US 12,409,727 B2
System and method for a differential disconnect electric axle
Andrew T. Brammer, Toledo, OH (US); Mark Leber, Holland, OH (US); Benjamin J. Passino, Maumee, OH (US); and George A. Willford, Waterville, OH (US)
Assigned to DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC, Maumee, OH (US)
Filed by Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC, Maumee, OH (US)
Filed on Mar. 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/189,949.
Application 18/189,949 is a continuation of application No. 16/872,205, filed on May 11, 2020, granted, now 11,642,960.
Prior Publication US 2023/0234439 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B60K 6/387 (2007.10); B60K 1/04 (2019.01); B60K 6/52 (2007.10); B60K 17/02 (2006.01); B60K 17/35 (2006.01); B60K 17/356 (2006.01); B60K 23/08 (2006.01); F16D 11/14 (2006.01); F16D 25/06 (2006.01); F16H 48/08 (2006.01)
CPC B60K 17/356 (2013.01) [B60K 1/04 (2013.01); B60K 6/387 (2013.01); B60K 6/52 (2013.01); B60K 17/02 (2013.01); B60K 17/35 (2013.01); B60K 23/08 (2013.01); F16D 11/14 (2013.01); F16D 25/06 (2013.01); F16H 48/08 (2013.01); B60Y 2200/92 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for an electric-axle of a vehicle, comprising:
selectively mechanically coupling an electric motor and a differential of the electric-axle through operation of an actuation system that is coupled to a disconnect clutch which is coupled to a first axle shaft of the electric-axle based on a state of charge of an energy storage device;
wherein the disconnect clutch includes splines that engage and disengage to mechanically couple and decouple the electric motor from the differential; and
wherein selectively mechanically coupling the electric motor and the differential includes disengaging the disconnect clutch when the state of charge of the energy storage device is greater than a threshold value.