Abstract: A system is provided for shielding a tone ring assembly in automotive vehicles. The system comprises a ring cap with a central aperture, a plurality of molding slides circularly arranged on a first side of the ring cap, a plurality of snap-fit arms and a plurality of pilot tabs positioned on a second side of the ring cap, where the plurality of pilot tabs and the plurality of snap-fit arms are arranged in concentric circles with the snap-fit arms forming an outer circle and the pilot tabs forming an inner circle, and where each pilot tab of the plurality of pilot tabs is positioned directly behind a corresponding snap-fit arm of the plurality of snap-fit arms. In one example, the system prevents metal to metal contact between a tone ring and a shaft during axle shaft installation.

Abstract: A suspension system in a vehicle is provided. The suspension system includes, in one example, a hub carrier mounting structure and a hub carrier designed to couple to a wheel hub. The hub carrier mounting structure includes a mounting flange removably attached to the hub carrier and an upper case and a lower case coupled to a support beam, the upper and lower cases are coupled via a first set of attachment devices and a second set of attachment devices that are positioned on opposing sides of the upper and lower cases, where the first and second sets of attachment devices have varying vertical heights.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating an amount of torque that is transferred via a differential ring gear assembly are described. In one example, axial displacement of the differential ring gear assembly is determined and converted into a torque estimate. The torque estimate may be used to verify other powertrain torque estimates or for closed loop torque control.

Abstract: An electric axle assembly having dual motors and dual disconnects allowing for selectably disconnecting either one of the motors so that either motor may operate as the primary drive motor. Each of the dual motors is coupled to a layshaft, and each disconnect is positioned between a gear reduction at the output of the motor and a gear reduction connected to the layshaft. The layshaft is coupled to a differential via a clutch and gear set, the gear set providing a two-speed transmission for power delivered from the layshaft to the differential.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a differential assembly are provided herein. In one example, a method is provided that includes operating a clutch motor coupled to a differential locking clutch to place the differential locking clutch in a locked configuration. The method further includes, after the differential locking clutch is placed in the locked configuration, reducing electric power delivered to the clutch motor at a first rate and increasing the electric power delivered to the clutch motor when it is determined that clutch disengagement is occurring based on outputs from a motor position sensor or outputs from shaft speed sensors coupled to a pair of shafts coupled to the differential locking clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle including a frame having an axle and a support apparatus coupled thereto. The support apparatus is configured to support a load coupled to the axle and permit the load to translate along an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an electric axle assembly having dual motors and dual disconnects allowing for selectably disconnecting either one of the motors so that either motor may operate as the primary drive motor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for lubrication of a transmission. In one example, the transmission system may include a pair of shielded bearings attached to a first transmission shaft, each of the shielded bearings including at least one shield that forms a restriction between the shield and a race of the bearing and a cavity positioned axially between the pair of shielded bearings, wherein the restrictions tune lubricant pressurization in the cavity. The transmission system further includes a radial passage in the first transmission shaft in fluidic communication with the cavity and a lubricated transmission component.

Abstract: A method of determining the health of a tire on a vehicle includes determining a total number of tire inflation events that have occurred due to a loss of tire pressure. A rate in which the tire inflation events have occurred is determined based on the total number of tire inflation events over a predetermined period of time. The health of a tire is determined by comparing the rate in which tire inflation events have occurred to a threshold rate.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a shift assembly for a vehicle transmission. In one example, a shift assembly for a transmission includes a first barrel cam including a first cam track; a second barrel cam arranged coaxially with the first barrel cam and including a second cam track; a first motor configured to drive the first barrel cam independent of the second barrel cam; and a second motor configured to drive the second barrel cam independent of the first barrel cam.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive assembly are provided herein. In one example, an electric drive system is provided that includes two multi-motor drive units with associated planetary gear reductions that have asymmetric gear ratios. The planetary gear reduction in each drive unit includes a ring gear and a sun gear that are rotationally coupled to a pair of motors and a carrier rotationally coupled to an output gear that interfaces with a gear reduction of an axle assembly.

Abstract: Systems are provided for an axle housing comprising at least one dam. In one example, an axle housing, comprising a center portion including a cavity configured to house a differential assembly and at least one dam arranged in an arm portion that extends from the center portion and is configured to receive an axle shaft, wherein the at least one dam comprises a flow facilitating protrusion that extends from the dam panel in a direction away from the center portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating an axle load of a vehicle are described. In one example, a method is disclosed wherein axle load is estimated in response to an angle between two components of an axle. The angle may change as weight is added to or removed from the axle such that axle load may be determined as a function of the angle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle are provided. A transmission system includes, in one example, a first planetary gear set including a first ring gear and a first sun gear, a second planetary gear set that includes a second ring gear and a second sun gear, and a third planetary gear set that includes a third ring gear and a third sun gear. The transmission system further includes a first brake device configured to selectively ground the first ring gear, a second brake device configured to selectively ground the second ring gear, and a first lock-up clutch configured to selectively ground the first ring gear, wherein the first sun gear, the second sun gear, and the third sun gear are coupled in series.

Abstract: A tone wheel assembly includes a tone wheel. A first member is attached to the tone wheel. A second member is at least partially disposed around a portion of the first member. The second member includes a collar portion, one or more first leg portions extending axially from the collar portion, and one or more second leg portions extending axially from the collar portion. The one or more first leg portions include a first leg portion protuberance that extends radially from an outer surface of the one or more first leg portions. The one or more second leg portions include a second leg portion protuberance that extends radially from an outer surface of the one or more second leg portions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an electric heavy-duty vehicle. In one example, the vehicle includes a battery pack for supplying current to an electric motor of the vehicle, the battery pack arranged in a chassis of the vehicle and configured to form part of a floor of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a motor coupled to front wheels of the vehicle, the front wheels having hub assemblies housing drive shaft adapters configured to permanently couple the hub assemblies to drive shafts of the front wheels, and a cradle configured to be mounted with electrical sub-systems of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an electric axle assembly. In one example, a system includes an electric axle assembly configured to receive an output of a ring gear, wherein a differential of the electric axle assembly distributes the output to wheels of a vehicle.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises a housing having a piston at least partially disposed therein. The actuator assembly includes at least one biasing mechanism disposed within the housing to selectively position the piston between a first position, a second position, and a third position located between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an actuation system for a driveline shifting member in a transmission system of a vehicle. In one example, a system may include an actuator coupled to a lever arm via one or more parallel axis gears, and a shaft connecting the lever arm to a driveline shifting member, the lever arm driven via a rolling element housed within a slot in the lever arm aligned with a center of a parallel axis gear of the one or more parallel axis gears.