An interrupter includes: an intermittent member having a meshing tooth meshing with a second rotary member, and moving in an axial direction between a coupled position and an uncoupled position; and an actuator making the intermittent member move in the axial direction. The actuator includes: a coil generating magnetic flux; and a plunger moving with the intermittent member in the axial direction. The plunger is disposed in a manner capable of making relative rotation to one of the first and second rotary members via first and second air gaps. When the coil is energized, the magnetic flux is introduced to the plunger from one of the first and second air gaps, the magnetic flux is led out of the plunger to the other air gap, and the plunger moves in the axial direction so as to reduce at least one air gap of the first and second air gaps.

A differential gear mechanism includes a differential case, a first side gear, a second side gear, a first pinion and a second pinion. The first side gear is rotatably mounted within the differential case and has a first outer diameter. The second side gear is rotatably mounted within the differential case and has a second diameter. The first pinion gear is meshed for rotation with the first side gear during a first meshing event. The second pinion gear is meshed for rotation with the second side gear during a second meshing event. The first and second pinion gears form a torque transfer arrangement configured for transferring torque between the first and second pinion gears and the first and second side gears to rotate the first and second side gears. The first and second outer diameters are distinct such that the first and second meshing events are offset in time.

A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.

A vehicle differential assembly comprising: a casing; a rotatable carrier provided within the casing; a pair of side gears, each side gear being meshingly engaged with one or more pinion gears rotatably coupled to the carrier, wherein the side gears are integrally formed with respective stub shafts that extend beyond both the carrier and casing, the stub shafts being solid and comprising radially external splines that are configured to engage respective drive shaft assemblies.

A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.

In at least some implementations, a differential for a vehicle includes a pinion gear, a pair of side gears and a housing. The side gears are meshed with the pinion gear and the housing defines a cavity in which the pinion gear and side gears are received. The housing also has an opening with an inner end leading to the cavity and an outer end spaced from the inner end. The opening is adapted to receive a shaft therethrough for coupling of the shaft to one of the side gears and the opening is defined at least in part by a journal surface. The journal surface is concave with respect to the shaft and provides a converging portion from the inner end to a central portion between the inner end and outer end and a diverging portion from the central portion to the outer end.

A front differential double disconnect includes a front differential having a first side gear and a second side gear, a first shaft having a first gear configured to selectively engage the first side gear, a second shaft having a second gear, and a third shaft disposed between the first shaft and the second shaft. The third shaft includes a third gear configured to engage the second side gear and selectively engage the second gear. The first shaft is shiftable between a first position where the first gear does not engage the first side gear, and a second position where the first gear meshingly engages the first side gear to transmit rotational movement therebetween.

In at least some implementations, a differential for a vehicle includes a pinion gear, a pair of side gears and a housing. The side gears are meshed with the pinion gear and the housing defines a cavity in which the pinion gear and side gears are received. The housing also has an opening with an inner end leading to the cavity and an outer end spaced from the inner end. The opening is adapted to receive a shaft therethrough for coupling of the shaft to one of the side gears and the opening is defined at least in part by a journal surface. The journal surface is concave with respect to the shaft and provides a converging portion from the inner end to a central portion between the inner end and outer end and a diverging portion from the central portion to the outer end.

The present teachings provide for a vehicle drive module including a housing, an electric motor, a transmission gear set, a differential assembly, and a pair of output members. The transmission gear set can transmit rotary power between a motor output shaft and an output of the transmission gear set. The differential assembly can include a case, a pair of pinion gears, and a pair of side gears. Each of the side gears can be meshingly engaged with the pair of pinion gears. Each output member can include a driven body and an outer flange. The driven body can have a first end drivingly coupled to one of the side gears. The outer flange can have a first side that is releasably coupled to the second end of the driven body, and a second side that is adapted to be releasably coupled to a constant velocity joint.

A differential gear for transmitting a torque to an axle of a motor vehicle including a differential basket, a bevel gear, first and second output shafts, and a multi-plate clutch. The bevel gear includes inner and outer circumferential surfaces. The bevel gear is supported by a contact surface of the differential basket with respect to a radial direction. The output shafts have a common rotary axis, the first output shaft forming a positive connection with the bevel gear with respect to a circumferential direction via a outer circumferential surface of the first output shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the bevel gear. The multi-plate clutch provides for selectively connecting the first output shaft with the differential basket and includes an inner plate carried by a section of the outer circumferential surface of the bevel gear and an outer plate carried by the differential basket.