Rivian IP Holdings, LLC

Vinaey Kalyanaraman

Mason Verbridge

Cameron Philip Williams

Khwaja M Rahman

Henry Huang

George Zalanca

Gary Allen Pinkley

Example illustrations are directed to a differential, e.g., a disconnecting differential, and associated methods. A disconnecting differential may include two side gears configured to deliver torque from an output gear or differential casing to respective vehicle wheels when the differential is in a connected state. Each of the side gears may be configured to receive the torque from the output gear while permitting a differential speed between the side gears. The disconnecting differential may also include a disconnect device configured to disconnect the output gear from the two side gears such that the differential is in a disconnected state. The disconnecting differential may also include a position sensor configured to determine a rotational position of the output gear.

Position-based lubrication control strategy for disconnect differential

A vehicle includes first and second drive units, such as drive units that each include an electric motor and a gear train coupling the electric motor to one or more wheels. A first drive unit may be idled while the second drive unit continues to induce movement of the vehicle. Losses within the first drive unit while idled may be reduced by heating the first drive unit, such as with heat generated by the second drive unit. A cooling system is present and may be used to heat the first drive unit by directing fluid exiting the second drive unit into the first drive unit before entering the cooling system or bypassing the cooling system entirely. Oil circulation within the first drive unit may facilitate heating of the gear train by bypassing a heat exchanger receiving the oil and the fluid.

Reducing losses in an idled vehicle drive unit

A drive system includes a first drive train and a second drive train coupled by a differential assembly. Each drive train include a motor, an output gear, and a clutch assembly that engages and disengages the output gear from respective halfshafts. The differential assembly is configured to couple the first and second halfshafts, and connect/disconnect the first output gear and the first halfshaft. The differential assembly includes, for example, side gears, a spider gearset, and an actuator for engaging and disengaging the differential casing from the first output gear. A control system is configured to actuate actuators of clutch assemblies and/or a differential assembly to achieve one or more drive modes for each drive axis. The control system determines the first drive mode, controls the clutch assemblies and differential assemblies, and controls one or more motors. The drive modes include, for example, torque vectoring, fully locked, single motor, and neutral.

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Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, United States of America

Vinaey Kalyanaraman