阅读说明：本技术 差速器传感器装置和使用方法 (Differential sensor apparatus and method of use ) 是由 M·Z·克里奇 J·S·戴维斯 A·M·阿达姆契克 于 2018-05-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种车桥组件,包括差速器壳和侧齿轮,具有内侧表面和外侧表面的侧齿轮设置在差速器壳中。侧齿轮的外侧表面限定第一多个锁止齿。锁止齿轮,该锁止齿轮具有内侧表面和外侧表面,其中,内侧表面包括与第一多个锁止齿选择性地接合的第二多个锁止齿。偏置构件,该偏置构件轴向地设置在侧齿轮和锁止齿轮之间。电磁线圈,该电磁线圈设置成邻近锁止齿轮。第一感应传感器,该第一感应传感器用于感测锁止齿轮的位置。(An axle assembly includes a differential case and side gears with an inboard surface and an outboard surface disposed in the differential case. The outer side surfaces of the side gears define a first plurality of locking teeth. A lock gear having an inner side surface and an outer side surface, wherein the inner side surface includes a second plurality of lock teeth that selectively engage the first plurality of lock teeth. A biasing member axially disposed between the side gear and the lock gear. A solenoid disposed adjacent the lock gear. A first inductive sensor for sensing a position of the lock gear.)

1. An axle assembly comprising:

a differential case;

a side gear having an inboard surface and an outboard surface, the side gear disposed in the differential carrier, wherein the outboard surface defines a first plurality of locking teeth;

a lock gear having an inner side surface and an outer side surface, wherein the inner side surface includes a second plurality of lock teeth selectively engageable with the first plurality of lock teeth;

a biasing member axially disposed between the side gear and the lock gear;

a solenoid disposed adjacent to the lock gear; and

a first inductive sensor for sensing a position of the locking gear.

2. The axle assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first annular groove disposed in an outer side surface of the side gear; and

a second annular groove disposed in an inside surface of the lock gear, wherein the biasing member is at least partially disposed within the first and second annular grooves.

3. The axle assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of apertures disposed in the differential case, wherein the lock gear includes a plurality of legs disposed through the apertures.

4. The axle assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the differential case rotates relative to the electromagnetic coil.

5. The axle assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing disposed about the electromagnetic coil, wherein the first inductive sensor is disposed on the housing.

6. The axle assembly of claim 1,

the first inductive sensor is disposed on the differential case.

7. The axle assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the first inductive sensor includes a printed circuit board trace spiral.

8. The axle assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor plate coupled with the locking gear, wherein the first inductive sensor senses a position of the sensor plate.

9. The axle assembly of claim 8, wherein:

the sensor plate extends at least the radial length of the electromagnetic coil.

10. The axle assembly of claim 8, wherein:

the sensor plate is disposed axially between the differential case and the electromagnetic coil.

11. The axle assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

a housing disposed about the electromagnetic coil, wherein the first inductive sensor is disposed on the housing; and

a second inductive sensor is disposed on the differential carrier.

12. The axle assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller in electrical communication with the solenoid.

13. The axle assembly of claim 8, wherein:

the first inductive sensor is disposed radially outward from the sensor board for sensing a percentage of the sensor board covering the first inductive sensor.

14. The axle assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

a second inductive sensor may be arranged radially inside the sensor plate, wherein the second inductive sensor is arranged transversely to the sensor plate.

Technical Field

The invention relates to an axle assembly and a torque transfer sensor arrangement. Axle assemblies in wheeled vehicle drivelines are known to employ differential devices to transfer torque from a power source to the wheels. When operating the vehicle through a turn, the differential device allows the outer drive wheels to rotate at a greater speed than the inner drive wheels, and the differential device distributes power between the connected wheels.

Background

Limited slip or locking differential devices may be utilized to provide wheels with greater traction and greater drive. Reliable determination of the position of the locking gear of the differential device is challenging due to the rotating and non-rotating components of the differential device and the resulting wear.

In view of the challenges and shortcomings of conventional designs, the present disclosure provides a non-contact sensor device that provides reduced cost, weight, and complexity.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides an axle assembly including a differential housing. A side gear having an inboard surface and an outboard surface is disposed in the differential carrier. The outer side surfaces of the side gears define a first plurality of locking teeth. The axle assembly also includes a latch gear having an inboard surface and an outboard surface, wherein the inboard surface includes a second plurality of latch teeth. The second plurality of locking teeth of the lock gear are selectively engaged with the first plurality of locking teeth of the side gear. Further, a biasing member is axially disposed between the side gear and the lock gear. The axle assembly also includes an electromagnetic coil disposed adjacent the lock gear and a first inductive sensor for sensing the position of the lock gear.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings described herein illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter and are illustrative of selected principles and teachings of the present disclosure and do not show all possible implementations thereof. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a differential mechanism according to an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a portion of the differential mechanism according to FIG. 1 in an unlocked state;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a portion of the differential mechanism according to FIG. 1 in a locked state;

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of an axle assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 5 shows a portion of the differential mechanism according to FIG. 1; and

fig. 6 illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a differential mechanism having a transverse sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter.

Detailed Description

It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices, assemblies, systems and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined herein. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Further, in this section of the present application, like elements in the various embodiments described herein may be collectively referred to with like reference numerals, but may not be.

Locking differentials are used in applications across many industries, including automotive, aerospace, industrial automation equipment, and instrumentation applications. In one embodiment, the subject matter disclosed herein may be used for operation of an all-wheel drive vehicle.

As shown in fig. 4, in one embodiment, the axle assembly 1 may include a differential carrier 10. In one embodiment, the differential carrier 10 may be a one-piece metal housing. The differential carrier 10 includes an outer surface 12 and an inner surface 14. The differential carrier inner surface 14 defines a hollow interior 16. The differential carrier 10 further includes a first axle flange 20 and a second axle flange 22. The first axle flange 20 and the second axle flange 22 are disposed opposite each other on the differential carrier 10. Axle tubes (not shown) may be coupled with the first and second axle flanges 20, 22 to receive axle half shafts (not shown).

The differential carrier 10 is coupled with a structural member (not shown) of the vehicle in which it is located. The differential carrier 10 is fixed in position and does not rotate.

As shown in fig. 1-4, the axle assembly 1 includes a differential mechanism including a differential case 24 disposed within the differential carrier hollow interior 16. The differential case 24 is mounted for rotation within the differential carrier 10 by a pair of bearings (not shown). The differential carrier first flange 26 and the differential carrier second flange 28 may be located within a first differential support block 30 and a second differential support block 32. A first support strap (bearing strap)34 and a second support strap 36 may be located above the differential case first flange 26 and the differential case second flange 28. First and second support straps 34, 36 are connected to first and second differential support blocks 30, 32, such as by mechanical fasteners 38. As shown in fig. 4, the mechanical fasteners 38 may include bolts that extend through the first and second support bands 34, 36 and into the first and second differential support blocks 30, 32.

As shown in fig. 4, the ring gear 40 may be coupled with the differential case 24. In one embodiment, the ring gear 40 may be integrally formed with the differential case 24. In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 1 and 4, the differential carrier 24 may include a ring gear flange 42. The ring gear flange 42 may define a plurality of fastener holes (not shown) disposed circumferentially around and formed in the ring gear flange. Mechanical fasteners 44, such as bolts, may be provided through the fastener holes and into the first side of the ring gear 40 to couple the differential carrier 24 and the ring gear 40.

The ring gear 40 includes a plurality of teeth (not shown) on a second side 48 of the ring gear 40. The ring gear teeth extend continuously circumferentially around second side 48. The ring gear teeth mesh with a set of teeth on a pinion gear (not shown). The pinion gear is coupled with a drive shaft (not shown). The drive shaft receives torque from a source of rotary power such as a transmission, engine, and/or transfer case.

As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the pinion shaft 50 is disposed within the differential carrier 24. In an embodiment, the additional pinion shaft 50A may be positioned at 90 degrees and transverse to the pinion shaft 50. The pinion shafts 50, 50A may also be referred to as spider shafts. The pinion shaft 50 is connected to the differential case 24. In one embodiment, the pinion shaft 50 may extend into the differential case 24, thereby securing it thereto. Therefore, the pinion shaft 50 rotates together with the differential case 24.

A first differential pinion 52 is located on one end of the pinion shaft 50 and a second differential pinion 54 is located on the other end of the pinion shaft 50. The first and second differential pinions 52, 54 each include a plurality of teeth 56, 58 extending circumferentially around the first and second differential pinions 52, 54. As described above, if the additional pinion shaft 50A is provided, the additional differential pinion may be located thereon. As shown in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 1, the third differential pinion gear 52A is provided on the additional pinion shaft 50A.

The teeth 56, 58 of the first and second differential pinions 52, 54 mesh with the teeth 60, 62 on the first and second differential side gears 64, 66. The differential side gear teeth 60, 62 extend circumferentially around the first and second differential side gears 64, 66.

The first and second differential side gears 64, 66 include hollow interior portions 68, 70, respectively. The hollow interior portions 68, 70 may each include radially extending splines 72, 74. The splines 72 of the first differential side gear 64 may engage with splines on a first axle shaft (not shown) to transfer rotation to that shaft. The splines 74 of the second differential side gear 66 may engage with splines on a second axle shaft (not shown) to transfer rotation to that shaft. First and second axle half shafts extend from the differential case 24 and through the first and second axle flanges 20, 22 of the differential carrier to wheel ends (not shown).

As shown in fig. 1-3 and 5, the second differential side gear 66 may include a set of locking teeth 76 disposed on an axially outboard surface 78. In one embodiment, the locking teeth 76 are integrally formed with the second differential side gear 66. The locking teeth 76 extend circumferentially around the shaft outer facing surface 78.

As shown in fig. 1-5, the actuator assembly 80 may be mounted on the second differential carrier flange 28. The actuator assembly 80 is coupled with the differential carrier 10 such that the actuator assembly 80 is fixed against rotation relative to the differential carrier 10. In one embodiment, the actuator assembly 80 includes at least one radially extending pin 82. The pin 82 is received within a slotted flange 84 fixedly connected to the differential carrier 10. Receiving the pin 82 within the slotted flange 84 prevents the actuator assembly 80 from rotating with the differential carrier 24.

In one embodiment, the actuator assembly 80 includes an electromagnet actuator. The actuator assembly 80 may include a housing 88, an electromagnetic coil 90, and an armature 92. In an embodiment, housing 88 may have an annular geometry such that an inner diameter of housing 88 couples with sleeve 89. The sleeve 89 may be coupled with the differential case flange 28 such that the sleeve 89 may rotate relative to the differential case 24.

The electromagnetic coil 90 may be molded or set within the resin and disposed within the housing 88. The electromagnetic coil 90 may include a ring shape having a hollow interior. The electromagnetic coil 90 is electrically connected to a power source (not shown), such as, but not limited to, a battery, that can be selectively powered by the electromagnetic coil 90. The power source may also be connected to a controller (not shown) that determines when power is supplied to the electromagnetic coil 90. In one embodiment, the controller may be mounted to an internal portion of the actuator housing 88. In another embodiment, the controller may be mounted to a radially outer surface of the actuator housing 88. In yet another embodiment, the controller may be mounted to an outside surface of the actuator housing 88.

Referring to fig. 1-3, in one embodiment, the armature 92 may comprise a generally hollow cylinder disposed radially inward from the electromagnetic coil 90. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the armature 92 is continuously radially surrounded by the electromagnetic coil 90. The armature 92 comprises a ferromagnetic material. An annular spacer 94 is disposed axially adjacent the armature 92 on the inner side thereof. Annulus spacer 94 may comprise a polymeric material.

When power is applied to the electromagnetic coil 90, the electromagnetic coil 90 generates a magnetic flux that passes through the housing 88 and the armature 92. The magnetic flux extends into the armature 92 causing the armature 92 to move in an axial direction. In one embodiment, the armature 92 does not rotate.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 1-3, sensor plate 124 may be positioned axially adjacent the inside of spacer 94. Sensor plate 124 may also be disposed at least partially radially around spacer 94. In one embodiment, the sensor plate 124 is adjacent a portion of the leg 100 of the lock gear 96. As shown in fig. 5, the latch gear legs 100 extend axially outward from a generally disc-shaped body portion 102 of the latch gear 96. The legs 100 are located on an axially outer side 104 of the body portion 102. The lock gear body portion 102 includes a radially outer surface 106. The radially outermost surface of the leg 100 may extend from the outer surface 106 such that the outer surface 106 and the radially outermost surface of the foot 100 have the same outer diameter.

In an embodiment, each leg 100 may be circumferentially positioned such that they are separated from each other by the same arc length. The legs 100 may taper from the body portion 102 to their ends. In one embodiment, the lock gear body portion 102 may be located entirely within the differential carrier 24. The latch gear leg 100 may be located mostly within the differential case 24; however, the end portions of the legs 100 extend axially through the differential case bore 108 dedicated to each leg 100. End portions of the legs 100 extend outside of the differential case 24 to contact the armature 92, the spacer 94, or the sensor plate 98.

A plurality of teeth 112 are located on the axially inner side 110 of the lock gear body portion 102. Teeth 112 extend circumferentially around the lock gear body portion inner side 110. The locking gear teeth 112 are complementary to and selectively mesh with the second differential side gear locking teeth 76.

In one embodiment, the lock gear 96 defines an annular groove 118 in an inner surface thereof. The lock gear groove 118 may be axially aligned with a groove 121 on the axially outer side surface 78 of the second differential side gear 66. The biasing member 122 may be at least partially located within the locking gear recess 118 and the second differential side gear recess 121. The biasing member 122 axially biases the lock gear 96 away from the second differential side gear 66 when the actuator assembly 80 is in the disengaged position. The biasing member 122 may be, but is not limited to, a spring, a plurality of springs, one or more belleville washers, or one or more wave springs.

It will be appreciated that the lock gear 96 located within the differential case 24 rotates with the differential case 24. The lock gear 96 is preferably a one-piece integrally and unitarily formed of a strong material such as metal. The lock gear 96 may be made of an electrically conductive material.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 1-3, the sensor plate 124 may be coupled with the lock gear 96. Sensor plate 124 may include a generally disk-like geometry and have a radially inner surface 126, a radially outer surface 128, an axially inner surface 130, and an axially outer surface 132. Axially inner side surface 130 and axially outer side surface 132 may be parallel to each other and equally spaced from each other. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, axially inner surface 130 and axially outer surface 132 define a substantially constant thickness of sensor plate 124 therebetween. The sensor plate 124 may have a radial dimension that is much larger than its axial dimension. In other words, the thickness of plate 124 may be much smaller than the distance between radially inner surface 126 and radially outer surface 128.

As shown in fig. 1-3, sensor plate 124 may include a protrusion 134 extending axially or transverse to axially inner side surface 130. The radially inner surface of the projection 134 may abut the radially inner surface 126 of the sensor plate. The projections 134 may be regularly spaced from one another about the circumference of the radially inner surface 126. In an embodiment, a portion of the protrusion 134 may be disposed in a radially extending annular groove 135 defined by the lock gear 96 to frictionally lock the sensor plate 124 to the lock gear 96. In one embodiment, the groove 135 is disposed radially inward of the latch gear leg 100.

At least a portion of the sensor plate 124 is located substantially outside of the differential carrier 24; however, the sensor plate protrusion 134 may extend into the differential case 24. More specifically, the protrusion 134 may extend at least partially through the differential case aperture 108. In other embodiments (not shown), the sensor plate 124 may be coupled with the locking gear 96 in other ways, such as, but not limited to, mechanical fasteners. Thus, in certain embodiments, the armature 92 or annulus spacer 94 may not directly contact the sensor plate 124, but instead, the armature 92 or annulus spacer 94 may directly contact the lock gear 96.

In an embodiment, the body portion 136 of the sensor plate 124 may include a substantially continuous surface. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the sensor board body portion 136 may have one or more holes extending axially therethrough. These holes may allow fluids, such as air and lubricant, to flow within the differential carrier 10. In one embodiment (not shown), sensor board 124 may include a plurality of holes having smaller diameters as opposed to fewer holes having relatively larger diameters. The sensor plate 124 coupled with the lock gear 96 moves axially with the lock gear 96 and rotates therewith. Further, the sensor board 124 may include a conductive material.

The actuator assembly housing 88 includes an inner side surface 138, an outer side surface 140, and a radially outer surface 142. The radially outer surface 142 may be curvilinear and define a substantially constant outer surface of the annular housing 88. Medial surface 138 and lateral surface 140 define a substantially constant distance or thickness therebetween. Medial surface 138 and lateral surface 140 are substantially parallel to each other. The inboard and outboard surfaces 138, 140 may extend substantially transverse to an axis of rotation 144 of the differential carrier 24.

Similarly, the inboard and outboard surfaces 130, 132 of the sensor plate 24 may extend substantially transverse to the rotational axis 144 of the differential carrier 24. Inboard and outboard surfaces 130, 132 of sensor board 24 are substantially parallel to inboard and outboard surfaces 138, 140 of housing 88.

In one embodiment, sensor 148 may be disposed on inside surface 138 of housing 88. In an embodiment, sensor 148 may be disposed in a recess in inside surface 138 of housing 88. Sensor 148 may be located anywhere along inside surface 138. In one embodiment, sensor 148 is located near a radially outward portion of inner side surface 138. In an embodiment, more than one sensor 148 may be located at more than one radial location on the inner side surface 138. In another embodiment, the sensor 148 may include a ring disposed on the inside surface 138.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the sensor 148 may be positioned transverse to the sensor board 124. For example, sensor 148 may be located radially outward of sensor plate 124. In this embodiment, the sensor 148 is fixed at a fixed distance from the radially outer surface 128 of the sensor plate 124.

The operation of the lateral sensor 148 is substantially the same as described herein. In an embodiment, the lateral sensor 148 senses the percentage of its coverage by the radially outer surface 128 of the sensor plate so that the microcontroller can determine the position of the sensor plate 124 based on the percentage of coverage.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, first lateral sensor 148 may be located radially above sensor board 124, and second lateral sensor 148A may be located radially below sensor board 124.

"above" and "below" may mean that the first sensor and the second sensor are fixed diametrically opposite each other.

In another embodiment (not shown), the first sensor 148 may be positioned axially adjacent the inboard surface 130 of the sensor plate, and the second sensor 148 may be positioned axially adjacent the outboard surface 132 of the sensor plate. Thus, the first sensor 148 and the second sensor 148 are located on both sides of the sensor board 124, respectively; the first sensor 148 faces the inboard surface 130 of the sensor plate and the second sensor 148 faces the outboard surface 132 of the sensor plate. The second sensor 148 may be radially aligned with the first sensor. In other words, the first sensor 148 and the second sensor 148 may be located at the same distance from the differential axis of rotation 144. In this embodiment, the data from the first and second sensors 148, 148 may be used by the controller microprocessor in combination or separately. When used alone, the data may be compared to double check the position of the sensor plate 124. When used together, this data may be used to detect any change in the distance between the sensor board 124 and the first and second sensors 148, 148.

In any of the above embodiments, the sensor 148 may be an inductive sensor including an inductive coil 149. Sensor induction coil 149 may include, but is not limited to: a wire wound around the length of the bobbin, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) trace spiral (trace spiral), or a printed metal trace if the inside surface is non-conductive. In an embodiment, the induction coil 149 may be substantially planar and rigid. In another embodiment, the induction coil 149 may be flexible, non-planar, and/or curved.

In a planar and rigid embodiment, the induction coil 149 may be disposed in or on a substrate. The substrate may be the housing 88, or a material attached to the housing 88, into which the sensor 148 may be embedded.

In flexible, non-planar, and/or curvilinear embodiments, the induction coil 149 may similarly be disposed in or on a substrate. The substrate may be a flexible material that may be adapted to a curved surface. In one embodiment, the substrate may be a flexible circuit board. Alternatively, all or a portion of the induction coil 149 may be curved or flexible, and thus curvilinear. Thus, induction coil 149 may be located on a curved shape, such as differential case 24, or differential carrier 10, or a structure connected to any of the above.

Various types of sensors 148 may be used. The following is a brief overview of some possible sensors 148, but the apparatus is not limited to these sensors 148 or the operation described below.

In one embodiment, the sensor 148 may be a two-wire (two-wire) sensor. A voltage (e.g., about 4-9 volts) is provided to the sensor 148 and the resulting current is fixed. The current may be, for example, 7 milliamps or 14 milliamps, depending on the state of the system. For example, one current may be associated with a locked state of the differential mechanism, while another current may be associated with an unlocked state of the differential mechanism.

In another embodiment, sensor 148 may be a three-wire sensor. This embodiment may output a fixed frequency signal of about 250Hz, but other frequencies may be used. The duty cycle of the signal varies with the position of the sensor plate 124 or the lock gear 96. The signal may be continuous with respect to the position of the sensor plate 124 or the lock gear 96, or the signal may be a fixed value based on the particular position of the sensor plate 124 or the lock gear 96. For example, the signal may be 10% when sensor plate 124 or lock gear 96 is closest to sensor 148 and 90% when sensor plate 124 or lock gear 96 is furthest from sensor 148. Further, the percentage signal may be fixed for a particular location anywhere between the closest and farthest locations. In yet another embodiment of the sensor 148, the signal may be fixed at a particular magnitude in the proximal position (unlocked) and at a different magnitude in the distal position (locked) in the absence of other signals.

In another embodiment, a serial digital signal may be used. By way of example, the signal may be, for example, a UART-type or LIN bus output having a predetermined baud rate (e.g., 9600 baud as an example).

When the conductive material is nearby, the induction coil 149 generates a high frequency alternating magnetic field. The magnetic field causes eddy currents to form within the conductive material. The eddy current generates a magnetic field that opposes the magnetic field in the induction coil 149. The magnitude of the eddy current of the induction coil 149 is proportional to the distance of the conductive material eddy current. Thus, the relationship of the distance of the sensor 148 from the conductive material may be known based on the eddy currents measured in the sensor 148. The relationship may be determined via a microcontroller (not shown) coupled with the sensor 148. The microcontroller is preferably located on the actuator assembly housing 88 or within the actuator assembly housing 88.

In one embodiment, the conductive material may be the sensor plate 124. In another embodiment, the sensor 148 instead senses the position of the lock gear 96. It will be appreciated that the sensor 148 can sense the precise position of the lock gear 96, whether the sensor 148 senses the lock gear 96 directly or the sensor plate 124. As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the position of the lock gear 96 and/or the sensor plate 124 may be known so that a reliable determination of whether the differential mechanism is in the locked or unlocked state may also be reliably known.

Fig. 1 and 2 show the differential mechanism in an unlocked state. In the unlocked state, the lock gear 96 is not meshed with the second side gear 66. Additionally, the electromagnetic coil 90 is not sufficiently energized to actuate the armature 92. Further, the biasing member 122 biases the lock gear 96 to an axially outward position.

Upon detection of a condition where it may be desirable to lock the differential mechanism, electrical power is supplied to the electromagnetic coil 90 at a magnitude sufficient for the electromagnetic coil 90 to generate a magnetic flux in the electrically conductive armature 92. Various conditions may exist to ensure locking of the differential mechanism. These conditions may be monitored by one or more vehicle sensors (not shown).

The magnetic flux in the armature 92 causes the armature 92 to move in the axially inward direction. The magnetic flux in the armature 92 is sufficient to cause it to move the armature 92 against the biasing force of the biasing member 122. In other words, the axially inward movement of the armature 92 causes the lock gear 96 to move axially in the inward direction. As described above, since the sensor plate 124 is coupled with the lock gear 96, the sensor plate 124 also moves in the axially inward direction.

Fig. 3 shows the differential mechanism in a locked state. In the locked state, the armature 92, the lock gear 96, and the sensor plate 124 are moved in the axially inward direction such that the second side gear lock teeth 76 and the lock gear teeth 112 are engaged with each other. When the second side gear locking teeth 76 and the locking gear teeth 112 are fully engaged, the differential mechanism is locked. In the locked state, the second side gear 66 is locked against rotation relative to the differential case 24. This prevents the second side gear 66 from rotating independently of the first side gear 64; alternatively, the first side gear 64 and the second side gear 66 can only rotate together. The locked state of the differential mechanism has the effect of distributing power equally to the first and second side gears 64, 66, the two axle half shafts, and the two wheel ends.

When the locked differential mechanism is no longer needed, power to the solenoid 90 is terminated or reduced. Termination or reduction of electrical power to the electromagnetic coil 90 may cause the biasing member 122 to urge the lock gear 96 from the second side gear 66 in an axially outward direction. This causes the lock teeth 76 of the second side gear 66 and the teeth 112 of the lock gear 96 to disengage. Once disengaged, the second side gear 66 may rotate relative to the first side gear 64.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that the disclosed subject matter can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments described above are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.