JPH06235681A - Method and apparatus for measuring backlash of differential unit for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a method and an apparatus for measuring backlash required for obtaining a differential unit having uniform and precise backlash between a crown gear and a drive pinion. CONSTITUTION:A drive pinion and one axle 7L are secured under meshed state where backlash is eliminated between a drive pinion 2 and a crown gear 4 by adjusting the tightening of retainers 6L, 6P. The other axle 7R is then rotated forward and reversely and the amount of rotation of the axle 7R is measured as a first backlash. Similarly, a second backlash is measured under meshed state where a backlash is provided between the drive pinion 2 and the crown gear 4 by adjusting the retainers 6L, 6R. Difference between first and second backlashes is then operated thus determining the backlash between the drive pinion 2 and the crown gear 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a backlash measuring method and apparatus for a differential unit for an automobile, and more particularly to a backlash measuring method and apparatus between a crown gear and a drive pinion of a differential apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A high accuracy of assembly is required for assembling a differential unit of an automobile. Above all, backlash adjustment between a drive pinion and a crown gear, which greatly affects durability of the differential unit, is particularly important.

To adjust the backlash between the drive pinion and the crown gear, an operator manually senses the backlash with a retainer for positioning and fixing the differential case to which the crown gear is attached to the carrier to which the drive pinion is previously mounted. It is done by adjusting the tightening while checking.

In the differential unit thus assembled, the amount of backlash is measured in the subsequent inspection process.

The backlash amount is measured by fixing the drive pinion so that it does not rotate, inserting a dial gauge from the drain hole that opens in the carrier and applying it to the tooth flanks of the crown gear, and then right and left axle shafts in the circumferential direction. This is done by rotating in reverse and measuring the amount of backlash. On the other hand, instead of using a dial gauge, a backlash measuring device is used to measure the backlash amount into an electric amount.

However, these measuring methods are limited to the case where the carrier is provided with a drain hole or the like for inserting the stylus into contact with the tooth surface of the crown gear, and the work requires skill of the operator. .

As a countermeasure against this, a backlash adjusting method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-118257 has been proposed. In this method, one retainer that positions the differential case in its axial direction is tightened until a certain torque is reached in the direction in which the crown gear meshes with the drive pinion, then loosened by a certain amount, and then the other retainer is tightened to fix the differential case. However, the backlash is set by the amount of loosening of one retainer. That is, assuming that the tightening torque of the retainer that moves the crown gear to the drive pinion side reaches a predetermined amount, it is assumed that the crown gear and the drive pinion are in a meshing state without backlash, and with this as a reference, the desired backlash is obtained. The crown gear is returned in the direction away from the drive pinion so as to achieve the lash amount, and this return amount is regulated by the retainer loosening amount.

[0008]

According to the above-mentioned backlash adjusting method, the backlash can be adjusted even when the carrier is not provided with a drain hole or the like for inserting a probe for backlash measurement. However, assuming that one of the retainers is tightened to a predetermined torque, it is assumed that the crown gear and the drive pinion are in a meshing state without backlash, and the amount that will be the desired backlash amount based on this is set. Since the amount of backlash between the crown gear and the drive pinion is not directly obtained because it is determined by the amount of loosening of the retainer set in advance, the amount of backlash between the differential units may differ due to variations in manufacturing accuracy. It is not sufficient to secure a differential unit that has variations and has a uniform and highly accurate backlash amount between the crown gear and the drive pinion.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for measuring the backlash of a differential unit for an automobile, which can obtain a differential unit having a uniform and highly accurate backlash between a crown gear and a drive pinion. Is.

[0010]

A backlash measuring method for a differential unit for an automobile according to the present invention that achieves the above object comprises a drive pinion rotatably mounted on a carrier and a pair of retainers screwed to the carrier. In the backlash measurement method of the differential unit for automobiles that measures the amount of backlash with the crown gear provided in the differential case that is positioned and supported, the engagement between the drive pinion and the crown gear without the amount of backlash by the tightening adjustment of the retainer. In this state, fix the drive pinion and one axle shaft, and rotate the other axle shaft forward and reverse to measure the amount of rotation that occurs on this axle shaft as the first backlash amount, and adjust the retainer tightening to adjust the drive pinion. On the crown gear fixed to the drive pinion and one of the axle shafts in meshed state with the backlash amount and the amount of rotation of the axle shaft to rotate forward and backward the other axle shaft second
The backlash amount between the drive pinion and the crown gear is obtained by calculating the difference between the first backlash amount and the second backlash amount.

A device for measuring backlash by the backlash measuring method is a drive pinion rotatably mounted on a carrier and a crown mounted on a differential case which is positioned and supported by a pair of retainers screwed on the carrier. In a device that measures the amount of backlash with a gear, one retainer tightening unit that drives one retainer to rotate with a predetermined torque and a predetermined angle in the direction in which the crown gear meshes with and away from the drive pinion and the other retainer are crowned. The gear is engaged with the drive pinion and separated from the other retainer tightening unit that rotates and drives with a predetermined torque and a predetermined angle, one axle shaft that is connected to one axle shaft, and the other axle shaft that is connected to the other axle shaft. , And axle shaft drive The other axle shaft drive shaft that is driven to rotate forward and backward by a knit, a drive pinion fixing unit that fixes and releases the drive pinion, an axle shaft fixed brake that fixes and releases one axle shaft drive shaft, and the other It has a minute angle rotation detecting unit for detecting the amount of rotation of the axle shaft drive shaft, and a control device for storing and calculating various amounts of rotation detected by the minute angle rotation detecting unit.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a measuring device to which the backlash measuring method according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of a differential unit w which is an object to be measured.

In the differential unit w, a drive pinion 2 and a crown gear 4 fixed to a differential case 3 are mounted on a carrier 1 in mesh with each other.

Both ends of the differential case 3 have bearings 5L,
The retainers 6L and 6R that are screwed to the carrier 1 while allowing the crown gear 4 to move in the axial direction via 5R are fitted to the retainers 6L and 6R that are screwed to the carrier 1.
Positioning is fixed by tightening R from both sides.

The measuring device has a work supporting base 11 on which the differential unit w is placed and positioned, and a knock pin 11a provided on the work supporting base 11 is fitted into a reference knock hole 1a formed in the carrier 1 to form a differential unit. A clamp unit 12 is provided which positions w, and a clamper 12b moves up and down by a cylinder 12a above the work support 11 to press and fix the differential unit w on the work support 11 to the work support 11. There is.

The drive pinion 2 is clamped and unclamped at the end of the drive pinion 2 of the differential unit w, which is movably supported above the work support 11 and positioned and fixed on the work support 11. 13 for selectively blocking and allowing the rotation of
A drive pinion fixing unit 13 having a is provided.

Guide rails 14L and 14R are installed in parallel to each other with the work support 11 interposed therebetween and in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the crown gear 4 provided in the differential unit w positioned on the work support 11. Slide base 1 on 14L and 14R
5L and 15R are slidably arranged.

On the slide bases 15L and 15R, guide rails 16L and 16R provided on the slide bases 15L and 15R are moved in parallel with the axial direction of the crown gear 4 by driving a cylinder unit (not shown). Adjustment units 17L and 17R are provided.

The adjusting units 17L and 17R are provided to face each other, and the frames 18L and 18R thereof have retainer tightening units 19 which are tightening means for the retainers 6L and 6R.
L and 19R are arranged.

Retainer tightening units 19L and 19R
Are nut runners 20L and 20R provided on the upper portions of the frames 18L and 18R, and nut runners 20L and 20R.
Depending on the clutch 21L, 21R and the gear unit 22
Tightening mechanism 23L, 23R driven via L, 22R
The tightening mechanisms 23L and 23R are provided at their tips, and the tightening claws 23La that engage with the claws 6La and 6Ra formed on the retainers 6L and 6R of the differential unit w at the tips thereof.
23Ra, and hollow portions 23Lb, 2 for coaxially inserting axle shaft drive shafts 26L, 26R described later.
The bearing 24 is composed of a cylindrical body having 3Rb.
L and 24R are rotatably supported by the frames 18L and 18R so that the axis of the crown gear 4 is the rotation axis. Further, on the upper portions of the frames 18L and 18R, there are tightening mechanisms 23L and 2L via gear units 22L and 22R.
Micro angle rotation detection unit 2 that detects the rotation angle of 3R
5L and 25R are provided.

Further, the adjusting units 17L and 17R include hollow portions 23Lb and 23Rb of the tightening mechanisms 23L and 23R.
Axle shaft drive shafts 26L and 26R that penetrate through the inside and are rotatably supported by the tightening mechanisms 23L and 23R are provided, and the tip ends 26La and 26Ra of the axle shaft drive shafts 26L and 26R are the axles of the differential unit w. Shafts 7L, 7R tips 7La, 7R
A spline hole that fits with the spline shaft formed in a is formed.

The axle shaft drive shaft 26L provided in one adjusting unit 17L is prevented from rotating by actuating an axle shaft fixed brake 27 provided at the end thereof. Further, the axle shaft drive shaft 26R provided in the other adjusting unit 17R is the clutch 2
8 is connected to an axle shaft drive unit 29, is rotationally driven by this drive unit 29, and a rotation angle is detected by a minute angle rotation detection unit 30 provided in the axle shaft drive unit 29.

Further, the axle shaft drive shaft 26L disposed in one adjustment unit 17L and the axle shaft drive shaft 26R disposed in the other adjustment unit 17R are the axle shaft drive unit according to the switching operation of the axle shaft synchronous switching unit 31. It is configured such that it is rotationally driven synchronously by 29 or only the axle shaft drive shaft 26R is rotationally driven.

Axle shaft synchronous switching unit 31
Is an axle synchronous shaft 33L that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of one axle shaft drive shaft 26L via a gear unit 32L, and an axle synchronous shaft 33R that is rotationally driven by an axle shaft drive unit 29 via a gear unit 32R. And these axle synchronization shafts 33L and 33R
It is constituted by a synchronous on / off clutch 34 that connects the clutch so as to be intermittently connected.

Further, the present apparatus calculates the amount of backlash generated between the drive pinion 2 and the crown gear 4 of the differential unit w, which is the object to be measured, based on the data detected by the minute angle rotation detection unit 30, and the backlash is calculated. It has a control device (not shown) that determines the adequacy of the lash amount and controls the operation of each part of the apparatus, and a display unit (not shown) that displays the adequacy of the backlash amount.

Next, the operation of the backlash measuring device configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the previous step, the differential case w having the crown gear 4 attached thereto is previously carried into the carrier 1 having the drive pinion 2 mounted thereon by the differential unit w temporarily screwed by the retainers 6L and 6R.
Further, the knock pin 11a provided on the work support base 11 is inserted into the reference knock hole 1a and positioned and placed on the work support base 11, and the clamper 12b is clamped by the cylinder 12a of the clamp unit 12 according to an instruction from the control device.
Is lowered and the differential unit w is fixed to a predetermined position by pressing the differential unit w against the work support 11 by the clamper 12b (step 1).

Next, a cylinder unit (not shown) is driven to move the adjusting units 17L and 17R forward,
The tip 26La of the axle shaft drive shaft 26L provided in the adjustment unit 17L is spline-coupled to the tip 7La of the axle shaft 7L of the differential unit w, and similarly the tip of the axle shaft drive shaft 26R provided in the other adjustment unit 17R. 26Ra is spline-coupled to the tip end 7Ra of the other axle shaft 7R, and the fastening claw portions 23L formed on the fastening mechanisms 23L and 23R of the retainer fastening units 19L and 19R provided in the adjustment units 17L and 17R, respectively.
The claw portions 6La and 6Ra formed on the retainers 6L and 6R are engaged with a and 23Ra (step 2).

Next, the engaging retainer 6L is tightened with a predetermined torque by the tightening claw portion 23La of the tightening mechanism 23L that drives and rotates the nut runner 20L provided in the one adjusting unit 17L, and the crown gear 4 is driven by the drive pinion 2. Move to the side and crown gear 4 and drive pinion 2
And are brought into meshing condition without backlash (step 3).

With the crown gear 4 and the drive pinion 2 meshing with each other without backlash, the drive pinion fixing unit 13 is lowered to move the chuck 13
The drive pinion 2 is fixed so as not to rotate by a, and the axle shaft fixing brake 27 is actuated to fix the axle shaft drive shaft 26L so that the axle shaft 7L is fixed so as not to rotate (step 4).

The differential unit w in which the crown gear 4 and the drive pinion 2 are meshed with each other without backlash, and the drive pinion 2 and one axle shaft 7L are fixed,
Axle shaft 7R is axle shaft drive shaft 26R
And, it is driven to rotate forward and backward by the axle shaft drive unit 29 via the clutch 28. At this time, the amount of rattling generated by the forward / reverse rotation of the axle shaft 7R, that is, the amount of rotation is measured as the first backlash amount A in the differential unit w by the minute angle rotation detection unit 30 provided in the axle shaft drive unit 29. (Step 5) and store in the control device.

This first backlash amount A is a play amount b between the axle shaft 7L and the axle shaft drive shaft 26L, a play amount c between the axle shaft 7R and the axle shaft drive shaft 26R, and a differential case 3. It includes the backlash d etc. of the internal gear mechanism.

Next, the axle shaft fixed brake 27
The fixation of the axle shaft 7L and the fixation of the drive pinion 2 by the drive pinion fixing unit 13 are released (step 6).

Then, according to an instruction from the control device, the tightening mechanism 23L is driven by the nut runner 20L provided in the adjusting unit 17L to loosen the retainer 6L by a predetermined angle, and the differential case 3 is moved by a predetermined amount from the drive pinion 2 to the crown gear 4. A backlash is generated between the drive pinion 2 and the crown gear 4 by moving it in the away direction (step 7). The loosening angle of the retainer 6L at this time is detected by the minute angle rotation detection unit 25L provided in the adjustment unit 17L.

Next, the retainer tightening unit 19R provided in the adjusting unit 17R tightens the retainer 6R with a predetermined torque to fix the differential case 3 (step 8).

In the subsequent step, the synchronous on / off clutch 34 of the axle shaft synchronizing unit 31 is turned on to synchronously rotate the one axle shaft drive shaft 26L and the other axle shaft drive shaft 26R, and thus the axle shaft drive shafts 26L and 26R. The axle shafts 7L and 7R that are splined to the shaft shaft 7L and 7R are switched to rotate synchronously (step 9), and the axle shaft drive unit 29 causes the axle shaft synchronization unit 3 to rotate.
1, the axle shaft drive shafts 26L and 26R are synchronously rotated at a predetermined time, and the axle shafts 7L and 7R are synchronously rotated to mesh with the differential case 3, the crown gear 4 and the crown gear 4 provided on the differential case 3. The acclimation operation is performed by rotating the drive pinion 2 and the like, and the synchronous on / off clutch 34 is turned off (step 10).

In the next step, the differential unit w, which has finished acclimatizing, again tightens the retainer 6R with a predetermined torque by the retainer tightening unit 19R provided in the adjusting unit 17R, as in the above-mentioned step 8. The differential case 3 is fixed with the slack and the like caused by the acclimation operation in step 10 corrected (step 11).

Next, as in step 4, the drive pinion fixing unit 13 and the axle shaft fixing brake 27 fix the drive pinion 2 and the axle shaft 7L (step 12).

In the differential unit w to which the drive pinion 2 and the axle shaft 7L are fixed in step 12, the crown gear 4 and the drive pinion 2 have a backlash, and the following step 1
3, the axle shaft 7R is normally and reversely driven by the axle shaft drive shaft 16R that is normally and reversely rotated by the drive of the axle shaft drive unit 29, and the rotation amount generated at this time is as follows.
The second amount of backlash B is measured by the minute angle rotation detection unit 30 provided in 9.

This measured second backlash amount B
Includes the play amount b between the axle shaft 7L and the axle shaft drive shaft 26L measured in the step 5, the axle shaft 7R and the axle shaft drive shaft 2
In addition to the backlash amount c with 6R and the backlash d of the internal gear mechanism in the differential case 3, the backlash amount a between the drive pinion 2 and the crown gear 4 is included.

In the next step 14, step 13
The backlash amount B measured by, that is, the backlash amount a, the backlash amount b, the backlash amount c, and the backlash d.
Between the drive pinion 2 and the crown gear 4 by subtracting the backlash amount A measured in step 5, that is, the total amount of the backlash amount b, the backlash amount c, and the backlash d from the total value of The amount of backlash a that occurs is determined (step 14).

Whether or not the backlash amount a obtained by the arithmetic processing in step 14 is within a preset backlash amount between the drive pinion 2 and the crown gear 4, for example, the OK range shown in FIG. The determination is made (step 15), and the result is displayed on the display device (not shown). If the backlash amount a is within the OK range,
Appropriate backlash amount a, that is, drive pinion 2
It is determined that the differential unit w has been assembled with a proper amount of backlash between the crown gear 4 and the crown gear 4, and the differential unit w is carried out to a subsequent process, and a series of backlash measurement work is completed.

If the backlash amount a is out of the OK range in FIG. 5 in step 15, the differential unit w is assembled with the drive pinion 2 and the crown gear 4 having an improper backlash amount. If it is determined that the backlash amount a is too small-NG and the drive pinion 2 and the crown gear 4 are too close to each other, the backlash amount a is too large + NG in the next step 16. It is determined whether the pinion 2 and the crown gear 4 are too far apart (step 16).

When it is determined in step 16 that the backlash amount a is too small, the retainer tightening unit 19R provided in the adjusting unit 17R loosens the retainer 6R by a predetermined angle (step 17), and the retainer tightening unit is further removed. 19L allows the other retainer 6L to be loosened by a predetermined angle to allow the differential case 3 to move (step 18).

Subsequently, the retainer tightening unit 19R provided in the adjusting unit 17R tightens the retainer 6R with a predetermined torque to fix the differential case 3 (step 19).

Next, the axle shaft drive unit 29 is actuated to rotate the axle shaft drive shafts 26L and 26R synchronously for a predetermined time, and a habituation operation similar to step 10 is performed (step 20). After the acclimation operation is completed, the differential unit w fixes the differential case 3 again by tightening the retainer 6R with a predetermined torque by the retainer tightening unit 19R (step 21).

Next, similarly to step 13, the axle shaft drive unit 29 is driven, and the minute angle rotation detection unit 30 measures the backlash amount C corresponding to the second backlash amount B (step 22). In step 23, the first backlash amount A measured in step 5 is subtracted from the backlash amount C measured in step 22 to obtain and display the backlash amount a between the drive pinion 2 and the crown gear 4, and In step 24, if the backlash amount a is within the OK range shown in FIG. 5, the backlash amount between the drive pinion 2 and the crown gear 4 is carried out to the subsequent process. It is judged to be in an unsuitable state, and it is taken out to the NG conveyor and collected.

When it is determined in step 16 that the backlash amount a is excessive + NG, the retainer tightening unit 19R provided in the adjusting unit 17R loosens the retainer 6R by a predetermined angle (step 25), and further tightens the retainer. The other retainer 6L is tightened by a predetermined angle by the unit 19L, the differential case 3 is moved, and the crown gear 4 provided on the differential case 3 is moved closer to the drive pinion 2 direction (step 27).

Next, the above-mentioned steps 19, 20, 21,
Steps 27, 28, 2 corresponding to 22 and 23, respectively
The backlash amount a between the crown gear 4 and the drive pinion 2 is obtained through 9, 30, and 31, and this backlash amount a is shown in FIG.
If it is within the range, if it is within the OK range, the differential unit w is carried out to the subsequent process, and O
If it is out of the K range, it is determined that the backlash amount a is not in an appropriate state, and the backlash amount a is carried out to the NG conveyor and collected.

According to the method for measuring the backlash of the differential unit for an automobile and the apparatus therefor according to the present invention described above, the crown gear is pressed against the drive pinion so that the drive pinion and the crown gear are in a meshed state without backlash. Fix the crown gear and one axle shaft, and rotate the other axle shaft forward and backward.The amount of rotation of this axle shaft, that is, the amount of play between each axle shaft and the axle shaft drive shaft meshing with each axle shaft, and the inside of the differential case. The total backlash of the gear mechanism is obtained as the first backlash amount, and similarly, the rotation amount of the axle shaft, that is, the first backlash amount in the state where there is backlash between the drive pinion and the crown gear. Drive pinion and crown The backlash amount between the drive pinion and the crown gear is calculated from the difference between the first backlash amount and the second backlash amount. A differential that is directly obtained corresponding to the differential unit, is appropriately measured regardless of the manufacturing accuracy of each part of each differential unit, and has a uniform backlash amount between the crown gear and the drive pinion with high accuracy. It becomes possible to secure a unit, and a high quality differential unit can be obtained.

[0052]

According to the method and apparatus for measuring the backlash of the differential unit for an automobile of the present invention described above, the backlash of the entire differential unit can be reduced to the first with the backlash of the drive pinion and the crown gear eliminated. Measured as the amount of backlash,
In addition, the entire backlash is measured as the second backlash amount in the state where the drive pinion and the crown gear have backlash, and the backlash amount between the drive pinion and the crown gear is determined by the difference from the first backlash amount. Therefore, regardless of whether there is a hole for inserting the measuring tool into the carrier and making contact with the crown gear, it is possible to assemble each differential unit and perform measurement appropriate for each differential unit even if there are variations in component accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to secure a uniform and high-quality differential unit with high accuracy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing one embodiment of a backlash measuring device for a differential unit for automobiles according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an automobile differential unit.

3 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining a measuring method using the backlash measuring device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart following FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating whether or not the backlash amount is appropriate according to the measurement method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 carrier 2 drive pinion 3 differential case 4 crown gear 6L retainer 6R retainer 7L axle shaft 7R axle shaft 13 drive pinion fixing unit 19L retainer tightening unit 19R retainer tightening unit 26L axle shaft drive shaft 26R axle shaft drive shaft 27 axle shaft brake 29 Axle shaft drive unit 30 Micro angle rotation detection unit 31 Axle shaft synchronous switching unit w Differential unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A differential unit for an automobile for measuring a backlash amount between a drive pinion rotatably provided on a carrier and a crown gear provided on a differential case which is positioned and supported by a pair of retainers screwed on the carrier. In the backlash measurement method, the drive pinion and one axle shaft are fixed and the other axle shaft is rotated normally and reversely in a meshed state in which the drive pinion and the crown gear have no backlash amount by adjusting the retainer tightening. The amount of rotation that occurs in the lever axle shaft is measured as the first backlash amount, and the drive pinion and one of the axle shafts are fixed by the retainer tightening adjustment so that the drive pinion and the crown gear are in mesh with each other with the backlash amount. And, the other axle shaft is rotated in the forward and reverse directions to measure the amount of rotation of this axle shaft as the second backlash amount, and the difference between the first backlash amount and the second backlash amount is calculated to drive. A backlash measuring method for a differential unit for an automobile, characterized by obtaining a backlash amount between a pinion and a crown gear. 2. A method of measuring the amount of backlash between a drive pinion rotatably provided on a carrier and a crown gear provided on a differential case which is positioned and supported by a pair of retainers screwed on the carrier.
Tighten one retainer with a predetermined torque in the direction in which the crown gear meshes with the drive pinion, fix the drive pinion and one axle shaft, and rotate the other axle shaft in the forward and reverse directions to adjust the amount of rotation of this axle shaft. While measuring the amount of backlash as 1, loosen one retainer by a predetermined amount and tighten the other retainer with a predetermined torque, further fix the drive pinion and one axle shaft, and rotate the other axle shaft forward and backward. The rotation amount of the axle shaft is measured as the second backlash amount, and the difference between the first backlash amount and the second backlash amount is calculated to obtain the backlash amount with the drive pinion. Backlash measurement method for differential units for automobiles. 3. A method for measuring the amount of backlash between a drive pinion rotatably provided on a carrier and a crown gear provided on a differential case which is positioned and supported by a pair of retainers screwed to the carrier.
Tighten one retainer with one retainer tightening unit with a predetermined torque in the direction in which the crown gear meshes with the drive pinion, and fix the drive pinion with the drive pinion fixing unit and connect one axle shaft to the other axle. Fixing the shaft drive shaft with an axle shaft fixed brake, and rotating the axle shaft forward and reverse by the axle shaft drive unit via the other axle shaft drive shaft connected to the other axle shaft, and the axle shaft drive shaft. Measuring the amount of rotation of the retainer as the first backlash amount by the minute angle rotation detecting unit, and loosening the retainer by one retainer by a predetermined amount and tightening the other retainer by the other retainer tightening unit with a predetermined torque. And one axle shaft drive shaft, which is connected to one axle shaft, is fixed by an axle shaft fixed brake, and this axle shaft is connected by the axle shaft drive unit via the other axle shaft drive shaft connected to the other axle shaft. Difference between the first backlash amount and the second backlash amount, in which the shaft is rotated forward and backward to measure the rotation amount of the axle shaft drive shaft as the second backlash amount by the minute angle rotation detection unit. And a step of obtaining the amount of backlash between the drive pinion and the crown gear by sequentially calculating the backlash amount between the drive pinion and the crown gear. 4. The method for measuring the backlash of a differential unit for an automobile according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining whether or not the backlash amounts of the drive pinion and the crown gear obtained by calculation are appropriate. 5. An apparatus for measuring the amount of backlash between a drive pinion rotatably provided on a carrier and a crown gear provided on a differential case which is positioned and supported by a pair of retainers screwed to the carrier,
One retainer tightening unit that drives one retainer to rotate in the direction in which the crown gear meshes with and separates from the drive pinion by a predetermined torque and at a predetermined angle, and the other retainer in the direction in which the crown gear meshes with and separates from the drive pinion. The other retainer tightening unit, which is driven to rotate by a predetermined torque and a predetermined angle, the one axle shaft drive shaft that is connected to one axle shaft, and the other axle shaft, and is normally and reversely driven by the axle shaft drive unit. The other axle shaft drive shaft, the drive pinion fixing unit that locks and unlocks the drive pinion, the axle shaft fixed brake that locks and unlocks one axle shaft drive shaft, and the rotation of the other axle shaft drive shaft. Detect motion A slight angular rotation detection unit, backlash measurement device of a differential unit for a motor vehicle, characterized in that a control device for storing and calculating the rotation amount of the detected various by slight angular rotation detection unit. 6. An axle which is arranged between one and the other axle shaft drive shafts and which switches forward and reverse rotational drive by the axle shaft drive unit to synchronous rotation of one and the other axle shafts and independent rotation drive of the other axle shafts. 5. A shaft synchronous switching unit is provided.
Backlash Measuring Device for Automotive Differential Units.