Abstract: A hypoid gear set for a vehicle drivetrain includes a pinion gear in meshing engagement with a ring gear. The hypoid gear set has a negative pinion offset. The hypoid pinion and ring gears provide a predetermined gear ratio that can be varied up to a fifty percent faster ratio within a single carrier packaging envelope defined by a maximum ring gear diameter.

Abstract: A hypoid gear set for a vehicle drivetrain includes a pinion gear in meshing engagement with a ring gear. The hypoid gear set has a negative pinion offset. The hypoid pinion and ring gears provide a predetermined gear ratio that can be varied up to a fifty percent faster ratio within a single carrier packaging envelope defined by a maximum ring gear diameter.

Abstract: A method for processing a low manganese steel is more cost effective and improves residual stress, bending fatigue, and surface characteristics for driveline components. The low manganese steel comprises in combination, by weight, about 0.30-0.75% carbon (C) and 0.15-0.40% manganese (Mn), with the balance being essentially iron (Fe). The method for processing the low manganese steel includes carbonitriding the low manganese steel at temperatures between 1600° F. to 1750° F. for a time period of about three to six hours. The low manganese steel is subsequently quenched in a water based solution that is kept at room temperature. The process provides the low manganese steel with an irregular case profile with a core hardness of no more than 50 Rockwell C and a surface hardness of approximately 58-63 Rockwell C. Further, the process provides the low manganese steel with little or no intergranular oxidation or surface high temperature transformation product.

Abstract: A hypoid gear set for a vehicle drivetrain includes a pinion gear in meshing engagement with a ring gear. The hypoid gear set has a negative pinion offset. The hypoid pinion and ring gears provide a predetermined gear ratio that can be varied up to a fifty percent faster ratio within a single carrier packaging envelope defined by a maximum ring gear diameter.

Abstract: A drive unit assembly for a vehicle wheel includes a rigidly mounted electric motor coupled to the vehicle wheel via a gear drive. The gear drive includes a cycloid or epicycloid gear arrangement that provides significant speed reduction at the wheel.

Abstract: A differential includes a carrier and worm gear assembly that cooperate to provide speed differentiation between first and second output shafts as needed. The carrier is coupled to an axle input gear, such as a ring gear for example, or a transmission shaft. The worm gear assembly includes a first enveloping worm gear that drives the first output shaft and a second enveloping worm gear that drives the second output shaft. First and second gears are supported by the carrier and are each in meshing engagement with the first and second enveloping worm gears in a self-locking arrangement. When the first and second enveloping worm gears rotate they are able to turn the first and second gears during normal road conditions, however, the first and second gears cannot drive or turn the first and second enveloping worm gears during a low traction driving condition.

Abstract: The inventive parallel drive system is particularly well suited to be supported at the axle of the vehicle. A coupling arrangement includes a clutching mechanism and a gear reduction device that selectively couple an electric motor to the drive wheels for providing torque to the wheels alone or in combination with input from an internal combustion engine. The drive torque can also be provided exclusively from the internal combustion engine. The inventive arrangement also allows for the electric motor to be used as a generator during coasting or braking, for example.

Abstract: The inventive parallel drive system is particularly well suited to be supported at the axle of the vehicle. A coupling arrangement includes a clutching mechanism and a gear reduction device that selectively couple an electric motor to the drive wheels for providing torque to the wheels alone or in combination with input from an internal combustion engine. The drive torque can also be provided exclusively from the internal combustion engine. The inventive arrangement also allows for the electric motor to be used as a generator during coasting or braking, for example.

Abstract: A door actuation system conducts or assists movement of sliding vehicle doors by connecting the door to a bi-directional motor via one or more helical cables that engage with gearing on the bi-directional motor. Rotation of the motor in either direction pushes or pulls the helical cables, causing the door to move toward the open or closed position. The motor can be stopped when the door reaches selected positions other than the open or closed position, holding the door in a partially open position.

Abstract: A drive train assembly including an electric motor mounted to the frame of the motor vehicle and a trailing arm. The trailing arm is attached to the frame of a motor vehicle such that a pivot point is common to an axis of rotation of a shaft of the electric motor. The electric motor drives a drive mechanism supported by the trailing arm to drive a wheel suspended at a distal end of the trailing arm. The trailing arm pivots about the axis of rotation of the motor shaft thereby reducing the suspended mass of the vehicle and improving ride and handling characteristics.

Abstract: A drive system drives a pulley along a curved track to open and close a sliding vehicle door. The pulley is pivotally mounted to the sliding door to permit the pulley to pivot when the pulley traverses the curved portion of the track. An electric motor drives the pulley through a drive belt. In operation, as the pulley pivots when it traverses the curved portion of the track, the drive belt twists. Torque transfer between the pulleys and the motor is maintained during twisting of the drive belt which thereby permits an uncomplicated yet effective system for driving the sliding door along the curved portion of track. Another drive system transmits torque through a drive shaft arrangement which rotates as the drive system traverses the curved portion of track.

Abstract: A common drive system drives multiple systems within a sliding vehicle closure member with a single drive motor. A controller selectively connects the drive motor to either a door drive assembly, a window drive assembly, or a lock module drive assembly through a selector assembly in response to actuation of a particular input. The selector assembly includes a transmission which shifts the drive motor between multiple gear trains to drive the particular drive assembly.

Abstract: A door actuation system conducts or assists movement of sliding vehicle doors by connecting the door to a bi-directional motor via one or more helical cables that engage with gearing on the bi-directional motor. Rotation of the motor in either direction pushes or pulls the helical cables, causing the door to move toward the open or closed position. The motor can be stopped when the door reaches selected positions other than the open or closed position, holding the door in a partially open position.

Abstract: A vehicle drive assembly includes an electric motor directly coupled to a rotatable member for driving a wheel, for example, without gear reduction assemblies between the motor output and the driven wheels. A multi-phase, high pulse current stepper motor is used as the motor in one example. A driven wheel is supported by a wheel mounting member in a conventional fashion. A rotatable member associated with the wheel mounting member is directly coupled to an output of the stepper motor. The stepper motor can selectively operate in several modes. A first mode provides driving torque to the vehicle wheels, a second mode provides a braking force and an optional third mode allows the stepper motor to serve as a parking brake.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an automated drive device for powered sliding movement of the door into open or closed positions. The drive device includes a belt that cooperates with a track. A biasing member urges the belt into engagement with a corresponding portion of the track to ensure adequate engagement to achieve the desired movement of the door responsive to rotary movement of the belt. In one example, the belt and track include teeth that cooperate such that rotary movement of the belt results in linear movement of the door relative to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle drive assembly includes an electric motor directly coupled to a rotatable member for driving a wheel, for example, without gear reduction assemblies between the motor output and the driven wheels. A multi-phase, high pulse current stepper motor is used as the motor in one example. A driven wheel is supported by a wheel mounting member in a conventional fashion. A rotatable member associated with the wheel mounting member is directly coupled to an output of the stepper motor. The stepper motor can selectively operate in several modes. A first mode provides driving torque to the vehicle wheels, a second mode provides a braking force and an optional third mode allows the stepper motor to serve as a parking brake.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly is provided that includes a housing. A rotor is arranged in the housing and is rotatable about an axis. A vehicle wheel is coupled to the rotor. The rotor has an annular profile defining sinusoidal teeth and is generally concentric with the axis. The angle and number of oblique surfaces of the teeth and the diameter of the rotor, in part, define the speed and torque of the rotor. A plurality of electric linear actuators are arranged circumferentially about and generally parallel to the axis. The actuator includes shafts having ends that engage the profile. The shafts are movable between extended and retracted positions to rotate the rotor in a desired direction. A sensor detecting the position of the rotor and a controller may be used to effect the desired rotation.

Abstract: A vehicle sliding door includes an automated drive device for powered sliding movement of the door into open or closed positions. The drive device includes a belt that cooperates with a track. A biasing member urges the belt into engagement with a corresponding portion of the track to ensure adequate engagement to achieve the desired movement of the door responsive to rotary movement of the belt. In one example, the belt and track include teeth that cooperate such that rotary movement of the belt results in linear movement of the door relative to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A drive system drives a pulley along a curved track to open and close a sliding vehicle door. The pulley is pivotally mounted to the sliding door to permit the pulley to pivot during traverse of the curved portion of the track. An electric motor driven pulley remotely drives the pulley through a drive belt. In operation, as the pulley pivots during traverse of the curved portion of the track, the drive belt twists. Torque transfer between pulleys is maintained during twisting of the drive belt which thereby permits an uncomplicated yet effective system for driving the sliding door along the curved portion of track. Another drive system transmits torque to pulley through a drive shaft which rotates during traverse of the curved portion of track.

Abstract: A common drive system drives a multiple of drive systems within a sliding vehicle closure member with a single drive motor. A controller selectively connects the selector assembly to either a door drive assembly, a window drive assembly, or a lock module drive assembly through a selector assembly in response to actuation of a particular input. The selector assembly includes a transmission which shifts the drive motor between a multiple of gear trains to drive the particular drive system.