Driveline components with selective connection assemblies

Abstract

The driveline component with the selective connection assembly includes a first rotating component having a spline, a second rotating component having a spline, a coupling body arranged to mate with the first rotating component spline and the second rotating component, an actuator, a drive cam, and a driven cam. The drive cam is rotated about an axis by the actuator and has first and second drive surfaces, both at a non-zero angle relative to the axis. The driven cam has first and second driven surfaces and moves axially to move the coupling body. Rotation of the drive cam in a first direction engages the first drive surface and the first driven surface, thereby moving the driven cam and the coupling body in the first axial direction. Rotation of the drive cam in a second direction engages the second drive surface and the second driven surface, thereby moving the driven cam and the coupling body in the second axial direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates generally to driveline components, and more particularly to driveline components with selective connection assemblies. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle's driveline transmits torque from the vehicle's engine or motor(s) to the wheels. An automotive driveline may include a power transfer unit (PTU) that selectively distributes torque among shafts within the driveline. PTUs are often found in four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive (AWD) automotive driveline configurations. A power transfer unit typically consists of a housing that encloses and supports gears, shafts, bearings, and other components.

[0003] The PTU may be capable of disengaging and reconnecting such components. Disengaged components are no longer rotationally driven and no longer transmit torque between them. These capabilities, along with other disengaged components within the vehicle driveline, may prevent driven rotation of portions of the driveline that do not need to transmit torque at a particular time. For example, an on-demand AWD vehicle driveline configuration does not always transmit torque between all shafts in the vehicle. Other driveline components may also selectively engage components, such as with clutches, to enable operation in various modes or conditions. One example of such an other driveline component is a differential selector locking device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one embodiment, a driveline component with a selective connection assembly includes a first rotating component having a first rotating component spline, a second rotating component having a second rotating component spline, a coupling body having coupling body splines arranged to mate with the first rotating component spline and the second rotating component spline, an actuator, a drive cam, and a driven cam. The drive cam is rotated about an axis by the actuator and has a first drive surface at a non-zero angle relative to the axis and a second drive surface at a non-zero angle relative to the axis. The driven cam has a first driven surface and a second driven surface, and the driven cam is arranged to move axially to move the coupling body axially. Rotation of the drive cam in a first direction engages the first drive surface with the first driven surface, thereby moving the driven cam in a first axial direction and moving the coupling body in the first axial direction. Rotation of the drive cam in the second direction causes the second drive surface to engage the second driven surface, thereby moving the driven cam in the second axial direction and moving the coupling body in the second axial direction.

[0005] In at least some embodiments, in a first position of the follower cam, the coupling spline mates with both the first rotational component spline and the second rotational component spline, and in a second position of the follower cam, the coupling spline mates with the first rotational component spline but not the second rotational component spline. In at least some embodiments, the follower cam and the drive cam are constructed and arranged to stop the actuator when the follower cam is in the first position and remains in the first position until the drive cam is rotated by the actuator to move the follower cam, and to stop the actuator when the follower cam is in the second position and remains in the second position until the drive cam is rotated by the actuator to move the follower cam.

[0006] In at least some embodiments, the follower cam does not rotate.

[0007] In at least some embodiments, when the first drive surface engages the first driven surface, the second drive surface does not engage the second driven surface.

[0008] In at least some embodiments, the driven cam includes a transition surface that is at a different angle than both the first driven surface and the second driven surface relative to the axis of rotation of the drive cam, such that when the transition surface contacts the drive cam, less force is required by the actuator to rotate the drive cam. In at least some embodiments, the actuator is an electric motor, activation of the electric motor controlled by a controller that is responsive to a current draw of the motor and that controls the motor at least partially in response to the current draw.

[0009] In at least some embodiments, the drive cam engages a face of the driven cam at an end of one rotation of the drive cam in one direction of rotation, thereby preventing the drive cam from rotating further in that direction.

[0010] In at least some embodiments, the first driven surface or the second driven surface is defined on a flange that forms a portion of the follower cam's passageway, and the corresponding drive surface of the first drive surface or the second drive surface is defined on a flange that forms a portion of the drive cam's passageway. In at least some embodiments, an end of the drive cam's flange engages a base of the passageway to prevent the drive cam from rotating in only one direction. In at least some embodiments, the end of the drive cam's flange is received within the drive cam's passageway when the end of the drive cam's flange engages the base of the passageway.

[0011] In at least some embodiments, the coupling body is annular and has a first axial side and a second axial side, the driven cam includes a skirt having a first contact surface that radially overlaps the coupling body and is located axially outboard of the first axial side, and the skirt has a second contact surface that radially overlaps the coupling body and is located axially outboard of the second axial side.

[0012] In at least some embodiments, the first rotating component and the second rotating component are rotationally driven only when the coupling spline mates with both the first rotating component spline and the second rotating component spline.

[0013] In at least some embodiments, a vehicle power transmission unit with a selective connection assembly includes a first shaft having a first shaft spline, a second shaft having a second shaft spline, a coupling body having coupling body splines arranged to mate with the first and second shaft splines, an actuator, a drive cam, and a driven cam. The drive cam is rotated about an axis by the actuator and has a first drive surface at a non-zero angle relative to the axis and a second drive surface at a non-zero angle relative to the axis. The driven cam has a first driven surface and a second driven surface, and the driven cam is arranged to move axially to move the coupling body axially. Rotation of the drive cam in a first direction causes the first drive surface to engage the first driven surface, thereby moving the driven cam in a first axial direction and moving the coupling body in the first axial direction. Rotation of the drive cam in the second direction causes the second drive surface to engage the second driven surface, thereby moving the driven cam in the second axial direction and moving the coupling body in the second axial direction.

[0014] In at least some embodiments, the first shaft and the second shaft are rotationally driven only when the coupling splines mate with the first shaft splines and the second shaft splines.

[0015] In at least some embodiments, when the first drive surface engages the first driven surface, the second drive surface does not engage the second driven surface.

[0016] In at least some embodiments, the coupling body is annular and has a first axial side and a second axial side, the follower cam includes a skirt having a first contact surface that radially overlaps the coupling body and is axially outboard of the first axial side, and the skirt has a second contact surface that radially overlaps the coupling body and is axially outboard of the second axial side, and in at least some embodiments, the coupling body rotates relative to the follower cam.

[0017] Various features and components, except where mutually exclusive, may be combined together in accordance with the following description, which is intended to be illustrative of the various features and not limiting of the invention described herein.

[0018] The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and best mode is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle power transmission unit (PTU) including a selective connection assembly for selectively rotating at least one shaft. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of a selective connection assembly, a first shaft, and a second shaft. [Figure 3] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of a drive cam and a follower cam portion of a selective connection assembly shown in a fully coupled position, a fully disengaged position, and an intermediate position. [Figure 4] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of a drive cam and a follower cam portion of a selective connection assembly shown in a fully coupled position, a fully disengaged position, and an intermediate position. [Figure 5] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of a drive cam and a follower cam portion of a selective connection assembly shown in a fully coupled position, a fully disengaged position, and an intermediate position. [Figure 6] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of a drive cam and a follower cam portion of a selective connection assembly shown in a fully coupled position, a fully disengaged position, and an intermediate position. [Figure 7]10A-10C are schematic diagrams of a drive cam and a follower cam portion of a selective connection assembly shown in a fully coupled position, a fully disengaged position, and an intermediate position. [Figure 8] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of a drive cam and a follower cam portion of a selective connection assembly shown in a fully coupled position, a fully disengaged position, and an intermediate position. [Figure 9] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of a drive cam and a follower cam portion of a selective connection assembly shown in a fully coupled position, a fully disengaged position, and an intermediate position. [Figure 10] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of a drive cam and a follower cam portion of a selective connection assembly shown in a fully coupled position, a fully disengaged position, and an intermediate position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring more particularly to the drawings, driveline components include selective connection assemblies that couple rotating components together for rotation or allow one component to rotate relative to the other. For example, selective connection assembly 10 (FIG. 2) disengages shafts to disable transmitted rotation between them and reconnects them to enable transmitted rotation between them. Connection assembly 10 and its associated power transmission unit (PTU) 12 (FIG. 1) are part of a larger vehicle driveline. When selective connection assembly 10 is not connected, driveline rotation of certain components, such as driveline shafts and gears, is not possible unless those components are required to transmit torque within the vehicle driveline. Selective connection assembly 10 is a part that is mounted within PTU 12. The selective connection assembly 10 and PTU 12 may have different designs, constructions, and components than those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described herein depending on numerous factors, such as the configuration of the vehicle driveline, the geometry of nearby vehicle components (e.g., engine, driveline, propeller shaft), and packaging and performance requirements.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1 , PTU 12 includes a housing 14 within which first shaft 16, second shaft 18, and at least a portion of cam assembly 22 are received, as shown in FIG. 2 . First shaft 16 interconnects with, and may therefore be driven by, an upstream driveline component, such as a differential shaft or differential gear. In this sense, first shaft 16 may serve as an input shaft. In at least some embodiments, first shaft 16 is a hollow metal tube that rotates about axis A during use of PTU 12. As shown in FIG. 2 , first shaft 16 has a set of splines 28 near end 24 and on radially outer surface 26. The splines are circumferentially aligned and have an axial length and a radial depth. The terms radial, axial, and circumferential are relative to axis A.

[0022] The second shaft 18 is selectively connected to the first shaft 16 via the selective connection assembly 10 and is therefore selectively driven by the first shaft 16. In at least some embodiments, the second shaft 18 is a hollow metal tube that radially overlaps a portion of the first shaft 16 at a location radially outward of the first shaft. In this sense, the second shaft 18 is a sleeve shaft that circumferentially surrounds and fits over the first shaft 16. When connected to the first shaft 16, the second shaft 18 rotates about axis A. The second shaft 18 has a set of splines 36 near an end 38 and on a radially outer surface 40. In at least some embodiments, the splines 36 are continuously disposed circumferentially around the second shaft 18, extend axially from the end 38, and have a radial depth.

[0023] The selective connection assembly 10 includes a cam assembly 22 and a coupling body 42. The cam assembly 22 includes a drive cam 44 and a follower cam 46. The drive cam 44 can be rotated by an actuator about an axis, which may be axis A, to drive axial displacement of the follower cam 46 via an inclined cam surface. As described in more detail below, axial movement of the follower cam 46 moves the coupling body 42 to selectively couple or decouple the first and second shafts.

[0024] In at least some embodiments, the actuator is an electric motor 48 that can rotate in a first direction and a second direction (e.g., clockwise and counterclockwise). The motor 48 can drive an output gear 49, whose teeth engage drive features, such as teeth 50, on an outer surface 52 of the drive cam 44. Thus, when the motor 48 rotates the output gear clockwise, the drive cam 44 rotates in a first direction, and when the motor 48 rotates the output gear 49 counterclockwise, the drive cam 44 rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction. Two or more gears can be provided between the motor 48 and the drive cam 44, and the drive cam 44 can rotate in the same direction as the motor 48 or in a different direction.

[0025] In at least some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 3-10 (and depicted in FIG. 6 ), the drive cam 44 includes a first drive surface 54 and a second drive surface 56. FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the drive cam 44 and the follower cam 46 as cylinders, with the cam surfaces, referred to herein as the drive surface and the driven surface, respectively, overlapping and inclined relative to axis A. FIGS. 3-10 illustrate portions of the drive cam 44 and the follower cam 46, where the drive cam 44 and the follower cam 46 include inclined cam surfaces, but are not in a circumferentially extending or circular configuration. In FIGS. 3-10 , a first rotational direction of the drive cam 44 is indicated by upward movement of the drive cam 44 relative to the follower cam 46, and a second rotational direction of the drive cam 44 is indicated by downward movement of the drive cam 44 relative to the follower cam 46. The upward and downward movement of the drive cam 44 mimics the inclination of the drive surface of the drive cam 44 relative to axis A. 3-10 are fragmentary cross-sectional views taken at various stages in the rotation of drive cam 44, showing various portions of the drive surface in each view, and may be considered to be developments of circumferential views. In at least some embodiments, drive cam 44 rotates about an axis (axis A in the example shown) but does not move axially.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6 , the driven cam 46 has a first driven surface 58 and a second driven surface 60, which alternately contact the first drive surface 54 and the second drive surface 56 of the drive cam 44, respectively, when the drive cam 44 is driven. The first driven surface 58 and the second driven surface 60 are inclined relative to the axis A. When the drive cam 44 rotates in a first direction, the first drive surface 54 engages the first driven surface 58, displacing the driven cam 46 axially in the first direction. When the drive cam 44 rotates in a second direction, the second drive surface 56 engages the second driven surface 60, displacing the driven cam 46 axially in a second direction opposite the first axial direction. The driven cam 46 can move axially and resist rotation. Thus, rotation of the drive cam 44 causes axial movement of the driven cam 46 .

[0027] The follower cam 46 may include a transition surface 62 (shown in FIG. 5 ) between the first driven surface 58 and the second driven surface 60, which may be at a non-zero angle relative to the first driven surface 58 and, in at least some embodiments, perpendicular to axis A. From the transition surface 62, the follower cam 46 may include a secondary inclined surface 64 and an outward surface 66, as shown in FIG. 5 . The outward surface 66 may be at a non-zero angle relative to the second driven surface 60 and perpendicular to axis A, and may lead to a rounded end 68, which is coupled to the outer end of the second driven surface 60. The second end of the second driven surface 60 may be defined in or coupled / integral with the base 70 of a passageway 72, the passageway 72 being defined by the second driven surface 60, the base 70, and the inward surface 74 of the follower cam 46.

[0028] The drive cam 44 may include a passageway 76 defined by the second drive surface 56, a base 78, and an inner surface 80 of the drive cam 44, as displayed in FIG. 6 . The drive cam 44 may include a rounded end 82 that may lead from the second drive surface 56 to an outer surface 84, which may be at a non-zero angle relative to the second drive surface 56 and may be perpendicular to axis A or otherwise parallel to the inner surface of the follower cam 46. The inner surface 80 of the drive cam 44 may transition to a first drive surface 54 that is at a non-zero angle relative to the inner surface, which may be perpendicular to axis A or otherwise parallel to the outer surface 66 of the follower cam 46, and may be parallel to the first driven surface 58 of the follower cam 46.

[0029] So arranged, the second drive surface 56 and the second driven surface 60 reside on axially facing surfaces of the flanges 86, 88 of the cams 44, 46, respectively, which are constructed to be received within the passages 72, 76 of the other member. That is, at least at some positions in the assembly, the flange 86 of the drive cam 44 is received within the passage 72 of the follower cam 46, and the flange 88 of the follower cam 46 is received within the passage 76 of the drive cam 44. As will be explained in more detail below, the flanges 86, 88 are received within the passages 72, 76 simultaneously, resulting in an interleaved arrangement in which the flanges move out of the passage simultaneously as the motor 48 drives the drive cam 44. The flanges 86, 88, passages 72, 76, drive surfaces 54, 56, and driven surfaces 58, 60 extend circumferentially around at least a portion of the drive cam 44, and preferably also around the follower cam 46.

[0030] In addition to the driven surfaces 58, 60, the follower cam 46 is associated with the linkage 42 to move the linkage 42. In the illustrated example, the follower cam 46 contacts or otherwise moves (e.g., through one or more intermediate components) the linkage 42 that is formed separately from the follower cam 46 as the follower cam 46 is displaced axially. In this manner, the linkage 42 moves axially as the follower cam 46 moves axially.

[0031] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the coupling body 42 is an annular sleeve having a radially outer surface 90, a radially inner surface 92, and opposing first and second sides 94 and 96 at the axial ends of the sleeve. The coupling body 42 includes inwardly extending splines 98 formed within the inner surface 92 and positioned to oppose and mesh with or mate with the splines 28, 36 on the first and second shafts 16, 18. When mated with the shaft splines, the coupling body 42 rotates with the shafts. In at least some embodiments, the coupling body 42 axially overlaps a portion of the first shaft 16, and at least one position of the follower cam 46, the coupling body 42 also axially overlaps a portion of the second shaft 18. More specifically, axial movement of the follower cam 46 causes the coupling body 42 to move axially relative to the shafts 16, 18. In a first position of the follower cam 46, the splines 98 of the coupling body 42 mesh with both the splines 28 of the first shaft 16 and the splines 36 of the second shaft 18. In the first position, the coupling body 42 connects the first shaft 16 and the second shaft 18 together for rotation therewith. In a second position of the follower cam 46, the splines 98 of the coupling body 42 mesh with only the splines 28 of the first shaft 16, so that the coupling body 42 rotates with the first shaft 16 but the second shaft 18 does not rotate with the first shaft 16. The follower cam 46 moves between these two positions by rotating the drive cam 44 in two directions to achieve the desired connection or disconnection of the first shaft 16 and the second shaft 18.

[0032] The coupling body 42 may be annular, and the splines 98 may extend circumferentially around at least a portion of the inner surface 92 of the coupling body 42. The splines 98 of the coupling body 42 extend axially a sufficient distance to simultaneously overlap the splines 28, 36 of both shafts 16, 18. The drive faces 54, 56 and driven faces 58, 60 are sufficiently inclined with respect to axis A such that at least the maximum extent of overlap between the coupling body splines 98 and the second shaft 36 moves the coupling body 42 axially, enabling coupling and uncoupling of the coupling body 42 and the second shaft 18.

[0033] To axially move the coupling body 42 relative to the shafts 16, 18, the follower cam 46 may include or be operatively connected to an actuator 100, as also shown in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 100 is a skirt that is integrally formed with or otherwise directly connected to the follower cam 46, the skirt 100 having opposing first and second contact surfaces 102, 104 that extend radially inward from an inner surface 106 of the skirt 100. The axially outer contact surface 102 radially overlies the first side 94 of the coupling body 42 and is axially outboard of the first side 94, and the axially inner surface 104 radially overlies the second side 96 of the coupling body 42 and is axially outboard of the second side 96. With this arrangement, movement of the follower cam 46 in a first axial direction engages the outer contact surface 102 with the first side 94 of the coupling body 42, moving the coupling body 42 relative to the shafts 16, 18 in the first axial direction. Movement of the follower cam 46 in a second direction engages the inner contact surface 104 with the second side 96 of the coupling body 42, moving the coupling body 42 relative to the shafts 16, 18 in the second axial direction. To radially overlap on both sides of the coupling body 42, the actuator 100 may be formed in two pieces, if desired, with the outer contact surface 102 defined by a ring or the like secured to the skirt, as generally shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 . Furthermore, the contact surfaces 102, 104 do not radially overlap or engage the shaft splines 28, 36, and the follower cam 46 does not rotate with the shaft or coupling body 42.

[0034] 3-10 illustrate the relative movement and engagement of the drive cam 44 and the follower cam 46 through a complete cycle of coupling and decoupling (sometimes referred to as connecting and disconnecting driveline devices) of the shafts 16, 18. In FIG. 3, the motor 48 may be off, and the drive cam 44 and follower cam 46 may be stationary. The flanges 86, 88 of each cam are received within the passages 72, 76 of the other cam, and, if desired, the ends 68, 82 of the flanges 86, 88 may engage the bases 70, 78 of the passages 72, 76. In this position, the coupler spline 98 may mesh with or contact the splines 28, 36 on both shafts 16, 18 such that both shafts and the coupler 42 rotate together. This is the fully engaged or coupled state of the assembly and may represent the first position of the follower cam 46 and drive cam 44. In at least some embodiments, the assembly is stable in this first position in that the drive cam 44 and follower cam 46 remain in this first position even when the motor 48 is not acting on the drive cam 44. A slight gap 112 may exist between the first drive surface 54 and the first driven surface 58, such that activation of the motor in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) causes the drive cam 44 to rotate slightly relative to the follower cam 46, and the motor 48 does not encounter significant resistance during the first rotational movement.

[0035] In FIG. 4 , due to rotation of the drive cam 44 relative to the follower cam 46, the gap 112 no longer exists and the first drive surface 54 is now in contact with the first driven surface 58. FIG. 5 shows the cams 44, 46 after further rotation of the drive cam 44, where the follower cam 46 has displaced axially, thereby moving the link 42 in the first axial direction (e.g., away from the drive cam 44). In FIG. 6 , the drive cam 44 has further rotated and the first drive surface 54 is no longer in contact with the first driven surface 58. Instead, a portion of the first drive surface 54 is adjacent the transition surface 62. Rotation of the drive cam 44 with the first drive surface 54 adjacent the transition surface 62 requires less force because movement of the drive cam 44 in this region does not significantly or at all displace the follower cam 46 axially.

[0036] The controller 114 ( FIG. 2 ) used to start / stop the motor 48 may respond to the motor current and determine that the drive cam 44 is no longer driving the driven cam 46 from the decrease in motor current due to the decrease in force required to rotate the drive cam 44. As the first drive surface 54 passes the transition surface 62, an increase in motor current may be detected by the controller 114 due to the increase in motor torque required to rotate the drive cam 44 as the first drive surface 54 engages the secondary ramp surface 64. This series of transitions may indicate that the cams 44, 46 are now separated (the drive surface is no longer engaging the driven surface and the flange has moved out of the passageway), and the motor 48 may stop to maintain this position of the cams 44, 46. In this position, the coupling 42 is axially positioned so that the splines 98 overlap the splines 28 on the first shaft 16 but not on the second shaft 18. In this way, the second shaft 18 is not driven in rotation and the shafts 16, 18 are decoupled.

[0037] To return the assembly to the coupled state, motor 48 is activated for rotation in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise). From the position shown in Figure 7, the initial rotation of drive cam 44 by motor rotation in this direction moves first drive surface 54 back onto transition surface 62; this movement as transition surface 62 is perpendicular to axis A does not result in axial movement of follower cam 46 and therefore does not require as much motor torque as displacing follower cam 46.

[0038] In the position shown in FIG. 8, the second drive surface 56 initially engages the second driven surface 60, and the gap 112 again exists between the first drive surface 54 and the first driven surface 58. Thus, contact between the cams 44, 46 is at the interface between the second drive surface 56 and the second driven surface 60. Continuing rotation of the drive cam 44 in this direction increases the overlap between the second drive surface 56 and the second driven surface 60, and the gap 112 remains, as shown by a comparison of FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. This movement axially moves the follower cam 46 in a direction that moves the coupling 42 in the second axial direction (e.g., toward the drive cam 44), thereby once again gradually overlapping the coupling splines 98 with the splines 36 of the second shaft 18. The position shown in FIG. 10 is the same as the position shown in FIG. 3. Once the assembly reaches this position, further rotation of the motor 48 in the second direction is prevented by engagement of at least one of the flanges 86, 88 in the respective passages 72, 76, and the controller 114 can determine that the cams are fully mated from the increase in motor current due to contact between the cams 44, 46. This determination can cause the motor 48 to be turned off, and the cams 44, 46 can remain in this position until such time as the motor 48 is again activated for rotation in the first direction.

[0039] In operation, the selective connection assembly 10 decouples the first shaft 16 and the second shaft 18 to disable transmitted rotation from the first shaft 16 to the second shaft 18, and reconnects the first shaft 16 and the second shaft 18 to enable transmitted rotation between the first shaft 16 and the second shaft 18. The decoupling / reconnecting functions may be managed by an electronic control unit (ECU).

[0040] Although described with reference to the drawings, the PTU disconnection assembly may be designed and constructed in a manner different from that shown. Furthermore, the term spline is used broadly to encompass teeth and other similar structures that can be engaged and disengaged to transmit rotation. Furthermore, while described with respect to coupling or uncoupling shafts in a PTU, the selective connection assembly may be used in other applications, such as moving, engaging, or disengaging a clutch by, for example, moving a dog clutch member relative to another member, with the dog clutch serving as the coupling 42. Furthermore, positive actuation of the coupling may be achieved by a drive screw (e.g., a lead screw or ball screw) that is driven in both directions or another linear actuator that is driven in both directions. Of course, other arrangements may be used in accordance with the disclosure provided herein.

[0041] While the forms of the present disclosure constitute presently preferred embodiments, many other forms are possible. It is not the intention herein to describe all possible equivalents or derivatives of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the terms used herein are merely descriptive rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. A driveline component with a selective connection assembly, said driveline component comprising: a first rotating component having a first rotating component spline; a second rotating component having a second rotating component spline; a coupling body having coupling body splines arranged to mate with the first rotational component splines and the second rotational component splines; an actuator; a drive cam rotated about an axis by the actuator, the drive cam having a first drive surface at a non-zero angle relative to the axis and a second drive surface at a non-zero angle relative to the axis; a driven cam having a first driven surface and a second driven surface; the driven cam is positioned to move the coupling body in an axial direction, wherein rotation of the driving cam in a first direction causes the first driving surface to engage the first driven surface, thereby moving the driven cam in a first axial direction and moving the coupling body in the first axial direction, and rotation of the driving cam in a second direction causes the second driving surface to engage the second driven surface, thereby moving the driven cam in a second axial direction and moving the coupling body in the second axial direction.

2. 2. The driveline component of claim 1, wherein in a first position of the follower cam, the coupling spline mates with both the first rotating component spline and the second rotating component spline, and in a second position of the follower cam, the coupling spline mates with the first rotating component spline but not with the second rotating component spline.

3. The driveline component of claim 1 wherein said driven cam does not rotate.

4. The driveline component of claim 1 , wherein when the first driving surface engages the first driven surface, the second driving surface does not engage the second driven surface.

5. 2. The driveline component of claim 1, wherein the driven cam includes a transition surface that is at a different angle relative to the axis of rotation of the drive cam than both the first driven surface and the second driven surface, and when the transition surface contacts the drive cam, less force is required by the actuator to rotate the drive cam.

6. 6. The driveline component of claim 5, wherein the actuator is an electric motor, activation of the electric motor being controlled by a controller that is responsive to a current draw of the motor and controls the motor at least in part in response to the current draw.

7. 2. The drive system component of claim 1, wherein the drive cam engages one face of the driven cam at one rotation end in one rotation direction of the drive cam, thereby preventing the drive cam from rotating further in the one rotation direction.

8. 8. The driveline component of claim 7, wherein the actuator is an electric motor, activation of the electric motor being controlled by a controller responsive to a current draw of the motor and controlling the motor at least in part in response to the current draw.

9. 2. The driveline component of claim 1, wherein the first driven surface or the second driven surface is defined in a flange that forms a portion of a passage in the driven cam, and a corresponding drive surface of the first drive surface or the second drive surface is defined in a flange that forms a portion of a passage in the drive cam.

10. 10. The driveline component of claim 9, wherein one end of the flange of the drive cam engages a base of the passageway to prevent the drive cam from rotating in one direction.

11. 11. The driveline component of claim 10, wherein one end of the flange of the driven cam is received within the passage of the drive cam when the one end of the flange of the drive cam engages the base of the passage.

12. 2. The driveline component of claim 1, wherein the connecting body is annular and has a first axial side and a second axial side, the driven cam includes a skirt, the skirt having a first contact surface that radially overlaps the connecting body and is located axially outboard of the first axial side, and the skirt having a second contact surface that radially overlaps the connecting body and is located axially outboard of the second axial side.

13. 2. The driveline component of claim 1, wherein the first rotating component and the second rotating component rotationally drive only when the coupling body spline mates with both the first rotating component spline and the second rotating component spline.

14. 3. The driveline component of claim 2, wherein said follower cam and said drive cam are constructed and arranged to stop said actuator while said follower cam is in said first position and remains in said first position until said drive cam is rotated by said actuator to move said follower cam, and to stop said actuator while said follower cam is in said second position and remains in said second position until said drive cam is rotated by said actuator to move said follower cam.

15. 1. A vehicle power transmission unit with a selective connection assembly, the vehicle power transmission unit comprising: a first shaft having a first shaft spline; a second shaft having a second shaft spline; a connector having connector splines arranged to mate with the first shaft splines and the second shaft splines; an actuator; a drive cam rotated about an axis by the actuator, the drive cam having a first drive surface at a non-zero angle relative to the axis and a second drive surface at a non-zero angle relative to the axis; a driven cam having a first driven surface and a second driven surface; the driven cam is arranged to move the connecting body in an axial direction, wherein rotation of the drive cam in a first direction causes the first drive surface to engage the first driven surface, thereby moving the driven cam in a first axial direction and moving the connecting body in the first axial direction, and rotation of the drive cam in a second direction causes the second drive surface to engage the second driven surface, thereby moving the driven cam in a second axial direction and moving the connecting body in the second axial direction.

16. 16. The vehicle power transmission unit of claim 15, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are rotationally driven only when the coupling body spline mates with both the first shaft spline and the second shaft spline.

17. 16. The vehicle power transmission unit of claim 15, wherein when the first driving surface engages the first driven surface, the second driving surface does not engage the second driven surface.

18. 16. The vehicle power transmission unit of claim 15, wherein the coupling body is annular and has a first axial side and a second axial side, the driven cam includes a skirt, the skirt having a first contact surface that radially overlaps the coupling body and is axially outboard of the first axial side, and the skirt having a second contact surface that radially overlaps the coupling body and is axially outboard of the second axial side.

19. 20. The vehicle power transmission unit of claim 18, wherein the coupling rotates relative to the driven cam.

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