Abstract: A driveline assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing containing at least a portion of a driveline component and a wet disk brake assembly. The wet disk brake assembly includes a plurality of friction disks immersed within lubricating/cooling oil contained within the housing. Actuation of the friction disks creates a braking force to slow and stop rotation of an axle and creates heat that can cause premature deterioration of the lubricating/cooling oil that in turn can cause premature failure of driveline components and brake assembly components. An electric generator driven by a driveline component is included within the housing to provide additional braking energy to reduce the braking load on the wet disk brake assembly such that the lubricating/cooling oil maintains temperatures within acceptable predetermined operational limits without a separate oil cooling system.

Abstract: A vehicle drive axle is provided that includes a housing having a longitudinal portion defining a cavity. An axle shaft is supported within the cavity for rotation about an axis. The cavity is at least partially filled with oil. A plurality of spaced apart noncontiguous projections extend from the axle shaft in a direction transverse to the rotational axis. During rotation of the axle shafts, the projections extend into the oil within the cavity and splash the oil onto the upper portion of the axle housing. Increased heat dissipation is achieved by dispersing the oil throughout the cavity, and in particular the upper portion of the axle housing, where it radiates into the surrounding environment.