Various systems and techniques for providing enhancements to bogie-equipped vehicles are described and discussed. Such systems and techniques include, for example, actively driven bogie differentials, elevated obstacle mounting techniques, worm-drive steering, parking modes using toe-in or toe-out wheel steering, speed-sensitive steering mode selection, and various other enhancements and techniques.

Various systems and techniques for providing enhancements to bogie-equipped vehicles are described and discussed. Such systems and techniques include, for example, actively driven bogie differentials, elevated obstacle mounting techniques, worm-drive steering, parking modes using toe-in or toe-out wheel steering, speed-sensitive steering mode selection, and various other enhancements and techniques.

A multi-mode torque vectoring electric drive axle, including a main motor, an auxiliary motor, a differential, a first half shaft, a second half shaft, a primary reducer, a secondary reducer, a planetary gear set, a dual-gear mechanism and a three-phase actuator. The main motor and the auxiliary motor are respectively connected to input ends of the primary reducer and the secondary reducer. Output ends of the primary reducer and the secondary reducer are respectively connected to a differential housing and an input end of the planetary gear set. Two output ends of the planetary gear set are respectively connected to the three-phase actuator and the dual-gear mechanism. An output end of the dual-gear mechanism is connected to the differential housing. The three-phase actuator is a synchronous shifting mechanism for enabling locking, decoupling of the planetary gear set, and connection to the first half shaft.

Methods and systems are provided for selectively engaging an electric machine to an electric axle of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include engaging or disengaging the electric machine to a differential of the electric-axle by adjusting pressure in a piston coupled to an axle shaft of the electric-axle via a disconnect clutch.

Methods and systems are provided for selectively engaging an electric machine to an electric axle of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include engaging or disengaging the electric machine to a differential of the electric-axle by adjusting pressure in a piston coupled to an axle shaft of the electric-axle via a disconnect clutch.

In at least some implementations, a clutch member includes a main body having a central axis, a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface, a rear face and a front face, multiple teeth formed in the front face with adjacent teeth circumferentially spaced apart, and a rim extending axially from the main body and located radially outwardly of the teeth. The rim extends axially farther from the rear face than do the teeth.

A differential device is provided with: an input case having an axially directed end face; a differential gear set with side gears allowing a differential motion therebetween; dog teeth toothed toward the end face on an output case; a clutch structure engageable with the dog teeth and so structured as to couple the output case or the second side gear with the input case when engaged; an axially movable clutch member including an internal end and an external end exposed to the exterior; an axially movable armature including a magnetic material and in contact with the external end; a solenoid supported away from the end face, the solenoid generating a magnetic flux to attract the armature and, via the clutch member, set the clutch structure in mesh with the dog teeth; and a spring biasing the clutch member in a contrary direction.

A differential device is provided with: an input case having an axially directed end face; a differential gear set with side gears allowing a differential motion therebetween; dog teeth toothed toward the end face on an output case; a clutch structure engageable with the dog teeth and so structured as to couple the output case or the second side gear with the input case when engaged; an axially movable clutch member including an internal end and an external end exposed to the exterior; an axially movable armature including a magnetic material and in contact with the external end; a solenoid supported away from the end face, the solenoid generating a magnetic flux to attract the armature and, via the clutch member, set the clutch structure in mesh with the dog teeth; and a spring biasing the clutch member in a contrary direction.

A differential housing for a differential unit of a vehicle. The differential housing is configured for receiving a differential and an end portion of each of two drive shafts connected by means of the differential. The differential housing has a longitudinal axis. It comprises a peripheral wall which has a substantially tubular shape, and defines an inner space. The differential housing includes at least one hole which extends through the peripheral wall; and a valve mounted in said hole, the valve being configured to allow the passage of oil towards the inner space, and to allow the passage of oil from the inner space towards the outside only below a predetermined valve closing force.

A differential housing for a differential unit of a vehicle. The differential housing is configured for receiving a differential and an end portion of each of two drive shafts connected by means of the differential. The differential housing has a longitudinal axis. It comprises a peripheral wall which has a substantially tubular shape, and defines an inner space. The differential housing includes at least one hole which extends through the peripheral wall; and a valve mounted in said hole, the valve being configured to allow the passage of oil towards the inner space, and to allow the passage of oil from the inner space towards the outside only below a predetermined valve closing force.