An electronic differential lock assembly

Abstract

The application discloses an electronic differential lock assembly, which comprises a differential lock shell, an electric control locking mechanism and a planetary gear mechanism arranged in the differential lock shell. The electric control locking mechanism comprises a coupling member arranged in the differential lock shell, an electric control execution assembly, and a reset elastic element and a sliding member arranged outside the differential lock shell. The electric control execution assembly is used for driving the sliding member to move towards the planetary gear mechanism, so that the coupling member is combined with the planetary gear mechanism. The reset elastic element is used for separating the coupling member from the planetary gear mechanism when the electric control execution assembly is powered off. Compared with the prior art, the electronic differential lock assembly disclosed by the application arranges the reset spring outside the differential lock shell, releases the available space inside, can better arrange other parts, makes the internal parts in the limited space can maximize the strength, so that the differential lock obtains more reliable performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive technology, and more specifically, to an electronic differential lock assembly. Background Technology

[0002] A car differential is a mechanism that allows the left and right (or front and rear) drive wheels to rotate at different speeds. Under extreme driving conditions, the wheels are prone to losing traction and spinning, eventually causing the vehicle to become stuck and require external assistance. An electronic differential lock can lock the differential when one side of the vehicle's tires slips, depriving the left and right wheels of their differential function, restoring traction, and thus allowing the vehicle to get out of trouble.

[0003] Because electronic differential locks have limited internal space, numerous components, and require high precision in their assembly, they also necessitate relative rotational motion. Existing electronic differential locks, due to space constraints, have short end-face tooth engagement lengths for the half-shaft gears and engagement gear discs. Therefore, high-strength materials are required to meet the strength requirements of these end-face teeth, resulting in higher material costs for the components.

[0004] Therefore, how to simplify the internal spatial structure of the differential lock has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to disclose an electronic differential lock assembly to simplify the internal spatial structure of the differential lock.

[0006] An electronic differential lock assembly includes a differential lock housing, an electronically controlled locking mechanism, and a planetary gear mechanism disposed within the differential lock housing;

[0007] The electronically controlled locking mechanism includes a coupling and an electronically controlled actuation component disposed inside the differential lock housing, and a reset elastic element and a sliding element disposed outside the differential lock housing;

[0008] The sliding member is connected to the connecting member, the sliding member rotates synchronously with the differential lock housing, and can move along the axial direction of the differential lock housing;

[0009] The electronically controlled actuator is used to drive the slider to move closer to the planetary gear mechanism so that the coupling member engages with the planetary gear mechanism; the reset elastic element is used to drive the slider to move away from the planetary gear mechanism when the electronically controlled actuator is de-energized so that the coupling member disengages from the planetary gear mechanism.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the reset elastic element is a spring sleeved on the outside of the differential lock housing. The differential lock housing has a spring seat on its outside. One end of the reset elastic element abuts against the spring seat, and the other end abuts against the sliding member.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the electronically controlled actuator includes an electromagnetic drive device and a pusher, the pusher being located between the electromagnetic drive device and the slider; when the electronically controlled actuator is energized, the pusher pushes the slider to move.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the pusher is provided with at least one first inclined mating surface, and the slider is provided with at least one second inclined mating surface, wherein the first inclined mating surface and the second inclined mating surface are wedged into each other;

[0013] When the electromagnetic drive device is energized, the pusher is in a fixed state, the first inclined mating surface and the second inclined mating surface slide relative to each other, and there is a gap between the sliding member and the pusher.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first inclined mating surface and the second inclined mating surface are V-shaped wedge surfaces, which together constitute a V-shaped wedge surface mating pair.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the electro-hydraulic drive component is an electro-hydraulic drive device, and the output end of the electro-hydraulic drive component acts directly or indirectly on the sliding member.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the sliding member and the connecting member are indirectly connected by a connector, which passes through the sliding member and the differential lock housing in sequence, and is connected to the connecting member to fix the sliding member, the differential lock housing and the connecting member.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the coupling member is provided with a first end tooth, and the planetary gear mechanism includes a first half-shaft gear, a second half-shaft gear, and a planetary gear. The first half-shaft gear is provided with a second end tooth, and when the coupling member is engaged with the planetary gear mechanism, the first end tooth and the second end tooth mesh with each other.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the coupling is connected to the differential lock housing via a spline.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the reset elastic element is in a compressed state when the electronic differential lock assembly is in the open state.

[0020] The working process of the electronic differential lock disclosed in this application is as follows:

[0021] When the vehicle is driving normally or turning, the electronic differential lock is in the open state, and the electronic control actuator is de-energized. At this time, the elastic force of the reset elastic element moves the sliding member away from the planetary gear mechanism, and the engaging member separates from the planetary gear mechanism. At this time, the planetary gear mechanism works normally, and the left and right wheels can achieve normal differential rotation.

[0022] When a vehicle experiences wheel slippage, the electronic control actuator is energized, locking the electronic differential lock. The force exerted by the electronic control actuator on the sliding member overcomes the elastic force of the reset elastic element, driving the sliding member to move closer to the planetary gear mechanism. This causes the engagement member to move along with the planetary gear mechanism, engaging with it. At this point, because the engagement member is connected to and rotates synchronously with the differential lock housing, the half-shaft gears of the planetary gear mechanism rotate synchronously with the differential lock housing. The differential function is canceled, and torque is transmitted to the wheels with traction, allowing the vehicle to escape the predicament.

[0023] When the vehicle's slippage is resolved, the electronic control actuator is de-energized, the force exerted by the electronic control actuator on the sliding member disappears, and the reset elastic element pushes the sliding member, thereby pushing the coupling back to the position separated from the planetary gear mechanism.

[0024] Compared to related technologies, the electronic differential lock assembly disclosed in this application places the return spring on the outside of the differential lock housing, freeing up usable internal space to better arrange other parts. This allows the internal parts to maximize their strength within a limited space, thereby enabling the differential lock to achieve more reliable performance. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or related technologies of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 Explosion of the electronic differential lock assembly disclosed in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the electronic differential lock assembly disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a partial enlarged view of the electronic differential lock assembly disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 4 Explosion of the electronic differential lock assembly disclosed in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 ;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the coupling disclosed in the embodiments of this application.

[0031] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0032] 100. Electromagnetic drive device;

[0033] 200. Pushing component;

[0034] 300, Sliding component; 310, First mounting hole;

[0035] 400. Reset elastic element;

[0036] 500. Connectors;

[0037] 600. Differential lock housing; 610. Second mounting hole; 620. Spring seat;

[0038] 700. Connecting part; 710. Third mounting hole;

[0039] 800. First half-shaft gear;

[0040] 900, Planetary Gear;

[0041] 1000, Second half-shaft gear. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The existing electronic differential lock has an adjusting spring installed between the half-shaft gear and the engagement gear plate. The adjusting spring is sleeved on the shaft diameter of the half-shaft gear and the inner groove of the engagement gear plate. One end is in contact with the half-shaft gear and the other end is in contact with the engagement gear plate. This results in the half-shaft gear and the engagement gear plate needing to reserve space for the adjusting spring, which causes the end face tooth engagement length of the half-shaft gear and the engagement gear plate to be short.

[0043] This application discloses an electronic differential lock assembly in which the spring is located on the outside of the housing to simplify the internal space structure of the differential lock.

[0044] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0045] See Figures 1 to 5 The electronic differential lock assembly disclosed in this invention includes a differential lock housing 600, an electronically controlled locking mechanism, and a planetary gear mechanism disposed within the differential lock housing 600.

[0046] The planetary gear mechanism includes a planetary gear, a second half-shaft gear 1000, and a first half-shaft gear 800. The planetary gear is connected to the differential lock housing 600 via a cross shaft. The second half-shaft gear 1000 and the first half-shaft gear 800 are respectively connected to the left and right wheel axles of the vehicle. The planetary gear meshes with the second half-shaft gear 1000 and the first half-shaft gear 800 to realize the basic differential function.

[0047] The electronically controlled locking mechanism includes a coupling member 700, an electronically controlled actuation assembly, a reset elastic element 400, and a sliding member 300. The coupling member 700 is disposed inside the differential lock housing 600, located between the first half-shaft gear 800 and the differential lock housing 600. The coupling member 700 rotates synchronously with the differential lock housing 600 and can move axially along the differential lock housing 600. When the coupling member 700 is engaged with the planetary gear mechanism, the differential lock housing 600 and the first half-shaft gear 800 are connected through the coupling member 700, allowing the differential lock housing 600 and the first half-shaft gear 800 to rotate synchronously. The sliding member 300 is an annular component sleeved on the outside of the differential lock housing 600. The sliding member 300 is connected to the differential lock housing 600, allowing the sliding member 300 to rotate synchronously with the differential lock housing 600 and can move axially along the differential lock housing 600. The sliding member 300 is connected to the coupling member 700 so that the sliding member 300 can drive the coupling member 700 to move. The reset elastic element 400 is disposed outside the differential lock housing 600, and the direction of the elastic force applied by the reset elastic element 400 to the sliding member 300 is such that the sliding member 300 is moved away from the planetary gear mechanism.

[0048] The electronically controlled actuator drives the slider 300 to overcome the elastic force of the reset elastic element 400, causing the slider 300 to move towards the planetary gear mechanism, thereby moving the coupling 700 and engaging it with the planetary gear mechanism. When the electronically controlled actuator is de-energized, the reset elastic element 400 drives the slider 300 to move away from the planetary gear mechanism, disengaging the coupling 700 from it.

[0049] The working process of the electronic differential lock disclosed in this application is as follows:

[0050] When the vehicle is driving normally or turning, the electronic differential lock is in the open state, and the electronic control actuator is de-energized. At this time, the elastic force of the reset elastic element 400 moves the sliding member away from the planetary gear mechanism, and the coupling member 700 separates from the planetary gear mechanism. At this time, the planetary gear mechanism works normally, and the left and right wheels can achieve normal differential rotation.

[0051] When the vehicle's wheels slip, the electronic control actuator is energized, locking the electronic differential lock. The force exerted by the electronic control actuator on the sliding member 300 overcomes the elastic force of the reset elastic element 400, driving the sliding member 300 to move closer to the planetary gear mechanism. This causes the engaging member 700 to move as well, engaging with the planetary gear mechanism. At this time, because the engaging member 700 is connected to and rotates synchronously with the differential lock housing 600, the first half-shaft gear 800 of the planetary gear mechanism rotates synchronously with the differential lock housing 600. The differential function is canceled, and torque is transmitted to the wheels with traction, allowing the vehicle to escape from the predicament.

[0052] When the vehicle slippage is resolved, the electronic control actuator is de-energized, the force exerted by the electronic control actuator on the sliding member 300 disappears, and the reset elastic element 400 pushes the sliding member 300 away from the planetary gear mechanism, thereby pushing the coupling member 700 back to the position separated from the planetary gear mechanism.

[0053] Compared to related technologies, the electronic differential lock assembly disclosed in this application places the return spring on the outside of the differential lock housing, freeing up usable internal space. This allows for better arrangement of other components and maximizes the strength of internal components within a limited space, thereby enabling the differential lock to achieve more reliable performance.

[0054] In one specific embodiment, the reset elastic element 400 is a compression spring sleeved on the outside of the differential lock housing 600. A spring seat 620 is provided on the outside of the differential lock housing 600. Specifically, the outer side of the differential lock housing 600 is configured with a stepped structure, such that the differential lock housing 600 has a large end with a larger outer diameter and a small end with a smaller outer diameter. The outer diameter of the large end is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the reset elastic element 400, and the outer diameter of the small end is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the reset elastic element 400. The reset elastic element 400 is sleeved on the small end of the stepped structure. The spring seat 620 is an end face perpendicular to the axis of the differential lock housing 600. One end of the reset elastic element 400 abuts against the spring seat 620, and the other end abuts against the sliding member 300.

[0055] To ensure that the elastic force of the reset elastic element 400 effectively acts on the sliding member 300, the outer diameter of the sliding member 300 is set to be larger than the maximum outer diameter of the reset elastic element 400, and the radial width of the sliding member 300 is set to be larger than the wire diameter of the reset elastic element 400. Compared with the spring located inside the differential, the reset elastic element 400 has a larger external structure, resulting in a greater spring compression force for the same compression stroke, thus ensuring reliable operation. Furthermore, under the premise of requiring the same spring force for the electronic differential lock assembly, the spring length can be shortened and the number of coils appropriately reduced. This design also facilitates the maintenance of the reset elastic element 400. As a consumable part, the reset elastic element 400 is located on the outside of the differential lock housing 600, allowing maintenance personnel to directly inspect its condition. When its elasticity weakens or it is damaged due to long-term use, maintenance personnel can replace the spring without disassembling the entire electronic differential lock assembly. This significantly shortens maintenance time and reduces maintenance difficulty and labor costs.

[0056] In one specific embodiment, the electronically controlled actuator may include an electromagnetic drive 100 and a pusher 200. The electromagnetic drive 100 is electrically connected to the vehicle's control system and is stationary relative to the rotating differential lock housing 600. The pusher 200 is a circular member with good magnetic permeability, arranged face-to-face with the electromagnetic drive 100, and an end-face bearing may be arranged between the electromagnetic drive 100 and the pusher 200 to reduce friction between them. The pusher 200 is located between the electromagnetic drive 100 and the sliding member 300. When the electronically controlled actuator is energized, the pusher 200 pushes the sliding member 300 to move. This design allows the electromagnetic drive 100 to generate a strong electromagnetic force instantly upon energization, acting directly on the pusher 200, resulting in fast response, precise control, and easy integration into the vehicle's electronic system.

[0057] Based on the above structure, a guiding connection structure can be adopted between the pusher 200 and the slider 300. The pusher 200 may be provided with at least one first inclined mating surface, and the slider 300 may be provided with at least one second inclined mating surface. The first inclined mating surface and the second inclined mating surface are wedged into each other, so that the slider 300 can transmit torque through the mating surfaces and drive the pusher 200 to rotate synchronously.

[0058] When the electromagnetic drive device 100 is energized, it attracts the pusher 200, fixing it in a fixed state. Relative rotation occurs between the pusher 200 and the slider 300, causing relative sliding between the first and second inclined mating surfaces. Due to the angle between the first and second inclined mating surfaces, this relative sliding causes the slider 300 to move along the axial direction of the differential lock housing 600, moving it away from the pusher 200. Since the connecting member 700 is fixedly connected to the slider 300, the slider 300 drives the connecting member 700 to move along the axial direction of the differential lock housing 600, allowing the connecting member 700 to engage with the first half-shaft gear 800 of the planetary gear mechanism. This design is compact, and the first and second inclined mating surfaces can transmit torsional forces and generate axial driving forces when the connecting member 700 and the slider 300 rotate relative to each other, thus improving the stability of the operation.

[0059] To improve the stability of torque transmission between the pushing member 200 and the sliding member 300, the first inclined mating surface can be a raised V-shaped wedge surface on the sliding member 300, and the second inclined mating surface can be a recessed V-shaped wedge surface on the pushing member 200. These two surfaces cooperate to form a V-shaped wedge surface mating pair. Furthermore, this V-shaped wedge surface mating pair can include multiple types, such as... Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, three V-shaped wedge surfaces are evenly arranged on the slider 300.

[0060] In another specific embodiment, the electro-hydraulic actuator is an electro-hydraulic drive device, and the output end of the electro-hydraulic actuator acts directly or indirectly on the sliding member 300. The specific structure of the electro-hydraulic drive device includes, but is not limited to, a combination of an electric hydraulic pump and an electro-hydraulic valve; those skilled in the art can design it based on requirements. This design can generate enormous thrust, is suitable for high-torque vehicles, and the device has good heat dissipation.

[0061] In one specific embodiment, the sliding member 300 and the connecting member 700 are indirectly connected by a connecting member 500, which can be a connecting screw. The sliding member 300 has a through first mounting hole 310, the differential lock housing 600 has a through second mounting hole 610, and the connecting member 700 has a third mounting hole 710. The second mounting hole 610 is an elongated hole, the length of which is parallel to the axial direction of the differential lock housing 600, allowing the connecting member 500 to move along the axial direction of the differential lock housing 600 after passing through the second mounting hole 610. The third mounting hole 710 is a threaded hole that engages with the thread on the connecting member 500. After the connecting member 500 passes through the first mounting hole 310 and the second mounting hole 610 in sequence, it is threadedly connected to the third mounting hole 710 to fix the sliding member 300, the differential lock housing 600, and the connecting member 700, so that the three rotate synchronously.

[0062] In one specific embodiment, the coupling 700 is provided with a first end tooth, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the planetary gear mechanism includes a first half-shaft gear 800, a second half-shaft gear 1000, and a planetary gear 900. The first half-shaft gear 800 has a second end tooth. When the coupling member 700 is engaged with the planetary gear mechanism, the first end tooth and the second end tooth mesh with each other. The coupling member 700 and the first half-shaft gear 800 transmit torque through the meshing end teeth. Compared with the prior art, since there is no need to reserve a spring mounting position between the coupling member 700 and the first half-shaft gear 800, the meshing area between the first end tooth and the second end tooth can be set to be longer, and the strength can be greatly improved under the premise of the same number of teeth. Correspondingly, the material of the coupling member 700 and the first half-shaft gear 800 can be selected with a lower strength grade, and the material cost can be reduced. Furthermore, the coupling member 700 and the first half-shaft gear 800 reduce the machining process of the spring mounting part, reducing the manufacturing cost of the parts.

[0063] To enhance the connection strength between the coupling component 700 and the differential lock housing 600, the coupling component 700 and the differential lock housing 600 are connected via splines. Specifically, the coupling component 700 has external splines in the circumferential direction, and the differential lock housing 600 has internal splines, which mate to connect. This spline connection allows the coupling component 700 to move along the axis of the differential lock housing 600, but it cannot rotate relative to the housing. It should be noted that, to ensure a large torque can be transmitted between the coupling component 700 and the differential lock housing 600 in the locked state, when the coupling component 700 is engaged with the planetary gear mechanism, the external splines of the coupling component 700 and the internal splines of the differential lock housing 600 are at least partially engaged.

[0064] The reset elastic element 400 is in a compressed state when the electronic differential lock assembly is in the open state. The elastic force of the reset elastic element 400 continuously acts on the sliding member 300, pushing the sliding member 300 and the connecting member 700 to move away from the planetary gear mechanism, thereby keeping the connecting member 700 separated from the planetary gear mechanism, ensuring that the differential function can be effectively realized when the electronic differential lock assembly is in the open state.

[0065] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units may include steps or units not listed, but rather steps or units not listed. Additionally, in the description of embodiments in this application, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0066] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "height," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, and "at least one" can mean one, two, or more, unless otherwise expressly specified.

[0067] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Specific technical means in some embodiments may be incorporated, in whole or in part, into another embodiment unless explicitly excluded by another embodiment. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An electronic differential lock assembly, characterized in that, It includes a differential lock housing (600), an electronically controlled locking mechanism, and a planetary gear mechanism disposed within the differential lock housing (600); The electronically controlled locking mechanism includes a coupling (700) disposed inside the differential lock housing (600), an electronically controlled actuation component, and a reset elastic element (400) and a sliding element (300) disposed outside the differential lock housing (600). The sliding member (300) is connected to the connecting member (700), the sliding member (300) rotates synchronously with the differential lock housing (600), and can move along the axial direction of the differential lock housing (600); The electronically controlled actuator is used to drive the slider (300) to move closer to the planetary gear mechanism so that the coupling (700) engages with the planetary gear mechanism; the reset elastic element (400) is used to drive the slider (300) to move away from the planetary gear mechanism when the electronically controlled actuator is de-energized so that the coupling (700) disengages from the planetary gear mechanism.

2. The electronic differential lock assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The reset elastic element (400) is a spring sleeved on the outside of the differential lock housing (600). The differential lock housing (600) is provided with a spring seat (620) on the outside. One end of the reset elastic element (400) abuts against the spring seat (620), and the other end abuts against the sliding member (300).

3. The electronic differential lock assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The electronically controlled actuator includes an electromagnetic drive device (100) and a pusher (200), the pusher (200) being located between the electromagnetic drive device (100) and the slider (300); when the electronically controlled actuator is energized, the pusher (200) pushes the slider (300) to move.

4. The electronic differential lock assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The pusher (200) is provided with at least one first inclined mating surface, and the slider (300) is provided with at least one second inclined mating surface, wherein the first inclined mating surface and the second inclined mating surface are wedged together. When the electromagnetic drive device (100) is energized, the pusher (200) is in a fixed state, the first inclined mating surface and the second inclined mating surface slide relative to each other, and there is a gap between the sliding member (300) and the pusher (200).

5. The electronic differential lock assembly as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first inclined mating surface and the second inclined mating surface are V-shaped wedge surfaces, which together form a V-shaped wedge surface mating pair.

6. The electronic differential lock assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The electro-hydraulic drive component is an electro-hydraulic drive device, and the output end of the electro-hydraulic drive component acts directly or indirectly on the sliding member (300).

7. The electronic differential lock assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding member (300) and the connecting member (700) are indirectly connected by a connector (500). The connector (500) passes through the sliding member (300) and the differential lock housing (600) in sequence. The connector (500) is connected to the connecting member (700) to fix the sliding member (300), the differential lock housing (600) and the connecting member (700).

8. The electronic differential lock assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The coupling (700) is provided with a first end tooth. The planetary gear mechanism includes a first half-shaft gear (800), a second half-shaft gear (1000), and a planetary gear (900). The first half-shaft gear (800) is provided with a second end tooth. When the coupling (700) is engaged with the planetary gear mechanism, the first end tooth and the second end tooth mesh with each other.

9. The electronic differential lock assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The coupling (700) is connected to the differential lock housing (600) via a spline.

10. The electronic differential lock assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The reset elastic element (400) is in a compressed state when the electronic differential lock assembly is in the open state.

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