Abstract: An automotive vehicle drive unit assembly which is located near the sides of a vehicle includes a first driving axle shaft, a second driving axle shaft, a first gear box, a second gear box, a first electric motor, and a second electric motor. The first driving axle shaft drives a first wheel hub of the vehicle and the second driving axle shaft drives a second wheel hub. Together the first and second driving axle shafts define an axis of rotation about which the first and second wheel hubs rotate. The first gear set drives the first wheel and the second gear set drives the second wheel. A first electric motor is mounted in an angular relationship relative to the axis of rotation and drives the first gear set. A second electric motor is mounted in an angular relationship relative to the axis of rotation and drives the second gear set. A plurality of electric motors can be used to drive each wheel hub.

Abstract: A gear driven adjusting system adjusts the position of adjusting pistons and a load plate in a disc brake. A gear toothed section is mounted to selectably rotate with the eccentric of the disc brake system. Clearance between the eccentric and the gear toothed sector allows some rotation of the eccentric without corresponding rotation of the gear toothed section. Thus, clearance is provided between the friction material and the brake drum in a non-braking position. The gear tooth connection provides a positive drive to the adjustment system and also predictability in the amount of adjustment. An over-torque clutch is positioned in the transmission between the gear toothed section and an adjustment gear. The over-torque connection insures there will not be too much adjustment of the adjusting piston.

Abstract: A sensor bracket for mounting an anti-lock braking sensor is welded to an axle with a welding method that causes a portion of a bracket preform to be consumed to form the weld joint. In one preferred embodiment, an outer end of a stem of the bracket is formed of a material that will be made molten by an arc between the bracket and the axle. A fluxing agent is preferably mounted on an extreme end of the stem to initially ignite and clean the area on the axle, and further insure that the other portions of the bracket will become molten. The method preferably includes supplying a current through the bracket preform and bringing the bracket preform towards the axle. The axle is grounded, and as the bracket preform is brought adjacent to the axle, an arc is formed between the two. Outer portions of the bracket preform thus become molten. A fixture for mounting the bracket preform continues to bring the bracket preform towards the axle for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A modular axle assembly incorporates a separate bearing support plate which is received at an open end of an axle housing. The separate bearing support plate supports the bearing at the open end, and is received within the open end of the axle housing. In the prior art, the large helical cover typically also provided the bearing support. The use of the separate bearing support plate allows the modular assembly of the axle assembly and further facilitates repair. In another feature of this invention, a threaded adjustment member is associated with both the bearing at the open end of the differential, and also with the bearing at the other end of the differential. The threaded adjustment members allow the control of gear positioning and the pre-load on the bearings such that precise positioning and pre-load adjustment are easily obtainable.

Abstract: A seal is provided on a slinger for a pinion shaft in an axle housing. The seal provides sealing contact at a location between the bearing cage and the slinger. The slinger prevents relatively large dirt, stones, and debris particles from reaching an inner oil seal. The seal on the slinger prevents smaller particles from reaching the oil seal. Several embodiments of the seal are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for automatically effecting a range shift between high and low ranges in a multi-speed transmission includes a control that monitors the output speed of both the engine and the transmission. The ratio of the two speeds is compared to available ratios in a look-up table such that the control is constantly determining the engaged gear. In one embodiment, a driver provides an intention of the next gear to be selected to the control. Should the intended gear shift require a range shift from thee engaged gear, the control actuates the range shift once the transmission has been moved to neutral. In a second embodiment, no driver intention is provided to the controller. Instead, the control compares the engine output speed to threshold values. If the threshold values predict a gear shift that would require a range shift to be effected from the currently engaged gear, then the range shift will be effected once the transmission has been moved to neutral.