JP2009138898A - Differential device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a differential device improved so as to restrain the occurrence of seizure and abnormal abrasion of a pinion bearing on the vehicle body front side, even in a state of lifting the vehicle body front side upward. <P>SOLUTION: An oil transfer passage 14 for flowing lubricating oil 5 is arranged in a differential case 1. An oil tank 13 connected to the differential case 1 and storing the lubricating oil 5 is arranged via the oil transfer passage 14. When the differential case 1 inclines, the lubricating oil 5 stored in the oil tank 13 is supplied to a lower part of the pinion bearing 4 via the oil transfer passage 14, and the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 is lubricated by the lubricating oil 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a differential device, and more particularly to a differential device that is less likely to cause seizure even when starting uphill.

  When the car turns a curve, there is a difference in the length of the trajectory through which the left and right wheels pass, so it is necessary to change the rotational speed of the left and right wheels. A differential device is mainly used in an automobile as a differential gear device for adjusting the rotational speed of the left and right wheels while applying the same torque to the left and right wheels. As a differential device, there is generally a system in which a differential gear mechanism is provided in a differential case together with lubricating oil, and the lubricating oil is lifted up by a ring gear and supplied to each part during operation. In such a differential device, it is most difficult and important to supply oil to a pinion bearing that is heavily loaded. Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for reducing the rotational resistance of a ring gear or the like while ensuring the lubrication performance of the pinion bearing.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this type of differential device 200, the pinion shaft 206 is supported by two sets of a pinion bearing 203 and a pinion bearing 204. Above the pinion bearing 203 and the pinion bearing 204, there are provided a lubricating oil guide path 207 for guiding the lubricating oil 205 that has been lifted by the rotation of the ring gear 202, and two sets of outlet openings 272 of the lubricating oil guide path 207 are provided. The lubricating oil 205 is supplied to each of the upper portions of the two sets of bearings by providing the upper portions of the intermediate points of the bearings. Since this lubricating oil guide path 207 has a downward slope toward the two sets of bearings, it is lifted up from the lubricating oil reservoir 251 by the ring gear 202 and enters the lubricating oil guide path 207 from the inlet opening 271. The lubricating oil 205 is supplied to the upper side of the pinion shaft 206 that is the midpoint between the two sets of bearings along a gradient. A part of the supplied lubricating oil 205 is supplied to the upper portions of the two sets of pinion bearing 203 and pinion bearing 204 through the pinion shaft 206. Further, another part of the supplied lubricating oil 205 is transferred to the lower lubricating oil reservoir 252 and the lubricating oil reservoir 253 through the pinion shaft 206 and then supplied to the lower portions of the two sets of bearings. At the center of the lubricating oil reservoir, there is provided a protrusion 210 that protrudes upward from the lower part of the inner wall surface of the differential case 1 so that the lubricating oil 205 flows evenly through both the pinion bearing 203 and the pinion bearing 204.
JP 2006-161957 A

  By the way, an automobile does not always travel only on a substantially horizontal road surface. When the vehicle travels uphill, as shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle body front side of the vehicle is inclined to the state where it is lifted by the inclination angle θ1 of the road surface, so that the differential device 200 also faces the vehicle body front side upward. The road surface is lifted by an inclination angle θ1. Therefore, the downward gradient of the lubricating oil guide path 207 is reduced, and the amount of the lubricating oil 205 supplied to a position on the pinion shaft 206 is insufficient, as well as being an intermediate point between the pinion bearing 203 and the pinion bearing 204. Further, a large amount of lubricating oil 205 to be supplied to the upper portions of the pinion bearing 203 and the pinion bearing 204 through the pinion shaft 206 is supplied to the pinion bearing 203 on the rear side of the vehicle body at a low position. Supply to the pinion bearing 204 becomes insufficient. Further, the lubricating oil reservoir 252 and the lubricating oil 205 dropped into the lubricating oil reservoir 253 are also supplied in a large amount to the lower part of the pinion bearing 203 on the rear side of the vehicle body, which is lower than the pinion bearing 204 on the front side of the vehicle body. Supply to the lower part of the pinion bearing 204 on the side becomes insufficient, causing seizure of the pinion bearing 204 on the front side of the vehicle body and abnormal wear, which becomes a problem. In particular, when the differential device 200 is started or when the outside air temperature is extremely low, the viscosity of the lubricating oil 205 is large and its fluidity is poor, so that the lubricating oil 205 is supplied to the pinion bearing 204 on the front side of the vehicle body. Becomes even more difficult.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and is improved so as to suppress the occurrence of seizure and abnormal wear of the pinion bearing on the front side of the vehicle body even when the front side of the vehicle body is lifted upward. It is an object of the present invention to provide a differential device.

  A differential device according to the present invention includes a pinion gear, a pinion shaft that transmits power via the pinion gear, a pinion bearing that rotatably supports the pinion shaft, a ring gear meshed with the pinion gear, and a pinion A differential case in which a shaft, a pinion bearing, and a ring gear are provided, and a lubricating oil that is housed in the differential case and contacts the ring gear and lubricates the pinion bearing, and the pinion gear is supported by the pinion shaft. The ring gear is rotated by the power transmitted through the ring gear, and the lubricating oil is supplied to the pinion bearing by the rotation of the ring gear. Moreover, it is provided in the differential case, and further includes an oil supply passage through which the lubricating oil circulates, and an oil tank that is connected to the differential case via the oil supply passage and that contains the lubricating oil. Then, when the differential case is inclined, the lubricating oil accommodated in the oil tank is supplied to the pinion bearing through the oil feeding path.

  According to the above configuration, the lower part of the pinion bearing is lubricated by the lubricating oil supplied from the oil tank to the lower part of the pinion bearing when traveling uphill. Therefore, the lower part of the pinion bearing is always lubricated even when the front side of the vehicle body is lifted upward and the differential case is inclined. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of seizure and abnormal wear at the lower part of the pinion bearing even on the uphill road.

  In the differential device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the oil feeding path is provided in the vicinity of the pinion bearing in the differential case. According to the above configuration, the lubricating oil stored in the oil tank can be reliably supplied to the lower part of the pinion bearing, and the lower part of the pinion bearing can be more effectively lubricated.

  In the differential device according to the present invention, it is preferable that a valve for adjusting the speed of the lubricating oil flowing in the oil feeding path is provided in the oil feeding path. According to the above configuration, the lower part of the pinion bearing can be lubricated while gradually supplying the lubricating oil contained in the oil tank to the lower part of the pinion bearing. As a result, the occurrence of seizure and abnormal wear in the lower part of the pinion bearing can be effectively suppressed even if the ascending slope travels for a long time. Further, it is possible to effectively suppress an increase in the agitation resistance of the lubricating oil due to a sudden increase in the lubricating oil inside the differential case. In addition, when the hill running is finished and the road surface is flat, the speed of the lubricating oil supplied to the oil tank is adjusted, and the lubricating oil contained in the differential case can be quickly supplied to the oil tank. it can. As a result, the agitation resistance of the lubricating oil inside the differential case can be reduced, the power loss due to the agitation resistance can be reduced, and the fuel consumption can be improved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an improved differential device that suppresses occurrence of seizure and abnormal wear of the pinion bearing on the front side of the vehicle body even when the front side of the vehicle body is lifted upward. .

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a differential device embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the differential case 1 included in the differential device 100 according to the present embodiment has a vehicle body front side portion 12 having a substantially cylindrical shape having a central axis in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and a vehicle body rear side portion 11. Is a substantially short cylindrical shape having a central axis in the left-right direction of the vehicle body.

  A substantially annular ring gear 2 is rotatably provided inside the vehicle body rear side portion 11 of the differential case 1 and contains lubricating oil 5. A lubricating oil reservoir 51 is provided at the bottom of the vehicle body rear side portion 11 of the differential case 1, and the lubricating oil 5 is accumulated therein. The lower part of the ring gear 2 is in contact with the lubricating oil 5 stored in the lubricating oil reservoir 51.

  In addition, a pinion shaft 6 and pinion bearings 3 and 4 are provided inside the differential case 1. More specifically, a substantially annular pinion bearing 3 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the vehicle body front side portion 12 of the differential case 1 and in the vicinity of the end near the ring gear 2. A substantially annular pinion bearing 4 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the vehicle body front side portion 12 of the differential case 1 and to the vehicle body front side from the portion where the pinion bearing 3 is fixed. The pinion shaft 6 is rotatably supported by the two sets of the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4. More specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 31 constituting the pinion bearing 3 is fitted and fixed to the inner wall surface of the differential case 1, and a raceway surface is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 31. On the other hand, the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 32 constituting the pinion bearing 3 is fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the pinion shaft 6, and a raceway surface is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 32. Further, a rolling element 33 is arranged so as to be able to roll in contact with the raceway surface of the outer ring 31 and the raceway surface of the inner ring 32. Similarly, the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 41 constituting the pinion bearing 4 is fitted and fixed to the inner wall surface of the differential case 1, and a raceway surface is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 41. On the other hand, the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 42 constituting the pinion bearing 4 is fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the pinion shaft 6, and a raceway surface is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 42. A rolling element 43 is arranged so as to be able to roll in contact with the raceway surface of the outer ring 41 and the raceway surface of the inner ring 42.

  A pinion gear 61 is provided at the end of the pinion shaft 6 on the rear side of the vehicle body, and the pinion gear 61 is configured to mesh with the ring gear 2. The other end of the pinion shaft 6 protrudes from the vehicle body front side of the differential case 1 and is connected to a power side such as a propeller shaft (not shown).

  Further, between the upper outer wall surface and the upper inner wall surface of the vehicle body front side portion 12 of the differential case 1, a lubricating oil guide path 7 for guiding the lubricating oil 5 to the upper part of the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 is provided. It has been. The lubricating oil guide path 7 has an inlet opening 71 on the rear side of the vehicle body and in the vicinity of the ring gear 2, and an outlet opening 72 on the front side of the vehicle body and above the pinion shaft 6. Furthermore, the inner wall surface of the lower part of the lubricating oil guide path 7, that is, the inner wall surface 73 close to the pinion shaft 6, protrudes in the direction of the pinion bearing 3, as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, lubricating oil reservoirs 52 and 53 are formed on a part of the lower inner wall surface of the vehicle body front side portion 12 of the differential case 1, and a part of the supplied lubricating oil 5 causes the pinion shaft 6 to move. Accordingly, the oil drops fall into the lower lubricating oil reservoirs 52 and 53.

  Supply of the lubricating oil 5 to the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 in the differential device 100 according to the present embodiment is performed as follows. The power transmitted from the engine (not shown) of the vehicle to which the differential device 100 is attached to the pinion shaft 6 via the propeller shaft (not shown) or the like rotates the ring gear 2 via the pinion gear 61. As the ring gear 2 rotates, the lubricating oil 5 housed in the differential case 1 and in contact with the ring gear 2 is lifted up, and a part of the lifted lubricating oil 5 becomes an inlet opening. 71 is supplied to the lubricating oil guide path 7. The lubricating oil 5 supplied to the lubricating oil guiding path 7 passes through the lubricating oil guiding path 7 and is then discharged from the outlet opening 72 to be guided to the upper part of the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4. The upper parts of the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 are lubricated by the lubricating oil 5. Further, another part of the lubricating oil 5 falls to the lower part of the pinion shaft 6 and accumulates in the lubricating oil reservoirs 52 and 53 formed below the pinion shaft 6, via the lubricating oil reservoirs 52 and 53. Guided to the lower part of the pinion bearings 3 and 4, the lower part of the pinion bearings 3 and 4 is lubricated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the differential device 100 according to the present embodiment is provided in the differential case 1, and the differential case 1 is connected to the oil supply passage 14 through which the lubricating oil 5 flows and the oil supply passage 14. An oil tank 13 is provided which is connected to the lower portion of the vehicle body front side portion 12 and contains lubricating oil 5 therein. Then, the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 is supplied into the differential case 1 through the oil supply path 14, and the lubricating oil 5 in the differential case 1 is supplied into the oil tank 13. It becomes the composition which is done. Further, the oil tank 13 is configured so that the height of the oil surface S1 of the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 and the height of the oil surface S2 of the lubricating oil 5 accommodated inside the differential case 1 are substantially the same. It is arranged. The oil supply path 14 is connected to the vicinity of the pinion bearing 4 on the front side of the vehicle body at the lower part of the front body side portion 12 of the differential case 1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the oil supply passage 14 circulates in the oil supply passage 14 (that is, supplied from the oil tank 13 to the inside of the differential case 1 or oil from the inside of the differential case 1. A valve 15 is provided for adjusting the speed of the lubricating oil 5 (supplied to the tank 13). More specifically, the valve 15 is provided with the speed of the lubricating oil 5 when the lubricating oil 5 inside the differential case 1 is supplied into the oil tank 13 (that is, lubrication flowing in the direction of arrow Y in the figure). The speed of the lubricating oil 5 when the lubricating oil 5 stored in the oil tank 13 is supplied into the differential case 1 (that is, the lubricating oil flowing in the direction of the arrow X in the figure) The speed of the lubricating oil 5 is adjusted so that the speed of 5) becomes smaller.

  Next, the supply of the lubricating oil 5 to the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 when the vehicle using the differential device 100 according to the present embodiment starts on an uphill road will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. To do. In addition, since the basic principle of supply of the lubricating oil 5 is as described above, a duplicate description is omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 5, assuming that the inclination angle of the road surface on the uphill road with respect to the horizontal plane 80 is θ1, the differential device 100 is also lifted on the vehicle body front side by the inclination angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal plane. Even in this case, as the ring gear 2 rotates, the lubricating oil 5 in contact with the ring gear 2 is lifted up, and part of the lubricating oil 5 enters the lubricating oil guide path 7 through the inlet opening 71. Here, if the inclination angle of the lubricating oil guide path 7 is larger than θ1, the lubricating oil 5 passes through the lubricating oil guide path 7 and is then discharged from the outlet opening 72, whereby the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 The upper part of the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 can be lubricated. Considering the inclination angle of a normal road surface on which an automobile passes, the maximum value of θ1 is about 15 °. Therefore, by setting the inclination angle of the lubricating oil guide path 7 to 15 ° or more, the lubricating oil guide path 7 can always guide the lubricating oil 5 on a normal road surface.

  However, at the time of start-up, especially when the outside air temperature is low such as in winter, the viscosity of the lubricating oil 5 becomes too high, and even if the inclination angle of the lubricating oil guiding path 7 is 15 ° or more, the inside of the lubricating oil guiding path 7 It may happen that the lubricating oil 5 does not flow sufficiently. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in the above-described conventional differential device 200, the inner wall surface 273 near the pinion shaft 206 of the lubricating oil guide path 207 is substantially flat. Therefore, the lubricating oil 205 spreads thinly on the surface of the inner wall surface 273 close to the pinion shaft 206, and the contact area is increased, so that the fluid friction increases and the fluid with high viscosity is difficult to flow. On the other hand, in the differential device 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner wall surface 73 of the lubricating oil guide path 7 near the pinion shaft 6 protrudes toward the pinion shaft 6, so that In contrast, the lubricating oil 5 does not spread thinly on the surface of the inner wall surface 73. Accordingly, since the contact area between the inner wall surface 73 and the lubricating oil 5 can be reduced as compared with the case of the above prior art, even if the lubricating oil 5 has a high viscosity, it can flow sufficiently in the lubricating oil guide path 7. It becomes possible. Therefore, even when the outside air temperature is low, the lubricating oil 5 can be supplied to the upper parts of the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 at the time of starting on the uphill slope.

  Part of the lubricating oil 5 that has been lifted up by the ring gear 2 and supplied to the lubricating oil guide path 7 from the inlet opening 71 is guided to the upper and middle portions of the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4, A part of falls to the lower part of the pinion shaft 6. In the present embodiment, as described above, the oil tank 13 is connected to the differential case 1 via the oil feeding path 14. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the differential device 100 is lifted to the front side of the vehicle body with respect to the horizontal plane 80 when starting on an uphill slope, the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 is differential case. 1 is supplied inside. More specifically, when the differential device 100 is lifted to the front side of the vehicle body and the differential case 1 is tilted, the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 passes through the oil feed passage 14 and the pinion bearing 4. The oil level S1 of the lubricating oil 5 supplied to the lower part and accommodated in the oil tank 13 is lowered. When the differential device 100 is lifted to the front side of the vehicle body by an inclination angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal plane 80, the height of the oil surface S3 of the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil feeding path 14 is increased as shown in FIG. The lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 passes through the oil supply passage 14 until the oil level S2 of the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the differential case 1 becomes substantially the same. Supplied at the bottom. Then, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lubricating oil 5 supplied from the oil tank 13 to the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 lubricates the lower part of the pinion bearing 4.

  Further, as described above, the oil supply passage 14 has the lubricating oil 5 so that the speed of the lubricating oil 5 is reduced when the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 is supplied into the differential case 1. A valve 15 for adjusting the speed is provided. Accordingly, the speed of the lubricating oil 5 supplied to the pinion bearing 4 is adjusted, and the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 is lubricated while the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 is gradually supplied to the lower part of the pinion bearing 4. Can do. As a result, the occurrence of seizure and abnormal wear in the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 can be effectively suppressed even if the ascending slope travels for a long time.

  Further, since the oil supply passage 14 is provided in the vicinity of the pinion bearing 4 on the front side of the vehicle body in the lower portion of the front body side portion 12 of the differential case 1, the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 is supplied. The lower part of the pinion bearing 4 can be reliably supplied, and the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 can be more effectively lubricated.

  A part of the lubricating oil 5 is supplied to the lower part of the pinion bearing 3 through the lubricating oil reservoir 52 and lubricates the lower part of the pinion bearing 3. Since the pinion bearing 3 is located on the rear side of the vehicle body from the pinion bearing 4, the pinion bearing 3 is located at a position lower than the pinion bearing 4 on the uphill road, and the supply amount of the lubricating oil 5 is more easily than in the case of a flat road surface. Become. There is no particular difference between this embodiment and the above-described conventional technology.

  When the uphill driving is finished and the driving is made on a flat road surface, the state where the differential device 100 is lifted to the front side of the vehicle body by the inclination angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal plane is released, and the differential device 100 is The state shown in FIG. 4 returns to the state shown in FIG. 1 through the state shown in FIG. At this time, the lubricating oil 5 housed in the differential case 1 is supplied to the oil tank 13 via the oil feed passage 14, and the oil level S 1 of the lubricating oil 5 housed in the oil tank 13 rises. Until the height of the oil surface S1 of the lubricating oil 5 housed in the oil tank 13 and the height of the oil surface S2 of the lubricating oil 5 housed in the differential case 1 are substantially the same, the inside of the differential case 1 The accommodated lubricating oil 5 is supplied to the oil tank 13 via the oil supply passage 14.

  Here, as described above, the lubricating oil 5 is supplied to the oil supply passage 14 so that the speed of the lubricating oil 5 when the lubricating oil 5 inside the differential case 1 is supplied into the oil tank 13 is increased. A valve 15 for adjusting the speed is provided. Accordingly, when the hill traveling is finished and the traveling on the flat road surface is completed, the speed of the lubricating oil 5 supplied to the oil tank 13 is adjusted, and the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the differential case 1 is quickly transferred to the oil tank 13. Can be supplied to. As a result, since the stirring resistance of the lubricating oil 5 inside the differential case 1 can be reduced, the power loss due to the stirring resistance is reduced, and the fuel consumption can be improved.

According to the differential device 100 of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The differential device 100 of the above embodiment is provided in the differential case 1 and is connected to the differential case 1 via the oil supply path 14 through which the lubricating oil 5 circulates and the oil supply path 14, and the lubricating oil 5 is provided with an oil tank 13 in which 5 is accommodated. Then, when the differential case 1 is tilted, the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 is supplied to the pinion bearing 4 through the oil feeding path 14. Therefore, the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 is lubricated by the lubricating oil 5 supplied from the oil tank 13 to the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 when traveling uphill. As a result, the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 is always lubricated even when the front side of the vehicle body is lifted upward and the differential case 1 is inclined, so that seizure occurs at the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 even on an uphill road. Generation and abnormal wear can be suppressed.

  (2) In the differential device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the oil feeding path 14 is provided in the vicinity of the pinion bearing 4 in the differential case 1. Therefore, the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 can be reliably supplied to the lower part of the pinion bearing 4, and the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 can be lubricated more effectively.

  (3) In the differential device 100 of the above embodiment, the oil feed passage 14 is provided with a valve for adjusting the speed of the lubricating oil 5 flowing through the oil feed passage 14. Therefore, the speed of the lubricating oil 5 supplied from the oil tank 13 to the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 is adjusted, and the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 is gradually supplied to the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 while the pinion bearing 4 The lower part of can be lubricated. As a result, the occurrence of seizure and abnormal wear in the lower part of the pinion bearing 4 can be effectively suppressed even if the ascending slope travels for a long time. Further, since the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 can be gradually supplied to the lower part of the pinion bearing 4, an increase in the stirring resistance of the lubricating oil 5 due to a sudden increase in the lubricating oil 5 inside the differential case 1 is prevented. It can be effectively suppressed. In addition, when the traveling on the slope is finished and the traveling on the flat road surface is performed, the speed of the lubricating oil 5 supplied to the oil tank 13 is adjusted, and the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the differential case 1 is quickly transferred to the oil tank 13. Can be supplied to. As a result, since the agitation resistance of the lubricating oil inside the differential case 1 can be reduced, the power loss due to the agitation resistance is reduced, and the fuel consumption can be improved. In addition, even when the traveling on the flat road surface is completed and the traveling on the uphill road is started again, the lubricating oil stored in the oil tank 13 is sufficiently stored in the oil tank 13. The lower portion of the pinion bearing 4 can be lubricated while 5 is gradually supplied to the lower portion of the pinion bearing 4.

  (4) The differential device 100 of the above embodiment further includes the lubricating oil guide path 7 that guides the lubricating oil 5 supplied by the rotation of the ring gear 2 to the pinion bearing 3 and the top of the pinion bearing 4. Accordingly, the lubricating oil 5 is supplied to the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 from above. Furthermore, since the inner wall surface 73 near the pinion shaft 6 of the lubricating oil guide path 7 protrudes in the direction of the pinion shaft 6, the contact area between the inner wall surface 73 near the pinion shaft 6 and the lubricating oil 5 is reduced, and the lubricating oil The lubricating oil 5 can easily flow through the guide path 7. In particular, since the viscosity of the lubricating oil 5 is low and the viscosity of the lubricating oil 5 is increased and the fluidity is lowered, the lubricating oil 5 is more likely to flow than in the prior art. Therefore, for example, even when starting in a state where the outside air temperature is low, the lubricating oil 5 is easily supplied to the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4, and it is possible to suppress the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 from being seized.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, one oil tank 13 is provided, but a plurality of oil tanks 13 are provided, and each oil tank 13 is supplied with a valve 15 for adjusting the speed of the lubricating oil 5. The configuration may be such that the differential case 1 is connected via the path 14. In this case, the lubricating oil 5 accommodated in the oil tank 13 can be supplied more effectively to the pinion bearing 4 than in the case where one oil tank 13 is provided. It can be effectively lubricated.

  In the above embodiment, the inner wall surface 73 of the lubricating oil guide path 7 near the pinion shaft 6 protrudes in a V shape in the direction of the pinion shaft 6, but may have other shapes. For example, the cross-sectional shape may protrude in a U shape. That is, if the inner wall surface 73 near the pinion shaft 6 protrudes in the direction of the pinion shaft 6, the contact area between the lubricating oil 5 and the inner wall surface 73 near the pinion shaft 6 is reduced, and the fluid resistance is reduced. That's fine.

  In the above embodiment, the lubricating oil guide path 7 is provided between the upper outer wall surface and the upper inner wall surface of the vehicle body front side portion 12 of the differential case 1, but other configurations may be used. For example, you may comprise with a separate member. That is, any configuration may be used as long as the lubricating oil 5 pumped up by the ring gear 2 can be supplied to the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 from above.

  In the above embodiment, the inner wall surface 73 close to the pinion shaft 6 has the lubricating oil guide passage 7 whose cross-sectional shape protrudes in a V shape on the pinion shaft 6 side, but has the lubricating oil guide passage 7. No configuration is possible. For example, if the lubricating oil 5 is sufficiently supplied to the upper part and the middle part of the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 by scooping up the lubricating oil 5 by the ring gear 2, the lubricating oil guide path 7 needs to be specially provided. Absent.

  In the above embodiment, the rolling element 33 and the rolling element 43 are tapered rollers, and the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 are tapered roller bearings, but other configurations may be used. For example, at least one of the rolling element 33 and the rolling element 43 may be a ball, and at least one of the pinion bearing 3 and the pinion bearing 4 may be a ball bearing.

  The differential device according to the present invention is a differential device improved to suppress the occurrence of seizure and abnormal wear of the pinion bearing on the front side of the vehicle body even when the front side of the vehicle body is lifted upward, It can be widely installed in general vehicles.

It is drawing explaining one Embodiment of the differential apparatus to which this invention is applied, Comprising: It is sectional drawing of the up-down direction which passes along the central axis of a pinion axis | shaft. It is AA sectional view taken on the line of the differential apparatus shown in FIG. It is the elements on larger scale of the oil-feeding path in the differential apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the vehicle body front part side of the differential apparatus shown in FIG. 1 began pulling upwards. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the vehicle body front side of the differential device shown in FIG. 1 is pulled upward at an inclination angle θ1. It is drawing explaining one Embodiment of the conventional differential apparatus, Comprising: It is sectional drawing of the up-down direction which passes along the central axis of a pinion axis | shaft. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in which the vehicle body front side of the differential device shown in FIG. It is the sectional view on the AA line of the differential apparatus shown by FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Differential case, 2 ... Ring gear, 3 ... Pinion bearing, 4 ... Pinion bearing, 5 ... Lubricating oil, 6 ... Pinion shaft, 7 ... Lubricating oil guideway, 11 ... Rear part of vehicle body of differential case, 12 ... Differential Car body front side portion of case, 13 ... oil tank, 14 ... oil feed path, 15 ... valve, 31 ... outer ring, 32 ... inner ring, 33 ... rolling element, 41 ... outer ring, 42 ... inner ring, 43 ... rolling element, 51 ... Lubrication oil reservoir, 52 ... Lubrication oil reservoir, 53 ... Lubrication oil reservoir, 61 ... Pinion gear, 71 ... Inlet opening, 72 ... Outlet opening, 73 ... Inner wall surface, 80 ... Horizontal plane, 100 ... Differential device, θ1 ... Inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane, S1... Height of the lubricating oil contained in the oil tank, S2... Height of the lubricating oil contained in the differential case, S3. The height of the oil surface of the receiving lubricating oil

Claims (3)

A pinion shaft provided with a pinion gear and transmitting power through the pinion gear;
A pinion bearing that rotatably supports the pinion shaft;
A ring gear meshed with the pinion gear;
A differential case in which the pinion shaft, the pinion bearing, and the ring gear are provided;
A lubricating oil that is housed inside the differential case and that contacts the ring gear and lubricates the pinion bearing;
In the differential device in which the ring gear is rotated by the power transmitted through the pinion gear by a pinion shaft, and the lubricating oil is supplied to the pinion bearing by the rotation of the ring gear.
An oil tank that is provided in the differential case, and that is connected to the differential case through the oil supply passage through which the lubricating oil circulates, and that contains the lubricating oil; The differential device, wherein the differential case is inclined, whereby the lubricating oil accommodated in the oil tank is supplied to the pinion bearing through the oil feeding passage.   The differential apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the oil supply path is provided in the vicinity of the pinion bearing in the differential case.   The differential device according to claim 1, wherein the oil supply passage is provided with a valve for adjusting a speed of the lubricating oil flowing through the oil supply passage.

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