JP2006189123A - Pinion shaft support device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pinion shaft support device for a vehicle of a low operation cost and low rolling viscosity resistance of an anti-friction bearing supporting the pinion shaft. <P>SOLUTION: Thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, 43 are arranged on an outer circumference surface of outer rings 24, 25 of taper roller bearings 5, 6 arranged on a pinion shaft 1 and metal joining parts of a first and a second thermo couples are arranged. Also, a microcomputer receiving signal from the first and the second thermo couples and outputting control signal to the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, 43 is installed on an outside of a case 8. The microcomputer receives signal indicating temperature of the outer rings 24, 25 from the thermo couples, and outputs control signal to drive the thermo couples 40, 41, 42, 43 to the thermo couples 40, 41, 42, 43 when temperature of the outer rings 24, 25 is lower than predetermined temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle pinion shaft support device such as a differential gear device and a transaxle device.

  Conventionally, as a pinion shaft support device for a vehicle, there is a differential gear device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-48805 (Patent Document 1).

  In this differential gear device, in a state where the pinion shaft is rotating, the oil in the differential case is splashed upward by the ring gear meshed with the pinion gear of the pinion shaft, and the oil splashed upward is raised. Are introduced into two tapered roller bearings that are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance on the pinion shaft through the oil introduction path, and the oil that has flowed out of the two tapered roller bearings is passed through the oil return path, It flows to the ring gear.

  In this way, the differential gear device is configured such that, in a state where the pinion shaft is rotating, the oil is used for the engagement of various gear connections such as the engagement of the ring gear and the pinion gear, and the two cones. The roller bearings are circulated so as to prevent seizure of the various meshing portions and seizure of the two tapered roller bearings.

However, since the oil used in the differential gear device has a high viscosity suitable for preventing seizure of the various meshing portions, the viscosity of the oil passing through the two tapered roller bearings is There is a problem that the viscosity of the rolling viscosity of the two tapered roller bearings is very high, which is considerably higher than the viscosity of the oil required for the tapered roller bearing. For this reason, the value of the torque resulting from the rolling viscous resistance of the tapered roller bearing becomes a very large value, and there is a problem that the rotational efficiency of the differential gear device is deteriorated.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-48805 (FIG. 1)

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a pinion shaft support device for a vehicle that has a low rolling viscous resistance of a rolling bearing that supports the pinion shaft and has high rotational efficiency.

In order to solve the above problems, a vehicle pinion shaft support device according to the present invention includes:
Case and
A differential mechanism provided in the case;
A pinion shaft having a pinion gear meshing with the ring gear of the differential mechanism;
A rolling bearing that rotatably supports the pinion shaft and includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a rolling element;
Heating means capable of heating an oil film between at least one of the inner ring and the outer ring and the rolling element is provided.

  According to the present invention, the heating means capable of heating the oil film between at least one of the inner ring and the outer ring and the rolling element is provided. Therefore, at least one of the inner ring, the outer ring, and the rolling element by the heating means. The oil film between the inner ring, the outer ring and at least one of the rolling elements can be reduced in viscosity. Therefore, since the rolling element can reduce the rolling viscous resistance when rolling on the raceway surface of the inner and outer rings, and the rotational torque of the rolling bearing can be reduced, the vehicle pinion of the present invention can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the fuel consumption of an automobile or the like equipped with a shaft support device and improve the rotation efficiency of the vehicle pinion shaft support device.

  According to the present invention, the heating means is provided for heating an oil film between at least one of the inner ring and the outer ring and the rolling element, and is provided inside the vehicle pinion shaft support device. Since it does not heat the lubricating oil other than the vicinity of the rolling bearing, the lubricating oil other than the vicinity of the bearing in the vehicle pinion shaft support device is not heated, and the temperature of the lubricating oil rises outside the vicinity of the bearing. And the viscosity of the lubricating oil does not decrease except near the bearing. Therefore, for example, the meshing portions of the gears inside the pinion shaft support device for a vehicle, such as the meshing portion of the pinion gear and the ring gear that require lubrication of highly viscous lubricating oil, do not deteriorate, and the transmission of power Can be performed smoothly. Furthermore, since there is no need for a large amount of heat (a large heater) for heating a large amount of lubricating oil, there is no risk of ignition of the lubricating oil, and vehicle safety is high.

  In one embodiment, the vehicle pinion shaft support device is a thermoelectric element in which the heating means can heat the outer ring.

  According to the embodiment, since the heating means is a compact thermoelectric element having excellent heating capability, the space for arranging the heating means can be reduced, and the oil film can be efficiently heated. Further, since the heating means is a thermoelectric element, not only the oil film can be heated but also cooled, and the temperature of the oil film can be adjusted strictly.

  Further, the vehicle pinion shaft support device according to one embodiment includes a sensor that detects a temperature of the outer ring raceway surface or the vicinity of the outer ring raceway surface, and a temperature detected by the sensor in response to an output from the sensor. Is provided with a control device for driving the heating means.

  According to the embodiment, when the sensor detects the temperature of the outer raceway surface or the vicinity of the outer raceway raceway surface and the output from the sensor and the temperature detected by the sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. And a control device for driving the heating means, so that the lubricating oil temperature in the vehicle pinion shaft support device is lower than the above-mentioned predetermined temperature, such as at the start of an automobile equipped with this vehicle pinion shaft support device. The heating means can be driven only when the viscosity of the oil is high, and the rolling viscosity resistance of the rolling bearing can be lowered. Therefore, the rotational torque of the rolling bearing can be constantly reduced while reducing the operating cost of the heating means.

  According to the vehicle pinion shaft support device of the present invention, since the heating means capable of heating the oil film between the outer ring and the rolling element is provided, the oil film between the outer ring and the rolling element is heated by the heating means. The viscosity of the oil film between the outer ring and the rolling element can be lowered. Accordingly, the rolling viscous resistance can be reduced, and the rotational torque of the rolling bearing can be reduced. Therefore, the fuel consumption of an automobile or the like equipped with the vehicle pinion shaft support device of the present invention can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, the heating means heats an oil film between the outer ring and the rolling element, and does not heat lubricating oil other than the vicinity of the rolling bearing inside the vehicle pinion shaft support device. Therefore, the lubricating oil other than the vicinity of the bearing in the vehicle pinion shaft support device is not heated, and the viscosity of the lubricating oil does not decrease outside the vicinity of the bearing. Therefore, for example, the meshing between the gears inside the pinion shaft support device for a vehicle, such as meshing between the pinion gear and the ring gear, is not deteriorated, and power can be transmitted smoothly.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a differential gear device according to an embodiment of a vehicle pinion shaft support device of the present invention.

  This differential gear device includes a pinion shaft 1 having a pinion gear 2 at one end, a differential mechanism (not shown) having a ring gear (not shown) meshing with the pinion gear 2, and the differential mechanism side of the pinion shaft 1. A first tapered roller bearing 5 as an example of a rolling bearing disposed on the outer periphery, and a second tapered roller bearing 6 as an example of a rolling bearing disposed on the outer periphery of the pinion shaft 1 opposite to the differential mechanism side. And a pinion shaft 1, a differential mechanism, a first tapered roller bearing 5, and a case 8 that houses a second tapered roller bearing 6. A flange joint 12 is arranged at the end of the pinion shaft 1 on the second tapered roller bearing 6 side so that a drive shaft (not shown) can be connected.

  The first tapered roller bearing 5 includes an inner ring 28, an outer ring 24, and a plurality of tapered rollers 30, and the second tapered roller bearing 6 includes an inner ring 29, an outer ring 25, and a plurality of tapered rollers 31. The inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 28 of the first tapered roller bearing 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 29 of the second tapered roller bearing 6 are externally fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the pinion shaft 1, while the first tapered roller bearing. The outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 24 and the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 25 of the second tapered roller bearing 6 are fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the case 8. The first and second tapered roller bearings 5 and 6 support the pinion shaft 1 rotatably at a predetermined position.

  In addition, the differential gear device includes a first thermoelectric element 40 and a second thermoelectric element 41 that are disposed radially outward of the outer ring 24 of the first tapered roller bearing 5, and the outer ring 25 of the second tapered roller bearing 6. A third thermoelectric element 42 and a fourth thermoelectric element 43 arranged radially outward, and a first thermocouple (not shown) in which a joint portion of two metal wires is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 24; The first to fourth thermoelectric elements 41 receive a second thermocouple (not shown) in which a joint portion of two metal wires is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 25 and signals from the first and second thermocouples. , 42, 43, 44 are provided with a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) (not shown) as an example of a control device that outputs a control signal.

  The first, second, third and fourth thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42 and 43 constitute a heating means, and the first thermocouple and the second thermocouple constitute a sensor.

  As the first to fourth thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, 43, a columnar n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element made of a BiSeTe alloy and a columnar p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element made of a BiSbTe alloy are arranged on a plane. The thermoelectric elements are regularly arranged in a square shape, the length of one side of the rectangular surface is at most 2 cm, and the weight is about 20 g.

  The structure of the first to fourth thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, and 43 will be described more roughly. The side surfaces of the columns of the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element and the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element are electrically insulated from each other. At the same time, an insulating spacer made of an epoxy-based adhesive that positions both of the arrangement positions is arranged. Further, wiring electrodes made of a metal film for connecting adjacent n-type thermoelectric semiconductor elements and p-type thermoelectric semiconductor elements at the end faces of the columns are provided on both end faces of the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element and the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element. ing. The upper and lower wiring electrodes are arranged such that the columns of the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element and the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element to be connected are shifted one by one, whereby a large number of n-type thermoelectric semiconductor elements and p-type thermoelectric semiconductor elements are connected in series. It has a connected structure. As a material for the wiring electrode, a multilayer film of nickel / copper / nickel is used.

  An insulating film made of an epoxy resin mixed with insulating inorganic fine particles such as alumina is formed on the opposite side of the upper and lower wiring electrodes to the n-type and p-type semiconductor element sides. In addition, extraction electrodes are provided at both ends of the serial n-type and p-type thermoelectric semiconductor elements.

  The first to fourth thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, and 43 can be cooled and heated by changing the direction of the current flowing between the two extraction electrodes, and the temperature can be strictly controlled. It can be done. The first and second thermoelectric elements 40 and 41 have only a heating and cooling capability for strictly controlling the temperature of the outer ring 24, and suppress heating and cooling in regions other than the vicinity of the outer ring 24 and the outer ring 24. It has become. Similarly, the third and fourth thermoelectric elements 42, 43 only have a heating / cooling capability for strictly controlling the temperature of the outer ring 25, and heating and cooling of regions other than the outer ring 25 and the vicinity of the outer ring 25 in the vicinity. Is supposed to suppress.

  In the first and second thermocouples, steel, iron, copper, nickel chrome alloy or the like as the first metal wire and constantan, copper nickel alloy, nickel alloy, or the like as the second metal wire are connected. Has a structure. Each of the first and second thermocouples brings the joint between the first metal wire and the second metal wire into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 24 or the outer ring 25 as an example in the vicinity of the raceway surface of the outer ring. By measuring the voltage generated between the first metal line and the second metal line, the temperature of the outer rings 24, 25 corresponding to this voltage one-to-one is measured.

  The differential gear device of the above embodiment transmits the power of the drive shaft to the differential mechanism via the pinion shaft 1 to drive the differential mechanism. And the rotational speed difference of the wheel shaft (not shown) connected with each of the joint arrange | positioned on each side of the both sides of the said differential mechanism is adjusted suitably.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the first tapered roller bearing 5 of the wheel rolling bearing device of the embodiment. Hereinafter, the peripheral structure near the first tapered roller bearing 5 will be described with reference to FIG. Although not described, the peripheral structure near the second tapered roller bearing 6 has the same structure as the peripheral structure near the first tapered roller bearing 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the case 8 is formed with wiring lead-out holes 50 and 51 that extend in a substantially radial direction and communicate the outer peripheral side of the case 8 with the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 24 of the first tapered roller bearing. Yes. The wiring lead hole 50 and the wiring lead hole 51 are arranged on a straight line orthogonal to the central axis of the pinion shaft 1.

  A thermoelectric element arrangement space 53 communicating with the wiring lead hole 50 is formed on the outer ring 24 side of the wiring lead hole 50 in the case 8, and a wiring is provided on the outer ring 24 side of the wiring lead hole 51 in the case 8. A thermoelectric element arrangement space 54 that communicates with the extraction hole 51 is formed.

  The first thermoelectric element 40 is arranged in the thermoelectric element arrangement space 53. The first thermoelectric element 40 has a surface on one side in contact with the outer ring 24. Further, the cable including the two lead electrodes of the first thermoelectric element 40 is drawn to the outside of the case 8 through the wiring lead hole 50. The first thermoelectric element 40 heats the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 24 by applying a voltage between the two extraction electrodes drawn to the outside. Similarly, the second thermoelectric element 41 is arranged in the thermoelectric element arrangement space 54. The surface of one side of the second thermoelectric element 41 is in contact with the outer ring 24, and the cable containing the two extraction electrodes of the first thermoelectric element 41 is connected to the outside of the case 8 through the wiring extraction hole 51. Has been drawn to. The second thermoelectric element 41 heats the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 24 by applying a potential difference between the two extraction electrodes drawn to the outside.

  Although not shown, the first thermocouple is arranged in the thermoelectric element arrangement space 53. The first thermocouple is disposed in the axially adjacent portion of the first thermocouple element 40 on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 24 so that the joint portion of the first thermocouple is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 24. Both ends of the first thermocouple are drawn to the outside of the case 8 through the wiring lead holes 50. The first thermocouple measures not the temperature of the oil film on the raceway surface of the outer ring 24 but the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 24. However, since there is a correlation between the temperature of the outer circumferential surface of the outer ring 24 and the temperature of the raceway surface of the outer ring 24, the temperature of the raceway surface of the outer ring 24 can be changed by appropriately converting the measured temperature of the outer circumferential surface of the outer ring 24. Know the temperature accurately.

  Although not shown, both ends of the first thermocouple are connected to an input terminal of the microcomputer arranged outside the case 8, and each of the microcomputer output terminal and the first to fourth thermocouples is connected. Are connected by wiring.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system when driving the first and second thermoelectric elements 40 and 41. Although not described, the control system for driving the third and fourth thermoelectric elements 42 and 43 performs the same control as the control system for driving the first and second thermoelectric elements 40 and 41. It is like that.

  The first thermocouple 77 outputs a signal indicating the temperature of the outer ring 24 from a start time of a vehicle or the like equipped with the differential device of the above embodiment to a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) at a first predetermined interval (for example, 5 minutes). Is output to the microcomputer 78. When the first thermocouple 77 exceeds the predetermined time, the microcomputer 78 outputs a signal representing the temperature of the outer ring 24 at a second predetermined interval (for example, 30 minutes) longer than the first predetermined interval. To output.

  When the microcomputer 78 receives a signal indicating the temperature of the outer ring 24 from the first thermocouple 77, the microcomputer 78 compares the temperature of the outer ring 24 with a predetermined temperature input in advance. When the temperature of the outer ring 24 is lower than the predetermined temperature, a control signal 72 for driving the first thermoelectric element 40 is output to the first thermoelectric element 40, and at the same time, a control signal 73 for driving the second thermoelectric element 41 is On the other hand, when the temperature of the outer ring 24 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, a control signal 72 for stopping the first thermoelectric element 40 is output to the first thermoelectric element 40 and second A control signal 73 for stopping the thermoelectric element 41 is output to the second thermoelectric element 41.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between an outer ring temperature of an oil lubricated tapered roller bearing installed on a pinion shaft of a vehicle pinion shaft support device and a rotational torque of the tapered roller bearing in one experimental example.

  In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents the outer ring temperature, and the vertical axis represents the torque ratio of the rotational torque at each temperature to the rotational torque when the outer ring temperature is 25 ° C.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this experimental example, the higher the outer ring temperature, the smaller the rotational torque value. When the outer ring temperature is 35 ° C., the rotational torque value is the same as the outer ring temperature. It is about 75% of the value of the rotational torque at 25 ° C.

  From this, if the temperature of the outer ring of the bearing installed on the pinion shaft can be improved at the start of an automobile or the like equipped with a vehicle pinion shaft support device in which the temperature of the outer ring is particularly low and the viscosity of the lubricating oil is high. Indirectly, the temperature of the oil film between the raceway surfaces of the inner and outer rings and the rolling elements can be raised, the rolling viscous resistance of the tapered roller bearing can be lowered, and the rotational torque of the tapered roller bearing can be reduced by 25%. It can be remarkably reduced. And the fuel consumption of a motor vehicle etc. can be reduced significantly.

  According to the differential gear device of the above-described embodiment, the thermoelectric element capable of heating the oil film between the outer rings 24 and 25 and the tapered rollers 30 and 31 having relatively large rolling viscous resistance in rolling contact with the tapered rollers 30 and 31. 40, 41, 42, 43, the oil film between the outer rings 24, 25 and the tapered rollers 30, 31 can be heated by the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, 43, and the outer rings 24, 25 and the cones can be heated. The viscosity of the oil film between the rollers 30 and 31 can be lowered. Therefore, the rolling viscous resistance when the tapered rollers 30, 31 roll on the raceway surfaces of the outer rings 24, 25 can be reduced, and the rotational torque of the tapered roller bearings 5, 6 can be effectively reduced. Therefore, the fuel consumption of an automobile or the like equipped with the differential gear device of the above embodiment can be reduced. Since the heat of the thermoelectric element is conducted from the outer rings 24, 25 to the inner rings 28, 29 via the tapered rollers 30, 31, the rolling viscous resistance between the raceways of the inner rings 28, 29 and the tapered rollers 30, 31 is also reduced to some extent. be able to.

  Further, according to the differential gear device of the above-described embodiment, the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, 43 can only heat the oil film between the outer rings 24, 25 and the tapered rollers 30, 31, and the differential gear device Since the lubricating oil other than the vicinity of the tapered roller bearings 5 and 6 cannot be heated, the lubricating oil other than the vicinity of the tapered roller bearings 5 and 6 in the differential gear device is not heated, and other than the vicinity of the tapered roller bearings 5 and 6. The temperature of the lubricating oil does not increase. Accordingly, since the viscosity of the lubricating oil does not decrease except near the outer rings 24, 25 of the tapered roller bearings 5, 6, the meshing between the gears inside the differential gear device such as the meshing between the pinion gear 2 and the ring gear becomes worse. There is no problem and power can be transmitted smoothly. Further, since the lubricating oil having a relatively high viscosity is also supplied to the flanges of the inner rings 28 and 29 and the large end surfaces of the tapered rollers 30 and 31, there is no possibility of seizure.

  Further, according to the differential gear device of the above embodiment, the heating means is the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, and 43 that are compact and have excellent heating capacity and heating controllability, so that the space for arranging the heating means can be reduced. In addition, the oil film can be efficiently heated. Further, since the heating means is the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, 43, not only the oil film can be heated but also cooled, and the temperature of the oil film can be adjusted strictly.

  Further, according to the differential gear device of the above embodiment, the first thermocouple 77 and the second thermocouple that detect the temperature of the outer circumference of the outer rings 24 and 25 that are in the vicinity of the raceway surfaces of the outer rings 24 and 25, and the first thermocouple. When the temperature detected by the thermocouple is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature in response to the outputs from the pair 77 and the second thermocouple, the microcomputer 78 that drives the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, 43 (the microcomputer 78 uses the second thermocouple). The output of the lubricating oil in the differential gear device is lower than a predetermined temperature, such as at the start of an automobile equipped with the differential gear device. Only when the viscosity is high, the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, 43 can be driven to lower the rolling viscous resistance of the tapered roller bearings 5, 6. Therefore, it is possible to constantly reduce the rotational torque of the tapered roller bearings 5 and 6 while reducing the operating cost of the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42 and 43.

  Further, according to the differential gear device of the above embodiment, the two thermoelectric elements 40 and 41 or the thermoelectric elements 42 and 43 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the pinion shaft 1 in each of the tapered roller bearings 5 and 6. Therefore, the temperature of the outer rings 24 and 25 does not vary locally and exists between the raceway surfaces of the outer rings 24 and 25 heated by the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42 and 43 and the tapered rollers 30 and 31. The oil film temperature does not vary in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the rolling viscous resistance of the tapered roller bearings 5 and 6 can be efficiently reduced, and the rotational torque of the tapered roller bearings 5 and 6 can be efficiently reduced.

  Further, according to the differential gear device of the above-described embodiment, the first thermocouple 77 generates a first signal indicating the temperature of the outer ring 24 from the start of an automobile or the like equipped with the differential device of the above-described embodiment until a predetermined time. On the other hand, when the predetermined time is exceeded, a signal indicating the temperature of the outer ring 24 is output at the second predetermined interval longer than the first predetermined interval. Since it outputs to the microcomputer 78, the temperature of the oil film between the inner and outer rings 24, 25, 28, 29 and the tapered rollers 30, 31 is low, and the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, 43 are driven. The temperature of the oil film can be precisely controlled by frequently driving the first thermocouple 77 and the second thermocouple when starting the automobile or the like, which is considered to be highly likely to occur. Wheel 24,2 , The temperature of 28 and 29 in the high season, it is possible to reduce the driving time of the sensor can be reduced operating costs of the sensor.

  In the differential gear device of the above embodiment, the thermocouple 77 is used as the sensor. However, in the present invention, a sensor other than the thermocouple such as a thermistor or a radiation thermometer may be used as the sensor.

  In the differential gear device of the above embodiment, the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, 43 are employed as the heating means. However, in the present invention, a heater may be employed as the heating means.

  In the differential gear device of the above embodiment, the thermocouple 77 is installed. However, in the present invention, the temperature sensor is omitted, and the heating means is provided for a predetermined time from the start of the automobile or the like equipped with the vehicle pinion shaft support device. It is also possible to drive.

  In the differential gear device of the above embodiment, the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, 43 are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the outer rings 24, 25. However, in the present invention, the thermoelectric elements are arranged on the raceway surface on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring. You may arrange | position to an adjacent part. Moreover, you may arrange | position a heating means and a temperature sensor to an inner ring | wheel. In this case, power supply and signal extraction may be performed by a slip ring or a wireless device. Further, if thermoelectric elements are arranged on both the inner and outer rings, the rolling viscous resistance can be further reduced.

  Further, in the differential gear device of the above embodiment, the tapered roller bearings 5 and 6 are installed on the pinion shaft 1. However, in the present invention, the pinion shaft of the vehicle pinion shaft support device is other than a tapered roller bearing such as an angular ball bearing. A rolling bearing may be installed.

  In the above embodiment, the thermoelectric elements 40, 41, 42, 43 capable of heating the oil film between the outer rings 24, 25 and the tapered rollers 30, 31 are installed on the pinion shaft 1 of the differential gear device. In the invention, the heating means capable of heating the oil film between the outer ring and the tapered roller may be installed on the pinion shaft of the vehicle pinion shaft support device other than the differential gear device, such as the pinion shaft of the transaxle device. Of course.

It is sectional drawing of the differential gear apparatus of one Embodiment of the pinion shaft support apparatus for vehicles of this invention. It is an enlarged view near the 1st tapered roller bearing of the differential gear apparatus of the said embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the control system when driving the 1st and 2nd thermoelectric element which the differential gear apparatus of the said embodiment has. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the outer ring | wheel temperature of the oil lubrication type tapered roller bearing installed in the pinion shaft of the pinion shaft support device for vehicles in one experimental example, and the rotational torque of the tapered roller bearing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pinion shaft 2 Pinion gear 5,6 Tapered roller 24,25 Outer ring 28,29 Inner ring 30,31 Tapered roller 40,41,42,43 Thermoelectric element 77 Thermocouple 78 Microcomputer

Claims (3)

Case and
A differential mechanism provided in the case;
A pinion shaft having a pinion gear meshing with the ring gear of the differential mechanism;
A rolling bearing that rotatably supports the pinion shaft and includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a rolling element;
A pinion shaft support device for a vehicle, comprising heating means capable of heating an oil film between at least one of the inner ring and the outer ring and the rolling element. In the vehicle pinion shaft support device according to claim 1,
The pinion shaft support device for a vehicle, wherein the heating means is a thermoelectric element capable of heating the outer ring. The pinion shaft support device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2,
A sensor for detecting the temperature of the outer ring raceway surface or the vicinity of the outer ring raceway surface;
A vehicle pinion shaft support device comprising: a control device that drives the heating means when the temperature detected by the sensor in response to an output from the sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature.

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