JP2017215015A - Differential device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a differential device capable of stably applying initial torque to a differential mechanism and an intermissive mechanism, and improving intermissive characteristics of the intermissive mechanism.SOLUTION: A differential device 1 includes: a differential mechanism 15 which has a differential case 3 rotatably disposed, pinion shafts 5 and 7 stored in the differential case 3 so as to integrally rotate, a pinion 9 supported by the pinion shafts 5 and 7 so as to rotate and revolved by rotations of the differential case 3, and a pair of side gears 11 and 13 disposed so as to mesh and relatively rotate with the pinion 9; and an intermissive mechanism 17 which makes the differential action of the differential mechanism 15 intermittent. Between the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the pair of the side gears 11 and 13, leaf springs 19 and 19 applying initial torque on the differential mechanism 15 and the intermissive mechanism 17 are disposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

  Conventionally, as a differential device, a differential case that is rotatably arranged, a pinion shaft that is rotatably accommodated in the differential case, a pinion that is rotatably supported by the pinion shaft and revolves by rotation of the differential case, and the pinion And a differential mechanism having a pair of side gears arranged so as to mesh with each other and a pair of side gears, and an intermittent mechanism for interrupting the differential of the differential mechanism is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  In this differential device, the intermittent mechanism has an intermittent member that is integrally rotatable with the differential case and is disposed so as to be movable in the axial direction, and the differential mechanism is configured to differentially move between the intermittent member and one of the pair of side gears. An intermittent part is provided.

  In such a differential device, by moving the intermittent member in the axial direction and connecting the intermittent portion, the differential case and the one side gear are connected so as to be integrally rotatable, and the differential of the differential mechanism is locked. .

  In the differential device having the differential lock function as described in Patent Document 1, the initial torque is not applied to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism, and the initial torque is applied to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism. It is conceivable to improve the intermittent characteristics of the mechanism.

  On the other hand, in a differential device having a differential limiting mechanism that limits the differential of the differential mechanism, a device in which a disc spring that applies initial torque to the differential limiting mechanism is arranged (for example, is known). Patent Documents 2 and 3).

  In the differential device of Patent Document 2, a pressure plate engaged with the pinion shaft so as to rotate together with the pinion shaft is disposed between the pinion shaft and the pair of side gears, and a disc spring is disposed between the pinion shaft and the pressure plate. Yes.

  In the differential device of Patent Document 3, a pinion shaft is supported by a holder, and a disc spring is disposed between the holder and the pair of side gears.

  In these differential devices such as Patent Documents 2 and 3, the disc springs press the pair of side gears outward from the pinion shaft side located on the inner side, thereby applying initial torque to the differential limiting mechanism.

  In this way, by applying the initial torque from the inside to the outside by the disc spring, the disc spring is arranged in the differential case as compared with the case where the initial torque is applied to the differential limiting mechanism from the outside to the inside. It is not necessary to secure a space for the differential case, and the thickness of the differential case is not reduced and the differential case is not enlarged.

  In addition, by using a disc spring as a member that applies initial torque to the differential limiting mechanism, it is possible to reduce assembling and limit the position of the arrangement as when a plurality of coil springs are arranged on a plurality of pinion shafts. There is no cause.

JP-A-2005-331030 JP 2000-283263 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-22809

  By the way, in the arrangement structure of the disc springs as described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the disc spring is initialized to the differential limiting mechanism via a pressure plate engaged with the pinion shaft so as to be integrally rotatable and a holder supporting the pinion shaft. Torque is applied.

  In such a configuration, the urging force of the disc spring is transmitted to the differential limiting mechanism via another member having an engagement portion and a support portion with the pinion shaft, and thus rattling at the engagement portion and the support portion is performed. There is a possibility that the biasing force of the disc spring is transmitted unevenly due to the sticking.

  For this reason, when it is applied to a differential device such as the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 to a disc spring arrangement structure such as the above-mentioned Patent Documents 2 and 3, the disc spring is stably initialized to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism. Torque could not be applied, and the intermittent characteristics of the intermittent mechanism could become unstable.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a differential device that can stably apply an initial torque to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism, and can improve the intermittent characteristics of the intermittent mechanism.

  The present invention provides a differential case that is rotatably arranged, a pinion shaft that is rotatably accommodated in the differential case, a pinion that is rotatably supported by the pinion shaft and revolves by the rotation of the differential case, and meshes with the pinion A differential device comprising a differential mechanism having a pair of side gears arranged so as to be relatively rotatable, and an interrupting mechanism for interrupting the differential of the differential mechanism, wherein the pinion shaft and the pair of side gears A disc spring for applying an initial torque to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism is disposed therebetween.

  In this differential device, a disc spring that applies an initial torque to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism is disposed between the pinion shaft and the pair of side gears, so that a separate member having an engagement portion and a support portion is interposed therebetween. In addition, the pinion shaft and the side gear can be directly urged by the disc spring, and the initial torque can be uniformly applied to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism.

  Therefore, in such a differential device, the initial torque can be stably applied to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism, and the intermittent characteristics of the intermittent mechanism can be improved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a differential device that can stably apply initial torque to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism, and can improve the intermittent characteristics of the intermittent mechanism.

It is sectional drawing of the differential apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of a pinion shaft, a disc spring, and a washer of a differential device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a side view of a pinion shaft, a disc spring, and a washer of a differential device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a front view of a pinion shaft, a disc spring, and a washer of a differential device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a rear view of a pinion shaft, a disc spring, and a washer of a differential device concerning an embodiment of the invention.

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

  A differential device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a differential case 3 that is rotatably arranged, pinion shafts 5 and 7 that are accommodated in the differential case 3 so as to be integrally rotatable, and are rotatably supported by the pinion shafts 5 and 7. The differential mechanism 15 having a pinion 9 that revolves by the rotation of the differential case 3 and a pair of side gears 11 and 13 that mesh with the pinion 9 and are arranged to be relatively rotatable, and the differential of the differential mechanism 15 is intermittently connected. And an intermittent mechanism 17.

  Disposed between the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the pair of side gears 11 and 13 are disc springs 19 and 19 that apply initial torque to the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17.

  The receiving surface 21 that receives the load of the disc spring 19 of the pinion shafts 5 and 7 is formed as a flat surface.

  Further, a washer 23 is disposed between the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the disc spring 19.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the differential mechanism 15 includes a differential case 3, pinion shafts 5 and 7, a pinion 9, and a pair of side gears 11 and 13.

  The differential case 3 is rotatably supported on a stationary member (not shown) such as a carrier via bearings (not shown) on the outer periphery of boss portions 25 and 27 provided on both sides in the axial direction.

  The differential case 3 is provided with a flange portion 29 to which a ring gear (not shown) is fixed. The ring gear meshes with a transmission gear (not shown) that transmits a driving force from a mechanism on the input side, and the driving force is applied to the differential case 3. Communicated.

  In such a differential case 3, pinion shafts 5, 7, a pinion 9, and a pair of side gears 11 and 13 are accommodated, and the driving force input to the differential case 3 is transmitted.

  The pinion shafts 5 and 7 are composed of two short pinion shafts 5 and one long pinion shaft 7.

  The two short pinion shafts 5 are engaged with the differential case 3 at their outer ends and are prevented from coming off and rotating with pins 31, and are rotationally driven integrally with the differential case 3.

  One long pinion shaft 7 is engaged with the inner ends of two short pinion shafts 5 in a hole provided in the middle to prevent the pinion shaft 5 from coming off and to prevent rotation, and is rotated and driven integrally with the differential case 3. .

  A plurality of pinions 9 are supported on the outer end sides of the pinion shafts 5 and 7, respectively.

  The plurality of pinions 9 is a four-pinion type in which four are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the differential case 3, and are respectively provided on the outer end side of the two short pinion shafts 5 and on both end sides of the long pinion shaft 7. It is supported and revolves as the differential case 3 rotates.

  Between the back side of the pinion 9 and the differential case 3, a spherical washer 33 that receives the radial movement generated when the pinion 9 revolves is disposed.

  Such a pinion 9 is capable of transmitting driving force to the pair of side gears 11 and 13 and capable of rotating to the pinion shafts 5 and 7 so as to be driven to rotate when a differential rotation occurs between the pair of side gears 11 and 13 engaged with each other. It is supported by.

  The pair of side gears 11 and 13 are supported by the differential case 3 so as to be rotatable relative to each other by bosses formed on the side gears 11 and 13, and mesh with the pinion 9.

  Between the pair of side gears 11 and 13 and the differential case 3, thrust washers 35 and 37 that receive the movement of the side gears 11 and 13 in the axial direction by the meshing reaction force with the pinion 9 are respectively disposed.

  The pair of side gears 11 and 13 are provided with spline-shaped connecting portions 39 and 41 on the inner peripheral side, respectively, and drive shafts (not shown) connected to the output side mechanism so as to be integrally rotatable are respectively side gears 11. , 13 so as to be integrally rotatable, and the driving force input to the differential case 3 is output to the output side mechanism via the driving shaft.

  The differential of the pair of side gears 11 and 13 in the differential mechanism 15 is locked by the connection of the intermittent mechanism 17, and the driving force transmitted to the pair of side gears 11 and 13 is applied to the left and right output side mechanisms. Output uniformly.

  Thus, the differential apparatus 1 having the intermittent mechanism 17 that interrupts the differential of the differential mechanism 15 is a differential apparatus having a so-called differential lock function.

  The intermittent mechanism 17 includes an intermittent member 43, an intermittent portion 45, a movable member 47, and an electromagnet 49.

  The intermittent member 43 is formed in an annular shape, and a base portion 51 formed of a single member that is continuous in the circumferential direction is disposed so as to be axially movable between the axial direction between the wall portion 53 of the differential case 3 and the back side of the side gear 13. Yes.

  An engaging portion 55 that engages with the differential case 3 so as to rotate together with the differential case 3 is provided on the wall portion 53 side of the intermittent case 43 of the intermittent member 43, and an intermittent portion 45 is provided on the back side of the side gear 13 of the intermittent member 43. It has been.

  The engaging portion 55 includes a plurality of protrusions 57 provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the base portion 51 of the intermittent member 43 and a plurality of engagement portions 55 provided so as to penetrate the wall portion 53 of the differential case 3 in the axial direction at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Hole portion 59.

  When the convex portion 57 and the hole portion 59 are engaged in the rotation direction, the intermittent member 43 is prevented from rotating around the differential case 3, and the intermittent member 43 and the differential case 3 can rotate together.

  The engaging portion 55 is provided with a cam that moves the intermittent member 43 in the connecting direction of the intermittent portion 45. Specifically, cam surfaces having the same inclination are formed on the opposing surfaces of the convex portion 57 and the hole portion 59 on both sides in the circumferential direction.

  For this reason, when the intermittent member 43 is moved in the connecting direction of the intermittent portion 45 and a meshing action in the rotational direction is generated in the intermittent portion 45, the cam surface is engaged by the rotation of the differential case 3, thereby the intermittent member. 43 is further moved in the meshing direction of the interrupting portion 45 to strengthen the connection of the interrupting portion 45.

  The intermittent portion 45 is provided between the engaging portion 55 of the base portion 51 of the intermittent member 43 and the axial direction opposite to the axial direction between the intermittent member 43 and the back side of the side gear 13, and between the intermittent member 43 and the side gear 13. A plurality of mesh teeth are formed in the circumferential direction and mesh with each other.

  This intermittent portion 45 is connected so that the intermittent member 43 and the side gear 13 can be integrated together, that is, the differential case 3 and the side gear 13 are connected so that they can rotate integrally. Is locked.

  On the other hand, a biasing member 61 is provided on the radially inner side of the interrupting portion 45 between the axial direction of the interrupting member 43 and the back side of the side gear 13, and biases the interrupting member 43 in the disconnecting direction of the interrupting portion 45. ing.

  By this urging member 61, the intermittent member 43 is moved in the connection release direction of the intermittent portion 45, the connection of the intermittent portion 45 is released, and the differential of the differential mechanism 15 is unlocked.

  The intermittent state of the intermittent part 45 is controlled by an actuator composed of a movable member 47 and an electromagnet 49.

  The movable member 47 is disposed on the inner diameter side of the electromagnet 49 so as to be axially movable on the outer periphery of the boss portion 27 of the differential case 3, and includes an annular plunger 63 and a ring member 65.

  The plunger 63 is made of a magnetic material, and is disposed on the inner diameter side of the electromagnet 49 with an air gap that is a minute gap set so as to allow magnetic flux to pass therethrough.

  The ring member 65 is formed of a non-magnetic material and is integrally fixed to the inner diameter side of the plunger 63 to prevent magnetic flux from leaking from the inner peripheral side of the plunger 63 to the differential case 3 side.

  The ring member 65 is disposed on the outer periphery of the boss portion 27 of the differential case 3 so as to be movable in the axial direction, and is moved outward in the axial direction by a regulating member 67 made of a nonmagnetic material press-fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of the boss portion 27 of the differential case 3. There are movement restrictions.

  Such a ring member 65 is provided with a pressing portion 69 that can be in contact with the convex portion 57 of the intermittent member 43 on the end surface in the axial direction on the intermittent member 43 side, and the axial direction by the movable member 47 operated by the electromagnet 49. Is transmitted to the intermittent member 43 via the pressing portion 69, and the intermittent member 43 is pressed in the connecting direction of the intermittent portion 45.

  The electromagnet 49 is disposed adjacent to the wall portion 53 of the differential case 3 in the axial direction on the outer peripheral side of the boss portion 27 of the differential case 3 and is prevented from rotating by a stationary system member such as a carrier. And.

  The electromagnetic coil 71 is annularly wound with a predetermined number of turns and molded with resin.

  The electromagnetic coil 71 is connected to a lead wire (not shown) drawn to the outside, and is connected to a controller (not shown) for controlling energization via the lead wire.

  The core 73 is made of a magnetic material so that a magnetic field is formed by energization of the electromagnetic coil 71, and has a predetermined magnetic path cross-sectional area.

  The core 73 annularly covers the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the electromagnetic coil 71 and the end surface on one side in the axial direction located on the opposite side of the wall portion 53 of the differential case 3 of the electromagnetic coil 71.

  On the outer diameter side of the core 73, an extending portion 75 extending in the axial direction from the wall portion 53 of the differential case 3 is arranged so as to cover with a sliding contact surface set so that magnetic flux can be transmitted. In addition, the electromagnet 49 is positioned inward in the axial direction by the axial end surface of the extending portion 75.

  On the other hand, the axially outer end face of the core 73 is positioned outwardly in the axial direction of the electromagnet 49 together with the movable member 47 by a restriction member 67 that restricts the movement of the movable member 47 outward in the axial direction.

  In the differential device 1 configured as described above, the plunger 63 is effectively used by using the shortest magnetic flux loop formed by the magnetic flux that passes through the core 73, the plunger 63, and the wall portion 53 of the differential case 3 by the excitation of the electromagnet 49. Is moved to the intermittent member 43 side, and the ring member 65 presses the intermittent member 43 via the pressing portion 69.

  By the pressing operation of the intermittent member 43 by the movable member 47, the intermittent member 43 is moved in the connecting direction of the intermittent portion 45 against the urging force of the urging member 61, and the intermittent portion 45 is connected.

  Due to the connection of the intermittent portion 45, the side gear 13 and the intermittent member 43 are connected so as to be integrally rotatable, the side gear 13 and the differential case 3 are connected, and the differential mechanism 15 is locked.

  On the other hand, in the disconnection of the intermittent portion 45, by stopping energization to the electromagnet 49, the intermittent member 43 is moved in the disconnection direction of the intermittent portion 45 by the biasing force of the biasing member 61, and the connection of the intermittent portion 45 is disconnected. Canceled.

  By releasing the connection of the intermittent portion 45, the side gear 13 and the intermittent member 43 can be rotated relative to each other, the side gear 13 and the differential case 3 can be rotated relative to each other, and the locked state of the differential mechanism 15 is released.

  Here, an interlocking member 77 is fixed to an end face in the axial direction of the convex portion 57 of the intermittent member 43 so as to be movable integrally with the intermittent member 43 in the axial direction via a bolt.

  The interlocking member 77 is disposed in a radial hole 79 provided in a radial direction with respect to a hole portion 59 provided in the wall portion 53 of the differential case 3, and an end portion in the radial direction is an outer peripheral surface of the differential case 3. The operation unit 81 is disposed so as to be exposed.

  The operation portion 81 of the interlocking member 77 is engaged with a switch portion of a position switch (not shown) fixed to a stationary member such as a carrier, and intermittently operates the switch portion by the axial movement of the intermittent member 43. .

  By detecting the on / off of the position switch by the interlocking member 77, it is possible to detect the position of the on / off member 43, that is, whether or not the on / off mechanism 17 is in the connected state, and whether or not the differential device 1 is in the locked state. Can be detected.

  In such a differential device 1, by applying initial torque to the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17, the initial positions of the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17 are stably maintained, and the intermittent mechanism 17 is intermittently connected. The characteristics can be improved.

  Therefore, disc springs 19 and 19 that apply initial torque to the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17 are arranged between the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the pair of side gears 11 and 13.

  The disc springs 19 and 19 are formed in an annular shape, have a predetermined urging force, and are disposed between the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the pair of side gears 11 and 13 in the axial direction.

  The disc springs 19 and 19 urge the pair of side gears 11 and 13 from the inner pinion shafts 5 and 7 toward the outer side in the axial direction so as to define the initial positions of the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17. Initial torque is applied to the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17.

  In this way, the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the pair of side gears 11 and 13 are directly biased by the disc spring 19 so that the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the pair of side gears 11 and 13 are uniformly attached in the circumferential direction. Thus, the initial torque can be stably applied to the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17.

  Here, the receiving surfaces 21 and 21 that receive the load of the disc spring 19 of the pinion shafts 5 and 7 are formed as flat surfaces.

  The receiving surfaces 21 and 21 of the pinion shafts 5 and 7 are inside the both ends in the axial direction of the pinion shafts 5 and 7 so as to correspond to the arrangement positions of the disc springs 19 and 19 with respect to the pinion shafts 5 and 7. Two places are provided symmetrically.

  By providing the receiving surfaces 21 and 21 on the pinion shafts 5 and 7 as described above, the engagement of the pinion shafts 5 and 7 with the differential case 3 can be stabilized, and the support of the pinion 9 can be stabilized. The power transmission of the moving mechanism 15 can be stabilized.

  By forming the receiving surfaces 21 and 21 of the pinion shafts 5 and 7 as flat surfaces, the load of the disc spring 19 can be received by a surface (line) instead of a point, and the area receiving the load of the disc spring 19 And the load of the disc spring 19 can be applied to the pinion shafts 5 and 7 more stably.

  Here, washers 23, 23 are arranged between the pinion shafts 5, 7 and the disc springs 19, 19 in the axial direction, respectively.

  The washers 23, 23 are not supported via an engaging portion that engages with the pinion shafts 5, 7 so as to be integrally rotatable, and the axial position is held by the biasing force of the disc springs 19, 19. The movement in the radial direction is restricted by the four pinions 9 supported by the pinion shafts 5 and 7.

  By disposing the washers 23, 23 between the pinion shafts 5, 7 and the disc springs 19, 19, the disc springs 19, 23 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the pinion shafts 5, 7 via the washers 23, 23. 19 urging forces can be applied.

  In addition, since the washers 23 and 23 do not have an engaging portion between the pinion shafts 5 and 7, there is no rattling in the engaging portion, and the differential mechanism 15 by the disc springs 19 and 19 Application of the initial torque to the intermittent mechanism 17 can be stabilized.

  The disc spring 19 is disposed with a remaining bending allowance equal to or more than a cutting allowance when the receiving surface 21 is formed flat on the pinion shafts 5, 7, and the pinion shafts 5, 7 and the pair of side gears 11, 13 Sufficient urging force can be applied.

  In such a differential device 1, the disc springs 19 and 19 that apply initial torque to the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17 are disposed between the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the pair of side gears 11 and 13. Therefore, the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the side gears 11 and 13 can be directly urged by the disc springs 19 and 19 without using a separate member having an engaging part and a supporting part, and the differential mechanism 15 and The initial torque can be uniformly applied to the intermittent mechanism 17.

  Therefore, in such a differential device 1, the initial torque can be stably applied to the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17, and the intermittent characteristics of the intermittent mechanism 17 can be improved.

  Further, since the receiving surface 21 for receiving the load of the disc spring 19 of the pinion shafts 5 and 7 is formed as a flat surface, the load of the disc spring 19 can be received by the surface, and the area receiving the load of the disc spring 19 can be reduced. The load of the disc spring 19 can be applied to the pinion shafts 5 and 7 more stably.

  Further, since a washer 23 is disposed between the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the disc spring 19, a biasing force of the disc spring 19 is uniformly applied in the circumferential direction of the pinion shafts 5 and 7 through the washer 23. can do.

  In the differential device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the actuator of the intermittent mechanism is an electromagnetic actuator, but is not limited thereto, and is not limited to a motor / gear / cam mechanism, hydraulic cylinder / piston mechanism, motor shift. Various actuators such as a rod mechanism and an air diaphragm can be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Differential apparatus 3 ... Differential case 5,7 ... Pinion shaft 9 ... Pinion 11, 13 ... Side gear 15 ... Differential mechanism 17 ... Intermittent mechanism 19 ... Disc spring 21 ... Reception surface 23 ... Washer

Claims (3)

A differential case that is rotatably arranged, a pinion shaft that is rotatably accommodated in the differential case, a pinion that is rotatably supported by the pinion shaft and revolves by the rotation of the differential case, and meshes with the pinion so that relative rotation is possible. A differential device comprising a differential mechanism having a pair of side gears disposed, and an intermittent mechanism for interrupting the differential of the differential mechanism,
A differential device, wherein a disc spring for applying an initial torque to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism is disposed between the pinion shaft and the pair of side gears. The differential device according to claim 1,
The differential device according to claim 1, wherein a receiving surface of the pinion shaft that receives the load of the disc spring is formed as a flat surface. A differential device according to claim 1 or 2,
A differential device, wherein a washer is disposed between the pinion shaft and the disc spring.

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