# US 12,110,954 B2 · Electronic locking differential with position sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,110,954 B2 - Document ID: US12110954B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/548,665 - Filed: 2022-03-07 - Published: 2024-05-02 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2021-03-05 - Assignees: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited - Applicants: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited - Inventors: Jeremy Wudy; Jeffrey Oesch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12110954B2 ## CPC - F16H 48/34: using electromagnetic or electric actuators - B60K 23/04: for differential gearing - B60K 2023/046: {Axle differential locking means} - F16H: GEARING - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES ## Abstract An electronic locking differential assembly includes a ring gear including at least one bore formed therein. An electronic actuation mechanism is positioned behind the ring gear on one side of the ring gear. A retaining ring includes a notch formed thereon on an outer circumference of the retaining ring. A portion of the electronic actuation mechanism is disposed in the notch. A lock plate is positioned on a side of the ring gear opposite the electronic actuation mechanism. The retaining ring includes a bore formed therein and a fastener disposed in the bore. The fastener is coupled to the retaining ring and passes through the at least one bore of the ring gear. The fastener is coupled to the lock plate wherein the electronic actuation mechanism is axially connected to the lock plate selectively locking and unlocking the differential. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic locking differential assembly comprising: a ring gear including at least one bore formed therein; an electronic actuation mechanism positioned behind the ring gear on one side of the ring gear; a retaining ring including a notch formed thereon on an outer circumference of the retaining ring, wherein a portion of the electronic actuation mechanism is disposed in the notch; a lock plate positioned on a side of the ring gear opposite the electronic actuation mechanism; wherein the retaining ring includes a bore formed therein and a fastener disposed in the bore, the fastener coupled to the retaining ring and passing through the at least one bore of the ring gear and the fastener coupled to the lock plate, wherein the electronic actuation mechanism is axially connected to the lock plate selectively locking and unlocking the electronic locking differential assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic locking differential assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronic actuation mechanism includes a stator disposed in a stator housing, the stator selectively acting upon an armature moving the armature axially relative to the stator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electronic locking differential assembly of claim 2 wherein an inner portion of the armature is disposed in the notch. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The electronic locking differential assembly of claim 2 including a sensor assembly attached to the armature at an upper surface of the armature. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electronic locking differential assembly of claim 4 wherein the sensor assembly includes a sensor housing extending beyond an outer circumference of the armature. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The electronic locking differential assembly of claim 4 wherein the sensor assembly includes a sensor target attached to a target bracket, the target bracket fixedly attached to the stator housing fixing an axial position of the sensor target relative to the armature. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electronic locking differential assembly of claim 1, further including anti-rotation tabs attached to the ring gear, the anti-rotation tabs passing through rotation notches formed in a stator housing and an armature, preventing rotation of the stator housing and the armature relative to each other. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The electronic locking differential assembly of claim 7 wherein the rotation notches allow axial movement of the armature relative to the stator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The electronic locking differential assembly of claim 4, wherein the ring gear includes ring gear fasteners attached thereon, and wherein the sensor assembly is attached on the armature and overhangs from the armature a specified distance defining a clearance of the sensor assembly relative to the ring gear fasteners, allowing rotation of the ring gear without inference with the sensor assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The electronic locking differential assembly of claim 5 wherein the sensor housing includes a rectangular shape having an extending leg defining a sensor target notch. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The electronic locking differential assembly of claim 10 including a sensor target positioned in the sensor notch. ### Claim 12 An electronic locking differential assembly comprising: a ring gear including at least one bore formed therein; an electronic actuation mechanism positioned behind the ring gear on one side of the ring gear, a retaining ring including a notch formed thereon on an outer circumference of the retaining ring, wherein a portion of the electronic actuation mechanism is disposed in the notch; a lock plate positioned on a side of the ring gear opposite the electronic actuation mechanism; wherein the retaining ring includes a bore formed therein and a fastener disposed in the bore, the fastener coupled to the retaining ring and passing through the at least one bore of the ring gear and the fastener coupled to the lock plate, wherein the electronic actuation mechanism is axially connected to the lock plate selectively locking and unlocking the electronic locking differential assembly; and anti-rotation tabs attached to the ring gear, the anti-rotation tabs passing through rotation notches formed in a stator housing and an armature preventing rotation of the stator housing and the armature relative to each other. ### Claim 13 An electronic locking differential assembly comprising: a ring gear including at least one bore formed therein; an electronic actuation mechanism positioned behind the ring gear on one side of the ring gear, a retaining ring including a notch formed thereon on an outer circumference of the retaining ring, wherein a portion of the electronic actuation mechanism is disposed in the notch; a lock plate positioned on a side of the ring gear opposite the electronic actuation mechanism; wherein the retaining ring includes a bore formed therein and a fastener disposed in the bore, the fastener coupled to the retaining ring and passing through the at least one bore of the ring gear and the fastener coupled to the lock plate, wherein the electronic actuation mechanism is axially connected to the lock plate selectively locking and unlocking the electronic locking differential assembly; and a sensor assembly attached to an armature at an upper surface of the armature, wherein the sensor assembly includes a sensor housing extending beyond an outer circumference of the armature and including a sensor target attached to a target bracket, the target bracket fixedly attached to a stator housing fixing an axial position of the sensor target relative to the armature.