US 12,228,203 B2
Position-based lubrication control strategy for disconnect differential
Mason Verbridge, Canton, MI (US); Vinaey Kalyanaraman, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US); Gary Allen Pinkley, Northville, MI (US); and George Zalanca, Windsor (CA)
Assigned to Rivian IP Holdings, LLC, Irvine, CA (US)
Filed by Rivian IP Holdings, LLC, Irvine, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/840,298.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/220,417, filed on Jul. 9, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0008955 A1, Jan. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. F16H 57/04 (2010.01); F16H 48/40 (2012.01)
CPC F16H 57/0483 (2013.01) [F16H 48/40 (2013.01); F16H 57/0424 (2013.01); F16H 57/046 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A disconnecting differential, comprising:
two side gears configured to deliver torque from a differential casing to respective vehicle wheels when the differential is in a connected state, each of the side gears configured to receive the torque from an output gear while permitting a differential speed between the side gears;
a disconnect device configured to disconnect the differential casing from the two side gears such that the differential is in a disconnected state; and
a position sensor configured to determine a rotational position of the differential casing.