Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a starter machine that includes a motor operatively coupled to a first shaft and a pinion coupled to a second shaft. In some embodiments, a planetary gear drive system can be coupled to the first and the second shafts. The planetary gear drive system can include a planetary gear system and a first clutch being substantially adjacent to a second clutch. The planetary gear drive system can be configured and arranged so that when the first clutch is engaged, the motor can move the pinion at a first rotational speed. The planetary gear drive system is further configured so that when the second clutch is engaged, the motor can move the pinion at a second rotational speed. In some embodiments, the first rotational speed is a greater rotational speed than the second rotational speed.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a rotor lamination assembly having a lamination member formed from a material having a first yield strength. The lamination member includes a first bridge portion having a first width, and a first bridge zone having a first thickness. The rotor lamination assembly also includes at least one lamination section having a second bridge zone having a second thickness. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness. The rotor lamination assembly further includes at least one lamination element formed from a second material having a second yield strength that is higher than the first yield strength, and at least one lamination component. The at least one lamination component includes a second bridge portion having a second width. The second width is greater than the first width.

Abstract: A planetary gear assembly includes a ring gear configured for connection to a rotor of an electric motor when in a first position and configured for connection to a housing of the electric motor when in a second position, a sun gear configured for connection to the housing when the ring gear is in the first position and configured for connection to the rotor when the ring gear is in the second position, and a plurality of planet gears configured to mesh with the ring gear and the sun gear.

Abstract: A shorting ring support structure of a rotor of an electric machine has a radially outer ring and a member extending radially inwardly from the outer ring and defining a radial length, the radially extending member being spaced axially inwardly from opposing axial surfaces of a die-cast shorting ring whereby the radially extending member is fully embedded in the shorting ring for a substantial majority of its radial length. Rotor conductor bars and the shorting ring are formed of an integrally cast material that secures the shorting ring support structure to the rotor body. A method of manufacturing includes providing a shorting ring support structure and a rotor body, and then casting conductor bars in slots of the rotor body and a shorting ring on the rotor body to form a rotor, where an outer ring of the support structure defines the outer radial limit of the shorting ring.

Abstract: A planetary gear assembly includes a ring gear configured for connection to a rotor of an electric motor when in a first position and configured for connection to a housing of the electric motor when in a second position, a sun gear configured for connection to the housing when the ring gear is in the first position and configured for connection to the rotor when the ring gear is in the second position, and a plurality of planet gears configured to mesh with the ring gear and the sun gear.

Abstract: A method of assembling a differential gear set includes installing a first bushing into a carrier, installing a second bushing into the carrier, and inserting a first planet gear into an interior portion of the carrier. The first planet gear includes a first planet gear shaft. A second planet gear including a second planet gear shaft is inserted into the interior portion of the carrier. The first and second planet gear shafts are installed into the first and second bushings. A third planet gear including a third planet gear shaft is inserted into the interior portion of the carrier and a fourth plant gear including a fourth planet gear shaft is inserted into the interior portion of the housing. The third and fourth planet gear shafts are passed into corresponding bushing receptors in the carrier. Third and fourth bushings are installed on the third and fourth planet gear shafts.

Abstract: A planetary gear set includes a ring gear having an inner diametric surface that defines an inner ring gear portion. A carrier assembly is arranged within the inner ring gear portion. The carrier assembly includes a carrier member having a carrier member body including a planet gear support surface and at least one carrier plate support member that extends substantially perpendicularly from the planet gear support surface. The at least one carrier plate support member includes a carrier plate support element having an opening. At least one planet gear pin extends from a first end portion arranged at the planet gear support surface to a second end portion, and at least one anti-rotation pin extends from a first end section arranged at the planet gear support surface through the opening in the carrier plate support element to a second end section.

Abstract: A differential gear set including a gear housing and a first planet gear rotatably mounted to the gear housing and includes a first end portion having a plurality of planet gear teeth. A second planet gear is rotatably mounted to the gear housing and includes a first end portion having a plurality of planet gear teeth. A side gear is rotatably mounted in the gear housing and includes a plurality of side gear teeth that mechanically engage with the plurality of planet gear teeth of the first planet gear and the plurality of planet gear teeth of the second planet gear. A gear lash control member is interposed between the first and second planet gears and the side gear. The gear lash control member maintains a desired gear lash of the plurality of planet gear teeth and to the plurality of side gear teeth.

Abstract: A planetary gear set includes a carrier assembly. The carrier assembly includes a carrier member having a carrier member body that defines an inner carrier portion. The carrier member body includes a planet gear support surface and a carrier plate support member that extends substantially perpendicularly from the planet gear support surface. The carrier plate support member includes an edge portion having a mounting element. A carrier plate is arranged, at least in part, within the inner carrier portion at the edge portion. The carrier plate includes a carrier plate body having first and second opposing surfaces that define an outer edge section. The outer edge section includes a mounting member. A locking member is arranged in the mounting element and the mounting member to operatively coupling the carrier member and the carrier plate.

Abstract: A clutch includes an outer clutch member, an inner clutch member, and a plurality of roller members. The outer clutch member defines an opening, and the inner clutch member is at least partially positioned within the opening. The inner clutch member includes a clutch surface. The plurality of roller members is at least partially positioned within the opening between the clutch surface and the outer clutch member. The roller members define a plurality of roller surfaces separated by at least one annular groove. Each of the roller members is displaceable within the opening to position the roller surfaces into engagement with the clutch surface to lock the inner clutch member into synchronous movement with the outer clutch member in response to movement of the inner clutch member in a rotational direction.

Abstract: An asynchronous boost assist system for a motor vehicle includes a first electric motor, a second electric motor positioned opposite the first electric motor and a differential gear system operatively connected to the first and second electric motors. The differential gear system includes a first differential gear set and a second differential gear set. The first differential gear set is operatively connected to the first and second electric motors and the second differential gear set is configured and disposed to operatively connect to first and second vehicle wheels. A controller is operatively connected to each of the first and second electric motors. The controller selectively independently controls an operational speed of each of the first and second electric motors to selectively provide an acceleration boost through the second differential gear set.

Abstract: A method of assembling a differential gear set includes installing a first bushing into a carrier, installing a second bushing into the carrier, and inserting a first planet gear into an interior portion of the carrier. The first planet gear includes a first planet gear shaft. A second planet gear including a second planet gear shaft is inserted into the interior portion of the carrier. The first and second planet gear shafts are installed into the first and second bushings. A third planet gear including a third planet gear shaft is inserted into the interior portion of the carrier and a fourth plant gear including a fourth planet gear shaft is inserted into the interior portion of the housing. The third and fourth planet gear shafts are passed into corresponding bushing receptors in the carrier. Third and fourth bushings are installed on the third and fourth planet gear shafts.

Abstract: A planetary gear set includes a ring gear having an inner diametric surface that defines an inner ring gear portion. A carrier assembly is arranged within the inner ring gear portion. The carrier assembly includes a carrier member having a carrier member body including a planet gear support surface and at least one carrier plate support member that extends substantially perpendicularly from the planet gear support surface. The at least one carrier plate support member includes a carrier plate support element having an opening. At least one planet gear pin extends from a first end portion arranged at the planet gear support surface to a second end portion, and at least one anti-rotation pin extends from a first end section arranged at the planet gear support surface through the opening in the carrier plate support element to a second end section.

Abstract: A transmission member including a housing, a stator assembly arranged within the housing, and a rotor assembly rotatably mounted relative to the stator assembly within the housing. The rotor assembly includes a hub portion that defines, at least in part, a carrier. A differential gear assembly is arranged within the carrier. The differential gear assembly includes first and second planet gears driven by the carrier, and first and second side gears driven by the first and second planet gears.

Abstract: A motor starter includes a housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines an interior portion, a field coil mounted to the interior surface of the housing, and an armature is supported within the housing and rotatable relative to the field coil. The armature includes a shaft having an exterior surface and a hollow interior. A commutator is operatively connected to the shaft, and a drive system is arranged within the hollow interior of the shaft. The drive system includes a gear system. An output shaft is operatively connected to the gear system.

Abstract: A differential gear set including a gear housing and a first planet gear rotatably mounted to the gear housing and includes a first end portion having a plurality of planet gear teeth. A second planet gear is rotatably mounted to the gear housing and includes a first end portion having a plurality of planet gear teeth. A side gear is rotatably mounted in the gear housing and includes a plurality of side gear teeth that mechanically engage with the plurality of planet gear teeth of the first planet gear and the plurality of planet gear teeth of the second planet gear. A gear lash control member is interposed between the first and second planet gears and the side gear. The gear lash control member maintains a desired gear lash of the plurality of planet gear teeth and to the plurality of side gear teeth.

Abstract: A drive train component includes a housing having a plurality inner surfaces that collectively define an interior portion. A gear set is arranged within the interior portion. The gear set includes a first side and a second side. A gear shock control member is positioned between one of the first and second sides of the gear set and an adjacent component. The gear shock control member includes a plurality of pre-loaded biasing members that direct an axial force onto the gear set.

Abstract: A planetary gear set includes a carrier assembly. The carrier assembly includes a carrier member having a carrier member body that defines an inner carrier portion. The carrier member body includes a planet gear support surface and a carrier plate support member that extends substantially perpendicularly from the planet gear support surface. The carrier plate support member includes an edge portion having a mounting element. A carrier plate is arranged, at least in part, within the inner carrier portion at the edge portion. The carrier plate includes a carrier plate body having first and second opposing surfaces that define an outer edge section. The outer edge section includes a mounting member. A locking member is arranged in the mounting element and the mounting member to operatively coupling the carrier member and the carrier plate.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a lamination and a hub. The hub includes an inner portion and an outer portion surrounding the inner portion and separated from it by an expansion gap. The rotor assembly also includes two or more connecting members coupling the inner portion to the outer portion, the connecting members having a first end and a second end.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator mounted within the housing, and a transmission member mounted within the housing and surrounded at least in part by the stator. The transmission member includes a gear mechanism operatively coupled to an output shaft. The transmission mechanism is rotatable relative to the stator.