Differential gear

Abstract

To achieve downsizing and inhibit insufficient lubrication of a side gear.SOLUTION: A differential gear includes: a differential case; a side gear which is provided within the differential case and may rotate around a rotation axis of the differential case; a pinion shaft provided within the differential case and extending in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis of the differential case; a pinion gear configured to engage with the side gear and provided in the pinion shaft; and a plate member erected on a facing surface, which faces an inner wall of the differential case, of the pinion gear.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a differential. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle is provided with a differential device that absorbs the differential rotation between the left and right wheels while transmitting the driving force from the driving source. The differential device includes a ring gear, a differential case, a pair of pinion gears, and a pair of side gears. The driving force from the driving source is transmitted to the ring gear. The ring gear is provided to rotate the differential case, and is provided annularly on the outer peripheral surface of the differential case. A pair of pinion gears and a pair of side gears are accommodated inside the differential case. The pair of pinion gears are rotatably supported by a pinion shaft supported in the differential case. The pair of side gears are provided on the left and right of the pair of pinion gears, mesh with the pinion gears, and are connected to the left and right wheels. When a differential rotation occurs between the left and right wheels, a differential rotation also occurs in the pair of side gears connected to the left and right wheels. At this time, the pair of pinion gears meshing with the pair of side gears rotate around the central axis of the pinion shaft, thereby absorbing the differential rotation between the left and right wheels.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a differential device having an opening in a differential case. The differential device described in Patent Document 1 has an opening in the differential case, which allows a pair of pinion gears and a pair of side gears to be easily introduced into the differential case through the opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-82544 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Furthermore, in the differential device described in Patent Document 1, an opening is provided in the differential case, so that lubricating oil can be easily introduced into the differential case. The lubricating oil introduced into the differential case lubricates a pair of pinion gears and a pair of side gears in the differential case. The opening in the differential case is formed at a position different from the position where the ring gear is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the differential case so as not to interfere with the ring gear.

[0006] In order to reduce the size of the differential device, it is possible to arrange the ring gear outside the differential case and one of the pair of side gears inside the differential case so that they overlap in the radial direction. However, in that case, the lubricating oil introduced from the opening has difficulty reaching the side gear arranged inside the ring gear, which causes a problem of insufficient lubrication of the side gear.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a differential device that is compact and capable of suppressing insufficient lubrication of the side gears. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, a differential device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: A differential case and A side gear provided in the differential case and rotatable around a rotation axis of the differential case; A pinion shaft provided in the differential case and extending in a direction intersecting a rotation axis of the differential case; a pinion gear meshing with the side gear and provided on the pinion shaft; A plate member provided upright on an opposing surface of the pinion gear that faces an inner wall of the differential case; has. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size and prevent insufficient lubrication of the side gears. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an external view of the differential gear according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the differential gear according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the pinion gear according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the pinion gear according to the first embodiment as viewed from the back side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of the differential case, the pinion gears, and the side gears. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a pinion gear according to the second embodiment as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a pinion gear according to the third embodiment as viewed from the rear side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific dimensions, materials, numerical values, etc. shown in the embodiment are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, an arrow F indicates the forward direction of the vehicle 100, an arrow B indicates the backward direction of the vehicle 100, an arrow R indicates the right direction of the vehicle 100, and an arrow L indicates the left direction of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 is a four-wheel drive vehicle capable of four-wheel drive running with front and rear wheels driven. However, without being limited thereto, the vehicle 100 may be a four-wheel drive vehicle capable of switching between four-wheel drive running and two-wheel drive running in which either the front wheels or the rear wheels are driven. In that case, during two-wheel drive running, the front wheels may be driven or the rear wheels may be driven. The vehicle 100 may also be a four-wheel drive vehicle that is not capable of four-wheel drive running and is only capable of two-wheel drive running.

[0013] In the first embodiment, the vehicle 100 will be described as a hybrid vehicle equipped with two drive sources, an engine 110 and a motor 120. However, the drive source of the vehicle 100 may be either the engine 110 or the motor 120, and various vehicle models such as an electric vehicle or an engine vehicle can be adopted. Here, configurations related to the features of the first embodiment will be described in detail, and configurations unrelated to the features of the first embodiment will not be described.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 includes an engine 110, a fuel tank 112, a clutch 114, a transmission 116, a motor 120, an inverter 122, a battery 124, a propeller shaft 126, a front drive shaft 128, front wheels 130, a rear drive shaft 132, rear wheels 134, and a differential 200.

[0015] Engine 110 obtains driving force by combusting fuel supplied from a fuel tank 112. Engine 110 transmits the obtained driving force to transmission 116 via clutch 114. Engine 110 is connected to a control device (not shown), and the driving force is adjusted based on a control command from the control device.

[0016] The motor 120 is disposed coaxially with the engine 110. The motor 120 obtains driving force from electric power supplied from a battery 124 via an inverter 122. The motor 120 transmits the obtained driving force to the transmission 116. The motor 120 also functions as a generator when it is not receiving electric power. Electric power generated by the motor 120 is stored in the battery 124 via the inverter 122. The inverter 122 is also connected to a control device (not shown), and the supplied electric power is adjusted based on a control command from the control device, thereby adjusting the driving force of the motor 120.

[0017] The driving force output from a driving source such as the engine 110 or the motor 120 is adjusted in torque, rotation speed, and rotation direction by the transmission 116 and then transmitted to the propeller shaft 126. The driving force transmitted to the propeller shaft 126 is transmitted to the front wheels 130 via the differential gear 200 on the forward direction side of the vehicle 100 and a front drive shaft 128. The driving force transmitted to the propeller shaft 126 is also transmitted to the rear wheels 134 via the differential gear 200 on the reverse direction side of the vehicle 100 and a rear drive shaft 132.

[0018] Fig. 2 is an external view of the differential gear 200 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a configuration diagram of the differential gear 200 on the reverse direction side of the vehicle 100. Here, the configuration of the differential gear 200 on the forward direction side of the vehicle 100 is similar to the configuration of the differential gear 200 on the reverse direction side of the vehicle 100, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the differential device 200 includes a differential case 210, a ring gear 220, a pinion shaft 230, a pinion gear 240, and side gears 250L and 250R (see FIG. 3). The ring gear 220 is provided outside the differential case 210, and the pinion shaft 230, the pinion gear 240, and the side gears 250L and 250R are provided inside the differential case 210. The differential case 210 is rotatably supported via bearings in a housing (not shown) provided in the vehicle 100. The differential case 210 is accommodated in a housing chamber S formed in the housing (not shown). Oil is stored in the housing chamber S as a lubricant.

[0020] The differential case 210 includes a main body 210a and a flange 210b. The main body 210a is generally cylindrical with a central axis that is a rotation axis extending in the LR direction in the figure. The flange 210b is generally disk-shaped with a central axis that is a rotation axis extending in the LR direction in the figure. The flange 210b is integrally formed on one end side of the main body 210a in the central axis direction on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 210a. The flange 210b protrudes in the radial direction of the main body 210a. In addition, an opening 212 and a gear chamber 214 are formed in the main body 210a. The opening 212 opens on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 210a. The gear chamber 214 is formed in the main body 210a and communicates with the housing chamber S via the opening 212.

[0021] A ring gear 220 is coupled to the flange portion 210b. The ring gear 220 extends in an annular shape radially outward of the main body portion 210a. In the first embodiment, the ring gear 220 is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 210a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ring gear 220 may be provided radially spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 210a. An output gear (not shown) provided at one end of the propeller shaft 126 meshes with the ring gear 220. Driving forces from the engine 110 and the motor 120 are transmitted to the ring gear 220 via the output gear, and the ring gear 220 rotates around a rotation shaft extending in the LR direction in the figure. The differential case 210 rotates integrally with the ring gear 220 around a rotation shaft extending in the LR direction in the figure.

[0022] The opening 212 is a through hole penetrating the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 210a. The opening 212 is provided in a position in the central axial direction of the differential case 210 different from the positions where the flange portion 210b and the ring gear 220 are provided. The opening 212 is provided on the other end side of the main body portion 210a in the central axial direction, on the opposite side to the flange portion 210b and the ring gear 220. Therefore, the opening 212 is formed in the main body portion 210a without interfering with the flange portion 210b and the ring gear 220.

[0023] Opening 212 communicates between a gear chamber 214 formed by the inner circumferential surface of differential case 210 and a housing chamber S formed outside differential case 210. Opening 212 is formed to introduce oil contained in the housing chamber S into gear chamber 214. Pinion shaft 230, pinion gear 240, and side gears 250L and 250R are housed in gear chamber 214. By introducing oil from opening 212 into gear chamber 214, pinion gear 240 and side gears 250L and 250R in gear chamber 214 can be lubricated.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the differential gear 200 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, a through hole 210c is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 210a. The through hole 210c extends in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the differential case 210. In FIG. 3, the through hole 210c extends in the FB direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the differential case 210. Note that the through hole 210c is formed at a position different from the opening 212 in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 210a so as not to interfere with the opening 212.

[0025] Pinion shaft 230 is inserted through through hole 210c. Both ends of pinion shaft 230 engage with through hole 210c. Pinion shaft 230 extends in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of differential case 210, and is attached to main body portion 210a. In the first embodiment, pinion shaft 230 is provided in differential case 210, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of differential case 210. A central portion of pinion shaft 230 is housed in gear chamber 214.

[0026] The pair of pinion gears 240 are inserted through the pinion shaft 230 and housed in the gear chamber 214. The pair of pinion gears 240 are provided such that their teeth face each other on both ends of the pinion shaft 230. The pinion gears 240 are provided rotatably about the pinion shaft 230 as an axis.

[0027] The side gears 250L, 250R are housed in the gear chamber 214 and configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis of the differential case 210. As shown in Fig. 3, the side gear 250L is disposed on the L direction side, which is one side in the rotation axis direction of the main body 210a, with respect to the pair of pinion gears 240, and meshes with the pair of pinion gears 240. The side gear 250R is disposed on the R direction side, which is the other side in the rotation axis direction of the main body 210a, with respect to the pair of pinion gears 240, and meshes with the pair of pinion gears 240.

[0028] The central axis of the side gears 250L, 250R is arranged to be approximately the same as the central axis of the main body 210a. The central axes of the side gears 250L, 250R are positioned on a straight line. The side gears 250L, 250R are configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis of the differential case 210.

[0029] A pair of insertion holes 210d are formed at both ends of the main body 210a in the central axis direction. The central axes of the pair of insertion holes 210d extend in the L / R direction. Parts of the side gears 250L and 250R are inserted into the insertion holes 210d.

[0030] A part of the rear drive shaft 132 is inserted through the insertion hole 210d. The rear drive shaft 132 has an L-side shaft connected to the side gear 250L in a manner that does not allow relative rotation, and an R-side shaft connected to the side gear 250R in a manner that does not allow relative rotation. Similarly, the front drive shaft 128 has an L-side shaft connected to the side gear 250L in a manner that does not allow relative rotation, and an R-side shaft connected to the side gear 250R in a manner that does not allow relative rotation. The side gear 250L and the L-side shaft rotate integrally, and the side gear 250R and the R-side shaft rotate integrally. The side gear 250L and the L-side shaft, and the side gear 250R and the R-side shaft are configured independently of each other, and may rotate at the same rotation speed or at different rotation speeds.

[0031] Differential case 210 rotates about the central axis of rear drive shaft 132. When differential case 210 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of ring gear 220, pinion shaft 230 and pinion gear 240 rotate integrally with differential case 210 about the central axis of rear drive shaft 132. In other words, pinion gear 240 revolves about the central axis of rear drive shaft 132. In this way, pinion gear 240 is provided so as to be able to revolve about the central axis of rear drive shaft 132 as the center of rotation.

[0032] When the pinion gear 240 revolves, the side gears 250L, 250R meshing with the pinion gear 240 rotate about the central axis of the rear drive shaft 132. Since the rear drive shaft 132 is connected to the side gears 250L, 250R, the rear drive shaft 132 also rotates in accordance with the rotation of the side gears 250L, 250R. As a result, the driving force of the engine 110 and the motor 120 is transmitted to the rear wheel 134 via the differential gear 200. Similarly, the driving force from the engine 110 and the motor 120 is transmitted to the front wheel 130 via the differential gear 200.

[0033] When the vehicle 100 turns, a difference occurs between the rotation speeds of the left and right wheels, the front wheel 130 and the rear wheel 134. That is, a difference occurs between the rotation speeds of the L-side shaft and side gear 250L connected to the left wheel and the R-side shaft and side gear 250R connected to the right wheel. When a difference occurs between the rotation speeds of the side gears 250L and 250R, the pinion gear 240 rotates around the central axis of the pinion shaft 230 at a rotation speed corresponding to the difference in the rotation speeds of the side gears 250L and 250R. That is, the pinion gear 240 rotates around the central axis of the pinion shaft 230 at a rotation speed corresponding to the difference in the rotation speeds of the side gears 250L and 250R.

[0034] In this way, pinion gear 240 is provided to be rotatable about the central axis of pinion shaft 230. The difference in rotation speed between side gears 250L, 250R, i.e., the L-side shaft and the R-side shaft, is absorbed by the rotation of pinion gear 240, and torque is distributed according to the difference in rotation speed.

[0035] In the first embodiment, in order to reduce the size of the differential device 200, the ring gear 220 is arranged so as to overlap with the side gear 250L in the radial direction. That is, in the central axial direction of the differential case 210, the ring gear 220 is arranged at approximately the same position as the side gear 250L, which is one of the pair of side gears 250L and 250R. In the first embodiment, the ring gear 220 is arranged radially outward of the side gear 250L, and the side gear 250L is arranged radially inward of the ring gear 220. As a result, the differential device 200 can be made smaller in size than when the ring gear 220 is arranged outside the pair of side gears 250L and 250R in the central axial direction of the differential case 210.

[0036] Moreover, the opening 212 formed in the main body 210a of the differential case 210 is formed at a position different from the position where the ring gear 220 is provided so as not to interfere with the ring gear 220. The opening 212 in the first embodiment is disposed on the R direction side of the ring gear 220 in the central axial direction of the differential case 210. At this time, the opening 212 is disposed on the R direction side of the side gear 250L provided radially inside the ring gear 220. If the opening 212 is disposed on the R direction side of the side gear 250L, it becomes difficult for the oil introduced from the opening 212 to be supplied to the side gear 250L, and there is a risk of insufficient lubrication of the side gear 250L.

[0037] Therefore, in the differential gear 200 of the first embodiment, in order to supply oil to the side gear 250L, the plate member 300 is provided on the pinion gear 240. By providing the plate member 300 on the pinion gear 240 in this manner, it is possible to reduce the size of the differential gear 200 and suppress insufficient lubrication of the side gear 250L. Hereinafter, the plate member 300 of the pinion gear 240 will be described in detail.

[0038] Fig. 4 is an external perspective view of the pinion gear 240 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the pinion gear 240 has a main body 242, a plurality of teeth 244, and a plate member 300. The main body 242 is formed with an insertion hole 242a through which the pinion shaft 230 can be inserted. The insertion hole 242a penetrates the main body 242 from one end to the other end.

[0039] A plurality of teeth 244 are formed on the front side, which is one end of the main body 242. A plate member 300 is formed on the back side 242b, which is the other end of the main body 242. The back side 242b of the main body 242 is an opposing surface that faces the inner wall 210e of the main body portion 210a of the differential case 210. The plate member 300 is provided on the back side 242b of the main body 242 in an upright manner.

[0040] The plate member 300 has, for example, a flat plate shape. The plate member 300 extends from the center side to the outer periphery side of the back surface 242b. The plate member 300 of the first embodiment is provided so as to extend radially from the center of the main body 242. One plate member 300 is provided for one tooth 244, and one plate member 300 is provided on the opposite side of one tooth 244. The number of teeth 244 and the number of plate members 300 are the same. In the first embodiment, the number of teeth 244 and the number of plate members 300 are, for example, 10. However, the number of plate members 300 may be two or more, or may be a single number. The number of teeth 244 and the number of plate members 300 may be different numbers.

[0041] The position of the outer diameter end of the plate member 300 is equal to the position of the outer diameter end of the tooth 244. However, the position of the outer diameter end of the plate member 300 may be a position on the inner diameter side of the outer diameter end of the tooth 244, or a position on the outer diameter side. In other words, the plate member 300 may protrude on the outer diameter side with respect to the tooth 244, or may be recessed on the inner diameter side. The position of the inner diameter end of the plate member 300 is located on the outer diameter side of the insertion hole 242a. In other words, the plate member 300 is provided spaced away from the insertion hole 242a on the outer diameter side.

[0042] In the first embodiment, the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 240 has a curved shape. Therefore, the distance between the inner wall 210e of the differential case 210 and the back surface 242b becomes larger toward the outer periphery side of the pinion gear 240. The height of the plate member 300 from the back surface 242b becomes larger toward the outer periphery side of the pinion gear 240. The end surface 300a of the plate member 300 facing the inner wall 210e of the differential case 210 is a surface parallel to the inner wall 210e of the differential case 210. Therefore, the distance between the plate member 300 and the inner wall 210e can be made as small as possible to the extent that the plate member 300 and the inner wall 210e do not come into contact with each other.

[0043] 5 is a schematic diagram of the pinion gear 240 according to the first embodiment, viewed from the rear surface 242b side. As shown in FIG. 5, the plate members 300 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the main body 242. However, the plate members 300 may be provided at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction of the main body 242. The thickness of the plate members 300 is constant in the radial direction of the main body 242. However, the thickness of the plate members 300 may vary in the radial direction of the main body 242. For example, the thickness of the plate members 300 may be thicker or thinner toward the outer diameter side of the main body 242.

[0044] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the differential case 210, the pinion gear 240, and the side gear 250L. As shown in FIG. 6, a groove 210f is formed in the inner wall 210e of the differential case 210. In the first embodiment, the groove 210f is provided so as to extend from a portion of the inner wall 210e facing the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 240 to a portion facing the back surface 250La of the side gear 250L. The groove 210f is formed in a straight line when viewed from inside the differential case 210. However, the groove 210f may be formed in a curved line when viewed from inside the differential case 210.

[0045] The groove 210f has a first portion 210fa facing the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 240, a second portion 210fb facing the back surface 250La of the side gear 250L, and a third portion 210fc connecting the first portion 210fa and the second portion 210fb. By connecting the first portion 210fa and the third portion 210fc, the groove 210f can extend radially outward from the outer circumferential edge of the pinion gear 240 in the radial direction of the pinion gear 240. In addition, by connecting the second portion 210fb and the third portion 210fc, the groove 210f can extend radially outward from the outer circumferential edge of the side gear 250L in the radial direction of the side gear 250L.

[0046] A part of the oil introduced into the gear chamber 214 from the opening 212 of the differential case 210 is supplied between the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 240 and the inner wall 210e. Here, when the pinion gear 240 rotates, the plate member 300 provided on the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 240 also rotates. When the plate member 300 rotates, a part of the oil supplied between the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 240 and the inner wall 210e is rotated by the plate member 300 and moves from the outer peripheral edge of the pinion gear 240 toward the radially outward side by centrifugal force. A part of the oil moved to the radially outward side of the pinion gear 240 is supplied to the space between the side gear 250L and the inner wall 210e. This allows the side gear 250L to be lubricated, and insufficient lubrication of the side gear 250L is suppressed.

[0047] Also, a part of the oil moved to the radial outside of the pinion gear 240 is introduced into the first portion 210fa and the third portion 210fc of the groove 210f. The oil introduced into the first portion 210fa and the third portion 210fc moves along the groove 210f to the second portion 210fb, and is supplied from the second portion 210fb to the space between the back surface 250La of the side gear 250L and the inner wall 210e. The oil that has moved in the groove 210f is supplied to the space between the back surface 250La of the side gear 250L and the inner wall 210e. As a result, more oil can be supplied to the space between the back surface 250La of the side gear 250L and the inner wall 210e than when the groove 210f is not provided. In the first embodiment, an example in which the groove 210f has the first portion 210fa, the second portion 210fb, and the third portion 210fc has been described. However, without being limited thereto, for example, the groove 210f may have only the second portion 210fb and the third portion 210fc. In that case, the groove 210f has a portion that extends radially outward beyond the outer circumferential edge of the side gear 250L in the radial direction of the side gear 250L. This makes it easier to supply oil located radially outward beyond the outer circumferential edge of the side gear 250L to the space between the side gear 250L and the inner wall 210e.

[0048] As described above, the differential gear 200 of the first embodiment has the plate member 300 erected on the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 240. As a result, when the plate member 300 rotates with the rotation of the pinion gear 240, the oil accumulated between the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 240 and the inner wall 210e can be scraped out. The scraped out oil moves in the left-right direction of the pinion gear 240 along the inner wall 210e of the differential case 210, and is supplied to the portion of the inner wall 210e of the differential case 210 that faces the side gears 250L, 250R. As a result, the space between the side gears 250L, 250R and the inner wall 210e is lubricated by the oil, and insufficient lubrication of the side gears 250L, 250R is suppressed.

[0049] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a pinion gear 1240 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the rear surface 242b side. Components substantially the same as those of the pinion gear 240 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described. As shown in Fig. 7, the pinion gear 1240 of the second embodiment includes a plate member 1300 on the rear surface 242b.

[0050] The plate member 1300 extends from the center side to the outer periphery side of the back surface 242b. The plate member 1300 of the second embodiment has a flat straight portion 1302 extending radially from the center of the main body 242, and a flat bent portion 1304 bent from the straight portion 1302 in the circumferential direction of the pinion gear 1240. The bent portion 1304 is provided at an end of the plate member 1300 on the radial outer side of the pinion gear 1240. The plate members 1300 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the main body 242. However, the plate members 1300 may be provided at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction of the main body 242.

[0051] A part of the oil introduced into the gear chamber 214 from the opening 212 of the differential case 210 is supplied between the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 1240 and the inner wall 210e. Here, when the pinion gear 1240 rotates in the first direction R1, the plate member 1300 provided on the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 1240 also rotates in the first direction R1. In the second embodiment, a bent portion 1304 is provided on the first direction R1 side with respect to the straight portion 1302 of the plate member 1300. Therefore, when the pinion gear 1240 rotates in the first direction R1, the bent portion 1304 can scoop up the oil supplied between the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 1240 and the inner wall 210e.

[0052] The oil scooped up by the bent portion 1304 moves toward the radial outside of the pinion gear 1240 due to the rotation of the pinion gear 1240 and centrifugal force. A part of the oil moved to the radial outside of the pinion gear 1240 is supplied to the space between the side gear 250L and the inner wall 210e. As a result, the side gear 250L is lubricated by the oil, and insufficient lubrication of the side gear 250L is suppressed. According to the second embodiment, more oil can be supplied to the space between the side gear 250L and the inner wall 210e than in the first embodiment.

[0053] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a pinion gear 2240 according to the third embodiment as viewed from the rear surface 242b side. Components substantially the same as those of the pinion gear 240 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described. As shown in Fig. 8, the pinion gear 2240 of the third embodiment includes a plate member 2300 on the rear surface 242b.

[0054] The plate member 2300 extends from the center side to the outer periphery side of the back surface 242b. The plate member 2300 of the third embodiment has a flat straight portion 2302 extending radially from the center of the main body 242, and a flat bent portion 2304 bent from the straight portion 2302 in the circumferential direction of the pinion gear 1240. The bent portion 2304 is provided at an end of the plate member 2300 on the radial outer side of the pinion gear 2240. The bent portion 2304 extends in a first direction R1, which is one of the circumferential directions of the pinion gear 240, with respect to the straight portion 2302. The bent portion 2304 extends in a second direction R2, which is the other of the circumferential directions of the pinion gear 240, with respect to the straight portion 2302. The first direction R1 is a direction opposite to the second direction R2 in the circumferential direction of the pinion gear 240. As a result, when viewed in the axial direction of the pinion gear 2240, the plate member 2300 has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry extending in the radial direction of the pinion gear 2240. In the third embodiment, when viewed in the axial direction of the pinion gear 2240, the plate member 2300 has a T-shape. The plate members 2300 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the main body 242. However, the plate members 2300 may be provided at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction of the main body 242.

[0055] A part of the oil introduced into the gear chamber 214 from the opening 212 of the differential case 210 is supplied between the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 2240 and the inner wall 210e. Here, when the pinion gear 2240 rotates in the first direction R1, the plate member 2300 provided on the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 2240 also rotates in the first direction R1. In the third embodiment, a bent portion 2304 is provided on the first direction R1 side with respect to the straight portion 2302 of the plate member 2300. Therefore, when the pinion gear 2240 rotates in the first direction R1, the bent portion 2304 can scoop up the oil supplied between the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 2240 and the inner wall 210e.

[0056] Furthermore, when the pinion gear 2240 rotates in the second direction R2, the plate member 2300 provided on the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 2240 also rotates in the second direction R2. In the third embodiment, a bent portion 2304 is provided on the second direction R2 side of a straight portion 2302 of the plate member 2300. Therefore, even when the pinion gear 2240 rotates in the second direction R2, the bent portion 2304 can scoop up the oil supplied between the back surface 242b of the pinion gear 2240 and the inner wall 210e.

[0057] The oil scooped up by the bent portion 2304 moves toward the radially outer side of the pinion gear 2240 due to the rotation of the pinion gear 2240 and centrifugal force. A part of the oil moved to the radially outer side of the pinion gear 2240 is supplied to the space between the side gear 250L and the inner wall 210e. As a result, the side gear 250L is lubricated by the oil, and insufficient lubrication of the side gear 250L is suppressed. According to the third embodiment, more oil can be supplied to the space between the side gear 250L and the inner wall 210e than in the first embodiment. Moreover, more oil can be supplied to the space between the side gear 250L and the inner wall 210e than in the second embodiment, regardless of the rotation direction of the pinion gear 2240. In the examples shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the bent portions 1304 and 2304 are bent, but they may be curved.

[0058] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that such examples also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 100 vehicles 110 Engine 112 Fuel Tank 114 Clutch 116 Transmission 120 Motor 122 Inverter 124 Battery 1240 Pinion Gear 126 Propeller shaft 128 Front drive shaft 130 Front wheel 132 Rear drive shaft 134 Rear wheel 200 Differential 210 Differential case 210a Main body 210b Flange part 210c through hole 210d Through hole 210e interior wall 210f groove 210fa 1st part 210fb 2nd part 210fc 3rd part 212 Aperture 214 Gear Room 220 Ring Gear 230 pinion shaft 240 Pinion gear 242 Main Body 242a Insertion hole 242b Back 250L Side Gear 250R side gear 300 Plate members 1300 Plate members 1302 Straight section 1304 Bend 2300 Plate members 2302 Straight section 2304 Bend

Claims

1. A differential case and A side gear provided in the differential case and rotatable around a rotation axis of the differential case; A pinion shaft provided in the differential case and extending in a direction intersecting a rotation axis of the differential case; a pinion gear meshing with the side gear and provided on the pinion shaft; A plate member provided upright on an opposing surface of the pinion gear that faces an inner wall of the differential case; A differential device having a differential gear.

2. The plate member extends from a center side to an outer periphery side of the opposing surface, a bent portion bent in a circumferential direction of the pinion gear is provided at an end portion of the plate member that is radially outward from the pinion gear, The differential device according to claim 1 .

3. The plate member extends from a center side to an outer periphery side of the opposing surface, When viewed in an axial direction of the pinion gear, the plate member has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry extending in a radial direction of the pinion gear. The differential device according to claim 1 .

4. A groove is provided in a portion of the inner wall of the differential case facing the side gear, The groove extends radially outward beyond an outer circumferential edge of the side gear in the radial direction of the side gear. The differential device according to claim 1 .

5. In the differential case, the plate member rotates with the rotation of the pinion gear, so that the oil accumulated between the opposing surface of the pinion gear and the inner wall of the differential case is scraped out and supplied to the portion of the inner wall of the differential case facing the side gear. The differential device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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