Hydraulic transaxle and vehicle comprising it Number:7,419,025 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Hydraulic transaxle and vehicle comprising it

Abstract: A hydraulic transaxle comprises a transaxle casing for supporting left and right axles, a pair of hydraulic motors disposed in the transaxle casing so as to drive the respective left and right axles, hydraulic ports provided in the transaxle casing so as to fluidly connect the pair of hydraulic motors in parallel to a common hydraulic pump, and a system for restricting or canceling differential rotation of the pair of hydraulic motors.

Patent Number: 7,419,025 Issued on 09/02/2008 to Ishii,   et al.

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Inventors:	Ishii; Norihiro (Hyogo, JP), Irikura; Koji (Hyogo, JP), Ohashi; Ryota (Hyogo, JP), Sakikawa; Shigenori (Hyogo, JP)
Assignee:	Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd. (Hyogo, JP)
Appl. No.:	10/990,976
Filed:	November 18, 2004

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Foreign Application Priority Data

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Nov 20, 2003 [JP]			2003-391505

Current U.S. Class:	180/242 ; 180/307; 180/308
Current International Class:	B60K 17/356 (20060101)
Field of Search:	180/242,6.48,307,308,403

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References Cited [Referenced By]

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U.S. Patent Documents

2996135	August 1961	Grabow
5590737	January 1997	Azuma et al.
6877573	April 2005	Hasegawa

Foreign Patent Documents

	195 39 043		Apr., 1997		DE
	1 354 560		Jun., 1974		GB
	55132325		Oct., 1980		JP
	64004514		Jan., 1989		JP
	2002-22007		Jan., 2002		JP
	2004-210215		Jul., 2004		JP
	WO 01/60649		Aug., 2001		WO

Other References

European Search Report for European Application No. EP 04 02 7191, European Patent Office, Netherlands, completed on Mar. 4, 2005. cited by other . Patent Abstracts of Japan, English language abstract for document AO1, JP 55132325 A. cited by other . Patent Abstracts of Japan, English language abstract for document AP1, JP 64004514 A. cited by other.

Primary Examiner: Morris; Lesley D.
Assistant Examiner: Scharich; Marc A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox, P.L.L.C.

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Claims

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What is claimed is:

1. A hydraulic transaxle, comprising: a transaxle casing supporting left and right axles; a pair of hydraulic motors disposed in the transaxle casing so as to drive the respective left and right axles; hydraulic ports opened outward on the transaxle casing so as to fluidly connect the pair of hydraulic motors to a common hydraulic pump disposed outside of the transaxle casing; and a system for restricting or canceling differential rotation of the pair of hydraulic motors, the system including a valve disposed in the transaxle casing and interposed between the hydraulic ports and the pair of hydraulic motors, wherein the valve is switchable between a first position for allowing a parallel supply of fluid from the hydraulic pump to the pair of hydraulic motors and a second position for restricting or canceling the parallel supply of fluid from the hydraulic pump to the pair of hydraulic motors.

2. The hydraulic transaxle as set forth in claim 1, the system including: means for mechanically connecting motor shafts of the hydraulic motors to each other.

3. The hydraulic transaxle as set forth in claim 1, the system including: means for mechanically applying frictional force onto motor shafts of the hydraulic motors.

4. The hydraulic transaxle as set forth in claim 1, the system including: a hydraulic circuit for fluidly connecting the hydraulic motors in tandem to the common hydraulic pump.

5. The hydraulic transaxle as set forth in claim 4, the hydraulic motors including: displacement control means, wherein the displacement control means reduces displacements of the hydraulic motors when the hydraulic motors are fluidly connected in tandem to the common hydraulic pump by the hydraulic circuit of the system.

6. The hydraulic transaxle as set forth in claim 4, the hydraulic motors including: displacement control means, wherein the displacement control means increases displacements of the hydraulic motors when the hydraulic motors are fluidly connected in tandem to the common hydraulic pump by the hydraulic circuit of the system.

7. The hydraulic transaxle as set forth in claim 1, the system including: a first hydraulic circuit for distributing unrestricted fluid to the hydraulic motors fluidly connected in parallel to the common hydraulic pump; and a second hydraulic circuit for distributing restricted fluid to the hydraulic motors fluidly connected in tandem to the common hydraulic pump, wherein one of the first and second hydraulic circuits is selected.

8. The hydraulic transaxle as set forth in claim 7, the system including: a hydraulic pilot pressure valve for selecting one of the first and second hydraulic circuits, wherein a hydraulic pilot pressure to the hydraulic pilot pressure valve is caused by hydraulic pressure difference between the hydraulic motors.

9. The hydraulic transaxle as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a controller for deciding whether the valve is set at the first position or the second position depending upon whether a predetermined condition occurs or not.

10. The hydraulic transaxle as set forth in claim 9, further comprising: detection means for detecting output torques of the respective hydraulic motors, wherein the controller decides whether the valve is set at the first position or the second position depending upon whether output torque of one of the hydraulic motors detected by the detection means exceeds a predetermined value or not.

11. The hydraulic transaxle as set forth in claim 10, wherein the valve is optionally switchable in addition to the setting thereof decided by the controller.

12. The hydraulic transaxle as set forth in claim 10, wherein the predetermined value can be adjusted.

13. A vehicle comprising: a first transaxle including a transaxle casing supporting left and right axles, a pair of first hydraulic motors disposed in the transaxle casing so as to drive the respective left and right axles, hydraulic ports opened outward on the transaxle casing and fluidly connected to the pair of first hydraulic motors, and a system for restricting or canceling differential rotation of the pair of first hydraulic motors; a second transaxle incorporating a second hydraulic motor for driving left and right other axles; and a common hydraulic pump disposed outside of the transaxle casing so as to supply fluid to all the hydraulic motors of the two transaxles, wherein the hydraulic ports of the first transaxle fluidly connect the pair of first hydraulic motors to the common hydraulic pump, and wherein the system includes a valve disposed in the transaxle casing and interposed between the hydraulic ports and the pair of first hydraulic motors, and wherein the valve is switchable between a first position for allowing a parallel supply of fluid from the hydraulic pump to the pair of first hydraulic motors and a second position for restricting or canceling the parallel supply of fluid from the hydraulic pump to the pair of first hydraulic motors.

14. The vehicle as set forth in claim 13, the system of the first transaxle including: means for mechanically connecting motor shafts of the first hydraulic motors to each other.

15. The vehicle as set forth in claim 13, the system of the first transaxle including: means for mechanically applying frictional force onto motor shafts of the first hydraulic motors.

16. The vehicle as set forth in claim 13, the system of the first transaxle including: a hydraulic circuit for fluidly connecting the first hydraulic motors in tandem to the common hydraulic pump.

17. The vehicle as set forth in claim 16, the first hydraulic motors including: displacement control means, wherein the displacement control means reduces displacements of the first hydraulic motors when the first hydraulic motors are fluidly connected in tandem to the common hydraulic pump by the hydraulic circuit of the system of the first transaxle.

18. The vehicle as set forth in claim 16, the first hydraulic motors including: displacement control means, wherein the displacement control means increases displacements of the first hydraulic motors when the first hydraulic motors are fluidly connected in tandem to the common hydraulic pump by the hydraulic circuit of the system of the first transaxle.

19. The vehicle as set forth in claim 13, the system of the first transaxle including: a first hydraulic circuit for distributing unrestricted fluid to the first hydraulic motors fluidly connected in parallel to the common hydraulic pump; and a second hydraulic circuit for distributing restricted fluid to the first hydraulic motors fluidly connected in tandem to the common hydraulic pump, wherein one of the first and second hydraulic circuits is selected.

20. The vehicle as set forth in claim 19, the system of the first transaxle including: a hydraulic pilot pressure valve for selecting one of the first and second hydraulic circuits, wherein a hydraulic pilot pressure to the hydraulic pilot pressure valve is caused by hydraulic pressure difference between the first hydraulic motors.

21. The vehicle as set forth in claim 13, further comprising: a controller for deciding whether the valve is set at the first position or the second position depending upon whether a predetermined condition occurs or not.

22. The vehicle as set forth in claim 21, further comprising: detection means for detecting output torques of the respective first hydraulic motors, wherein the controller decides whether the valve is set at the first position or the second position depending upon whether output torque of one of the first hydraulic motors detected by the detection means exceeds a predetermined value or not.

23. The vehicle as set forth in claim 22, wherein the valve is optionally switchable in addition to the setting thereof decided by the controller.

24. The vehicle as set forth in claim 22, wherein the predetermined value can be adjusted.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a hydraulic transaxle incorporating a pair of hydraulic motors for respective left and right wheels. The invention also relates to a four-wheel driving vehicle equipped with the hydraulic transaxle incorporating the pair of hydraulic motors and another hydraulic transaxle incorporating a hydraulic motor for driving corresponding left and right wheels, wherein all the hydraulic motors of the two transaxles are driven by a common hydraulic pump.

2. Related Art

Conventionally, there is a conventional well-known transaxle such as disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Gazette No. 2004-210215. The transaxle incorporates a pair of hydraulic motors for driving respective axles (drive wheels), and the hydraulic motors are fluidly connected in parallel to a hydraulic pump out of the transaxle, whereby the wheels driven by the respective hydraulic motors can rotate differentially.

The transaxle incorporating the pair of hydraulic motors instead of a conventional mechanical differential gearing assembly is compact vertically and widthwise so that the vertical position of the transaxle can be optionally lowered so as to stabilize a vehicle or raised so as to ensure a large ground clearance.

The problem of the pair of hydraulic motors fluidly connected in parallel to the hydraulic pump is that, when a vehicle is stuck because one of the wheels driven by the pair of hydraulic motors is caught in a ditch or mud and intends to run idle, fluid from the hydraulic pump is concentrated to the hydraulic motor for driving the idling wheel and the other hydraulic motor is insufficiently supplied with fluid to drive the corresponding wheel. A conventional differential locking system for a conventional mechanical differential gearing assembly, such as disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Gazette No. 2002-22007, does not solve the above problem for the hydraulic transaxle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic transaxle incorporating a pair of hydraulic motors for driving respective axles, which can solve the above problem.

To achieve the object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a transaxle comprises a transaxle casing for supporting left and right axles, a pair of hydraulic motors disposed in the transaxle casing so as to drive the respective left and right axles, hydraulic ports provided in the transaxle casing so as to fluidly connect the pair of hydraulic motors in parallel to a common hydraulic pump, and a system for restricting or canceling differential rotation of the pair of hydraulic motors. The system can cancel or restrict differential rotation of the hydraulic motors so as to facilitate a stuck vehicle to easily escape from a ditch or mud.

Preferably, the system includes means for mechanically connecting motor shafts of the hydraulic motors to each other.

Alternatively, preferably, the system includes means for mechanically applying frictional force onto motor shafts of the hydraulic motors.

Alternatively, preferably, the system includes a hydraulic circuit for fluidly connecting the hydraulic motors in tandem to the common hydraulic pump. Further preferably, the hydraulic motors include displacement control means, which reduces displacements of the hydraulic motors when the hydraulic motors are fluidly connected in tandem to the common hydraulic pump by the hydraulic circuit of the system. Alternatively, further preferably, the hydraulic motors include displacement control means, which increases displacements of the hydraulic motors when the hydraulic motors are fluidly connected in tandem to the common hydraulic pump by the hydraulic circuit of the system.

Alternatively, preferably, the system includes a first hydraulic circuit for distributing unrestricted fluid to the hydraulic motors fluidly connected in parallel to the common hydraulic pump, and a second hydraulic circuit for distributing restricted fluid to the hydraulic motors fluidly connected in tandem to the common hydraulic pump. One of the first and second hydraulic circuits is selected. Further preferably, the system includes a hydraulic pilot pressure valve for selecting one of the first and second hydraulic circuits. The hydraulic pilot pressure is caused by hydraulic pressure difference between the hydraulic motors.

Preferably, the transaxle comprises a controller for deciding whether the system should act or not depending upon whether a predetermined condition occurs or not. Further preferably, the transaxle comprises detection means for detecting output torques of the respective hydraulic motors. The controller decides whether the system should act or not depending upon whether output torque of one of the hydraulic motors detected by the detection means exceeds a predetermined value or not. Further preferably, the system optionally acts in addition to the action thereof decided by the controller. Further preferably, the predetermined value can be adjusted.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a vehicle equipped with the transaxle is further equipped with another transaxle incorporating another hydraulic motor for driving left and right other axles, and with a common hydraulic pump for supplying fluid to all the hydraulic motors of the two transaxles.

These, other and further objects, features and advantages will appear more fully from the following description with reference to accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional rear view of a steering transaxle 1A incorporating a pair of hydraulic motors 3L and 3R provide with a mechanical differential locking system 5.

FIG. 2 is a sectional rear view of a wheel support unit 30 provided for each of steering transaxles 1A to 1H.

FIG. 3 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of steering transaxle 1A.

FIG. 4 is a fragmental sectional rear view of a principal portion of a steering transaxle 1B provided with an alternative mechanical differential locking system 5.

FIG. 5 is a fragmental sectional rear view of a principal portion of a steering transaxle 1C provided with an alternative mechanical differential restriction system 22.

FIG. 6 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of a steering transaxle 1D incorporating hydraulic motors 3L and 3R provided with a hydraulic differential locking system including an electrically controlled switching valve 70.

FIG. 7 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of a four-wheel driving vehicle equipped with steering transaxle 1D and an unsteering transaxle 20D.

FIG. 8 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of steering transaxle 1D when movable swash plates 33L and 33R of hydraulic motors 3L and 3R are controlled by an electrically controlled actuator 51.

FIG. 9 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of a four-wheel driving vehicle equipped with steering transaxle 1D and an unsteering transaxle 60D.

FIG. 10 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of a four-wheel driving vehicle equipped with steering transaxle 1D and an unsteering transaxle 40D.

FIG. 11 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of a steering transaxle 1E incorporating hydraulic motors 3L and 3R provided with a hydraulic differential locking system including an electrically controlled switching valve 71.

FIG. 12 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of a four-wheel driving vehicle equipped with steering transaxle 1E and unsteering transaxle 20D.

FIG. 13 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of steering transaxle 1E when movable swash plates 33L and 33R of hydraulic motors 3L and 3R are controlled by electrically controlled actuator 81.

FIG. 14 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of a four-wheel driving vehicle equipped with steering transaxle 1E and unsteering transaxle 60D.

FIG. 15 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of a four-wheel driving vehicle equipped with steering transaxle 1E and unsteering transaxle 40D.

FIG. 16 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of a steering transaxle 1F incorporating hydraulic motors 3L and 3R provided with a hydraulic differential restriction system including a hydraulic pressure pilot type switching valve 90.

FIG. 17 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of a steering transaxle 1G incorporating hydraulic motors 3L and 3R provided with a hydraulic differential restriction system including hydraulic pressure pilot type switching valves 99, 110L and 110R.

FIG. 18 is a structural and hydraulic circuit diagram of a steering transaxle 1H incorporating hydraulic motors 3L and 3R provided with a hydraulic differential restriction system including flow control valves 120.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a representative electric control system for the differential locking or restriction system.

FIG. 20 is a table showing condition patterns for switching on of a representative electrically controlled actuator 101 for differential locking or restriction by using the electric control system of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Common structures of steering transaxles 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G and 1H will be described with reference to representing steering transaxle 1A shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. In later description of each of steering transaxles 1B to 1H, portions and members designated by the same reference numerals as those used for description of steering transaxle 1A are identical or have the same functions, whereby description of the portions and members will be omitted.

Steering transaxle 1A includes a transaxle casing 2 incorporating left and right variable displacement hydraulic motors 3L and 3R. Steering transaxle 1A shown in FIG. 1 further includes left and right symmetrical wheel support units 30 (left wheel support unit 30 is omitted in FIG. 1). FIG. 2 illustrates representing right wheel support unit 30. Left and right symmetrical wheel support units 30 represented in FIG. 2 are also used for later-discussed various steering transaxles 1B to 1H.

Left and right wheel support units 30 support respective axles 35 to be drivingly connected to respective hydraulic motors 3L and 3R. Left and right wheels 9L and 9R to be driven by respective hydraulic motors 3L and 3R are attached to outer ends of respective axles 35. Left and right wheels support units 30 are mounted onto left and right ends of transaxle casing 2 and operatively connected to a steering operation device (such as a steering wheel 103 shown in FIG. 19), whereby wheels 9L and 9R serve as steerable wheels.

Steering transaxle 1A to 1H are provided with various differential locking or restriction systems each of which cancels or restricts the differential rotation of motors 3L and 3R. Steering transaxles 1A to 1H, excluding steering transaxle 1C, are provided with various switching systems, each of which selectively establishes either a state where hydraulic motors 3L and 3R can be differentially rotated or a state where the differential rotation of hydraulic motors 3L and 3R is canceled or restricted. Steering transaxle 1A shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is provided with a mechanical differential locking system 5 interposed between hydraulic motors 3L and 3R.

Advantages of steering transaxle 1A representing later-discussed steering transaxles 1B to 1H, in comparison with a conventional steering transaxle including a mechanical differential gear unit, will be described.

Hydraulic motors 3L and 3R for driving respective steerable wheels 9L and 9R are fluidly connected in parallel to a common hydraulic pump, so that hydraulic motors 3L and 3R can differentially rotate to drive wheels 9L and 9R in correspondence to the difference of load between wheels 9L and 9R occurring during the turning of a vehicle or so on. Therefore, steering transaxle 1A without a mechanical differential gear unit can be compacted radially (vertically and in the fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle) while ensuring the differential function. Such compacted steering transaxle 1A can be disposed so as to ensure a large ground clearance.

Transaxle 1A including the hydraulic motors 3L and 3R for driving respective steerable wheels 9L and 9R is provided with hydraulic ports and flexible pipes instead of a propeller shaft for inputting power from another transmission separated from transaxle 1A, thereby expanding a free space under a chassis of a vehicle. The free space may be used for disposing a mid-mount working device such as a mower unit, or the vehicle chassis may be lowered so as to reduce the free space, thereby facilitating the riding of the vehicle.

The displacements of hydraulic motors 3L and 3R can be changed by controlling tilt angles of their movable swash plates 33L and 33R in correspondence to turning angle of steerable wheels 9L and 9R. Therefore, steerable wheels 9L and 9R can be accelerated or decelerated during turning of a vehicle so as to prevent the dragging of wheels 9L and 9R which may damage the ground surface.

A hydraulic circuit of hydraulic motors 3L and 3R can also serve as a torque limiter for absorbing peak torque occurring when at least one of wheels 9L and 9R is excessively loaded.

The switching system, such as differential locking system 5 of steering transaxle 1A as shown in FIG. 1, can cancel or restrict differential rotation of hydraulic motors 3L and 3R so as to facilitate a stuck vehicle to easily escape from a ditch or mud.

Referring to FIG. 1, the external and internal structure of transaxle casing 2 will be detailed. Left and right bearing plates 7L and 7R abut against each other, and left and right motor casing parts 2L and 2R are disposed so as to sandwich bearing plates 7L and 7R, thereby constituting transaxle casing 2.

A bracket 8 is formed on the top of left motor casing part 2L. A center pin 6 disposed in the fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle is passed through bracket 8 so as to pivotally hang transaxle 1A from the vehicle.

Left hydraulic motor 3L, including a center section 31L, a cylinder block 32L, movable swash plate 33L and a motor shaft 4L, is disposed in left motor casing part 2L. Right hydraulic motor 3R, including a center section 31R, a cylinder block 32R, movable swash plate 33R and a motor shaft 4R, is disposed in right motor casing part 2R. Motor casing parts 2L and 2R are filled with hydraulic fluid so as to serve as fluid sumps, in which respective hydraulic motors 3L and 3R are immersed.

Center sections 31L and 31R, fixed in respective motor casing parts 2L and 2R, have vertical surfaces, onto which respective cylinder blocks 32L and 32R are slidably rotatably mounted. Laterally horizontal motor shafts 4L and 4R are disposed coaxially to each other. Bearings 14L and 14R are fitted in respective bearing plates 7L and 7R so as to journal proximal ends of motor shafts 4L and 4R. Motor shafts 4L and 4R are rotatably passed through respective center sections 31L and 31R.

Cylinder block 32L and movable swash plate 33L are disposed between bearing plate 7L and center section 31L, and cylinder block 32R and movable swash plate 33R between bearing plate 7R and center section 31R. Motor shaft 4L and 4R are freely passed through respective movable swash plates 33L and 33R, and not-relatively rotatably passed through respective cylinder blocks 32L and 32R so as to serve as rotary center axes of respective cylinder blocks 32L and 32R. Pistons are reciprocally fitted into each of cylinder blocks 32L and 32R through respective springs and pressed at heads thereof against each of movable swash plates 33L and 33R.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tilt angles of movable swash plates 33L and 33R are changed in association with steered angles of steerable wheels 9L and 9R or an operation degree of the steering operation device, e.g., a turning angle of a steering wheel. Each of wheel support units 30 has a later-discussed steered casing 30b, as shown in FIG. 2, which may be interlockingly connected to swash plates 33L and 33R.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, hydraulic ports 31p and 31q (hydraulic port 31q hides behind hydraulic port 31p in FIG. 1) are fitted into one of center sections 31L and 31R (in this embodiment, left center section 31L) and project outward (downward) from a bottom surface of left motor casing part 2L. Pipes are connected to ports 31p and 31q so as to supply fluid from a hydraulic pump to hydraulic motors 3L and 3R, and to return fluid from hydraulic motors 3L and 3R to the hydraulic pump.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in transaxle casing 2, two pipes 34a and 34b are interposed between center sections 31L and 31R, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 (pipe 34b hides behind pipe 34a in FIG. 1), thereby constituting respective bifurcating passages 24a and 24b. The bifurcating passage 24a is interposed between port 31p and motors 3L and 3R, and bifurcating passage 24b between port 31q and motors 3L and 3R. When a vehicle travels in one of forward and backward directions, hydraulic port 31p receives fluid from the hydraulic pump, bifurcating passage 24a distributes fluid from port 31p between motors 3L and 3R, and bifurcating passage 24b collects fluid from motors 3L and 3R and returns it to the hydraulic motor through port 31q. When a vehicle travels in the other of forward and backward directions, hydraulic port 31q receives fluid from the hydraulic pump, bifurcating passage 24b distributes fluid from port 31q between motors 3L and 3R, and bifurcating passage 24a collects fluid from motors 3L and 3R and returns it to the hydraulic motor through port 31p.

Bearing plates 7L and 7R are recessed, and the recesses of bearing plates 7L and 7R face each other so as to make a chamber 7H between bearing plates 7L and 7R. The proximal ends of motor shafts 4L and 4R penetrating respective bearings 17L and 17R are inserted into chamber 7H and disposed adjacent to each other.

Each of left and right wheel support units 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 illustrating representative right wheel support unit 30. A kingpin casing 30a is fixed to each of axial outer ends of transaxle casing 2 (the outer end of each of motor casing parts 2L and 2R). A distal end of each of motor shafts 4L and 4R is journalled in kingpin casing 30a, and fixedly provided thereon with a bevel gear 4a. Kingpin casing 30a is bent to have a downwardly extending portion. A kingpin shaft 36 is coaxially disposed in the downwardly extending portion of kingpin casing 30a. A bevel gear 36a is fixed on a top end of kingpin shaft 36, and meshes with bevel gear 4a. Kingpin shaft 36 is journalled by kingpin casing 30a through bevel gear 4a and a bearing.

A steerable casing 30b is provided on the downwardly extending portion of kingpin casing 30a through bearings so as to be rotatable around kingpin casing 30a. Kingpin shaft 36 projects downward from a bottom end of the downwardly extending portion of kingpin casing 30a. A bevel gear 36b is fixed on a bottom end of kingpin shaft 36, and rotatably supported by a bottom wall of steerable casing 30b through a bearing.

A final bevel gear 37 fixed on a horizontal axle 35 is rotatably supported by steerable casing 30b, and meshes with bevel gear 36b. A cover 30c is disposed around axle 35, and fastened to steerable casing 30b so as to cover and rotatably support final bevel gear 37 with axle 35. An outer end of axle 35 projecting outward from cover 30c is formed into a flange 35a to be attached to each of wheels 9L and 9R.

Differential locking system 5 of steering transaxle 1A as shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The proximal ends of motor shafts 4L and 4R are formed into spline shafts 14L and 14R, respectively. One of spline shafts 14L and 14R (in this embodiment, right spline shaft 14R) is longer than the other. In chamber 7H, a shift collar 5a is slidably fitted on longer spline shaft 14R. Shift collar 5a is shifted between a right differential mode position and a left differential locking mode position. Shift collar 5a at the differential mode position, as the lower portion thereof below spline shafts 14L and 14R shown in FIG. 1, engages with only spline shaft 14R so as to allow the differential rotation of motor shafts 4L and 4R. Shift collar 5a at the differential locking mode position, as the upper portion thereof above spline shafts 14L and 14R shown in FIG. 1, engages with both spline shafts 14L and 14R so as to lock motor shafts 4L and 4R with each other.

Alternatively, another spline shaft may be coaxially disposed between the splined proximal ends of motor shafts 4L and 4R, and left and right shift collars may be slidably fitted on the spline shaft. In this construction, each of the shift collars constantly engaging with the spline shaft can also engage with the corresponding splined end of motor shaft 4L or 4R. When both the shift collars engage with the respective splined ends of motor shafts 4L and 4R, motor shafts 4L and 4R are locked with each other.

To move shift collar 5a, a fork shaft 15b is disposed in parallel to motor shafts 4L and 4R and axially movably penetrates bearing plates 7L and 7R, and a shift fork 15a is interposed between fork shaft 15b and shift collar 5a. Right bearing plate 7R slidably fittingly supports fork shaft 15b therethrough. A guide casing 7c is fixed onto a left surface of left bearing plate 7L and projects leftward in left motor casing part 2L. Guide casing 7c is stepped so as to have a diametrically small left portion and a diametrically large right portion. The left portion of guide casing 7c is substantially diametrically as large as fork shaft 15b so as to slidably fittingly support a left end of fork shaft 15b therein. The right portion of guide casing 7c and a hole of left bearing plate 7L, which pass fork shaft 15b therethrough, are diametrically larger than fork shaft 15b so as to serve as a spring chamber, in which a spring 7s is wounded around fork shaft 15b so as to bias fork shaft 15b rightward, thereby biasing shift collar 5a toward the differential mode position. An opening 7v is provided in a left end of guide casing 7c so as to face the left end surface of fork shaft 15b. Fluid (and air) escapes from guide casing 7c to the fluid sump in left motor casing part 2L through opening 7v so as to smoothen the leftward sliding of fork shaft 15b for the differential locking.

In right motor casing part 2R, a cam 15c is disposed so as to abut against a right end of fork shaft 15b. Cam 15c is fixed through a pivot shaft to an arm 15d disposed out of transaxle casing 2. Arm 15d is operatively connected to a manipulator (such as a differential locking pedal 102 shown in FIG. 19) on a vehicle. By operating the manipulator for setting the differential locking, arm 15d is rotated so that cam 15c rotates to push fork shaft 15b leftward so as to set shift collar 5a to the differential locking mode position. When the manipulator is released, fork shaft 15b returns rightward by the biasing force of spring 7s so as to return shift collar 5a to the differential mode position, thereby returning cam 15c, arm 15d and the manipulator to their initial positions.

Alternatively, arm 15d may be interlockingly connected to a differential locking system in another transaxle (such as a later-discussed unsteering transaxle 20D) so as to be set for locking motor shafts 4L and 4R with each other simultaneously with the setting of differential locking in the other transaxle.

Further alternatively, the rotary speeds of left and right wheels 9L and 9R may be detected so as to decide whether one of wheels 9L and 9R slips or not. If either wheel 9L or 9R slips, arm 15d is automatically rotated for locking motor shafts 4L and 4R with each other.

FIG. 4 illustrates steering transaxle 1B provided with an alternative mechanical differential locking system 5 in which fork shaft 15b is hydraulically shifted. In addition to guide casing 7c fixed onto left bearing plate 7L, a guide casing 7e is fixed onto a right surface of right bearing plate 7R and projects rightward in right motor casing part 2L. Guide casing 7e is stepped so as to have a diametrically small right portion and a diametrically large left portion. The right portion of guide casing 7e is substantially diametrically as large as fork shaft 15b so as to slidably fittingly support the right end of fork shaft 15b therein. The left portion of guide casing 7e serves as a chamber 7h passing fork shaft 15b therethrough.

A chamber 7m, which is diametrically larger than fork shaft 15b, is formed in right bearing plate 7R so as to pass fork shaft 15b therethrough. A piston 15m is fixed on fork shaft 15b in chamber 7m so as to slidably fit right bearing plate 7R. Continuous chambers 7h and 7m are filled with hydraulic fluid between piston 15m in chamber 7m and the stepped end wall of chamber 7h. Bearing plate 7R is formed therein with a hydraulic port 7p. Guide casing 7e is formed with a port 7r, communicating port 7p in bearing plate 7R to chamber 7h in guide casing 7e. An opening 7u is provided in a right end of guide casing 7e so as to face the right end surface of fork shaft 15b. Fluid (and air) escapes from guide casing 7e to the fluid sump in motor casing part 2R through opening 7u so as to smoothen the sliding of piston 15m on fork shaft 15b.

An unshown hydraulic control valve is fluidly connected to hydraulic port 7p. When the control valve is set to supply fluid to port 7p, the fluid is supplied into continuous chambers 7h and 7m between piston 15m and the stepped end wall of chamber 7h so as to push piston 15m leftward against spring 7s, thereby setting shift collar 5a at the differential locking mode position, as the upper portion thereof above spline shafts 14L and 14R shown in FIG. 4. When the control valve is set to drain fluid from port 7p, the fluid is drained from continuous chambers 7h and 7m between piston 15m and the stepped end wall of chamber 7h, and spring 7s pushes fork shaft 15b rightward so as to return shift collar 5a to the differential mode position, as the lower portion thereof below spline shafts 14L and 14R shown in FIG. 4.

The control valve is operatively connected to a manipulator (such as differential locking pedal 102 shown in FIG. 19) provided on a vehicle. Alternatively, the control valve may be operatively linked with a controlling device for a differential locking system in another transaxle (such as later-discussed unsteering transaxle 20D) so as to be set for locking motor shafts 4L and 4R with each other simultaneously with the setting of differential locking in the other transaxle.

Further alternatively, the rotary speeds of left and right wheels 9L and 9R may be detected so as to decide whether one of wheels 9L and 9R slips or not. If either wheel 9L or 9R slips, the control valve is automatically set for locking motor shafts 4L and 4R with each other.

FIG. 5 illustrates steering transaxle 1C provided with a mechanical differential restriction system, i.e., a limited slip differential unit 22. Limited slip differential unit 22 includes means which constantly applies friction force for restricting the differential rotation of motor shafts 4L and 4R.

In chamber 7H between bearing plates 7L and 7R, a drum 23 is fixed on the proximal (right) end of left motor shaft 4L and extended so as to surround the proximal (left) end of right motor shaft 4R. Multi outer friction disks 23a and inner friction disks 24a are alternately aligned between drum 23 and the proximal end of right motor shaft 4R. Outer friction disks 23a are axially slidably and not-relatively rotatably fitted onto the inner peripheral surface of drum 23. Inner friction disks 24a are axially slidably and not-relatively rotatably fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of motor shaft 4R.

A spring 23b is interposed between the left end wall of drum 23 and the most leftward outer friction disk 23a so as to frictionally press disks 23a and 24a against one another. The frictional pressure among disks 23a and 24a restricts the differential rotation of motor shafts 4L and 4R.

Limited slip differential unit 22 may include alternative means for restricting the differential rotation of motor shafts 4L and 4R, such as a viscous coupling.

Referring to FIG. 6, steering transaxle 1D including hydraulic motors 3L and 3R is provided with a hydraulic circuit system which can cancel or restrict the differential rotation of motor shafts 4L and 4R, instead of mechanical systems 5 and 22.

The hydraulic circuit system includes a switching valve 70. Switching valve 70 is normally set at a differential mode position 70A for fluidly connecting motors 3L and 3R in parallel to the common hydraulic pump, and optionally set at a differential locking mode position 70B for connecting motors 3L and 3R in tandem to the common hydraulic pump.

Steering transaxle 1D has a pair of externally open hydraulic ports 62A and 62B. In the hydraulic circuit system, a bifurcating point 63A is disposed between hydraulic motor 3L and switching valve 70, and a bifurcating point 63B between hydraulic motor 3R and switching valve 70. When port 62A receives fluid from the common hydraulic pump and switching valve 70 is set at differential mode position 70A, bifurcating point 63A distributes fluid from port 62A between hydraulic motor 3L and switching valve 70. The flow of fluid from bifurcating point 63A through hydraulic motor 3L is passed to bifurcating point 63B by switching valve 70. The fluid from bifurcating point 63A without passing hydraulic motor 3L is supplied to hydraulic motor 3R by switching valve 70, and discharged from hydraulic motor 3R to bifurcating point 63B. The two flows of fluid are collected at bifurcating point 63B, and discharged to port 62B.

When port 62B receives fluid from the common hydraulic pump and switching valve 70 is set at differential mode position 70A, bifurcating point 63B distributes fluid from port 62B between hydraulic motor 3R and switching valve 70. The flow of fluid from bifurcating point 63B through hydraulic motor 3R is passed to bifurcating point 63A by switching valve 70. The fluid from bifurcating point 63B without passing hydraulic motor 3R is supplied to hydraulic motor 3L by switching valve 70, and discharged from hydraulic motor 3L to bifurcating point 63A. Bifurcating point 63A collects the two flows of fluid and discharges the collected fluid to port 62A.

In this way, while switching valve 70 is set at differential mode position 70A, fluid flowing between ports 62A and 62B is distributed between motors 3L and 3R so that the distribution rate of fluid between motors 3L and 3R varies depending upon how motors 3L and 3R are loaded. Therefore, motors 3L and 3R are differentially driven.

When port 62A receives fluid from the common hydraulic pump and switching valve 70 is set at differential locking mode position 70B, bifurcating point 63A distributes fluid from port 62A between hydraulic motor 3L and switching valve 70. The flow of fluid from bifurcating point 63A without passing hydraulic motor 3L is shut off by switching valve 70. The fluid from bifurcating point 63A through hydraulic motor 3L is supplied to hydraulic motor 3R by switching valve 70, and discharged from hydraulic motor 3R to bifurcating point 63B. Only the flow through the hydraulic motor 3R is passed through bifurcating point 63B to port 62B.

When port 62B receives fluid from the common hydraulic pump and switching valve 70 is set at differential locking mode position 70B, bifurcating point 63B distributes fluid from port 62B between hydraulic motor 3R and switching valve 70. The flow of fluid from bifurcating point 63B without passing hydraulic motor 3R is shut off by switching valve 70. The fluid from bifurcating point 63B through hydraulic motor 3R is supplied to hydraulic motor 3L by switching valve 70, and discharged from hydraulic motor 3L to bifurcating point 63A. Only the flow through the hydraulic motor 3L is passed through bifurcating point 63A to port 62A.

In this way, while switching valve 70 is set at differential locking mode position 70B, fluid flowing between ports 62A and 62B passes motors 3L and 3R in tandem. Therefore, each of motors 3L and 3R is supplied with all the fluid flowing between ports 62A and 62B so as to be driven at the same speed.

As shown in FIG. 6, switching valve 70 is a solenoid valve electrically controlled by a controller 50. A manipulator for differential locking (such as differential locking pedal 102 shown in FIG. 19) is provided on a vehicle, and controller 50 controls switching valve 70 based on detection of the operational condition of the manipulator. Alternatively or additionally, controller 50 may decide whether one of wheels 9L and 9R slips or not based on detection of the difference of rotary speed between left and right wheels 9L and 9R. If either wheel 9L or 9R slips, switching valve 70 is automatically switched from differential mode position 70A to differential locking position 70B. Alternatively or additionally, switching valve 70 may be manually controlled in connection with a manipulator provided on a vehicle.

FIG. 7 illustrates a four-wheel driving vehicle equipped with an engine 41, steering transaxle 1D and an unsteering transaxle 20D. Steering transaxle 1D drives steerable wheels 9L and 9R, and unsteering transaxle 20D drives unsteerable wheels 46L and 46R. Either the pair of wheels 9L and 9R or the pair of wheels 46L and 46R serve as front wheels, and the other pair serve as rear wheels.

Unsteering transaxle 20D incorporates an HST 20 including a variable displacement hydraulic pump 25 and a hydraulic motor 26 fluidly connected to each other. Hydraulic pump 25 is driven by engine 41. Unsteering transaxle 20D also incorporates a differential gear unit 44 and axles 45L and 45R, onto which respective wheels 46L and 46R are attached out of unsteering transaxle 20D. Hydraulic motor 26 drives axles 45L and 45R through differential gear unit 44.

Hydraulic pump 25 has a movable swash plate interlocking with a speed control manipulator 42a (in FIG. 6, it is a lever, alternatively, it may be a pedal). The tilt angle and direction of the movable swash plate are changed by operation of manipulator 42a so as to change the rotary speed and direction of motor 26, i.e., axles 45L and 45R.

Unsteering transaxle 20D incorporates brakes 47L and 47R for braking respective axles 45L and 45R. Brakes 47L and 47R can be simultaneously operated for braking. Two braking operation devices (such as brake pedals 105 and 106 shown in FIG. 19) may be provided on a vehicle to be operatively connected to respective brakes 47L and 47R so that only one of brakes 47L and 47R may be operated for brake turn (zero turn) of the vehicle.

Differential gear unit 44 is provided with a differential locking mechanism 44a operatively connected to a manipulator (such as differential locking pedal 102 shown in FIG. 19) provided on the vehicle. As mentioned above, the manipulator may be operated to simultaneously operate differential locking mechanism 44a and switching valve 70 for differential locking of all wheels 9L, 9R, 46L and 46R.

Hydraulic pump 25 can be also fluidly connected through a switching valve 48 to hydraulic motors 3L and 3R in steering transaxle 1D. In this regard, pipes 28a and 28b are extended from unsteering transaxle 20D to be connected to respective ports 62A and 62B. Switching valve 48 is disposed across pipes 28a and 28b. Switching valve 48 set at the two-wheel drive mode position makes a closed circuit of HST 20 and a closed circuit of hydraulic motors 3L and 3R isolated from the closed circuit of HST 20.

Switching valve 48 set at the four-wheel drive mode position opens pipes 28a and 28b so as to fluidly connect HST 20 to hydraulic motors 3L and 3R. In this state, hydraulic motor 26 is fluidly connected in tandem with the pair of motors 3L and 3R to hydraulic pump 25. When switching valve 70 is disposed at differential mode position 70A, motors 3L and 3R are fluidly connected in parallel between hydraulic pump 25 and motor 26. When switching valve 70 is disposed at differential locking mode position 70B, all the three motors 26, 3L and 3R are fluidly connected in tandem to hydraulic pump 25.

A flow control valve 49A and a bypass (check) valve 49a are interposed in parallel between port 62A and bifurcating point 63A. A flow control valve 49B and a bypass (check) valve 49b are interposed in parallel between port 62B and bifurcating point 63B. Each of bypass valves 49a and 49b passes fluid overflowing corresponding flow control valve 49A or 49B. The opening degrees of flow control valves 49A and 49B are adjusted by an actuator 49C electrically controlled by controller 50.

Bypass passages 29a and 29b with respective orifices and check valves are interposed between the passage between port 62A and bifurcating point 63A and the passage between port 62B and bifurcating point 63B. When the passage between port 62A and bifurcating point 63A is hydraulically pressured excessively higher than the passage between port 62B and bifurcating point 63B, the check valve of bypass passage 29a is opened to pass fluid from the higher-pressured passage between port 62A and bifurcating point 63A through the orifice of bypass passage 29a to the lower-pressured passage between port 62B and bifurcating point 63B. When the passage between port 62B and bifurcating point 63B is hydraulically pressured excessively higher than the passage between port 62A and bifurcating point 63A, the check valve of bypass passage 29b is opened to pass fluid through the orifice of bypass passage 29b from the higher-pressured passage between port 62B and bifurcating point 63B to the lower-pressured passage between port 62A and bifurcating point 63A.

Controller 50 is provided with detection means including a sensor 50a for detecting the operational condition of a manipulator for differential locking (such as differential locking pedal 102 shown in FIG. 19), a sensor 50b for detecting the operational condition of a lifter (such as a lift lever 103 shown in FIG. 19) for a working machine (in such a case where the vehicle is a tractor equipped with a working machine), a sensor 50c for detecting the steering condition of the vehicle (such as the turning angle of steerable wheels 9L and 9R or of steering wheel 104 as shown in FIG. 19), rotary speed sensors 50d and 50e for detecting rotary speeds of respective steerable wheels 9L and 9R, brake sensors 50f and 50g for detecting the operational condition of respective brake operation devices (such as depression of respective brake pedals 105 and 106 shown in FIG. 19) for respective brakes 47L and 47R, and a sensor 50h for detecting the operational condition of speed control manipulator 42a.

Controller 50 switches switching valve 70 based on a detection signal from sensor 50a. Controller 50 may switch switching valve 70 based on detection signals from sensors 50d and 50e so as to set switching valve 70 at differential locking mode position 70B when either wheel 9L or 9R slips. Further, controller 50 controls actuator 49C based on a detection signal from any of sensors 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, 50g and 50h.

Movable swash plates 33L and 33R are operated in association with the left or right turning angle of steerable wheels 9L and 9R (or steering wheel 104 as shown in FIG. 19) so that wheels 9L and 9R rotate faster than wheels 46L and 46R during turning of the vehicle, thereby preventing dragging of wheels 9L and 9R or wheels 46L and 46R. For example, the rotary speed of wheels 9L and 9R is 11/5-11/2 times as large as that of wheels 46L and 46R during turning of the vehicle.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, movable swash plates 33L and 33R are interlockingly connected through a mechanical linkage 9a to the steering mechanism of one of steerable wheels 9L and 9R (such as steerable casing 30b of one of left and right wheel support units 30). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, steering transaxle 1D may be provided with an actuator 51 for controlling movable swash plates 33L and 33R. Controller 50 electrically controls actuator 51 based on a detection signal from sensor 50c for detecting the turning angle of steerable wheels 9L and 9R (or the turning angle of steering wheel 104 as shown in FIG. 19).

When the steering operation device is operated to minimize the turning radius, (e.g., when steering wheel 104 as shown in FIG. 19 is fully rotated from its straight traveling position), and when one of brakes 47L and 47R is operated for brake turn of the vehicle, (e.g., one of brake pedals 105 and 106 as shown in FIG. 19 is depressed), controller 50 controls actuator 49C so as to increase the opening degrees of flow control valves 49A and 49B, thereby increasing fluid supplied to hydraulic motors 3L and 3R. Therefore, steerable wheels 9L and 9R are further accelerated during the brake turn of the vehicle with the steering and braking operations in comparison with those during the normal turning of the vehicle with only the steering operation. In other words, the difference of rotary speed between steerable wheels 9L and 9R and unsteerable wheels 46L and 46R is increased during the brake turn of the vehicle in comparison with that during the normal turning of the vehicle. For example, during the brake turn of the vehicle, the rotary speed of wheels 9L and 9R is twice as large as that of wheels 46L and 46R.

Such further acceleration of steerable wheels 9L and 9R during the brake turn of the vehicle can be ensured by the opening control of flow control valves 49A and 49B so as to require no further movement of swash plates 33L and 33R, thereby reducing the movement range of swash plates 33L and 33R.

If switching valve 70 is set at differential locking mode position 70B, each of hydraulic motors 3L and 3R fluidly connected in tandem to hydraulic pump 25 is supplied with all the fluid from hydraulic pump 25. Therefore, when switching valve 70 is set at differential locking mode position 70B during the brake turn of the vehicle, excessive fluid may be supplied to hydraulic motors 3L and 3R so as to suddenly accelerate wheels 9L and 9R. Thus, controller 50 controls actuator 49C so as to reduce the opening degrees of flow control valves 49A and 49B, thereby preventing sudden acceleration of wheels 9L and 9R.

In this way, the relative speed of wheels 9L and 9R to wheels 46L and 46R is adjusted by the control of opening degree of flow control valves 49A and 49B corresponding to the brake turning operation and the differential locking operation.

Alternatively, if steering transaxle 1D shown in FIG. 8 is used, controller 50 can optimally control actuator 51 to direct movable swash plates 33L and 33R in correspondence to the brake turning operation or the differential locking operation. Thus, flow control valves 49A and 49B and a mechanism for controlling them need not be used.

FIG. 9 illustrates a four-wheel driving vehicle equipped with engine 41, steering transaxle 1D for driving steerable wheels 9L and 9R, and an unsteering transaxle 60D for driving unsteerable wheels 46L and 46R. In comparison of FIG. 9 with FIG. 7, description will be omitted of those parts and structures designated by the same reference numerals, whose functions are identical.

Similar to unsteering transaxle 20D, unsteering transaxle 60D incorporates HST 20 including hydraulic pump 25 and motor 26, differential gear unit 44, and axles 45L and 45R. While HST 20 serves as a main speed changing unit, unsteering transaxle 60D incorporates a mechanical auxiliary speed changing gear unit 43 interposed between hydraulic motor 26 and differential gear unit 44. A manipulator 43a for operating auxiliary speed changing gear unit 43 is disposed on the vehicle shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 illustrates a vehicle equipped with engine 41, steering transaxle 1D for driving steerable wheels 9L and 9R, and an unsteering transaxle 40D for driving unsteerable wheels 46L and 46R. In comparison between FIG. 10 with FIGS. 7 and 9, description will be omitted of those parts and structures designated by the same reference numerals, whose functions are identical.

Similar to unsteering transaxles 20D and 60D, unsteering transaxle 40D incorporates differential gear unit 44 and axles 45L and 45R driven by differential gear unit 44. To drive wheels 46L and 46R, unsteering transaxle 40D incorporates a main speed changing unit 42, which is driven by engine 41 and operatively connected to main speed changing manipulator 42a. A hydraulic clutch system and an HMT (hydraulically mechanical transmission) are examples of main speed changing unit 42. If main speed changing unit 42 is an HMT, a later-discussed hydraulic pump 40p may be used for the HMT.

Unsteering transaxle 40D incorporates mechanical auxiliary speed changing gear unit 43 interposed between main speed changing unit 42 and differential gear unit 44. Auxiliary speed changing gear unit 43 includes a final pinion shaft 43b on which a final pinion is fixed to mesh with a bull gear of differential gear unit 44.

Unsteering transaxle 40D incorporates hydraulic pump 40p for power taking off to hydraulic motors 3L and 3R in steering transaxle 1D. Final pinion shaft 43b of auxiliary speed changing gear unit 43 also serves as a pump shaft of hydraulic pump 40p.

Pipes 28a and 28b connected to respective ports of hydraulic pump 40p are extended outward from unsteering transaxle 40D and connected to respective ports 62A and 62B of steering transaxle 1D, and switching valve 48 is provided across pipes 28a and 29b. When switching valve 48 is set at the four-wheel drive mode position, hydraulic motors 3L and 3R are fluidly connected to hydraulic pump 40p. In this state, unsteerable wheels 46L and 46R are driven by tandem speed changing units 42 and 43 in unsteering transaxle 40D, and steerable wheels 9L and 9R are driven by motors 3L and 3R in steering transaxle 1D which are supplied with fluid from hydraulic pump 40p in unsteering transaxle 40D. When switching valve 48 is set at the two-wheel drive mode position, hydraulic motors 3L and 3R are fluidly isolated from hydraulic pump 40p. In this state, only unsteerable wheels 46L and 46R are driven by tandem speed changing units 42 and 43.

FIG. 11 illustrates alternative steering transaxle 1E. Steering transaxle 1E incorporating hydraulic motors 3L and 3R is provided with externally open hydraulic ports 77A and 77B to be fluidly connected to a common hydraulic pump. A switching valve 71 is provided in steering transaxle 1E so as to constantly fluidly connect port 77A to a bifurcating point 75, and constantly fluidly connect port 77B to a bifurcating point 76. A distribution passage 72 for distributing or collecting fluid into and from hydraulic motors 3L and 3R is interposed between bifurcating point 75 and motors 3L and 3R. On distribution passage 72, an orifice 75a is interposed between motor 3L and bifurcating point 75, and an orifice 75b between motor 3R and bifurcating point 75. A distribution passage 73 for distributing or collecting fluid into and from hydraulic motors 3L and 3R is interposed between bifurcating point 76 and motors 3L and 3R.

A bypass passage 74 is interposed between motors 3L and 3R so as to bypass distribution passage 72. Joint points of bypass passage 74 to distribution passage 72 are disposed between orifice 75a and motor 3L, and between orifice 75b and motor 3R. A pair of check valves 79a and 79b are provided on bypass passage 74. Check valve 79a allows only flow of fluid from bypass passage 74 to motor 3L (or orifice 75a). Check valve 79b allows only flow of fluid from bypass passage 74 to motor 3R (or orifice 75b). A passage 74a is interposed between switching valve 71 and a joint point 79 on bypass passage 74 between check valves 79a and 79b.

Switching valve 71 is shifted between a differential mode position 71A and a differential restriction mode position 71B. Switching valve 71 set at differential mode position 71A fluidly connects port 77A to passage 74a. In other words, switching valve 71 set at differential mode position 71A opens a first hydraulic circuit including distribution passages 72 and 73, passage 74a and bypass passage 74. Switching valve 71 set at differential restriction mode position 71B shuts off passage 74a from both ports 77A and 77B. In other words, switching valve 71A set at differential mode position 71A opens a second hydraulic circuit including distribution passages 72 and 73 but not passages 74a and 74.

When port 77B receives fluid from the hydraulic pump to be supplied to motors 3L and 3R and port 77A discharges the fluid from motors 3L and 3R to the hydraulic pump (e.g., in the case of backward traveling of the vehicle), hydraulic fluid from port 77B flows through switching valve 71, bifurcating point 76 and distribution passage 73 so as to be distributed between hydraulic motors 3L and 3R. Motors 3L and 3R are thereby differentially driven, whether switching valve 71 is set at differential mode position 71A or differential restriction mode position 71B.

When port 77A receives fluid from the hydraulic pump to be supplied to motors 3L and 3R and port 77B discharges the fluid from motors 3L and 3R to hydraulic pump (e.g., in the case of forward traveling of the vehicle), hydraulic fluid from port 77A flows to hydraulic motors 3L and 3R through switching valve 71, bifurcating point 75 and orifices 75a and 75b on distribution passage 72. Orifices 75a and 75b restrict fluid supplied to respective motors 3L and 3R.

In this state, when switching valve 71 is set at differential restriction mode position 71B, switching valve 71 opens the above-mentioned second hydraulic circuit, in which fluid is not supplied through passage 74a and bypass passage 74 to motors 3L and 3R. Therefore, due to the regulation of fluid to motors 3L and 3R by orifices 75a and 75b, the difference of supplied fluid between motors 3L and 3R is restricted so as to restrict differential rotation of motors 3L and 3R.

On the other hand, when switching valve 71 is set at differential mode