Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Eaton Corporation

Jordan Robert Allen

Chad Robert Hillman

Varsha Mohan Nemane

Mark James Shewchuk

Jyoti Borgaonkar

Sudhakar Sangle

A position detection device configured for use with a locking differential is configured to determine a position of an armature in relation to a stator. The stator has a primary coil. The armature moves relative to the stator between engaged and disengaged positions corresponding to the locking differential being in a locked and unlocked state. The position detection device includes a secondary coil disposed proximate to the primary coil. The secondary coil is configured to determine a change in inductance based on movement of the armature. The change in inductance is indicative of a change in position of the armature relative to the stator.

Differential having armature position detection

A lock plate for an electronically actuated locking differential is provided. In one example embodiment, the lock plate includes a base portion having a first side and an opposite second side, a plurality of radially spaced teeth extending outwardly from the first side, and a plurality of standoffs extending outwardly from the second side.

Direct acting electronic locking differential

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

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.

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Galesburg, MI, United States of America

Jordan Robert Allen