Abstract: A vehicle rigid axle with an axle beam, at the ends of which axle journals or wheel carriers, respectively, are arranged, and with at least two trailing arms rigidly attached to the axle beam and with at least one air spring bellows assigned to the respective trailing arm. At least one component of an electric drive is placed in the hollow body, the drive shaft of which passes through the axle journal. To form at least one axle journal connection section extending between the two trailing arms, a trailing arm connected thereto and a receptacle for at least one component of an electric drive, two shell elements are formed from sheet metal and connected to one another, in particular welded, to form a hollow body surrounding the receiving space. At least one component of the electric drive is mounted in the receiving space.

Abstract: A vehicle rigid axle with an axle beam, at the ends of which axle journals or wheel carriers, are arranged, and trailing arms rigidly attached with a spring bracket for supporting an air-suspension bellow, and a method for manufacturing the vehicle rigid axle. An axle beam section extending between the trailing arms, a trailing arm adjoining the axle beam section and the spring bracket are formed by two shell elements connected to each other, which form a hollow body. In an embodiment, the spring bracket is formed by a lower shell element forming an axle beam section extending between the two trailing arms, and the spring bracket is arranged so that the air-suspension bellow mounted on the spring bracket is penetrated by the central longitudinal axis of the axle beam section. Two shell elements made of sheet metal are formed and joined together to form a hollow body.

Abstract: One or more guide members for use within a drive unit assembly of a vehicle. The one or more guide members have a body portion with an outer peripheral surface, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion interposed between the first end portion and second end portion. The intermediate portion of the one or more guide members have a first angularly bent portion defining a first extending portion and a second extending portion extending outward therefrom. The body portion of the one or more guide members have one or more shaft receiving portions therein.

Abstract: An axle housing assembly includes an axle housing that includes a center portion and a first arm portion that extends from the center portion. The axle housing assembly further includes a wheel end housing that includes a wheel end body that extends from the first arm portion and a spindle that extends from the wheel end body.

Abstract: A method of making an assembly having a cast iron subassembly. The method may include providing a steel insert having a first joining surface and bonding the steel insert to a cast iron part to form a cast iron subassembly such that the first joining surface may be an exterior surface of the cast iron subassembly.

Abstract: A vehicle differential cover with cooling fins. The differential cover including an area closing the differential lubricant sump. Air scoops are outwardly of the differential and the curved surfaces at the downstream edges of the air scopes direct flow to the cooling fins extending over the area of the cover plate closing the differential lubricant sump. A baffle selectively closes the scoops.

Abstract: A transmission is provided including a transmission case accommodating a transmission mechanism, a hydraulic controller having a valve body and a valve for controlling the transmission mechanism, the valve body formed with a valve insertion hole into which the valve is inserted, and an oil path communicating with the valve insertion hole, and an oil storage for storing oil. At least one of the valve body and the oil storage is integrally formed with the transmission case.

Abstract: An actuator includes: a housing, an electric motor arranged in a chamber of the housing, and a gear mechanism, which is connected, on the input side, to a shaft of the electric motor and, on the output side, to a control element. The gear mechanism is arranged in a second chamber of the housing and the second chamber is closed by a round cover. The second chamber has a round cross-section and is closed by the round cover.

Abstract: An axle assembly and a method of manufacture. The axle assembly may have an axle housing, a bowl ring, and a bowl cover. The bowl ring may be disposed on a center portion of the axle housing and may extend around a bowl opening. The bowl cover may be disposed on the bowl ring.

Abstract: A drive unit for vehicles that prevents a blow out of lubrication oil from a breather during splash lubrication is provided. A partition plate is disposed along a flat face of a ring gear to divide an inner space of the chamber into a first reservoir in which the ring gear is disposed, and a second reservoir to which the lubrication oil partially flows thereinto to return to an oil pan. The partition plate comprises a main body disposed between the flat face of the ring gear and an inner face of the chamber opposed thereto, and a bent portion formed on an upper end of the main body to guide the lubrication oil scattered upwardly by a rotation of the ring gear in a direction away from the breather.

Abstract: An axle assembly with a Salisbury-type axle housing that includes a carrier housing. The carrier housing is constructed with a system of reinforcements in selected areas.

Abstract: An axle carrier housing includes a center housing defining an internal chamber, a pinion nose extending from the center housing to a housing front end, the pinion nose defining a pinion chamber configured to house a pinion shaft assembly, the housing front end defining a shaft opening having a central axis, and a first axle tube extending from the center housing to a housing first side defining a first axle tube opening having a first axle axis that is generally perpendicular to the central axis. A second axle tube extends from the center housing to a housing second side that is opposite the housing first side, the second axle tube defining a second axle tube opening having a second axle axis that is concentric with the first axle axis. First and second transverse webs extend angularly from the pinion nose and the center housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is accelerated to a speed of a driveline integrated starter/generator before the engine is coupled to the driveline integrated starter/generator. Further, a driveline disconnect clutch application force is adjusted in response to torque of the driveline integrated starter/generator and a torque converter torque.

Abstract: Energy loss in a dip lubrication system is reduced by reducing the immersion depth of the gear within a pool of oil. This can be accomplished by increasing the pressure within the dip lubrication system which effectively reduces the flow rate of the oil so that the oil remains separated from the oil pool for a longer period of time thereby reducing the oil level and the immersion depth of the gear within the oil pool. Alternately, this can be accomplished by substituting a higher density gas for air which has the same effect. In a third embodiment the immersed gear includes wind vanes that direct air against the oil pool creating a trough which effectively reduces the immersion depth of the gear within the oil pool.

Abstract: A transmission to transfer power from an electric motor to first and second axles of a vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by the electric motor and a first planetary gear set. A second planetary gear set has a first member driven by the first planetary gear set, a second member restricted from rotation and a third member. A differential assembly has a first side gear adapted to drive the first axle, a second side gear adapted to drive the second axle and a pair of pinion gears meshed with the first and second side gears. A first clutch is operable to drivingly interconnect the first member and the differential assembly. A second clutch is operable to drivingly interconnect the third member and the differential assembly.

Abstract: An electric drive for a vehicle includes an electric motor and a planetary gear assembly including a sun gear drivingly connected to a rotor of the electric motor. A ring gear of the planetary gear assembly is connected to a brake that can be released to provide the system with a disconnect. A first transfer gear is connected to the planetary carrier. A second transfer gear is drivingly engaged with the first transfer gear and rotatable about a second axis offset from an axis of the electric motor. A differential is drivingly connected to the second transfer gear and provides drive torque to a pair of drive shafts along the second axis.

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 axle assembly having a housing, a reservoir module, and an axle. The reservoir module may be configured to receive a lubricant and may be disposed in an arm portion of the housing. The axle may be disposed in the arm portion such that the axle extends through and is spaced apart from a tube portion of the reservoir module.

Abstract: A drive axle housing system may minimize churning of splash and spray oil within a drive axle housing. The drive axle housing system includes apparatus for incorporation into the axle, the apparatus including an oil churning reduction member that may be affixed to the interior walls of the axle housing. The oil churning reduction member includes interior surfaces adapted to closely align with interior moving gear components of the axle to minimize efficiency losses due to oil movement. The system may also incorporate an annular element, affixed to the axle housing and closely aligned with the backside of a ring gear component of the differential axle. The combined use of the member and the element may substantially reduce torque losses attributable to excessive churning of oil.

Abstract: An axle assembly having a tube, a shaft received in the tube, a wheel bearing disposed between the tube and the shaft. The axle assembly also includes a thrust washer, a retaining ring and a snap ring, each of which is mounted about the shaft. The wheel bearing supports the shaft for rotation in the tube. The thrust washer abuts both a shoulder on the shaft and an inner bearing race of the wheel bearing. The retaining ring abuts the inner bearing race such that the wheel bearing is disposed between the thrust washer and the retaining ring. The snap ring abuts the retaining ring and limits movement of the retaining ring in a direction away from the wheel bearing.

Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing that includes arm portion for receiving an axle. A dam may be disposed in the arm portion and may cooperate with the arm portion to define a reservoir that is configured to retain a volume of a lubricant. A conduit may deliver lubricant to the reservoir.

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 axle assembly with a banjo beam and a coverpan. The banjo beam has an upper and lower beam members that are welded together to define a central carrier portion and a pair of tubes. The upper beam member has a pair of upper spring seats that are disposed on opposite sides of the central carrier portion. The lower beam member has a pair of lower spring seats that are disposed on opposite sides of the central carrier portion. The coverpan includes a weld flange and a cover portion. The weld flange is welded to the central carrier portion via a fillet weld to close a first aperture formed in the central carrier portion. The cover portion includes a wall member into which a pair of strengthening protrusions are formed. The strengthening protrusions are disposed on opposite lateral sides of a centerline of the central carrier portion.

Abstract: A power transmitting component with a housing, a shaft and a seal. The housing has a wall member, a shaft bore, and a shield wall. The shaft bore is formed through the wall member. The shield wall is coupled to and extends outwardly from the wall member. The shield wall is formed about the shaft bore and defines a drain spout. The shaft is received through the shaft bore. The seal is received in the shaft bore and sealingly engages the housing and the shaft. The drain spout is configured to drain liquid from a space that is radially inward of the shield wall when the power transmitting component is disposed in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A torque tube includes a ring gear having a first axial end, a second axial end opposite the first axial end, an inner surface including a plurality of teeth, and an outer surface with a mating portion formed adjacent to the first axial end of the ring gear. The torque tube also includes a barrel portion joined to the second axial end of the ring gear at a radial location inward from a radial location of the mating portion. The barrel portion extends axially away from the ring gear.

Abstract: A serviceable drive assembly is disclosed. The leg housing assembly may include a flange disposed around an opening at a first end. The leg housing may also include a plurality of brake hub retention tabs extending radially inward from the flange into the opening. A method of servicing an output shaft locating within the leg housing assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A brake hub is disclosed. The brake hub may include a cylindrical body portion, and a rim extending from an outer edge of the cylindrical body portion. The rim may include a plurality of first splines disposed on an outer annular surface of the rim. Each of the plurality of first splines may extend from a first end of the rim to a second end of the rim. The rim may also include a plurality of radial apertures in the rim extending from the first end of the rim toward the second end of the rim, and a plurality of second splines disposed on the outer annular surface of the rim. Each of the plurality of second splines may extend from an edge of one of the plurality of radial apertures to the second end of the rim. The brake hub may also include a mounting flange protruding from the cylindrical body portion.

Abstract: A system for lubricating a differential mechanism includes a housing containing a ring gear, a pinion meshing with the ring gear, a sump containing fluid, and a reservoir that receives fluid flung from the ring gear as the ring gear rotates through the sump fluid, and an orifice restricting the flow rate of fluid from the reservoir.

Abstract: An axle having a variable volume sump. The axle includes an axle housing that defines a gear chamber and a separate reservoir. The gear chamber and the reservoir are in fluid communication with each other via an opening. A regulator is located adjacent the opening. The regulator is operable to assume a first closed position that obstructs the opening when a temperature in the axle is below a predetermined value, and is also operable to assume a second open position that places the gear chamber and the reservoir in fluid communication via the opening when the temperature is above the predetermined value.

Abstract: An axle housing assembly for a work vehicle is adapted to be mounted in the work vehicle, and includes an axle housing and a disc-shaped member. The axle housing has a recessed portion for press fitting on an end thereof. The recessed portion is opened to a vehicle outer side, the recessed portion having a constant inner diameter. The disc-shaped member is press-fitted into the recessed portion, an outer peripheral surface of the disc-shaped member having a single reference dimension. A first region of the outer peripheral surface is arranged on an inner side in a press fitting direction and processed at a first tight fit tolerance range with respect to the reference dimension. A second region of the outer peripheral surface is arranged outwards of the first region and processed at a second tight fit tolerance range less than the first tight fit tolerance range.

Abstract: A belted gear assembly for driving a supercharger includes a belt drive assembly for operatively connecting a gear drive assembly to an existing pinion shaft of an engine. The belt drive assembly includes a lower pulley assembly that is operatively connected to the pinion shaft and belted to an upper pulley assembly. The upper pulley assembly is operatively connected to a side gear of the gear drive assembly. The side gear engages an upper gear of the gear drive assembly, which is operatively connected to a lobe of the supercharger. Rotation of the upper gear thereby initiates rotation of the supercharger. The amount of boost provided to the supercharger is readily adjustable by simply changing the lower pulley assembly to adjust the RPM ratio for the supercharger. Each component of the belted gear assembly is isolated and fully self-contained, including a separate lubrication system and collection well.

Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing that includes arm portion for receiving an axle. A dam may be disposed in the arm portion and may cooperate with the arm portion to define a reservoir that is configured to retain a volume of a lubricant. A conduit may deliver lubricant to the reservoir.

Abstract: A rear axle support assembly includes a swing arm assembly, a second axle tube, and a rear final gear assembly. The swing arm assembly includes a first support arm, a second support arm laterally spaced from the first support arm, a first axle tube attached to the first support arm, and an axle support bracket attached to the second support arm. Each of the first and second axle tubes is configured to receive an axle therewithin. The second axle tube includes an axle tube mount flange. The first axle tube is releasably attached to the rear final gear assembly. The axle tube mount flange is positioned laterally between, and is releasably attached to each one of, the axle support bracket of the swing arm assembly and the rear final gear assembly, and in direct, contacting engagement with the rear final gear assembly.

Abstract: An axle housing and a method of manufacture. The axle housing may include first and second housings that have spindle portions that cooperate to define at least one spindle that may be configured to rotatably support a wheel assembly.

Abstract: An axle assembly that includes an axle housing assembly, a differential disposed in the axle housing assembly, an input pinion, a pair of axle shafts and a heat sink. The input pinion is coupled to the axle housing assembly and is configured to transmit a rotary input to the differential. The axle shafts are coupled to the differential and housed in the axle housing assembly. The heat sink is coupled to the axle housing assembly and is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity that is greater than that of the axle housing assembly. The heat sink does not consist entirely of a chrome plating, a zinc plating or a cadmium plating.

Abstract: A drain plug for a carrier assembly is used to control fluid flow from a reservoir to a sump. The carrier assembly includes a carrier housing with an internal cavity that houses a gear assembly. The sump is located within the internal cavity to lubricate the gear assembly. The reservoir is separated from the sump by a channel. The drain plug is attached to the carrier housing, and extends into the channel, to provide a fluid flow restriction between the reservoir and the sump.

Abstract: An axle assembly having a housing, a reservoir module, and an axle. The reservoir module may be configured to receive a lubricant and may be disposed in an arm portion of the housing. The axle may be disposed in the arm portion such that the axle extends through and is spaced apart from a tube portion of the reservoir module.

Abstract: A cover plate for a drive assembly that includes a bearing housing having a bearing cavity, a thrust bearing axially disposed within the bearing cavity that includes a cup, cone and plurality of rollers disposed between cup and cone raceways, a thrust plate with an axle engaging surface disposed perpendicular to a central axis and coupled for rotation to the cone. The cover plate may be connected to a final drive housing of a final drive that includes a plurality of gears operatively connected to an axle shaft, the end of the axle shaft positioned to rotationally engage the thrust plate and cone.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies described herein provide for a modular and adjustable axle system for vehicles. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, an axle housing system includes a central differential housing, a pair of retainers attached to the central differential housing, a pair of bell housings attached to the retainers, a pair of axle tube housings attached to the bell housings, and a pair of inner steering knuckles attached to the axle tube housings. Other aspects further include a drivetrain system within the axle housing system that includes a differential, a pair of inner constant velocity (CV) joints attached to opposing sides of the differential, a pair of axle shafts attached to the inner CV joints, and a pair of outer CV joints attached to the axle shafts, wherein the CV joints are maintained in a fixed angular relationship.

Abstract: A fuel pump supplying reservoir oil reservoired in an input case to devices to be supplied with the reservoir oil and a filter for filtering the reservoir oil circulating in the input case are provided in the input case. A fuel pump supplying reservoir oil in each of left and right axle cases to a hydraulic continuously variable transmission provided in each of the axle cases and a filter filtering the reservoir oil circulating in each of the left and right axle cases are provided in each of the left and right axle cases.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a swing member, an axle tube, a cushion bracket, a protrusion, an axle, and a cushion member. The swing member is pivotable about a first axis. The axle tube is coupled with the swing member, the cushion bracket, and the protrusion. The axle is rotatable about a second axis. The cushion member includes lower and upper ends. The lower end is pivotally coupled with the cushion bracket and is pivotable about a third axis. The second and third axes reside in a first plane. The protrusion is located above the first plane and is spaced from the cushion member by a first distance having a minimum value. The lower end of the cushion member is spaced from the axle tube by a second distance having a minimum value. The minimum value of the first distance is less than the minimum value of the second distance.

Abstract: A carrier assembly includes a backbone having an internal cavity configured to receive a differential. A first lateral case is attached to a first end of the backbone and a second lateral case is attached to a second end of the backbone.

Abstract: A vent for an axle housing includes a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion has a plurality of pores defined therethrough. The first body portion defines a first cavity. The second body portion has a conical portion that extends between a throat and a neck portion that defines an opening. The second body portion defines a second cavity that fluidly connects with the first cavity. The vent permits air to pass from the axle housing, through the plurality of pores in the first body portion, through the first and second cavities, and out the opening of the neck portion while concurrently inhibiting egress of lubricant from the axle housing.

Abstract: A vehicle differential device having a differential case rotatably supported via a bearing by a housing and a drive shaft inserted into the differential case, including an oil sump member on the opposite side of the differential case to the bearing, the oil sump member including an insert hole into which the drive shaft is inserted, and an oil supply channel formed higher than the drive shaft in the vertical direction, wherein at least a portion of the insert hole is formed with a gap between the insertion hole and the drive shaft wider than that on the vertically lower side of the rotational axis of the drive shaft, the oil sump member includes a discharge hole allowing oil to flow out toward the differential case if an oil level of an oil chamber formed between the oil sump member and an oil seal exceeds a predetermined height.

Abstract: A vehicle power transmission device mounted on a vehicle for transmitting power from a power generating source to an axle through a gear train accommodated in a case, including: a lubricating pump that is accommodated in the case and which is driven by the power generating source and is capable of supplying a lubricating medium to an element to be lubricated; a lubricating medium storage portion that stores the lubricating medium; a lowermost gear that is located at a lowest position in the case, and which scoops up the lubricating medium in an inner bottom of the case toward a center of the case during normal rotation of the axle without guiding the lubricating medium along an inner wall surface of the case; a partition wall; and a lubrication flow path that guides the lubricating medium scooped up by the lowermost gear to a predetermined element to be lubricated.

Abstract: A shroud assembly and method for assembling such shroud assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The shroud may comprise a collar joined to a nose cap. The shroud assembly may comprise the collar, the nose cap, and meshed ring and pinion gears. The collar may define at least one port and the nose cap may define an aperture. These allow lubricating fluid to escape outside of the shroud and thus be removed from the immediate vicinity of the rotating ring and pinion gears.

Abstract: A vehicle power transmission device mounted on a vehicle for transmitting power from a power generating source to an axle through a gear train accommodated in a case, including: a lubricating pump that is driven by the power generating source and is capable of supplying a lubricating medium to an element to be lubricated; a lubricating medium storage portion that stores the lubricating medium; a lowermost gear that is located at a lowest position in the case; a topmost gear that is located at a highest position in the case; a lubrication flow path that guides the lubricating medium scooped up by the lowermost gear and carried by the gear train to a predetermined element to be lubricated; and a guide portion that guides the lubricating medium scooped up by the lowermost gear and carried by the gear train to an inlet of the lubrication flow path.

Abstract: One embodiment may include a gear assembly comprising at least one pair of meshing gears situated inside a gear case having a sump portion and a wall portion. A gear oil mixture may be disposed at least in the sump portion. At least one gear is immersed partially or fully in the oil mixture. The oil mixture comprises a hydrocarbon oil base and a coolant having an endothermic liquid/vapor transition at a temperature between the lower and upper operating temperatures of the gear assembly.

Abstract: A rear cover for a drive axle housing is provided that minimizes stresses in the weld joining the output shaft bearing tube to the rear cover. In one embodiment, the rear cover includes a stiffening rib extending transversely across part or all of the cover. In another embodiment, the rear cover includes a raised portions proximate the output shaft bearing tube that is substantially spherical in shape.

Abstract: The gear housing may be a housing to enclose a gear assembly of a land mobile vehicle. The gear housing may have an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. The lower housing portion may have a wall reference position below a lowest surface structure of a gear assembly wherein a wall of smooth, generally non-planar surfaces may be positioned below a gear assembly centerline with an interior surface at the wall reference position adjacent the lowest surface structure with sufficient separation to avoid contact between the gear housing and the gear assembly. The wall may have at least one concave curved segment to position the wall adjacent to a contour of outer surface structures of the gear assembly, but not contacting the gear assembly. An upper housing portion may be attached to the lower housing portion to enclose the gear assembly.