Abstract: An electronic self-locking connect and disconnect system for vehicles. The system includes a motor which turns a gear that meshes with a ring gear contained within a housing. The ring gear meshes with a lead screw thread on an outer surface of a lead screw. When the motor is activated the ring gear rotates the lead screw thread which selectively engages or disengages the clutch. A groove extends on the outer surface of and transverse to the lead screw thread. A pin extends radially inward from an inner surface of the housing till part of the pin is located within the groove. When the pin contacts a radial wall of the groove it prevents further rotation of the lead screw which prevents the stub shaft from axially moving beyond predetermined points. A spring and a sliding collar may be utilized to accommodate full motor travel regardless of the clutch state.

Abstract: A torque vectoring unit for use with a motor vehicle including a differential unit, a gear arrangement and a clutch system. The gear arrangement is connected to the differential unit and includes a first gear set, a second gear set, a third gear set and a common shaft. The clutch system is selectively connected to the gear arrangement and includes a concentric inner clutch and a concentric outer clutch drivingly to an actuator. The actuator actuates each clutch independently. The first gear set includes an external gear supported on the common shaft and an internal gear selectively in engagement with the outer clutch. The second gear set includes an external gear supported on the common shaft and an internal gear selectively in engagement with the inner clutch. The third gear set includes an external gear coupled to the common shaft and an internal gear coupled to a differential case.

Abstract: A drive unit with twin side shaft torque coupling has an intermediate shaft with a first end portion and a second end portion and a central portion with a ring gear. A first clutch drum is directly mounted on the first end portion of the intermediate shaft. The first clutch drum has a first plurality of clutch plates. A first clutch can is located radially inboard of the first clutch drum. The first clutch can supports selective axial movement of a second plurality of clutch plates. The first and second plates are interleaved with one another to form a clutch pack. The first clutch can is connected to one end portion of a first output shaft located radially inboard from said first clutch can. A first clutch actuator assembly selectively actuates the first clutch. The drive unit also comprises a second clutch drum, clutch can and clutch actuator assembly.

Abstract: A drive unit utilizing a double planetary differential and an overdriven gear to shift torque between output shafts. The drive unit includes a motor, a differential caging housing a planetary differential and in driving engagement with two output shafts, a planetary carrier, a first gear, a second gear, and two variably engageable clutches. The planetary carrier supports the planetary differential and is drivingly engaged with a first output shaft. The first gear is capable of being overdriven and is in driving engagement with the motor and the variably engaged clutches. The second gear is in driving engagement with the motor and the differential caging. The first clutch is disposed between the first gear and the second output shaft and the second clutch is disposed between the first gear and the planetary carrier. When the clutches are actuated, torque is shifted between the output shafts via the first gear.

Abstract: A differential assembly with a torque coupling unit. The differential assembly includes a first side gear connected to a first axle half shaft. A clutch can end piece is also connected to the first intermediate shaft. A clutch can is connected to the clutch can end piece. A first plurality of clutch plates extend from the clutch can. A second plurality of clutch plates is interleaved with the first plurality of clutch plates to form a clutch pack. The second plurality of clutch plates extend from a clutch drum. The clutch drum is connected to a second intermediate shaft. A clutch actuator assembly comprises an actuator in driving engagement with a gear set. The gear set drives an actuator plate. The actuator plate is part of a ball ramp assembly used to selectively engage the clutch pack.

Abstract: A ball ramp actuator assembly including a control ring, an activation ring including a first section and a second section, two circumferential plate grooves formed between the control ring and the sections of the activation ring which contain rolling elements, two clutches, a gear and an actuator. The first and second sections are splined together allowing for axial movement. The first clutch is connected to the first section of the activation ring and a second clutch is connected to the second section of the activation ring. The rotation of a section of the activation ring axially in one direction allows the corresponding plate groove to expand and apply a load to the corresponding clutch while the other section of the activation ring remains inactive and rotation in the opposite direction activates the other clutch respectively.

Abstract: An axle disconnect system for drive axles that utilizes an engagement spring, an electric motor and a slidable gear. The motor is connected to the slidable gear which moves along threads thereby engaging or disengaging clutch teeth on a first side gear which selectively engages a second side gear. The engagement spring is located between a bearing and the first side gear wherein when engagement is desired, but blocked by misalignment of the teeth, the engagement spring can apply a load to allow for engagement once alignment of the teeth is achieved.

Abstract: A differential and method of operating the differential is described. The differential has side gears and at least one pinion gear in mesh with the side gears. One of the side gears is provided with dog clutch teeth and an axially extending ring carrying clutch plates. A clutch housing has an axially extending ring carrying clutch plates interleaved with the side gear clutch plates. A dog clutch ring is connected to the clutch housing and selectively engages with the side gear dog clutch teeth. The above-described system permits an axle system of a tandem axle system to be selectively engaged and disengaged.

Abstract: An electric drive unit for a vehicle including an electric motor, a differential housing, a reducing gear set, a drive input gear, a first clutch and a second clutch. The differential housing forms a carrier for a plurality of planetary gears which are in driving engagement with the drive input gear. The drive input gear is in driving engagement with the reducing gear which connected to the electric motor. A ring gear outside the differential housing is in driving engagement with the planetary gears. The first clutch can be engaged to couple the drive input gear to the differential housing resulting in the electric drive unit being placed in a first drive ratio and a second clutch can be engaged to ground the ring gear resulting in the electric drive unit being placed in a second drive ratio.

Abstract: A limited slip differential system having a differential housing, a differential case disposed within the differential housing and a differential gear set supported within the differential case. A friction clutch assembly including a clutch pack is positioned within the differential case and axially adjacent the differential gear set. A ball and ramp assembly is positioned outside the differential case and includes a reaction member positioned within and fixed to the differential housing. A differential bearing is positioned axially between the reaction member and the differential housing and radially outward from the differential case. A singular thrust bearing is located within the differential housing and outside the differential case and applies an axial load from the actuator assembly to the clutch pack.

Abstract: A torque coupling unit for use with a differential assembly is provided. The torque coupling unit comprises a first member, a second member, a clutching assembly, and a clutch actuator. The first member is in driving engagement with a side gear of the differential assembly. The second member is in driving engagement with an output shaft. The clutch actuator assembly is disposed adjacent the clutching assembly and comprises a roller and ramp assembly. In response to a rotation of a portion of the clutch actuator assembly a portion of the roller and ramp assembly is driven in an axial manner to apply a force to the clutching assembly, causing a first portion of the clutching assembly to be at least variably frictionally engaged with a second portion of the clutching assembly.

Abstract: A transmission having a variator drive capable of being placed in a continuously variable operating mode or an infinitely variable operating mode, capable of having a wide ratio range, and capable of integrating a clutching capability within the transmission. The variable transmissions can be operated in at least two different operating modes, depending on an engagement status of the clutches therein. Methods of running the variable transmissions and drivelines that incorporate such variable transmissions are provided.

Abstract: A transmission having a variator drive capable of being placed in a continuously variable operating mode or an infinitely variable operating mode, capable of having a wide ratio range, and capable of transmitting large amounts of power. Variable transmissions comprising three clutches, three grounding clutches or brakes, and a variator comprising a plurality of tilting variators balls disposed between a first drive ring and a second drive ring allow a single variator to function as an infinitely variable transmission when power is inputted to the carrier assembly and as a continuously variable transmission when power is inputted through a first ring assembly. Certain embodiments include a differential that allows a parallel power path around the variator to improve the variator torque capacity and a direct drive mode to improve the efficiency of the variator.

Abstract: A clutch management system has a ramp actuator, an inner plate housing, an outer plate housing, and a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly may have a motor, a ratio adaptor, a primary sun gear, a secondary sun gear, a primary planet carrier and a secondary planet carrier. The primary sun gear is in contact with the ratio adaptor and primary planet gears. The primary planet gears are in contact with a ring gear. The primary planet carrier forms part of the ramp actuator. The second sun gear is connected to a housing and a secondary planet gears. The secondary planet gears are also in contact with the ring gear. A secondary planet carrier is connected. to the first plate of the ramp actuator.

Abstract: A transmission having a variator drive capable of being placed in a continuously variable operating mode or an infinitely variable operating mode, capable of having a wide ratio range, and capable of integrating a clutching capability within the transmission. The variable transmissions can be operated in at least two different operating modes, depending on an engagement status of the clutches therein. Methods of running the variable transmissions and drivelines that incorporate such variable transmissions are provided.

Abstract: A transmission is provided. The transmission includes an input portion drivingly engaged with a power source, a planetary gear, a continuously variable variator, and a clutching device. The planetary gear arrangement has a portion drivingly engaged with the input portion. The continuously variable variator includes a portion which is drivingly engaged with at least one of the planetary gear arrangement and the input portion. The clutching device may be selectively drivingly engaged with a portion of the continuously variable variator. The clutching device and the planetary gear arrangement facilitate a transition between at least two operating modes of the continuously variable variator.

Abstract: An electromagnetic connect/disconnect system with an electromagnet including a coil and a coil housing. The system also includes a rotatable and axially slideable slide ring located between the coil housing and a sliding collar. The slide ring has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The sliding collar has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located radially inward from the slide ring and defines a first set of axially extending teeth. The second portion is located radially inward from the first portion. A return spring is located adjacent the sliding collar. An output gear is also included which has a second set of axially extending teeth for selective engagement with the sliding collar.

Abstract: A limited slip differential assembly for a vehicle has a differential assembly drivingly engaged with a prime mover of the vehicle. The assembly has a differential mechanism disposed in a differential case and two opposite output shafts outwardly extending from the differential case. A torque coupling unit is provided for selectively restricting rotation between one of the output shafts and the differential case. The torque coupling unit has a friction clutch assembly disposed about one of the output shafts. The friction clutch assembly has a first portion drivingly engaged with one of the output shafts and a second portion drivingly engaged with the differential case. A ball and ramp assembly is disposed adjacent the friction clutch assembly for selectively frictionally loading the friction clutch assembly.

Abstract: An electromagnetic connect/disconnect system with an electromagnet including a coil and a coil housing. The system also including a slide ring located between the coil housing and a sliding collar. The slide ring has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The sliding collar has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located radially inward from the slide ring and defines a first set of axially extending teeth. The second portion is located radially inward from the first portion. A return spring groove is located radially inward from the sliding collar first portion and houses a return spring. An output gear is also included which has a second set of axially extending teeth for selective engagement with the first set of teeth.

Abstract: One embodiment of a torque coupling unit for use with a differential assembly is described. The system has a first side gear connected to a first axle half shaft. A clutch can end piece is also connected to the first intermediate shaft. A clutch can is connected to the clutch can end piece. A first plurality of clutch plates extend from the clutch can. A second plurality of clutch plates is interleaved with the first plurality of clutch plates to form a clutch pack. The second plurality of clutch plates extend from a clutch drum. The clutch drum is connected to a second intermediate shaft. A clutch actuator assembly comprises an actuator in driving engagement with a gear set. The gear set drives an actuator plate. The actuator plate is part of a ball ramp assembly used to selectively engage the clutch pack.