JP2000104808A - Lubricating structure for differential gear - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form a lubricating oil chamber in a boss part of a differential carrier without using a core by forming a lubricating chamber inside the boss part as well as arranging the boss part between bearing supporting parts. SOLUTION: A boss part 38 is arranged between right and left first and second bearing supporting parts 12-1, and a lubricating oil chamber 40 is arranged inside the boss part 38. A hollow chamber part 44 is arranged on an upper part of a bearing supporting part 42 for supporting a first tapered roller bearing 8-1 as one bearing of a pinion shaft 10 as well as extending in the axial direction to a pinion shaft 10. A lubricating oil hole part 46 is arranged which extends in the direction perpendicular to the pinion shaft 10 and which is connected to the hollow chamber part 44. A lubricating oil chamber 40 functioned as an upper oil passage is composed of the hollow chamber part 44 and the lubricating oil hole part 46. It is thus possible to form the lubricating oil chamber 40 in the both part 38 of a differential carrier 4 without using a core.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lubricating structure for a differential gear, and in particular, a lubricating oil chamber can be formed inside a boss of a differential carrier 4 without using a conventional core. The present invention relates to a lubricating structure for a differential device capable of reducing the number of processing steps and improving processing operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A differential device provided in a four-wheel drive vehicle functions to make a difference in rotation between an inner wheel and an outer wheel during turning traveling to ensure smooth traveling.

A lubricating structure for the differential device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-247260. In the lubrication structure of the differential disclosed in this publication, an oil reservoir for allowing the lubricating oil scooped up by the ring gear to flow in and the first oil passage are formed around a receiving portion that houses the drive shaft. In addition, the first oil passage communicates between the front bearing in the receiving portion and the oil seal on the single side of the opening, and the oil reservoir accommodates a portion between the front bearing and the oil seal and a ring gear of the axle housing. To achieve low lubrication loss and reliable lubrication in the differential.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. Hei 6-32151 discloses another example. The breather structure disclosed in this publication includes a breather chamber disposed on one side in the vehicle width direction in a differential carrier and having a rib for preventing intrusion of splashing oil of a differential device and having a lower part opened, and a vehicle disposed in the room. A breather having a suction port inclined to one side in the width direction; a variable rib integrally having a weight and swingably supported by the breather to close the suction port; and a stopper. When a sideward acceleration is applied, the vehicle swings and closes the suction port, and the suction port is opened while the vehicle is traveling straight, effectively preventing oil from being spouted.

[0005]

By the way, in a conventional differential, a four-wheel drive vehicle is provided with a differential, and when a difference in rotation is required between left and right drive wheels due to turning motion or the like during traveling,
A rotation differential is created by the differential to ensure smooth running.

It is common to use cast iron for the differential carrier of the differential.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 14, when an oil passage 140 for lubricating oil is provided in the differential carrier 104, a method of using a core, and as shown in FIG.
No. 4 is provided with a notch 264 in the bearing press-fitting portion 262.

However, the use of cast iron for the differential carrier increases the weight and disadvantageously has an adverse effect on fuel economy.

[0009] In the measure using a core, the man-hour is increased by the core, which is disadvantageous in practical use.
There is an inconvenience that consideration must be given to waste disposal.

[0010] Further, in the measure for providing a notch in the bearing press-fitting portion of the differential carrier, there is a disadvantage that the rigidity of the bearing press-fitting portion is reduced by the notch, and the differential carrier may be damaged.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages, the present invention provides a differential carrier, a differential cover mounted on the differential carrier, and a pinion supported in the differential carrier via a bearing. In a differential device having a shaft and a differential case supported by a bearing support of a differential carrier, a boss is provided between the bearings and a lubricating oil chamber is formed inside the boss, and the pinion shaft is A hollow chamber portion extending in the axial direction with respect to the pinion shaft and provided above a bearing support portion for supporting one bearing of the pinion shaft; and a hollow chamber portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the pinion shaft and connected to the hollow chamber portion. The lubricating oil chamber constitutes the lubricating oil chamber.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
When forming the differential carrier, without using a core as in the prior art, forming a lubricating oil chamber inside the boss portion of the differential carrier, reducing the number of processing steps and improving the processing workability, and The lubricating oil chamber is constituted by a hollow chamber portion and a lubricating oil hole, thereby simplifying the configuration.

[0013]

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 9 show an embodiment of the present invention. 1 and 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a differential device.

The differential 2 is disposed, for example, between the other end of a propeller shaft (not shown) connected to the engine of a four-wheel drive vehicle (not shown) and the wheels (not shown),
When turning, a difference in rotation is created between the inner wheel and the outer wheel to function to ensure smooth running.

The differential gear 2 includes a differential carrier 4 made of aluminum die-cast, a differential cover 6 mounted on the differential carrier 4, and a bearing in the differential carrier 4, for example, a first and a second tapered roller bearing. It has a pinion shaft 10 supported via 8-1 and 8-2, and a differential case 14 supported by the first and second bearing supports 12-1 and 12-2 of the differential carrier 4. .

That is, in the differential carrier 4, first,
The second tapered roller bearings 8-1 and 8-2 are held, and both ends of the pinion shaft 10 are supported by the first and second tapered roller bearings 8-1 and 8-2.

A connection flange 1 for connecting a propeller shaft (not shown) to one end of the pinion shaft 10.
6 is mounted by a flange mounting nut (not shown), and a drive pinion 18
Is installed.

A spacer 20 is interposed between an outer peripheral portion of the pinion shaft 10 and the first and second tapered roller bearings 8-1 and 8-2.

A hypoid gear 22 meshes with the drive pinion 18 of the pinion shaft 10, and the hypoid gear 22 is attached to the differential case 14 by fixing bolts 24.

The differential case 14 holds a differential pinion shaft 26, and first and second differential pinions 28-1 supported by the differential pinion shaft 26.
28-2 is built in. Left and right first and second differential side gears 30-1 and 30-2 mesh with the first and second differential pinions 28-1 and 28-2.

The first case boss part 32-1 on one side of the differential case 14 and the second case boss part 32-2 on the other side of the differential case 14 are connected to the left and right first and second bearing support parts 12-1. , 12-2 held by the first and second bearings 34
-1 and 34-2.

The differential case 14 is connected to ends of first and second axle shafts 36-1 and 36-2 which are connected to left and right wheels (not shown), respectively. 1 and 36-2 are supported by the first and second case boss portions 32-1 and 32-2, respectively.

A boss 38 is provided between the left and right first and second bearing supports 12-1 and 12-2, and a lubricating oil chamber 40 is formed inside the boss 38.

At this time, a hollow chamber portion extending in the axial direction with respect to the pinion shaft 10 and provided above the bearing support portion 42 for supporting the first tapered roller bearing 8-1 as one bearing of the pinion shaft 10 is provided. The lubricating oil chamber 40 that functions as an upper oil passage is constituted by a lubricating oil hole portion 46 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the pinion shaft 10 and communicates with the hollow chamber portion 44.

More specifically, the hollow chamber portion 44 is formed at the same time when the differential carrier 4 is formed by aluminum die casting.

After the differential carrier 4 is formed by die-casting with aluminum, a communication hole for communicating the space between the hollow chamber portion 44 and the spacer 20 between the first and second tapered roller bearings 8-1 and 8-2 and the outside respectively. The portion 48 is formed as a machined hole, and the machined hole portion is threaded, closed with a blind plug 50 and closed with the lubricating oil hole 4.
6 is formed.

Further, the boss portion 38 is connected to the left and right first and second bearing support portions 12-1 and 12-1 via reinforcing ribs 52.
2-2 are provided in communication with each other to realize high rigidity of the differential carrier 4 including the first and second bearing support portions 12-1 and 12-2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reinforcing rib 52 includes a first rib portion 52-1 connecting the boss portion 38 and the first bearing support portion 12-1, and a boss portion 38 and a second bearing support portion. Second rib portion 52-2 communicating with portion 12-2
Consists of

At this time, the first rib portion 52-1 and the second rib portion 52-2 of the reinforcing rib 52 are connected as shown in FIG.
It is formed in a substantially triangular shape.

The differential carrier 4 is formed by aluminum die casting.
1 and 7, a lower portion of the bearing support portion 42 extending in the axial direction with respect to the pinion shaft 10 and supporting the first tapered roller bearing 8-1 of the pinion shaft 10, as shown in FIGS. A second lubricating oil chamber 56 that functions as a lower oil passage is formed inside the second boss 54 at the same time. After forming the differential carrier 4 by aluminum die casting, the oil seal, the space between the second tapered roller bearings 8-2 and the second lubricating oil chamber 56 are formed.
The lower oil passage is formed by using the communication hole 57 that communicates with the hole as a processing hole.

The second boss 54 is also connected to the boss 38
Similarly to the above, the left and right first and second bearing support portions 12-1 and 12-2 are connected via the second reinforcing ribs 58, respectively, thereby realizing high rigidity.

Next, the operation will be described.

When an engine of a four-wheel drive vehicle (not shown) is driven and a driving force is transmitted to a propeller shaft (not shown) to which one end is connected, a propeller shaft (not shown) is provided.
Is driven.

The rotation of the pinion shaft 10 is
It is transmitted to the hypoid gear 22 via the drive pinion 18, and the hypoid gear 22 scrapes up the lubricating oil contained in the differential carrier 4 and the differential cover 6 of the differential 2.

The lubricating oil scooped up by the hypoid gear 22 flows into the lubricating oil chamber 40, and from the space chamber portion 44 through the lubricating oil hole 46 to the pinion as shown by the white arrow in FIG. Spacer 20 between outer peripheral portion of shaft 10 and first and second tapered roller bearings 8-1 and 8-2
To the site.

The lubricating oil reaching the outer peripheral portion of the spacer 20 lubricates the first and second tapered roller bearings 8-1 and 8-2, and as shown by a white arrow in FIG. The second lubricating oil chamber 56 formed below the bearing support portion 42 that supports the first tapered roller bearing 8-1 returns between the differential carrier 4 and the differential cover 6.

At this time, when forming the boss portion 38 on the differential carrier 4 of the differential device 2, the boss portion 38 is connected to the left and right first and second bearing support portions 12-1, 12-2, respectively, so that the rigidity of the differential carrier 4 is increased.

The lubricating oil chamber 4 inside the boss 38
0 is screwed using the hollow chamber portion 44 formed simultaneously with the formation of the differential carrier 4 by aluminum die casting and the communication hole portion 48 as a processing hole after the differential carrier 4 is formed.
It is formed by the lubricating oil hole 46 formed by being closed by the blind plug 50, thereby improving the workability and reducing the weight.

Thus, the lubricating oil chamber 40 can be formed inside the boss portion 38 of the differential carrier 4 without using a conventional core, thereby reducing the number of processing steps and improving processing workability. It is practically advantageous because there is no need to consider the treatment of waste after processing.

Further, the lubricating oil chamber 40 is
And the lubricating oil hole portion 46, the configuration is simple, the production is easy, the cost can be reduced, and it is economically advantageous.

Further, by forming the differential carrier 4 of the differential device 2 by aluminum die-casting, the differential carrier 4 can be reduced in weight as compared with the conventional one, and there is a fear that fuel efficiency may be adversely affected. It is practically advantageous.

Further, when the differential carrier 4 of the differential device 2 is formed by aluminum die casting, the reinforcing rib 52
Of the boss portion 38 through the first and second bearing support portions 1
The boss portion 38 and the first and second bearing support portions 12-1 and 12-2 are firmly supported by the reinforcing ribs 52 by contacting the differential carrier 2-1 and 12-2, respectively. It is possible to realize high rigidity of the above.

The first rib portion 52 of the reinforcing rib 52
By forming the first rib portion 52-2 and the second rib portion 52-2 in a substantially triangular shape, there is no fear that the thickness of the reinforcing rib 52 is unnecessarily large, and the weight and the rigidity of the differential carrier 4 can be reduced. Can be compatible.

Further, the lubricating oil hole 46 of the lubricating oil chamber 40
When the differential carrier 4 is formed by die-casting aluminum, the communication hole 48 that appears at the time of forming the differential carrier 4 is screwed as a processing hole after the differential carrier 4 is formed, and a blind plug 50 is formed.
By forming a closed hole, it is possible to use the machined hole as a pilot hole at the time of threading, and also to be used as an oil injection hole to the lubricating oil chamber 40,
It is practically advantageous.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various application modifications are possible.

For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the bottom surface portion of the hollow chamber portion 44 constituting a part of the lubricating oil chamber 40 is formed parallel to the pinion shaft 10, that is, in a horizontal state. Hollow part 62 constituting a part of
As shown in FIG. 10, the lubricating oil hole 4
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the differential carrier 64 is formed so as to be inclined in a direction approaching the pinion shaft toward the side 6.

When the lubricating oil scraped up by the hypoid gear flows into the hollow chamber portion 62 of the lubricating oil chamber 40, the lubricating oil flows backward by the inclined bottom portion of the hollow chamber portion 62. Is prevented, and the lubricating oil can be reliably fed from the space chamber portion 62 to the lubricating oil hole portion 46 side. This is practically advantageous, and the configuration is not complicated, the production is easy, and the cost is reduced. It is economically advantageous.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a press-fitting member 72 may be used when the bottom surface of the hollow chamber constituting a part of the lubricating oil chamber is inclined. .

That is, when forming the press-fitting member 72, as shown in FIG. 12, a cylindrical member whose inner diameter gradually decreases from one end to the other end and whose outer diameter is substantially the same is formed. By cutting off the upper end portion of the cylindrical member, the press-fitting member 7 is removed.
Form 2 At this time, the cutting ratio is determined in consideration of the press-fit state of the press-fitting member 72 and the inflow state of the lubricating oil scraped up by the hypoid gear.

Then, in the hollow chamber portion 44 that constitutes a part of the lubricating oil chamber 40 described in the embodiment of the present invention,
As shown in FIG. 11, by press-fitting the press-fitting member 72, the bottom portion of the hollow chamber portion 44 can be inclined,
When the lubricating oil scooped up by the hypoid gear flows into the press-fitting member 72 of the hollow chamber portion 44 of the lubricating oil chamber 40, the backflow of the lubricating oil is prevented by the inclined bottom surface of the press-fitting member 72, The lubricating oil can be reliably fed from the space chamber portion 62 to the lubricating oil hole portion 46 side, which is practically advantageous, and the structure is not complicated, the production is easy, and the cost can be reduced. Economically advantageous.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the lubricating oil chamber 40 is constituted by the hollow chamber portion 44 and the lubricating oil hole portion 46, but only the inclined lubricating oil chamber 82 is formed as shown in FIG. A configuration is also possible.

That is, as shown in FIG. 13, a lubricating oil chamber 82 extending from the hypoid gear side to the pinion shaft side is formed in a differential carrier 84 at an angle.

Then, the configuration can be simplified,
The lubricating oil chamber 82 prevents backflow of the lubricating oil scooped up by the hypoid gear, and reliably supplies lubricating oil to the pinion shaft side while being easy to manufacture, reducing costs and being economically advantageous. This is practically advantageous.

[0055]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a differential carrier, a differential cover mounted on the differential carrier, a pinion shaft supported in the differential carrier via a bearing, and a differential carrier bearing In a differential device having a differential case supported by a support portion, a boss portion is provided between the bearing support portions, a lubricating oil chamber is formed inside the boss portion, and the pinion shaft extends in the axial direction with respect to the pinion shaft. A lubricating oil chamber is formed by a hollow chamber portion provided above a bearing supporting portion for supporting one bearing of the shaft, and a lubricating oil hole portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the pinion shaft and connected to the hollow chamber portion. With this configuration, a lubricating oil chamber can be formed inside the boss of the differential carrier without using a conventional core. Together with it is possible to improve the processability workability, it is not necessary to consider in relation to the processing of waste after processing, it is practically advantageous. Further, since the lubricating oil chamber is constituted by the hollow chamber portion and the lubricating oil hole, the configuration is simple, the production is easy, the cost can be reduced, and it is economically advantageous.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional front view of a differential device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional plan view of a differential device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a differential carrier.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the differential carrier.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V〓-V〓 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V〓〓-V〓〓 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a portion indicated by an arrow V # in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a portion indicated by arrow X in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a differential carrier showing another first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of a differential carrier according to another second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a press-fit member.

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of a differential carrier according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a differential carrier showing the first conventional technique of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front view of a differential carrier showing a second conventional technique of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Differential device 4 Differential carrier 6 Differential cover 8-1 First tapered roller bearing 8-2 Second tapered roller bearing 10 Pinion shaft 12-1 First bearing support 12-2 Second bearing support 14 Differential case 16 Connection flange 18 Drive pinion 20 Spacer 22 Hypoid gear 26 Def pinion shaft 32-1 First case boss portion 32-2 Second case boss portion 34-1 First bearing 34-2 Second bearing 36-1 First axle shaft 36-2 Second Axle shaft 38 Boss 40 Lubricating oil chamber 42 Bearing support 44 Hollow chamber 46 Lubricating oil hole 48 Communication hole 50 Blind plug 52 Reinforcing rib

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A differential carrier, a differential cover mounted on the differential carrier, a pinion shaft supported in the differential carrier via a bearing, and a differential case supported by a bearing support of the differential carrier. In the differential, a boss is provided between the bearing support portions, a lubricating oil chamber is formed inside the boss portion, and the bearing extends in the axial direction with respect to the pinion shaft and supports one bearing of the pinion shaft. The lubricating oil chamber is constituted by a hollow chamber provided at an upper portion of the support portion and a lubricating oil hole extending in a direction perpendicular to a pinion shaft and connected to the hollow chamber. Lubrication structure of the differential gear. 2. The lubrication structure for a differential according to claim 1, wherein the boss is connected to a bearing support via a reinforcing rib to increase rigidity. 3. The reinforcing rib has a first rib portion that connects the boss portion and one side of the bearing support portion, and a second rib portion that connects the boss portion and the other side of the bearing support portion. 3. The lubricating structure for a differential according to claim 2, wherein the first and second rib portions are formed in a substantially triangular shape. 4. The lubricating structure for a differential according to claim 1, wherein the lubricating oil chamber has a hollow chamber that is inclined from the differential case side toward the lubricating oil hole toward the pinion shaft. .