Electronic differential disconnect clutch
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorsBrian Lee, Michael Hodge
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electronic differential disconnect clutch includes a differential unit, a first flange, a hub, a second flange, a hub sleeve and a solenoid. The differential unit has a pair of splines arranged for receiving a pair of axle shafts. The first flange has a first face spline and is fixed to the differential unit. The hub is rotatable relative to the differential unit and arranged to receive an input torque. The second flange is rotationally fixed and axially displaceable on the hub and has a second face spline arranged for engaging the first face spline. The hub sleeve is arranged to axially displace the second flange to engage the second face spline with the first face spline. The solenoid is arranged to axially displace the hub sleeve.
Claims14
An electronic differential disconnect clutch, comprising:
- a differential unit comprising a pair of splines arranged for receiving a pair of axle shafts;
- a first flange comprising a first face spline, the first flange fixed to the differential unit;
- a hub, rotatable relative to the differential unit and arranged to receive an input torque;
- a second flange, rotationally fixed to and axially displaceable on the hub, the second flange comprising a second face spline arranged for engaging the first face spline;
- a hub sleeve arranged to axially displace the second flange to engage the first face spline with the second face spline, the hub sleeve comprising axially extending fingers extending through respective slots in the hub and fixed to the second flange;
- and
- a solenoid arranged to axially displace the hub sleeve.
An electronic differential disconnect clutch, comprising:
- a differential unit comprising a pair of splines arranged for receiving a pair of axle shafts;
- a first flange comprising a first face spline, the first flange fixed to the differential unit;
- a hub, rotatable relative to the differential unit and arranged to receive an input torque;
- a second flange, rotationally fixed to and axially displaceable on the hub, the second flange comprising a second face spline arranged for engaging the first face spline;
- a hub sleeve arranged to axially displace the second flange to engage the first face spline with the second face spline;
- a solenoid arranged to axially displace the hub sleeve;
- and
- a plurality of balls, wherein:
- the hub comprises a plurality of tapered slots;
- the hub sleeve comprises a plurality of holes;
- and
- each of the plurality of balls is disposed in a respective one of the plurality of tapered slots and the plurality of holes.
An electronic differential disconnect clutch, comprising:
- a differential unit comprising a pair of splines arranged for receiving a pair of axle shafts;
- a first flange comprising a first face spline, the first flange fixed to the differential unit;
- a hub, rotatable relative to the differential unit and arranged to receive an input torque;
- a second flange, rotationally fixed to and axially displaceable on the hub, the second flange comprising a second face spline arranged for engaging the first face spline;
- a hub sleeve arranged to axially displace the second flange to engage the first face spline with the second face spline;
- a solenoid arranged to axially displace the hub sleeve;
- and
- an outer housing comprising:
- a first housing half comprising an annular ring;
- a drive gear bolted to the annular ring;
- and
- a second housing half fixed to the drive gear, wherein the hub is fixed to the second housing half.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.