Vehicle AXLE assembly including an electronically-locking differential assembly

Abstract

An electronically-locking differential assembly, configured to be received by a vehicle axle assembly having a removable cover plate, includes a first output gear; a second output gear; a plurality of pinion gears; and an electromagnetic locking assembly, including: a coil assembly, configured to conduct electrical current, and an armature assembly that moves relative to the coil assembly in response to conduction of electrical current to place the electronically-locking differential assembly in a locked state preventing the angular displacement of the first vehicle wheel relative to the second vehicle wheel, wherein a portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly extends away from the electromagnetic locking assembly to engage an inner surface of the removable cover plate to prevent rotation of at least a portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly relative to the vehicle axle assembly.

Description

Attorney Docket: 27873-03452Client Ref.: 4.571VEHICLE AXLE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING AN ELECTRONICALLY-LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLYRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present disclosure claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 701 ,318, filed September 30, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to vehicle axle assemblies and, more particularly, to electronically-locking differential assemblies included with the vehicle axle assemblies.BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicles typically include at least two wheels, driven by a propulsion system and rotating about a common axis, coupled to a differential assembly that permits the wheels to have different angular velocities as the vehicle changes direction. The differential assemblies can exist in a number of different fundamental designs. For example, there are open differentials that transmit equal amounts of torque to the two wheels regardless of the relative traction each wheel achieves. While the open differential design is common, one drawback exists when one of the wheels lacks traction and spins while the opposite wheel remains relatively motionless. Variations of the open differential exist, including a locking differential, such that a vehicle user can selectively lock the output shaft coupled to one wheel relative to the output shaft of the other wheel preventing relative wheel spin. The locking differential can be actuated in a number of ways, each involving unique challenges. For example, with regard to differentials that lock by flowing electrical current through a coil thereby axially-moving an armature to lock the differential, packaging the coil and armature can create unique challenges to ensure reliable and long life.Attorney Docket: 27873-03452Client Ref.: 4.571SUMMARY

[0003] In one implementation, an electronically-locking differential assembly, configured to be received by a vehicle axle assembly having a removable cover plate, includes a first output gear; a second output gear; a plurality of pinion gears; and an electromagnetic locking assembly, including: a coil assembly, configured to conduct electrical current, and an armature assembly that moves relative to the coil assembly in response to conduction of electrical current to place the electronically-locking differential assembly in a locked state preventing the angular displacement of the first vehicle wheel relative to the second vehicle wheel, wherein a portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly extends away from the electromagnetic locking assembly and / or gears and / or output axis, and / or along the input axis, to engage an inner surface of the removable cover plate to prevent rotation of at least a portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly relative to the vehicle axle assembly.

[0004] In another implementation, an electronically-locking differential assembly, configured to be received by a vehicle axle assembly having a removable cover plate, includes: a first output gear; a second output gear; a plurality of pinion gears, positioned axially between the first output gear and the second output gear, engaging both the first output gear and the second output gear, wherein rotation of the pinion gears about a pinion axis permits the relative angular displacement of the first vehicle wheel relative to the second vehicle wheel while the electronically-locking differential assembly is in an unlocked state; and an electromagnetic locking assembly, including: a coil assembly, configured to conduct electrical current, and an armature assembly that moves axially along the output axis relative to the coil assembly in response to conduction of electrical current, to place the electronically- locking differential assembly in a locked state preventing the angular displacement of the first vehicle wheel relative to the second vehicle wheel, wherein the armature assembly includes at least one member shaped to engage a threaded nut fixedly mounted to the removable cover plate and prevent rotation of at least a portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly relative to the vehicle axle assembly.

[0005] In yet another implementation, an electronically-locking differential assembly, configured to be received by a vehicle axle assembly having a removable cover plate, including: a first output gear; a second output gear; a plurality of pinionAttorney Docket: 27873-03452Client Ref.: 4.571 gears, positioned axially between the first output gear and the second output gear, engaging both the first output gear and the second output gear, wherein rotation of the pinion gears about a pinion axis permits the relative angular displacement of the first vehicle wheel relative to the second vehicle wheel while the electronically-locking differential assembly is in an unlocked state; and an electromagnetic locking assembly, including: a coil assembly, configured to conduct electrical current; an armature assembly, having a backing plate, that moves axially along the output axis relative to the coil assembly in response to conduction of electrical current, to place the electronically-locking differential assembly in a locked state preventing the angular displacement of the first vehicle wheel relative to the second vehicle wheel, wherein the backing plate includes a first member is configured to abut a planar surface of a threaded nut included on the removable cover plate and a second member is configured to abut another planar surface of the threaded nut, to prevent rotation of at least a portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly relative to the vehicle axle assembly.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a block diagram depicting an implementation of a vehicle including a vehicle axle assembly;

[0007] Figure 2 is a perspective view depicting an implementation of a vehicle axle assembly including an electronically-locking differential assembly; and

[0008] Figure 3 is a profile view depicting an implementation of a vehicle axle assembly;

[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective view depicting an implementation of an electronically-locking differential assembly;

[0010] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view depicting an implementation of a vehicle axle assembly;

[0011] Figure 6 is another cross-sectional view depicting an implementation of a vehicle axle assembly; and

[0012] Figure 7 is another cross-sectional view depicting a portion of an implementation of a vehicle axle assembly.Attorney Docket: 27873-03452Client Ref.: 4.571DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] A vehicle axle assembly can include a differential housing, a pinion, and an electronically-locking differential assembly receiving rotational input from the pinion and selectively transmitting torque to driven wheels of a vehicle. The electronically- locking differential can operate in an unlocked state in which one vehicle wheel coupled to an output of the electronically-locking differential can be angularly displaced relative to another vehicle wheel coupled to another output of the electronically-locking differential. However, the electronically-locking differential assembly can be placed into a locked state during which the vehicle wheels coupled to the electronically- locking differential assembly may not be angularly displaced relative to each other. An electromagnetic locking assembly, included with the electronically-locking differential assembly, can select the locked or unlocked state using a coil assembly that can selectively conduct electrical current and an armature assembly that moves relative to the coil assembly in response to the flow of electrical current.

[0014] The electronically-locking differential assembly includes a number of rotating components such as a ring gear, output gears that can couple to the vehicle wheels, and pinion gears, that engage the output gears, rotating about a pinion axis to selectively permit the angular displacement of one vehicle wheel rotating about an output axis relative to another vehicle wheel rotating about the output axis. The electromagnetic locking assembly can be positioned concentric to the output axis adjacent to the rotating components and, when the electronically-locking differential is commanded to enter a locked state, the coil assembly can receive electrical current, causing the armature assembly to move axially along the output axis to constrain the output gears relative to each other preventing the angular displacement of one output gear relative to another. The axial force supplied by the electromagnetic locking assembly along the output axis to engage the rotating components of the electronically-locking differential assembly can exert an unwanted rotational force on the electromagnetic locking assembly about the output axis. The electromagnetic locking assembly can receive the electrical current via a fixed electrical connection to the axle housing, so can be helpful for the electromagnetic locking assembly remain substantially in a fixed angular position relative to the axle housing. In some past implementations of vehicle axle assemblies, this has been accomplished by anchoringAttorney Docket: 27873-03452 Client Ref.: 4.571 some portion of an electromagnetic locking assembly to a bearing assembly associated with the output gears or output shafts coupled to both the vehicle wheels and the output gears. However, as space within a vehicle becomes more precious, it is possible to robustly secure the electromagnetic locking assembly in a more compact way.

[0015] An electronically-locking differential assembly described here can be received by a vehicle axle assembly having a removable cover plate facilitating the insertion and removal of the electronically-locking differential assembly. The electronically-locking differential assembly includes an electromagnetic locking assembly having a feature or portion that extends to engage an inner surface of the cover plate and prevent rotation of at least a portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly relative to the vehicle axle assembly.

[0016] With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, an implementation of a vehicle axle assembly ( / .e., front axle assembly 30) constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is included in a vehicle generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The vehicle 10 can include a driveline 12 that is powered (i.e., driven) by a power train 14. The power train 14 can include an engine 16 and a transmission 18. The driveline 12 can include a transfer case 20 or other power distributing device, a rear propshaft 22, a rear axle assembly 24, a plurality of rear wheels 26, a front prop shaft 28, a front axle assembly 30 and a pair of front wheels 34. The engine 16 can have an output coupled to the input of the transmission 18 in a conventional manner to transmit rotary power (i.e., drive torque) there between. The front wheels 34 are coupled to and driven by the front axle assembly 30. The transmission 18 can include an output and a gear reduction unit that can be employed to couple the transmission input to the transmission output at a selected gear or speed ratio.

[0017] The transfer case 20 can be a conventional transfer case and can be coupled to the transmission 18 configured to transmit rotary power to the rear axle assembly 24 and the front axle assembly 30 in a desired manner. For example, the transfer case 20 can be operable in a first mode in which rotary power is transmitted only to the rear axle assembly 24 and in a second mode in which drive torque isAttorney Docket: 27873-03452 Client Ref.: 4.571 allocated between the rear and front axle assemblies 24 and 30 in a predetermined manner.

[0018] The rear propshaft 22 couples a rear output of the transfer case 20 to an input of the rear axle assembly 24, which is also conventional. The rear wheels 26 are coupled to and driven by the rear axle assembly 24 in a conventional manner. The front propshaft 28 couples a front output of the transfer case 20 to a vehicle axle assembly 30 located in the front of the vehicle 10 (also referred to as the front axle assembly 30). The front wheels 34 are coupled to and driven by the front axle assembly 30.

[0019] An implementation of the front axle assembly 30 is shown in Figures 2- 7. The front axle assembly 30 can include a differential housing 40, a pinion 42, an electronically-locking differential assembly 44, and a removable cover plate 46. An implementation of a front axle assembly is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,775,928, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The differential housing 40 can be shaped to include a cavity 48 for receiving the electronically-locking differential assembly 44, and a plurality of apertures formed in the differential housing 38 to permit inputs and outputs to engage the electronically-locking differential assembly 44. The differential housing 38 includes a pinion aperture 50 shaped to receive the pinion 42 and position the pinion 42 into engagement with the electronically-locking differential assembly 44 mounted within the cavity 48 so that the pinion 42 rotates about an input axis (x) and imparts rotational input on the electronically-locking differential assembly 44. The differential housing 40 also includes driveshaft apertures 52 sized so that a first driveshaft 54 can extend through a driveshaft aperture 52 to couple with an output of the electronically-locking differential assembly 44 as well as one of the front wheels 34 and a second driveshaft 56 can extend through a second driveshaft aperture to couple with another output of the electronically-locking differential assembly 44 as well as the other one of the front wheels 34. The front axle assembly 30 can be configured to be offset from a centerline of the vehicle 10 positioning the front axle assembly 30 under a driver such that the first driveshaft 54 may be longer than the second drive shaft.

[0020] The differential housing 40 can include a cover plate aperture 58 having a mating surface 60 that releasably engages the removable cover plate 46. The coverAttorney Docket: 27873-03452 Client Ref.: 4.571 plate aperture 58 is an opening in the differential housing 40 that facilitates the assembly of the front axle assembly 30 by introducing the electronically-locking differential assembly 44 into the differential housing 38 for coupling to the pinion 42 and the driveshafts 54, 56. The cover plate aperture 58 can include a plurality of threaded fasteners, such as threaded receptacles 64 capable of receiving threaded bolts 66 to secure the removable cover plate 46 over the cover plate aperture 58 enclosing the electronically-locking differential assembly 44 within the cavity 48 with a fluid-tight seal. The threaded fasteners described here could be a threaded bolt received within a threaded bore, a threaded nut, or a combination of a threaded bolt and threaded nut. It should be appreciated that other implementations of threaded fasteners are possible. The removable cover plate 46 can be a substantially planar structure having a plurality of apertures around an outer edge for receiving the threaded fasteners and securing the removable cover plate 46 to the differential housing 40.

[0021] The removable cover plate 46 can have an outer surface 70 facing away from the electronically-locking differential assembly 44 and cavity 48 and an inner surface 72 facing the electronically-locking differential assembly 44. A fluid drain 74 can be included with the removable cover plate 46 permitting the flow of fluid from the cavity 48 and inner surface 72 of the removable cover plate 46 through the fluid drain 74 to the outer surface 70. The fluid drain 74 can include a threaded nut 76 fixed to the inner surface 72 of the removable cover plate 46 having a drain opening 78. In one implementation, the threaded nut 76 can include a hexagonal, six-point outer diameter that is concentrically aligned with the fluid drain 74 and welded or otherwise bonded to the inner surface 72 of the removable cover plate 46 to permit the flow of fluid through an inner, threaded diameter of the threaded nut 76. A threaded bolt 80, possibly referred to as a drain plug, can engage with the threaded nut 76 from the outer surface 70 of the removable cover plate 46 to seal fluid within the cavity 48. Occasionally, the threaded bolt 80 can be loosened to permit the flow of fluid out of the cavity 48 through the drain opening 78. The threaded bolt 80 can be threaded back into engagement with the threaded nut 76 to fluidically seal the cavity 48 and the fluid within the cavity 48 can be replaced.Attorney Docket: 27873-03452 Client Ref.: 4.571

[0022] The electronically-locking differential assembly 44 includes a ring gear 82, a differential gear carrier 84 coupled to the ring gear 82, output gears 94, 96 carried by the differential gear carrier 84, and pinion gears 98, 100 carried by the differential gear carrier 84. The ring gear 82 can have a plurality of helically-shaped gear teeth 90 configured to mesh with and receive rotational input from correspondingly shaped gear teeth 92 on the pinion 42. The ring gear 82 can rotate about an output axis (y) that is substantially perpendicular to the input axis (x) about which the pinion 42 rotates. The ring gear 82 can be rigidly coupled to the differential gear carrier 84 that includes first and second output gears, 94, 96, and first and second pinion gears, 98, 100. The first output gear 94 is rotatable about an output axis (y) substantially coaxial with one of the front wheels 34. The first output gear 94 can be rigidly coupled to the front wheel 34 such that first output gear 94 is not angularly displaced relative to the front wheel 34. The second output gear 96 is rotatable about the output axis (y) substantially coaxial with another of the front wheels 34. The pinion gears 98, 100 can be pivotably carried by the differential gear carrier 84 and positioned axially along the output axis (y) in between the first output gear 94 and the second output gear 96 engaging both the first output gear 94 and the second output gear 96. When the electronically-locking differential assembly 44 is in an unlocked state, the pinion gears can rotate about a pinion axis (z) that is substantially perpendicular to the output axis (y) permitting the relative angular displacement of one front wheel 34 relative to the other front wheel 34 while the electronically-locking differential assembly 44 is in an unlocked state.

[0023] The electronically-locking differential assembly 44 includes an electromagnetic locking assembly 102 having a coil assembly 104, configured to conduct electrical current, and an armature assembly 106 that moves relative to the coil assembly 104 in response to the conduction of electrical current. The electromagnetic locking assembly 102 can have a substantially annular shape, with an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The inner diameter can be sized and shaped to permit a driveshaft 54, 56 to pass through the electromagnetic locking assembly 102, while the outer diameter can be sized and shaped to fit within the cavity 48. The electromagnetic locking assembly 102 can be axially adjacent to one of the output gears 94, 96 along the output axis (y) such the armature assembly 106 may rotationally lock the first output gear 94 relative to the second output gear 96, preventing theAttorney Docket: 27873-03452Client Ref.: 4.571 angular displacement of one front wheel 34 relative to the other front wheel 34, while the electronically-locking differential assembly 44 is in a locked state.

[0024] In one implementation, the coil assembly 104 can have a substantially annular housing and include a coil (not shown) encircled within the annular housing 108. The coil can have two electrical leads that terminate at an electrical socket 110 configured to couple to an electrical supply line (not shown) that selectively flows electrical current to place the electronically-locking differential assembly 44 in a locked state. The armature assembly 106 is adjacent to the coil assembly 104. The armature assembly 106 can be formed from a ferromagnetic material such that the flow of electrical current through the coil exerts an axial force on the armature assembly 106, pushing the armature assembly 106 toward the first output gear 94. Any one of a variety of different mechanical links can be coupled to the armature assembly 106 to selectively lock the output gears 94, 96 to prevent the angular displacement of one output gear relative to another. For example, the armature assembly 106 can axially move along the output axis (y) to insert a plurality of pins 68 into the differential gear carrier 84 to selectively couple the output gears 94, 96 together.

[0025] The electromagnetic locking assembly 102 can include a feature or portion that extends toward the removable cover plate 46 to engage its inner surface 72 to prevent rotation of at least a portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly 102 relative to the front axle assembly 30. The feature or portion can extend away from the armature 106 and / or gears 42, 94, 96, and / or the output axis (y), and may be generally perpendicular to the output axis (y). The feature of portion can extend in a direction along or parallel to the input axis (x). In one implementation, a backing plate 112 can be affixed to the armature assembly 106. The backing plate 112 can be substantially planar and have an outer diameter that closely conforms to the outer diameter of the electromagnetic locking assembly 102 over most of the circumference of the backing plate 112. At one location along the circumference of the backing plate 112, a first member 114 can extend to engage the inner surface 72 of the removable cover plate 46. A second member 116 can extend to engage the inner surface 72 of the removable cover plate 46 at another location. The first member 114 and / or second member 116 can have relatively planar shape with a tip 118 that is bent or angled relative to the first or second member 114, 116 so that a planar surface of the tip 120Attorney Docket: 27873-03452 Client Ref.: 4.571 faces the inner surface 70 of the removable cover plate 46. In one implementation, the first member 114 can include an edge 120 that abuts a planar surface 122 of the threaded nut 76 included on the inner surface 70. In some implementations, the edge 120 of the first member 114 extends along the length of the first member to the end of the tip 118. Similarly, the second member 116 can include an edge 124 that abuts another planar surface of the threaded nut 76 included on the removable cover plate 46. In some implementations, the edge 124 of the second member 116 extends along the length of the second member 116 to the end of the tip 118. The articulation of the tips 1 18 can reduce the axial length of the first member 114 and the second member 116 as well as provide a longer area over which the first member 114 and second member 116 contact the threaded nut 76. The first and second members 114, 116, engaging the threaded nut 76, can prevent the electromagnetic locking differential assembly 46 from rotating or otherwise being angularly displaced relative to the differential housing 40.

[0026] It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

[0027] As used in this specification and claims, the terms "e.g. " “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” and “like,” and the verbs “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.

Claims

Attorney Docket: 27873-03452Client Ref.: 4.571What is claimed is:

1. An electronically-locking differential assembly, configured to be received by a vehicle axle assembly having a removable cover plate, comprising: a first output gear rotatable about an output axis coaxial with a first vehicle wheel; a second output gear rotatable about the output axis coaxial with a second vehicle wheel; a plurality of pinion gears, positioned axially between the first output gear and the second output gear, engaging both the first output gear and the second output gear, wherein rotation of the pinion gears about a pinion axis permits the relative angular displacement of the first vehicle wheel relative to the second vehicle wheel while the electronically-locking differential assembly is in an unlocked state; and an electromagnetic locking assembly, comprising: a coil assembly, configured to conduct electrical current, and an armature assembly that moves relative to the coil assembly in response to conduction of electrical current to place the electronically-locking differential assembly in a locked state preventing the angular displacement of the first vehicle wheel relative to the second vehicle wheel, wherein a portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly extends away from the output axis to engage an inner surface of the removable cover plate to prevent rotation of at least a portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly relative to the vehicle axle assembly.

2. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 1 , wherein the armature assembly moves relative to the coil assembly axially along the output axis.

3. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 1 further comprising a fluid drain included with the removable cover plate, wherein the portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly engages the fluid drain.

4. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 3, further comprising a threaded nut affixed to the inner surface of the removable cover plate and the portion abuts the threaded nut.Attorney Docket: 27873-03452 Client Ref.: 4.5715. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 3, wherein the portion includes a first member abutting the fluid drain and a second member abutting the fluid drain.

6. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 5, wherein the first member abuts a planar surface of the fluid drain and the second member abuts another planar surface of the fluid drain.

7. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 5, wherein the first member includes a tip articulated at an angle relative to the first member and the second member includes another tip articulated at an angle relative to the second member.

8. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 1 , wherein the portion extends from a backing plate attached to the armature assembly.

9. An electronically-locking differential assembly, configured to be received by a vehicle axle assembly having a removable cover plate, comprising: a first output gear rotatable about an output axis coaxial with a first vehicle wheel; a second output gear rotatable about the output axis coaxial with a second vehicle wheel; a plurality of pinion gears, positioned axially between the first output gear and the second output gear, engaging both the first output gear and the second output gear, wherein rotation of the pinion gears about a pinion axis permits the relative angular displacement of the first vehicle wheel relative to the second vehicle wheel while the electronically-locking differential assembly is in an unlocked state; and an electromagnetic locking assembly, comprising: a coil assembly, configured to conduct electrical current, and an armature assembly that moves axially along the output axis relative to the coil assembly in response to conduction of electrical current, to place the electronically-locking differential assembly in a locked state preventing the angular displacement of the first vehicle wheel relative to the second vehicle wheel, wherein the armature assembly includes atAttorney Docket: 27873-03452 Client Ref.: 4.571 least one member shaped to engage a threaded nut fixedly mounted to the removable cover plate and prevent rotation of at least a portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly relative to the vehicle axle assembly.

10. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 9 wherein the threaded nut forms part of a fluid drain included with the removable cover plate, wherein the first member of the electromagnetic locking assembly engages the fluid drain.

11. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 9, further comprising a second member, included with the armature assembly, abutting the threaded nut.

12. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 11 , wherein the first member includes a tip articulated at an angle relative to the first member and the second member includes another tip articulated at an angle relative to the second member.

13. An electronically-locking differential assembly, configured to be received by a vehicle axle assembly having a removable cover plate, comprising: a first output gear rotatable about an output axis coaxial with a first vehicle wheel; a second output gear rotatable about the output axis coaxial with a second vehicle wheel; a plurality of pinion gears, positioned axially between the first output gear and the second output gear, engaging both the first output gear and the second output gear, wherein rotation of the pinion gears about a pinion axis permits the relative angular displacement of the first vehicle wheel relative to the second vehicle wheel while the electronically-locking differential assembly is in an unlocked state; and an electromagnetic locking assembly, comprising: a coil assembly, configured to conduct electrical current; an armature assembly, having a backing plate, that moves axially along the output axis relative to the coil assembly in response to conduction of electricalAttorney Docket: 27873-03452 Client Ref.: 4.571 current, to place the electronically-locking differential assembly in a locked state preventing the angular displacement of the first vehicle wheel relative to the second vehicle wheel, wherein the backing plate includes a first member is configured to abut a planar surface of a threaded nut included on the removable cover plate and a second member is configured to abut another planar surface of the threaded nut, to prevent rotation of at least a portion of the electromagnetic locking assembly relative to the vehicle axle assembly.

14. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 13 wherein the threaded nut forms part of a fluid drain included with the removable cover plate, wherein the first member and the second member engage the threaded nut.

15. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 13, wherein the first member includes a tip articulated at an angle relative to the first member and the second member includes another tip articulated at an angle relative to the second member.

16. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 13, wherein the first member and second member extend away from the output axis.

17. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 13, wherein the first member and second member extend in a direction generally parallel to the input axis.

18. The electronically-locking differential assembly recited in claim 13, wherein the first member and second member extend away from the armature.

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