Conical Spur Gear Differential With Built-In Friction Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spur gear differentials in motor vehicles are complex and costly to produce, requiring multiple post-processing steps and significant space due to intricate gearing, and existing solutions for locking effects often necessitate additional devices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of conical toothed planet and output spur gears that move axially when rotating, creating a locking effect through friction, reducing the need for additional devices and simplifying manufacturing by minimizing post-processing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional spur gear differentials are used with standard cylindrical gearing, then the differential function is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to multiple post-processing steps and tight tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental geometric parameter of the gear teeth from cylindrical to conical. This parameter change allows the gears to be manufactured as single-piece forged components without requiring complex post-processing steps like deburring or precision grinding, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining sufficient functional precision
Solution Approach 2:
The conical tooth design allows for simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing processes that can produce gears with adequate precision directly from forging, eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming post-processing operations required by conventional cylindrical gear designs
2Reliability
If additional devices are added to achieve a locking effect in the differential, then the locking function is improved, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking function with the existing conical gear structure itself. The conical geometry inherently produces axial movement during rotation that creates the locking effect, eliminating the need for separate locking devices and reducing overall installation space while maintaining reliable locking functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The conical gear serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits torque between the planet gears and output shafts, and it generates the locking effect through its axial movement during rotation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated locking components, thereby reducing installation space
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design simplifies production, reduces space requirements, and effectively achieves a locking effect through friction, enhancing the differential's performance while minimizing manufacturing complexity and additional components.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the output spur gears and the meshing planetary gear and/or the two meshing planetary gears are conically toothed such that, when the planetary gears rotate relative to one another, at least one of the output spur gears and/or the planetary gears is moved axially
Implementation Method 2
the conical toothing causes a rotary movement to be converted into a further movement; thus, if two meshing gears rotate relative to one another, the gears move in a further direction relative to one another due to the conical toothing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a spur gear differential (1), in particular for motor vehicles, comprising a planet carrier (2) for circulating about a differential axis (X), a first output spur gear (3), which is arranged coaxially to the differential axis (X), a second output spur gear (4), which is likewise arranged coaxially to the differential axis (X), and at least one pair (5) of planet gears (6, 7) that mesh with one another, said pair being rotatably arranged in the planet carrier (2), each planet gear (6, 7) meshing with one output spur gear (3, 4). At least one of the output spur gears (3, 4) and/or of the planet gears (6, 7) is conically toothed in such a way that, when the planet gears (6, 7) rotate relative to one another, the at least one of the output spur gears (3, 4) and/or of the planet gears (6, 7) is moved into a position in which a blocking effect is brought about. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for producing a spur gear differential (1) of this type.