A locking differential assembly (10) includes a differential case (12). A lock ring (40) is selectably engagable with a first side gear (18, 20) to selectably prevent the first side gear (18, 20) and a second side gear (18, 20) from rotating relative to the differential case (12). A plunger (30) is translatable along a plunger axis (55) through a bore (68) in the differential case (12). The plunger (30) is to be in contact with the lock ring (40) at least when the lock ring (40) is engaged with the first side gear (18, 20). A position of the plunger (30) relative to the differential case (12) along the plunger axis (55) is indicative of an engagement status of the lock ring (40). A non-contacting sensor is connected to the differential case (12) and located a fixed, predetermined distance from the differential case (12). The sensor is to detect a proximity of the plunger (30) to the sensor and to output an electrically detectable signal indicative of the engagement status of the lock ring (40).

A cap for a helical LSD is provided with: a clutch member including clutch teeth; a clutch ring including a ring portion including clutch teeth so as to mesh with the clutch member and one or more tab portions projecting radially outwardly from the ring portion; a cap main body fixed on an axial end of the casing; a receding portion of the cap main body receding from a first face toward a second face and being so dimensioned as to receive and allow the clutch ring to be axially movable, the receding portion including one or more dock portions respectively receiving the tab portions; an opening to allow access to the tab portions; side faces of the tab portions and inner faces of the dog portions so that the faces in combination axially press the clutch ring toward the clutch member; and one or more base portions.

A cap for a helical LSD is provided with: a clutch member including clutch teeth; a clutch ring including a ring portion including clutch teeth so as to mesh with the clutch member and one or more tab portions projecting radially outwardly from the ring portion; a cap main body fixed on an axial end of the casing; a receding portion of the cap main body receding from a first face toward a second face and being so dimensioned as to receive and allow the clutch ring to be axially movable, the receding portion including one or more dock portions respectively receiving the tab portions; an opening to allow access to the tab portions; side faces of the tab portions and inner faces of the dog portions so that the faces in combination axially press the clutch ring toward the clutch member; and one or more base portions.

A hydraulic control unit that delivers hydraulic fluid to a limited slip differential includes a hydraulic control unit housing, a motor and a pump. The hydraulic control unit housing has a manifold housing portion and an accumulator housing portion. The manifold housing portion defines a fluid pathway arrangement for communicating fluid along at least a first fluid pathway. The accumulator housing portion houses an accumulator assembly having a biasing assembly and a piston. The accumulator housing portion and manifold housing portion cooperate to form an accumulator chamber that houses the biasing assembly. The motor is disposed on the first side of the manifold housing portion. The pump is disposed on a second side of the manifold portion, opposite the first side. The pump is configured to pump fluid into the accumulator chamber of the accumulator housing portion.

A drive switching mechanism of a utility vehicle includes: a two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive switching device that switches between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive of the utility vehicle; and a control unit that controls the drive switching mechanism. The two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive switching device switches between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive by using a first clutch. The control unit permits the two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive switching device to switch from two- wheel drive to four-wheel drive when a rotation difference of the first clutch becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.

Methods of controlling a tandem axle assembly in a vehicle, the tandem axle assembly including an inter-axle differential (IAD), one or more side gears, and a front tandem axle assembly having a pair of front tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies. When a determined speed of the vehicle is greater or equal to a predetermined speed, the IAD may be locked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be disconnected from their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be moved out of engagement with the one or more side gears. When a determined speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed, the IAD may be unlocked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be connected to their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be engaged with the one or more side gears.

Methods of controlling a tandem axle assembly in a vehicle, the tandem axle assembly including an inter-axle differential (IAD), one or more side gears, and a front tandem axle assembly having a pair of front tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies. When a determined speed of the vehicle is greater or equal to a predetermined speed, the IAD may be locked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be disconnected from their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be moved out of engagement with the one or more side gears. When a determined speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed, the IAD may be unlocked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be connected to their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be engaged with the one or more side gears.

A drive device for a motor vehicle, includes a differential gearing and a torque vectoring unit having an electric machine, wherein the differential gearing has a first and a second planet set, which are rotatably supported on a common planet carrier, wherein the first planet set meshes at least with a first sun, the second planet set meshes at least with a second sun, and the two planet sets at least mesh with each other in pairs, and wherein at least the second sun is connected to the torque vectoring unit in order to redistribute the torque between the first and the second suns.

A drive device for a motor vehicle, includes a differential gearing and a torque vectoring unit having an electric machine, wherein the differential gearing has a first and a second planet set, which are rotatably supported on a common planet carrier, wherein the first planet set meshes at least with a first sun, the second planet set meshes at least with a second sun, and the two planet sets at least mesh with each other in pairs, and wherein at least the second sun is connected to the torque vectoring unit in order to redistribute the torque between the first and the second suns.

A vehicle includes front suspension assemblies; rear suspension assemblies; a left driven wheel and a right driven wheel with first left and right brake assemblies; a left wheel and a right wheel with second left and right brake assemblies; an anti-lock braking system (ABS) module; a drive mode coupler connected between the transmission and the left and right wheels for changing between a 24 and a 44 drive configuration; and a drive mode switch for controlling the drive mode coupler, the ABS module selectively performing brake traction control of at least one wheel based on the position of the drive mode switch. A method for controlling traction of the vehicle includes sensing the drive mode switch position and when the drive mode changes from a 24 position to a 44 position, causing the ABS module to perform brake traction control on at least one wheel.