This disclosure details electrified vehicle drive systems equipped with electric machine integrated axle assemblies. An exemplary electrified vehicle drive system includes a leaf spring assembly and an axle assembly mounted to the leaf spring assembly. The axle assembly may include a cradle and an electric machine mounted within the cradle. Shocks and stabilizer bar assemblies may extend between the cradle and a vehicle frame of the electrified vehicle.

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 compact clutch including a driven shaft on which the following are mounted: a gear wheel; a driving bush; a driven bush; a coil spring; a first collar with cam surfaces; and a second collar with cam surfaces. The gear wheel and the bushes are arranged axially next to each other; the gear wheel and the driving bush are constrained together in the circumferential direction; the spring surrounds externally the bushes; the first collar surrounds externally the spring; and the second collar surrounds externally the first collar. The gear wheel and the bushes are constrained to the driven shaft in the axial direction by means of two stop rings; and the driven bush is constrained to the driven shaft in the circumferential direction by means of at least one tongue.

Methods and systems are provided for estimation of a ride height of a vehicle axle via a linear displacement sensor. In one example, a method may include, during motion of vehicle wheels, estimating a change in ride height of an axle based on a distance of axial movement between a first axle constant velocity universal (CV) joint and a differential unit.

A portal gear and a method to implement a portal gear for a model vehicle are provided. The portal gear may include a drive shaft attached to an input gear and an axle attached to an output gear. The portal gear may further include a housing to vertically contain the input gear and the output gear. Wherein the drive shaft transfers a rotational torque from an upper location to a lower location via a gear reduction resulting from the input gear rotating the output gear.

An axle assembly having a countershaft transmission. The countershaft transmission may operatively connect an electric motor to a drive pinion. The countershaft transmission may have a first countershaft subassembly that is rotatable about a first countershaft axis and a second countershaft subassembly that is rotatable about a second countershaft axis.

An axle assembly having a countershaft transmission. The countershaft transmission may operatively connect a rotor shaft of an electric motor to a drive pinion that may be rotatable about a drive pinion axis. The electric motor and the countershaft transmission may be positioned on opposite sides of a differential assembly.

Methods and systems are provided for estimation of a ride height of a vehicle axle via a linear displacement sensor. In one example, a method may include, during motion of vehicle wheels, estimating a change in ride height of an axle based on a distance of axial movement between a first axle constant velocity universal (CV) joint and a differential unit.

The present disclosure provides an integral front axle assembly which includes an axle housing configured for connecting with a driveshaft; two axle tubes respectively connected with two opposite sides of the axle housing; two inner-C-forgings disposed at ends of the axle tubes and each being configured for connecting with a kingpin knuckle; and at least one connection structure, for detachably fixing at least one of the inner-C-forgings to a corresponding axle tube. The inner-C-forging has different mounting positions on the axle tube, correspondingly, the caster to pinion angle is different at inner-C-forging's different mounting positions. The caster angles on both sides and the pinion to driveshaft angle can be conveniently and independently adjusted while ensuring the support strength.

An axle assembly having an electric motor, a wheel end assembly, and a reduction gear module. The electric motor may have a rotor that is rotatable about a first axis. The wheel end assembly may be rotatable about a second axis that may be disposed above the first axis. The reduction gear module may transmit torque between the electric motor and the wheel end assembly.