JPH07167253A - Differential device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To fix a pinion shaft with existing parts and dispense with the machining of a pin insertion hole by utilizing the gear bore section of a ring gear, and elastically hooking a hook member on a shaft side hook recess and a case side hook recess. CONSTITUTION:A differential device 2 is pivotally supported on a differential carrier 4 via a bearing 8, and a ring gear 12 is meshed with a drive pinion 10 on a drive shaft 6. A differential case 14 is pivotally supported on the differential carrier 4 via a bearing 16, and a pinion shaft 36 is fixed to the differential case 14. Part of the end face of a pinion shaft 36 on the case outer periphery 18 side of the differential case 14 is recessed to form a shaft side hook recess 48, and the case outer periphery 18 of the differential case 14 around a shaft hole 34 corresponding to the hook recess 48 is recessed to form a case side hook recess 50. A hook member 52 coupled with the hook recesses 48, 50 is elastically hooked on the gear bore section 24 of the ring gear 12 to fix the pinion shaft 36.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a differential device, and in particular, it does not require a fixing pin for fixing a pinion shaft to a differential case and does not require processing of an insertion hole into which the fixing pin of the differential case and the pinion shaft is inserted. Alignment of the differential case and each insertion hole of the pinion shaft at the time of assembly may be unnecessary, and the work of inserting the fixing pin and the work of crimping the fixing pin at the time of assembly may be unnecessary, and the assembly process can be automated. In addition, the present invention relates to a differential device that can be implemented cost effectively without increasing the number of parts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle such as an automobile is provided with a differential device as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, for example, in order to allow a differential between right and left wheels during turning.

In the two-wheel drive vehicle 102 shown in FIG. 12, the differential device 1 is provided between the left and right rear wheels 106 and 160 driven by the front longitudinal engine 104.
08 is provided. Four-wheel drive vehicle 202 shown in FIG.
In addition, the front differential device 208 is provided between the left and right front wheels 206, 206 driven by the front vertical engine 204.
A rear differential device 212 is provided between the left and right rear wheels 210 driven by the.

A four-wheel drive vehicle 302 shown in FIG.
In the above, the front differential device 308 is provided between the left and right front wheels 306, 306 driven by the front transverse engine 304, and the engine 304
A rear differential device 312 is provided between the left and right rear wheels 310, 310 driven by. Further, in the four-wheel drive vehicle 402 shown in FIG. 15, the left and right front wheels 406 driven by the central transverse engine 404.
A front differential device 408 is provided between 406, and a rear differential device 412 is provided between the left and right rear wheels 410, 410 driven by the engine 404.

In some four-wheel drive vehicles, a central differential device is provided to allow a differential between the front wheels and the rear wheels.

The differential device is constructed as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 502 is a differential device. In the differential device 502, a drive shaft 506 is axially supported by a drive shaft bearing 508 on a differential carrier 504, and a drive pinion 510 is provided on the drive shaft 506. A ring gear 512 meshes with the drive pinion 510.

A differential case 514 is axially supported on the differential carrier 504 by a differential case bearing 516. In this differential case 514, a case outer diameter portion 520 is provided on a case outer peripheral surface 518, and a case side attachment portion 522 is provided. The ring gear 512 includes a case outer diameter portion 5
20 is provided with a gear inner diameter portion 524, and a gear side attachment portion 526 attached to the case side attachment portion 522 is provided.

The ring gear 512 has a case outer diameter portion 520.
Align the gear inner diameter portion 524 with the case side mounting portion 52
The gear side attachment portion 526 is attached to the No. 2 by the gear attachment bolt 528.

A shaft hole 530 is formed in the differential case 514 so as to penetrate therethrough in a direction intersecting the direction of the axis C of the differential case 514, and a pinion shaft 532 is fitted in the shaft hole 530. The pinion shaft 532 in the differential case 514 is provided with the differential pinions 534 and 534 that are axially supported. The differential side gears 536 and 536 are meshed with the differential pinion 534 and 534.

The differential side gears 536 and 536 are side gear shaft support portions 538 and 538 in the differential case 514.
In addition, the differential case 514 is axially supported in the direction of the axis C of the differential case 514. Drive axles 540 and 540 are connected to the differential side gears 536 and 536.

Such a differential device 502
In order to prevent wear of the pinion shaft 532 and drop of the pinion shaft 532 from the differential case 514 due to the differential of the differential pinions 534 and 534, the pinion shaft 532 is fixed to the differential case 514.

The pinion shaft 53 is attached to the differential case 514.
As shown in FIG. 9, as a structure for fixing 2, the case side insertion hole 542 and the shaft side insertion hole 544 are provided by forming the case side insertion hole 542 and the shaft side insertion hole 544 in the differential case 514 and the pinion shaft 532.
There is one in which the fixing pin 546 is inserted.

Further, as a structure for fixing the pinion shaft 532 to the differential case 514, as shown on the right side of the center line in FIG. 10, the gear inner diameter portion 524 of the ring gear 512 attached to the differential case 514 is attached to the pinion shaft 532.
To engage the end surface 548 of the.

Further, as a structure for fixing the pinion shaft to the differential case of the differential device, there are those disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-352 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-2036. In Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-352, a ring member that restricts axial movement of the pinion shaft and allows rotation is provided at the end of a pinion shaft that is fixed to a differential case by a fixing pin. It is a thing.

According to Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-2036, a cylindrical ring mounting surface is provided at a substantially intermediate portion of the outer peripheral surface of the differential case with respect to the axial direction, and the pinion is mounted on the ring mounting surface. A shaft insertion hole is provided, and a ring that is assembled to the ring assembly surface and that engages with the outer end of the pinion shaft that is inserted into the insertion hole is provided, and is detachably attached to a part of the ring assembly surface. A snap ring is provided to hold the ring in place.

[0016]

By the way, in the conventional differential device, the pinion shaft is fixed to the differential case as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and each of the publications.

However, the differential device for fixing the pinion shaft to the differential case with the fixing pin requires the fixing pin and needs to form the insertion holes in the differential case and the pinion shaft respectively, resulting in an increase in the number of parts and the number of processing steps. There is inconvenience.

Further, this differential device requires alignment of the insertion holes of the differential case and the pinion shaft at the time of assembling, and at the same time requires a fixing pin inserting operation and a fixing pin caulking operation.
There is an inconvenience that the assembly process becomes complicated.

For this reason, it is difficult to automate the working process and the assembling process, and there is a disadvantage that the cost is increased.

Further, in the differential device having four differential pinions, three fixing pins are required to fix one long-axis pinion shaft and two short-axis pinion shafts, and at the same time, the pinion is required. Since it is necessary to form three insertion holes in each of the shaft and the differential case, there is a disadvantage that the number of parts and the number of processing steps increase.

Further, in the differential device having a small reduction ratio, as shown on the left side of the center line in FIG. 10, the ring gear 512 attached to the differential case 514 is thin in the axial direction, so that the gear inner diameter portion 524 of the ring gear 512 is reduced. There is a disadvantage that the pinion shaft 532 cannot be fixed because it cannot be engaged with the end surface 548 of the pinion shaft 532.

Further, in the one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-352, since the pinion shaft is fixed to the differential case by the fixing pin and the ring member, the number of parts, the number of working steps, and the number of assembling steps are increased. There is inconvenience.
Moreover, what is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-2036 is
Although the pinion shaft is fixed by the ring assembled on the ring assembly surface, a snap ring that is detachably mounted on a part of the ring assembly surface to prevent the ring from falling is provided. There is an inconvenience that causes an increase in points.

[0023]

In order to eliminate the above-mentioned inconvenience, the present invention attaches a ring gear, which meshes with a drive pinion of a drive shaft axially supported by a differential carrier, to a differential case axially supported by the differential carrier. A shaft hole penetrating in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the differential case is formed in the differential case, and a pinion shaft is fitted in the shaft hole, and the differential pinion is axially supported by the pinion shaft in the differential case. In a differential device in which a differential side gear that is provided and meshes with this differential pinion is axially supported in the differential case while being oriented in the axial direction of the differential case, a part of the end surface of the pinion shaft on the case outer peripheral side of the differential case is provided. To form the shaft side locking recess. The case-side engaging recess is provided by forming at least part of the case outer peripheral surface of the differential case around the shaft hole corresponding to the shaft-side engaging recess to form the case-side engaging recess. A locking member that is elastically locked to the shaft-side locking recess and the case-side locking recess by the gear inner diameter portion of the ring gear is provided to prevent disengagement.

[0024]

According to the structure of the present invention, the differential device includes the shaft-side locking recess formed by recessing a part of the end surface of the pinion shaft on the outer peripheral surface side of the differential case, and the shaft-side locking recess. The locking member is elastically locked by the gear inner diameter of the ring gear to the case-side locking recess formed by at least partially recessing the case outer peripheral surface around the corresponding shaft hole. Prevents rotation and removal. As described above, this differential device utilizes the gear inner diameter portion of the ring gear to elastically lock the locking member to the shaft-side locking recess and the case-side locking recess, thereby existing in the differential device. The pinion shaft can be fixed by utilizing the above parts, and it is not necessary to process the fixing pin or the insertion hole into which the fixing pin is inserted, so that the number of parts is not increased.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 8 show an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 2 is a differential device. The differential device 2 includes a differential carrier 4
The drive shaft 6 is rotatably supported by a drive shaft bearing 8, and the drive shaft 6 is provided with a drive pinion 10. A ring gear 12 is meshed with the drive pinion 10.

A differential case 14 is axially supported on the differential carrier 4 by a differential case bearing 16. The differential case 14 is provided with a case outer diameter portion 20 on a case outer peripheral surface 18 and a case side mounting portion 22. The ring gear 12 is provided with a gear inner diameter portion 24 corresponding to the case outer diameter portion 20 and a gear side attachment portion 26 attached to the case side attachment portion 22.

In the ring gear 12, the gear inner diameter portion 24 is matched with the case outer diameter portion 20, and the gear side mounting portion 26 is mounted on the case side mounting portion 22 by the gear mounting bolts 28. Reference numeral 30 is a case side insertion hole, and reference numeral 32 is a gear side screw hole.

The differential case 14 is provided with a shaft hole 34 penetrating therethrough in a direction intersecting the direction of the axis C of the differential case 14, and a pinion shaft 36 is fitted in the shaft hole 34. The pinion shaft 36 in the differential case 14 is provided with differential pinions 38, 38 pivotally supported. The differential side gears 40, 40 are meshed with the differential pinion 38, 38.

The differential side gears 40, 40 are mounted on the side gear shaft support portions 42, 42 in the differential case 14 so as to be oriented in the direction of the axis C of the differential case 14.
Drive axles 44, 44 are connected to the differential side gears 40, 40.

In order to fix the pinion shaft 36 to the differential case 14 in the differential device 2 as described above, according to the present invention, the case outer peripheral surface 1 of the differential case 14 is used.
A part of the end surface 46 of the pinion shaft 36 on the 8 side is recessed to provide a shaft side locking recess 48, and the case of the differential case 14 around the shaft hole 34 corresponding to the shaft side locking recess 48. At least part of the outer peripheral surface 18 is recessed to form a case-side locking recess 50, and the shaft-side locking recess is formed by the gear inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12 in order to prevent rotation and removal of the pinion shaft 36. 48 and a locking member 52 elastically locked in the case side locking recess 50
Is provided.

More specifically, in the first embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the pinion shaft 36 is provided with a shaft-side engaging recess 48 by partially recessing the end surface 46 of the differential case 14 on the case outer peripheral surface 18 side.
As shown in FIG. 1, the shaft-side locking recess 48 is formed by recessing a part of the end surface 46 of the pinion shaft 36 on the side corresponding to the case outer diameter portion 20 of the differential case 14.
It is formed and provided.

In the differential case 14, as shown in FIG. 1, the case outer peripheral surface 18 around the shaft hole 34 corresponding to the shaft side locking recess 48 is continuous over the entire circumference of the differential case 14 in the rotation direction. The case-side locking recess 50 is formed in the shape of an annular groove by recessing.
The case-side locking recess 50 is formed on the case outer diameter part 20 side of the differential case 14 and is formed so as to coincide with the shaft-side locking recess 48.

A locking member 52 is elastically locked in the shaft-side locking recess 48 and the case-side locking recess 50, as shown in FIG. The locking member 52 is made of an elastic material and is formed into a generally cylindrical plate with ends having end portions 54.

The locking member 52 has an outer diameter of φd in the non-elastic locking state in which the openings 56 are formed with the end portions 54, 54 separated from each other. In the elastic locking state in which the locking member 52 is elastically contacted with the inner diameter φD of the gear inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12, the locking members 52 are elastically pressed in the directions in which the end portions 54, 54 are brought into close contact with each other, so that the shaft side locking member 52 is locked. Recess 48
Also, the pinion shaft 36 is elastically locked in the case side locking recess 50 to prevent the pinion shaft 36 from rotating and coming off.

As described above, the locking member 52 prevents the pinion shaft 36 from rotating and coming off.
The second gear inner diameter portion 24 is formed into a substantially cylindrical plate shape with an end that is elastically locked to the shaft-side locking recess 48 and the case-side locking recess 50.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

In the differential device 2, the drive shaft 6 is driven by the driving force transmitted from the engine (not shown) through the transmission, and the ring gear 12 is driven through the drive pinion 10. The ring gear 12 rotates the differential case 14, transmits a driving force to the drive axles 44, 44 via the pinion shaft 36, the differential pinions 38, 38, and the differential side gears 40, 40, and drives wheels (not shown).

In the differential device 2, the differential pinion 38, 38 and the differential side gear 40.
When 0, the difference in rotation speed is absorbed and the differential is allowed.

When the pinion shaft 36 is assembled to the differential case 14 of the differential device 2, the pinion shaft 36 is inserted into the shaft hole 34 of the differential case 14. At this time, the pinion shaft 36 is
The shaft-side locking recess 48 of 6 is directed to the side corresponding to the case outer diameter part 20 of the differential case 14, and is fitted into the shaft hole 34 of the differential case 14 so as to match the case-side locking recess 50 of the differential case 14. insert.

A locking member 52 is locked in the matched shaft-side locking recess 48 and case-side locking recess 50. The locking member 52 has an outer diameter of φd in the non-elastic locking state in which the openings 54 are separated from each other to form the opening 56.

The locking member 52 locked in the shaft-side locking recess 48 and the case-side locking recess 50 is elastically pressed in a direction to reduce the outer diameter φd by an appropriate pressurizing means to end 54.
The outer diameter φd of the ring gear 1
It is made smaller than the inner diameter φD of the second inner diameter portion 24. In this way, with the outer diameter of the locking member 52 being smaller than the inner diameter φD of the gear inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12, the ring gear 12 is externally fitted from above the differential case 14 in FIG. 1.

The ring gear 1 fitted on the differential case 14
2, the gear inner diameter portion 24 is matched with the case outer diameter portion 20 of the differential case 14, and the gear side mounting portion 2 is fitted to the case side mounting portion 22.
Contact 6 The ring gear 12 is mounted on the case side 2
The mounting bolt 28 that has been inserted through the case side insertion hole 30 of 2,
The gear side mounting portion 26 is mounted on the differential case 14 by being screwed into the gear side screw hole 32.

When the force for reducing the outer diameter is released, the locking member 52 is elastically contacted with the gear inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12 mounted on the differential case 14, and the outer diameter is the inner diameter of the inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12. It is prevented from expanding beyond φD.

The locking member 52 is elastically locked to the shaft-side locking recess 48 and the case-side locking recess 50 in the elastically locked state in which the locking member 52 is elastically abutted against the gear inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12, and the pinion. The shaft 36 is prevented from rotating and coming off. Further, the locking member 52 is prevented from floating by elastically locking the shaft-side locking recess 48 and the case-side locking recess 50.

As described above, the differential device 2 uses the gear inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12 to elastically lock the locking member 52 to the shaft-side locking recess 48 and the case-side locking recess 50. Since the pinion shaft 36 can be fixed to the differential device 2 by using the ring gear 12 which is an existing component, it is not necessary to process a member such as a fixing pin or an insertion hole into which the fixing pin is inserted. Moreover, the number of parts is not increased and the number of parts is not increased.

Therefore, this differential device 2
Can eliminate the need for a fixing pin for fixing the pinion shaft 36 to the diff case 14, and can eliminate the need for processing the insertion holes into which the fixing pins of the diff case 14 and the pinion shaft 36 are inserted, so that the diff case 14 and the pinion shaft during assembly can be eliminated. Positioning of the respective insertion holes of 36 can be eliminated, and fixing pin insertion work and fixing pin crimping work at the time of assembly can be dispensed with, and the number of parts, processing man-hours, and assembling man-hours can be reduced.

Further, this differential device 2 is
The locking member 52 can be easily assembled to the shaft-side locking recess 48 and the case-side locking recess 50, and the assembly process can be automated. Further, this differential device 2
Can process the case-side locking recess 50 in the same step, which is advantageous in terms of cost and equipment.

As a result, this differential device 2
Is capable of automating the assembling process without increasing the number of parts, and can be implemented cost-effectively. Although the differential device 2 has the two differential pinions 38, 38, the differential device having the four differential pinions can also be advantageously implemented in terms of the number of parts and the assembly process.

4 to 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, parts having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and described.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 2 is a differential device. As shown in FIG. 8, the differential device 2 includes a drive shaft 6 mounted on a differential carrier 4 and a drive shaft bearing 8
A drive pinion 10 is provided on the drive shaft 6, and a ring gear 12 is meshed with the drive pinion 10.

A differential case 14 is axially supported on the differential carrier 4 by a differential case bearing 16. The differential case 14 is provided with a case outer diameter portion 20 on a case outer peripheral surface 18 and a case side mounting portion 22. The ring gear 12 is provided with a gear inner diameter portion 24 corresponding to the case outer diameter portion 20 and a gear side attachment portion 26 attached to the case side attachment portion 22.

In the ring gear 12, the gear inner diameter portion 24 is matched with the case outer diameter portion 20, and the gear side mounting portion 26 is mounted on the case side mounting portion 22 by the gear mounting bolts 28. Reference numeral 30 is a case side insertion hole, and reference numeral 32 is a gear side screw hole.

The differential case 14 is provided with a shaft hole 34 penetrating therethrough in a direction intersecting the direction of the axis C of the differential case 14, and a pinion shaft 36 is fitted in the shaft hole 34. The pinion shaft 36 in the differential case 14 is provided with the differential pinions 38, 38 pivotally supported, and the differential side gears 40, 40 are meshed with the differential pinions 38, 38. The differential side gears 40 and 4
0 is the side gear shaft support portion 42, 42 in the differential case 14.
Further, the differential case 14 is axially supported in the direction of the axis C of the differential case 14. Drive axles 44, 44 are connected to the differential side gears 40, 40.

In order to fix the pinion shaft 36 to the differential case 14 in the differential device 2 as described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, a part of the end surface 58 of the pinion shaft 36 on the case outer peripheral surface 18 side of the differential case 14 is recessed to form a shaft-side locking recess 60, which corresponds to the shaft-side locking recess 60. The outer peripheral surface 18 of the differential case 14 around the shaft hole 34 is recessed so as to extend a predetermined length on both sides in the rotational direction of the differential case 14 to form a case-side locking recess 62 having a partially annular groove shape. A cylindrical plate having an end portion, which is provided and elastically locked to the shaft-side locking recess 60 and the case-side locking recess 62 by the gear inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12 so as to prevent rotation and removal of the pinion shaft 36. The locking member 64 is provided.

More specifically, in the second embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the pinion shaft 36 is provided with a shaft-side locking recess 60 formed by recessing a part of the end surface 58 of the differential case 14 on the case outer peripheral surface 18 side.
The shaft side locking recess 60 is formed and formed by recessing a part of the end surface 58 of the pinion shaft 36 on the side corresponding to the case outer diameter portion 20 of the differential case 14.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the differential case 14, the case outer peripheral surface 18 around the shaft hole 34 corresponding to the shaft side locking recess 60 is provided with a predetermined length L on both sides in the rotation direction of the differential case 14. The case side locking recess 62 is formed in a partially annular groove shape so as to extend so as to extend. The case-side locking recess portion 62 is formed on the case outer diameter portion 20 side of the differential case 14, and is formed so as to coincide with the shaft-side locking recess portion 60.

A locking member 64 is elastically locked in the shaft-side locking recess 60 and the case-side locking recess 62, as shown in FIG. The locking member 64 is formed of an elastic material in the shape of a cylindrical plate with an end and having end portions 66.

The locking member 64 is formed on the case side locking recess 6
In the non-elastically locked state in which the case-side locking recess 62 is not locked to 2, the length L1 (L> L1) between the ends 66, 66 shorter than the predetermined length L between the edges 70, 70 of the case-side locking recess 62. ) And a maximum portion 68 having a height H1 larger than the depth H of the case side locking recess 62. The locking member 64 is
In the elastically locked state where the ring gear 12 is elastically abutted on the gear inner diameter portion 24, the end portions 66, 66 are abutted on the end edges 70, 70 of the case side locking recess portion 62 and the height H1 of the highest portion 68 is H1. Is elastically locked in the shaft-side locking recess 48 and the case-side locking recess 50 to prevent the pinion shaft 36 from rotating and coming off.

As described above, the locking member 64 prevents the pinion shaft 36 from rotating and coming off.
The second gear inner diameter portion 24 is elastically locked to the shaft-side locking recess portion 60 and the case-side locking recess portion 62, and is formed in the shape of a cylindrical plate with an end.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

In the differential device 2, the drive shaft 6 is driven by the driving force transmitted from the engine (not shown) through the transmission, and the ring gear 12 is driven through the drive pinion 10. The ring gear 12 rotates the differential case 14, transmits a driving force to the drive axles 44, 44 via the pinion shaft 36, the differential pinions 38, 38, and the differential side gears 40, 40, and drives wheels (not shown).

In the differential device 2, when the rotational speeds of the drive axles 44, 44 differ via wheels (not shown), the differential pinion 38, 38 and the differential side gear 40.
When 0, the difference in rotation speed is absorbed and the differential is allowed.

When the pinion shaft 36 is assembled to the differential case 14 of the differential device 2, the pinion shaft 36 is inserted into the shaft hole 34 of the differential case 14. At this time, the pinion shaft 36 has the end surface 5
8 is oriented toward the side corresponding to the case outer diameter portion 20 of the differential case 14, and is fitted into the shaft hole 34 of the differential case 14 so as to match with the case side retaining recess 62 of the differential case 14. insert.

A locking member 64 is locked in the matched shaft-side locking recess 60 and case-side locking recess 62. The locking member 64 has a length L1 (L> L1) between the end portions 66, 66 shorter than a predetermined length L between the end edges 70, 70 of the case side locking recess 62 in the non-elastic locking state. And a highest portion 68 having a height H1 larger than the depth H of the case side locking recess 62.

The locking member 64 locked in the shaft-side locking recess 60 and the case-side locking recess 62 is elastically pressed in a direction in which the height H1 is reduced by an appropriate pressurizing means, so that the end portion 66, 66 is an edge 70 of the case side locking recess 62
・ Abut on 70. In this manner, the height H1 of the highest portion 68 of the locking member 64 is reduced, and the end portions 66, 66 are extended in the direction of being brought into contact with the end edges 70, 70 of the case side locking recess 62. The ring gear 12 is fitted from the upper side of the differential case 14 in FIG.

The ring gear 1 fitted on the differential case 14
2, the gear inner diameter portion 24 is matched with the case outer diameter portion 20 of the differential case 14, and the gear side mounting portion 2 is fitted to the case side mounting portion 22.
Contact 6 The ring gear 12 is mounted on the case side 2
The mounting bolt 28 that has been inserted through the case side insertion hole 30 of 2,
The gear side mounting portion 26 is mounted on the differential case 14 by being screwed into the gear side screw hole 32.

When the force for reducing the height of the locking member 64 is released, the maximum portion 68 elastically abuts on the gear inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12 mounted on the differential case 14, so that the inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12 is removed. Is also prevented from getting higher.

The locking member 64 is elastically pressed in the direction in which the height H1 of the highest portion 68 is reduced and the end portion 66 is in an elastically locked state where the highest portion 68 is elastically abutted against the gear inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12. 66 is the end edge 7 of the case side locking recess 62
The pinion shaft 36 is brought into contact with the shaft 0. Also, the locking member 64
Is the shaft side locking recess 60 and the case side locking recess 62.
Due to the elastic locking on the

As described above, the differential device 2 uses the gear inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12 to elastically lock the locking member 64 to the shaft-side locking recess 60 and the case-side locking recess 62. Since the pinion shaft 36 can be fixed to the differential device 2 by using the ring gear 12 which is an existing component, it is not necessary to process a member such as a fixing pin or an insertion hole into which the fixing pin is inserted. Moreover, the number of parts is not increased and the number of parts is not increased.

Therefore, this differential device 2
Can eliminate the need for a fixing pin for fixing the pinion shaft 36 to the diff case 14, and can eliminate the need for processing the insertion holes into which the fixing pins of the diff case 14 and the pinion shaft 36 are inserted, so that the diff case 14 and the pinion shaft during assembly can be eliminated. Positioning of the respective insertion holes of 36 can be eliminated, and fixing pin insertion work and fixing pin crimping work at the time of assembly can be dispensed with, and the number of parts, processing man-hours, and assembling man-hours can be reduced.

Further, this differential device 2 is
It is easy to assemble the locking member 64 into the shaft-side locking recess 60 and the case-side locking recess 62, and the assembly process can be automated. Further, this differential device 2
Can process the case-side locking recess 62 in the same step, which is advantageous in terms of cost and equipment.

As a result, this differential device 2
Is capable of automating the assembling process without increasing the number of parts, and can be implemented cost-effectively. Although the differential device 2 has the two differential pinions 38, 38, the differential device having the four differential pinions can be advantageously implemented in terms of the number of parts and the assembly process.

Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 18 of the differential case 14 around the shaft hole 34 corresponding to the shaft side locking recess 60 is provided with a predetermined length L on both sides in the rotational direction of the differential case 14. The case-side locking recess 62 having a partially annular groove shape is formed by recessing so as to extend,
The length of the end-part cylindrical plate shape elastically locked to the shaft-side locking recess 60 and the case-side locking recess 62 by the gear inner diameter portion 24 of the ring gear 12 in order to prevent rotation and removal of the pinion shaft 36. By providing the locking member 64 having L1 (L> L1), it is possible to carry out with smaller parts and less processing than the first embodiment, which is advantageous in cost.

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention, the differential device utilizes the gear inner diameter portion of the ring gear to elastically lock the locking member in the shaft-side locking recess and the case-side locking recess. By doing so, it is possible to fix the pinion shaft to the differential device by using existing parts, which can eliminate the need for processing the fixing pin and the insertion hole into which the fixing pin is inserted, and also increase the number of parts. Nothing.

Therefore, this differential device can eliminate the need for a fixing pin for fixing the pinion shaft to the differential case, and can eliminate the need for processing the insertion holes into which the fixing pins of the differential case and the pinion shaft are inserted. Positioning of the insertion holes of the differential case and the pinion shaft may be unnecessary, and the work of inserting the fixing pin and caulking of the fixing pin during assembly may be unnecessary.
The number of parts, processing man-hours, and assembly man-hours can be reduced.

Further, in this differential device, the engaging member can be easily assembled in the shaft-side engaging recess and the case-side engaging recess, and the assembling process can be automated. Furthermore, this differential device can process the case-side locking recess in the same process, which is advantageous in terms of cost and equipment.

As a result, this differential device can automate the assembly process without increasing the number of parts and can be implemented cost effectively. It should be noted that this differential device can be advantageously implemented in the number of parts and the assembly process even in a differential device having four differential pinions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first differential device according to the present invention.
It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows an Example.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a locking member.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of an end portion of a pinion shaft.

FIG. 4 is a second differential device according to the present invention.
It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows an Example.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a case-side locking recess portion.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a locking member.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which a locking member is locked in the shaft-side locking recess and the case-side locking recess.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a differential according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing a first conventional example of a differential device.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing a second conventional example of a differential device.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a differential showing a conventional example.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a two-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a front vertical engine.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a front vertical engine.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a front side horizontal engine.

FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram of a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a central transverse engine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Differential device 4 Differential carrier 6 Drive shaft 10 Drive pinion 12 Ring gear 14 Differential case 18 Case outer peripheral surface 20 Case outer diameter part 22 Case side mounting part 24 Gear inner diameter part 26 Gear side mounting part 28 Gear mounting bolt 34 Shaft hole 36 Pinion shaft 38 Diff pinion 40 Differential Side Gear 46 End Face 48 Shaft Side Locking Depression 50 Case Side Locking Depression 52 Locking Member

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 2, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 1]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 8]

[Fig. 12]

[Fig. 13]

[Figure 9]

[Figure 10]

FIG. 11

FIG. 14

FIG. 15

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A ring gear that meshes with a drive pinion of a drive shaft axially supported by a differential carrier is attached to a differential case axially supported by the differential carrier and provided with a shaft hole penetrating in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the differential case. The diff case is formed in the diff case, and the pinion shaft is inserted in the shaft hole. The diff pinion is axially supported by the pinion shaft in the diff case and the diff side gear meshing with the diff pinion is provided in the diff case. In a differential device that is axially supported by being oriented in a direction, a part of an end surface of the pinion shaft on the outer peripheral surface side of the differential case is recessed to form a shaft-side locking recess, and the shaft-side locking recess is provided. The surrounding of the shaft hole corresponding to the locking recess At least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the differential case is recessed to form a case-side locking recess,
A locking member elastically locked to the shaft-side locking recess and the case-side locking recess by the gear inner diameter portion of the ring gear is provided to prevent the pinion shaft from rotating and coming off. Differential device. 2. The differential device is provided by recessing a part of an end surface of the pinion shaft on the case outer peripheral surface side of the differential case to form a shaft side locking recess, and the shaft side locking recess. The case outer peripheral surface of the differential case around the corresponding shaft hole is recessed so as to be continuous over the entire circumference in the rotation direction of the differential case, and a case side locking recess is formed in the annular groove shape to provide the pinion. In order to prevent the shaft from rotating and pulling out, a locking member having a substantially cylindrical plate shape with an end is provided which is elastically locked to the shaft-side locking recess and the case-side locking recess by the inner diameter portion of the ring gear. The differential device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The differential device is provided by denting a part of an end surface of the pinion shaft on the case outer peripheral surface side of the differential case to form a shaft-side locking recess, and the shaft-side locking recess. The outer peripheral surface of the differential case around the corresponding shaft hole is recessed so as to extend for a predetermined length on both sides in the rotational direction of the differential case, and a case side locking recess portion having a partially annular groove shape is formed. , A locking member having an end portion cylindrical plate shape that is elastically locked to the shaft-side locking recess and the case-side locking recess by the gear inner diameter of the ring gear to prevent the pinion shaft from rotating and coming off. The differential device according to claim 1, wherein the differential device is provided.