Unit

Abstract

The layout of cells is improved. The unit includes a first planetary gear mechanism, a second planetary gear mechanism, a first engagement element connected to the first planetary gear mechanism, a second engagement element connected to the second planetary gear mechanism, and an actuator that drives at least one of the first engagement element and the second engagement element. The first engagement element has a portion overlapping the first planetary gear mechanism in a radial view. The second engagement element has a portion overlapping the second planetary gear mechanism in a radial view. The first planetary gear mechanism has a portion overlapping the second planetary gear mechanism when viewed in the axial direction. The actuator has a portion sandwiched between the first engagement element and the second engagement element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to units. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a vehicle drive device in which a rotating electric machine and a transmission are arranged on a first shaft, and a differential gear device is arranged on a second shaft. The transmission gear mechanism has a first planetary gear mechanism having a first one-way clutch, and a second planetary gear mechanism having a second one-way clutch. Both the first one-way clutch and the second one-way clutch are selectable one-way clutches, and the selectable one-way clutch is configured to be switchable to a one-way restriction state that restricts rotation in one direction, a two-way restriction state that restricts rotation in two directions, and a release state that allows rotation in two directions.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: (Japanese) Patent Publication No. 2020-175707 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the case of a power transmission mechanism that constitutes a unit using a plurality of planetary gear mechanisms, it is desirable to achieve downsizing by realizing an efficient layout in the unit and to improve the layout properties of the unit.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the layout properties of cells.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] A unit of one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first planetary gear mechanism, a second planetary gear mechanism, a first engaging element connected to the first planetary gear mechanism, a second engaging element connected to the second planetary gear mechanism, and an actuator for driving at least one of the first engaging element and the second engaging element. When viewed in the radial direction, the first engaging element has a portion overlapping with the first planetary gear mechanism. When viewed in the radial direction, the second engaging element has a portion overlapping with the second planetary gear mechanism. When viewed in the axial direction, the first planetary gear mechanism has a portion overlapping with the second planetary gear mechanism. The actuator has a portion sandwiched between the first engaging element and the second engaging element.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to this method, by making each engaging element overlap with the corresponding planetary gear mechanism in the radial direction, the axial dimension can be reduced, thereby improving the layout of the unit. In addition, in this case, a corresponding gap is required between the two engaging elements to prevent interference between the two, so by effectively utilizing this space, the layout of the unit can be further improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the unit of this embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a frame diagram of the unit.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a connection table of a speed change mechanism.

[0016] Figure 4A This is the first diagram for explaining the switching mechanism.

[0017] Figure 4B This is the second diagram for explaining the switching mechanism.

[0018] Figure 4C This is the third diagram for explaining the switching mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the unit 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a framework diagram of unit 100.

[0021] Regarding the term "unit", a unit may also be referred to as a motor unit (a unit having at least a motor) or a power transmission device (a device having at least a power transmission mechanism). A motor is a rotating electrical machine having a motor function and / or a generator function (at least one of the motor function and the generator function). A power transmission mechanism is, for example, a gear mechanism and / or a differential gear mechanism. A device (unit) having a motor and a power transmission mechanism is included in the concepts of both a motor unit and a power transmission device.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the unit 100 includes a housing 10 and a speed change mechanism 20. The unit 100 is mounted on a vehicle, which is an electric vehicle. Power from the MG 40 is input to the unit 100. The MG 40 is a rotating electrical machine that functions as a motor generator, and the unit 100 can also be understood as a structure that also includes the MG 40.

[0023] The housing 10 accommodates the speed change mechanism 20. The speed change mechanism 20 has: a case 21, a rotating shaft 22, a first planetary gear mechanism PGM1, a second planetary gear mechanism PGM2, a first brake B1, a second brake B2, and a clutch CL. The case 21 has a cylindrical shape and is fixed to the inner circumference of the case 10. The first planetary gear mechanism PGM1 is provided in the case 21 via the first brake B1, and the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2 is provided via the second brake B2. The rotating shaft 22 is connected to the MG40 and rotates using the power from the MG40. The extending direction of the rotating shaft 22 is equivalent to the axial direction of the unit 100, which refers to the axial direction of the rotating shaft of the components (such as the motor, gear mechanism, differential gear mechanism) constituting the unit.

[0024] The first planetary gear mechanism PGM1 includes: a first sun gear S1, a first planet carrier C1, a first internal gear R1, and a first pinion P1. The first sun gear S1 is coaxially fixed to the rotating shaft 22. The first planet carrier C1 rotatably supports the first pinion P1. The first pinion P1 meshes with both the first sun gear S1 and the first internal gear R1. The above structure is also the same for the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2 including the second sun gear S2, the second planet carrier C2, the second internal gear R2, and the second pinion P2.

[0025] The second planetary gear mechanism PGM2 is arranged side by side with the first planetary gear mechanism PGM1 in the axial direction. Therefore, the first planetary gear mechanism PGM1 has a portion overlapping with the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2 when viewed in the axial direction. Overlapping when viewed in a specified direction including radial observation and axial observation means overlapping in a specified direction, which means that a plurality of elements are arranged side by side in a specified direction. Accordingly, the situation in which a plurality of elements are illustrated side by side in a specified direction in the accompanying drawings can be regarded as the content in the specification that explains the situation in which a plurality of elements overlap when viewed in a specified direction.

[0026] The second planetary gear mechanism PGM2 is provided on a side away from the MG40 relative to the first planetary gear mechanism PGM1. The second planetary carrier C2 is connected to the first internal gear R1 by being formed integrally with the first internal gear R1. The second planetary carrier C2 constitutes an output element of the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2. In contrast, the first planetary carrier C1 constitutes an output element of the entire speed change mechanism 20 by constituting an output element of the first planetary gear mechanism PGM1 and constituting an output element of the entire first planetary gear mechanism PGM1 and the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2.

[0027] The first brake B1 is provided on the outer periphery of the first inner ring gear R1 and is connected to the first planetary gear mechanism PGM1. In addition, the second brake B2 is provided on the outer periphery of the second inner ring gear R2 and is connected to the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2. Therefore, the first brake B1 has a portion overlapping with the first planetary gear mechanism PGM1 when viewed in the radial direction, and the second brake B2 has a portion overlapping with the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2 when viewed in the radial direction.

[0028] The first brake B1 and the second brake B2 are both meshing engagement elements and have a meshing connection structure. When the first brake B1 is connected, the first inner ring gear R1 is fixed to the housing 21 together with the second planetary carrier C2. As a result, the first inner ring gear R1 is fixed to the housing 10 together with the second planetary carrier C2. When the second brake B2 is connected, the second inner ring gear R2 is fixed to the housing 21. As a result, the second inner ring gear R2 is fixed to the housing 10. The first brake B1 is equivalent to the first engagement element, and the second brake B2 is equivalent to the second engagement element.

[0029] The clutch CL is arranged axially side by side with the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2 from the side away from the MG40. The clutch CL is provided relative to the rotating shaft 22 and the second planetary carrier C2 to connect and disconnect the above structure. The clutch CL is a friction engagement element and can be regarded as a multi-plate clutch. The clutch CL is, for example, an electric clutch and has: a hub 23, a drum 24, a plurality of drive plates 25, a plurality of driven plates 26, and a piston 27.

[0030] The hub 23 is coaxially fixed to the rotating shaft 22. The hub 23 has an inner cylindrical portion 23a, an outer cylindrical portion 23b, and a bottom wall portion 23c connected to the above structure, and is coaxially fixed to the rotating shaft 22 through the inner cylindrical portion 23a. The drum 24 has a cylindrical portion 24a and a bottom wall portion 24b, and is coaxially arranged relative to the rotating shaft 22. The drum 24 opens in a direction away from the MG 40. The hub 23 is accommodated in the drum 24, and the outer periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 23b of the hub 23 is opposite to the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 24a of the drum 24. The drum 24 is fixedly connected to the second planetary carrier C2 by the annular bottom wall portion 24b.

[0031] A plurality of drive plates 25 are provided on the hub 23. The plurality of drive plates 25 have an annular shape and are slidably provided on the outer periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 23b in the axial direction. A plurality of driven plates 26 are provided on the drum 24. The plurality of driven plates 26 have an annular shape and are slidably provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 24a in the axial direction. The plurality of drive plates 25 and the plurality of driven plates 26 are alternately provided side by side one by one in the axial direction.

[0032] The piston 27 is provided in the drum 24. The piston 27 is slidably provided on the inner periphery of the opening end of the drum 24. The piston 27 is, for example, an electric piston driven by an electric actuator of the clutch CL. Figure 1 right direction) and the engagement release direction ( Figure 1 The drive plates 25 and the driven plates 26 are moved in the left direction to engage and disengage the drive plates 25 and the driven plates 26.

[0033] When the plurality of drive plates 25 and the plurality of driven plates 26 are pressed in the engagement direction by the piston 27 and are engaged, the clutch CL is in an engaged state. As a result, the rotating shaft 22 and the second planetary carrier C2 are connected via the clutch CL. In addition, when the piston 27 moves from this state in the engagement release direction so that the plurality of drive plates 25 and the plurality of driven plates 26 are not engaged, the clutch CL is in an engagement release state. As a result, the connection between the rotating shaft 22 and the second planetary carrier C2 via the clutch CL is cut off. In the speed change mechanism 20, a speed change stage is formed as described below according to the connection / release state of the clutch CL, the first brake B1, and the second brake B2.

[0034] Figure 3 2 is a diagram showing a connection table of the speed change mechanism 20. Figure 3 As shown, the speed change mechanism 20 is configured as a three-stage speed change mechanism having three speed stages, namely, 1st, 2nd and 3rd, i.e., first gear, second gear and third gear. The first gear is achieved by connecting the first brake B1 and releasing the second brake B2 and the clutch CL. The second gear is achieved by connecting the second brake B2 and releasing the first brake B1 and the clutch CL. The third gear is achieved by connecting the clutch CL and releasing the first brake B1 and the second brake B2.

[0035] Return to Figure 1 The unit 100 further includes a driving device 30. The driving device 30 is a driving device for the first brake B1 and the second brake B2, and includes an actuator 31 and a worm gear 32. Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , the actuator 31 is schematically indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0036] The actuator 31 is an electric motor and has a worm gear 311. The worm gear 311 constitutes the rotation axis of the actuator 31 and meshes with the worm wheel 32. The worm axis of the worm gear 311 and the central axis of the worm wheel 32 are orthogonal to each other, and the worm wheel 32 is arranged to be rotatably driven around the axis of the unit 100 by the power from the actuator 31. Therefore, the worm axis direction of the worm gear 311, that is, the length direction, intersects with the axial direction of the unit 100.

[0037] The worm gear 311 is provided between the first brake B1 and the second brake B2 in the axial direction of the unit 100. Therefore, the actuator 31 has a portion sandwiched between the first brake B1 and the second brake B2. In the actuator 31, the worm gear 311 has the above-mentioned portion. The worm wheel 32 is provided between the first planetary gear mechanism PGM1 and the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2 in the axial direction of the unit 100.

[0038] The first brake B1 includes a first switching mechanism SWM1, and the second brake B2 includes a second switching mechanism SWM2. The first switching mechanism SWM1 switches the engagement state of the first brake B1, and the second switching mechanism SWM2 switches the engagement state of the second brake B2.

[0039] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C This is an illustration of the switching mechanism SWM. Figure 4A In FIG. 1 , the first switching mechanism SWM1 is represented in a bidirectional restriction state. Figure 4B In FIG. 1 , the first switching mechanism SWM1 is represented in a one-way restricted state. Figure 4C In FIG. 1 , the first switching mechanism SWM1 is shown in a released state. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C In the description, the first switching mechanism SWM1 is taken as an example as the switching mechanism SWM, and the same is true for the second switching mechanism SWM2.

[0040] The first switching mechanism SWM1 includes: a first fixed side component CB1, a first rotating side component RB1, a first claw CW1, and a first switching part SW1. The first fixed side component CB1 has an annular shape and is fixed to the inner circumference of the housing 21. The first claw CW1 is an engaging portion, and is provided in a portion of the first fixed side component CB1 protruding radially inward. This portion is provided in plurality along the circumferential direction, and two first claws CW1 are provided for each portion as a set of claws. In a set of claws, the first claws CW1 are provided so as to correspond to the bidirectional rotation directions and are provided in opposite directions to each other.

[0041] The first claw CW1 has a structure that the radially inner front end portion rotates with the radially outer base end portion as an axis. The first claw CW1 can be switched to a locked position for locking the rotation of the first inner gear ring R1 and an unlocked position for unlocking the rotation of the first inner gear ring R1. The first claw CW1 is urged to the locked position by a spring. Figure 4A In the state shown, the first claws CW1 are each pressed into a locking position by a spring.

[0042] The first rotating side member RB1 is fixed to the outer periphery of the first inner gear ring R1. The first rotating side member RB1 has an annular shape and has an engaging portion formed of a plurality of convex portions uniformly arranged in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery. The first claw CW1 engages with the engaging portion and forms a meshing connection structure together with the engaging portion. The first claw CW1 prevents the first inner gear ring R1 from rotating in one rotation direction and allows the first inner gear ring R1 to rotate in the other rotation direction.

[0043] For example, the first claw CW1 on the left side of the left and right sets of claws in the figure does not move radially outward at the front end to prevent the first inner gear ring R1 from rotating in the right direction of the figure, and allows the first inner gear ring R1 to rotate by moving the front end radially outward at the left direction. The first claw CW1 on the right side prevents the first inner gear ring R1 from rotating in the left direction, and allows the first inner gear ring R1 to rotate in the right direction. As a result, in Figure 4A In the bidirectional restriction state shown, the first internal gear ring R1 is restricted from rotating in both directions to the left and right. Therefore, with respect to the bidirectional rotation of the first internal gear ring R1, the first brake B1 is in the engaged state.

[0044] The first switching unit SW1 includes a first switching plate PL1, and switches the position of the first claw CW1. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C In FIG. 1 , the first switching plate PL1 of the first switching unit SW1 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The first switching plate PL1 has an annular shape and is movable in the circumferential direction.

[0045] The first switching board PL1 has: Figure 4A The position corresponding to the bidirectional limit state shown is Figure 4B The position corresponding to the one-way restriction state shown is Figure 4C The first switching plate PL1 is provided on the worm wheel 32 and rotates together with the worm wheel 32. Therefore, the first switching plate PL1 is driven in the circumferential direction by the actuator 31, thereby switching the position of the first switching plate PL1.

[0046] For example, in Figure 4A When the first switching plate PL1 is driven to rotate toward the fixed position on the right side in the state shown in FIG. Figure 4BThe position corresponds to the one-way restriction state shown. At this time, the first switching part SW1 pushes the front end of the first claw CW1 on the left radially outward against the force of the spring, thereby switching the position of the first claw CW1 on the left to the unlocked position. As a result, since the first claw CW1 on the left is disengaged from the engaging portion of the first rotating side component RB1, the rotation of the first inner gear R1 in the right direction is unlocked. On the other hand, since the first claw CW1 on the right is still engaged with the engaging portion in this case, the rotation of the first inner gear R1 in the left direction is locked. Therefore, in this case, the first brake B1 is in a released state with respect to the rotation of the first inner gear R1 in the right direction, and is in a connected state with respect to the rotation of the first inner gear R1 in the left direction.

[0047] In by Figure 4A When the first switching plate PL1 is driven to rotate toward the fixed position on the left side in the state shown in FIG. Figure 4C At this time, the first switching unit SW1 pushes the front end of the left and right first claws CW1 radially outward against the force of the spring, thereby switching the positions of the left and right first claws CW1 to the unlocked position. As a result, the first internal gear R1 is unlocked from rotating in both directions.

[0048] In this way, the actuator 31 drives the first brake B1 by driving the first switching plate PL1. The actuator 31 can also drive the second brake B2 in the same manner as the first brake B1.

[0049] Next, the main effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0050] (1) The unit 100 includes: a first planetary gear mechanism PGM1, a second planetary gear mechanism PGM2, a first brake B1 connected to the first planetary gear mechanism PGM1, a second brake B2 connected to the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2, and an actuator 31 for driving the first brake B1 and the second brake B2. When viewed in the radial direction, the first brake B1 has a portion overlapping with the first planetary gear mechanism PGM1. When viewed in the radial direction, the second brake B2 has a portion overlapping with the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2. When viewed in the axial direction, the first planetary gear mechanism PGM1 has a portion overlapping with the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2. The actuator 31 has a portion sandwiched between the first brake B1 and the second brake B2.

[0051] According to such a structure, the axial dimension can be reduced by making the first brake B1 and the second brake B2 overlap with the corresponding planetary gear mechanisms in the first planetary gear mechanism PGM1 and the second planetary gear mechanism PGM2 in the radial direction. Therefore, the layout of the unit 100 is improved. In addition, since a corresponding gap is required between the first brake B1 and the second brake B2 to prevent interference between the two, the layout of the unit 100 can be further improved by effectively utilizing the space.

[0052] The actuator 31 may be configured to drive the first brake B1 or the second brake B2. In this case, the same operational effects can be obtained.

[0053] (2) In the unit 100, the actuator 31 drives both the first brake B1 and the second brake B2. According to such a structure, the number of parts can be reduced by sharing the actuator 31 between the first brake B1 and the second brake B2. By reducing the number of parts, the layout of the unit 100 can also be improved.

[0054] (3) In the unit 100, the actuator 31 has a worm gear 311. The worm gear 311 has a portion sandwiched between the first brake B1 and the second brake B2, and the length direction of the worm gear 311 intersects with the axial direction of the unit 100. According to such a structure, in the process of sandwiching the worm gear 311 in the actuator 31 between the first brake B1 and the second brake B2, the length direction of the worm gear 311 intersects with the axial direction, thereby contributing to the shortening of the axial direction of the unit 100.

[0055] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely represent a part of application examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific structures of the above embodiments.

[0056] Description of Reference Numerals

[0057] 10. Housing; 20. Speed ​​change mechanism; 22. Rotating shaft; 30. Driving device; 31. Actuator; 311. Worm gear; 100. Unit; B1. First brake (first engaging element); B2. Second brake (second engaging element); CL. Clutch; PGM1. First planetary gear mechanism; PGM2. Second planetary gear mechanism.

Claims

1. A unit, characterized in that have: a first planetary gear mechanism; a second planetary gear mechanism; A first engaging element connected to the first planetary gear mechanism; a second engaging element connected to the second planetary gear mechanism; an actuator that drives at least one of the first engaging element and the second engaging element; When viewed in the radial direction, the first engagement element has a portion overlapping with the first planetary gear mechanism. When viewed in the radial direction, the second engagement element has a portion overlapping with the second planetary gear mechanism. When viewed in the axial direction, the first planetary gear mechanism has a portion overlapping with the second planetary gear mechanism, The actuator has a portion sandwiched between the first engaging element and the second engaging element.

2. The unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The actuator drives both the first engagement element and the second engagement element.

3. A unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The actuator has a worm gear, The worm gear has a portion sandwiched between the first engaging element and the second engaging element, The length direction of the worm gear intersects with the axial direction.

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