Abstract: An axle assembly having a carrier housing, a pair of axle tubes, a differential case, a pair of differential bearings and a pair of bearing adjusters. The carrier housing includes a cavity, which is configured to receive the differential case, and a pair of axle tubes that are mounted to the carrier housing. The differential case includes bearing bores into which the outer races of the differential bearings are received. The bearing adjusters are threaded to the carrier housing and support the differential bearings on a side opposite the differential case.

Abstract: Systems and methods for duplicating keys are provided. In some embodiments, a system for creating keys is provided, the system comprising: a kiosk comprising: a key scanner capturing geometric information of a key; and a hardware processor that: receives security information; automatically determines a key type and bit heights of the key and causes these, along with first identifying information based on the first security information, to be stored at a remote storage device; receives second security information corresponding to second identifying information; verifies the second security information and, in response, identifies stored geometric information about one or more keys that can be made, wherein the stored geometric information includes geometric information corresponding to the second security information; and a key shaping device that creates a third key using the second geometric information.

Abstract: An axle assembly having a carrier housing, a locking differential assembly, a pair of differential bearing and an actuator assembly. The carrier housing includes a cavity. The locking differential assembly includes a differential case that is received in the cavity. The differential case includes a bearing bore into which an outer race of the differential bearing is received. The actuator assembly includes a sleeve that is movable between a first sleeve position, which is configured to cause the locking differential assembly to operate in an unlocked mode, and a second sleeve position that is configured to cause the locking differential assembly to operate in a locked mode. The sleeve is at least partly radially in-line with the differential bearing when the sleeve is in the first and/or second sleeve positions such that a plane taken perpendicular to the axis extends through both the sleeve and the differential bearing.

Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing assembly that is configured to house an input pinion, a differential assembly and a ring gear. The axle housing assembly defines first and second lubricant galleries that provide lubricant to one or more bearings that support the input pinion relative to the axle housing assembly. The first lubricant gallery is configured to receive lubricant slung from the ring gear when the ring gear is rotated in a first rotational direction relative to the axle housing assembly. The second lubricant gallery is configured to receive lubricant slung from the input pinion when the ring gear is driven in a second, opposite direction.

Abstract: An axle assembly having a carrier housing, a pair of axle tubes, a differential case, a pair of differential bearings and a pair of bearing adjusters. The carrier housing includes a cavity, which is configured to receive the differential case, and a pair of axle tubes that are mounted to the carrier housing. The differential case includes bearing bores into which the outer races of the differential bearings are received. The bearing adjusters are threaded to the carrier housing and support the differential bearings on a side opposite the differential case.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a tube mount, a tube, a first fillet weld, and a second fillet weld. The tube mount has a tubular side wall, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart notches formed on a first end of the tubular side wall, and a securing aperture formed through the tubular side wall. The notches form a plurality of teeth. The tube is received into the tube mount. The first fillet weld couples the tube to the tube mount. The first fillet weld is formed about a perimeter the first end such that each of the first welds is formed substantially completely over the entirety of the teeth. The second fillet weld couples the tube to the tube mount. The second fillet weld is formed about a perimeter of the securing aperture such that the second fillet weld is formed substantially completely over an inside perimeter of the securing aperture.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a tube mount, a tube, a first fillet weld, and a second fillet weld. The tube mount has a tubular side wall, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart notches formed on a first end of the tubular side wall, and a securing aperture formed through the tubular side wall. The notches form a plurality of teeth. The tube is received into the tube mount. The first fillet weld couples the tube to the tube mount. The first fillet weld is formed about a perimeter the first end such that each of the first welds is formed substantially completely over the entirety of the teeth. The second fillet weld couples the tube to the tube mount. The second fillet weld is formed about a perimeter of the securing aperture such that the second fillet weld is formed substantially completely over an inside perimeter of the securing aperture.

Abstract: A drive train having a locking differential and a control unit for controlling operation of the locking differential. The control unit is responsive to selected vehicle characteristics to sua sponte activate or inactivate a locking mechanism of the locking differential to cause the locking differential to operate in a locked manner or an unlocked manner, respectively. A method for operating a locking differential is also provided. The method includes: utilizing only preselected vehicle criteria indicative of the operational state of the vehicle to identify a situation in which a locking mechanism associated with the locking differential is to be energized; and responsively energizing the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods for duplicating keys are provided. In some embodiments, a system for creating keys is provided, the system comprising: a kiosk comprising: a key scanner capturing geometric information of a key; and a hardware processor that: receives security information; automatically determines a key type and bit heights of the key and causes these, along with first identifying information based on the first security information, to be stored at a remote storage device; receives second security information corresponding to second identifying information; verifies the second security information and, in response, identifies stored geometric information about one or more keys that can be made, wherein the stored geometric information includes geometric information corresponding to the second security information; and a key shaping device that creates a third key using the second geometric information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for duplicating keys are provided. In some embodiments, a systems for creating keys are provided, the systems comprising: at least one hardware processor that: receives security information from a user; and receives geometric information about a first key associated with the security information from a storage device; and a key shaping device that creates a second key using the geometric information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing key information are provided. In some embodiments, systems for managing key information are provided, the systems comprising: at least one hardware processor that: receives security information from a user; receives an image of a first key; determines geometric information about the first key based on the image; causes the geometric information about the first key to be stored in a storage device in association with at least a portion of the security information from the user; and causes the geometric information about the first key to be retrieved from the storage device upon validating at least the portion of the security information for use in creating a second key.

Abstract: A vehicle with a primary driveline that is configured to distribute rotary power to a first set of vehicle wheels and a power transmitting device that can be selectively operated to transmit rotary power to a secondary driveline. The power transmitting device has an input member, which is driven by the primary driveline, and an output member that is selectively coupled to the input member to receive rotary power therefrom. The secondary driveline comprises a differential, a pair of shafts, and a side shaft coupling that selectively interrupts power transmission between the differential and one of the shafts.

Abstract: A vehicle with a primary driveline that is configured to distribute rotary power to a first set of vehicle wheels and a power transmitting device that can be selectively operated to transmit rotary power to a secondary driveline. The power transmitting device has an input member, which is driven by the primary driveline, and an output member that is selectively coupled to the input member to receive rotary power therefrom.

Abstract: Controller for retrofit connection to a pre-installed door entry system of an area having a communal entrance secured by a communal door having a first electrically operated lock and a non-communal internal region secured by an internal door having a second electrically operated lock, the door entry system comprising a door panel associated with the communal entrance and an entry phone located within the internal region; the controller being connectable to existing circuitry of the entry phone to be able to receive a request for entry into the internal region from the door panel; and transmit an electrical signal to the entry phone to unlock the first and second electrically operated locks. The controller comprises a detector; a verifier; and a lock controller arranged to generate the signals to control the entry phone to unlock the first and second electrically operated locks when the right of access has been verified.

Abstract: A drive train having a locking differential and a control unit for controlling operation of the locking differential. The control unit is responsive to selected vehicle characteristics to sua sponte activate or inactivate a locking mechanism of the locking differential to cause the locking differential to operate in a locked manner or an unlocked manner, respectively. A method for operating a locking differential is also provided. The method includes: utilizing only preselected vehicle criteria indicative of the operational state of the vehicle to identify a situation in which a locking mechanism associated with the locking differential is to be energized; and responsively energizing the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle with primary and secondary drivelines and a power take-off unit (PTU). The primary driveline has a first differential that is configured to distribute power to a first set of wheels. The PTU has a PTU input, a PTU output and a synchronizer for selectively de-coupling the PTU output from the PTU input. The secondary driveline is configured to distribute power to a second set of wheels and has a propshaft, a second differential, a pair of half-shafts and at least one torque transfer device (TTD). The propshaft transmits rotary power between the PTU output and an input of the second differential. The half-shafts are rotatably coupled to an output of the second differential and are configured to transmit rotary power to the second set of wheels. The at least one TTD is configured to selectively inhibit torque transmission through the second differential to the second set of wheels.

Abstract: A wheel motor can include a stator adapted to be coupled to a vehicle. The stator can include a body portion and a core extending radially outward from the body portion. A rotor can be disposed about the stator and can have a portion positioned radially outboard of and around the stator core. The rotor can include a plurality of magnets aligned with the stator core, and can be adapted to be coupled to a rotatable vehicle component. At least one winding element can be disposed circumferentially around the stator core, and a controller can be positioned in a pocket integrally formed in the stator body portion. The controller can be coupled to the at least one winding element and can be arranged to selectively provide a current supply to the at least one winding element to generate a magnetic flux to rotate the rotor relative to the stator.

Abstract: An overrunning torque transmitting device that employs a plurality of cone clutches and an overload mechanism for limiting the torque transmitted through the device in a predetermined rotational direction. A method for transmitting torque is also provided.

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly that includes a first shaft member, a second shaft member, a bearing assembly and a sensor. The first shaft member has a magnetically encoded zone with a magnetic field that varies as a function of the torque that is transmitted through the first shaft member. The second shaft member is coupled for rotation with the first shaft member. The bearing assembly comprises a bearing support, which is configured to be coupled to a vehicle structure, and a bearing that is housed in the bearing support. The bearing journally supports the first shaft member for rotation about a first axis. The sensor is coupled to the bearing assembly. The sensor is arranged to sense the magnetic field of the magnetically encoded zone and responsively produce an electrical signal.

Abstract: A wheel motor can include a stator adapted to be coupled to a vehicle. The stator can include a body portion and a core extending radially outward from the body portion. A rotor can be disposed about the stator and can have a portion positioned radially outboard of and around the stator core. The rotor can include a plurality of magnets aligned with the stator core, and can be adapted to be coupled to a rotatable vehicle component. At least one winding element can be disposed circumferentially around the stator core, and a controller can be positioned in a pocket integrally formed in the stator body portion. The controller can be coupled to the at least one winding element and can be arranged to selectively provide a current supply to the at least one winding element to generate a magnetic flux to rotate the rotor relative to the stator.