An axle disconnect system for drive axles that utilizes an engagement spring, an electric motor and a slidable gear. The motor is connected to the slidable gear which moves along threads thereby engaging or disengaging clutch teeth on a first side gear which selectively engages a second side gear. The engagement spring is located between a bearing and the first side gear wherein when engagement is desired, but blocked by misalignment of the teeth, the engagement spring can apply a load to allow for engagement once alignment of the teeth is achieved. The use of a second engagement spring allows for the disengagement of the system when disengagement is typically blocked due to high driveline torques without having to reapply current to the motor.

A vehicle drive unit that provides improved power transfer to a differential input member of a differential assembly. The vehicle drive unit is configured with an interlock system that is configured to inhibit the supply of electrical power from a source of electrical power if certain predetermined conditions are not met.

An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. The clutch in one variation includes a positive clutch in the form of a dog clutch. The dog clutch has a clutch suspension configured to deflect a clutch collar when gearing is misaligned during shifting.

Methods and systems are provided for a motorized disconnect operable to selectively engage and disengage two rotating components of a vehicle drivetrain. As one example, a motorized disconnect system is provided that operates via an electric motor and includes a shifter assembly with an oscillating gear track and cam profile for rotating the shifter assembly while moving it in an axial direction to selectively couple two rotating components.

A device for adjusting camber and/or toe of a vehicle wheel of a motor vehicle, includes a wheel carrier including a wheel-side carrier part, an axle-side guide part and rotary parts arranged between the wheel-side carrier part and the axle-side guide part, the rotary parts being supported on a common bearing site for rotation relative to each other about a rotation axis, the wheel-side carrier part being rotatable about said rotation axis about an instantaneous center of rotation for toe or camber adjustment of the vehicle wheel and supporting a brake caliper interacting with a brake disc of the vehicle wheel; and a torque bridge configured as a torque transmission element which supports the wheel-side carrier part on the axle-side guide part when a braking moment acts on the wheel-side carrier part during a braking process, and which when supporting the wheel-side carrier part on the axle-side guide part generates a directed force component with which the wheel-side carrier part is impingable.

An actuator for a transfer case includes an actuator member, a face cam mechanism, and a motor. The actuator member includes a circumferential flange and an annular body extending from an inner periphery of the circumferential flange. The annular body includes a circumferential slot opposite the flange defined between two end walls formed by the annular body. One of the end walls includes a bearing member coupled thereto. The face cam mechanism includes a follower coupled to a cam member. The cam member is configured to displace axially when rotated. The follower is disposed within the slot. In a first range of motion, the annular member is rotated independent of the face cam mechanism. In a second range of motion, the bearing member engages the follower to rotate the second cam member relative to the first cam member, and the follower moves axially along the bearing member.

A four-wheel drive vehicle includes a friction clutch that transmits a driving force to rear wheels, a hydraulic circuit including a control valve that reduces a pressure of hydraulic oil discharged from a hydraulic pump down to a control pressure corresponding to a control current, and the cylinder and a piston that receives the oil from hydraulic circuit the to press the friction clutch. In the hydraulic circuit, a ratio of an change amount in a feeding pressure to the cylinder to an change amount in the control current, when the feeding pressure to the cylinder is lower than a predetermined value, is lower than when the feeding pressure applied to the cylinder is equal to or higher than the predetermined value. The control apparatus controls a pressure of the hydraulic oil fed to the cylinder lower than the predetermined value when switching the driving state.

Disclosed is a variable spoiler apparatus of the rear bumper for vehicles. The variable spoiler apparatus includes a linkage device, to be installed on a bumper back beam, which is able to vary in length in an up-down direction during a rotating operation. A spoiler is coupled to the linkage device and is able to move in the up-down direction by the rotation operation of the linkage device. A first drive device, to be installed on the bumper back beam, includes a first rotating shaft coupled to the linkage device to transmit a rotating force. When the first drive device is operated, the linkage device is rotated by a rotation of the first rotating shaft so that the spoiler is moved in the up-down direction. A second rotating shaft is rotatably coupled to the linkage device. The second rotating shaft is penetrated and connected to a second drive device.

A two-speed transfer case configured for use in heavy-duty four-wheel drive vehicles and which is equipped with a low-torque power transfer arrangement and a high-torque power transfer arrangement.

A compact deployable/retractable running board assembly for a motor vehicle including a running board, linkage coupled to the running board, and a motor assembly coupled to an actuator, the running board moveable between at least one stowed position and at least one deployed position. The linkage includes a drive arm connected to a pivot shaft within a housing at a location on the pivot shaft between two bushings that are coupled to the pivot shaft within the housing. The linkage also includes an idler arm connected to a pivot shaft within an idler housing. The actuator is operably coupled to the linkage to cause rotation of the linkage to move the running board between the at least one stowed position generally under the motor vehicle and at least one deployed position to provide a step surface for a user.