A differential device is provided with: an input case having an axially directed end face; a differential gear set with side gears allowing a differential motion therebetween; dog teeth toothed toward the end face on an output case; a clutch structure engageable with the dog teeth and so structured as to couple the output case or the second side gear with the input case when engaged; an axially movable clutch member including an internal end and an external end exposed to the exterior; an axially movable armature including a magnetic material and in contact with the external end; a solenoid supported away from the end face, the solenoid generating a magnetic flux to attract the armature and, via the clutch member, set the clutch structure in mesh with the dog teeth; and a spring biasing the clutch member in a contrary direction.

A differential system includes a differential and a differential disconnect mechanism. The differential includes an outer differential housing and an inner differential housing. The differential disconnect mechanism includes a disconnect clutch, first end face teeth and second end face teeth. The first end face teeth are disposed between the outer differential housing and the inner differential housing and are movably connected with the outer differential housing so that the first end face teeth can move axially and rotate synchronously relative to the outer differential housing. The second end face teeth are fixedly connected with the inner differential housing. The disconnect clutch is connected with the first end face teeth, and is configured to drive the first end face teeth to move axially relative to the second end face teeth.

A vehicle has an engine, a limited slip differential (LSD) mounted on an axle driven by the engine, and left and right wheels operably connected to the LSD. At least one parameter indicative of a riding condition of the vehicle is determined. A slippery driving condition is detected based on the at least one parameter. The LSD is selectively locked in response to the detection. The slippery driving condition is detected when a torque requested by a user is above a load line of the engine, upon successive wheel slips occurrences, and/or when a wheel slip is detected while a preload is applied to the LSD.

Differential arrangement, e.g., for a drive axle of a motor vehicle. The differential arrangement comprises a drive wheel; a differential gear having an input part; a shift clutch operatively arranged between the drive wheel and the differential gear, wherein in the closed state of the shift clutch torque is transmitted from the drive wheel to the differential gear and in the open state of the shift clutch a torque transmission is interrupted. A first clutch part of the shift clutch is fixedly connected to the input part or to a differential housing of the differential gear, and a second clutch part of the shift clutch is fixedly connected to the respective other one of the input part and the differential housing.

Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator configured to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a multi-sensor sub-assembly having two or more sensor configured to monitor a position of the electromagnetic solenoid actuator.

An actuator assembly with a sensor system that is less sensitive to run-out out of moving parts. The sensing system includes a magnet holding plate, a pressure plate, a sensor target and a sensor assembly. The magnet holding plate includes an aperture defining an inner surface, an outer surface, a raised portion along the inner surface, a biasing member positioned along the inner surface in the raised portion, and a flange positioned on the outer surface. The pressure plate includes an outer surface of the pressure plate is positioned underneath the raised portion of the magnet holding plate, axially between the raised portion and the biasing member. The sensor target is attached to the flange of the magnet holding plate. The sensor assembly includes a sensor and a sensor housing positioned radially outward from the pressure plate and magnet holding plate.

A position detection device configured for use with a locking differential is configured to determine a position of an armature in relation to a stator. The stator has a primary coil. 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 position detection device includes a secondary coil disposed proximate to the primary coil. The secondary coil is configured to determine a change in inductance based on movement of the armature. The change in inductance is indicative of a change in position of the armature relative to the stator.

A wireless system for determining the displacement of spinning components of a differential assembly, including a differential case having a hollow interior space; a differential assembly having an actuator including an electromagnet having a coil, a spinning component selectively engaged with a differential gear arrangement and at least one sensor assembly non-rotatably mounted to the differential case including at least one sensor communicatively coupled to a printed circuit board, a transmitter and a power source. The sensor assembly extends axially and radially within the differential case and at least one sensor is configured to directly sense the axial displacement of the spinning component and the sensor assembly is configured generate a signal representing the axial displacement of the spinning component into a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to a receiver positioned outside the differential case.

A vehicle drive system configured to achieve a required driving force of braking force without changing an orientation of a vehicle in the event of slippage of a wheel. The vehicle drive system comprises: a torque generating device; a differential mechanism that allows a relative rotation between a right wheel and a left wheel; a differential restricting device that restricts a differential rotation between the right wheel and the left wheel; and a steering mechanism that controls a turning angle of pairs of the wheels. A first controller controls the relative rotation between the right wheel and the left wheel to be smaller than a predetermined value and second controller further controls a turning angle of the wheels controlled by the steering mechanism.

Differential arrangement, e.g., for a drive axle of a motor vehicle. The differential arrangement comprises a drive wheel; a differential gear having an input part; a shift clutch operatively arranged between the drive wheel and the differential gear, wherein in the closed state of the shift clutch torque is transmitted from the drive wheel to the differential gear and in the open state of the shift clutch a torque transmission is interrupted. A first clutch part of the shift clutch is fixedly connected to the input part or to a differential housing of the differential gear, and a second clutch part of the shift clutch is fixedly connected to the respective other one of the input part and the differential housing.