Electronic locking differential

Abstract

Lash can be mitigated in a locking system of a differential assembly to improve lock detection accuracy. A sensor tracks the position of an armature arrangement that moves in response to the energization / de-energization of an electromagnet to lock and unlock the differential assembly. Reducing lash allows a detection system to better determine a position of the armature based on the sensor readings. Example structures to reduce lash include a biasing ring to hold the armature at a specific position; a shim disposed between the differential case and the stator to hold the stator at a specific position relative to the differential case; and a stop member to hold the armature at a specific position when the differential assembly is unlocked.

Description

ELECTRONIC LOCKING DIFFERENTIALCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Indian Provisional Application No. 202411027010, filed April 1, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] During normal operation of a motor vehicle, it is common that all four wheels are not turning at an identical rate of speed. Different wheel turn rates are most commonly encountered when the vehicle is making a turn, but may also be caused by braking or non- uniform road surface conditions. In order to accommodate differing wheel turning rates while continuing to direct power to two wheels, a differential is configured to allow for different wheel turn rates between the powered wheels. The differential allows the wheels to spin at different rates while transmitting torque to each wheel.

[0003] While this solution may be satisfactory in some driving conditions, it is unsatisfactory under conditions where one of the driven wheels experiences a surface having a much lower coefficient of friction than a surface engaged by the other wheel(s). Such conditions may prevent the application of torque to a wheel with more traction, thereby resulting in undesired vehicle performance. A locking mechanism may be provided to lock the differential and prevent different wheel spin rates and transmit torque uniformly between two wheels in at least some circumstances.SUMMARY

[0004] A differential assembly includes an armature arrangement that is actuated, e.g., when wheel slippage occurs. Actuating the armature arrangement causes a lock gear to engage a differential gear assembly. A lock detection sensor (e.g., a Hall effect position sensor) tracks the position of the armature arrangement to determine whether or not the differential assembly is locked at any particular time. Reducing lash in the system is likely to tighten the association between a given armature position and a corresponding lock state, providing improved accuracy in determining the lock status of the differential assembly.

[0005] In certain implementations, a biasing ring is disposed at a slip ring to hold the armature arrangement at a specific position relative to the slip ring.

[0006] In certain implementations, a shim is disposed between the differential case and the stator to hold the stator at a specific position relative to the differential case.

[0007] In certain implementations, a stop member is disposed external of the differential case. The slip ring is pressed against the stop member when the differential assembly is unlocked.

[0008] A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example locking differential assembly for a vehicle, the locking differential assembly including a locking arrangement having an armature plate biased into a predetermined position relative to a slip ring.

[0011] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged section of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another example locking differential assembly for a vehicle, the locking differential assembly including a locking arrangement having shim arrangement selected to produce a predetermined airgap between the stator and the armature plate of the locking arrangement.

[0013] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged section of FIG. 3.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example locking differential assembly for a vehicle, the locking differential assembly including a locking arrangement having an armature arrangement biased against a stop member when the locking arrangement is unlocked.

[0015] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged section of FIG. 5.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the locking differential assembly of FIG. 5 taken along a different cross-sectional plane so that an example pin is visible between the lock plate and the slip ring.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the example locking differential assembly of FIG. 5.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0019] FIGS. 1-2 show an example locking differential 100 for a vehicle. The locking differential 100 includes a differential case 102 (e.g., a gear case and an end cap) configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis L of the differential case 102. Torque input to the locking differential 100 can be provided by an input ring gear (not shown) to a flange 105 of the differential case 102. The differential case 102 defines annular hub portions 108 and 110 at which left and right axle shafts can be coupled. A pair of bearing sets (not shown) disposed at the annular hub portions 108, 110 provide rotational support for the rotating differential device 100 relative to an outer differential housing or "carrier" (also not shown). The rotatable housing 102 defines a gear chamber in which a differential gear set 104 is disposed.

[0020] A stator 134 is disposed external to the differential case 102. For example, the stator 134 may form a ring surrounding the annular hub portion 108 of the differential case 102. The differential case 102 rotates relative to the stator 134. A retaining brace 136 axially retains the stator 134 at the gear housing 102 (e.g., see FIG. 8). In certain examples, the retaining brace 136 is mounted to the differential case 102 using fasteners 137. Other mounting techniques are possible. In certain examples, an inner shoulder 136a of the retaining brace 136 abuts a shoulder 134 of the stator 134 to axial hold the stator 134 to the differential case 102 (e.g., see FIGS. 3 and 4). In certain examples, the retaining brace 136 extends over only a portion of the circumference of the stator 134 (e.g., see FIG. 8). In certain examples, multiple retaining braces 136 are circumferentially spaced along the stator 134 to hold the stator 134 to the differential case 102. In certain implementations, the stator 134 holds an electromagnet 135.

[0021] The locking differential 100 can be operated in a locked mode or an unlocked mode. When operated in the locked mode, a side gear 106 of the differential gear set 104 is locked against rotation relative to the differential case 102. When operated in the unlocked mode, the side gears 106 are free to spin relative to the differential case 102. For example, the side gears 106 may be configured to independently rotate about the longitudinal axis L of the differential case 102. In some implementations, the locking differential 100 is transitioned between locked and unlocked modes manually by a user. In other implementations, the locking differential 100 is transitioned between locked and unlocked modes automatically (e.g., by a microprocessor of the vehicle based on a sensed operational condition of the vehicle).

[0022] The locking differential 100 includes a locking arrangement 118 that can be transitioned between a locking configuration and a non-locking configuration. When disposed in the locking configuration, the locking arrangement 118 inhibits independent rotation of the side gear 106 relative to the differential case 102. When disposed in the non-locking configuration, the locking arrangement 118 allows independent rotation of the side gear 106 relative to the differential case 102.

[0023] In certain implementations, the locking arrangement 118 includes an armature arrangement 120 and a lock plate 122 spaced apart by one or more pins 124 (e.g., see FIG. 9). The lock plate 122 is disposed within the differential case 102. The armature arrangement 120 is disposed external of the differential case 102. In certain examples, the armature arrangement 120 may ride over the differential case 102 during axial movement. For example, the armature arrangement 120 may include a slip ring 128 surrounding the annular hub portion 108 and carrying an armature plate 119. In certain examples, the pin(s) 124 are coupled to the slip ring 128 using a snap-ring or other such fastener. The pins 124 extend through the differential case 102 to transfer axial motion between the armature arrangement 120 and the lock plate 122.

[0024] The lock plate 122 is engaged with the differential case 102 (e.g., through a plurality of ears or other protrusions or detents) so that the lock plate 122 spins in unison with the differential case 102. The lock plate 122 is configured to engage a locking gear arrangement of the differential gear set 104 when the locking arrangement 118 is disposed in the locking configuration. The lock plate 122 is disengaged from the locking gear arrangement when the locking arrangement 118 is disposed in the non-locking configuration. In certain implementations, the locking gear arrangement is integral with the side gear 106, e.g., as dog teeth carried by the side gear 106.

[0025] The armature arrangement 120 is axially movable relative to the stator 134 and relative to the differential case 102 between first and second positions. The locking arrangement 118 is disposed in the non-locking configuration when the armature arrangement 120 is disposed in the first position. The locking arrangement 118 is disposed in the locking configuration when the armature arrangement 120 is disposed in the second position. In certain examples, the armature arrangement 120 is biased to the first position by a biasing member 126 (e.g., wave spring). Accordingly, the side gear 106 allowed to spin relative to the differential case 102 until the locking arrangement 118 is actuated. In certain implementations, the armature arrangement 120 moves against the bias of the biasing member 126 towards the second position when the electromagnet 135 is actuated (e.g., energized).

[0026] For example, the armature plate 119 of the armature arrangement 120 may be formed of magnetizable (e.g., ferrous) material. When the electro-magnet 135 is energized, the electro-magnet 135 attracts the armature plate 119, causing the slip ring 128 of the armature arrangement 120 to move (e.g., slide) axially along the axis L relative to the differential case 102. As noted above, movement of the slip ring 128 is transferred through the pin(s) 124 to the lock plate 122 to selectively engage the locking gear arrangement.

[0027] In certain implementations, the biasing member 126 is disposed within the differential case 102 to bias the lock plate 122 away from the locking gear arrangement of side gear 106. When the armature 120 moves to the second position against the bias of the biasing member 126, the armature 120 abuts against and moves the pins 124 against the lock plate 122 to press the lock plate 122 into engagement with the locking gear arrangement. In some implementations, the armature 120 is configured to rotate with the differential case 102 and pins 124 relative to the stator 134. In other implementations, the armature 120 is rotationally stationary relative to the stator 134 so that the pins 124 glide over the armature 120 (e.g., see FIG. 9).

[0028] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the locking state of the differential assembly 100 can be determined from the axial position of the armature arrangement 120. In certain implementations, a sensor arrangement 150 monitors the axial position of the armature plate 119 relative to the stator 134. For example, a sensor target 152 (e.g., a magnet) can be mounted to the armature plate 119 for movement therewith and a sensor 154 (e.g., a Hall effect sensor) can be fixedly mounted to the stator 134. Movement of the sensor target 152 relative to the sensor 154 changes the sensor readings and a transfer function is used to determine the locking state based on the sensor readings.

[0029] In certain implementations, the sensor readings are affected by lash within the differential assembly 100. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the lash within the differential assembly 100 can be tightened by the inclusion of one or more strategic structures, which will be described in more detail below. Mitigating the lash reduces the number of possible axial positions of the components of the locking arrangement 118 during operation, thereby reducing sensor uncertainty between the axial position and the corresponding lock state.

[0030] In certain implementations, the consistency of the axial position of the armature plate 119 of the armature arrangement 120 is enhanced by the inclusion of a second biasing member 140 (e.g., a wave washer) to retain the armature plate 119 to the slip ring 128 (e.g., see FIGS. 1 and 2). The armature plate 119 is mounted radially about the slip ring 128. In theexample shown, a first axial end 128a of the armature plate 119 abuts against a shoulder 129 of the slip ring 128. In such an example, the armature plate 119 is slid onto the slip ring 128 from the opposite side. Then, a retention member is mounted to the slip ring 128 to retain the armature plate 119 on the slip ring 128. Using the second biasing member 140 as the retention member pushes the armature plate 119 against the shoulder 129, which eliminates any play between the armature frame 119 and the slip ring 128 that could otherwise produce lash.

[0031] In certain implementations, the consistency of the axial position of the stator 134 relative to the differential case 102 is enhanced by the inclusion of a shim arrangement 142 between the stator 134 and the differential case 102. In certain implementations, the shim arrangement 142 is selected by a technician assembling the differential assembly 100 from a plurality of different shim arrangement sizes to position the stator 134 at a predetermined distance from the armature plate 119. For example, the technician may select the shim arrangement 142 from a plurality of shim arrangements having different thicknesses. In certain examples, the thickness of the shim arrangement 142 is chosen to produce a predetermined airgap length G between the stator 134 and the armature plate 119.

[0032] In certain implementations, multiple shim arrangements 142 are circumferentially spaced along the stator 134. In certain examples, the shim arrangement 142 is positioned between the stator 134 and the differential case 102 in circumferential alignment with the retaining brace(s) 136. In certain examples, the shim arrangement 142 has a common shape and footprint with the retaining brace 136. In such examples, the fasteners 137 holding the retaining brace 136 to the differential case 102 also holds the shim arrangement 142 to the differential case 102.

[0033] In certain implementations, the biasing member 140 is used in combination with the shim arrangement 142 to accurately position the armature plate 119 relative to the differential case 102 and the stator 134.

[0034] In certain implementations, the consistency of the axial position of the armature arrangement 120 relative to the lock plate 122 is enhanced by the inclusion of a stop member 144 between the slip ring 128 and the differential case 102. In certain implementations, the stop member 144 is disposed at a fixed axial position relative to the differential case 102. In certain examples, the stop member 144 includes a retaining ring mounted to one of the annular hub portions 108.

[0035] The biasing member 126 biases the lock plate 122 away from the locking mechanism of the side gear 106 and towards an inner surface of the differential case 102 (e.g., towards an inner surface of an end cap). The lock plate 122 pushes the pin(s) 124 away fromthe differential gears 104. The pins 124 push the slip ring 128 of the armature arrangement 120 away from the stator 134 and against the stop member 144. The axial position of the stop member 144 is selected so that the slip ring 128 is biased against the stop member 144 by the biasing member 126 when the armature arrangement 120 and lock plate 122 are disposed in the unlocking position.

[0036] In certain implementations, the pin(s) 124 are connected to the slip ring 128 using snap-rings 125 or other fasteners (e.g., see FIG. 7). For example, an end of each pin 124 may be inserted through an opening or slot of the slip ring 128 and a snap-ring 125 or other fastener can be mounted over the end to hold the pin 124 in place. Absent the stop member 144, lash may exist between the snap-ring 125 and the slip ring 128. For example, there may be an airgap between the snap-ring 125 and the slip ring 128. However, the inclusion of the stop member 144 produces a positively connected locking system. When the locking system 118 is disposed in the unlocking configuration, the biasing member 140 pushes the lock plate 122 against the pins 124, which push against the slip ring 128 to press the slip ring 128 against the stop member 144.

[0037] Example implementations of the invention are described in the below aspects.

[0038] Aspect 1. A differential assembly comprising:

[0039] a differential case;

[0040] a differential gear set disposed within the differential case, the differential gear set including a lock gear biased to an unlocking position;

[0041] a lock plate disposed within the differential case;

[0042] a stator disposed external of the differential case, the stator including an electromagnet;

[0043] an armature arrangement disposed external of the differential case, the armature arrangement being configured to move relative to the differential case and relative to the stator between a first position and a second position, the armature arrangement including an armature carried by a slip ring, the slip ring positioning the armature in axial alignment with the electromagnet, the armature being mounted to the slip ring using a biasing ring to hold the armature at a specific position relative to the slip ring; and

[0044] a pin extending between the armature arrangement and the lock plate so that the armature arrangement is biased to the first position by the lock plate, and so that movement of the armature arrangement to the second position through energization of the electro-magnet transfers movement through the pin to push the lock plate to a locking position with the lock gear of the differential gear set.

[0045] Aspect 2. The differential assembly of aspect 1, further comprising a position sensor disposed external of the differential case; wherein the armature arrangement carries a sensor target.

[0046] Aspect 3. The differential assembly of aspect 2, wherein the sensor target includes a magnet and the position sensor includes a Hall effect sensor.

[0047] Aspect 4. The differential assembly of aspect 1, wherein the pin is one of a plurality of pins between the armature arrangement and the lock plate; wherein the movement of the armature arrangement to the second position through energization of the electro-magnet transfers movement through the pin to push the lock plate to a locking position with the lock gear of the differential gear set.

[0048] Aspect 5. The differential assembly of aspect 1, wherein the biasing ring includes a wave washer.

[0049] Aspect 6. The differential assembly of aspect 1, wherein a first axial end of the armature abuts against a shoulder of the slip ring; and wherein the biasing ring pushes the armature against the shoulder.

[0050] Aspect 7. The differential assembly of aspect 1, wherein the stator is held to the differential case by a retaining clip.

[0051] Aspect 8. The differential assembly of aspect 7, wherein a shim is disposed between the differential case and the stator to press the stator against the retaining clip.

[0052] Aspect 9. The differential assembly of aspect 8, wherein the shim is selected from a plurality of shims having different thicknesses to position the stator at a predetermined distance from the armature.

[0053] Aspect 10. The differential assembly of aspect 8, wherein the shim is one of a plurality of shims circumferentially spaced along the stator.

[0054] Aspect 11. The differential assembly of aspect 8, further comprising a retaining brace that axially retains the stator at the differential case, wherein an inner shoulder of the retaining brace abuts a shoulder of the stator to axial hold the stator to the differential case.

[0055] Aspect 12. The differential assembly of aspect 11, wherein the retaining brace extends over only a portion of a circumference of the stator.

[0056] Aspect 13. The differential assembly of aspect 11, wherein the shim is positioned between the stator and the differential case in circumferential alignment with the retaining brace.

[0057] Aspect 14. The differential assembly of aspect 11, wherein fasteners hold both the retaining brace and the shim to the differential case.

[0058] Aspect 15. The differential assembly of any of aspects 1-14, further comprising a stop member disposed between the slip ring and the differential case, wherein the pin pushes the slip ring away from the stator and against the stop member when the armature arrangement is disposed in the first position.

[0059] Aspect 16. A differential assembly comprising:

[0060] a differential case;

[0061] a differential gear set disposed within the differential case, the differential gear set including a lock gear biased to an unlocking position;

[0062] a lock plate disposed within the differential case;

[0063] a stator disposed external of the differential case and held to the differential case by a retaining clip, the stator including an electro-magnet;

[0064] a shim disposed between the differential case and the stator to press the stator against the retaining clip;

[0065] an armature arrangement disposed external of the differential case, the armature arrangement being configured to move relative to the differential case and relative to the stator between a first position and a second position; and

[0066] a pin extending between the armature arrangement and the lock plate so that the armature arrangement is biased to the first position by the lock plate, and so that movement of the armature arrangement to the second position through energization of the electro-magnet transfers movement through the pin to push the lock plate to a locking position with the lock gear of the differential gear set.

[0067] Aspect 17. The differential assembly of aspect 16, wherein the shim is one of a plurality of shims circumferentially spaced along the stator.

[0068] Aspect 18. The differential assembly of aspect 16, further comprising a retaining brace that axially retains the stator at the differential case, wherein an inner shoulder of the retaining brace abuts a shoulder of the stator to axial hold the stator to the differential case, wherein the shim is positioned between the stator and the differential case in circumferential alignment with the retaining brace.

[0069] Aspect 19. A differential assembly comprising:

[0070] a differential case;

[0071] a differential gear set disposed within the differential case, the differential gear set including a lock gear biased to an unlocking position;

[0072] a lock plate disposed within the differential case;

[0073] a stator disposed external of the differential case, the stator including an electromagnet;

[0074] an armature arrangement disposed external of the differential case, the armature arrangement being configured to move relative to the differential case and relative to the stator between a first position and a second position;

[0075] a pin extending between the armature arrangement and the lock plate so that the armature arrangement is biased to the first position by the lock plate, and so that movement of the armature arrangement to the second position through energization of the electro-magnet transfers movement through the pin to push the lock plate to a locking position with the differential gear set; and

[0076] a stop member disposed at an exterior of the differential case, the stop member positioned so that the armature arrangement is biased against the stop member by the lock plate via the pin when the lock plate is disposed in the unlocking position, wherein the lock plate is offset from an internal shoulder of the differential case when the lock plate is disposed in the unlocking position.

[0077] Aspect 20. The differential assembly of aspect 19, wherein the armature arrangement includes an armature mounted to a slip ring; and wherein the pin pushes the slip ring away from the stator and against the stop member when the armature arrangement is disposed in the first position.

[0078] Having described the preferred aspects and implementations of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A differential assembly comprising: a differential case; a differential gear set disposed within the differential case, the differential gear set including a lock gear biased to an unlocking position; a lock plate disposed within the differential case; a stator disposed external of the differential case, the stator including an electro-magnet; an armature arrangement disposed external of the differential case, the armature arrangement being configured to move relative to the differential case and relative to the stator between a first position and a second position, the armature arrangement including an armature carried by a slip ring, the slip ring positioning the armature in axial alignment with the electromagnet, the armature being mounted to the slip ring using a biasing ring to hold the armature at a specific position relative to the slip ring; and a pin extending between the armature arrangement and the lock plate so that the armature arrangement is biased to the first position by the lock plate, and so that movement of the armature arrangement to the second position through energization of the electro-magnet transfers movement through the pin to push the lock plate to a locking position with the lock gear of the differential gear set.

2. The differential assembly of claim 1, further comprising a position sensor disposed external of the differential case; wherein the armature arrangement carries a sensor target.

3. The differential assembly of claim 2, wherein the sensor target includes a magnet and the position sensor includes a Hall effect sensor.

4. The differential assembly of claim 1, wherein the pin is one of a plurality of pins between the armature arrangement and the lock plate; wherein the movement of the armature arrangement to the second position through energization of the electro-magnet transfers movement through the pin to push the lock plate to a locking position with the lock gear of the differential gear set.

5. The differential assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing ring includes a wave washer.

6. The differential assembly of claim 1, wherein a first axial end of the armature abuts against a shoulder of the slip ring; and wherein the biasing ring pushes the armature against the shoulder.

7. The differential assembly of claim 1, wherein the stator is held to the differential case by a retaining clip.

8. The differential assembly of claim 7, wherein a shim is disposed between the differential case and the stator to press the stator against the retaining clip.

9. The differential assembly of claim 8, wherein the shim is selected from a plurality of shims having different thicknesses to position the stator at a predetermined distance from the armature.

10. The differential assembly of claim 8, wherein the shim is one of a plurality of shims circumferentially spaced along the stator.

11. The differential assembly of claim 8, further comprising a retaining brace that axially retains the stator at the differential case, wherein an inner shoulder of the retaining brace abuts a shoulder of the stator to axial hold the stator to the differential case.

12. The differential assembly of claim 11, wherein the retaining brace extends over only a portion of a circumference of the stator.

13. The differential assembly of claim 11 , wherein the shim is positioned between the stator and the differential case in circumferential alignment with the retaining brace.

14. The differential assembly of claim 11, wherein fasteners hold both the retaining brace and the shim to the differential case.

15. The differential assembly of any of claims 1-14, further comprising a stop member disposed between the slip ring and the differential case, wherein the pin pushes the slip ring away from the stator and against the stop member when the armature arrangement is disposed in the first position.

16. A differential assembly comprising: a differential case; a differential gear set disposed within the differential case, the differential gear set including a lock gear biased to an unlocking position; a lock plate disposed within the differential case; a stator disposed external of the differential case and held to the differential case by a retaining clip, the stator including an electro-magnet; a shim disposed between the differential case and the stator to press the stator against the retaining clip; an armature arrangement disposed external of the differential case, the armature arrangement being configured to move relative to the differential case and relative to the stator between a first position and a second position; and a pin extending between the armature arrangement and the lock plate so that the armature arrangement is biased to the first position by the lock plate, and so that movement of the armature arrangement to the second position through energization of the electro-magnet transfers movement through the pin to push the lock plate to a locking position with the lock gear of the differential gear set.

17. The differential assembly of claim 16, wherein the shim is one of a plurality of shims circumferentially spaced along the stator.

18. The differential assembly of claim 16, further comprising a retaining brace that axially retains the stator at the differential case, wherein an inner shoulder of the retaining brace abuts a shoulder of the stator to axial hold the stator to the differential case, wherein the shim is positioned between the stator and the differential case in circumferential alignment with the retaining brace.

19. A differential assembly comprising: a differential case; a differential gear set disposed within the differential case, the differential gear set including a lock gear biased to an unlocking position; a lock plate disposed within the differential case; a stator disposed external of the differential case, the stator including an electro-magnet;an armature arrangement disposed external of the differential case, the armature arrangement being configured to move relative to the differential case and relative to the stator between a first position and a second position; a pin extending between the armature arrangement and the lock plate so that the armature arrangement is biased to the first position by the lock plate, and so that movement of the armature arrangement to the second position through energization of the electro-magnet transfers movement through the pin to push the lock plate to a locking position with the differential gear set; and a stop member disposed at an exterior of the differential case, the stop member positioned so that the armature arrangement is biased against the stop member by the lock plate via the pin when the lock plate is disposed in the unlocking position, wherein the lock plate is offset from an internal shoulder of the differential case when the lock plate is disposed in the unlocking position.

20. The differential assembly of claim 19, wherein the armature arrangement includes an armature mounted to a slip ring; and wherein the pin pushes the slip ring away from the stator and against the stop member when the armature arrangement is disposed in the first position.

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