JP6926411B2 - Intermittent and differential - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an intermittent device and a differential device.

Conventionally, some differential devices that allow differentials to the left and right wheels of a vehicle and distribute driving force include a meshing clutch that limits the differential between relatively rotatable rotating members (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

The differential device described in Patent Document 1 is formed in a differential case, a pair of pinion gears pivotally supported by a pinion shaft fixed to the differential case, a pair of side gears that mesh with the pair of pinion gears with their gear axes orthogonal to each other, and a differential case. It has an intermittent member arranged so as to be movable in the axial direction by engaging with the hole portion in the rotational direction, and an actuator for moving the intermittent member in the axial direction.

The intermittent member has meshing teeth that mesh with one side gear of the pair of side gears and rotates together with the differential case. The actuator has an electromagnet and a movable member that moves in the axial direction by the magnetic force of the electromagnet. The electromagnet is composed of an electromagnetic coil and a core arranged so as to surround the electromagnetic coil. The movable member is composed of a plunger made of a soft magnetic material and a ring made of a non-magnetic material that prevents the magnetic flux of the electromagnet from leaking to the differential case. The movable member is arranged inside the electromagnet, and the electromagnet and the intermittent member are arranged side by side in the axial direction.

When the electromagnet is energized, the plunger moves to the intermittent member side, and the ring presses the intermittent member via the plate fixed to the intermittent member. The intermittent member moves in the axial direction in response to this pressing force and meshes with one side gear. As a result, the relative rotation between the differential case and one side gear is regulated, and the differential rotation between the pair of side gears is also regulated accordingly.

JP-A-2010-84930

The differential device of Patent Document 1 has a substantially quadrangular shape in which the cross-sectional shape of the core represented by reference numeral 79 in FIG. 1 is formed so as to surround the electromagnetic coil, and is a portion facing a part of the inner peripheral surface of the electromagnetic coil. Are formed discontinuously. The plunger has an axial end facing the discontinuous portion and forms a part of the magnetic flux generated by energizing the electromagnetic coil.

Since it is difficult to form a core having such a shape with a single member, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, one side surface and an inner peripheral surface in the axial direction of the electromagnetic coil are formed. It is necessary to connect three members, a member covering a part of the electromagnetic coil, a member covering the other side surface of the electromagnetic coil in the axial direction, and a member covering the outer peripheral surface of the electromagnetic coil by welding or the like. Therefore, the structure of the core and the manufacturing process become complicated, which leads to an increase in manufacturing cost.

Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to interrupt the connection between the rotating members by engaging the intermittent members that move in the axial direction, and simply configure the member that constitutes the magnetic path of the magnetic flux generated by energizing the electromagnet. It is an object of the present invention to provide an intermittent device and a differential device capable of suppressing the manufacturing cost.

The present invention is an intermittent device for interrupting the connection between a first rotating member and a second rotating member arranged so as to be relatively rotatable about a common rotation axis in order to achieve the above object. The relative rotation with the first rotating member is restricted, and the meshing tooth has a meshing tooth that meshes with the second rotating member, and the engaging tooth has a connecting position where the meshing tooth meshes with the second rotating member and the meshing tooth is the first. The actuator includes an intermittent member that can move axially between the non-connected position that does not mesh with the rotating member 2 and an actuator that moves the intermittent member in the axial direction. The actuator includes a coil that generates a magnetic circuit by energization. An annular electromagnet, a yoke that forms a part of the magnetic path of the magnetic flux, and a plunger made of a soft magnetic material that forms a magnetic path of the magnetic flux together with the yoke and moves in the axial direction together with the intermittent member. A rotation that prevents the yoke and the plunger from rotating with respect to a support member made of a non-magnetic material that supports the plunger and a rotating member support that rotatably supports the first rotating member or the second rotating member. It has a stop member, the electromagnet is stopped from rotating with respect to the yoke, and the support member is supported by the rotating member support among the first rotating member and the second rotating member. The position in the radial direction with respect to the rotating member is determined, and the plunger has a cylindrical portion that faces the electromagnet in the radial direction through a gap and sandwiches the electromagnet between the yoke and the electromagnet, and the support member. Provides an intermittent device that radially supports the plunger with respect to the electromagnet so that the gap is maintained.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention restricts the relative rotation between the first and second rotating members arranged so as to be relatively rotatable about a common rotation axis and the first rotating member. At the same time, it has a meshing tooth that meshes with the second rotating member, and a connecting position where the meshing tooth meshes with the second rotating member and a non-connecting position where the meshing tooth does not mesh with the second rotating member. It is provided with an intermittent member that can move axially between the members, an actuator that moves the intermittent member in the axial direction, and a differential mechanism that allows an input driving force to be differentially output from a pair of output members. The actuator is an annular electromagnet having a coil that generates magnetic flux when energized, a yoke that forms a part of the magnetic path of the magnetic flux, and a magnetic path of the magnetic flux together with the yoke. A plunger made of a soft magnetic material that is configured and moves in the axial direction together with the intermittent member, a support member made of a non-magnetic material that supports the plunger, and the first rotating member or the second rotating member can be rotated. The yoke and the detent member for detenting the plunger are provided with respect to the rotating member support body, the electromagnet is detented with respect to the yoke, and the support member is the first. The radial position of the rotating member and the second rotating member with respect to the rotating member supported by the rotating member support is determined, and the plunger faces the electromagnet in the radial direction through a gap. Provided is a differential device having a cylindrical portion, wherein the support member radially supports the plunger with respect to the electromagnet so that the gap is maintained.

According to the present invention, in an interrupting device and a differential device capable of interrupting the transmission of driving force between rotating members by engaging the intermittent members moving in the axial direction, a magnetic path of magnetic flux generated by energization of an electromagnet is provided. The constituent members can be simply configured, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

It is sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the differential device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1, (a) shows the non-operating state of an actuator, and (b) shows the operating state of an actuator. It is an exploded perspective view of the differential device. It is a top view which looked at the inner surface of the 1st case member of a differential case in the axial direction. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd case member of a differential case. It is sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the differential device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 6, where FIG. 6A shows an actuator non-operating state and FIG. 6B shows an actuator operating state. It is an exploded perspective view of the differential device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the differential case of the differential device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and the structure inside thereof. (A) and (b) are perspective views which show the intermittent member of the differential device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a partial cross-sectional view which shows the part of the differential device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment in an enlarged manner.

[First Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are shown as suitable specific examples for carrying out the present invention, and there are some parts that specifically exemplify various technically preferable technical matters. , The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this specific aspect.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a differential device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1, where FIG. 2A shows an actuator non-operating state and FIG. 2B shows an actuator operating state. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the differential device. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inner surface of the first case member of the differential case as viewed in the axial direction. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a second case member of the differential case.

The differential device 1 is used to allow and distribute the driving force of a drive source such as a vehicle engine to a pair of output shafts. More specifically, in the differential device 1 according to the present embodiment, a pair of left and right main drive wheels (for example, front wheels) to which the driving force of the driving source is always transmitted, and the driving force of the driving source depend on the traveling state. It is mounted on a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a pair of left and right auxiliary drive wheels (for example, rear wheels) that are transmitted by the vehicle, and is used as a differential device that distributes driving force to the left and right wheels of the auxiliary drive wheels. When the driving force is transmitted only to the main drive wheels, the vehicle is in a four-wheel drive state, and when the driving force is transmitted to the main drive wheels and the auxiliary drive wheels, the vehicle is in a two-wheel drive state. The differential device 1 distributes the input driving force to the left and right drive shafts on the auxiliary drive wheel side in the four-wheel drive state.

The differential device 1 includes a differential case 2 rotatably supported by a differential carrier 9 fixed to a vehicle body via a pair of bearings 91 and 92, a differential mechanism 3 housed in the differential case 2, and a differential from the differential case 2. An intermittent member 4 that intermittently transmits a driving force to and from the pinion shaft 30 of the mechanism 3, an actuator 5 that moves the intermittent member 4 in the axial direction, and an urging member that urges the intermittent member 4 toward the actuator 5. It is equipped with a wave washer 71 as a. Of these, the intermittent member 4 and the actuator 5 constitute an intermittent device 10 that interrupts the transmission of driving force between the pinion shaft 30 as the first rotating member and the differential case 2 as the second rotating member.

The differential mechanism 3 includes a pinion shaft 30 in which a driving force is transmitted from the differential case 2 via an intermittent member 4, a plurality (four) pinion gears 31 rotatably supported around the rotation axis O of the differential case 2. It has a pair of side gears 32 as a pair of output members. The pinion shaft 30 can rotate relative to the differential case 2 about a common rotation axis O when the actuator 5 is not operating. The differential mechanism 3 allows the driving force transmitted to the pinion shaft 30 to be differentially output from the pair of side gears 32. In the following description, the axial direction means a direction parallel to the rotation axis O.

In the present embodiment, the differential mechanism 3 has a pair of pinion shafts 30, two pinion gears 31 of the four pinion gears 31 are pivotally supported by one pinion shaft 30, and the other two pinion gears 31 are the other. It is pivotally supported by the pinion shaft 30. The pinion gear 31 and the side gear 32 are made of bevel gears, and the gear axes are orthogonal to each other and mesh with each other. The left and right drive shafts are connected to the pair of side gears 32 so as not to rotate relative to each other. Although a plurality of gear teeth are formed on the pinion gear 31 and the side gear 32, the illustration of these gear teeth is omitted in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, each pinion shaft 30 has a pair of engaged portions 301 that engage with the intermittent member 4, a pair of pinion gear support portions 302 that are inserted into the pinion gear 31, and a pair of pinion gear support portions 302. It has a connecting portion 303 integrally with the connecting portion 303, and is formed in a shaft shape as a whole. The pair of engaged portions 301 are provided at both ends of the pinion shaft 30, and the connecting portions 303 are provided at the central portion in the axial direction of the pinion shaft 30. The pair of pinion gear support portions 302 are provided between each of the pair of engaged portions 301 and the connecting portion 303, and pivotally support the pinion gear 31.

The pair of pinion shafts 30 are meshed with each other at the central portion in the axial direction thereof. Specifically, the connecting portion 303 of the other pinion shaft 30 is fitted into the recess 300 formed between the pair of pinion gear support portions 302 of the one pinion shaft 30, and the pair of pinion gears of the other pinion shaft 30. The connecting portion 303 of one pinion shaft 30 is fitted in the recess 300 formed between the supporting portions 302. The pair of pinion shafts 30 are orthogonal to each other when viewed along the rotation axis O of the differential case 2.

The intermittent member 4 has a cylindrical shape whose central axis coincides with the rotation axis O of the differential case 2, and is formed by forging a steel material. Further, the intermittent member 4 can move relative to the pair of pinion shafts 30 of the differential mechanism 3 in the central axis direction along the rotation axis O of the differential case 2, and the relative rotation is restricted.

The intermittent member 4 includes a first meshing portion 41 having a plurality of meshing teeth 411 provided at one end in the central axial direction, an annular inner flange portion 42 projecting inward of the first meshing portion 41, and an annular inner flange portion 42. The pinion shaft 30 integrally has a cylindrical portion 43 formed with an engaging portion 430 that engages in the circumferential direction. The first meshing portion 41 meshes with the second meshing portion 223 (described later) provided in the differential case 2 in the circumferential direction. The axial end surface of the inner flange portion 42 abuts on the wave washer 71 and receives the urging force of the wave washer 71. The engaging portion 430 is formed as a groove that penetrates between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical portion 43 and extends in the central axis direction of the intermittent member 4.

Engagement portions 301 provided at both ends of the pinion shaft 30 engage with the engagement portion 430. When the engaged portion 301 of the pinion shaft 30 engages with the engaging portion 430 of the intermittent member 4, the intermittent member 4 is relatively movable and relative to the pinion shaft 30 in the central axis direction along the rotation axis O. It cannot rotate. The plurality of pinion gears 31 can rotate (revolve) around the rotation axis O of the differential case 2 together with the intermittent member 4. In the present embodiment, since the engaged portions 301 provided at both ends of the pair of pinion shafts 30 engage with the intermittent member 4, four engaging portions 430 are formed on the cylindrical portion 43. There is.

A washer 33 is arranged between the back surface 31a of the plurality of pinion gears 31 and the inner peripheral surface 43a of the cylindrical portion 43 of the intermittent member 4. The washer 33 has a partially spherical inner surface 33a facing the back surface 31a of the pinion gear 31, and a flat outer surface 33b facing the inner peripheral surface 43a of the cylindrical portion 43 of the intermittent member 4. When the pinion gear 31 rotates (rotates) around the pinion shaft 30, the back surface 31a of the pinion gear 31 slides on the inner surface 33a of the washer 33. Further, when the intermittent member 4 moves in the central axial direction with respect to the pinion shaft 30, the inner peripheral surface 43a of the cylindrical portion 43 of the intermittent member 4 slides on the outer surface 33b of the washer 33. The inner peripheral surface 43a of the cylindrical portion 43 has a flat portion that slides on the outer surface 33b of the washer 33.

The actuator 5 includes a coil 511 that generates magnetic flux by energization, an annular electromagnet 51 having a resin member 512 that covers the coil 511, a yoke 52 that holds the electromagnet 51, and a plunger 53 that moves axially together with the intermittent member 4. , The detent member 54 that regulates the axial movement and relative rotation of the yoke 52 with respect to the differential carrier 9 and the intermittent member 4 and the plunger 53 are arranged so as to support the plunger 53 and the moving force of the plunger 53. It has a support member 55 that transmits to the intermittent member 4.

The electromagnet 51, the yoke 52, the plunger 53, and the detent member 54 are arranged on the outside of the differential case 2. The electromagnet 51 has a rectangular cross section along the rotation axis O, and the coil 511 is held by the yoke 52 via the resin member 512. The electromagnet 51 is formed by molding, for example, a coil 511 formed by winding an enamel wire with a resin member 512.

The plunger 53 moves the intermittent member 4 in the direction in which the first meshing portion 41 meshes with the second meshing portion 223 of the differential case 2 by the magnetic force generated by energizing the coil 511. In the intermittent member 4, the first meshing portion 41 is meshed with the second meshing portion 223 by the moving force of the actuator 5 transmitted via the support member 55.

An exciting current is supplied to the coil 511 of the electromagnet 51 from the control device (not shown) via the electric wire 513 led out from the boss portion 512a provided on the resin member 512. The actuator 5 operates by supplying an exciting current to the coil 511. The yoke 52 is an annular member having an L-shaped cross section made of a soft magnetic metal such as low carbon steel. The yoke 52 has a cylindrical portion 521 that covers the inner peripheral surface of the resin member 512 of the electromagnet 51 from the inside, and one axial end surface of the resin member 512 that extends radially from one end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 521. It integrally has a ring plate-shaped wall portion 522 that covers it. The cylindrical portion 521 has a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis O as the central axis, and is arranged between the differential case 2 and the resin member 512. The wall portion 522 extends outward from one end of the cylindrical portion 521.

The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 521 of the yoke 52 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the differential case 2 at the portion facing the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 521. As a result, the differential case 2 is rotatable with respect to the yoke 52. The outer diameter of the wall portion 522 is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the annular portion 551 (described later) of the support member 55.

A detent member 54 is fixed to the end of the cylindrical portion 521 of the yoke 52 on the side opposite to the wall portion 522. The detent member 54 is made of a non-magnetic material such as austenite-based stainless steel, and projects axially from the annular portion 541 arranged on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 521 of the yoke 52 and the annular portion 541 at two locations in the circumferential direction. It integrally has a pair of protrusions 542 and a pair of engagement protrusions 540 provided inside the annular portion 541. In the detent member 54, the engaging protrusion 540 engages with the engaging recess 520 formed in the cylindrical portion 521 of the yoke 52, and the rotation with respect to the yoke 52 is restricted. FIG. 3 illustrates one of the two engaging recesses 520 formed in the cylindrical portion 521 of the yoke 52.

Further, the detent member 54 is prevented from coming off from the cylindrical portion 521 of the yoke 52 by an annular stopper ring 50. Specifically, the annular portion 541 of the detent member 54 is axially sandwiched between the stopper ring 50 and the electromagnet 51. As a result, the electromagnet 51 is positioned in the axial direction. The stopper ring 50 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 521 of the yoke 52 by welding, for example.

The detent member 54 has a pair of protrusions 542 fitted in a recess 90 formed in the differential carrier 9 to detent the yoke 52. Further, the pair of protrusions 542 prevent the plunger 53 from rotating with respect to the yoke 52 and the differential carrier 9 by inserting the axial insertion hole 532a formed in the plunger 53. Each of the protrusions 542 is arranged on the flat plate-shaped plate portion 542a inserted into the insertion hole 532a of the plunger 53 and the recess 90 side of the differential carrier 9 with respect to the insertion hole 532a to move the plunger 53 in the axial direction with respect to the yoke 52. It has a locking projection 542b to regulate. In the present embodiment, the locking projection 542b is formed by cutting up a part of the plate portion 542a.

The plunger 53 is an annular member having an L-shaped cross section made of a soft magnetic material such as low carbon steel. The plunger 53 has a cylindrical cylindrical portion 531, a side plate portion 532 formed so as to project inward from one end of the cylindrical portion 531 in the axial direction, and a side plate portion 532 formed so as to project outward from the other end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 531. It integrally has a flange portion 533 formed in the above. The cylindrical portion 531 of the plunger 53 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the electromagnet 51, and sandwiches the electromagnet 51 in the radial direction with the cylindrical portion 521 of the yoke 52. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 531 of the plunger 53 is larger than the outer diameter of the electromagnet 51 (outer diameter of the resin member 512), and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 531 is the outer peripheral surface of the electromagnet 51 (outer peripheral surface of the resin member 512). They face each other through a gap.

The side plate portion 532 of the plunger 53 sandwiches the electromagnet 51 in the axial direction with the wall portion 522 of the yoke 52. In the side plate portion 532 of the plunger 53, two insertion holes 532a through which a pair of protrusions 542 of the detent member 54 are inserted, a through hole 532b through which the boss portion 512a of the electromagnet 51 penetrates, and a plurality of through holes 532b through which lubricating oil is allowed to flow. In the example shown in FIG. 2, 10) oil holes 532c are formed. The plunger 53, together with the yoke 52, constitutes a magnetic path of magnetic flux generated by energizing the electromagnet 51. Further, the electromagnet 51 is prevented from rotating with respect to the yoke 52 by the boss portion 512a penetrating the through hole 532b.

The support member 55 includes an annular portion 551 that abuts on the flange portion 533 of the plunger 53 in the axial direction, a plurality of protruding shafts 552 extending in the axial direction from the annular portion 551, and an outer circumference of the flange portion 533 of the plunger 53. It has a cylindrical portion 553 that covers the side. In the present embodiment, the support member 55 is provided with four protruding shafts 552. The support member 55 is made of a non-magnetic material, and is formed by pressing a steel plate made of, for example, austenite-based stainless steel. The tip end portion of the protruding shaft 552 (the end portion on the side opposite to the base end portion on the ring portion 551 side) is bent toward the inner diameter side.

Further, a washer 72 having an L-shaped cross section is arranged between the tip end portion of the protruding shaft 552 and the cylindrical portion 43 of the intermittent member 4. The washer 72 has a cylindrical tubular portion 721 and a disk portion 722 extending inward from one end in the axial direction of the tubular portion 721, and the tubular portion 721 is fitted onto the cylindrical portion 43 of the intermittent member 4. ing. The tip of the protruding shaft 552 abuts on the disk portion 722 of the washer 72.

The differential case 2 has a disk-shaped first case member 21 and a bottomed cylindrical second case member 22. The first case member 21 closes the opening of the second case member 22. Ring plate-shaped washers 34 are arranged between the pair of side gears 32 in the differential mechanism 3 and the first case member 21 and the second case member 22, respectively. Lubricating oil (diff oil) for lubricating the differential mechanism 3 is introduced inside the diff case 2.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second case member 22 includes a cylindrical portion 221 that internally accommodates the differential mechanism 3 and the intermittent member 4, and a bottom portion 222 that extends inward from one end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 221. The second meshing portion 223 that meshes with the first meshing portion 41 of the intermittent member 4 and the flange portion 224 extending outward from the other end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 221 are integrally provided. A plurality of oil holes 221a for flowing lubricating oil are formed in the cylindrical portion 221. The bottom portion 222 is formed with a shaft insertion hole 222a into which a drive shaft connected to one of the side gears 32 of the pair of side gears 32 so as not to rotate relative to each other, and an annular groove 222b for accommodating the wave washer 71.

The second meshing portion 223 is composed of a plurality of meshing teeth 223a provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and is provided on the bottom 222 side of the second case member 22. In the present embodiment, a plurality of meshing teeth 223a are formed so as to project axially from the inner surface of the bottom portion 222. The wave washer 71 urges the intermittent member 4 in a direction away from the bottom 222 of the second case member 22.

The first case member 21 integrally has a disk portion 211 that is axially opposed to the bottom portion 222 of the second case member 22, and a flange portion 212 that is abutted against the flange portion 224 on the second case member 22 side. There is. The flange portion 212 of the first case member 21 and the flange portion 224 of the second case member 22 are connected by a plurality of screws 20. The disk portion 211 is formed with a shaft insertion hole 211a into which a drive shaft that is non-rotatably connected to the other side gear 32 of the pair of side gears 32 is inserted. Further, the disk portion 211 communicates with the annular groove 211b formed by being recessed in the axial direction from the outer surface on the side opposite to the facing surface of the bottom portion 222 of the second case member 22, and the annular groove 211b, and the disk portion 211. A plurality of through holes 211c are formed so as to penetrate through the shaft in the axial direction.

A part of each of the electromagnet 51, the yoke 52, and the support member 55 is housed in the annular groove 211b of the first case member 21. In the support member 55, the annular portion 551 and the cylindrical portion 553 are arranged in the annular groove 211b, and a plurality of protruding shafts 552 are inserted into the plurality of through holes 211c of the first case member 21, respectively. The outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 553 of the support member 55 is in contact with the inner surface 211d on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 211b of the first case member 21, and the position in the radial direction with respect to the first case member 21 is determined. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 553 of the support member 55 is formed to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the inner surface 211d of the annular groove 211b. A predetermined gap is formed between the protruding shaft 552 of the support member 55 and the inner surface 211e of the through hole 211c.

A driving force is input to the differential case 2 from an annular ring gear 23 (see FIG. 1) fixed to the flange portions 212 and 224 of the first and second case members 21 and 22. The ring gear 23 is fixed to the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 221 of the second case member 21 on the flange portion 224 side. In the present embodiment, the bolts are inserted into the plurality of bolt insertion holes 212a formed in the flange portion 212 of the first case member 21 and the plurality of bolt insertion holes 224a formed in the flange portion 224 of the second case member 22, respectively. The ring gear 23 is fixed so as to rotate integrally with the differential case 2 by a plurality of fastening bolts 24. In the fastening bolt 24, the head portion 241 abuts on the flange portion 212 of the first case member 21, and the shaft portion 242 on which the male screw is formed inserts the bolt insertion holes 212a and 224a and is screwed into the screw hole 23a of the ring gear 23. do.

The annular portion 551 of the support member 55 abuts on the flange portion 533 of the plunger 53 and receives an axially moving force from the plunger 53. When the coil 511 of the electromagnet 51 is energized, a magnetic flux is generated in the magnetic path M shown by the broken line in FIG. Move in the direction.

The support member 55 radially supports the plunger 53 with respect to the electromagnet 51 so that a radial gap between the cylindrical portion 531 of the plunger 53 and the electromagnet 51 is maintained. More specifically, the flange portion 533 of the plunger 53 is surrounded by the cylindrical portion 553 of the support member 55, so that the plunger 53 is radially supported by the support member 55. Further, the support member 55 can move in the axial direction together with the plunger 53 while the annular portion 551 slides on the flange portion 533 of the plunger 53 and rotates relative to each other when the differential case 2 is rotated. The plunger 53 can move in the axial direction with respect to the electromagnet 51 by moving in the axial direction together with the support member 55.

(Operation of differential device 1)
The differential device 1 is in a connected state in which the first meshing portion 41 and the second meshing portion 223 are meshed in the circumferential direction by the operation and non-operation of the actuator 5, and the intermittent member 4 and the differential case 2 are connected so as not to rotate relative to each other. And the non-connected state in which the intermittent member 4 and the differential case 2 can rotate relative to each other are switched.

When the actuator 5 in which the exciting current is not supplied to the coil 511 of the electromagnet 51 is not operated, the intermittent member 4 is moved to the disk portion 211 side of the first case member 21 by the restoring force of the wave washer 71, and is connected to the first meshing portion 41. The meshing with the second meshing portion 223 is released. When the actuator 5 is not operating, the differential case 2 and the intermittent member 4 can rotate relative to each other, so that the transmission of the driving force from the differential case 2 to the pinion shaft 30 of the differential mechanism 3 is cut off. As a result, the driving force input from the ring gear 23 to the differential case 2 is not transmitted to the drive shaft, and the vehicle is in a two-wheel drive state.

On the other hand, when an exciting current is supplied to the coil 511 of the electromagnet 51, a magnetic flux is generated in the magnetic path M shown by the broken line in FIG. 2 (b). Then, the plunger 53 moves in the axial direction due to the magnetic force of the electromagnet 51. As a result, the intermittent member 4 is pressed toward the bottom portion 222 of the second case member 22, and the first meshing portion 41 and the second meshing portion 223 are meshed with each other. In this way, the interrupting member 4 has an axis between the connecting position where the meshing teeth 411 mesh with the second meshing portion 223 of the differential case 2 and the non-connecting position where the meshing teeth 411 do not mesh with the second meshing portion 223 of the differential case 2. It is movable in the direction.

When the first meshing portion 41 and the second meshing portion 223 mesh with each other, the driving force input from the ring gear 23 to the second case member 22 of the differential case 2 is applied to the intermittent member 4, the pair of pinion shafts 30 of the differential mechanism 3, and the pair of pinion shafts 30. It is transmitted to the drive shaft via the four pinion gears 31 and the pair of side gears 32, and the vehicle is in a four-wheel drive state.

(Actions and effects of the first embodiment)
According to the first embodiment described above, the electromagnet 51 is both surrounded by a yoke 52 and a plunger 53 having an L-shaped cross section, and the yoke 52 and the plunger 53 form a magnetic path M of magnetic flux. The members constituting the road M can be simply constructed, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Further, when such a configuration is adopted, since the cylindrical portion 531 of the plunger 53 directly faces the resin member 512 of the electromagnet 51 without passing through other members, the cylindrical portion 531 moves to the resin member 512 due to the axial movement of the plunger 53. If the surface of the resin member 512 is slid, the resin member 512 will be worn. This wear becomes remarkable when the resin member 512 expands at a high temperature. However, in the present embodiment, since the support member 55 supports the plunger 53 so that the radial gap between the cylindrical portion 531 of the plunger 53 and the electromagnet 51 is maintained, the wear of the resin member 512 is suppressed. NS.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the non-magnetic support member 55 is interposed between the plunger 53 and the intermittent member 4, it is possible to prevent the magnetic flux introduced into the plunger 53 from leaking to the intermittent member 4 side. Can be done.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the differential device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are enlarged cross-sectional views showing a part of the differential device 1A. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the differential device 1A. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the differential case 2A of the differential device 1A and the internal structure thereof. 10 (a) and 10 (b) are perspective views showing the intermittent member 4A of the differential device 1A.

The differential device 1A includes a differential case 2A rotatably supported by a differential carrier 9A via a pair of bearings 93 and 94, a differential mechanism 3A housed in the differential case 2A, and a first of the differential case 2A and the differential mechanism 3A. A wave washer 73 as an intermittent member 4A capable of interrupting the transmission of driving force between the side gear 37, an actuator 5A for moving the intermittent member 4A, and an urging member for urging the intermittent member 4A toward the actuator 5A. And a position sensor 100 that outputs an electric signal indicating the operating state of the actuator 5A. Of these, the intermittent member 4A and the actuator 5A constitute an intermittent device 10A that interrupts the connection between the differential case 2A as the first rotating member and the first side gear 37 of the differential mechanism 3A as the second rotating member.

The differential mechanism 3A includes a plurality of pinion gear sets 3B (five sets in this embodiment) formed by meshing the first pinion gear 35 and the second pinion gear 36 with each other, and the first side gear 37 and the second side gear as a pair of output members. It has 38 and. The differential case 2A and the first and second side gears 37 and 38 can rotate relative to the differential case 2A about a common rotation axis O when the actuator 5A is not operating. The differential mechanism 3A allows the driving force input from the differential case 2A to be differentially output from the first and second side gears 37 and 38.

The first side gear 37 and the second side gear 38 have a tubular shape, and a spline fitting portion 370 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first side gear 37 in which one of the left and right drive shafts is connected so as not to rotate relative to each other. A spline fitting portion 380 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second side gear 38 so that the other drive shaft is connected so as not to rotate relative to each other.

The differential case 2A is formed with a plurality of holding holes 200 for rotatably holding the first pinion gear 35 and the second pinion gear 36 of each pinion gear set 3B. The first pinion gear 35 and the second pinion gear 36 revolve around the rotation axis O, and can rotate around the respective central axes in the holding hole 200.

The first side gear 37 and the second side gear 38 have a common outer diameter, and gear portions 371 and 381 composed of a plurality of oblique teeth are formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the first side gear 37 has a plurality of meshes that mesh with the meshing portion 45 (described later) of the intermittent member 4A on the annular wall portion 372 that is provided so as to project toward the outer peripheral side of the gear portion 371. Teeth 373 are formed. A center washer 390 is arranged between the first side gear 37 and the second side gear 38. A first side washer 391 is arranged on the side of the first side gear 37, and a second side washer 392 is arranged on the side of the second side gear 38.

The first pinion gear 35 integrally includes a long gear portion 351 and a short gear portion 352, and a connecting portion 353 that axially connects the long gear portion 351 and the short gear portion 352. Similarly, the second pinion gear 36 integrally includes a long gear portion 361, a short gear portion 362, and a connecting portion 363 that axially connects the long gear portion 361 and the short gear portion 362.

In the first pinion gear 35, the long gear portion 351 meshes with the gear portion 371 of the first side gear 37 and the short gear portion 362 of the second pinion gear 36, and the short gear portion 352 meshes with the long gear portion 361 of the second pinion gear 36. .. In the second pinion gear 36, the long gear portion 361 meshes with the gear portion 381 of the second side gear 38 and the short gear portion 352 of the first pinion gear 35, and the short gear portion 362 meshes with the long gear portion 351 of the first pinion gear 35. .. In FIG. 9, the oblique teeth of each of these gears are not shown.

When the first side gear 37 and the second side gear 38 rotate at the same speed, the first pinion gear 35 and the second pinion gear 36 revolve together with the differential case 2A without rotating in the holding hole 200. Further, if the rotation speeds of the first side gear 37 and the second side gear 38 are different, for example, when the vehicle is turning, the first pinion gear 35 and the second pinion gear 36 revolve while rotating in the holding hole 200. As a result, the driving force input to the differential case 2A is distributed to the first side gear 37 and the second side gear 38 with differentiating allowance.

The intermittent member 4A can move in the axial direction between a connecting position that connects the differential case 2A and the first side gear 37 so as not to rotate relative to each other and a non-connecting position that allows the differential case 2A and the first side gear 37 to rotate relative to each other. Is. FIG. 7A shows a state in which the intermittent member 4A is in the non-connected position, and FIG. 7B shows a state in which the intermittent member 4A is in the connected position.

When the intermittent member 4A is in the connecting position, the differential between the differential case 2A and the first side gear 37 is restricted, so that the first pinion gear 35 and the second pinion gear 36 cannot rotate, and the differential case 2A and the second side gear 38 The differential of is also regulated. The intermittent member 4A is urged toward the non-connected position by a wave washer 73 arranged between the intermittent member 4A and the first side gear 37.

The actuator 5A includes an annular electromagnet 51 in which the coil 511 is covered with a resin member 512, a yoke 56 that holds the electromagnet 51, a plunger 57 that moves axially together with the intermittent member 4A, and an axial direction of the yoke 56 with respect to the differential carrier 9A. It has a detent member 58 that regulates movement and relative rotation, and a support member 59 that supports the plunger 57 and transmits the moving force of the plunger 57 to the intermittent member 4A.

The plunger 57 moves the intermittent member 4A in the direction in which the meshing portion 45 meshes with the meshing teeth 373 of the first side gear 37 by the magnetic force generated by energizing the coil 511. In the intermittent member 4A, the meshing portion 45 is meshed with the meshing teeth 373 by the moving force of the actuator 5A transmitted via the support member 59.

The yoke 56 is an annular member having an L-shaped cross section made of a soft magnetic metal such as low carbon steel. The yoke 56 includes a cylindrical portion 561 that covers the inner peripheral surface of the resin member 512 of the electromagnet 51 from the inside, and a part of one axial end surface of the resin member 512 that projects outward from one end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 561. It integrally has a ring plate-shaped wall portion 562 that covers the above. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 561 of the yoke 56 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the differential case 2A at the portion facing the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 521.

A detent member 58 is fixed to the end of the cylindrical portion 561 of the yoke 56 on the side opposite to the wall portion 562. The detent member 58 includes an annular portion 581 arranged on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 561 of the yoke 56, a pair of protrusions 582 protruding axially from the annular portion 581 at two locations in the circumferential direction, and an acute angle of the protrusion 582. It integrally has a folded-back portion 583 that is folded back at an acute angle from the portion. The annular portion 581 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 561 of the yoke 56 by welding, for example.

An annular recess 560 into which a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) plates 82 made of a non-magnetic material fixed to the differential case 2A by a press-fit pin 81 are fitted is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 561 of the yoke 56. Has been done. The yoke 56 is restricted from moving in the axial direction with respect to the differential case 2A by fitting the plate 82 into the annular recess 560. The axial width of the annular recess 560 is formed to be larger than the thickness of the plate 82 so that rotational resistance does not occur with the yoke 56 when the differential case 2A rotates.

The detent member 58 is detented by having a pair of protrusions 582 locked to a locking portion 901 provided on the differential carrier 9A. The differential carrier 9A is provided with two locking portions 901 for locking the pair of protrusions 582, respectively, and FIG. 6 shows one of the locking portions 901. The plunger 57 is prevented from coming off from the detent member 58 by the folded-back portion 583, and is detented from the differential carrier 9A by the protrusion 582.

The plunger 57 is an annular member having an L-shaped cross section made of a soft magnetic metal such as low carbon steel. The plunger 57 integrally has a cylindrical portion 571 arranged on the outer circumference of the electromagnet 51 and a side plate portion 572 that faces the electromagnet 51 in the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 571 has a cylindrical shape that covers the electromagnet 51 from the outer peripheral side. The side plate portion 572 projects inward from one end of the cylindrical portion 571 in the axial direction. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 571 is larger than the outer diameter of the electromagnet 51 (outer diameter of the resin member 512), and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 571 passes through a gap with the outer peripheral surface of the electromagnet 51 (the outer peripheral surface of the resin member 512). Are facing each other.

Two insertion holes 572a through which a pair of protrusions 582 of the detent member 58 are inserted, through holes 572b through which the boss portion 552a of the electromagnet 51 penetrates, and a plurality of through holes 572b through which the lubricating oil is allowed to flow, and a plurality of through holes 572b through which the boss portion 552a of the electromagnet 51 penetrates, and a plurality of through holes 572b through which the pair of protrusions 582 of the detent member 58 are inserted. In the example shown, 10) oil holes 572c are formed. One end of the support member 59 comes into contact with the side plate portion 572.

The support member 59 is made of a non-magnetic metal such as austenite-based stainless steel, and is provided on the ring-shaped annular portion 591 arranged inside the side plate portion 572 of the plunger 57 and on the outer peripheral side of the annular portion 591. A contact portion 592 that abuts axially on the inner diameter side end of the side plate portion 572 of 57, three projecting shafts 593 extending axially from the annulus portion 591, and protruding inward from the tip portion of the projecting shaft 593. It integrally has a fixing portion 594 fixed to the intermittent member 4A. In the support member 59, the contact portion 592 slides with the side plate portion 572 of the plunger 57 and rotates together with the differential case 2A. The fixing portion 594 is formed with an insertion hole 590 through which a press-fit pin 83 for fixing to the intermittent member 4A is inserted.

The differential case 2A has a first case member 25 and a second case member 26 fixed to each other by a plurality of screws 20. The first case member 25 is rotatably supported by the differential carrier 9A by the bearing 93, and the second case member 26 is rotatably supported by the differential carrier 9A by the bearing 94.

The first case member 25 thrusts into a cylindrical cylindrical portion 251 that rotatably holds a plurality of pinion gear sets 3B, a bottom portion 252 extending inward from one end of the cylindrical portion 251 and a second case member 26. It integrally has a flange portion 253 to be applied. An annular recess 250 in which the electromagnet 51 and the yoke 56 are arranged is formed at the corner between the cylindrical portion 251 and the bottom portion 252. The first side gear 37 and the second side gear 38 are arranged inside the cylindrical portion 251.

A plurality of insertion holes 252a into which the protruding shaft 593 and the fixing portion 594 of the support member 59 are inserted are formed in the bottom portion 252 of the first case member 25. The insertion hole 252a penetrates the bottom portion 252 in the axial direction. Further, a protrusion 46 (described later) of the intermittent member 4A is inserted into the insertion hole 252a. The intermittent member 4A is restricted from rotating relative to the differential case 2A by inserting the protrusion 46 into the insertion hole 252a. In the present embodiment, three insertion holes 252a are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the bottom portion 252.

When an exciting current is supplied to the electromagnet 51, a magnetic flux is generated in the magnetic path M shown in FIG. 7B, and the plunger 57 moves in the axial direction. Due to the axial movement of the plunger 57, the intermittent member 4A is pressed via the support member 59 and moves from the non-connected position to the connected position.

As shown in FIG. 10, the intermittent member 4A includes a ring plate-shaped disk portion 44 having a plurality of (three) bowl-shaped recesses 440 formed on one axial end surface 44a, a first side gear 37, and a shaft. A meshing portion 45 formed on the other axial end surface 44b of the disc portion 44 facing in the direction, and a trapezoidal columnar protrusion 46 formed so as to project axially from one axial end surface 44a of the disc portion 44. And have one.

One axial end surface 44a of the disk portion 44 faces the bottom portion 252 of the first case member 25 in the axial direction. A part of the protrusion 46 is inserted into the insertion hole 252a formed in the bottom portion 252 of the first case member 25. The intermittent member 4A is movable in the axial direction with respect to the differential case 2A and cannot rotate relative to the differential case 2A by inserting the protrusion 46 into the insertion hole 252a of the first case member 25. The width of the insertion hole 252a in the circumferential direction is wider than the width of the protrusion 46 of the interrupting member 4A in the circumferential direction, and the differential case 2A and the intermittent member 4A are the width of the insertion hole 252a in the circumferential direction and the width of the protrusion 46 in the circumferential direction. Relative rotation is possible within a predetermined angle range according to the difference between.

A plurality of meshing teeth 451 projecting in the axial direction are formed in the meshing portion 45 of the intermittent member 4A. The plurality of meshing teeth 451 are formed on a part of the outer peripheral side of the other axial end surface 44b of the disc portion 44, and the axial end surface 44b inside the meshing portion 45 is not connected by the wave washer 73. It is formed as a flat receiving surface that receives the urging force to the position.

The intermittent member 4A is pressed by the plunger 57 via the support member 59 and moves to the connecting position, so that the plurality of meshing teeth 451 of the meshing portion 45 mesh with the plurality of meshing teeth 373 of the first side gear 37. That is, the intermittent member 4A and the first side gear 37 are connected to each other so as not to rotate relative to each other due to the engagement of the plurality of meshing teeth 451 and 373 when the intermittent member 4A moves to the first side gear 37 side. On the other hand, when the intermittent member 4A moves to the non-connected position by the urging force of the wave washer 73, the meshing teeth 451 and 373 do not mesh with each other, and the intermittent member 4A and the first side gear 37 can rotate relative to each other.

A press-fit hole 460 into which a press-fit pin 83 for fixing to the support member 59 is press-fitted is formed on the tip surface of the protrusion 46. The intermittent member 4A is fixed so as to move in the axial direction integrally with the support member 59 by press-fitting the press-fit pin 83 through which the insertion hole 590 formed in the fixing portion 594 of the support member 59 is inserted into the press-fit hole 460. NS. Instead of the press-fit pin 83, the fixing portion 594 of the support member 59 and the protrusion 46 of the intermittent member 4A may be fastened with bolts.

The bowl-shaped recess 440 has the deepest axial depth in the central portion in the circumferential direction, and gradually becomes shallower in the axial direction toward the end in the circumferential direction. The inner surface 440a of the bowl-shaped recess 440 is formed as a cam surface that generates a cam thrust in the axial direction by relative rotation with the first case member 25. As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom portion 252 of the first case member 25 is formed with three recesses 252b formed by being recessed in the axial direction (in FIG. 6, one recess 252b is illustrated). , The sphere 84 arranged in each of these recesses 252b comes into contact with the inner surface 440a of the bowl-shaped recess 440. The diameter of the recess 252b is substantially equal to the diameter of the sphere 84, and the sphere 84 cannot roll in the recess 252b.

The intermittent member 4A is formed with an inner surface 440a of a bowl-shaped recess 440 over an angle range larger than a predetermined angle range in which the differential case 2A and the intermittent member 4A can rotate relative to each other. Then, when the intermittent member 4A rotates with respect to the differential case 2A, the sphere 84 abuts on the inner surface 440a of the bowl-shaped recess 440, so that a cam thrust force that presses the intermittent member 4A toward the annular wall portion 372 of the first side gear 37 is generated. appear. As a result, the meshing portion 45 of the intermittent member 4A and the meshing teeth 373 of the first side gear 37 are surely meshed with each other.

In the support member 59, the protruding shaft 593 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 252c of the bottom portion 252 on the lateral side (bearing 93 side) of the insertion hole 252a of the first case member 25 in the radial direction with respect to the first case member 25. The position is fixed. When the support member 59 moves in the axial direction together with the plunger 57, the protrusion 593 slides on the outer peripheral surface 252c of the bottom portion 252. The contact portion 592 of the support member 59 is located closer to the insertion hole 252a of the first case member 25 than the ring portion 591, and a stepped surface 591a is formed between the ring portion 591 and the contact portion 592. ing. The stepped surface 591a corresponds to the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion 591.

Support member 59, so that the radial clearance between the cylindrical portion 571 and the electromagnet 51 of the plunger 57 is maintained, and axially movable radial support relative to the plunger 57 electromagnet 51. More specifically, the inner peripheral surface 572d of the side plate portion 572 of the plunger 57 comes into contact with the stepped surface 591a of the support member 59, so that the plunger 57 is radially supported by the support member 59. Further, the support member 59 can move in the axial direction together with the plunger 57 while the stepped surface 591a slides on the inner peripheral surface 572d of the side plate portion 572 and rotates relative to each other when the differential case 2A is rotated.

(Operation of differential device 1A)
In the differential device 1A, the differential case 2A and the first side gear 37 are connected by the intermittent member 4A so as not to rotate relative to each other due to the operation and non-operation of the actuator 5A, and the differential case 2A and the first side gear 37 rotate relative to each other. Switches from the possible unconnected state.

When the actuator 5A in which the exciting current is not supplied to the coil 511 of the electromagnet 51 is not operated, the intermittent member 4A is separated from the annular wall portion 372 of the first side gear 37 by the restoring force of the wave washer 73, and the meshing portion 45 and the meshing tooth 373. The engagement with is released. When the actuator 5A is not operating, the driving force input from the differential case 2A to the first pinion gear 35 and the second pinion gear 36 is output from the first and second side gears 37 and 38, allowing differential operation.

On the other hand, when an exciting current is supplied to the coil 511 of the electromagnet 51, a magnetic flux is generated in the magnetic path M shown by the broken line in FIG. 7B. Then, the plunger 57 moves in the axial direction due to the magnetic force of the electromagnet 51. As a result, the intermittent member 4A is pressed toward the bottom 222 side of the second case member 22, and the meshing portion 45 of the intermittent member 4A meshes with the meshing teeth 373 of the first side gear 37. As described above, the intermittent member 4A has an axis between the connecting position where the meshing tooth 451 meshes with the meshing tooth 373 of the first side gear 37 and the non-connecting position where the meshing tooth 451 does not mesh with the meshing tooth 373 of the first side gear 37. It is movable in the direction.

When the meshing teeth 451 mesh with the meshing teeth 373 of the first side gear 37, the differential device 1A is put into a differential lock state in which the differential rotation between the first side gear 37 and the second side gear 38 is restricted.

The second embodiment described above also has the same actions and effects as those of the first embodiment.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first and second embodiments, the case where the inner peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical portions 531,571 of the plungers 53 and 57 are arranged to face the outer peripheral surface of the resin member 512 of the electromagnet 51 has been described. In this mode, the cylindrical portion 621 of the plunger 62 is arranged so as to face the inner peripheral surface of the resin member 512 of the electromagnet 51.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the differential device 1B according to the third embodiment in an enlarged manner. In FIG. 11, components common to the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. The differential device 1B is configured in the same manner as in the second embodiment except for the portion shown in FIG.

The differential device 1B has an actuator 6 that moves the intermittent member 4A in the axial direction. The actuator 6 supports the electromagnet 51, the yoke 61 that holds the electromagnet 51, the plunger 62 that moves in the axial direction together with the intermittent member 4A, and the support member that supports the plunger 62 and transmits the moving force of the plunger 62 to the intermittent member 4A. It has 63 and a detent member 64 that regulates the axial movement of the electromagnet 51 with respect to the yoke 61 and detents the yoke 61. Similar to the detent member 58 according to the second embodiment, the detent member 64 penetrates the annular portion 641 fixed to the yoke 61 and the plunger 62 in the axial direction and protrudes axially from the annular portion 641. It has a protrusion (not shown).

The yoke 61 and the plunger 62 are both annular members having an L-shaped cross section made of a soft magnetic metal such as low carbon steel. The yoke 61 includes a cylindrical portion 611 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the resin member 512 of the electromagnet 51 from the outside, and a part of one axial end surface of the resin member 512 that protrudes inward from one end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 611. It integrally has a ring plate-shaped wall portion 612 that covers it. The cylindrical portion 611 of the yoke 61 is arranged so as to be relatively rotatable inside the cylindrical outer shell portion 254 provided on the first case member 25. In the axial movement of the yoke 61 with respect to the first case member 25, the plate 85 fixed by the pin 86 to the axial end surface 254a of the mantle portion 254 is engaged with the annular groove 611a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 611. It is regulated by doing.

The plunger 62 integrally has a cylindrical portion 621 arranged on the inner circumference of the electromagnet 51 and a side plate portion 622 facing the electromagnet 51 in the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 621 has a cylindrical shape that covers the electromagnet 51 from the inner peripheral side, and an annular groove 621a recessed in the radial direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof. The side plate portion 622 projects outward from one end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 621. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 621 is smaller than the inner diameter of the electromagnet 51 (inner diameter of the resin member 512), and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 621 passes through a gap with the outer peripheral surface of the electromagnet 51 (inner peripheral surface of the resin member 512). Facing each other.

The support member 63 is made of a non-magnetic metal such as austenite-based stainless steel, and has an annular portion 631 arranged inside the plunger 62 and a plurality of protruding shafts extending in the axial direction from the inner diameter side end of the annular portion 631. The 632 and the fixing portion 633 that protrudes outward from the tip end portion of the protruding shaft 632 and is fixed to the intermittent member 4A are integrally provided. The fixing portion 633 is formed with an insertion hole 630 through which a press-fit pin 83 for fixing to the intermittent member 4A is inserted. The position of the support member 63 in the radial direction with respect to the first case member 25 is determined by the protrusion shaft 632 abutting on the outer peripheral surface 252c of the first case member 25.

The support member 63 moves in the axial direction together with the plunger 62 because the end portion on the outer diameter side of the annular portion 631 engages with the annular groove 621a of the plunger 62 so that the relative movement in the axial direction with the plunger 62 is restricted. .. Further, the support member 63 restricts the radial movement of the plunger 62 with respect to the first case member 25 and the yoke 61 by engaging the end portion of the annular portion 631 on the outer diameter side with the annular groove 621a of the plunger 62. As a result, the gap between the cylindrical portion 621 of the plunger 62 and the electromagnet 51 is maintained. That is, the support member 63 supports the plunger 62 so as to be axially movable with respect to the electromagnet 51 so that the gap between the cylindrical portion 621 of the plunger 62 and the electromagnet 51 is maintained , and regulates the radial movement . ..

The same actions and effects as those of the first embodiment can also be obtained by the third embodiment described above.

(Additional note)
Although the present invention has been described above based on the first to third embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments, and is appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is possible to carry out.

1,1A, 1B ... Differential device 10,10A ... Intermittent device 2 ... Diff case (second rotating member)
2A ... Diff case (first rotating member)
3,3A ... Differential mechanism 30 ... Pinion shaft (first rotating member)
37 ... 1st side gear (2nd rotating member)
38 ... 2nd side gear (output member)
4,4A ... Intermittent members 411,451 ... Meshing teeth 5,5A, 6 ... Actuators 51 ... Electromagnets 512 ... Resin members 52,56 ... Yoke 53,57,62 ... Plungers 531,571,621 ... Cylindrical parts 55,59, 63 ... Support member M ... Magnetic path O ... Rotation axis

Claims (6)

It is an intermittent device that interrupts the connection between the first rotating member and the second rotating member arranged so as to be relatively rotatable around a common rotation axis.
The relative rotation with the first rotating member is restricted, and the meshing tooth has a meshing tooth that meshes with the second rotating member, and the engaging tooth has a connecting position where the meshing tooth meshes with the second rotating member and the meshing tooth has the meshing tooth. An intermittent member that can move axially between a non-connected position that does not mesh with the second rotating member,
An actuator for moving the intermittent member in the axial direction is provided.
The actuator includes an annular electromagnet having a coil that generates magnetic flux by energization, a yoke that forms a part of the magnetic path of the magnetic flux, and a magnetic path of the magnetic flux that forms a magnetic path of the magnetic flux together with the yoke and a shaft together with the intermittent member. A plunger made of a soft magnetic material that moves in a direction, a support member made of a non-magnetic material that supports the plunger, and a rotating member support that rotatably supports the first rotating member or the second rotating member. On the other hand, it has a detent member that detents the yoke and the plunger.
The electromagnet is prevented from rotating with respect to the yoke.
The support member is positioned in the radial direction with respect to the rotating member supported by the rotating member support among the first rotating member and the second rotating member.
The plunger has a cylindrical portion that is radially opposed to the electromagnet via a gap and sandwiches the electromagnet between the yoke and the yoke.
The support member radially supports the plunger with respect to the electromagnet so that the gap is maintained.
Intermittent device. The electromagnet has a resin member that surrounds the coil.
In the plunger, the cylindrical portion is supported so as to face the resin member.
The intermittent device according to claim 1. In the plunger, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion faces the outer peripheral surface of the resin member.
The intermittent device according to claim 2. In the plunger, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion faces the inner peripheral surface of the resin member.
The intermittent device according to claim 2. The support member is interposed between the plunger and the intermittent member, and moves axially together with the plunger to press the intermittent member.
The intermittent device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The first and second rotating members arranged so as to be relatively rotatable around a common rotation axis,
The relative rotation with the first rotating member is restricted, and the meshing tooth has a meshing tooth that meshes with the second rotating member, and the engaging tooth has a connecting position where the meshing tooth meshes with the second rotating member and the meshing tooth has the meshing tooth. An intermittent member that can move axially between a non-connected position that does not mesh with the second rotating member,
An actuator that moves the intermittent member in the axial direction,
A differential device equipped with a differential mechanism that allows and outputs an input driving force from a pair of output members.
The actuator includes an annular electromagnet having a coil that generates magnetic flux by energization, a yoke that forms a part of the magnetic path of the magnetic flux, and a magnetic path of the magnetic flux that forms a magnetic path of the magnetic flux together with the yoke and a shaft together with the intermittent member. A plunger made of a soft magnetic material that moves in a direction, a support member made of a non-magnetic material that supports the plunger, and a rotating member support that rotatably supports the first rotating member or the second rotating member. On the other hand, it has a detent member that detents the yoke and the plunger.
The electromagnet is prevented from rotating with respect to the yoke.
The support member is positioned in the radial direction with respect to the rotating member supported by the rotating member support among the first rotating member and the second rotating member.
The plunger has a cylindrical portion that faces the electromagnet in the radial direction through a gap.
The support member radially supports the plunger with respect to the electromagnet so that the gap is maintained.
Differential device.

Images