Integrated actuator assembly for disconnector device and electronic limited slip differential device
An integrated actuator assembly for a disconnector device and an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) device includes a driving motor, a shift fork sliding in an axial direction of an output shaft of the disconnector device according to a fastened state of the disconnector device in which an outer case and an inner case of the disconnector device are fastened, a piston unit including a piston pressing a multi-plate clutch in the axial direction of the output shaft so that the eLSD device is in an operation state in which the multi-plate clutch of the eLSD device is operated, and a ball ramp operation unit sliding the shift fork and the piston unit to operate in a direction away from each other as rotated by the driving motor.
1 . An integrated actuator assembly for a disconnector device and an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) device, the integrated actuator assembly comprising:
a driving motor;
a shift fork configured to slide into a fastened state of the disconnector device in which an outer case and an inner case of the disconnector device are fastened in an axial direction of an output shaft;
a piston unit including a piston configured to press a multi-plate clutch of the eLSD device in the axial direction of the output shaft so that the eLSD device is in an operation state in which the multi-plate clutch is operated; and
a ball ramp operation unit configured to slide the shift fork and the piston unit to operate in a direction away from each other as rotated by the driving motor;
wherein the ball ramp operation unit allows the eLSD device to be in the operation state after rotating at a predetermined angle after the disconnector device has been fastened,
wherein the ball ramp operation unit includes:
a fixed ramp configured to be rotated by the driving motor;
a shift guide having a slot having a predetermined profile along a circumference formed within the shift guide, connected to the fixed ramp to change a rotation motion to a linear motion of the fixed ramp, and configured to slide the shift fork;
wherein an extension extending toward the shift guide is formed on one side surface of the fixed ramp, and a finger including an end portion inserted into the slot is formed on the extension; and
wherein, when the fixed ramp rotates, the finger is configured to slide the shift guide while rotating inside the slot.
2 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ball ramp operation unit further includes:
a movable ramp configured to slide by rotation of the fixed ramp and configured to slide the piston unit; and
a ball positioned between the fixed ramp and the movable ramp, and configured to push the movable ramp to the multi-plate clutch by rotation of the fixed ramp.
3 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 2 , wherein the disconnector device has a sleeve connected to the shift fork configured to slide along the output shaft so that the outer case and the inner case are fastened.
4 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 2 , wherein a ball accommodation groove having a predetermined depth from a side surface of the fixed ramp, and accommodating the ball at a predetermined angle in a rotation direction of the fixed ramp is formed on the other side surface of the fixed ramp.
5 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 4 , wherein, when the fixed ramp rotates and the ball is positioned between two adjacent ball accommodation grooves, the movable ramp is pushed toward the multi-plate clutch.
6 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 4 , wherein the ball comprises a plurality of balls positioned at predetermined intervals in the rotation direction of the fixed ramp, and the plurality of balls are connected by a cage.
7 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 2 , wherein the piston unit includes a piston protruding toward the multi-plate clutch along a circumference of the piston unit.
8 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 2 , wherein a gear unit is formed on a circumference of the fixed ramp, and the gear unit is engaged with a driving gear positioned on an output shaft of the driving motor.
9 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 8 , wherein the gear unit is formed at a predetermined angle along a circumferential direction of the fixed ramp.
10 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 2 , wherein a side surface of the piston unit includes a return spring elastically supporting the piston unit in a direction away from the multi-plate clutch.
11 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined profile of the slot of the shift guide includes:
a first rotation section formed at a predetermined angle in a circumferential direction of the shift guide;
an inclined section connected to the first rotation section; and
a second rotation section connected to the inclined section, and formed in the circumferential direction of the shift guide and positioned closer to the fixed ramp than the first rotation section.
12 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 11 , wherein:
when the finger of the fixed ramp is positioned in the first rotation section, the disconnector device is in a non-fastened state and the eLSD device is in a non-operation state;
when the finger of the fixed ramp enters the inclined section from the first rotation section and passes through the inclined section, the disconnector device is changed to a fastened state and the eLSD device is in the non-operation state; and
when the finger of the fixed ramp is positioned in the second rotation section, the disconnector device maintains the fastened state and the eLSD device is changed to the operation state.
13 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 11 , wherein the second rotation section is longer than the first rotation section, and while the fixed ramp rotates in a state in which the finger is positioned in the second rotation section, the fixed ramp pushes the movable ramp.
14 . The integrated actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the slot comprises a plurality of slots positioned in a circumferential direction of the shift guide, and each of the plurality of slots has a same predetermined profile.
15 . An electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) device comprising:
a disconnector device having integrated actuator assembly, the integrated actuator assembly comprising:
a driving motor;
a shift fork configured to fasten an outer case of the disconnector device to an inner case of the disconnector device in an axial direction of an output shaft;
a piston unit including a piston configured to operate a multi-plate clutch of the eLSD device in the axial direction of the output shaft; and
a ball ramp operation unit configured to operate the shift fork and the piston unit in a direction away from each other as rotated by the driving motor;
wherein the ball ramp operation unit is configured to operate the eLSD device after rotating at a predetermined angle after the disconnector device has been fastened,
wherein the ball ramp operation unit includes:
a fixed ramp configured to be rotated by the driving motor;
a shift guide having a slot formed along a circumference of the shift guide, the shift guide being connected to the fixed ramp and configured to change a rotation motion to a linear motion of the fixed ramp, and configured to operate the shift fork;
wherein an extension extending toward the shift guide is formed on one side surface of the fixed ramp, and a finger including an end portion inserted into the slot is formed on the extension, and
when the fixed ramp rotates, the finger is configured to slide the shift guide while rotating inside the slot.
16 . The electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) device of claim 15 , wherein the ball ramp operation unit further includes:
a movable ramp configured to slide by rotation of the fixed ramp and configured to operate the piston unit; and
a ball positioned between the fixed ramp and the movable ramp, and configured to push the movable ramp to the multi-plate clutch by rotation of the fixed ramp.
17 . The electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) device of claim 16 , wherein the slot of the shift guide includes:
a first rotation section formed at a predetermined angle in a circumferential direction of the shift guide;
an inclined section connected to the first rotation section; and
a second rotation section connected to the inclined section and formed in the circumferential direction of the shift guide, wherein the second rotation section is positioned closer to the fixed ramp than the first rotation section.
18 . The electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) device of claim 17 , wherein the slot comprises a plurality of slots positioned in a circumferential direction of the shift guide, and each of the plurality of slots includes the first rotation section, the inclined section, and the second rotation section.
19 . The electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) device of claim 16 , wherein the disconnector device includes a sleeve connected to the shift fork, the sleeve being configured to slide along the output shaft to fasten the outer case to the inner case.