Electronic locking differential
A vehicle includes a differential having an electronic locker and a controller. The controller is programmed to, when in differential-lock mode, engage the locker responsive to vehicle speed being less than a speed threshold and a steering angle being less than a threshold, disengage the locker responsive to vehicle speed exceeding the speed threshold, and prevent automatic re-engagement of the locker responsive to the steering angle exceeding the threshold.
1. A vehicle comprising:
a differential including an electronic locker; and
a controller programmed to, when in differential-lock mode,
engage the locker responsive to vehicle speed being less than a speed threshold and a parameter indicative of steering angle being less than a threshold,
disengage the locker responsive to vehicle speed exceeding the speed threshold,
prevent automatic re-engagement of the locker responsive to the parameter exceeding the threshold, and
issue a driver alert, requesting straightening of the steering shaft, in response to the parameter exceeding the threshold.
2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further programmed to prevent automatic re-engagement of the locker further responsive to an accelerator-pedal position exceeding a threshold.
3. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a steering system including a sensor, wherein the parameter is a signal output from the sensor.
4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the speed threshold is between 15 and 30 miles per hour, inclusive.
5. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a display, and wherein the controller is further programmed to command the display to show an alert in response to the parameter exceeding the threshold.
6. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a steering shaft and the parameter includes an angle of the steering shaft.
7. A vehicle comprising:
a differential including an electronic locker; and
a controller programmed to,
responsive to the locker being engaged and vehicle speed exceeding a speed threshold, command disengagement of the locker, and
responsive to the locker being disengaged, differential-lock mode being requested, vehicle speed being below the speed threshold, and a parameter indicative of a steering angle exceeding a threshold, (i) prevent automatic re-engagement of the locker and (ii) issue a driver alert.
8. The vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the issue a driver alert includes requesting straightening of wheels.
9. The vehicle of claim 7 further comprising a display, and wherein the controller is further programmed to command the display to show the driver alert.
10. The vehicle of claim 7 further comprising an activation mechanism in electric communication with the controller, wherein differential-lock mode is requested by a user via the activation mechanism.
11. The vehicle of claim 7 further comprising a steering system including a sensor configured to output the parameter.
12. The vehicle of claim 7 further comprising a steering system including a steering shaft and a sensor configured to measure rotation of the steering shaft, wherein the parameter is a signal output by the sensor.
13. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the parameter is indicative of an angular position of front wheels of the vehicle.
14. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the speed threshold is between 15 and 30 miles per hour, inclusive.
15. A method of controlling an electronic-locking differential comprising:
disengaging the electronic-locking differential responsive to the differential being engaged and vehicle speed exceeding a speed threshold;
preventing automatic re-engagement of the differential responsive to the differential being disengaged, differential-lock mode being requested, vehicle speed being below the speed threshold, and a parameter indicative of steering angle exceeding a threshold; and
displaying an alert to a driver in response to the parameter exceeding the threshold and the differential-lock mode being requested.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the alert includes instructions to straighten wheels.