Differential system and method for operation of a differential system
AssigneeDana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
InventorsPerry M. Paielli, Michael Z. Creech, Sagar B. Bangar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a sensor and control circuitry enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.
Claims20
A differential system, comprising:
- an electromagnetic solenoid actuator including a coil assembly and a piston and configured to selectively induce locking and unlocking of axle shaft speed differentiation;
- a circuit board assembly configured to programmatically control the electromagnetic solenoid actuator and including control circuitry and a sensor that is configured to sense a position of the piston and radially extends down a face of the coil assembly;
- and
- a housing at least partially circumferentially enclosing the coil assembly and the piston;
- wherein the sensor and the control circuitry are enclosed in a sealed housing, the sealed housing directly coupled to the coil assembly, and
- wherein a radially outer circumferential surface of the housing includes a cut-out that mates with and seals at least a portion of the sealed housing.
A differential system, comprising:
- an electromagnetic solenoid actuator including a coil assembly and a piston and configured to selectively induce locking and unlocking of axle shaft speed differentiation;
- and
- a circuit board assembly configured to programmatically control the electromagnetic solenoid actuator and including control circuitry and a sensor that is configured to sense a position of the piston and radially extends down a face of the coil assembly;
- wherein the sensor and the control circuitry are enclosed in a sealed housing, the sealed housing directly coupled to the coil assembly, wherein the sensor is arranged perpendicular to the control circuitry, and wherein the circuit board assembly includes a continuous base that comprises an upper section and a side section that radially extends towards a central axis of the differential system from the upper section.
A locking differential system, comprising:
- an electromagnetic solenoid actuator including a coil assembly and a piston and configured to selectively induce locking and unlocking of axle shaft speed differentiation;
- a circuit board assembly configured to programmatically control the electromagnetic solenoid actuator and including control circuitry and a sensor that is configured to sense a position of the piston and extends down a face of the coil assembly from a housing section that includes a planar surface;
- and
- a housing at least partially circumferentially enclosing the coil assembly and the piston;
- wherein the sensor and the control circuitry are enclosed in a continuous housing, the continuous housing directly coupled to the coil assembly;
- wherein a radially outer circumferential surface of the housing includes a cut-out that mates with and seals at least a portion of the continuous housing;
- and
- wherein the circuit board assembly includes executable instructions stored in non-transitory memory that cause the circuit board assembly to:
- periodically transition the circuit board assembly between an activated state and a sleep state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.