Electronically actuated ramp style locking differential having lock detection

An electronically locking differential assembly comprising:

• a differential case defining first and second output shaft openings that are co-axially aligned along an axis of rotation of the differential case, the differential case comprising a first plurality of teeth formed around an outer surface thereof;
• a first and a second side gear rotatably mounted within the differential case, the first and second side gears being co-axially aligned along the axis of rotation of the differential case, the first side gear providing a first torque transmitting connection with a first output shaft, the second side gear providing a second torque transmitting connection with a second output shaft;
• a lock actuation mechanism including a ramp plate that selectively moves between a locked state where the side gears are fixed for concurrent rotation and an unlocked state where the side gears rotate relative to each other, the ramp plate comprising a second plurality of teeth formed around an outer surface thereof;
• a first sensor that senses a rotational position of the first plurality of teeth;
• a second sensor that senses a rotational position of the second plurality of teeth;
• and
• a controller that (i) determines whether the lock actuation mechanism is in the locked or unlocked state based on the respective positions of the first and second plurality of teeth and (ii) outputs a signal based on the determination.

A method of determining whether an electronically locking differential assembly is in an unlocked state or a locked state, the method comprising:

• providing a differential case having a first plurality of teeth formed around an outer surface thereof;
• providing a ramp plate having a second plurality of teeth formed around an outer surface thereof;
• sensing a first position of at least one tooth of the first plurality of teeth;
• sensing a second position of at least one tooth of the second plurality of teeth;
• determining, with a controller, whether the electronically locking differential assembly is in the unlocked state or the locked state based on the first and second positions;
• and
• outputting a signal, from the controller, based on the determination.