Abstract: A drive unit having motor output shaft that is connected to a sun gear is connected to one or more planetary gears that are connected to a planetary gear housing. The housing is connected to planetary gear assembly pinion gear, which is connected to a ring gear. A first side of the ring gear is connected to a first clutch drum and the second side of the ring gear is connected to a second clutch drum. Connected to the first clutch drum is a first plurality of clutch plates interleafed with a second plurality of clutch plates connected to a first clutch can. The first clutch can is connected to a first shaft. Connected to the second clutch drum is a third plurality of clutch plates interleafed with a fourth plurality of clutch plates connected to a second clutch can. The second clutch can is connected to a second shaft.

Abstract: A drive unit having motor output shaft that is connected to a sun gear is connected to one or more planetary gears that are connected to a planetary gear housing. The housing is connected to planetary gear assembly pinion gear, which is connected to a ring gear. A first side of the ring gear is connected to a first clutch drum and the second side of the ring gear is connected to a second clutch drum. Connected to the first clutch drum is a first plurality of clutch plates interleafed with a second plurality of clutch plates connected to a first clutch can. The first clutch can is connected to a first shaft. Connected to the second clutch drum is a third plurality of clutch plates interleafed with a fourth plurality of clutch plates connected to a second clutch can. The second clutch can is connected to a second shaft.

Abstract: A drive unit utilizing a double planetary differential and an overdriven gear to shift torque between output shafts. The drive unit includes a motor, a differential caging housing a planetary differential and in driving engagement with two output shafts, a planetary carrier, a first gear, a second gear, and two variably engageable clutches. The planetary carrier supports the planetary differential and is drivingly engaged with a first output shaft. The first gear is capable of being overdriven and is in driving engagement with the motor and the variably engaged clutches. The second gear is in driving engagement with the motor and the differential caging. The first clutch is disposed between the first gear and the second output shaft and the second clutch is disposed between the first gear and the planetary carrier. When the clutches are actuated, torque is shifted between the output shafts via the first gear.

Abstract: A drive unit assembly. The drive unit includes a motor drivingly connected to a motor output shaft which in turn is drivingly connected to a sun gear of a gear assembly. The gear assembly further includes a gear assembly housing, one or more planetary gears and a pinion gear. At least a portion of the one or more planetary gears are drivingly connected to the sun gear, the gear assembly housing and a plurality of gear teeth circumferentially extending from an inner surface of a drive unit housing. The pinion gear has a first side and a second side, where the second side of the pinion gear is integrally connected to a first end portion of the gear assembly housing. Drivingly connected to the pinion gear is a differential ring gear of a differential assembly having a first side gear, a second side gear and one or more bevel gears.

Abstract: A drive unit with twin side shaft torque coupling has an intermediate shaft with a first end portion and a second end portion and a central portion with a ring gear. A first clutch drum is directly mounted on the first end portion of the intermediate shaft. The first clutch drum has a first plurality of clutch plates. A first clutch can is located radially inboard of the first clutch drum. The first clutch can supports selective axial movement of a second plurality of clutch plates. The first and second plates are interleaved with one another to form a clutch pack. The first clutch can is connected to one end portion of a first output shaft located radially inboard from said first clutch can. A first clutch actuator assembly selectively actuates the first clutch. The drive unit also comprises a second clutch drum, clutch can and clutch actuator assembly.

Abstract: A torque vectoring unit for use with a motor vehicle including a differential unit, a gear arrangement and a clutch system. The gear arrangement is connected to the differential unit and includes a first gear set, a second gear set, a third gear set and a common shaft. The clutch system is selectively connected to the gear arrangement and includes a concentric inner clutch and a concentric outer clutch drivingly to an actuator. The actuator actuates each clutch independently. The first gear set includes an external gear supported on the common shaft and an internal gear selectively in engagement with the outer clutch. The second gear set includes an external gear supported on the common shaft and an internal gear selectively in engagement with the inner clutch. The third gear set includes an external gear coupled to the common shaft and an internal gear coupled to a differential case.

Abstract: An axle disconnect system for drive axles that utilizes an engagement spring, an electric motor and a slidable gear. The motor is connected to the slidable gear which moves along threads thereby engaging or disengaging clutch teeth on a first side gear which selectively engages a second side gear. The engagement spring is located between a bearing and the first side gear wherein when engagement is desired, but blocked by misalignment of the teeth, the engagement spring can apply a load to allow for engagement once alignment of the teeth is achieved. The use of a second engagement spring allows for the disengagement of the system when disengagement is typically blocked due to high driveline torques without having to reapply current to the motor.

Abstract: An electromagnetic connect/disconnect system with an electromagnet including a coil and a coil housing. The system also includes a rotatable and axially slideable slide ring located between the coil housing and a sliding collar. The slide ring has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The sliding collar has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located radially inward from the slide ring and defines a first set of axially extending teeth. The second portion is located radially inward from the first portion. A return spring is located adjacent the sliding collar. An output gear is also included which has a second set of axially extending teeth for selective engagement with the sliding collar.

Abstract: A drive unit utilizing a double planetary differential and an overdriven gear to shift torque between output shafts. The drive unit includes a motor, a differential caging housing a planetary differential and in driving engagement with two output shafts, a planetary carrier, a first gear, a second gear, and two variably engageable clutches. The planetary carrier supports the planetary differential and is drivingly engaged with a first output shaft. The first gear is capable of being overdriven and is in driving engagement with the motor and the variably engaged clutches. The second gear is in driving engagement with the motor and the differential caging. The first clutch is disposed between the first gear and the second output shaft and the second clutch is disposed between the first gear and the planetary carrier. When the clutches are actuated, torque is shifted between the output shafts via the first gear.

Abstract: A torque vectoring unit for use with a motor vehicle including a differential unit, a gear arrangement and a clutch system. The gear arrangement is connected to the differential unit and includes a first gear set, a second gear set, a third gear set and a common shaft. The clutch system is selectively connected to the gear arrangement and includes a concentric inner clutch and a concentric outer clutch drivingly to an actuator. The actuator actuates each clutch independently. The first gear set includes an external gear supported on the common shaft and an internal gear selectively in engagement with the outer clutch. The second gear set includes an external gear supported on the common shaft and an internal gear selectively in engagement with the inner clutch. The third gear set includes an external gear coupled to the common shaft and an internal gear coupled to a differential case.

Abstract: A differential assembly having a torque coupling unit and an axle disconnect. A first end portion of an intermediate portion of a differential case is integrally connected to a ring gear. Integrally connected to an inner surface of the intermediate portion of the case is a first plurality of clutch plates. Disposed within a hollow portion of the intermediate portion is a first and a second differential side gear that are meshing with one or more pinion gears. Drivingly connected to the first side gear is a first output shaft. A clutch can having a second plurality of clutch plates is drivingly connected to the first output shaft. Within the hollow portion of the intermediate portion of the case is a clutching assembly that selectively engages the second side gear. A first clutch actuator selectively engages the plurality of plates and a second clutch actuator selectively engages the clutching assembly.

Abstract: An axle disconnect apparatus having a cam cylinder with a ramp disposed therein. A first clutch element disposed at least partially inside the cam cylinder. The first clutch element includes a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter, where the second inner diameter is greater than the first inner diameter, and the second inner diameter includes a splined portion. A first biasing member and a second biasing member are disposed about the first clutch element, and a portion of the cam cylinder is engaged between the first biasing member and the second biasing member. An intermediate shaft is disposed within the first clutch element, and is in constant splined engagement with the first clutch element. A second clutch element is coupled with a half shaft disposed coaxially with the intermediate shaft. The second clutch element includes splines which are in selective engagement with splines of the first clutch element.

Abstract: A drive unit utilizing a double planetary differential and an overdriven gear to shift torque between output shafts. The drive unit includes a motor, a differential caging housing a planetary differential and in driving engagement with two output shafts, a planetary carrier, a first gear, a second gear, and two variably engageable clutches. The planetary carrier supports the planetary differential and is drivingly engaged with a first output shaft. The first gear is capable of being overdriven and is in driving engagement with the motor and the variably engaged clutches. The second gear is in driving engagement with the motor and the differential caging. The first clutch is disposed between the first gear and the second output shaft and the second clutch is disposed between the first gear and the planetary carrier. When the clutches are actuated, torque is shifted between the output shafts via the first gear.

Abstract: A differential assembly having a torque coupling unit and an axle disconnect. A first end portion of an intermediate portion of a differential case is integrally connected to a ring gear. Integrally connected to an inner surface of the intermediate portion of the case is a first plurality of clutch plates. Disposed within a hollow portion of the intermediate portion is a first and a second differential side gear that are meshing with one or more pinion gears. Drivingly connected to the first side gear is a first output shaft. A clutch can having a second plurality of clutch plates is drivingly connected to the first output shaft. Within the hollow portion of the intermediate portion of the case is a clutching assembly that selectively engages the second side gear. A first clutch actuator selectively engages the plurality of plates and a second clutch actuator selectively engages the clutching assembly.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided herein for the transmission of power in motor vehicles. Power is transmitted in a smoother and more efficient manner by splitting torque into two or more torque paths. A continuously variable transmission is provided with a ball variator assembly having an array of balls, a planetary gearset coupled thereto and an arrangement of rotatable shafts with multiple gears and clutches that extend the ratio range of the variator. In some embodiments, clutches are coupled to the gear sets to enable synchronous shifting of gear modes.

Abstract: A limited slip differential system having a differential housing, a differential case disposed within the differential housing and a differential gear set supported within the differential case. A friction clutch assembly including a clutch pack is positioned within the differential case and axially adjacent the differential gear set. A ball and ramp assembly is positioned outside the differential case and includes a reaction member positioned within and fixed to the differential housing. A differential bearing is positioned axially between the reaction member and the differential housing and radially outward from the differential case. A singular thrust bearing is located within the differential housing and outside the differential case and applies an axial load from the actuator assembly to the clutch pack.

Abstract: A ball ramp actuator assembly including a control ring, an activation ring including a first section and a second section, two circumferential plate grooves formed between the control ring and the sections of the activation ring which contain rolling elements, two clutches, a gear and an actuator. The first and second sections are splined together allowing for axial movement. The first clutch is connected to the first section of the activation ring and a second clutch is connected to the second section of the activation ring. The rotation of a section of the activation ring axially in one direction allows the corresponding plate groove to expand and apply a load to the corresponding clutch while the other section of the activation ring remains inactive and rotation in the opposite direction activates the other clutch respectively.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided herein for the transmission of power in motor vehicles. Power is transmitted in a smoother and more efficient manner by splitting torque into two or more torque paths. In some embodiments, a power converter is configured to have a ball-type variator and two planetary gear sets. Two clutches selectively engagement members of the variator to provide an infinitely variable transmission mode and a continuously variable transmission mode.

Abstract: A transmission having a variator drive capable of being placed in a continuously variable operating mode or an infinitely variable operating mode, capable of having a wide ratio range, and capable of integrating a clutching capability within the transmission. The variable transmissions can be operated in at least two different operating modes, depending on an engagement status of the clutches therein. Methods of running the variable transmissions and drivelines that incorporate such variable transmissions are provided.

Abstract: An electronic self-locking connect and disconnect system for vehicles. The system includes a motor which turns a gear that meshes with a ring gear contained within a housing. The ring gear meshes with a lead screw thread on an outer surface of a lead screw. When the motor is activated the ring gear rotates the lead screw thread which selectively engages or disengages the clutch. A groove extends on the outer surface of and transverse to the lead screw thread. A pin extends radially inward from an inner surface of the housing till part of the pin is located within the groove. When the pin contacts a radial wall of the groove it prevents further rotation of the lead screw which prevents the stub shaft from axially moving beyond predetermined points. A spring and a sliding collar may be utilized to accommodate full motor travel regardless of the clutch state.