Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Eaton Corporation

Chad Robert Hillman

Jordan Robert Allen

Steven J Cochren

Daniel Stanley Frazier

Mark James Shewchuck

Rupesh Madhukar Surve

John Kimmel Vandervoort

Swapnil Shivaji Kadam

Mark Harold Pratley

Todd K Coulter

Varsha Mohan Nemane

Mark James Shewchuk

Sudhakar Sangle

Jyoti Borgaonkar

An electronically locking differential assembly constructed in accordance to the present disclosure includes a differential casing, a first and second side gear, a lock actuation assembly and a lock detect mechanism. The lock actuation mechanism selectively moves between a locked state where the side gears are fixed for concurrent rotation and an unlocked state where the side gears rotate relative to each other. The lock detect mechanism detects whether the lock actuation mechanism is in the locked, unlocked state, and an intermediate position between the locked and unlocked state; then provides feedback to the driver on the state of the lock actuation mechanism.

Electronically actuated locking differential having lock detection mechanism

A locking differential assembly () includes a differential case (). A lock ring () is selectably engagable with a first side gear () to selectably prevent the first side gear () and a second side gear () from rotating relative to the differential case (). A plunger () is translatable along a plunger axis () through a bore () in the differential case (). The plunger () is to be in contact with the lock ring () at least when the lock ring () is engaged with the first side gear (). A position of the plunger () relative to the differential case () along the plunger axis () is indicative of an engagement status of the lock ring (). A non-contacting sensor is connected to the differential case () and located a fixed, predetermined distance from the differential case (). The sensor is to detect a proximity of the plunger () to the sensor and to output an electrically detectable signal indicative of the engagement status of the lock ring ().

Locking differential assembly

Differential case

An electronically locking differential assembly constructed in accordance to the present disclosure includes a differential casing, a first and second side gear, a lock actuation assembly and a lock detect mechanism. The first gear defines a first shaft opening configured to provide a first torque transmitting connection with a first output shaft received within the first output shaft opening. The second side gear defines a second output shaft opening configured to provide a second torque transmitting connection with a second output shaft received within the second output shaft opening. The lock actuation mechanism selectively moves between a locked state where the side gears are fixed for concurrent rotation and an unlocked state where the side gears rotate relative to each other. The lock detect mechanism detects whether the lock actuation mechanism is in the locked or unlocked state.

Differential

A locking differential assembly includes a differential case defining an axis of rotation. A first side gear is at a first end of the differential case. A second side gear is at a second end of the differential case. A stator is disposed at the first end. A solenoid is fixedly attached to the stator. The stator is selectably magnetically actuatable to translate an axial translation distance by the solenoid. A lock ring is selectably engagable with the first side gear to prevent the first side gear from rotating relative to the differential case. At least two relay pins are connected to the lock ring and in contact with the stator to space the lock ring at least a predetermined distance from the stator.

An electronic limited slip differential system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure is provided. The system includes an axle housing defining an inner chamber, a differential assembly disposed within the inner chamber, and a hydraulic control unit (HCU) coupled directly to a top of the axle housing such that the HCU is mounted on a top of the differential assembly.

Electronic limited slip differential

A locking differential assembly includes a differential case defining an axis of rotation and a gear chamber. A first side gear is at a first end of the differential case. A second side gear is at a second end of the differential case opposite the first end for selectable rotation relative to the differential case. A solenoid is at the first end. The solenoid is directly wound onto a stator.

A locking differential assembly includes a differential case defining an axis of rotation and a gear chamber. A first side gear is at a first end of the differential case. A second side gear is at a second end of the differential case opposite the first end for selectable rotation relative to the differential case. At least two pinion gears are rotatably supported in the gear chamber in meshing engagement with the first side gear and the second side gear. A solenoid is at the first end. A plunger is selectably magnetically actuatable by the solenoid. A lock ring is selectably engagable with the second side gear to selectably prevent the side gear from rotating relative to the differential case. At least two relay rods are each connected to the plunger and to the lock ring to cause the lock ring to remain a fixed predetermined distance from the plunger.

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Ceresco, MI, United States of America

Chad Robert Hillman