetermined time from an end of operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A disconnect apparatus including a first clutch member and a second clutch member in selective engagement with the first clutch member. The disconnect apparatus also includes a cam mechanism and a sensor assembly. The cam mechanism includes an axially movable first cam member and an axially fixed second cam member. Wherein the sensor assembly generates a pulse pattern which is utilized to determine a position of the first cam member, and thereby a state of the disconnect apparatus.

Abstract: An axle including a housing having a first cavity and a second cavity formed therein. The first cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of an axle assembly therein, and the second cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of a power source assembly therein.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a condition of a drive shaft by including a U-joint equipped with a plurality of sensors and a U-joint controller. In one example, a method may include transmitting sensor data from a plurality of sensors coupled to a universal joint (U-joint) of a drive shaft of a motor vehicle, the plurality of sensors including an accelerometer coupled to a U-joint cross of the U-joint, a gyroscope coupled to the U-joint cross, a strain gauge coupled to the U-joint cross, and a first temperature sensor coupled to a first trunnion of the U-joint.

Abstract: A multi-layer head gasket having at least two active layers and a shim layer sandwiched there between. The gasket and shim layer include cylinder openings aligned with the cylinders disposed within an engine block. The shim layer incorporates a plated portion for adding topography to an otherwise flat shim layer, the areas of plating determined based on FEA and/or pressure film load testing, for improving fatigue resistance, sealing pressure, and/or loading characteristics of the gasket.

Abstract: An electric drive axle in a vehicle is provided. The electric drive axle includes, in one example, a housing configured to enclose an electric motor-generator and a gearbox. In the electric drive axle, the housing includes a first section that is removably coupled to a second section, the second section at least partially encloses the gearbox, the first section includes a first axle shaft opening, and the second section includes a second axle shaft opening that is laterally aligned with the first axle shaft opening.

Abstract: An electric drive axle in a vehicle is provided. The electric drive axle includes, in one example, an electric motor-generator, a gearbox, and a differential. The gearbox comprises a planetary gear set that includes a sun gear configured to rotate on a sun gear shaft directly coupled to a rotor of the electric motor-generator and an intermediate shaft that includes an idler gear rotationally coupled to a pinion gear that is rotationally coupled to the carrier.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism including one or more motors having an output shaft with a sun gear. A sun gear of a non-back drivable planetary gear assembly is drivingly connected to at least a portion of one or more planetary gears. The one or more planetary gears are drivingly connected to at least a portion of the sun gear, a carrier, a fixed non-rotating ring gear and a selectively rotatable output ring gear. The disclosure further relates to a method of operating an actuation mechanism that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a vehicle parking mechanism. The method includes providing an actuation mechanism, providing a parking mechanism and one or more sensors that are operably configured to collect an amount of data to be analyzed. Based on the data analyzed, one or more failures within the parking mechanism may be determined and an alert may be sent.

Abstract: An electric drive axle of a vehicle includes an electric motor having an output shaft. An idler assembly is drivingly coupled to the electric motor and a differential. The idler assembly includes a first gear-clutch assembly to facilitate a first gear ratio and a second gear-clutch assembly to facilitate a second gear ratio.

Abstract: A battery coolant heater assembly including a coolant manifold having liquid coolant pathways and a heat transfer surface for transferring heat to liquid coolant flowable within the coolant manifold, an electric heater element thermally contacted to the heat transfer surface of the manifold, and a cover sealably enclosing the heating element between the heat transfer surface and the cover via a gasket. The electric heater element is electrically connected via an electrical connector extending through and formed integrally with the gasket.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism for use in a vehicle. The actuation mechanism includes one or more motors having an output shaft with a sun gear. At least a portion of the sun gear is drivingly connected to at least a portion of one or more planetary gears. The one or more planetary gears are drivingly connected to at least a portion of a carrier, a fixed non-rotating ring gear and an output gear. The disclosure further relates to a method of operating an actuation mechanism that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a vehicle parking mechanism. The method includes providing an actuation mechanism, providing a parking mechanism and one or more sensors that are operably configured to collect an amount of data to be analyzed. Based on the data analyzed, one or more failures within the parking mechanism may be determined and an alert may be sent.

Abstract: An actuator assembly including a housing. The housing having an actuator component, an armature, and at least a portion of a sensor disposed therein. The armature is selectively positionable between a first position and a second position. The sensor includes at least one sensing element disposed within the housing adjacent to the armature. The sensing element has a physical property which varies based upon a position of the armature within the housing.

Abstract: A gasket for a combustion chamber is provided. The gasket comprises a plated surface extending across at least a portion of the metal base. In the gasket, at least a portion of the plated surface includes a laser treated section with a first raised surface that protrudes away from the metal base and the laser treated section is arranged in a mid-span that is arranged between two cylinder openings.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle system. In one example, the vehicle system includes a first electric drive axle assembly and a second electric drive axle assembly. Each of the first and second axle assemblies has a gear train with a planetary gear set axially offset from a motor-generator. Each planetary gear set is rotationally coupled to a differential.