Torque transfer unit with integrated electric drive motor

An axle assembly comprising:

• a power transmission device including a housing having a cylindrically shaped sidewall, the power transmission device selectively communicating rotatable motion from an input member to an output member;
• a frictional clutch disposed in the housing and that selectively transfers torque between the input member and the output member, the frictional clutch including a first clutch member and a second clutch member received in a drum, one of the first clutch member or the second clutch member operatively coupled to the input member and the other of the first and second clutch member operatively coupled to the output member;
• a first and a second axle shaft that selectively drive a first and a second drive wheel, respectively;
• a differential that selectively transfers drive torque from the output member to at least one of the first and second axle shafts;
• and
• an electric motor comprising a coil and a plurality of magnets, wherein one of the coil and magnets are disposed on the housing and the other of the coil and magnets are disposed on the drum and wherein the coils are configured to selectively energize to provide one of a positive torque and a negative torque input to the output member.

An axle assembly comprising:

• a power transmission device including a housing having a cylindrically shaped sidewall, the power transmission device selectively communicating rotatable motion from an input member to an output member;
• a frictional clutch disposed in the housing and that selectively transfers torque between an input member and the output member, the frictional clutch including a first clutch member and a second clutch member received in a drum, one of the first clutch member or the second clutch member operatively coupled to the input member and the other of the first and second clutch member operatively coupled to the output member;
• a first and a second rear axle shaft that selectively drive a first and a second rear drive wheel, respectively;
• a rear differential that selectively transfers drive torque from the output member to at least one of the first and second rear axle shafts;
• and
• an electric motor comprising a coil and a plurality of magnets, wherein one of the coil and magnets are disposed on the cylindrically shaped sidewall of the housing and the other of the coil and magnets are disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the drum;
• wherein the power transmission device is configured to selectively and alternatively operate in an electric motor assist drive mode, an electric drive mode and a regenerative drive mode, wherein in the electric motor assist drive mode, the electric motor is energized and provides one of a positive or negative torque input to the output member, wherein in the electric drive mode, the electric motor provides a sole torque input to the output member, and wherein the regenerative drive mode, the electric motor provides a braking input to the power transmission device.