CN210440549U

CN210440549U - Electric control lock type differential mechanism

Info

Publication number: CN210440549U
Application number: CN201822273061.1U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 宋正权
Original assignee: Qoros Automotive Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qoros Automotive Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-12-28
Filing date: 2018-12-28
Publication date: 2020-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-28

Abstract

The utility model relates to an automatically controlled locking-type differential mechanism with locking device, automatically controlled locking-type differential mechanism has differential mechanism casing, planetary gear and differential gear. The utility model has the unique point that the electric control locking type differential mechanism is also provided with a locking device which comprises a control mechanism and a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a driving plate component and a locking ring, and the locking ring is provided with an inner tooth part and an outer tooth part; a toothed groove is formed in the inner side wall of the differential shell, and an outer gear ring is axially arranged on one of the differential gears close to the locking ring; the locking mechanism is axially translatable by manipulation of the control mechanism such that the lock ring is engageable with the outer ring gear of the differential gear and the toothed recess of the differential case via the inner and outer teeth, respectively.

Description

Electric control lock type differential mechanism

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a differential mechanism that the automotive industry field was used, especially an automatically controlled locking-type differential mechanism that is used for vehicle chassis, has locking device.

Background

A differential for a vehicle chassis is generally composed of a planetary gear, a planetary carrier (or referred to as a differential case), a differential gear, and the like. The power of the engine enters the differential mechanism through the transmission shaft to directly drive the planet wheel carrier, and then the planet gear drives the left and right differential gears to drive the left and right half shafts to respectively drive the left and right wheels. The differential mechanism respectively supplies power to the two driving wheels, so that the rotating speed difference between the left wheel and the right wheel can be realized. When the vehicle runs in a straight line, power is transmitted to the planetary gear through the planetary gear carrier, and because the resistance of the driving wheels at the two sides is the same, the planetary gear does not rotate, and the rotating speeds of the wheels at the two sides are equal. When the vehicle turns, the left wheel and the right wheel are subjected to different resistances, and the planetary gear rotates around the half shaft and simultaneously rotates, so that the resistance difference is absorbed, the wheels can have different rotating speeds, and the vehicle can smoothly pass through a curve.

Currently available differentials in the market include mechanical locking differentials, electronic limited slip differentials, electronically controlled locking differentials, and the like. The main problems of the existing products are as follows: the mechanical locking type differential mechanism is of a pure mechanical structure and is provided with a threshold value, when the wheel speed difference between the left wheel and the right wheel is smaller than the threshold value, the wheel speed difference in a normal range is considered not to be locked, and when the wheel speed is larger than the threshold value, the wheel is considered to be caused by wheel slip, so that the differential mechanism is locked; the electronic limited slip differential mainly carries out locking and disconnection by controlling the compaction or loosening of an internal friction plate, the performance of the friction plate is reduced after the friction plate is used for a long time, the locking effect and the response speed of the differential are influenced, in addition, the electronic limited slip differential generally needs a set of electronic control unit to be matched with the electronic control unit, calibration is needed, the complexity of a finished automobile CAN network is increased, and the cost is higher.

Compared with the two types of differentials, the common electronic control locking differential can realize locking and disconnection of the differential through the active operation of a driver, has obvious locking effect and strong subjective feeling, is popular with the driver, but the control mechanism of the common electronic control locking differential at present is an electromagnetic system, controls electromagnetic force through current, converts the electromagnetic force into displacement through some instruments, and finally controls the locking and disconnection of the differential through displacement variables, and has a complex structure. In addition, when a tire of a vehicle slips while the vehicle is running, torque of an engine cannot be transmitted to the tire through a differential, and a conventional differential cannot do so at present.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In view of the disadvantages of the prior art vehicle differentials, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrically controlled locking differential for a vehicle chassis with a specially designed locking mechanism. The electronic control locking differential overcomes the defects of the traditional mechanical locking differential and the traditional electronic limited slip differential by means of the locking device, simultaneously solves the technical problem that the torque can not be transmitted when the tire of the vehicle slips, can transmit the useful torque to the wheel without slipping when the wheel slips, helps the vehicle get rid of difficulties, ensures the driving safety, and has simple and compact structure, reliable function and low cost. In addition, another advantage of the locking device of the electrically controlled locking differential according to the present invention is that its versatility and compatibility are good when the locking device is applied for different configuration vehicle types.

This object is achieved according to the invention by an electrically controlled locking differential with a specially designed locking device. According to the utility model discloses an automatically controlled locking-type differential mechanism uses general differential mechanism as the basis, controls differential mechanism's locking and disconnection through setting up special locking device on it.

The electronic control lock type differential mechanism comprises a differential mechanism shell, two planetary gears and two differential gears, wherein the planetary gears comprise an upper planetary gear and a lower planetary gear, the differential gears comprise a left differential gear and a right differential gear, the upper planetary gear and the lower planetary gear are connected through planetary gear shafts, and the left differential gear and the right differential gear are respectively and fixedly connected with half shafts on two sides. The utility model is characterized in that the electric control locking differential mechanism is also provided with a locking device which comprises a control mechanism and a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a driving plate component and a locking ring, and the locking ring is provided with an inner tooth part and an outer tooth part; the inner side wall of the differential shell is provided with a tooth-shaped groove, and one of the differential gears close to the locking ring is provided with an outer gear ring in an axial direction; and wherein the locking mechanism is axially translatable by manipulation of the control mechanism such that the lock ring is engageable with the outer ring gear of the differential gear and the toothed recess of the differential case via the inner and outer teeth, respectively. In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking device is provided in the differential on one side of the left differential gear and engageable with the left differential gear; however, according to another embodiment, it is also possible that the locking device is provided in the differential on the side of the right differential gear and is engageable with the right differential gear, which falls within the scope of the present invention.

According to the utility model discloses, the driver plate subassembly includes stalk portion, shift fork and driver plate, wherein, the stalk portion is embedded into along the axial in the shift fork, the shift fork at least partially encircles the driver plate to can follow the axial guide the driver plate translation.

Furthermore according to the utility model discloses, the driver plate of driver plate subassembly pass through connecting bolt with lock ring fixed connection. Of course, other suitable connections, such as welding, gluing or snap connections, are also possible in the art for the dial and the locking ring, and fall within the scope of the present invention. Preferably, a spring is provided outside the connecting bolt at a connecting portion of the connecting bolt and the lock ring, so as to buffer an engagement impact of the lock ring and increase a return force of the lock ring.

Further in accordance with the present invention, the control mechanism includes a drive motor, a speed reduction mechanism, a threaded rod, wherein the drive motor can be manipulated to cause the threaded rod to rotate, and wherein the threaded rod forms a threaded fit with the shank of the dial assembly, thereby being capable of converting rotational movement of the threaded rod into translational movement of the dial assembly. Preferably, the speed reducing mechanism can be configured as a gear transmission mechanism or a worm and gear mechanism, and the speed reducing mechanism plays a role in reducing speed and increasing torque, reduces the load of the motor and prolongs the service life of the motor. Of course, other mechanisms capable of achieving the speed reduction effect also fall into the protection scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is preferable that the inner tooth portion and the outer tooth portion of the lock ring are engageable with the outer ring gear of the differential gear and the toothed groove of the differential case by a toothed engagement connection or a sliding spline connection. Of course, the inner and outer teeth of the locking ring and the outer ring gear of the differential gear and the toothed groove of the differential housing also fall into the scope of the present invention.

According to the invention, the locking ring can preferably be designed as two disengageable halves which are fixedly connected to one another, wherein the two halves each have only an inner or outer toothing and can be brought into engagement with the outer ring gear of the differential gear and the toothed recess of the differential housing via the inner or outer toothing. In this case, it is further preferred that the two halves of the locking ring are connected to one another by a screw connection or an adhesive connection or a snap connection. Installation is facilitated by this construction.

Furthermore, according to the invention, it is preferred that the outer ring gear of the differential gear is integrally formed with the differential gear or fastened to the body of the differential gear by means of splines or other suitable means, for example, the outer ring gear can be welded directly to the differential gear.

According to the utility model discloses an automatically controlled locking-type differential mechanism's working method does: the electric control locking type differential mechanism monitors signals such as steering wheel turning angle, wheel speed, vehicle speed and accelerator through software, and judges whether the wheel slips or not by processing the signals. If normal steering differential speed exists, the driving motor cannot act, the locking ring and the outer gear ring of the differential gear are staggered in the axial direction at the moment and are not matched, if the left wheel and the right wheel have speed difference, the speed difference can be absorbed through the rotation of the planetary gear, and the differential mechanism plays a role in normal differential speed torque transmission; when the condition that wheels slip is calculated by software, the driving motor acts, the threaded rod is driven to rotate through the speed reducing mechanism, the handle part of the drive plate component is embedded into the shifting fork to conduct axial guiding, therefore, the rotary motion of the threaded rod is converted into the axial movement of the drive plate, the drive plate drives the locking ring inside the differential mechanism to axially translate through the connecting bolt, the locking ring is axially and synchronously matched with the outer gear ring on the differential gear and the toothed groove on the inner wall of the differential mechanism shell, the differential mechanism shell and the differential gear are simultaneously connected, at the moment, the planetary gear cannot rotate, the differential mechanism shell and the differential gear do not have speed difference any more, therefore, the differential mechanism cannot be differentiated. When the software monitors that the wheel speed tends to be normal, the driving motor reversely acts after the wheel speed is separated from the slipping working condition, the locking ring is separated from the outer gear ring of the differential gear through the same transmission path, the differential shell and the differential gear can have speed difference, and the differential can normally perform differential speed.

Drawings

The technical scheme of the utility model is explained in detail below according to the attached drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall block diagram of an electrically controlled locking differential according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the internal structure of one embodiment of an electronically controlled locking differential according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the locking ring shown in FIG. 2 in cooperation with the differential housing and differential gear;

fig. 4a and 4b show schematic views of the position of the components of an electrically controlled locking differential according to the invention in an unlocked state and in a locked state, in enlarged cross-sectional views, respectively.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following description is exemplary and not intended to limit the present invention, and any other similar situations are within the scope of the present invention.

In the following detailed description, directional terms, such as "left", "right", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", and the like, are used with reference to the orientation as illustrated in the drawings. The components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations and the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting.

Fig. 1 and 2 show in schematic perspective views the overall and internal structure of an embodiment of an electronically controlled locking differential according to the present invention. As can be seen from fig. 1, the electrically controlled locking differential 1 according to the present invention has a differential case 9, two planetary gears and two differential gears, and a transmission shaft 25 of a vehicle constitutes a bevel gear connection with the differential case 9 through a bevel gear 24. Meanwhile, as can be seen from fig. 2, the planetary gears include an upper planetary gear 7 and a lower planetary gear 8, and the differential gears include a left differential gear 5 and a right differential gear 6, wherein the upper planetary gear 7 and the lower planetary gear 8 are coupled through a planetary gear shaft 10, the left differential gear 5 and the right differential gear 6 are respectively fixedly connected with half shafts 15 on two sides, and the above structure is basically consistent with that of a general vehicle differential.

Furthermore, the electrically controlled locking differential 1 according to the present invention also has a locking device 2 comprising a control mechanism 3 and a locking mechanism 4. Wherein, the locking mechanism 4 comprises a dial component 12 and a locking ring 11, the dial component 12 comprises a handle 14, a shifting fork 15 and a dial 13, wherein the handle 14 is embedded into the shifting fork 15 along the axial direction, and the shifting fork 15 at least partially surrounds the dial 13, so that the dial 13 can be guided to translate along the axial direction. The control mechanism comprises a driving motor 26, a speed reducing mechanism 21 and a threaded rod 22. The locking mechanism 4 is axially translatable by means of the control mechanism 3 to lock or unlock the electronically controlled locking differential 1. Specifically, the output shaft of the drive motor 26 is connected to the reduction mechanism 21, and transmits the rotational motion and the torque; the speed reducing mechanism 21 is connected with the threaded rod 22 and transmits rotary motion and torque; the threaded rod 22 is threadedly connected to the shank 14 of the dial assembly 12 to convert rotational movement of the threaded rod 22 into axial movement of the shank 14, which is effectively a lead screw nut mechanism; the dial 13 of the dial assembly 12 is connected to the locking ring 11 by a connecting bolt 16, transmitting axial displacement.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the locking device 2 is provided in the differential on the left differential gear 5 side and is engageable with the left differential gear 5. According to another embodiment, the locking device 2 can also be arranged in the differential on the side of the right differential gear 6 and can be engaged with the right differential gear 6.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the locking ring 11 shown in fig. 2 in cooperation with the differential case 9 and the differential gear 5. As can be seen from fig. 3, the differential gear adjacent to the locking ring 11 is provided with an external ring gear 20 in the axial direction, which external ring gear 20 is connected to the differential gear 5 by splines. The locking ring 11 is provided with an internal toothing 17 which is adapted to the external ring gear 20 of the differential gear. Under normal conditions, the driving motor 26 does not work, the locking ring 11 and the outer gear ring 20 on the differential gear 5 are staggered in the axial direction and are not matched, and at the moment, the electronic control lock type differential 1 performs normal differential action; when the driving motor 26 acts, the locking ring 11 is axially shifted through the external dial 13 to be matched with the external gear ring on the differential gear 5, and the differential is locked at the moment, so that the differential cannot be subjected to differential speed. In addition, the inner wall of the differential case of the electrically controlled locking differential 1 according to the present invention is provided with a toothed groove 19, said toothed groove 19 cooperates with the external toothing 18 of the locking ring 11, since said locking ring 11 can translate axially inside the differential case 9, so as to control whether the differential case 9 is connected to the differential gear 5 or not.

Fig. 4a and 4b show, in enlarged cross-sectional views, a schematic view of the position of the components of the electrically controlled locking differential 1 according to the invention in the unlocked state and in the locked state. Wherein fig. 4a shows the unlocked state of the electrically controlled locking differential 1. When the differential is unlocked, the locking ring 11 is in a position away from the differential gear 5, the external teeth 18 are matched with the toothed groove 19 on the inner side wall of the differential case 9, the internal teeth of the locking ring 11 are not connected with the differential gear 5 at the moment, the differential gear 5 and the differential case 9 are not restrained in the circumferential direction, and the differential can normally perform differential speed at the moment. In contrast, fig. 4b shows the locked state. When it is necessary to lock the differential, the drive motor 26 drives the lock ring 11 to move toward the differential gear 5 through the speed reduction mechanism 21, the dial 13, the connecting bolt 16, and the like until the internal tooth portion 17 of the lock ring 11 is completely engaged with the external ring gear 20 of the differential gear 5. At this time, the lock ring 11 is not only locked with the differential case 9 in the circumferential direction but also locked with the differential gear 5 in the circumferential direction at the same time, so that there is no difference in the rotational speed between the differential case 9 and the differential gear 5, and the purpose of locking the differential is finally achieved.

When the electric control locking type differential mechanism 1 works, signals such as steering wheel turning angle, wheel speed, vehicle speed, accelerator and the like are monitored through software. And judging whether the wheel slips or not by processing the signals. If normal steering differential speed exists, the driving motor 26 does not act, at this time, the locking ring 11 and the outer gear ring 20 of the differential gear 5 are staggered in the axial direction and are not matched, if the left wheel and the right wheel have speed difference, the speed difference can be absorbed through the rotation of the planetary gear, and the differential mechanism 1 plays a normal differential speed torque transmission role; when the wheel slip is calculated by software, the driving motor 26 is operated, the threaded rod 22 is driven to rotate through the speed reducing mechanism 21, the handle part 14 of the dial plate assembly 12 is embedded into the shifting fork 15 for axial guiding, so the rotation motion of the threaded rod 22 is converted into the axial movement of the dial plate 13, the dial plate 13 drives the locking ring 11 in the differential mechanism to axially translate through the connecting bolt 16, the locking ring 11 is axially and synchronously matched with the external gear ring 20 on the differential gear and the toothed groove 19 on the inner wall of the differential mechanism shell 9, the differential mechanism shell 9 and the differential gear are simultaneously connected, the planetary gear cannot rotate at the moment, the differential mechanism shell 9 and the differential gear 5 cannot have speed difference, the differential mechanism cannot perform differential speed, and the differential mechanism is locked. When the software detects that the wheel speed tends to be normal and the wheel speed is separated from the slipping condition, the driving motor 26 reversely acts, and the locking ring 11 is separated from the outer gear ring 20 of the differential gear 5 through the same transmission path, at the moment, the differential housing 9 and the differential gear 5 can have a speed difference, and the differential can normally perform differential speed.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the drawings and their corresponding descriptions are merely for purposes of illustrating the invention and that other modifications, substitutions and alterations may be made by those skilled in the art based on the teachings herein. Such modifications, substitutions or improvements are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

List of reference numerals:

1 electric control lock type differential mechanism

2 locking device

3 control mechanism

4 locking mechanism

5 left differential gear

6 right differential gear

7 upper planetary gear

8 lower planetary gear

9 differential case

10 planetary gear shaft

11 locking ring

12 Dial assembly

13 drive plate

14 handle part

15 shifting fork

16 connecting bolt

17 internal tooth of locking ring

18 external tooth of locking ring

19 tooth-shaped groove

20 external gear ring of differential gear

21 speed reducing mechanism

22 threaded rod

23 half shaft

24 conical gear

25 drive shaft

26 drive motor

Claims

1. An electrically controlled locking differential having a differential housing (9), a planetary gear and a differential gear, characterized in that,

the electronic control locking type differential (1) is further provided with a locking device (2), the locking device (2) comprises a control mechanism (3) and a locking mechanism (4), the locking mechanism (4) comprises a dial component (12) and a locking ring (11), and an inner tooth part (17) and an outer tooth part (18) are arranged on the locking ring (11);

a toothed groove (19) is formed in the inner side wall of the differential case (9), and an outer ring gear (20) is axially arranged on one of the differential gears close to the locking ring (11);

and wherein the locking mechanism (4) is axially translatable by means of manipulation of the control mechanism (3) such that the locking ring (11) is engageable with an outer ring gear (20) of the differential gear and a toothed recess (19) of the differential housing (9) via the inner (17) and outer (18) teeth, respectively.

2. An electrically controlled locking differential according to claim 1, characterised in that said planetary gears comprise upper (7) and lower (8) planetary gears, said differential gears comprising a left (5) and a right (6) differential gear, wherein said upper (7) and lower (8) planetary gears are coupled by means of planetary gear shafts (10), said left (5) and right (6) differential gears being fixedly connected to the half-shafts (23) on both sides, respectively.

3. An electronically controlled locking differential according to claim 1, characterised in that the dial assembly (12) comprises a shank (14), a fork (15) and a dial (13), wherein the shank (14) is axially embedded in the fork (15), the fork (15) at least partially surrounding the dial (13) so as to be able to axially guide the translation of the dial (13).

4. An electronically controlled locking differential according to claim 3, characterised in that the dial (13) of said dial assembly (12) is fixedly connected to said locking ring (11).

5. An electronically controlled locking differential according to claim 4, characterised in that the dial (13) of the dial assembly (12) is fixedly connected to the locking ring (11) by means of connecting bolts (16).

6. An electrically controlled locking differential according to claim 5, characterised in that a spring is provided externally of said connecting bolt (16) at the location of the connection of said connecting bolt (16) to said locking ring (11).

7. An electrically controlled locking differential according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that said control mechanism (3) comprises a drive motor (26), a reduction mechanism (21), a threaded rod (22), wherein said drive motor (26) is capable of operating said threaded rod (22) in rotation and said threaded rod (22) is in threaded engagement with the shank portion (14) of said dial assembly (12) so as to be capable of converting rotational movement of said threaded rod into translational movement of said dial assembly (12).

8. An electrically controlled locking differential according to claim 7, characterised in that the reduction mechanism (21) is configured as a gear transmission or as a worm gear mechanism.

9. An electrically controlled locking differential according to claim 1, characterised in that the internal (17) and external (18) teeth of the locking ring (11) are configured to engage with the external ring gear (20) of the differential gear and the toothed recess (19) of the differential housing (9) by means of a toothed engagement connection or a sliding spline connection.

10. An electrically controlled locking differential according to claim 1, characterised in that the locking ring (11) is constructed as two disengageable halves which can be fixedly connected to each other, wherein the two halves each have only internal (17) or external (18) toothing and can be brought into engagement with the external ring gear (20) of the differential gear and the toothed recess (19) of the differential housing (9) via the internal (17) or external (18) toothing, respectively.

11. An electrically controlled locking differential according to claim 10, characterised in that the two halves of the locking ring (11) are connected to each other by a threaded connection or an adhesive or a snap-lock connection.

12. An electrically controlled locking differential according to claim 1, characterised in that the external ring gear (20) of the differential gear is constructed integrally with the differential gear or is splined to the body of the differential gear.