JPH09292004A - Differential device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [PROBLEMS] To adjust the backlash between a side gear and a pinion gear at low cost. A pinion gear (2) supported by a pinion shaft (23) axially movably connected to a differential case (3).
7 and the output side gears 29 and 31 mesh with each other, a bevel gear type differential gear mechanism 33, a differential case and each gear 2
Conical clutches 35, 37 formed between 9, 31;
A shim 13 arranged between the casing body 5 and the cover 7 for adjusting the backlash between the gears 29 and 31 and the gear 27 via the clutches 35 and 37, and a shim 13 arranged between the bearing and the differential case 3, And a block 47 arranged between the shaft 23 and each of the gears 29 and 31 for adjusting the backlash.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a differential device used for a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Prior Art Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 47-32338 discloses a differential device 201 as shown in FIG.

This differential device 201 includes a pinion shaft 205 fixed to a differential case 203,
A bevel gear type differential mechanism 213 including a pinion gear 207 rotatably supported on the pinion shaft 205 and output side gears 209 and 211 meshing with the pinion gear 207 is provided.
1 is splined to each axle 215, 217.

A cone clutch 21 is provided between each side gear 209, 211 and the differential case 203.
9, 219 and plane clutches 221, 221 are formed. Further, the pinion shaft 205 and the side gear 2
09, 211 and blocks 223, 22 respectively.
3 and friction members 225, 225 are arranged, and a cam is formed between the pinion shaft 205 and each block 223. An elastic member 227 is arranged between each block 223 and the friction member 225.

When the wheels on the side gears 209 and 211 side rotate differentially, the cam between the block 223 of the differential side gear and the pinion shaft 205 operates, and the cam thrust force causes the block 223, the friction member 225, and the side gear to pass through. The cone clutch 219 and the plane clutch 221 are pressed to generate a differential limiting force, and the differential mechanism 21
3 differentials are limited.

Also, the elastic member 227 is the cone clutch 2
19 and the plane clutch 221 are pressed to apply an initial torque to constantly generate a constant differential limiting force.

[0007]

However, like the differential device 201, the side gears 209 and 2 are provided.
Cone clutch 219 between 11 and differential case 203
When the cone clutch 219 is engaged, the side gears 209 and 211 greatly move axially outward, and when the side gears 209 and 211 move axially outward, the backlash with the pinion gear 207 becomes large.
The meshing condition deteriorates and the durability deteriorates.

Further, in the differential device 201,
Since the side gears 209 and 211 are pressed by the elastic member 227 in the direction of expanding the backlash, the problem of deterioration of meshing of gears is particularly large.

However, since the differential device 201 does not have a backlash adjusting function, the dimensional accuracy of the side gears 209 and 211 and the differential case 203 must be increased in order to maintain the backlash at an appropriate value, which significantly increases the cost. .

Therefore, according to the present invention, the backlash between the side gear and the pinion gear is maintained at an appropriate value at a low cost, while the differential restriction is performed by the conical clutch provided between the side gear and the differential case, and the meshing state and the durability are maintained. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved differential device.

[0011]

A differential device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of casing members are fixed, and a differential case rotatably supported by bearings mounted at both ends, and an axial direction of the differential case. A bevel gear type differential gear mechanism having a movably connected pinion shaft, a pinion gear rotatably supported on the pinion shaft, and a pair of output side gears meshing with the pinion gear, and formed on the differential case side. A conical clutch consisting of a conical surface formed on the side gear side and a conical surface formed on the side gear side and penetrating the conical surface on the side of the differential case, and the side gear and the pinion gear via the conical clutch arranged between the casing members by adjusting the thickness thereof. And a shim for adjusting the backlash to a predetermined value.

The driving force of the engine for rotating the differential case is distributed from the pinion shaft to each side gear via the pinion gear and is transmitted to each wheel side via the output shaft.

During the transmission of torque, each conical clutch is engaged by the meshing reaction force of each side gear with the pinion gear, and the differential limiting force is obtained by the frictional resistance of these conical clutches.

Further, since the differential case has a divided structure composed of a plurality of casing members, a shim is arranged between these casing members and the thickness thereof is changed to properly adjust the backlash between the side gear and the pinion gear. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously perform proper clearance adjustment between the conical surface on the side of the differential case and the conical surface on the side of the side gear.

Thus, the conical clutch provided between the side gear side and the differential case side provides a differential limiting force, and the backlash adjusting function keeps the backlash between the side gear and the pinion gear at an appropriate value, so that the gears mesh with each other. The condition and durability are improved.

Further, unlike the conventional example, it is not necessary to increase the dimensional accuracy on the side gear side and the differential case side (conical clutch) in order to adjust the backlash to an appropriate value.
Cost increase can be avoided.

The invention according to claim 2 is the differential device according to claim 1, wherein the differential device is provided between the bearing and the differential case, and is provided with a shim for adjusting the bearing span to a predetermined value by adjusting the thickness thereof. Characterized by
An effect equivalent to that of the configuration of claim 1 is obtained.

In addition to this, since the bearing span can be adjusted by the shim mounted between the bearing and the differential case, the axial dimension of the differential case is changed by mounting the backlash adjusting shim between the casing members. Also, the change in the bearing span due to this change can be absorbed and the bearing span can be adjusted to an appropriate value.

The invention according to claim 3 is the differential device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the differential device is arranged between the pinion shaft and the side gear, and the backlash between the side gear and the pinion gear is predetermined by adjusting the thickness thereof. A thrust block for adjusting to a value is provided, and an effect equivalent to that of the configuration of claim 1 or 2 is obtained.

In addition to this, the thrust block arranged between the pinion shaft and the side gear positions the side gear with respect to the pinion gear, and by adjusting the thickness thereof, the backlash between the side gear and the pinion gear and the clearance between the conical clutch. And can be adjusted at the same time.

Thus, the thrust block is claimed in claim 1.
By using together with the backlash adjusting shim having the above structure, the backlash adjustment of each gear and the clearance adjustment of the conical clutch can be performed in such a wide range.

If the backlash adjustment and the clearance adjustment of the conical clutch are mainly performed by the thrust block and the backlash adjustment shim of the first aspect is thinned, the change of the bearing span due to the axial dimension change of the differential case is reduced accordingly. Is advantageous.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a differential device 1 of this embodiment, and this differential device 1 has the features of claims 1, 2, and 3. Note that the left and right directions are the left and right directions in FIG. 1, and the members and the like without reference numerals are not shown.

The differential case 3 of the differential device 1 comprises a casing body 5 and a cover 7. A shim 13 is sandwiched between these flange portions 9 and 11 and fixed by bolts.

The differential case 3 is arranged inside the differential carrier, and the left and right boss portions 15 and 17 of the differential case 3 are supported by the differential carrier via bearings, respectively. An oil reservoir is formed on the differential carrier.

A shim 19 is mounted on the outer periphery of the left boss portion 15. By adjusting the thickness of the shim 19, the boss portion 1 is provided.
The distance (bearing span) between the bearings 5 and 17 is adjusted.

A ring gear is fixed to the differential case 3 with bolts, and the ring gear meshes with the drive gear of the drive force transmission system. Thus, the differential case 3 is rotationally driven by the driving force of the engine via this driving force transmission system.

The casing body 5 has axial grooves 21, 2
1 is provided. The pinion shaft 23 engages the chamfered portions 25 at both ends with these grooves 21, and is connected to the differential case 3 so as to be movable in the axial direction.

Pinion gears 27, 27 are rotatably supported on the pinion shaft 23. The side gears 29 and 31 on the output side are meshed with the pinion gear 27 from the left and right, and the side gears 29 and 31 are spline-coupled to the wheel side axles, respectively.

Thus, the bevel gear type differential gear mechanism 3 is used.
3 are configured.

Each side gear 29, 31 (side gear side)
Conical clutches 35 and 37 are formed between the differential case 3 and the differential case 3 (on the side of the differential case), respectively. Side gear 2
The conical clutch 35 on the 9 side is composed of conical surfaces 39 and 41 integrally formed on the cover 7 and the side gear 29, respectively, and the conical clutch 37 on the side gear 31 side is integrally formed on the casing member 5 and the side gear 31, respectively. It is composed of conical surfaces 43 and 45.

Pinion shaft 23 and each side gear 2
A thrust block 47 is arranged between the gears 9 and 31 and positions the side gears 29 and 31 and the pinion gear 27 in the axial direction.

The driving force of the engine for rotating the differential case 3 is distributed from the pinion shaft 23 to the side gears 29 and 31 via the pinion gear 27 and transmitted to the left and right wheels via the respective axles. Further, for example, when a driving resistance difference occurs between the wheels during traveling on a rough road, the driving force of the engine is differentially distributed to the left and right sides by the rotation of each pinion gear 27.

During transmission of torque, each side gear 29, 3
The conical clutches 35 and 37 are engaged by the meshing reaction force with the pinion gear 27 received by 1, and the differential limiting force is obtained by the frictional resistance between them, and the differential of the differential gear mechanism 33 is limited.

The differential case 3 is provided with openings 51 and 53, and the boss portions 15 and 17 are provided with spiral oil grooves 55 and 5, respectively.
7 are provided. These openings 41 and 43 and the oil groove 5
The oil in the oil reservoir enters the inside of the differential case 3 from 5 and 57, and each gear of the differential gear mechanism 33 and the conical clutch 3
The sliding parts such as 5, 37 are lubricated to improve durability.

Thus, the differential device 1 is constructed.

When the thickness of the shim 13 sandwiched between the casing body 5 and the flange portions 9 and 11 of the cover 7 is adjusted, the conical surfaces 39 and 4 of the conical clutches 35 and 37 on the differential case 3 side are adjusted.
The interval of 3 changes. As described above, since the pinion gear 27 can move in the axial direction together with the pinion shaft 23, when the distance between the conical surfaces 39 and 43 changes, the side gear 2
The backlash between 9 and 31 and the pinion gear 27 changes, and the gap between the conical surfaces 39 and 41 (the amount of movement of the side gear 29) and the gap between the conical surfaces 43 and 45 (the amount of movement of the side gear 31) change.

Thus, by adjusting the thickness of the shim 13, the optimum backlash of each gear and the conical clutches 35, 37 are obtained.
You can adjust the optimum gap and at the same time.

Further, by changing the thickness of each thrust block 47, 49, the thickness of the shim 13 can be adjusted similarly to the above.
The backlash between the side gears 29 and 31 and the pinion gear 27 and the clearance between the conical clutches 35 and 37 can be adjusted at the same time.

Further, the shim 13 and the thrust block 47,
By using 49 together, the backlash and the clearance between the conical clutches 35 and 37 can be adjusted in a wider range.

Thus, in the differential device 1,
The conical clutches 35, 37 provided between the side gears 29, 31 and the differential case 3 provide a differential limiting force, and the backlash adjusting function described above allows the side gear 2 to operate.
The backlash between the 9 and 31 and the pinion gear 27 is maintained at an appropriate value, and the meshed state and durability are improved.

Further, unlike the conventional example, it is not necessary to improve the dimensional accuracy of the side gears 29 and 31 and the conical clutches 35 and 37 in order to adjust the backlash to an appropriate value.
It can be implemented at low cost.

In addition to this, since the bearing span of the differential case 3 can be adjusted by the shim 19, by mounting the backlash adjusting shim 13 between the casing body 5 and the cover 7, the axial dimension of the differential case 3 changes. Also, the change in the bearing span due to this change can be absorbed and the bearing span can be adjusted to an appropriate value.

Further, when the shim 13 and the thrust block 47 are used in combination as described above, the shim 13 can be made thin by adjusting the backlash and the clearance between the conical clutches 35 and 37 mainly by the thrust block 47, so that the shim 13 can be made thin. Advantageously, the change in axial dimension and bearing span of 3 is so small.

Incidentally, the conical surfaces 39, 41, 43, 45
Does not have to be integrally formed with the differential case 3 and the side gears 29 and 31, but may be formed with a member connected to rotate integrally with each. The differential device of the present invention includes a front differential (a differential device arranged on the front wheel axle), a rear differential (a differential device arranged on the rear wheel axle), and a center differential (engine driving force applied to the front wheel and the rear wheel). It can be used for any of the differential devices which distribute to the wheel.

[0046]

According to the differential device of the present invention, the backlash between the side gear and the pinion gear and the clearance between the conical clutches are adjusted at the same time by changing the thickness of the shim arranged between the casing members constituting the differential case. You can do it.

With this backlash adjusting function, the backlash between the side gear and the pinion gear is maintained at an appropriate value, and the meshing state and durability of each gear are improved.

Further, unlike the conventional example, it is not necessary to increase the dimensional accuracy of the side gear and the differential case (conical clutch) in order to adjust the backlash to an appropriate value, so that the cost increase can be avoided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained, and the bearing span can be adjusted by the shim mounted between the bearing and the differential case. The bearing span can be adjusted to an appropriate value by absorbing the changes in the bearing span caused by mounting the shims.

The invention according to claim 3 has the same effect as that of the structure according to claim 1 or 2, and adjusts the thickness of the thrust block arranged between the pinion shaft and the side gear to adjust the side gear. The backlash between the pinion gear and the pinion gear and the clearance between the conical clutches can be adjusted at the same time.

Further, by using the thrust block together with the backlash adjusting shim of the first aspect, the backlash adjusting range of each gear and the clearance adjusting range of the conical clutch are widened accordingly.

Further, if the backlash adjustment and the clearance adjustment of the conical clutch are mainly performed by the thrust block and the backlash adjustment shim of the first aspect is thinned, the change of the bearing span becomes smaller, which is advantageous.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Differential Device 3 Differential Case 5 Casing Body (Casing Member) 7 Cover (Casing Member) 13, 19 Shim 23 Pinion Shaft 27 Pinion Gear 29, 31 Output Side Gear 33 Bevel Gear Type Differential Gear Mechanism 35, 37 Conical Clutch 39, 41, 43, 45 conical surface 47 thrust block

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A differential case having a plurality of casing members fixed and rotatably supported by bearings mounted at both ends, a pinion shaft movably connected to the differential case in an axial direction, and the pinion shaft. A bevel gear type differential gear mechanism having a pinion gear rotatably supported above and a pair of output side gears meshing with the pinion gear, a conical surface formed on the differential case side and a differential case side formed on the side gear side. A conical clutch composed of a conical surface penetrating into the conical surface, and a shim arranged between the casing members and adjusting the thickness thereof to adjust the backlash of each side gear and pinion gear to a predetermined value via the conical clutch. A differential device characterized in that 2. The differential device according to claim 1, further comprising a shim that is mounted between the bearing and the differential case and that adjusts the thickness of the bearing span to a predetermined value. . 3. The differential device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thrust block is arranged between the pinion shaft and the side gear, and adjusts the thickness to adjust the backlash between the side gear and the pinion gear to a predetermined value. A differential device characterized by having.