Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Kazumitsu Ugajin

Masao Teraoka

Satoshi Aiba

Shuhei Ono

Kenji Hiraishi

Hiraishi Kenji

A differential apparatus (7) comprises: a differential casting (21) rotated by an engine power; a plurality of pinion gears (65, 66) slidably housed in accommodation holes (63, 64) formed in the differential casing; a pair of side gears (35, 37) geared with each other via the pinion gears, two opposing end surfaces thereof being slid relative to each other, either directly or via a thrust washer (61); and a block member (47, 91, 97) interposed between two inner circumferential surfaces of the two side gears so as to center the side gears, respectively. In particular, at least one oil sump (77,) is formed between the block member and the side gears, to supply lubricant to sliding portions between the bolck member (47, 91, 97) and the side gears (35, 37) and between two opposing end surfaces of the two side gears, by a centrifugal force generated by the rotating differential casing. Further, it is preferable to further form at least one central oil passage (301, 303, 305) at the centering portion (365) so as to extend from an inner circumferential side to an outer circumferential side of the boss portions (357, 359) of the two side gears (353, 355). Further, it is also preferable to form at least two radial oil passages (881, 885, 977, 978) between inner wall surfaces of the differential casing (821, 921) and the side gears (835, 837, 939, 941) respectively in such a way that a radially inward end thereof communicates with the heat oil passage (877, 879, 979L, 979R) and a radially outward end thereof communicates with sliding portion between the side gear and the differential casing, respectively.

Differential apparatus

A differential apparatus (7) comprises: a differential casing (21) rotated by an engine power; a plurality of pinion gears (65, 66) slidably housed in accommodation holes (63, 64) formed in the differential casing: a pair of side gears (35, 37) geared with each other via the pinion gears, two opposing end surfaces thereof being slid relative to other either directly or via a thrust washer (61); and a block member (47, 91, 97) interposed between two inner circumferential surfaces of the two side gears so as to center the side gears, respectively. In particular, at least one oil sump (77, 79; 95; 101) is formed between the block member and the side gears, to supply lubricant to sliding portions between the block member (47, 91, 97) and the side gears (35, 37) and between two opposing end surfaces of the two side gears, by a centrifugal force generated by the rotating differential casing. Further, it is preferable to further form at least one central oil passage (301, 303, 305) at the centering portion (365) so as to extend from an inner circumferential side to an outer circumferential side of the boss portions (357, 359) of the two side gears (353, 355). Further, it is also preferable to form at least two radial oil passages (881, 885; 977, 978) between inner wall surfaces of the differential casing (821, 921) and the side gears (835, 837; 939, 941), respectively in such a way that a radially inward end thereof communicates with the helical oil passage (877, 879; 979L, 979R) and a radially outward end thereof communicates with sliding portion between the side gear and the differential casing, respectively.

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Tochigi, Japan

Kazumitsu Ugajin