Abstract: Methods and systems for a clutch assembly in an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. In one example, a clutch assembly in a gear train is provided that includes a locking clutch. The locking clutch includes a gear including a plurality of teeth having at least one tooth with a tapered end, an indexing shaft rotationally connected to an output shaft, a shift collar mounted on the indexing shaft, configured to translate on the indexing shaft into an engaged and disengaged configuration, and including a plurality of teeth on a face, where at least one tooth in the plurality of teeth in the shift collar includes a tapered end, and an indexing mechanism coupled to the shift collar and the indexing shaft and configured to accommodate for indexing between the indexing shaft and the shift collar during shift collar engagement.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for drivetrain of a vehicle. In one example, the drivetrain includes an axle shaft with a radial nub and a shaft guide surrounding the axle shaft. The shaft guide may have an inner radial groove configured to have an interference fit with the radial nub. When the axle shaft is axially translated along an axial direction to engage the radial nub with the inner radial groove of the shaft guide, the axle shaft may be disconnected from a wheel hub of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for a fastening system comprising: an electrically conductive continuous unitary structure, such as an electrically conductive stud, overmolded into an enclosure, the electrically conductive stud extending from an interior of the enclosure to an exterior of the enclosure. The fastening system may act as a structural member transferring mechanical forces away from the battery enclosure, secure the battery enclosure to a mount, aid in sealing the battery enclosure, and act as an electrical grounding path for the battery through an enclosure formed of a non-electrically conductive composite material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a lockable electric axle are provided. The electric axle includes a first electric machine coupled to a first drive wheel via a first gear set. The electric axle further includes a second electric machine coupled to a second drive wheel via a second gear set, and a locking clutch designed to selectively lock the rotation of a first rotor shaft and a second rotor shaft in the first and second electric machines, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a multi-speed transmission. The multi-speed transmission includes a housing, an electric motor with a stator and a rotor positioned within the housing, and a planetary assembly positioned on a first axial side of the electric motor. The transmission further includes a first and second clutch unit spaced away from one another, each including a synchronizer, and designed to selectively rotationally couple to the rotor and to rotationally couple the rotor to different gears in the planetary assembly and where the electric motor and planetary assembly are coaxially arranged.

Abstract: Systems are provided for a differential of an electric powertrain. In one example, a system includes a bypass valve for a multi-coolant system. The bypass valve is configured to bypass a second coolant from an electric motor in response to a temperature of a first coolant.

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: Methods and systems for operating axles of a vehicle are provided. In one example, an apparatus is configured to consume a first amount of electric power to indicate a first axle operating state. The apparatus is also configured to consume a second amount of electric power to indicate a second axle operating state.

Abstract: Systems are provided for an electronic drive unit. In one example, the electronic drive unit comprises a cooling passage integrally arranged therein, wherein the cooling passage is sealed via laminations of the stator. The laminations are further shaped to jet oil from the cooling passage onto end-windings.

Abstract: A park lock unit and method for operation of said unit are provided. In one example, the park lock unit includes a sliding assembly that engages and disengages a parking pawl from a toothed wheel and an electronic actuation assembly configured to engage the parking pawl with the toothed wheel when electric power provided to the electronic actuation assembly drops below a threshold value. The park lock unit further includes a manual release mechanism configured to disengage the parking pawl from the toothed wheel in response to operator input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gear cooling. In one example, the gear cooling system includes a spray tube positioned within a central opening that is included in a first gear. The spray tube includes an oil outlet, the oil outlet is positioned within a smaller diameter section of the central opening, the smaller diameter section is axially offset from an outer toothed portion of the first gear, and the central opening includes a larger diameter section that is positioned interior to the outer toothed portion of the first gear.

Abstract: A valve and valve operating method are provided herein. The valve includes a rotatable cartridge that includes a pivot and a first wall that intersects and demarcates a first chamber and a second chamber and a housing. The housing includes a body that at least partially encloses the rotatable cartridge and includes at least four ports and a cap removably coupled to the housing and sealing the first chamber and the second chamber, where rotation of the rotatable cartridge about the pivot creates multiple flow paths between the at least four ports.

Abstract: Systems are provided for a differential of a powertrain. In one example, a system includes a primary differential pin comprising an I-beam middle section and a secondary differential pin including a slot that interlocks with the I-beam middle section. A pair of the secondary differential pins interlocks with the primary differential pin in a differential assembly.

Abstract: A gasket with at least one integral electrical connector adapted for an assembly includes an elastomeric gasket main body adapted to seal a joint between one or more assembly components and a cover, and at least one electrical connector extending through and formed integrally with the elastomeric gasket main body so as to provide power or electric signals to at least one electrical component of the assembly.

Abstract: Systems are described for integrating a gearbox and an electric motor in a same housing. In one example, a system may include enclosing a gearbox containing an idler gear configured to drive an accessory gear coupled to a differential.

Abstract: Systems for a vehicle air duct including a passage, the passage including an inlet at a downstream portion of a front wheel well of the vehicle and an outlet upstream of a rear wheel well of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. A gear train in an electric drive axle system includes, in one example, an input shaft configured to rotationally couple to an electric motor-generator and including a first gear and an intermediate shaft including a second gear rotationally coupled to the first gear and a third gear and a fourth gear each configured to rotationally couple to a separate gear on an output shaft. In this example, the second gear, the third gear, and the fourth gear have different sizes, the third gear includes an axial extension having at outer surface, and an interior surface of the second gear circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the outer surface of the axial extension.

Abstract: An electric axle is provided. The electric axle includes, in one example, an electric machine rotationally coupled to a layshaft via a first gear reduction and a differential rotationally coupled to the first gear reduction, a first axle shaft, and a second axle shaft. In the electric axle, the electric machine is positioned laterally between at least two drive wheels that are rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft and a rotational axis of the electric machine is axially offset from rotational axes of the at least two drive wheels.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed 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 sensor and control circuity enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics and/or prognostics of a vehicle center bearing with integrated sensors. A method includes generating a degradation analysis of the center bearing from real-time vehicle operating data, the data including feedback from one or more of a temperature sensor, a displacement sensor, and an accelerometer wired to a battery integrally arranged in a bearing compartment of a vehicle.