JP2011033117A - Differential device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to facilitate both maintenance of compatibility of a differential device by presence or absence of a differential limit mechanism and maintenance of process precision of an output member. <P>SOLUTION: The differential limit mechanism 7 is provided with a solenoid actuator 67 disposed on one side exterior of a differential case 3 and a dog clutch 69 disposed on other side interior of the differential case 3 across a differential mechanism 5 and interlocked and coupled to the solenoid actuator 67 by a rod 83. The dog clutch 69 is provided with a clutch operation member 87 which is coupled to a clutch receiving member 85 and the rod 83 disposed to engage with a side gear 45 in rotating direction and moves with respect to the clutch receiving member 85. The cam mechanism 7 for self-locking is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the clutch operation member 87 and on an inner peripheral portion of the differential case 3 to urge the clutch operation member 87 to the side of the clutch receiving member 85 by an abutting force of rotary circumferential direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a differential apparatus such as an automobile.

  As a conventional differential device, for example, there is one shown in FIG.

  In this differential device, a differential lock electromagnetic actuator is provided outside one side of the differential case as a differential lock mechanism, and a dog clutch for differential lock is arranged inside the other side of the differential case. . The dog clutch includes a clutch ring, and the clutch ring is interlocked with a plunger of an electromagnetic actuator by a push rod. Cam surfaces for self-locking are formed on the back surfaces of the clutch ring and the side gear as an output member.

  Accordingly, when the electromagnetic actuator is energized, the movement of the plunger is transmitted to the clutch ring of the dog clutch via the push rod, and the dog clutch starts to engage. This engagement causes a cam action between the cam surfaces of the clutch ring and the side gear, and the dog clutch is self-locked. The differential mechanism is locked by the lock by the dog clutch, and the differential device can be brought into the differential lock state.

  In addition, by arranging the electromagnetic actuator and dog clutch separately on both sides of the differential case, the center point of the differential device and the center point between the pair of bearings supporting the differential case can be easily matched. It is designed to be compatible with a differential device that does not have a lock mechanism.

  Therefore, instead of a differential device having a differential lock mechanism, a differential device not having a differential lock mechanism can be accommodated and supported by a differential carrier or the like without difficulty.

  However, in the above structure, since the cam surface for self-locking is formed on the back surface of the side gear, both the formation of the teeth of the side gear and the formation of the cam surface must be performed. There were problems such as difficulty in maintaining the machining accuracy of the surface.

JP 2006-189149 A

  The problem to be solved is that it is difficult to maintain compatibility of the differential device with or without the differential limiting mechanism and to maintain the processing accuracy of the output member.

  The present invention relates to a differential case that receives an input of drive torque in order to easily maintain compatibility of a differential device with or without a differential limiting mechanism and maintain processing accuracy of an output member, and the differential case A differential mechanism that outputs a driving torque inputted to the pair of output members while allowing a differential between the pair of output members, and a differential limiting mechanism that limits the differential rotation of the differential mechanism, The differential limiting mechanism is disposed outside one side of the differential case and is disposed inside the other side of the differential case with an actuator for performing a differential limiting operation and the differential mechanism interposed therebetween. A limit clutch coupled to the actuator by an interlocking member passed through a case, the limit clutch being arranged to engage with one of the output members in the rotational direction; A clutch operating member that is coupled to the clutch receiving member and the interlocking member and moves relative to the clutch receiving member, and the outer peripheral portion of the clutch operating member and the inner peripheral portion of the differential case are arranged in a rotational circumferential direction. A self-locking cam mechanism for biasing the clutch operating member toward the clutch receiving member by the contact force is provided.

  The present invention provides a differential case that receives an input of drive torque, a differential mechanism that outputs the drive torque input to the differential case while allowing a differential between a pair of output members, and a difference between the differential mechanism and the differential mechanism. A differential device comprising a differential limiting mechanism for limiting dynamic rotation, wherein the differential limiting mechanism is disposed outside one side of the differential case and performs an actuator for limiting the differential and the differential unit A limiting clutch disposed on the other side of the differential case across the differential mechanism and coupled to the actuator by an interlocking member passed through the differential case, the limiting clutch being one of the output members A clutch receiving member disposed so as to engage with the clutch receiving member, and a clutch operating member coupled to the interlocking member to move relative to the clutch receiving member. Into an inner portion of the differential case and the outer peripheral portion of the work member, a cam mechanism for self-locking for urging the clutch operation member to the clutch receiving member side is provided by the contact force of the rotating circumferential direction.

  For this reason, it is possible to easily maintain the compatibility of the differential device with or without the differential limiting mechanism by disposing the actuator and the limiting clutch on both sides of the differential case with the differential mechanism interposed therebetween.

  Further, since the cam mechanism for self-locking is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the clutch operating member and the inner peripheral portion of the differential case, it is not necessary to form a cam mechanism constituting portion on the output member, and the output member is related to the cam mechanism. Can be processed without any problems, and the maintenance of the processing system can be facilitated.

It is sectional drawing of a differential apparatus. Example 1 It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. Example 1 FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. Example 1 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1. Example 1 It is sectional drawing of the state which couple | bonded the axle shaft with the differential apparatus. Example 1 It is sectional drawing of the state which couple | bonded the axle shaft with the differential apparatus. (Comparative example)

  The purpose of facilitating the compatibility of the differential device with or without the differential limiting mechanism and the maintenance of the processing accuracy of the output member is realized by the arrangement of the cam mechanism.

  1 is a sectional view of a differential device, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line -IV, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the axle is coupled to the differential device. Note that the upper and lower cross-sections in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the differential device 1 includes a differential case 3, a differential mechanism 5, and a differential limiting mechanism 7.

  The differential case 3 includes a main body portion 9 and case boss portions 11 and 13 on both axial sides, and includes a flange portion 15, bearing receiving portions 17 and 19, an actuator placement portion 21, an opening 23, a lubricating window 25, Contact portions 27 and 29, support holes 31 and 33, and a communication groove 35 are formed.

  The flange portion 15 is formed on the outer surface on one side in the axial direction of the main body portion 9. The flange portion 15 is for attaching a ring gear (not shown) that receives an input of driving torque.

  The case boss portions 11 and 13 protrude from the wall portions 37 and 39 of the main body portion 9, and the bearing receiving portions 17 and 19 are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces thereof. Lubricating spiral grooves 41 and 43 are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the case boss portions 11 and 13. The bearing receivers 17 and 19 are rotatably supported on the differential carrier side via bearings.

  The actuator placement portion 21 is formed between the wall portion 39 and one bearing receiving portion 19 on the case / boss portion 13 side.

  The openings 23 are formed so as to penetrate the one wall portion 39, and are formed, for example, at four locations in a circumferential direction of 90 °.

  The lubricating window 25 is formed through the other wall 37.

  The abutting portions 27 and 29 are formed on the inner surface side of the wall portions 37 and 39 so as to slightly protrude inward in the axial direction.

  The support holes 31 and 33 are formed on the inner peripheral side of the wall portions 37 and 39.

  The communication groove 35 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the differential case 3 at, for example, four locations in the circumferential direction. The communication groove 35 communicates between the inner surfaces of the wall portions 37 and 39, and communicates with the opening 23 on the wall portion 39 side. The communication groove 35 is open on the inner diameter side of the differential case 3.

  The differential mechanism 5 outputs the driving torque input to the differential case 3 while allowing the differential between the side gears 45 and 47 as a pair of output members.

  For example, four pinion gears 49 are engaged with the side gears 45 and 47. The pinion gear 49 is rotatably supported by the differential case 3 by pinion shafts 50 and 51.

  The pinion shaft 50 is prevented from coming off by a pin 52 attached to the differential case 3. The left and right side gears 45 and 47 are coupled to the left and right axles S1 and S2 (FIG. 5). The axles S1, S2 are spline-engaged with the inner splines 53, 55 of the side gears 45, 47.

  The side gears 45 and 47 are formed with gear boss portions 57 and 59 which are boss portions, and an engagement groove 61 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of one gear boss portion 57 along the axial direction in a predetermined circumferential direction. A plurality are formed at intervals. The gear boss portions 57 and 59 are rotatably supported in the support holes 31 and 33, respectively.

  A limiting clutch and shim 63 described later are interposed between the side gear 45 and the contact portion 27, and a shim 65 is interposed between the side gear 47 and the contact portion 29. Yes.

  The differential limiting mechanism 7 limits the differential rotation of the differential mechanism 5 and includes a solenoid actuator 67 as an actuator and a dog clutch 69 as a limiting clutch. The solenoid actuator 67 and the dog clutch 69 are arranged with the differential mechanism 5 interposed therebetween.

  The solenoid actuator 67 is disposed outside one side of the differential case 3 to perform a differential limiting operation. The solenoid actuator 67 includes a solenoid 69 and a plunger 71.

  The solenoid 69 is connected to the controller side via a harness. The solenoid 69 generates an electromagnetic force in accordance with current control, and includes a yoke 73 and a coil 75.

  The yoke 73 is a fixed iron core formed in a circular shape by a magnetic material, and is arranged concentrically with the rotational axis of the differential device 1. The yoke 73 is disposed around the actuator placement portion 21 of the differential case 3 and is rotatably supported relative to the differential case 3 in the radial direction and the axial direction.

  The positioning of the yoke 73 in the radial direction is performed by fitting the yoke 73 to the outer periphery of the wall portion 43. Positioning of the yoke 73 in the axial direction is performed by a washer 77 provided on the actuator placement portion 21 and an end surface of the wall portion 39. The yoke 73 engages with a differential carrier (not shown) having a projection (not shown) on the fixed side, and is prevented from rotating with respect to the differential carrier.

  A suction part 79 is formed in the differential case 3 corresponding to the yoke 73. The wall 39 of the differential case 3 is made of a magnetic material and forms a fixed iron core together with the yoke 73.

  The plunger 71 is a movable iron core that is formed in a circular shape, is arranged on the inner circumference side of the fixed iron core, and is supported around the actuator arrangement portion 21 of the differential case 3 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The plunger 71 is arranged coaxially with respect to the suction portion 79 of the wall portion 43 which is a fixed iron core, and can be sucked and moved in the axial direction by the suction portion 79.

  A plate 81 is attached to the plunger 71 in the opening 23 of the differential case 3. One end of a rod 83 as an interlocking member is coupled to each plate 81. The rod 83 is inserted into each communication groove 35.

  The dog clutch 69 has a ring shape, and the gear boss portion is formed between the contact portion 27 as the inner surface of the differential case 3 and the back surface of the side gear 45 which is the other side inside the differential case 3. 57 is fitted and arranged.

  The dog clutch 69 is coupled to the solenoid actuator 67 by a rod 83 passed through the differential case 3.

  The dog clutch 69 includes a clutch receiving member 85 and a clutch operating member 87.

  The clutch receiving member 85 and the clutch operating member 87 have meshing teeth 85a and 87a on the opposite sides, and a return spring 89 is provided between the clutch receiving member 85 and the clutch operating member 87 to urge both in the separating direction. ing.

  The clutch receiving member 85 is disposed so as to be engaged with the gear boss portion 57 of the side gear 45 in the rotation direction, and the inner protrusion 91 that engages with the engagement groove 61 in the rotation direction. It has. The clutch receiving member 85 is configured to be supported in the axial direction via the shim 63 on the contact portion 27 on the inner surface of the differential case 3.

  The clutch operating member 87 is coupled to the rod 83 and moves relative to the clutch receiving member 85, and cam convex portions 93 are formed on the outer peripheral portion at, for example, four locations in the circumferential direction. Each cam projection 93 faces a cam recess 95 formed continuously at the end of each communication groove 35 on the differential case 3 side.

  The other end of the rod 83 is coupled to each cam projection 93.

  Cam surfaces 97 and 99 are formed as cam mechanisms in each cam projection 93 which is an outer peripheral portion of the clutch operating member 87 and each cam concave portion 95 which is an inner peripheral portion of the differential case 3. The cam surfaces 97 and 99 are provided for self-locking that urges the clutch operating member 87 toward the clutch receiving member 85 by the contact force in the circumferential direction of the rotation.

  When the solenoid actuator 67 is not current-controlled, the clutch operating member 87 is separated from the clutch receiving member 85 by the urging force of the return spring 89 in the dog clutch 69. Due to this separation, the meshing teeth 85a and 87a are not meshed, and the differential device 1 is in an unlocked state as shown in FIG.

  Accordingly, torque can be transmitted from the differential case 3 to the left and right side gears 45 and 47 via the pinion shafts 50 and 51 and the pinion gear 49, and between the left and right side gears 45 and 47. Differential rotation is allowed.

  When the current of the solenoid actuator 67 is controlled by energization, a magnetic flux is formed across the yoke 73 and the plunger 71, and the plunger 71 is attracted and moved in the axial direction.

  By the movement of the plunger 71, a pressing force is applied to the cam convex portion 93 of the clutch operating member 87 through the plate 81 and the rod 83. This pushing force causes the clutch operating member 87 to move toward the clutch receiving member 85 against the urging force of the return spring 89. By the movement of the clutch operating member 87, the meshing teeth 85a and 87a begin to mesh.

  Due to this meshing, the differential rotational force of the side gear 45 is transmitted to the cam recess 95 of the differential case 3 via the dog clutch 69. Due to this transmission, the cam surfaces 97 and 99 increase the contact force, and the clutch action member 87 is biased toward the clutch receiving member 85 by the cam action. Due to this biasing force, the meshing force of the meshing teeth 85a and 87a is increased according to the differential rotational force, and the dog clutch 69 is self-locked.

  Due to this self-locking, the pinion gear 49 of the differential device 1 becomes unable to rotate and enters a locked-up state.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the axle is coupled to the differential device of the comparative example. Note that, in the differential device of the comparative example, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to those of the differential device of the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the differential device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the center point BC between the bearings where the distance L from the bearing receiving portions 17 and 19 of the differential case 3 to the inner ends of the axles S1 and S2 is equal. The center point DC of the differential device 1 could be matched.

On the other hand, in the comparative example of FIG. 6, the center point BC between the bearings cannot be matched with the center point DC of the differential device 1A, and the S between the center point BC between the bearings and the center point DC of the differential device 1A Has produced an interval.
[Effect of Example]
The embodiment of the present invention includes a differential case 3 that receives an input of drive torque, and a differential mechanism that outputs the drive torque input to the differential case 3 while allowing the differential between the pair of side gears 45 and 47. 5 and a differential limiting mechanism 7 that limits the differential rotation of the differential mechanism 5, wherein the differential limiting mechanism 7 is disposed outside one side of the differential case 3. The solenoid actuator 67 for performing differential limiting operation and the rod 83 disposed inside the other side of the differential case 3 with the differential mechanism 5 interposed therebetween, and the solenoid 83 is passed through the differential case 3 A dog clutch 69 coupled to an actuator 67, the dog clutch 69 being arranged to engage with the side gear 45 in the rotational direction; A clutch operating member 87 which is coupled to the rod 83 and moves relative to the clutch receiving member 85, and the outer peripheral portion of the clutch operating member 87 and the inner peripheral portion of the differential case 3 are contacted in the rotational circumferential direction. A self-locking cam mechanism 7 that biases the clutch operating member 87 toward the clutch receiving member 85 by contact force is provided.

  Therefore, the solenoid actuator 67 and the dog clutch 69 are arranged on both sides of the differential case 3 with the differential mechanism 5 interposed therebetween so that the center point BC between the bearings and the center point DC of the differential device 1 coincide with each other. Can do.

  Due to this coincidence, it is possible to easily maintain the compatibility of the differential device 1 with or without the differential limiting mechanism 7.

  Further, since the cam surfaces 97 and 99 for self-locking are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the clutch operating member 87 and the inner peripheral portion of the differential case 3, the side gear 45 is associated with the cam surface which is the cam mechanism constituent portion. Therefore, it can be machined separately, and the machining accuracy of the tooth surfaces of the side gear 45 can be easily maintained.

  An engagement groove 61 is provided in the boss portion 57, and the dog clutch 69 is fitted and arranged in the boss portion 57 between the inner surface of the differential case 3 and the back surface of the side gear 45, The member 85 includes an inner protrusion 91 that engages with the engagement groove 61 in the rotation direction, and is supported by the contact portion 27 on the inner surface of the differential case 3 in the axial direction.

  For this reason, the arrangement of the dog clutch 69 can be supported with high accuracy and without difficulty. Further, the self-lock reaction force can be reliably received by the contact portion 27 of the differential case 3.

  The cam mechanism includes a cam concave portion 95 formed on the inner surface of the differential case 3 and a cam surface formed on each of the cam convex portions 93 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the clutch operating member 87 and fitted into the cam concave portion 95. 97,99.

  For this reason, the cam surfaces 97 and 99 can be processed accurately and easily.

  One end of the rod 83 is coupled to the solenoid actuator 67 and the other end is coupled to the cam projection 93 of the clutch operating member 87.

Therefore, the transmission of the operating force of the solenoid actuator 67 by the rod 83 and the cam action of the cam surfaces 97 and 99 can be smoothly performed.
[Others]
The actuator can be replaced with a hydraulic actuator or an actuator using an electric motor.

  The limiting clutch can also be a friction clutch.

1 Differential Device 3 Differential Case 5 Differential Mechanism 7 Differential Limiting Mechanism 45, 47 Side Gear (Output Member)
67 Solenoid actuator (actuator)
69 Dog clutch (Limited clutch)
83 Rod (Interlocking member)
85 Clutch receiving member 87 Clutch operating member 97, 99 Cam surface (cam mechanism)

Claims (4)

A differential case that receives drive torque input, a differential mechanism that outputs the drive torque input to the differential case while allowing a differential between a pair of output members, and limiting the differential rotation of the differential mechanism A differential device with a differential limiting mechanism to
The differential limiting mechanism is disposed on the other side of the differential case with an actuator disposed on one side of the differential case to perform a differential limiting operation and the differential mechanism. -A limiting clutch coupled to the actuator by a coupling member passed through the case;
The limit clutch includes a clutch receiving member arranged to engage with one of the output members in a rotational direction and a clutch operating member coupled to the interlocking member and moving with respect to the clutch receiving member,
A self-lock cam mechanism for urging the clutch operating member toward the clutch receiving member by a contact force in the rotational circumferential direction is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the clutch operating member and the inner peripheral portion of the differential case.
A differential device characterized by that. The differential device according to claim 1,
The output member is a side gear provided with a boss portion;
An engagement groove is provided in the boss portion,
The limiting clutch is fitted to the boss portion between the inner surface of the differential case and the back side of the side gear,
The clutch receiving member includes an inner protrusion that engages with the engagement groove in the rotation direction, and is supported on the inner surface of the differential case in the axial direction.
A differential device characterized by that. The differential device according to claim 1 or 2,
The cam mechanism includes a cam surface formed on each of a cam concave portion formed on the inner surface of the differential case and a cam convex portion formed on an outer peripheral portion of the clutch operating member and fitted to the cam concave portion,
A differential device characterized by that. A differential device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The interlocking member is a rod, and one end of the rod is interlocked and coupled to the actuator, and the other end is coupled to the cam convex portion of the clutch operating member.
A differential device characterized by that.

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