System and method for protecting differential assembly in an electrified vehicle

A method for limiting torque delivery to drive wheels of an electrified vehicle, the electrified vehicle having:

• an electric motor that provides propulsion torque to a driveline that drives the drive wheels for propelling the vehicle, the drive wheels including left and right drive wheels receiving the propulsion torque through a differential assembly;
• a first wheel speed sensor that communicates a first wheel speed signal of the left drive wheel and a second wheel speed sensor that communicates a second wheel speed signal of the right drive wheel;
• and a controller, the method comprising:
• receiving, at the controller, the first and second wheel speed signals;
• determining, at the controller, based on a difference between the first and second wheel speed signals, a differential protection torque limit;
• determining, at the controller, whether the propulsion torque exceeds a differential protection torque limit;
• determining, at the controller, a slip stress power;
• determining, at the controller, a slip stress energy based on the slip stress power;
• determining, at the controller, whether the slip stress energy is greater than a dwell energy threshold;
• determining, at the controller, whether the slip stress energy is greater than or equal to a maximum slip stress energy;
• and
• commanding, at the electric motor, the propulsion torque to the differential protection limit based on the slip stress energy being greater than or equal to the maximum slip stress energy.