Inverter unit

Abstract

The present invention provides an inverter unit, one mode of which is an inverter unit connected to a motor unit having a motor and an auxiliary machine, wherein the inverter unit has: an inverter that converts a high-voltage direct current into an alternating current and supplies it to the motor; a control unit that controls the inverter; an inverter housing that accommodates the inverter and the control unit; a connector unit for high voltage that receives a high-voltage direct current and supplies it to the inverter; a first connector unit that is connected to a first wiring harness extending from an external power source; and a second connector unit that is connected to a second wiring harness extending from the auxiliary machine. In the first connector unit, low-voltage power is received from the external power source. In the second connector unit, signals are sent and received with the auxiliary machine, and driving power is provided to the auxiliary machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an inverter unit. Background Art

[0002] As the demand for hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles increases, motor units that drive axles of vehicles are being actively developed. The motor unit described in Patent Document 1 includes an electric pump that circulates oil in the unit.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-47908

[0004] A power line extending from a power supply device and a signal line extending from a control device are connected to an auxiliary machine (e.g., an electric pump). Therefore, two wire harnesses are connected to the conventional electric pump, through which the power line and the signal line pass, respectively. In addition, two connectors are required to connect the wire harnesses, so the number of parts increases and the assembly process becomes complicated. Summary of the invention

[0005] One object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an inverter unit capable of reducing wiring harnesses and simplifying assembly steps.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides an inverter unit connected to a motor unit having a motor and an auxiliary machine, wherein the inverter unit has: an inverter that converts a high-voltage direct current into an alternating current and supplies it to the motor; a control unit that controls the inverter; an inverter housing that accommodates the inverter and the control unit; a high-voltage connector unit that receives a high-voltage direct current and supplies it to the inverter; a first connector unit to which a first wiring harness extending from an external power source is connected; and a second connector unit to which a second wiring harness extending from the auxiliary machine is connected. In the first connector unit, low-voltage power is received from the external power source. In the second connector unit, signals are sent and received with the auxiliary machine, and driving power is supplied to the auxiliary machine.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an inverter unit capable of reducing wiring harnesses and simplifying assembly steps is provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram of a motor unit and an inverter unit according to one embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 is a top view of an inverter unit according to one embodiment.

[0010] Description of symbols

[0011] 8: Inverter unit; 8a: Inverter; 8b: Inverter housing; 8c: Control unit; 10: Motor unit; 30: Motor; 60: Wire; 61: 1st wire harness; 62: 2nd wire harness; 80: Connector part for high voltage; 81: 1st connector part; 81a: 1st connector body (connector body); 81c: 1st pump power wiring (connector wiring); 81d: 1st connector relay terminal (connector relay terminal); 82: 2nd connector part; 82a: 2nd connector body (connector body); 82c: 2nd pump power wiring (connector wiring); 82d: 2nd connector relay terminal (connector relay terminal); 83: Wiring relay part; 84: Hook part (holding part); 97: Electric pump (auxiliary machine). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Hereinafter, the motor unit 10 and the inverter unit 8 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. In addition, in the following drawings, in order to facilitate the understanding of each structure, the actual structure is sometimes different from the scale or number in each structure.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram of a motor unit 10 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 It is a top view of the inverter unit 8 according to one embodiment.

[0014] In addition, the motor axis J1, the auxiliary axis J3, and the output axis J4 described later are virtual axes that do not actually exist.

[0015] <Motor unit>

[0016] The motor unit 10 is mounted on a vehicle and drives the vehicle by rotating wheels. The motor unit 10 is mounted on an electric vehicle (EV), for example. In addition, the motor unit 10 can be mounted on a vehicle that uses a motor as a power source, such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHV).

[0017] like Figure 1 As shown, the motor unit 10 includes a motor 30, a transmission mechanism (transaxle) 5, a housing 6, an electric pump (auxiliary machine) 97, an oil cooler 96, oil O, a first harness 61, a second harness 62, and a third harness 63. In addition, the inverter unit 8 is connected to the motor unit 10.

[0018] In addition, in this specification, the so-called wiring harness refers to a component that bundles the wiring of a device. A wiring harness has two or more wires bundled together. The wiring harness constitutes a part of a signal line or a power line. Here, the signal line refers to a wiring path for transmitting a signal, and the power line refers to a wiring path for driving a driving object.

[0019] The motor 30 is a motor generator having both the function of an electric motor and the function of a generator. The motor 30 mainly functions as an electric motor to drive the vehicle, and functions as a generator during regeneration.

[0020] The motor 30 includes a rotor 31 and a stator 32 surrounding the rotor 31. The rotor 31 is rotatable around a motor axis J1. The rotor 31 is fixed to a motor drive shaft 11 described later. The rotor 31 rotates around the motor axis J1.

[0021] The motor 30 is connected to the inverter 8a. The inverter 8a converts a direct current supplied from a battery (not shown) into an alternating current and supplies the alternating current to the motor 30. The rotation speed of the motor 30 is controlled by controlling the inverter 8a.

[0022] The motor 30 is provided with a temperature sensor (sensor) 38 and a rotation angle sensor (sensor) 39. That is, the motor unit 10 includes the temperature sensor 38 and the rotation angle sensor 39 as sensors for measuring the state of the motor 30.

[0023] The temperature sensor 38 measures the temperature of the motor 30. The temperature sensor 38 is attached to the coil end of the stator 32. Therefore, the temperature sensor 38 outputs the temperature of the coil as the temperature of the motor 30.

[0024] The rotation angle sensor 39 measures the rotation angle of the motor 30. More specifically, the rotation angle sensor 39 detects the relative rotation angle of the rotor 31 with respect to the stator 32. The rotation angle sensor 39 of this embodiment is a resolver having a resolver rotor fixed to the rotor 31 and a resolver stator fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing 6.

[0025] The motor 30 has a motor connector 30a. The inside and outside of the housing 6 are connected. The motor connector 30a is connected to the temperature sensor 38 and the rotation angle sensor 39 inside the housing 6. In addition, the motor connector 30a is connected to the connector terminal 63b provided at the end of the third harness 63 outside the housing 6.

[0026] In addition, in this specification, the connector terminal refers to a collective terminal inserted into the connector part. The connector terminal is set at the end of the wire harness. In addition, the connector terminal has a plurality of metal pins corresponding to each wire of the wire harness. The plurality of pins of the connector terminal are respectively connected to the metal pins set in the connector part.

[0027] The transmission mechanism 5 transmits the power of the motor 30 and outputs it from the output shaft 55. The transmission mechanism 5 has a plurality of mechanisms in charge of power transmission between the driving source and the driven device.

[0028] The transmission mechanism 5 includes a motor drive shaft 11 , a motor drive gear 21 , a counter shaft 13 , a counter gear (large gear portion) 23 , a drive gear (small gear portion) 24 , a ring gear 51 , an output shaft (axle) 55 , and a differential device (differential gear) 50 .

[0029] The motor drive shaft 11 extends along the motor axis J1. The motor drive shaft 11 rotates the motor 30. A motor drive gear 21 is fixed to the motor drive shaft 11. The motor drive gear 21 meshes with a pinion gear 23.

[0030] The secondary gear 23 extends along the secondary axis J3 and is fixed to the secondary shaft 13. In addition to the secondary gear 23, a drive gear 24 is fixed to the secondary shaft 13. The drive gear 24 meshes with the ring gear 51.

[0031] The ring gear 51 is fixed to the differential device 50 . The ring gear 51 rotates around the output axis J4 . The ring gear 51 transmits the power of the motor 30 transmitted via the drive gear 24 to the differential device 50 .

[0032] The differential device 50 is a device for transmitting the torque output from the motor 30 to the wheels of the vehicle. The differential device 50 is connected to a pair of output shafts 55. Wheels are mounted on the pair of output shafts 55. The differential device 50 has the following function: when the vehicle turns, it absorbs the speed difference between the left and right wheels while transmitting the same torque to the pair of output shafts 55.

[0033] The housing 6 accommodates the motor 30 and the transmission mechanism 5 . The interior of the housing 6 is divided into a motor chamber 6A accommodating the motor 30 and a gear chamber 6B accommodating the transmission mechanism 5 .

[0034] The oil O is stored inside the housing 6. In addition, the oil O circulates in the oil passage 90 provided in the housing 6. The oil O is used for lubrication of the transmission mechanism 5 and for cooling the motor 30. The oil O is stored in the lower area of ​​the gear chamber 6B (i.e., the oil reservoir P). A portion of the transmission mechanism 5 is immersed in the oil O in the oil reservoir P. The oil O stored in the oil reservoir P is lifted by the action of the transmission mechanism 5 and diffused into the gear chamber 6B. The oil O diffused into the gear chamber 6B is supplied to each gear of the transmission mechanism 5 in the gear chamber 6B so that the oil O is spread over the tooth surfaces of the gears.

[0035] The oil circuit 90 is provided in the housing 6. The oil circuit 90 is formed across the motor chamber 6A and the gear chamber 6B. An electric pump 97 and an oil cooler 96 are provided in the oil circuit 90. In the oil circuit 90, the oil O circulates in the order of the oil reservoir P, the electric pump 97, the oil cooler 96, and the motor 30 and returns to the oil reservoir P.

[0036] The electric pump 97 is provided as an auxiliary machine in the motor unit 10. The electric pump 97 is provided in the path of the oil path 90, and pressure-feeds the oil O. The electric pump 97 is a pump driven by electricity. The electric pump 97 sucks up the oil O from the oil reservoir P. The electric pump 97 supplies the sucked up oil O to the motor 30 via the oil cooler 96. The electric pump 97 has a pump connector portion 97a. The second connector terminal 62b provided at the end of the second harness 62 is connected to the pump connector portion 97a.

[0037] The oil cooler 96 is provided in the path of the oil passage 90 and cools the oil O passing through the oil passage 90. That is, the oil cooler 96 cools the oil O supplied to the motor 30. The oil cooler 96 is fixed to the housing 6.

[0038] The oil O that has passed through the oil cooler 96 is supplied to the motor 30 at the upper side of the motor chamber 6A via the flow path provided in the housing 6. The oil O supplied to the motor 30 flows from the upper side to the lower side along the outer peripheral surface of the motor 30 and the coil surface of the stator 32, and removes the heat of the motor 30. Thus, the motor 30 can be cooled as a whole. The oil O that has cooled the motor 30 drips downward and accumulates in the lower area of ​​the motor chamber 6A. The oil O accumulated in the lower area of ​​the motor chamber 6A moves to the gear chamber 6B via an opening that is not shown in the figure.

[0039] <Inverter unit>

[0040] The inverter unit 8 is connected to the motor unit 10. The inverter unit 8 includes an inverter 8a, a control unit 8c that controls the inverter 8a and the electric pump 97, an inverter case 8b that houses the inverter 8a and the control unit 8c, a high voltage connector (hereinafter referred to as a high voltage connector) 80, a first connector 81, and a second connector 82. The inverter unit 8 is fixed to the outer side surface of the housing 6 in the inverter case 8b.

[0041] The high voltage connector 80, the first connector 81, and the second connector 82 are fixed to the inverter case 8b. The high voltage connector 80, the first connector 81, and the second connector 82 penetrate inside and outside of the inverter case 8b, respectively.

[0042] The high voltage connector part 80 is connected to the inverter 8a inside the inverter unit 8. In addition, the high voltage connector part 80 is connected to the line 60 extending from the high voltage battery mounted on the vehicle outside the inverter unit 8. That is, the high voltage connector part 80 receives the high voltage DC current from the line 60 and supplies it to the inverter 8a. In addition, the voltage of the power supplied from the line 60 is about 300V to 400V. In addition, in this specification, "high voltage" refers to the voltage of the power used to drive the motor 30. In addition, in this specification, "low voltage" is a voltage lower than the high voltage, and refers to the voltage of the power used to drive the control unit 8c and the electric pump 97.

[0043] The first connector portion 81 is connected to the control portion 8c inside the inverter unit 8. In addition, the first connector portion 81 is connected to the first harness 61 extending from the external power source outside the inverter unit 8.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the first connector part 81 has a first connector body (connector body) 81a, a power wiring 81b for a control unit, a power wiring 81c for a first pump, and a first connector relay terminal (connector relay terminal) 81d. The first connector body 81a is fixed to the inverter housing 8b, connecting the inside and outside of the inverter housing 8b. The power wiring 81b for the control unit and the power wiring 81c for the first pump are led out from the first connector body 81a to the inside of the inverter housing 8b. The end of the power wiring 81b for the control unit is connected to the circuit board of the control unit 8c. The first connector relay terminal 81d is provided at the end of the power wiring 81c for the first pump.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the second connector portion 82 is connected to the control portion 8c inside the inverter unit 8. In addition, the second connector portion 82 is connected to the second harness 62 extending from the electric pump 97 and the third harness 63 extending from the motor 30 outside the inverter unit 8.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the second connector part 82 has a second connector body (connector body) 82a, a pump control wiring 82b, a second pump power wiring (connector wiring) 82c and a second connector relay terminal (connector relay terminal) 82d. The second connector body 82a is fixed to the inverter housing 8b, connecting the inside and outside of the inverter housing 8b. The pump control wiring 82b and the second pump power wiring 82c are led out from the second connector body 82a to the inside of the inverter housing 8b. The end of the pump control wiring 82b is connected to the circuit board of the control part 8c. The second connector relay terminal 82d is provided at the end of the second pump power wiring 82c.

[0047] The first connector relay terminal 81d and the second connector relay terminal 82d are connected to each other to form a wiring relay portion 83. That is, the connector relay terminals of the first connector portion 81 and the second connector portion 82 are connected to each other to form a wiring relay portion 83. A hook portion (holding portion) 84 protruding laterally is provided on the side surface of the inverter 8a described later. The hook portion 84 holds the wiring relay portion 83.

[0048] The wiring relay portion 83 formed by connecting the first connector relay terminal 81d and the second connector relay terminal 82d is a heavy object provided in the wiring path. Therefore, the wiring relay portion 83 may be damaged by collision with other components due to vibration or the like. According to the present embodiment, the inverter unit 8 has a hook portion 84 for holding the wiring relay portion 83, so that even if vibration is applied to the inverter unit 8, the wiring relay portion 83 can be prevented from colliding with other components.

[0049] The inverter 8a converts a high-voltage direct current supplied from the line 60 into an alternating current. The inverter 8a is connected to the motor 30 via the bus bar 8e. The inverter 8a supplies the converted alternating current to the motor 30 via the bus bar 8e.

[0050] The first harness 61 connects an external power source (not shown) and the inverter unit 8. The external power source is a low voltage (e.g., 12V) power source. The ends of the first harness 61 are bundled by connector terminals 61a. The first harness 61 is connected to the first connector portion 81 of the inverter unit 8 at the connector terminals 61a.

[0051] The first harness 61 is passed through by a low-voltage power line 71. The low-voltage power line 71 is a line that transmits low-voltage power from an external power source to the control unit 8c and the electric pump 97. The low-voltage power line 71 branches into a control unit power line 71a and a pump power line 71b at a branch point 71c. The voltage of the power supplied from the low-voltage power line 71 through the first harness 61 is approximately 12V.

[0052] The branch point 71c of the low voltage power line 71 is located outside the inverter unit 8 relative to the first connector part 81. The connector terminal 61a of the first harness 61 and the first connector part 81 are connected to each other by connecting the pins in a positive and negative relationship. The low voltage power line 71 passes through the first connector part 81 in a state of branching into the control unit power line 71a and the pump power line 71b, so the control unit power line 71a and the pump power line 71b pass through different pins. As a result, the current value flowing in one pin can be suppressed, and the heat generation of the pin can be suppressed.

[0053] Alternatively, the branch point 71c may be located inside the inverter unit 8. In this case, in order to suppress heat generation of the pins, it is preferable to use large current pins having a large cross-sectional area as the pins through which the low voltage power supply line 71 passes.

[0054] The control unit power line 71a supplies driving power to the control unit 8c. The control unit power line 71a reaches the inside of the inverter unit 8 via the first connector unit 81 from the branch point 71c and is connected to the control unit 8c. In other words, a part of the low voltage power received by the first connector unit 81 is supplied to the control unit 8c. In addition, the control unit power line 71a passes through the inside of the inverter unit 8. Figure 2 The control unit power supply wiring 81b is shown.

[0055] The pump power line 71b supplies driving power to the electric pump 97. The pump power line 71b extends from the branch point 71c through the first connector 81 to the inside of the inverter unit 8, and is connected to the electric pump 97 from the second connector 82 through the second harness 62. Figure 2 The first pump power supply wiring 81c and the second pump power supply wiring 82c are shown.

[0056] The second wiring harness 62 connects the electric pump 97 and the inverter unit 8. One end of the second wiring harness 62 is bundled by the first connector terminal 62a, and the other end is bundled by the second connector terminal 62b. The first connector terminal 62a not only bundles the second wiring harness 62, but also bundles the end of the third wiring harness 63. That is, the end of the second wiring harness 62 and the end of the third wiring harness 63 are bundled together by the first connector terminal 62a. The first connector terminal 62a is connected to the first connector part 81 of the inverter unit 8. In addition, the second connector terminal 62b is connected to the pump connector part 97a.

[0057] The second wiring harness 62 is provided with a pump power line 71b and a pump signal line 72. The pump signal line 72 transmits signals between the control unit 8c and the electric pump 97. The pump signal line 72 transmits a signal from the control unit 8c to the electric pump 97 to instruct the electric pump 97 to drive. In addition, the pump signal line 72 transmits the driving state of the electric pump 97 from the electric pump 97 to the control unit 8c. In addition, the pump signal line 72 passes through the inverter unit 8. Figure 2 Pump control wiring 82b is shown.

[0058] According to the present embodiment, the inverter unit 8 receives low-voltage power from an external power source (not shown) at the first connector portion 81. In addition, the inverter unit 8 transmits and receives signals to and from the electric pump 97 at the second connector portion 82, and supplies driving power to the electric pump 97. That is, the pump power line 71b driven by the electric pump 97 and the pump signal line 72 transmitting the signal of the electric pump 97 are passed through the second harness 62. Therefore, compared with the case where the power line and the signal line are led out from the external power source (not shown) and the inverter unit 8, respectively, to the electric pump 97, the path of the harness can be simplified, thereby simplifying the assembly process.

[0059] The third harness 63 connects the motor 30 and the inverter unit 8. One end of the third harness 63 is bundled together with the end of the second harness 62 through the first connector terminal 62a. In addition, the other end of the third harness 63 is bundled through the connector terminal 63b. The connector terminal 63b is connected to the motor connector portion 30a.

[0060] The third harness 63 allows a temperature sensor signal line (sensor signal line) 73 and a rotation angle sensor signal line (sensor signal line) 74 to pass through. The temperature sensor signal line 73 transmits a signal between the control unit 8c and the temperature sensor 38. The signal transmitted by the temperature sensor signal line 73 includes information on the temperature of the motor 30 measured by the temperature sensor 38. Similarly, the rotation angle sensor signal line 74 transmits a signal between the control unit 8c and the rotation angle sensor 39. The signal transmitted by the rotation angle sensor signal line 74 includes information on the rotation angle of the motor 30 measured by the rotation angle sensor 39.

[0061] According to the present embodiment, the second wire harness 62 and the third wire harness 63 are bundled and connected to the second connector portion 82. Therefore, in the inverter unit 8, the pump power line 71b, the pump signal line 72, and the sensor signal lines 73 and 74 are connected to one second connector portion 82. Therefore, the inverter unit 8 can reduce the number of connector portions compared to the case where the inverter unit 8 has a connector portion for each line. As a result, the assembly process of the motor unit 10 can be simplified.

[0062] The embodiments and modifications of the present invention are described above, but the various structures and their combinations in the embodiments and modifications are only examples, and addition, omission, substitution and other changes of the structures can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. In addition, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments.

[0063] For example, in the above embodiment, the electric pump 97 is described as the auxiliary machine. However, the auxiliary machine controlled by the inverter unit 8 may have other functions. For example, the auxiliary machine controlled by the inverter unit 8 may be an electric actuator that drives the parking lock mechanism.

Claims

1. An inverter unit connected to a motor unit having a motor and an auxiliary machine, wherein: The inverter unit has: an inverter that converts a high-voltage direct current into an alternating current and supplies the alternating current to the motor; A control unit, which controls the inverter; An inverter housing, which accommodates the inverter and the control unit; A high voltage connector portion that receives a high voltage direct current and supplies the direct current to the inverter; a first connector portion to which a first wiring harness extending from an external power source is connected; and a second connector portion to which a second wiring harness extending from the auxiliary machine is connected, The first wiring harness has a branch point outside or inside the inverter unit. The second wiring harness includes a power line connected to the branch point and passing through the second connector portion to supply driving power to the auxiliary machine. In the first connector portion, low voltage power is received from the external power source, The second connector portion transmits and receives signals to and from the auxiliary machine, and supplies driving power to the auxiliary machine. The power line reaches the inside of the inverter unit from the branch point via the first connector portion, and is connected to the auxiliary machine from the second connector portion via the second harness.

2. The inverter unit according to claim 1, wherein: A part of the low-voltage power received by the first connector portion is supplied to the control portion.

3. The inverter unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first connector portion and the second connector portion each include: A connector body, which is fixed to the inverter housing and connects the inside and outside of the inverter housing; Connector wiring, which is led out from the connector body to the interior of the inverter housing; as well as A connector relay terminal, which is located at the front end of the connector wiring, The connector relay terminals of the first connector part and the second connector part are connected to each other to form a wiring relay part. The inverter unit includes a holding portion that holds the wiring relay portion.

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