Ogura manufactures products for a variety of powertrain applications, such as Electronic Locking Differential, Axle Disconnect, Transfer Case Synchronizer Clutch, and Transmission Shift Synchronizer.
Locking Differential Coil
Electronic actuating coil assemblies are utilized in locking differential systems, allowing the vehicle operator to engage / disengage the differential locking mechanism on demand. Prior to this development, locking differentials were of the mechanical type where some amount of wheel slippage was required in order for the locking mechanism to engage.
There are two distinct types of locking differential: moving coil engagement and fixed coil with moving armature engagement.
In the moving coil design, when energized, the coil itself actually moves up to several millimeters, thus mechanically engaging a simple dog clutch that engages the locking device. The device will remain engaged until de-energized and the torque load is momentarily eliminated, which allows the return springs to push the coil back into its neutral position.
In the fixed coil design there is a moving armature or plunger that moves when the coil is energized. The plunger mechanically engages a simple dog clutch that in turn engages the locking device. The device will remain engaged until the coil is de-energized and the torque load is relaxed, then the plunger will retract to its unengaged, or neutral, position.
On some lock up systems there is a separate coil / yoke system with a fully encapsulated coil component is supplied by Ogura to the Tier 1 / OEM, who then inserts into their lock up mechanism system design.
Axle Disconnect
The axle disconnect system can be utilized to control front / rear axle torque transfer to change a vehicles drive from 2 wheel to 4 wheel with the flip of a switch. Or, the axle disconnect can be used to lock / unlock the axles, similar to the function of the ELD actuator.
In this system the coil is fixed radially, with an axle running through its ID. When the coil is engaged it draws in the armature which in turn engages / disengages the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can be installed in a typical transfer case to engage / disengage 4 wheel drive, or can be located in the front axle differential to engage the locking axle mechanism.
Transfer Case Synchronizer Clutch
The transfer case synchronizer clutch aligns the transfer case primary input shaft with the 4-wheel drive output shaft to allow ‘shift on the fly’ operation, transferring from 2-wheel to 4-wheel drive with the flip of a switch.
Prior to development of the ESOF clutch it was necessary to come to a stop and shift the transmission into neutral before engaging the 4WD system.
Transmission Shift Synchronizer
The Transmission Shift Synchronizer is actually an electromagnetic brake which, when energized, stops rotation of specific gears and shafts to assist transmission shifting in heavy duty truck applications.
