Bi-directional differential clutch for detecting disengagement

A disconnecting differential assembly comprising:

• a differential housing defining a cavity, the differential housing being configured to rotate about a first axis;
• a differential gearset received in the cavity in the differential housing, the differential gearset having a plurality of differential pinions and first and second side gears, the differential pinions configured to transmit rotary power between the differential housing and the first and second side gears, the first side gear comprising a first clutch element for rotation therewith;
• a sleeve received in the differential housing and being rotatable relative to the differential housing, the sleeve having a coupling feature with first and second engagement surfaces, the sleeve comprising a second clutch element,
• wherein the second clutch element confronts the first clutch element, wherein the sleeve and the second clutch element are axially movable relative to the differential housing along the first axis between a first position, in which the second clutch element is axially spaced apart from the first clutch element to thereby rotationally decouple the first side gear from the sleeve and permit relative rotation therebetween, and a second position, in which the second clutch element is engaged with the first clutch element to thereby rotationally couple the first side gear and the sleeve;
• and
• a force plate being axially movable along the first axis and configured to capture the coupling feature on the sleeve between the first and second engagement surfaces wherein the force plate is configured to move in both an inboard axial direction and an outboard axial direction to thereby move the sleeve and the second clutch element between the first and second positions,
• wherein the sleeve comprises an annular hub portion and an annular disc portion and wherein the coupling feature comprises a circumferentially extending arcuate tongue at a radially-outermost portion of the annular disc portion, the arcuate tongue having the first and second engagement surfaces.