Patent ID: 7785224

Claim:
A locking differential comprising: a case that is configured to be rotatable about an axis; a gearset received in the case, the gearset comprising a first side gear, a second side gear and a plurality of pinions that are configured to transmit rotary power between the case and at least one of the first and second side gears; a dog clutch that is selectively actuatable to control speed differentiation between the first and second side gears, the clutch comprising a first clutch member and a second clutch member that is coupled to the first side gear, wherein the first clutch member is axially movable along a translation axis that is coincident with the rotational axis between a first position and a second position, the first and second clutch members being engaged to one another when the first clutch member is in the first position, the first and second clutch members being disengaged from one another when the first clutch member is in the second position; an electromagnet comprising a shell member and a coil, the shell member being formed of a ferrous material and defining an annular cavity having a longitudinal axis that is disposed coincident with the translation axis, the shell member having an annular flange, which defines a first end of the annular cavity, and a circumferentially extending projection that extends axially concentric with the longitudinal axis from the annular flange, the circumferentially extending projection comprising a tapered surface that is disposed on a side of the circumferentially extending projection opposite the annular cavity, the coil having an annular shape and being received in the annular cavity; and an armature comprising an annular body portion that extends longitudinally about the translation axis, the annular body portion having a mating tapered surface; wherein actuation of the dog clutch is controlled through selective energization of the electromagnet, wherein the tapered surface and the mating tapered surface are configured to lie axially in-line with one another when the first clutch member is moved between the first and second positions, and wherein the tapered surface and the mating tapered surface are configured to lie radially in-line with one another when the first clutch member is in at least one of the first and second positions; and wherein at least a portion of the tapered face of the circumferentially extending projection is disposed radially in-line with the coil.