An electrically controlled differential gear is disposed between a right front wheel and a left front wheel of a vehicle. The electrically controlled differential gear includes a clutch mechanism that limits a differential operation of the electrically controlled differential gear. A second ECU (control portion) obtains information as to failure associated with actuation of a right front electric brake mechanism. The second ECU obtains a physical amount relating to a required braking force which is applied to the left front wheel and the right front wheel. The second ECU outputs a differential limiting control command for limiting the differential operation of the electrically controlled differential gear to the clutch mechanism (or more specifically, a differential ECU that controls the clutch mechanism) based on the information as to the failure and the physical amount relating to the required braking force.

Methods and systems are provided for operating a solenoid actuator to engage and/or disengage a torque transmission member of a vehicle transmission. In one example, a method may include increasing the holding force of the solenoid actuator. Additionally, the solenoid actuator may include a translatable structural element that creates a moment upon touching another structural element holding the translatable element in a locked position.

A differential rotation limiting force control apparatus for a center differential includes an outwardly headed state detection processor and a limiting force control processor. The outwardly headed state detection processor makes a detection of an outwardly headed state in which a vehicle is cornering with a yaw rate and a side-slip angle of a vehicle body of the vehicle having the same sign. In response to the detection of the outwardly headed state, the limiting force control processor controls a limiting force that limits differential rotation between front and rear wheel driving devices, to reduce a difference between a motive force on a front wheel caused by an output of the travel power source and an absolute value of a braking force on the front wheel caused by internal circulation torque of the center differential.

A drive control device includes: an estimated longitudinal acceleration acquisition part acquiring an estimated longitudinal acceleration of a vehicle based on an estimated driving force of the vehicle and a wheel speed of main drive wheels of the vehicle; an estimated lateral acceleration acquisition part acquiring an estimated lateral acceleration of the vehicle; an estimated tire load calculation part calculating an estimated tire load of the main drive wheels based on the estimated longitudinal acceleration and the estimated lateral acceleration ; and a drive mode selection part selecting one of a two-wheel drive mode driven only by the main drive wheels and a four-wheel drive mode driven by both the main drive wheels and auxiliary drive wheels. When the estimated tire load calculated by the estimated tire load calculation part is lower than a two-wheel drive threshold value, the drive mode selection part selects the two-wheel drive mode.

A controllable differential system for a vehicle includes a differential that may be disengaged or engaged, and may further be locked when engaged. A differential lock switch has three positions for sending commands to an actuator for disengaging or engaging the differential and for sending commands to a controller for unlocking and locking the differential. The vehicle includes a motor, a transmission continuously connected to a rear drivetrain, and the differential mounted in a front drivetrain. The vehicle may be driven in rear-wheel drive mode when the differential is disengaged or in four-wheel drive mode when the differential is engaged. The vehicle may enforce a vehicle speed limitation or an engine speed limitation when the differential is locked while a manual override control is not activated. The vehicle may implement an anti-lock braking system that may be disabled when the differential is locked.

A drivetrain component provides an electronically controlled, overrunning drivetrain disconnect, such as a differential with different operating modes. The drivetrain component includes a case and a ring gear connected to the case. A carrier is supported for movement relative to and independent of the case. The carrier includes a differential gear set. The differential gear set has a pinion shaft tied to the carrier, pinion gears mounted on the pinion shaft, differential gears engaging the pinion gears, and differential gear shafts connected to the differential gears. The drivetrain component including a first locking structure, the first locking structure coupling the case to the carrier for torque transmission from the case to the carrier in a first direction only, wherein the first locking structure does not inhibit carrier rotation in a second direction.

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.

An electronic locking differential includes a lock ring and a coil that moves the lock ring to engage gears of the electronic locking differential, an energy storage capacitor that powers the coil during at least a portion of engagement of the lock ring with the gears, and a controller. The controller charges the energy storage capacitor to a first predefined voltage prior to the engagement.

A planetary gear train automatic limited slip differential may consist of a main differential, a planetary gear train differential controller, a left axle shaft, a right axle shaft, and a clutch. The planetary gear train differential controller may be composed of a first planetary gear train differential controller unit and a second planetary gear train differential controller unit. The first planetary gear train differential controller unit may be composed of a first planetary gear train and a first overrunning clutch connected to the first planetary gear train. The second planetary gear train differential controller unit may be composed of a second planetary gear train and a second overrunning clutch connected to the second planetary gear train.

The present invention relates to a technology in which a transition between a medium-torque transmission state and a high-torque transmission state by a limited slip differential is continuously performed during a driving process of a vehicle. The present invention introduces a limited slip differential configured to comprise: an input shaft constantly connected to a differential case of a slip differential; an output shaft selectively connected to the input shaft via a clutch pack and constantly connected to a wheel; a medium-torque transmission means for pressing a clutch plate coupled to the input shaft to press-fit the clutch pack; and a high-torque transmission means selectively engaged with the clutch plate by moving a hub coupled to the output shaft in a state where the input shaft and the output shaft are synchronized as the clutch pack is fastened, and a controlling method therefor.