A differential with differential lock function

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of differential technology and discloses a differential with a differential lock function. It includes a differential housing, a left half-shaft gear washer fixedly connected to the outside of the differential housing, a friction plate assembly fixedly connected to the outside of the left half-shaft gear washer, a washer inside the differential housing, an inner disc fixedly connected to the outside of the washer, an outer disc fixedly connected to the outside of the inner disc, a piston slidably connected inside the inner disc, a sealing ring fixedly connected to the outside of the piston, and a reduction assembly inside the differential housing. In this utility model, the piston directly acts on the inner and outer discs of the friction plates. When the TCU control system is activated, hydraulic oil directly pushes the piston through port A to press the friction plate assembly, reducing energy loss and response delay in intermediate components, making differential lock locking and unlocking switching faster, and significantly improving maintenance convenience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of differential technology, and in particular to a differential with differential lock function. Background Technology

[0002] The differential is a core transmission component in a car's drive axle. When a car turns or travels on uneven surfaces, it allows the left and right drive wheels to rotate at different speeds, thus preventing unnecessary slippage between the tires and the ground, reducing tire wear, and ensuring smooth steering. A differential lock, on the other hand, is a functional device designed to compensate for the limitations of the differential. When one drive wheel gets stuck in mud, ice, or other low-traction surfaces, the differential may distribute more power to the less traction-laden wheel due to the difference in wheel resistance, causing the vehicle to lose power and become stuck. In this situation, the differential lock can mechanically or electronically lock the differential, forcing the left and right drive wheels to rotate at the same speed, ensuring power is evenly distributed to both wheels and helping the vehicle gain sufficient traction to escape the predicament. Therefore, differential locks significantly improve a vehicle's passability in complex road conditions.

[0003] Differential lock devices typically employ a multi-stage power transmission structure. When the differential needs to be locked, hydraulic oil enters the chamber through the control oil circuit to push the piston. The piston's thrust is transmitted sequentially through intermediate components such as bearings and thrust discs to the friction plate assembly, causing the inner and outer discs of the friction plates to press together. This, in turn, rigidly connects the differential housing to the half-shaft gear, thus realizing the differential lock function. When unlocking, the hydraulic oil flows back, the piston resets, and the intermediate components cause the friction plates to separate, restoring the differential to its normal differential state.

[0004] In existing technologies, some differentials require power transmission through multiple stages, including hydraulic oil, pistons, bearings, thrust plate assembly, and friction plate assembly. The elastic deformation, frictional resistance, and assembly gaps of intermediate components cause energy loss and sluggish force transmission. When a vehicle is in an emergency and needs to quickly switch to the differential lock state, this redundant path will cause delays in the pressing or disengaging action of the friction plate assembly, reduce the differential lock response speed, prolong the vehicle's stuck time, and even exacerbate the risk of tire slippage or vehicle getting stuck due to untimely power output. To address the above problems, a differential with a differential lock function is proposed. Utility Model Content

[0005] To overcome the above shortcomings, this utility model provides a differential with a differential lock function, which aims to improve the response delay problem caused by redundancy in the power transmission path of some existing differentials.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A differential with a differential lock function includes a differential housing, a left half-shaft gear washer fixedly connected to the outside of the differential housing, a friction plate assembly fixedly connected to the outside of the left half-shaft gear washer, a washer disposed inside the differential housing, an inner plate fixedly connected to the outside of the washer, an outer plate fixedly connected to the outside of the inner plate, a piston slidably connected inside the inner plate, a sealing ring fixedly connected to the outside of the piston, and a reduction assembly disposed inside the differential housing.

[0008] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0009] The reduction assembly includes a flexible cylindrical pin, the outer side of which is slidably connected to the inside of the differential housing, a planetary bevel gear is slidably connected to the outer side of the flexible cylindrical pin, and a bushing is fixedly connected to the outer side of the planetary bevel gear.

[0010] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0011] The bushing is fixedly connected to a plurality of limiting blocks, two of which are rotatably connected to the long shaft of a planetary gear, and the other two limiting blocks are rotatably connected to the short shaft of a planetary gear. The short shaft of the planetary gear is rotatably connected to a cross bearing, and the cross bearing is rotatably connected to the outside of the long shaft of the planetary gear.

[0012] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0013] A thrust washer is slidably connected to the outside of the planetary gear short shaft, and the outside of the thrust washer is fixedly connected to the inside of the differential housing;

[0014] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0015] The differential housing is internally connected to a bearing, and an axle gear is fixedly connected to the outside of the bearing. The outside of the axle gear meshes with the outside of the short shaft of the planetary gear, and the outside of the axle gear meshes with the outside of the long shaft of the planetary gear.

[0016] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0017] The outer side of the washer is slidably connected to a differential lock half-shaft gear, and the outer side of the differential lock half-shaft gear is meshed with the outer side of the outer bevel gear of the cross bearing.

[0018] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0019] The differential housing is fixedly connected to the outside by a plurality of hexagonal head bolts, and a bevel gear is fixedly connected to the outside of the hexagonal head bolts. The bevel gear is slidably connected to the outside of the differential housing.

[0020] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0021] The differential housing is provided with a bearing flange on the outside, and two sealing rings are fitted on the outside of the differential housing.

[0022] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. In this utility model, the piston acts directly on the inner and outer discs of the friction plate. When the TCU control system is started, the hydraulic oil directly pushes the piston to press the friction plate assembly through the oil port A, which reduces the energy loss and response delay of intermediate components, making the differential lock locking and unlocking switch faster. At the same time, the simplified structure reduces the number of parts, reduces the assembly difficulty, and does not require disassembling too many transition parts during later disassembly and maintenance, which significantly improves the convenience of maintenance.

[0024] 2. In this utility model, by adding a washer between the friction plate assembly and the differential housing, and using a toothed meshing structure to connect the friction plate and key components, a double stability guarantee is formed. When the piston presses against the friction plate, the washer provides axial support to prevent the friction plate from disengaging due to axial displacement caused by compression. The toothed meshing structure ensures that there is no risk of slippage in the power transmission between the friction plate, the half-shaft gear, and the housing, ensuring the rigid connection reliability when the differential lock is locked, reducing abnormal wear of the friction plate and gear, and extending the service life of the components. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a differential with differential lock function proposed in this utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the bevel gear of a differential with differential lock function proposed in this utility model;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a planetary bevel gear with a differential lock function proposed in this utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the bearing flange of a differential with differential lock function proposed in this utility model.

[0029] Legend:

[0030] 1. Differential housing; 2. Left half-shaft gear washer; 3. Half-shaft gear; 4. Planetary bevel gear; 5. Bushing; 6. Planetary gear short shaft; 7. Planetary gear long shaft; 8. Cross bearing; 9. Hex head bolt; 10. Thrust washer; 11. Flexible cylindrical pin; 12. Differential lock half-shaft gear; 13. Washer; 14. Inner disc; 15. Outer disc; 16. Bevel gear; 17. Piston; 18. Sealing ring; 19. Sealing ring; 20. Bearing flange; 21. Limit block. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0032] Reference Figures 1 to 3 This utility model provides an embodiment of a differential with a differential lock function, including a differential housing 1. A left half-shaft gear washer 2 is fixedly connected to the outside of the differential housing 1. The differential housing 1 is used to connect the planetary shaft and the outer disk 15 of the friction plate, and at the same time forms a closed hydraulic cylinder cavity with the piston 17, providing an installation reference and protection for each component. A friction plate assembly is fixedly connected to the outside of the left half-shaft gear washer 2. The friction plate assembly consists of an inner disk 14 and an outer disk 15. The friction plate assembly achieves a rigid connection when the differential lock is engaged through gear meshing and is the core execution component of the differential lock function. A washer 13 is provided inside the differential housing 1. The left half-shaft gear washer 2 is used to buffer the axial pressure between the half-shaft gear 3 and the housing, reduce the direct wear between the two during operation, and extend the service life of the components. An inner disk 14 is fixedly connected to the outside of the washer 13. The washer 13 is installed between the friction plate assembly and the housing, and ensures axial support. The inner friction plate 14 and the differential lock half-shaft gear 12, the outer plate 15 and the housing are always engaged to prevent disengagement during compression. The outer plate 15 is fixedly connected to the outside of the inner plate 14. The outer plate 15 is connected to the differential housing 1 through tooth engagement. When locked, it is pressed together with the inner plate 14 to form a whole, realizing rigid power transmission. The piston 17 is slidably connected inside the inner plate 14. The inner side of the friction plate assembly of the inner plate 14 is connected to the differential lock half-shaft gear 12 through tooth engagement. When locked, it is combined with the outer plate 15 to transmit power. The piston 17 is fixedly connected to the outside of the piston 17. Under the control of the TCU control system, the piston 17 is pushed by hydraulic oil to reciprocate, directly pressing or releasing the friction plate assembly. It is the power execution component of the differential lock function. The sealing ring 18 is used to seal the gap between the piston 17 and the bearing flange 20 to prevent hydraulic oil leakage and ensure stable pressure in the hydraulic cylinder. The differential housing 1 is equipped with a reduction assembly.

[0033] The reduction assembly includes a flexible cylindrical pin 11, which is externally slidably connected to the inside of the differential housing 1. A planetary bevel gear 4 is externally slidably connected to the flexible cylindrical pin 11. The planetary bevel gear 4, through meshing with the half-shaft gear 3 and the differential lock half-shaft gear 12, adjusts the speed difference between the two wheels, thus realizing the differential function. The flexible cylindrical pin 11 rigidly fixes the long and short shafts of the planetary gears to the differential housing 1, preventing the shafts from loosening under high-speed operation or load impact, ensuring stable operation of the planetary gear mechanism. A bushing 5 is externally fixedly connected to the planetary bevel gear 4, and multiple limiting blocks 21 are externally fixedly connected to the bushing 5. The bushing 5 is fitted onto the planetary shaft, reducing friction and wear between the planetary bevel gear 4 and the planetary shaft, ensuring gear stability. The rotation is smooth, reducing energy loss. The two limiting blocks 21 are internally rotatably connected to the long shaft 7 of the planetary gear. The long shaft 7 and the short shaft of the planetary gear cooperate to form a planetary shaft system, which provides rotational support for the planetary bevel gear 4 and is the core component of the planetary gear carrier. The other two limiting blocks 21 are internally rotatably connected to the short shaft 6 of the planetary gear. The short shaft 6 and the long shaft of the planetary gear are externally rotatably connected to the cross bearing 8. The short shaft 6 and the long shaft of the planetary gear are cross-connected through the cross bearing 8, which together form the rotational shaft system of the planetary gear and support the gear rotation. The cross bearing 8 is externally rotatably connected to the outside of the long shaft 7 of the planetary gear. The cross bearing 8 fixes the cross position of the long shaft and the short shaft, ensuring the stability of their relative positions, reducing the shaking during shaft system operation, and improving structural rigidity.

[0034] Reference Figures 2 to 4 A thrust washer 10 is externally slidably connected to the short shaft 6 of the planetary gear. The thrust washer 10 is externally fixedly connected to the inside of the differential housing 1. The thrust washer 10 reduces axial thrust wear between the planetary shaft and the differential housing 1, buffers axial impact force during shaft operation, and protects the housing connection parts. A bearing is rotatably connected inside the differential housing 1. A half-shaft gear 3 is externally fixedly connected to the bearing. The bearing is used to reduce friction between the half-shaft gear 3 and the housing, ensure the flexible rotation of the half-shaft gear 3, and reduce power transmission loss. The half-shaft gear 3 and the planetary bevel gear... 4. Engagement, which transmits power to the drive wheel, is the power output component of the differential function. The external half-shaft gear 3 is meshed with the external planetary gear short shaft 6, and the external half-shaft gear 3 is meshed with the external planetary gear long shaft 7. The external washer 13 is slidably connected to the differential lock half-shaft gear 12. The external half-shaft gear 12 is meshed with the external bevel gear of the cross bearing 8. The differential lock half-shaft gear 12 meshes with the friction plate inner disk 14 and the planetary bevel gear 4. When the differential lock is locked, it is rigidly connected to the housing to achieve synchronous power output on both sides.

[0035] Multiple hexagonal head bolts 9 are fixedly connected to the outside of the differential housing 1. A bevel gear 16 is fixedly connected to the outside of the hexagonal head bolts 9. The hexagonal head bolts 9 fasten the bearing flange 20 and the bevel gear 16 to the differential housing 1, ensuring the connection rigidity of the end structure and preventing the components from loosening during power transmission. The bevel gear 16 is externally slidably connected to the outside of the differential housing 1. The bevel gear 16 receives external power and transmits it to the differential housing 1, serving as the power input component that drives the entire differential. A bearing flange 20 is provided on the outside of the differential housing 1. The bearing flange 20 supports the reciprocating motion of the piston 17 and forms a sealed hydraulic cylinder cavity with the housing. At the same time, it fixes the sealing ring 18 and the sealing ring 19, providing an installation base for the hydraulic system. Two sealing rings 19 are sleeved on the outside of the differential housing 1. The sealing rings 19 are located at the oil port of the hydraulic cylinder, sealing the gap between the oil cavity and the external environment, preventing hydraulic oil leakage, and ensuring the stability of the hydraulic system pressure.

[0036] Working principle: External power is transmitted to the differential housing 1 through the bevel gear 16. The bevel gear 16 is rigidly connected to the differential housing 1 through the hexagonal head bolt 9 to achieve synchronous rotation. The differential housing 1 drives the planetary gear long shaft 7 and planetary gear short shaft 6 to rotate through the elastic cylindrical pin 11. The long shaft and short shaft are cross-fixed by the cross bearing 8. The cross bearing 8 maintains the correct positioning of the long shaft and short shaft, forming a stable planetary gear carrier structure. The planetary bevel gear 4 is installed on the long shaft and short shaft through the bushing 5. The bushing 5 reduces the friction between the planetary bevel gear 4 and the planetary shaft, and can rotate synchronously with the shaft system.

[0037] When the vehicle is traveling in a straight line, the resistance of the two drive wheels is the same, and the planetary bevel gear 4 only revolves without rotating. At this time, the half-shaft gear 3 and the differential lock half-shaft gear 12 obtain the same speed through meshing with the planetary bevel gear 4, and the power is evenly transmitted to the two drive wheels. When the vehicle turns, the resistance of the inner wheel increases, and the planetary bevel gear 4 rotates under the reaction force of the half-shaft gear 3. The speed difference of the two half-shaft gears 3 is automatically adjusted through gear meshing to achieve smooth steering.

[0038] When the TCU control system starts, oil enters through port A of the control sealing ring 19, increasing the hydraulic cylinder pressure between the differential housing 1 and the piston 17. Under the action of hydraulic thrust, the piston 17 moves along the bearing flange 20 toward the friction plate assembly. The sealing ring 18 ensures sealing performance, and the washer 13 provides support for the friction plate assembly. The piston 17 pushes the inner disc 14 and outer disc 15 of the friction plate to press together. The inner disc 14 meshes with the differential lock half-shaft gear 12, and the outer disc 15 meshes with the differential housing 1. The thrust washer 10 buffers the axial force and improves the smoothness of operation. When the friction plates are fully pressed together, the differential lock half-shaft gear 12 forms a rigid connection with the differential housing 1, the planetary gear mechanism stops differential action, and the two drive wheels obtain the same speed and torque, helping the vehicle to get out of trouble.

[0039] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A differential with a differential lock function, comprising a differential housing (1), characterized in that: The differential housing (1) is externally fixedly connected to a left half-shaft gear washer (2), and the left half-shaft gear washer (2) is externally fixedly connected to a friction plate assembly. The differential housing (1) is internally provided with a washer (13), the washer (13) is externally fixedly connected to an inner plate (14), the inner plate (14) is externally fixedly connected to an outer plate (15), the inner plate (14) is internally slidably connected to a piston (17), the piston (17) is externally fixedly connected to a sealing ring (18), and the differential housing (1) is internally provided with a reduction assembly.

2. A differential with differential lock function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deceleration assembly includes an elastic cylindrical pin (11), the outer side of which is slidably connected to the inside of the differential housing (1), the outer side of which is slidably connected to a planetary bevel gear (4), and the outer side of which is fixedly connected to a bushing (5).

3. A differential with differential lock function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bushing (5) is fixedly connected to a plurality of limiting blocks (21), two of which are rotatably connected to the long shaft of a planetary gear (7), and the other two limiting blocks (21) are rotatably connected to the short shaft of a planetary gear (6). The short shaft of the planetary gear (6) is rotatably connected to the outside of a cross bearing (8), and the cross bearing (8) is rotatably connected to the outside of the long shaft of the planetary gear (7).

4. A differential with differential lock function according to claim 3, characterized in that: A thrust washer (10) is slidably connected to the outside of the planetary gear short shaft (6), and the outside of the thrust washer (10) is fixedly connected to the inside of the differential housing (1).

5. A differential with differential lock function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The differential housing (1) is rotatably connected to a bearing, and a half-shaft gear (3) is fixedly connected to the outside of the bearing. The outside of the half-shaft gear (3) is meshed with the outside of the short shaft (6) of the planetary gear, and the outside of the half-shaft gear (3) is meshed with the outside of the long shaft (7) of the planetary gear.

6. A differential with differential lock function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The washer (13) is slidably connected to a differential lock half-shaft gear (12), and the outside of the differential lock half-shaft gear (12) is meshed with the outside of the external bevel gear of the cross bearing (8).

7. A differential with differential lock function according to claim 6, characterized in that: The differential housing (1) is fixedly connected to the outside by a plurality of hexagonal head bolts (9), and a bevel gear (16) is fixedly connected to the outside of the hexagonal head bolts (9). The bevel gear (16) is slidably connected to the outside of the differential housing (1).

8. A differential with differential lock function according to claim 7, characterized in that: The differential housing (1) is provided with a bearing flange (20) on the outside, and two sealing rings (19) are fitted on the outside of the differential housing (1).

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