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

Abstract: A limited-slip differential system including a housing, a differential carrier disposed within the housing and including first and second carrier portions, a differential, a clutch pack and a pressure system is disclosed. The differential is configured to distribute torque from a drive shaft to first and second axles in accordance with a speed difference between the first and second axles. The pressure system is configured to selectively exert an axial force on the clutch pack, which includes first and second plurality of clutch plates respectively connected to one of the first and second carrier portions and a hub member, for selectively causing frictional engagement of the clutch plates. At least one of the first and second carrier portions at least partially defines at least one lubrication channel extending radially, and fluidly connecting an exterior of the differential carrier to an interior thereof for lubricating at least two clutch plates.

Abstract: A limited-slip differential system including a housing, a differential carrier disposed within the housing and including first and second carrier portions, a differential, a clutch pack and a pressure system is disclosed. The differential is configured to distribute torque from a drive shaft to first and second axles in accordance with a speed difference between the first and second axles. The pressure system is configured to selectively exert an axial force on the clutch pack, which includes first and second plurality of clutch plates respectively connected to one of the first and second carrier portions and a hub member, for selectively causing frictional engagement of the clutch plates. At least one of the first and second carrier portions at least partially defines at least one lubrication channel extending radially, and fluidly connecting an exterior of the differential carrier to an interior thereof for lubricating at least two clutch plates.

Abstract: A vehicle has an engine, a limited slip differential (LSD) mounted on an axle driven by the engine, and left and right wheels operably connected to the LSD. At least one parameter indicative of a riding condition of the vehicle is determined. A slippery driving condition is detected based on the at least one parameter. The LSD is selectively locked in response to the detection. The slippery driving condition is detected when a torque requested by a user is above a load line of the engine, upon successive wheel slips occurrences, and/or when a wheel slip is detected while a preload is applied to the LSD.

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

Abstract: A limited slip differential (LSD) is mounted on a driven axle of a vehicle to drive left and right wheels. To control the LSD, a speed of the vehicle is determined. A value of a preload for application to the LSD is also determined. The value of the preload is based on a predicted engine torque and on the speed of the vehicle. A preload is applied to the LSD when the value of the preload is greater than zero.

Abstract: A vehicle has an engine, an accelerator control, a limited slip differential (LSD) mounted on an axle driven by the engine, and left and right wheels operably connected to the LSD. An accelerator control position is sensed. A speed of the vehicle is optionally sensed. In order to prevent wheel spin, a high load is selectively applied to the LSD when the accelerator control position meets or exceeds a predetermined position threshold. Optionally, application of the high load may depend on the speed of the vehicle being less than a predetermined speed threshold, the accelerator control position concurrently meeting or exceeding the predetermined position threshold. In order to enhance directional stability of the vehicle, a stabilization load is optionally applied when the speed of the vehicle meets or exceeds the predetermined speed threshold.

Abstract: A limited slip differential (LSD) transfers a torque from an engine to left and right wheels of a vehicle. A current angle of a steering device is determined. Rotational speeds of 5 the left and right driven wheels are also determined. A current wheel slip of is calculated as a difference between the rotational speeds of the left and right wheels. Maximum and minimum allowed wheel slips are calculated as a function of the current steering angle. The LSD is controlled so that the current wheel slip stays in a range between the maximum and minimum allowed wheel slips. To this end, the LSD is loaded if the wheel slip falls outside of the range 0 between the maximum and minimum allowed wheel slips.

Abstract: A limited slip differential (LSD) is mounted on a driven axle of a vehicle to drive left and right wheels. To control the LSD, a speed of the vehicle is determined. A value of a preload for application to the LSD is also determined. The value of the preload is based on a predicted engine torque and on the speed of the vehicle. A preload is applied to the LSD when the value of the preload is greater than zero.

Abstract: A vehicle has an engine, a limited slip differential (LSD) mounted on an axle driven by the engine, and left and right wheels operably connected to the LSD. At least one parameter indicative of a riding condition of the vehicle is determined. A slippery driving condition is detected based on the at least one parameter. The LSD is selectively locked in response to the detection. The slippery driving condition is detected when a torque requested by a user is above a load line of the engine, upon successive wheel slips occurrences, and/or when a wheel slip is detected while a preload is applied to the LSD.

Abstract: A limited slip differential (LSD) is mounted on a driven axle of a vehicle to drive left and right wheels. To control the LSD, a current input torque applied to the LSD is determined and a predicted engine torque is determined based on an accelerator control position. A current average speed of the left and right wheels is also determined. A preload is applied to the LSD. The preload is determined based on the predicted engine torque and to the current average speed of the left and right wheels.

Abstract: A limited slip differential (LSD) is mounted on a driven axle of a vehicle to drive left and right wheels. To control the LSD, a current input torque applied to the LSD is determined and a predicted engine torque is determined based on an accelerator control position. A current average speed of the left and right wheels is also determined. A preload is applied to the LSD. The preload is determined based on the predicted engine torque and to the current average speed of the left and right wheels.

Abstract: A limited slip differential (LSD) transfers a torque from an engine to left and right wheels of a vehicle. A current angle of a steering device is determined. Rotational speeds of 5 the left and right driven wheels are also determined. A current wheel slip of is calculated as a difference between the rotational speeds of the left and right wheels. Maximum and minimum allowed wheel slips are calculated as a function of the current steering angle. The LSD is controlled so that the current wheel slip stays in a range between the maximum and minimum allowed wheel slips. To this end, the LSD is loaded if the wheel slip falls outside of the range 0 between the maximum and minimum allowed wheel slips.

Abstract: A vehicle has an engine, an accelerator control, a limited slip differential (LSD) mounted on an axle driven by the engine, and left and right wheels operably connected to the LSD. An accelerator control position is sensed. A speed of the vehicle is optionally sensed. In order to prevent wheel spin, a high load is selectively applied to the LSD when the accelerator control position meets or exceeds a predetermined position threshold. Optionally, application of the high load may depend on the speed of the vehicle being less than a predetermined speed threshold, the accelerator control position concurrently meeting or exceeding the predetermined position threshold. In order to enhance directional stability of the vehicle, a stabilization load is optionally applied when the speed of the vehicle meets or exceeds the predetermined speed threshold.