JP2010180976A - Differential device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a differential device for improving assembling capability. <P>SOLUTION: In the differential device 1 comprising an input gear 3, an input member 5, a differential member 7 and output members 9 and 11, the input member 5 includes divided split members 13 and 15, and the divided split members 13 and 15 include fixing portions 17 and 19 to which the input gear 3 is integrally connected and fixed, respectively. The input gear 3 includes a holding portion 21 by which the fixing portion 19 is held between the fixing portion 17. A welded portion 23 is formed between the input gear 3 and the fixing portion 17 for integrally fixing the input gear 3 and the split member 13 to allow the input gear 3 and the input member 5 to be integrally rotatable by means of the holding portion 21 and the welded portion 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a differential device applied to a vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a differential apparatus that includes a ring gear as an input gear to which driving torque is input and a differential case as an input member that is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the ring gear, and the differential case has a divided structure. In such a differential device, the ring gear and the differential case having a split structure are coupled to each other so as to be integrally rotatable by bolting with bolts.

  However, if the ring gear and the differential case are connected by bolting as in the differential device described above, processing of screw holes for the differential case and the ring gear is required, which increases the number of processing steps. In addition, since a bolt is required, the weight of the device has increased, such as the weight of the bolt and the location where the bolt is assembled.

  On the other hand, there is known a differential device in which a ring gear and a divided differential case are connected by welding so as to be integrally rotatable (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this differential apparatus, the ring gear and the differential case are connected to each other so as to be integrally rotatable by welding between the divided differential case and the ring gear and between the other divided differential case and the ring gear.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No.57-33239

  However, in the above-described differential device, in order to integrate the ring gear and the differential case, it is necessary to weld two locations between the one divided differential case and the ring gear and the other divided differential case and the ring gear. I had to.

  For this reason, the welding process between the ring gear and the differential case is required at least twice, and the welding work is complicated by increasing the number of welding locations, and the assemblability of the apparatus is reduced.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a differential device that can improve the assembling property.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an input gear to which driving torque is input, an input member provided so as to rotate integrally with the input gear, and supported by the input member so as to be rotatable, and by rotation of the input member. A differential apparatus including a differential member that revolves and a pair of output members that can rotate relative to each other by engaging with the differential member, wherein the input member includes a divided member that is divided into at least two, Two of these divided members each have a fixed portion to which the input gear is integrally connected and fixed, and the input gear is connected to one of the fixed portions between the other fixed portion. A holding portion that sandwiches the fixing portion, and the input gear and the one fixing portion are provided with a welding portion that integrally fixes the input gear and the divided member having the one fixing portion; The input gear and Fill force member may be provided integrally rotatable with said holding portion and the weld portion.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the differential apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one split member and the other split member have a diameter between the one split member and the other split member. A support portion for positioning and supporting in the direction is provided.

  Invention of Claim 3 is a differential apparatus of Claim 1 or 2, Comprising: The positioning part which positions the said input gear and the said input member to radial direction is provided adjacent to the said welding part. It is characterized by.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the differential apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the input member includes a dividing member that closes the accommodating member accommodated therein. The member is in contact with a fixed member that restricts axial movement.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the differential apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the input gear and the other divided portion are provided between the input gear and the other divided member. A first connecting portion for connecting the member so as to be integrally rotatable is provided.

  Invention of Claim 6 is a differential apparatus of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5, Comprising: Between this one division member and said other division member, said one division member and A second connecting portion that connects the other split member so as to be integrally rotatable is provided.

  The differential device according to claim 1 is configured such that the input gear and the input member are integrated by sandwiching the other fixed portion between the holding portion and the one fixed portion, and fixing the input gear and the one fixed portion by the welded portion. Since it becomes rotatable, the input gear and the input member can be integrated by one welding, and the welding process can be reduced.

  Therefore, the integration of the input gear and the input member is simplified, and the assembling property of the apparatus can be improved.

  In the differential device according to claim 2, a support portion for positioning and supporting one of the divided members and the other divided member in the radial direction is provided between the one divided member and the other divided member. And the input member are reliably assembled and the assemblability is improved. Further, the divided members can be supported in the radial direction, and the support stability in the radial direction of the divided input members can be improved.

  In the differential device according to the third aspect, since the positioning portion positions the input gear and the input member in the radial direction, the rattling between the input gear and the input member in the radial direction is suppressed, and welding of adjacent welds is poor. And the rotation balance can be maintained well.

  In the differential device according to the fourth aspect, the input member has a dividing member that closes the accommodating member accommodated therein, and a fixing member that restricts axial movement is in contact with the dividing member. In the state where the input member and the input member are integrated, the housing member can be taken out by removing the fixing member and the dividing member, and the design of the housing member can be easily changed.

  In the differential device according to the fifth aspect, the first connecting portion that connects the input gear and the other divided member so as to be integrally rotatable is provided between the input gear and the other divided member. The driving torque input from the input gear to the other divided member sandwiched between the welded portion and the welded portion can be reliably transmitted to the other divided member.

  In the differential device according to the sixth aspect, the second connecting portion that connects the one divided member and the other divided member so as to be integrally rotatable is provided between the one divided member and the other divided member. In the divided input member, the integral rotation of the divided members can be ensured, and the driving torque input from the input gear can be stably transmitted to the input member.

It is sectional drawing of the differential apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the differential apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the differential apparatus which concerns on the other example of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the differential apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the differential apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  A differential apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(First embodiment)
A differential apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  A differential device 1 according to the present embodiment is supported by a ring gear 3 as an input gear to which driving torque is input, a differential case 5 as an input member provided so as to rotate integrally with the ring gear 3, and the differential case 5. And a pinion 7 as a differential member that revolves when the differential case 5 rotates and a pair of side gears 9 and 11 as a pair of output members that mesh with the pinion 7 and can rotate relative to each other. The differential case 5 includes a cover member 13 and a case main body 15 as divided parts. The cover member 13 and the case main body 15 serve as a fixing portion to which the ring gear 3 is integrally connected and fixed. The ring gear 3 includes flange portions 17 and 19, and the ring gear 3 includes a sandwiching portion 21 that sandwiches the flange portion 19 between the ring gear 3 and the ring gear 3 and the flange portion 17. A welded portion 23 that is integrally fixed is provided, and the ring gear 3 and the differential case 5 are provided so as to be integrally rotatable by the holding portion 21 and the welded portion 23.

  Further, a support portion 25 that positions and supports the cover member 13 and the case main body 15 in the radial direction is provided between the cover member 13 and the case main body 15.

  Further, a positioning portion 24 that positions the inner peripheral surface of the ring gear 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the differential case 5 in the radial direction is provided adjacent to the welded portion 23.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ring gear 3 is formed in an annular shape and meshes with the power transmission gear 27. The ring gear 3 is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the differential case 5, and transmits a driving torque input to the ring gear 3 to the differential case 5.

  The differential case 5 includes a cover member 13 and a case body 15 and is rotatably supported on a carrier 37 via bearings 33 and 35 by boss portions 29 and 31 formed on both sides in the axial direction. The differential case 5 accommodates a differential mechanism 39, and the driving force transmitted to the differential case 5 is transmitted to the differential mechanism 39.

  The differential mechanism 39 includes the differential case 5, and includes a pinion shaft 41, a pinion 7, and a pair of side gears 9 and 11. The pinion shaft 41 is engaged with the differential case 5 at its end and is prevented from being detached by the pin 43, and is rotationally driven integrally with the differential case 5.

  The pinion 7 is supported by the pinion shaft 41 and revolves as the differential case 5 rotates. Further, the pinion 7 transmits a driving force to the pair of side gears 9 and 11 and is rotatably supported by the pinion shaft 41 so as to be driven to rotate when a differential rotation occurs between the pair of side gears 9 and 11 engaged with each other. ing. Between the pinion 7 and the differential case 5, a spherical washer 45 that receives radial movement generated when the pinion 7 revolves is disposed.

  The pair of side gears 9 and 11 are supported by the boss portions 47 and 49 so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the differential case 5 and mesh with the pinion 7. Further, between the side gears 9 and 11 and the differential case 5, thrust washers 51 and 53 that receive movement in the axial direction of the side gears 9 and 11 due to the meshing reaction force with the pinion 7 are arranged.

  In the differential device 1 configured as described above, the ring gear 3, the differential case 5 divided into the cover member 13 and the case main body 15 include the holding portion 21 provided in the ring gear 3, the cover member 13, and the ring gear 3. Are connected and fixed so as to be integrally rotatable.

  The holding portion 21 is provided so as to protrude toward the inner diameter side of the ring gear 3, and the flange of the case main body 15 includes an axial surface 55 facing the flange portions 17 and 19 and an axial surface 57 of the flange portion 17 of the cover member 13. The axial surfaces 59 and 61 on both sides in the axial direction of the portion 19 are sandwiched. Further, the frictional force between the axial surface 57 of the flange portion 17 of the cover member 13 and the axial surface 59 of the flange portion 19 of the case body 15 and the axial surface 61 of the flange portion 19 of the case body 15 are sandwiched. The frictional force between the portion 21 and the axial surface 55 is such that the cover member 13 and the case main body 15 do not slip with respect to the input torque from the ring gear 3, that is, the holding portion so as to be integrally rotatable. 21 is set between the sandwiched portion 21 and the welded portion 23. The cover member 13 and the flange portions 17 and 19 of the case main body 15 are provided with bolts 63 as temporary fixings, but the cover member 13 and the case main body 15 are sandwiched between the sandwiching portion 21 and the welded portion 23. And the bolt 63 may not be provided.

  The welded portion 23 is provided by welding so that the ring gear 3 and the cover member 13 can be integrally rotated between an end portion in the axial direction of the ring gear 3 and an end portion in the axial direction of the flange portion 17 of the cover member 13. It has been. A positioning portion 24 for positioning the inner peripheral surface of the ring gear 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the cover member 13 of the differential case 5 in the radial direction is provided adjacent to the welded portion 23. That is, both members are centered in the radial direction. ing. In this way, by centering the ring gear 3 and the differential case 5 with the positioning portion 24, poor welding of the welded portion 23 due to rattling between radial directions is suppressed, and the ring gear 3 and the differential case 5 are stably centered. be able to. The cover member 13 and the case main body 15 are centered in the radial direction by support portions 25 that are provided between the outer peripheral surface of the cover member 13 and the inner peripheral surface of the case main body 15 and support each other. The support portion 25 stabilizes the radial support between the cover member 13 and the case main body 15.

  In such a differential device 1, the ring gear 3 and the differential case 5 rotate integrally by sandwiching the flange portion 19 between the holding portion 21 and the flange portion 17 and fixing the ring gear 3 and the flange portion 17 with the welded portion 23. Therefore, the ring gear 3 and the differential case 5 can be integrated by a single welding, and the welding process can be reduced.

  Therefore, the integration of the ring gear 3 and the differential case 5 is simplified, and the assembling property of the apparatus can be improved.

  Further, since a support portion 25 for positioning and supporting the cover member 13 and the case main body 15 in the radial direction is provided between the cover member 13 and the case main body 15, a divided member of the cover member 13 and the case main body 15. It is possible to support each other in the radial direction, and it is possible to improve the support stability in the radial direction of the divided differential case 5.

  Further, since the positioning portion 24 adjacent to the welded portion 23 positions the ring gear 3 and the differential case 5 in the radial direction, rattling between the ring gear 3 and the differential case 5 in the radial direction is suppressed, and the welded portion 23 is poorly welded. Can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
A differential apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the differential apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment, the differential case 103 has a closing member 105 as a divided member that closes the accommodating member accommodated therein, and the closing member 105 is fixed to restrict axial movement. The member 107 is abutted. In addition, although the same code | symbol is described to the structure same as 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted, but since it is the same structure as 1st Embodiment, a structure and functional description refer to 1st Embodiment. Although omitted, the obtained effects are the same.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the differential case 103 includes a closing member 105 in which a boss portion 31 is formed in addition to the cover member 13 and the case main body 15. The closing member 105 is connected to the case main body 15 so as to be integrally rotatable, closes the inside of the differential case 103 from the outside, abuts against a fixing member 107 such as a snap ring fixed to the inner diameter side of the case main body 15, and moves in the axial direction. It is regulated. In addition, pressure rings 109 and 111 arranged on the back side of the pinion 7 and the back side of the pair of side gears 9 and 11 are accommodated in the differential case 103 so as to be movable in the axial direction, and can rotate integrally with the differential case 103. It is connected to. The pressure rings 109 and 111 are pressed and moved outward in the axial direction by the meshing reaction force between the gears. Further, between the pressure rings 109 and 111 and the differential case 103 in the axial direction, a plurality of inner clutch plates that are axially movable and coupled to the pair of side gears 9 and 11 so as to be integrally rotatable, and an axially movable differential case are provided. Multi-plate clutches 113 and 115 serving as a differential limiting mechanism including a plurality of outer clutch plates that are coupled to 103 and are integrally rotatable are arranged. The housing member housed in the differential case 103 is formed by removing the fixing member 107 from the case body 15 and removing the closing member 105 in a state where the ring gear 3, the cover member 13, and the case body 15 are integrated. The housing member can be easily taken out of the differential case 103, and the design of the housing member can be changed without dividing the differential case 103 entirely.

  In such a differential apparatus 101, the differential case 103 has a closing member 105 that closes the housing member accommodated therein, and a fixing member 107 that restricts axial movement is in contact with the closing member 105. The housing member can be taken out by removing the fixing member 107 and the closing member 105 in a state where the ring gear 3 and the differential case 103 are integrated, and the design of the housing member can be easily changed.

  A differential apparatus shown in FIG. 3 will be described as another example of the present embodiment. In the differential device 201, the differential case 203 is divided into a cover member 13 and a case main body 15, the cover member 13 is connected to the case main body 15 so as to be rotatable together with the case main body 15, and the inside of the differential case 203 is closed from the outside. Abutting with a fixing member 205 such as a snap ring fixed to the side, movement in the axial direction is restricted. Further, in the differential case 203, the flange portion 19 is provided only in the case main body 15, and the ring gear 3 and the differential case 203 are integrated with the outer diameter side of the flange portion 19 and the outer diameter side of the ring gear 3 by one welded portion 23. It is provided so as to be rotatable.

  Even in such a differential apparatus 201, the housing member housed in the differential case 203 is obtained by removing the fixing member 205 from the case body 15 and removing the cover member 13 in a state where the ring gear 3 and the case body 15 are integrated. The housing member can be easily taken out of the differential case 203, and the design of the housing member can be changed without dividing the differential case 203 and the ring gear 3.

  Note that the fixing structure between the closing member 105 or the fixing member 107 and the differential case 103 or the differential case 203 is not limited to the above-described structure, and other fixing methods may be employed. For example, using a screw fastening and a lock nut can be considered as an example.

(Third embodiment)
A differential apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  A differential device 301 according to the present embodiment includes a spline-shaped connecting portion 303 as a first connecting portion that connects the ring gear 3 and the case main body 15 so as to be integrally rotatable between the ring gear 3 and the case main body 15. Is provided. In addition, although the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as other embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted, but since it is the same structure as other embodiment, a structure and functional description refer to another embodiment. Although omitted, the obtained effects are the same.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a spline-shaped connecting portion 303 is formed on the inner diameter side of the holding portion 21 of the ring gear 3 and the outer diameter side of the case body 15. By connecting the ring gear 3 and the case main body 15 with the connecting portion 303, the driving torque input from the ring gear 3 is reliably transmitted to the case main body 15 sandwiched between the holding portion 21 and the welding portion 23. can do. Furthermore, for example, even when the frictional force between the sandwiched portion 21 and the welded portion 23 is weak, or when the temporary fixing bolt 63 is not provided, the connecting portion 303 is connected. Thus, the drive torque is transmitted from the ring gear 3 to the case body 15 via the connecting portion 303, and the drive torque is transmitted from the ring gear 3 to the cover member 13 via the welded portion 23, so that the cover member 13, the case body 15, Is reliably rotated integrally.

  In such a differential device 301, a connecting portion 303 that connects the ring gear 3 and the case main body 15 so as to be integrally rotatable is provided between the ring gear 3 and the case main body 15. Thus, the drive torque input from the ring gear 3 can be reliably transmitted to the case body 15 between the case body 15 and the case body 15.

(Fourth embodiment)
A differential apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the differential device 401 according to the present embodiment, the engagement between the cover member 13 and the case body 15 is uneven as a second connecting portion that connects the cover member 13 and the case body 15 so as to be integrally rotatable. A connecting portion 403 is provided. In addition, although the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as other embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted, but since it is the same structure as other embodiment, a structure and functional description refer to another embodiment. Although omitted, the obtained effects are the same.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a connecting portion 403 is formed on the axial surface 57 of the flange portion 17 of the cover member 13 and the axial surface 59 of the flange portion 19 of the case main body 15 so as to be unevenly engaged (dog teeth). ing. The cover member 13 and the case main body 15 are connected by the connecting portion 403, so that the integral rotation of the cover member 13 and the case main body 15 can be further ensured.

  In such a differential device 401, since the connecting portion 403 that connects the cover member 13 and the case main body 15 so as to be integrally rotatable is provided between the cover member 13 and the case main body 15, the divided differential case 103 is divided. Therefore, the integral rotation of the divided members of the cover member 13 and the case main body 15 can be ensured, and the driving torque input from the ring gear 3 can be stably transmitted to the differential case 103.

  In the differential device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the case main body 15 is sandwiched between the cover member 13 and the ring gear 3, but the holding portion 21 of the ring gear 3 is provided on the outer side in the axial direction of the cover member 13. The cover member 13 may be sandwiched between the case body 15 and the ring gear 3. In this case, a welded portion 23 and a positioning portion 24 may be provided between the case main body 15 and the ring gear 3.

  Moreover, although the 1st connection part (connection part 303) and the 2nd connection part (connection part 403) are provided individually, you may provide two with respect to one apparatus. Thereby, the drive torque input from an input gear can be transmitted to an input member more reliably.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101,201,301,401 ... Differential device 3 ... Ring gear (input gear)
5, 103, 203 ... Differential case (input member)
7 ... Pinion (differential member)
9, 11 ... Side gear (output member)
13, 15, 105 ... cover member, case body, closing member (divided member)
17, 19 ... Flange (fixed part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Nipping part 23 ... Welding part 24 ... Positioning part 25 ... Support part 107,205 ... Fixing member 303 ... Connection part (1st connection part)
403 ... connection part (second connection part)

Claims (6)

An input gear to which driving torque is input, an input member provided so as to be rotatable together with the input gear, a differential member supported by the input member and capable of rotating and revolving by rotation of the input member, A differential device including a pair of output members that mesh with a differential member and can rotate relative to each other,
The input member is composed of divided members divided into at least two or more, and two of the divided members each have a fixing portion to which the input gear is integrally connected and fixed, and the input gear is A holding portion that sandwiches the other fixing portion between any one of the fixing portions, and the input gear and the one fixing portion include the input gear and the one fixing portion. A welded portion for integrally fixing the split member having a gap is provided, and the input gear and the input member are provided so as to be integrally rotatable between the holding portion and the welded portion. Differential device. The differential device according to claim 1,
A differential device characterized in that a support portion for positioning and supporting the one divided member and the other divided member in the radial direction is provided between the one divided member and the other divided member. . A differential device according to claim 1 or 2,
A differential device characterized in that a positioning portion for positioning the input gear and the input member in the radial direction is provided adjacent to the welded portion. A differential device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The differential member according to claim 1, wherein the input member includes a dividing member that closes the accommodating member accommodated therein, and a fixing member that restricts axial movement is abutted on the dividing member. A differential device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A differential device, wherein a first connecting portion that connects the input gear and the other split member so as to be integrally rotatable is provided between the input gear and the other split member. A differential device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Between the one split member and the other split member, there is provided a second connecting portion that connects the one split member and the other split member so as to be integrally rotatable. Differential device.

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