JPH09184562A - Differential gear - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a differential gear to be relatively miniaturized when the strength of the differential gear is increased, by respectively meshing first and second non-circulating ball trains with a circulating ball train at the facing parts perpendicular to the axial direction of a driving axle of the circulating ball train. SOLUTION: In straight advancing, there is no differential motion in a non- circulating ball train 26, and a circulating ball train 16 is not circulated. In the differential motion, the differential motion is generated in the non-circulating ball train 26, and the circulating ball train 16 is circulated. In a clutch 28, a multi-disc part of the clutch part 28 is pressed so as to serve as a differential limiting mechanism LSD. The meshing position of the circulating ball train 16 with the non-circulating ball train 26 is adjusted by the clutch part 28, thrust force is changed, namely, the adjustment of the effect of the LSD is performed. When the strength of a differential gear 2 is increased, the differential gear 2 can be miniaturized with no possibility that it is enlarged, and it is effective in practical use.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a differential device,
In particular, a circulating ball row that can circulate is provided in the differential case of the differential gear, and first and second non-circulating ball rows that cannot be circulated are provided, and at a facing portion orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive axle of the circulating ball row. When the first and second non-circulating ball rows are respectively engaged with the circulating ball row and the strength UP (torque capacity UP) of the differential gear is performed,
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a differential device capable of relatively downsizing a differential gear without fear of increasing the size of the differential gear.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The driving force of an internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile, for example, a vehicle of a front-mounted internal combustion engine rear wheel drive system, is converted into a desired torque / rotational speed by a transmission and taken out to drive a propeller shaft. Through the differential gears, they are transmitted to the left and right wheels respectively to drive the wheels.

An example of the differential device is Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 52-43.
No. 067 is disclosed. The circulating sphere row differential mechanism disclosed in this publication is provided with a guide through which a plurality of spheres circulate in a tubular joint, and exposes a part of the sphere row on the inner surface of the tubular joint. By engaging two shafts provided with spiral grooves having twist angles opposite to each other, the structure is simplified and the size can be reduced.

[0004]

In the conventional differential device, as shown in FIG. 8, the differential gear 102 of the differential device applies the driving force of an internal combustion engine (not shown) to a transmission or a propeller shaft (not shown). (Not shown), and a flange portion (not shown) on the drive side and a pinion shaft (not shown) on the driven side are provided between the propeller shaft and the differential gear 102.

Then, the driven side pinion shaft is axially supported by a differential carrier (not shown), and the flange portion is fixed to the input side end portion of the pinion shaft, that is, one end by a nut (not shown), and the propeller is mounted on the flange portion. The end of the shaft (not shown) is connected and provided, and at the output end of the pinion shaft, that is, the other end,
A bevel-shaped ring gear 10 of the differential gear 102.
4 mesh.

The differential gear 102 is disposed in the differential carrier, and the ring gear 104 is fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the differential case 106 by a fixing bolt 108.
Is fixed.

Further, inside the differential case 106, first and second differential pinion gears 112-1 and 112-2 supported by the differential pinion shaft 110 are mounted.

These first and second differential pinion gears 112
-1, 112-2, the first and second differential side gear 11
4-1 and 114-2 are in mesh with each other. These first,
The second differential side gears 114-1 and 114-2 are respectively fixed to first and second axle shafts (not shown) that are oriented in the left-right direction of the vehicle (not shown).

However, in the above-described bevel gear type differential gear, since the meshing ratio of each gear is limited, it is necessary to increase the size of the gear itself in order to improve the strength, which is disadvantageous in practical use. There is inconvenience.

Further, in the circulating ball row type differential gear, as shown in FIG. 9, two shafts 202-
The spiral grooves 204-1 and 204-2 are respectively formed in the first and the second 202-2, and the joint 2 is formed in the spiral grooves 204-1 and 204-2.
A plurality of steel balls 210 accommodated in a guide 208 of No. 06 are engaged with each other.

At this time, the spiral grooves 204-1 and 204-2
The engagement range between the steel ball 210 and the steel ball 210 is represented by the symbol A as shown in FIG.

However, in the conventional circulating ball row type differential gear, the spiral grooves 204-1 and 204- are used.
Since the meshing range between the steel ball 210 and the steel ball 210 is narrow, a large amount of waste is generated, and improvement is expected.

[0013]

Therefore, in order to eliminate the above-mentioned inconvenience, the present invention provides a differential gear with a circulating ball row composed of a plurality of ball members, and the circulating ball row is used to drive the internal combustion engine. In a differential device that transmits the power to the drive axle, a ball row guide is provided in the differential case of the differential gear, an elliptical circulation groove is provided on the inner surface of the ball row guide, and a plurality of ball members are engaged in the groove. A circulating ball row that can be circulated is provided, and first and second ball row holders facing each other are provided in the differential case of the differential gear, and a plurality of ball member engaging spherical surfaces are continuous to the first and second ball row holders. And the annular first and second annular grooves that are orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive axle are provided, and the first and second annular grooves are provided.
A plurality of ball members are respectively engaged in the annular groove to provide first and second non-circulating ball rows that cannot be circulated, and the circulating ball rows circulate at a facing portion orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive axle. It is characterized in that the first row and the second non-circulating ball row are engaged with the ball row.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
When going straight, there is no differential in the first and second non-circulating ball rows, the circulating ball row does not circulate, and in differential, there is a differential in the first and second non-circulating ball rows. When the differential ball train circulates due to the differential of the non-circulating ball train and the strength UP (torque capacity UP) of the differential gear is performed, there is no fear that the differential gear will increase in size.
This makes it possible to reduce the size of the differential gear relatively.

[0015]

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

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a circulating ball row 16 described later.
Is a differential gear of a differential device that transmits a driving force from an internal combustion engine (not shown) to a driving axle (not shown).

The differential gear 2 is for transmitting the driving force of an internal combustion engine (not shown) via a transmission and a propeller shaft (not shown), and a drive side is provided between the propeller shaft and the differential gear 2. An unillustrated flange portion and a driven side pinion shaft (not shown) are interposed.

The driven side pinion shaft is pivotally supported by a differential carrier (not shown), and the flange portion is fixed to the input side end portion of the pinion shaft, that is, one end by a nut (not shown), and the propeller is mounted on the flange portion. The end of the shaft (not shown) is connected and provided, and at the output end of the pinion shaft, that is, the other end,
The beveled ring gear 4 of the differential gear 2 is meshed.

Further, the differential gear 2 is arranged in the differential carrier, and the ring gear 4 is fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the differential case 6 by a fixing bolt 8.

Further, a ball row guide 10 is provided inside the differential case 6, an elliptical circulation groove 12 is provided on the inner surface of the ball row guide 10, and a plurality of ball members 14 are engaged in the groove 12. A circulating ball row 16 that can circulate is provided, and first and second ball row holders 18-1 that face the inside of the differential case 6 of the differential gear 2 are provided.
18-2 is provided, and these first and second ball row holders 18 are provided.
-1, 18-2 are provided with a plurality of ball member engaging spherical surfaces 20 and annular first and second annular grooves 22-1, 22-2 which are orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive axle are provided. A plurality of ball members 24 are engaged in the first and second annular grooves 22-1 and 22-2, respectively, to provide first and second non-circulating ball rows 26-1 and 26-2 which cannot be circulated. The first and second non-circulating ball rows 2 are provided in the circulating ball row 16 at a facing portion orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive axle of the circulating ball row 16.
6-1 and 26-2 are engaged with each other.

More specifically, the LSD is provided between the differential case 6 and the first and second ball row holders 18-1 and 18-2.
A multi-plate clutch portion 28 serving as a (differential limiting mechanism) is provided, and the clutch portion 28 adjusts the meshing position between the circulating ball row 16 and the non-circulating ball row 26 to increase the thrust force, as shown in FIG. Change, that is, adjust the effectiveness of LSD.

Further, in the case without the LSD,
Instead of the clutch portion 28, a shim is provided so as to eliminate backlash by applying a preload.

The first and second ball row holders 18-1,
First and second spline portions 30-1 and 30-2 for fitting a drive axle are formed on the inner surface of 18-2.

Further, the differential gear 2 is provided with the ball row guide 10 in the differential case 6,
The ball row guide 10 formed separately from the differential case 6
Engage with the inner surface of the differential case 6.

The elliptical circulation groove portion 12 on the inner surface of the ball row guide 10 is formed into a curved surface shape that matches the inner surface shape of the ball row guide 10, and at the same time as the upper first groove portion 12-1 in FIG. 1, the lower second lower groove portion 12-2 in FIG.

A plurality of ball members 14 are engaged with the first upper groove portion 12-1 and the second lower groove portion 12-2 to provide first and second circulating ball rows 16-1 and 16-2. The first and second circulating ball rows 16-1 and 16-2 constitute the circulating ball row 16.

At this time, the first and second circulating ball rows 16-1 and 16-2 and the first and second non-circulating ball rows 26-
1 and 26-2, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, alternately mesh with each other, and the mesh length B of the ball members 14 of the first and second circulating ball rows 16-1 and 16-2. It can be arbitrarily set depending on the number and the peripheral lengths of the first upper groove portion 12-1 and the second lower groove portion 12-2 which are the circulation groove portions 12 formed in the ball row guide 10.

Reference numeral 32 is a dock used when the ball row guide 10 is engaged with the inner surface of the differential case 6.

Next, the operation will be described.

When traveling straight ahead, as shown in FIG. 5, there is no differential in the left and right, that is, the first and second non-circulating ball rows 26-1 and 26-2, and the first and second circulating ball rows 16-1 and 16-2.
-2 does not circulate.

At the time of differential, as shown in FIG. 6, a differential occurs in the first and second non-circulating ball rows 26-1 and 26-2, and the first and second non-circulating ball rows 26-1 and 26-2. 26-
By the differential of 2, the first and second circulating ball rows 16-1 and 1
6-2 circulates.

In the clutch portion 28, the multi-plate portion of the clutch portion 28 is pressed by the ball reaction force, and the LSD
It is what becomes.

As a result, the differential gear 2
When the strength UP (torque capacity UP) is performed, there is no fear that the differential gear 2 becomes large, and the differential gear 2 can be made relatively small, which is practically advantageous.

Further, the position adjustment of the ball member 14 of the circulating ball row 16 and the ball member 24 of the first and second non-circulating ball rows 26-1 and 26-2 without changing the basic structure. Only with this, a large thrust force can be secured and the thrust force can be set to 0 (zero).

Further, since the number of ball members 14 meshing with the circulating ball row 16 is larger than that of the conventional one, there is less waste and it is economically advantageous.

Furthermore, the differential gear 2
The ball row guide 1 formed separately from the differential case 6 when the ball row guide 10 is provided in the differential case 6.
With the configuration in which 0 is engaged with the inner surface of the differential case 6, the ball row guide 10 is separately formed, so that the production is facilitated, the cost can be reduced, and it is economically advantageous.

Further, if the ball row guide 10 is divided and formed, the production can be further facilitated.

[0038]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the differential device for transmitting the driving force from the internal combustion engine to the drive axle by the circulating ball train composed of a plurality of ball members provided in the differential gear, A differential row of the differential gear is provided with a ball row guide, an elliptical circulation groove is provided on the inner surface of the ball row guide, and a circulation ball row that can circulate by engaging a plurality of ball members in the groove is provided. First and second ball row holders facing each other are provided in the differential case of the gear, and a plurality of ball member engaging spherical surfaces are continuous with the first and second ball row holders and have an annular shape orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive axle. The first and second annular grooves are provided, and a plurality of ball members are engaged in the first and second annular grooves, respectively, and the first and second non-circulating members are not circulated.
Since the non-circulating ball row is provided and the first and second non-circulating ball rows are respectively engaged with the circulating ball row at the facing portion orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive axle of the circulating ball row, the differential gear When the strength UP (torque capacity UP) is performed, there is no fear that the differential gear becomes large, and the differential gear can be made relatively small, which is practically advantageous. In addition, a large thrust force can be secured only by adjusting the positions of the ball members of the circulating ball row and the ball members of the first and second non-circulating ball rows without changing the basic structure. , The thrust force can be set to 0 (zero). Further, since the number of ball members that mesh with the circulating ball row is larger than that of the conventional one, there is less waste and it is economically advantageous.

Further, the differential gear can be easily manufactured if the ball row guide formed separately from the differential case is engaged with the inner surface of the differential case when the ball row guide is provided in the differential case. The cost can be reduced, which is economically advantageous.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cutaway sectional view of a main part of a differential gear of a differential gear device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a circulating ball row.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a meshing state between a circulating ball row and first and second non-circulating ball rows.

FIG. 4 is a left side view showing a meshed state of the first and second circulating ball rows and the first non-circulating ball row.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing a state of a circulating ball row and first and second non-circulating ball rows when going straight.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view showing a state of a circulating ball row and first and second non-circulating ball rows at the time of differential.

FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a thrust force that is changed depending on a meshing position between a circulating ball row and a non-circulating ball row.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a differential gear showing a first conventional technique of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a circulating ball row type differential gear showing a second prior art of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 differential gear 4 ring gear 6 differential case 10 ball row guide 12 circulation groove 14 ball member 16 circulating ball row 18-1 first ball row holder 18-2 second ball row holder 20 ball member engaging spherical surface 22-1 first ring Groove 22-2 Second annular groove 24 Ball member 26-1 First non-circulating ball row 26-2 Second non-circulating ball row 28 Clutch section 30-1 First spline section 30-2 Second spline section 32 Dock

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A differential gear in which a circulating ball row composed of a plurality of ball members is provided in a differential gear, and the driving force from an internal combustion engine is transmitted to a drive axle by the circulating ball row, in a differential case of the differential gear. A ball row guide is provided, an elliptical circulation groove portion is provided on the inner surface of the ball row guide, and a circulation ball row that can circulate by engaging a plurality of ball members in the groove portion is provided, and the ball case is provided in the differential case of the differential gear. First and second ball row holders facing each other are provided, and the first and second ball row holders have a plurality of ball member engaging spherical surfaces continuous with each other and an annular first, which is orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive axle. A second annular groove is provided, and a plurality of ball members are engaged in the first and second annular grooves, respectively.
A second non-circulating ball row is provided, and the first and second non-circulating ball rows are respectively engaged with the circulating ball row at a facing portion orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive axle of the circulating ball row. And a differential device. 2. The differential gear is a differential gear in which a ball row guide formed separately from the differential case is engaged with an inner surface of the differential case when the ball row guide is provided in the differential case. The differential device according to claim 1.