Linear actuator mechanism and use in a vehicle axle disconnect/connect system

1. A linear actuator mechanism, comprising:

a stationary guide rod;

a shift fork having a sleeve portion, wherein the stationary guide rod extends through the sleeve portion;

a drive nut having an aperture therethrough;

a drive screw that extends through the aperture of the drive nut parallel to, and radially above, the stationary guide rod;

a first spring plate having an axially extending portion, a first radially extending portion and a second radially extending portion extending in the opposite direction of the first radially extending portion, wherein the axially extending portion connects the first and second radially extending portions;

a second spring plate having an axially extending portion, a first radially extending portion and a second radially extending portion extending in the opposite direction of the first radially extending portion, wherein the axially extending portion connects the first and second radially extending portions; and

a compression spring positioned between the first radially extending portion of the first spring plate and the first radially extending portion of the second spring plate;

wherein the second radially extending portion of the first spring plate and the second radially extending portion of the second spring plate are in contact with the drive nut on axially opposite sides thereof,

wherein the drive nut is axially movable along the drive screw, and

wherein the first and second spring plates are moveable axially along the stationary guide rod by the drive nut to compress the compression spring.

2. The linear actuator mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the stationary guide rod includes a notch on an outer surface thereof, wherein the notch includes a first ramp portion and a second ramp portion, wherein the first ramp portion and the second ramp portion are connected together.

3. The linear actuator mechanism of claim 2 , wherein the first ramp portion is axially longer than the second ramp portion.

4. The linear mechanism of claim 2 , further comprising a plunger and a biasing member,

wherein the biasing member is located radially beneath the plunger and the plunger is positioned radially between biasing member the and the stationary guide rod, and

wherein the plunger selectively moves along the first ramp portion and second ramp portion of the notch.

5. The linear mechanism of claim 4 , wherein the plunger and biasing member are located on the shift fork.

6. The linear mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the stationary guide rod includes a groove on the radially outer surface thereof.

7. A vehicle disconnect/connect system comprising:

a linear actuator mechanism of claim 1 ;

a motor drivingly connected to the drive screw;

a shift collar having a set of splines there on connected to the shift fork; and

an axle shaft having a set of splines on the outer surface thereof;

wherein the splines on the shift collar and the splines on the axle shaft selectively engage.

8. A linear actuator mechanism, comprising:

a stationary guide rod including a first guide rod piece and a second guide rod piece;

a first bushing attached to the first guide rod piece;

a second bushing attached to the second guide rod piece;

a spring rod having two axial ends, wherein a first axial end is connected to the first bushing and a second axial end is connected to the second bushing;

a shift fork having a sleeve portion, wherein the spring rod extends through the sleeve portion;

a drive nut having an aperture therethrough;

a drive screw that extends through the aperture of the drive nut parallel to, and radially above, the spring rod;

a first spring plate having an axially extending portion, a first radially extending portion and a second radially extending portion extending in the opposite direction of the first radially extending portion, wherein the axially extending portion connects the first and second radially extending portions;

a second spring plate having an axially extending portion, a first radially extending portion and a second radially extending portion extending in the opposite direction of the first radially extending portion, wherein the axially extending portion connects the first and second radially extending portions; and

a compression spring positioned between the first radially extending portion of the first spring plate and the first radially extending portion of the second spring plate,

wherein the second radially extending portion of the first spring plate and the second radially extending portion of the second spring plate are in contact with the drive nut on axially opposite sides thereof,

wherein the drive nut is axially movable along the drive screw, and

wherein the first and second spring plates are moveable axially along the spring rod by the drive nut to compress the compression spring.

9. The linear mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the bushings are integral with the first and second guide rod pieces.

10. The linear mechanism of claim 9 , wherein the spring rod includes a set of nuts, wherein each nut has a friction cap on the end thereof, and wherein each friction cap is positioned within a bushing.

11. The linear actuator mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the stationary guide rod includes a notch on an outer surface thereof, wherein the notch includes a first ramp portion and a second ramp portion, and wherein the first ramp portion and the second ramp portion are connected together.

12. The linear actuator mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the first ramp portion is axially longer than the second ramp portion.

13. The linear mechanism of claim 11 , further comprising a plunger and a biasing member,

wherein the biasing member is located radially beneath the plunger and the plunger is positioned radially between the biasing member and the spring rod, and

wherein the plunger selectively moves along the first ramp portion and second ramp portion of the notch.

14. The linear mechanism of claim 13 , further comprising a plunger housing housing the plunger and biasing member, wherein the plunger housing is connected to one bushing.

15. A linear actuator mechanism, comprising:

a spring rod having two axial ends, wherein a first axial end is connected to a first nut and a second axial end is connected to a second nut;

a shift fork having a sleeve portion, wherein the spring rod extends through the sleeve portion;

a drive nut having an aperture therethrough;

a drive screw that extends through the aperture of the drive nut parallel to, and radially above, the spring rod;

a first spring plate having an axially extending portion, a first radially extending portion and a second radially extending portion extending in the opposite direction of the first radially extending portion, wherein the axially extending portion connects the first and second radially extending portions;

a second spring plate having an axially extending portion, a first radially extending portion and a second radially extending portion extending in the opposite direction of the first radially extending portion, wherein the axially extending portion connects the first and second radially extending portions;

a compression spring positioned between the first radially extending portion of the first spring plate and the first radially extending portion of the second spring plate; and

a housing having two axially opposing pockets, wherein the first nut is positioned within a first pocket and the second nut is positioned within a second pocket;

wherein the second radially extending portion of the first spring plate and the second radially extending portion of the second spring plate are in contact with the drive nut on axially opposite sides thereof,

wherein the drive nut is axially movable along the drive screw, and

wherein the first and second spring plates are moveable axially along the spring rod by the drive nut to compress the compression spring.

16. The linear actuator mechanism of claim 15 , wherein the spring rod includes a notch on an outer surface thereof, wherein the notch includes a first ramp portion and a second ramp portion, and wherein the first ramp portion and the second ramp portion are connected together.

17. The linear actuator mechanism of claim 16 , wherein the first ramp portion is axially longer than the second ramp portion.

18. The linear mechanism of claim 17 , further comprising a plunger and a biasing member,

wherein the biasing member is located radially beneath the plunger and the plunger is positioned radially between the biasing member and the spring rod, and

wherein the plunger selectively moves along the first ramp portion and second ramp portion of the notch.

19. The linear mechanism of claim 18 , further comprising a plunger housing, wherein the plunger and biasing member are positioned within the plunger housing, and wherein the plunger housing is integral with the housing.