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 unsuspended mass of the vehicle and improving ride and handling characteristics.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly for providing driving torque to a wheel on a vehicle includes a plurality of different sized motors. The motor having the largest outside dimension or outside diameter is placed closest to the wheel hub to provide the largest possible motor size within typical vehicle packaging constraints. A plurality of motors is used to achieve a desired torque level at the wheel. In one example, multiple motors are positioned near each wheel with the size of the motors decreasing from a lateral side of the vehicle toward the centerline of the vehicle. Motor control strategies for achieving different torque levels and providing selectively regenerative effects are disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle door lock system comprises a sliding vehicle door, having a door path of travel generally translational to a vehicle frame. A drive unit moves the vehicle door along a door path. A drive component communicates the movement from the drive unit to the vehicle door by moving along a drive component path of travel. A latch is selectively actuated to arrest movement of the drive component and the vehicle door by blocking the drive component path of travel.

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 system for providing driving torque to wheels on a vehicle includes an electric motor having the capability of independently driving rotatable axle shafts. One example includes a single stator with a first armature associated with a first axle shaft and a second armature associated with a second axle shaft. A controller independently controls power to the armatures to achieve the desired wheel speed or driving torque at each of the wheels.

Abstract: An improved differential lock is self-setting. A movable lock member is driven to reciprocate between two hydraulic chambers at a speed which increases when there is increasing relative movement between a shaft and differential case. As the movable lock member increases its speed, the resistance to further movement of the lock member due to the hydraulic fluid increases. Preferably, the movable lock member has a pin received in a cam groove in the shaft, and another pin received at an axial groove in the case. The movable lock member is thus constrained to rotate with the case, and is caused to reciprocate as the pin moves within the cam groove in the shaft. A fluid passage through the lock member allows fluid to move between the opposed hydraulic chambers. However, a valve closes this passage as the movable lock member increases its speed. As the passage is restricted, the hydraulic fluid resists further movement of the lock member.