[go: up one dir, main page]
More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/

WO2020119944A1 - Differential assembly - Google Patents

Differential assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020119944A1
WO2020119944A1 PCT/EP2019/025450 EP2019025450W WO2020119944A1 WO 2020119944 A1 WO2020119944 A1 WO 2020119944A1 EP 2019025450 W EP2019025450 W EP 2019025450W WO 2020119944 A1 WO2020119944 A1 WO 2020119944A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
notches
differential assembly
key sections
flange
differential
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2019/025450
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jeffrey A. OESCH
Gregory Heatwole
Neil White
Original Assignee
Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eaton Intelligent Power Limited filed Critical Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
Publication of WO2020119944A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020119944A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H48/00—Differential gearings
    • F16H48/38—Constructional details
    • F16H48/40—Constructional details characterised by features of the rotating cases

Definitions

  • the invention relates to differential structures for a motor vehicle.
  • a differential in an open mode, is configured to allow two wheels on a motor vehicle to operate at different speeds. In a locked mode, the two wheels are locked so that they rotate at the same speed.
  • the differential may include two halves with the pinion and bevel gears positioned therein. Typically a ring gear may be attached to one of the halves using bolts.
  • a differential assembly that includes a first half including a bell shaped housing having a first half flange including a plurality of first half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of first half notches formed in the first half flange.
  • a second half includes a body having a second half flange including a plurality of second half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of second half notches formed in the second half flange.
  • the first half key sections are positioned in the second half notches and the second half key sections are positioned in the first half notches rotatively coupling the first half and second half of the differential assembly.
  • a differential assembly that includes a first half including a bell shaped housing having a first half flange including a plurality of first half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of first half notches formed in the first half flange.
  • a second half includes a body having a second half flange including a plurality of second half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of second half notches formed in the second half flange.
  • the first half key sections are positioned in the second half notches and the second half key sections are positioned in the first half notches rotatively coupling the first half and second half of the differential assembly.
  • a ring gear is disposed about the bell shaped housing and positioned adjacent the first half flange and second half flange defining a weld interface and a weld bead formed about the weld interface.
  • Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of one half of a differential case
  • Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of another half of a differential case
  • Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a differential including two halves of a differential case and a ring gear;
  • Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of a differential including two halves of a differential case a ring gear and a weld bead;
  • Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a differential including two halves of a differential case
  • Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of a differential including two halves of a differential case.
  • torque may be provided by an engine to a transmission to a power transfer unit to a drive shaft to a pinion gear to a ring gear around a differential case to a pinion shaft within the differential.
  • a power transfer unit to a drive shaft to a pinion gear to a ring gear around a differential case to a pinion shaft within the differential.
  • the side gears may transfer torque to drive axles. Torque is then transferred to the wheels of the vehicle.
  • the differential assembly 10 includes a two piece differential case 12 having a first half 14 and a second half 16.
  • the first half 14 may include a bell shaped housing 18 that houses the pinion and side gears.
  • the bell shaped housing 18 includes a base portion 20 that extends to a side wall 22.
  • the side wall 22 extends from the base portion 20 and terminates at a first half flange 24.
  • the first half flange 24 includes first half key sections 26 disposed circumferentially around the first half flange 24.
  • the first half key sections 26 are separated from each other by first half notches 28 formed in the first half flange 22.
  • first half notches 28 formed in the first half flange 22.
  • the first half 14 includes connection bores 30 formed therein for receiving a fastener 32, as will be described in more detail below.
  • the second half 16 of the differential case 12 includes a body 34 having a base 36 that extends to a sidewall 38.
  • the sidewall 38 terminates at a second half flange 40.
  • the second half flange 40 includes second half key sections 42 disposed
  • the second half key sections 42 are separated from each other by second half notches 44 formed in the second half flange 40. In the depicted embodiment, there are four second half key sections 42 separated by four second half notches 44. It should be realized that various numbers of second half key sections 42 and notches 44 may be utilized. In one aspect, there may be a plurality of second half key sections 42 and notches 44.
  • the second half 16 includes connection bores 30 formed therein for receiving a fastener 32, as will be described in more detail below.
  • the differential assembly 10 includes a ring gear 46 disposed about the bell shaped housing 18 and coupled to the first and second halves 14, 16.
  • the ring gear 46 is disposed adjacent the flanges 24, 40 of the first and second halves 14, 16.
  • the ring gear 46 when assembled, the ring gear 46 is positioned about the bell housing 18 of the first half 14.
  • the key sections 26 of the first half 14 are received in the notches 44 of the second half 16.
  • the key sections 42 of the second half 16 are received in the notches 28 of the first half 14. In this manner, the first half 14 and second half 16 are rotatively coupled to transfer torque more efficiently than prior art designs including only fasteners.
  • Fasteners 32 may be used to temporarily couple the first and second halves 14, 16 prior to a welding operation.
  • the alternating key sections 26, 42 of the first and second halves 14, 16 in conjunction with the notches 28, 44 of the first and second halves 14, 16 when assembled define a weld interface section 48 with the ring gear 46.
  • a continuous weld bead 50 may be formed about the weld interface section 48 such that the ring gear 46, first half 14 and second half 16 are joined by a single weld bead 50.
  • first and second halves 14, 16 and the application of a weld bead 50 joining the first and second halves 14, 16 and the ring gear 46 eliminates fasteners that are typically used to join the ring gear to one half of a differential case. In this manner, a weight savings in comparison to prior art differentials is realized. Additionally, the interlocking of the first and second halves 14, 16 provides an improved torque transfer within the differential in comparison to prior art designs that utilize only fasteners to transfer torque.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Retarders (AREA)

Abstract

A differential assembly includes a first half including a bell shaped housing having a first half flange including a plurality of first half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of first half notches formed in the first half flange. A second half includes a body having a second half flange including a plurality of second half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of second half notches formed in the second half flange. The first half key sections are positioned in the second half notches and the second half key sections are positioned in the first half notches rotatively coupling the first half and second half of the differential assembly.

Description

DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to differential structures for a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally in an open mode, a differential is configured to allow two wheels on a motor vehicle to operate at different speeds. In a locked mode, the two wheels are locked so that they rotate at the same speed. The differential may include two halves with the pinion and bevel gears positioned therein. Typically a ring gear may be attached to one of the halves using bolts.
[0003] It would be desirable to have the ring gear and both halves of the differential coupled without the use of multiple fasteners to both lighten the weight of the differential, as well as improve the torque transfer ability of the differential.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect, there is disclosed a differential assembly that includes a first half including a bell shaped housing having a first half flange including a plurality of first half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of first half notches formed in the first half flange. A second half includes a body having a second half flange including a plurality of second half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of second half notches formed in the second half flange. The first half key sections are positioned in the second half notches and the second half key sections are positioned in the first half notches rotatively coupling the first half and second half of the differential assembly.
[0005] In another aspect, there is disclosed a differential assembly that includes a first half including a bell shaped housing having a first half flange including a plurality of first half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of first half notches formed in the first half flange. A second half includes a body having a second half flange including a plurality of second half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of second half notches formed in the second half flange. The first half key sections are positioned in the second half notches and the second half key sections are positioned in the first half notches rotatively coupling the first half and second half of the differential assembly. A ring gear is disposed about the bell shaped housing and positioned adjacent the first half flange and second half flange defining a weld interface and a weld bead formed about the weld interface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of one half of a differential case;
[0007] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of another half of a differential case
[0008] Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a differential including two halves of a differential case and a ring gear;
[0009] Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of a differential including two halves of a differential case a ring gear and a weld bead;
[0010] Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a differential including two halves of a differential case;
[0011] Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of a differential including two halves of a differential case.
DETAIFED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Generally, for a vehicle, torque may be provided by an engine to a transmission to a power transfer unit to a drive shaft to a pinion gear to a ring gear around a differential case to a pinion shaft within the differential. As the pinion shaft rotates the meshed pinion gears there is a transfer of differentiated or undifferentiated torque to side gears. The side gears may transfer torque to drive axles. Torque is then transferred to the wheels of the vehicle.
[0013] Referring to Figures 1-6, the differential assembly 10 includes a two piece differential case 12 having a first half 14 and a second half 16.
[0014] Referring to Figure 1, the first half 14 may include a bell shaped housing 18 that houses the pinion and side gears. The bell shaped housing 18 includes a base portion 20 that extends to a side wall 22. The side wall 22 extends from the base portion 20 and terminates at a first half flange 24. The first half flange 24 includes first half key sections 26 disposed circumferentially around the first half flange 24. The first half key sections 26 are separated from each other by first half notches 28 formed in the first half flange 22. In the depicted embodiment, there are four first half key sections 26 separated by four first half notches 28. It should be realized that various numbers of first half key sections 26 and notches 28 may be utilized. In one aspect, there may be a plurality of first half key sections 26 and notches 28. The first half 14 includes connection bores 30 formed therein for receiving a fastener 32, as will be described in more detail below.
[0015] Referring to Figure 2, the second half 16 of the differential case 12 includes a body 34 having a base 36 that extends to a sidewall 38. The sidewall 38 terminates at a second half flange 40. The second half flange 40 includes second half key sections 42 disposed
circumferentially around the second half flange 40. The second half key sections 42 are separated from each other by second half notches 44 formed in the second half flange 40. In the depicted embodiment, there are four second half key sections 42 separated by four second half notches 44. It should be realized that various numbers of second half key sections 42 and notches 44 may be utilized. In one aspect, there may be a plurality of second half key sections 42 and notches 44. The second half 16 includes connection bores 30 formed therein for receiving a fastener 32, as will be described in more detail below.
[0016] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the differential assembly 10 includes a ring gear 46 disposed about the bell shaped housing 18 and coupled to the first and second halves 14, 16. The ring gear 46 is disposed adjacent the flanges 24, 40 of the first and second halves 14, 16.
[0017] Referring to Figures 3-6, when assembled, the ring gear 46 is positioned about the bell housing 18 of the first half 14. The key sections 26 of the first half 14 are received in the notches 44 of the second half 16. Similarly, the key sections 42 of the second half 16 are received in the notches 28 of the first half 14. In this manner, the first half 14 and second half 16 are rotatively coupled to transfer torque more efficiently than prior art designs including only fasteners.
[0018] Fasteners 32 may be used to temporarily couple the first and second halves 14, 16 prior to a welding operation. The alternating key sections 26, 42 of the first and second halves 14, 16 in conjunction with the notches 28, 44 of the first and second halves 14, 16 when assembled define a weld interface section 48 with the ring gear 46.
[0019] A continuous weld bead 50 may be formed about the weld interface section 48 such that the ring gear 46, first half 14 and second half 16 are joined by a single weld bead 50.
Various welds such as electron beam welding and laser welds may be utilized.
[0020] The interlocking of the first and second halves 14, 16 and the application of a weld bead 50 joining the first and second halves 14, 16 and the ring gear 46 eliminates fasteners that are typically used to join the ring gear to one half of a differential case. In this manner, a weight savings in comparison to prior art differentials is realized. Additionally, the interlocking of the first and second halves 14, 16 provides an improved torque transfer within the differential in comparison to prior art designs that utilize only fasteners to transfer torque.

Claims

1. A differential assembly comprising:
a first half including a bell shaped housing having a first half flange including a plurality of first half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of first half notches formed in the first half flange;
a second half including a body having a second half flange including a plurality of second half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of second half notches formed in the second half flange;
wherein the first half key sections are positioned in the second half notches and the second half key sections are positioned in the first half notches rotatively coupling the first half and second half of the differential assembly.
2. The differential assembly of claim 1 further including a ring gear disposed about the bell shaped housing and positioned adjacent the first half flange and second half flange defining a weld interface.
3. The differential assembly of claim 2 further including a weld bead formed about the weld interface.
4. The differential assembly of claim 3 wherein the weld bead is a single continuous weld bead joining the first half, second half and ring gear to each other.
5. The differential assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of first half key sections include four first half key sections.
6. The differential assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of second half key sections include four second half key sections.
7. The differential assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of first half notches include four first half notches.
8. The differential assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of second half notches include four second half notches.
9. The differential assembly of claim 1 wherein the first half includes connection bores formed therein receiving fasteners.
10. The differential assembly of claim 1 wherein the second half includes connection bores formed therein receiving fasteners.
11. A differential assembly comprising:
a first half including a bell shaped housing having a first half flange including a plurality of first half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of first half notches formed in the first half flange;
a second half including a body having a second half flange including a plurality of second half key sections formed thereon separated by a plurality of second half notches formed in the second half flange;
wherein the first half key sections are positioned in the second half notches and the second half key sections are positioned in the first half notches rotatively coupling the first half and second half of the differential assembly;
a ring gear disposed about the bell shaped housing and positioned adjacent the first half flange and second half flange defining a weld interface and a weld bead formed about the weld interface.
12. The differential assembly of claim 11 wherein the weld bead is a single continuous weld bead joining the first half, second half and ring gear to each other.
13. The differential assembly of claim 11 wherein the plurality of first half key sections include four first half key sections.
14. The differential assembly of claim 11 wherein the plurality of second half key sections include four second half key sections.
15. The differential assembly of claim 11 wherein the plurality of first half notches include four first half notches.
16. The differential assembly of claim 11 wherein the plurality of second half notches include four second half notches.
17. The differential assembly of claim 11 wherein the first half includes connection bores formed therein receiving fasteners.
18. The differential assembly of claim 11 wherein the second half includes connection bores formed therein receiving fasteners.
PCT/EP2019/025450 2018-12-11 2019-12-10 Differential assembly WO2020119944A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201862777949P 2018-12-11 2018-12-11
US62/777,949 2018-12-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020119944A1 true WO2020119944A1 (en) 2020-06-18

Family

ID=69061244

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2019/025450 WO2020119944A1 (en) 2018-12-11 2019-12-10 Differential assembly

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2020119944A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1769174B1 (en) * 2004-07-17 2010-07-21 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Differential for a vehicle axle
WO2010116235A1 (en) * 2009-04-09 2010-10-14 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Differential gear and vehicle provided with differential gear
EP2538119A1 (en) * 2011-06-22 2012-12-26 Metal Forming & Coining Corporation Welded differential case assembly

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1769174B1 (en) * 2004-07-17 2010-07-21 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Differential for a vehicle axle
WO2010116235A1 (en) * 2009-04-09 2010-10-14 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Differential gear and vehicle provided with differential gear
EP2538119A1 (en) * 2011-06-22 2012-12-26 Metal Forming & Coining Corporation Welded differential case assembly

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9719563B2 (en) Axle assembly having a tapered spline arrangement
JP4826651B2 (en) Differential gear
WO2017050102A1 (en) Power-driven system and vehicle provided with same
US7291083B2 (en) Inter-axle differential assembly
US7377343B2 (en) Centrifugal clutch
WO2013036483A1 (en) Compact planetary differential gear set arrangement
EP3144561A1 (en) Bogie axle assembly
WO2017050101A1 (en) Power driving system and vehicle having same
US20190264790A1 (en) Vehicle-driving apparatus
JP2020500769A (en) Drive unit assembly
JP6454028B2 (en) Detachable power transfer unit
US9212728B2 (en) Gear assembly for motor vehicle
US20030024753A1 (en) Four-wheel drive system for vehicles
US5784923A (en) Toroidal drive system and method of assembling same
US6315487B1 (en) Force-transmitting device
WO1998011363A9 (en) Toroidal drive system and method of assembling same
WO2020119944A1 (en) Differential assembly
US7220207B2 (en) Differential apparatus
US9914357B1 (en) Differential carrier with integrated drive gear and method of making the same
US20190242457A1 (en) Electric powertrain with cycloidal mechanism
CN210760074U (en) Steering drive front axle assembly and vehicle
CN218408399U (en) Differential mechanism shell, differential mechanism and vehicle
JP5844655B2 (en) Power transmission device and transfer device
CN216033698U (en) Drive axle and vehicle with same
US10865852B2 (en) Powertrain with cycloidal mechanism having reinforced contact surfaces

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 19828956

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 19828956

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1