Abstract: An input gear assembly in which the input gear is coupled to the input shaft via a pair of spaced-apart pilot regions of the input shaft. One of the pilot regions is disposed adjacent to one of the bearings used, with the pilot region formed in or on the input shaft itself and engaging a corresponding internal surface of the input gear. Another of the pilot regions is formed in the inner bearing raceway of another of the bearings used, with the pilot region formed as an elongate portion of the inner bearing raceway of the input shaft and engaging another corresponding internal surface of the input gear. For manufacturing simplicity, this additional pilot region and the remainder of the elongate inner bearing raceway have the same material properties, surface treatment, straightness, and cylindricity. This arrangement prevents tilting of the input gear with respect to the input shaft and bearing shaft, thereby enhancing performance.

Abstract: A gearbox attachment of a wheel drive unit A-shield assembly for an electric vehicle four motor powertrain system is disclosed. The gearbox attachment includes a housing, a gear reduction assembly, and an actuator assembly. The housing is adapted to fasten to an A-shield of the wheel drive unit A-shield assembly. The housing includes an outer ring. The gear reduction assembly is at least partially received in the outer ring. The gear reduction assembly is adapted to receive an output of a gearbox of the wheel drive unit A-shield assembly that is adapted to provide an output of a motor to a single wheel of the electric vehicle. The gear reduction assembly is adapted to provide a gear reduction for a higher torque and slower speed in a gear reduction mode. The actuator assembly adapted to actuate the gear reduction assembly output between the gear reduction mode and a standard mode.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an assembly for providing suspension and steering for a wheel. The assembly includes an inner knuckle and a steering knuckle. The inner knuckle is coupled to an upper control arm at an upper joint and a lower control arm at a lower joint, forming a double wishbone suspension. The upper joint and the lower joint define a first axis. The steering knuckle is coupled to the inner knuckle at a steering joint that forms or otherwise defines a kingpin axis. The steering joint includes a revolute joint, a ball joint, or both. The steering knuckle is configured to be engaged with a tie-rod coupled to a steering mechanism. The kingpin axis is nearer a center of the wheel than the first axis, thus preventing or otherwise limiting torque steer. The upper and lower joints are constrained from significant steering rotation by suitable bushings, anti-steer arms, or both.

Abstract: A dual drive unit may include two motors, two power transfer mechanisms, and two output shafts. The output shafts are co-linear. The dual drive unit may include two single drive units, which may be similar to each other, coupled together at a joint, which may optionally include a clutch. A drive unit may be modular, and various components may be combined to provide power to an output shaft. For example, a drive unit may include a differential at a first interface, which may be removable, and two drive units may be coupled together at the first interface. A drive unit may have a Z configuration, wherein a motor on a first side of a vehicle powers a wheel on an opposite side of the vehicle.

Abstract: Example illustrations are directed to a differential, e.g., a disconnecting differential, and associated methods. A disconnecting differential may include two side gears configured to deliver torque from an output gear or differential casing to respective vehicle wheels when the differential is in a connected state. Each of the side gears may be configured to receive the torque from the output gear while permitting a differential speed between the side gears. The disconnecting differential may also include a disconnect device configured to disconnect the output gear from the two side gears such that the differential is in a disconnected state. The disconnecting differential may also include a position sensor configured to determine a rotational position of the output gear.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating an electric vehicle in a vehicle yaw mode. The electric vehicle includes a normal driving mode where the electric vehicle is steered by turning the steerable wheels (e.g., left or right) and vehicle yaw mode where the vehicle controls the torque applied to each wheel. In response to receiving input to initiate vehicle yaw mode and yaw direction, the system determines the inner wheels and the outer wheels and provides forward torque to the outer wheels of the vehicle and backward torque to the inner wheels of the vehicle to rotate the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a vehicle yaw mode. In response to initiating vehicle yaw mode, the system engages an open-loop mode, that provides open-loop forward torque to the outer wheels of the vehicle and open-loop backward torque to the inner wheels of the vehicle until a sufficient number of wheels are slipping. In response to determining that a sufficient number of wheels are slipping, engaging a closed-loop mode. While operating in the closed-loop mode, one or both of the wheel rotation and vehicle yaw rate are monitored to adjust the torques provided to the wheels of the vehicle to control the vehicle yaw rate.

Abstract: A drive system includes a first drive train and a second drive train coupled by a differential assembly. Each drive train include a motor, an output gear, and a clutch assembly that engages and disengages the output gear from respective halfshafts. The differential assembly is configured to couple the first and second halfshafts, and connect/disconnect the first output gear and the first halfshaft. The differential assembly includes, for example, side gears, a spider gearset, and an actuator for engaging and disengaging the differential casing from the first output gear. A control system is configured to actuate actuators of clutch assemblies and/or a differential assembly to achieve one or more drive modes for each drive axis. The control system determines the first drive mode, controls the clutch assemblies and differential assemblies, and controls one or more motors. The drive modes include, for example, torque vectoring, fully locked, single motor, and neutral.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle with a storage compartment has a cabin, a set of rear wheels located behind the cabin, a cargo space, and a closable integrated storage compartment located adjacent to the cabin, rearward of a rear-most seat of the automotive vehicle, and forward of the set of rear wheels. At least a portion of the storage compartment is positioned forward of a forward wall of the cargo space. The storage compartment has at least one sidewall enclosing an interior portion of the storage compartment and extending from a first side panel at a first side of the automotive vehicle toward a second side of the automotive vehicle, a first opening to the storage compartment at the first side of the automotive vehicle, and a first door at the first opening. The first door has a first step member with a horizontal step surface when open.

Abstract: A dual drive unit may include two motors, two power transfer mechanisms, and two output shafts. The output shafts are co-linear. The dual drive unit may include two single drive units, which may be similar to each other, coupled together at a joint, which may optionally include a clutch. A drive unit may be modular, and various components may be combined to provide power to an output shaft. For example, a drive unit may include a differential at a first interface, which may be removable, and two drive units may be coupled together at the first interface. A drive unit may have a Z configuration, wherein a motor on a first side of a vehicle powers a wheel on an opposite side of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a front dig mode. The front dig mode is engaged in response to determining that speed of the vehicle is below a speed threshold and determining that the amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned exceeds a turn threshold. While operating in the front dig mode, forward torque is provided to the front wheels of the vehicle. Further, resistance is applied to forward rotation of the inner back wheel of the vehicle. Yet further, forward torque is provided to the outer back wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A gearbox attachment of a wheel drive unit A-shield assembly for an electric vehicle four motor powertrain system is disclosed. The gearbox attachment includes a housing, a gear reduction assembly, and an actuator assembly. The housing is adapted to fasten to an A-shield of the wheel drive unit A-shield assembly. The housing includes an outer ring. The gear reduction assembly is at least partially received in the outer ring. The gear reduction assembly is adapted to receive an output of a gearbox of the wheel drive unit A-shield assembly that is adapted to provide an output of a motor to a single wheel of the electric vehicle. The gear reduction assembly is adapted to provide a gear reduction for a higher torque and slower speed in a gear reduction mode. The actuator assembly adapted to actuate the gear reduction assembly output between the gear reduction mode and a standard mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a front dig mode. The front dig mode is engaged in response to determining that speed of the vehicle is below a speed threshold and determining that the amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned exceeds a turn threshold. While operating in the front dig mode, forward torque is provided to the front wheels of the vehicle. Further, resistance is applied to forward rotation of the inner back wheel of the vehicle. Yet further, forward torque is provided to the outer back wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle with a storage compartment has a cabin, a set of rear wheels located behind the cabin, a cargo space, and a closable integrated storage compartment located adjacent to the cabin, rearward of a rear-most seat of the automotive vehicle, and forward of the set of rear wheels. At least a portion of the storage compartment is positioned forward of a forward wall of the cargo space. The storage compartment has at least one sidewall enclosing an interior portion of the storage compartment and extending from a first side panel at a first side of the automotive vehicle toward a second side of the automotive vehicle, a first opening to the storage compartment at the first side of the automotive vehicle, and a first door at the first opening. The first door has a first step member with a horizontal step surface when open.

Abstract: A drivetrain system includes a housing configured to at least partially contain a liquid lubricant such as oil that flows through a gearset. Within the housing is arranged a plurality of bearings configured to constrain respective trajectories of respective shafts. An inner surface of the housing includes a first region surrounding a motor gear bearing that is actively cooled by a coolant. The inner surface also includes a second region that is distal to the motor gear bearing and that is not actively cooled by the coolant. Cooling pins are arranged in the first region and are configured to provide heat transfer from the liquid lubricant to the coolant. The gear set can include more than one shaft, with at least one gear configured to splash oil onto the cooling pins to transfer heat from the liquid lubricant to a coolant flowing in a motor housing adjacent the first region.

Abstract: A drivetrain system includes a housing configured to at least partially contain a liquid lubricant such as oil that flows through a gearset. Within the housing is arranged a plurality of bearings configured to constrain respective trajectories of respective shafts. An inner surface of the housing includes a first region surrounding a motor gear bearing that is actively cooled by a coolant. The inner surface also includes a second region that is distal to the motor gear bearing and that is not actively cooled by the coolant. Cooling pins are arranged in the first region and are configured to provide heat transfer from the liquid lubricant to the coolant. The gear set can include more than one shaft, with at least one gear configured to splash oil onto the cooling pins to transfer heat from the liquid lubricant to a coolant flowing in a motor housing adjacent the first region.

Abstract: A pressure equalization structure is provided. The pressure equalization structure includes a vehicle component comprising an internal cavity having a first volume, and a first passageway coupled to the internal cavity, and an equalization structure for equalizing air pressure in the internal cavity with ambient pressure. The equalization structure includes a first end coupled to the first passageway, a second end exposed to the ambient pressure, and a second passageway between the first end and the second end, the second passageway having a second volume. The equalization structure has an installed orientation in which the first end is arranged above the second end.

Abstract: A drivetrain system includes a housing configured to at least partially contain a liquid lubricant such as oil that flows through a gearset. Within the housing is arranged a plurality of bearings configured to constrain respective trajectories of respective shafts. An inner surface of the housing includes a first region surrounding a motor gear bearing that is actively cooled by a coolant. The inner surface also includes a second region that is distal to the motor gear bearing and that is not actively cooled by the coolant. Cooling pins are arranged in the first region and are configured to provide heat transfer from the liquid lubricant to the coolant. The gear set can include more than one shaft, with at least one gear configured to splash oil onto the cooling pins to transfer heat from the liquid lubricant to a coolant flowing in a motor housing adjacent the first region.

Abstract: A tailgate for a vehicle includes a main panel, a step, and a plurality of links that couple the step to the main panel and support the step for movement relative to the main panel between a stowed position and a deployed position. The main panel defines a cutout open through its rearward side. The main panel is mounted to the vehicle's cargo area and movable between a closed position and an open position. The step includes a cargo side and a rearward side. When the step is in the stowed position, the step is received in the cutout and the step's cargo side is substantially parallel to the main panel's cargo side. When the step is in the deployed position, the step is offset from the main panel and the step's cargo side is substantially parallel to the main panel's cargo side.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a vehicle yaw mode. In response to initiating vehicle yaw mode, the system engages an open-loop mode, that provides open-loop forward torque to the outer wheels of the vehicle and open-loop backward torque to the inner wheels of the vehicle until a sufficient number of wheels are slipping. In response to determining that a sufficient number of wheels are slipping, engaging a closed-loop mode. While operating in the closed-loop mode, one or both of the wheel rotation and vehicle yaw rate are monitored to adjust the torques provided to the wheels of the vehicle to control the vehicle yaw rate.