JP2009166140A - Differential assembling method and assembling device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a differential assembling method for carrying out assembling work of a differential while positively maintaining the phase of temporarily assembled differential parts when the differential assembling work is carried out by using a dummy shaft, to thereby improve the working efficiency of the differential assembling work, and also to provide a differential assembling device. <P>SOLUTION: The assembling method of the differential 1 comprises a side gear insertion step, a pinion gear insertion step, a differential parts turnably inserting step, and a pinion shaft exchanging step. In the differential parts turnably inserting step, pivoting rotation of the dummy shaft 13 is inhibited by a dummy shaft first engaging mechanism 36, and in the pinion shaft exchanging step, pivoting rotation of the dummy shaft 13 is inhibited by a dummy shaft second engaging mechanism 37. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a differential assembly method and an assembly apparatus technique, and more particularly, to a differential assembly method and an assembly apparatus technique using a dummy shaft.

  Conventionally, a dummy shaft has been used to assemble differential parts such as side gears and pinion gears in a differential case (hereinafter referred to as a differential case) in the assembly process of a differential (hereinafter referred to as a differential). Thus, a method of performing assembly work in a state where differential parts are temporarily assembled is known, and for example, Patent Document 1 discloses the technique.

  In the technology according to Patent Document 1, the phase of the differential component (pinion gear washer) is determined in advance in a state where the differential component is temporarily assembled by forming a two-sided width on the side surface portion of the dummy shaft. It is said. The differential assembly is phased in advance so that the differential assembly can be performed efficiently.

  The reason for using the dummy shaft is that the dummy shaft is temporarily inserted into a pair of pinion gears and pinion gear washers that are temporarily arranged on an axis that passes through substantially the center of the opening formed oppositely for inserting the differential parts. When this differentially assembled differential part is inserted into the differential case from the opening, and the differential part is rotated to the normal position rotated about 90 degrees with respect to the axis passing through the approximate center of the opening, the pinion gear This is for efficiently arranging the differential parts at the normal position without dropping the washer.

  However, in the prior art, the dummy shaft cannot be turned to the normal position unless the dummy shaft is made shorter than the inner diameter of the spherical surface with which the pinion gear washer contacts. It was necessary to configure the length to be short so as to maintain the clearance with the spherical portion. For this reason, the pinion gear washer may fall off the dummy shaft when turning the differential part. Once the pinion gear washer has fallen off, the assembly work must be interrupted to correct the position of the pinion gear washer, so the pinion shaft cannot be inserted. There was a problem of becoming longer.

  Moreover, when performing the operation | work which assembles differential parts in the inside of a differential case, the method of performing assembly | attachment operation | work after temporarily assembling differential parts using an expansion-contraction type dummy shaft is known, for example, patent document 2 This technique is disclosed in Japanese.

  By using the telescopic dummy shaft, the stationary length of the dummy shaft can be made longer than the inner diameter of the spherical surface where the pinion gear washer contacts, and the dummy shaft is shortened compared to the stationary length. By using it in the state, the differential part can be turned in while maintaining the state where the spherical surface portion with which the pinion gear washer contacts and the end portion of the dummy shaft are in contact. This eliminates the clearance between the end portion of the dummy shaft and the spherical portion, thereby preventing the pinion gear washer from falling off.

  However, as described above, when the two-sided width is formed on the side surface portion of the dummy shaft and the phase is determined in advance in a state where the differential parts are temporarily assembled, it is assumed that the elastic dummy shaft is used. For example, the problem that the pinion gear and the pinion gear washer shift when turning the differential part or removing the dummy shaft can be eliminated, but the dummy shaft may rotate around the axis of the dummy shaft itself. In this case, there is a problem that the phase of the pinion gear washer is shifted.

For this reason, even if the two-sided width is formed on the side surface portion of the dummy shaft configured to be extendable and the phase is determined in advance in a state where the differential parts are temporarily assembled, the phase of the pinion gear washer is shifted. For this reason, there is a case where the assembly work of the differential is eventually interrupted and the position of the pinion gear washer has to be corrected, and the work efficiency of the differential assembly work cannot be improved as expected.
JP 2006-123019 A JP-A-7-285041

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and when performing assembly work of a differential using a dummy shaft, the assembly work is performed while reliably maintaining the phase of the temporarily assembled differential part. It is an object of the present invention to provide a differential assembly method and an assembly apparatus that make it possible to improve the efficiency of differential assembly work.

  The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, means for solving the problems will be described.

  That is, in claim 1, a pair of side gears, a pair of side gear washers attached to the pair of side gears, a pair of pinion gears engaged with the pair of side gears, and a pair of pinion gears attached to the pair of pinion gears A pinion gear washer, a pair of pinion gears and a pinion shaft fitted into the pair of pinion gear washers, and a convex portion formed inside the shaft hole of the pinion gear washer, and a concave portion formed in the pinion shaft In a differential assembling method comprising: a differential part that engages and forms a differential part in which the pinion shaft and the pinion gear washer are relatively unrotatable; and a differential case that covers the differential part, the side gear insertion portion of the differential case includes the While arranging a pair of side gears and a pair of side gear washers, A side gear insertion step of holding the pair of side gears and the pair of side gear washers by a holder, and then temporarily inserting and inserting the telescopic dummy shaft into the pair of pinion gears and pinion gear washers, A pinion gear insertion step of engaging the pinion gear and the pair of pinion gear washers with the pair of side gears, and then turning the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers temporarily assembled to the pinion gear support portion of the differential case. A differential part turning-in step, and then a pinion shaft replacement step in which the pinion shaft is pushed into the pinion gear support portion to eliminate the dummy shaft and the pinion shaft is disposed, and the differential part turning-in step In Dami The shaft first locking mechanism, which restricts the rotation of the axis of the dummy shaft.

  The pair of side gears, a pair of side gear washers attached to the pair of side gears, a pair of pinion gears engaged with the pair of side gears, and a pair of pinion gears attached to the pair of pinion gears The pinion shaft includes a washer and a pinion shaft that is fitted and inserted into the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers, and engages a convex portion formed inside the shaft hole of the pinion gear washer and a concave portion formed in the pinion shaft. In the differential assembly method, which includes a differential part that is configured to prevent relative rotation of the pinion shaft and the pinion gear washer, and a differential case that covers the differential part, the pair of paired gears in the side gear insertion portion of the differential case Side gear holding while arranging side gear and a pair of side gear washers The side gear insertion step for holding the pair of side gears and the pair of side gear washers, and then the pair of pinions that are temporarily assembled by inserting and retracting a pair of telescopic dummy shafts into the pair of pinion gears and pinion gear washers. A pinion gear insertion step of engaging the gear and the pair of pinion gear washers with the pair of side gears, and then a differential that turns the pair of temporarily assembled pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers to the pinion gear support portion of the differential case A component turning-in step, and then a pinion shaft replacement step in which the pinion shaft is pushed into the pinion gear support portion to eliminate the dummy shaft and to dispose the pinion shaft, and in the pinion shaft replacement step, The Yafuto second locking mechanism, which restricts the rotation of the axis of the dummy shaft.

  The pair of side gears, a pair of side gear washers attached to the pair of side gears, a pair of pinion gears engaged with the pair of side gears, and a pair of pinion gears attached to the pair of pinion gears The pinion shaft includes a washer and a pinion shaft that is fitted and inserted into the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers, and engages a convex portion formed inside the shaft hole of the pinion gear washer and a concave portion formed in the pinion shaft. In the differential assembly method, which includes a differential part that is configured to prevent relative rotation of the pinion shaft and the pinion gear washer, and a differential case that covers the differential part, the pair of paired gears in the side gear insertion portion of the differential case Side gear holding while arranging side gear and a pair of side gear washers The side gear insertion step for holding the pair of side gears and the pair of side gear washers, and then the pair of pinions that are temporarily assembled by inserting and retracting a pair of telescopic dummy shafts into the pair of pinion gears and pinion gear washers. A pinion gear insertion step of engaging the gear and the pair of pinion gear washers with the pair of side gears, and then a differential that turns the pair of temporarily assembled pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers to the pinion gear support portion of the differential case A component turning-in step, and then a pinion shaft replacing step of pushing the pinion shaft into the pinion gear support portion to eliminate the dummy shaft and disposing the pinion shaft, and in the differential component turning-in step, Dummy sha The first locking mechanism restricts the rotation of the dummy shaft around the axis, and the dummy shaft second locking mechanism restricts the rotation of the dummy shaft around the axis in the pinion shaft replacement step. To do.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the dummy shaft first locking mechanism is provided with a guide pin configured to be slidable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the dummy shaft in a recess formed on the outer peripheral surface of the dummy shaft. It is a combination.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the second dummy shaft locking mechanism is formed by engaging a guide guide configured to be slidable in the axial direction of the dummy shaft with a recess formed on an end surface of the dummy shaft. is there.

  7. A pair of side gears, a pair of side gear washers attached to the pair of side gears, a pair of pinion gears engaged with the pair of side gears, and a pair of pinion gears attached to the pair of pinion gears The pinion shaft includes a washer and a pinion shaft that is fitted and inserted into the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers, and engages a convex portion formed inside the shaft hole of the pinion gear washer and a concave portion formed in the pinion shaft. A differential assembly apparatus comprising: a differential part that makes the pinion shaft and the pinion gear washer non-rotatable relative to each other; and a differential case that covers the differential part, each of the differential parts constituting the differential part A conveying means for conveying and assembling the members, and a side gear of the differential case by the conveying means. A pair of side gear holders for holding the pair of side gears and a pair of side gear washers disposed in the insertion portion; a pinion insertion guide for inserting a telescopic dummy shaft into the pair of pinion gears and pinion gear washers; and the dummy A pinion shaft pushing device that pushes the pinion shaft into the shaft penetration portion to remove the dummy shaft; and a guide guide device that accommodates the removed dummy shaft; and a guide groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the dummy shaft; When the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers that are temporarily assembled are turned to the pinion gear support portion of the differential case, the rotation of the dummy shaft around the axis is restricted by the guide pins provided in the side gear holder Dummy shaft first locking It is those that make up the structure.

  8. A pair of side gears, a pair of side gear washers attached to the pair of side gears, a pair of pinion gears engaged with the pair of side gears, and a pair of pinion gears attached to the pair of pinion gears. The pinion shaft includes a washer and a pinion shaft that is fitted and inserted into the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers, and engages a convex portion formed inside the shaft hole of the pinion gear washer and a concave portion formed in the pinion shaft. A differential assembly apparatus comprising: a differential part that makes the pinion shaft and the pinion gear washer non-rotatable relative to each other; and a differential case that covers the differential part, each of the differential parts constituting the differential part A conveying means for conveying and assembling the members, and a side gear of the differential case by the conveying means. A pair of side gear holders for holding the pair of side gears and a pair of side gear washers disposed in the insertion portion; a pinion insertion guide for inserting a telescopic dummy shaft into the pair of pinion gears and pinion gear washers; and the dummy A pinion shaft push-in device that pushes the pinion shaft into the shaft penetration portion and eliminates the dummy shaft; a guide guide device that accommodates the removed dummy shaft; and a slit formed at an end of the dummy shaft; A dummy shaft second that restricts rotation of the dummy shaft about the axis when the dummy shaft is removed from the temporarily assembled pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers by the guide guide provided in the guide guide device. It constitutes a locking mechanism.

  9. The pair of side gears, a pair of side gear washers attached to the pair of side gears, a pair of pinion gears engaged with the pair of side gears, and a pair of pinion gears attached to the pair of pinion gears. The pinion shaft includes a washer and a pinion shaft that is fitted and inserted into the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers, and engages a convex portion formed inside the shaft hole of the pinion gear washer and a concave portion formed in the pinion shaft. A differential assembly apparatus comprising: a differential part that makes the pinion shaft and the pinion gear washer non-rotatable relative to each other; and a differential case that covers the differential part, each of the differential parts constituting the differential part A conveying means for conveying and assembling the members, and a side gear of the differential case by the conveying means. A pair of side gear holders for holding the pair of side gears and a pair of side gear washers disposed in the insertion portion; a pinion insertion guide for inserting a telescopic dummy shaft into the pair of pinion gears and pinion gear washers; and the dummy A pinion shaft pushing device that pushes the pinion shaft into the shaft penetration portion to remove the dummy shaft; and a guide guide device that accommodates the removed dummy shaft; and a guide groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the dummy shaft; When the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers that are temporarily assembled are turned to the pinion gear support portion of the differential case, the rotation of the dummy shaft around the axis is restricted by the guide pins provided in the side gear holder Dummy shaft first locking When the dummy shaft is removed from the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers that are temporarily assembled by the slits formed in the end portions of the dummy shafts and the guide guides provided in the guide guide device. In addition, a dummy shaft second locking mechanism for restricting the rotation of the dummy shaft about the axis is configured.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the dummy shaft first locking mechanism is provided with a guide pin configured to be slidable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the dummy shaft in a recess formed on the outer peripheral surface of the dummy shaft. It is a combination.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the second dummy shaft locking mechanism is formed by engaging a guide guide configured to be slidable in the axial direction of the dummy shaft with a recess formed on an end surface of the dummy shaft. is there.

  As effects of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the dummy shaft can be prevented from rotating around the axis of the dummy shaft and the phase of the pinion gear washer can be maintained when the temporarily assembled differential part is turned into the support position inside the differential case. .

  In claim 2, when the dummy shaft is pushed out by pushing the pinion shaft into the pinion gear support portion to replace the dummy shaft and the pinion shaft, the dummy shaft is prevented from rotating around the axis of the dummy shaft itself. The phase of the pinion gear washer can be maintained.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the temporarily assembled differential part is turned to the support position inside the differential case, the pinion shaft is pushed to the pinion gear support part while preventing the dummy shaft from rotating around the axis of the dummy shaft itself. When the dummy shaft is pushed out to replace the dummy shaft with the pinion shaft, the dummy shaft can be prevented from rotating around the axis of the dummy shaft itself, and the phase of the pinion gear washer can be reliably maintained.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the phase of the dummy shaft can be reliably maintained with a simple mechanism. Thereby, the phase of the pinion gear washer can be maintained.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the phase of the dummy shaft can be reliably maintained with a simple mechanism. Thereby, the phase of the pinion gear washer can be maintained.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the dummy shaft can be prevented from rotating around the axis of the dummy shaft and the phase of the pinion gear washer can be maintained when the temporarily assembled differential component is turned into the support position inside the differential case. .

  In claim 7, when the dummy shaft is pushed out by pushing the pinion shaft into the pinion gear support portion to replace the dummy shaft with the pinion shaft, the dummy shaft is prevented from rotating around the axis of the dummy shaft itself. The phase of the pinion gear washer can be maintained.

  In claim 8, when the temporarily assembled differential part is turned into the support position inside the differential case, the pinion shaft is pushed against the pinion gear support part while preventing the dummy shaft from rotating around the axis of the dummy shaft itself. When the dummy shaft is pushed out to replace the dummy shaft with the pinion shaft, the dummy shaft can be prevented from rotating around the axis of the dummy shaft itself, and the phase of the pinion gear washer can be reliably maintained.

  According to the ninth aspect, the phase of the dummy shaft can be reliably maintained with a simple mechanism. Thereby, the phase of the pinion gear washer can be maintained.

  In the tenth aspect, the phase of the dummy shaft can be reliably held by a simple mechanism. Thereby, the phase of the pinion gear washer can be maintained.

Next, embodiments of the invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view showing an overall configuration of a differential according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2A is a front and side view showing a pinion gear washer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. b) is a side view and bottom view showing a pinion shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the entire configuration of the differential assembly apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the assembled state, FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state where the pinion gear is mounted on the pinion insertion guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a dummy for the pinion insertion guide according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a front view and a bottom view showing the overall configuration of a dummy shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is an embodiment of the present invention. Shows the overall configuration of the dummy shaft FIG. 8 is a front view showing the differential assembly state in the preparation process, FIG. 9 is a front view (No. 1) showing the differential assembly state in the side gear insertion process, and FIG. 10 is the differential assembly state in the side gear insertion process. FIG. 11 is a front view showing the differential assembly state in the pinion gear insertion step (No. 1), and FIG. 12 is a front view showing the differential assembly state in the pinion gear insertion step (Part 2). 13 is a front view showing the differential assembly state in the dummy shaft insertion process (part 1), FIG. 14 is a front view showing the differential assembly state in the dummy shaft insertion process (part 2), and FIG. 15 is a front view showing the differential assembly state in the dummy shaft insertion process. Front view showing the assembled state (Part 3), FIG. 16 is a front view showing the differential assembled state in the differential component turning-in process, and FIG. FIG. 18 is a side view showing the differential assembly state in the pinion shaft replacement process (Part 1), and FIG. 19 is a side view showing the differential assembly state in the pinion shaft replacement process. (Part 2).

First, the overall configuration of the differential 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the differential 1 includes a differential case 2 and a differential part 3.
On the axis A, which is the axis of the differential case 2, side gear insertion portions 2a and 2b, which are substantially cylindrical recesses, are formed.
Further, shaft holes 2c and 2d, which are regular support portions of the pinion shaft 12 to be described later, are formed on the axis B that is orthogonal to the side surface of the differential case 2 and that is orthogonal to the axis A.
Further, openings 2e and 2f are formed on an axis C orthogonal to the axis A and the axis B on the side surface of the differential case 2. When the differential part 3 is assembled in the differential case 2, the differential part 3 is inserted through the openings 2e and 2f to assemble the differential part 1.

  The differential part 3 is a part group composed of a pair of side gears 4 and 5 and side gear washers 6 and 7, a pair of pinion gears 8 and 9 and pinion gear washers 10 and 11, and a pinion shaft 12. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 1 shows a state in which the differential part 3 is taken out of the differential case 2 and disassembled, but the differential part 3 is assembled inside the differential case 2 when the differential 1 is completed. .

  The side gears 4 and 5 are gear members formed with gear portions 4a and 5a, shaft portions 4b and 5b, and the like, and are fixed to the axles 18 and 18 in a state of being assembled inside the differential case 2. More specifically, the side gears 4 and 5 are disposed inside the differential case 2 with the shaft portions 4b and 5b inserted into the side gear insertion portions 2a and 2b, and fixed to the axles 18 and 18 disposed on the shaft A. Yes. Further, since the side gear washers 6 and 7 are interposed between the side gears 4 and 5 and the differential case 2, the side gears 4 and 5 are supported in a state of not contacting the inner surface of the differential case 2. With such a configuration, the side gears 4 and 5 are smoothly rotated and the side gears 4 and 5 and the differential case 2 are protected.

  The pinion gears 8 and 9 are gear members formed with gear portions 8a and 9a forming bevel gears, and circular shaft holes 8b and 9b. When the pinion gears 8 and 9 are assembled in the differential case 2, the pinion shafts 12 supported by the shaft holes 2c and 2d are inserted into the shaft holes 8b and 9b so as to be rotatably supported. Further, pinion gear washers 10 and 11 are interposed between the pinion gears 8 and 9 and the differential case 2 so that the pinion gears 8 and 9 can rotate smoothly and the pinion gears 8 and 9 and the differential case 2 are protected. I have to. The pinion gears 8 and 9 are configured so that the gear portions 8a and 9a mesh with the gear portions 4a and 5a of the side gears 4 and 5 described above when assembled in the differential case 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, shaft holes 10a and 11a are formed in the pinion gear washers 10 and 11, and a pinion shaft 12 described later is inserted into the shaft holes 10a and 11a.
Here, the shaft holes 10a and 11a formed in the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 are not formed in a simple circular shape, unlike the perfect circular shaft holes 8b and 9b formed in the pinion gears 8 and 9. The arc portions 10b and 11b and the straight portions 10c and 11c that are notched in a two-plane width are formed.

As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the cross-sectional shape of the pinion shaft 12 corresponds to the shape of the shaft holes 10a and 11a, and the cross-sectional shape of the pinion shaft 12 is also notched in a two-sided width with the circular arc portions 12a and 12a. The straight portions 12b and 12b are formed.
The cross-sectional shape of the pinion shaft 12 also corresponds to the shape of the perfect circular shaft holes 8b and 9b of the pinion gears 8 and 9. More specifically, the pinion shaft 12 is formed with a two-sided linear portion 12b / 12b on a cylindrical shaft member having an outer shape substantially coinciding with the inner diameter of the shaft holes 8b / 9b. The arc portions 12a and 12a are inscribed in the shaft holes 8b and 9b.

  With such a configuration, in the state where the pinion shaft 12 is inserted into the pinion gears 8 and 9 and the pinion gear washers 10 and 11, the pinion gears 8 and 9 have the shaft holes 8b and 9b having a perfect circle shape. The pinion shaft 12 can be rotated relative to the pinion shaft 12 without being locked to the two-sided linear portions 12b and 12b formed on the pinion shaft 12. On the other hand, the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 have the two-sided straight portions (that is, the straight portions 10c and 11c and the straight portions 12b and 12b) engage with each other, so that the pinion gear washers 10 and 10 with respect to the pinion shaft 12 are engaged. 11 relative rotation is restricted. Thereby, the phase of the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 with respect to the pinion shaft 12 is determined. In the present embodiment, the straight portion having two widths (that is, the straight portions 10c and 11c and the straight portions 12b and 12b) are engaged with each other. However, the pinion shaft 12 and the pinion gear applied to the present invention. The shape of the washers 10 and 11 is not limited. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the pinion shaft 12 is formed in a half-moon shape having a single width, and the half-moon-shaped shaft holes 8b and 9b that substantially match this are formed in the pinion gear. It is also possible to adopt a configuration such as that formed in 8.9.

  1 and FIG. 2 (b), the pin 21 is inserted into the pin hole 20 formed in the pinion shaft 12, so that the phase of the pinion shaft 12 is determined and the differential case 2 is fixed. Thus, the pinion shaft 12 is fixed.

  That is, in the state where the differential part 3 is assembled in the differential 1, the pinion shaft 12 is supported on the axis B which is a normal position in the shaft holes 2c and 2d, and the pinion gears 8 and 9 are rotatably supported on the pinion shaft 12. The side gears 4 and 5 disposed in the side gear insertion portions 2a and 2b and supported by the axles 18 and 18 are configured to mesh with each other. Further, the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 are configured to be interposed between the pinion gears 8 and 9 and the differential case 2 in a state in which the rotation is restricted by the pinion shaft 12 and the phase is maintained at both ends of the pinion shaft 12.

Next, the overall configuration of the differential assembly apparatus 30 according to the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the differential assembly apparatus 30 according to the present invention includes a scalar robot 31, side gear holders 32 and 33, a pinion shaft pushing apparatus 34, a guide guide apparatus 35, and the like. The differential assembly device 30 includes pinion insertion guides 14 and 15 as means for inserting the pinion gears 8 and 9 and the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 into the differential case 2.
The differential assembling apparatus 30 according to the present invention includes various attachments 31a at the end of the arm of the scalar robot 31. However, the differential assembly apparatus 30 may be configured to include pinion insertion guides 14 and 15 as a kind of the attachment 31a. It is.

The scalar robot 31 is configured to perform various functions such as a conveying unit and an assembling unit by appropriately replacing the attachment 31a attached to the tip of the arm. In other words, the scalar robot 31 is used as a conveying means for conveying the components constituting the differential 1 (for example, the above-described differential component 3) and various jigs used for assembling the components. It is also used as an assembling means for assembling.
In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a scalar robot (horizontal articulated robot) is employed as an automated device provided in the differential assembly apparatus 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other industrial robots may be used. It is also possible to apply to the invention.

The side gear holders 32 and 33 are arranged on the axis A which is the axial center of the differential case 2 arranged on the pallet 16 in the arrangement where the assembling work is performed, and are respectively provided with chucks 32a and 33a. When the differential 1 is assembled, the side gears 4 and 5 conveyed into the differential case 2 by the scalar robot 31 are held by the chucks 32a and 33a in the assembled positions (that is, the side gear insertion portions 2a and 2b). . Further, the chuck 32a on the side gear holder 32 side is configured to be rotatable about the axis A, and the chuck 32a can be rotated while the side gear 4 is held by the chuck 32a. 4 can be rotated.
In the present embodiment, an example in which only the chuck 32a on the side gear holder 32 side of the chucks 32a and 33a is rotatable is shown, but the chuck 33a on the side gear holder 33 side can be rotated. It is also possible to make the chucks 32a and 33a on both sides rotatable together.

  The side gear holder 33 has a built-in guide pin 19 disposed on the axis A, and the guide pin 19 extends toward the side gear holder 32 while holding the side gear 5 in the assembled position by the chuck 33a. Can do. The guide pin 19 is inserted into a guide groove 13f formed in the dummy shaft 13 described later, thereby preventing the dummy shaft 13 from rotating about the axis.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pinion shaft push-in device 34 includes a cradle 34a, a cylinder 34b, and the like, and the shaft holes 2c and 2d formed in the differential case 2 disposed on the pallet 16 in the assembly operation state. It is arranged on a central axis B.
A guide groove 34c having a two-sided width is formed inside the cradle 34a, and the pinion shaft 12 before assembly is placed thereon. The width of the guide groove 34c and the distance between the surfaces of the two-sided linear portions 12b and 12b formed on the pinion shaft 12 are substantially the same, and when the pinion shaft 12 is placed on the cradle 34a, the pinion shaft 12 is configured to be non-rotatable around the pinion shaft 12 itself. Thereby, the phase around the axis of the pinion shaft 12 is determined and the phase can be maintained only by placing the pinion shaft 12 on the receiving base 34a.

  Then, by sliding the cylinder 34b on the side of the guide guide device 35 to be described later on the axis B, the pinion shaft 12 is pressed by the cylinder 34b, and the pinion shaft 12 is pushed out from the cradle 34a and from the shaft hole 2d into the differential case 2. The pinion shaft 12 is inserted into the shaft holes 2c and 2d, which are regular support positions.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pinion shaft pushing device 34 functions to position the differential case 2 by temporarily inserting the pinion shaft 12 placed on the cradle 34a into the shaft hole 2d.
The pinion shaft push-in device 34 functions to push the pinion shaft 12 into the differential case 2 into a proper support position (that is, the shaft holes 2c and 2d) and pushes a dummy shaft 13 (to be described later) through the pinion shaft 12. The dummy shaft 13 is also removed from the differential case 2 and pushed out to the guide guide device 35 side.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide guide device 35 includes a holder 35a, a guide guide 35b, and the like, and the shaft centers of the shaft holes 2c and 2d formed in the differential case 2 arranged on the pallet 16 in the assembly operation state. The pinion shaft push-in device 34 and the differential case 2 on the axis B are arranged at positions facing each other.
A guide hole 35c is formed in the holder 35a, and the dummy shaft 13 is collected in the guide hole 35c. And the guide guide 35b protrudes from the guide hole 35c by sliding the guide guide 35b to the pinion shaft pushing-in apparatus 34 side.

  The guide guide 35b has a tip 35e formed in a wedge shape. The shape of the tip portion 35e corresponds to the shape of a slit 13e formed in the dummy shaft 13 described later. The tip portion 35e is inserted into the slit 13e and rotated around the axis of the dummy shaft 13 by the guide guide 35b. Is configured to regulate.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide guide device 35 performs the function of positioning the differential case 2 by inserting the tip 35e of the guide guide 35b into the shaft hole 2c.
The guide guide device 35 also functions to collect the dummy shaft 13 in the holder 35a while restricting the rotation of the dummy shaft 13 described later by the guide guide 35b.

Next, the pinion insertion guides 14 and 15 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the differential assembly device 30 according to the present invention includes a pinion insertion guide 14 as means for inserting the pinion gear 8 and the pinion gear washer 10 into the differential case 2 from below the differential case 2. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, a curved mounting portion 14a and a curved surface portion 14d are formed at the upper end of the pinion insertion guide 14, and a pinion gear 8 is formed along the mounting portion 14a in a differential component turning-in process described later. Further, the differential part 3 is smoothly inserted by turning the pinion gear washer 10 and turning the dummy shaft 13 along the curved surface portion 14d. Further, since the pinion gear washer 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 14a, the curved surface shape of the mounting portion 14a corresponds to the curved surface shape outside the pinion gear washer 10. Thereby, the pinion gear washer 10 can be stably mounted on the mounting part 14a.

A phase determining guide 14b is inserted into the pinion insertion guide 14, and in a steady state, the top 14h of the phase determining guide 14b protrudes upward.
As shown in the XX arrow view in FIG. 5, the phasing guide 14b includes arc portions 14e and 14e and straight portions 14f and 14f corresponding to the arc portions 10b and 10b and the straight portions 10c and 10c of the shaft hole 10a. The shape of the shaft hole 10a and the shape of the phasing guide 14b are substantially matched. Thus, when the pinion gear washer 10 is placed on the placement portion 14a, the phase of the pinion gear washer 10 is determined by the phase determination guide 14b. If the straight portions 10c and 10c of the shaft hole 10a and the straight portion 14f of the phasing guide 14b substantially coincide with each other, the function of the phasing guide 14b can be achieved, and the arc portions 14e and 14e of the pinion insertion guide 14 and the shaft hole The circular arc portions 10b and 10b of 10a do not necessarily have to substantially coincide with each other.

  Further, the lower end 14g of the phasing guide 14b is in contact with the spring member 17, and when the phasing guide 14b is pressed from above, a spring force to be displaced upward by the spring member 17 is biased to the phasing guide 14b. It is assumed to be configured.

  The phase determining guide 14b has a notch 14c formed in a part of the top 14h. This is because when the member (for example, the dummy shaft 13 or the like) in contact with the top of the head 14h moves and the pressing of the phasing guide 14b is released, the phasing guide 14b is urged upward by the urging force of the spring member 17. This is because the pressing force acting when the phase determining guide 14b moves and comes into contact with other members (for example, the pinion gear 9 and the pinion gear washer 11) is alleviated. Thereby, the differential component turning-in process described later is performed smoothly.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the differential assembly device 30 according to the present invention includes a pinion insertion guide 15 as means for inserting the dummy shaft 13 into the differential case 2 from above the differential case 2.
As shown in FIG. 6, curved surface portions 15a and 15d are formed in the pinion insertion guide 15, and in the differential part turning step described later, the pinion gear 9 and the pinion gear washer 11 are turned along the curved surface portion 15a. In addition, by turning the dummy shaft 13 along the curved surface portion 15d, the differential part 3 is smoothly turned in.

Further, a guide hole 15c for inserting the dummy shaft 13 and the cylinder 15b is formed in the pinion insertion guide 15.
The upper end portion of the dummy shaft 13 is gripped by the gripping mechanisms 22, 22... Provided in the guide hole 15 c. In this embodiment, a ball plunger is employed as an example of the gripping mechanisms 22, 22..., And the dummy shaft 13 is gripped by a simple mechanism.

  Further, the guide hole 15c includes a cylinder 15b that reciprocally slides. By sliding the cylinder 15b downward, the dummy shaft 13 is pressed downward, and the gripping state of the dummy shaft 13 is released. The dummy shaft 13 is pushed downward from the guide hole 15c.

Next, the dummy shaft 13 will be described.
The dummy shaft 13 is a jig used for assembling the differential 1, and is a jig used in place of the pinion shaft 12 described above for temporarily assembling the differential part 3 in each process during the assembly.
As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the dummy shaft 13 is a substantially cylindrical member, and is used in place of the pinion shaft 12. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the dummy shaft 13 is configured to substantially match the cross-sectional shape of the pinion shaft 12, and the arc portion 13 c and the straight portion 13 d are formed in the same manner as the pinion shaft 12.

  Moreover, the dummy shaft 13 is comprised by the 1st member 13a, the 2nd member 13b, etc., and is integrated by inserting the convex part 13i formed in the 1st member 13a in the recessed part 13j formed in the 2nd member 13b. The shaft-shaped member is formed. In addition, a spring member 13k is interposed between the first member 13a and the second member 13b, and in a state where the dummy shaft 13 is contracted relative to the normal length, the dummy shaft 13 is fixed to the normal length by the spring member 13k. The spring force is urged in the extending direction to restore the height, and the structure can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction. In addition, the first member 13a and the second member 13b are uneven in each other in the rotational direction around the axis (that is, the engagement recesses 13m, 13m,... Formed on the first member 13a and the second member 13b). The pawls 13n, 13n... Are engaged with each other to prevent the first member 13a and the second member 13b from rotating relative to each other around the axis.

  A guide groove 13f, which is a long hole-like recess, is formed in the side surface of the dummy shaft 13. By inserting the above-described guide pin 19 into the guide groove 13f, the dummy shaft 13 is rotated around its axis. I try to prevent it.

  Further, a slit 13e having a substantially V-shape in cross section is formed at one end portion 13h of the dummy shaft 13, and the dummy shaft is inserted by inserting the tip portion 35e of the guide guide 35b described above into the slit 13e. 13 is prevented from rotating around the axis.

  Further, grip holes 13p, 13p, which are hole-shaped recesses, are formed on the four side surfaces above the first member 13a, and the grip portions by the grip mechanisms 22, 22,. Yes. The dummy shaft 13 is gripped by the gripping mechanisms 22, 22... In the gripping holes 13 p, 13 p, so that the dummy shaft 13 can be easily attached and detached while determining the phase around the axis of the dummy shaft 13. I can do it.

Next, the assembly method of the differential 1 according to the present invention will be described step by step.
(Preparation process)
As shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 8, first, the pinion gear washer 10 is placed on the placement portion 14a of the pinion insertion guide 14 by the scalar robot 31 or the like. Here, since the pinion gear washer 10 is mounted so that the shaft hole 10a engages with the phase determining guide 14b, the phase of the pinion gear washer 10 is determined.
Then, the pinion gear 8 is further stacked on the pinion gear washer 10 by the scalar robot 31 or the like on the pinion insertion guide 14.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 8, the differential case 2 is placed horizontally on the V-shaped beveled pallet 16 so that the openings 2e and 2f are oriented in the vertical direction. The pallet 16 is set so that the openings 2e and 2f are directly above the pinion insertion guide 14, and the preparation process is completed.

(Differential case positioning process)
After the preparation process, the differential case 2 arranged at a rough assembly position is positioned at a detailed assembly position.
As shown in FIG. 4, the guide guide 35 b is inserted into the shaft hole 2 c by the guide guide device 35. As a result, positioning in the rotational direction around the axis A is mainly performed.
Furthermore, the pinion shaft 12 is temporarily inserted into the shaft hole 2d by the pinion shaft pushing device 34. Thereby, the positioning in the direction of the axis A is mainly performed.
As described above, by using the pinion shaft pushing device 34 and the guide guide device 35 to perform positioning in the two directions of the rotation direction around the axis A and the axis A direction, there is no need to separately provide a positioning mechanism, and reproduction is performed. Detailed positioning of the differential case 2 is performed with good performance.

(Side gear insertion process)
As shown in FIG. 9, the shaft portion 4b of the side gear 4 is inserted into the side gear insertion portion 2a from the opening 2e by the scalar robot 31 or the like. At this time, the side gear 4 is temporarily supported by the chuck 32a so as to hold the side gear 4 in a proper support position.
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the shaft portion 5b of the side gear 5 is subsequently inserted into the side gear insertion portion 2b from the opening 2e by the scalar robot 31 or the like. At this time, the side gear 5 is fixed by the chuck 33a so as to hold the side gear 5 in a proper support position.

(Pinion gear insertion process)
As shown in FIG. 11, the pinion insertion guide 14 arranged immediately below the openings 2 e and 2 f in the preparation step is moved upward to insert the pinion gear 8 into a position where it meshes with the side gears 4 and 5. .
Further, as shown in FIG. 12, subsequently, the pinion gear 9 and the pinion gear washer 11 are inserted from the upper opening 2e by the scalar robot 31 and the like, and the pinion gear 9 is disposed at a position where it is engaged with the side gears 4 and 5.
In this embodiment, the pinion gear 8 to be inserted from below is inserted first, and the pinion gear 9 to be inserted from above is inserted later. However, depending on the order in which the pinion gears 8 and 9 are inserted later. The method of assembling the differential according to the present invention is not limited, and it is also possible to adopt an order in which the pinion gear 9 inserted from above is inserted first and the pinion gear 8 inserted from below is inserted later.

(Dummy shaft insertion process)
As shown in FIG. 13, after the side gear insertion step and the pinion gear insertion step, the pinion gears 8 and 9 are arranged on the axis C passing through the openings 2e and 2f, and then the pinion insertion guide 15 is moved downward. By doing so, the dummy shaft 13 is inserted into the pinion gear 9 from above.

Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the pinion insertion guide 15 is moved further downward, and the dummy shaft 13 is inserted until the curved surface portion 15 a of the pinion insertion guide 15 comes into contact with the pinion gear washer 11.
At this time, the phasing guide 14b is pressed and lowered by the dummy shaft 13, so that the phasing guide 14b comes out of the pinion gear washer 10, but the pinion gear washer 10 has the dummy shaft 13 instead of the phasing guide 14b. It will be in the penetrated state. Further, since the phase determining guide 14b and the dummy shaft 13 are replaced without generating a gap while abutting, the phase and position of the pinion gear washer 10 are not shifted.
As the spring member 17 built in the pinion insertion guide 14, a spring having a smaller spring constant than that of the spring member 13k built in the dummy shaft 13 is selected. Thereby, the dummy shaft 13 overcomes the spring force of the phasing guide 14b while maintaining the steady length, and is inserted appropriately.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the dummy shaft 13 is pressed by the cylinder 15b by sliding the cylinder 15b to the differential case 2 side. The dummy shaft 13 is released from the gripping state by the gripping mechanism 22 and is pushed out from the guide hole 15 c to the final insertion position of the dummy shaft 13. At this time, the dummy shaft 13 passes through the pinion gears 8 and 9 and the pinion gear washers 10 and 11.

  Even if the dummy shaft 13 passes through the pinion gears 8 and 9 and the pinion gear washers 10 and 11, the both ends of the dummy shaft 13 are still set to protrude from the pinion gear washers 10 and 11. Thereby, the state where the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 follow the pinion gears 8 and 9 can be reliably held.

(Differential parts turning process)
As shown in FIG. 15, after the process of inserting the dummy shaft 13 into the pinion gears 8 and 9 and the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 is completed, the guide pin 19 provided on the side gear holder 33 side is projected into the differential case 2. ing. The guide pin 19 is inserted into a guide groove 13 f formed in the dummy shaft 13.
Thus, in the present invention, the dummy shaft first locking mechanism 36 is constituted by the guide pin 19 and the guide groove 13 f formed in the dummy shaft 13.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the side gear holder 32 (chuck 32a) holding the side gear 4 is rotated with the dummy shaft 13 passing through the pinion gears 8 and 9 and the pinion gear washers 10 and 11. The opposite side gear holder 33 (chuck 33a) holds the side gear 5 in a stopped state. Then, the side gear holder 32 is rotated so that the pinion gears 8 and 9 revolve until the dummy shaft 13 is positioned on the same axis as the axis B that is the normal support position of the pinion shaft 12.

At this time, since the dummy shaft 13 is restricted from rotating around the axis of the dummy shaft 13 by the dummy shaft first locking mechanism 36, the dummy shaft is maintained in a state where the phases of the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 are maintained. 13 can be rotated.
That is, in the present invention, the guide pin 19 configured to be slidable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the dummy shaft has a guide groove as a recess formed on the outer peripheral surface (that is, the straight portion 13d) of the dummy shaft. By engaging with 13f, the dummy shaft first locking mechanism 36 is configured.
Thereby, the phase of the dummy shaft 13 can be reliably held by a simple mechanism. Further, the phase of the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 can be maintained.

FIG. 17 shows the rotation (turn-in) state of the differential part 3 as viewed in the Y direction shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 17, when the pinion gears 8 and 9 revolve, the dummy shaft 13 rotates while its one end portion 13g follows the curved surface portion 15d of the pinion insertion guide 15, and the other end portion 13h. However, it rotates along the curved surface portion 14d of the pinion insertion guide 14. The curved surface portion 14d and the curved surface portion 15d are elliptical arcs, and the inner diameter is gradually narrowed from the axis C direction toward the axis B direction. Since the portions 13g and 13h are pressed by the curved surface portion 14d, the curved surface portion 15d, and the inner surface of the differential case 2, they rotate while shortening against the spring force of the spring member 13k.

Then, when the dummy shaft 13 is rotated up to the axis B which is a normal support position, both end portions 13g and 13h of the dummy shaft 13 are fitted into the shaft holes 2c and 2d. As a result, the pressing of the end portions 13g and 13h on both sides is released, and the dummy shaft 13 is restored to its normal length and extends in the shaft holes 2c and 2d by the spring force of the spring member 13k.
In this way, the end portions 13g and 13h of the dummy shaft 13 rotate while always in contact with the curved surface portion 14d, the curved surface portion 15d, and the inner surface of the differential case 2, so that a clearance that allows the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 to drop off is generated. There is nothing. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 from falling off when the dummy shaft 13 is rotated (turned in).

  Further, the two-surface width formed on the dummy shaft 13 (that is, the straight portions 13d and 13d) and the two-surface width formed on the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 (that is, the straight portions 10c and 11c) are kept in agreement. However, since the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 can be turned to the normal support position, the phase of the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 can be prevented from being shifted when the dummy shaft 13 is rotated (turned in).

(Pinion shaft replacement process)
As shown in FIG. 18, after the pinion gears 8 and 9 and the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 are turned on the axis B which is the normal support position, the dummy shaft 13 is removed and recovered, and the normal pinion shaft 12 is removed. I try to insert it.
At this time, if the pinion shaft 12 is pressed by the cylinder 34b and the pinion shaft 12 is pushed into the shaft holes 2c and 2d, the dummy shaft 13 is pressed by the pinion shaft 12 and eliminated. At this time, the pinion shaft 12 is inserted into the pinion gears 8 and 9 and the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 in place of the dummy shaft 13.

  However, if the dummy shaft 13 is pushed out freely depending on the pressing force by the cylinder 34b transmitted through the pinion shaft 12, the dummy shaft 13 may rotate around the axis of the dummy shaft 13 itself when pushed out. is there. If the dummy shaft 13 rotates around the axis in this way, the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 also rotate accordingly, so that it can be turned in with the correct phase maintained at the proper support position. However, when the dummy shaft 13 is removed, the phases of the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 are shifted. If the phases of the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 are shifted, it becomes difficult to insert the pinion shaft 12 unless the positions of the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 are corrected. In this case, the dummy shaft 13 and the pinion shaft 12 are replaced. The assembly work efficiency of the differential 1 is not improved as expected.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, in the assembly method of the differential 1 according to the present invention, when the dummy shaft 13 is recovered, the dummy shaft 13 is pushed out while being locked by the guide guide 35b.
More specifically, a V-shaped slit 13e is formed at the end 13h of the dummy shaft 13. Further, the front end portion 35d of the guide guide 35b is formed in a wedge shape.
Thus, in this invention, the dummy shaft 2nd locking mechanism 37 is comprised by the slit 13e of the dummy shaft 13, and the front-end | tip part 35d of the guide guide 35b. Then, by engaging the slit 13e and the tip portion 35d, the dummy shaft 13 is restricted from rotating around the axis of the dummy shaft 13 itself.

Then, with the slit 13e and the tip 35d engaged, the pinion shaft 12 and the dummy shaft 13 are replaced while retreating the guide guide 35b by linking with the pushing of the cylinder 34b, so that the dummy shaft 13 becomes a dummy. Without rotating around the axis of the shaft 13 itself, it is extracted from the differential case 2 and accommodated in the holder 35a.
By regulating the rotation of the dummy shaft 13 in this way, the phase of the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 is maintained, so that the pinion shaft 12 can be inserted smoothly and the assembly work efficiency of the differential 1 is improved. be able to.

In other words, in the present invention, the guide shaft 35b configured to be slidable in the axial direction of the dummy shaft is engaged with the slit 13e, which is a recess formed in the end surface (end portion 13h) of the dummy shaft 13, thereby enabling the dummy shaft. When the dummy shaft 13 is pushed out, a guide guide 35b is disposed on the front side that is the moving direction of the dummy shaft 13, and the tip portion 35d of the guide guide 35b is a slit of the dummy shaft 13. The dummy shaft 13 is pushed out from the shaft holes 2c and 2d in a state of being engaged with 13e.
Thus, when the dummy shaft 13 is pushed out and moved, the dummy shaft second locking mechanism 37, which is a simple mechanism, prevents the dummy shaft 13 from rotating about its own axis, and the pinion gear washer 10 -The eleventh phase is prevented from shifting.

In other words, in the differential assembling method according to the present invention, the dummy shaft 13 is used to rotate the temporarily assembled differential parts to the proper support position, and to recover the dummy shaft 13 from the shaft holes 2c and 2d. When the dummy shaft 13 is pushed out, the dummy shaft 13 rotates around the axis of the dummy shaft 13 itself to prevent the phase of the dummy shaft 13 from shifting, thereby preventing the phase of the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 from shifting. Like to do.
If the phase of the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 is correctly maintained, the pinion shaft 12 can be easily and reliably inserted into the shaft holes 2c and 2d (that is, without failure). Can be shortened.

  Then, a pin 21 is inserted into the pin hole 20 shown in FIG. 1, and the pinion shaft 12 is integrally fixed to the differential case 2 so that the assembly operation of the differential 1 is completed.

  That is, the differential assembly method and differential assembly apparatus according to the present invention relate to a pair of side gears 4 and 5, a pair of side gear washers 6 and 7 attached to the pair of side gears 4 and 5, and a pair of side gears 4 and 5. A pair of pinion gears 8 and 9, a pair of pinion gear washers 10 and 11 attached to the pair of pinion gears 8 and 9, and the pair of pinion gears 8 and 9 and the pair of pinion gear washers 10 and 11 The pinion shaft 12 is inserted into the pinion gear washers 10 and 11, and the straight portions 10 c and 11 c that are convex portions formed inside the shaft holes 10 a and 11 a of the pinion gear washers 10 and 11, and the linear portions 12 b that are concave portions formed in the pinion shaft 12. A differential part 3 is configured to engage the pin 12b so that the pinion shaft 12 and the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 cannot be rotated relative to each other. In the assembly method and assembly apparatus of the differential 1 comprising the differential case 2 that covers the differential component 3, a pair of side gears 4 and 5 and a pair of side gear washers 6 and 7 are inserted into the side gear insertion portions 2a and 2b of the differential case 2. The side gear holders 32 and 33 (chuck 32a and 33a) hold the pair of side gears 4 and 5 and the pair of side gear washers 6 and 7, and then a pair of pinion gears 8 and 9. Further, the telescopic dummy shaft 13 is temporarily inserted into the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 and temporarily assembled, and the pair of pinion gears 8 and 9 and the pair of pinion gear washers 10 and 11 temporarily assembled to the pair of side gears 4 and 5 are engaged. And a pair of pinion gears 8 and 9 and a pair of pinions temporarily assembled. Differential gear turning process of turning the gear washers 10 and 11 into the shaft holes 2c and 2d as the support portions of the pinion gears 8 and 9, and then pushing the pinion shaft 12 into the shaft holes 2c and 2d to eliminate the dummy shaft 13 And a pinion shaft replacement step for arranging the pinion shaft 12, and a differential assembly method and an assembly apparatus comprising the dummy shaft first locking mechanism 36 in the differential component turning-in step. In the pinion shaft replacement step, the rotation of the dummy shaft 13 around the axis is suppressed by the dummy shaft second locking mechanism 37 in the pinion shaft replacement process.

  By adopting such a configuration, the pinion shaft is prevented from rotating around the axis of the dummy shaft 13 itself when the temporarily assembled differential part 3 is turned into the support position inside the differential case 2. When the dummy shaft 13 is pushed out by replacing the dummy shaft 13 and the pinion shaft 12 by pushing the 12 into the shaft holes 2c and 2d, the dummy shaft 13 is prevented from rotating around the axis of the dummy shaft 13 itself, Thus, the phase of the pinion gear washers 10 and 11 can be reliably maintained.

1 is an assembled perspective view showing the overall configuration of a differential according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) The front and side view which show the pinion gear washer which concerns on one Example of this invention, (b) The side and bottom view which shows the pinion shaft which concerns on one Example of this invention. The top view which shows the whole structure of the differential assembly apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. The side view which shows the differential assembly state in a differential case positioning process. The front view which shows the pinion gear mounting state to the pinion insertion guide which concerns on one Example of this invention. The front view which shows the dummy shaft insertion state to the pinion insertion guide which concerns on one Example of this invention. (A) The front and bottom view which show the whole structure of the dummy shaft which concerns on one Example of this invention, (b) The side and bottom view which shows the whole structure of the dummy shaft which concerns on one Example of this invention. The front view which shows the differential assembly state in a preparation process. The front view which shows the differential assembly state in a side gear insertion process (the 1). The front view which similarly shows the differential assembly state in a side gear insertion process (the 2). The front view which shows the differential assembly state in a pinion gear insertion process (the 1). Similarly, the front view which shows the differential assembly state in a pinion gear insertion process (the 2). The front view which shows the differential assembly state in a dummy shaft insertion process (the 1). The front view which similarly shows the differential assembly state in a dummy shaft insertion process (the 2). The front view which similarly shows the differential assembly state in a dummy shaft insertion process (the 3). The front view which shows the differential assembly state in a differential component turning-in process. The side view which shows the behavior of the dummy shaft in a differential component turning-in process. The side view which shows the differential assembly state in a pinion shaft replacement process (the 1). The side view which shows the differential assembly state in a pinion shaft replacement process similarly (the 2).

Explanation of symbols

1 differential 2 differential case 2a side gear insertion part 2b side gear insertion part 2c shaft hole 2d shaft hole 3 differential parts 4 side gear 5 side gear 6 side gear washer 7 side gear washer 8 pinion gear 9 pinion gear 10 pinion gear washer 11 pinion gear washer 13 pinion gear washer 12 pinion gear onion shaft dummy onion Shaft 32 Side gear holder 32a Chuck 33 Side gear holder 33a Chuck 36 Dummy shaft first locking mechanism 37 Dummy shaft second locking mechanism

Claims (10)

A pair of side gears,
A pair of side gear washers attached to the pair of side gears;
A pair of pinion gears engaged with the pair of side gears;
A pair of pinion gear washers attached to the pair of pinion gears;
The pinion shaft and the pinion shaft fitted into the pair of pinion gear washers.
A convex portion formed inside the shaft hole of the pinion gear washer;
Engaging the recess formed in the pinion shaft,
A differential part configured to prevent relative rotation of the pinion shaft and the pinion gear washer;
A differential case for mounting the differential part;
In the assembly method of the differential consisting of
A side gear insertion step of holding the pair of side gears and the pair of side gear washers by a side gear holder while disposing the pair of side gears and the pair of side gear washers in the side gear insertion portion of the differential case;
Thereafter, a telescopic dummy shaft is fitted into the pair of pinion gears and the pinion gear washers and temporarily assembled, and the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers that are temporarily assembled are engaged with the pair of side gears. Insertion process;
Then, a differential part turning-in step of turning the paired pinion gear and the pair of pinion gear washers temporarily assembled to the pinion gear support part of the differential case;
Thereafter, the pinion shaft is pushed into the pinion gear support portion, and the dummy shaft is excluded and a pinion shaft replacing step of arranging the pinion shaft is provided,
In the differential part turning-in process,
With the dummy shaft first locking mechanism,
Restricting rotation of the dummy shaft about its axis;
A method of assembling the differential. A pair of side gears,
A pair of side gear washers attached to the pair of side gears;
A pair of pinion gears engaged with the pair of side gears;
A pair of pinion gear washers attached to the pair of pinion gears;
The pinion shaft and the pinion shaft fitted into the pair of pinion gear washers.
A convex portion formed inside the shaft hole of the pinion gear washer;
Engaging the recess formed in the pinion shaft,
A differential part configured to prevent relative rotation of the pinion shaft and the pinion gear washer;
A differential case for mounting the differential part;
In the assembly method of the differential consisting of
A side gear insertion step of holding the pair of side gears and the pair of side gear washers by a side gear holder while disposing the pair of side gears and the pair of side gear washers in the side gear insertion portion of the differential case;
Thereafter, a telescopic dummy shaft is fitted into the pair of pinion gears and the pinion gear washers and temporarily assembled, and the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers that are temporarily assembled are engaged with the pair of side gears. Insertion process;
Then, a differential part turning-in step of turning the paired pinion gear and the pair of pinion gear washers temporarily assembled to the pinion gear support part of the differential case;
Thereafter, the pinion shaft is pushed into the pinion gear support portion, and the dummy shaft is excluded and a pinion shaft replacing step of arranging the pinion shaft is provided,
In the pinion shaft replacement step,
By the dummy shaft second locking mechanism,
Restricting rotation of the dummy shaft about its axis;
A method of assembling the differential. A pair of side gears,
A pair of side gear washers attached to the pair of side gears;
A pair of pinion gears engaged with the pair of side gears;
A pair of pinion gear washers attached to the pair of pinion gears;
The pinion shaft and the pinion shaft fitted into the pair of pinion gear washers.
A convex portion formed inside the shaft hole of the pinion gear washer;
Engaging the recess formed in the pinion shaft,
A differential part configured to prevent relative rotation of the pinion shaft and the pinion gear washer;
A differential case for mounting the differential part;
In the assembly method of the differential consisting of
A side gear insertion step of holding the pair of side gears and the pair of side gear washers by a side gear holder while disposing the pair of side gears and the pair of side gear washers in the side gear insertion portion of the differential case;
Thereafter, a telescopic dummy shaft is fitted into the pair of pinion gears and the pinion gear washers and temporarily assembled, and the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers that are temporarily assembled are engaged with the pair of side gears. Insertion process;
Then, a differential part turning-in step of turning the paired pinion gear and the pair of pinion gear washers temporarily assembled to the pinion gear support part of the differential case;
Thereafter, the pinion shaft is pushed into the pinion gear support portion, and the dummy shaft is excluded and a pinion shaft replacing step of arranging the pinion shaft is provided,
In the differential part turning-in process,
With the dummy shaft first locking mechanism,
Restricting the rotation of the dummy shaft around the axis; and
In the pinion shaft replacement step,
By the dummy shaft second locking mechanism,
Restricting rotation of the dummy shaft about its axis;
A method of assembling the differential. The dummy shaft first locking mechanism is:
A guide pin configured to be slidable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the dummy shaft,
It is engaged with a recess formed on the outer peripheral surface of the dummy shaft.
The differential assembling method according to any one of claims 1 and 3. The dummy shaft second locking mechanism is
A guide configured to be slidable in the axial direction of the dummy shaft,
It is engaged with a recess formed on the end surface of the dummy shaft.
The differential assembling method according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the differential assembly method is provided. A pair of side gears,
A pair of side gear washers attached to the pair of side gears;
A pair of pinion gears engaged with the pair of side gears;
A pair of pinion gear washers attached to the pair of pinion gears;
The pinion shaft and the pinion shaft fitted into the pair of pinion gear washers.
A convex portion formed inside the shaft hole of the pinion gear washer;
Engaging the recess formed in the pinion shaft,
A differential part configured to prevent relative rotation of the pinion shaft and the pinion gear washer;
A differential case for mounting the differential part;
A differential assembly device comprising:
Conveying means for conveying and assembling each member constituting each differential part;
A pair of side gear holders for holding the pair of side gears and the pair of side gear washers arranged in the side gear insertion portion of the differential case by the conveying means;
A pinion insertion guide for inserting a telescopic dummy shaft into the pair of pinion gears and pinion gear washers;
A pinion shaft pushing device that pushes the pinion shaft into the penetrating portion of the dummy shaft to eliminate the dummy shaft;
A guide and guide device for accommodating the excluded dummy shaft,
A guide groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the dummy shaft;
By the guide pin provided in the side gear holder,
A dummy shaft first locking mechanism that restricts the rotation of the dummy shaft around the axis when the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers that are temporarily assembled are turned to the pinion gear support portion of the differential case is configured. To
A differential assembly apparatus characterized by the above. A pair of side gears,
A pair of side gear washers attached to the pair of side gears;
A pair of pinion gears engaged with the pair of side gears;
A pair of pinion gear washers attached to the pair of pinion gears;
The pinion shaft and the pinion shaft fitted into the pair of pinion gear washers.
A convex portion formed inside the shaft hole of the pinion gear washer;
Engaging the recess formed in the pinion shaft,
A differential part configured to prevent relative rotation of the pinion shaft and the pinion gear washer;
A differential case for mounting the differential part;
A differential assembly device comprising:
Conveying means for conveying and assembling each member constituting each differential part;
A pair of side gear holders for holding the pair of side gears and the pair of side gear washers arranged in the side gear insertion portion of the differential case by the conveying means;
A pinion insertion guide for inserting a telescopic dummy shaft into the pair of pinion gears and pinion gear washers;
A pinion shaft pushing device that pushes the pinion shaft into the penetrating portion of the dummy shaft to eliminate the dummy shaft;
A guide and guide device for accommodating the excluded dummy shaft,
A slit formed at the end of the dummy shaft;
By the guide provided in the guide guide device,
When the dummy shaft is removed from the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers that are temporarily assembled, a dummy shaft second locking mechanism that restricts the rotation of the dummy shaft around the axis is configured.
A differential assembly apparatus characterized by the above. A pair of side gears,
A pair of side gear washers attached to the pair of side gears;
A pair of pinion gears engaged with the pair of side gears;
A pair of pinion gear washers attached to the pair of pinion gears;
The pinion shaft and the pinion shaft fitted into the pair of pinion gear washers.
A convex portion formed inside the shaft hole of the pinion gear washer;
Engaging the recess formed in the pinion shaft,
A differential part configured to prevent relative rotation of the pinion shaft and the pinion gear washer;
A differential case for mounting the differential part;
A differential assembly device comprising:
Conveying means for conveying and assembling each member constituting each differential part;
A pair of side gear holders for holding the pair of side gears and the pair of side gear washers arranged in the side gear insertion portion of the differential case by the conveying means;
A pinion insertion guide for inserting a telescopic dummy shaft into the pair of pinion gears and pinion gear washers;
A pinion shaft pushing device that pushes the pinion shaft into the penetrating portion of the dummy shaft to eliminate the dummy shaft;
A guide and guide device for accommodating the excluded dummy shaft,
A guide groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the dummy shaft;
By the guide pin provided in the side gear holder,
A dummy shaft first locking mechanism that restricts the rotation of the dummy shaft around the axis when the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers that are temporarily assembled are turned to the pinion gear support portion of the differential case is configured. And
A slit formed at the end of the dummy shaft;
By the guide provided in the guide guide device,
When the dummy shaft is removed from the pair of pinion gears and the pair of pinion gear washers that are temporarily assembled, a dummy shaft second locking mechanism that restricts the rotation of the dummy shaft around the axis is configured.
A differential assembly apparatus characterized by the above. The dummy shaft first locking mechanism is:
A guide pin configured to be slidable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the dummy shaft,
It is engaged with a recess formed on the outer peripheral surface of the dummy shaft.
9. The differential assembling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the differential assembling apparatus according to claim 6. The dummy shaft second locking mechanism is
A guide configured to be slidable in the axial direction of the dummy shaft,
It is engaged with a recess formed on the end surface of the dummy shaft.
9. The differential assembling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the differential assembling apparatus according to claim 7.

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