Abstract: A differential with an always actuated overrunning clutch (ORC) is provided. The differential includes a first plain bearing end cap with an interior surface that forms a plain bearing interface with an outer surface of a first side hub. The first plain bearing end cap further has a first outer surface portion that engages a first end portion of a roller cage assembly. A second plain bearing end cap with an interior surface that forms a plain bearing interface with an outer surface of the second side hub is also included. The second plain bearing end cap further has a first outer surface portion that engages a second end portion of the roller cage assembly. The always actuated ORC engages the roller cage assembly during an ORC condition to couple torque between a ring gear and the first and second side hubs.

Abstract: A roller spring member for an overrunning clutch is provided. A first bridge connecting portion couples a bridge to a first spring central location of a first leaf spring. A second bridge connecting portion couples the bridge to a second spring central location of a second leaf. The roller spring member further includes at least one of, each of the first bridge connecting portion and the second bridge connecting portion including an undercut radius section, each of the first leaf spring and the second leaf spring being tapering from an associated one of the first spring central location of the first leaf spring and the second leaf spring central location of the second leaf spring to a first end and a second end, and each of the first leaf spring and the second leaf spring including a straight portion proximate the central locations.

Abstract: A vehicle with continuously variable transmission operational modes is provided. The vehicle includes a motor to provide engine torque; a driveline; a continuously variable transmission (CVT), an actuator, a memory and a controller. The CVT is configured to couple torque between the motor and the driveline. The actuator is in operational communication with the CVT to selectively set operating characteristics of the CVT. The memory stores operating instructions including operational mode. The controller is in communication with the memory and the actuator. The controller configured to control the actuator based on one or more of the operational modes.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch (ORC) differential is provided that includes a locking mechanism that is configured to lock rotation of a clutch cam housing to a roller cage to retain a centering of each roller in an associated cam roller feature to prevent torque from being communicated between the clutch cam housing and first and second hubs when the locking mechanism is activated.

Abstract: A roller cage assembly for an overrunning clutch is provided. The roller cage assembly includes a roller cage, a plurality of rollers and a plurality of roller spring assemblies. The roller cage includes a plurality of spaced support members axially extending between disk shaped first and second end portions. The plurality of rollers are positioned within the roller cage. The plurality of roller spring assemblies engage the roller cage. The plurality of spring roller assemblies are configured to provide a bias force on each roller away from the roller cage. Each roller cage assembly extends between the first and second end portions of the roller cage. Each roller spring assembly further includes at least one pair of attachment members configured to engage a support member of the roller cage.

Abstract: A differential having an overrunning clutch provided. The differential includes an inertial compensation assembly that is configured to counteract movement of a roller cage relative to a clutch cam housing to prevent unintended roller cage and clutch cam housing engagements. Unintended roller cage and clutch cam housing engagements may occur when the differential is subject to rotational accelerations caused, for example by, vehicle acceleration/deceleration, sudden braking, sudden changes in traction, road irregularities, bumps, jumps, u-joint phasing, etc.

Abstract: A roller cage assembly for an overrunning clutch is provided. The roller cage assembly includes a roller cage, a plurality of rollers and a plurality of roller spring assemblies. The roller cage includes a plurality of spaced support members axially extending between disk shaped first and second end portions. The plurality of rollers are positioned within the roller cage. The plurality of roller spring assemblies engage the roller cage. The plurality of spring roller assemblies are configured to provide a bias force on each roller away from the roller cage. Each roller cage assembly extends between the first and second end portions of the roller cage. Each roller spring assembly further includes at least one pair of attachment members configured to engage a support member of the roller cage.

Abstract: A differential having an overrunning clutch provided. The differential includes an inertial compensation assembly that is configured to counteract movement of a roller cage relative to a clutch cam housing to prevent unintended roller cage and clutch cam housing engagements. Unintended roller cage and clutch cam housing engagements may occur when the differential is subject to rotational accelerations caused, for example by, vehicle acceleration/deceleration, sudden braking, sudden changes in traction, road irregularities, bumps, jumps, u-joint phasing, etc.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch (ORC) differential is provided that includes a locking mechanism that is configured to lock rotation of a clutch cam housing to a roller cage to retain a centering of each roller in an associated cam roller feature to prevent torque from being communicated between the clutch cam housing and first and second hubs when the locking mechanism is activated.

Abstract: A smart driveline disconnect assembly having a torque coupling assembly, an actuator, at least one sensor and a controller is provided. The torque coupling assembly is configured to selectively couple torque between a transmission and a final drive assembly. The actuator is configured to activate the torque coupling assembly. The at least one sensor is used to generate sensor information. The controller is configured to control the actuator based at least in part on the sensor information. The controller is further configured to determine at least a thermal energy level associated with the torque coupling assembly based on the sensor information and at least in part control the actuator based on the determined estimated thermal energy level.

Abstract: A differential with an overrunning clutch (ORC) assembly is provided. The differential includes a first plain bearing end cap with an interior surface that forms a plain bearing interface with an outer surface of a first side hub. The first plain bearing end cap further has a first outer surface portion that engages a first end portion of a roller cage assembly. A second plain bearing end cap with an interior surface that forms a plain bearing interface with an outer surface of the second side hub is also included. The second plain bearing end cap further has a first outer surface portion that engages a second end portion of the roller cage assembly. The (ORC) assembly selectively engages the roller cage assembly during an ORC condition to selectively couple torque between a ring gear and the first and second side hubs.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for driveline components is provided. The ball ramp having first and second ball ramp members and at least one ball is provided. The first ball ramp member of the ball ramp is in operational communication with an input member to the clutch assembly. A first set of plates of a clutch pack are in operational communication with the input member and a second set of plates of the clutch pack are in operational communication with an output member. A sprag clutch assembly that is operationally coupled to the second ball ramp member of the ball ramp, only allows the second ball ramp member of the ball ramp to rotate in first direction. A thrust bearing that is in operational communication with the second ball ramp member of the ball ramp selectively disengages the clutch pack when the output member rotates in a second direction.

Abstract: A smart driveline disconnect assembly having a torque coupling assembly, an actuator, at least one sensor and a controller is provided. The torque coupling assembly is configured to selectively couple torque between a transmission and a final drive assembly. The actuator is configured to activate the torque coupling assembly. The at least one sensor is used to generate sensor information. The controller is configured to control the actuator based at least in part on the sensor information. The controller is further configured to determine at least a thermal energy level associated with the torque coupling assembly based on the sensor information and at least in part control the actuator based on the determined estimated thermal energy level.

Abstract: A vehicle layout including a motor, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), an actuator, a controller, a drivetrain and at least one clutch is provided. The motor provides engine torque. The CVT is operationally coupled to receive the engine torque. The actuator is configured to control a gearing ratio of the CVT. The controller activates the actuator based at least in part on an input. The drivetrain is in operational communication with the CVT. The at least one clutch is configured to selectively disconnect torque between at least one of the motor and the CVT and the CVT and the drivetrain.

Abstract: A differential with an overrunning clutch (ORC) assembly is provided. The differential includes a first plain bearing end cap with an interior surface that forms a plain bearing interface with an outer surface of a first side hub. The first plain bearing end cap further has a first outer surface portion that engages a first end portion of a roller cage assembly. A second plain bearing end cap with an interior surface that forms a plain bearing interface with an outer surface of the second side hub is also included. The second plain bearing end cap further has a first outer surface portion that engages a second end portion of the roller cage assembly. The (ORC) assembly selectively engages the roller cage assembly during an ORC condition to selectively couple torque between a ring gear and the first and second side hubs.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for driveline components is provided. The ball ramp having first and second ball ramp members and at least one ball is provided. The first ball ramp member of the ball ramp is in operational communication with an input member to the clutch assembly. A first set of plates of a clutch pack are in operational communication with the input member and a second set of plates of the clutch pack are in operational communication with an output member. A sprag clutch assembly that is operationally coupled to the second ball ramp member of the ball ramp, only allows the second ball ramp member of the ball ramp to rotate in first direction. A thrust bearing that is in operational communication with the second ball ramp member of the ball ramp selectively disengages the clutch pack when the output member rotates in a second direction.

Abstract: A control system for a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided. The control system includes a shift mode switch, an actuator and a controller. The shift mode switch is selectable between a plurality of modes. The actuator is in operational communication with the CVT to selectively override normal shifting characteristics of the CVT. The controller is in communication with the shift mode switch. The controller is configured to control the actuator to selectively override the normal shifting characteristics of the CVT based at least in part on a select mode configuration selected by the shift mode switch.

Abstract: A vehicle layout including a motor, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), an actuator, a controller, a drivetrain and at least one clutch is provided. The motor provides engine torque. The CVT is operationally coupled to receive the engine torque. The actuator is configured to control a gearing ratio of the CVT. The controller activates the actuator based at least in part on an input. The drivetrain is in operational communication with the CVT. The at least one clutch is configured to selectively disconnect torque between at least one of the motor and the CVT and the CVT and the drivetrain.

Abstract: An all-terrain or utility vehicle having various combinations of left and right front wheels, left and right rear wheels, a differential rotationally variably coupling the left and right front wheels together with a variable coupling torque and a source of motive power being selectively coupled to the left and right rear wheels in one configuration and coupled to the left and right front wheels as well as to the left and right rear wheels in a second configuration. The coupling torque is relatively stronger when a speed of the vehicle is relatively slower and is relatively weaker when the speed of the vehicle is relatively faster.

Abstract: A disconnect (128) is provided for use between an engine (126) and differential (130). The differential disconnect (128) provides for a lock out of the disconnect (128) so as to prevent self energizing. The differential may also include a bottom-out feature to limit the amount of torque that may be transferred through the disconnect. In addition, the disconnect (128) may include a design to contain axial forces on the input shaft (14).