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KR-20260066749-A - Locking device for differential case

KR20260066749AKR 20260066749 AKR20260066749 AKR 20260066749AKR-20260066749-A

Abstract

An electronically controlled differential locking system comprises a movable locking plate within a differential housing, actuated by an armature. The locking plate comprises an integral leg extending through the differential housing. The locking plate is rotatably fixed relative to the differential housing by the leg. The leg extends outside the differential housing to engage with the armature, which is actuated using an electromagnet. The differential housing is configured to prevent tilting of the locking plate.

Inventors

  • 판발 로한
  • 아테이 시리쉬
  • 가왈리 악샤이

Assignees

  • 이턴 인텔리전트 파워 리미티드

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20240906
Priority Date
20230908

Claims (20)

  1. A stator including an electromagnet; A differential housing configured to rotate about the stator around a rotation axis; - The differential housing defines a plurality of openings extending parallel to the rotation axis - A differential gear set disposed within the above gear housing; -the differential gear set includes a locking gear- and, A locking device mounted on the differential housing; including The above locking device is, An armature disposed outside the differential housing to allow the stator to be positioned between the armature and the differential housing; - The armature is axially movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the stator, and the armature is configured to move to the second position when the electromagnet is energized - A locking plate disposed within the differential housing; -the locking plate is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position with respect to the locking gear, and the locking plate includes a plurality of legs extending outwardly from a collar, the collar defines a gear set configured to engage with the locking gear when the locking plate is placed in the locked position, and each leg extends from a base end located in the collar through each of the plurality of openings defined by the differential housing to a free end, and as the armature moves to the second position, the armature pushes the free ends of the legs, thereby moving the locking plate to the locked position- and A differential case assembly comprising: a biasing member configured to bias the above armature to the above first position.
  2. In paragraph 1, The above biasing member is a differential case assembly disposed between the locking plate and the locking gear.
  3. In paragraph 1, The above biasing member is a differential case assembly including a spring.
  4. In paragraph 3, The above spring is a wave spring, a differential case assembly.
  5. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 4, The above biasing member is configured to bias the locking plate to the non-locking position, a differential case assembly.
  6. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 5, A differential case assembly wherein the locking gear comprises a hub extending through an inner passage defined by the collar of the locking plate, allowing the locking plate to slide along the hub between the locking position and the unlocking position.
  7. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 6, The differential housing defines a pocket surrounded by a wall defining the plurality of openings, and the locking plate is disposed within the pocket, a differential case assembly.
  8. In Paragraph 7, A differential case assembly in which the locking plate does not have legs extending radially outward, and the inner wall of the pocket does not have any concave portion.
  9. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 8, The gear set of the above collar is a differential case assembly facing in the opposite direction to the above leg.
  10. In Paragraph 9, The above gear set is a differential case assembly including dog teeth.
  11. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 8, The gear set of the above collar is a differential case assembly extending radially inward toward the locking gear.
  12. In paragraph 11, and preferably in paragraphs 6 and 11, The gear set of the above collar is disposed in the inner passage and extends toward the hub, a differential case assembly.
  13. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 12, A differential case assembly in which a snap ring is mounted within a groove formed by the differential housing to retain the armature in the differential housing.
  14. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 13, A differential case assembly in which each leg of the locking plate tapers inward along the radial thickness of the corresponding leg as it extends from the base portion to the free end.
  15. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 14, A differential case assembly in which each leg of the locking plate tapers inward along the circumferential width of the corresponding leg as it extends from the base portion to the free end.
  16. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 15, The above legs are a differential case assembly having flat ends facing the above armature.
  17. In Paragraph 16, The above legs have a smooth outer surface up to the flat end, differential case assembly.
  18. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 17, The above locking plate is a differential case assembly that does not have legs extending radially outward.
  19. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 18, A differential case assembly in which each leg has a generally trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.
  20. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 19, The above armature is a differential case assembly comprising a flat annular surface axially aligned with the free ends of the legs of the locking plate.

Description

Locking device for differential case Cross-reference to related applications This application is submitted as a PCT application claiming the benefit of Indian application no. 202311060512 filed on September 8, 2023, the entire contents of said application are incorporated by reference into this specification. A traction modifying locking differential typically comprises a differential case defining a gear chamber and a differential gear set disposed within the differential case, comprising at least one input pinion gear and a pair of output side gears. Generally, such a "locking differential" includes a locking mechanism to prevent rotation of one of the side gears relative to the differential case, and the engagement of the locking mechanism is initiated by a type of actuator. When an appropriate input signal is transmitted to an electromagnetic coil, the locking member engages with the corresponding portion of the differential side gear. The electromagnetic coil is maintained by a stator disposed outside the differential case. The attached drawings are incorporated into the detailed description and constitute a part thereof, illustrating various aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle equipped with a locking differential system according to one example of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first exemplary differential housing and locking device suitable for use in the locking differential system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the differential housing and locking device of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the differential housing and locking device of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4 showing the armature of the locking device in the first position and the locking plate of the locking device in the unlocked position. Figure 6 shows that the armature of Figure 5 is in the second position and the locking plate is in the locked position. FIG. 7 is a first perspective view of an exemplary locking plate suitable for use in the differential case and locking device of FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of the locking plate of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is an end view of the locking plate of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 with the locking device and differential gear set removed for easier viewing. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a second exemplary differential housing and locking device suitable for use in the locking differential system of FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary locking gear suitable for use within the differential housing of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary locking plate suitable for use within the differential housing of FIG. 11. The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to identical or similar parts. The present disclosure relates to locking differentials, and in particular to electronically controlled locking differentials used in vehicle drive axles. As specified herein, an electronically controlled locking differential means a differential that switches between an unlocked state and a locked state in response to an electronic signal. In the locked state, both axle shafts connected to the differential rotate together in the same direction at the same speed. The electronic signal may be automatically generated in response to a vehicle condition (e.g., detection of wheel slippage). The electronic signal may also be generated in response to a driver's request, for example, by the driver pressing a button on the vehicle's control panel or operating a switch. The examples of the present disclosure enable the differential to operate at a higher torque than conventional locking differentials of similar size. Additionally, the status indicator can provide a more satisfactory user experience by providing more detailed and accurate information regarding the operation of the electronically controlled differential. Referring to FIG. 1, a powertrain (5) for a vehicle (70) comprises a motor (6), a propeller shaft (7) connected to the motor (6), and an axle assembly (8). The propeller shaft (7) is connected to rotate axle shafts (13, 13') within an axle housing (9), for example, through gearing (not shown). The axle assembly (8) comprises an axle housing (9), a locking differential assembly (10) supported within the axle housing (9), and axle shafts (13, 13') connected to first and second drive wheels (98, 98'), respectively. The axle housing (9) may be part of a transaxle. A gear set (97) disposed within a differential housing (12) transmits rotational power from the differential housing (12) to the axle shafts (13, 13') and optionally allows relative rotation between the axle shafts (13, 13').