Abstract: Axle assembly includes first and second axle housings extending toward opposing sides of a vehicle frame with the axle housings aligned to define an axle axis, first and second wheel ends, first and second drive shafts disposed within the first and second axle housings, a gearbox having a first surface facing one side of the vehicle frame and a second surface facing the other side of the vehicle frame with the gearbox cantilevered outwardly relative to the aligned axle housings to define a gearbox axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and transverse to the axle axis, and an electric motor coupled to the second surface of the gearbox and extending toward the first side of the vehicle frame to define a motor axis that is parallel to and offset from the axle axis, transverse to the gearbox axis, and transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement having a first coupler mounted for rotation with a first input gear, a second coupler mounted for rotation with a second input gear, and an input-gear selector mounted for rotation with an input shaft and positioned between the first and second couplers. The input-gear selector is movable on the input shaft relative to the first and second couplers. Engagement of the input-gear selector with the first coupler drives rotation of the first input gear with rotation of the input shaft, and engagement of the input-gear selector with the second coupler drives rotation of the second input gear with rotation of the input shaft.

Abstract: A seal for an axle shaft assembly which may be found in an automotive transmission or drive axle, is provided. The seal may accommodate significant axle deflection, while retaining a fluid-tight seal between multiple sealing surfaces. The seal may include dynamic flanges configured to seal against surfaces which are angled or orthogonal with respect to one another. The seal may also include one or more holes extending from an outer surface to an inner surface of the seal, such that a body of the seal forms a conduit which allows fluid, such as lubricating fluid, to flow through the seal.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle that includes a transmission with three forward and three reverse gears. The transmission is optionally coupled to an electric motor as part of a fully electric or hybrid drive system. The transmission optionally includes a first and a second planetary gearset, a first and a second brake, and a clutch. The system may be configured to separately engage the first or second brakes, or the clutch, and may be arranged to provide separate gear ratios as each is engaged and disengaged separately. A single electric motor may be provided with a single transmission, or multiple electric motors may be included to individually drive multiple separate tires, tracks, or other ground engaging elements. Single or multiple motors may be arranged upstream or downstream of the transmission, and they may be aligned parallel with or perpendicular to a drive axle.

Abstract: A multiple speed transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a first planetary gearset having a first member, a second member, and a third member, and a second planetary gearset having an input member, a reaction member, a second member, and a third member. The transmission also includes a plurality of interconnecting members each connected between at least one of the first and second planetary gearsets and at least another of the first and second planetary gearsets. The transmission includes a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms which are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish a plurality of forward speed ratios and a plurality of reverse speed ratios between the input shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. In one form, the first electric motor and second electric motor are the same type of electric motor, and in another form, the first electric motor and second electric motor are different types of electric motors.

Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. The clutch in one variation includes a positive clutch in the form of a dog clutch. The dog clutch has a clutch suspension configured to deflect a clutch collar when gearing is misaligned during shifting.

Abstract: Vehicles that are relatively heavy and/or configured to transport heavy loads may utilize a powertrain comprising an electric machine capable of operating at high speeds and a multispeed transmission to propel the vehicle. An interface module is configured to modulate torque between the electric machine and the multispeed transmission allowing the electric machine to smoothly match speed as the multispeed transmission shifts between gears. The interface module facilitates efficient, predictable, and reliable modulation of torque between an input and an output of the powertrain of the vehicle.

Abstract: Transmissions, control systems for transmissions, and methods of operating transmissions are disclosed. A transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, one or more clutches, and a control system. The input shaft is configured to receive rotational power supplied by a drive unit. The output shaft is coupled to the input shaft and configured to provide rotational power supplied to the input shaft to a load. The one or more clutches are coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft to selectively transmit rotational power between the input shaft and the output shaft in one or more operating modes of the transmission. Each of the one or more clutches is selectively engageable in response to one or more fluid pressures applied thereto. The control system is configured to control operation of the one or more clutches to select the one or more operating modes of the transmission.

Abstract: A power distribution system supplies electrical power to various parts of a vehicle. The system includes a power distribution board and ancillary expansion boards that regulate power distribution in the system. With this system, power can be routed to multiple high-current and low-current devices positioned in a variety of ways within the vehicle. The system includes high-current and low-current terminals that can be positioned in a variety of ways in the housing. The number of ancillary expansion boards in the system can be adjusted to supply power to a desired amount of low-current, ancillary devices on the vehicle. Further, one or more high-current terminals are configured to connect to a charger that sends power to the system.

Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. The first gear train, second gear train, and clutch are arranged downstream from the first electric motor and second electric motor.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission including a plurality of planetary gearsets and a plurality of selective couplers to achieve at least nine forward speed ratios and at least nine reverse speed ratios is disclosed. The plurality of planetary gearsets may include a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, a fourth planetary gearset, and a fifth planetary gearset. The plurality of selective couplers may include a number of clutches and a number of brakes. The multi-speed transmission may have five planetary gearsets and eight selective couplers. The eight selective couplers may include three clutches and five brakes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a transmission. An engine stop-start event may be allowed or denied based on one or more characteristics of the vehicle including the transmission.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission including a plurality of planetary gearsets and a plurality of selective couplers to achieve at least nine forward speed ratios and at least nine reverse speed ratios is disclosed. The plurality of planetary gearsets may include a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, a fourth planetary gearset, and a fifth planetary gearset. The plurality of selective couplers may include a number of clutches and a number of brakes. The multi-speed transmission may have five planetary gearsets and eight selective couplers. The eight selective couplers may include three clutches and five brakes.

Abstract: Transmission systems, disconnect mechanisms, and methods of assembling disconnect mechanisms are envisioned. A disconnect mechanism is adapted to selectively decouple a driving device from a driven device. The disconnect mechanism includes a lever, an inner shaft, an outer shaft, and a housing. The inner shaft is coupled to the lever, the outer shaft is coupled to the inner shaft, and the housing at least partially houses the inner shaft and the outer shaft.

Abstract: An electric axle assembly includes a drive housing and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is housed in the drive housing and engages with wheels of a vehicle for rotating the wheels to move the vehicle along a ground surface. The drive assembly includes a drive input, one or more gearsets, and axle shafts. The one or more gearsets transfer motive force from the drive input to the axle shafts.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes a housing that defines a reservoir. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the housing, and the shaft defines a bore. A cap is positioned to seal the reservoir. The cap defines an opening configured to supply lubricant to the shaft. The opening in the cap is positioned proximal the shaft to spray the lubricant into the bore. In one form, the cap has a nozzle, and the nozzle defines the opening configured to supply the lubricant to the shaft. The shaft is configured to rotate about a rotational axis, and the bore extends along the rotational axis of the shaft. The nozzle is aligned with the rotational axis of the shaft to spray the lubricant into the bore in order to lubricate bearings and other parts of the system.

Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. In one form, the first electric motor and second electric motor are the same type of electric motor, and in another form, the first electric motor and second electric motor are different types of electric motors.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle that includes a transmission with three forward and three reverse gears. The transmission is optionally coupled to an electric motor as part of a fully electric or hybrid drive system. The transmission optionally includes a first and a second planetary gearset, a first and a second brake, and a clutch. The system may be configured to separately engage the first or second brakes, or the clutch, and may be arranged to provide separate gear ratios as each is engaged and disengaged separately. A single electric motor may be provided with a single transmission, or multiple electric motors may be included to individually drive multiple separate tires, tracks, or other ground engaging elements. Single or multiple motors may be arranged upstream or downstream of the transmission, and they may be aligned parallel with or perpendicular to a drive axle.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle that includes a transmission with three forward and three reverse gears. The transmission is optionally coupled to an electric motor as part of a fully electric or hybrid drive system. The transmission optionally includes a first and a second planetary gearset, a first and a second brake, and a clutch. The system may be configured to separately engage the first or second brakes, or the clutch, and may be arranged to provide separate gear ratios as each is engaged and disengaged separately. A single electric motor may be provided with a single transmission, or multiple electric motors may be included to individually drive multiple separate tires, tracks, or other ground engaging elements. Single or multiple motors may be arranged upstream or downstream of the transmission, and they may be aligned parallel with or perpendicular to a drive axle.