Powertrain system actuator and powertrain system therewith

A vehicle powertrain system including a powertrain actuator for selectively coupling a first rotatable member to a second rotatable member to transfer torque therebetween and to selectively decouple the first rotatable member from the second rotatable member to prevent the transfer of torque therebetween, said powertrain actuator comprising:

• a housing having a wall bounding a cavity and a through window;
• an electrically activatable coil disposed adjacent said cavity;
• a plunger disposed in said cavity, said plunger having an elongate portion extending between a proximal end adjacent said coil and a distal end, said proximal end being configured for magnetic communication with said electrically activatable coil to cause said plunger to translate in said cavity in response to said magnetic communication;
• a tubular sleeve fixedly disposed in said cavity, said tubular sleeve having a throughbore extending between open opposite ends, said throughbore having a guide member extending axially between said open opposite ends and a cam lock feature;
• a tubular first member disposed in said tubular sleeve and about said elongate portion of said plunger, said tubular first member having an outer surface with a first guide feature configured for translation along said guide member, said outer surface extending between a free end facing said proximal end of said plunger and a first engagement end facing said distal end of said plunger, said first engagement end having a cam surface and a stop surface extending therefrom;
• a tubular second member disposed in said tubular sleeve and about said elongate portion of said plunger between said tubular first member and said distal end of said plunger, said tubular second member having an outer surface with a second guide feature configured for translation along said guide member and having a free end facing said distal end of said plunger and a second activation end configured to abut said cam surface on said first engagement end;
• a first spring member disposed within said tubular first and second members, said first spring member biasing said first and second members away from one another;
• a second spring member disposed about said plunger between said tubular first member and said proximal end of said plunger;
• and
• a driven member disposed about said plunger between said tubular first member and said second spring and extending outwardly through said window, said second spring member biasing said driven member toward said tubular first member;
• wherein said plunger translates toward said electrically activatable coil upon a first energization of said coil for causing said tubular first and second members to translate in said sleeve with said first and second guide features translating along said guide member and causing said driven member to translate conjointly with said first tubular member, with said first guide feature extending beyond said guide member such that said second activation end rotatably drives said cam surface of said tubular first member and brings said stop surface into locked engagement with said cam lock feature, thereby maintaining said tubular first member and said driven member in an axially translated, extended activated position when said coil is de-energized,
• wherein a second energization of said coil causes said tubular first and second members to translate in said sleeve with said second guide feature translating along said guide member such that said second activation end rotatably drives said cam surface and moves said stop surface out of engagement with said cam lock feature and brings said first guide feature into alignment with said guide member, thereby allowing said tubular first member and said driven member to be axially translated back to a retracted, deactivated position when said coil is de-energized.