A sensor assembly configured for use with a locking differential received in a differential case includes a sensor housing, a switch element and a sense element. The sensor assembly is configured to determine a position of an armature in relation to a stator. The armature moves relative to the stator between engaged and disengaged positions corresponding to the locking differential being in a locked and unlocked state. The sensor housing is coupled relative to the differential case of the locking differential. The switch element is disposed in the sensor housing. The sense element moves with the armature. The sensor assembly is configured to change state based on a position of the sense element.

Methods and systems for estimating an amount of torque that is transferred via a differential ring gear assembly are described. In one example, axial displacement of the differential ring gear assembly is determined and converted into a torque estimate. The torque estimate may be used to verify other powertrain torque estimates or for closed loop torque control.

A four-mode dual-motor coupled electric drive axle, including a primary drive motor, an auxiliary drive motor, a reducer, a torque vectoring (TV) coupler, a power coupling differential, a housing, and a power output mechanism. The TV coupler is switchable among disconnected mode, TV mode, and reducer mode by controlling a first clutch and a second clutch. The power coupling differential is switchable between torque coupling mode and speed coupling mode by controlling a third clutch. The electric drive axle is switchable among single-motor drive mode, TV drive mode, dual-motor torque coupling drive mode, and dual-motor speed coupling drive mode by controlling the TV coupler and the power coupling differential.

A four-mode dual-motor coupled electric drive axle, including a primary drive motor, an auxiliary drive motor, a reducer, a torque vectoring (TV) coupler, a power coupling differential, a housing, and a power output mechanism. The TV coupler is switchable among disconnected mode, TV mode, and reducer mode by controlling a first clutch and a second clutch. The power coupling differential is switchable between torque coupling mode and speed coupling mode by controlling a third clutch. The electric drive axle is switchable among single-motor drive mode, TV drive mode, dual-motor torque coupling drive mode, and dual-motor speed coupling drive mode by controlling the TV coupler and the power coupling differential.

A differential with a clutch is provided with: a differential gear set; a dividable casing defining a chamber accommodating the clutch and the differential gear set; a first member of the casing formed in a unitary body and including an end wall having a window penetrating the end wall, a boss portion projecting axially outward from the end wall, a side wall around the axis and a flange extending radially outward for receiving the torque; a second member of the casing fixed with the side wall to close the chamber; an axially movable clutch member axially movable including a leg portion disposed in the window and transmitting the torque from the end wall to the differential gear set; and an actuator having an axially outward offset from the flange and including a plunger abutting on the leg portion and driven axially by the actuator to thrust the clutch member.

An axle includes: a driven disc, an inner peripheral surface of the driven disc being a first contact surface; a half shaft connector in transmission with the driven disc, the half shaft connector including a second contact surface on its outer periphery, one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface being a circular ring surface, and the other thereof being a polygonal surface; and a differential lock device including rolling members, a rolling holder, a switching driving member, a switching driven member and a second elastic reset mechanism, a plurality of rolling members being arranged in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of faces of the polygonal surface, and the switching driving member selectively driving the switching driven member to move, to make the rolling members move to an engaged position.

A differential device is provided with: a ring gear having a tooth row arranged around an axis to mesh with an input gear; an outer case combined with the ring gear and rotatable about the axis; an inner case rotatable about the axis relative to the outer case and having a toothed end with axially projecting dog teeth; a differential gear set supported by the inner case and to be coupled with a pair of axles to allow differential motion between the axles; a clutch member engaging with the outer case and disconnectably connecting with the dog teeth so as to prevent the inner case from rotating relative to the outer case; and perforations penetrating the outer case and opened on an outer face of the outer case, the perforations being so disposed as to expose the dog teeth radially outwardly from the outer case.

A differential carrier case with an inserted pipe for high pressure casting may include a mold core into which a first end of a pipe is inserted, a mold core pin fixed to the mold core to fix the mold core and the first end of the pipe, a drive core pin inserted into a second end of the pipe, and a thick portion surrounding an outer portion of the pipe.

An inner plunger of a solenoid coil assembly for a differential clutch of a vehicle contributes to weight lightening and price reduction of a solenoid assembly, provide various shapes, reduce friction against an inner housing, and improve the function of the solenoid assembly. The inner plunger includes an outer wheel combined with a coil bobbin of a solenoid assembly and an inner wheel combined with an inner housing. The inner wheel is molded of insulator synthetic resin with excellent moldability, magnetic metal as the outer wheel is inserted into the outer circumferential surface of the inner wheel made of the synthetic resin, and an undercut groove is formed on the whole inner surface of the inner wheel made of synthetic resin in order to reduce friction against an inner housing.

An electric drive unit and a drive axle system having an electric drive unit. The drive axle system also includes a drive shaft and an axle assembly that that is remotely positioned from the electric drive unit. The drive shaft operatively connects the electric drive unit to the axle assembly.