Differential of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a differential for a motor vehicle, the differential comprising a crown wheel (1) and a differential housing (4) connected to the crown wheel. The differential further comprises differential pinions (14, 15) arranged on differential pins (13), wherein the differential pinions (13) are connected to the differential housing (4). The differential comprises a first differential side gear (11) and a second differential side gear (12), the first differential side gear being mounted on a first drive shaft (9) for co-rotation, and the second differential side gear being mounted on a second drive shaft (10) for co-rotation. The differential comprises a first stack of plates (16) and a second stack of plates (21), the first stack of plates being axially arranged between the crown wheel (1) and the first differential side gear (11) with respect to the first drive shaft (9), and the second stack of plates being axially arranged between the crown wheel (1) and the differential housing (4) with respect to the second drive shaft (10). Forces can be applied to one or both stacks of plates (16, 21) via a switchable actuating device contrary to the differential side gears (11, 12) associated with the particular stack of plates (16, 21).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a differential for a motor vehicle, the differential comprising: a crown wheel and a differential housing connected to the crown wheel; differential pinions arranged on differential pins, wherein the differential pins are connected to the differential housing; a first differential side gear and a second differential side gear, the first differential side gear being mounted on a first drive shaft for co-rotation, the second differential side gear being mounted on a second drive shaft for co-rotation; and a first stack of plates and a second stack of plates, the first stack of plates being axially arranged between the crown wheel and the first differential side gear with respect to the first drive shaft, the second stack of plates being axially arranged between the crown wheel and the differential housing with respect to the second drive shaft. Background Art

[0002] In such a differential for a motor vehicle, in the case of a large rotational speed difference between the two drive shafts, pressing the two stacks of plates together generates a basic locking torque. Additionally, there can be an actuable multi-plate lock which includes a third stack of plates that is actuated from the outside as required, and the differential is locked by this third stack of plates, wherein the crown wheel or the differential housing is force-locked to the drive shaft by this third stack of plates.

[0003] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a differential for a motor vehicle of the type mentioned in the introduction, which can also be actuated from the outside with less component and construction space requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to the present invention, this object is achieved in that a force can be applied to one or both stacks of plates via a switchable actuating device, contrary to the differential side gear associated with the respective stack of plates.

[0005] In this case, one stack of plates of the differential is used, but preferably both stacks of plates are used simultaneously, for an externally actuable lock. Omitting the third stack of plates greatly reduces the component and construction space requirements.

[0006] Actuation of the actuating device can be carried out by applying any suitable force to the stack or stacks of plates.

[0007] Preferably, the actuating device is a hydraulic actuating device.

[0008] In a simple embodiment, for this purpose, the cylinder block is arranged in the crown wheel and / or the differential housing or a component fixedly connected to this end, the cylinder block is coaxial with the corresponding drive shaft and has an opening facing the stack of plates associated therewith, wherein the piston is displaceably arranged in the cylinder block, and wherein hydraulic pressure can be applied to the cylinder block on the side of the piston remote from the stack of plates, and a force can be applied to the piston via the side of the piston facing the stack of plates opposite to the stack of plates.

[0009] To avoid collisions with the drive shaft while maintaining a coaxial construction that requires less installation space, the cylinder block can be an annular cylinder block and the piston can be an annular piston.

[0010] In this case, a first pressure line can lead from a switchable pressure source to the cylinder block or the annular cylinder block on the side of the piston remote from the stack of plates.

[0011] One or more second pressure lines can connect the cylinder block or the annular cylinder block associated with one stack of plates to the cylinder block or the annular cylinder block associated with another stack of plates.

[0012] This enables hydraulic pressure to be applied to the pistons of two stacks of plates via a single pressure connection. Thus, the requirement for installation space is reduced.

[0013] If one or more second pressure lines are arranged in the differential housing at the same time, the required installation space is even further reduced.

[0014] To avoid weight eccentricity of the differential housing, in each case, two second pressure lines can be arranged diametrically opposite to each other in the differential housing.

[0015] If grooves are configured in the differential housing at the same time, the grooves open towards the interior of the differential housing and the second pressure lines are arranged in the grooves, which enables the pressure lines to be installed in a simple manner.

[0016] At the same time, if the second pressure lines have plug connectors at their ends, the installation is even further simplified, and the plug connectors can be inserted into corresponding connection openings, which are configured in the differential housing or the crown wheel and lead to the cylinder block or the annular cylinder block. Description of the Drawings

[0017] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 A longitudinal section of the differential is shown

[0019] Figure 2 Shows a partial longitudinal section of the right side of the differential according to Figure 1 of

[0020] Figure 3 shows a partial longitudinal section of the left side of a differential according to Figure 1

[0021] Figure 4 shows a longitudinal section of a differential housing of a differential according to Figure 1

[0022] Figure 5 shows a pressure line of a differential according to Figure 1

[0023] Figure 6 shows two perspective front views of a differential housing of a differential according to Figure 1

[0024] Figure 7 shows a detailed view of the left side of a differential according to Figure 3 and an enlarged end view of a pressure line according to Figure 5 with fastening elements

[0025] Figure 8 shows in longitudinal section a detail of the left side of a differential according to Figure 1 and a perspective view of a component

[0026] Figure 9 shows in longitudinal section a detail of the right side of a differential according to Figure 1

[0027] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a closure cover of a differential according to Figure 1

[0028] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a differential cover of a differential according to Figure 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The self-locking differential of the motor vehicle shown in the figures has a crown wheel 1 which is rotatably driven about a rotational axis 3 by a drive machine (not shown) of the motor vehicle via a drive pinion 2.

[0030] A pot-shaped differential housing 4 coaxial with the crown wheel 1 is fixedly connected to the crown wheel 1.

[0031] The opening of the pot-shaped differential housing 4 is closed by a closure cover 6 fixedly connected to the differential housing 4.

[0032] A structural unit of the differential housing 4 and the differential cover 6 is rotatably mounted in an axial opening of a differential cover 7 via a rolling bearing 5, wherein the differential cover 7 is in turn fixedly arranged in an axle 8. ​​​​​​​

[0033] In each case, two drive shafts 9 and 10 for driving the wheels (not shown) of a motor vehicle are arranged coaxially with each other and coaxially with the axis of rotation 3. A first differential side gear 11 is fixedly arranged on the first drive shaft 9, and a second differential side gear 12 is fixedly arranged on the second drive shaft 10.

[0034] The ends of differential pins 13 extending transversely to the axis of rotation project into corresponding recesses of the differential housing 4 and are fastened therein.

[0035] A first differential pinion 14 and a second differential pinion 15 are arranged on the differential pin 13 opposite to each other.

[0036] An annular first stack of plates 16 is arranged inside the differential housing 4, on the side of the closing cover body 6. One side of the annular first stack of plates is supported via a first plate-shaped ring 18 on a first annular piston 19, wherein the first annular piston 19 is axially guided in a first annular cylinder 20 configured in the closing cover body 6.

[0037] The side of the first stack of plates 16 remote from the closing cover body 6 abuts against a first bearing surface 17 of the first differential side gear 11.

[0038] An annular second stack of plates 21 is arranged inside the differential housing 4, on the side remote from the closing cover body 6. The annular second stack of plates is supported on one side via a second plate-shaped ring 22 on a second annular piston 23, wherein the second annular piston 23 is axially guided in a second annular cylinder 24 configured in the bottom of the differential housing 4.

[0039] The side of the second stack of plates 21 facing the closing cover body 6 abuts against a second bearing surface 25 of the second differential side gear 12.

[0040] The stacks of plates 16 and 21 are composed of inner plates and outer plates arranged adjacent to and alternating with each other, wherein the inner plates are connected to the differential side gears 11 and 12 via support teeth, while the outer plates are supported in the differential housing 4.

[0041] A pressure connection 26 is configured in the axle 8, and a first pressure line 27 leads from the pressure connection into the first annular cylinder 20 on the side of the first annular piston 19 remote from the first stack of plates 16.

[0042] A second pressure line 28 leads from the first annular cylinder 20 on the side of the second annular piston 23 remote from the second stack of plates 21 into the second annular cylinder 24.

[0043] The first cage 29 is arranged between the first annular piston 19 and the first plate-like ring 18, and the second cage 30 is arranged between the second annular piston 23 and the second plate-like ring 22. The first plate-like ring 18 and the second plate-like ring 22 are held in their positions by these cages 29 and 30 (see Figure 9 ).

[0044] If the hydraulic pressure from a pressure source of an actuating device (not shown) is applied to the annular cylinders 20 and 24 via the pressure connection 26 and the pressure lines 27 and 28, the annular pistons 19 and 23 press the plate stacks 16 and 21 together and lock the differential (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0045] As Figures 4 to 6 shown, two diametrically opposed grooves 31 are configured in the inner wall of the differential housing 4, the two diametrically opposed grooves opening towards the interior of the differential housing 4, and two second pressure lines 28 are arranged in the grooves.

[0046] Figure 7 Shows a detail view of the left side of the differential according to Figure 3 , and an enlarged end view of the second pressure line 28 according to Figure 5 with fastening elements. The end of the second pressure line 28 is inserted into the hole 33 leading to the second annular cylinder and has a radially circumferential fastening groove 34. The fastening element consists of a fastening pin 32 which can be inserted into a transverse hole 35 tangential to the hole 33 such that the fastening pin 32 engages in the fastening groove 34 and holds the end of the second pressure line 28 in its mounting position.

[0047] Reference numerals

[0048] 1 Crown wheel

[0049] 2 Drive pinion

[0050] 3 Axis of rotation

[0051] 4 Differential housing

[0052] 5 Rolling bearing

[0053] 6 Sealing cover

[0054] 7 Differential cover

[0055] 8 Axle

[0056] 9 First drive shaft

[0057] 10 Second drive shaft

[0058] 11 First differential side gear

[0059] 12 Second differential side gear

[0060] 13 Differential pin

[0061] 14 First differential pinion

[0062] 15 Second differential pinion

[0063] 16 First plate stack

[0064] 17 First support surface

[0065] 18 First plate-like ring

[0066] 19 First annular piston

[0067] 20 First annular cylinder

[0068] 21 Second plate stack

[0069] 22 Second plate-like ring

[0070] 23 Second annular piston

[0071] 24 Second annular cylinder

[0072] 25 Second support surface

[0073] 26 Pressure connection

[0074] 27 First pressure pipeline

[0075] 28 Second pressure pipeline

[0076] 29 First cage

[0077] 30 Second cage

[0078] 31 Groove

[0079] 32 Fastening pin

[0080] 33 Hole

[0081] 34 Fastening groove

[0082] 35 Transverse hole.

Claims

1. A differential of a motor vehicle, the differential comprising: A crown gear (1); A differential housing (4) connected to the crown gear; A closing cover (6) that closes an opening of the differential housing (4) and is fixedly connected to the differential housing (4); Differential pinions (14, 15) arranged on a differential pin (13), wherein the differential pin (13) is connected to the differential housing (4); A first differential side gear (11) and a second differential side gear (12), the first differential side gear being mounted on a first drive shaft (9) for co-rotation, and the second differential side gear being mounted on a second drive shaft (10) for co-rotation; and A first stack of plates (16) and a second stack of plates (21), the first stack of plates being axially arranged between the crown gear (1) and the first differential side gear (11) relative to the first drive shaft (9) and one side of the first stack of plates resting on a first bearing surface (17) of the first differential side gear (11), the second stack of plates being axially arranged between the crown gear (1) and the differential housing (4) relative to the second drive shaft (10) and one side of the second stack of plates resting on a second bearing surface (25) of the second differential side gear (12), Characterized in that a force can be applied to one or both of the stacks of plates via a switchable actuating device in a direction opposite to that of the differential side gear associated with one or both of the first stack of plates (16) and the second stack of plates (21), The actuating device is a hydraulic actuating device, A first cylinder block (20) is configured in the closing cover (6) and a second cylinder block (24) is configured in the differential housing (4), the first cylinder block and the second cylinder block each being coaxial with a corresponding one of the first drive shaft (9) and the second drive shaft (10) and each having an opening facing the stack of plates associated therewith, Wherein a piston is displaceably arranged in a corresponding one of the first cylinder block (20) and the second cylinder block (24), and Wherein hydraulic pressure can be applied to the corresponding cylinder block on the side of the piston remote from the corresponding stack of plates of the first stack of plates (16) and the second stack of plates (21), and a force can be applied to the piston in a direction opposite to that of the corresponding stack of plates via the side of the piston facing the corresponding stack of plates of the first stack of plates (16) and the second stack of plates (21), One or more second pressure lines (28) are arranged in the differential housing (4) and connect the first cylinder block (20) associated with the first stack of plates (16) to the second cylinder block (24) associated with the second stack of plates (21), Wherein the second pressure line (28) has a plug connection at its end, the plug connection being insertable into a corresponding connection opening (33) configured in the differential housing (4) or the crown gear (1) and leading to the first cylinder block (20) and the second cylinder block (24), and Each end of the second pressure line (28) has a radially circumferential fastening groove (34).

2. The differential according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first cylinder block (20) and the second cylinder block (24) are annular cylinder blocks, and the pistons are annular pistons (19, 23).

3. The differential according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A first pressure line (27) leads from a switchable pressure source to the first cylinder block (20) on the side of the piston remote from the first stack (16).

4. The differential according to claim 1, wherein, In each case, two second pressure lines (28) are arranged diametrically opposite one another in the differential housing (4).

5. The differential according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, A groove (31) is configured in the differential housing (4), the groove opening towards the interior of the differential housing (4), and the second pressure line (28) is arranged in the groove.

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