Vehicle driveline component having an actuation system for driveline disconnect

• US 10,442,293 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2016
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American AXLE & Manufacturing Incorporated (American AXLE & Manufacturing Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: American AXLE & Manufacturing Incorporated (American AXLE & Manufacturing Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Zink, Frederick E., Calomeni, Brian A., Moradshahi, Peyman
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Tinh T
• Application Number:
  US15/553,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20180015824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,329 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/02 characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of clutch
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2023/0833 for adding torque to the rear wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 23/08 for changing number of driven wheels , for switching from driving one axle to driving two or more axles B60K17/3515 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 23/0808 for varying torque distribution between driven axles, e.g. by transfer clutch
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/421 Dog type clutches or brakes

Abstract

A vehicle driveline component with an actuator and a rotary coupling. The actuator has an actuator housing, a motor, a transmission, a first cam, a second cam, and a first biasing spring. The motor is coupled to the actuator housing and includes a motor output member. The transmission has a transmission input member, which is driven by the motor output member, and a transmission output member. The first cam is housed in the actuator housing and is coupled to the transmission output member for rotation therewith. The first cam has a first set of cam features that are disposed about a first annular surface. The second cam has a cam body, which is received in the first cam, and a second set of cam features that are disposed about a second annular surface. The second set of cam features abut the first set of cam features. Rotation of the first cam relative to the second cam into a first position orients the first set of cam features onto the second set of cam features so as to position the second cam in an extended position relative to the first cam. Rotation of the first cam relative to the second cam into a second position orients the first set of cam features onto the second set of cam features so as to position the second cam in a retracted position relative to the first cam. The first biasing spring is disposed between the first and second cams and biases the second cam toward the retracted position. The rotary coupling has a first coupling member, a second coupling member and a second biasing spring. The first coupling member is rotatably and axially slidably received in the second cam. The first coupling member is axially movable between a first coupling position, in which the first coupling member is decoupled from the second coupling member, and a second coupling position in which the first coupling member is coupled to the second coupling member to permit the transmission of rotary power through the rotary coupling. The second biasing spring is disposed between the first coupling member and the second cam.

Claims

1. A vehicle driveline component comprising:

an actuator having an actuator housing, a motor, a transmission, a first cam, a second cam, and a first biasing spring, the motor being coupled to the actuator housing and including a motor output member, the transmission having a transmission input member, which is driven by the motor output member, and a transmission output member, the first cam being housed in the actuator housing and coupled to the transmission output member for rotation therewith, the first cam having a first set of cam features that are disposed about a first annular surface, the second cam having a cam body, which is received in the first cam, and a second set of cam features that are disposed about a second annular surface, the second set of cam features abutting the first set of cam features, wherein rotation of the first cam relative to the second cam into a first position orients the first set of cam features onto the second set of cam features so as to position the second cam in an extended position relative to the first cam, and wherein rotation of the first cam relative to the second cam into a second position orients the first set of cam features onto the second set of cam features so as to position the second cam in a retracted position relative to the first cam, the first biasing spring being disposed between the first and second cams and biasing the second cam toward the retracted position; and

a rotary coupling having a first coupling member, a second coupling member and a second biasing spring, the first coupling member being rotatably and axially slidably received in the second cam, the first coupling member being axially movable between a first coupling position, in which the first coupling member is decoupled from the second coupling member, and a second coupling position in which the first coupling member is coupled to the second coupling member to permit the transmission of rotary power through the rotary coupling, the second biasing spring being disposed between the first coupling member and the second cam.

2. The vehicle driveline component of claim 1, wherein the transmission output member comprises a worm gear.

3. The vehicle driveline component of claim 2, wherein the transmission further comprises a drive worm that is meshingly engaged with the worm gear.

4. The vehicle driveline component of claim 1, wherein the rotary coupling comprises a dog clutch.

5. The vehicle driveline component of claim 1, further comprising a hollow spindle and a ring gear, wherein the second coupling member is coupled for rotation with the hollow spindle and the ring gear.

6. The vehicle driveline component of claim 5, further comprising a hollow shaft that extends through the first coupling member and the second cam, the first coupling member being non-rotationally but axially slidably coupled to the hollow shaft.

7. The vehicle driveline component of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of detent members that are coupled to one of the first and second cams and are engagable with recesses formed in the other one of the first and second cams when the first cam is in at least one of the first and second positions.