Abstract: Systems for a differential are provided. The differential includes two sets of pinion gears with an asymmetric split tooth profile. A case of the differential includes a plurality of lubrication ports which open adjacent to untoothed sections of one set of pinion gears and in a drive mode and an outboard axial load is exerted on the corresponding set of pinion gears.

Abstract: Drivetrain systems and methods are provided. In one example, the drivetrain system includes an interaxle differential (IAD) configured to receive power from a prime mover, a motor configured to drive a planetary gearset, and a ball ramp actuator configured to selectively engage a plurality of plates in a clutch pack of a friction clutch in response to receiving rotational input from the planetary gearset. In an engaged configuration, the friction clutch prevents speed differentiation between a first IAD output and a second IAD output.

Abstract: An electric drive axle for a motor vehicle including an axle housing, an electric motor having an output shaft directly driven by a bevel pinion gear coupled thereto, a fixed ratio planetary gear arrangement, a differential unit including a differential gear arrangement housed within a differential case and a first clutch selectively operable to connect a portion of the planetary gear set to a stationary member of the drive axle so that the drive axle operates in a first gear ratio.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a multi-speed electric axle assembly. The multi-speed electric axle assembly includes a grounding plate with an outer interface coupled to a housing interface and an inner stepped splined interface designed to selectively mate with a clutch sleeve. In the assembly, the inner stepped splined interface includes a plurality of steps that each include a first side that perpendicularly intersects a second side and the first side of each step in the inner stepped splined interface includes a clearance between the first side and a stepped surface of the clutch sleeve.

Abstract: A method and system of preventing or reducing water ingress into a tire inflation system is provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electric axle including a differential assembly drivingly connected to a first axle half shaft and a second axle half shaft, wherein the first and second axle half shafts each have a wheel coupled to the ends thereof; an electric motor/generator drivingly connected to a first rotatable shaft; a first gear set having a first gear connected to the first rotatable shaft and a second gear connected to a second rotatable shaft; a second gear set having a first gear connected to the second rotatable shaft and a second gear selectively connected to a third rotatable shaft; a third gear set having a first gear connected to the third rotatable shaft and a second gear drivingly connected to the differential assembly; and a selector device configured to selectively connect the third rotatable shaft to the second gear of the second gear set or the first rotatable shaft.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes a first axle shaft. The first axle shaft includes a first conduit. A second axle shaft includes a second conduit. The first conduit and the second conduit are in fluid communication through a chamber. A differential is operatively connected to the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft. The chamber is at least partially disposed within the differential.

Abstract: A steering stop mechanism including a fastener, a retention element disposed about the fastener, an adapter configured to receive at least a portion of the fastener therein, and a retention sleeve disposed about at least a portion of the fastener, the retention element, and the adapter. The retention sleeve is deformable and produced from a malleable material to allow the retention sleeve to conform to a shape of the retention element and the adapter during assembly of the steering stop mechanism with a working component.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking mechanism in an inter-axle differential are provided. A vehicle system, in one example, includes an electric motor coupled to a clutch assembly in a locking mechanism of an inter-axle differential coupled to a first axle and a second axle, the clutch assembly is configured to selectively disengage the locking mechanism, and in the disengaged configuration the locking mechanism permits speed differentiation between the first and second axles. The system further includes an electric motor brake coupled to the electric motor and configured to selectively apply a brake torque to the electric motor and the electric motor is configured to actuate the clutch assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an electric drive train of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). In one example, the electric drive train may include a four-node planetary gear set with a first motor coupled to a first input node, a second motor coupled to a second input node and an engine coupled to a third input node of the planetary gear set. The third node is positioned between the first and second input nodes. Torque delivered to each input node is summed at an output node of the four-node planetary gear set.

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 for a differential assembly are provided herein. In one example, a diagnostic method includes generating a clutch fault according to a variance between an initial engagement position and a lock point position of a clutch motor that occur during engagement of an interaxle differential (IAD) locking clutch coupled to the clutch motor. In the IAD system, an actuation assembly is coupled to the clutch motor and the IAD locking clutch.

Abstract: An actuation assembly for use in a drive unit assembly of a vehicle. The actuation assembly includes an actuator shaft that is connected to a shift shaft and a shift fork via a lever member. At least a portion of the lever member is connected to the shift shaft and at least a portion of the lever member is pivotably connected to said actuator shaft. An actuation mechanism drives the actuator shaft linearly to pivot the lever member which in turn rotates the shift shaft and the shift fork.

Abstract: A drive unit assembly. The drive unit assembly includes one or more first motors drivingly connected to at least a first end portion of a first shaft. A planetary gear assembly having a sun gear, one or more planetary gears, a ring gear and a carrier. At least a portion of the sun gear is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second end portion of the first shaft and the carrier is drivingly connected to at least a portion of the one or more planetary gears. A differential input member is drivingly connected to at least a portion of the carrier and a differential assembly. At least a portion of a first axle half shaft is drivingly connected to the differential and is disposed within a hollow portion of said first shaft and a second axle half shaft is drivingly connected to the differential assembly.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electric powertrain including a differential assembly operably coupled to a drive axle having a set of wheel coupled to the ends thereof; a planetary gear set connected to the differential, the planetary gear set having a sun gear, a planet carrier supporting a plurality of planet gears, and a ring gear, wherein the planet carrier is drivingly engaged with the differential assembly; a first electric motor/generator; a second electric motor/generator; a first gear pass drivingly connected the first electric motor/generator and the ring gear; and a second gear pass drivingly connected the first electric motor/generator and the sun gear.

Abstract: A parking mechanism for use in a vehicle and method of operation thereof. The parking mechanism includes one or more actuation mechanisms, a parking pawl and a parking gear. At least a portion of the one or more actuation mechanisms are drivingly connected to at least a portion of a cam. The parking pawl has one or more parking pawl teeth extending therefrom that are selectively engagable with at least a portion of one or more parking gear teeth extending from an outer surface of a body portion of the parking gear. The parking pawl also includes a parking pawl pin aperture having a size and shape needed to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a parking pawl pin therein.

Abstract: An electric axle having an electric drivetrain including a motor/generator, a first planetary gear set operably coupled to the motor/generator, and a second planetary gear set operably coupled to the first planetary gear set, wherein the first planetary gear set includes a first ring gear, a first planet carrier, and a first sun gear, and wherein the second planetary gear set includes a second ring gear, a second planet carrier, and a second sun gear; a drive wheel axle operably coupled to the electric drivetrain; and a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the drive wheel axle.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly for a tire pressure management system including an axle having an axle end portion and a rotary joint assembly disposed outboard of the axle end portion. The rotary joint has a rotary hub, a non-rotating tube spindle at least partially disposed within the rotary hub, the tube spindle having a tube spindle hollow central chamber, an air seal provided between the rotary hub and the tube spindle, and a bearing assembly provided between the rotary hub and the tube spindle. The bearing assembly is positioned outboard of the air seal.

Abstract: A modular electric axle head assembly for a vehicle, including a gear assembly including a gear assembly housing defining a hollow portion therein, a first gear shaft having a first gear, a second gear shaft having a second gear and a third gear, wherein at least a portion of the second gear is drivingly connected to the first gear and the third gear, and at least a portion of the gear assembly is disposed within the hollow portion of the gear assembly housing; a motor assembly having an output shaft that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of the gear assembly; and a first mounting assembly including a portion integrally connected to the modular electric head assembly and a portion integrally connected to a support member of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the third gear is drivingly connected to a pair of drive shafts.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for a vehicle including an axle assembly having a carrier housing. A sump defined by the carrier housing contains a fluid lubricant. The heat transfer system further includes a heat exchanger within the sump. The heat exchanger is in fluid communication with a battery cooling unit.