Apparatus for Transmitting Torque

Abstract

An apparatus for transmitting torque includes a hub element and a shaft element. The hub element includes a hub engagement section (42) with a hub take-up profile which may be brought into engagement with a shaft engagement section (41) with a shaft take-up profile of the shaft element for transmitting torque. The hub element includes a hub connection section arranged offset in the axial direction towards a connection side relative to the hub engagement section (42). The shaft element includes a shaft connection section arranged offset in the axial direction towards the connection side relative to the shaft engagement section (41).

Claims

1-15. canceled

16. An apparatus for transmitting torque, comprising: a hub element comprising a hub engagement section (42) with a hub take-up profile and also comprises a hub connection section; and a shaft element comprising a shaft engagement section (41) with a shaft take-up profile and also comprises a shaft connection section, wherein the hub engagement section (42) with the hub take-up profile is configured to be brought into engagement with the shaft engagement section (41) with the shaft take-up profile of the shaft element for transmitting torque, wherein the hub connection section is arranged offset in an axial direction towards a connection side relative to the hub engagement section (42), and wherein the shaft connection section is arranged offset in the axial direction towards the connection side relative to the shaft engagement section (41).

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the hub element is displaceable in the axial direction relative to the shaft element.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the hub engagement section (42) and the shaft engagement section (41) are configured for a uniform force distribution in the axial direction between the hub take-up profile and the shaft take-up profile.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the hub element comprises an offset section (30) that extends in the axial direction from the hub connection section towards an engagement side opposite the connection side and is torque-proofly connected to an area of the hub engagement section (42).

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the offset section (30) is connected to a central area of the hub engagement section (42) in the axial direction.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the offset section (30) is connected to an end area of the hub engagement section (42) arranged on the engagement side in the axial direction.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the offset section (30) and the hub engagement section (42) are configured in two parts, and the offset section (30) is torque-proofly connected to the hub engagement section (42) by welding.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the offset section (30) is configured as one piece with the hub engagement section (42) and the connection section.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an axial securing mechanism (50) arranged on the engagement side in the axial direction relative to the offset section (30), the axial securing mechanism (50) positioning the shaft element relative to the hub element in the axial direction.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the hub element is formed by a first planet carrier (12) of a first planet gear set (10).

26. A differential transmission, comprising: an input element (4); a first gear set; a second gear set; a first output shaft (5); a second output shaft (6); and the apparatus of claim 16, wherein the input element (4) is mechanically operatively connected to the first gear set for torque transmission, wherein the first gear set is mechanically operatively connected to the second gear set for torque transmission, wherein the first gear set is mechanically operatively connected to the first output shaft (5) for torque output, wherein the second gear set is mechanically operatively connected to the second output shaft (6) for torque output, and wherein the first output shaft (5) forms the shaft element of the apparatus.

27. The differential transmission of claim 26, wherein: the first gear set is formed by a first planet gear set (10); the second gear set is formed by a second planet gear set; and a first planet carrier (12) of the first planet gear set (10) forms the hub element.

28. The differential transmission of claim 27, wherein: the input element (4) is torque-proofly connected to a first sun gear (11) of the first planet gear set (10); the first planet carrier (12) is torque-proofly connected to the first output shaft (5) for torque output from the first planet gear set (10); and a second ring gear of the second planet gear set is torque-proofly connected to the second output shaft (6) for torque output from the second planet gear set.

29. The differential transmission of claim 27, wherein, wherein the first planet gear set (10) and the second planet gear set are stacked together.

30. A vehicle, comprising: a drive unit; two drive wheels; and the differential transmission of claim 26, wherein the drive unit is configured for driving the input element (4), wherein one of the two drive wheels is configured for driving the vehicle via the first output shaft (5), and wherein the other of the two drive wheels is configured for driving the vehicle via the second output shaft (6).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a differential transmission with an apparatus for transmitting torque.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a differential transmission with an apparatus for transmitting torque.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a differential transmission with an apparatus for transmitting torque. The differential transmission comprises an input element 4, a first gear set, in the present case a first planet gear set 10, a second gear set, in the present case a second planet gear set, a first output shaft 5 and a second output shaft 6. The differential transmission is configured for dividing torque from the input element 4 to the first output shaft 5 and the second output shaft 6. The apparatus for transmitting torque comprises a hub element and a shaft element. The hub element is formed by a first planet carrier 12 of the first planet gear set 10. The shaft element is formed by the first output shaft 5.

[0043] The first planet carrier 12 is torque-proofly connected to a shaft engagement section 41 of the first output shaft 5 via a hub engagement section 42 for the output of a torque from the first planet gear set 10. The hub engagement section 42 and the shaft engagement section 41 are configured for an advantageous force distribution in the axial direction between the hub take-up profile and the shaft take-up profile.

[0044] Further details of the transmission and of the apparatus for transmitting torque are described below.

[0045] The first planet gear set 10 includes a first sun gear 11, a first planet carrier 12, a number of first planet bolts 13, a number of first planet gears 14, and a first ring gear 15. The first sun gear 11 is in engagement with one of the first planet gears 14. One of the first planet gears 14 is in engagement with the first ring gear 15 and is rotatably mounted on one of the first planet bolts 13. The first planet bolts 13 are connected to the first planet carrier 12.

[0046] The second planet gear set is not shown in FIG. 1. The second planet gear set includes a second sun gear, a second planet carrier, a number of second planet bolts, a number of second planet gears, and a second ring gear. The second sun gear is in engagement with one of the second planet gears. One of the second planet gears is in engagement with the second ring gear and is rotatably mounted on one of the second planet bolts. The second planet bolts are connected to the second planet carrier. The second planet carrier is formed by a stationary component 9.

[0047] The first planet gear set 10 and the second planet gear set are arranged in the same plane in the axial direction. The second planet gear set is arranged outside the first planet gear set 10 in the radial direction.

[0048] The first ring gear 15 and the second sun gear are torque-proofly to one another by a coupling element 1. In the present case, the coupling element 1 is formed by a sun ring gear. The sun ring gear includes the first ring gear 15 at an inner circumference. The sun ring gear includes the second sun gear at an outer circumference. As a result, the first planet gear set 10 is mechanically operatively connected to the second planet gear set.

[0049] The input element 4 forms the first sun gear 11 of the first planet gear set 10 on an outer circumference of an end section of the input element 4 on an engagement side, the right-hand side in FIG. 1. The second ring gear of the second planet gear set is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the second output shaft 6 for the output of a torque from the second planet gear set.

[0050] The first output shaft 5 and the second output shaft 6 are arranged coaxially to the input element 4. The first output shaft 5 extends in the axial direction through the input element 4. The first output shaft 5 extends in sections in the axial direction within the second output shaft 6. The second output shaft 6 is rotatably mounted to a stationary component, in the present case a transmission housing, via a bearing, in the present case a grooved ball bearing.

[0051] The first output shaft 5 comprises a shaft connection section, which is arranged, relative to the shaft engagement section 41, offset in the axial direction towards a connection side, the left side in FIG. 1. The shaft connection section serves for the output of a torque from the first output shaft 5 for driving a drive wheel of a vehicle not shown in FIG. 1. The first output shaft 5 comprises the shaft engagement section 41 with a shaft take-up profile, in the present case a spline, on an outer circumference. The shaft engagement section 41 is arranged at an end section of the first output shaft 5 on the engagement side.

[0052] The first planet carrier 12 comprises the hub engagement section 42 with a hub take-up profile, in the present case a spline, at an inner circumference. In this respect, the first output shaft 5 and the first planet carrier 12 together form a take-up toothing. The hub engagement section 42 is arranged offset in the axial direction relative to the bearing of the second output shaft 6. The first planet carrier 12 comprises a hub connection section which is arranged offset in the axial direction towards the connection side relative to the hub engagement section 42. In the present case, the hub connection section is formed by receptacles of the first planet carrier 12 for the first planet bolts 13. The hub connection section serves for the introduction of a torque from the first planet gear set 10 into the first planet carrier 12.

[0053] The take-up toothing is arranged offset in the axial direction towards the engagement side relative to the hub connection section. The first planet carrier 12 comprises an offset section 30. The offset section 30 extends from the hub connection section in the axial direction towards the engagement side. The offset section 30 comprises a radial section at one end on the engagement side, which extends inwardly in a radial direction of the first output shaft 5. As a result, an annular gap is formed between the hub engagement section 42 and the offset section 30, which is arranged on the connection side relative to the radial section. The annular gap extends in the radial direction at a height, which is comparable to a height of the hub engagement section 42 in the radial direction.

[0054] The radial section is torque-proofly connected to a central area of the hub engagement section 42. At the same time, the hub engagement section 42 extends from the radial section approximately equally far towards the connection side and towards the engagement side in the axial direction. In the present case, the offset section 30 is configured in one piece with the hub engagement section 42 and the connection section. The first planet carrier 12 is produced by forging.

[0055] As a result of the configuration of the first planet carrier 12 with the offset section 30 and its connection to the hub engagement section 42, a torque to be transmitted is introduced close to the center into the take-up toothing. This is favorable for a force flow through the take-up toothing. As a result, the take-up toothing may be heavily loaded.

[0056] The first planet carrier 12 is displaceable in the axial direction relative to the first output shaft 5 via the take-up toothing. The apparatus therefore comprises an axial securing means 50 which is arranged on an engagement side in the axial direction relative to the offset section 30. The axial securing means 50 is configured as a securing ring and positions the first output shaft 5 in the axial direction relative to the first planet carrier 12. The securing ring is fitted into a groove extending in a circumferential direction of the first output shaft 5 at an outer circumference. The securing ring is fitted into a groove extending in the circumferential direction of the first planet carrier 12 at an inner circumference. The securing ring is arranged at an end area of the take-up toothing on the engagement side.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a differential transmission with an apparatus for transmitting torque. The present embodiment differs from the preceding embodiment in that the first planet carrier 12, the first output shaft 5 and the second output shaft 6 are different.

[0058] In the present case, the first planet carrier 12 is configured in two parts. The hub engagement section 42 is configured separately from the offset section 30. The offset section 30 is welded to the hub engagement section 42 at a connecting projection which extends in the radial direction. The connecting projection is provided instead of the radial section of the preceding embodiment. The hub engagement section 42 is configured within the bearing of the second output shaft 6 in the radial direction. The hub engagement section 42 and the bearing of the second output shaft 6 are arranged in the same plane in the axial direction. The bearing of the second output shaft 6 is configured as a needle bearing.

[0059] The gap between the hub engagement section 42 and the offset section 30 is configured to be significantly thinner in the radial direction than in the preceding embodiment. The axial securing means 50 is arranged at the engagement side directly from the connecting projection in the axial direction.

[0060] The offset section 30 is connected to an end area of the hub engagement section 42 which is arranged on the engagement side in the axial direction. Accordingly, the hub engagement section 42 extends from the connecting projection further towards the connection side than towards the engagement side. As a result, the torque to be transmitted is introduced further away from an end section of the take-up toothing, which is arranged on the connection side. As a result, a force flow through the take-up toothing may be distributed in a wide area in the axial direction from the connecting projection to the end area on the engagement side. This is advantageous for the force flow through the take-up toothing. As a result, the take-up toothing may be heavily loaded.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0061] 1 coupling element [0062] 4 input element [0063] 5 first output shaft [0064] 6 second output shaft [0065] 10 first planet gear set [0066] 11 first sun gear [0067] 12 first planet carrier [0068] 13 first planet bolt [0069] 14 first planet gear

[0070] 15 first ring gear [0071] 30 offset section [0072] 41 shaft engagement section [0073] 42 hub engagement section [0074] 50 axial securing means IN THE CLAIMS Please cancel claims 1 through 15. Please add new claims 16 through 30 as follows: