US 12,429,097 B2
Axle disconnect clutch
Brian Lee, Charlotte, NC (US)
Assigned to Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed by Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed on Jul. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/868,854.
Prior Publication US 2024/0025207 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. F16D 11/10 (2006.01); B60B 35/12 (2006.01); B60B 35/14 (2006.01); F16D 23/14 (2006.01); F16D 11/00 (2006.01); F16D 23/12 (2006.01)
CPC F16D 11/10 (2013.01) [B60B 35/128 (2013.01); B60B 35/14 (2013.01); F16D 23/14 (2013.01); B60B 2380/12 (2013.01); F16D 2011/004 (2013.01); F16D 2023/123 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An axle disconnect clutch, comprising:
an axle shaft;
a tulip for a constant velocity joint; and
a sliding sleeve comprising:
a first inner spline; and
a first outer spline, radially aligned with the first inner spline, wherein:
a one of the axle shaft or the tulip comprises a second inner spline, complementary to the first outer spline;
the other one of the axle shaft or the tulip comprises a second outer spline, complementary to the first inner spline;
the sliding sleeve is axially slidable along a one of the first inner spline or the first outer spline to engage the other of the first inner spline or the first outer spline with the second outer spline or the second inner spline, respectively, rotationally connecting the axle shaft and the tulip;
a resilient element, wherein:
the sliding sleeve is axially slidable in a first axial direction to rotationally connect the axle shaft and the tulip;
the resilient element is arranged to urge the sliding sleeve in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, to rotationally disconnect the axle shaft and the tulip; and
a bearing disposed axially between the sliding sleeve and the resilient element.