Patent Publication Number: US-2023133653-A1

Title: Differential device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of, and as such claims priority to, PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2020/028231 (filed Jul. 21, 2020), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure herein relates to a differential device including a differential device provided with an actuator driven by an attractive solenoid to enable operation of a clutch. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When a four-wheel vehicle runs on a rough road, its driving force is more preferably transmitted to all the four wheels than to only front or rear wheels in light of stability of traction. When the vehicle runs on a well-paved road, however, an all-wheel drive (AWD) system is inferior in light of fuel efficiency or other factors. As such, systems that offer drivers selectivity between a two-wheel drive mode and an all-wheel drive mode by mean of the drivers&#39; intentional operation, namely referred to as “part-time AWD” systems, are frequently used. 
     While various drivetrains that realize part-time AWD are possible, a combination of a differential gear set that enables differential motion between axles and a clutch that temporarily couples an input shaft with the differential gear set is applicable for example. A device referred to as “free-running differential”, which contains such a combination unitarily, is proposed. The PTL 1 listed below discloses an example of a free-running differential. 
     An actuator for driving the clutch may be a geared motor, a hydraulic device, a solenoid or such, and particularly the solenoid is superior in light of its better response. In the art disclosed in the PTL 1, the solenoid generates magnetic flux forming a loop through the core and makes the magnetic flux bypass it to the plunger to create thrust force on the plunger, thereby driving the clutch. Solenoids of this type, although creating relatively small power, enable low energy consumption operation. Attractive solenoids are, however, preferable in light of its capacity of larger power. The PTLs 2 and 3 listed below disclose examples although it is used not for a free-running differential but for locking up differential motion, in which the solenoid magnetically attracts the armature and the return spring is used for separating it away. As the solenoid, in either case, requires wiring to the vehicle body, the solenoid and related components should be rendered non-rotational whereas the differential revolves. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2011-112114 
         PTL 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H02-286944 
         PTL 3: PCT International Publication WO 2017/100550 A1 
       
    
     SUMMARY 
     As a clutch is also immersed in lubricant oil for lubricating a differential gear set, viscosity of the lubricant oil resists disengagement of the clutch. Further, friction among the engaged clutch teeth, when torque acts thereon, strongly resists disengagement. Thus, to ensure disengagement of the clutch, the return spring must exert considerable repulsive force. The solenoid is in turn required to exert sufficient thrust force against the so-strengthened return spring, and an arrangement where the solenoid attracts the armature is thus advantageous. The armature, however, tends to keep adhering to the solenoid because of its residual magnetization, and therefore the return spring should exert greater repulsive force in order to separate or disengage it. The attractive solenoid and the return spring should therefore be strengthened synergistically. 
     How to bear the force and its reaction force is itself a technical problem and how to transmit the force to the clutch also requires significant consideration. Further, if larger magnetic flux is to be generated, careful consideration must be given to an influence by leakage of the magnetic flux to the environment. For example, to increase the magnetic path cross-sectional area of the core in order to reduce leakage of the magnetic flux a size of the device must be increased. More specifically, how to arrange and support related components in an attractive solenoid may cause many potential technical problems. The device disclosed hereafter has been created in light of these problems. 
     According to an aspect, a differential device is provided with: an input case rotatable about an axis and having an end face directed in a direction of the axis; a differential gear set including first and second side gears respectively rotatable about the axis and allowing a differential motion between the first and second side gears; dog teeth toothed toward the end face on an output case supporting the differential gear set or on the second side gear; a clutch structure engageable with the dog teeth and so structured as to couple the output case or the second side gear with the input case when engaged; a clutch member movable in the direction of the axis and including an internal end in communication with the clutch member and an external end exposed through the end face to an exterior of the input case; an armature movable in the direction of the axis, the armature being at least formed of a magnetic material and in contact with the external end; a solenoid supported away in the direction of the axis from the end face, the solenoid configured to generate a magnetic flux in the direction of the axis to attract the armature and, via the clutch member, set the clutch structure in mesh with the dog teeth; and a spring biasing the clutch member in a direction to disengage from the dog teeth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a sectional view of a differential device according to an embodiment, taken from a plane along its axis. 
         FIG.  2 A  is an enlarged sectional view of an actuator and its surroundings taken from  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  2 B  is an enlarged sectional view of a modified example, which corresponds to  FIG.  2 A . 
         FIG.  3 A  is a partial elevational view of a structure for anti-rotating the actuator of an example. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a partial elevational view of a structure for anti-rotating the actuator of another example. 
         FIG.  4    is a partial sectional view showing an example in which the actuator presses via a plunger a clutch member. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a partial sectional view showing another example about a relation between a sensor and the actuator. 
         FIG.  5 B  is a partial sectional view showing still another example, which corresponds to  FIG.  5 A . 
         FIG.  5 C  is a partial sectional view of an example using a contact sensor, which corresponds to  FIG.  5 A . 
         FIG.  6    is a partial sectional view showing an example in which a combination with a side gear constitutes a clutch. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the appended drawings. Throughout the following descriptions and appended claims, unless otherwise described, an axis means a rotation axis of a differential device, an axial direction means a direction parallel to the axis and a radial direction means a direction perpendicular thereto. In the following description, distinctions between right and left are given, but are only for convenience of explanation. Embodiments where right and left are reversed could occur, of course. 
     Referring first to  FIG.  1   , the differential device is usable for a purpose of allowing differential motion between both axles rotating about an axis C and as well temporarily transmitting torque from an input shaft to the axles (it could be referred to as “free-running differential” or such). The differential device could be used for embodying a part-time AWD vehicle although its application is, of course, not limited thereto. 
     The differential device is in general composed of an input case  1  that receives torque from the input shaft, a clutch  11  for operating a differential gear set  7 , and an actuator  21  for driving the clutch  11 . The differential device may be provided with an output case  5  supporting the differential gear set  7 , and the output case  5  is rotatable relatively to the input case  1 . The input case  1  and the output case  5  are mutually coaxial and nested, and normally but not indispensably the former houses the latter. 
     The input case  1  steadily or continuously connects with the input shaft to receive the torque and thereby rotate about the axis C. The input case  5  is provided with dog teeth  13  to constitute the clutch  11 , and the transmitted torque is, when the clutch  11  is disengaged, not transmitted to the output case  5 , thereby allowing the output case  5  to freely rotate about the axis C. If the actuator  21  makes the clutch  11  engaged, the input case  1  drivingly connects with the output case  5  to transmit the torque to the output case  5 , thereby rotating together. 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG.  6   , one  77  of side gears of the differential gear set  7  may be, on the back face of its gear teeth, provided with the dog teeth  13  to constitute the clutch  11 . The differential gear set  7  in this example is, not via the output case  5 , directly supported by the input case  1 . If the clutch  11  is engaged, the side gear  77  is coupled with the input case  1 . When one  77  of the side gears is fixed, the other  77  cannot make differential motion, thus the clutch  11  according to this example is used for the purpose of locking/unlocking the differential motion by the differential gear set  7 . A differential device according to this example can be referred to as a “Lock-up differential” or such. 
     Referring back to  FIG.  1   , the input case  1  is in general in the form of a cylinder and end faces closing its both ends roughly isolate the interior from the exterior. The connection between the input case  1  and the input shaft may be established by a ring gear for example and a flange radially projecting the cylinder may be usable for connection to the ring gear, although another embodiment is applicable thereto, of course. 
     Respectively further from both the end faces of the input case  1 , boss portions project axially outward, and the input case  1  is thereby supported by a carrier  81 . Between the input case  1  and the carrier  81 , bearings  83  such as roller bearings may be interposed, while ball bearings or any bearing devices may be substituted for the roller bearings. The actuator  21  is disposed around one  3  of the end faces. 
     The output case  5  is provided with the differential gear set  7  and is therefore capable of outputting torque to both the axles with allowing differential motion therebetween. According to the example illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the differential gear set  7  is of a bevel gear type and is provided with pinion gears  71  rotatably supported by a pinion shaft  73  and side gears  75 ,  77  in mesh therewith. Of course, any other proper type such as a face gear type or a planetary gear type is applicable thereto. The side gears  75 ,  77  may be, on these inner peripheries, provided with splines for coupling with the axles although any other form may be used for coupling. 
     The output case  5  is, on one end  9 , provided with dog teeth  13  toothed axially and toward the end face  3  of the input case  1 . The dog teeth  13  constitute the clutch  11 , which drivingly connects the output case  5  with the input case  1  when engaged as described already. The clutch structure for drivingly connecting the output case  5  with the input case  1  may be, as exemplarily shown in  FIG.  1   , established by means of a clutch member  15 , or alternatively the input case  1  may be provided with corresponding dog teeth to, in combination with the dog teeth  13 , constitute the clutch  11 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2 A  for example in combination with  FIG.  1   , the clutch member  15  is a generally ring-like member loosely fitting in the inner face of the input case  1  and is movable in the direction of the axis C. Its internal end  17  is in interior of the input case  1  to communicate with the clutch structure. From the face opposed to the internal end  17 , a plurality of legs projects axially outward and respective external ends  19  thereof pass through the end face  3  and are exposed to the exterior of the input case  1 . As openings on the end face  3  are engaged with the legs of the clutch member  15 , the clutch member  15  is capable of transmitting torque from the input case  1  to the output case  5 . 
     The internal end  17  may be provided with second dog teeth  14  and the dog teeth  13  and the second dog teeth  14  are so structured as to mesh together, thereby forming the clutch  11  in combination. The clutch structure in this case is as described already in a unitary form with the clutch member  15 . 
     The external ends  19  may be further provided with a contact plate  27  for communicating with the actuator  21 . The contact plate  27  is of a plate-like shape forming a ring generally continuous in the circumferential direction, and may be provided with a part bent and raised properly for fastening with the external ends  19  and/or any proper projection for being in contact with the actuator  21 . A material applied to the contact plate  27  may be, although not particularly limited, differentiated from materials applied to the input case  1  and the clutch member  15 , and as well an armature  23  and a core  53  described later. 
     The actuator  21  is in general composed of an armature  23 , a solenoid  25  and a return spring  31 . The armature  23  is at least partly of a magnetic material and is thus attracted by magnetic flux generated by the solenoid  25 . The armature  23  is disposed to be in contact with the external ends  19  and is thereby capable of driving the clutch member  15  in the direction of the axis C. The return spring  31  biases the clutch member  15  in the opposing or counter direction. 
     The entirety of the solenoid  25  is circular around the axis C and is provided with a coil  51  that generates magnetic flux in the direction of the axis and a core  53  that surrounds the coil  51  to conduct the magnetic flux. The coil  51  is a wound lead line made of a good conductor such as copper, where the direction of winding is preferably so directed as to generate magnetic flux strongest in the direction of the axis C. The core  53  may be made of a high magnetic permeability material such as ferrite so that the magnetic flux is conducted with high efficiency to improve energy efficiency and as well reduce negative effect originated from leakage of the magnetic flux to the environment. The core  53  surrounds a most part of the coil  51  but leaves a part facing the armature  23  open axially, thereby effectively directing the magnetic flux toward the armature. 
     The armature  23  is provided with a radial face  41  that receives the aforementioned magnetic flux and is attracted thereby, which may be a disk-like face expanding in the radial direction. To broaden the area for receiving the magnetic flux, as shown in  FIG.  2 B , it may be further provided with a bevel  45  inclining toward the core  53  and the bevel  45  may be not only on the radial inside but also on the outside. The core  53  may be in a form complementary to the bevels. 
     The armature  23  is further provided with an axial section  43  so elongated as to be in contact with the external ends  19  or the contact plate  27  and thus transmit the driving force thereto. The axial section  43  may be, as exemplarily shown in  FIG.  3 A  in combination with  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , for example, a cylindrical rim rising in the axial direction from the outer periphery of the radial face  41 . The rim at least partly covers the core  53  and passes over its outer side to reach the external ends  19  or the contact plate  27 . This shape can be formed unitarily by pressing or drawing a flat plate and is thus easy for production. Of course, its production may be done by casting or forging, or an axial section  43  as a separate body may be joined with a flat radial face  41 . While such a shape is thin, it is sufficient to drive the clutch member  15  and is beneficial as the cross section of the core  53  need not be reduced. 
     The armature  23 , alternatively, may be provided with columns  49 , as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , in place of or in addition to the cylindrical rim. The columns  49  penetrate the solenoid  25 , in particular the core  53 , and extend axially to be in contact with the external ends  19  or the contact plate  27 . The columns  49  may pass over the radial inside relative to the coil  51  as shown or over the outside. In these embodiments, as the columns  49  anti-rotate, i.e., prevent rotation of, the armature  23 , a cut-out such as described later may be omitted. Further alternatively, the columns  49  may detour the core  53  around its outer periphery. In this case, the columns  49  may be anti-rotated by engagement with a pin  85  described later or may have an independent anti-rotation means. 
     The axial section  43  or the columns  49  may be of the same material as that of the radial face  41  and also formed as a unitary body therewith, but nevertheless may be of a non-magnetic material and formed as separate bodies. In a case of the non-magnetic material, leakage of the magnetic flux can be reduced and its negative effect can be suppressed. 
     Further between the axial section  43  or the columns  49  and the external ends  19  or the contact plate  27 , a bush as a separate body from them may be interposed. The bush is ring-like and therefore, when the case  1  rotates, keeps contact with both these members. The bush may be of a non-magnetic material and further of a resin having a low friction coefficient, for example, to reduce friction. 
     As the internal periphery of the core  53  fits on the boss portion  57 , the totality of the actuator  21  is supported thereby. Except the internal periphery, the core  53  is set away from the input case  1  and particularly kept between the back face of the core  53  and the end face  3  of the input case  1  is a considerable gap. This is helpful in reducing leakage of the magnetic flux from the core  53  toward the end face  3 . The boss portion  57  may be provided with a shoulder  59  slightly expanding radially outward in order to place the core  53  in position. The extent of the shoulder  59  is at least short of the back face of the coil  51  and therefore the gap is kept at least at the radially outer side of the internal periphery of the coil  51 . 
     The internal periphery of the core  53  may be elongated axially in a direction opposite to the shoulder  59  as shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  4   . This elongated section may substantially form a cylindrical shape and is usually formed in a unitary body with the core  53  but may be a separate body fixed to the core  53 . Its end may abut on the bearing  83  and be thereby prevented from falling off. Alternatively the boss portion  57  may be provided with a fall-off prevention member in order to prevent the core  53  from falling off. Such a member is for example a ring engaging with the boss portion  57  and may be of a non-magnetic material in order to prevent leakage of the magnetic flux. The internal periphery of the core  53  may not necessarily be, however, throughout its face in contact with the boss portion  57 . To reduce the contact area, any groove or recess may exist on the internal periphery of the core  53 . This is also helpful in reducing leakage of the magnetic flux and also helpful in reducing slide drag between the core  53  and the boss portion  57 . 
     The armature  23  may fit on the boss portion  57 , but instead may fit on its elongated section of the core  53 . In any case, they are in a slidable fitting relation and therefore the armature  23  is axially movable. As both the armature  23  and the core  53  are non-rotational and the former fits on the latter, it is advantageous in smoothing its axial travel. To prevent the armature  23  from falling off, a ring  33  engaging with the core  53  or the boss portion  57  may be used. The ring may be of a non-magnetic material to reduce leakage of the magnetic flux. 
     Alternatively, a support member  35  for supporting the core  53  and the armature  23  may be provided as shown in  FIG.  2 B . The support member  35  is substantially in the form of a cylinder for example and its end may abut on the bearing  83  so as to be prevented from falling off. The support member  35  is in contact with the core  53  and both are non-rotational, and it can prevent the core from falling off. The support member  35  may alternatively establish tight-fitting on the boss portion  57  or have a structure for engaging with the boss portion  57 . The armature  23  may slidably fit on the support member  35 , thereby being helpful in suppressing leakage of the magnetic flux from the armature  23  to the boss portion  57 . To prevent the armature  23  from falling off, the support member  35  may be provided with any fall-off prevention structure and an example thereof is a short flange formed by bending the end thereof outward as shown. The support member  35  may be also of a non-magnetic material in order to reduce leakage of the magnetic flux. 
     The return spring  31  may be disposed in the gap kept between the back face of the core  53  and the end face  3  of the input case  1 . It may be interposed particularly between the contact plate  27  and the end face  3 . The return spring  31  may be slightly compressed in advance to bias the clutch member  15  in a direction to promote its disengagement. 
     While the return spring  31  is rotational along with the contact plate  27  and such, the armature  23  and the solenoid  25  are non-rotational and are preferably anti-rotated, i.e., held in place to prevent rotation. The core  53  may be provided with a pin  85  projecting radially outward, as shown in  FIG.  3 A  for example, and the anti-rotation of the solenoid  25  may be realized by latching the pin  85  on the carrier  81 . The armature  23  may be provided with any structure engaging with the solenoid  25 , which may be a cut-out on the axial section  43  for engaging with the pin  85 . Alternatively applicable are pins  87  elongated from the core  53  to penetrate the armature  23  as shown in  FIG.  3 B . In any case the armature  23  along with the solenoid  25  may be anti-rotated, i.e., secured, by pins  85  and  87 . The pins  85  and  87  may be formed in a unitary body with the core  53  but may be a separate body made of a non-magnetic material. In the case where it is of a non-magnetic material, leakage of the magnetic flux can be reduced and its negative effect can be suppressed. 
     Referring back to  FIG.  1   , the differential device may be provided with any suitable means for detecting whether the clutch  11  is or is not engaged; one example is a contactless sensor  91 . Examples of the contact less sensor  91  include, but are not limited to, a sensor using high-frequency oscillation to detect proximity of metal, a sensor detecting change of electrostatic capacitance, electric field or magnetic field, and a sensor using optical means. These contactless sensors can avoid energy loss caused by contact between rotating components. 
     The contactless sensor  91  may be disposed where it can detect whether the contact plate  27  is close thereto or away therefrom. As will be understood from the preceding descriptions, the contact plate  27  is exposed out of the outer periphery of the differential device and moves in the gap between the core  53  and the input case  1 , therefore the contactless sensor  91  can execute precise detection without any disturbance by ambient components. While the contact plate  27  is rotational but ring-like as described already, during rotation, it steadily or continuously faces the contactless sensor  91  and is therefore available for detection of its axial position. Further as described already, as any arbitrary material is applicable to the contact plate  27 , it is allowed to select a material appropriate for detection by the contactless sensor  91 . Of course, instead of the contact plate  27 , any other part of the clutch member  15  could be selected as a subject for detection or, as illustrated in  FIG.  5 A , any part of the armature  23  may be selected as the subject for detection. The armature  23 , being non-rotational, steadily or constantly opposes the equally non-rotational contactless sensor  91  and is thus available for detection of the position. Further, these components could additionally include any proper member for convenience of detection. 
     The contactless sensor  91  is described above to approach an axially moving component in the orthogonal direction but the contactless sensor  91  may be directed in the axial direction as illustrated in  FIG.  5 B . The subject of detection may be the armature  23  or, as shown, the contact plate  27 . In the latter case, in order to avoid interference by the armature  23  and the core  53 , these components may be partly cut out. It is unnecessary to totally cut out them as the armature  23  and the core  53  are non-rotational components and instead only a part in question could be cut out. Of course, in place of forming cut-outs, the contact plate  27  may be expanded in diameter so as to project radially outward from outer edges of the armature  23  and the core  53 . 
     Alternatively, in place of the contactless sensor, as shown in  FIG.  5 C , a contact sensor  93  is also applicable. The contact sensor  93  could be a mechanical push switch or a pull switch. Of course, a sensor using electric, magnetic or optical means may be used. The subject of detection includes the armature  23  and the contact plate  27  as described above, or any other part of the clutch member  15  may be the subject. 
     Further, in place of or in addition to any of the aforementioned sensors, a speed sensor or any other sensor may be provided for the differential device. The contact plate  27  may be correspondingly provided with notches or teeth formed on its peripheral edge, which cause the sensor to create pulses corresponding to its speed. As the contact plate  27  is a rotational member rotating in synchronous with the input case  1 , it is available for not only detecting whether the clutch  11  is engaged but also obtaining the rotational speed. 
     In the differential device described herein, leakage of the magnetic flux from the solenoid to the input case, particularly from the side face of the core to the end face of the input case, is reduced. In attractive solenoids, as the magnetic flux is densest in this direction and thus potently attracts the input case, it may cause prominent energy loss by friction if the back face of the core and the end face of the input case are mutually in contact. Further, as the input case rotates in the direction orthogonally to the magnetic flux, creation of induced current as well causes energy loss and this loss could increase as the magnetic force increases. The differential device described herein can reduce both these energy losses. Further, as it is unnecessary to increase the cross sectional area of the core to address leakage of the magnetic flux, the device could be designed in a more compact form. On the other hand, as the relatively broad gap between the back face of the core and the end face of the input case is available for the return spring, greater freedom of design about the return spring could be enjoyed and it is helpful to ensure sufficient repulsive force and a sufficient length of expansion and contraction. Further, as the contact plate is exposed radially outward in the gap, it is easy to detect the state of the clutch by means of sensors. 
     Although certain exemplary embodiments are described above, modifications and variations of the embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art, in light of the above teachings.