an electric powertrain integrated into a vehicle axle. Such electric axle (or “E-axle”) is a front or rear axle that includes an axle body (or “housing”) adapted to receive a powertrain, which is arranged to provide torque to the wheels of the axle. The “E-Axle” is a compact and economical electric drive solution for battery electric vehicles, fuel cells and hybrid applications. The electric motor(s), electronics and transmission are combined in a compact unit that directly drives the wheels provided at the longitudinal ends of the axle.

an electric powertrain integrated into a vehicle axle. Such electric axle (or “E-axle”) is a front or rear axle that includes an axle body (or “housing”) adapted to receive a powertrain, which is arranged to provide torque to the wheels of the axle. The “E-Axle” is a compact and economical electric drive solution for battery electric vehicles, fuel cells and hybrid applications. The electric motor(s), electronics and transmission are combined in a compact unit that directly drives the wheels provided at the longitudinal ends of the axle.

A wheel end disconnect assembly includes a housing, a shift ring, a shift fork and an actuator. The shift ring is supported for axial translation relative to the housing between a connected position in which the shift ring couples an input member to a wheel hub for rotation therewith and a disconnected position in which the input member and the wheel hub are rotatable relative to each other. The shift fork includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and an input portion extending from a junction of the first and second arm portions. The shift fork is pivotably coupled to the housing at the junction of the first and second arm portions. The actuator is configured to move the input portion to pivot the first and second arm portions such that the first and second arm portions translate the shift ring between the connected and disconnected positions.

Driven lift axles and associated systems and components are provided for use on heavy duty trucks, trailers, and/or other vehicles. Driven lift axle systems may include one or more motors mounted to the lift axle to provide torque to drive one or more wheels of the lift axle. Various mounting configurations of such motors are possible, such as arranging a motor on the axle to provide torque at a conventional driveshaft input by interfacing with a differential drive gear, positioning a motor at each of the wheel ends of the axle to provide torque directly to the wheels, etc. Each wheel can be driven by a separate motor, allowing for independent control of the torque applied to each wheel. Lift axles described herein can be suitable for use with various motors capable of applying torque to the axle and/or wheels, such as electric motors, hydraulic motors, internal combustion engines, etc.

Driven lift axles and associated systems and components are provided for use on heavy duty trucks, trailers, and/or other vehicles. Driven lift axle systems may include one or more motors mounted to the lift axle to provide torque to drive one or more wheels of the lift axle. Various mounting configurations of such motors are possible, such as arranging a motor on the axle to provide torque at a conventional driveshaft input by interfacing with a differential drive gear, positioning a motor at each of the wheel ends of the axle to provide torque directly to the wheels, etc. Each wheel can be driven by a separate motor, allowing for independent control of the torque applied to each wheel. Lift axles described herein can be suitable for use with various motors capable of applying torque to the axle and/or wheels, such as electric motors, hydraulic motors, internal combustion engines, etc.

A four-wheel drive system with boosting operation includes: a battery; a voltage boosting device; a front wheel drive unit connected parallel to the battery via the voltage boosting device and including a first motor generator and a first inverter; and a rear wheel drive unit connected parallel to the battery bypassing the voltage boosting device and including a second motor generator and a second inverter. An output power of front wheel drive unit is higher than an output power of rear wheel drive unit, and the output power of rear wheel drive unit is higher than a boosted output power of voltage boosting device. The control method of four-wheel drive system with boosting operation includes controlling the front and rear wheel drive units such that an output power flowing through the voltage boosting device does not exceed a rated boosted output power of voltage boosting device.

A four-wheel drive system with boosting operation includes: a battery; a voltage boosting device; a front wheel drive unit connected parallel to the battery via the voltage boosting device and including a first motor generator and a first inverter; and a rear wheel drive unit connected parallel to the battery bypassing the voltage boosting device and including a second motor generator and a second inverter. An output power of front wheel drive unit is higher than an output power of rear wheel drive unit, and the output power of rear wheel drive unit is higher than a boosted output power of voltage boosting device. The control method of four-wheel drive system with boosting operation includes controlling the front and rear wheel drive units such that an output power flowing through the voltage boosting device does not exceed a rated boosted output power of voltage boosting device.

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.

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.

A drive train for an electric truck includes a gearbox and a gear box housing. The drive train further includes an output shaft extending in an axial direction across a wall of the gear box housing and powering a cardan shaft arranged outside of the gear box housing. At least one output gear is arranged inside of the gear box housing on the output shaft. At least a first and a second electric motor attached to the housing of the gearbox form a team of electric motors, wherein each electric motor includes a drive shaft extending parallel to the axial direction and being interconnected via an input gear to an output gear.