JP5910454B2 - Vehicle drive device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a drive device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. Examples of the vehicle drive device include a transaxle mounted on a front engine / front drive (FF) type vehicle.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle differential device in which a differential case incorporating a differential gear mechanism is rotatably accommodated inside a differential housing.

  In Patent Document 1, a separate plate is provided for defining the inside of the differential housing into an oil agitation chamber in which a differential ring gear is disposed and a storage chamber in which oil that is pumped up by rotation of the differential ring gear is stored. Yes.

  The separate plate is disposed in the differential housing so as to surround the lower area of the outer peripheral portion of the differential case, and three circumferential positions (almost equal intervals) in the outer peripheral area of the separate plate are arranged at the differential plate. The housing is fixed by bolting.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-1113636 (see particularly FIGS. 3 and 4 and paragraphs 0024-0026)

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, although the separation plate can be installed to reduce the friction loss caused by the diffring gear stirring the oil, the following points are not focused.

  In other words, when the differential housing and the periphery of the differential ring gear project in a semi-cylindrical shape in the differential housing, the vibration mode of this projecting part is similar to the basic vibration mode (primary vibration mode) of the cylinder (ring). When the overhanging portion vibrates, sound is emitted to the outside. There is no description regarding such noise or measures for reducing the noise.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides a vehicle in which a gear is rotatably supported around a horizontal axis, and an oil storage space is provided on the lower side of the housing so as to surround a lower region of the gear. An object of the present invention is to reduce friction loss associated with oil agitation by the gear and reduce noise from around the gear in the housing.

The present invention is a vehicle drive apparatus in which a gear is rotatably supported around a horizontal axis in a housing, and an oil storage space is provided on the lower side of the housing so as to surround a lower region of the gear, A partial cylindrical projecting portion is provided on the lower side of the housing along the outer periphery of the gear, and the oil storage space is provided on the inner side of the projecting portion. At least a lower region of the plate is fastened to the housing so that a plate having a shape following the region is closely disposed, and the fastening position of the plate to the housing is one side surface of the gear in the plate. Of the region corresponding to the lower two regions each having a lateral straight line passing through the rotational axis of the gear as one side among the regions equally divided into eight in the circumferential direction in a plan view There is a, is characterized in that.

  In short, in this configuration, since the plate is provided, the amount of the gear that touches the oil in the oil storage space is reduced, and the amount of oil stirred by the gear is reduced. Friction loss is reduced. In addition, the position at which the plate is fastened to the housing is specified in two regions of the plate that face each other at approximately 180 degrees across the rotational axis of the gear.

This improves the rigidity of the overhanging portion of the housing and is advantageous in suppressing vibration of the overhanging portion of the housing. Therefore, when the protruding portion of the housing is about to vibrate, the vibration acts so as to cancel each other at the fastening position in the two regions.

Thus, the fastening position have identified two regions, because they should not increase more than necessary the fastening position, vibration modes of the projecting portion of the housing need not become complicated. From these, effects cancel out vibrations in the projecting portion of the housing and becomes to be performed with good balance, it is possible to reduce noise from surrounding the gear in the projecting portion of the housing.

  Preferably, the number of the fastening positions may be an even number, and the same number may be provided in the two regions.

  When specified in this way, the action of canceling vibrations of the housing is performed in a more balanced manner.

  Preferably, the fastening position may be provided symmetrically with respect to a straight line in the vertical direction passing through the rotation axis of the gear.

  When specified in this way, the action of canceling vibrations of the housing is performed in a more balanced manner.

Preferably, in the said housing, the differential is accommodated, it said gear is a ring gear of the differential can be configured.

  Here, the vehicle drive device according to the present invention is specified as a differential device or a transaxle used in a front engine / front drive (FF) type vehicle, and then the gear is specified as a differential ring gear. .

  The present invention provides a vehicle drive device in which a gear is supported on a housing so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis, and an oil storage space is provided on the lower side of the housing so as to surround a lower region of the gear. In addition, it is possible to reduce noise from the periphery of the gear in the housing in addition to reducing friction loss due to oil agitation caused by the above.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the transaxle as one Embodiment of the vehicle drive device which concerns on this invention in a cross section, and is the arrow line view of the (1)-(1) sectional view of FIG. It is a rear view which shows typically the external appearance of the transaxle of FIG. It is the figure seen from the arrow (3) direction of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing an external appearance of a protruding portion (a region where a differential is disposed) of the side case of the housing of FIG. 3. It is a top view which shows the side case inner side of the housing of FIG. 4, and shows the side case of a plate and a housing by not showing a differential. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the plate is separated from the side case in FIG. 6. It is a figure for demonstrating the vibration mode of a side case in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the fastening position of the plate with respect to the side case of a housing in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the fastening position of the plate with respect to a housing in FIG. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the plate shown in FIG.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 to 9 show an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a front engine / front drive (FF) type transaxle is exemplified as a vehicle drive device.

  In the housing 2 of the transaxle 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, a transmission mechanism unit (not shown), a differential 3 and the like are accommodated.

  The transaxle 1 is configured to transmit input rotational power to left and right front wheels (drive wheels) (not shown) via the transmission mechanism, the differential 3 and the left and right drive shafts 4L and 4R. Yes.

  Since this transaxle 1 is basically a known configuration and does not directly relate to the features of the present invention, the description here will be simplified.

  The transmission mechanism unit is a belt-type continuously variable transmission called “CVT” or a multi-stage gear mechanism. The rotational power output from the speed change mechanism is transmitted to the differential 3 through the diff ring gear 3g.

  The differential 3 has a known configuration called, for example, a two-pinion type, and includes two side gears 3a and 3b, two pinion gears 3c and 3d, a pinion shaft 3e that supports the two pinion gears 3c and 3d, and a differential case 3f that houses them. A diff ring gear 3g and the like fixed to the outer periphery of the differential case 3f with bolts (not shown) are provided.

  The inner ends of the left and right drive shafts 4L, 4R are connected to the side gears 3a, 3b, for example, by spline coupling so that they can rotate together and be displaced in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the differential ring gear 3g fixed to the differential case 3f is supported in a side case 6 of the housing 2 via a bearing (reference numeral omitted) so as to be rotatable around the horizontal axis.

  The differential 3 distributes and transmits the rotational power input to the differential ring gear 3g to the left and right front wheels (drive wheels) via the left and right drive shafts 4L and 4R as necessary.

  In this embodiment, the housing 2 has a three-piece structure as shown in FIG. Specifically, the housing 2 includes a center case 5 disposed in the center, a side case 6 attached to one side of the center case 5, a cover 7 attached to the other side of the center case 5, and the like.

  A predetermined amount of oil for lubricating and cooling the rotation support portion and the sliding portion of each component of the transaxle 1 is stored in the housing 2 having such a configuration.

  This oil is stored in the inner bottom portions of the center case 5 and the side case 6. In this embodiment, only the oil storage space 8 provided in the inner bottom part of the side case 6 is shown in FIG.

  A differential 3 is disposed on the lower side of the side case 6, and the lower side of the differential ring 3g and the differential case 3f of the differential 3 is placed in the oil storage space 8 so as to be immersed in oil. .

  The oil in the housing 2 is supplied to the lubrication-needed portion by, for example, an oil pump (not shown). Therefore, the volume of the oil storage space 8 is set to be relatively large in order to stably supply oil to the lubrication-needed portion.

  In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the lower side (side on which the differential 3 is disposed) of the side case 6 of the housing 2 is projected outward so as to have a partial cylindrical shape. ing. The oil storage space 8 described above is provided inside the overhanging portion 6a.

  A plate 10 is installed in the side case 6 for the purpose of reducing friction loss caused by the differential ring gear 3g and the differential case 3f stirring the oil in the oil storage space 8.

  The plate 10 is for reducing the amount of contact between the differential ring gear 3g and the differential case 3f with the oil in the oil storage space 8 as much as possible, and is also called, for example, a rectifying plate or a partition plate.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, the plate 10 is formed in a shape that follows at least the lower half region of the outer periphery of the differential case 3f and the differential ring gear 3g. The plate 10 is attached to the side case 6 of the housing 2 so as to be disposed close to at least the lower region of the outer periphery of the differential case 3f and the differential ring gear 3g. As a result, a predetermined opposing gap is created between at least the lower region of the outer periphery of the differential case 3f and the differential ring gear 3g and the plate 10.

  Specifically, the plate 10 includes a semicircular truncated cone-shaped curved portion 11, and a flat plate portion 12 that projects radially outward from the large-diameter side of the curved portion 11.

  The plate 10 will be described in detail. In short, it is assumed that a radially outward flat plate portion is provided on the outer periphery of the large-diameter side of a member such as a truncated cone-shaped bowl, and the member extends along a plane passing through the center line. One of the two members obtained by dividing in half.

  If such a plate 10 is used, the oil storage space 8 can be brought into a state like a “raised bottom” by covering at least the lower half region of the outer periphery of the differential ring gear 3g and the differential case 3f.

  In this way, the differential ring gear 3g and the differential case 3f touch the oil existing in the facing gap between the plate 10 and at least the lower half area of the outer periphery of the differential ring gear 3g and the differential case 3f of the oil in the oil storage space 8. become.

  As a result, the amount of the differential ring gear 3g and the differential case 3f coming into contact with the oil in the oil storage space 8 is reduced, so that the amount of the differential ring gear 3g and the differential case 3f stirring the oil is reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the friction loss accompanying the stirring of the oil.

  By the way, in the case of the side case 6 provided with the overhanging portion 6a as described above, when the side case 6 vibrates, the vibration mode of the overhanging portion 6a is set to “cylindrical basic” as shown by, for example, the one-dot chain line in FIG. The vibration mode is similar to the “vibration mode (primary vibration mode)”, and sound is radiated to the outside from the protruding portion 6a. In order to reduce such radiated sound (noise), the following measures are taken, which will be described.

  First, the attachment form of the plate 10 to the side case 6 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, a predetermined position of the flat plate portion 12 of the plate 10 is fastened by fastening with bolts 15 to ribs 6 b and 6 c provided on the inner wall of the side case 6. Needless to say, the position where the bolt 15 is fastened is the fastening position of the plate 10 to the side case 6 of the housing 2 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the ribs 6 b and 6 c are provided with screw holes 6 d into which the bolts 15 are screwed, and the flat plate portions 12 of the plate 10 are inserted through holes 13 into which the bolts 15 are inserted. Is provided.

  The fastening position of the plate 10 to the side case 6 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 9, the fastening position includes the rotational axis 100 of the diffring gear 3 g in a region 51 to 58 that is equally divided into eight in the circumferential direction in a state where one side surface of the diffring gear 3 g is viewed in plan on the plate 10. It is in a portion corresponding to the lower two regions 55 and 58 (see hatching) each having a lateral straight line 200 passing therethrough as one side. The rotational axis 100 of the diff ring gear 3g coincides with the center of the insertion hole 6e of the drive shafts 4L and 4R provided in the protruding portion 6a of the side case 6.

  In FIG. 9, when the diff ring gear 3g indicated by a two-dot chain line is compared to a dial of a watch, among the two regions 55 and 58, the first region 55 has a watch hand position from 3 o'clock to 4:30. It can be said that the second area 58 is a fan-shaped area in which the position of the long hand of the watch is from 7:30 to 9 o'clock.

  The fastening position may be anywhere in the portion corresponding to the two regions 55 and 58 in the plate 10, and the number thereof is also arbitrary. The number of fastening positions is preferably an even number, and the same number is preferably provided in the portion corresponding to the two regions 55 and 58 in the plate 10. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the fastening position is preferably set so as to be symmetric with respect to a vertical straight line 300 passing through the rotation axis 100 of the diff ring gear 3g.

  As described above, in the portion corresponding to the two regions 55 and 58 in the plate 10, the fastening positions (fastening positions of the bolts 15) are set to one place at a total of two places. The fastening position in the portion corresponding to the regions 55 and 58 will be described in more detail.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the fastening position of the portion corresponding to the first region 55 is close to the outer edge of the flat plate portion 12 of the plate 10. It is in a close position. Further, the fastening position of the second region 58 is a position near the outer edge of the flat plate portion 12 of the plate 10 and the position of the long hand is slightly closer to the 8 o'clock side than the 9 o'clock position when compared to a watch.

  In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the fastening position of the first region 55 is a position near the boundary between the flat plate portion 12 and the curved portion 11 of the plate 10 and the position of the long hand is 4:30 when compared to a watch. The position can be slightly closer to 4 o'clock. Further, the fastening position of the second region 58 is a position near the boundary between the flat plate portion 12 and the curved portion 11 of the plate 10 and a position where the position of the long hand is slightly closer to 8 o'clock than 7:30 when compared to a watch. It can be.

  Thus, the two places on the plate 10 are specified as the fastening position of the plate 10 to the side case 6 of the housing 2 (the fastening position of the bolt 15).

  According to this specification, the rigidity of the overhanging portion 6a in the side case 6 of the housing 2 is improved, and it is advantageous for suppressing the vibration of the overhanging portion 6a in the side case 6.

  Specifically, the vibration mode of the overhanging portion 6a in the side case 6 of the housing 2 is such that it vibrates alternately in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. It will act so as to cancel each other at the fastening positions.

  That is, by specifying the inside of the portion corresponding to the first region 55 and the second region 58 in the plate 10 as the fastening position, the overhanging portion 6a in the side case 6 can be seen in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in FIG. The amplitude at the time of elastic deformation and vibration is kept small.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the fastening positions are specified at the two locations so as not to increase more than necessary. This is because, in addition to the above-mentioned two positions, the position 16 indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9 (the long hand position is 6 o'clock when the flat plate portion 12 of the plate 10 is compared to a watch) is added. As shown in FIG. 8, the vertical vibration of the overhanging portion 6a is input to the virtual fastening position 16 indicated by the two-dot chain line, and the vertical vibration is transmitted to the fastening position. Therefore, there is a concern that the vibration mode of the overhanging portion 6a in the side case 6 of the housing 2 is complicated.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the fastening position is not increased more than necessary by specifying two fastening positions as described above, the vibration mode of the overhanging portion 6a in the side case 6 of the housing 2 is complicated. You will not have to. For these reasons, the overhanging portion 6a in the side case 6 of the housing 2 (the portion where the differential 3 is disposed), such as the action of canceling out vibrations in the overhanging portion 2a of the side case 6 of the housing 2 is performed in a well-balanced manner. It becomes possible to reduce the noise from.

  As described above, in the embodiment to which the features of the present invention are applied, the plate 10 for effectively reducing the friction loss caused when the differential ring gear 3g and the differential case 3f agitate the oil in the oil storage space 8 is used. Thus, by improving the rigidity of the overhanging portion 6a in the side case 6 of the housing 2, the vibration of the overhanging portion 6a in the side case 6 can be suppressed, so the effect of reducing the noise of the transaxle 1 is improved. It becomes like this.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, All the deformation | transformation and application included in the range equivalent to the claim and the said range are possible.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the transaxle 1 mounted on a front engine / front drive (FF) type vehicle is taken as an example of the vehicle drive device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a differential device installed on the front wheel side or the rear wheel side of the vehicle may be used.

  (2) In the above embodiment, an example is given in which the shape of the curved portion 11 of the plate 10 is substantially a semi-conical shape, and a symmetrical shape is given. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, As shown in FIG. 11, it is also possible to make the right and left asymmetrical shapes such that the right half region of the plate 10 is larger than the left half region.

  (3) In the above embodiment, an example in which the bolt 15 is used as means for fastening the plate 10 to the side case 6 of the housing 2 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, by welding It is possible to conclude.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitably used for a vehicle drive device in which a gear is supported by a housing so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis, and an oil storage space is provided on the lower side of the housing so as to surround a lower region of the gear. Is possible.

1 Transaxle
2 Housing
3 Differential
3f differential case
3g diff ring gear (equivalent to claim gear)
6 Side case of housing 2
6a Overhang part of side case 6 6b, 6c Rib of side case 6
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 Oil storage space 10 Plate 11 Curved part of plate 10 Flat plate part of plate 10 Insertion hole of bolt 15 in flat plate part 15 Fastening bolts 51-58 Equal area 100 Rotation center of differential ring gear 3g 200 Horizontal straight line passing through the rotation axis of the diff ring gear 3g 300 Vertical straight line passing through the rotation axis of the diff ring gear 3g

Claims (4)

A vehicle driving device in which a gear is rotatably supported around a horizontal axis in a housing, and an oil storage space is provided on the lower side of the housing so as to surround a lower region of the gear,
On the lower side of the housing, a partially cylindrical projecting portion is provided along the outer periphery of the gear,
The oil storage space is provided inside the projecting portion,
In the projecting portion, at least a lower region of the outer periphery of the gear is fastened to the housing so that a plate having a shape following the region is disposed in proximity.
The fastening position of the plate to the housing is a horizontal straight line passing through the rotational axis of the gear in a region of the plate that is divided into eight equal parts in the circumferential direction in a state where one side of the gear is viewed in plan view. A vehicular drive device, characterized in that it is in a portion corresponding to two lower regions each having one side. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1,
The number of the fastening positions is an even number, and the same number is provided in each of the two regions. In the vehicle drive device according to claim 1 or 2,
The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening position is provided line-symmetrically with respect to a vertical straight line passing through the rotation axis of the gear. In the vehicle drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A differential is stored in the housing,
The gear, the is a differential ring gear, the vehicle drive device, characterized in that.

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