Transfer device

Abstract

To effectively cool a transfer device.SOLUTION: A transfer device according to the present invention includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a transfer case, and a retainer. The input shaft has a first center axis, and is rotated around the first center axis by rotation generated by a power source. The output shaft has a second center axis extending in a rear direction with respect to the input shaft, and is rotated around the second center axis by transmission of rotation of the input shaft. The transfer case and the retainer store a part of the input shaft and a part of the output shaft. The retainer includes a retainer body and a plurality of fins. The retainer body is provided with a through hole so that the output shaft goes therethrough in the rear direction. The plurality of fins has a plate shape extending in a front-rear direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A known example of a conventional invention relating to a transfer device is the power transmission device described in Patent Document 1. In this transfer device, cooling fins are provided on the transfer case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-189290 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is a demand for efficient cooling of the transfer device.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to effectively cool a transfer device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect is The transfer device includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a transfer case, and a retainer. The input shaft has a first central axis extending in the left-right direction, and is rotated about the first central axis by rotation generated by a power source, the output shaft has a second central axis extending rearward relative to the input shaft, and is rotated about the second central axis by the rotation of the input shaft being transmitted thereto; the transfer case and the retainer accommodate at least a portion of the input shaft and at least a portion of the output shaft; The retainer includes a retainer body and a plurality of fins; The retainer body is provided with a through hole through which the output shaft passes in a rear direction, The plurality of fins have a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction, and do not have a front main surface facing the front direction or a rear main surface facing the rear direction. It is a transfer device.

[0007] The second aspect is The plurality of fins are arranged in a circumferential direction around the second central axis in at least a part of a region around the through hole in the retainer body when viewed in the front direction. 1 is a transfer device according to the first aspect.

[0008] The third aspect is At least some of the fins are located below the through-hole when viewed in the front direction and extend downward from the retainer body. 2 is a transfer device according to a second aspect of the present invention;

[0009] The fourth aspect is At least some of the fins each have a left main surface facing leftward and a right main surface facing rightward. 3 is a transfer device according to a third aspect.

[0010] The fifth aspect is The plurality of fins are arranged in a circumferential direction around the second central axis line in the entire area around the through hole in the retainer body when viewed in the front direction. 2 is a transfer device according to a second aspect of the present invention;

[0011] The sixth aspect is the transfer case and the retainer contain oil; When the transfer device is mounted on a vehicle, a portion of the oil surface is located within a space formed by the retainer. The transfer device is according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, the transfer device can be cooled effectively. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the transfer device 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the transfer device 10. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the transfer device 10. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the transfer device 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] (Embodiment) [Vehicle 1 Structure]

[0015] The structure of a vehicle 1 equipped with a transfer device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of the vehicle 1. In Figures 1 and 2, the up-down direction, left-right direction, and front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 will be simply referred to as the up-down direction, left-right direction, and front-rear direction.

[0016] The vehicle 1 is a four-wheel drive vehicle. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 includes a transfer device 10, a transmission 12, a right drive shaft 18, a left front wheel 20L, a right front wheel 20R, a propeller shaft 22, an undercover 24, a steering shaft 26, and a frame 27. The transfer device 10 also includes a left drive shaft 34 (input shaft).

[0017] The transmission 12 is a device that transmits power generated by an engine (power source) (not shown). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , a left drive shaft 34 and a right drive shaft 18 are connected to the transmission 12. The left drive shaft 34 has a left central axis extending leftward from the transmission 12. The left drive shaft 14 can rotate about the left central axis. The left drive shaft 34 may be provided with a universal joint or a constant velocity joint. The right drive shaft 18 has a right central axis extending rightward from the transmission 12. The right drive shaft 18 can rotate about the right central axis. The right drive shaft 18 may be provided with a universal joint or a constant velocity joint. Rotation of the engine crankshaft rotates gears within the transmission 12. As the gears rotate, the left drive shaft 34 rotates about the left central axis and the right drive shaft 18 rotates about the right central axis. The rotational speed of the left drive shaft 34 and the right drive shaft 18 is slower than the rotational speed of the engine crankshaft. In this way, the transmission 12 functions as a reduction gear. However, the transmission 12 may also function as a transmission with a gear ratio of 1 or less.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transfer device 10 is located behind the transmission 12. The transfer device 10 transmits rotation of a left drive shaft 34 (input shaft) to the propeller shaft 22. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the left drive shaft 34 and the propeller shaft 22 are connected to the transfer device 10. The left drive shaft 34 passes through the transfer case 30 of the transfer device 10 from right to left. The propeller shaft 22 has a front-to-rear central axis extending in the front-to-rear direction. The propeller shaft 22 can rotate around the front-to-rear central axis. In the transfer device 10, rotation of the left drive shaft 34 rotates a gear within the transfer device 10. The rotation of the gear rotates the propeller shaft 22 around the front-to-rear central axis. The detailed structure of the transfer device 10 will be described later.

[0019] The left front wheel 20L is connected to the left end of the left drive shaft 34. This allows the left front wheel 20L to rotate together with the left drive shaft 34.

[0020] The right front wheel 20R is connected to the right end of the right drive shaft 18. This allows the right front wheel 20R to rotate together with the right drive shaft 18.

[0021] The rotation of the propeller shaft 22 is transmitted to the left and right rear wheels (not shown), thereby causing the left and right rear wheels to rotate.

[0022] 2, the undercover 24 covers the front part of the body of the vehicle 1 from below. Therefore, the undercover 24 is located below the transfer device 10 and the transmission 12. By providing the undercover 24, sound generated by the vehicle 1 is less likely to leak to the outside.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the steering shaft 26 and the frame 27 are located below the rear of the transfer device 10. The steering shaft 26 is used to steer the left front wheel 20L and the right front wheel 20R. The frame 27 is a rod-shaped member that extends in the left-right direction. The frame 27 is part of the body of the vehicle 1.

[0024] [Structure of transfer device 10] Next, details of the transfer device 10 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the transfer device 10. Fig. 4 is a transparent view of the transfer device 10. Fig. 5 is a right side view of the transfer device 10. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the transfer device 10.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transfer device 10 includes a transfer case 30, a retainer 32, a left drive shaft 34 (input shaft), an idle shaft 35, an output shaft 36, and gears G1 to G4.

[0026] The left drive shaft 34 (input shaft) has a first central axis Ax1 that extends in the left-right direction. The left drive shaft 34 can rotate around the first central axis Ax1. The left drive shaft 34 has a cylindrical shape. The left drive shaft 34 is rotated by the power of the engine. In this way, the left drive shaft 34 is rotated around the first central axis Ax1 by the rotation generated by the engine (power source).

[0027] 4, the gear G1 is fixed near the center in the left-right direction of the left drive shaft 34. The gear G1 can rotate about the first central axis line Ax1 together with the left drive shaft 34. The gear G1 is a helical gear.

[0028] The idle shaft 35 is located behind the left drive shaft 34. The idle shaft 35 has a third central axis Ax3 that extends in the left-right direction. The idle shaft 35 can rotate around the third central axis Ax3.

[0029] The gear G2 is fixed to the right portion of the idle shaft 35. The gear G2 can rotate together with the idle shaft 35 around the third central axis Ax3. The gear G2 is a helical gear. The gear G2 meshes with the gear G1. As a result, when the left drive shaft 34 rotates around the first central axis Ax1, the idle shaft 35 rotates around the third central axis Ax3 in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the left drive shaft 34.

[0030] The gear G3 is fixed near the center of the idle shaft 35 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the gear G3 is located to the left of the gear G2. The gear G3 can rotate around the third central axis Ax3 together with the idle shaft 35. The gear G3 is a hypoid gear.

[0031] The output shaft 36 is located behind the idle shaft 35. The output shaft 36 has a second central axis Ax2 that extends rearward relative to the left drive shaft 34 (input shaft). The output shaft 36 can rotate around the second central axis Ax2. A rear end of the output shaft 36 is connected to the propeller shaft 22.

[0032] The gear G4 is fixed to the front end of the output shaft 36. The gear G4 can rotate together with the output shaft 36 about the second central axis Ax2. The gear G4 is a hypoid gear. The gear G4 meshes with the gear G3. As a result, when the idle shaft 35 rotates about the third central axis Ax3, the output shaft 36 rotates about the second central axis Ax2. As described above, the output shaft 36 is rotated about the second central axis Ax2 by the rotation of the left drive shaft 34 (input shaft) being transmitted thereto.

[0033] The transfer case 30 and the retainer 32 accommodate at least a portion of the left drive shaft 34 (input shaft), at least a portion of the output shaft 36, the idle shaft 35, gears G1 to G4, and oil (not shown). More specifically, the transfer case 30 and the retainer 32 form a hollow container. The transfer case 30 rotatably supports the left drive shaft 34 and the idle shaft 35 via a plurality of bearings. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transfer case 30 has through holes h1 and h2 and an opening Op. The through hole h1 is provided on the front left surface of the transfer case. The left end of the left drive shaft 34 is exposed to the outside of the transfer case 30 through the through hole h1. The through hole h2 is provided on the front right surface of the transfer case. The right end of the left drive shaft 34 is exposed to the outside of the transfer case 30 through the through hole h2.

[0034] The opening Op is provided on the rear surface of the transfer case 30. The output shaft 36 protrudes rearward from the opening Op.

[0035] The retainer 32 is fixed to the transfer case 30. As shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6, the retainer 32 includes a retainer body 32a and a plurality of fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br.

[0036] The retainer body 32a is attached to the transfer case 30 with screws so as to close the opening Op. As shown in FIG. 3, the retainer body 32a has a through-hole h3 through which the output shaft 36 passes rearward. This causes the output shaft 36 to protrude rearward from the retainer 32. The retainer body 32a rotatably supports the output shaft 36 via a bearing. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, there is no step at a boundary P2 between the retainer 32 and the output shaft 36 when viewed upward, downward, rightward, or leftward.

[0037] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the multiple fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br have a plate shape extending in the front-to-rear direction. The multiple fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br are located between boundary P1 and boundary P2 when viewed upward, downward, right, and left. Boundary P1 is the boundary between the transfer case 30 and the retainer 32 when viewed upward, downward, right, and left. Boundary P2 is the boundary between the retainer 32 and the output shaft 36 when viewed upward, downward, right, and left.

[0038] The fins 32bu are located above the through-hole h3 when viewed from the front. The fins 32bu extend upward from the retainer body 32a. Therefore, the fins 32bu have a left main surface facing left and a right main surface facing right. The fins 32bu are arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction. Furthermore, two adjacent fins 32bu are not in contact with each other. Therefore, air can pass between two adjacent fins 32bu.

[0039] The fins 32bd (at least some of the fins) are located below the through-hole h3 when viewed from the front. The fins 32bd (at least some of the fins) extend downward from the retainer body 32a. Therefore, each of the fins 32bd (at least some of the fins) has a left main surface facing left and a right main surface facing right. The fins 32bd are arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction. Adjacent two fins 32bd are not in contact with each other. Therefore, air can pass between the adjacent two fins 32bd.

[0040] The fins 32bl are located to the left of the through-hole h3 when viewed from the front. The fins 32bl extend leftward from the retainer body 32a. Therefore, the fins 32bl have an upper main surface facing upward and a lower main surface facing downward. The fins 32bd are arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction. Furthermore, two adjacent fins 32bl are not in contact with each other. This allows air to pass between the two adjacent fins 32bl.

[0041] The fins 32br are located to the right of the through-hole h3 when viewed from the front. The fins 32br extend rightward from the retainer body 32a. Therefore, the fins 32br have an upper main surface facing upward and a lower main surface facing downward. The fins 32br are arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction. Furthermore, two adjacent fins 32br do not contact each other. Therefore, air can pass between the two adjacent fins 32br.

[0042] As described above, the fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br do not have a front main surface facing the front direction and a rear main surface facing the rear direction. That is, the retainer 32 does not include plate-shaped fins having a front main surface and a rear main surface. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 , the fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br are arranged in the circumferential direction about the second central axis Ax2 in at least a portion of the area surrounding the through hole h3 in the retainer body 32a when viewed in the front direction. In this embodiment, the fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br are arranged in the circumferential direction about the second central axis Ax2 in the entire area surrounding the through hole h3 in the retainer body 32a when viewed in the front direction.

[0043] The oil is a lubricating oil. As shown in Fig. 5, when the transfer device 10 is mounted on the vehicle 1, a portion of the oil surface S is located within the space formed by the retainer 32. The oil surface S is the oil surface when the vehicle 1 is located on a horizontal plane.

[0044] [effect] The transfer device 10 can be effectively cooled. More specifically, the fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br have a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and do not have a front main surface facing forward or a rear main surface facing rearward. That is, the retainer 32 does not include plate-shaped fins having a front main surface and a rear main surface. As a result, the traveling wind flows along the fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br. Therefore, the fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br do not easily obstruct the flow of the traveling wind. Therefore, a large amount of air due to the traveling wind efficiently comes into contact with the fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br. As a result, the transfer device 10 is effectively cooled.

[0045] In particular, when the undercover 24 is provided on the vehicle 1, heat generated by the engine, transmission 12, and transfer device 10 is less likely to dissipate from the engine compartment to the outside, making it easier for the temperature in the engine compartment to rise. Furthermore, since the frame 26 is located below the rear of the transfer device 10 in the vehicle 1, it is difficult for the wind to flow near the rear of the transfer device 10. As such, in the vehicle 1, the transfer device 10 is less likely to be cooled, making it easier for the temperature of the oil in the transfer device 10 to rise. Therefore, by providing the above-described multiple fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, 32br, the transfer device 10 is effectively cooled, making it easier for the temperature of the oil in the transfer device 10 to rise.

[0046] Furthermore, snow is less likely to adhere to the transfer case 10. More specifically, the undercover 24 has holes for heat dissipation from the exhaust pipe. Therefore, snow may enter the engine compartment through the holes while the vehicle 1 is running. This snow adheres to the transfer case 10. When the snow melts, water enters the boundary P1 between the transfer case 30 and the retainer 32. As a result, when the water refreezes, scratches may occur in the rubber components provided between the transfer case 30 and the retainer 32, possibly causing deterioration of the rubber components.

[0047] Therefore, the multiple fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br are arranged in the circumferential direction around the second central axis Ax2 in at least a portion of the area surrounding the through hole h3 in the retainer body 32a, as viewed forward. This allows snow to adhere to the tips of the multiple fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br. Therefore, snow contacts the transfer device 10 over a small area. Furthermore, the snow forms small clumps rather than large lumps. This reduces the likelihood of snow adhering to the entire transfer device 10. As a result, when the engine starts and the temperature of the transfer device 10 rises, snow adhering to the transfer device 10 melts easily and falls off the transfer device 10 more easily. This reduces the likelihood of snow adhering to the transfer device 10. Furthermore, water is less likely to penetrate the boundary P1 between the transfer case 30 and the retainer 32, reducing the risk of damage and deterioration of rubber components.

[0048] Snow tends to adhere to the underside of the transfer device 10. Therefore, the fins 32bd are positioned below the through-hole h3 when viewed from the front. The fins 32bd extend downward from the retainer body 32a. This reduces the likelihood of snow adhering to the underside of the transfer device 10. In particular, in the transfer device 10, the fins 32bd have a left main surface facing left and a right main surface facing right, but do not have a front main surface facing forward or a rear main surface facing rearward. This allows the wind to flow from front to rear along the underside of the retainer 32. As a result, snow does not adhere to the underside of the retainer 32, but flows rearward on the underside of the retainer 32 due to the wind. Furthermore, snow is more likely to fall off the transfer device 10 due to the wind. This reduces the likelihood of snow adhering to the transfer device 10.

[0049] According to the transfer device 10, the temperature of the oil in the transfer device 10 is less likely to rise for the following reason. More specifically, when the transfer device 10 is mounted on the vehicle 1, a portion of the oil surface S is located within the space formed by the retainer 32. The retainer 32 includes a plurality of fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br. Therefore, the oil in the retainer 32 is cooled by the plurality of fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br. As a result, the temperature of the oil in the transfer device 10 is less likely to rise.

[0050] The transfer device 10 can reduce the manufacturing cost of the transfer device 10. More specifically, the multiple fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br are provided on the retainer 32. Therefore, the designer only needs to change the design of the retainer 32, and there is no need to change the design of the transfer case 30. Because the size of the retainer 32 is smaller than the size of the transfer case 30, the cost required to change the design of the retainer 32 is lower than the cost required to change the design of the transfer case 30. Therefore, the transfer device 10 can reduce the manufacturing cost of the transfer device 10.

[0051] In the transfer device 10, the multiple fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br are located between boundary P1 and boundary P2. Boundary P1 is the boundary between the transfer case 30 and the retainer 32. Boundary P2 is the boundary between the retainer 32 and the output shaft 36. As a result, snow adheres to the tips of the multiple fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br between boundary P1 and boundary P2. Therefore, snow is less likely to adhere to boundary P1 and boundary P2. As a result, water is less likely to penetrate between boundary P1 and boundary P2.

[0052] (Other embodiments) The transfer device according to the present invention is not limited to the transfer device 10, and can be modified within the scope of the gist thereof.

[0053] It is sufficient that the transfer case 30 and the retainer 32 accommodate at least a portion of the left drive shaft 34 and at least a portion of the output shaft 36. Therefore, the transfer case 30 and the retainer 32 may accommodate the entire left drive shaft 34 and the entire output shaft 36, or may accommodate only a portion of the left drive shaft 34 and a portion of the output shaft 36.

[0054] The multiple fins may be arranged in the circumferential direction around the second central axis Ax2 in at least a portion of the region surrounding the through-hole h3 in the retainer body 32a when viewed in the front direction. Therefore, the multiple fins may be provided only on the upper surface of the retainer body 32a, only on the lower surface of the retainer body 32a, only on the left surface of the retainer body 32a, or only on the right surface of the retainer body 32a.

[0055] The bearing that supports the output shaft 36 may be attached to the transfer case 30 instead of the retainer 32 .

[0056] The transfer device 10 does not necessarily have to include the idle shaft 35 and the gears G2 and G3. In this case, the gear G1 is a bevel gear and meshes with the gear G4.

[0057] In the transfer device 10, the distance between the two main surfaces of the fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br is constant. However, the distance between the two main surfaces of the fins 32bu, 32bd, 32bl, and 32br may become smaller as they approach the tips.

[0058] The positional relationship between the transfer device 10, the transmission 12, the right drive shaft 18 and the left drive shaft 34 may be reversed from the structure shown in FIG. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1: Vehicle 10: Transfer device 12: Transmission 18: Right drive shaft 20L: Left front wheel 20R: Right front wheel 22: Propeller shaft 24: Undercover 26: Frame 30: Transfer case 32: Retainer 32a: Retainer body 32bd,32bl,32bd,32bu:Fin 34: Left drive shaft 35: Idle axis 36: Output shaft Ax1: 1st center axis Ax2: 2nd central axis Ax3: 3rd central axis G1~G4: Gear h1~h3: Through hole

Claims

1. The transfer device includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a transfer case, and a retainer. the input shaft has a first central axis and is rotated about the first central axis by rotation generated by a power source; the output shaft has a second central axis extending rearward relative to the input shaft, and is rotated about the second central axis by the rotation of the input shaft being transmitted to the output shaft; the transfer case and the retainer accommodate at least a portion of the input shaft and at least a portion of the output shaft; The retainer includes a retainer body and a plurality of fins; The retainer body is provided with a through hole through which the output shaft passes in a rear direction, The plurality of fins have a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction, and do not have a front main surface facing the front direction or a rear main surface facing the rear direction. Transfer device.

2. The plurality of fins are arranged in a circumferential direction around the second central axis in at least a part of a region around the through hole in the retainer body when viewed in the front direction.

2. The transfer device of claim 1.

3. At least some of the fins are located below the through-hole when viewed in the front direction and extend downward from the retainer body.

3. The transfer device according to claim 2.

4. At least some of the fins each have a left main surface facing leftward and a right main surface facing rightward.

4. The transfer device according to claim 3.

5. The plurality of fins are arranged in a circumferential direction around the second central axis line in the entire area surrounding the through hole in the retainer body when viewed in the front direction.

3. The transfer device according to claim 2.

6. the transfer case and the retainer contain oil; When the transfer device is mounted on a vehicle, a portion of the oil surface is located within a space formed by the retainer.

6. A transfer device according to claim 1.

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