JP2004270731A - Differential device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce processing area and processing time of a storing hole and to improve a lubricating function of the storing hole. <P>SOLUTION: This differential device comprises a rotating member 3 rotated by driving force of an engine, output members 5 and 7 disposed inside the member 3, meshing sections 9 and 11, a meshing pinion 13 meshing with the member 5 at the meshing sections 9, meshing sections 15 and 17, a connecting shaft 19 formed between them, a pinion 21 meshing with the member 7 at the meshing section 15 and meshing with the meshing section 11 of the meshing pinion 13 at the meshing section 17, and sliding inner surfaces 27 and 29 processed in the inner wall of the storing holes 23 and 25 for storing the pinions 13 and 21. A non-sliding inner surface of the storing hole 25 with respect to the pinion 21 is made as a non-processing section 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a differential device used for a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Patent Document 1 discloses a differential device 501 as shown in FIG. The differential device 501 includes a differential case 503, a plurality of sets of helical pinion gears 505 and 507, output-side helical side gears 509 and 511, receiving holes 513 and 515 formed in the differential case 503, and the like. The pinion gears 505 and 507 mesh with each other. The pinion gear 505 meshes with one side gear 509, and the pinion gear 507 meshes with the other side gear 511. The accommodation holes 513 and 515 accommodate the pinion gears 505 and 507 slidably and rotatably, respectively.
[0003]
Further, each of the pinion gears 505 and 507 includes a first gear portion that meshes with the side gears 509 and 511, a second gear portion that meshes with each other, and a small-diameter shaft portion that connects the first and second gear portions. It is configured.
[0004]
The driving force of the engine is distributed from the differential case 503 to the wheels via helical pinion gears 505, 507 and helical side gears 509, 511. Further, while transmitting the torque, the pinion gears 505 and 507 are pressed against the wall surfaces of the housing holes 513 and 515 due to the reaction force and the centrifugal force of meshing with the side gears 509 and 511, and a frictional resistance is generated. , The respective end faces of the pinion gears 505 and 507 and the side gears 509 and 511 are pressed by the differential case 503 to generate frictional resistance, and the frictional resistance provides a torque-sensitive differential limiting function.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-61-165049
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the shafts connecting the first and second gears of the pinion gears 505 and 507 have a small diameter, they do not slide on the wall surfaces of the housing holes 513 and 515, and therefore have a small differential limiting force. Not involved in the outbreak.
[0007]
However, in a device having a configuration such as the differential device 501, conventionally, the wall surfaces of the receiving holes 513 and 515 facing the respective shaft portions of the pinion gears 505 and 507 are also machined, and the receiving holes 513 and 515 The machining area and machining time are correspondingly longer, and the life of the tool (cutter) is shorter.
[0008]
The sliding surfaces between the housing holes 513 and 515 and the pinion gears 505 and 507 need to be sufficiently lubricated in order to stabilize the differential limiting function and prevent seizure. It is difficult to supply sufficient oil to the housing holes 513 and 515.
[0009]
Therefore, the present invention provides a differential device configured to connect an output member via a pinion supported by a housing hole, to reduce a processing area of an inner surface of the housing hole, and to improve a lubrication function of the housing hole. The purpose is to provide a differential device.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The differential device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member is rotatably driven by a driving force of an engine, a pair of output members rotatably provided inside the rotating member, a first meshing portion and a second meshing portion. A first pinion that meshes with one of the output members at the first meshing portion, a first meshing portion and a second meshing portion, and a connecting shaft formed therebetween. A second pinion that meshes with the other output member at the first meshing portion and meshes with the second meshing portion of the first pinion at the second meshing portion; A sliding inner surface machined on an inner wall of the accommodation hole in which the first and second pinions are accommodated, wherein the first and second pinions slide on the inner sliding surface of the inner wall of the accommodation hole; Differential limiting force In the differential apparatus, the housing hole, is characterized in that the non-sliding inner surface for said first and second pinions and the non-processed portion.
[0011]
As described above, the differential device of the present invention does not slide on the first and second pinions and makes the inner surface of the receiving hole not involved in the generation of the differential limiting force a non-processed portion. By using the material close to the material, the working area of the receiving hole is reduced, the working time is shortened, and the life of the tool (cutter) is prolonged, without reducing the differential limiting force. The cost is reduced by shortening and improving cutter life.
[0012]
In the present invention, the non-processed portion is, for example, in a state of casting (casting surface) or a state of forging.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the differential device according to the first aspect, the non-processed portion is a window provided on the non-sliding inner surface portion and communicating the housing hole in and out. As a feature, the same operation and effect as the configuration of claim 1 can be obtained.
[0014]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the non-sliding inner surface portion of the housing hole is provided with a window (non-processed portion) communicating the inside and the outside, the oil easily enters the housing hole, and the sliding portion with the pinion is provided. Since the lubrication / cooling functions are improved, the differential limiting function is stabilized and seizure is prevented.
[0015]
In addition, the provision of the window reduces the weight of the rotating member and improves the on-boardability of the differential device.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 3 is the differential device according to claim 1, wherein the non-processed portion is a lightening portion provided on the non-sliding inner surface portion. The same operation and effect as the configuration can be obtained.
[0017]
Further, in the configuration of the third aspect, the weight of the rotating member is reduced by providing the lightening portion on the non-sliding inner surface portion, and the vehicle mountability of the differential device is improved.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
The front differential 1 (first embodiment of the present invention: differential device) will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0019]
The power system of this vehicle includes an engine (motor), a transmission, a front differential 1 (a differential device for distributing the driving force of the engine to the left and right front wheels), a front axle, left and right front wheels, left and right rear wheels, and the like. The driving force of the engine is transmitted from the transmission to the front differential 1, and is distributed from the front differential 1 to the left and right front wheels via the front axle.
[0020]
[Configuration of front differential 1]
The front differential 1 includes a differential case 3 (rotating member) rotatably driven by the driving force of the engine, a pair of left and right helical side gears 5 and 7 (output members) rotatably supported inside the differential case 3, and a first differential. A helical pinion gear 13 (first pinion) having a gear portion 9 (mesh portion) and a second gear portion 11 (mesh portion) and meshing with the side gear 5 (one output member) and the first gear portion 9; A first gear portion 15 (meshing portion), a second gear portion 17 (meshing portion), and a small-diameter shaft portion 19 connecting the gear portions 15 and 17 (a connecting shaft formed between the meshing portions). Part). Further, the front differential 1 meshes with the side gear 7 (the other output member) at the first gear portion 15 and meshes with the second gear portion 11 of the pinion gear 13 at the second gear portion 17 (the helical pinion gear 21 (the second gear)). Second pinions), receiving holes 23 and 25 provided in the differential case 3 to receive the first and second pinion gears 13 and 21, respectively, and sliding inner surfaces 27 and 29 formed in the inner walls thereof, Window portion 31 (a non-processed portion provided on the non-sliding inner surface of the accommodation hole with respect to the pinion: the accommodation hole is placed in the inside and outside) so as to face the pinion gear 21 (the shaft portion 19) and cover the periphery thereof. Windows communicating with each other). Then, as described below, the first and second pinion gears 13 and 21 slide on the sliding inner surfaces 27 and 29 of the inner walls of the receiving holes 23 and 25 to generate a differential limiting force.
[0021]
The differential case 3 is housed in a transmission case having an oil reservoir formed therein, and a ring gear is fixed to the differential case 3. This ring gear meshes with the output gear of the transmission, and the driving force of the engine rotates the differential case 3 via the transmission.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, the differential case 3 includes a left cover 33 and a right casing body 35.
[0023]
The cover 33 is formed radially from the flange 37, a boss 39 coaxial with the rotation axis, a spiral oil groove 41 formed on the inner periphery of the boss 39, and an inner periphery of the boss 39. An oil flow path 43 communicating the groove 41 with the accommodation hole 23, an opening 45 communicating with the accommodation hole 23, and a bearing 47 for the side gear 5 are provided.
[0024]
In the casing body 35, the above-described housing holes 23, 25, sliding inner surfaces 27, 29, window 31, flange 49, boss 51 coaxial with the rotation axis, and inner periphery of boss 51 are provided. A spiral oil groove 53, an oil flow path 55 radially formed from the inner periphery of the boss portion 51 and communicating the oil groove 53 with the accommodation hole 25, and an opening 57 communicating with the accommodation hole 25. , A bearing 59 for the side gear 7 is provided. A pulse gear 61 for a speedometer is welded to the casing body 35.
[0025]
The sliding inner surfaces 27 and 29 of the housing holes 23 and 25 are cut after the casing body 35 is cast or forged, for example, but the window 31 is a non-processed portion as described above. , Formed during casting or forging and not cut.
[0026]
The cover 33 and the casing main body 35 are fixed by bolts while the flanges 37 and 49 abut each other while being centered by the fitting portion 63 provided therebetween.
[0027]
The left side gear 5 is rotatably supported by a support portion 47 of the cover 33 by a hollow boss portion 65, and the left front axle penetrates from the boss portion 39 of the cover 33 and is connected to a spline portion 67 of the side gear 5. I have. The right side gear 7 is rotatably supported by a support portion 59 of the casing body 35 by a hollow boss portion 69, and the right front axle penetrates from the boss portion 51 of the casing body 35 and is connected to the spline portion 71 of the side gear 7. Have been. The side gears 5 and 7 support their free ends by engagement portions 73 formed on the respective opposed portions, and are centered.
[0028]
A thrust washer 75 is disposed between the side gears 5 and 7 (on the outer peripheral side of the engagement portion 73), and a thrust washer 77 is disposed between the side gears 5 and 7 and the differential case 3.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 2, four pairs of receiving holes 23 and 25 are provided in the circumferential direction. The pinion gears 13 are rotatably stored in the receiving holes 23, and the pinion gears 21 are rotatably stored in the receiving holes 25. Have been. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pinion gear 21 having the shaft portion 19 is longer than the pinion gear 13 having no shaft portion, and the receiving holes 25 and 23 are shorter and longer according to the pinion gears 21 and 13. Is formed.
[0030]
[Operation and operation of front differential 1]
The driving force of the engine for rotating the differential case 3 is distributed from the respective pinion gears 13 and 21 to the left and right front wheels via the side gears 5 and 7. Further, when a driving resistance difference occurs between the front wheels on a bad road or the like, and one of the front wheels idles, the driving force of the engine is differentially distributed to the left and right front wheels as the pinion gears 13 and 21 rotate.
[0031]
During the transmission of the torque in this manner, the tooth tips of the pinion gears 13 and 21 (gear parts 9, 11, 15, and 17) receive the receiving holes 23 and 25 due to the reaction force of engagement with the side gears 5 and 7 and the centrifugal force. Is pressed against the sliding inner surfaces 27 and 29 of the sliding member to generate sliding resistance. Further, the left end surfaces of the pinion gears 13 and 21 are pressed against the cover 33 (the left end surfaces of the accommodation holes 23 and 25) by the meshing thrust force of the helical gear, and the right end surfaces of the pinion gears 13 and 21 are attached to the casing body 35 (the accommodation hole 23). , 25), and a sliding resistance is generated. Further, between the differential case 3 and the side gears 5, 7 via the thrust washer 77, and between the side gears 5, 7 via the thrust washer 41. Causes sliding resistance.
[0032]
Since the meshing reaction force of the pinion gears 13 and 21 and the meshing thrust force of the helical gear are proportional to the transmission torque of the front differential 1, a torque-sensitive differential limiting function can be obtained by these sliding resistances.
[0033]
This torque-sensitive differential limiting function prevents the front wheels from spinning when starting or accelerating when a large drive torque is applied, stabilizing the behavior of the vehicle body, improving maneuverability, Stability and maneuverability are improved.
[0034]
As described above, the openings 45 and 57 provided in the differential case 3 and the window 31 communicate with the receiving holes 23 and 25, and the oil passages 43 and 55 communicate with the oil grooves 41 and 53 of the bosses 39 and 51. The storage holes 23 and 25 communicate with each other. When the differential case 3 (ring gear) rotates, the oil is scraped up from the oil reservoir, flows out and in through the openings 45 and 57 and the window 31, and the inflow is promoted by the screw pump action of the oil grooves 41 and 53. The inflowing oil is engaged with the meshing portions of the gears 5, 7, 13, 21 and the sliding portions between the receiving holes 23 and 25 and the pinion gears 13 and 21, the bearings 47 and 59 of the side gears 5 and 7, and the engaging portions 73. After the thrust washers 75, 77, 77 and the like are lubricated and cooled, they are discharged to the outside from the openings 45, 57 and the window 31 by centrifugal force and returned to the oil reservoir.
[0035]
Further, such movement and circulation of the oil are promoted by the pump action of the helical gear accompanying the meshing rotation of the side gears 5, 7 and the pinion gears 13, 21, and the lubrication and cooling effects are improved.
[0036]
[Effect of front differential 1]
The front differential 1 has the following effects by being configured as described above.
[0037]
Since the non-processed window portion 31 is provided on the inner surface (opposite portion of the shaft portion 19) of the housing hole 25 that does not slide with the pinion gear 21, the processing area of the housing hole 25 is reduced, the processing time is shortened, and the tool is cut. The life of the (cutter) is prolonged, and the cost is reduced by shortening the processing time and improving the life of the cutter.
[0038]
In addition, the provision of the window portion 31 makes it easier for oil to enter the housing hole 25 and improves the lubrication and cooling functions of the sliding inner surface 29 that slides with the pinion gear 21, so that the differential limiting function is stabilized and Seizure is prevented.
[0039]
In addition, the provision of the window 31 reduces the weight of the differential case 3 (the casing body 35), and improves the on-board performance of the front differential 1.
[0040]
[Second embodiment]
The front differential 101 (second embodiment: differential device) will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The front differential 101 is an example in which a non-machined portion different from the window portion 31 of the above-described front differential 1 is provided. Will be described.
[0041]
[Configuration of Front Diff 101]
As shown in FIG. 5, the casing body 35 has a lightening portion 103 (provided on the non-sliding inner surface of the housing hole with respect to the pinion) provided so as to face the pinion gear 21 (the shaft portion 19) and cover the periphery thereof. Non-processed portion).
[0042]
This lightened portion 103 is a non-processed portion as described above, and is formed at the time of casting or forging. Unlike the inner sliding surfaces 27 and 29 of the receiving holes 23 and 25, the cutting process is performed. It has not been.
[0043]
[Effect of front differential 101]
The front differential 101 has the following effects by being configured as described above.
[0044]
Since the non-processed lightening portion 103 is provided on the inner surface (the portion facing the shaft portion 19) of the housing hole 25 that does not slide with the pinion gear 21, the processing area of the housing hole 25 is reduced, and the processing time is shortened. The life of the tool (cutter) is prolonged, and the cost is reduced by shortening the processing time and improving the life of the cutter.
[0045]
Further, by providing the lightening portion 103, the differential case 3 (the casing main body 35) is reduced in weight, and the in-vehicle mountability of the front differential 101 is improved.
[0046]
[Other embodiments included in the scope of the present invention]
In the differential device of the present invention, the non-processed portion is not limited to casting or forging, and may be formed by any method as long as it is not a mechanical process such as cutting or grinding.
[0047]
Further, the pinion gear and the side gear are not limited to helical gears, but may be spur gears (spur gears).
[0048]
Further, the differential device of the present invention is not limited to the front differential, but may be a rear differential (a differential device that distributes the driving force of the engine to the left and right rear wheels) or a center differential (a differential device that distributes the driving force of the engine to the front wheels and the rear wheels). ) Can also be used.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
The differential device of the present invention does not slide with the pinion, and the inner surface of the receiving hole that is not involved in the generation of the differential limiting force is a non-processed portion, so that the processing area of the receiving hole is reduced, and the processing time is reduced. Thus, the life of the tool (cutter) is prolonged, and the cost is reduced by shortening the processing time and improving the life of the cutter.
[0050]
According to the differential device of the second aspect, the same effect as that of the configuration of the first aspect can be obtained.
[0051]
In addition, the provision of the window communicating the housing hole with the outside improves the lubrication and cooling functions inside the housing hole, stabilizes the differential limiting function, and prevents image sticking.
[0052]
In addition, the provision of the window reduces the weight of the rotating member and improves the on-board property.
[0053]
According to the differential device of the third aspect, the same effect as that of the configuration of the first aspect can be obtained.
[0054]
In addition, the provision of the lightening portion reduces the weight of the rotating member and improves the on-board performance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a gear set used in each embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 front differential (differential device)
3 differential case (rotating member)
5,7 Helical side gear (a pair of output members)
9 1st gear part (meshing part)
11 2nd gear part (meshing part)
13 Helical pinion gear (first pinion)
15 1st gear part (meshing part)
17 2nd gear part (meshing part)
19 Shaft for connecting each gear part 15 and 17 (connection shaft formed between each meshing part)
21 Helical pinion gear (second pinion)
23, 25 Housing holes 27, 29 Sliding inner surface 31 machined on inner walls of housing holes 23, 25 Window (non-machined portion provided on non-sliding inner surface of housing hole to pinion: communicates housing hole inside and outside Window)
101 Front differential (differential device)
103 Lightening part (non-working part provided on the non-sliding inner surface of the receiving hole with respect to the pinion)

Claims (3)

A rotating member that is rotationally driven by the driving force of the engine;
A pair of output members rotatably provided inside the rotating member,
A first pinion having a first meshing portion and a second meshing portion, wherein one of the output members meshes with the first meshing portion;
A first meshing portion, a second meshing portion, and a connecting shaft formed therebetween; the first meshing portion meshes with the other output member; the second meshing portion A second pinion that meshes with the second meshing portion of the first pinion;
A sliding inner surface provided on the rotating member and machined on an inner wall of an accommodation hole in which the first and second pinions are accommodated;
In a differential device in which the first and second pinions slide on the sliding inner surface of the inner wall of the housing hole to generate a differential limiting force,
A differential device, wherein a non-sliding inner surface of the housing hole with respect to the first and second pinions is a non-processed portion. The invention according to claim 1,
The differential device, wherein the non-processed portion is a window provided in the non-sliding inner surface portion and communicating the housing hole in and out. The invention according to claim 1,
The differential device, wherein the non-processed portion is a lightened portion provided on the non-sliding inner surface portion.

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