An electro-mechanical transmission shifter preferably includes a first actuator, a second actuator, a shift linkage device, actuator mounting bracket, a programmable controller and a gear shift remote. The shift linkage device includes a mounting base plate, a first transmission shifting bracket, a second transmission shifting bracket and a linkage rod. The linkage rod couples the first and second transmission shifting brackets. The actuation rods of the first and second actuators are pivotally connected to the first and second transmission shifting brackets, respectively. A mounting end of the first and second actuators are retained on the actuator mounting bracket with first and second clevis blocks. The programmable controller receives a signal from a gear selector remote to change a gear in a transmission. The programmable controller also monitors the electrical current sent to the first and second actuators.

An axle assembly having a differential assembly that may include a gear reduction unit, a differential nest, and a coupling. The differential nest may be at least partially received in an inner housing. The inner housing may be rotatable about an axis with respect to an outer housing when the coupling is in a first position. The inner housing may be rotatable about the axis with the outer housing when the coupling is in a second position.

An axle assembly having a differential assembly that may include a gear reduction unit, a differential nest, and a coupling. The differential nest may be at least partially received in an inner housing. The inner housing may be rotatable about an axis with respect to an outer housing when the coupling is in a first position. The inner housing may be rotatable about the axis with the outer housing when the coupling is in a second position.

The present disclosure is directed to electric vehicles and electric powertrains for such electric vehicles. The electric powertrain in configured to include an electric motor and disconnectable differential assembly arranged for transmitting the motive power generated by the electric motor to a pair of ground-engaging wheels. The disconnectable differential assembly includes a power transfer mechanism driven by the electric motor, a differential mechanism interconnected to the pair of ground-engaging wheels, and a power-operated disconnect mechanism for selectively coupling and uncoupling the power transfer mechanism and the differential mechanism.

The present disclosure is directed to electric vehicles and electric powertrains for such electric vehicles. The electric powertrain in configured to include an electric motor and disconnectable differential assembly arranged for transmitting the motive power generated by the electric motor to a pair of ground-engaging wheels. The disconnectable differential assembly includes a power transfer mechanism driven by the electric motor, a differential mechanism interconnected to the pair of ground-engaging wheels, and a power-operated disconnect mechanism for selectively coupling and uncoupling the power transfer mechanism and the differential mechanism.

A first abutting surface, a first welding surface, a first facing surface are formed in a differential case. A second abutting surface, a second welding surface, and a second facing surface are formed in a differential ring gear. In an installing step, the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface are inserted, positions of the differential case and the differential ring gear are determined in an axial direction, a separation portion that spaces the first welding surface and the second welding surface away from each other and that has a non-linear portion is formed, and a void is formed between the first facing surface and the second facing surface. In a welding step, a laser is irradiated to the separation portion and the first welding surface and the second welding surface are welded.

A first abutting surface, a first welding surface, a first facing surface are formed in a differential case. A second abutting surface, a second welding surface, and a second facing surface are formed in a differential ring gear. In an installing step, the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface are inserted, positions of the differential case and the differential ring gear are determined in an axial direction, a separation portion that spaces the first welding surface and the second welding surface away from each other and that has a non-linear portion is formed, and a void is formed between the first facing surface and the second facing surface. In a welding step, a laser is irradiated to the separation portion and the first welding surface and the second welding surface are welded.

A differential device includes a plurality of differential gears, a plurality of differential gear support members respectively supporting the plurality of differential gears, a pair of output gears meshing with each of the plurality of differential gears, a support member having a plurality of opposite ends-supporting parts supporting opposite end parts of the respective differential gear support member, and a space being formed in a middle part of the support member, a recess part being formed between two of the opposite ends-supporting parts of the support member that are adjacent to each other, the recess part extending from an outside in a radial direction of the support member toward an inside in the radial direction, each of the plurality of opposite ends-supporting parts having one support portion supporting at least one end part of the differential gear support member, and a through hole being formed in the one support portion.

A differential device includes a plurality of differential gears, a plurality of differential gear support members respectively supporting the plurality of differential gears, a pair of output gears meshing with each of the plurality of differential gears, a support member having a plurality of opposite ends-supporting parts supporting opposite end parts of the respective differential gear support member, and a space being formed in a middle part of the support member, a recess part being formed between two of the opposite ends-supporting parts of the support member that are adjacent to each other, the recess part extending from an outside in a radial direction of the support member toward an inside in the radial direction, each of the plurality of opposite ends-supporting parts having one support portion supporting at least one end part of the differential gear support member, and a through hole being formed in the one support portion.

A differential device includes a plurality of differential gears, one or a plurality of differential gear support members supporting the differential gears respectively, a support part supporting the differential gear support members, a pair of output gears meshing with each of the differential gears, a washer disposed on the output gears, one of cover members covering the back face side of the one of the output gears and has part of a planetary carrier and another cover member covering a back face side of the other output gear, one of the cover members formed on one of the output gears an abutment part that receives the washer, a plurality of through holes provided at intervals in a peripheral direction at positions where at least part thereof overlaps the abutment part, and a plurality of recess parts provided in parts where the through holes and the abutment part intersect.