Differential device

A differential device comprising

• a ring gear that receives a rotational driving force from a drive gear connected to a power source,
• a differential case that rotates integrally with the ring gear around a predetermined axis, and
• a differential mechanism that is installed within a barrel part of the differential case, the differential mechanism being capable of distributing between a pair of drive shafts the rotational driving force that has been transmitted from the drive gear to the differential case via the ring gear while allowing differential rotation,
• wherein the ring gear comprises a gear portion that meshes with the drive gear, and a rim portion that is formed integrally with an inner periphery of the gear portion and is fitted onto a maximum diameter outer peripheral portion of the barrel part or a predetermined outer peripheral portion having a smaller diameter than the maximum diameter outer peripheral portion, and
• the rim portion has a fixed portion that is welded to the barrel part thereby to form a weld part at a position that is spaced in an axial direction from a fitting part via which the rim portion and the barrel part are fitted, the position being further radially inward than the fitting part.