Abstract: A shift by wire parking system includes a park gear including a gear body and a plurality of teeth. The teeth are circumferentially spaced from one another. The park gear defines a plurality of void spaces between each pair of the plurality of teeth. The shift by wire parking system includes a circumferential body sized to fit inside each of the plurality of void spaces to lock a position of the park gear. The circumferential body is movable towards and away from the park gear between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the disengaged position, the circumferential body is disposed outside each of the plurality of void spaces, thereby allowing the park gear to rotate. In the engaged position, the circumferential body is disposed inside one of the void spaces to lock the position of the park gear.

Abstract: A vehicle system including a propulsion system coupled to a drive wheel and a friction brake configured to apply braking torque to a vehicle wheel is described. Operation thereof includes an instruction set that is executable to monitor vehicle speed, vehicle grade, and an operator braking request, and execute instructions upon achieving a vehicle speed that is less than a threshold speed. The instructions include controlling, via the friction brake, the braking torque to achieve a desired vehicle speed, and determining an operator acceleration request and the vehicle grade. The controller determines a minimum vehicle grade-based operator acceleration request, and releases the friction brake only when the operator acceleration request is greater than the minimum vehicle grade-based operator acceleration request.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine and a multi-speed transmission coupled to the internal combustion engine. The multi-speed transmission includes an input member, an output member, and a first, second, third, fourth, and fifth planetary gear set each having a sun gear member, a planet carrier assembly member and a ring gear member. The multi-speed transmission further includes a first, second, third, fourth, and fifth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear member, a planet carrier assembly member and a ring gear member. The multi-speed transmission further includes seven torque-transmitting devices configured to selectively interconnect the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth planetary gear sets with one another in combinations of at least four to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a DC-to-DC converter for transmitting electricity from a first power device at a first voltage and current combination to a second power device at a second voltage and current combination is provided. The DC-to-DC converter comprises a first electrical conductor having a first end and a second end and a second electrical conductor having a third end and a fourth end. The first end and the third end are electrically coupled to the first power device and the second end and the fourth end are electrically coupled to the second power device. The first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor together provide circuit inductance substantially equivalent to and in place of an inductor having a circular winding.

Abstract: A differential drive system includes an electric motor for generating an electric motor torque and an input planetary gear-set operatively connected to the electric motor to receive the electric motor torque. The input planetary gear-set has first, second, and third members. The first member receives the electric motor torque, the second member provides a first input torque in a first rotational direction in response to the electric motor torque, and the third member provides a second input torque in a second rotational direction, opposite the first direction, in response to the electric motor torque. The system also includes a first output gear-set operatively connected to the input planetary gear-set, and providing a first output torque in response to the first input torque. The system additionally includes a second output gear-set operatively connected to the input planetary gear-set and providing a second output torque in response to the second input torque.

Abstract: A vehicle system including a propulsion system coupled to a drive wheel and a friction brake configured to apply braking torque to a vehicle wheel is described. Operation thereof includes an instruction set that is executable to monitor vehicle speed, vehicle grade, and an operator braking request, and execute instructions upon achieving a vehicle speed that is less than a threshold speed. The instructions include controlling, via the friction brake, the braking torque to achieve a desired vehicle speed, and determining an operator acceleration request and the vehicle grade. The controller determines a minimum vehicle grade-based operator acceleration request, and releases the friction brake only when the operator acceleration request is greater than the minimum vehicle grade-based operator acceleration request.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transmission clutch assembly having a drum, a brake band, a smart material band and an electrical circuit. The brake band substantially encircles the drum and includes first and second ends, a high friction inner surface, and a low friction outer surface. The smart material band includes a beginning end and a terminating end wherein the beginning end of the smart material band is coupled to the second end of the brake band while the terminating end of the smart material band is coupled to the first end of the brake band. The electrical circuit transfers an electrical current to the smart material band. The smart material band contracts when the electrical current is applied to the smart material band thereby drawing the first and second ends of the brake band closer and contracting the brake hand against the drum to restrict drum movement.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes first and second power sources and a transmission assembly having first and second input members and an output member. The transmission assembly also includes a first multiple node planetary gear-set connected to both input members and a second multiple node planetary gear-set connected to the output member. The transmission assembly additionally includes a transmission housing retaining the first and second gear-sets. Furthermore, the transmission assembly includes a first torque-transmitting device for connecting one second gear-set node to the transmission housing and a second torque-transmitting device for connecting one first gear-set node to one second gear-set node. One first gear-set node is directly and continuously connected to one second gear-set node. The first and second power sources are connected to the first gear-set, and the first power source is connected to the first gear-set node not directly and continuously connected to the second gear-set.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine and a multi-speed transmission coupled to the internal combustion engine. The multi-speed transmission includes an input member, an output member, and a first, second, third, fourth, and fifth planetary gear set each having a sun gear member, a planet carrier assembly member and a ring gear member. The multi-speed transmission further includes a first, second, third, fourth, and fifth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear member, a planet carrier assembly member and a ring gear member. The multi-speed transmission further includes seven torque-transmitting devices configured to selectively interconnect the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth planetary gear sets with one another in combinations of at least four to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: A final drive assembly for a vehicle drive axle having first and second axle-shafts that are configured to rotate about a common first axis. The final drive assembly includes a first gear-set configured to be operatively connected to the first axle-shaft. The final drive assembly also includes a second gear-set configured to be operatively connected to the second axle-shaft. The final drive assembly additionally includes an electric motor configured to provide an electric motor torque input to each of the first and second gear-sets and arranged on a second axis that is parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transmission clutch assembly having a drum, a brake band, a smart material band and an electrical circuit. The brake band substantially encircles the drum and includes first and second ends, a high friction inner surface, and a low friction outer surface. The smart material band includes a beginning end and a terminating end wherein the beginning end of the smart material band is coupled to the second end of the brake band while the terminating end of the smart material band is coupled to the first end of the brake band. The electrical circuit transfers an electrical current to the smart material band. The smart material band contracts when the electrical current is applied to the smart material band thereby drawing the first and second ends of the brake band closer and contracting the brake hand against the drum to restrict drum movement.

Abstract: An electric motor transaxle having a transaxle housing for a vehicle drive axle includes first and second axle-shafts that are configured to rotate about a common first axis. The transaxle includes a first planetary gear-set operatively connected to the first axle-shaft, configured to rotate about the first axis, and having first, second, third, and fourth members. The transaxle additionally includes a second planetary gear-set operatively connected to the second axle-shaft, configured to rotate about the first axis, and having first, second, third, and fourth members. The transaxle further includes an electric motor arranged on the first axis and configured to provide a direct electric motor torque input to each of the first and second planetary gear-sets. A vehicle drive axle for mounting in a motor vehicle and employing such an electric motor transaxle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A final drive assembly for a vehicle drive axle having first and second axle-shafts that are configured to rotate about a common first axis. The final drive assembly includes a first gear-set configured to be operatively connected to the first axle-shaft. The final drive assembly also includes a second gear-set configured to be operatively connected to the second axle-shaft. The final drive assembly additionally includes an electric motor configured to provide an electric motor torque input to each of the first and second gear-sets and arranged on a second axis that is parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes first and second power sources and a transmission assembly having first and second input members and an output member. The transmission assembly also includes a first planetary gear-set connected to the first input member and a second planetary gear-set connected to the second input and the output members. The transmission assembly additionally includes a transmission housing retaining the first and second gear-sets. Furthermore, the transmission assembly includes a first torque-transmitting device for connecting one first gear-set node to the housing and a second torque-transmitting device for connecting a first gear-set node not connected to the housing to one second gear-set node. One first gear-set node is directly and continuously connected to one second gear-set node. The first power source is operatively connected to a node of the first gear-set and the second power source is operatively connected to a node of the second gear-set.

Abstract: An electric machine produces motor torque having continuously variable magnetic and reluctance torque components. The electric machine includes stator and rotor assemblies. Different ends of the rotor hub have different average magnetic field strengths, with the second field strength at one end being weaker than the other. The rotor hub translates along the rotor shaft to vary the magnetic and reluctance torque components at different speed and torque operating points of the electric machine. A vehicle includes the machine, a transmission, a load, and a controller executing a method for controlling the axial position of the rotor hub. The method may include determining the speed and a torque of the electric machine, determining a corresponding desired axial position of a rotor hub, and translating the rotor hub to the desired axial position.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a drive unit that can be modular and is adaptable to be used as an all-electric drive unit, an input power-split drive unit, or an input and compound power-split drive unit. The drive unit includes a first planetary gear set that has a sun gear member, a ring gear member, and a carrier member all rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The drive unit includes a first electric machine operable as a motor and having a rotor connected to rotate in unison with the sun gear member about the first axis of rotation. A first brake is selectively engageable to ground the ring gear member, a first clutch is operatively connected to the ring gear member, and an output member is connected to rotate in unison with the carrier member about the first axis of rotation. Multiple drive units can be used on a vehicle.

Abstract: An electric vehicle drive system includes an electric motor, first and second planetary gear sets, including sun gear, carrier and ring gear members, first and second output shafts, and a housing. The members of the first planetary gear set are connected with the electric motor, the first output shaft, and a member of the second planetary gear set. The members of the second planetary gear set are connected with the first planetary gear set, the housing, and the second output shaft. The first planetary gear set provides differential reduction and the second planetary gear set provides reversal and reduction. Optional clutches can provide the function of a limited slip differential and distribute torque preferentially to one output shaft or the other.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes first and second power sources and a transmission assembly having first and second input members and an output member. The transmission assembly also includes a first planetary gear-set connected to the first input member and a second planetary gear-set connected to the second input and the output members. The transmission assembly additionally includes a transmission housing retaining the first and second gear-sets. Furthermore, the transmission assembly includes a first torque-transmitting device for connecting one first gear-set node to the housing and a second torque-transmitting device for connecting a first gear-set node not connected to the housing to one second gear-set node. One first gear-set node is directly and continuously connected to one second gear-set node. The first power source is operatively connected to a node of the first gear-set and the second power source is operatively connected to a node of the second gear-set.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes first and second power sources and a transmission assembly having first and second input members and an output member. The transmission assembly also includes a first multiple node planetary gear-set connected to both input members and a second multiple node planetary gear-set connected to the output member. The transmission assembly additionally includes a transmission housing retaining the first and second gear-sets. Furthermore, the transmission assembly includes a first torque-transmitting device for connecting one second gear-set node to the transmission housing and a second torque-transmitting device for connecting one first gear-set node to one second gear-set node. One first gear-set node is directly and continuously connected to one second gear-set node. The first and second power sources are connected to the first gear-set, and the first power source is connected to the first gear-set node not directly and continuously connected to the second gear-set.

Abstract: A mechanical clutch such as a dog clutch includes a plurality of balls or rollers disposed in a carrier and positioned between opposed sets of straight cut teeth extending from opposed drive and driven elements. A ball or roller is positioned between each adjacent pair of teeth such that the torque load is transferred from the tooth on a first or drive element, through the ball or roller, to an adjacent projection or tooth on a second or driven element. The balls or rollers are maintained in position by the carrier having an inner ring and a concentric outer ring. Greatly reduced disengagement force, even under load, is exhibited by a clutch of this configuration.