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.

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.

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.

A differential device includes a differential case (10) that has a flange portion (11) and a differential ring gear (40) that has a tooth portion, a fixed and supported portion (45), and a coupling portion. The differential case (10) has a first abutting surface (10a) and a restricting portion (10b). The differential ring gear (40) has a second abutting surface (40a) and an abutting portion (40b). A welding portion that is formed by welding the flange portion (11) of the differential case (10) and the fixed and supported portion (45) of the differential ring gear (40) is disposed at a position that is different from an abutting part between the first abutting surface (10a) and the second abutting surface (40a) and an abutting part between the restricting portion (10b) and the abutting portion (40b).

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.

A differential device includes a ring gear having a center axis of the ring gear. A pinion shaft is provided in the ring gear such that a shaft axis of the pinion shaft is substantially perpendicular to the center axis and substantially coaxial with a diameter of the ring gear. The pinion shaft is rotatable together with the ring gear around the center axis. A first attaching member is connected to the ring gear and has a first fitting hole into which a first end portion of the pinion shaft is fitted. A second attaching member is connected to the ring gear and has a second fitting hole into which a second end portion of the pinion shaft is fitted.

A differential device includes a ring gear having a center axis of the ring gear. A pinion shaft is provided in the ring gear such that a shaft axis of the pinion shaft is substantially perpendicular to the center axis and substantially coaxial with a diameter of the ring gear. The pinion shaft is rotatable together with the ring gear around the center axis. A first attaching member is connected to the ring gear and has a first fitting hole into which a first end portion of the pinion shaft is fitted. A second attaching member is connected to the ring gear and has a second fitting hole into which a second end portion of the pinion shaft is fitted.

A simplified drive press system is operable to press fit a pair of first working pieces into a second work piece. The drive press system uses a simplified mechanical arrangement to translate an input torque into movement of a pair of drive arms toward and away from one another. Yokes of differing configurations may be attached to the drive arms to accommodate a variety of different work pieces. A nut runner may be used to supply a drive torque to the gear assembly and provide a controlled input torque and control the movement of the drive arms. An overall reduction may be utilized that balances a desired movement resolution with the desire to detect changes in input torque. The nut runner may be programmable to provide a desired movement of the drive arms while monitoring the input torque to detect when a fully press-fitted condition is realized.

A simplified drive press system is operable to press fit a pair of first working pieces into a second work piece. The drive press system uses a simplified mechanical arrangement to translate an input torque into movement of a pair of drive arms toward and away from one another. Yokes of differing configurations may be attached to the drive arms to accommodate a variety of different work pieces. A nut runner may be used to supply a drive torque to the gear assembly and provide a controlled input torque and control the movement of the drive arms. An overall reduction may be utilized that balances a desired movement resolution with the desire to detect changes in input torque. The nut runner may be programmable to provide a desired movement of the drive arms while monitoring the input torque to detect when a fully press-fitted condition is realized.