JP6709685B2 - Differential device - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, as a differential device, a rotatably arranged differential case, a pinion shaft rotatably housed in the differential case, a pinion that is rotatably supported by the pinion shaft and revolves when the differential case rotates, and the pinion. There is known a differential mechanism having a pair of side gears that are engaged with each other and are arranged to be rotatable relative to each other, and an interrupting mechanism that interrupts the differential of the differential mechanism (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ..

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

In such a differential device, the disengagement member is moved in the axial direction and the disengagement portion is connected, so that the differential case and one side gear are integrally rotatably connected, and the differential of the differential mechanism is locked. ..

In the differential device having the diff lock function as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, no initial torque is applied to the differential mechanism and the interrupt mechanism, and the intermittent torque is applied by applying the initial torque to the differential mechanism and the interrupt mechanism. It is possible to improve the intermittent characteristics of the mechanism.

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

In the differential device of Patent Document 2, a pressure plate that is integrally rotatably engaged with the pinion shaft is arranged between the pinion shaft and the pair of side gears, and a disc spring is arranged between the pinion shaft and the pressure plate. There is.

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

In the differential devices such as those disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the disc spring presses the pair of side gears outward from the side of the pinion shaft located inside to apply the initial torque to the differential limiting mechanism.

Thus, by applying the initial torque from the inner side to the outer side 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 outer side to the inner side. It is not necessary to secure a space for this, and the thickness of the differential case does not decrease and the differential case does not increase in size.

In addition, by using a disc spring as the member that applies the initial torque to the differential limiting mechanism, the assemblability is reduced and the placement position is limited, such as when placing multiple coil springs on multiple pinion shafts. There is no cause.

JP, 2005-331030, A JP, 2000-283263, A JP-A-11-22809

By the way, in the arrangement structure of the disc springs as disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the disc springs are initially connected to the differential limiting mechanism via a pressure plate engaged with the pinion shaft so as to rotate integrally with the pinion shaft and a holder supporting the pinion shaft. Applying torque.

In such a configuration, since the biasing force of the disc spring is transmitted to the differential limiting mechanism through another member having an engaging portion with the pinion shaft and a supporting portion, there is a rattling at the engaging portion and the supporting portion. There is a possibility that the biasing force of the disc spring may be transmitted unevenly due to the sticking.

For this reason, when the disc spring is applied to the differential device as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the disc spring arrangement structure as disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the disc spring is stably initialed to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism. The torque could not be applied, and the intermittent characteristics of the intermittent mechanism might become unstable.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a differential device capable of stably applying an initial torque to a differential mechanism and an interrupting mechanism and improving the interrupting characteristic of the interrupting mechanism.

The present invention relates to a rotatably arranged diff case, a pinion shaft that is integrally rotatably accommodated in the diff case, a pinion that is rotatably supported by the pinion shaft and revolves when the diff case rotates, and meshes with the pinion. A differential device including a differential mechanism having a pair of side gears arranged so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and an interrupting mechanism for interrupting the differential of the differential mechanism, wherein the pinion shaft and the pair of side gears are provided. In the meantime, a disc spring that applies an initial torque to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism is arranged , a receiving surface of the pinion shaft that receives the load of the disc spring is formed into a flat surface, and the pinion shaft is The pinion shaft comprises two short pinion shafts and one long pinion shaft. Each of the pinion shafts has the receiving surface, and the receiving surfaces are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction of the disc spring. and said that you are.

In this differential device, a disc spring that applies an initial torque to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism is arranged between the pinion shaft and the pair of side gears, so that a separate member having an engaging portion and a supporting portion is interposed. Instead, the disc spring can directly urge the pinion shaft and the side gear, 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 characteristic of the intermittent mechanism can be improved.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a differential device capable of stably applying an initial torque to a differential mechanism and an interrupting mechanism and improving the interrupting characteristic of the interrupting mechanism.

It is sectional drawing of the differential device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pinion shaft, the disc spring, and the washer of the differential device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the pinion shaft, the disc spring, and the washer of the differential device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of the pinion shaft, the disc spring, and the washer of the differential device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pinion shaft, the disc spring, and the washer of the differential device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

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

The differential device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a differential case 3 that is rotatably arranged, pinion shafts 5 and 7 that are integrally rotatably housed in the differential case 3, and are supported by the pinion shafts 5 and 7 so as to rotate. A 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 meshes with the pinion 9 and is arranged to be relatively rotatable, and a differential of the differential mechanism 15 is interrupted. It is provided with an intermittent mechanism 17.

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

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

Further, a washer 23 is arranged between the pinion shafts 5, 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 by a stationary system member (not shown) such as a carrier via bearings (not shown) on the outer circumferences of boss portions 25, 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 the driving force from the input side mechanism, and the driving force is applied to the differential case 3. Transmitted.

The differential case 3 as described above accommodates the pinion shafts 5 and 7, the pinion 9, and the pair of side gears 11 and 13, and the driving force input to the differential case 3 is transmitted.

The pinion shafts 5 and 7 include two short pinion shafts 5 and one long pinion shaft 7.

The outer ends of the two short pinion shafts 5 are engaged with the differential case 3 to prevent the pins 31 from coming off and rotating, and are driven to rotate integrally with the differential case 3.

The long one pinion shaft 7 is engaged with the inner end portions of the two short pinion shafts 5 in the hole provided in the middle to prevent the pinion shaft from coming off and from rotating, and is driven to rotate integrally with the differential case 3. ..

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

The plurality of pinions 9 are of a 4-pinion type in which four are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the differential case 3, and are provided on the outer end side of the two short pinion shafts 5 and on both end sides of the long pinion shaft 7, respectively. It is supported and revolves when the differential case 3 rotates.

A spherical washer 33 is arranged between the rear side of the pinion 9 and the differential case 3 in the radial direction to receive the radial movement of the pinion 9 when it revolves.

The pinion 9 as described above is capable of transmitting the driving force to the pair of side gears 11 and 13 and rotating on the pinion shafts 5 and 7 so as to be rotationally driven when a differential rotation occurs between the pair of side gears 11 and 13 in mesh with each other. Supported by.

The pair of side gears 11 and 13 are rotatably supported by the differential case 3 by bosses formed on the side gears 11 and 13, and mesh with the pinion 9.

Thrust washers 35, 37 are arranged between the pair of side gears 11, 13 and the differential case 3 in the axial direction. The thrust washers 35, 37 receive the axial movement of the side gears 11, 13 by the reaction force of engagement with the pinion 9.

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

The differential between the pair of side gears 11 and 13 in the differential mechanism 15 is locked by the connection of the interrupting 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. It is output uniformly.

The differential device 1 having the disconnecting mechanism 17 for connecting and disconnecting the differential of the differential mechanism 15 is a differential device having a so-called differential lock function.

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

The disconnecting member 43 is formed in an annular shape, and a base portion 51 formed of one member that is continuous in the circumferential direction is arranged so as to be axially movable between the wall portion 53 of the differential case 3 and the rear side of the side gear 13. There is.

An engaging portion 55 that engages with the differential case 3 so as to rotate integrally is provided on the wall portion 53 side of the disconnecting member 43 of the differential case 3, and an interrupting portion 45 is provided on the rear surface side of the side gear 13 of the disconnecting member 43. Has been.

The engaging portions 55 are provided on the base portion 51 of the connecting/disconnecting member 43 at a plurality of circumferentially equidistant intervals, and on the wall portion 53 of the differential case 3 at a plurality of circumferentially equidistantly extending in the axial direction. And the hole 59 of the.

By engaging the convex portion 57 and the hole 59 in the rotational direction, the interrupting member 43 is prevented from rotating by the differential case 3, and the interrupting member 43 and the differential case 3 can be integrally rotated.

The engagement portion 55 is provided with a cam that moves the interrupting member 43 in the connecting direction of the interrupting 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.

Therefore, when the interrupting member 43 is moved in the connecting direction of the interrupting portion 45 and the engaging operation in the rotating direction is generated in the interrupting portion 45, the respective cam surfaces are engaged by the rotation of the differential case 3. 43 is further moved in the meshing direction of the interrupted portion 45 to strengthen the connection of the interrupted portion 45.

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

In the discontinuous portion 45, the disengagement member 43 and the side gear 13 are integrally connected to each other, that is, the differential case 3 and the side gear 13 are integrally rotatably connected to each other, and the differential mechanism 15 has a differential mechanism. Is locked.

On the other hand, a biasing member 61 is provided inside the interrupting portion 45 in the radial direction between the interrupting member 43 and the rear side of the side gear 13, and biases the interrupting member 43 in the disconnecting direction of the interrupting portion 45. ing.

By this biasing member 61, the interrupting member 43 is moved in the disconnecting direction of the interrupting portion 45, the disconnecting portion 45 is disconnected, and the differential of the differential mechanism 15 is unlocked.

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

The movable member 47 is arranged 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 arranged on the inner diameter side of the electromagnet 49 with an air gap which is a minute gap in which magnetic flux can be transmitted.

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

The ring member 65 is axially movably arranged on the outer periphery of the boss portion 27 of the differential case 3, and is axially outwardly moved by a restriction member 67 made of a nonmagnetic material and press-fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of the boss portion 27 of the differential case 3. There are movement restrictions.

In such a ring member 65, a pressing portion 69 capable of contacting the convex portion 57 of the interrupting member 43 is provided on the axial end surface on the interrupting member 43 side, and the axial direction by the movable member 47 operated by the electromagnet 49. Is transmitted to the interrupting member 43 via the pressing portion 69, and the interrupting member 43 is pressed in the connecting direction of the interrupting portion 45.

The electromagnet 49 is arranged axially adjacent to the wall portion 53 of the differential case 3 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, so that the electromagnetic coil 71 and the core 73 are provided. It has and.

The electromagnetic coil 71 is wound in a predetermined number of turns in an annular shape and molded with resin.

A lead wire (not shown) that is drawn to the outside is connected to the electromagnetic coil 71, and is connected to a controller (not shown) that controls energization via the lead wire.

The core 73 is made of a magnetic material so that a magnetic field is formed by energizing 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 one axial end surface of the electromagnetic coil 71 located on the side opposite to the wall portion 53 of the differential case 3.

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 the sliding contact surface which is set so that the magnetic flux can pass therethrough. At the same time, the axial end surface of the extending portion 75 positions the electromagnet 49 inward in the axial direction.

On the other hand, the axially outer end surface of the core 73 is positioned to the axially outer side of the electromagnet 49 together with the movable member 47 by the regulating member 67 which regulates the axially outward movement of the movable member 47.

In the differential device 1 configured as described above, 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 effectively used, and thus the plunger 63 is effectively used. Is operated to move toward the interrupting member 43, and the ring member 65 presses the interrupting member 43 via the pressing portion 69.

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

By connecting the connecting/disconnecting portion 45, the side gear 13 and the connecting/disconnecting member 43 are integrally rotatably connected, 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 interrupting portion 45, by stopping the energization of the electromagnet 49, the interrupting member 43 is moved in the disconnecting direction of the interrupting portion 45 by the urging force of the urging member 61, and the disconnecting portion 45 is connected. It will be canceled.

By disconnecting the connecting/disconnecting portion 45, the side gear 13 and the connecting/disconnecting member 43 are relatively rotatable, the side gear 13 and the differential case 3 are relatively rotatable, and the locked state of the differential mechanism 15 is released.

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

The interlocking member 77 is arranged in a radial hole 79 that is formed by penetrating the hole 59 provided in the wall portion 53 of the differential case 3 in the radial direction, and the end portion in the radial direction is the outer peripheral surface of the differential case 3. The operation unit 81 is exposed from the above.

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

By detecting the connection/disconnection of the position switch by the interlocking member 77, it is possible to detect the position of the connection/disconnection member 43, that is, whether or not the connection/disconnection 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 an 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, between the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the pair of side gears 11 and 13, disc springs 19 and 19 that apply an initial torque to the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17 are arranged.

The disc springs 19 and 19 are annularly formed, have a predetermined urging force, and are arranged 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 side of the pinion shafts 5 and 7 toward the outer side in the axial direction to define the initial positions of the differential mechanism 15 and the interrupting mechanism 17. An initial torque is applied to the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17.

In this way, by directly energizing the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the pair of side gears 11 and 13 by the disc spring 19, the pinion shafts 5 and 7 and the pair of side gears 11 and 13 are evenly applied in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17 can be stably applied with the initial torque.

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

The receiving surfaces 21 and 21 of the pinion shafts 5 and 7 are located inside both axial end portions 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. It is provided symmetrically in two places.

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 dynamic 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 not by the points but by the surface (line), and the area where the load of the disc spring 19 is received. And the load of the disc spring 19 can be more stably applied to the pinion shafts 5, 7.

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

The washers 23, 23 are not supported via an engaging portion or the like that engages with the pinion shafts 5, 7 so as to be able to rotate integrally, and their axial positions are held by the biasing forces of the disc springs 19, 19. The radial movement 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 in this manner, the disc springs 19, 23 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the pinion shafts 5, 7 via the washers 23, 23. A biasing force of 19 can be applied.

In addition, since the washers 23, 23 do not have an engaging portion with the pinion shafts 5, 7, there is no rattling in the engaging portion, and the disc springs 19, 19 provide a differential mechanism 15. It is possible to stabilize the application of the initial torque to the intermittent mechanism 17.

The disc springs 19 are arranged with a residual bending allowance equal to or greater than the scraping allowance when the pinion shafts 5, 7 are formed with flat receiving surfaces 21, and the pinion shafts 5, 7 and the pair of side gears 11, 13 are provided. A sufficient biasing force can be applied to the.

In such a differential device 1, disc springs 19 and 19 for applying an 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. 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 portion and a supporting portion, and the differential mechanism 15 and The initial torque can be uniformly applied to the intermittent mechanism 17.

Therefore, in the differential device 1 as described above, the initial torque can be stably applied to the differential mechanism 15 and the intermittent mechanism 17, and the intermittent characteristic of the intermittent mechanism 17 can be improved.

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

Further, since the washer 23 is arranged between the pinion shafts 5, 7 and the disc spring 19, the biasing force of the disc spring 19 is evenly applied in the circumferential direction of the pinion shafts 5, 7 via the washer 23. can do.

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

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

Claims (2)

A differential case that is rotatably arranged, a pinion shaft that is integrally rotatably accommodated in the differential case, a pinion that is rotatably supported by the pinion shaft and that revolves by the rotation of the differential case, and a relative rotation that meshes with the pinion. A differential device having a differential mechanism having a pair of side gears arranged, and an interrupting mechanism for interrupting the differential of the differential mechanism,
Between the pinion shaft and the pair of side gears, a disc spring is arranged to apply an initial torque to the differential mechanism and the intermittent mechanism ,
The receiving surface of the pinion shaft that receives the load of the disc spring is formed of a flat surface,
The pinion shaft comprises two short pinion shafts and one long pinion shaft,
The receiving surface is formed on each of the pinion shafts,
The differential device , wherein the receiving surface is evenly arranged in a circumferential direction of the disc spring . The differential device according to claim 1, wherein:
A differential device characterized in that a washer is arranged between the pinion shaft and the disc spring .

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