Direct acting electronic locking differential

An electronically actuated locking differential comprising:

• a gear case having opposite first and second ends and a plurality of slots formed in the first end;
• a differential gear set disposed in the gear case;
• a lock plate disposed at the gear case first end and configured to selectively engage the differential gear set, wherein the lock plate includes a plurality of standoffs extending through the plurality of slots formed in the gear case first end, each standoff of the plurality of standoffs extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, the outer diameter including (i) a groove configured to receive a snap ring and (ii) a shoulder portion arranged closer to the proximal end than the groove;
• and
• an electronic actuator disposed at the gear case first end and having a stator and an armature, wherein a portion of the armature is disposed between each standoff and the snap ring at the shoulder portion,
• wherein the electronic actuator is operable between an unlocked first mode where the lock plate does not lockingly engage the differential gear set, and a locked second mode wherein when the stator is energized, the armature is pulled toward the gear case first end such that the lock plate is pushed into locking engagement with the differential gear set to thereby lock a pair of axle shafts.