阅读说明：本技术 具有换向机构的车辆传动系部件 (Vehicle drive train component with reversing mechanism ) 是由 道格拉斯·J·舍梅利 约瑟夫·S·巴伦德二世 彼得·巴尔塔 于 2021-05-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种具有换向机构的车辆传动系部件包括：壳体,限定杆孔；联轴器,具有可移动构件,所述可移动构件能沿着移动轴线在第一位置和第二位置之间移动；线性马达,具有能沿着所述移动轴线移动的马达输出构件；以及多个杆。每个杆设置在相关联的杆孔中,并联接到所述壳体以绕相应的杆枢转轴线进行枢转运动。响应于所述杆绕所述杆枢转轴线的枢转运动,所述杆将所述可移动构件沿着所述移动轴线在第一方向上从所述第一位置和所述第二位置中的一个推动到所述第一位置和所述第二位置中的另一个,所述杆绕所述杆枢转轴线的枢转运动是当所述马达输出构件沿着所述移动轴线在与所述第一方向相反的第二方向上被驱动时由所述杆与所述马达输出构件之间的接触引起的。(A vehicle driveline component having a reverser mechanism comprising: a housing defining a rod bore; a coupling having a movable member movable along a movement axis between a first position and a second position; a linear motor having a motor output member movable along the movement axis; and a plurality of rods. Each lever is disposed in an associated lever aperture and is coupled to the housing for pivotal movement about a respective lever pivot axis. The lever urges the movable member in a first direction along the movement axis from one of the first position and the second position to the other of the first position and the second position in response to a pivotal movement of the lever about the lever pivotal axis caused by contact between the lever and the motor output member when the motor output member is driven in a second direction opposite the first direction along the movement axis.)

1. A vehicle driveline component comprising:

a housing having a wall member and defining an internal cavity and a plurality of rod bores formed through the wall member and intersecting the internal cavity;

a coupling disposed in the internal cavity in the housing, the coupling having a movable member movable within the housing along a movement axis between a first position and a second position, wherein the coupling is configured to transmit rotational power through the coupling when the movable member is in the first position, and wherein transmission of rotational power through the coupling is prevented when the movable member is in the second position;

a linear motor having a motor output member movable along the movement axis; and

a plurality of levers, each of the levers disposed in an associated one of the lever apertures and coupled to the housing for pivotal movement about a respective lever pivot axis;

wherein, in response to a pivotal movement of the lever about the lever pivotal axis caused by contact between the lever and the motor output member when the motor output member is driven in a second direction opposite the first direction along the movement axis, the lever urges the movable member of the coupling in a first direction along the movement axis from one of the first position and the second position to the other of the first position and the second position.

2. The vehicle driveline component of claim 1, wherein the linear motor comprises an electromagnetic coil.

3. The vehicle driveline component of claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic coil is the motor output member.

4. The vehicle driveline component of claim 1, further comprising a spring that biases the movable member toward one of the first position and the second position.

5. The vehicle driveline component of claim 4, wherein the spring is disposed along the movement axis between the movable member and the wall member of the housing.

6. The vehicle driveline component of claim 1, further comprising a differential gear set having a side gear and a differential output member, wherein the coupling comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is fixedly coupled to the side gear, wherein the second jaw is fixedly coupled to the differential output member, and wherein the movable member of the coupling is the second jaw.

7. The vehicle driveline component of claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the housing is disposed in the housing for rotation about the movement axis.

8. The vehicle driveline component of claim 1, wherein the motor output member is slidably mounted on the housing.

9. A vehicle driveline component comprising:

structure;

a coupler having a movable element configured to move in a first direction along a translation axis relative to the structure from a first position to a second position and in a second direction opposite the first direction from the second position to the first position, wherein placement of the movable element in the first position rotatably couples a rotational input of the coupler to a rotational output of the coupler, and wherein placement of the movable element in the second position rotatably decouples the rotational input of the coupler from the rotational output of the coupler;

a linear motor having a motor output member movable along the translation axis in the first direction from a third position to a fourth position and in the second direction from the fourth position to the third position; and

a plurality of levers pivotally coupled to the structure and engageable to the motor output member and the movable element;

wherein movement of the motor output member along the translation axis in the second direction to the third position pivots the lever relative to the structure and urges the movable element in the first direction toward the second position.

10. The vehicle driveline component of claim 9, wherein the linear motor comprises an electromagnetic coil.

11. The vehicle driveline component of claim 10, wherein the electromagnetic coil has an annular shape and is mounted around the structure.

12. The vehicle driveline component of claim 9, wherein the coupling comprises a dog clutch having a first dog member and a second dog member, wherein the first dog member is the rotational input of the coupling, wherein the second dog member is the rotational output of the coupling, and wherein one of the first and second dog members is the movable element.

13. The vehicle driveline component of claim 9, further comprising a differential gear set and a differential output member, the differential gear set having side gears, wherein the rotational output of the coupler is fixedly coupled to the differential output member, and wherein the side gears are fixedly coupled to the rotational input of the coupler.

14. The vehicle driveline component of claim 13, wherein the differential gear set comprises a plurality of differential pinions coupled to the structure for rotation about the translation axis, each of the differential pinions being rotatable relative to the structure about an associated pinion axis and in meshing engagement with the side gears.

15. The vehicle driveline component of claim 9, wherein the movable element is non-rotatably but axially slidably coupled to one of the rotary input and the rotary output in each of the first and second positions, and is non-rotatably but axially slidably coupled to the other of the rotary input and the rotary output in the first position.

16. The vehicle driveline component of claim 9, wherein the motor output member is slidably mounted on the structure.

17. The vehicle driveline component of claim 9, further comprising a housing, wherein the structure is disposed in the housing for rotation about the translation axis.

18. The vehicle driveline component of claim 9, wherein the structure defines a plurality of rod apertures, wherein each of the rods is disposed in a corresponding one of the rod apertures.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a vehicle driveline component having a reversing mechanism for moving a movable element to change an operating mode of the vehicle driveline component.

Background

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Vehicle driveline components (such as axle assemblies, center differential assemblies, power take off units, and transfer cases) may typically be operated in one or more modes based on the position of the movable elements of the coupling. Various electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically, mechanically or electromechanically operated actuators have been employed to control the movement of the movable elements of such couplings. Typically, such actuators have an actuator output member that directly or indirectly moves a movable element of the coupling with the actuator output member. In this regard, the movable element moves in the direction of movement of the actuator output member, and the distance of movement is equal to the distance of movement of the actuator output member.

We have found that in some circumstances it may be desirable to move the movable element of the coupling in a direction opposite to the direction in which the actuator output member moves. Additionally or alternatively, we have found that in some circumstances it may be desirable to move the moveable element of the coupling by a different amount than the actuator output member, for example to provide an extended amount of travel for the moveable element to compensate for wear or to provide a mechanical advantage.

Disclosure of Invention

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In one form, the present disclosure provides a vehicle driveline component comprising a housing, a coupling, a linear motor, and a plurality of rods. The housing has a wall member and defines an internal cavity and a plurality of stem apertures. The rod aperture is formed through the wall member and intersects the lumen. The coupling is disposed in the internal cavity in the housing and includes a movable member movable within the housing along a movement axis between a first position and a second position. The coupling is configured to transmit rotational power through the coupling when the movable member is in the first position and to prevent transmission of rotational power through the coupling when the movable member is in the second position. The linear motor has a motor output member movable along the movement axis. Each of the levers is disposed in an associated one of the lever apertures and is coupled to the housing for pivotal movement about a respective lever pivot axis. In response to pivotal movement of the lever about the lever pivot axis caused by contact between the lever and the motor output member when the motor output member is driven in a second direction opposite the first direction along the movement axis, the lever urges the movable member of the coupling in a first direction along the movement axis from one of the first position and the second position to the other of the first position and the second position. According to various alternatives: the linear motor includes an electromagnetic coil, which in this form may be the motor output member; the vehicle driveline component further comprising a spring biasing the movable member toward one of the first position and the second position, wherein the spring is disposed along the movement axis between the movable member and the wall member of the housing; the vehicle driveline component further comprises a differential gear set having a differential output member, wherein the coupling comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is coupled to the differential output member for rotation therewith about the movement axis, wherein the second jaw is non-rotatably but axially slidably coupled to the housing, and wherein the movable member of the coupling is the second jaw; the vehicle driveline component further comprising a housing, wherein the housing is disposed in the housing; the motor output member is slidably mounted on the housing.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a vehicle driveline component comprising a structure, a coupling, a linear motor, and a plurality of rods. The coupling has a movable element configured to be movable relative to the structure along a translation axis in a first direction from a first position to a second position, and in a second direction opposite the first direction from the second position to the first position, wherein placement of the movable element in the first position rotatably couples a rotational input of the coupling to a rotational output of the coupling, and wherein placement of the movable element in the second position rotatably decouples the rotational input of the coupling from the rotational output of the coupling. The linear motor has a motor output member movable along the translation axis in the first direction from a third position to a fourth position and in the second direction from the fourth position to the third position. The lever is pivotally coupled to the structure and engageable to the motor output member and the movable element. Movement of the motor output member along the translation axis in the second direction to the third position pivots the lever relative to the structure and urges the movable element in the first direction toward the second position. According to various alternatives: the linear motor includes an electromagnetic coil having an annular shape and mounted around the structure; the coupling comprises a dog clutch having a first dog member and a second dog member, wherein the first dog member is the rotational input of the coupling, wherein the second dog member is the rotational output of the coupling, and wherein one of the first and second dog members is the movable element; the vehicle driveline component further comprising a differential gear set disposed in the structure, the differential gear set having a first differential output and a second differential output, wherein the rotational output of the coupling is axially slidably but non-rotatably coupled to the structure, and wherein the first differential output is fixedly coupled to the rotational input of the coupling; the differential gear set including a plurality of differential pinions coupled to the structure for rotation about the translation axis, each of the differential pinions being rotatable relative to the structure about an associated pinion axis, and wherein each of the first and second differential outputs is a side gear meshingly engaged with the differential pinions; the movable element is non-rotatably but axially slidably coupled to one of the rotary input and the rotary output in each of the first and second positions, and is non-rotatably but axially slidably coupled to the other of the rotary input and the rotary output in the first position; the motor output member is slidably mounted on the structure; the vehicle driveline component further comprising a housing, wherein the structure is disposed in the housing for rotation about the translation axis; the structure defines a plurality of rod bores, wherein each of the rods is disposed in a corresponding one of the rod bores.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Drawings

In order that the disclosure may be well understood, various forms thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a portion of a first vehicle drive train component constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the vehicle driveline component of FIG. 1 illustrating a portion of the differential assembly and the disconnect mechanism, the view depicting the disconnect mechanism in a state where the side gears are rotatably coupled to the differential output member;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the vehicle driveline components of FIG. 1 illustrating the differential assembly and disconnect mechanism in greater detail;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but depicting the disconnect mechanism in a state where the side gears and the differential output member are rotatably separated; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a second vehicle driveline component constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

Detailed Description

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary vehicle powertrain component constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. In the particular example provided, the vehicle driveline component 10 is illustrated as a rear axle assembly and includes a disconnect mechanism that allows the rear axle assembly to operate in an active mode, in which rotational power may be transmitted through the rear axle assembly to drive a pair of wheels (not shown), and a passive mode, in which rotational power is not transmitted through the rear axle assembly to drive the pair of wheels. It will be appreciated that the teachings of the present disclosure are applicable to a variety of other vehicle drive train components, such as power take off units, transfer cases, center differentials, and front axle assemblies, and may be integrated into a device that may be broadly described as a coupling having an axially moveable member that allows the coupling (or a device incorporating the coupling) to operate in two different operating modes. Such couplings may be used to selectively decouple portions of the coupling from one another, for example, to interrupt the transmission of rotational power through the coupling, and/or to selectively lock various components to one another, such as may be used to change a speed ratio in a multi-speed transmission or to rotationally lock one component to another.

In the example provided, the vehicle driveline component 10 includes a housing 12, an input pinion gear (not shown), a ring gear 14, a differential assembly 16, a disconnect mechanism 18, and a pair of output shafts 20a, 20 b. The housing 12 may be constructed in a conventional and well-known manner, and may define a central cavity 24 and an input pinion gear aperture (not shown) that may intersect the central cavity 24. The input pinion gear bore is disposed along a first axis 26. The housing 12 may include a pair of bearing journals 28, the pair of bearing journals 28 extending into the central cavity 24 and having bearing apertures 30 formed therethrough. The bearing bore 30 is disposed along a second axis 32 that is transverse to the first axis 26. The input pinion is received through the input pinion aperture and is rotatable relative to the housing 12 about a first axis 26. The input pinion includes a pinion (not shown) disposed in the central cavity 24. The ring gear 14 is received in the central cavity 24 and is rotatable about a second axis 32. The ring gear 14 meshes with the pinion of the input pinion.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the differential assembly 16 may include a differential input member 40, a differential gear set 42, and a pair of differential output members 44a, 44 b. In the example provided, the differential input member 40 is a differential housing that defines a differential cavity 48 and includes a main body 50, an actuator mount 52, and a pair of trunnions 54 (only one shown). In the particular example provided, the differential input member 40 is formed of a magnetically sensitive material (such as cast iron). The body 50 may have a generally cylindrical outer surface disposed coaxially about the second axis 32. The latch hole 58 may be formed through the body 50 in an orientation perpendicular to the second axis 32. The actuator mounting portion 52 may include an armature portion 60 and a motor mounting portion 62. The armature portion 60 may be disposed between the body 50 and the motor mounting portion 62 along the second axis 32 and may have an armature surface 66, which armature surface 66 may be frustoconical in shape diverging outwardly from the second axis 32 as the distance from the motor mounting portion 62 increases. The diameter of the armature surface 66 adjacent the axial end of the body 50 may be relatively smaller than the diameter of the body 50 and, thus, a first outer shoulder 68 is formed where the armature portion 60 and the body 50 intersect one another. The motor mounting portion 62 has a cylindrical mounting surface 70 disposed coaxially about the second axis 32. The diameter of the motor mounting portion 62 may be relatively smaller than the diameter of the armature portion 60, and therefore, a second outer shoulder 72 may be formed where the motor mounting portion 62 intersects the armature portion 60. A plurality of rod bores 74 may be formed through the actuator mount 52 and may intersect the differential cavity 48. The rod apertures 74 may be circumferentially spaced about the second axis 32. In the example provided, the rod aperture 74 is formed in the armature portion 60 and extends through the armature surface 66.

The trunnion 54 has a bearing mounting surface 78, the bearing mounting surface 78 being coaxially disposed about the second axis 32 and being dimensioned to receive a pair of differential bearings 80 thereon, the pair of differential bearings 80 rotationally supporting the differential input member 40 for rotation about the second axis 32 relative to the housing 12 (fig. 1). One of the trunnions 54 projects axially from an axial end of the actuator mount 52 opposite the main body 50, while the other of the trunnions 54 projects axially from an axial end of the main body 50 opposite the actuator mount 52. A through hole 82 is formed through the trunnion 54 that intersects the differential cavity 48.

With particular reference to FIG. 2, differential cavity 48 may include a first counterbore 90, a second counterbore 92, and a third counterbore 94. The first, second, and third counterbores 90, 92, and 94 are formed coaxially with the through bore 82 and define first, second, and third inner shoulders 100, 102, and 104, respectively, the first, second, and third inner shoulders 100, 102, and 104 being coaxially disposed about the second axis 32 and spaced apart from one another along the second axis 32. The second inner shoulder 102 is disposed between the first inner shoulder 100 and the third inner shoulder 104 along the second axis 32. The rod bore 74 intersects the second counterbore and is axially disposed along the second axis 32 between the first and second inner shoulders 100, 102.

Returning to fig. 2 and 3, the differential gear set 42 is configured to transfer rotational power between the differential input member 40 and the differential output members 44a, 44b, and to allow for a speed differential between the differential output members 44a, 44 b. In the example provided, differential gear set 42 is configured with a plurality of bevel gears, but it will be appreciated that the differential gear set may be configured differently, such as with helical gears, or as a planetary gear set with one or more sun gears, one or more sets of planet gears, one or more planet carriers, and one or more annulus gears.

In the example provided, differential gear set 42 includes a pair of differential pinions 110 and a pair of side gears 112a, 112 b. The differential pinion gears 110 are coupled to the differential input member 40 for rotation therewith, but are each rotatable relative to the differential input member 40 about a respective differential pinion axis. Alternatively, the differential pinion gear 110 may be rotatably mounted on a latch 116, the latch 116 being received through a latch hole 58 in the differential input member 40 and fixedly coupled to the differential input member 40. Each of the side gears 112a, 112b may be meshingly engaged to the differential pinion 110. The differential output member 44a is a hub fixedly coupled to the side gear 112 a. In the particular example shown, the side gears 112a and the differential output member 44a are integrally and unitarily formed. The differential output member 44a has an internally toothed or splined bore 120, the internally toothed or splined bore 120 configured to meshingly engage an externally toothed or splined segment 122 on the output shaft 20a, thereby rotationally coupling the differential output member 44a and the output shaft 20 a. Similar to the differential output member 44a, the differential output member 44b is a hub having an internally splined or toothed bore 126, the internally splined or toothed bore 126 configured to meshingly engage an externally splined or splined segment 128 on the output shaft 20b, thereby rotationally coupling the differential output member 44b and the output shaft 20 b. However, the differential output member 44b and the side gears 112b are formed as separate components that are not fixedly coupled to each other.

The disconnect mechanism 18 may include a first jaw (dog)130, a second jaw 132, a biasing spring 134, a plurality of levers 136, a plurality of pins 138, and a linear motor 140. The first jaw 130 may include a plurality of first jaw members 150 that may be fixedly coupled to the side gear 112b, while the second jaw 132 may be fixedly coupled to the differential output member 44b and may include a plurality of second jaw members 152 and circumferentially extending projections 154. The first and second jaw members 150, 152 form a coupling (i.e., a jaw clutch in the example provided) and may be configured in any desired manner. In the illustrated example, the first pawl member 150 is a face tooth that is integrally and unitarily formed with the side gear 112b and extends from a side of the side gear 112b opposite the gear teeth of the side gear 112b, while the second pawl member 152 is a radially extending wall or web that is disposed between circumferentially spaced apart tooth holes 160 formed in a flange 162 that extends radially from the differential output member 44 b. Each of the toothed holes 160 is sized to receive a corresponding one of the first jaw members 150 therein. The differential output member 44b is received in the first counterbore 90 and is slidable along the second axis 32. The second jaw 132 is received in the second counterbore 92 and is slidable along the second axis 32. The side gear 112b is received in the third counterbore 94, and the third inner shoulder 104 limits movement of the side gear 112b and the first jaw 130 in a direction along the second axis 32 toward the second inner shoulder 102. The second pawl 132 is relatively thinner than the depth of the second counterbore 92 to allow the second pawl 132 to move along the second axis 32 between a first position (shown in fig. 2) in which the first and second pawl members 150, 152 are engaged with one another to allow torque transfer between the side gear 112b and the differential output member 44b, and a second position (shown in fig. 4) in which the first and second pawl members 150, 152 are disengaged from one another to inhibit torque transfer between the side gear 112b and the differential output member 44 b.

The biasing spring 134 may be disposed along the second axis 32 in a position that applies a biasing force to the second pawl 132 (and the differential output member 44b) that tends to urge the second pawl 132 to one of the first and second positions. The biasing spring 134 may be any type of spring, such as a helical coil compression spring. In the example provided, the biasing spring 134 is a wave spring that is disposed between the first internal shoulder 100 on the differential input member 40 and an axial end 170 of the differential output member 44b opposite the side gear 112b, and is configured to bias the second pawl 132 to the first position.

Each of the rods 136 is received in a corresponding one of the rod apertures 74 and is pivotally coupled to the differential input member 40. In the example provided, the pin 138 is disposed through the rod 136 and is received into a pin hole (not specifically shown) formed in the differential input member 40. Each of the rods 136 includes a first rod segment 180 and a second rod segment 182. The first rod segment 180 extends into the second counterbore 92 and is configured to contact the circumferentially extending protrusion 154 extending radially from the radially outward surface of the flange 162 of the second jaw 132. The second rod segment 182 extends radially outward from the armature surface 66.

The linear motor 140 has a motor output member 190 that is movable in a first direction (represented by arrow 192) along the second axis 32 to selectively contact the second rod segment 182 and cause rotational movement of the lever 136 about the pin 138 such that the first rod segment 180 contacts the circumferentially extending protrusion 154 and drives the second jaw 132 along the second axis 32 in a second direction (represented by arrow 194) opposite the first direction to drive the second jaw 132 to the second position. The linear motor 140 may be any type of device configured to translate the output member, such as, for example, a solenoid, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, a device driven by a lead screw or a ball screw. The movement of the output member need not be constrained to a straight line and may, in addition, include some small amount of rotation. In the example provided, linear motor 140 includes an electromagnetic coil 200, a pole piece 202, a bushing 204, and a bracket 206.

With particular reference to fig. 2, an electromagnetic coil 200 is potted into a coil slot 210 formed in the pole piece 202. The pole piece 202, which in the example provided is the motor output member 190, is an annular structure formed of a magnetically sensitive material and defining a pole piece surface 214. The pole piece surface 214 is disposed coaxially about the second axis 32 and is frustoconical in a manner configured to mate with the armature surface 66. If desired, a counterbore 218 or other form of discontinuity may be formed in the pole piece 202 to effectively reduce the surface area of the pole piece surface 214 that can contact the armature surface 66. The bushing 204 is received into the pole piece 202 and is mounted to the bearing mounting surface 78 of the motor mounting portion 62 for sliding movement along the second axis 32. The bracket 206 may be fixedly coupled to the pole piece 202 and may engage the housing 12 to limit or inhibit rotation of the linear motor 140 relative to the housing 12 about the second axis 32. In the example provided, the bracket 206 spans and contacts the bearing journal 28.

Referring to fig. 4, when the electromagnetic coil 200 is in the energized state, the electromagnetic coil 200 generates a magnetic field and magnetic flux is transmitted in a transmission path extending between the pole piece surface 214 and the armature surface 66 to pull the pole piece 202 in a first direction (arrow 192) along the second axis 32 toward the armature portion 60. The pole piece 202 is attracted to the armature portion 60 with sufficient force such that when the pole piece 202 is moved in the first direction (arrow 192) with sufficient force, the pole piece 202 contacts the second lever segment 182 of the lever 136 to overcome the biasing force of the biasing spring 134 and pivot the lever 136 about the pin 138 such that the first lever segment 180 contacts the circumferentially extending protrusion 154 on the second pawl 132 to drive the second pawl 132 in the second direction (arrow 194) along the second axis 32 and move the second pawl 132 to a second position in which the second pawl 132 is disengaged from the first pawl 130.

Returning to fig. 3, when the electromagnetic coil 200 is de-energized, the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 200 will dissipate such that the pole piece 202 is not magnetically attracted to the armature portion 60. In the event that the magnetic force between the pole piece 202 and the armature portion 60 disappears, the force of the biasing spring 134 is sufficient to drive the differential output member 44b and the second pawl 132 along the second axis 32 to move the second pawl 132 to the first position where the second pawl 132 is engaged to the first pawl 130.

While a coupling constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure has been shown and described for selectively coupling side gears of a differential gear set to a differential output member, it will be appreciated that the present teachings have broader application. For example, a second vehicle driveline component constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is illustrated in fig. 5 and is generally indicated by reference numeral 10'. The vehicle driveline component 10' is depicted as a power take off unit having a housing 12', an input shaft 250, an intermediate gear 252, a coupling 254, a plurality of levers 136, a plurality of pins 138, and a linear motor 140 '. A first bearing 260 is received between the housing 12' and the input shaft 250 to support the input shaft 250 for rotation about the axis 32' relative to the housing 12 '. A second bearing 262 is disposed between the input shaft 250 and the intermediate gear 252 such that the intermediate gear 252 is rotatable relative to the input shaft 250 about the axis 32'. The coupling 254 includes a first set of external teeth 270, a second set of external teeth 272, and an internally toothed collar 274, the first set of external teeth 270 being coupled for common rotation to the input shaft 250, the second set of external teeth 272 being formed on the intermediate gear 252. The internal teeth of the collar 274 are matingly engaged to the first set of external teeth 270 such that the collar 274 is non-rotatably but axially slidably coupled to the input shaft 250. The collar 274 is movable between a first position in which the inner teeth of the collar 274 are engaged only to the first set of outer teeth 270 and a second position in which the inner teeth of the collar 274 are engaged to the first and second sets of outer teeth 270, 272, thereby coupling the intermediate gear 252 to the input shaft 250. The rod 136 is received in a rod aperture 74 'formed in the housing 12'. A pin 138 is received through the lever 136 and pivotally couples the lever 136 to the housing 12'. One or more biasing springs (not specifically shown) may be employed to bias the collar 274 to a desired position. In the example provided, a torsion spring (not shown) is employed to urge the rod 136 into contact with a first circumferential rib 280 formed on the collar 274 and to drive the collar 274 along the axis 32' to a first position. The linear motor 140', depicted as a solenoid in the example provided, may be operated to drive the motor output member 190' (which is a sleeve-like structure) into contact with the second rod segment 182 of the rod 136 with sufficient force to overcome the torsion spring and pivot the rod 136 about the pin 138, thereby driving the first rod segment 180 into contact with the second circumferential rib 282 formed on the collar and driving the collar 274 along the axis 32' into the second position.

The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.