Patent attributes
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe a differential assembly for allowing a vehicle to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The differential assembly includes a bearing assembly positioned between a race gear and output hubs. An armature plate is rotationally coupled to the bearing assembly and a clutch plate is positioned to engage the armature plate. A biasing member biases the clutch plate to engage the armature plate and allow the bearing assembly to transmit torque between the race gear and output hubs. When electricity is provided to an electromagnet, the electromagnet exerts a magnetic force on the clutch plate that is sufficient to overcome the bias of the biasing member so the clutch plate does not engage the armature plate and the bearing assembly does not transmit torque from the race gear to the output hubs.
