JP2008261491A - Differential case and differential gear having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a differential case restricting change and movement of an intermeshing of side gears and pinion gears to achieve stable differential restriction force. <P>SOLUTION: This differential case comprises: a case body 50 having pinion gear insertion holes 10, 11 in which the pair of pinion gears 3, 4 meshed with the pair of side gears 5L, 5R, respectively, are inserted; and a pinion gear supporter 53 having pinion gear support parts 56, 57 formed integrally with the inner opening peripheral edges of the pinion gear insertion holes 10, 11 in the case body 50 and accommodating the pinion gears 3, 4 in the spaces 60, 61 of recessed shape in cross section, respectively, and rotatably supporting the pinion gears. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a differential case and a vehicle differential device including the differential case, and more particularly to a differential case having a pinion gear support portion that rotatably supports a pinion gear and a vehicle differential device including the differential case.

  As a conventional vehicle differential device, for example, there is one provided with a pair of pinion gears of a shaftless type (Patent Document 1).

  In addition to the pair of pinion gears described above, the vehicle differential device includes a differential case that rotates upon receiving engine torque, a pair of side gears that mesh with the pair of pinion gears with a rotation axis orthogonal to the pair of pinion gears, It consists of a pair of thrust washers that receive the thrust force of a pair of side gears.

  The pair of pinion gears has a gear outer peripheral portion that is a supported portion and a gear meshing portion that meshes with the pair of side gears over the entire circumference, and is disposed on an axis that is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the differential case.

  The differential case has a pair of axle insertion holes through which the left and right axles are inserted. The differential case is provided with a pinion gear insertion hole having a first pinion gear support surface that slidably (rotatably) supports the outer periphery of the pair of pinion gears. An extending portion having a second pinion gear support surface that supports a part of the gear meshing portion of the pinion gear so as to be slidable (rotatable) is provided on the inner peripheral edge of the pinion gear insertion hole.

  The pair of side gears is formed of a substantially annular bevel gear having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the pinion gear, and is disposed on the rotation axis of the differential case. The left and right axles are connected to the inner surfaces of the pair of side gears by spline fitting, respectively.

  The pair of thrust washers are interposed between the back surfaces of the pair of side gears and the inner opening periphery of the pair of axle insertion holes. And it is comprised so that mesh | engagement with a pair of pinion gear and a pair of side gear may be adjusted.

  With the above configuration, when torque from the engine side of the vehicle is input to the differential case via the drive pinion and the ring gear, the differential case is rotated about the rotation axis. Next, when the differential case is rotated, this rotational force is transmitted to the pair of pinion gears, and further transmitted from the pair of pinion gears to the pair of side gears. Since the left and right axles are connected to the pair of side gears by spline fitting, the torque from the engine side is distributed according to the driving condition of the vehicle, and the drive pinion and ring gear / difference case / pair of pinion gears / 1 It is transmitted to the left and right axles via a pair of side gears.

  In this case, when the pinion gear rotates, it slides on the first pinion gear support surface and the second pinion gear support surface, so that frictional resistance is generated between the first pinion gear support surface and the second pinion gear support surface. This limits the differential rotation of the side gear.

Further, since the thrust force is generated on the meshing surface with the side gear by the rotation of the pinion gear, and the pair of side gears move away from each other by the thrust force, the thrust washer is pressed against the thrust washer receiving portion. A frictional resistance is generated between the thrust washer receiving portion and the differential rotation of the side gear is limited by the frictional resistance.
JP 2006-46642 A

  However, according to the vehicle differential device of Patent Document 1, the extension portion is formed to protrude from the inner periphery of the pinion gear insertion hole, and the inner end portion (tip portion) is not fixed as a free end portion. The bending strength of the extension portion (pinion gear support portion) that receives the load from the side gear via the pinion gear is low. As a result, the engagement position of the side gear and the pinion gear easily fluctuates due to bending deformation of the extending portion, and there is a problem that a stable differential limiting force cannot be obtained when an excessive torque acts on the differential case. .

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a differential case that can reduce fluctuations in the meshing position between the side gear and the pinion gear, and can obtain a stable differential limiting force, and a vehicle differential device including the differential case. There is.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a case main body provided with a pinion gear insertion hole for inserting a pinion gear meshing with a pair of side gears, an inner surface of the case main body, and the pinion gear in cross section. Provided is a differential case comprising a pinion gear support member having a pinion gear support portion that is housed in a concave space and rotatably supported.

(2) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a case main body provided with at least one pair of pinion gear insertion holes for inserting at least one pair of pinion gears meshed with a pair of side gears, A differential case comprising: at least one pair of pinion gear support members provided on an inner surface and having a pinion gear support portion that rotatably supports each of the at least one pair of pinion gears accommodated in a space having a concave cross section. To do.

(3) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention meshes with a differential case, a pair of side gears rotatably accommodated in the differential case, and the pair of side gears, and is orthogonal to the rotational axis of the differential case. At least one pair of pinion gears arranged on an axis line, and the differential case includes a case main body provided with at least one pair of pinion gear insertion holes for inserting the at least one pair of pinion gears, and an inner surface of the case main body. And at least one pair of pinion gear support members each having a pinion gear support portion that rotatably accommodates the at least one pair of pinion gears in a space having a concave cross section. I will provide a.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the variation in the meshing position between the side gear and the pinion gear, and to obtain a stable differential limiting force.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a vehicle differential according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view for explaining the vehicle differential according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the vehicle differential according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining the vehicle differential according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the vehicle differential device according to the first embodiment of the present invention cut in parallel to the rotation axis of the differential case. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the vehicle differential device according to the first embodiment of the present invention cut at right angles to the rotation axis of the differential case.

[Overall configuration of vehicle differential device]
1 to 3, a differential for a vehicle denoted by reference numeral 1 includes a differential case 2 that rotates by receiving engine torque, and a pair of the differential case 2 that are parallel to each other along an axial direction perpendicular to the rotational axis O of the differential case 2. The pinion gears 3 and 4 and a pair of side gears 5L and 5R meshing with the pair of pinion gears 3 and 4 are roughly configured.

(Configuration of differential case 2)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5, the differential case 2 includes a case main body 50 that accommodates the pinion gears 3 and 4 and the side gears 5L and 5R, and pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11 (described later) of the case main body 50. Thrust washers 51 and 52 for closing the respective parts, and a pinion gear support member 53 for rotatably supporting the pinion gears 3 and 4, and the whole is formed by a hollow structure that is rotationally driven about the rotation axis O. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the case main body 50 includes two left and right axle insertion holes 9L and 9R that open along the rotation axis O, and the axis lines (rotation axis O) of the axle insertion holes 9L and 9R. A pair of pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11 having an axis in a direction perpendicular to each other are provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the case main body 50 has a side gear passage hole 12L that is located in a region that is symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis O and that is spaced apart from the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. , 12R are provided. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, an annular ring gear mounting flange 13 that extends along the circumferential direction in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis O is integrally provided on the left axle side of the case body 50. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the axle insertion holes 9 </ b> L and 9 </ b> R are formed by through holes having a substantially uniform inner diameter. Left and right axles (not shown) are inserted through the axle insertion holes 9L and 9R, respectively. Thrust washer receiving portions 9La and 9Ra made of spherical surfaces for receiving the thrust washers 6L and 6R are provided on the inner peripheral edges of the axle insertion holes 9L and 9R.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11 have recesses 10 </ b> A and 11 </ b> A that fit part of the peripheral edge of the thrust washers 51 and 52 on the inner peripheral surface of the opening. It is formed by the through-hole which opens in this. The pinion gears 3 and 4 outside the case body 50 are inserted into the case body 50, respectively. For this reason, the opening size (inner diameter) of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the pinion gears 3 and 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the side gear passage holes 12 </ b> L and 12 </ b> R are formed by through holes having a planar non-circular opening. The opening size is set such that the side gears 5L, 5R can be inserted into the differential case 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the thrust washers 51, 52 are pinion gear receiving portions (receiving surfaces) 51A, 52A formed of spherical surfaces that fit the back surfaces (sliding surfaces) of the pinion gears 3, 4, respectively, and the pinion gears. Convex portions 51B and 52B are rotatably fitted in the concave portions 10A and 11A of the insertion holes 10 and 11, and are disposed on the back side of the pinion gears 3 and 4. Further, the thrust washers 51, 52 are fitted around the concave portions 10A, 11A of the convex portions 51B, 52B in the axial direction of the pinion gear insertion holes 10, 11, and around the axis of the pinion gear insertion holes 10, 11 by the stopper pins 54, 55. Are fixed (positioned). The pinion gears 3 and 4 are configured to be slidably supported by the pinion gear receiving portions 51A and 52A.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the pinion gear support member 53 has pinion gear support portions 56 and 57 for receiving the pinion gears 3 and 4 in spaces 60 and 61 having a concave section and rotatably supporting the upper and lower ends, respectively. An edge is provided integrally with the inner opening peripheral edge of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11, and the whole is formed by a substantially X-shaped structure that is interposed between the side gears 5L and 5R.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the pinion gear support portions 56 and 57 are end portions (first sliding portion and gear) on the pinion gear insertion hole side (gear base end side) of both end portions in the axial direction of the pinion gears 3 and 4. The first pinion gear support portions 56A and 57A that respectively support a part of the meshing portion slidably (rotatably) and the axial ends of the pinion gears 3 and 4 opposite to the end portion on the pinion gear insertion hole side (gear) The front end side (second sliding portion) has second pinion gear support portions 56B and 57B that slidably (rotatably) support each other, and a reinforcing connecting portion 58 interposed between the side gears 5L and 5R. And are arranged on the rotation axis O of the differential case 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first pinion gear support portions 56A and 57A are arranged on the pinion gear insertion hole side of the pinion gear support portions 56 and 57, that is, in the axial direction of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11, and the side gears 5L and 5R. Are arranged on the side opposite to the rotation axis O side of the differential case 2 with respect to the center point of engagement with the pinion gear, and a plurality of predetermined intervals (equal intervals) around the axis of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11 (around the pinion gears 3 and 4). (Two in the embodiment) are arranged side by side. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first pinion gear support portions 56A and 57A are provided with first pinion gear support surfaces 56a and 57a formed of a curvature surface having a predetermined radius of curvature.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second pinion gear support portions 56B and 57B are arranged on the rotation axis O side of the pinion gear support portions 56 and 57, that is, in the axial direction of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11, and the side gears 5L and 5R. Are arranged on the side of the rotation axis O of the differential case 2 with respect to the center point of engagement with each other, and a plurality of (implemented) at predetermined intervals (equal intervals) around the axis of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11 (around the pinion gears 3 and 4). (In the form of 2 pieces each). Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the second pinion gear support portions 56B and 57B are integrally provided on the rotation axis O side of the differential case 2 via reinforcement portions 56C and 57C, respectively. Accordingly, the reinforcing portions 56C and 57C (the connecting portion 58) function as horizontal beams, and the reinforcing portions 56C and 57C receive a load acting on the pinion gear support member 53 from the side gears 5L and 5R via the pinion gears 3 and 4. Thus, the bending strength (rigidity) of the pinion gear support member 53 (pinion gear support portions 56 and 57) can be increased. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second pinion gear support portions 56 </ b> B and 57 </ b> B are formed with a curvature surface having a predetermined curvature radius (a curvature radius smaller than that of the first pinion gear support surfaces 56 a and 57 a). Second pinion gear support surfaces 56b and 57b are provided.

(Configuration of pinion gears 3 and 4)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pinion gears 3 and 4 slide on the pinion gear insertion hole side of the pinion gear support member 53 (on the opposite side to the rotation axis O side of the differential case 2 on both sides in the axial direction of the pinion gear support member 53). The first sliding portion (including a part of the gear mesh portion where the gear teeth are formed) 3A, 4A, the rotation axis side of the pinion gear support member 53 (the rotation axis of the differential case 2 out of both sides in the axial direction of the pinion gear support member 53) The second sliding parts 3B and 4B sliding on the O side) and the gear meshing which is interposed between the first sliding parts 3A and 4A and the second sliding parts 3B and 4B and meshes with the side gears 5L and 5R. It has portions 3C and 4C and is arranged on an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis O of the differential case 2.

  The pinion gears 3, 4 are supported by the pinion gear support member 53, the side located on the rotation axis O side on both sides in the pinion gear axial direction is the gear tip side, and the rotation axis O side is located on both sides in the pinion gear axial direction. The side located on the opposite side is defined as the gear base end side.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first sliding portions 3A and 4A are belt-shaped annular main sliding portions 30A that function as supported portions around the entire axis (gear outer peripheral portion) on the outer peripheral surface of the pinion gears 3 and 4. 40A and auxiliary sliding portions 31A, 41A (part of gear meshing portions 3C, 4C on which gear teeth are formed) functioning as supported portions over a portion around the axis line (gear outer peripheral portion) on the outer peripheral surface of pinion gears 3, 4 The first pinion gear support surfaces 56a and 57a of the first pinion gear support portions 56A and 57A are disposed at the pinion gear insertion hole side (gear base end side) end of the both ends in the axial direction of the pinion gears 3 and 4. Is supported rotatably. Third sliding portions 3D and 4D formed of spherical surfaces that fit the pinion gear receiving portions 51A and 52A of the thrust washers 51 and 52 are provided on the rear surfaces of the first sliding portions 3A and 4A (main sliding portions 30A and 40A). Is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second sliding portions 3 </ b> B and 4 </ b> B are formed of a cylindrical body that functions as a supported portion around the entire axis of the pinion gears 3 and 4, and Among them, the differential case 2 is disposed at the end of the rotation axis side (gear tip side) and is rotatably supported by the second pinion gear support surfaces 56b and 57b of the second pinion gear support portions 56B and 57B. The outer diameters of the second sliding parts 3B and 4B are set to be smaller than the outer diameters of the first sliding parts 3A and 4A.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the gear meshing portions 3C and 4C include a straight portion Cs including auxiliary sliding portions 31A and 41A of the pinion gears 3 and 4, and a tapered portion Ct connected to the straight portion Cs. It is configured to mesh with the side gears 5L and 5R on the rotation axis side.

(Configuration of side gears 5L, 5R)
As shown in FIG. 5, the side gears 5L and 5R have substantially annular gears having boss portions 5La and 5Ra and gear portions 5Lb and 5Rb having different outer diameters (the outer diameters are larger than the outer diameters of the pinion gears 3 and 4). And is rotatably supported in the differential case 2 and is configured to mesh with the pinion gears 3 and 4. The number of teeth of the side gears 5L, 5R is set to be larger than the number of teeth of the pinion gears 3, 4. More specifically, the number of teeth is 2.1 times or more the number of teeth of the pinion gears 3 and 4 (for example, the number of teeth of the side gears 5L and 5R is 15 with respect to the number of teeth 7 of the pinion gears 3 and 4). The outer diameters of the side gears 5L and 5R are set to be larger than the outer diameters of the pinion gears 3 and 4.

  Sliding portions 5Lc and 5Rc made of spherical surfaces that are fitted to the thrust washer receiving portions 9La and 9Ra via the thrust washers 6L and 6R are provided on the rear surfaces of the side gears 5L and 5R. In the side gears 5L and 5R, axles are spline-fitted through the axle insertion holes 9L and 9R, respectively.

[Operation of the differential 1 for a vehicle]
When torque from the engine side of the vehicle is input to the differential case 2 via the drive pinion and the ring gear, the differential case 2 rotates about the rotation axis O. When the differential case 2 rotates, this rotational force is transmitted to the pinion gears 3 and 4 and further transmitted from the pinion gears 3 and 4 to the side gears 5L and 5R. In this case, since the axles (not shown) are spline-fitted to the left and right side gears 5L, 5R, the torque from the engine side is driven by the drive pinion, ring gear, differential case 2, pinion gears 3, 4, side gears 5L, 5R. To the left and right axles.

  Here, when the vehicle is in a straight traveling state and no slip occurs between the left and right wheels and the road surface, when torque from the engine side is transmitted to the differential case 2, the pinion gears 3 and 4 are connected to the side gears 5L, Revolving without rotating around the center axis of 5R, and the pinion gears 3, 4 and the side gears 5L, 5R rotate together with the differential case 2, so that torque from the engine side is equally transmitted to the left and right axles, The wheels rotate at equal speed.

  On the other hand, for example, when the right wheel falls into a muddy state and slip occurs, the pinion gears 3 and 4 rotate while meshing with the side gears 5L and 5R, so the left wheel rotates at a speed lower than the rotational speed of the differential case 2. Then, the right wheel rotates at a speed higher than the rotational speed of the differential case 2, and the torque from the engine side is differentially distributed between the left and right axles (wheels).

  In the present embodiment, when the pinion gears 3 and 4 are rotated with the torque acting on the differential case 2, the first sliding portions 3A and 4A and the second sliding portions 3B and 4B are moved to the first pinion gear support surfaces 56a and 57a. And the second pinion gear support surfaces 56b and 57b, respectively, so that the first slide portions 3A and 4A and the first pinion gear support surfaces 56a and 57a and the second slide portions 3B and 4B and the second pinion gear support are supported. Friction resistance is generated between the surfaces 56b and 57b, and the differential rotation of the side gears 5L and 5R is limited by the friction resistance. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, when a load L acts on the pinion gears 3 and 4 from the side gears 5L and 5R due to the engagement of the side gears 5L and 5R and the pinion gears 3 and 4, the pinion gear support member 53 (first pinion gear support surface 56a). , 57a and the second pinion gear support surfaces 56b, 57b) are applied to the first sliding portions 3A, 4A and the second sliding portions 3B, 4B of the pinion gears 3, 4 in a distributed manner. 3 and 4 slide on the pinion gear support member 53 in a stable state.

  In this case, if the meshing point between the side gears 5L and 5R and the pinion gears 3 and 4 is P, and the pinion gear axial distances from the meshing point P to the action points a and b of the reaction forces F1 and F2 are h1 and h2, respectively. The reaction forces F1 and F2 are expressed as F1 = L × h2 / (h1 + h2) and F2 = L × h1 / (h1 + h2), respectively. The radius of the first sliding portions 3A, 4A of the pinion gears 3, 4 is R1, the distance from the axis H of the pinion gears 3, 4 to the meshing point P is R2, and the second sliding portions 3B, 4B of the pinion gears 3, 4 When the radius is R3, the torque transmission magnification T1 when torque is transmitted from the pinion gears 3 and 4 to the side gears 5L and 5R by the reaction force F1 is expressed as T1 = R1 / R2, and the pinion gears 3 and 4 are expressed by the reaction force F2. Torque transmission magnification T2 when torque is transmitted from side to side gears 5L, 5R is expressed as T2 = R3 / R2.

  On the other hand, the rotation of the pinion gears 3 and 4 generates a thrust force in the rotational axis direction of each gear (the pinion gears 3 and 4 and the side gears 5L and 5R) on the meshing surfaces with the side gears 5L and 5R. Among these, the side gears 5L, 5R are moved away from each other by the thrust force generated in the side gears 5L, 5R and the thrust washers 6L, 6R are pressed against the thrust washer receiving portions 9La, 9Ra, so the thrust washers 6L, 6R and the thrust are thrust. A frictional resistance is generated between the washer receiving portions 9La and 9Ra, and the differential rotation of the side gears 5L and 5R is also limited by the frictional resistance.

  Further, since the third sliding portions 3D and 4D of the pinion gears 3 and 4 are pressed against the pinion gear receiving portions 51A and 52A of the thrust washers 51 and 52 by the thrust force generated in the pinion gears 3 and 4, the rotation of the pinion gears 3 and 4 is prevented. A frictional resistance is generated, and this also restricts the differential rotation of the side gears 5L and 5R.

  Next, a method for assembling the vehicle differential device according to the present embodiment will be described. In the method of assembling the vehicle differential shown in the present embodiment, the steps of “incorporation of side gear” and “incorporation of pinion gear”, “attachment of thrust washer”, “meshing of pinion gear and side gear” are sequentially performed. Therefore, each of these steps will be described sequentially.

"Incorporation of side gear"
The side gears 5L, 5R outside the differential case 2 are inserted into the differential case 2 through the side gear passage holes 12L, 12R, and the axial lines of the side gears 5L, 5R are rotated along the thrust washer receiving portions 9La, 9Ra, respectively. Match with the axis O. In this case, the side gears 5 </ b> L and 5 </ b> R are incorporated in the differential case 2 when they coincide with the rotation axis O.

"Incorporation of pinion gear"
After the pinion gears 3 and 4 outside the differential case 2 are inserted into the differential case 2 through the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11, they are accommodated in the spaces 60 and 61 of the pinion gear support member 53, and the first sliding portions 3A and 4A and the second sliding portions are accommodated. The portions 3B and 4B are supported by the first pinion gear support portions 56A and 57A and the second pinion gear support portions 56B and 57B of the pinion gear support portions 56 and 57, respectively. In this case, the pinion gears 3 and 4 are incorporated into the differential case 2 when supported by the pinion gear support portions 56 and 57.

“Installing Thrust Washers”
After the convex portions 51B and 52B of the thrust washers 51 and 52 are fitted into the concave portions 10A and 11A of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11, the thrust washers 51 and 52 are fixed (positioned) in the axial direction of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11. The thrust washers 51 and 52 are fixed (positioned) around the axis of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11 by the stopper pins 54 and 55. In this case, the thrust washers 51 and 52 are attached to the differential case 2 when positioned in the axial direction and around the axis of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11.

"Meshing of pinion gear and side gear"
While adjusting the axial dimension between the thrust washer receiving portions 9La, 9Ra and the side gears 5L, 5R, the thrust washers receiving portions 9La, 9Ra of the sliding portions 5La, 5Ra of the side gears 5L, 5R and the axle insertion holes 9L, 9R are adjusted. Thrust washers 6L and 6R are interposed between the two. In this case, when the thrust washers 6L, 6R are interposed between the side gears 5L, 5R and the thrust washer receiving portions 9La, 9Ra, the side gears 5L, 5R and the pinion gears 3, 4 are on the rotational axis O of the differential case 2. It is engaged.

[Effect of the first embodiment]
According to the first embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The reinforcing portions 56C and 57C receive the load L acting on the pinion gear support member 53 (pinion gear support portions 56 and 57) from the side gears 5L and 5R via the pinion gears 3 and 4, respectively. The bending strength of 57 (the rigidity of the differential case 2) can be increased. Further, the pinion gears 3 and 4 are supported on the inner side (rotation axis O side) and the outer side (the outer periphery side of the differential case 2) of the meshing surfaces with the side gears 5L and 5R, thereby reliably preventing the pinion gears 3 and 4 from being inclined. be able to. Thereby, the fluctuation | variation of the meshing position of the side gears 5L and 5R and the pinion gears 3 and 4 can be reduced, and the stable differential limiting force can be obtained.

(2) When the load L acts on the pinion gears 3 and 4 from the side gears 5L and 5R due to the engagement between the side gears 5L and 5R and the pinion gears 3 and 4, the pinion gear support member 53 (the first pinion gear support surfaces 56a and 57a and the second pinion gear support) Since reaction forces F1 and F2 from the surfaces 56b and 57b) are distributed to the first sliding portions 3A and 4A and the second sliding portions 3B and 4B of the pinion gears 3 and 4, the seizure resistance of the pinion gears 3 and 4 is improved. Therefore, the lifetime of the entire apparatus can be extended.

(3) Since the connecting portion 58 of the pinion gear support member 53 is interposed between the side gears 5L and 5R, an axle spacer as an axle movement restricting member used for connecting the axle to the side gears 5L and 5R becomes unnecessary. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the auxiliary sliding portions 31A and 41A have the same radius over the entire sliding portion as compared with the main sliding portions 30A and 40A in the first sliding portions 3A and 4A of the pinion gears 3 and 4. Although the case where the dimensions are set is described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the auxiliary sliding portions 31A and 41A may be formed by setting the radius to different dimensions over the entire sliding portion. Alternatively, the auxiliary sliding portions 31A and 41A may be formed by setting some radii to different dimensions.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the vehicle differential device according to the second embodiment of the present invention cut at right angles to the rotation axis of the differential case. In FIG. 8, the same or equivalent members as in FIGS. 1 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the vehicle differential device 81 shown in the second embodiment includes a belt-shaped annular portion in which the first sliding portions 3A, 4A are not provided with gear teeth that mesh with the side gears 5L, 5R. It is characterized in that it is only formed.

  That is, the outer peripheral surface of the portion where the gear teeth meshing with the side gears 5L and 5R are prevented from sliding with the pinion gear support portions 56 and 57. That is, the pinion gears 3 and 4 do not slide relative to the pinion gear support portions 56 and 57 (first pinion gear support surfaces 56a and 57a) of the pinion gear support member 53 on the gear tip side of the first sliding portions 3A and 4A. It has sliding parts 310A and 410A.

  The non-sliding portions 310A and 410A have the outer diameter D2 set to a dimension (D1> D2) smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the sliding portions 300A and 400A, whereby the first pinion gear support surfaces of the pinion gear support members 56 and 57 are set. 56a and 57a are arranged via annular gaps 82 and 83, respectively.

  The radial dimensions of the air gaps 82 and 83 are preferably set so that foreign matter is not caught by the pinion gears 3 and 4 and the pinion gear support members 56 and 57 and the pinion gears 3 and 4 are not seized by foreign matter when the apparatus is driven. .

[Effect of the second embodiment]
According to the second embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (1) to (3) of the first embodiment.

  The first sliding portions 3A and 4A that slide with the pinion gear support portions 56 and 57 of the pinion gear support member 53 are formed only in the band-shaped annular portion that is not provided with the gear teeth that mesh with the side gears 5L and 5R. When the device is driven, the contact pressure between the first sliding portions 3A and 4A and the pinion gear support portions 56 and 57 of the pinion gear support member 53 is substantially constant. That is, when the outer peripheral surface of the portion provided with the gear teeth meshing with the side gears 5L and 5R and the pinion gear support portions 56 and 57 of the pinion gear support member 53 slide, the pinion gears 3 and 4 depend on the rotational phase of the pinion gears 3 and 4. When the contact area with the support portions 56 and 57 and the surface pressure vary and the surface pressure is high, seizure is likely to occur. However, according to the present embodiment, this can be avoided, and the pinion gears 3 and 4 can be avoided. Further, the seizure resistance of the pinion gear support member 53 can be further effectively improved.

  In this embodiment, in order to avoid contact between a part of the pinion gears 3 and 4 (non-sliding portions 310A and 410A) and the pinion gear support member 53 (pinion gear support portions 56 and 57), The first sliding portions 3A and 4A are formed by the outer peripheral portion of the gear having an outer diameter (the outer diameter D2 of the non-sliding portions 310A and 410A is set to be smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the sliding portions 300A and 400A). Thus, the case where the portions (non-sliding portions 310A, 410A) that do not slide with respect to the pinion gear support portions 56, 57 of the pinion gear support member 53 are provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the pinion gears 3, 4 has been described. Without being limited, the outer peripheral surfaces of the pinion gears 3 and 4 are provided by providing recesses (portions having a large diameter) in the pinion gear support portions 56 and 57 of the pinion gear support member 53. Sites that are not slid (non-sliding portion) may be provided for the pinion gear supporting portions 56 and 57 of the pinion gear supporting member 53.

  As mentioned above, although the vehicle differential gear of this invention was demonstrated based on said embodiment, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, In various aspects in the range which does not deviate from the summary. For example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) In each embodiment, pinion gears 3 and 4 are supported by pinion gear support portions 56 and 57, which are housed in spaces 60 and 61 having concave cross sections, respectively, and have pinion gear support portions 56 and 57 which are rotatably supported. The case where the member 53 is formed, that is, the case where a pair of pinion gear support members having a pinion gear support portion having a concave cross section is integrally formed by a connecting portion interposed between a pair of side gears has been described. Is not limited to this, and at least one pair of pinion gear support members may be arranged in parallel with a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the pinion gear insertion hole (no connection portion), or a pinion gear support having a single pinion gear support portion It may be a member.

(2) In each embodiment, the case where the pinion gear support member 53 is integrally provided on the inner surface of the differential case 2 (case body 50) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and FIGS. As shown in the figure, a pinion gear support member 200 separate from the differential case 2 may be attached to the inner surface of the differential case 2 so as not to be relatively rotatable. In this case, since the differential case 2 and the pinion gear support member 200 are separate members, the differential case 2 and the pinion gear support member 200 can be individually processed and inspected, and the processing and inspection are facilitated.

  9 and 10, the inner surface of the differential case 2 (case body 50) protrudes from the inner opening periphery of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11, and the pinion gear insertion hole side (gear of the pinion gears 3 and 4 in both axial direction ends). First pinion gear support portions 56A and 57A are provided that respectively support the end portion on the base end side (a part of the first sliding portion and the gear meshing portion) so as to be slidable (rotatable).

  Positioning for positioning the first pinion gear support portions 56A and 57A for positioning the guide surfaces 560A and 570A having a curvature surface with the rotation axis O of the differential case 2 and the axis lines of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11 as the center axis, and the pinion gear support member 200. Surfaces 560B and 570B are provided.

  The pinion gear support member 200 is freely slidable (rotatable) on the end (second sliding portion) opposite to the end on the pinion gear insertion hole side (second end of the gear) of both ends in the axial direction of the pinion gears 3 and 4. The second pinion gear support portions 56B and 57B are supported on the rotational axis O of the differential case 2, and the entire side gears 5L and 5R (as shown in the first embodiment) are disposed in the same manner as the pinion gear support member 53 (shown in the first embodiment). It is formed by a planar substantially X-shaped structure interposed between them (not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10).

  The pinion gear support member 200 includes fitting surfaces 200A and 201A composed of curvature surfaces that match the guide surfaces 560A and 570A of the first pinion gear support portions 56A and 57A, and positioning surfaces 560B and 570B of the first pinion gear support portions 56A and 57A. Positioning portions 200B and 201B corresponding to the above are provided. In addition, the pinion gear support member 200 is provided with notches 200C and 201C corresponding to the positioning surfaces 560B and 570B of the first pinion gear support portions 56A and 57A and adjacent to the positioning portions 200B and 201B.

  The notches 200 </ b> C and 201 </ b> C are arranged at positions that open in opposite directions along the rotation axis O of the differential case 2. As a result, the pinion gear support member 200 is moved from the position shown by the two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 9 to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 9 to the rotational axis O of the differential case 2 and the axis lines of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11 (the centers of the guide surfaces 560A and 570A). It can be attached without interfering with the case body 50 by rotating around the axis).

(3) In each of the embodiments, the case where two (one pair) pinion gears 3 and 4 meshing with the side gears 5L and 5R are arranged in the differential case 2 has been described. One pinion gear may be used, and three or more pinion gears can be arranged in the differential case by setting the gear diameter to a small size.

(4) In each embodiment, the auxiliary sliding portions 31A, 41A (first embodiment) or the non-sliding portions 310A, 410A (second embodiment) of the first sliding portions 3A, 4A of the pinion gears 3, 4 However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the auxiliary sliding portions 31A, 41A (first embodiment) or non-sliding is not limited to this by the taper portion Ct. The moving parts 310A and 410A (second embodiment) may be formed.

(5) In each embodiment, the case where the positioning of the thrust washers 51 and 52 in the axial direction of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11 is performed by fitting the convex portions 51B and 52B to the concave portions 10A and 11A has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the thrust washer may be positioned in the axial direction of the pinion gear insertion hole using a snap ring (not shown). In this case, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), a thrust washer 95 having a notch 95A on the outer peripheral surface is used, and as shown in FIG. 11 (b), a thrust washer 96 having a convex portion 96A on the outer peripheral surface is used. Recesses 100 and 101 having inner peripheral surfaces fitted to the outer peripheral surfaces of these thrust washers 95 and 96 are formed as outer peripheral edges of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11 (the recesses 100 and 101 of the pinion gear insertion hole 11 are not shown). The thrust washers 91 and 92 can be positioned around the axis of the pinion gear insertion holes 10 and 11, respectively.

The disassembled perspective view shown in order to demonstrate the differential for vehicles which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The assembly perspective view shown in order to demonstrate the differential for vehicles which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view showing a part of the vehicle differential according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a broken state. The top view shown in order to demonstrate the differential for vehicles which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the vehicle differential device according to the first embodiment of the present invention cut in parallel to the rotation axis of the differential case. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the vehicle differential device according to the first embodiment of the present invention cut at right angles to the rotation axis of the differential case. Sectional drawing shown in order to demonstrate operation | movement of the differential for vehicles which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the differential gear for vehicles which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention cut | disconnected at right angles to the rotating shaft line of a differential case. The front view shown in order to demonstrate the modification of the differential for vehicles which concerns on each embodiment of this invention. AA sectional drawing of FIG. (A) And (b) is a top view shown in order to demonstrate the attachment modified example of the thrust washer in the differential for vehicles which concerns on each embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,81 ... Vehicle differential device 2 ... Differential case 3, 4 ... Pinion gear, 3A, 4A ... 1st sliding part, 3B, 4B ... 2nd sliding part, 3C, 4C ... Gear meshing part, 3D, 4D ... 3rd sliding part, 30A, 40A ... main sliding part, 31A, 41A ... auxiliary sliding part, 300A, 400A ... sliding part, 310A, 410A ... non-sliding part 5L, 5R ... side gear, 5La, 5Ra ... Boss portion, 5Lb, 5Rb ... gear portion, 5Lc, 5Rc ... sliding portion 6L, 6R ... thrust washer 9L, 9R ... axle insertion hole, 9La, 9Ra ... thrust washer receiving portion 10, 11 ... pinion gear insertion hole, 10A, 11A , 100, 101 ... recess 12L, 12R ... side gear passage hole 13 ... ring gear mounting flange 50 ... case body, 51, 52 ... thrust washer, 51A, 52A ... pinion gear receiver , 51B, 52B ... convex portion 53 ... pinion gear support member, 54, 55 ... stopper pin, 56, 57 ... pinion gear support portion, 56A, 57A ... first pinion gear support portion, 56a, 57a ... first pinion gear support surface, 56B, 57B ... second pinion gear support portion, 56b, 57b ... second pinion gear support surface, 56C, 57C ... reinforcement portion, 58 ... connection portion, 560A, 570A ... guide surface, 560B, 570B ... positioning surface 82, 83 ... gap 93 ... 1st case element, 930 ... component insertion port, 931 ... side through hole, 932 ... accommodating space, 933 ... support part for side gear, 934, 935 ... support part for pinion gear support member, 934A, 935A ... notch recess, 936 ... Flange, 936A ... Through hole 94 ... Second case element, 94A ... Oil passage hole 940 ... Flange, 940A ... Through hole 95, 96 ... Thrust washer, 95A ... Notch, 96A ... Projection 200 ... Pinion gear support member, 200A, 201A ... Fitting surface, 200B, 201B ... Positioning part, 200C, 201C ... Cut Notch Cs ... Straight part, Ct ... Tapered part, O ... Rotation axis

Claims (16)

A case main body provided with a pinion gear insertion hole for inserting a pinion gear that meshes with a pair of side gears with the rotation axis orthogonal to each other;
A pinion gear support member provided on an inner surface of the case main body, having a pinion gear support portion that accommodates the pinion gear in a concave cross-sectional space, is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pinion gear, and rotatably supports the pinion gear. Differential case featuring A case main body provided with at least one pair of pinion gear insertion holes for respectively inserting at least one pair of pinion gears meshing with a pair of side gears with the rotation axis orthogonal to each other;
At least one pair having a pinion gear support portion provided on an inner surface of the case body, wherein the at least one pair of pinion gears are accommodated in a space having a concave cross section, are in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pinion gear, and rotatably support the pinion gear. A differential case comprising: a pinion gear support member.   The differential case according to claim 2, wherein the at least one pair of pinion gear support members are integrally provided on the inner opening periphery of the at least one pair of pinion gear insertion holes.   The differential case according to claim 2, wherein the at least one pair of pinion gear support members are integrally formed via a connecting portion interposed between the pair of side gears.   The at least one pair of pinion gear support members includes a first pinion gear support portion that rotatably supports end portions on the gear base end side of both end portions in the axial direction of the at least one pair of pinion gears, and the at least one pinion gear support member. The differential case according to claim 2, comprising a second pinion gear support portion that rotatably supports an end portion on the gear front end side of both ends in the axial direction of the pair of pinion gears. The first pinion gear support portion is located on the opposite side of the rotational axis side of the differential case from the meshing center point of the at least one pair of pinion gears and the pair of side gears in the axial direction of the at least one pair of pinion gear insertion holes. And
The second pinion gear support portion is located closer to the rotational axis of the differential case than a meshing center point of the at least one pair of pinion gears and the pair of side gears in the axial direction of the at least one pair of pinion gear insertion holes. 5. The differential case according to 5.   The differential case according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the first pinion gear support portions and the second pinion gear support portions are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval around an axis of the at least one pair of pinion gear insertion holes. The first pinion gear support portion has a first pinion gear support surface formed of a curvature surface having a predetermined radius of curvature,
The differential case according to claim 6, wherein the second pinion gear support portion has a second pinion gear support surface formed of a curvature surface having a curvature radius smaller than that of the first pinion gear support surface.   The differential case according to claim 2, wherein a part of the at least one pair of pinion gear insertion holes is closed by a thrust washer.   The differential case according to claim 9, wherein the thrust washer has a pinion gear receiving surface adapted to a back surface of the at least one pair of pinion gears. Differential case,
A pair of side gears rotatably accommodated in the differential case;
A pair of side gears, which are meshed with a rotation axis orthogonal to each other, and at least one pair of pinion gears arranged on an axis orthogonal to the rotation axis of the differential case,
The differential case is
A case main body provided with at least one pair of pinion gear insertion holes for inserting the at least one pair of pinion gears;
At least a pair of pinion gear support portions provided on an inner surface of the case body, each having at least one pair of pinion gears accommodated in a space having a concave cross-section, slidingly contacted with an outer peripheral surface of the pinion gear, and rotatably supporting the pinion gear. A vehicle differential device comprising: a pinion gear support member.   The at least one pair of pinion gears includes a first sliding portion that slides on the opposite side of the rotation axis side of the differential case from both sides in the axial direction of the at least one pair of pinion gear support members, and the at least one pair of pinion gear support members. A second sliding portion that slides on the rotational axis side of the differential case among both axial sides, and is interposed between the first sliding portion and the second sliding portion and meshes with the pair of side gears. The vehicle differential device according to claim 11, further comprising a gear meshing portion.   The vehicle differential device according to claim 12, wherein the first sliding portion has an outer diameter set to be larger than an outer diameter of the second sliding portion.   The first sliding portion is formed in a belt-like annular portion not provided with gear teeth that mesh with the pair of side gears, and an outer peripheral surface of a portion where gear teeth that mesh with the pair of side gears are formed. The vehicle differential device according to claim 12, wherein is a non-sliding portion that does not slide relative to the at least one pair of pinion gear support members.   The vehicle differential according to claim 14, wherein the non-sliding portion has an outer diameter set to be smaller than an outer diameter of the sliding portion.   The vehicle differential device according to claim 14, wherein the non-sliding portion is disposed on the at least one pair of pinion gear support members via an annular gap.

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