Patent ID: 8132638

Claim:
A wheel disconnect system, comprising: a rear drive module comprising: a housing; an output shaft at least partially disposed within the housing; at least one actuator at least partly disposed within the housing; and at least one dog clutch separately formed from the output shaft and configured to be activated by the actuator, the dog clutch including: a first portion in engagement with the output shaft, the first portion configured to move when at least a portion of the actuator is moved; and a second portion configured for engagement and disengagement with the first portion; and a constant velocity joint housing, wherein the constant velocity joint housing is formed as one piece with the second portion of the dog clutch; an inner constant velocity joint portion at least partially disposed within the constant velocity joint housing; and a rear half shaft configured for connection to the inner constant velocity joint portion, wherein the wheel disconnect system is configured to selectively connect and disconnect the rear half shaft from the rear drive module and wherein the rear half shaft is disconnected from the rear drive module unless the dog clutch is activated and permits torque to be transferred to the rear half shaft.