A vehicle that utilizes a counter-rotating electric motor to generate at least a portion of its propulsive force that includes the vehicle with front and rear wheels, the counter-rotating motor with two oppositely rotating components linked to two drive shafts that are coupled to the wheels in a common rotational direction, a component for reversible stopping the rotation of at least one rotating component while permitting the drive shafts to rotate, a power source linked to the motor, and a controller that controls both the speed of the vehicle and the reversible stopping component to switch between a first operational mode for slower vehicle speeds and a second operational mode for higher vehicle speeds, thereby increasing the overall electrical efficiency for operating the vehicle.

A vehicle that utilizes a counter-rotating electric motor to generate at least a portion of its propulsive force that includes the vehicle with front and rear wheels, the counter-rotating motor with two oppositely rotating components linked to two drive shafts that are coupled to the wheels in a common rotational direction, a component for reversible stopping the rotation of at least one rotating component while permitting the drive shafts to rotate, a power source linked to the motor, and a controller that controls both the speed of the vehicle and the reversible stopping component to switch between a first operational mode for slower vehicle speeds and a second operational mode for higher vehicle speeds, thereby increasing the overall electrical efficiency for operating the vehicle.

A drive axle of a vehicle includes an electric motor having an output shaft. At least one of a gear and a planetary gear set is operably connected to the output shaft of the electric motor. The at least one of the gear and the planetary gear set is operably connected to a differential configured to transfer torque to two axle half shafts of the vehicle. At least one clutch configured to facilitate a plurality of gear ratios between the electric motor and the differential.

A drive axle of a vehicle includes an electric motor having an output shaft. At least one of a gear and a planetary gear set is operably connected to the output shaft of the electric motor. The at least one of the gear and the planetary gear set is operably connected to a differential configured to transfer torque to two axle half shafts of the vehicle. At least one clutch configured to facilitate a plurality of gear ratios between the electric motor and the differential.

A prime mover system includes a first prime mover, a first drive shaft, a differential, a power take-off (PTO) drive shaft, a second drive shaft, a transmission, a first accessory, and an output shaft. The first drive shaft is operatively coupled to the first prime mover. The differential is coupled to the first drive shaft. The PTO drive shaft is coupled to the differential. The second drive shaft is coupled to the differential. The transmission is coupled to the second drive shaft. The first accessory is operatively coupled to the PTO drive shaft. The output shaft is coupled to the transmission. The transmission is configured to transfer rotation of the second drive shaft to the output shaft. Rotation of the PTO drive shaft is independent of rotation of the output shaft.

Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. An electric drive axle system includes, in one example, a gear train configured to rotationally attach to an electric motor-generator. The gear train includes an output shaft rotationally coupled to a first planetary gear assembly axially offset from an input shaft rotationally coupled to the electric motor-generator, the first planetary gear assembly configured to removably couple to a differential arranged co-axial with an axle.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a multi-axle assembly in a vehicle. The multi-axle assembly may be operated according to a requested mode, where the mode includes providing torque at one, two, or no axles of the multi-axle assembly, and the requested mode may be selected based on vehicle speed. In this way, operation of the multi-axle assembly may be adjusted according to a fuel efficiency of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.

A mount bushing includes an outer mounting ring adapted for connection to a mount structure. An outer structural ring is disposed inside of the outer mounting ring. A main elastomeric isolation arrangement is disposed between the outer structural ring and an inner structural insert, wherein the main elastomeric isolation arrangement is supported between the outer structural ring and the inner structural insert by elastomer material. An outer ring isolation layer of elastomer is disposed between the outer mounting ring and the outer structural ring, wherein the outer ring isolation layer is isolated from the main elastomeric isolation arrangement by the outer structural ring. A mounting bolt is inserted through a bore in the inner structural insert.

A mount bushing includes an outer mounting ring adapted for connection to a mount structure. An outer structural ring is disposed inside of the outer mounting ring. A main elastomeric isolation arrangement is disposed between the outer structural ring and an inner structural insert, wherein the main elastomeric isolation arrangement is supported between the outer structural ring and the inner structural insert by elastomer material. An outer ring isolation layer of elastomer is disposed between the outer mounting ring and the outer structural ring, wherein the outer ring isolation layer is isolated from the main elastomeric isolation arrangement by the outer structural ring. A mounting bolt is inserted through a bore in the inner structural insert.

The present document relates to an electric drive axle comprising an electric motor, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, and a differential assembly. The electric motor is drivingly connected or drivingly connectable to the differential assembly via the first planetary gear set and via the second planetary gear set.