Differential device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11852228-B2
Application number	US-202218027276-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2022
Priority date	Apr 5, 2021
Publication date	Dec 26, 2023
Grant date	Dec 26, 2023

Abstract

A differential device includes: an input member; a case member arranged coaxially with the input member; a one-way clutch arranged between the input member and the case member and transmitting torque therebetween only when the input member attempts to rotate in a normal rotation direction; a pinion gear supported by the case member to rotate about the axis perpendicular to the center axis of the case member; and a pair of side gears supported coaxially with the input member to rotate relative to the input member and the case member and meshing with the pinion gear.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A differential device comprising:
an input member having a torque input portion;
a case member arranged coaxially with the input member so as to rotate relative to the input member;
a one-way clutch arranged between the input member and the case member and transmitting torque between the input member and the case member only when the input member attempts to rotate relative to the case member in a normal rotation direction;
at least one pinion gear supported by the case member so as to rotate about an axis perpendicular to a center axis of the case member;
a pair of side gears supported coaxially with the center axis of the input member so as to rotate relative to the input member and the case member and meshing with the pinion gear; and
a clutch device arranged between the input member and the case member and switching a connection/disconnection state between the input member and the case member;
the clutch device having an actuator, a first clutch member, a second clutch member, and an elastic member,
the first clutch member having a first engaging concave-convex portion formed by alternatively arranging concave portions and convex portions in a circumferential direction on a first side surface facing in an axial direction, the first clutch member supported by one of the input member and the case member so as to displace in the axial direction based on an operation of the actuator,
the second clutch member having a second engaging concave-convex portion formed by alternatively arranging concave portions and convex portions in the circumferential direction on a second side surface facing the first side surface in the axial direction, the second clutch member configured so as to be integral with the other member of the input member and the case member, or supported by and fixed to the other member,
the elastic member held between the actuator and the first clutch member in an elastically compressed state, and elastically biasing the first clutch member in the axial direction toward the second clutch member, and
the clutch device being able to be connected by pressing the first clutch member in the axial direction toward the second clutch member through the elastic member by the actuator, and being able to be disconnected by displacing the first clutch member in the axial direction away from the second clutch member by the actuator.

2. The differential device according to claim 1 , wherein
the actuator includes an electric motor having an output shaft and a linear motion mechanism converting rotation of the output shaft into motion in the axial direction of the first clutch member.

3. The differential device according to claim 1 , wherein
the one-way clutch has an outer diameter side engaging surface provided directly or through another member on an inner circumferential surface of the input member, an inner diameter side engaging surface provided directly or through another member on an outer circumferential surface of the case member, and an engaging element arranged between the outer diameter side engaging surface and the inner diameter side engaging surface.

4. The differential device according to claim 1 , wherein
the case member is supported inside in a radial direction of the input member so as to rotate freely, and
the input member has an oil hole for supplying lubricant to the one-way clutch.

5. The differential device according to claim 4 , wherein
an end portion of the oil hole that is closer to the one-way clutch opens radially inward from an inner diameter side engaging surface.

Assignees

• Nsk Ltd

Inventors

• Yamamoto Akihiro
• Inoue Eiji

Classifications

• B60K17/26

  characterised by arrangement, location, or type of freewheel device · CPC title

• F16H29/12

  between rotary driving and driven members (F16H29/20, F16H29/22 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16H57/0483

  Axle or inter-axle differentials · CPC title

• F16H57/043

  within rotary parts, e.g. axial channels or radial openings in shafts · CPC title

• F16H48/24 Primary

  using positive clutches or brakes · CPC title