HOUSING FOR A DRIVE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A HOUSING FOR A DRIVE SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing for drive system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: a first housing portion for receiving a stator of the drive system; and a second housing portion for receiving a transmission arrangement, a first coolant channel for cooling the stator being formed in or on the first housing portion, and a second coolant channel for cooling the transmission arrangement being formed in or on the second housing portion, and the first coolant channel being fluidically connected to the second coolant channel such that a coolant can be conducted through the first coolant channel into the second coolant channel.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Housing for a drive system and method for manufacturing a housing for a drive system

[0004] The present invention relates to a housing for a drive system. In particular, the invention relates to a housing for a drive system of a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a housing for a drive system, especially for a motor vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a housing for electric drive systems, especially those of electric or hybrid vehicles.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] In electric drive systems, the stator can be cooled by circulating a cooling medium around the stator between an outer system housing and an inner stator housing section. For this purpose, a cooling medium channel running around the inner housing can be provided. The outer system housing is separated from the inner stator housing section by seals. The gearbox is located beyond the seals and is not cooled, or at least not significantly cooled, by the cooling medium. Another cooling arrangement is known from DE 102014206845 A.

[0007] To cool the gearbox as well, an additional cooling circuit is required, which necessitates additional material and space.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention: The invention provides a housing for a drive system with the features of claim 1 and a method for manufacturing a housing for a drive system with the features of claim 11.

[0009] Preferred embodiments are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a housing for a drive system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a first housing section and a second housing section. The first housing section serves to accommodate a stator of the drive system. The second housing section serves to accommodate a transmission assembly. A first cooling medium channel for cooling the stator is formed in or on the first housing section, and a second cooling medium channel for cooling the transmission assembly is formed in or on the second housing section. The first cooling medium channel is fluidically connected to the second cooling medium channel such that a cooling medium can be guided through the first cooling medium channel into the second cooling medium channel.

[0011] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a housing for a drive system, particularly for a motor vehicle. A first housing section for receiving a stator of the drive system is formed. A second housing section for receiving a transmission assembly is also formed. A first cooling medium channel for cooling the stator is formed in or on the first housing section, and a second cooling medium channel for cooling the transmission assembly is formed in or on the second housing section. The first cooling medium channel is fluidically connected to the second cooling medium channel in such a way that a cooling medium can be guided through the first cooling medium channel into the second cooling medium channel.

[0012] Advantages of the invention

[0013] The invention makes it possible to cool both the stator and the gear assembly using a single cooling circuit. This eliminates the need for additional material and space required for a separate cooling circuit.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the housing, the first housing section further comprises a third cooling medium channel, which is fluidically connected to the second cooling medium channel, wherein the first cooling medium channel has a cooling medium inlet for introducing the cooling medium, and wherein the third cooling medium channel has a cooling medium outlet for discharging the cooling medium. According to embodiments of the housing, the third cooling medium channel can run in the region of the stator or around it, thereby providing additional cooling.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the housing, the first cooling medium channel is at least partially fluidically separated from the third cooling medium channel by a bridge. In particular, it can be provided that the bridge completely fluidically separates the first cooling medium channel from the third. However, a certain amount of leakage can be tolerated, so the bridge can be designed to be partially permeable to the cooling medium. Preferably, less than 20 percent, and particularly preferably less than 10 percent, of the cooling medium passes through the bridge, thus entering the third cooling medium channel directly from the first.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the housing, the second cooling medium channel has a first cooling medium channel section that is directly connected to the first cooling medium channel. Furthermore, the second cooling medium channel has a second cooling medium channel section that is directly connected to the third cooling medium channel and runs parallel to the first cooling medium channel section, with the cooling medium flowing antiparallel through the first and second cooling medium channel sections during operation. This represents a simple geometric design.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the housing, the second cooling medium channel has a third cooling medium channel section, which connects the first cooling medium channel section to the second cooling medium channel section. The third cooling medium channel section can be designed, in particular, for cooling the gear assembly. For this purpose, the third cooling medium channel section runs adjacent to the gear assembly or to the receiving area of ​​the gear assembly.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the housing for the drive system, the third cooling medium channel section is U-shaped. According to further embodiments, the third cooling medium channel section can also be designed as an S-shape. Furthermore, according to embodiments, the third cooling medium channel section can have two interlocking rib structures or combs, allowing the cooling medium to flow between the ribs or combs. This enables the cooling medium to absorb as much heat as possible to better cool the gear assembly.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the housing, the second housing section has a transmission sump area for receiving transmission oil, with the third cooling medium channel section adjoining the transmission sump area. The cooling medium flowing through the third cooling medium channel section thus cools the transmission oil in the transmission sump area.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the housing, the first housing section comprises an inner stator housing section for receiving the stator and an outer stator housing section, wherein the first cooling medium channel runs helically or meanderingly between the inner stator housing section and the outer stator housing section. According to further embodiments, the first cooling medium channel can also have a comb structure with interlocking cooling fins. This allows for efficient cooling of the stator.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the housing, the first cooling medium channel is connected to the second cooling medium channel via a transfer bore, a sleeve, or an opening in the casting. According to another embodiment of the housing, surface area-enhancing structures, in particular fins, are formed in the first cooling medium channel and / or in the second cooling medium channel. These surface area-enhancing structures help to dissipate heat more effectively, thus improving the cooling of the gear assembly.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the housing, the first housing section is at least partially formed by a system housing, wherein the second housing section is at least partially formed by a gearbox cover, the gearbox cover at least partially forming the second cooling medium channel, and wherein the gearbox cover is connected to the system housing by means of at least one sealing element. The sealing of the first and second cooling medium channels can thus be achieved via the gearbox cover, eliminating the need for an additional component or cover. This reduces manufacturing effort and costs.

[0023] Brief description of the drawings

[0024] They show:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a schematic exploded view of a housing for a

[0026] Drive system;

[0027] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the underside of a housing for a drive system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0028] Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of the housing for a

[0029] Drive system;

[0030] Figure 4 shows a schematic rear view of the housing for a drive system with a partial sectional view according to section CC in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a schematic rear view of the housing for a drive system with a partial sectional view according to section AA in Figure 3;

[0031] Figure 6 shows a schematic sectional view of part of the housing for a drive system according to section BB in Figure 4;

[0032] Figure 7 shows a schematic sectional view of the housing for a drive system according to section CC in Figure 3; and

[0033] Figure 8 shows a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a housing for a drive system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0034] In all figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements and devices are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0035] Description of the exemplary implementations

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic exploded view of a housing 100 for a drive system. The housing 100 shown facilitates a better understanding of the invention. The housing 100 comprises a first housing section 200 and a second housing section 300.

[0037] The first housing section 200 comprises a front cover 200c, an inner stator housing section 200a, and an outer stator housing section 200b, which accommodate a stator (not shown). The outer stator housing section 200b is part of a system housing 1100, which can accommodate further components, in particular power electronics. A cooling medium channel 400 runs helically between the inner stator housing section 200a and the outer stator housing section 200b. A cooling medium flows through the cooling medium channel 400 to cool the stator. The cooling medium can be cooling water. Other coolants, such as cooling oil or gaseous cooling media, are also possible depending on the application.

[0038] The second housing section 300 is formed by a gearbox cover, which together with the system housing 1100 accommodates a gearbox or gearbox arrangement G.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the underside of a housing 1 for a drive system according to an embodiment of the invention. The housing 1 according to the invention differs from the housing shown in Figure 1 in that a single cooling circuit is provided to cool both the stator and the gear assembly G.

[0040] The housing 1 comprises a first housing section 2 with an inner stator housing section 2a for receiving the stator S and an outer stator housing section 2b, wherein, as in Figure 1, a (not shown) first cooling medium channel runs helically between the inner stator housing section 2a and the outer stator housing section 2b.

[0041] The housing 1 further comprises a second housing section 3, which includes a gearbox cover 3a and a gearbox cooling section 3b with cooling medium channel sections. The gearbox cooling section 3b comprises a front and a rear section 3b-1, 3b-2.

[0042] The terms "housing section" and "gearbox cooling section" are not to be understood as referring to separate physical units. Rather, they can also refer to parts of a single housing component. In particular, the gearbox cooling section 3b can be at least partially formed by the gearbox cover 3a. However, the gearbox cooling section 3b can also be a separate component or at least partially formed by the system housing 1000. The cooling medium can be extracted after multiple passes through it.

[0043] Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of the housing 1 for a drive system. After flowing through the first cooling medium channel, the cooling medium enters a second cooling medium channel 5 through an opening 10a. The opening 10a can be, for example, a transfer bore (perhaps created with an angle drill head), a sleeve, or an opening in the casting. The second cooling medium channel 5 is connected to a third cooling medium channel (not shown), which runs between the inner stator housing section 2a and the outer stator housing section 2b and terminates in a cooling medium outlet 6a through which the cooling medium exits.

[0044] The invention is not limited to a specific position of the cooling medium outlet 6a. Depending on the application, this can be located, for example, in the upper or lower area. The cooling medium outlet 6a can also be arranged directly after an oil-coolant heat exchanger section in the lower area of ​​the gearbox cover 3a or in the system housing 1000.

[0045] Figure 4 shows a schematic rear view of the housing for a drive system with a partial sectional view according to section CC in Figure 3. Internal threads 401, 402 are provided to screw the gearbox cover 3a to the system housing 1000 to provide a tight cooling circuit.

[0046] Figure 5 shows a schematic rear view of the housing 1 for a drive system with a partial sectional view according to section AA in Figure 3. The second cooling medium channel 5 comprises a first cooling medium channel section 5a, which is connected to the first cooling medium channel, and a second cooling medium channel section 5b, which is connected to the third cooling medium channel and runs parallel to the first cooling medium channel section 5a. During operation, the cooling medium flows antiparallel through the first cooling medium channel section 5a and the second cooling medium channel section 5b. Figure 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a part of the housing 1 for a drive system according to section BB in Figure 4. After the cooling medium flows through the helical first cooling medium channel 4, it enters the first cooling medium channel section 5a through the opening 10a.The first cooling medium channel section 5a is connected to a third cooling medium channel section 5c, which is U-shaped and connects the first cooling medium channel section 5a to the second cooling medium channel section 5b, which runs parallel to the first cooling medium channel section 5a. The third cooling medium channel section 5c has ribs 11, which increase the surface area. The third cooling medium channel section 5c runs below a transmission sump area 8 for receiving transmission oil 9.

[0047] The third cooling medium channel section 5c is formed at least partially by the gearbox cover 3a, which is connected to the system housing 1000, with seals 12, 13 being provided which prevent gearbox oil 9 from entering the third cooling medium channel section 5c or

[0048] Cooling medium can leak out or ambient air can enter. The seal can be designed as a cap seal, wet seal, insert seal, or similar.

[0049] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. For example, it may be provided that the first to third cooling medium channel sections 5a, 5b, 5c are formed in one piece.

[0050] Figure 7 shows a schematic sectional view of the housing 1 for a drive system according to section CC in Figure 3. The first opening 10a is shown, through which the cooling medium enters the first cooling medium channel 5a of the second cooling medium channel 5 from the first cooling medium channel 4. A second opening 10b, corresponding to the first opening 10a, is also shown, through which the cooling medium enters the third cooling medium channel 6 and subsequently exits through the cooling medium outlet 6a. The first cooling medium channel 4 is separated from the third cooling medium channel 6 by a web 7. This web preferably prevents the cooling medium from entering the third cooling medium channel 6 directly from the first cooling medium channel 4. However, the web 7 can also be partially permeable.

[0051] Figure 9 shows a flowchart of a process for manufacturing a housing for a drive system.

[0052] In a first process step S1, a first housing section 2 is formed to accommodate a stator 5 of the drive system.

[0053] In a second process step S2, a second housing section is formed to accommodate a gear assembly G. In the first housing section 2, a first cooling medium channel 4 is formed for cooling the stator. In the second housing section 3, a second

[0054] Cooling medium channel 5 is designed for cooling the gear assembly G. The first cooling medium channel 4 is fluidically connected to the second cooling medium channel 5 in such a way that the cooling medium can be directed from the first cooling medium channel 4 into the second cooling medium channel 5.

[0055] To manufacture the housing 1, it can be provided in particular that a gearbox cover 3a is connected to a system housing 1000 by means of seals 12, 13.

Claims

Claims 1. Housing (1) for a drive system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: a first housing section (2) for receiving a stator of the drive system; and a second housing section (3) for receiving a transmission assembly (G); wherein a first cooling medium channel (4) for cooling the stator is formed in or on the first housing section (2), and wherein a second cooling medium channel (5) for cooling the transmission assembly (G) is formed in or on the second housing section (3), and wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) is fluidically connected to the second cooling medium channel (5) in such a way that a cooling medium can be guided through the first cooling medium channel (4) into the second cooling medium channel (5).

2. Housing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first housing section (2) further comprises a third cooling medium channel (6) which is fluidically connected to the second cooling medium channel (5), wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) has a cooling medium inlet for introducing the cooling medium, and wherein the third cooling medium channel (6) has a cooling medium outlet (6a) for discharging the cooling medium.

3. Housing (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) is at least partially separated from the third cooling medium channel (6) by a bridge (7). is fluidically separated.

4. Housing (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second cooling medium channel (5) has a first cooling medium channel section (5a) which is directly connected to the first cooling medium channel (4), and a second cooling medium channel section (5b) which is directly connected to the third cooling medium channel (6) and runs parallel to the first cooling medium channel section (5a), wherein in operation the cooling medium flows antiparallel through the first cooling medium channel section (5a) and the second cooling medium channel section (5b).

5. Housing (1) according to claim 4, wherein the second cooling medium channel (5) has a third cooling medium channel section (5c) which connects the first cooling medium channel section (5a) with the second cooling medium channel section (5b).

6. Housing (1) according to claim 5, wherein the second housing section (3) has a gear sump area (8) for receiving gear oil (9), and wherein the third cooling medium channel section (5c) adjoins the gear sump area (8).

7. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first housing section (2) has an inner stator housing section (2a) for receiving the stator and an outer stator housing section (2b), and wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) runs helically or meanderingly between the inner stator housing section (2a) and the outer stator housing section (2b).

8. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) is connected to the second cooling medium channel (5) via a transfer bore (10a), a sleeve or an opening in the casting.

9. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein structures (11) for increasing the surface area, in particular ribs, are formed in the first cooling medium channel (4) and / or in the second cooling medium channel (5).

10. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first housing section (2) is formed at least partially by a system housing (1000), wherein the second housing section (3) is formed at least partially by a gearbox cover, wherein the gearbox cover forms at least partially the second cooling medium channel (5), and wherein the gearbox cover is connected to the system housing by means of at least one sealing element (12, 13).

11. Method for manufacturing a housing (1) for a drive system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising the steps: Forming (Sl) a first housing section (2) to accommodate a stator of the drive system; and Forming (S2) a second housing section (3) for receiving a gear assembly (G); wherein a first cooling medium channel (4) for cooling the stator is formed in or on the first housing section (2), and wherein a second cooling medium channel (5) for cooling the gear assembly (G) is formed in or on the second housing section (3), and wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) is fluidically connected to the second cooling medium channel (5) in such a way that a cooling medium can be guided through the first cooling medium channel (4) into the second cooling medium channel (5).