IP Library Granted Patent US 12,529,417
Granted Patent B2
US 12,529,417 · App. 18/824,374 · Granted Jan 20, 2026

Drivetrain component

Inventors: John P. Erickson (Burton, MI); Earl A. Getchel (Midland, MI); Conner S. Jurs (Midland, MI)
Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
F16H48/08F16D41/125F16D41/14F16D41/16F16H2048/202F16H2048/346F16H48/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,529,417
App. No.
18/824,374
Granted
Jan 20, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drivetrain component provides an electronically controlled, overrunning drivetrain disconnect, such as a differential with different operating modes. The drivetrain component includes a coupling member and a rotatable member rotating about the central axis. A first locking structure selectively mechanically couples the coupling member to the rotatable member, and a second locking structure selectively mechanically couples the coupling member to the rotatable member. The first locking structure engages a locking abutment of the rotatable member, and the second locking structure engages a locking abutment of the rotatable member.

Claims (60)

1 . A drivetrain component comprising:

a coupling member rotating about a central axis and including a coupling member coupling face;

a rotatable member rotating about the central axis and including a rotatable member coupling face having locking abutments;

the coupling member coupling face and the rotatable member coupling face being in close-spaced opposition;

a first locking structure selectively mechanically coupling the coupling member to the rotatable member;

a second locking structure selectively mechanically coupling the coupling member to the rotatable member;

both the first locking structure and the second locking structure on the coupling member coupling face wherein the first locking structure engages one of the locking abutments in the rotatable member coupling face and the second locking structure engages another one of the locking abutments in the rotatable member coupling face; and

an actuator to actively control one operating mode of the drivetrain component by actuating the second locking structure for selective locking structure movement between the coupling member coupling face and the rotatable member coupling face, wherein the first locking structure passively controls an operating mode of the drivetrain component such that the rotatable member coupling face overruns the coupling member coupling face.

2 . The drivetrain component of claim 1 including:

a carrier, the carrier including a differential gear set; and

the rotatable member connected to the carrier.

3 . The drivetrain component of claim 2 including:

a case surrounding the carrier, the coupling member connected to the case.

4 . The drivetrain component of claim 1 including:

each locking abutment includes a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface; and

the first locking structure engaging the first engagement surface and the second locking structure engaging the second engagement surface.

5 . The drivetrain component of claim 3 wherein the locking abutments are notches.

6 . The drivetrain component of claim 5 wherein:

each notch has opposed engagement surfaces.

7 . A drivetrain component comprising:

a coupling member rotating about a central axis and including a coupling member coupling face;

a rotatable member rotating about the central axis and including a rotatable member coupling face having locking abutments;

the coupling member coupling face and the rotatable member coupling face being in close-spaced opposition;

a first locking structure selectively mechanically coupling the coupling member to the rotatable member;

a second locking structure selectively mechanically coupling the coupling member to the rotatable member;

both the first locking structure and the second locking structure on the coupling member coupling face wherein the first locking structure engages one of the locking abutments in the rotatable member coupling face and the second locking structure engages another one of the locking abutments in the rotatable member coupling face;

the first locking structure includes a passive one-way clutch;

the second locking structure includes an active one-way clutch; and

both the first locking structure and the second locking structure are on the coupling member coupling face.

8 . A drivetrain component comprising:

a coupling member rotating about a central axis and including a coupling member coupling face;

a rotatable member rotating about the central axis and including a rotatable member coupling face having locking abutments;

the coupling member coupling face and the rotatable member coupling face being in close-spaced opposition;

a first locking structure selectively mechanically coupling the coupling member to the rotatable member;

a second locking structure selectively mechanically coupling the coupling member to the rotatable member;

both the first locking structure and the second locking structure on the coupling member coupling face wherein the first locking structure engages one of the locking abutments in the rotatable member coupling face and the second locking structure engages another one of the locking abutments in the rotatable member coupling face;

the first locking structure is always in a deployed position; and

an actuator, the actuator moving the second locking structure to one of a deployed position and a non-deployed position.

9 . A drivetrain component comprising:

a coupling member rotating about a central axis and including a coupling member coupling face;

a rotatable member rotating about the central axis and including a rotatable member coupling face having locking abutments;

the coupling member coupling face and the rotatable member coupling face being in close-spaced opposition;

a first locking structure selectively mechanically coupling the coupling member to the rotatable member;

a second locking structure selectively mechanically coupling the coupling member to the rotatable member;

both the first locking structure and the second locking structure on the coupling member coupling face wherein the first locking structure engages one of the locking abutments in the rotatable member coupling face and the second locking structure engages another of the locking abutments in the rotatable member coupling face; and

wherein the first locking structure mechanically couples the coupling member to the rotatable member in a first direction of rotation and the rotatable member overruns the coupling member in the first direction of rotation and the second locking structure selectively couples the coupling member to the rotatable member in a second direction of rotation.

10 . The drivetrain component of claim 9 includes:

a first operating mode wherein a locking element of the second locking structure is in a nondeployed position; and

a second operating mode wherein the locking element of the second locking member is in a deployed position.

11 . The drivetrain component of claim 10 includes:

a locking element of the first locking structure is in a deployed position in both the first and second operating mode.

12 . The drivetrain component of claim 10 wherein:

the coupling member includes a case;

the rotatable member includes a carrier supported by the case, the carrier rotatable about the central axis relative to and independent of the case, the carrier including a differential gear set;

the first locking structure selectively mechanically coupling the case to the carrier, the first locking structure including a pocket in the coupling member and a locking element disposed in the pocket;

the second locking structure selectively mechanically coupling the case to the carrier, the second locking structure including a pocket in the coupling member and the locking element disposed in the pocket; and

both the first locking structure and the second locking structure on the coupling member coupling face such that the locking element of the first locking structure engages one of the locking abutments in the rotatable member coupling face and the locking element of the second locking structure engages another one of the locking abutments in the rotatable member coupling face.

13 . The drivetrain component of claim 9 wherein:

the first locking structure includes a passive one-way clutch; and

the second locking structure includes an active one-way clutch.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 10, 2025
From: AMSTED RAIL COMPANY, INC.; BALTIMORE AIRCOIL COMPANY, INC.; CONSOLIDATED METCO, INC.; MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.; TRANSFORM AUTOMOTIVE, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 070171/0231 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2024
From: ERICKSON, JOHN P.; GETCHEL, EARL A; JURS, CONNER S.
To: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 069245/0568 →
Continuity (4)
Division 17994310 · Nov 26, 2022
Continuation In Part 17886302 · Aug 11, 2022
Provisional Application 63233826 · Aug 17, 2021
Related Publication 20240426371A1 · Dec 26, 2024
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