Dual sensor system and method for a differential disconnect axle assembly
AssigneeDana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
InventorsJustin S. DAVIS, 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 configured 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 multi-sensor sub-assembly having two or more sensor configured to monitor a position of the electromagnetic solenoid actuator.
Claims20
A differential system, comprising:
- an electromagnetic solenoid actuator, including a coil assembly and a piston, the electromagnetic solenoid actuator configured to selectively induce locking and unlocking of axle shaft speed differentiation;
- a sensor sub-assembly including at least two sensor units that are each configured to sense a position of the piston;
- and
- a circuit assembly configured to programmatically control the electromagnetic solenoid actuator and including control circuitry.
A locking differential system, comprising:
- a driving gear;
- a differential drive with an input part and two output parts, wherein the two output parts are drivingly connected to the input part and, relative to one another, have a differential effect;
- a coupling effectively arranged between the driving gear and the differential drive, wherein, in a closed condition of the coupling, torque is transmitted from the driving gear to the differential drive and, in an open condition of the coupling, a transmission of torque is interrupted;
- a controllable actuator for actuating the coupling, wherein the actuator comprises an electromagnet and an axially displaceable piston, and wherein the actuator is configured to generate a current signal representing a coil current of the electromagnet;
- and
- a multi-sensor sub-assembly having two eddy current sensors coupled to a common microcontroller, wherein each eddy current sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal representing a first, engaged position or a second, disengaged position of the coupling, but with each of the two eddy current sensors switching between their respective indications at different physical positions.
A method for a differential system, comprising:
- monitoring a piston of a solenoid actuator based on signals from multi-sensors of a multi-sensor sub-assembly, wherein each of the multi-sensors is an eddy current sensor configured to identify a state of the piston amongst three possible states.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.