Drivetrain systems and methods are provided. In one example, the drivetrain system includes an interaxle differential (IAD) configured to receive power from a prime mover, a motor configured to drive a planetary gearset, and a ball ramp actuator configured to selectively engage a plurality of plates in a clutch pack of a friction clutch in response to receiving rotational input from the planetary gearset. In an engaged configuration, the friction clutch prevents speed differentiation between a first IAD output and a second IAD output.

The present invention provides lubrication systems, apparatus and methods for efficiently and reliably lubricating the drive chain and drive sprocket of a chain-driven vehicle during operation. Embodiments of the invention include a body having a reservoir of lubricating oil that is attachable to the vehicle using existing mounting bolts, a valve for controlling a flow of the oil to the sprocket and chain, a channel providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the valve, and an applicator for applying the lubricating oil to a drive sprocket of the vehicle. Oil is transferred via gravity from the reservoir to the applicator, and via centrifugal force from the applicator to the sprocket and chain.

A drive device includes a first catch tank above a first gear and including a first bent portion bent between the first gear and a second gear, and a second catch tank below the first catch tank and including a second bent portion that is bent downward. A space above the second bent portion communicates with a space above the first bent portion. A third catch tank is above the second gear, and includes a third bent portion that is bent toward between the first gear and the second gear. A space above the third bent portion communicates with the space above the first bent portion. A fourth catch tank is in front of the second gear and above the third gear, and includes a fourth bent portion that is bent downward.

A power transmission device includes a motor, a planetary gear mechanism having a portion that overlaps the motor in an axial direction, an axial direction wall part having a portion positioned between the planetary gear mechanism and the motor, a plate provided between the axial direction wall part and a pinion gear having the gear mechanism, and a box in which the motor, the planetary gear mechanism, the axial direction wall part, and the plate are housed. The box defines a breather hole that communicates with a breather chamber. The box has a radial direction wall part having a portion positioned between the plate and the breather chamber in a radial direction. The plate has a portion positioned between the pinion gear and the breather hole.

A motor having a motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis; a power transmission having gears and connected to the motor shaft; a housing having a motor housing portion accommodating the motor and a gear accommodation portion accommodating the power transmission; a fluid contained in the housing; and a fluid channel through which the fluid flows, in which a reservoir storing the fluid above the motor axis is provided in the inside of the gear accommodation portion. The fluid channel includes an external supply channel for supplying the fluid from an outside of the motor to the motor, and an internal supply channel for supplying the fluid to a hollow portion of the motor shaft. The reservoir has a first supply port and a second supply port. The external supply channel is connected to a first supply port. The internal supply channel is connected to a second supply port.

A drive apparatus includes a motor having a rotor with a hollow motor shaft and a stator, a gear connected to the rotor, a housing including a motor housing accommodating the motor, and a gear housing at one side in an axial direction of the motor housing and accommodating the gear, and a passage. The gear includes a hollow gear shaft connected to one side in the axial direction of the motor shaft. The passage includes a first portion connecting the inside of the gear housing and the inside of the gear shaft, a second portion at least partially configured by the inside of the gear shaft and the inside of the motor shaft and connected to the first portion, a third portion connected to the second portion on the other side in the axial direction, and a first supply portion connected to the third portion and above the stator.

A transfer case includes a mainshaft, an oil distribution device, and a lubricating pump, with the lubricating pump having a pumpshaft offset from the axis of the mainshaft. The transfer case includes a rear housing in which the lubricating pump housing is disposed in radially offset location, where lubricating oil is drawn via suction to the pump housing from a sump at the bottom of the transfer case. The pump pressurizes the oil and delivers the oil via passageways extending between the radially offset pump and the oil distribution device, which surrounds the mainshaft. The passageways may be provided in a manifold block that is fixed to the housing. The manifold block may provide an anti-rotation feature to the oil distribution device, such that drag on the oil distribution device caused by rotation of the mainshaft is counteracted.

A vehicle stalactite passive lubrication system includes a drive unit having an electric motor and a gear. A sump has a sump extension. A lubricant is collected in the sump for gravity flow into the sump extension. A stalactite member is fixed to the drive unit and is positioned above an element to be filled with a fluid, lubricated or cooled. The stalactite member is directed downwardly toward the sump with the lubricant splashed by gear rotation collected on neighboring walls and the stalactite member and directed downwardly by gravity into the sump or target element. The stalactite member includes: a drip edge oriented at an angle to a horizontal plane; and a tip defining an end of the drip edge. The angle is selected to direct the lubricant to discharge off the stalactite member at the tip as a lubricant stream into the sump or target element.

A lubricating oil supply structure in an in-wheel motor drive device (10) includes an oil tank (47) provided a lower part of a motor unit (21) and/or a reducer unit (31), configured to store lubricating oil, an oil pump (54) configured to pump up lubricating oil from the oil tank, and an oil pipe (70) fixedly attached in an upper part of the motor unit and/or the reducer unit. The oil pipe (70) includes an inlet (76) through which lubricating oil pumped up from the oil pump (54) flows therein, and at least one outlet (77) provided between one end thereof and the other end thereof, configured to discharge lubricating oil flown in from the inlet (76) downwards.

A gear unit to be mounted in a vehicle includes a housing for storing oil, a partition disposed inside the housing, and a helical gear. The partition defines first and second oil chambers and has a through-hole allowing the first oil chamber to communicate with the second oil chamber. The helical gear disposed inside the first oil chamber rotates during running of the vehicle and has an angled tooth that draws inner and addendum circles defining a virtual circumferential plane. The through-hole coincides with a portion of the virtual circumferential plane in a direction parallel to a central axis of the helical gear. When the helical gear rotates in conjunction with the running of the vehicle, the oil flows from the second oil chamber into the first oil chamber so that an oil level of the first oil chamber becomes higher than that of the second oil chamber.