JPH11182650A - Pinion shaft structure in differential limiting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive pinion shaft structure for use in a differential limiting device, enabling the use of common parts using a simple structure so that a stable differential limiting characteristic can be secured. SOLUTION: This device limits differential between differential rotation members by connecting a multiple disc clutch by means of axial pressing force, the multiple disc clutch being positioned between the differential rotation members by the cam action of cam faces formed between the opposite surfaces of pairs of pressure rings and the pinion shaft of a differential gear, the pairs of pressure rings rotating along with a differential case. In this case, the pinion shaft 2 formed with a plurality of cam faces 2α, 2β, 2γ having respective different cam angles α, β, γ and the pairs of pressure rings 6R, 6L and 6R', 6L' of different specifications, in which one or more cam faces 6α(and 6β, 6γ) having cam angles matching the plurality of cam faces of the pinion shaft 2 are formed on their opposite faces, are selectively combined to obtain different cam angles.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a differential limiting device for limiting a differential by pressing a multi-plate clutch disposed between differential rotating members by a cam action between an opposing surface of a pressure ring and a pinion shaft. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a differential limiting device for limiting a differential by pressing a multi-plate clutch arranged between differential rotating members by a cam action between a facing surface of a pressure ring and a pinion shaft, Various things have been proposed. And
In recent years, common use of parts has been attempted to reduce costs and improve compatibility. In view of such circumstances, those described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-153944 and Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 63-25414 have been proposed.

FIG. 5 shows a first conventional example described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-153944 by the present applicant. This will be briefly described. Since the structure is the same as that of the present invention to be described later, the description will be given with reference to FIG. 2 which is an explanatory view of the differential limiting device of the present invention. The input-side rotational driving force from the differential case 1 is applied to the pinion gear 3 and the side gear 5L. A pair of pressure rings 16L (not shown), which are differentially distributed and transmitted to the left and right output sides 4L and 4R via a differential rotating member composed of 5R differential gears and rotate together with the differential case 1.
R (FIG. 5) and the pinion shaft 12 of the differential gear
(FIG. 5) The multiple disc clutches 7L, 7 disposed between the differential rotating members by the cam action of the cam surface formed between
This is a differential limiting device configured to connect R by an axial pressing force to limit the differential between the differential rotating members. The cam surface of the pressure ring 16R (16L is not shown) has two different angles 16α, 16β and 16γ as shown in FIG. Cam part (cam angle 16α, 16β side) that varies the pressing force to the 7R and 7R
Regardless of the rotation input direction, the multi-plate clutch 7L, 7
A second cam portion (on the cam angle 16γ side) that exerts a substantially equal pressing force on the R, and a cam surface 16β in which the pressing force of the first cam portion on the multi-plate clutches 7L and 7R is increased is formed by partitioning the partition wall portion. It is provided adjacent to the second cam portion through the intermediary.

[0004] With such a configuration, the first cam portion and the second cam portion are connected to each other.
FIG. 5 (B) after improving the durability by reducing the bending moment applied to the partition wall portion located between the cam and the cam portion.
As shown in (C), these pressure rings 16R
By selectively combining the pinion shaft 12 with either one of the first cam portion and the second cam portion, the generation of different component forces in the cam action in the axial direction can be obtained, and the components can be shared. It is configured to obtain a differential limiting device having different performance characteristics.

FIG. 6 shows a second conventional example described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-25414. The basic structure of the differential limiting device corresponds to FIG. To briefly explain this, in the example of FIG. 6A, the pinion shaft 22 and the pressure rings 26L,
6R and at least two or more continuous contact angles 22α,
A contact surface (cam surface) having 22β, 26α, and 26β is formed, and the means for changing the axial movement amount of the pressure ring (spacer 31) is provided by the multi-plate clutch mechanism (7L, 7R).
). In the example of FIG. 6B, the pinion shaft 22 and the pressure ring 26L,
26R and at least two types of continuous contact angles formed on the contact surfaces 22C, 22C, the contact angles of which change in a stepless manner.
6 is formed, and an adjusting bolt 30 is employed via spacer 31 as means for changing the amount of axial movement of the pressure ring.

By adjusting the distance between the differential case 21L and the differential case 21R in the pressure ring, the contact angles of the cam portions of the pair of pressure rings 26L and 26R facing the pinion shaft 22 can be reduced. The differential limiting device having different performance characteristics due to the common use of components is obtained by alternately contacting the contact surface with the contact surface to obtain the generation of different axial component forces in the cam action. Things.

[0007]

However, in such a differential limiting device, in the former example, the pinion shaft 12
Is formed in a substantially circular cross section, so that the pinion shaft 1
On the cam surface having a cam angle 16γ or the like that forms a large angle with respect to the rotation axis at which a large axial component force, that is, a differential limiting force is obtained by the cam action between the pressure ring 2 and the pressure ring 16, the pinion shaft 12 Since the contact with the contact is close to the line contact, there is a possibility that the surface pressure increases. In the latter example, the structure becomes complicated, and the contact surface between the pinion shaft 22 and the pressure ring 26 may be changed due to the wear of the spacer 31, and a stable differential limiting characteristic may not be obtained. there were.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional differential limiting device, and achieves commonality of parts with a simple structure, and enables an inexpensive differential limiting device capable of securing stable differential limiting characteristics. It is an object to provide a pinion shaft structure in a device.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides an input-side rotational driving force from a differential case which is differentially distributed and transmitted to left and right output sides via a differential rotating member comprising a differential gear. The multi-plate clutch arranged between the differential rotating members is axially moved by the cam action of a cam surface formed between the opposing surfaces of the pair of pressure rings that rotate together with the pinion shaft of the differential gear. In a differential limiting device configured to perform differential limiting between the differential rotating members by being connected by pressing force, the pinion shaft having a plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles; In order to obtain different cam angles by selectively combining one or more cam surfaces having cam angles corresponding to the plurality of cam surfaces on the opposing surface with the pair of pressure rings having different specifications. It is characterized in that the form. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the pinion shaft is configured so that its installation position can be changed around the axis. Also, in the present invention, the plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles are formed so as to be distributed to both ends of a pinion shaft divided into two in the axial direction, and one of the cam surfaces at both ends is formed by the pair of cam surfaces. It is characterized by being configured to be combined with pressure ring. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles are formed on pinion shafts having different specifications, respectively, and these are used as means for solving the problem.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a pinion shaft structure in a differential limiter according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (A) is a side view of a pinion shaft, and FIG. 1 (B).
1C is a view for explaining the cam action of the pinion shaft and the pressure ring in the view of the arrow A in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2 is an overall sectional view of the differential limiting device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a driving force from an engine (not shown) is transmitted to a differential case 1 including left and right differential cases 1L and 1R via a drive pinion gear and a ring gear. The rotational driving force transmitted to the differential case 1 is transmitted to a pair of left and right pressure rings 6L and 6R which are slidably mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the differential case 1 only in the axial direction and rotate together with the differential case 1. Power is transmitted to the pinion shaft 2 via a cam surface formed between the opposing surfaces of the pressure rings 6L and 6R and the pinion shaft 2 of the differential gear. The rotational driving force is applied to the left and right axles 4L, 4D via a pinion gear 3 pivotally supported by the pinion shaft 2 and a pair of left and right side gears 5L, 5R meshing with the pinion gear 3 and a differential rotating member composed of differential gears.
4R is differentially distributed and transmitted. A clutch ring that rotates together with the differential case 1 and a clutch ring that rotates together with each of the side gears 5L and 5R are provided between the rear surfaces of the pressure rings 6L and 6R and the side walls of the left and right differential cases 1L and 1R. Left and right multiple disc clutches 7L and 7R are arranged alternately. As clearly shown in FIGS. 1 (B) and 1 (C), the differential limiting operation is performed by the driving force (for example, the forward direction of arrow D) by which the pressure ring 6 drives the pinion shaft 2.
The axial thrust component generated by the cam action of the cam surface formed between the opposing surface of the 6R and the pinion shaft 2 is:
This is performed by sliding the left and right pressure rings 6L, 6R outward in the axial direction and pressing the left and right multi-plate clutches 7L, 7R against the side wall of the differential case 1.

With this configuration, during normal straight running, a predetermined driving force from the differential case 1 is received, and the driving force is transmitted from the pinion gear 3 to the left and right side gears 5L, 5R evenly, so that the vehicle is driven on a muddy road. When encountering a bad road such as, and trying to generate an excessive differential action due to one-wheel idling or the like, only the torque corresponding to the road surface resistance of the wheel is transmitted to the high-speed wheel side, for example, When the driving resistance of the right wheel (not shown) is large, the side gears 5L, 5R are moved outward in the axial direction by the meshing reaction force between the pinion gear 3 and the side gears 5L, 5R. The resistance of the pressure ring 6 is also generated, and the pressure ring 6 is also moved to the outside in the axial direction so as to move between the rear surfaces of the side gears 5L and 5R and the left and right differential cases 1L and 1R. A differential limiting force is generated at the sliding contact surface, and the differential action between the differential rotating members is limited, and the driving force is transmitted to the low-speed wheels, thereby enabling escape performance on a rough road. .

[0012] In the present invention, in order to easily obtain different performance characteristics due to the common use of parts, that is, in order to cope with various types of vehicles having different obtained differential limiting forces, etc.
As a cam surface formed at the end of the pinion shaft 2, FIG.
(B) As shown in (C), a plurality of first to third cam surfaces 2α, 2β, 2γ of α, β, γ having different cam angles (angles with respect to the rotation axis) are formed on the pinion shaft 2. , A plurality of first to third cam surfaces 2α, 2
Selectively combining a pair of pressure rings 6L, 6R or 6L ', 6R' of different specifications in which at least one cam surface having a cam angle α, β, γ corresponding to β, 2γ is formed on the facing surface. A different cam angle, that is, a different differential limiting torque is obtained. In the first embodiment shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), (B) and (C), the cam angle α is set at the shaft end of the pinion shaft 2 from the vehicle forward side (arrow D indicates the forward side).
Forming a first cam surface 2α, a third cam surface 2γ with a cam angle γ, and a second cam surface 2β with a cam angle β, and as a pair of pressure rings 6L and 6R combined with the pinion shaft 2,
A vehicle having a first cam surface 6α having a cam angle α on the vehicle forward side and a second cam surface 6β having a cam angle β on the vehicle rearward side is adopted, and a pair of these pressure rings 6L,
As a pair of pressure rings combined with the pinion shaft 2 in place of 6R, pressure rings 6L ′ and 6R ′ having a third cam surface 6γ having a cam angle γ on the vehicle forward side and the vehicle reverse side are adopted. Pressure rings 6L, 6R and 6 using pinion shaft 2 as a common part
L 'and 6R' are selectively combined to obtain different performance characteristics.

In the example of the combination shown in FIG.
The thrust component obtained at the second cam surfaces 2β and 6β where the cam action is performed on the coast side is larger than the thrust component force obtained at the first cam faces 2α and 6α where the cam action is performed on the coast side. , A large differential limiting force can be obtained on the drive D side. In the example of the combination of FIG. 1C, the pinion shaft 2 and the pressure ring 6
Since the third cam surfaces 2γ and 6γ on both the drive D side and the coast side are combined so that the portions having the same cam angle γ come into contact, the differential limiting force obtained on both the drive side and the coast side is obtained. It will be applied to vehicle models that are the same. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pinion shaft 2 is used as a common component, and as the pressure ring 6 to be combined with the pinion shaft 2, one or more cam surfaces corresponding to a plurality of cam surfaces of the pinion shaft 2 having different cam angles are used. By adopting different specifications formed on the opposing surface, a differential limiting device having specifications that generate differential limiting forces with different characteristics can be easily obtained. In the present embodiment, the pinion shaft 2 is used as a common component, a pressure ring 6 to be combined with the pinion shaft 2 is combined with a component having a different specification, and FIG. Pressure ring 16 having cam portions having different cam angles as described above.
It is also within the scope to alternatively combine these cam portions with the pinion shaft 2.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the pinion shaft structure in the differential limiter according to the present invention.
FIG. 3A is a plan view of a first combination example of the pinion shaft and the pressure ring, and FIG. 3B is a plan view of the second combination example. This embodiment also employs a pinion shaft 2 having substantially the same structure as the pinion shaft 2 of the first embodiment, but as shown in FIG. 2 is different from that of the first embodiment in that the installation position can be changed around its axis. That is, FIG. 3B shows a state in which the pinion shaft 2 shown in FIG. 3A is rotated by 180 ° about the axis O thereof. Depending on how the cam surfaces of the pinion shaft 2 are formed, it is possible to select an appropriate angle around the axis without rotating the cam by 180 °.

With such a configuration, FIG.
As shown in (A), the first cam surface 2 having a cam angle α is provided on the shaft end of the pinion shaft 2 from the vehicle rearward side (arrow D indicates the forward side).
α, the third cam surface 2γ having the cam angle γ, the second cam surface 2β having the cam angle β, and the third cam surface 2γ having the cam angle γ are the same cam angles on the drive D side and the coast side. The pressure ring 6R (the left pressure ring 6L is omitted) having third cam surfaces 6γ, 6γ of γ (for example, 45 °) can be combined. And FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3B, the pinion shaft 2 in the state of FIG.
Is rotated about its axis O by 180 °, so that the thrust component obtained at the second cam surfaces 2β and 6β where the cam action is performed on the drive D side is more effective for the cam action on the coast side. First cam surface 2α, 6α
Drive D because it is larger than the thrust component obtained at
A combination that can provide a large differential limiting force on the side. As in the present embodiment, the pinion shaft having a plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles is selectively combined with a pair of pressure rings of different specifications by simply rotating the pinion shaft around its axis. This makes it easy to obtain differential limiting devices with different characteristics.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the pinion shaft structure in the differential limiter according to the present invention.
4A is an overall side view of a pinion shaft, FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a divided pinion shaft alone, and FIG. 4C is a plan view of a first combination example of a pinion shaft and a pressure ring. 4
(D) is a plan view of the second combination example. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles in the pinion shaft 2 are provided at both ends of the pinion shafts 2A to 2D divided in the axial direction. It is characterized by being formed by sorting. That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the pinion shaft 2 is divided into two in the longitudinal direction which is the axial direction, and each of the divided pinion shafts 2 </ b> A to 2 </ b> D is mounted on the block 8. As shown in FIG. 4 (B), a cam angle α
Are formed, and second cam surfaces 2β, 2β having a cam angle β are formed at the other end. The cam angles on the plurality of cam surfaces formed at both ends of the split pinion shaft can be an appropriate combination of angles.

With this configuration, each of the divided pinion shafts 2A to 2D is pulled out of the block 8, and one end and the other end thereof are exchanged and mounted again, thereby obtaining FIG. 4D, cam surfaces having different cam angles in the divided pinion shafts 2A to 2D can be made to appear. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the first cam surfaces 2α, 2α of the divided pinion shaft 2A and the first cam surfaces 6α of the pressure rings 6L, 6R having the same cam angle α on the drive side and the coast side. , 6α, and the same cam on the drive side and on the coast side as shown in FIG. 4 (D), in which the cam angle β is larger than these combinations, and thus the differential limiting force which is the thrust component is large. A combination of the second cam surfaces 2β, 2β of the split pinion shaft 2A at the angle β and the second cam surfaces 6β, 6β of the pressure rings 6L ′, 6R ′ is obtained. As in the present embodiment, the divided pinion shafts having cam surfaces having different cam angles formed at both ends thereof, respectively, can be selectively replaced with a pair of pressure rings having different specifications by simply exchanging the both end portions. They can be combined so that differential limiting devices with different characteristics are easily obtained.

Although not shown, a plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles formed at the end of the pinion shaft 2 may be formed on pinion shafts having different specifications. That is, the cam surface having a predetermined cam angle formed at the end of the pinion shaft in the first embodiment or the end portion of the split pinion shaft in the third embodiment is different from the predetermined cam angle. Several types of pinion shafts of other specifications having a cam surface having a cam angle are prepared, and are configured to be freely inserted into and removed from the block 8, and a desired pinion shaft is selectively mounted on the block 8. By combining with the above, it is also possible to obtain a desired differential limiting force.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the type of the differential limiting device, the type of the pressure ring, the number of the cam portions provided with the cam surfaces, the pinion shaft The number of cam surfaces on the pinion shaft,
Appropriate structures can be employed for the cam angle of the cam surface in the pinion shaft and the pressure ring, the configuration related to the pinion shaft and the block, and the like.

[0020]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the pinion shaft having a plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles and the cam angles corresponding to the plurality of cam surfaces on these pinion shafts are provided. By selectively combining a pair of pressure rings having different specifications with one or more cam surfaces formed on opposing surfaces to obtain different cam angles, the pinion shaft can be used as a common component and combined therewith. By adopting different specifications as the pressure ring to be applied, a differential limiting device having specifications that generate differential limiting forces having different characteristics can be easily obtained. In a configuration in which the pinion shaft is configured such that its installation position can be changed around its axis, the pinion shaft formed with a plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles is simply rotated around its axis, which is different. Differential limiting devices having different characteristics can be easily obtained by selectively combining with a pair of pressure rings having different specifications.

Further, as the plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles on the pinion shaft, the cam surfaces having different cam angles are respectively formed on both ends of the pinion shaft divided into two in the axial direction. By simply exchanging the divided pinion shafts formed at both ends, the two ends are selectively replaced with a pair of pressure rings having different specifications, and a differential limiting device having different characteristics can be easily obtained. Further, as a plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles formed at the end of the pinion shaft, those formed on pinion shafts of different specifications respectively have pinion shafts of other specifications having cam surfaces of different cam angles. Are prepared, a desired pinion shaft is selectively mounted, and combined with an appropriate pressure ring, a desired differential limiting force can be easily obtained. in this way,
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, commonality of parts can be implement | achieved by a simple structure, and the cam surface between the pinion shaft and the pressure ring once combined may shift | deviate and the characteristic may change like the conventional thing. Thus, a stable differential limiting characteristic can be ensured, and a pinion shaft structure in an inexpensive differential limiting device is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1A and 1B show a first embodiment of a pinion shaft structure in a differential limiting device according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A is a side view of a pinion shaft, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are FIGS. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating the cam action of the pinion shaft and the pressure ring in the view of the arrow A of FIG.

FIG. 2 is an overall sectional view of the differential limiting device of the present invention.

3A and 3B show a second embodiment of a pinion shaft structure in a differential limiting device according to the present invention. FIG. 3A is a plan view of a first example of a combination of a pinion shaft and a pressure ring, and FIG. (B) is a plan view of the second combination example.

4A and 4B show a third embodiment of a pinion shaft structure in a differential limiting device according to the present invention. FIG. 4A is an overall side view of the pinion shaft, and FIG. 4B is a divided pinion shaft. FIG. 4C is a plan view of a first combination example of a pinion shaft and a pressure ring, and FIG. 4D is a plan view of the second combination example.

FIG. 5 is a main part diagram showing a first conventional example according to the present applicant.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a main part showing a second conventional example of a differential limiting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 differential case 2 pinion shaft 2α to 2γ first to third cam surfaces 3 pinion gear 4 axle 5 side gear 6 pressure ring 6α to 6γ first to third cam surfaces 7 multi-plate clutch 8 block O pinion shaft center

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A pair of pressure rings for rotating the input case and the differential case together by differentially distributing and transmitting the input-side rotational driving force from the differential case to left and right output sides via a differential rotating member composed of a differential gear. The multi-plate clutch disposed between the differential rotating members is connected by an axial pressing force by a cam action of a cam surface formed between the opposed surface of the In a differential limiter configured to perform differential restriction between rotating members, the pinion shaft having a plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles,
A different cam angle is obtained by selectively combining one or more cam surfaces having cam angles corresponding to a plurality of cam surfaces on these pinion shafts with a pair of pressure rings having different specifications formed on opposing surfaces. A pinion shaft structure in the differential limiting device, wherein the pinion shaft structure is constituted. 2. A pinion shaft structure in a differential limiter according to claim 1, wherein said pinion shaft is configured so that its installation position can be changed around its axis. 3. A plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles are formed at both ends of a pinion shaft divided into two in an axial direction, and one of the cam surfaces at both ends is formed by the pair of cam surfaces. A pinion shaft structure in a differential limiter, wherein the pinion shaft structure is configured to be combined with a pressure ring. 4. A pinion shaft structure in a differential limiting device, wherein the plurality of cam surfaces having different cam angles are formed on pinion shafts having different specifications, respectively.