Metaldyne Gmbh

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Metaldyne Company LLC

Jeffrey L Lubben

Robert Veldman

Zhipeng Han

Greg Sabourin

Ryan McAlister

The present invention includes novel apparatus and methods for engaging and disengaging a locking differential. In an embodiment, an assembly for use with a locking differential is provided. The assembly includes an actuator, a housing, a shaft, a pair of biasing members, a side gear, and a locking pin. The actuator is arranged to move the assembly from a first position to a second position. The housing is coupled to the actuator. The first biasing member biases the housing, and the second biasing member biases the housing and shaft. The side gear includes an aperture for engaging the locking pin. The locking pin is coupled to the shaft such that the biasing of the shaft determines whether the locking pin is biased into engagement with the aperture or out of engagement with the aperture.

Over-center linkage for engaging a locking differential or other mechanism

A pin retention and assembly system that is used with vehicles, such as, off-road vehicles is provided. The pin retention and assembly system has modular locking pins engaging a collar positionable about a bearing journal of a differential housing. Channels are formed in the bearing journal for receiving the locking pins. The channels aid in maximizing the size of the bearing journal. The locking pins engage the collar to lock the differential housing. In an embodiment, the locking pins and locking apertures in the differential housing are orientated asymmetrically causing the number of locking pins to be independent to the apertures in the side gear.

Pin retention and assembly system for locking differential

The present invention provides a differential housing assembly having a pinion shaft positioned therein. The differential housing assembly is capable of imparting torque to at least a pair of axle shafts of, for example a vehicle. The pinion shaft has a relief portion for receiving a portion of at least one of the axle shafts. The relief portion is capable of compensating for offset between the centerline of the pinion shaft and a centerline of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the relief portion allows the axle shafts to have equal lengths.

Pinion shaft and differential housing assembly

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) assembly includes first and second pulley pairs having a drive belt extended therebetween. A transmission case cover includes a threaded aperture. A threaded sleeve and bearing assembly is positioned on a stationary pulley member and threadedly engaged with the threaded aperture. The threaded sleeve and bearing assembly is engaged with the stationary pulley member such that rotation of the threaded sleeve and bearing assembly causes axial adjustment of the stationary pulley member. A lock feature locks the threaded sleeve and bearing assembly in the desired rotational position, thereby locking the stationary pulley member in an axially adjusted position.

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Pinckney, MI, United States of America

Jeffrey L Lubben