High ground clearance drive axle, self-propelled working machine and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a high ground clearance drive axle, a self-propelled operating machine and a vehicle, the high ground clearance drive axle comprises a central axle housing, a half axle housing, a knuckle housing, a hub, a main speed reducer, a differential mechanism, a half axle and a hub speed reducer, the half axle comprises an inner side half axle and an outer side half axle, the inner side half shaft is rotationally installed on a differential shell of the differential and is in transmission connection with a half shaft gear of the differential, and the outer side half shaft is rotationally installed on a half shaft shell and is in transmission connection with a power input shaft of the hub reduction gear through a first universal coupling. The inner side half shaft is in transmission connection with the outer side half shaft through a second universal coupling, the rotation center of the inner side half shaft and the rotation center of the outer side half shaft are arranged in an up-down staggered mode, and the height difference between the inner side half shaft and the outer side half shaft is marked as H. According to the high-ground-clearance drive axle, the ground clearance can be increased by H on the premise that the diameter of the wheels is not increased, and the passing performance of a vehicle or an operation machine is improved with low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of drive axle technology, and in particular to a high ground clearance drive axle. This utility model also relates to tractors, agricultural machinery and other self-propelled operating machinery using this drive axle, as well as agricultural vehicles, engineering vehicles, transport vehicles and other vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] The drive axle is located at the end of the power transmission system of self-propelled machinery (including tractors, agricultural machinery, etc.) or vehicles (including agricultural vehicles, engineering vehicles, transport vehicles, etc.). Its basic functions are: to transmit the torque output by the engine to the wheel-side reducers through the main reducer, differential, and half-shafts, thereby driving the wheels and achieving speed reduction and torque increase; to change the direction of torque transmission through the bevel gear pair of the main reducer; to achieve differential speed action between the two wheels through the differential, ensuring that the inner and outer wheels steer at different speeds; and to achieve load bearing and torque transmission through the axle housing and wheels. Adding a steering mechanism to a standard drive axle creates a drive axle with steering capabilities.

[0003] Ground clearance (or simply ground clearance) depends on the axle's height above the ground and determines a vehicle's off-road performance. Axles used with non-independent suspensions are typically non-disconnectable axles with horizontally arranged axle half-shafts. Therefore, the simplest way to increase ground clearance is to increase the wheel diameter; for example, to increase ground clearance by 50mm, the wheel diameter needs to be increased by 100mm. However, increasing the wheel diameter increases the torque acting on the wheels under the same working load, placing higher demands on the strength and transmission performance of the final drive, central drive, and other transmission systems. Without adaptive adjustments, the transmission system is easily damaged. Modifying and adjusting the final drive, central drive, and other transmission systems increases the number of models required and raises manufacturing costs.

[0004] Another way to increase ground clearance is to use a planetary reduction mechanism in the wheel-side reducer. Planetary reduction mechanisms have a large speed ratio, compact structure, and large transmission torque, which can reduce the speed ratio of the central main reducer. The central main reducer generally uses a bevel gear reduction mechanism. Reducing the speed ratio can reduce the diameter of the bevel gear, thereby reducing the size of the main reducer and thus ensuring ground clearance.

[0005] To further increase ground clearance, Chinese invention patent CN101318447A discloses a high ground clearance gantry-type drive axle. Both ends of the drive axle are connected to a gantry, which houses a reduction gear. The reduction gear includes a driving wheel and a driven wheel. The driving wheel is connected to the half-shaft of the main drive axle, and the driven wheel is connected to the drive wheel via a wheel-side reducer. The driving wheel and driven wheel are connected by a chain drive, raising the drive axle above the center of the drive wheel. However, this type of drive axle requires a specially designed gantry, and the reduction gear must be installed within the gantry, resulting in high cost and excessive ground clearance, making it suitable only for special applications in complex terrain.

[0006] The practical need is to appropriately increase the ground clearance (e.g., 20-100mm) based on the existing axles, which can improve the vehicle's passability while keeping costs under control. Utility Model Content

[0007] In view of this, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a high ground clearance drive axle to improve the passability of operating machinery or vehicles at a lower cost. With the same concept, this utility model also provides a self-propelled operating machinery and vehicle.

[0008] To solve the first technical problem mentioned above, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0009] A high ground clearance drive axle includes: a central axle housing, a half-shaft housing, a steering knuckle housing, and a wheel hub. The central axle housing is fixedly connected to the half-shaft housing, the steering knuckle housing is rotatably mounted on the half-shaft housing, and the wheel hub is rotatably mounted on the steering knuckle housing. It also includes a main reducer, a differential, half-shafts, and wheel-side reducers. The main reducer and the differential are mounted within the central axle housing, the half-shafts are mounted within the half-shaft housing, and the wheel-side reducers are drive-connected between the half-shafts and the wheel hub. The half-shafts include an inner half-shaft and an outer half-shaft. The inner half-shaft is rotatably mounted on the differential housing of the differential and drive-connected to the half-shaft gear of the differential. The outer half-shaft is rotatably mounted on the half-shaft housing and drive-connected to the power input shaft of the wheel-side reducer via a first universal coupling. The inner half-shaft is drive-connected to the outer half-shaft via a second universal coupling. The rotation centers of the inner and outer half-shafts are vertically offset, and the height difference between them is denoted as H.

[0010] The second universal joint includes a cross-type universal joint coupling or a ball cage type universal joint coupling.

[0011] The first universal joint is a cross-shaft universal joint coupling, which includes a first universal joint fork, a second universal joint fork, and a cross shaft. The first universal joint fork is keyed to the power input shaft of the wheel-side reducer, and the second universal joint fork is integrally formed or fixedly connected to the outer half shaft.

[0012] The wheel-side reducer is a planetary gear reducer.

[0013] The planetary gear reducer includes a sun gear shaft, a planetary gear carrier, and an external gear ring. The sun gear shaft is rotatably mounted in the first bearing mounting hole of the steering knuckle housing via a first bearing, and rotatably mounted in the second bearing mounting hole of the planetary gear carrier via a second bearing. A sealing ring is provided between the sun gear shaft and the steering knuckle housing. The sun gear shaft is the power input shaft. The planetary gear carrier is fixedly connected to the wheel hub, and the external gear ring is fixedly connected to the steering knuckle housing.

[0014] The steering knuckle housing is rotatably mounted to the axle housing via an upper kingpin and a lower kingpin. The axle housing includes a housing body, which comprises a steering knuckle housing mounting portion, a cavity portion, and a differential housing mounting portion. The steering knuckle housing mounting portion and the differential housing mounting portion are located on opposite sides of the cavity portion. The steering knuckle housing mounting portion has upper and lower kingpin mounting holes, and the differential housing mounting portion has a differential housing mounting hole. An outer axle housing mounting portion is provided between the steering knuckle housing mounting portion and the cavity portion. The outer axle housing mounting portion has an outer axle housing mounting hole, and a bearing seat is provided within the outer axle housing mounting hole. The outer axle passes through and is rotatably mounted in the mounting hole of the bearing seat. The centers of the outer axle housing mounting hole and the differential housing mounting hole are vertically offset, with a height difference of H between them.

[0015] The upper side of the cavity is inclined, while the lower side is flush.

[0016] As a concept, in order to solve the second technical problem mentioned above, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a self-propelled operating machine that uses the high ground clearance drive axle.

[0017] As a concept, in order to solve the third technical problem mentioned above, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a vehicle that uses the high ground clearance drive axle.

[0018] After adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0019] The high ground clearance drive axle disclosed in this utility model includes an inner half-shaft and an outer half-shaft. The inner half-shaft is rotatably mounted on the differential housing of the differential and is connected to the half-shaft gear of the differential. The outer half-shaft is rotatably mounted on the half-shaft housing and is connected to the power input shaft of the wheel-side reducer through a first universal coupling. The inner half-shaft is connected to the outer half-shaft through a second universal coupling. The rotation centers of the inner and outer half-shafts are staggered vertically, and the height difference between them is denoted as H. It can increase the ground clearance by H without increasing the wheel diameter, thereby improving the passability of vehicles or operating machinery at a lower cost.

[0020] In this invention, the second universal joint adopts a cross-type universal joint coupling, which is low in cost, while the ball cage type universal joint coupling can achieve constant speed power transmission.

[0021] In this invention, the wheel-side reducer adopts a planetary gear reducer, which has a large speed ratio, compact structure, and large transmission torque. When used in combination with the above-mentioned structure that divides the half shaft into an inner half shaft and an outer half shaft and connects them through a second universal coupling, it can further increase the ground clearance and improve the passability of operating machinery or vehicles. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal sectional view of Embodiment 1 of the high ground clearance drive axle of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 is shown;

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The longitudinal sectional view of the half-shaft housing in Embodiment 1 is shown;

[0025] In the picture:

[0026] 11. Sun gear shaft; 12. Planetary gear carrier; 13. External gear ring; 14. First bearing; 15. Second bearing; 16. Locating stop; 17. Bearing cap; 18. Retaining ring; 19. Sealing ring; 21. Hub; 31. Steering knuckle housing; 31A. Half-shaft housing mounting part; 31B. Support shaft; 32. Upper kingpin; 33. Lower kingpin; 34. Stop block; 41. First universal joint fork; 42. Second universal joint fork ; 43. Cross shaft; 51. Outer half shaft; 52. Second universal coupling; 53. Inner half shaft; 6. Half shaft housing; 61. Housing body; 611. Upper kingpin mounting hole; 612. Lower kingpin mounting hole; 613. Differential housing mounting hole; 62. Bearing seat; 63. Set screw; 64. Mounting cover; 65. Limiting block; 66. Oil plug; 71. Central axle housing; 81. Differential housing; 82. Half shaft gear. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a high ground clearance drive axle has a central axle housing 71 fixedly connected to a half-shaft housing 6. A steering knuckle housing 31 is rotatably mounted to the half-shaft housing 6 via an upper kingpin 32 and a lower kingpin 33. A wheel hub 21 is rotatably mounted to the steering knuckle housing 31. For ease of manufacturing, the steering knuckle housing 31 can be manufactured separately, including a half-shaft housing mounting part 31A and a support shaft 31B. The half-shaft housing mounting part 31A is rotatably connected to the half-shaft housing 6, and the support shaft 31B is rotatably connected to the wheel hub 21. These two parts are detachably fixed together by bolts.

[0030] The main reducer and differential are installed in the central axle housing 71, the half shaft is installed in the half shaft housing 6, and the wheel-side reducer is connected between the half shaft and the wheel hub 21. The main reducer, differential, half shaft and wheel-side reducer are used to transmit power to the wheels.

[0031] The half-shaft includes an inner half-shaft 53 and an outer half-shaft 51. The inner half-shaft 53 is rotatably mounted on the differential housing 81 of the differential via bearings and is driven by the half-shaft gear 82 of the differential. The outer half-shaft 51 is rotatably mounted on the half-shaft housing 6 and is driven by the power input shaft of the wheel-side reducer via a first universal coupling. The inner half-shaft 53 is driven by the outer half-shaft 51 via a second universal coupling 52. The rotation centers of the inner half-shaft 53 and the outer half-shaft 51 are staggered vertically, and the height difference between them is denoted as H. The high ground clearance drive axle disclosed in this embodiment can increase the ground clearance of the drive axle by H without increasing the wheel diameter, with fewer added parts, and can improve the passability of vehicles or operating machinery at a lower cost.

[0032] In this embodiment, the second universal joint 52 can be a cross-type universal joint coupling or a ball cage type universal joint coupling. Using a cross-type universal joint coupling results in lower cost, while using a ball cage type universal joint coupling enables constant speed power transmission.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first universal joint is a cross-shaft universal joint coupling, which includes a first universal joint fork 41, a second universal joint fork 42 and a cross shaft 43. The first universal joint fork 41 is keyed to the power input shaft of the wheel-side reducer, and the second universal joint fork 42 is integrally formed or fixedly connected to the outer half shaft 51.

[0034] In this embodiment, the wheel-side reducer is a planetary gear reducer. The planetary gear reducer includes a sun gear shaft 11, a planetary gear carrier 12, and an external gear ring 13. The sun gear shaft 11 is rotatably mounted in the first bearing mounting hole of the steering knuckle housing 31 via a first bearing 14, and rotatably mounted in the second bearing mounting hole of the planetary gear carrier 12 via a second bearing 15. A sealing ring 19 is provided between the sun gear shaft 11 and the steering knuckle housing 31. The sun gear shaft 11 is the power input shaft. The planetary gear carrier 12 is fixedly connected to the wheel hub 21, and the external gear ring 13 is fixedly connected to the steering knuckle housing 31. The first bearing 14 is preferably a needle roller bearing, and the second bearing 15 is preferably a ball bearing or a roller bearing. The wheel-side reducer uses a planetary gear reducer, which has a large speed ratio, compact structure, and large transmission torque. When used in combination with the above-mentioned structure that divides the half-shaft into an inner half-shaft 53 and an outer half-shaft 51 and connects them through a second universal coupling 52, it can further increase ground clearance and improve the passability of operating machinery or vehicles.

[0035] A second bearing inner ring fixing device is provided on the sun gear shaft 11, and a second bearing outer ring fixing device is provided on the planetary gear carrier 12. The second bearing inner ring fixing device includes a shoulder and a retaining ring 18. The shoulder is located on the sun gear shaft 11 and abuts against the inner side of the inner ring of the second bearing 15. The retaining ring 18 is located at the end of the sun gear shaft and abuts against the outer side of the inner ring of the second bearing. The second bearing outer ring fixing device includes a locating stop 16 and a bearing cap 17. The locating stop 16 is located in the second bearing mounting hole of the planetary gear carrier 12, and the inner side of the outer ring of the second bearing 15 abuts against the locating stop 16. The bearing cap 17 is fixedly connected to the outer side of the planetary gear carrier 12 and abuts against the outer side of the outer ring of the second bearing 15. The retaining ring 18 can also be replaced by a nut or other limiting structure.

[0036] The sun gear shaft 11 can be axially fixed in both directions through the second bearing inner ring fixing device and the second bearing outer ring fixing device. The first universal joint fork 41 is keyed to the sun gear shaft 11. When the drive axle rotates, the sun gear shaft 11 only rotates and does not pull, resulting in less wear on the sealing ring 19 and thus a good sealing effect. Moreover, the second bearing outer ring fixing device adopts the structure of positioning stop 16 and bearing cover 17. Compared with the hole retaining ring structure, the second bearing mounting hole of the planetary gear carrier 12 does not need to be grooved, resulting in high overall strength and ease of processing.

[0037] The above structure also simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the sun gear shaft 11. When installing the sun gear shaft 11, first install the first bearing 14 and the sealing ring 19 to the designated positions on the steering knuckle housing 31. Then, install the second bearing 15 onto the sun gear shaft 11 and secure it with the retaining ring 18. Next, install the second bearing 15 into the second bearing mounting hole of the planetary gear carrier 12, with the inner side of the outer ring of the second bearing 15 abutting against the locating stop 16. Then, fix the bearing cap 17 to the outside of the planetary gear carrier 12, pressing it against the outer side of the outer ring of the second bearing 15. Then, pass the sun gear shaft 11 through the sealing ring 19 and the first bearing 14 and connect it to the first universal joint fork 41 via a sliding key. Finally, fix the planetary gear carrier 12 to the hub 21. The installation is simple and convenient. When replacing the sealing ring 19 or performing maintenance on the first bearing 14 or the second bearing 15, disassemble in the opposite direction. Fewer parts need to be disassembled, resulting in good maintainability.

[0038] Figure 3 The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the half-shaft housing 6 is shown in detail.

[0039] like Figure 3 and Figure 1 As shown, the half-shaft housing 6 includes a housing body 61, which comprises a steering knuckle housing mounting portion, a cavity portion, and a differential housing mounting portion. The steering knuckle housing mounting portion and the differential housing mounting portion are located on opposite sides of the cavity portion. The steering knuckle housing mounting portion has an upper kingpin mounting hole 611 and a lower kingpin mounting hole 612, and the differential housing mounting portion has a differential housing mounting hole 613. An outer half-shaft mounting portion is provided between the steering knuckle housing mounting portion and the cavity portion. The outer half-shaft mounting portion has an outer half-shaft mounting hole, and the centers of the outer half-shaft mounting hole and the differential housing mounting hole are staggered vertically, with a height difference of H between them.

[0040] The upper side of the cavity is inclined, and the lower side is flat. The cross-section of the cavity can be designed as circular, elliptical, or prismatic, etc., as needed.

[0041] A bearing housing 62 is provided in the mounting hole of the outer half-shaft, and a set screw 63 is provided in the mounting part of the outer half-shaft for fixing the bearing housing 62. The outer half-shaft 51 passes through and is rotatably mounted in the mounting hole of the bearing housing 62 via the bearing, and the differential housing 81 is rotatably mounted in the differential housing mounting hole 613 via the bearing. The housing body 61 is also provided with an oil plug 66.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the cavity portion has an installation port, and the installation port is equipped with an installation port cover 64. Opening the installation port cover 64 facilitates the installation and disassembly of the second universal coupling 52. The housing body 61 is provided with a limiting block 65, and the steering knuckle housing 31 is provided with a stop block 34. When the stop block 34 touches the limiting block 65, it can limit the swing angle of the steering knuckle housing 31.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] A self-propelled operating machine, including tractors, agricultural operating machines, etc., adopts the high ground clearance drive axle disclosed in Example 1.

[0045] Example 3

[0046] A vehicle, including agricultural vehicles, engineering vehicles, and transport vehicles, adopts the high ground clearance drive axle disclosed in Example 1.

[0047] This utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. All improvements made based on the concept, principle, structure and method of this utility model shall fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A high ground clearance drive axle, comprising: The central axle housing, half-shaft housing, steering knuckle housing, and wheel hub are provided. The central axle housing is fixedly connected to the half-shaft housing, the steering knuckle housing is rotatably mounted on the half-shaft housing, and the wheel hub is rotatably mounted on the steering knuckle housing. The system comprises a main reducer, a differential, half-shafts, and wheel-side reducers; the main reducer and the differential are mounted within the central axle housing; the half-shafts are mounted within the half-shaft housing; and the wheel-side reducers are drive-connected between the half-shafts and the wheel hubs. The half-shaft includes an inner half-shaft and an outer half-shaft. The inner half-shaft is rotatably mounted on the differential housing of the differential and is connected to the half-shaft gear of the differential. The outer half-shaft is rotatably mounted on the half-shaft housing and is connected to the power input shaft of the wheel-side reducer through a first universal coupling. The inner half-shaft is connected to the outer half-shaft through a second universal coupling. The rotation centers of the inner and outer half-shafts are staggered vertically, and the height difference between them is denoted as H.

2. The high ground clearance drive axle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second universal joint includes a cross-type universal joint coupling or a ball cage type universal joint coupling.

3. The high ground clearance drive axle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first universal joint is a cross-shaft universal joint coupling, which includes a first universal joint fork, a second universal joint fork, and a cross shaft. The first universal joint fork is keyed to the power input shaft of the wheel-side reducer, and the second universal joint fork is integrally formed or fixedly connected to the outer half shaft.

4. The high ground clearance drive axle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The wheel-side reducer is a planetary gear reducer.

5. The high ground clearance drive axle as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The planetary gear reducer includes a sun gear shaft, a planetary gear carrier, and an external gear ring. The sun gear shaft is rotatably mounted in the first bearing mounting hole of the steering knuckle housing via a first bearing, and rotatably mounted in the second bearing mounting hole of the planetary gear carrier via a second bearing. A sealing ring is provided between the sun gear shaft and the steering knuckle housing. The sun gear shaft is the power input shaft. The planetary gear carrier is fixedly connected to the wheel hub, and the external gear ring is fixedly connected to the steering knuckle housing.

6. The high ground clearance drive axle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steering knuckle housing is rotatably mounted to the half-shaft housing via an upper kingpin and a lower kingpin.

7. The high ground clearance drive axle as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The half-shaft housing includes a housing body, which includes a steering knuckle housing mounting portion, a cavity portion, and a differential housing mounting portion. The steering knuckle housing mounting portion and the differential housing mounting portion are located on opposite sides of the cavity portion. The steering knuckle housing mounting portion has an upper kingpin mounting hole and a lower kingpin mounting hole, and the differential housing mounting portion has a differential housing mounting hole. An outer half-shaft mounting portion is provided between the steering knuckle housing mounting portion and the cavity portion. The outer half-shaft mounting portion has an outer half-shaft mounting hole, and a bearing seat is provided in the outer half-shaft mounting hole. The outer half-shaft passes through and is rotatably mounted in the mounting hole of the bearing seat. The centers of the outer half-shaft mounting hole and the differential housing mounting hole are staggered vertically, and the height difference between them is H.

8. The high ground clearance drive axle as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The upper side of the cavity is inclined, and the lower side is flat.

9. A self-propelled operating machine, characterized in that, Includes the high ground clearance drive axle as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the high ground clearance drive axle as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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