A system and method utilize a first rotation sensor that provides a first signal indicative of a first rotation of a first end of a rotating coupling. The rotating coupling has an articulating member mechanically coupling the first end to a second end. A second rotation sensor provides a second signal indicative of a second rotation of the second end of the rotating coupling. A processor is coupled to the first and second rotation sensors and is operable to determine a relationship between the first and second rotations based on the first and second signals. Based on the relationship, the processor estimates at least one of a degradation of and a remaining useful life of the rotating coupling.

An axle assembly for a vehicle including a carrier housing and an axle tube housing configured to receive an axle shaft therein. The axle tube housing is coupled to the carrier housing by at least one fastener extending outwardly from an interior of the carrier housing into at least one aperture formed in the axle tube housing. A joint formed between the axle tube housing and the carrier housing is nonorthogonal relative to a centerline of the axle shaft.

An axle assembly of a vehicle including a differential assembly, a first axle tube including a proximal end adjacent the differential assembly, an opposite distal end, and an axle bore extending therebetween, a first axle shaft rotatably received in the first axle tube, the first axle shaft including a proximal end disposed in the differential assembly, and an opposite distal end extending outwardly from the distal end of the first axle shaft, and a radial bearing assembly including an inner cup, an outer cup and a plurality of roller elements rotatably received therebetween, the outer cup being axially fixed within the axle bore of the first axle tube and the inner cup being axially fixed to the first axle shaft.

An axle assembly of a vehicle including a differential assembly, a first axle tube including a proximal end adjacent the differential assembly, an opposite distal end, and an axle bore extending therebetween, a first axle shaft rotatably received in the first axle tube, the first axle shaft including a proximal end disposed in the differential assembly, and an opposite distal end extending outwardly from the distal end of the first axle shaft, and a radial bearing assembly including an inner cup, an outer cup and a plurality of roller elements rotatably received therebetween, the outer cup being axially fixed within the axle bore of the first axle tube and the inner cup being axially fixed to the first axle shaft.

A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.

An axle assembly having an electric motor module, a drive pinion, and at least one rotor bearing assembly. The electric motor module may have a rotor. The rotor and the drive pinion may be rotatable about a first axis. The first rotor bearing assembly may extend between the drive pinion and the rotor.

Axle assembly includes first and second axle housings extending toward opposing sides of a vehicle frame with the axle housings aligned to define an axle axis, first and second wheel ends, first and second drive shafts disposed within the first and second axle housings, a gearbox having a first surface facing one side of the vehicle frame and a second surface facing the other side of the vehicle frame with the gearbox cantilevered outwardly relative to the aligned axle housings to define a gearbox axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and transverse to the axle axis, and an electric motor coupled to the second surface of the gearbox and extending toward the first side of the vehicle frame to define a motor axis that is parallel to and offset from the axle axis, transverse to the gearbox axis, and transverse to the longitudinal axis.

A dual plunging constant velocity (CV) drive shaft is provided for communicating rotational forces from a transaxle to a drive wheel of a vehicle. The dual plunging CV drive shaft comprises a drive shaft that transfers torque from the transaxle to the drive wheel. An inboard plunging CV joint is coupled between the transaxle and the drive shaft, and an outboard plunging CV joint is coupled between the drive shaft and the drive wheel. The inboard and outboard plunging CV joints each comprises an elongate housing that receives a CV joint coupled with the drive shaft. The inboard and outboard plunging CV joints communicate rotational forces from the transaxle to the drive wheel during vertical pivoting of a trailing arm coupled with the outboard plunging CV joint. The elongate housings allow the drive shaft to “float” longitudinally, as needed, during extreme pivoting motion of the suspension.

The present teachings generally provide for an overrunable test vehicle for dynamic vehicle testing of advanced driver assistant systems along a driving plane. The overrunable test vehicle comprising a chassis with a first end and a second end and including a mounting area configured to receive a soft target, and defining an axis of rotation transverse to the driving plane between the first end and the second end, four drive mechanisms coupled with the chassis, each drive mechanism having an electric motor with a drive wheel, and a control system coupled with the electric motors, and configured to control speed and torque of each of the electric motors, forming a torque vector that rotates the overrunable test vehicle about the axis of rotation to a target rotation angle. The axis of rotation is a location between the two drive mechanisms that the chassis turns about when the torque vector is applied to the chassis of the overrunable test vehicle.

An apparatus for a split axle includes a split axle of a vehicle with a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft includes a sleeve and the second shaft includes an inserted portion that is inserted into the sleeve of the first shaft. The inserted portion is rotatable within the sleeve. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism that includes a locked state and an unlocked state. The first shaft and the second shaft rotate together at a same speed when the locking mechanism is in the locked state and the first shaft and the second shaft rotate independently when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state.