JP7352049B1 - Differential device - Google Patents

Abstract

The differential device (1) rotates around a first rotation axis (3), and includes a differential case (2) having a spherical shell shape along the first rotation axis (3), and a differential case (2) that is orthogonal to the first rotation axis (3). The first pinion gear pair (41), which rotates around a second rotation shaft (4) arranged in the differential case (2), is orthogonal to the first rotation shaft (3) and the second rotation shaft (4). The second pinion gear pair (51) rotates around the third rotating shaft (5) and is arranged in the differential case (2), meshing at right angles with the first pinion gear pair (41) and the second pinion gear pair (51). The side gear pair (31) rotates around the first rotating shaft (3) and is arranged rotatably with the differential case (2), and the third rotating shaft is arranged on the back side of the second pinion gear pair (51). (5) is installed in the opening (2b) of the differential case (2) on the first rotating shaft (3) side from the end surface (5c) of the pinion gear support shaft (5b) that supports the second pinion gear pair (51). and a pinion gear support member (53).

Description

The present invention relates to a differential device.

2. Description of the Related Art A two-pinion type differential device that uses two pinion gears is generally used as a differential device for differentially driving left and right wheels of a vehicle or differentially driving front and rear wheels of a vehicle. When the input torque is high, a 4-pinion differential device that uses four pinion gears is used in order to reduce the load on the pinion gear and ensure durability (for example, , see Patent Document 1).

The differential device is built into the front-wheel drive transmission (transaxle) and the final reduction gear that drives the rear wheels. The differential device includes a spherical differential case, a ring gear fitted externally to the differential case, a pair of pinion gears housed inside the differential case, a pair of side gears housed inside the differential case, and a pinion fitted to the differential case. It is equipped with a shaft.

The pinion gear is arranged so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft arranged perpendicular to the rotation shaft of the differential case. The pair of side gears mesh with the pinion gear, are arranged coaxially with the differential case, and are housed in the differential case so as to be rotatable relative to the differential case. The pinion shaft supports the pinion gear.

Here, the differential case for the two-pinion differential has an opening at a position shifted by 90 degrees in the differential case rotation axis direction from the position where the pinion gear is disposed, in order to incorporate the pinion gear and side gear therein. Therefore, a differential case for a two-pinion differential cannot be used as is for a four-pinion differential. Generally, as described in Patent Document 1, a 4-pinion differential device does not have an opening in order to obtain a pinion gear seating surface in the differential case, and the differential case is configured so that it can be divided in the direction of the rotation axis, and the ring gear is fixed. They are fastened together with bolts.

JP2007-270947A

However, in the 4-pinion differential described in Patent Document 1, if one pinion shaft and two other pinion shafts are assembled inside the differential case in a cross shape, the differential case becomes a two-piece structure. For this reason, the four-pinion type differential device has a problem in that the number of parts, the number of processing steps, and the number of assembly steps increase, resulting in an increase in cost.

In addition, the ring gear fixing hole through which the ring gear fastening bolt is inserted requires high precision in hole diameter and position, so co-machining is required to simultaneously process two differential cases. In addition, the 4-pinion differential requires the screwing together of machine screws that temporarily fasten the differential case at two points during the process up to attaching the ring gear, which reduces productivity. there were.

In order to solve this problem, we configured the differential case as a single piece, and furthermore, we made it possible to share the parts of the differential case of the 2-pinion differential, and at the same time, we suppressed the increase in cost and the decrease in productivity. There is a need for a four-pinion differential that can.

The present invention was created to solve these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a 4-pinion differential device that can reduce the number of parts and reduce costs.

In order to solve the above problems, a differential device according to the present invention includes a differential case that rotates around a first rotation axis and has a spherical shell shape along the direction of the first rotation axis; The first pinion gear pair rotates around a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first pinion gear pair and is arranged inside the differential case, and the second rotation axis rotates around a third rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. , a second pinion gear pair disposed inside the differential case meshes with the first pinion gear pair and the second pinion gear pair at right angles, rotates around the first rotation axis, and is rotatable relative to the differential case. the differential case on the side of the first rotating shaft from the end surface of the pinion gear support shaft that supports the second pinion gear pair of the third rotating shaft; at least one pinion gear support member installed in the formed opening, the pinion gear support shaft being a pinion shaft, the pinion gear support member on which the back surface of the second pinion gear pair is seated, and the differential case A snap ring is engaged with the opening within a fitting area in the direction of the third rotating shaft, and an inner circumference of the snap ring is formed on an outer circumference of the pinion gear support member. The snap ring is engaged with a snap ring mounting groove, and the outer circumferential portion of the snap ring is engaged with a snap ring engagement groove formed on an inner circumferential surface of the opening.

According to the differential device of the present invention, it is possible to provide a 4-pinion differential device that can reduce the number of parts and reduce costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a differential device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of a differential device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a differential device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of a differential gear according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of essential parts of a differential device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the differential device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of essential parts showing a state when the pinion gear support member is removed. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a state in which a snap ring is attached. It is an enlarged perspective view showing a pair of snap rings. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of main parts of a differential device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a differential device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view of main parts showing a state when a pair of side gears is assembled to a differential case. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of a differential device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of main parts showing a differential device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the differential gear concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a principal part cross-sectional view which shows the state when a side gear pair is assembled to a differential case. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of a differential gear according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the snap ring of the differential gear concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a schematic diagram which shows the shape of a snap ring.

[First embodiment]
A differential gear 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.
In the following description, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, in the differential device 1, substantially symmetrical portions will be described together as appropriate. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the direction in which the first rotating shaft 3 extends in the differential device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described as the left-right direction of the vehicle.

≪Differential device≫
The differential device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a final reduction gear (not shown) for decelerating power generated by a prime mover (not shown) disposed at the front of the vehicle and shifted by a transmission (not shown). omitted). The differential device 1 is a device for differentially rotating a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel using power transmitted via a propulsion shaft. As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the differential device 1 includes a differential case 2, a first pinion shaft 40, a second pinion shaft 50, a side gear pair 31, a first pinion gear pair 41, and a second pinion gear. A pair 51, a thrust washer 52, a pinion gear support member 53, and a snap ring 54.

<Differential case>
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, or FIG. 4, the differential case 2 is a housing that rotates around a first rotation axis 3 and has a spherical shell shape along the direction of the first rotation axis 3. The differential case 2 is a gear case that accommodates four pinions, including a pair of first pinion gears 41 and a pair of second pinion gears 51, and is compatible with a so-called 4-pinion type. The differential case 2 is composed of a single component. The differential case 2 includes a spherical shell portion 2a, an opening portion 2b, a flange portion 2c, a gear storage chamber 2e, a snap ring engagement groove 2f, a fixing hole 2g, a boss portion 2h, and a shaft support hole 2i. It has a shaft insertion hole 2j.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the spherical shell portion 2a has a substantially cylindrical shape that constitutes a gear storage chamber 2e that rotatably accommodates the side gear pair 31, the first pinion gear pair 41, and the second pinion gear pair 51. This is the part of the body. A plurality of openings 2b are formed in the spherical shell portion 2a.

The opening 2b is a window that incorporates the side gear pair 31, the first pinion gear pair 41, and the second pinion gear pair 51 into the spherical shell portion 2a, and is closed by the pinion gear support member 53. The opening 2b is a substantially circular insertion hole formed in the outer circumference of the spherical shell 2a at a location where the third rotating shaft 5 is disposed. A snap ring engagement groove 2f is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the opening 2b.

The snap ring engagement groove 2f is a groove in which a toothed portion 54b formed on the outer circumference of the snap ring 54 engages. The snap ring 54 is attached to the differential case 2 by the toothed portion 54b being engaged with the snap ring engagement groove 2f. The snap ring engagement groove 2f consists of a substantially annular (C-shaped) groove.

The flange portion 2c is a portion for fixing a ring gear (not shown) that rotates integrally with the differential case 2 to the outer peripheral portion of the differential case 2. The flange portion 2c is formed to protrude in an annular shape at a position near the left end of the outer peripheral portion of the spherical shell portion 2a. A plurality of fixing holes 2g are formed at appropriate intervals in the flange portion 2c for inserting fixing tools (not shown) for fixing the ring gear (not shown) to the differential case 2.

The ring gear (not shown) is a ring-shaped bevel gear that meshes with a drive pinion gear of a drive pinion shaft (not shown).
A drive pinion gear (not shown) is a gear for transmitting an output from a transmission (not shown) to a ring gear (not shown). The drive pinion shaft, on which the teeth of the drive pinion gear are integrally formed, is arranged along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the ring gear.

As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the gear storage chamber 2e is a housing portion for housing the side gear pair 31, the first pinion gear pair 41, and the second pinion gear pair 51. The gear storage chamber 2e consists of a hollow storage space formed within the spherical shell portion 2a.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the boss portion 2h is a portion onto which a bearing (not shown) that pivotally supports the differential case 2 is fitted. The boss portion 2h consists of a pair of left and right cylindrical portions that are formed to protrude from both left and right end sides of the spherical shell portion 2a. The pair of boss portions 2h are mounted on the shaft support of the carrier via a pair of left and right bearings. Therefore, the differential case 2 is supported at both left and right ends via a pair of left and right bearings, and is rotatably supported within the carrier about the first rotating shaft 3. A shaft support hole 2i is formed in the boss portion 2h.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shaft support hole 2i is a hole through which a drive shaft (not shown) is inserted. The side gear pair 31 is spline-fitted to the drive shaft and placed in a floating state inside the differential case 2.
Further, a shaft insertion hole 2j is formed in the spherical shell portion 2a to pivotally support a second rotating shaft 4 disposed orthogonally to the shaft supporting hole 2i (first rotating shaft 3).

<First rotation axis>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first rotating shaft 3 is a rotating shaft of the differential case 2, and is also a rotating axis of the side gear pair 31 spline-coupled to the drive shaft.

<Side gear pair>
The side gear pair 31 is a pair of gears that mesh with the first pinion gear pair 41 and the second pinion gear pair 51 at right angles. The side gear pair 31 is arranged to be rotatable about the first rotating shaft 3 and is also arranged to be able to rotate relative to the differential case 2 . A thrust washer 32 that biases the side gear pair 31 toward the center O1 is interposed between the side gear pair 31 and the gear storage chamber 2e.

<Second rotation axis>
As shown in FIG. 2, the second rotating shaft 4 is the rotating shaft of the first pinion gear pair 41. As shown in FIG. The first pinion shaft 40 that supports the first pinion gear pair 41 is a shaft member that is disposed perpendicular to the first rotating shaft 3 and extends in the radial direction of the differential case 2. Both ends of the first pinion shaft 40 are fitted into the shaft insertion hole 2j.

<First pinion gear pair>
As shown in FIG. 2, the first pinion gear pair 41 is a pair of bevel gears that rotate around the second rotating shaft 4. As shown in FIG. The first pinion gear pair 41 is formed with an insertion hole 41a through which the first pinion shaft 40 is inserted. The first pinion gear pair 41 is rotatably arranged inside the gear storage chamber 2e. A thrust washer 42 that urges the first pinion gear pair 41 toward the center O1 is interposed between the first pinion gear pair 41 and the gear storage chamber 2e.

<Third rotation axis>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the third rotating shaft 5 is the rotating shaft of the second pinion gear pair 51. As shown in FIGS. The second pinion shaft 50 that supports the second pinion gear pair 51 is a shaft member arranged orthogonally to the first rotation shaft 3 and the second rotation shaft 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the second pinion shaft 50 has a shaft support hole 50a, a pinion gear support shaft 50b, and an end surface 50c.

The shaft support hole 50a is a through hole into which the first pinion shaft 40 is inserted.
The second pinion shaft 50 supports a second pinion gear pair 51 and a thrust washer 52 such that they can rotate relative to each other, and is supported by the differential case 2 by a pinion gear support member 53, which will be described later.

<Second pinion gear pair>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the second pinion gear pair 51 is a pair of left and right bevel gears that rotate around the third rotating shaft 5. The second pinion gear pair 51 is formed with an insertion hole 51a through which the second pinion shaft 50 is inserted. The second pinion gear pair 51 is arranged rotatably about the third rotating shaft 5 inside the gear storage chamber 2e.

<Thrust washer>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the pair of front and rear thrust washers 52 are disposed between the back surface of the second pinion gear pair 51 and the inner surface of the pinion gear support member 53, thereby providing a gap between the two relatively rotating surfaces. This is a member to improve the lubrication performance of.

<Pinion gear support member>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the pair of left and right pinion gear support members 53 are bearing members that support the second pinion shaft 50. As shown in FIGS. The pinion gear support member 53 is a thick lid-shaped member having a shaft insertion hole 53a that pivotally supports the pinion gear support shaft 50b. A snap ring mounting groove 53b for mounting a snap ring 54 is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the pinion gear support member 53. The pinion gear support member 53 is arranged on the back surface of the second pinion gear pair 51 (on the opposite side to the first rotating shaft 3) with a thrust washer 52 interposed therebetween, and the second pinion gear pair 51 is placed on the back surface of the second pinion gear pair 51 in the opening 2b of the differential case 2. It functions as a support member that provides support from the ground.

The pinion gear support member 53 is a lid-like member that is removably fixed within the opening 2b of the differential case 2 by engaging the snap ring 54 with the snap ring engagement groove 2f. As shown in FIG. 1, the pinion gear support member 53 is locked to the opening 2b of the differential case 2 by a snap ring 54 within the fitting area in the direction of the third rotating shaft 5.

<Snap ring>
As described above, the snap ring 54 is a fixture for removably attaching the pinion gear support member 53 within the opening 2b. The snap ring 54 is a disc spring snap ring having an arcuate portion 54a, a toothed portion 54b, and a tool locking portion 54c.

As shown in FIG. 4 or 8, the arc portion 54a is a portion that engages with the snap ring mounting groove 53b of the pinion gear support member 53. The arc portion 54a is a flat plate portion formed in an arc shape.

The toothed portion 54b has a function of generating a biasing force along the direction of the third rotating shaft 5, so that the toothed portion 54b is engaged with the snap ring engagement groove 2f on the differential case 2 side and the snap ring mounting groove 53b on the pinion gear support member 53 side. This is a portion for urging the second pinion gear pair 51 toward the center O1 side and suppressing the gap between the meshing portion with the side gear pair 31 to a small size. The tooth-shaped portion 54b consists of a large number of tooth-shaped protrusions formed at appropriate intervals on the outer periphery of the flat circular arc portion 54a. The tooth-shaped portion 54b extends diagonally outward from the outer peripheral portion of the arcuate portion 54a.

The tool locking portion 54c is a portion into which a tool (not shown) is inserted to attach and detach the snap ring 54 when the snap ring 54 is attached to and detached from the snap ring mounting groove 53b of the pinion gear support member 53.

≪Effects of differential device≫
The differential device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is basically constructed as described above, and its functions and effects will be explained next with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side gear pair 31, the first pinion gear pair 41, and the second pinion gear pair 51 are housed in the gear storage chamber 2e of the differential case 2 formed as one piece. Therefore, the differential case 2 can reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps of the differential device 1, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, since the 4-pinion differential case 2 can be used in common with the 2-pinion differential case, the 4-pinion differential 1 can be produced without increasing costs or reducing productivity.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a pinion gear support member 53 that supports the second pinion gear pair 51 is arranged in the opening 2b of the differential case 2. The pinion gear support member 53 is attached within the opening 2b by engaging the snap ring 54 attached to the snap ring attachment groove 53b of the pinion gear support member 53 with the snap ring engagement groove 2f.

As shown in FIG. 1, the locking position of the snap ring 54 is within the thickness range of the pinion gear support member 53 (opening 2b) where the pinion gear support member 53 that pivotally supports the third rotating shaft 5 fits into the opening 2b. It's within. Therefore, in the differential case 2, the structure around the opening 2b can be made thinner than in the case where the snap ring 54 is arranged on the end surface (outer surface) of the pinion gear support member 53, so the differential case 2 can be made smaller and Weight reduction can be achieved.

Further, the pinion gear support member 53 is attached to the opening 2b of the differential case 2 at a position closer to the first rotating shaft 3 than the end surface 50c of the pinion gear support shaft 50b. Therefore, the pinion gear support member 53 and the wall thickness of the differential case 2 around the opening 2b can be made relatively thin, so the differential case 2 can be made smaller and lighter.

Further, since the opening 2b of the differential case 2 is closed by the pinion gear support member 53, the exclusive area of the opening formed in the differential case 2 can be made smaller compared to a conventional differential case. Therefore, in the differential device 1, the opening from the inside of the differential case 2 to the outside can be made small, so that the lubricating oil stored inside the differential case 2 can be prevented from being discharged to the outside. As a result, the differential device 1 can improve the lubricity of the meshing portions and sliding contact portions of the first pinion gear pair 41, the second pinion gear pair 51, the side gear pair 31, and the pinion shaft.

As described above, the differential gear 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention rotates around the first rotating shaft 3 and rotates in a spherical manner along the direction of the first rotating shaft 3, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. A differential case 2 having a shell shape, a first pinion gear pair 41 rotating around a second rotating shaft 4 orthogonal to the first rotating shaft 3 and disposed inside the differential case 2, a first rotating shaft 3 and a second The second pinion gear pair 51 rotates around a third rotating shaft 5 perpendicular to the rotating shaft 4 and meshes with the first pinion gear pair 41 and the second pinion gear pair 51 at right angles, and is disposed inside the differential case 2. The side gear pair 31 rotates around the first rotating shaft 3 and is arranged to be rotatable relative to the differential case 2, and is arranged on the back side of the second pinion gear pair 51, and supports the second pinion gear pair 51 of the third rotating shaft 5. At least one pinion gear support member 53 is installed in an opening 2b formed in the differential case 2 on the first rotating shaft 3 side from the end surface 50c of the pinion gear support shaft 50b.

According to this configuration, the differential case 2 accommodates the first pinion gear pair 41, the second pinion gear pair 51, and the side gear pair 31, rotates around the first rotating shaft 3, and rotates around the first rotating shaft 3. It has a shell shape. Therefore, the differential case 2 can be configured as a one-piece case body compatible with the 4-pinion type, so that it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps, thereby reducing costs.
Further, the pinion gear support member 53 is disposed on the back surface of the second pinion gear pair 51, and is installed in the opening 2b on the first rotating shaft 3 side from the end surface 50c of the pinion gear support shaft 50b that supports the second pinion gear pair 51. Ru. Therefore, the pinion gear support member 53 and the area around the opening 2b of the differential case 2 can be formed thin, so that the differential case 2 can be made smaller and lighter.
In addition, the pinion gear support member 53 can support the second pinion gear pair 51 that is rotatably supported on the third rotating shaft 5 from the back side, so it supports the second pinion gear pair 51 so that it can rotate in a stable state. be able to.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the pinion gear support shaft 50b is a pinion shaft, and the pinion gear support member 53 has the rear surface of the second pinion gear pair 51 seated thereon, and the pinion gear support member 53 is arranged so that the back surface of the second pinion gear pair 51 is seated against the opening 2b of the differential case 2. It is locked by a snap ring 54 within the fitting area in the direction of the third rotating shaft 5 .
Here, "within the fitting portion range in the direction of the third rotating shaft 5" refers to the thickness range of the pinion gear supporting member 53 in which the pinion gear supporting member 53 that pivotally supports the third rotating shaft 5 is fitted into the opening 2b. (The inside of the opening 2b).

According to this configuration, since the pinion gear support member 53 is locked to the opening 2b of the differential case 2 by the snap ring 54, the pinion gear support member 53 can be firmly fixed within the opening 2b without wobbling.
Further, since the pinion gear support member 53 is fixed to the opening 2b of the differential case 2, the snap ring 54 is a fixture, so the snap ring 54 is firmly fixed to the middle of the outer circumference of the pinion gear support member 53 in the thickness direction. can do.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15 as a modification of the first embodiment, the snap ring 54C has a tool locking portion 54Cc extending in the radial direction from the third rotating shaft 5, and the differential case 2C has an opening 2Cb. A tool locking portion accommodating portion 2Cd may be provided which is continuous with the inside and outside of the differential case 2C and is formed to communicate with the inside and outside of the differential case 2C.

According to this configuration, the tool locking portion 54Cc of the snap ring 54 is enlarged because the snap ring 54C has the tool locking portion 54Cc consisting of the protrusion 54Cd extending in the radial direction from the third rotating shaft 5. , the snap ring 54C can be easily attached and detached. The tool locking portion accommodating portion 2Cd can be easily formed by hollowing out a portion of the opening 2Cd to form a cutout portion 2Cn.

[Second embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, a differential device 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the differential device 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that the configurations that have already been described are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of main parts of a differential device 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a differential device 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view of main parts showing a state when a side gear pair 31 is assembled to a differential case 2A. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of a differential device 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, in the differential device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the pinion gear support member 53A is arranged such that the back surface of the second pinion gear pair 51 is seated against the opening 2Ab of the differential case 2A. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the annular projection 53Ad is screwed together with the female screw portion 2Am and that the annular projection 53Ad is fixed to the outer end of the female threaded portion 2Am by caulking.

In this case, a female threaded portion 2Am is formed on the inner wall of the opening 2Ab of the differential case 2A. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the pinion gear support member 53A is a lid-shaped member that closes the opening 2Ab. The pinion gear support member 53A attached to the opening 2Ab has, on its outer peripheral surface, a male threaded portion 53Ab into which the female threaded portion 2Am is screwed, and an annular protrusion 53Ad formed at the outer end of the male threaded portion 53Ab. . The pinion gear support member 53A is arranged to sandwich the thrust washer 52 and the second pinion gear pair 51 with the side gear pair 31 by screwing the male threaded portion 53Ab into the female threaded portion 2Am.

The annular projection 53Ad is a locking projection for locking the pinion gear support member 53A inserted into the opening 2Ab to the outer end of the female threaded portion 2Am as a rotation stopper. After the pinion gear support member 53A is screwed into the opening 2Ab, the annular protrusion 53Ad functions as a rotation stopper for the pinion gear support member 53A by caulking and fixing it to the outer end of the female threaded portion 2Am.

A tool engagement hole 53Ac and a shaft insertion hole 53Aa into which the second pinion shaft 50 is inserted are formed in the side surface of the pinion gear support member 53A.

According to this configuration, the pinion gear support member 53A of the differential device 1A of the second embodiment needs to be screwed together while adjusting the backlash between the second pinion gear pair 51 and the side gear pair 31. By locking a tool with a protruding pin in the tool engagement hole 53Ac, the screwing amount of the pinion gear support member 53A can be easily and suitably obtained.

Further, the pinion gear support member 53A may be provided with uniform unevenness in the circumferential direction, and a lock plate that locks on the unevenness.
The opening 2Ab of the differential case 2A may have an inner diameter that is small enough to allow the side gear pair 31 and first pinion gear pair 41 to be inserted therein. In this case, the opening 2Ab of the differential case 2A may be provided with a notch larger than the inner diameter of the female threaded portion 2Am.

[Third embodiment]
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a differential device 1B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a differential device 1B according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view of main parts showing a state when a side gear pair 31 is assembled to a differential case 2B. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of a differential device 1B according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the differential device 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a shaft portion 51Bb on the back surface of the second pinion gear pair 51B, and the shaft portion 51Bb is connected to the shaft of the pinion gear support member 53B. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is inserted into a support hole 53Ba and is pivotally supported, and that the pinion gear support member 53B is a ball bearing.

In this way, the second pinion gear pair 51B of the differential device 1B of the third embodiment has the shaft portion 51Bb protruding from the back surface, and the pinion gear support member 53B has the shaft support hole 53Ba that pivotally supports the shaft portion 51Bb. However, it may be inserted into the opening 2Bb of the differential case 2B and supported within the opening 2Bb by a snap ring 54B provided within the opening 2Bb.

In this case, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the second pinion gear pair 51B has a shaft portion 51Bb on the back surface of a bevel tooth-shaped tooth portion 51Bc. The shaft portion 51Bb is formed of a cylindrical projection that is fitted into the shaft support hole 53Ba of the pinion gear support member 53B, and is supported by the opening portion 2Bb with the pinion gear support member 53B interposed therebetween.

The pinion gear support member 53B is made of, for example, a bearing member such as a bearing. The pinion gear support member 53B, whose outer peripheral portion is fitted into the opening 2Bb, has an outer surface (back side) held within the opening 2Bb by a snap ring 54B.

In the case of a two-pinion differential, the differential case 2 can be used as is. The differential case 2B may be left with a cast rough material surface without machining the portion of the opening 2Bb where the pinion gear support member 53B is attached.

According to this configuration, the pinion gear support member 53B is constituted by a ball bearing and rotatably supports the shaft portion 51Bb of the second pinion gear pair 51B, thereby fulfilling the function of a bearing member for the second pinion gear pair 51B. .

1, 1A, 1B Differential device 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Differential case 2b, 2Ab, 2Bb Opening 2d Tool locking part accommodating part 3 First rotating shaft 4 Second rotating shaft 5 Third rotating shaft 31 Side gear pair 41 No. 1 Pinion gear pair 50b Pinion gear support shaft 50c End face 51, 51B 2nd pinion gear pair 51Bb Shaft part 53, 53A, 53B Pinion gear support member 53Ba Shaft support hole 54, 54B, 54C Snap ring 54c, 54Ba, 54Cc Tool locking part

Claims (5)

a differential case that rotates around a first rotation axis and has a spherical shell shape along the direction of the first rotation axis;
a first pinion gear pair that rotates around a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis and is disposed inside the differential case;
a second pinion gear pair that rotates around a third rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis and is disposed inside the differential case;
a side gear pair meshing with the first pinion gear pair and the second pinion gear pair at right angles, rotating around the first rotating shaft, and arranged to be rotatable relative to the differential case;
installed in an opening formed in the differential case on the side of the first rotating shaft from an end surface of a pinion gear support shaft that supports the second pinion gear pair of the third rotating shaft; at least one pinion gear support member ,
The pinion gear support shaft is a pinion shaft,
The pinion gear support member has a rear surface of the second pinion gear pair seated thereon, and is locked to the opening of the differential case by a snap ring within a fitting portion range in the direction of the third rotating shaft;
The inner peripheral part of the snap ring is engaged with a snap ring mounting groove formed in the outer peripheral part of the pinion gear support member,
The outer circumference of the snap ring is engaged with a snap ring engagement groove formed on the inner circumference of the opening.
Differential device. The snap ring has a spring action in the direction of the third rotating shaft and biases the second pinion gear pair toward the first rotating shaft.
The differential device according to claim 1. The snap ring includes an arcuate portion consisting of a flat plate portion that engages with the snap ring mounting groove;
A large number of toothed portions are formed at appropriate intervals diagonally outward from the outer circumferential portion of the arcuate portion and engage with the snap ring engagement groove.
The differential device according to claim 1 or claim 2 . a differential case that rotates around a first rotation axis and has a spherical shell shape along the direction of the first rotation axis;
a first pinion gear pair that rotates around a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis and is disposed inside the differential case;
a second pinion gear pair that rotates around a third rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis and is disposed inside the differential case;
a side gear pair meshing with the first pinion gear pair and the second pinion gear pair at right angles, rotating around the first rotating shaft, and arranged to be rotatable relative to the differential case;
installed in an opening formed in the differential case on the side of the first rotating shaft from an end surface of a pinion gear support shaft that supports the second pinion gear pair of the third rotating shaft; at least one pinion gear support member,
The pinion gear support shaft is a pinion shaft,
The pinion gear support member has a rear surface of the second pinion gear pair seated thereon, and
a male threaded portion that is screwed into a female threaded portion formed in the opening of the differential case;
an annular protrusion formed on the outer end of the male threaded portion and fixed to the outer end of the female threaded portion by caulking;
Differential device. The snap ring has a tool locking portion extending radially from the third rotating shaft,
The differential case has a tool locking portion accommodating portion that is continuous with the opening and is formed to communicate between the inside and outside of the differential case and accommodates the tool locking portion ,
The tool locking part accommodating part is formed by cutting out a part of the opening part by cutting out a part of the opening part.
The differential device according to claim 1 .

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