Multi-part differential gear pin and differential gear having a multi-part differential gear pin

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-part differential gear pin (1) for accommodating at least one pinion (5) of the differential gear (3), wherein the differential gear pin elements (2) of the multi-part differential gear pin (1) are connected to one another by a threaded connecting element (4).

Description

[0001] Multi-part differential gear bolt and differential gear with a multi-part differential gear bolt

[0002] The invention relates to a multi-part differential gear bolt and a differential gear with a multi-part differential gear bolt.

[0003] The differential gear, or differential, has the task of compensating for the differences in rotational speed between the wheels of a driven axle when a vehicle corners. When cornering, the wheels on an axle must travel different distances: the inner wheel travels a shorter distance than the outer wheel. This means that the wheels rotate at different speeds. The differential gear, also called a differential, compensates for this difference in rotational speed and distributes the torque evenly to both drive wheels.

[0004] Common designs of differential gears are the spur gear differential and the bevel gear differential.

[0005] DE 10 2010 054 868 A1 discloses a planetary gear pin arrangement for a planetary gear set for mounting in a planet carrier, comprising a first bearing section for mounting a first planet gear and a second bearing section for mounting a second planet gear, wherein the first and second bearing sections define a common axis of rotation for the first and second planet gears and are rigidly coupled to each other, and wherein the first and second bearing sections are assigned to two separate assembly sections which are rigidly connected to each other – possibly with the interposition of further components.

[0006] US 5 186 694 A, CN 203 162 042 U and US 2016 0 208 899 A1 each show different designs of multi-piece differential gear bolts.

[0007] The objective is to improve such differential gears, particularly for electromechanical axle drive trains. This objective is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] Thus, a multi-part differential gear bolt for receiving at least one differential gear solves the problem according to the invention in that the differential gear bolt elements of the multi-part differential gear bolt are connected to each other by a connecting element and an anti-rotation device is formed.

[0009] According to the invention, at least one of the differential gear bolt elements has an anti-rotation contour. The anti-rotation contour formed by at least one of the differential gear bolt elements to be joined engages with the other differential gear bolt element during assembly and prevents both from rotating relative to each other. Clearly, both differential gear bolt elements to be joined can also have the anti-rotation contour and engage with each other with it.

[0010] The differential gear bolt according to the invention supports at least one differential gear. The differential gear bolt does not need to be mounted in another component to prevent rotation (about its own longitudinal axis), but it can also be mounted with such a device to support the at least one differential gear. According to the invention, this differential gear bolt is designed in multiple parts, and in one embodiment of the invention, the differential gear bolt elements can be rigidly connected to one another by means of a threaded connecting element. The thread of the connecting element engages in a complementary thread of two different differential gear bolt elements. Thus, a threaded connection exists between a first differential gear bolt element and the connecting element, and between the connecting element and a second differential gear bolt element.The first and second differential gear pin elements are indirectly connected to each other via the connecting element. However, the connecting element can also be a differential gear pin element itself. Consequently, a first differential gear pin element has a thread that engages with a thread on a second differential gear pin element. In this case, the first and second differential gear pin elements are directly connected to each other via the connecting element.

[0011] The connecting element can therefore be either separate from the differential gear bolt elements or a single piece.

[0012] Differential gear bolt elements are separate components which, once assembled, form the multi-part differential gear bolt as a single unit. Differential gear bolt elements are preferably cylindrical in shape, like a bolt.

[0013] The multi-part differential gear pin then finds its place in the differential gear and carries at least one differential gear. It should be noted that the multi-part differential gear pin can thus carry two opposing differential gears, three differential gears arranged in a star pattern, or four differential gears in the arrangement shown in Figure 1. The number of differential gears is determined by the capacity of the differential gear.

[0014] The multi-part differential gear bolt is received in the differential gear housing by its ends. This receiving area can be either a slot or a bore. The bore is preferably as cylindrical as possible, matching the end of the differential gear bolt.

[0015] The slot design clearly also provides for the assembly process, requiring the housing to be divided into at least two parts in the receiving area. Both housing parts form a self-contained recess. The slot in one housing part has an open contour so that the multi-part differential gear bolt can be inserted into this slot and subsequently secured with the second housing part, which is connected to the first housing part. In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting element joins at least two differential gear bolt elements of the multi-part differential gear bolt, which are aligned with each other.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, the connecting element connects at least two differential gear bolt elements of the multi-part differential gear bolt, which are arranged at an angle to each other.

[0017] With a sufficient number of differential gear bolt elements, both of the aforementioned designs can be combined in aligned and angular arrangements with one or more connecting elements.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, a bushing is provided for positioning the differential gear bolt elements to be connected. This bushing can grip the connecting element and pre-position the differential gear bolt elements relative to each other before the connecting element engages the differential gear bolt elements with its thread. This facilitates assembly.

[0019] Preferably, the connecting element has a tool engagement contour.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element is formed integrally with one of the differential gear bolt elements. Thus, by rotating the differential gear bolt element about its longitudinal axis, it can be screwed to the other differential gear bolt element to be connected. Preferably, one of the differential gear bolt elements has a tool engagement contour.

[0021] Preferably, the connecting element is formed separately from one of the differential gear bolt elements and, with regard to component separation, is provided with the aforementioned features. According to the invention, a multi-part differential gear bolt is also proposed, wherein the differential gear bolt elements of the multi-part differential gear bolt are connected to one another by a connecting element, the connecting element being aligned with two differential gear bolt elements and transversely oriented to a third differential gear bolt element, and penetrating this third differential gear bolt element.

[0022] Visually, this solution creates a cross-shaped differential gear bolt from several differential gear bolt elements. The connecting element penetrates two differential gear bolt elements and is aligned with them. The connecting element also penetrates the third differential gear bolt element, which is positioned transversely, i.e., not aligned or parallel to the other two differential gear bolt elements. All three differential gear bolt elements have a bore in which the connecting element is placed. The third differential gear bolt element is clamped and / or flanked by the other two via the connecting element.To secure the connection, the connecting element is riveted at both ends, so that the material of the connecting element shifts positively within the bore of the two differential gear bolt elements, forming an axial locking mechanism. Disassembly of the cross-shaped, multi-part differential gear bolt is now no longer possible without causing damage.

[0023] The multi-part differential gear bolt according to the aforementioned embodiments is advantageously used in a differential gear. For mounting the differential gear bolt, the housing of the differential gear is either separated at the receptacle and thus formed in at least two parts, or formed in one part, according to the design of the aforementioned differential gear bolt receptacles.

[0024] A one-piece housing design is preferable in the mounting area, as forces can be better absorbed by the differential gear bolt and the housing is more robust. This also eliminates the assembly processes and effort involved in joining two housing parts. Suitable differential gears include either a bevel gear differential or a spur gear differential.

[0025] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the figures. They show:

[0026] Figure 1 shows a differential gear with a first embodiment of the multi-part differential gear bolt,

[0027] Figure 2 shows the first embodiment of the multi-part differential gear bolt from Figure 1 in section.

[0028] Figure 3 shows a differential gear with a second embodiment of the multi-part differential gear bolt,

[0029] Figure 4 shows the second embodiment of the multi-part differential gear bolt from Figure 3 in section.

[0030] Figure 5 shows the multi-part differential gear bolt,

[0031] Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the multi-part differential gear bolt and

[0032] Figure 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the multi-part differential gear bolt.

[0033] Figure 1 shows a differential gear 3 with a first embodiment of the multi-part differential gear bolt 1. The differential gear 3 shown is designed as a bevel gear differential. The differential gear 3 has two housing parts 9 and 10, with only housing part 9 having the circular receptacles 11 for the differential gear bolt 1. Housing part 10 is a cover that is geometrically independent of the receptacles 11. The bevel gear differential has four compensating gears 5 spaced evenly around its circumference. Accordingly, the multi-part differential gear bolt 1 also has four ends 12. A compensating gear 5 is arranged at each end 12, which can rotate about the respective end 12.

[0034] The multi-part differential gear pin 1 has three differential gear pin elements 2. Two of these are identical in design, at least with respect to the function of carrying a differential gear 5, and flank the third differential gear pin element 2. The third differential gear pin element 2 is longer than the other two differential gear pin elements 2 and can carry two differential gears 5 with its two ends 12 – unlike the other two, shorter differential gear pin elements 2.

[0035] The two shorter differential gear bolt elements 2 have an anti-rotation contour 8 at their opposite end 12, which is adapted to the outer surface of the longer differential gear bolt element 2. After the three differential gear bolt elements 2 are joined together, the shorter differential gear bolt elements 2 can no longer rotate about their longitudinal axis. The connecting element 4 is aligned with the two shorter differential gear bolt elements 2. It is inserted through one of the shorter differential gear bolt elements 2, extends transversely through the longer differential gear bolt element 2, and engages with the other shorter differential gear bolt element 2. The connecting element 4 has a thread that engages with a corresponding thread on the other differential gear bolt element 2 to clamp all three differential gear bolt elements 2 together.The connecting element 4 is driven by the arranged tool engagement contour 7 to accomplish the screwing process. The end-side geometric expansion ensures that the connecting element 4 engages with the first differential gear bolt element 2 (which is the first to be inserted during assembly). The screw connection is thus closed, and the multi-part differential gear bolt 1 is completely assembled, forming a solid unit.

[0036] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the multi-part differential gear bolt 1 from Figure 1. The cross-section of the fully assembled differential gear bolt 1 shows the screw connection. The individual connecting element 4, designed as a screw, is inserted through a first short differential gear bolt element 2 (in this illustration, it is the right differential gear bolt element 2) and simultaneously passes through the transverse bore 13 of the longer differential gear bolt element 2, which is oriented transversely to the first short differential gear bolt element 2, and engages in an internal thread of the second short differential gear bolt element 2. The connecting element 4 finds its axial stop on the bearing surface 14, so that all differential gear bolt elements 2 can be clamped together. The connecting element 4 has a tool engagement contour 7 for screwing into the thread.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a differential gear 3 with a second embodiment of the multi-part differential gear bolt 1. This differential gear 3 is also designed as a bevel gear differential, as described in Figure 1. The two embodiments in Figures 1 and 3 differ in the design of the differential gear bolt 2 with respect to the connecting element 4. Here, the connecting element 4 is designed as a bolt and, as in Figure 2, extends through the transverse bore of the longer differential gear bolt element 2 and projects flanking the longer differential gear bolt element 2 with its respective ends into the shorter differential gear bolt elements 2 – this is more clearly visible in the illustration of Figure 4. The end collars of the connecting element 4 shown in Figure 3 are present due to the exploded view.

[0038] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the multi-part differential gear bolt 1 from Figure 3. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, this bolt-shaped connecting element 4 is riveted at both ends, advantageously within the shorter differential gear bolt elements 2, thereby creating the projection mentioned in Figure 3. The projection, together with the contact surfaces 14, secures the axial positioning. Tool engagement contours 7 are provided on the end faces of both ends of the connecting element 4, which are used by the riveting tool. The two shorter differential gear bolt elements 2 can advantageously be made identical – unlike the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0039] Figure 5 shows the multi-part differential gear bolt 1. The short differential gear bolt elements 2 have anti-rotation contours 8 at one end that are adapted to the outer contour of the longer differential gear bolt element 2. When the shorter differential gear bolt element 2 comes into contact with the longer differential gear bolt element 2, the anti-rotation contour 8 at least partially encompasses the longer differential gear bolt element 2. Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the multi-part differential gear bolt 1. In close similarity to the embodiment according to Figure 2, this third embodiment of the differential gear bolt 1 has two bushings 6 which are inserted into the transverse bore 13 of the longer differential gear bolt element 2 and engage in the longitudinal bores of the shorter differential gear bolt elements 2 in order to pre-position the differential gear bolt elements 2 relative to each other.The connecting element 4, which is designed as a screw, can then be inserted and screwed in.

[0040] Figure 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the multi-part differential gear bolt 1. In contrast to the aforementioned embodiments of the differential gear bolt 2, the connecting element 4 here is provided with two bores that are adapted to bores 16 of the shorter differential gear bolt elements 2. The bores 16 are oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shorter differential gear bolt elements 2 and the connecting element 4 inserted therein. After pre-assembly of the longer differential gear bolt element 2 with the shorter differential gear bolt elements 2 and the connecting element 4, locking elements, for example cotter pins or turnbuckles, can be inserted into the bores 16 to secure the assembly of the differential gear bolt 2.

[0041] The embodiments of the differential gear bolt 2 can form a basis for further embodiments with their characteristic elements and components combined with one another.

[0042] List of reference signs

[0043] Multi-part differential gear bolt, differential gear bolt element, differential gear connecting element, compensating gear bushing

[0044] Tool engagement contour Anti-rotation contour First housing part Second housing part Receptacle (bore) End

[0045] Transverse bore

[0046] Mounting surface, threaded holes

Claims

Patent claims 1. Multi-part differential gear bolt (1) for receiving at least one differential gear (5) of the differential gear (3), wherein the multi-part differential gear bolt (1) has three differential gear bolt elements (2), two of which are identical at least with respect to the function of supporting a differential gear (5) and are aligned with each other and flank the third differential gear bolt element (2), wherein the third differential gear bolt element (2) is longer than the other two differential gear bolt elements (2) and can support two differential gears (5) with its two ends (12), characterized in that the two shorter differential gear bolt elements (2) have an anti-rotation contour (8) which is adapted to the outer surface of the longer differential gear bolt element (2), wherein the anti-rotation contour (8) at least partially encompasses the longer differential gear bolt element (2).and after the three differential gear bolt elements (2) are joined together, the shorter differential gear bolt elements (2) can no longer rotate about their longitudinal axis.

2. Multi-part differential gear bolt (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting element (4) connects at least two differential gear bolt elements (2) of the multi-part differential gear bolt (1) which are aligned with each other.

3. Multi-part differential gear bolt (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (4) connects at least two differential gear bolt elements (2) of the multi-part differential gear bolt (1) which are arranged at an angle to each other.

4. Multi-part differential gear bolt (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bushing (6) is provided for positioning the differential gear bolt elements (2) to be connected to one another.

5. Multi-part differential gear bolt (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (4) has a tool engagement contour (7).

6. Multi-part differential gear bolt (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the differential gear bolt elements (2) of the multi-part differential gear bolt (1 ) are connected to one another by a threaded connecting element (4).

7. Multi-part differential gear bolt (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (4) is formed separately from one of the differential gear bolt elements (2).

8. Multi-part differential gear bolt (1) according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the differential gear bolt elements (2) of the multi-part differential gear bolt (1) are connected to one another by a connecting element (4), wherein the connecting element (4) is aligned with two differential gear bolt elements (2) and is transversely oriented to a third differential gear bolt element (2) and penetrates this third differential gear bolt element (2), and to secure the connection the connecting element (4) is riveted at its two end faces, so that the material of the connecting element- The locking element (4) is displaced in a form-fitting manner within the bore of the two differential gear bolt elements (2) and forms an axial locking mechanism.

9. Multi-part differential gear bolt (1) according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (4) is provided with two bores which are adapted to bores (16) of the shorter differential gear bolt elements (2) and these bores (16) are oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shorter differential gear bolt elements (2) and the connecting element (4) inserted therein, wherein locking elements can be inserted into the bores (16) after pre-assembly from the longer differential gear bolt element (2) with the shorter differential gear bolt elements (2) and the connecting element (4) in order to secure the assembly of the differential gear bolt (2).

10. Differential gear (3) with a multi-part differential gear bolt (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims.

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