An electric drive unit and a drive axle system having an electric drive unit. The drive axle system also includes a drive shaft and an axle assembly that that is remotely positioned from the electric drive unit. The drive shaft operatively connects the electric drive unit to the axle assembly.

An electric drive unit and a drive axle system having an electric drive unit. The drive axle system also includes a drive shaft and an axle assembly that that is remotely positioned from the electric drive unit. The drive shaft operatively connects the electric drive unit to the axle assembly.

A method of controlling a drive axle system. The method may include executing a gear upshift or a gear downshift after decreasing the torque that is provided by an electric motor to a transmission of an axle assembly and increasing the torque that is provided by another electric motor to a transmission of another axle assembly.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.

Methods of controlling a tandem axle assembly in a vehicle, the tandem axle assembly including an inter-axle differential (IAD), one or more side gears, and a front tandem axle assembly having a pair of front tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies. When a determined speed of the vehicle is greater or equal to a predetermined speed, the IAD may be locked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be disconnected from their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be moved out of engagement with the one or more side gears. When a determined speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed, the IAD may be unlocked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be connected to their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be engaged with the one or more side gears.

Methods of controlling a tandem axle assembly in a vehicle, the tandem axle assembly including an inter-axle differential (IAD), one or more side gears, and a front tandem axle assembly having a pair of front tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies. When a determined speed of the vehicle is greater or equal to a predetermined speed, the IAD may be locked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be disconnected from their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be moved out of engagement with the one or more side gears. When a determined speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed, the IAD may be unlocked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be connected to their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be engaged with the one or more side gears.

An input arrangement for a drive axle system and a drive axle system are provided. The input arrangement comprises a splined sleeve and an input shaft. The splined sleeve has a first end drivingly engaged with a portion of a driveshaft and a second end which defines a splined recess. The input shaft has a first splined portion on an end of the input shaft. The first splined portion is complimentary to and axially slidably engageable with the splined recess of the splined sleeve. The input arrangement for a drive axle drive system eliminates a need for a companion flange, reduces a weight of the drive axle system, and reduces noise, vibration and harshness.

A drive axle system having a one-way freewheel clutch. The one-way freewheel clutch is configured to transmit torque between first and second axle assembles when an interaxle differential unit is unlocked. The one-way freewheel clutch transmits torque to one of the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly when the interaxle differential unit is locked.

Systems and methods for an interaxle differential (IAD) are provided. In one example, the IAD comprises a locking assembly that includes a friction clutch, the friction clutch includes a clutch pack that comprises plurality of plates configured to engage and disengage to inhibit and permit speed differentiation between a first axle differential and a second axle differential. The IAD further includes a supply lubrication passage that comprises an inlet that receives a lubricant from an enclosure surrounding an input gear of an axle differential and a first outlet flowing the lubricant to a gear coupled to the clutch pack.