Axle assembly

• US 6,681,878 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2002
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd. (Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd. (Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Nagata, Kentaro, Ishii, Norihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINNER, TONY H
• Application Number:
  US10/117,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20020155917A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 180/233, 180/245, 475/230, 475/220, 746/06.R
• US Class Current: 180/233
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/322 with a single pivot point and a straight axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/422 Driving wheels or live axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/44 steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/149 Mounting of rigid axle on wheel knuckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/084 Ridable lawn mowers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 9/02 the axle or housing being pivotally mounted on the vehicle , e.g. the pivotal axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle B60G9/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/156 Ridable lawn mowers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/223 Ridable lawn mowers
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/385 of the ring or crown gear
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/423 characterised by bearing arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/08 comprising bevel gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/42 characterised by features of the input shafts, e.g. mounting of drive gears thereon
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2186 Gear casings

Abstract

In an axle assembly, a differential gear device includes a ring gear and a differential cage. The ring gear has a gear portion formed on a first side surface thereof, which first side surface faces the input shaft and is positioned along the axis of the driving axles, for being operatively connected with the input shaft, and forms an axle hole through which an inner end of one of the right and left driving axles relatively rotatably passes. The differential cage is relatively non-rotatably connected with the ring gear via a second side surface of the ring gear, which second side surface faces away from the input shaft and is positioned along the axis of the driving axles. The differential case also forms therein an axle hole through which an inner end of the residual one of the right and left driving axles relatively rotatably passes, so that the inner ends of the right and left driving axles face to each other.

Claims

1. An axle assembly comprising:

an axle case for accommodating right and left driving axles, said axle case forming therein an opening;

a differential gear device accommodated within said axle case through the opening of the axle case;

a lid connected with the axle case so as to cover the opening;

an input shaft for operatively receiving the driving force from an engine;

wherein said differential gear device includes;

a ring gear having a gear portion formed on a first side surface thereof, said first side surface facing the input shaft and being positioned along the axis of the driving axles, for being operatively connected with the input shaft, and forming an axle hole through which an inner end of one of the right and left driving axles relatively rotatably passes;

a differential cage being relatively non-rotatably connected with the ring gear via a second side surface of the ring gear, said second side surface facing away from the input shaft and positioned along the axis of the driving axles, and forming therein an axle hole through which an inner end of the residual one of the right and left driving axles relatively rotatably passes, so that the inner ends of the right and left driving axles face to each other;

said lid including a first support member for supporting said input shaft and a second support member for supporting said differential gear device; and

wherein said first and second support members are displaced along the lengthwise direction of the right and left driving axles.

2. An axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second support member includes a first support wall for relatively rotatably supporting the ring gear, and a second support wall spaced apart from said first side wall along the lengthwise direction of the driving axles for relatively rotatably supporting the differential cage.

3. An axle assembly according to claim 2, wherein said second support member is positioned more inwardly than said first support member with respect to a vehicle width direction.

4. An axle assembly according to claim 3, wherein:

said axle case has opposite outer ends respectively connected with a pair of steering wheels, which are interlocked with each other through a tie-rod for associated pivoting action;

said cover case has an outer surface corresponding to said second support member and provided on said outer surface with an extension member that extends inwardly with respect to a vehicle lengthwise direction; and

said extension member has a portion with which a fixing end of a power steering cylinder for pivoting one of the pair of steering wheels by pressure is rotatably connected.

5. An axle assembly according to claim 4, wherein said differential gear device further includes:

a pair of side gears accommodated within the differential cage, while being respectively and relatively non-rotatably supported by said inner ends of the right and left driving axles; and

a pinion gear accommodated within the differential cage in such a manner as to rotate in meshing engagement with said pair of side gears and move around a rotational axis of the differential cage in association with the rotation of the differential cage.

6. An axle assembly according to claim 5, wherein:

said differential cage includes a flange portion abutting against the second side surface of the ring and forms therein an opening through which said pair of side gears can pass, a body portion extending from said flange portion in a direction away from the ring gear and providing an inner space for accommodating therein said pair of side gears and said pinion gear, and a bearing portion that extends from said body portion in a direction away from the ring gear and forms therein an axle hole through which an inner end of said residual one of the right and left driving axles relatively rotatably passes;

said flange portion forms therein at least one hole for receiving at least one fastener for interlocking the differential cage with the ring gear; and

said body portion forms therein at least one cut-away portion allowing for insertion of said at least one fastener into said at least one hole along the axis thereof.

7. An axle assembly according to claim 3, wherein said differential gear device further includes:

a pair of side gears accommodated within the differential cage, while being respectively and relatively non-rotatably supported by said inner ends of the right and left driving axles; and

a pinion gear accommodated within the differential cage in such a manner as to rotate in meshing engagement with said pair of side gears and move around a rotational axis of the differential cage in association with the rotation of the differential cage.

8. An axle assembly according to claim 7, wherein:

said differential cage includes a flange portion abutting against the second side surface of the ring and forms therein an opening through which said pair of side gears can pass, a body portion extending from said flange portion in a direction away from the ring gear and providing an inner space for accommodating therein said pair of side gears and said pinion gear, and a bearing portion that extends from said body portion in a direction away from the ring gear and forms therein an axle hole through which an inner end of said residual one of the right and left driving axles relatively rotatably passes;

said flange portion forms therein at least one hole for receiving at least one fastener for interlocking the differential cage with the ring gear; and

said body portion forms therein at least one cut-away portion allowing for insertion of said at least one fastener into said at least one hole along the axis thereof.

9. An axle assembly according to claim 2, wherein:

said axle case has opposite outer ends respectively connected with a pair of steering wheels, which are interlocked with each other through a tie-rod for associated pivoting action;

said cover case has an outer surface corresponding to said second support member and provided on said outer surface with an extension member that extends inwardly with respect to a vehicle lengthwise direction; and

said extension member has a portion with which a fixing end of a power steering cylinder for pivoting one of the pair of steering wheels by pressure is rotatably connected.

10. An axle assembly according to claim 9, wherein said differential gear device further includes:

a pair of side gears accommodated within the differential cage, while being respectively and relatively non-rotatably supported by said inner ends of the right and left driving axles; and

a pinion gear accommodated within the differential cage in such a manner as to rotate in meshing engagement with said pair of side gears and move around a rotational axis of the differential cage in association with the rotation of the differential cage.

11. An axle assembly according to claim 10, wherein:

said differential cage includes a flange portion abutting against the second side surface of the ring and forms therein an opening through which said pair of side gears can pass, a body portion extending from said flange portion in a direction away from the ring gear and providing an inner space for accommodating therein said pair of side gears and said pinion gear, and a bearing portion that extends from said body portion in a direction away from the ring gear and forms therein an axle hole through which an inner end of said residual one of the right and left driving axles relatively rotatably passes;

said flange portion forms therein at least one hole for receiving at least one fastener for interlocking the differential cage with the ring gear; and

said body portion forms therein at least one cut-away portion allowing for insertion of said at least one fastener into said at least one hole along the axis thereof.

12. An axle assembly according to claim 2, wherein said differential gear device further includes:

a pair of side gears accommodated within the differential cage, while being respectively and relatively non-rotatably supported by said inner ends of the right and left driving axles; and

a pinion gear accommodated within the differential cage in such a manner as to rotate in meshing engagement with said pair of side gears and move around a rotational axis of the differential cage in association with the rotation of the differential cage.

13. An axle assembly according to claim 12, wherein:

said differential cage includes a flange portion abutting against the second side surface of the ring and forms therein an opening through which said pair of side gears can pass, a body portion extending from said flange portion in a direction away from the ring gear and providing an inner space for accommodating therein said pair of side gears and said pinion gear, and a bearing portion that extends from said body portion in a direction away from the ring gear and forms therein an axle hole through which an inner end of said residual one of the right and left driving axles relatively rotatably passes;

said flange portion forms therein at least one hole for receiving at least one fastener for interlocking the differential cage with the ring gear; and

said body portion forms therein at least one cut-away portion allowing for insertion of said at least one fastener into said at least one hole along the axis thereof.

14. An axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said axle case has opposite outer ends respectively connected with a pair of steering wheels, which are interlocked with each other through a tie-rod for associated pivoting action;

said cover case has an outer surface corresponding to said second support member and provided on said outer surface with an extension member that extends inwardly with respect to a vehicle lengthwise direction; and

said extension member has a portion with which a fixing end of a power steering cylinder for pivoting one of the pair of steering wheels by pressure is rotatably connected.

15. An axle assembly according to claim 14, wherein said differential gear device further includes:

a pair of side gears accommodated within the differential cage, while being respectively and relatively non-rotatably supported by said inner ends of the right and left driving axles; and

a pinion gear accommodated within the differential cage in such a manner as to rotate in meshing engagement with said pair of side gears and move around a rotational axis of the differential cage in association with the rotation of the differential cage.

16. An axle assembly according to claim 15, wherein:

said differential cage includes a flange portion abutting against the second side surface of the ring and forms therein an opening through which said pair of side gears can pass, a body portion extending from said flange portion in a direction away from the ring gear and providing an inner space for accommodating therein said pair of side gears and said pinion gear, and a bearing portion that extends from said body portion in a direction away from the ring gear and forms therein an axle hole through which an inner end of said residual one of the right and left driving axles relatively rotatably passes;

said flange portion forms therein at least one hole for receiving at least one fastener for interlocking the differential cage with the ring gear; and

said body portion forms therein at least one cut-away portion allowing for insertion of said at least one fastener into said at least one hole along the axis thereof.

17. An axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said differential gear device further includes:

a pair of side gears accommodated within the differential cage, while being respectively and relatively non-rotatably supported by said inner ends of the right and left driving axles; and

a pinion gear accommodated within the differential cage in such a manner as to rotate in meshing engagement with said pair of side gears and move around a rotational axis of the differential cage in association with the rotation of the differential cage.

18. An axle assembly according to claim 17, wherein:

said differential cage includes a flange portion abutting against the second side surface of the ring and forms therein an opening through which said pair of side gears can pass, a body portion extending from said flange portion in a direction away from the ring gear and providing an inner space for accommodating therein said pair of side gears and said pinion gear, and a bearing portion that extends from said body portion in a direction away from the ring gear and forms therein an axle hole through which an inner end of said residual one of the right and left driving axles relatively rotatably passes;

said flange portion forms therein at least one hole for receiving at least one fastener for interlocking the differential cage with the ring gear; and

said body portion forms therein at least one cut-away portion allowing for insertion of said at least one fastener into said at least one hole along the axis thereof.

19. An axle assembly according to claim 17, wherein said ring gear has a protrusion axially protruding from the second side surface of the ring gear, and the differential cage forms on a side surface thereof facing the ring gear an engaging hole for receiving said protrusion, wherein the protrusion is engagingly inserted into the engaging hole so that the ring gear and the differential cage are interlocked with each other in such a manner as to be relatively non-rotatable around the axis.

20. An axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ring gear has a protrusion axially protruding from the second side surface of the ring gear, and the differential cage forms on a side surface thereof facing the ring gear an engaging hole for receiving said protrusion, wherein the protrusion is engagingly inserted into the engaging hole so that the ring gear and the differential cage are interlocked with each other in such a manner as to be relatively non-rotatable around the axis.