JPH06344783A - Differential gear device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a differential gear device that is equipped with a differential locking mechanism in addition to differential limiting force due to sliding resistance in a differential gear. CONSTITUTION:This differential gear device is provided with two helical pinion gears 51 and 53 stored in storage holes 47 and 49 of a differential case 21, two helical side gears 31 and 33 connected via these gears 51, 53, a locking member 71 in mesh with the pinion gear 51 exposed out of the differential case and a large diametral part of this differential case, and an operating member 79 shifting and operating this locking member and locking a differential motion, respectively.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle differential device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-38733 discloses a differential device 401 as shown in FIG. This is a differential case 403 driven to rotate by the engine,
Helical pinion gears 411 and 413 stored in the storage holes 405 and 407 so as to be slidably rotatable and helical side gears 417 and 419 on the wheel side are provided. The pinion gear 411 meshes with the pinion gear 413, one side gear 417 meshes with the pinion gear 411,
The other side gear 419 meshes with the pinion gear 413. A gear meshing reaction force and a helical gear meshing thrust force are generated in each gear 411, 413, 417, 419, and the meshing reaction force pushes the pinion gears 411, 413 into the respective storage holes 405, 407, and the meshing thrust force. A differential limiting force is obtained by the frictional resistance generated when each gear is pressed against the differential case 403 or the like by the force, and the straight running stability and turning performance of the vehicle are improved.

[0003]

However, the differential limiting force generated by the frictional resistance is not so strong as described above, and the running ability and the escapeability on a bad road where one wheel runs idle are insufficient. Is. In order to strengthen the differential limiting force, it is necessary to increase the helix angle of the helical gear.However, increasing the helix angle drastically reduces the workability and durability of the gear, and there is a large difference that can lock the differential. You cannot obtain the movement restriction force. In addition to this, if the differential limiting force is increased by this method, the straightness when traveling on a good road becomes too strong, the smoothness at the time of turning is impaired, and the behavior of the vehicle becomes unstable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a differential device capable of obtaining a differential limiting force by the sliding resistance of a differential gear and locking the differential.

[0005]

A differential device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a differential case that is rotated by a driving force of an engine, a helical pinion gear that is slidably rotatably housed in a housing hole of the differential case, and is connected through a helical pinion gear. A differential mechanism having a pair of helical side gears for transmitting the driving force to the wheel side and a differential lock mechanism for locking the differential of the differential mechanism are provided.

In the differential device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the differential lock mechanism releases the locked position and the mesh with the helical pinion gear exposed from the notch formed in the corner of the differential case and the large diameter part of the differential case. 2. The differential device according to claim 1, further comprising: a lock member that is movable to the unlocked position, and an operation unit that moves and operates the lock member to the two positions.

In the differential device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the differential lock mechanism is released from the lock position and the meshing position where the helical pinion gear exposed from the notch formed in the corner portion of the differential case and the boss portion of the differential case are engaged. 2. The differential device according to claim 1, further comprising: a lock member movable to a lock release position, and an operation unit for moving the lock member to the two positions.

In the differential device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the differential lock mechanism has a locking position and a meshing position for engaging the flange portion of the helical side gear exposed from the notch provided in the side wall of the differential case and the boss portion of the differential case. 2. The differential device according to claim 1, further comprising: a lock member that is movable to an unlocked position to be released, and an operation unit that moves and operates the lock member to the two positions.

In the differential device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the differential lock mechanism is movable within the differential case such that the differential side lock mechanism is movable between a locked position where the flange of the helical side gear and the differential case are engaged with each other and an unlocked position where the engagement is released. The differential device according to claim 1, further comprising: a member and an air bellows that moves the lock member from the outside of the differential case via an operation member.

In the differential device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the differential lock mechanism is movable within the differential case to a lock position where the flange of the helical side gear engages with the differential case and a lock release position where the engagement is released. Member and slip ring attached to the differential case,
2. The differential device according to claim 1, further comprising an air bellows which is fixed inside the differential case and which is supplied with air pressure through a slip ring to move and operate a lock member.

[0011]

The differential device according to the first aspect of the present invention can be differentially locked by the differential lock mechanism.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the helical pinion gear and the large diameter portion of the differential case are engaged with the lock member to lock the differential.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the helical pinion gear and the boss portion of the differential case are engaged with the lock member to lock the differential.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the differential member is locked by engaging the lock member with the flange portion of the helical side gear and the boss portion of the differential case.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the lock member that meshes with the flange of the helical side gear and the differential case inside the differential case is moved and operated by the air bellows outside the differential case via the operating member to differentially lock.

In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the lock member that meshes with the flange portion of the helical side gear and the differential case inside the differential case is moved and operated by the air bellows that is fixed inside the differential case and is supplied with air pressure through the slip ring. And lock the differential.

As described above, since the differential device of each invention is provided with the differential lock mechanism, it is not necessary to increase the twist angle of the side gear and the pinion gear excessively to strengthen the differential limiting force. The necessary and sufficient differential limiting force can be obtained, the workability and durability of the gears are improved, and the differential can be locked when traveling on a rough road to significantly improve the running performance.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 7. FIG. 1 shows a differential device of this embodiment, and FIG. 7 shows a power system of a vehicle using this embodiment. The left and right directions are the left and right directions in this vehicle and FIG. 1, and members and the like without reference numerals are not shown.

As shown in FIG. 7, this vehicle has an engine 1, a transmission 3, a propeller shaft 5, and a rear differential 7.
(Differential device of the embodiment arranged on the rear wheel side), rear axles 9, 11, left and right rear wheels 13, 15, left and right front wheels 17, 19 and the like.

The differential case 21 of the rear differential 7 is arranged in the differential carrier 23, and the ring gear 25 is fixed to the differential case 21. The ring gear 25 meshes with the drive pinion gear 27, and the drive pinion gear 27
Is integrally formed with a drive pinion shaft 29 connected to the propeller shaft 5 side. In this way, the driving force of the engine 1 rotationally drives the differential case 21 via the transmission 3 and the propeller shaft 5. The differential carrier 23 is filled with oil to form an oil reservoir.

As shown in FIG. 1, left and right helical side gears 31, 33 are arranged inside the differential case 21. The side gears 31 and 33 are rotatably supported by shaft supporting portions 35 and 37 formed between the side gears 31 and 33, and the free ends are supported and centered by the shaft supporting portions 39 formed between the side gears 31 and 33. There is. Side gear 31,
A washer 41 is provided between the side gears 33.
A washer 43 is arranged between the 1, 33 and the differential case 21. The left side gear 31 is spline-connected to the left rear axle 9, and the right side gear 33 is right right axle 1.
1 is splined. A thrust block 45 that abuts the left and right axles 9 and 11 is arranged on the inner periphery of the side gear 31.

The differential gear 21 has side gears 31, 33.
There are four sets of storage holes 47 and 49 surrounding the space, and long and short helical pinion gears 51 and 53 are stored in the storage holes 47 and 49 so as to be slidably rotatable. The long pinion gear 51 includes first and second gear portions 55 and 57 and a small-diameter shaft portion 59 that connects them, and the second gear portion 57 meshes with the right side gear 33. The short pinion gear 53 meshes with the first gear portion 55 at the left end and meshes with the left side gear 31 at the right end.

In this way, the differential mechanism 61 is constructed.

The differential case 21 is provided with openings 63 and 65 communicating with the storage holes 47 and 49, through which oil in an oil reservoir flows in and out to lubricate the meshing parts and sliding parts of each gear.

The driving force of the engine 1 for rotating the differential case 21 is from the pinion gears 51 and 53 to the side gear 3.
When the driving resistance difference is generated between the rear wheels, the driving force is differentially distributed to the left and right sides by the rotation of the pinion gears 51 and 53. At this time, the tooth tips of the pinion gears 51 and 53 are the side gear 3
The meshing reaction force with the gears 1, 33 pushes them into the storage holes 47, 49 to generate frictional resistance. In addition, each gear 31, 33,
51 and 53 are pressed against the differential case 21 and washers 41 and 43 by the meshing thrust force of the helical gears to generate frictional resistance. Due to these frictional resistances, each gear 31,
The rotation of 33, 51, 53 is braked and the differential is limited. A twist angle is given to each gear such that the differential limiting force while the vehicle is traveling on a good road has an appropriate magnitude.

A storage hole 4 is provided at the right corner of the differential case 21.
The second gear portion 5 is provided with a notch portion 67 that communicates with the second gear portion 7.
Part of 7 is exposed. A shift sleeve 71 (lock member) is axially movably connected to the outer periphery of the large diameter portion of the differential case 21 by a meshing portion 69 of a spur gear. The shift sleeve 71 meshes with the second gear portion 57. A matching helical gear 73 is provided. A shift fork 79 (operating means) fixed to the operating rod 77 is slidably engaged with the circumferential groove 75 of the shift sleeve 71, and the shift sleeve 71 is indicated by a broken line as indicated by an arrow 81 by the operating force of the actuator. Move to the lock position drawn and the lock release position drawn by the solid line.

Thus, the differential lock mechanism 83 is constructed, and when the shift sleeve 71 moves to the lock position, the differential gear is locked between the differential case 21 and the pinion gear 51 by the meshing of the helical gear 73 and the gear portion 57. It Further, at the lock release position, this mesh is released and the differential lock is released.

The rear differential 7 is thus constructed.

If the differential lock is released while the vehicle is traveling on a good road, it is possible to obtain a good straight running stability and a smooth and stable turning performance of the vehicle due to the differential limiting force of an appropriate size due to the frictional resistance, and to maintain the steering stability. The property is improved. Further, if the differential is locked during traveling on a rough road, even if one of the rear wheels 13 and 15 idles, a large driving force is sent to the other wheel, which greatly improves the escapeability and running performance on a rough road. It

As described above, since the differential lock mechanism 83 is provided, each gear 31, 3 is provided in order to improve the rough road running performance.
It is not necessary to increase the twist angle of 3, 51, 53. Therefore, the turning performance on a good road is not impaired, and the workability and durability of the gear are improved. Further, since the shift sleeve 71 is arranged at the corner portion of the differential case 21, it is possible to avoid an increase in size, and the shift sleeve 71 rotating integrally with the differential case 21 is sufficiently lubricated by the oil reservoir. Further, the notch 67 further improves the lubricity inside the differential case 21.

Next, an embodiment of the invention of claim 3 will be described with reference to FIG. This differential device is used as the rear differential 85 in FIG. 7, and the arrangement position of the lock member is changed in the rear differential 7. The difference will be described below. The left and right directions are the left and right directions in FIG.
Members and the like without reference numerals are not shown.

The shift sleeve 9 is provided on the outer periphery of the right boss portion 87 of the differential case 21 by the spline portion 89 of the spur gear.
1 (lock member) is connected so as to be movable in the axial direction,
The shift sleeve 91 is provided with a helical gear 93 that meshes with the second gear portion 57. A shift fork 99 (operating means) fixed to the operating rod 97 is slidably engaged with the circumferential groove 95 of the shift sleeve 91, and the shift sleeve 9 is moved by an actuator as indicated by an arrow 101.
1 is moved to a lock position drawn by a broken line and a lock release position drawn by a solid line. At the lock position, the differential is locked by the engagement of the helical gear 93 and the gear portion 57,
At the lock release position, this engagement is released and the differential lock is released. In this way, the differential lock mechanism 103 is configured.

Accordingly, both running on rough roads and maneuverability on good roads are compatible, and the workability and durability of gears are improved. Further, since the shift sleeve 91 is engaged with the boss portion 87 of the differential case 21, the components of the differential lock mechanism 103 such as the shift sleeve 91, the operating rod 97 and the shift fork 99 have a smaller diameter than in the embodiment of FIG.

Next, an embodiment of the invention of claim 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 7. This differential device is used as the rear differential 105 of the vehicle shown in FIG. The left and right directions are the left and right directions in this vehicle and FIG. 3, and members and the like without reference numerals are not shown.

The differential case 107 is arranged in the differential carrier 23 and is fixed to the differential case 107 by the ring gear 2.
It is rotationally driven by the driving force from the engine 1 via 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, left and right helical side gears 109 and 111 are arranged in the differential case 107. The side gears 109 and 111 have shaft supporting portions 113 and 11 respectively.
5 is supported by the differential case 107, and the free ends thereof are centered by the shaft support 117. A washer 119 is arranged between the side gears 109 and 111,
A washer 121 is arranged between the side gears 109 and 111 and the differential case 107. Side gear 10
The left and right rear axles 9 and 11 are spline-coupled with each other, and a thrust block 123 that abuts the axles 9 and 11 is disposed on the inner periphery of the side gear 109.

The differential case 107 has four sets of storage holes 12
5, 127 are provided in the axial direction, and long and short helical pinion gears 129, 131 are slidably housed therein. The differential case 107 includes a flange member 133 and a casing body 135, and each storage hole 1
25 and 127 are formed on the casing body 135. The long storage hole 125 penetrates the casing body 135, and the penetrating portion of the right side wall 137 is a cutout portion 139.

The long pinion gear 129 is composed of the first and second gear portions 141 and 143 and the small-diameter shaft portion 14 connecting them.
5 and the second gear portion 143 is the right side gear 1
It is in mesh with 11. The short pinion gear 131 meshes with the first gear portion 141 at the left end and meshes with the left side gear 109 at the right end.

In this way, the differential mechanism 147 is constructed.

Engine 1 for rotating the differential case 107
Driving force is distributed from the respective pinion gears 129 and 131 to the left and right rear wheels 13 and 15 via the side gears 109 and 111. If a driving resistance difference occurs between the rear wheels,
The driving force is differentially distributed to the left and right sides by the rotation of 9,131. At this time, frictional resistance is generated by the meshing reaction force and meshing thrust force of each gear, and the differential is limited. The twist angle of each gear is set so that the differential limiting force has an appropriate magnitude during traveling on a good road.

A flange 149 facing the right side surface of the long pinion gear 129 is integrally formed on the right side gear 111, and a lock gear 151 is formed on the outer periphery of the flange 149. Also, the right boss portion 15 of the differential case 107
A shift sleeve 155 (lock member) is connected to the outer periphery of the shaft 3 by a spline portion 157 of the spur gear so as to be movable in the axial direction, and is prevented from falling off by a retaining ring 159. The shift sleeve 155 is formed with a spur gear 161 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the lock gear 151.

A shift fork 167 (operating means) fixed to the operating rod 165 is slidably engaged with the circumferential groove 163 of the shift sleeve 155, and the shift sleeve 155 is locked by the actuator as indicated by an arrow 169. Move to and unlock position. In FIG. 3, the shift sleeve 155 is in a lock release position where the gears 151 and 161 do not mesh, and the differential lock is released. When the shift sleeve 155 moves to the left lock position, the gears 151 and 161 mesh with each other, and the differential is locked. Thus, the differential lock mechanism 171 is configured.

The oil in the oil reservoir flows in and out through the openings 173 and 175 of the differential case 107 and the notch 139 to lubricate the inside of the differential case 107.

The rear differential 105 is thus constructed.

Since the rear differential 105 is provided with the differential lock mechanism 171 as described above to improve the running performance on a rough road,
It is not necessary to particularly increase the twist angle of each gear 109, 111, 129, 131. Therefore, the maneuverability on a good road is not impaired, and the workability and durability of each gear are improved. The flange 149 of the lock gear 151 prevents the pinion gear 129 from coming off and positions it. Further, since the shift sleeve 155 is arranged outside the differential case 107, the lock gear 151 and the spline portion 157 have good lubricity. Further, since the gears 151 and 161 are composed of spur gears, differential locking and unlocking are smooth. Further, since the long storage hole 125 penetrates the casing body 135, processing is easy.

In the differential lock mechanism, the shift sleeve 155 is axially movably connected according to the shape of the storage hole formed in the boss portion 153 of the differential case 107, and a fitting hole is formed in the flange 149. Shift sleeve 155
You may comprise so that a pin may be formed in and to engage / disengage.

Next, an embodiment of the invention of claim 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 7. The differential apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is used as the rear differential 177 in the vehicle shown in FIG. The left and right directions are the left and right directions of this vehicle and FIGS. 4 and 5, and members and the like without reference numerals are not shown.

The differential case 179 is disposed in the differential carrier 23 and is fixed to the differential case 179.
It is rotationally driven by the driving force from the engine 1 via 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, left and right helical side gears 181 and 183 are arranged inside the differential case 179. Each side gear 181, 183 is a differential case 17
9 are rotatably supported by shaft supporting parts 185 and 187, and are centered at their free ends by shaft supporting parts 189 between them. A washer 191 is arranged between the side gears 181 and 183.
A washer 193 is arranged between the 183 and the differential case 179. The left side gear 181 is the left rear axle 9
The right side gear 183 is splined to the right rear axle 11 respectively. The thrust block 1 that abuts the left and right axles 9 and 11 on the inner circumference of the side gear 181.
95 are arranged.

The differential case 179 has an axial storage hole 19 therein.
Four sets of 7, 199 are provided, and long and short helical pinion gears 201, 203 are housed therein so as to be slidably rotatable. The long pinion gear 201 includes first and second gear portions 205 and 207 and a small-diameter shaft portion 209 that connects them, and the second gear portion 207 is the right side gear 183.
Is meshing with. The short pinion gear 203 meshes with the first gear portion 205 at the left end and meshes with the left side gear 181 at the right end.

In this way, the differential mechanism 211 is constructed.

Engine 1 for rotating differential case 179
Driving force is distributed from the respective pinion gears 201 and 203 to the left and right rear wheels 13 and 15 via the side gears 181 and 183. If a driving resistance difference occurs between the rear wheels,
Due to the rotation of 1,203, the driving force of the engine 1 is differentially distributed to the left and right sides. At this time, frictional resistance is generated between the pinion gears 201 and 203 and the receiving holes 197 and 199 due to the meshing reaction force, and frictional resistance is generated between the gears and the washers 191 and 193 due to the meshing thrust force.
These frictional resistances limit the differential. The twist angle of each gear is set so that the differential limiting force has an appropriate magnitude during traveling on a good road.

A space 213 is provided in the differential case 179. A slide gear 215 (lock member) is arranged in the space 213, and is engaged with the inner circumference of the differential case 179 by a spline 217 so as to be axially movable. or,
The left side gear 181 includes the pinion gears 201 and 20.
A flange 219 facing the left side surface of No. 3 is integrally formed, and a lock gear 221 is formed at the tip of this flange 219. A spur gear 223 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the lock gear 221 is formed on the inner circumference of the slide gear 215. The slide gear 215 of FIG.
23 is in the unlocked position where the gears 221 and 223 do not engage with each other, and the gears 221 and 223 engage with each other to lock the differential between the differential case 179 and the side gear 181. The return spring 225 is a slide gear 215.
Urge to the unlocked position. The differential lock is released at the unlocked position.

A ring-shaped air bellows 227 is arranged on the right side of the differential case 179, and is fixed to the differential carrier 23 by a support member 229 and a bolt 231. Air pressurized to the air bellows 227 from the air pump as indicated by an arrow 235 is sent via the air hose 233, and the operating member 239 is pushed to the left via the slide bearing 237. The operation member 239 is a ring 241 as shown in FIG.
And four legs 243, the legs being a differential case 17
The right side wall 2 of the differential case 179 between the outermost diameter R ₁ and the innermost diameter R ₂ of the pinion gears 201 and 203 from the rotation axis of the differential gear 9.
45, 246 and the inside of the differential case 179, and is in contact with the slide gear 215 from between the pinion gears 201, 203.

When the air bellows 227 is pressurized, the slide gear 215 moves to the lock position and the air bellows 22
When the pressure of 7 is released, the return spring 225 causes the slide gear 215 to return to the unlocked position. In this way, the differential lock mechanism 247 is configured.

The openings 249, 251, of the differential case 179
The oil in the oil reservoir flows in and out from 253 to lubricate the inside of the differential case 179.

Thus, the rear differential 177 is constructed.

Since the rear differential 177 is provided with the function of locking the differential as described above to improve the running performance on rough roads, it is not necessary to increase the twist angle of the gears 181, 183, 201, 203. Therefore, the workability on a good road is not impaired, and the workability and durability of each gear are improved. Further, the flange 219 of the lock gear 221 is provided with the pinion gears 201,
The removal of 203 and the positioning are performed. Further, since the lock gear 221 is provided at the tip of the flange 219, the gears 221 and 223 have large diameters and high strength. Also, gear 2
Since the air bellows 227 do not have sliding resistance due to the seal between the piston and the cylinder unlike the hydraulic piston, the differential locking and unlocking are smooth. Since the leg portion 243 can be provided inside the differential case 179 in the same diameter portion from the pinion gears 201 and 203 and the rotational axis of the differential case, an appropriate differential limiting force can be obtained and a small size with a differential lock mechanism is provided. Differential device.

Next, an embodiment of the invention of claim 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. This differential device is used as the rear differential 255 of the vehicle shown in FIG. The left and right directions are the left and right directions of this vehicle and FIG. 6, and members and the like without reference numerals are not shown.

The differential case 257 is arranged in the differential carrier 23 and is fixed to the differential case 257.
It is rotationally driven by the driving force from the engine 1 via 5.

As shown in FIG. 6, left and right helical side gears 259 and 261 are arranged in the differential case 257, and the side gears 259 and 261 are respectively supported by the shaft support portions 263 and 26.
5, the differential case 257 is supported. The side gears 259 and 261 are spline-connected to the left and right rear axles 13 and 15, respectively.

The differential case 257 is provided with four sets of a long storage hole 267 and a short storage hole, in which a long helical pinion gear 269 and a short helical pinion gear are slidably rotatable. Long pinion gear 2
69 is composed of first and second gear portions 271, 273 and a small-diameter shaft portion 275 connecting them, and the first gear portion 27
1 meshes with the left side gear 259. Also, the short pinion gear meshes with the right side gear 261 at the left end,
The right end portion meshes with the second gear portion 273. The right side surface of each pinion gear is positioned by a stopper ring 277 attached to the differential case 257 and retaining rings 279, 279.

In this way, the differential mechanism 281 is constructed.

Engine 1 for rotating differential case 257
The driving force of each pinion gear is from the side gears 259, 26.
1 is distributed to the left and right rear wheels 13 and 15, and when a driving resistance difference occurs between the rear wheels, the driving force is differentially distributed to the left and right sides by the rotation of each pinion gear. At this time, frictional resistance is generated by the meshing reaction force and meshing thrust force of each gear, and the differential is limited. The twist angle of each gear is set so that the differential limiting force has an appropriate magnitude during traveling on a good road.

A space 283 is provided in the differential case 257. A slide gear 285 (lock member) is arranged in the space 283, and is engaged with the inner periphery of the differential case 257 by a meshing portion 287 so as to be axially movable. A flange 289 facing the left side surface of each pinion gear is integrally formed on the left side gear 259, and a lock gear 291 is formed at the tip of the flange 289. A spur gear 293 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the lock gear 291 is formed on the inner circumference of the slide gear 285. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the slide gear 285 is in a lock release position where the gears 291 and 293 do not mesh with each other and the differential lock is released. When the slide gear 285 moves to the right lock position, the gear 29
1, 293 mesh with each other to lock the differential. The return spring 295 biases the slide gear 285 to the unlocked position.

An air bellows 297 is provided inside the space 283.
Are arranged, and are centered on the differential case 257 on the inner circumferences of the left and right side plates 299, 301. The right side plate 301 is fixed to the slide gear 285 with a screw 303. A slip ring 307 is slidably attached to the outer periphery of the left boss portion 305 of the differential case 257, and is positioned by a retaining ring 309. The air bellows 297 is supplied with pressurized air as shown by an arrow 315 from the air pump through the air flow passage 311 formed through the differential case 257 and the slip ring 307 and the air hose 313, and the slide gear 285 is moved to the lock position. To move. When the pressure of the air bellows 297 is released, the slide gear 285 returns to the unlocked position by the return spring 295. In this way, the differential lock mechanism 317 is configured.

The oil in the oil reservoir flows in and out through the openings 319 and 321 of the differential case 25.
7 is lubricated, and the oil is supplied from the oil passage 323 to the shaft support portion 263.

In this way, the rear differential 255 is constructed.

Since the rear differential 255 is provided with the differential lock mechanism 317 as described above to improve running performance on rough roads, it is not necessary to particularly increase the twist angles of the side gears 259 and 261 and the pinion gears. Therefore, the workability on a good road is not impaired, and the workability and durability of each gear are improved.
The flange 289 of the lock gear 291 prevents the pinion gear 269 from coming off and positions it. Further, since the lock gear 291 and the gear 293 have large diameters, they have high strength. Further, the rear diff 255 is small because only the air hose 313 and the slip ring 307 project from the diff case 257. Similar to the rear differential 177 of FIG. 4, the gears 291 and 293 are spur gears, and the air bellows 2
By using 97, the differential lock and unlock operations are smooth.

[0070]

In the differential device of each invention, the helical pinion gear slidably rotatably housed in the housing hole of the differential case rotatably driven by the engine and the pinion gear are connected in mesh with each other to transmit the driving force to the wheel side. A differential lock mechanism including the following is provided in a differential device that includes a pair of helical side gears and that obtains a limiting force differential by the meshing reaction force and meshing thrust force of each gear.

That is, in the second and third inventions, the differential lock mechanism for engaging the lock member with the helical pinion gear and the differential case is provided.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, a differential lock mechanism is provided which engages the lock member with the flange portion of the helical side gear and the differential case.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, the differential lock mechanism is provided for moving the lock member meshing with the inside of the differential case and the flange portion of the helical side gear via the operating member by the air bellows outside the differential case.

In the sixth aspect of the present invention, a differential lock mechanism is provided in which a lock member that meshes with the inside of the differential case and the flange portion of the helical side gear is moved by an air bellows to which air pressure is sent via a slip ring fixed inside the differential case. It was

Therefore, in the differential device of each invention, since the differential lock mechanism is provided to improve the running performance on a bad road, it is not necessary to increase the twist angle of the differential gear and the operation on a good road is not required. The workability and durability of the differential gear are improved without impairing the safety.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention of claims 1 and 2.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention of claim 3;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention of claim 4;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention of claim 5;

5 is a perspective view showing an arrangement state of operation members used in the embodiment of FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention of claim 6;

FIG. 7 is a skeleton mechanism diagram showing a power system of a vehicle using each embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

7,85,105,177,255 Rear differential (differential device) 21,107,179,257 Differential case 31,33,109,111,181,183,25
9,261 Helical side gear 47,49,125,127,197,199,267
Storage holes 51, 53, 129, 131, 201, 203, 269
Helical pinion gear 61,147,211,281 Differential mechanism 67,139 Notch portion 71,91,155 Shift sleeve (lock member) 79,99,167 Shift fork (operating means) 83,103,171,247,317 Difference Dynamic lock mechanism 87 Boss portion 137 Side wall 149, 219, 289 Flange 215, 285 Slide gear (lock member) 227, 297 Air bellows 239 Operation member

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A differential case that is rotated by a driving force of an engine, a helical pinion gear that is slidably rotatably housed in a housing hole of the differential case, and a pair of helicals that are connected via a helical pinion gear and that transmit the driving force to a wheel side. A differential device comprising: a differential mechanism having a side gear; and a differential lock mechanism for locking the differential of the differential mechanism. 2. A differential lock mechanism includes a lock position where a helical pinion gear exposed from a notch formed in a corner portion of a differential case and a lock position where the large diameter portion of the differential case is engaged and an unlock position where the engagement is released. 2. The differential device according to claim 1, further comprising: a lock member that is movable to the first position and an operation unit that moves and operates the lock member to the two positions. 3. A differential lock mechanism is provided in a lock position where a helical pinion gear exposed from a notch formed in a corner portion of a differential case and a lock position where the boss portion of the differential case is engaged and an unlock position where the engagement is released. 2. The differential device according to claim 1, further comprising a movable lock member and an operation means for moving the lock member to the two positions. 4. A lock position where a differential lock mechanism engages with a flange portion of a helical side gear exposed from a notch provided in a side wall of a differential case and a boss portion of the differential case, and an unlock position where the engagement is released. The differential device according to claim 1, further comprising: a lock member that is movable to and from the lock member; and an operating unit that moves and operates the lock member to the two positions. 5. A differential lock mechanism includes a lock member movable to a lock position where the flange of the helical side gear engages with the differential case and a lock release position where the engagement is released inside the differential case, and a lock member. The differential device according to claim 1, further comprising an air bellows which is moved from the outside of the differential case via an operation member. 6. A differential lock mechanism is attached to a diff case and a lock member movable inside a diff case to a lock position where the flange of the helical side gear engages with the diff case and a lock release position where the engagement is released. 2. The differential device according to claim 1, further comprising: a slip ring, which is fixed to the inside of the differential case, and an air bellows, which is fixed to the inside of the differential case and is supplied with air pressure through the slip ring to move and operate the lock member.