Abstract: A method of controlling an axle assembly includes providing an axle assembly in a first state. A first controller is provided in electrical communication with the axle assembly. The first controller determines if a source of power has an available amount of electrical energy that is within a predetermined range and a predetermined period of time has elapsed. If the available amount of electrical energy is within the predetermined range and the predetermined period of time has elapsed, then electrical energy is transferred from the source of power to an electric motor generator and an axle disconnect clutch is engaged to provide the axle assembly in another state.

Abstract: An axle assembly having a pair of axle half shafts and an axle housing defining a sump. The axle assembly further includes a first clutch assembly including a first half and a second half, wherein the first half is selectively engaged to the second half. The axle assembly also includes a second clutch assembly disposed adjacent to the first clutch assembly, wherein the second clutch includes a gear and the gear is selectively engaged with the second half of the first clutch assembly. Yet further, the axle assembly includes a lubrication pump mounted in the axle housing and drivingly coupled to the second clutch assembly; a spring mounted between the first half and the second half of the first clutch assembly; and a bearing disposed between the spring and the second half of the first clutch assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving traction and control of a tandem axle are described. In one example, a controller automatically locks an inter-axle differential so that traction of a vehicle may be improved. The approach may also include automatically locking one or more axle differentials in conjunction with locking of the inter-axle differential.

Abstract: A drive unit assembly having a shroud for use in a vehicle. The drive unit assembly includes a ring gear having an outermost surface, an innermost surface, a first side and a second side. A plurality of ring gear teeth circumferentially extend from at least a portion of the second side of the ring gear of the drive unit assembly. The shroud of the drive unit assembly includes a first shroud member that is integrally connected to at least a portion of a second shroud member. At least a portion of the ring gear is disposed within at least a portion of the shroud of the drive unit assembly.

Abstract: One or more guide members for use within a drive unit assembly of a vehicle. The one or more guide members have a body portion with an outer peripheral surface, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion interposed between the first end portion and second end portion. The intermediate portion of the one or more guide members have a first angularly bent portion defining a first extending portion and a second extending portion extending outward therefrom. The body portion of the one or more guide members have one or more shaft receiving portions therein.

Abstract: An electric drive axle having first and second axle shafts operatively connected by a differential apparatus, and an electric motor having a driving shaft coupled with a rotor of the electric motor is provided. A driving shaft may be coupled for rotation with a rotor of the electric motor, and disposed parallel with the first axle shaft. A first driving gear may be disposed on the driving shaft. A driven shaft having a first driven gear and a second driven gear, wherein the first driven gear meshes with the first driving gear. A layshaft disposed parallel with the first axle shaft may comprise a first layshaft gear coupled therewith and meshed with the second driven gear. A second layshaft gear disposed on the layshaft may be in meshed engagement with a first drive gear coupled with the differential apparatus case.

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: A vehicle includes a tandem axle system having an inter-axle differential and clutching assembly, a forward or first axle assembly, and a rear or second axle assembly. The inter-axle differential and clutching assembly includes a differential mechanism having first and second side gears and a clutch mechanism having a clutch member and an actuator assembly. At least one of the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly is in selective driving engagement with the inter-axle differential and clutching assembly.

Abstract: A differential locking system that can rotationally lock a shift fork and a sliding clutch assembly to ensure correct engagement of an axle shaft with a sliding clutch assembly during reassembly of an axle shaft. The differential locking system includes a first portion of a push rod is selectively engaged with a portion of the shift fork and a second portion of the push rod is selectively engaged with a portion of a carrier housing.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electric axle assembly including a first motor-generator assembly, a second motor generator assembly, an axle housing, a first axle half shaft drivingly connected to the first motor-generator assembly and a second axle half shaft drivingly connected to the second motor-generator assembly. The first and second motor-generator assemblies each include a motor-generator and a housing and gear carrier portion. The axle housing includes a first axle tube portion, a second axle tube portion, a center portion, and an opening extending through the center portion of the axle housing, wherein the first axle tube portion and the second axle tube portion are disposed on axial opposite sides of the central portion. The first and second half shafts extended into the opening of the axle housing, and the first motor-generator assembly and the second motor-generator assembly are connected to the axle housing assembly.

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: An axle system for a vehicle having an input shaft and an input helical gear. Circumferentially extending from at least a portion of an outer surface of an intermediate portion of the input shaft is an increased diameter portion. A bearing journal surface is disposed directly adjacent to a first end portion of the increase diameter portion and a tapered roller bearing journal surface is disposed directly adjacent to a second end portion of the increased diameter portion of the input shaft. Disposed outboard from the bearing journal surface is a bearing and a tapered roller bearing is disposed outboard from the tapered roller bearing journal surface of the input shaft. At least a portion of the tapered roller bearing is disposed with a tapered roller bearing receiving portion circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an inner surface of an input helical side gear.

Abstract: An axle assembly including a lubrication pump operably configured to distribute lubricating fluid within the axle assembly. The lubrication pump includes a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, an air inlet port, and an air outlet valve; a pump housing interposed between the first end and the second end; a piston reservoir disposed in the pump housing, wherein the piston reservoir has a first side and a second side, wherein the second side is in fluid communication with the air inlet port; a piston disposed in the piston reservoir between the first side and the second side; a first check valve housed within the inlet port; a second check valve housed within the outlet port; and one or more biasing members interposed between the piston and the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port in the first side of the piston reservoir.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly for a tire inflation system includes a sealing ring disposed on an axle housing. The sealing ring includes a conduit formed therethrough in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a hub. The hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing adjacent the sealing ring. An inner rotary seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. An outer rotary seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The hub conduit is in fluid communication with the sealing ring conduit via an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The bearing seal is disposed outboard of the outer rotary seal. The inner rotary seal, the outer rotary seal, and the bearing seal are each in sealing contact with the sealing ring.

Abstract: A hub cap assembly with a retaining device (100), and at least one housing portion (34) with an annular recess (98) in an inner surface with a sight glass (12) disposed in the annular recess and positioned axially between the retaining device and the housing portion. The hub cap assembly can be part of a wheel end assembly for use with a central tire inflation system (CTIS).

Abstract: An axle assembly may have at least one electric motor/generator. The motor/generator may be connected to a first sun gear. A first gear of a first planet carrier may be meshed with the first sun gear. A first ring gear may be meshed with a second gear of the first planet carrier. A second ring gear, a second sun gear and a second planet carrier may be provided. A selector sleeve may selectively connect a selector spline connected to the first ring gear and a ground for a low output speed, the selector sleeve may selectively connect the first and second ring gears with the first planet carrier for a high output speed and selector sleeve selectively connect to only the first ring gear for neutral.

Abstract: A hybrid drivetrain is provided. The hybrid drivetrain comprises a power source, a transmission, and a tandem axle assembly. The transmission includes a primary clutch and is drivingly engaged with the power source. The tandem axle assembly includes a first axle and a second axle and is drivingly engaged with the transmission. One of the transmission and the tandem axle assembly includes a first motor generator in electrical communication with a battery. The first motor generator and the primary clutch facilitate operating the hybrid drivetrain as a hybrid drivetrain in a plurality of operating modes. The hybrid drivetrain may further comprise second and third motor generators in electrical communication with the battery to facilitate operating the hybrid drivetrain in a plurality of operating modes.

Abstract: An electric vehicle comprising a portal axle architecture. The electric vehicle having a frame. An axle assembly including a De Dion tube. A first wheel hub and a second wheel hub rotatably coupled with the De Dion tube. A suspension system coupled with the vehicle frame, the suspension system having at least one pair of trailing arms pivotally coupled with the vehicle frame and at least one pair of air springs. A first electric drive assembly in driving engagement with the first wheel hub, and a second electric drive assembly in driving engagement with the second wheel hub.

Abstract: A drive unit assembly having a shroud for use in a vehicle. The drive unit assembly includes a ring gear having an outermost surface, an innermost surface, a first side and a second side. A plurality of ring gear teeth circumferentially extend from at least a portion of the second side of the ring gear of the drive unit assembly. The shroud of the drive unit assembly includes a first shroud member that is integrally connected to at least a portion of a second shroud member. At least a portion of the ring gear is disposed within at least a portion of the shroud of the drive unit assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle drive unit assembly having a housing having a hollow interior portion therein with a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a gear assembly. At least a portion of a shroud having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first side, a second side, a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion is disposed within the hollow interior portion of the housing. One or more first shroud channels having extend inward into a body portion of the shroud from at least a portion of the second side of the shroud. At least a portion of one or more inlet openings of the shroud are disposed in the second side of the shroud and at least a portion of the one or more outlet openings of the shroud are disposed within the inner surface of the shroud.