TWI385083B - Vehicle differential control device - Google Patents

Description

Vehicle differential control device

The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle, and more particularly to a vehicle differential control device.

The distance between the left and right wheels of the vehicle will cause a difference in the distance traveled when the vehicle turns, thus causing a risk of rollover. To solve this problem, a differential is developed.

The differential can make the left and right wheels of the vehicle operate at different speeds to provide good steering performance of the vehicle. However, if the differential is in a situation such as pits or slips on the road surface of the vehicle, the engine transmission power is often concentrated. In one round, the vehicle could not travel or even slip out of control. In order to avoid this situation, a Limit Slip Differential (LSD) was developed to limit the ratio and characteristics of the left and right wheel speed differences of the vehicle. In one round, all the engine power is idling due to the small friction, and the other wheel does not output any power.

However, if the vehicle is driving in a bad road condition (for example, terrain, mud, sand, etc.), the friction and resistance of the left and right wheels must be constantly unbalanced. Therefore, the differential must be switched to the road condition. Differential power output or equal power output to cope with various road conditions.

The existing methods for switching the differential to produce differential power output or equal power output can be roughly divided into two categories: "mechanical" and "electronic". Referring to Figure 1, the so-called mechanical type is based on human resources. A pull cord 100 is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow to drive the differential 101 to output differential power or equal power. The drawstring 100 can achieve the purpose of switching the differential output differential power or equal power, but It is not only laborious but also inconvenient to use the method of pulling the rope 100 by human power.

Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic type 102 drives a lever 103 by a power source 102. The power source 102 drives the lever 103 to swing according to the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2 to drive the differential 101 to switch the output differential power. Or equal power, so that although the disadvantage of "mechanical" use is more difficult, but in consideration of the strength of the lever 102, the installation position of the power source 101 and the lever 102 is limited, and only As shown in FIG. 2, it is disposed adjacent to the differential 101.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle differential control apparatus that is relatively labor-saving and relatively flexible in installation.

Therefore, the vehicle differential control device of the present invention is for controlling a differential device, the vehicle differential control device comprising a housing, a driving unit disposed in the housing, and a switching driven by the driving unit unit.

The driving unit includes a power source disposed in the housing, and an actuating group disposed in the housing and drivable by the power source; the switching unit includes a driving unit coupled to the driving unit and extending through the driving unit A connecting rod of the housing and a cable connecting the locking device of the differential and the connecting rod respectively.

The power source can drive the actuation group to move the connecting rod between a differential position and a locked position. When the connecting rod is in the differential position, the differential can output differential power; and when the connecting rod is When in the locked position, the connecting rod pulls the cable and the differential outputs equal power.

The utility model is characterized in that the power source is used to drive the actuating group to interlock the connecting rod to pull the cable connecting the locking device of the differential and the connecting rod at both ends, so that the differential can switch the output differential power. Or equal power, so it is more labor-saving in the switching of the differential; together with the power transmitted by the cable to the power source, the vehicle differential control device is more flexible in the installation position.

The above and other technical contents, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

Before the present invention is described in detail, it is noted that in the following description, similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a first preferred embodiment of the vehicle differential control device 1 of the present invention comprises a housing 11, a drive unit 12 housed in the housing 11, and a drive unit 12 The switching unit 13 and a limiting mechanism 124. Some components are omitted in FIG. 4 for convenience of explanation.

The housing 11 includes a housing 111 and a cover 112 that cooperate with each other, and a sealing member 113 embedded in the housing 111. The driving unit 12 includes a control circuit 121 disposed in the housing 11. a power source 122 controlled by the control circuit 121 and having an output member 122', an actuation group 123 disposed in the housing 11 and drivable by the power source 122, and a function for limiting the actuation The limit mechanism 124 of the group 123.

The actuation group 123 has a worm 125 pivoted in the housing 11 , two gears 126 , 126 ′ that transmit the power of the power source 122 to the worm 125 , and one of the housings 11 . The movable seat 127 is driven by the worm 125.

In the preferred embodiment, the power source 122 is a motor that can be controlled by the control circuit 121 to output power. The output member 122' of the power source 122 can drive the gear 126 that meshes with the output member 122' to rotate. The difference in the number of teeth between the gears 126' disposed on the worm 125 and intermeshing with the gear 126 reduces the rotational speed of the power source 122, and transmits the power of the power source 122 to the worm 125 to drive the worm 125 to rotate. .

The limiting mechanism 124 has two first limiting portions 128 formed on the movable base 127 and two second limiting portions formed on the housing 11 in cooperation with the first limiting portion 128. 129, and two position sensors 120 spaced apart from the housing 11. By using the first and second limiting portions 128 and 129 that cooperate with each other, the movement of the movable seat 127 can be restricted, and the power for rotating the worm 125 by the power source 122 can be changed to drive the moving seat 127 along the axis of the worm 125. The power to move.

In the preferred embodiment, the first limiting portion 128 is a ridge formed on the moving base 127, and the second limiting portion 129 is formed corresponding to each of the first limiting portions 128. a guide groove on the housing 11. However, in practical applications, the first and second limiting portions 128 and 129 may be of any type, as long as the movable seat 127 can be restricted from rotating, and should not be limited by the disclosure of the embodiment.

The switching unit 13 includes a connecting rod 131 that is coupled to the driving unit 12 and extends through the housing 11 , and a cable 132 that connects the connecting rod 131 , wherein the connecting rod 131 has a coupling to the moving base 127 . The connecting end portion 133 and a connecting end portion 134 opposite to the engaging end portion 133 and extending outside the sealing member 113 of the housing 11; one end of the cable 132 is connected to the connecting end portion 134. The position sensor 120 is electrically connected to the control circuit 121 to sense the position of the connecting rod 131.

In the preferred embodiment, the connecting rod 131 and the moving base 127 are combined in design. Of course, in practical applications, the connecting rod 131 and the moving base 127 can also be integrally formed, which can achieve the same effect. It simplifies the production process. The position sensor 120 in the preferred embodiment is an infrared detector, and may of course be other types of detecting elements. This is easily understood by those skilled in the art, and therefore does not More details.

It should be noted that the sealing member 113 can not only guide the connecting rod 131, but also prevent external dust or dirt from entering the housing 11, thereby effectively improving the overall service life.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, and referring back to Figure 4, for convenience of explanation, some components are omitted in Figures 4-6, and the vehicle differential control device 1 is used to control a differential 2, which includes a box The body 21, a power lock connector 22 housed in the box body 21, a locking device 20 movable relative to the power lock connector 22, and a guide bracket 27 disposed on the box body 21, the lock The device 20 has a slider 23 movable relative to the power lock connector 22, a fork 24 latched on the slider 23, and one end connected to the fork 24 and protruding at the other end. a passive shaft 25 of 21, and a set of compression springs 26 disposed on the driven shaft 25 and respectively abutting against the casing 21 and the shifting fork 24, wherein the axle 28 of the vehicle (not shown) is worn It is placed in the casing 21. The housing 21 is depicted as an imaginary line for convenience of illustration.

In use, the two ends of the cable 132 are respectively connected to the connecting end 134 of the passive shaft 25 of the differential 2 and the connecting rod 131, and the user can use a switch electrically connecting the control circuit 121 (Fig. Not shown) to drive the power source 122, the worm 125 is rotated by the gears 126, 126', and the power of rotating the worm 125 by the first and second limiting portions 128, 129 is converted into The driving force of the moving seat 127 along the axial movement of the worm 125 is such that the moving base 127 can interlock the connecting rod 131 to move between a differential position as shown in FIG. 5 and a locking position as shown in FIG. 6.

When the connecting rod 131 is in the differential position shown in FIG. 5, the connecting rod 131 does not pull the cable 132, and the slider 23 is spaced from the lower axle 28 in FIG. 5, so that the lower part of FIG. The axle 28 is disconnected from the power lock connector 22, and the differential 2 is outputted to the upper axle 28 in FIG. 5; when the user activates the power source 122 by the switch, the power source 122 is driven The worm 125 rotates to interlock the moving seat 127, so that the connecting rod 131 pulls the cable 132 to the locking position shown in FIG. 6 according to the arrow 3 direction in FIG. 5, thereby pulling the driven shaft 25 to drive the shifting fork 24 to pull the sliding Block 23, the slider 23 is brought into contact with the lower axle 28 of FIG. 6 to connect the lower axle 28 of FIG. 6 with the power lock connector 22, so that the differential 2 outputs equal power to the second On the axle 28, and when the moving seat 127 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 6, the position sensor 120 located below the FIG. 6 can sense the moving base 127 to close the power source 122, preventing the power source 122 from continuously driving the power source 122. The worm 125 is damaged. Wherein, the guide frame 27 can guide the cable 132 to ensure that the pulling force of the cable 132 acts directly on the passive shaft 25.

When the user wants to output the differential power to the differential 2, the power source 122 needs to be activated again by the switch, and the worm 125 is rotated to move the movable seat 127 from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 5. Release the pulling force acting on the cable 132, and at the same time, by the elastic restoring force generated by the compression spring 26, the shifting fork 24 is urged to push the slider 23 back to the differential position shown in FIG. 5 to output the differential power, and When the moving seat 127 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 5, the position sensor 120 located above FIG. 5 can sense the moving base 127 to close the power source 122, and prevent the power source 122 from continuously driving the worm 125 to be damaged.

The driving unit 123 is driven by the power source 122 to interlock the connecting rod 131 to pull the locking device 20 of the differential 2 and the cable 132 of the connecting rod 131 respectively, so that the differential 2 is switched. The differential power or the equal power is more labor-saving; in combination with the power transmitted by the cable 132 to the power source 122, the housing 11 is relatively elastic in the mounting position.

Referring to FIG. 7, a second preferred embodiment of the vehicle differential control device 1 of the present invention is substantially the same as the first preferred embodiment, wherein the difference is that the switching unit 13 further includes a a guide frame 135 on the housing 111, the cable 132 is inserted into the guide frame 135, and the cable 132 is guided and guided by the guide frame 135, so that the connecting rod 131 can be stably and relatively straightly pulled. The cable 132 ensures that the power of the power source 122 is fully transmitted to the cable 132.

In summary, the vehicle differential control device 1 of the present invention uses the control circuit 121 to control the power source 122 to cooperate with the worm 125, and the power source 122 drives the power of the worm 125 to rotate, thereby converting the moving seat 127 with The power of the connecting rod 131 to move axially along the worm 125 makes the differential 2 less laborious when switching output differential power or equal power; and the power of the power source 122 is transmitted by the cable 132 to make the housing 11 It is more flexible in the installation position, so the object of the present invention can be achieved.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, that is, the simple equivalent changes and modifications made by the scope of the invention and the description of the invention are All remain within the scope of the invention patent.

1. . . Vehicle differential control device

11. . . case

111. . . Shell

112. . . Shell cover

113. . . Seals

12. . . Drive unit

120. . . Position sensor

121. . . Control circuit

122. . . Power source

122’. . . Output

123. . . Actuation group

124. . . Limiting mechanism

125. . . Worm

126. . . gear

126’. . . gear

127. . . Mobile seat

128. . . First limit

129. . . Second limit

13. . . Switching unit

131. . . Connecting rod

132. . . Cable

133. . . Combined end

134. . . Connection end

135. . . Guide frame

2. . . Differential

twenty one. . . Box

twenty two. . . Power lock connector

20. . . Locking device

twenty three. . . Slider

twenty four. . . Fork

25. . . Passive axis

26. . . compressed spring

27. . . Guide

28. . . axle

3. . . arrow

1 is a schematic view showing a switching state of a conventional mechanical differential;

2 is a top plan view showing a switching state of a conventional electronic differential;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a first preferred embodiment of the vehicle differential control device of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a plan view, with assistance to explain Figure 3, in which some of the components are omitted;

Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the first preferred embodiment applied to a differential, and the connecting rod is in a position of a differential position, wherein a part of the member is omitted;

Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state in which the connecting rod of the first preferred embodiment is in a locked position, wherein a part of the member is omitted;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a second preferred embodiment of the vehicle differential control device of the present invention, in which a part of the members is omitted.

1. . . Vehicle differential control device

11. . . case

111. . . Shell

112. . . Shell cover

113. . . Seals

12. . . Drive unit

123. . . Actuation group

125. . . Worm

126. . . gear

127. . . Mobile seat

13. . . Switching unit

131. . . Connecting rod

132. . . Cable

133. . . Combined end

134. . . Connection end

Claims (11)

A vehicle differential control device for controlling a differential device includes: a housing; a driving unit including a power source disposed in the housing, and a housing disposed in the housing And an actuation group that can be driven by the power source, the actuation group includes a worm pivoted in the housing, a plurality of gears that transmit power of the power source to the worm, and a housing in the housing a movable seat that can be driven by the worm; and a switching unit including a connecting rod that is coupled to the driving unit and extends through the housing, and a locking device that connects the differential to the connecting rod and the connecting rod a connecting rod having a joint end coupled to the movable seat, and a connecting end opposite to the joint end and extending outside the casing; the power source can drive the actuating group to interlock the connecting rod Moving between a differential position and a locked position, the differential can output differential power when the connecting rod is in the differential position; and the connecting rod pulls the cable when the connecting rod is in the locked position Let the differential output Power. The vehicle differential control device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle differential control device further includes a limiting mechanism, the limiting mechanism having a first limiting portion formed on the movable seat. And a second limiting portion formed on the housing in cooperation with the first limiting portion, the movable seat being axially movable along the worm by using the first and second limiting portions move. The vehicle differential control device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a seal member for the connecting rod. The vehicle differential control device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the switching unit further comprises a guide frame disposed on the housing, the cable being disposed in the guide frame. The vehicle differential control device according to claim 4, wherein the housing further comprises a housing and a cover that cooperate with each other, and the sealing member is embedded in the housing and is the connection The rod is inserted, and the guiding frame of the switching unit is disposed on the housing. The vehicle differential control device according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit further comprises a control circuit disposed in the housing to control the power source. The vehicle differential control device according to claim 6, wherein the power source of the driving unit is a motor that can be controlled by the control circuit to output power. The vehicle differential control device according to claim 2, wherein the first limiting portion of the limiting mechanism is a ridge formed on the moving seat, and the second limiting portion corresponds to The first limiting portion is formed on the guide groove on the casing. The vehicle differential control device according to claim 2, wherein the first limiting portion of the limiting mechanism is a guiding groove formed on the moving seat, and the second limiting portion corresponds to a rib formed on the housing by the first limiting portion. The vehicle differential control device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with at least two position sensors for sensing the position of the connecting rod. The vehicle differential control device of claim 1, wherein the differential has a guide for the cable to be routed to guide the cable.