Abstract: A transmission is described. The transmission employs a main input sprocket configured to be driven by a drive system of the apparatus implementing the transmission. The main input sprocket is disposed on and coupled to a main axle of the transmission. The transmission further includes an output gear that is configured to float on the main axle and is connected to a driven output component of the apparatus implementing the transmission. By floating on the main axle, the output gear can rotate at a rate that differs from a rotational rate of the main input sprocket. To control a rate at which the output gear rotates relative to the main input sprocket, the transmission employs a reference carrier floating on the main axle. A rotational rate of the reference carrier dictates an amount of torsional relief from the main input sprocket to the output gear.

Abstract: A variable-speed speed-up mechanism includes: an electric device which is configured to generate a rotational driving force and a planetary gear transmission device which is configured to change the speed of the rotational driving force transmitted from the electric device to a constant-speed input shaft and a variable-speed input shaft and transmit the rotational driving force to a target to be driven via an output shaft. The electric device includes a constant-speed electric motor including a constant-speed rotor which is configured to rotate the constant-speed input shaft of the planetary gear transmission device and a variable-speed electric motor including a variable-speed rotor which is configured to rotate the variable-speed input shaft of the planetary gear transmission device.

Abstract: A starting method for a variable speed accelerator includes an electric device that generates a rotational drive force, and a transmission device that shifts the rotational drive force generated by the electric device to transmit the changed speed to an object to be driven. The transmission device includes a sun gear that rotates about an axis, a sun gear shaft that is fixed to the sun gear and extends in an axial direction, a planetary gear that meshes with the sun gear, revolves around the axis, and rotates about its own center axis, and an internal gear that has a plurality of teeth aligned annularly about the axis and meshes with the planetary gear.

Abstract: A ride-on vehicle, such as for a child, includes a vehicle body and one or more wheels that support the vehicle body relative to a surface. At least one of the wheels includes a hub motor arrangement that provides a drive torque for propelling the vehicle. The hub motor arrangement includes a housing defining an interior space. An axle or other mounting element(s) define an axis of rotation of the housing. Preferably, the axle or other mounting element(s) do not pass completely through the housing. A motor drives the housing through a transmission. Preferably, the motor is a standard, compact motor that is positioned on the axis of rotation and can be laterally offset from a central plane of the housing. In some embodiments, a traction element is carried directly by the housing.

Abstract: A clutch for a Rear Drive Unit (RDU) selectively couples one of the half-shafts to an intermediate shaft. The clutch is actuated with a ball-ramp mechanism having a plate that rotates in response to rotation of a motor. In order to provide precise control of clutch torque capacity, a high gear reduction is desirable. Gear reduction is provided by a planetary gear set located co-axially with the clutched half-shaft. In addition to providing a relatively high gear ratio, this is more likely to fit into the available space without interfering with other components.

Abstract: An in-line propeller gearbox of a turboprop gas turbine engine includes an epicyclic gearing arrangement that has a sun gear, a ring gear and at least one planet gear disposed between and meshing with both the sun gear and the ring gear. The propeller gearbox includes a disk brake that can be operated to slow down or stop altogether the rotation of the propeller. The disk brake has an axially extending shaft having at one end a disk and at the opposite end a gear having teeth that engage with one of the gears in the epicyclic gearing arrangement. The disk brake includes a hydraulic caliper or an electric caliper that can be actuated to slow down rotation of the disk to an eventual full stop and to hold the disk at full stop to thereby stop rotation of the propeller.

Abstract: A baling system acts at shut-down to automatically pre-position a plunger so that it is just past a rear-dead-center position when the baler is restarted, thereby minimizing the load on a power take-off during the next restart. In particular, when the power take-off is deactivated, a control unit automatically brakes the power take-off so that the plunger stops in the desired position. Alternatively, the baling system acts at restart-up to automatically repeatedly activate and deactivate the power take-off in order to accelerate the plunger to a predetermined minimum operating speed before activating the power take-off for continuous operation, thereby maximizing a flywheel's momentum during the restart.

Abstract: A linear vibration motor includes a housing, a PCB at least partially covered by the housing, a sliding pair, a vibrator suspended in the housing by the sliding pair, the vibrator including a plurality of holes in a middle portion thereof for receiving a magnet assembly, a driving coil assembly located on the lid and facing the magnet assembly for actuating the magnet assembly oscillate along a direction paralleled to the bottom wall of the crust, a pair of gas springs separately located at two ends of the vibrator for providing a constantly and alternatively restoring force to vibrator for oscillating freely.

Abstract: A refrigerator-freezer having a first compartment wherein the first compartment is accessible via a rotatable mounted door with the rotatable mounted door being operable to remain disposed within the housing of the refrigerator-freezer during movement thereof. The refrigerator-freezer further includes a second compartment adjacent to the first compartment wherein the second compartment includes a plurality of sealably mounted storage containers slidably mounted within the second compartment. A third compartment is present and is configured to be extendable outward from the housing of the refrigerator-freezer and subsequently be lifted upward via a lifting mechanism. A controller is included to facilitate operation of the refrigerator-freezer. The controller further includes a voice recorder and a printer. The first compartment has disposed therein a plurality of storage bins that are slidably mounted.

Abstract: During deceleration with operation of an engine, an amount of wall surface deposition is estimated to tend to increase with a decrease in corrected operation time that is based on an operation time of the engine. A target amount of fuel injection is set by adding a correction value that is set according to a variation in the amount of wall surface deposition to a base amount of fuel injection. Fuel injection control of the engine is performed by using the set target amount of fuel injection.

Abstract: An articulated door system includes one or more door sections; a lifting block associated with a lower door section of the one or more door sections; a frame supporting the one or more door sections and engaging the lifting block; and a lead screw system including a rotatable lead screw that is configured to engage the lifting block and lift the lower door section up and down based on rotation of the lead screw.

Abstract: A damper pulley assembly of vehicle may include a crankshaft rotating by a power transmitted from an engine, a hub including a hub body formed cylindrical hollow shape so that the crankshaft is inserted and a hub ring protruded outside of the hub body, a pulley coupled outside of the hub ring, a combining ring formed cylindrical hollow shape so as to be coupled outside of the hub body, and an oil seal provided between outside of the combining ring and inside of the cylinder block and preventing leakage of engine oil of the cylinder block, wherein the hub is made of low density material compared to the pulley, and the combining ring is made of high stiffness compared to the hub.

Abstract: A one-way clutch used in a wind turbine generator connects an input rotor with an output rotor so that the input rotor and the output rotor are rotatable together with each other when a main shaft rotates in a forward direction and rotation speed of the input rotor is higher than rotation speed of the output rotor, and disconnects the input rotor and the output rotor from each other when the rotation speed of the input rotor is lower than the rotation speed of the output rotor. Further, the wind turbine generator includes a second one-way clutch that permits transmission of force caused by the rotation of the main shaft, to the input rotor when the main shaft rotates in the forward direction, and restricts the rotation of the main shaft when the main shaft tries to rotate in a reverse direction.

Abstract: An automatic gearshift device for a power tool includes a speed reduction mechanism that decelerates and transmits a rotary power of a motor, a ring gear that slides and moves to switch a speed reduction ratio, a cam member that moves the ring gear, a rotation body rotated in cooperation with the cam member, a position detector that detects the position of the ring gear, and a controller that controls the driving of the gearshift motor based on the value generated by the position detector. An adjustment gear forming the rotation body includes a slot used as a positioning mark at a predetermined location in the rotating direction. When the slot of the adjustment gear is aligned with a predetermined device side positioning reference, the rotation body is positioned in an initial position in a relative positional relationship with the ring gear.

Abstract: Motive power unit for a pedal vehicle, comprising a first and second motor, the latter being meshed on the bottom-bracket spindle and the first motor being connected to a sun gear, a planet holder being connected to an output sprocket of the motive power unit, which comprises a measuring element arranged to produce a measurement signal indicating a torque supplied by the first motor and a control unit producing a speed control signal to be supplied to the first motor and a torque control signal to be supplied to the second motor on the basis of the angular velocities of the motors.

Abstract: A deceleration device is used for a directly electromechanically actuated planetary gear assembly in a seat adjustment mechanism. The deceleration device is integrated into the structural unit consisting of the planetary gear assembly and the electromechanical actuator therefor. Also described is a method for operating a deceleration device for a directly electromechanically actuated planetary gear assembly in a seat adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: The automatic gear bike includes a control system for selectively operating in an automatic mode, providing power to the bike or a manual mode. The control system includes a control assembly, a motor assembly operatively in communication with the control assembly, and a gear assembly in operative engagement with the motor assembly. The gear assembly includes a ration gear, a hub, and hub embedded gear. The ration gear is operatively connected to the beam gear, and the hub embedded gear is connected to the hub. The controller receives detects the real-time bike speed, and compares the bike speed to a pre-selected bike speed. Based on the comparison the controller sends a signal to the motor assembly to selectively transfer power to the beam gear and operatively connected gear assembly, to increase or decrease the bike speed such that the real-time bike speed is substantially equal to the pre-selected speed.

Abstract: A dynamic damper device includes a planetary gear mechanism including plural differentially rotatable rotating elements, an elastic member that couples a rotating shaft rotated by being transmitted with a power with a first rotating element of the planetary gear mechanism, speed control devices that are coupled with second rotating elements different from the first rotating element and control rotation speeds of the second rotating elements, and a torque control device that is coupled with the first rotating element and controls torque acting on the first rotating element. Accordingly, the dynamic damper device achieves an effect that vibration can be appropriately reduced.

Abstract: Planetary ratios of first and second planetary gear mechanisms are set such that all of the following values become equal to each other: a maximum value of a drive force of a first MG, which is generated when a total input-to-output speed ratio is a minimum value upon operation of the first MG as a motor; a maximum value of a drive force of the first MG, which is generated when the total input-to-output speed ratio is a maximum value upon operation of the first MG as the motor; and a maximum value of a drive force of the first MG, which is generated when the total input-to-output speed ratio is in a range from the minimum value to the maximum value upon operation of the first MG as a generator.

Abstract: In a handheld power tool having a reduction gear unit, drivable by a motor, for driving a drive shaft, the reduction gear unit being situated in a gear housing and being shiftable via a gearshift at least between a first gear having a comparatively high torque and a second gear having a comparatively low torque, the reduction gear unit is assigned a mechanical overload protection device which is designed to limit the reduction gear unit during operation of the handheld power tool, if a torque, transferred from the drive shaft to the reduction gear unit, exceeds a machine-specific limiting value.

Abstract: The transmission ratio between a first motor and an output shaft is varied by changing the speed of a second motor. The first and second motors are coupled to the output shaft with a planetary gear set. The first and second motors may both add power to the drive system.

Abstract: An electric driver (1) as a power tool comprises a motor (2) which actuates a tool bit (100). The electric driver (1) has a first planetary gear mechanism (30), a second planetary gear mechanism (40), and a regulation member which regulate a second outer gear (43) to rotate. The regulation member includes an outer gear engaging member (50) and a deformable member (51) which is fixedly connected to the outer gear engaging member (50). The deformable member (51) extends in a direction in which a rotational axis of the first and the second planetary gear mechanism (30, 40) extends. A controller (61) is adapted to measure rotation torque based on displacement of the deformable member (51) via a strain gauge (55) which is attached on the deformable member (51).

Abstract: A steerable wheel motor assembly for moving construction lifts and scaffold equipment is disclosed and claimed which includes a spindle bracket configured to be pivotably mounted at an upper end to a steering mechanism for rotation about a vertical axis. The output shaft is supported by a first set of bearings and a second set of bearings with the second set of bearings including a speed and direction sensor integral therewith for detecting the speed and direction of rotation of the output shaft. The sensor outputs to a control system which controls the speed and direction of the equipment. A thrust washer is used to position the output sun gear accurately reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs of the assembly. Use of the thrust washer reduces the cost of machining the output shaft to a high tolerance.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention includes a speed changing device which can be switched from a high-speed low-torque output state to a low-speed high-torque output state. In the high-speed low-torque state, a second stage internal gear rotates together with a first stage carrier. The low-speed high-torque output state is caused as the second stage internal gear is disconnected from the first stage carrier so as to be restricted from rotating. The timing of resetting the speed changing device is shifted relative to the timing of stopping the electric motor by an OFF operation of the switch lever with a delay mechanism, so that the second stage internal gear is engaged with the first stage carrier after the rotation through inertia is stopped, whereby its impact is reduced.

Abstract: A hub motor for electric vehicles and includes a rim, connecting members, a motor housing, a gear ring, a coil unit, a shaft, a tube, a magnet unit, a sun gear, a planet gear frame and multiple planet gears. The gear ring and the coil unit are fixed in the motor housing and two bearings are located between the shaft and the motor housing so that the motor housing is rotatable relative to the shaft. The tube has the magnet unit and the sun gear, and the planet gear frame is fixed to the shaft and the planet gears are connected to the planet gear frame. The planet gears are engaged with the gear ring and the sun gear.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a power transmitting system of a hybrid vehicle including (a) a differential portion which has a differential mechanism operatively connected to an engine and a first electric operatively connected to the differential mechanism, and a differential state of which is controlled by controlling an operating state of the first electric motor, and (b) a differential-state switching device which is incorporated in the differential mechanism and which is operable according to a differential-state switching condition, to switch the differential mechanism between a differential state in which the differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function and a non-differential state in which the differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function, the control apparatus including a differential-state-switching-condition changing portion operable to change a differential-state switching condition for switching the differential-state switching device to switch the

Abstract: A transmission assembly is powered by an electric motor and includes a transmission having an outer ring gear, a connector moveable relative to the outer ring gear between a first position, in which the connector is rotatable with the transmission in response to torque received from the motor, and a second position, in which the connector and the outer ring gear are non-rotatable, and a control mechanism operable to detect the operating current of the motor and compare the operating current to a threshold current. The control mechanism is operable to move the connector from the first position to the second position in response to the motor operating current exceeding the threshold current.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular drive system including (a) an electrically controlled differential portion having a differential mechanism and operable to control a differential state between its input and output speeds by controlling an operating state of an electric motor connected to a rotary element of the differential mechanism, and (b) a transmission portion which constitutes a part of a power transmitting path between the electrically controlled differential portion and a drive wheel of a vehicle, the control apparatus including a non-iso-power shifting control portion configured to implement a non-iso-power shifting control of the vehicular drive system (differential portion) when a required special shifting action of the transmission portion not according to a shifting boundary line map should be restricted.

Abstract: A steerable wheel motor assembly for moving construction lifts and scaffold equipment is disclosed and claimed which includes a spindle bracket configured to be pivotably mounted at an upper end to a steering mechanism for rotation about a vertical axis. The output shaft is supported by a first set of bearings and a second set of bearings with the second set of bearings including a speed and direction sensor integral therewith for detecting the speed and direction of rotation of the output shaft. The sensor outputs to a control system which controls the speed and direction of the equipment. A thrust washer is used to position the output sun gear accurately reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs of the assembly. Use of the thrust washer reduces the cost of machining the output shaft to a high tolerance.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission can have one or more rotatable output shafts, rotatable non-output shafts, continuously variable transmission elements selectively interconnecting at least one non-output shaft and one output shaft so as to permit variation of a transmission ratio therebetween. The transmission can also have one or more control elements for controlling the instantaneously prevailing ratio of the transmission including a sensor device for sensing the rotational position of a non-output shaft, and a processing device for determining the rotational position of the sensed, non-output shaft at a chosen instant. The processing device is connected to control elements to cause variation of the transmission ratio so that the output shaft attains a desired rotational position at a chosen instant.

Abstract: During control of a shift of a first friction engagement element from an engaged state into a disengaged state and a shift of a second friction engagement element from a disengaged state into an engaged state for a gear shift to a first target gear from a second target gear, a desired torque capacity of the first friction engagement element is set based on an actual transmission gear ratio by interpolation from values of the desired torque capacity corresponding to at least first and second reference transmission gear ratios, wherein the first reference transmission gear ratio is a transmission gear ratio at start of an inertia phase of the shift control. When the first reference transmission gear ratio is between the actual transmission gear ratio and the second reference transmission gear ratio, the desired torque capacity is set to the value corresponding to the first reference transmission gear ratio.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular drive system arranged to electrically transmit a portion of an output force of an engine through an electric path. The control apparatus is configured to reduce loads of components associated with the electric path and to restrict a temperature rise of the components associated with the electric path, making it possible to reduce the required size of a cooling system. This is accomplished by placing a differential portion in a non-differential state or placing a switching clutch or switching brake in a partially engaged state when electrical energy through the electric path has increased to a thermal limit. As a result, the amount of generated electric energy is reduced, making it possible to restrict the temperature rise of the components associated with the electric path. Accordingly, the cooling system size can be reduced for these components.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular drive system including a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, and a second electric motor connected to the power transmitting member. The control apparatus, which permits size reduction of the vehicular drive system, or improvements of fuel economy and vehicle drivability, includes a switching clutch or switching brake for switching a the differential mechanism between a continuously-variable shifting state and a step-variable shifting state, to enable the drive system to have both of an advantage of a fuel economy improvement of a transmission the speed ratio of which is electrically variable, and an advantage of high power transmitting efficiency of a gear type power transmitting device.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor reduces the temporary weight during seatbelt withdrawal to increase an occupant's comfort. When a seatbelt is not being worn by an occupant (off), projections of an internal gear are placed in a circumferential center between adjacent projections by the spring force of springs. When a spool rotates in the belt withdrawing direction, the internal gear also rotates in the belt withdrawing direction. This arrangement disables a reduction mechanism's power transmission to cut off the direct connection between the spool and electric motor connected to a sun gear to reduce the temporary weight during withdrawal of the seatbelt. When the internal gear rotates at a predetermined angle, the projections come into contact with the projections to thereby stop the rotation of the internal gear. This enables the power transmission of the reduction mechanism, whereby the spool and electric motor are brought into direct connection via the reduction mechanism.

Abstract: A powertrain in a vehicle includes an electro-mechanical transmission having a selectable one-way clutch mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and configured to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member. A control method includes monitoring a vehicle speed, monitoring a transmission gear state, comparing the vehicle speed to a threshold low speed range, transitioning a selectable one-way clutch into an engaged mode when said vehicle speed is not in a forward direction in excess of the threshold low speed range, and maintaining the selectable one-way clutch in the engaged mode based upon the transmission gear state remaining in a first gear state and the vehicle speed remaining within said threshold low speed range, a neutral state, or a reverse state.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for an automotive vehicle is provided with an electric drive unit that varies a steering ratio between a road wheel angle and a steering wheel angle of the vehicle, a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the electric drive unit, and a control unit including a steering ratio characteristic setting block that sets a characteristic of the steering ratio including a steering gain and a steering response rate in accordance with an operating state of the vehicle and, when the temperature of the electric drive unit exceeds a first temperature threshold, adjusts the steering response rate in such a manner that the steering response rate comes closer to a base steering response rate level as the temperature of the electric drive unit becomes increased and a drive block that drives the electric drive unit to vary the steering ratio according to the steering ratio characteristic.

Abstract: A vehicle with an axle assembly, which has a housing, a differential, an input shaft, a pair of shafts and a pair of wheel hubs, and an auxiliary drive unit that includes an electric motor and an overrunning clutch. The differential and the input shaft are disposed in the housing for rotation therein. The differential includes a case and a ring gear that is coupled to the case. The input shaft has a pinion that is meshingly engaged to the ring gear. Each shaft couples the differential to one of the wheel hubs. The clutch includes an input portion, which is coupled to the output shaft of the electric motor, and an output portion, which is coupled to the input shaft. The output portion is de-coupled from the input portion when a rotational speed of the input portion is not greater than a rotational speed of the output portion.

Abstract: An automatic opening-closing device, especially for a cover or seat of a toilet, has a motor having a motor shaft, a speed reducer connected to the motor shaft, a planetary gearbox driven by the speed reducer, an output axle for driving the cover between an open position and a closed position. A protection device limits the torque between the output axle and an output shaft of the planetary gearbox.

Abstract: The differential unit with a limited slip differential mechanism of the present invention comprises a planetary gear mechanism for torque distribution of drive torque inputted to an input shaft from an engine between a front drive shaft and a rear drive shaft, and a multiple disc clutch for limiting differential rotation of the planetary gear mechanism, wherein, when a clutch plate receiving clutch engaging force applied to the multiple disc clutch is fixed to a side surface of a planetary carrier of the planetary gear mechanism, pins are formed on the ends of bolts for fixing the planetary carrier, and positioning and fixing is carried out by fitting the pins into check holes formed in the clutch plate.

Abstract: A control system capable of ensuring an engine braking force and a drive force even in case a failure occurs in a speed change ratio control or a deceleration control of an automatic transmission. The control system includes: a failure detecting mechanism for detecting a failure to set any of predetermined speed change ratios; and a speed change commanding mechanism for outputting a speed change command to set a speed change ratio larger than the current speed change ratio in accordance with a signal outputted when the failure detecting mechanism detects the failure.

Abstract: To provide a control system for a power transmission system capable of speed change control in conformity of a deceleration demand. For this purpose, there is provided a control system for a power transmission system, which has at least two transmission units having different responsiveness to a speed change and capable of setting a speed change ratio individually, and in which a total speed change ratio is determined according to the speed change ratios of the transmission units, comprising: a speed change control means for changing a priority order to carry out a speed change operation of the individual transmission units to achieve a predetermined deceleration in conformity with a content of the deceleration demand, when the predetermined deceleration is demanded.

Abstract: An electrically-variable transmission is provided with first and second motor/generators and three planetary gear assemblies. At least one of the planetary gear assemblies is a planetary gear assembly having multiple planetary gear sets. As a result, the gears for the planetary gear assembly can be represented on multiple radial planes. Each of the planetary gear assemblies has continuous interconnections, and selective connections via a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms, that provide three forward electrically-variable modes. Preferably, the planetary gear assemblies are connected to one another in such a manner as to allow shifting between one of the electrically-variable modes to occur at a point offset from a mechanical power flow of the transmission. This decreases the maximum power output required from the motor/generators.

Abstract: A transmission assembly is powered by an electric motor and includes a transmission having an outer ring gear, a connector moveable relative to the outer ring gear between a first position, in which the connector is rotatable with the transmission in response to torque received from the motor, and a second position, in which the connector and the outer ring gear are non-rotatable, and a control mechanism operable to detect the operating current of the motor and compare the operating current to a threshold current. The control mechanism is operable to move the connector from the first position to the second position in response to the motor operating current exceeding the threshold current.

Abstract: Transmission method and arrangement for distributing tractive force in a vehicle between a first transmission branch (28a) and a second transmission branch (30). The transmission branches are connected to one another by way of a fork (28b) and one transmission branch (28a) is directly connectable to at least one wheel contact surface. The second transmission branch (30) is connected to the fork (28b) by way of a control unit (19), which is provided with control means (27) for varying the transmission ratio in this branch (30). The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle having at least two driving wheels (16, 16b, 17, 17b, 18, 18b) and the transmission arrangement specified above.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular drive system arranged to electrically transmit a portion of an output force of an engine through an electric path, which control apparatus is configured to reduce loads of components associated with the electric path and to restrict a temperature rise of the components associated with the electric path, making it possible to reduce the required size of a cooling system.

Abstract: A differential planetary gear apparatus has a single-pinion-type structure in which one planetary gear (3) is arranged in a radial direction and one or more planetary gears (3) are arranged in a circumferential direction in a region between a sun gear (1) and a ring gear (2), a drive source (4), a speed-change motive source (5), and a driven unit (6) are disposed at any one of an input side (I), an output side (O), and a speed-change side (T), respectively, and the speed-change motive source (5) includes an electric motor.

Abstract: A rotary drive device includes a motor including a rotary shaft, a planetary gear mechanism, and a rotation position detector. The planetary gear mechanism decelerates a rotation output of the motor at a reference reduction ratio and includes an outer gear, multistage gears, and an output shaft. The outer gear is fixed to a housing of the motor. The multistage gears are provided inside the outer gear. The output shaft transmits the decelerated rotation output of the motor to an outside of the rotary drive device. The rotation position detector detects a rotation position of the output shaft to control rotation of the motor. The motor, the planetary gear mechanism, and the rotation position detector are combined into a single integrated unit and aligned in an axial direction of the rotary shaft of the motor.

Abstract: A differential mechanism for transmitting power from an input to an output includes a case containing a side gear, a locking member rotatably secured to the case and axially displaceable relative to the case. The locking member alternately engages the side gear to limit rotation of the side gear relative to the case, and disengages the side gear to permit rotation of the side gear relative to the case. An electromagnetic coil assembly is supported on the case for movement toward and away from the locking member. A first actuator including an electromagnetic coil is supported on the case for moving the locking member toward engagement with the side gear in response to energizing the coil. A second actuator urges the locking member away from engagement with the side gear.

Abstract: A power transmitting device, such as a differential, having a housing, input and output shafts, which are rotatably disposed in the housing, a gear set, one or more actuators and/or one or more sensors disposed within the housing, and a connector having a fitting, a seal member and a locking member. The gear set is operable for transmitting rotary power between the input and output shafts. The fitting has a body that extends through a hole formed in the housing. The body includes a plurality of terminals that are electrically coupled to the at least one electrical components. The seal member is disposed between the fitting and the housing to form a seal therebetween. The locking member engages the body and the housing to retain the fitting to the housing. The fitting facilitates electrical connection of the electrical components within the housing with a wire harness that is external to the housing.

Abstract: A module with an axle assembly, which has a housing, a differential, an input shaft, a pair of shafts and a pair of wheel hubs, and an auxiliary drive unit that includes an electric motor and an overrunning clutch. The differential and the input shaft are disposed in the housing for rotation therein. The differential includes a case and a ring gear that is coupled to the case. The input shaft has a pinion that is meshingly engaged to the ring gear. Each shaft couples the differential to one of the wheel hubs. The overrunning clutch includes an input portion, which is coupled to the output shaft of the electric motor, and an output portion, which is coupled to the input shaft. The output portion is de-coupled from the input portion when a rotational speed of the input portion is not greater than a rotational speed of the output portion.