Differential and its housing

Abstract

The purpose of this patent is to provide a differential and its housing with a simple structure, low production cost and small radial size. The differential housing is a cylindrical body with a cylindrical main body, and at least two opposite and parallel platforms are provided on the cylindrical surface of the cylinder, and the axial hole is arranged on the platform. The differential includes the above-mentioned housing, planetary gear shaft, planetary gear, first half-shaft gear, and second half-shaft gear. The back of the planetary gear away from the axis of the cylinder is a plane supported on the platform; one end of the cylinder is fixedly connected to the first end cover, and the first half-shaft gear is supported on the first end cover; the other end of the cylinder is fixedly connected to the second end cover, and the second half-shaft gear is supported on the second end cover. The second end cover is used to connect the torque input component that transmits torque to the differential, or the other end of the cylinder is used to connect the torque input component that transmits torque to the differential, and the second half-shaft gear is supported on the torque input component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This patent relates to a differential. Background Art

[0002] When the vehicle turns, the speeds of the wheels on both sides are different, so it is necessary to rely on the equal torque and unequal speed drive of the wheels on both sides of the differential. For a long time, the differential housing has mainly adopted a casting structure to meet the production process requirements of torque transmission. The casting is large in size and weight, occupies a large space, and has many processing parts, especially for some high-torque vehicles, which generally adopt Figure 1 , 2 The cross-shaped planetary gear shaft 2 structure with four planetary gears 3 shown in the figure requires the differential housing 1 to be divided into two half-shells 11 and 12 for convenient assembly. The two half-shells need to be connected by multiple bolts 5. The existence of the bolts 5 occupies a large radial space, which is very disadvantageous for applications where a small diameter differential is required. A first half-shaft gear 41 is rotatably supported on one half-shell 11 of the differential. When in use, the other half-shell 12 is directly connected to a torque input component (such as a gear) 6 that transmits torque to the differential. The second half-shaft gear 42 is rotatably supported on a shaft sleeve 7, and the shaft sleeve 7 is fixed on the torque input component 6. The planetary gear 3 with a spherical back is mounted on the planetary gear shaft 2, and the spherical surface of the planetary gear 3 matches the inner spherical surface of the two half-shells.

[0003] During operation, the torque input component 6 rotates around the axis of the differential (the axis of the half-shaft), driving the planetary gear shaft 2 to rotate through the housing, and the two half-shaft gears meshing with the planetary gear 3 rotate around the half-shaft axis, driving the two half-shafts fixedly connected to the two half-shaft gears to rotate. When turning, the planetary gear 3 rotates relative to the planetary gear shaft 2, and the two half-shaft gears meshing with the planetary gear rotate relative to the half housing 11 and the shaft sleeve 7, respectively, so that the two half-shafts have different rotation speeds.

[0004] This type of differential is difficult to manufacture and has a very high cost, and the diameter of the housing in the radial direction is relatively large, so a differential with a simple structure and a small radial size is needed. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of this patent is to provide a differential housing with a simple structure, low production cost and small radial size.

[0006] The differential housing described in this patent is a cylindrical body with a cylindrical main body. There are at least two opposite and parallel platforms on the cylindrical surface of the cylinder. The platform is provided with an axial hole for connecting the planetary gear shaft passing through the cylinder in the differential.

[0007] The differential case has four platforms, and adjacent platforms are spaced 90 degrees apart in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body; the shaft hole is a U-shaped hole extending axially from one end of the cylindrical body.

[0008] In the differential case mentioned above, the platform is formed by punching the cylindrical body wall in the radial direction so that the cylindrical body wall is concave inwardly.

[0009] This patent also provides a differential with small size, simple structure and low preparation cost.

[0010] The differential described in this patent includes a housing, a planetary gear shaft connected to the housing, a planetary gear mounted on the planetary gear shaft, a first half-shaft gear meshing with the planetary gear, and a second half-shaft gear. The housing is the above-mentioned differential housing, and the back side of the planetary gear away from the axis of the cylindrical body is a plane rotatably supported on the platform; one end of the cylindrical body is fixedly connected to a first end cover, and the first half-shaft gear is rotatably supported on the first end cover; the other end of the cylindrical body is fixedly connected to a second end cover, and the second half-shaft gear is rotatably supported on the second end cover, and the second end cover is used to connect a torque input component that transmits torque to the differential, or the other end of the cylindrical body is used to connect a torque input component that transmits torque to the differential, and the second half-shaft gear is rotatably supported on the torque input component.

[0011] In the above differential, the first end cover or the second end cover is formed by inwardly turning the cylindrical body wall at the end of the cylindrical body.

[0012] In the above differential, when the other end of the cylindrical body is used to connect to a torque input component that transmits torque to the differential, the cylindrical body wall at the other end of the cylindrical body has an outwardly turned portion formed by an outwardly turned edge for connecting to the torque input component.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this patent are as follows: the shell adopts an integral cylindrical body, rather than the conventional two half shells connected by bolts, so that the size of the shell in the radial direction can be smaller.

[0014] The cylindrical body itself can be made of ready-made pipes and can be obtained by stamping and stretching. The production process is simple, especially by stamping the outer wall of the cylindrical body to make the outer wall of the cylindrical body concave inward to form a ready-made platform. Not only is the preparation convenient, but such a structure also further improves the strength of the cylindrical body.

[0015] When there are two opposite platforms on the cylindrical body, the planetary gear shaft can be inserted into the cylindrical body from the outside of the cylindrical body in the radial direction, and the two ends of the planetary gear shaft are located in the shaft hole. Therefore, the shaft hole can be an ordinary round hole.

[0016] When there are four platforms on the cylindrical body, the planetary gear shaft is generally cross-shaped. In order to smoothly install the cross-shaped planetary gear shaft into the cylindrical body, the shaft hole is a U-shaped hole extending axially from one end of the cylindrical body. During assembly, the cross-shaped planetary gear shaft is moved from one end of the cylindrical body along the axial direction along the U-shaped hole to the bottom of the U-shaped hole. At this time, the shaft hole is processed into a U-shaped hole to facilitate the smooth installation of the cross-shaped planetary gear shaft from one end of the cylindrical body, and will not hinder the installation of the cross-shaped planetary gear shaft.

[0017] Since there is a platform inside the cylindrical body, the back of the planetary wheel away from the axis of the cylindrical body can be a plane rotatably supported on the platform, which greatly reduces the processing difficulty and cost of the traditional planetary wheel with a spherical back.

[0018] At least one end of the cylindrical body is provided with an end cover, which can support the half-shaft gear; the end cover can be formed by inwardly flanging the cylindrical body wall at the end of the cylindrical body, which further improves the overall strength of the cylindrical body.

[0019] One half-shaft gear can be supported on a torque input member that transmits torque to the differential, which makes the differential structure simpler. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an existing differential;

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 It is the left view;

[0022] Figure 3 is a front view of the differential of Embodiment 1;

[0023] Figure 4 is a side view of the differential of Embodiment 1;

[0024] Figure 5 is a top view of the differential of Embodiment 1;

[0025] Figure 6 is the front view of the shell;

[0026] Figure 7 It is the right side view of the shell;

[0027] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the shell;

[0028] Fig. 9 is a top view of the shell;

[0029] Fig.10 is a front view of the differential of Embodiment 2;

[0030] Fig.11 is a front view of the differential of Embodiment 3;

[0031] Fig.12 is a front view of the differential of Embodiment 4;

[0032] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 Right view of .

[0033] In the figure, the shell (cylindrical body) 1, the half shell 11, the half shell 12, the U-shaped hole (shaft hole) 13, the circular shaft hole 14, the cross planetary gear shaft 2, the planetary gear 3, the plane 31, the first half-shaft gear 41, the second half-shaft gear 42, the bolt 5, the torque input component 6, the sleeve 7, the platform 8, the first end cover 91, the second end cover 92, the spur planetary gear shaft 10, the friction reducing pad 100, the positioning pin 101, and the retaining ring 102. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Embodiment 1:

[0035] See also Figure 3-5 The differential shown includes a housing 1, a cross-shaped planetary gear shaft 2 fixedly connected to the housing, four planetary gears 3 mounted on the planetary gear shaft, and a first half-shaft gear 41 and a second half-shaft gear 42 respectively meshing with the four planetary gears.

[0036] See also Figure 6-9 The shell 1 is a cylindrical body with a cylindrical main body. There are two pairs of opposite platforms on the cylindrical surface of the cylinder. The two platforms 8 in each pair are parallel to each other, and the adjacent platforms are 90° apart in the circumferential direction of the cylinder. The platforms are formed by stamping the cylindrical wall in the radial direction so that the cylindrical wall is concave inward.

[0037] A U-shaped hole (shaft hole) 13 extending to the platform is opened axially from the left end of the cylindrical body. The cross planetary gear shaft 2 can move from the left end of the cylindrical body along the two side walls of the U-shaped hole along the axial direction of the cylindrical body to the bottom of the U-shaped hole.

[0038] The back of the planetary gear 3 away from the axis of the cylindrical body is a plane 31 rotatably supported on the platform. The left end of the cylindrical body is fixedly connected (such as welding, riveting, etc.) with a first end cover 91, and the first half-shaft gear 41 is rotatably supported on the first end cover; the right end of the cylindrical body is fixedly connected with a second end cover 92, and the second half-shaft gear 42 is rotatably supported on the second end cover. When in use, the second end cover 92 is used to connect the torque input component 6 that transmits torque to the differential. Because the half-shaft gear can position the planetary gear, the axial positioning of the cross-shaped planetary gear shaft 2 in the differential housing is indirectly achieved.

[0039] Embodiment 2:

[0040] See also Fig.10The differential is different from the embodiment 1 in that the second end cover 92 and the cylindrical body 1 are an integral structure, and the second end cover 92 is formed by bending and stretching the cylindrical body wall at the right end of the cylindrical body inward, and is used to connect the torque input component that transmits torque to the differential, and the second half-shaft gear is rotatably supported on the torque input component 6; a positioning pin 101 is set in the U-shaped hole between the first end cover 91 and the cross planetary gear shaft 2 to achieve more reliable positioning of the cross planetary gear shaft 2 in the axial positioning of the differential case.

[0041] Embodiment 3:

[0042] See also Fig.11 The differential of the embodiment 1 is different from that of the embodiment 1 in that the first end cover 91 and the cylindrical body 1 are an integral structure, and the first end cover 91 is formed by bending and stretching the cylindrical body wall at the left end of the cylindrical body inward; it does not have a second end cover; the cylindrical body wall at the right end of the cylindrical body 1 has an outward-turned portion 14 formed by outward-turned edge stretching. When in use, the outward-turned portion 14 is used to connect with the torque input component 6, and the second side gear 42 is rotatably supported on the torque input component 6.

[0043] Embodiment 4:

[0044] See also Fig.12 , 13 The differential comprises a housing 1, a spur gear shaft 10 fixedly connected to the housing, two planetary gears 3 mounted on the planetary gear shaft, and a first half-shaft gear and a second half-shaft gear respectively meshed with the two planetary gears.

[0045] The shell 1 is a cylindrical body with a cylindrical main body. A pair of opposite and mutually parallel platforms 8 are provided on the cylindrical surface of the cylinder. The platforms are formed by punching the cylindrical body wall in radial direction so that the cylindrical body wall is concave inward.

[0046] A circular shaft hole 14 is provided on the platform. During installation, the spur planetary gear shaft 10 can be inserted into the cylindrical body from the outside of the cylindrical body in the radial direction, and both ends of the spur planetary gear shaft 10 are located at the circular shaft hole 14 . Fig.12 In the figure, the spur planetary gear shaft 2 is provided with a retaining ring 102 on the outer side of the two platforms 8 to realize radial positioning of the spur planetary gear shaft 2 in the differential case. Of course, the radial positioning can also be realized by riveting the two ends of the spur planetary gear shaft 2 exposed on the platform to the platform or other methods.

[0047] The back sides of the two planetary gears 3 mounted on the spur planetary gear shaft 14 away from the axis of the cylindrical body are flat surfaces 31 rotatably supported on the platform.

[0048] In each embodiment, a friction-reducing pad 100 is disposed between the back surface of the planetary gear 3 and the platform 8 , and between the half-shaft gear and the end cover or the torque input component.

[0049] In summary, the differential housing is composed of a cylindrical body with a cylindrical main body. There are at least two parallel platforms on the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical body. The platform is provided with an axial hole supporting the planetary gear shaft. The driving torque is directly or indirectly transmitted to the cylindrical body. At least one end of the cylindrical body is provided with an end cover for supporting the half-axle gear, and the inner side of the platform is used to support the back of the planetary gear.

[0050] There may be four mutually parallel platforms on the cylindrical body, and correspondingly, the shaft hole is a U-shaped opening hole so that the cross-shaped planetary gear shaft can be installed from one side of the cylindrical body.

[0051] When two planetary gears are used, the shaft holes on the mutually parallel platforms on the cylindrical body are preferably round, and the straight planetary gear shafts are inserted from one side.

[0052] The upper main body of the cylindrical body is cylindrical, and at least one end thereof may be turned inward or outward to support the axle gear or to connect to the torque input component. Alternatively, one end may be turned inward to support the axle gear and the other end may be turned outward to connect to the torque input component.

[0053] The two ends of the cylindrical body may be inlaid with end covers, and the end covers are fixedly connected to the cylindrical body, and the connection form may be welding, riveting, etc.

[0054] The connection method between the cylindrical body and the torque input component does not affect the scope of protection of the claims of this patent.

[0055] The structures at both ends of the cylindrical body do not affect the scope of protection of the claims of this patent.

Claims

1. A differential, including a housing, characterized in that: The invention also includes a planetary gear shaft fixedly connected to the housing, a planetary wheel mounted on the planetary gear shaft, a first half-shaft gear meshing with the planetary wheel, and a second half-shaft gear; the housing is a cylindrical body with a cylindrical main body, and a pair of opposite and mutually parallel platforms are arranged on the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical body, and the platforms are formed by punching the cylindrical body wall in the radial direction so that the cylindrical body wall is concave inward; a circular shaft hole is arranged on the platform, and when installing, the spur planetary gear shaft is inserted into the cylindrical body in the radial direction from the outside of the cylindrical body, and the two ends of the spur planetary gear shaft are located at the circular shaft hole; the spur planetary gear shaft is provided with a retaining ring on the outer side of the two platforms, or a retaining ring is arranged on the exposed Both ends of the spur planetary gear shaft protruding from the platform are riveted on the platform to realize radial positioning of the spur planetary gear shaft in the differential case; the back side of the planetary gear away from the axis of the cylindrical body is a plane rotatably supported on the platform; one end of the cylindrical body is fixedly connected with a first end cover, the first end cover is formed by the inward folding of the cylindrical body wall at the end of the cylindrical body, and the first half-shaft gear is rotatably supported on the first end cover; the other end of the cylindrical body is used to connect the torque input component for transmitting torque to the differential, the cylindrical body wall at the other end of the cylindrical body has an outward folded portion formed by an outward folding for connecting with the torque input component, and the second half-shaft gear is rotatably supported on the torque input component.

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