A differential device includes: a differential case; a plurality of pinion shafts supported by the differential case and that is disposed on a first axis and a second axis orthogonal to the first axis; a first pinion gear and a second pinion gear that are each rotatably supported by the plurality of pinion shafts and that are disposed on the first axis, and a third pinion gear and a fourth pinion gear that are each rotatably supported by the plurality of pinion shafts and that are disposed on the second axis; and a first side gear and a second side gear that mesh with the first to fourth pinion gears and that are preloaded toward the first to fourth pinion gears. The number of teeth of the first side gear and second side gear is configured to be the 4N+2 in which N is an integer.

A differential device includes: a differential case; a plurality of pinion shafts supported by the differential case and that is disposed on a first axis and a second axis orthogonal to the first axis; a first pinion gear and a second pinion gear that are each rotatably supported by the plurality of pinion shafts and that are disposed on the first axis, and a third pinion gear and a fourth pinion gear that are each rotatably supported by the plurality of pinion shafts and that are disposed on the second axis; and a first side gear and a second side gear that mesh with the first to fourth pinion gears and that are preloaded toward the first to fourth pinion gears. The number of teeth of the first side gear and second side gear is configured to be the 4N+2 in which N is an integer.

A differential assembly includes one or more NVH-modifying elements that alter and/or reduce at least one of a noise, vibration, and harshness emitted from the differential assembly. The NVH-modifying element(s) are placed in engagement with the side gears of the differential assembly to modify and/or reduce the NVH of the differential assembly.

A differential assembly includes one or more NVH-modifying elements that alter and/or reduce at least one of a noise, vibration, and harshness emitted from the differential assembly. The NVH-modifying element(s) are placed in engagement with the side gears of the differential assembly to modify and/or reduce the NVH of the differential assembly.

A differential assembly includes a housing defining an oil sump, a differential disposed in the housing, and a thermal-management system. The thermal-management system includes an oil pump in fluid communication with the sump, an oil-to-air heat exchanger external to the housing, and a passive valve assembly. The passive valve assembly has an inlet connected to the pump, a first outlet connected to the heat exchanger, and a second outlet connected to a conduit disposed within the housing. The valve assembly further has a valve movable to a first position in which the inlet and the first outlet are in fluid communication and to a second position in which the inlet and the second outlet are in fluid communication. The valve is configured to be in the first position in response to the oil exceeding a first threshold temperature.

A differential assembly includes a housing defining an oil sump, a differential disposed in the housing, and a thermal-management system. The thermal-management system includes an oil pump in fluid communication with the sump, an oil-to-air heat exchanger external to the housing, and a passive valve assembly. The passive valve assembly has an inlet connected to the pump, a first outlet connected to the heat exchanger, and a second outlet connected to a conduit disposed within the housing. The valve assembly further has a valve movable to a first position in which the inlet and the first outlet are in fluid communication and to a second position in which the inlet and the second outlet are in fluid communication. The valve is configured to be in the first position in response to the oil exceeding a first threshold temperature.

An actuator is used to longitudinally move a spline sleeve for controlling drive mode of a differential on an off-road vehicle. The actuator's motor rotates an eccentric knob through a drive train including intermediate gears and a worm gear. The eccentic knob is linked to the spline sleeve through a torsion spring carried on a pivot plate, with legs of the torsion spring pushing a slide block, transferring a moment provided by the eccentric knob into a linear slide force. The pivot plate and torsion spring are jointly mounted on the actuator housing by a hub, opposite the rotational axis of the eccentric knob from the slide block. The slide block includes a contact which completes a circuit through conductive pads on the actuator housing, so the position of the slide block can be directly sensed.

An actuator is used to longitudinally move a spline sleeve for controlling drive mode of a differential on an off-road vehicle. The actuator's motor rotates an eccentric knob through a drive train including intermediate gears and a worm gear. The eccentic knob is linked to the spline sleeve through a torsion spring carried on a pivot plate, with legs of the torsion spring pushing a slide block, transferring a moment provided by the eccentric knob into a linear slide force. The pivot plate and torsion spring are jointly mounted on the actuator housing by a hub, opposite the rotational axis of the eccentric knob from the slide block. The slide block includes a contact which completes a circuit through conductive pads on the actuator housing, so the position of the slide block can be directly sensed.

An actuator is used to longitudinally move a spline sleeve for controlling drive mode of a differential on an off-road vehicle. The actuator's motor rotates an eccentric knob through a drive train including intermediate gears and a worm gear. The eccentic knob is linked to the spline sleeve through a torsion spring carried on a pivot plate, with legs of the torsion spring pushing a slide block, transferring a moment provided by the eccentric knob into a linear slide force. The pivot plate and torsion spring are jointly mounted on the actuator housing by a hub, opposite the rotational axis of the eccentric knob from the slide block. The slide block includes a contact which completes a circuit through conductive pads on the actuator housing, so the position of the slide block can be directly sensed.

An actuator is used to longitudinally move a spline sleeve for controlling drive mode of a differential on an off-road vehicle. The actuator's motor rotates an eccentric knob through a drive train including intermediate gears and a worm gear. The eccentic knob is linked to the spline sleeve through a torsion spring carried on a pivot plate, with legs of the torsion spring pushing a slide block, transferring a moment provided by the eccentric knob into a linear slide force. The pivot plate and torsion spring are jointly mounted on the actuator housing by a hub, opposite the rotational axis of the eccentric knob from the slide block. The slide block includes a contact which completes a circuit through conductive pads on the actuator housing, so the position of the slide block can be directly sensed.