Differential Output Gear Cam Surfaces for Stable Limiting Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing differential apparatuses experience unstable differential limiting characteristics due to edge-shaped portions such as burrs on the tip side corner portions of gear and operating protrusions, which affect cam thrust force and change the differential limiting characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The corner portions of the gear and operating protrusions are designed with a retreating portion to maintain the contact area of the cam surfaces, preventing edge-shaped portions from protruding and ensuring stable contact, thereby stabilizing the cam thrust force and differential limiting characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gear protrusion and operating protrusion are engaged via the cam portion, then the differential limiting portion can be operated to limit differential rotation, but edge-shaped portions such as burrs on the tip side corner portions may come into contact with the cam surface first, affecting cam thrust force and changing differential limiting characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a retreating portion at the corner portion of the gear protrusion and operating protrusion before they engage with the cam surface. This retreating portion is formed in advance during manufacturing to prevent edge-shaped portions such as burrs from protruding. By preparing this protective feature beforehand, the cam surfaces can make stable contact without being affected by manufacturing imperfections, thereby maintaining reliable differential limiting characteristics.
2Force
If the cam surfaces are engaged to generate cam thrust force, then the operating member can be moved to operate the differential limiting portion, but edge-shaped portions may affect the contact stability and cam thrust force consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of edge-shaped portions and burrs into a benefit by designing the retreating portion to intentionally create a controlled geometry that prevents these defects from affecting cam surface contact. The retreating portion acts as a protective feature that transforms manufacturing imperfections from harmful factors into non-critical elements, ensuring that the cam surfaces maintain stable contact and generate consistent cam thrust force for reliable differential limiting operation.
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
The retreating portion stabilizes the differential limiting characteristics by maintaining the contact area between the cam surfaces, ensuring consistent cam thrust force and preventing fluctuations in differential limiting performance.
Implementation Method 1
The cam portion includes a gear protrusion, an operating protrusion, and cam surfaces. The gear protrusion is provided on the gear member and protruding in the direction of the first axis. The operating protrusion is provided on the operating member, protruding in the direction of the first axis, and capable of being engaged with the gear protrusion. The cam surfaces are respectively provided on opposing surfaces of the gear protrusion and the operating protrusion in a rotational direction.
Implementation Method 2
a differential limiting portion that is provided to be frictionally slidable between the differential case and the first output gear, that is configured to limit a differential rotation between the first output gear and the second output gear
Data Source
AI summary
An output gear of the differential apparatus includes a gear member and an operating member capable of being integrally rotatably engaged with the gear member via the cam portion. The cam portion includes a gear protrusion on the gear member, an operating protrusion on the operating member, and cam surfaces respectively provided on opposing surfaces of the gear protrusion and the operating protrusion. A corner portion on a tip side of at least one of the gear protrusion and the operating protrusion is provided with a retreating portion.