Ventilation device

Abstract

The present invention realizes a ventilation device that is difficult to generate oil injection in the ventilation chamber. The ventilation device (100) includes a first ventilation chamber (10) surrounded by a first surrounding wall (W1); a second ventilation chamber (20) disposed adjacent to the first ventilation chamber (10) and surrounded by a second surrounding wall (W2); an external communication portion (43) that communicates the first ventilation chamber (10) with the outside of the housing (53); a first communication portion (41) and a second communication portion (42) that communicate the second ventilation chamber (20) with the inside of the housing (54); and an inter-chamber communication portion (30) that communicates the first ventilation chamber (10) with the second ventilation chamber (20). Taking a specific direction along the horizontal direction in the vehicle horizontal state when the vehicle is on a horizontal plane as the target direction (X), the first communication portion (41) and the second communication portion (42) are separately disposed on both sides of the target direction X with the inter-chamber communication portion (30) therebetween.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ventilation device that is provided in a housing for a vehicle drive transmission device, lubricates oil for the vehicle drive transmission device, and is fixed to a vehicle body shell. Background Art

[0002] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-172593 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique for suppressing the generation of so-called breather oil spray, which suppresses the inflow of oil inside the housing into the ventilation chamber and thereby suppresses the discharge of oil from the ventilation chamber to the outside of the housing.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-172593

[0004] However, in the field of the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the pressure increased inside the housing due to heat or the like is released to the outside of the housing via the ventilation chamber, thereby adjusting the pressure inside the housing. Therefore, the ventilation chamber communicates with the outside of the housing and also with the inside of the housing. However, for example, when the vehicle is turning or during emergency braking such as sudden start / sudden stop, a part of the oil level rises. As a result, if the communication part between the ventilation chamber and the inside of the housing is blocked by oil, the oil easily flows into the ventilation chamber due to the pressure difference between the ventilation chamber and the inside of the housing. Consequently, the possibility of generating breather oil spray becomes high.

[0005] In view of the above actual situation, there is a demand for a ventilation device that is less likely to generate breather oil spray. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the characteristic structure of a ventilation device that is provided in a housing for a vehicle drive transmission device, lubricates oil for the vehicle drive transmission device, and is fixed to a vehicle body shell is as follows.

[0007] The ventilation device includes:

[0008] A first ventilation chamber surrounded by a first surrounding wall;

[0009] A second ventilation chamber that is adjacently arranged to the first ventilation chamber and is surrounded by a second surrounding wall;

[0010] An external communication part that communicates the first ventilation chamber with the outside of the housing;

[0011] A first communication part and a second communication part that communicate the second ventilation chamber with the inside of the housing; and

[0012] An inter-chamber communication part that communicates the first ventilation chamber with the second ventilation chamber.

[0013] Taking a specific direction in the horizontal direction in a vehicle horizontal state where the vehicle is on a horizontal plane as the target direction.

[0014] The above-mentioned first communication part and the above-mentioned second communication part are arranged separately on both sides in the above-mentioned object direction with the above-mentioned inter-chamber communication part therebetween.

[0015] According to this structure, the first ventilation chamber communicating with the outside of the housing is communicated with the inside of the housing via the inter-chamber communication part and the second ventilation chamber, so that the structure is such that the oil flows into the second ventilation chamber before flowing into the first ventilation chamber. Therefore, the inflow of oil into the first ventilation chamber can be suppressed, and it is difficult to generate so-called ventilation chamber oil spraying in which oil is discharged from the first ventilation chamber to the outside of the housing. In addition, the first communication part and the second communication part communicating with the inside of the housing are arranged separately on both sides in the object direction along the horizontal direction in the horizontal state of the vehicle, with the inter-chamber communication part connecting the first ventilation chamber and the second ventilation chamber therebetween. Therefore, for example, when the vehicle is turning or braking suddenly, even if the oil level of the oil accumulated inside the housing is inclined and the oil level rises on one side in the object direction, it is easy to ensure that at least one of the first communication part and the second communication part is in a state above the oil level. Therefore, even in the inclined state of the oil level as described above, it is possible to establish a state in which either one of the first communication part and the second communication part that is above the oil level and not blocked by oil and the external communication part are communicated via the inter-chamber communication part, thereby enabling the inside of the housing to communicate with the outside of the housing. Therefore, the inflow of oil into the first ventilation chamber can be suppressed less, and further, it is difficult to generate ventilation chamber oil spraying.

[0016] The further technical features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following illustrative and non-limiting description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic view of a vehicle drive transmission device.

[0018] Figure 2 It is an axial view showing the positional relationship between the first ventilation chamber and the second ventilation chamber as viewed from the joint surface side of the second housing member.

[0019] Figure 3 It is an axial view showing the positional relationship between the first ventilation chamber and the second ventilation chamber as viewed from the joint surface side of the first housing member.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a top view showing the positional relationship between the first ventilation chamber and the second ventilation chamber.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between the first ventilation chamber and the second ventilation chamber when viewed in the orthogonal direction.

[0022] Figure 6It is a schematic diagram showing the first inclined state of the oil level.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram showing the second inclined state of the oil level.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals

[0025] 100: Ventilation device; 5: Housing; 53: Outside of the housing; 54: Inside of the housing; 9: Oil; F9: Oil level; 10: First ventilation chamber; 20: Second ventilation chamber; 30: Inter-chamber communication part; 30A: Communication opening part; 41: First communication part; 42: Second communication part; 43: External communication part; S1: First inclined state; S2: Second inclined state; T: Vehicle drive transmission device; V: Imaginary line; W1: First surrounding wall; W2: Second surrounding wall; X: Object direction; X1: First side of the object direction; X2: Second side of the object direction. Detailed implementation manners

[0026] The ventilation device is provided in a housing that houses a vehicle drive transmission device, ensuring an air flow path between the inside and the outside of the housing, thereby achieving the function of reducing the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the housing. Here, the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the housing is generated due to, for example, a rise in the temperature inside the housing and changes in the temperature of the outside air. For example, when the temperature inside the housing rises and the pressure inside the housing increases, the air inside the housing is discharged to the outside of the housing via the ventilation device, thereby reducing the pressure inside the housing. At this time, it is necessary to avoid the occurrence of so-called ventilation chamber oil spraying, in which the oil stored inside the housing for lubrication of the vehicle drive transmission device and the like is discharged to the outside of the housing together with the air. Thus, the ventilation device is required to have the function of ensuring air flow and restricting the discharge of oil from the inside of the housing to the outside. Hereinafter, embodiments of the ventilation device will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] 〔Vehicle drive transmission device〕

[0028] First, with reference to Figure 1 the structure of a vehicle drive transmission device T as an application example of the ventilation device 100 will be described.

[0029] The vehicle drive transmission device T includes: a rotary electric machine 6 as a driving force source for a plurality of wheels W, a reverse gear mechanism 7, and a differential gear mechanism 8 that distributes the torque input from the rotary electric machine 6 to the plurality of wheels W via the reverse gear mechanism 7. In the present embodiment, the vehicle (the vehicle equipped with the vehicle drive transmission device T) travels by the torque of the rotary electric machine 6 transmitted to the plurality of wheels W via the above respective mechanisms 7 and 8.

[0030] In this specification, the "rotary electric machine" is used as a concept including any one of a motor (electric motor), a generator (generator), and a motor / generator that functions as both a motor and a generator as needed. Further, in this specification, regarding the arrangement of two components, "repeatedly observed from a certain direction" means that when an imaginary straight line parallel to the line-of-sight direction is moved in each direction orthogonal to the imaginary straight line, there is at least a partially existing region where the imaginary straight line intersects both of the two components. Further, in this specification, "driving connection" means a state in which two rotating members are connected so as to be able to transmit a driving force, and is used as a concept including a state in which the two rotating members are connected so as to rotate integrally, or a state in which the two rotating members are connected via one or more transmission components so as to be able to transmit a driving force.

[0031] The rotary electric machine 6 includes a rotor shaft 60 that rotates integrally with a rotor (not shown). The rotor shaft 60 is arranged with a first axis A1, which is an imaginary axis, as a rotation axis, and is connected to an output gear 61 for outputting the torque of the rotary electric machine 6.

[0032] The differential gear mechanism 8 includes a differential input gear 81 and a pair of output shafts 80. The differential input gear 81 and the output shafts 80 are arranged with a second axis A2, which is an imaginary axis, as a rotation axis. Each of the pair of output shafts 80 is connected to a wheel W. The differential input gear 81 meshes with a second gear 72 of a reverse gear mechanism 7 described later. Therefore, the torque of the rotary electric machine 6 is transmitted to the differential input gear 81 via the reverse gear mechanism 7. The torque transmitted to the differential input gear 81 is distributed to the pair of output shafts 80 by a differential gear mechanism (not shown) and is transmitted to each wheel W.

[0033] The reverse gear mechanism 7 includes a first gear 71, a second gear 72, and a connecting shaft 70. The connecting shaft 70 is arranged with a third axis A3, which is an imaginary axis, as a rotation axis, and is connected to the first gear 71 and the second gear 72 so as to rotate integrally. The first gear 71 meshes with the output gear 61. The second gear 72 meshes with the differential input gear 81. In this example, the diameter of the first gear 71 is larger than that of the output gear 61, and the diameter of the second gear 72 is smaller than that of the differential input gear 81. Thus, the rotation of the output gear 61 is decelerated in two stages and transmitted to the differential input gear 81. In order to easily achieve such a structure, the diameter of the second gear 72 is formed to be smaller than that of the first gear 71.

[0034] The first shaft A1, the second shaft A2, and the third shaft A3 are mutually different imaginary shafts and are arranged in parallel to each other. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to each of the shafts A1 to A3 is defined as the "axial direction L". In the present embodiment, the axial direction L is the same as the left-right direction with respect to the front-rear direction (travel direction) of the vehicle. Further, the direction orthogonal to the axial direction L in a plan view is the same as the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The directions of the respective components described below are expressed using the directions in the state where they are assembled in the vehicle drive transmission device T or the vehicle.

[0035] As Figures 2 to 4 shown, the housing 5 houses the vehicle drive transmission device T and the oil 9 for lubricating the vehicle drive transmission device T (refer to Figure 5 etc.), and is fixed to the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the housing 5 includes a first housing member 51 and a second housing member 52 joined to the first housing member 51. In this example, the first housing member 51 and the second housing member 52 are arranged side by side in the axial direction L, and are joined through the joint surfaces F51 and F52 in a state where the joint surfaces F51 and F52 face each other in the axial direction L. Figure 2 is a view in the axial direction L as viewed from the side of the joint surface F52 of the second housing member 52, Figure 3 is a view in the axial direction L as viewed from the side of the joint surface F51 of the first housing member 51.

[0036] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, in the present embodiment, the first shaft A1, the second shaft A2, and the third shaft A3 are arranged from above to below in the order of the third shaft A3, the first shaft A1, and the second shaft A. Further, in the axial direction L view along the axial direction L, the above three shafts are arranged from one side in the horizontal direction ( Figure 2 right side) to the other side ( Figure 2 left side) in the order of the first shaft A1, the third shaft A3, and the second shaft A.

[0037] 〔Ventilation device〕

[0038] Next, the ventilation device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 7 the drawings.

[0039] The ventilation device 100 is provided in the housing 5. The ventilation device 100 communicates with the outside 53 of the housing and also communicates with the inside 54 of the housing. Thereby, the ventilation device 100 ensures an air flow path between the inside 54 and the outside 53 of the housing, and realizes the function of reducing the pressure difference between the inside 54 and the outside 53 of the housing.

[0040] Here, since the general oil 9 is stored inside the housing 54, the communication portion of the ventilation device 100 with the inside of the housing 54 is often blocked by the oil 9. For example, when the vehicle is turning or during emergency braking such as sudden start / sudden stop, the oil level F9 inside the housing 54 often tilts and a part of it rises. Specifically, when the vehicle is turning, the oil level F9 tilts in the left-right direction, and during emergency braking such as sudden start / sudden stop of the vehicle, the oil level F9 tilts in the front-rear direction. In such a case, a part of the oil level F9 rises. Thus, if the communication portion of the ventilation device 100 with the inside of the housing 54 is located below the oil level F9 and is blocked by the oil 9, there is a possibility of so-called ventilation chamber oil spraying where the oil 9 stored inside the housing 54 is discharged to the outside of the housing 53 via the ventilation device 100. The ventilation device 100 of the present invention is configured to be difficult to cause such ventilation chamber oil spraying. Therefore, the structure of such a ventilation device 100 will be described in detail.

[0041] Hereinafter, a specific direction in the horizontal direction in a vehicle horizontal state where the vehicle is on a horizontal plane will be taken as the target direction X. Moreover, one side of the target direction X will be taken as the target direction first side X1, and the other side of the target direction X will be taken as the target direction second side X2. For example, the target direction X is set to the left-right direction or the front-rear direction of the vehicle, or a direction intersecting both the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the target direction X is set to be along the left-right direction of the vehicle (in this example, the axial direction L). In this case, even when the oil level F9 inside the housing 54 tilts in the left-right direction during turning of the vehicle or the like, a structure that is difficult to cause ventilation chamber oil spraying can be achieved. In addition, hereinafter, the direction orthogonal to the target direction X in the horizontal plane will be taken as the orthogonal direction Y. As in the present embodiment, when the target direction X is set to be along the left-right direction of the vehicle, the orthogonal direction Y becomes a direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0042] As Figures 2 to 5As shown in the figure, the ventilation device 100 includes: a first ventilation chamber 10 surrounded by a first surrounding wall W1; a second ventilation chamber 20 disposed adjacent to the first ventilation chamber 10 and surrounded by a second surrounding wall W2; an external communication portion 43 that communicates the first ventilation chamber 10 with the outside 53 of the housing; a first communication portion 41 and a second communication portion 42 that communicate the second ventilation chamber 20 with the inside 54 of the housing; and an inter-chamber communication portion 30 that communicates the first ventilation chamber 10 with the second ventilation chamber 20. The first ventilation chamber 10 communicates with the outside 53 of the housing via the external communication portion 43 and communicates with the second ventilation chamber 20 via the inter-chamber communication portion 30. Moreover, the second ventilation chamber 20 communicates with the inside 54 of the housing via both the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42. That is, the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 are each formed to open in the second surrounding wall W2 of the second ventilation chamber 20 and to open in the inside 54 of the housing. Therefore, the ventilation device 100 communicates both the outside 53 of the housing and the inside 54 of the housing and can adjust the pressure inside the housing 54. With the above structure, the ventilation device 100 is configured such that the oil 9 flows into the second ventilation chamber 20 before flowing into the first ventilation chamber 10 that communicates with the outside 53 of the housing. Therefore, according to this structure, the inflow of the oil 9 into the first ventilation chamber 10 can be suppressed, and it is difficult to generate ventilation chamber oil spraying in which the oil 9 is discharged from the first ventilation chamber 10 to the outside 53 of the housing.

[0043] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, in the present embodiment, the second ventilation chamber 20 that communicates with the inside 54 of the housing is disposed adjacent to the upper region of the inside 54 of the housing, and more specifically, adjacent to the upper edge portions of the joint surfaces F51, F52 of the housing 5. Thus, even when the oil level F9 rises, it is difficult for the oil level F9 to reach the second ventilation chamber 20. In this example, both the first ventilation chamber 10 and the second ventilation chamber 20 are disposed adjacent to the upper edge portions of the joint surfaces F51, F52 of the housing 5.

[0044] In addition, in the present embodiment, the second ventilation chamber 20 is disposed above the first axis A1 along the rotation axis of the rotating electric machine 6. In the illustrated example, the second ventilation chamber 20 is disposed above the third axis A3, which is the highest among the first axis A1, the second axis A2, and the third axis A3. Thus, for example, when the oil 9 is lifted by a gear or the like with the driving of the rotating electric machine 6, it is difficult for the lifted oil 9 to flow into the second ventilation chamber 20. In this example, both the first ventilation chamber 10 and the second ventilation chamber 20 are disposed above the third axis A3.

[0045] As Figures 2 to 5As shown, in the present embodiment, the first ventilation chamber 10 is formed to be larger than the second ventilation chamber 20. In other words, the volume of the first ventilation chamber 10 is larger than the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20. By ensuring a relatively large volume of the first ventilation chamber 10 in this way, even if the oil 9 flows into the first ventilation chamber 10, it is difficult for the flowing-in oil 9 to reach the external communication part 43, and it is possible to prevent oil spraying in the ventilation chamber from occurring.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the dimension along the object direction X of the first ventilation chamber 10 is formed to be longer than the dimension along the orthogonal direction Y. Moreover, the external communication part 43 is formed to protrude upward from the first surrounding wall W1. In the illustrated example, the external communication part 43 is connected to the central part of the first surrounding wall W1 in the object direction X. However, the structure is not limited to this, and the external communication part 43 may be connected to any part of the first surrounding wall W1. For example, the external communication part 43 may be connected to the end of the first side X1 in the object direction of the first surrounding wall W1, or the end of the second side X2 in the object direction. The upper end part of the external communication part 43 is disposed above the first surrounding wall W1.

[0047] In the present embodiment, a ventilation plug (not shown) communicating with the outside of the housing 53 is installed in the external communication part 43. Thereby, a circulation path of air between the inside 54 of the housing and the outside 53 of the housing can be ensured, and the intrusion of water, foreign matters, etc. from the outside 53 of the housing can be restricted.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the ventilation device 100 includes an oil discharge hole 44 that communicates the first ventilation chamber 10 with the inside 54 of the housing and discharges the oil 9 flowing into the first ventilation chamber 10 to the inside 54 of the housing. In this example, the oil discharge hole 44 opens at the bottom of the first surrounding wall W1. Moreover, the oil discharge hole 44 is formed to have a small diameter so that it is difficult for the oil 9 to flow from the inside 54 of the housing into the first ventilation chamber 10 through the oil discharge hole 44. Here, the diameter of the oil discharge hole 44 is formed to be smaller than the openings of the first communication part 41 and the second communication part 42 that communicate the second ventilation chamber 20 with the inside 54 of the housing. Moreover, by setting the diameter of the oil discharge hole 44 to be sufficiently smaller than the diameters of the first communication part 41 and the second communication part 42, even if the oil level F9 rises above the oil discharge hole 44, the amount of oil flowing into the first ventilation chamber 10 can be sufficiently suppressed to be less than the amount of oil flowing into the first communication part 41 and the second communication part 42. Moreover, in a state where the oil level F9 is lower than the oil discharge hole 44, the oil 9 flowing into the first ventilation chamber 10 is discharged from the oil discharge hole 44 to the inside 54 of the housing due to its own weight.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the second ventilation chamber 20 is formed to be smaller than the first ventilation chamber 10. In other words, the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 is smaller than the volume of the first ventilation chamber 10. Herein, the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 is set according to the time required to ensure that the oil starts to flow into the first communication portion 41 or the second communication portion 42 until it reaches the inter-chamber communication portion 30, as will be described later. Therefore, the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 can also be set to be larger than the volume of the first ventilation chamber 10.

[0050] As Figure 5 shown, in the present embodiment, the second ventilation chamber 20 is arranged to overlap the first ventilation chamber 10 in the orthogonal direction Y view. Thereby, the arrangement area of the entire ventilation device 100 can be made smaller. In this example, the second ventilation chamber 20 is arranged to overlap the upper region of the first ventilation chamber 10 in the orthogonal direction Y view. More specifically, it is arranged to overlap the region above the central region in the vertical direction of the first ventilation chamber 10. Thereby, the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 that connect the second ventilation chamber 20 to the inside 54 of the housing can be arranged in a region close to the upper edge portion of the inside 54 of the housing, and it is difficult for the oil surface F9 to reach the first communication portion 41 or the second communication portion 42.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the second ventilation chamber 20 is formed in a shape that is longer along the target direction X. In other words, the dimension of the second ventilation chamber 20 in the target direction X is formed to be longer than the dimension in the orthogonal direction Y. Thereby, it is easy to ensure a relatively large interval between the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 in the target direction X. As a result, it is also easy to ensure a relatively large interval between the first communication portion 41 and the inter-chamber communication portion 30 in the target direction X, and an interval between the second communication portion 42 and the inter-chamber communication portion 30 in the target direction X.

[0052] The inter-chamber communication portion 30 connects the first ventilation chamber 10 and the second ventilation chamber 20. As Figures 2 to 4 shown, in the present embodiment, the inter-chamber communication portion 30 is formed along the joint surfaces F51, F52 that join the first housing member 51 and the second housing member 52. For example, a groove-shaped portion that extends along the joint surfaces F51, F52 and across the first ventilation chamber 10 and the second ventilation chamber 20 may be formed on at least one of the joint surface F51 of the first housing member 51 and the joint surface F52 of the second housing member 52. Thereby, the inter-chamber communication portion 30 is formed by this groove-shaped portion in the state where the first housing member 51 and the second housing member 52 are joined. With such a structure, the inter-chamber communication portion 30 can be easily formed. In this example, a groove-shaped portion is formed on either the joint surface F51 of the first housing member 51 or the joint surface F52 of the second housing member 52, and no groove-shaped portion is formed on the other (refer to Figure 4)。In the illustrated example, the groove portion is formed only on the joint surface F52 of the second housing member 52. Thus, the inter-chamber communication portion 30 can be formed more easily.

[0053] As Figure 5 shown, the inter-chamber communication portion 30 includes a communication opening 30A that opens in the second surrounding wall W2. Of course, the inter-chamber communication portion 30 also includes a first chamber-side communication opening 30B that opens in the first surrounding wall W1 (see Figure 2 ). The inter-chamber communication portion 30 is disposed between the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 in the target direction X. In the present embodiment, the communication opening 30A is disposed at a position where the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the first side X1 in the target direction with respect to the communication opening 30A is equal to the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the second side X2 in the target direction with respect to the communication opening 30A. More specifically, the communication opening 30A is disposed at a position where the volume on the first side X1 in the target direction is equal to the volume on the second side X2 in the target direction with respect to a virtual plane (a virtual plane in the vertical direction) that passes through the center of the communication opening 30A and is orthogonal to the target direction X. Thus, when the oil 9 flows into the second ventilation chamber 20 via the first communication portion 41 and when the oil 9 flows into the second ventilation chamber 20 via the second communication portion 42, the time for the oil 9 flowing into the second ventilation chamber 20 to reach the communication opening 30A can be made without imbalance. Here, "imbalance" is not used in the strict sense of being exactly the same but is used as a concept that includes being practically the same. In the present embodiment, when the oil 9 flows in from the first communication portion 41 and when the oil 9 flows in from the second communication portion 42, if the difference in the time for the oil 9 to reach the communication opening 30A is negligible, it is considered that the volume on the first side X1 in the target direction is equal to the volume on the second side X2 in the target direction.

[0054] Next, with reference to Figure 6 and Figure 7 the arrangement structure of the inter-chamber communication portion 30 (communication opening 30A), the first communication portion 41, and the second communication portion 42 will be described.

[0055] Here, Figure 6 a state in which the oil surface F9 of the oil 9 stored inside the housing 54 is inclined to the maximum extent such that it becomes higher as it approaches the first side X1 in the target direction, that is, the first inclined state S1, is shown. Here, "the state in which the oil surface F9 is inclined to the maximum extent toward the first side X1 in the target direction" means a state in which the oil surface F9 is inclined toward the first side X1 in the target direction at the maximum angle assumed in the driving state of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the oil surface F9 is inclined by approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane in the first inclined state S1. In the first inclined state S1 of the oil surface F9, while the portion on the first side X1 in the target direction of the oil surface F9 rises, the portion on the second side X2 in the target direction descends.

[0056] Figure 7 It shows the state in which the oil level F9 of the oil 9 stored inside the housing 54 has the maximum inclination in such a way that it becomes higher as it goes toward the second side X2 in the object direction, that is, the second inclination state S2. Here, the "state in which the oil level F9 is inclined maximally toward the second side X2 in the object direction" means the state in which the oil level F9 is inclined toward the second side X2 in the object direction at the maximum angle assumed in the driving state of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the oil level F9 is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane in the second inclination state S2. In the second inclination state S2 of the oil level F9, while the part on the second side X2 in the object direction of the oil level F9 rises, the part on the first side X1 in the object direction descends.

[0057] In the present embodiment, the oil level F9 not only refers to the smooth liquid level of the oil 9 stored inside the housing 54, but also includes the liquid level that undulates due to the vibration and acceleration / deceleration of the vehicle, the liquid level that foams due to stirring by the rotating electric machine 6, the gears of the vehicle drive transmission device T, etc. In such a case, the highest position in the undulating or foaming liquid level becomes the oil level F9. In addition, Figure 5 It shows the state in which the oil level F9 is not inclined.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the first inclination state S1 of the oil level F9 is the state in which the maximum inclination occurs toward either side (for example, the right side) in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the second inclination state S2 is the state in which the maximum inclination occurs toward the other side (for example, the left side) in the left-right direction of the vehicle. That is, in this example, when the vehicle turns, it is assumed that the oil level F9 becomes the first inclination state S1 or the second inclination state S2.

[0059] The ventilation device 100 of the present embodiment is configured such that even when the first inclination state S1 or the second inclination state S2 (the state in which the oil level F9 is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane) is maintained for a constant time (for example, 30 seconds), it is difficult for the oil 9 to flow into the first ventilation chamber 10.

[0060] As Figures 5 to 7As shown, the first communication part 41 and the second communication part 42 are arranged separately on both sides of the object direction X with the inter-chamber communication part 30 (communication opening part 30A) therebetween. Thus, even when the oil level F9 inclines to either side in the object direction X, it is easy to ensure that at least one of the first communication part 41 and the second communication part 42 is in a state above the oil level F9. Therefore, the state of communicating the interior 54 of the housing with the exterior 53 of the housing via the ventilation device 100 (the state where the air circulation path is ensured) can be maintained. Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, the dimension of the second ventilation chamber 20 in the object direction X is formed to be longer than the dimension in the orthogonal direction Y. Therefore, a longer separation distance between the first communication part 41 and the second communication part 42 in the object direction X can be ensured. Thus, even when the oil level F9 inclines to either side in the object direction X, it is easier to ensure that at least one of the first communication part 41 and the second communication part 42 is in a state above the oil level F9.

[0061] Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, the communication opening part 30A is arranged at a position where the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the first object side X1 closer to the object direction than the communication opening part 30A is equal to the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the second object side X2 closer to the object direction than the communication opening part 30A. In this example, in the view in the orthogonal direction Y, the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the second object side X2 starting from the central part in the object direction X of the second ventilation chamber 20 is formed to be larger than the volume on the first object side X1 starting from the central part. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the communication opening part 30A is arranged at a position shifted toward the second object side X2 from the central part in the object direction X of the second ventilation chamber 20. In this example, the separation distance between the communication opening part 30A in the object direction X and the second communication part 42 is shorter than the separation distance between the communication opening part 30A in the object direction X and the first communication part 41. Thus, regardless of the shape of the second ventilation chamber 20, by adjusting the relative positional relationship of the inter-chamber communication part 30 (communication opening part 30A), the first communication part 41, and the second communication part 42, it is possible to prevent unevenness in the time for the oil 9 flowing into the second ventilation chamber 20 to reach the communication opening part 30A. Therefore, the shape of the second ventilation chamber 20 can be designed with a high degree of freedom according to the structure around the second ventilation chamber 20.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the first communication part 41 is arranged on the first object side X1 closer to the object direction than the inter-chamber communication part 30 (communication opening part 30A), and as Figure 7 shown, it is arranged to be above the oil level F9 in the second inclination state S2 where the oil level F9 of the oil 9 stored in the interior 54 of the housing inclines maximally toward the second object side X2. Thus, when the oil level F9 is in the second inclination state S2, it is possible to prevent the first communication part 41 from being blocked by the oil 9.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the second communication part 42 is arranged on the second side X2 in the object direction with respect to the inter-chamber communication part 30 (communication opening part 30A), and as Figure 6 shown, it is arranged above the oil surface F9 in the first inclination state S1, which is the state where the oil surface F9 inclines maximally toward the first side X1 in the object direction. Thus, when the oil surface F9 is in the first inclination state S1, the second communication part 42 can be prevented from being blocked by the oil 9.

[0064] In this way, according to the structure of the present embodiment, even when the oil surface F9 is in either the first inclination state S1 or the second inclination state S2, either the first communication part 41 or the second communication part 42 can be prevented from being blocked by the oil 9. Therefore, even in the state where the oil surface F9 inclines to the maximum extent, the inside 54 of the housing can be communicated with the outside 53 of the housing via either the first communication part 41 or the second communication part 42, a part of the second ventilation chamber 20, the communication opening part 30A, the first ventilation chamber 10, and the external communication part 43. Thus, the air circulation path between the inside 54 of the housing and the outside 53 of the housing can always be ensured regardless of the inclination state of the oil surface F9, and the so-called oil spraying in the ventilation chamber, in which the oil 9 stored in the inside 54 of the housing is discharged to the outside 53 of the housing together with the air due to the pressure difference between the inside 54 of the housing and the outside 53 of the housing, can be prevented.

[0065] However, from the viewpoint of maintaining the communication state between the inside 54 of the housing and the outside 53 of the housing, a structure in which both the first communication part 41 and the second communication part 42 are arranged above the oil surface F9 regardless of the inclination state of the oil surface F9 is also considered. However, in order to adopt such a structure, it is necessary to increase the size of the housing 5 in the vertical direction, which may deteriorate the mountability on the vehicle. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first communication part 41 is arranged below the oil surface F9 in the first inclination state S1 of the oil surface F9 (refer to Figure 6 ). In addition, the second communication part 42 is arranged below the oil surface F9 in the second inclination state S2 of the oil surface F9 (refer to Figure 7 ). In this way, the first communication part 41 and the second communication part 42 are not arranged above the oil surface F9 more than necessary, but are arranged at positions relatively close to the oil surface F9, so that the housing 5 can be prevented from being overly enlarged in the vertical direction, and the mountability on the vehicle can be easily and well ensured.

[0066] Moreover, in the present embodiment, in the horizontal direction view of the vehicle horizontal state (in this example, the orthogonal direction Y view), the inter-chamber communication portion 30 (communication opening portion 30A) is arranged to be located above the imaginary line V connecting the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42. According to such a structure, compared with the case where the inter-chamber communication portion 30 (communication opening portion 30A) is arranged to be located below the imaginary line V, when the oil 9 flows into the second ventilation chamber 20, it is easier to ensure for a relatively long time that the inter-chamber communication portion 30 is located above the oil surface F9 of the oil 9. Therefore, the possibility of the oil 9 flowing into the first ventilation chamber 10 can be reduced.

[0067] Here, when the oil 9 flows into the second ventilation chamber 20 via the first communication portion 41, the time for the oil 9 to reach the communication opening portion 30A also varies according to the opening cross-sectional area of the first communication portion 41. This is because the flow rate of the oil 9 flowing through the first communication portion 41 varies according to the opening cross-sectional area of the first communication portion 41. The same applies to the second communication portion 42. That is, the time for the oil 9 flowing into the second ventilation chamber 20 from the first communication portion 41 or the second communication portion 42 to reach the communication opening portion 30A varies not only according to the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 and the positional relationship among the inter-chamber communication portion 30, the first communication portion 41, and the second communication portion 42 as described above, but also according to the setting of the opening cross-sectional areas of the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42. Moreover, in order to reduce the possibility of oil spraying in the ventilation chamber, it is desired to ensure for a relatively long time that the communication opening portion 30A is not blocked by the oil 9 even in the state where the oil surface F9 is tilted to the maximum extent. Therefore, it is preferable to minimize the opening cross-sectional areas of the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 as much as possible within the range where the air flow path can be ensured. Thus, the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 can function as throttle portions that restrict the inflow of the oil 9 into the second ventilation chamber 20.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 are made to have a smaller diameter compared to both the cross-sectional area of the second ventilation chamber 20 orthogonal to the object direction X at the position where the first communication portion 41 is formed in the object direction X and the cross-sectional area of the second ventilation chamber 20 orthogonal to the object direction X at the position where the second communication portion 42 is formed in the object direction X. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the opening cross-sectional areas of the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 are set to be the same. According to such a structure, the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 function as throttle portions for the flow path of the oil 9 from the inside 54 of the housing to the second ventilation chamber 20. Therefore, as Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, with respect to the rise of the oil level F9 inside the housing 54 outside the second ventilation chamber 20, the rising speed of the oil level F9 in the second ventilation chamber 20 can be delayed. Therefore, according to this structure, even when the inter-chamber communication part 30 (communication opening part 30A) is in a state below the oil level F9 outside the second ventilation chamber 20, the time for the oil 9 flowing into the second ventilation chamber 20 to reach the inter-chamber communication part 30 (communication opening part 30A) can be ensured to a certain extent. Thus, even when the first inclined state S1 or the second inclined state S2 of the oil level F9 continues for a constant time, the inflow of the oil 9 through the inter-chamber communication part 30 into the first ventilation chamber 10 can be suppressed, and it is difficult for oil injection in the ventilation chamber to occur.

[0069] To ensure the time required (hereinafter simply referred to as "required time") from the state where the inter-chamber communication part 30 (communication opening part 30A) is below the oil level F9 outside the second ventilation chamber 20 until the oil 9 flowing into the second ventilation chamber 20 reaches the inter-chamber communication part 30 (communication opening part 30A) is mostly determined according to the vehicle's required specifications. Therefore, in the ventilation device 100 of this embodiment, the opening cross-sectional areas of the first communication part 41 and the second communication part 42, and the volumes of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the first object side X1 and the second object side X2 with respect to the communication opening part 30A are set in such a way as to ensure this required time. Specifically, in Figure 6 In the first inclined state S1 as shown, the time for the oil 9 to reach the inter-chamber communication part 30 (communication opening part 30A) is determined according to the opening cross-sectional area of the first communication part 41, the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the first object side X1 with respect to the communication opening part 30A, and the state of the oil 9 (viscosity, pressure, etc.). Additionally, in Figure 7 In the second inclined state S2 as shown, the time for the oil 9 to reach the inter-chamber communication part 30 (communication opening part 30A) is determined according to the opening cross-sectional area of the second communication part 42, the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the second object side X2 with respect to the communication opening part 30A, and the state of the oil 9 (viscosity, pressure, etc.). Therefore, it is preferable that the opening cross-sectional areas of the first communication part 41 and the second communication part 42, and the volumes of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the first object side X1 and the second object side X2 with respect to the communication opening part 30A are set based on the state of the oil 9 under the assumed usage conditions and the required time (e.g., 30 seconds) so as to ensure this required time even under the worst conditions.

[0070] 〔Other Embodiments〕

[0071] Next, other embodiments of the ventilation device will be described.

[0072] (1) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the communication opening 30A is disposed at a position where the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the first side X1 in the object direction with respect to the communication opening 30A is equal to the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the second side X2 in the object direction has been described. However, the example is not limited to this, and the communication opening 30A may also be disposed at a position where the volume on the first side X1 in the object direction and the volume on the second side X2 in the object direction are not equal. Even in this case, it is preferable that the time for the oil 9 to reach the communication opening 30A is the same when the oil 9 flows in from the first communication portion 41 and when the oil 9 flows in from the second communication portion 42. For example, it is preferable that the opening cross-sectional area of the communication portion of the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42, which is provided on the side where the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 with respect to the communication opening 30A is small, is smaller than that of the other side.

[0073] (2) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the inter-chamber communication portion 30 (communication opening 30A) is disposed above the imaginary line V connecting the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 in the horizontal direction view (orthogonal direction Y view) in the vehicle horizontal state has been described. However, the example is not limited to this, and the inter-chamber communication portion 30 may also be disposed at a position overlapping with the above-described imaginary line V or below the above-described imaginary line V in the horizontal direction view in the vehicle horizontal state.

[0074] (3) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the inter-chamber communication portion 30 is formed along the joint surfaces F51, F52 joining the first housing member 51 and the second housing member 52 has been described. However, the example is not limited to this, and the inter-chamber communication portion 30 may also be formed at a position different from the joint surfaces F51, F52 joining the first housing member 51 and the second housing member 52.

[0075] (4) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the direction in which the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 are separated from each other across the inter-chamber communication portion 30, that is, the object direction X, is set to be along the left-right direction of the vehicle has been described. However, the example is not limited to this, and the object direction X may, for example, also be set to be along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In this case, a structure can be provided in which even when the oil level F9 inside the housing tilts in the front-rear direction during emergency braking such as a sudden start / sudden stop of the vehicle, it is difficult for the ventilation chamber to spray oil. Or the object direction X may also be set to a direction intersecting both the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. In this case, a structure can be provided in which it is difficult for the ventilation chamber to spray oil due to the tilt of the oil level F9 in both cases of vehicle turning and emergency braking.

[0076] (5) In addition, as long as there is no contradiction, the structures disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be combined with the structures disclosed in other embodiments and applied. Regarding other structures, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all aspects. Therefore, various changes can be appropriately made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0077] 〔Summary of the above embodiments〕

[0078] Hereinafter, the ventilation device described above will be described.

[0079] The ventilation device 100 is provided in a housing 5 of a vehicle that houses a vehicle drive transmission device T and oil 9 for lubricating the vehicle drive transmission device T and is fixed to the vehicle body. The ventilation device 100 includes: a first ventilation chamber 10 surrounded by a first surrounding wall W1; a second ventilation chamber 20 that is adjacently disposed to the first ventilation chamber 10 and is surrounded by a second surrounding wall W2; an external communication portion 43 that communicates the first ventilation chamber 10 with the outside 53 of the housing 5; a first communication portion 41 and a second communication portion 42 that communicate the second ventilation chamber 20 with the inside 54 of the housing 5; and an inter-chamber communication portion 30 that communicates the first ventilation chamber 10 with the second ventilation chamber 20. Taking a specific direction in the horizontal direction in a vehicle horizontal state where the vehicle is on a horizontal plane as the target direction X, the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 are separately disposed on both sides of the target direction X with the inter-chamber communication portion 30 therebetween.

[0080] According to this structure, the first ventilation chamber 10 communicating with the exterior 53 of the housing 5 is connected to the interior 54 of the housing 5 via the inter-chamber communication portion 30 and the second ventilation chamber 20, so that the structure is such that the oil 9 flows into the second ventilation chamber 20 before flowing into the first ventilation chamber 10. Therefore, the inflow of the oil 9 into the first ventilation chamber 10 can be suppressed, and it is difficult to generate so-called ventilation chamber oil spraying in which the oil discharges from the first ventilation chamber 10 to the exterior 53 of the housing 5. In addition, the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 communicating with the interior 54 of the housing 5 are separately arranged on both sides in the object direction X along the horizontal direction in the vehicle horizontal state with the inter-chamber communication portion 30 connecting the first ventilation chamber 10 and the second ventilation chamber 20 therebetween. Therefore, for example, when the vehicle is turning or braking emergently, even if the oil level F9 of the oil 9 stored in the interior 54 of the housing 5 is inclined and the oil level F9 rises on one side in the object direction X, it is easy to ensure that at least one of the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42 is in a state above the oil level F9. Therefore, even in the inclined state of the oil level F9 as described above, it can be set to a state in which the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42, which are located above the oil level F9 and not blocked by the oil 9 and are connected via the inter-chamber communication portion 30, communicate with the exterior communication portion 43, whereby the interior 54 of the housing 5 can be connected to the exterior 53 of the housing 5. Therefore, the inflow of the oil 9 into the first ventilation chamber 10 can be suppressed less, and further, it is difficult to generate ventilation chamber oil spraying.

[0081] Here, preferably, one side in the object direction X is taken as the object direction first side X1, the other side in the object direction X is taken as the object direction second side X2, the first communication portion 41 is arranged closer to the object direction first side X1 than the inter-chamber communication portion 30, and is arranged above the oil level F9 in the second inclination state S2, which is the state in which the oil level F9 of the oil 9 stored in the interior 54 of the housing 5 is inclined to the maximum extent toward the object direction second side X2, and the second communication portion 42 is arranged closer to the object direction second side X2 than the inter-chamber communication portion 30, and is arranged above the oil level F9 in the first inclination state S1, which is the state in which the oil level F9 is inclined to the maximum extent toward the object direction first side X1.

[0082] According to this structure, when the oil level F9 is in the second inclination state S2, the first communication portion 41 can be prevented from being blocked by the oil 9, and when the oil level F9 is in the first inclination state S1, the second communication portion 42 can be prevented from being blocked by the oil 9. Therefore, according to this structure, even in the state in which the oil level F9 is inclined to the maximum extent to either side in the object direction X, the interior 54 of the housing 5 can be connected to the exterior 53 of the housing 5, and as a result, it is difficult to generate ventilation chamber oil spraying.

[0083] More preferably, the first communication part 41 is arranged below the oil level F9 in the first inclined state S1, and the second communication part 42 is arranged below the oil level F9 in the second inclined state S2.

[0084] Thus, when the oil level F9 is in the first inclined state S1, the first communication part 41 is arranged below the oil level F9 and is blocked by the oil 9. However, as described above, the second communication part 42 is arranged above the oil level F9. On the other hand, when the oil level F9 is in the second inclined state S2, the second communication part 42 is arranged below the oil level F9 and is blocked by the oil 9. However, as described above, the first communication part 41 is arranged above the oil level F9. Therefore, even if either the first communication part 41 or the second communication part 42 is blocked by the oil 9 due to the inclined state of the oil level F9, the other one can be prevented from being blocked by the oil 9. However, the first communication part 41 and the second communication part 42 can also be arranged above the oil level F9 regardless of the inclined state of the oil level F9. However, if the housing 5 is enlarged to achieve such a structure, the mountability to the vehicle deteriorates. According to this structure, the enlargement of the housing 5 can be suppressed, and the state of communication between the inside 54 and the outside 53 of the housing 5 can be ensured regardless of the inclined state of the oil level F9, and the occurrence of oil injection in the ventilation chamber can be made difficult.

[0085] More preferably, the inter-chamber communication part 30 has a communication opening 30A that opens in the second surrounding wall W2, and the communication opening 30A is arranged at a position where the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the first side X1 in the object direction from the communication opening 30A is equal to the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the second side X2 in the object direction from the communication opening 30A.

[0086] According to this structure, when the oil level F9 is in the first inclined state S1, the oil 9 from the interior 54 of the housing 5 flows into the second ventilation chamber 20 via the first communication portion 41. Moreover, the first inclined state S1 is maintained for a constant time, so that the oil 9 gradually accumulates in the second ventilation chamber 20 from the first side X1 in the object direction, and the oil level F9 gradually approaches the communication opening 30A. On the contrary, when the second inclined state S2 of the oil level F9 is maintained for a constant time, the oil 9 gradually accumulates in the second ventilation chamber 20 from the second side X2 in the object direction, and the oil level F9 gradually approaches the communication opening 30A. According to this structure, since the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the first side X1 in the object direction relative to the communication opening 30A is equal to the volume of the second ventilation chamber 20 on the second side X2 in the object direction relative to the communication opening 30A, the time for the oil 9 to accumulate in the second ventilation chamber 20 and reach the communication opening 30A does not show imbalance whether the oil level F9 is in the first inclined state S1 or the second inclined state S2. Therefore, regardless of the inclined state of the oil level F9, it is difficult to cause oil injection in the ventilation chamber.

[0087] Preferably, in the horizontal direction view in the above vehicle horizontal state, the chamber-to-chamber communication portion 30 is arranged above a virtual line V connecting the first communication portion 41 and the second communication portion 42.

[0088] According to this structure, it is difficult for the oil 9 flowing into the second ventilation chamber 20 to reach the chamber-to-chamber communication portion 30. Therefore, it is difficult to cause oil injection in the ventilation chamber.

[0089] Industrial applicability

[0090] The technology of the present invention can be used for a ventilation device provided in a housing that houses a vehicle drive transmission device and oil for lubricating the vehicle drive transmission device and is fixed to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A ventilation device is provided in a housing of a vehicle that houses a vehicle drive transmission device and oil for lubricating the vehicle drive transmission device and is fixed to the vehicle body, characterized in that, Comprising: A first ventilation chamber surrounded by a first surrounding wall; A second ventilation chamber adjacently arranged to the above-mentioned first ventilation chamber and surrounded by a second surrounding wall; An external communication part communicating the above-mentioned first ventilation chamber with the exterior of the above-mentioned housing; A first communication part and a second communication part communicating the above-mentioned second ventilation chamber with the interior of the above-mentioned housing; And An inter-chamber communication part communicating the above-mentioned first ventilation chamber with the above-mentioned second ventilation chamber, Taking a specific direction in the horizontal direction in a vehicle horizontal state where the vehicle is on a horizontal plane as the target direction, The above-mentioned first communication part and the above-mentioned second communication part are arranged separately on both sides of the above-mentioned target direction with the above-mentioned inter-chamber communication part therebetween, Taking one side of the above-mentioned target direction as the first side of the target direction and the other side of the above-mentioned target direction as the second side of the target direction, The above-mentioned first communication part is arranged closer to the first side of the above-mentioned target direction than the above-mentioned inter-chamber communication part and is arranged above the oil surface in a state where the oil accumulated inside the above-mentioned housing is most inclined towards the second side of the above-mentioned target direction, that is, the second inclined state; The above-mentioned second communication part is arranged closer to the second side of the above-mentioned target direction than the above-mentioned inter-chamber communication part and is arranged above the oil surface in a state where the oil surface is most inclined towards the first side of the above-mentioned target direction, that is, the first inclined state; The above-mentioned first communication part is arranged below the oil surface in the above-mentioned first inclined state; The above-mentioned second communication part is arranged below the oil surface in the above-mentioned second inclined state.

2. The ventilation device according to claim 1, characterized in that The above-mentioned inter-chamber communication part has a communication opening opened in the above-mentioned second surrounding wall, The above-mentioned communication opening is arranged at a position where the volume of the above-mentioned second ventilation chamber closer to the first side of the above-mentioned target direction than the above-mentioned communication opening is equal to the volume of the above-mentioned second ventilation chamber closer to the second side of the above-mentioned target direction than the above-mentioned communication opening.

3. The ventilation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In a horizontal direction view in the vehicle horizontal state, the above-mentioned inter-chamber communication part is arranged above a virtual line connecting the above-mentioned first communication part and the above-mentioned second communication part.

Images