JP2010127437A - Differential device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure the interchangeability of output rotary members whether or not the center of a differential case and the center of a pinion shaft are offset from each other. <P>SOLUTION: In the differential device 1 in which the differential case 7 and the pinion shaft 9 are disposed so that their centers are offset in a rotating axial direction, the pinion shaft 9 is divided into a shaft body part 51 housed in the differential case 7, and a shaft end part 53 connected to the shaft body part 51 from the outside of the case 7 and supported by a support hole 29. A release part 59 having an overhang shape to an end portion 57 of an accelerator shaft 3 is formed on the shaft body part 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a differential device used in a vehicle.

  An ordinary differential device (hereinafter referred to as “combe differential”) accommodates a pinion shaft, a pinion gear, and a side gear in a differential case, and a pair of output rotating members on right and left axle shafts. On the other hand, torque is transmitted while allowing differential rotation. In this convex differential, the axle shaft is made equal in length to the left and right by matching the center of the differential case with the center of the pinion shaft.

  Some of these convex diffs have a differential limiting mechanism added according to the user's demands as disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this differential device, even if the driving resistance of one of the axle shafts is lost, the differential rotation between the axle shafts is limited by the differential limiting mechanism to transmit the rotational force to the other axle shaft. be able to.

  However, if a differential limiting mechanism is added to the convex differential, the center of the pinion shaft may be offset from the center of the differential case in the direction of the rotational axis. In this case, one of the left and right axle shafts must be set shorter than the axle shaft used for the conveyor differential according to the offset, resulting in unequal lengths on the left and right axle shafts.

For this reason, in the conventional structure, the compatibility of the axle shaft cannot be secured by the presence or absence of the offset. In particular, dimensions such as the length of the axle shaft are set based on the convex differential, so when adding a differential limiting mechanism, it has to be set separately as a dedicated product.
JP 2002-70985 A

  The problem to be solved is that the compatibility of the output rotating member cannot be ensured by the presence or absence of the offset between the center of the differential case and the center of the pinion shaft.

  The present invention provides a differential case that is rotatably supported on the stationary side in order to ensure compatibility of the output rotating member regardless of whether there is an offset between the center of the differential case and the center of the pinion shaft. A pinion shaft that is supported by the support hole of the case and intersects the rotation axis, a pinion gear that is rotatably supported around the pinion shaft, and is rotatably supported in the differential case; A pair of side gears that engage with the end of the output rotation member in the engagement hole of the rotation axis, mesh with the pinion gear, and transmit rotational force while allowing differential rotation to the output rotation member; A differential device in which the center of the differential case and the center of the pinion shaft are offset in the rotational axis direction, the pinion shaft being connected to the differential A shaft main body housed in a casing and a shaft end portion coupled to the shaft main body portion from outside the differential case and supported by the support hole are divided into the shaft main body portion and the output rotation. The main feature is that an overhang-shaped relief portion with respect to the end portion of the member is formed.

  The present invention provides a differential apparatus in which the center of the differential case and the center of the pinion shaft are offset in the rotational axis direction, and the pinion shaft is connected to the shaft main body portion accommodated in the differential case and the shaft main body. The shaft main body portion is divided into a shaft end portion coupled from the outside of the differential case and supported by the support hole, and the shaft main body portion has a clearance in the rotation axis direction with respect to the end portion of the output rotation member. Since the portion is formed, the offset can be absorbed by avoiding the end portion of the output rotating member by the escape portion without setting the output rotating member short according to the offset.

  For this reason, in this invention, the output rotation member of the differential apparatus without the said offset can be used, and the compatibility of an output rotation member can be ensured irrespective of the presence or absence of an offset.

  In addition, the pinion shaft can be easily and reliably assembled by separating the shaft main body portion and the shaft end portion even if an overhanging relief portion is provided.

  The purpose of ensuring the compatibility of the output rotating member regardless of whether there is an offset between the center of the differential case and the center of the pinion shaft is realized by dividing and forming the pinion shaft having a relief portion.

[Configuration of differential device]
1 is a cross-sectional view showing a differential apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the differential apparatus shown in FIG. Sections differing by 90 ° are shown. 3 to 6 show the differential case of the differential device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view, FIG. 4 is a side view, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. It is sectional drawing in the VI-VI line arrow of 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the differential device 1 of the present embodiment can be configured as, for example, a front differential device or a rear differential device, and the left and right axle shafts 3 and 5 are connected as output rotating members. Has been.

  The differential device 1 includes a differential case 7, a pinion shaft 9, a pair of pinion gears 11, 11, a pair of side gears 13, 15, and a differential limiting mechanism 17.

  The differential case 7 is rotatably accommodated and supported, for example, in a differential carrier (not shown) as a stationary side, as shown in FIGS. The differential case 7 has a so-called one-piece structure, and a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 19 and end wall portions 21 and 23 at both ends in the rotational axis direction are integrally formed.

  On the outer periphery of the peripheral wall portion 19, a flange portion 25 for attaching a ring / gear is provided in a circular shape. On the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 19, a gear support surface portion 27 made of a concave spherical surface is provided in a circular shape. A support hole 29 for the pinion shaft 9 is formed between the inner and outer periphery of the peripheral wall portion 19. In the support hole 29, a spring pin 31 as a locking tool crosses in the direction of the rotation axis. In addition, a pair of windows 33 and 33 are formed through the peripheral wall portion 19. The window 33 has a size that allows the pinion shaft 9, the pinion gear 11, and the side gears 13 and 15 to be incorporated.

  Boss portions 35 and 37 are integrally projected from the end wall portions 21 and 23 at the rotation axis portion. Bearing support portions 39 and 41 are provided on the outer periphery of the boss portions 35 and 37. Bearings for supporting the differential carrier are attached to the bearing support portions 39 and 41. Adjacent to the bearing support portions 39 and 41, bearing abutment surfaces 43 and 45 are formed. An intermediate portion in the rotational axis direction between the abutting surfaces 43 and 45 is the center O of the differential case 7. An oil passage 49 is formed through one end wall portion 21. An actuator support portion 47 for supporting a lock actuator 87 of the differential limiting mechanism 17 described later is formed between the other end wall portion 23 and the abutting surface 23.

  The pinion shaft 9 is supported by the support hole 29 of the differential case 7 and intersects the rotational axis of the differential case 7. The pinion shaft 9 has a center O ′ at the intersection of its axis and the rotational axis of the differential case 7. The center O ′ is offset from the center O of the differential case 7 on one side in the rotational axis direction.

  The pinion shaft 9 is divided into a shaft body portion 51 and shaft end portions 53 and 53. The shaft main body 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is accommodated between the gear support surface portions 27 in the differential case 7. The shaft body 51 is provided with a slit 52. At both ends of the shaft main body 51, recessed portions 55, 55 for fitting are provided. The shaft main body 51 is integrally provided with a relief 59 for the end 57 of one axle shaft 3.

  The escape portion 59 is provided around the rotational axis of the differential case 7 in a circular shape. The outer diameter of the escape portion 59 has a protruding shape that is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft main body portion 51. On the inner peripheral side of the escape portion 59, an escape hole 61 that penetrates in the direction of the rotation axis is formed. The escape hole 61 has a larger diameter than the end 57 of the axle shaft 3 so that the end 57 of the axle shaft 3 can be inserted. The escape portion 59 is provided with a recess 63 along the opening edge of the escape hole 61 on one side in the rotational axis direction.

  The shaft end portion 53 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is housed and supported in the support hole 29 of the differential case 7. The shaft end portion 53 is provided with a projection 65 for fitting corresponding to the concave portion 55 of the shaft main body portion 51. The protrusion 65 is fitted in the recess 55 of the shaft main body 51, and the shaft end 53 is coupled to the shaft main body 51. The shaft end 53 is locked to prevent the spring pin 31 on the differential case 7 side from passing through the locking hole 67 and preventing it from coming off.

  The pinion gear 11 is a bevel gear and is rotatably supported around the pinion shaft 9. The pinion gear 11 is formed with a back surface 69 made of a convex spherical surface. The back surface portion 69 is slidably supported on the gear support surface portion 27 of the differential case 7 via a washer 28 having a circumferential shape that abuts against the back surface portion 69.

  The side gears 13 and 15 are bevel gears and mesh with the pinion gear 11 at right angles. The side gears 13 and 15 are rotatably arranged around the rotation axis of the differential case 7. The side gears 13 and 15 are allowed to rotate relative to each other by the rotation of the pinion gear 11.

  The side gears 13 and 15 are provided with circumferential protrusions 71 and 73 that protrude toward the end wall portions 21 and 23 of the differential case 7, respectively. The protrusions 71 and 73 are fitted and supported in the recesses 75 and 77 of the end wall portions 21 and 23. One side gear 13 includes a circumferentially extending portion 79 extending toward the pinion shaft 9 side. The distal end of the extending portion 79 is fitted in the concave portion 63 of the pinion shaft 9. Therefore, the side gear 13 is partially inserted into the recess 63 in the direction of the rotation axis and overlaps in the radial direction.

  Connection holes 81 and 83 are formed through the inner periphery of the side gears 13 and 15. The connection hole 81.83 is configured such that the end portions 57 and 58 of the axle shafts 3 and 5 are spline-engaged. Therefore, the side gears 13 and 15 transmit the rotational force while allowing the axle shafts 3 and 5 to perform differential rotation.

  The axle shafts 3 and 5 are set based on a convex differential in which the center of the differential case and the center of the pinion shaft coincide with each other, and the left and right are equalized. An end 57 of one axle shaft 3 passes through one side gear 13 and is inserted into a relief hole 61 of a relief 59 of the pinion shaft 9.

  Therefore, in the differential device 1, even if one axle shaft 3 is not shortened by the offset between the center O of the differential case 7 and the center O ′ of the pinion shaft 9, the one axle shaft 3 and the pinion Interference with the shaft 9 in the direction of the rotation axis is avoided, and the offset can be absorbed.

  As a result, in the differential device 1, the insertion length L from the abutment surfaces 43 and 45 of the end portions 57 and 58 of the axle shafts 3 and 5 can be made the same on the left and right.

  The differential restriction mechanism 17 is a differential lock mechanism that locks up as a restriction on the differential rotation of the axle shafts 3 and 5, and includes a lock mechanism unit 85 and a lock actuator 87 for operation.

  The lock mechanism 85 includes a lock ring 89 as an engagement member. The lock ring 89 is disposed between the other side gear 15 and the other end wall portion 23 of the differential case 7. The lock ring 89 is engaged and supported on the outer periphery of the support cylinder portion 91 on the back surface of the side gear 15 so as to be relatively rotatable and movable in the rotational axis direction.

  A dog clutch 93 is provided between the lock ring 89 and the side gear 15 as an engaging portion that can be engaged and disengaged. A return spring 95 is interposed on the inner peripheral side of the dog clutch. The return spring 95 urges the lock ring 89 toward the differential case 7 side.

  Protrusions 97 are provided on the back surface of the lock ring 89 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The protrusions 97 are disposed in the corresponding through holes 99 of the differential case 7 and connect the lock ring 89 so as to rotate integrally with the differential case 7 side.

  The lock actuator 87 is supported by an actuator support 47 of the differential case 7 and includes a solenoid 101 and a plunger 103. The solenoid 101 includes a yoke 105 and an electromagnetic coil 107. The solenoid 101 is positioned on the actuator support 47 via a washer 109 and a stopper ring 111. The plunger 103 is formed by integrally forming a magnetic ring 113 and a non-magnetic ring 115, and is in contact with the protrusion 97 of the lock ring 89 in the rotation axis direction. The plunger 103 is movable in the direction of the rotational axis of the differential case 7 in accordance with the electromagnetic force of the solenoid 101.

When the solenoid 101 of the lock actuator 87 is energized and controlled, the differential limiting mechanism 17 moves the plunger 103 and applies a pressing force to the protrusion 97 of the lock ring 89. By this pressing force, the lock ring 89 moves against the urging force of the return spring 95 and the dog clutch 93 is coupled. By this coupling, the differential between the side gear 15 and the differential case 7 is locked, and as a result, the differential rotation of the axle shafts 3 and 5 is locked up.
[Built-in differential gear]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view when a differential gear is assembled according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the side gears 13 and 15 are inserted into the differential case 7 through the windows 33 and 33 in advance.

  Next, the pinion shaft 9 is separated into the shaft body 51 and the shaft ends 53 and 53, and only the shaft body 51 is inserted from the window 33 and disposed between the side gears 13 and 15.

  Next, the pinion gears 11 and 11 are engaged with both side gears 23 and 25 while being supported at both ends of the shaft main body 51.

  The differential gear composed of the pinion gears 11 and 11 and the side gears 13 and 15 is rotated by 90 ° around the rotational axis of the differential case 7 with respect to the differential case 7 as shown by an arrow in FIG. 2 arrangement state.

  In such an arrangement state, the shaft end portions 53 and 53 are inserted into the support holes 29 and 29 of the differential case 7 from the outside and coupled to the shaft main body portion 51. Then, the spring pin 31 is assembled between the differential case 7 and the shaft end portions 53, 53, and the differential gear is completely assembled.

Thus, by separating the shaft main body 51 of the pinion shaft 9 from the shaft end portions 53 and 53, the pinion shaft 9 is inserted from the window 33 in the same manner as the side gears 13 and 15 and the pinion gears 11 and 11. Even if it has an overhanging relief portion 59, it can be reliably assembled.
[Effect of Example 1]
The differential device 1 of the present embodiment is a differential device in which the center O of the differential case 7 and the center O ′ of the pinion shaft 9 are offset in the rotational axis direction. An overhang-shaped relief portion 59 with respect to the end portion 57 of the shaft 3 is formed.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, even if one axle shaft 3 is not set short according to the offset, interference between the pinion shaft 9 and the end portion 57 of one axle shaft 3 is avoided by the escape portion 59. Thus, the offset can be absorbed.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, the convex differential axle shafts 3 and 5 having no offset can be used, and compatibility of the axle shafts 3 and 5 can be ensured regardless of the presence or absence of the offset. .

  In addition, the pinion shaft 9 is housed in the differential case 7 and is coupled to the shaft main body 51 having the escape portion 59 from the outside of the differential case 7 and supported by the support holes 29 and 29. The shaft ends 53 and 53 are divided. For this reason, by separating the shaft main body 51 of the pinion shaft 9 from the shaft end portions 53 and 53, the differential case can be opened from the window 33 in the same manner as the side gears 13 and 15 and the pinion gears 11 and 11. 7 can be inserted. Therefore, even if the protruding portion 59 is provided on the pinion shaft 9, the assembly can be performed easily and reliably.

  The escape portion 59 is provided around the rotational axis of the differential case 7 and has an escape hole 61 on the inner peripheral side through which the end portion 57 of the axle shaft 3 can be inserted. Avoidance of the end 57 of the shaft 3 can be realized easily and reliably.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a differential apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the differential apparatus shown in FIG. 8 taken along line IX-IX, with an upper half and a lower half. Sections differing by 90 ° are shown. In addition, since the basic configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals with A added thereto, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the differential device 1 </ b> A according to the present embodiment is fastened and coupled instead of the shaft end portion 53 that is fitted and coupled to the shaft main body 51 of the pinion shaft 9 of the first embodiment. A shaft end 53A is provided.

  That is, the shaft main body 51A of the pinion shaft 9A is provided with female thread portions 55A at both ends. The shaft end portion 53A is provided with a male screw portion 65A corresponding to the female screw portion 55A of the shaft main body portion 51A. The male screw portion 65A is screwed into the female screw portion 55A of the shaft main body portion 51A, and the shaft end portion 53A is fastened to the main body portion 51A.

In the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the spring pin for locking and the locking hole of the shaft end 53A can be omitted, and the structure is simple. , Reduction of the number of parts, and improvement of assembling workability can be achieved, resulting in cost reduction.
[Modification]
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a differential device according to a modification, where (a) shows one modification and (b) shows another modification. The modification of FIG. 10A corresponds to the first embodiment of FIG. 2, and the modification of FIG. 10B corresponds to the second embodiment of FIG. Accordingly, in the modified example, the corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, or B or C added to the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The modification of FIG. 9 employs two-piece structure differential cases 7B and 7C instead of the one-piece structure differential cases 7 and 7A of the first and second embodiments. That is, the differential cases 7B and 7C are divided into the case main body 117 and the case cover 119 in the rotational axis direction at the flange portions 25B and 25C. The case main body 117 and the case cover 119 are joined by fastening the flange portions 25B and 25C together with the ring gear with bolts or the like. A concave portion 121 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the case body 117, and an annular convex portion 123 that fits into the concave portion 121 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the case cover 119.

  Further, a concave groove portion 122 formed along the axial direction is formed in the vicinity of the concave portion 121 on the inner peripheral side of the case main body 117. The groove 122 is formed such that the maximum length of the differential cases 7B and 7C from the rotation shaft portion is longer than the maximum length of the gear support surface portion 27 from the rotation shaft portion of the differential case 7.

  As a process of assembling the main parts of the differential cases 7B and 7C of the differential device of the modified example, the lock body 89 and the side gear 15 in the lock mechanism 85 are assembled from the opening side of the case body 117, and then the shaft body A sub-assembly in which the pinion gear 11 is previously incorporated is inserted into the portion 51, and the side gear 13 is further inserted to assemble the case cover 119. The concave groove 122 has a shape through which the back surface 69 and the washer 28 made of the convex spherical surface of the pinion gear 11 sub-assembled to the shaft main body 51 can pass.

  In this assembling process, after the sub-assembly has reached a normal position in the rotational axis direction of the differential cases 7B, 7C, the shaft end portions 53, 53AC are formed in the support holes 29, formed in the case main body 117. 29C includes a step of rotating the differential cases 7B and 7C in a rotational direction at a position where insertion can be performed from 29AC.

  According to the modified example, by adopting the differential cases 7B and 7C having the two-piece structure, each part of the inner peripheral surface of the differential cases 7B and 7C can be easily processed, and the differential cases 7 and 7A Even when the diameters are the same size, a larger gear set can be set and arranged.

Also in the modified example, in addition to the same effects as the first and second embodiments, the assembly workability can be further improved.
[Others]
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, A various change is possible.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the escape portion 59 is formed in a circular shape that has the escape hole 61 on the inner peripheral side and projects in the radial direction. It is also possible to form the shape. In this case, a recess is formed by the crank shape of the relief portion, and the end 57 of the axle shaft 3 can be avoided.

  Further, as the differential limiting mechanism, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which differential limiting is performed according to the fastening force of the clutch in addition to the differential lock mechanism.

  The differential apparatus of the present invention can also be applied to a center differential apparatus.

It is sectional drawing which shows a differential apparatus (Example 1). (Example 1) which is sectional drawing in the II-II line arrow of the differential apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a differential case of the differential device of FIG. 1 (Example 1). FIG. 3 is a side view showing a differential case of the differential device of FIG. 1 (Example 1). (Example 1) which is sectional drawing in the VV arrow line of FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 4 (Example 1). (Example 1) which is sectional drawing at the time of incorporating a differential gear. (Example 2) which is sectional drawing which shows a differential apparatus. (Example 2) which is sectional drawing in the IX-IX line arrow of the differential apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing of a differential apparatus, (a) shows one modification, (b) has shown the other modification. (Modification)

Explanation of symbols

1 Differential device 3, 5 Axle shaft (output rotating member)
7 Differential case 9 Pinion shaft 11 Pinion gears 13 and 15 Side gear 17 Differential limiting mechanism 29 Support hole 51 Shaft body 53 Shaft ends 57 and 58 Axle shaft end 59 Relief

Claims (8)

A differential case rotatably supported on the stationary side;
A pinion shaft supported by the support hole of the differential case and intersecting the rotational axis;
A pinion gear rotatably supported around the pinion shaft;
The differential rotation case is supported in the differential case so as to be relatively rotatable, and the end of the output rotation member is engaged with the engagement hole of the rotation axis, and meshes with the pinion gear to perform differential rotation on the output rotation member. With a pair of side gears that transmit torque while allowing
A differential device in which the center of the differential case and the center of the pinion shaft are arranged offset in the rotational axis direction;
The pinion shaft is divided into a shaft main body portion housed in the differential case and a shaft end portion coupled to the shaft main body portion from outside the differential case and supported by the support hole,
In the shaft main body portion, an overhang-shaped relief portion with respect to the end portion of the output rotating member was formed.
A differential device characterized by that. The differential device according to claim 1,
The shaft end portion is fitted to the shaft main body portion and locked by a locking pin in the support hole of the differential case.
A differential device characterized by that. The differential device according to claim 1,
The shaft end portion is fastened to the shaft main body portion and fits into a support hole of the differential case.
A differential device characterized by that. A differential device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
On the inner periphery of the differential case, a concave spherical gear support surface is provided,
Provided on the pinion gear is a convex spherical back surface that is slidably supported on the gear support surface;
A differential device characterized by that. A differential device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The escape portion is a circular shape having an escape hole that passes through an end portion of the output rotation member.
A differential device characterized by that. A differential device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
In the shaft body portion, a recess for partially inserting the side gear in the direction of the rotation axis is provided.
A differential device characterized by that. A differential apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A differential limiting mechanism that enables limiting the differential rotation of the output rotating member on one side in the rotational axis direction of the differential case,
A differential device characterized by that. The differential device according to claim 7, comprising:
The differential limiting mechanism is provided between the engagement member supported in the differential case so as to be movable in the direction of the rotation axis, and between the engagement member and the side gear. With a meshing part that meshes and disengages by movement,
A differential device characterized by that.