Drive system with oil circulation structure

Abstract

The present application discloses a drive system with an oil circulation structure, wherein the agitated oil is collected in a housing, and the collected oil is effectively distributed to a drive structure including a motor and a reducer, thereby smoothly cooling and lubricating the corresponding drive structure. Further, the oil level can be adjusted according to whether the drive structure is in a low load state or a high load state, thereby improving lubrication and cooling performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a driving system having an oil circulation structure, wherein when the driving structure in a motor device operates, oil for cooling and lubrication automatically circulates, and the oil level is adjusted according to the state of the driving structure. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as the world pays attention to environmental issues, research on environmentally friendly vehicle technology has been actively conducted to reduce vehicle exhaust emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Representative examples of environmentally friendly vehicles are hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles.

[0003] This environmentally friendly vehicle is equipped with an electric motor as a power source, which includes a shaft arranged at the center of the interior of the motor housing, a rotor core having a permanent magnet, a cross shaft integrally connecting the shaft to the rotor core, a stator core arranged at the outer periphery of the rotor core, and a coil wound on both sides of the stator core. In order to cool the motor, an oil pump, a cooling oil supply line, and a cooling oil return line are provided; the oil pump is installed on the outer surface of the motor housing and arranged coaxially with the shaft; the cooling oil supply line extends from the outlet of the oil pump to the inner surface of the cross shaft; the cooling oil return line connects the bottom surface of the motor housing filled with cooling oil to the inlet of the oil pump.

[0004] Furthermore, when the motor is provided with a reducer, a structure for cooling the reducer is additionally provided. Therefore, the cooling structure of the motor and the reducer becomes complicated, and the overall size thereof increases, making it difficult to manufacture a compact device.

[0005] The information disclosed in the Background section is only used to enhance the understanding of the general background of the application and should not be regarded as an admission or any form of suggestion that the above information constitutes the prior art known to a person skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0006] Therefore, the present application is devoted to solving the above-mentioned problems. One object of the present application is to provide a drive system with an oil circulation structure, wherein, when the drive structure in the motor device is operating, oil used for cooling and lubrication automatically circulates for cooling and lubrication, and the oil level is adjusted according to the state of the drive structure.

[0007] According to the present application, in order to achieve the above and other purposes, a drive system with an oil circulation structure is provided, including: a first shell, which includes a first internal space and a first reservoir, the first internal space accommodates the first drive structure and stores oil, and the first reservoir collects the oil stirred by the first drive structure; a second shell, which is engaged with the side of the first shell, the second shell includes a second internal space and a second reservoir, the second internal space accommodates the second drive structure and is connected to the first internal space to share oil with the first internal space, the second drive structure is configured to transmit power to the first drive structure and receive power from the first drive structure, and the second reservoir is connected to the first reservoir to receive oil from the first reservoir; a first valve, which is configured to selectively allow oil to flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir; a second valve, which is configured to selectively allow oil to flow between the first internal space and the second internal space; a controller, which is configured to control the degree of opening of the first valve and the second valve to adjust the amount of oil in the first internal space and the second internal space.

[0008] The first reservoir may be arranged to communicate with the first internal space so that the oil collected therein is supplied to the first driving structure; the second reservoir may be arranged to communicate with the second internal space so that the oil collected therein is supplied to the second driving structure.

[0009] The first reservoir and the second reservoir may be connected to each other through a reservoir passage so that oil flows therebetween; the first valve may be disposed in the reservoir passage. The first internal space and the second internal space may be connected to each other through an internal space passage so that oil flows therebetween; the second valve may be disposed in the internal space passage.

[0010] The first reservoir may be provided with a recirculation device spaced apart from the reservoir passage. When the oil collected in the first reservoir exceeds a predetermined level, the oil may be recirculated to the first internal space through the recirculation device.

[0011] The first inner space and the second inner space may be provided with a bypass passage therebetween, the bypass passage being spaced apart from the inner space passage, and when the oil collected in the first inner space or the second inner space exceeds a predetermined level, the oil may flow between the first inner space and the second inner space through the bypass passage.

[0012] The controller may receive information about states of the first and second drive structures, and may control the opening degrees of the first and second valves according to the states of the first and second drive structures to adjust the amount of oil in the first or second internal space.

[0013] When the first driving structure is in a first stage overheating state, the controller may close the first valve and may open the second valve.

[0014] When the first driving structure is in a second stage overheating state, the controller may close the first valve and the second valve.

[0015] When the second drive structure is in an overheated state, the controller may open the first valve and may close the second valve.

[0016] When the first driving structure and the second driving structure are both in a normal state or an overheated state, the controller may open the first valve and the second valve.

[0017] The drive system may further include a drive shaft passing through the first housing and the second housing. The first drive structure may be configured as a reduction gear set that reduces the rotation torque of the drive shaft, and the second drive structure may be configured as a motor that applies power to the drive shaft.

[0018] The reduction gear set may include a differential gear engaged with the drive shaft and a reduction gear disposed above the differential gear and connected to the differential gear.

[0019] The first housing may be provided with a differential cover for supporting the differential gear. The first reservoir may include a first collecting portion disposed in the differential cover and a second collecting portion disposed to be spaced apart from the differential cover and disposed in the first housing.

[0020] The differential cover may include a body configured such that the drive shaft passes through the body and configured to support the differential gear. The first collecting portion may be arranged at an upper portion of the body so as to be opened upward to collect the agitated oil.

[0021] The first collecting portion may be in communication with the first internal space to provide the collected oil to the drive shaft, and may be connected to the second reservoir through a reservoir passage.

[0022] The first housing may be provided with a guide portion, the guide portion being located above the differential gear so that the oil agitated by the differential gear contacts the guide portion, and the guide portion may guide the oil contacting the guide portion so that the oil moves toward the first collecting portion and the second collecting portion.

[0023] The guide portion may have a predetermined area, and both end portions thereof may be bent downward.

[0024] The second collecting portion may be arranged to be open toward the guide portion and may be communicated with the first internal space so as to supply the collected oil to the first driving structure. A recirculation device may be arranged at the second collecting portion so that the oil is recirculated to the first internal space through the recirculation device when the level of the collected oil exceeds a predetermined level. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present application will become more easily understood through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 A diagram showing a drive system with an oil circulation structure according to the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 For illustration Figure 1 A diagram showing control when a first drive structure in a drive system having an oil circulation structure is overheated;

[0028] Figure 3 For illustration Figure 1 A diagram showing control of a first driving structure in a driving system having an oil circulation structure when the first driving structure is in a second stage overheating state;

[0029] Figure 4 For illustration Figure 1 A diagram showing control when a second drive structure in a drive system having an oil circulation structure is overheated;

[0030] Figure 5 To show that Figure 1 A view of the device of the oil circulation structure shown;

[0031] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A perspective view of the device having an oil circulation structure shown;

[0032] Figure 7 To show Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a first drive structure of the device having an oil circulation structure shown;

[0033] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 To show Figure 5 A view of a differential cover and a reservoir passage of the device having an oil flow structure is shown;

[0034] Fig.10 and Fig.11 To show Figure 5 A view of a first housing of the device having an oil circulation structure is shown;

[0035] Fig.12 and Fig.13 To show Figure 5 A view of a second housing of the device having an oil circulation structure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, a driving system having an oil circulation structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 A diagram showing a drive system with an oil circulation structure according to the present application;

[0038] Figure 2 For illustration Figure 1 A diagram showing control when a first drive structure in a drive system having an oil circulation structure is overheated; Figure 3 For illustration Figure 1 A diagram showing control of a first driving structure in a driving system having an oil circulation structure when the first driving structure is in a second stage overheating state; Figure 4 For illustration Figure 1 A diagram showing control when a second drive structure in a drive system having an oil circulation structure is overheated; Figure 5 To show that Figure 1 A view of the device of the oil circulation structure shown; Figure 6 for Figure 5 A perspective view of the device having an oil circulation structure shown; Figure 7 To show Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a first drive structure of the device having an oil circulation structure shown; Figure 8 and Fig. 9 To show Figure 5 A view of a differential cover and a reservoir passage of the device having an oil flow structure is shown; Fig.10 and Fig.11 To show Figure 5 A view of a first housing of the device having an oil circulation structure is shown; Fig.12 and Fig.13 To show Figure 5 A view of a second housing of the device having an oil circulation structure is shown.

[0039] like Figure 1As shown, the drive system with an oil circulation structure according to the present application includes a first housing 100, a second housing 200 coupled to the side of the first housing 100, a first valve 300, a second valve 400, and a controller 500. The first housing 100 includes a first internal space 120 and a first reservoir 130, in which a first drive structure 110 is disposed and oil is contained, and the first reservoir 130 collects the oil stirred by the first drive structure 110. The second housing 200 includes a second internal space 220 and a second reservoir 230, in which a second drive structure 210 is disposed and communicated with the first internal space 120 to share oil with the first internal space 120, the second drive structure 210 is configured to transmit and receive power back and forth with the first drive structure 110, and the second reservoir 230 is connected to the first reservoir 130 to receive oil from the first reservoir 130. The first valve 300 selectively allows oil to flow from the first reservoir 130 to the second reservoir 230. The second valve 400 selectively allows oil to flow between the first interior space 120 and the second interior space 220. The controller 500 controls the opening degree of the first valve 300 and the second valve 400 to adjust the amount of oil in the first interior space 120 and the second interior space 220.

[0040] The first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210 are configured to reciprocately transmit power to each other. The first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210 can both be configured as speed reducers, or can be configured as motors. Alternatively, one of the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210 can be configured as a speed reducer, and the other can be configured as a motor. According to the present application, the first drive structure 110 is configured as a reduction gear set, and the second drive structure 210 is configured as a motor, so that power is transmitted therebetween. The first housing 100 provided with the first drive structure 110 and the second housing 200 provided with the second drive structure 210 can be formed as one body with each other, or can be separately provided with each other and engage with each other.

[0041] Oil for cooling and lubrication is contained in the first housing 100 and the second housing 200, so that a portion of the first drive structure 110 and a portion of the second drive structure 210 are immersed in the oil. Therefore, when the second drive structure 210, which is set as a motor, is operated, the second drive structure 210 rotates, causing the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210 to stir the oil.

[0042] Due to the above reasons, according to the present application, a first reservoir 130 is formed in the first housing 100 for collecting the oil agitated by the first drive structure 110, and a second reservoir 230 is formed in the second housing 200, and the second reservoir 230 is connected to the first reservoir 130 to receive the oil therefrom. Therefore, the oil agitated by the operation of the first drive structure 110 is collected in the first reservoir 130, and the oil collected in the first reservoir 130 is circulated to the first drive structure 110. Further, the oil transported through the first reservoir 130 is stored in the second reservoir 230, and the oil stored in the second reservoir 230 is circulated to the second drive structure 210. Therefore, since the oil is effectively circulated in the first housing 100 and the second housing 200, the cooling and lubrication efficiency is improved.

[0043] Further, according to the present application, a first valve 300 is provided between the first reservoir 130 and the second reservoir 230, and a second valve 400 is provided between the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220. The first valve 300 adjusts the amount of oil flowing between the first reservoir 130 and the second reservoir 230 according to its opening degree, and the second valve 400 adjusts the amount of oil flowing between the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220 according to its opening degree. The opening degrees of the first valve 300 and the second valve 400 are controlled by the controller 500. Therefore, the oil can be effectively circulated according to the states of the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210.

[0044] Thus, according to the present application, when the first valve 300 and the second valve 400 are maintained in the open state, the agitated oil naturally flows to the first reservoir 130 and the second reservoir 230, thereby maintaining cooling and lubricating performance. In addition, since the opening degree of the first valve 300 and the second valve 400 is adjusted according to the state of the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210, the cooling and lubricating performance can be further improved by the effective circulation of oil suitable for the state of the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210.

[0045] Described in more detail, the first reservoir 130 may be formed to communicate with the first internal space 120 so that the oil collected therein is supplied to the first drive structure 110 , and the second reservoir 230 may be formed to communicate with the second internal space 220 so that the oil collected therein is supplied to the second drive structure 210 .

[0046] That is, the first reservoir 130 supplies the collected oil to the first driving structure 110, and a portion of the oil in the first reservoir 130 is transferred to the second reservoir 230 and stored in the second reservoir 230. The second reservoir 230 supplies the stored oil to the second driving structure 210. In this way, the corresponding driving structure can be cooled and lubricated by the effective circulation of the agitated oil.

[0047] The first reservoir 130 and the second reservoir 230 are connected to each other through the reservoir passage 600 so that oil can flow therebetween. The first valve 300 is disposed in the reservoir passage 600. The first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220 are connected to each other through the internal space passage 700 so that oil can flow therebetween. The second valve 400 is disposed in the internal space passage 700. Therefore, oil can flow between the first reservoir 130 and the second reservoir 230 through the reservoir passage 600. The reservoir passage 600 may be formed as a hole or a separate tube, and after the first housing 100 and the second housing 200 are installed, the first reservoir 130 and the second reservoir 230 are connected to each other through the reservoir passage 600. Therefore, when the oil collected in the first reservoir 130 is introduced into the reservoir passage 600, the oil can be transported to the second reservoir 230 through the reservoir passage 600 and can be stored in the second reservoir 230. When the first valve 300 provided in the reservoir passage 600 is opened, oil naturally flows between the first reservoir 130 and the second reservoir 230 , and when the first valve 300 is closed, oil is stored only in the first reservoir 130 .

[0048] Since the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220 are connected to each other through the internal space passage 700 so that the oil circulates therebetween, the oil contained in the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220 can be shared therebetween through the internal space passage 700. When the second valve 400 provided in the internal space passage 700 is opened, the oil naturally circulates between the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220, and when the second valve 400 is closed, the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220 are isolated from each other so that the oil cannot circulate therebetween. In this way, the controller 500 controls the opening degree of the first valve 300 and the second valve 400 according to various situations, thereby ensuring the effective circulation of the oil.

[0049] The first reservoir 130 may be provided with a recirculation device 131 spaced apart from the reservoir passage 600. When the oil collected in the first reservoir 130 exceeds a predetermined level, the oil is recirculated to the first inner space 120 through the recirculation device 131.

[0050] When excess oil is collected in the first reservoir 130, the recirculation device 131 enables the oil to be recirculated to the first internal space 120. For this purpose, the recirculation device 131 may be arranged in the first reservoir 130 at a position higher than the reservoir passage 600 in a state of being spaced apart from the reservoir passage 600. Therefore, when the oil collected in the first reservoir 130 exceeds a predetermined level and thus the oil is introduced into the recirculation device 131, the excess collected oil is recirculated to the first internal space 120 through the recirculation device 131, thereby preventing the first internal space 120 from being short of oil.

[0051] The first inner space 120 and the second inner space 220 may be provided with a bypass passage 140 therebetween, the bypass passage 140 being spaced apart from the inner space passage 700. When the oil collected in the first inner space 120 or the second inner space 220 exceeds a predetermined level, the oil flows between the first inner space 120 and the second inner space 220 through the bypass passage 140.

[0052] When excess oil is stored in the first internal space 120 or the second internal space 220, the bypass passage 140 enables the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220 to share the oil. The bypass passage 140 may be arranged at a higher position than the internal space passage 700 in a state of being spaced apart from the internal space passage 700. Therefore, when the oil collected in the first internal space 120 or the second internal space 220 exceeds a predetermined level and thus oil is introduced into the bypass passage 140, the excess collected oil circulates through the bypass passage 140, thereby preventing the occurrence of excessive oil storage or oil shortage.

[0053] In the above-mentioned oil circulation structure according to the present application, the controller 500 receives information about the state of the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210, and controls the opening degree of the first valve 300 and the second valve 400 according to the state of the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210 to adjust the amount of oil in the first internal space 120 or the second internal space 220. The controller 500 may receive information about the temperature of the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210. Based on the temperature information of each drive structure, the controller 500 may detect or predict the temperature of each drive structure in the first housing 100 and the second housing 200.

[0054] The control of the first valve 300 and the second valve 400 by the controller 500 will now be described. When the first drive structure 110 is in the first stage overheat state, the controller 500 may close the first valve 300 and may open the second valve 400. The first stage overheat state corresponds to a predetermined reference temperature of the first drive structure 110 and is pre-stored in the controller 500. When the first drive structure 110 is in the first stage overheat state, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the controller 500 closes the first valve 300 to prevent the oil collected in the first reservoir 130 from moving to the second reservoir 230, and opens the second valve 400, so that the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220 share the oil, thereby smoothly cooling the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210. When the amount of oil collected in the first reservoir 130 exceeds a predetermined level, the oil is recirculated to the first internal space 120 through the recirculation device 131, thereby increasing the amount of oil in the first internal space 120, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the first drive structure 110.

[0055] When the first drive structure 110 is in the second stage overheat state, the controller 500 may close the first valve 300 and the second valve 400. The second stage overheat state corresponds to a predetermined reference temperature of the first drive structure 110, which is higher than the reference temperature corresponding to the first stage overheat state and is pre-stored in the controller 500. When the first drive structure 110 enters the second stage overheat state (its temperature is higher than the temperature of the first stage overheat state) and thus requires rapid cooling, such as Figure 3 As shown, the controller 500 closes the first valve 300 and the second valve 400, so that the oil is concentrated in the first internal space 120 where the first driving structure 110 is provided. That is, the first valve 300 is closed to prevent the oil collected in the first reservoir 130 from moving to the second reservoir 230, and the second valve 400 is closed to isolate the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220 from each other. Therefore, the oil in the first housing 100 only flows to the first reservoir 130 and the first internal space 120, thereby strongly cooling and lubricating the first driving structure 110, thereby cooling it quickly.

[0056] When the second drive structure 210 is in an overheated state, the controller 500 may open the first valve 300 and may close the second valve 400. The overheated state of the second drive structure 210 corresponds to a predetermined reference temperature of the second drive structure 210 and is pre-stored in the controller 500. When the second drive structure 210 is in an overheated state, as shown in FIG. Figure 4As shown, the controller 500 opens the first valve 300 so that the oil collected in the first reservoir 130 can move to the second reservoir 230, and closes the second valve 400, so that the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220 are isolated from each other. Therefore, the oil collected in the first reservoir 130 is supplied to the second reservoir 230, and the oil in the second reservoir 230 is supplied to the second internal space 220, so that a sufficient amount of oil is ensured in the second internal space 220. Therefore, the second driving structure 210 is smoothly cooled and lubricated by the oil in the second internal space 220.

[0057] When the first driving structure 110 and the second driving structure 210 are both in a normal state or an overheated state, the controller 500 can open the first valve 300 and the second valve 400. Figure 1 As shown, when the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210 are both in a normal state or need to be cooled, the controller 500 opens the first valve 300 and the second valve 400, so that the agitated oil flows through the first reservoir 130 and the second reservoir 230 to the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220. Therefore, the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210 are both smoothly cooled and lubricated by the supplied oil.

[0058] Hereinafter, the device having the above-mentioned oil circulation structure according to the present application will be described in detail. Figures 5 to 13 As shown, the drive shaft 250 passes through the first housing 100 and the second housing 200. The first drive structure 110 can be provided as a reduction gear set that reduces the rotation torque of the drive shaft 250, and the second drive structure 210 can be provided as a motor that applies power to the drive shaft 250.

[0059] According to the present application, the first drive structure 110 is configured as a reduction gear set, the second drive structure 210 is configured as a motor, the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210 are combined into one body, and the drive shaft 250 is connected to the first drive structure 110 and the second drive structure 210 to transmit power. Therefore, the first housing 100 provided with the first drive structure 110 and the second housing 200 provided with the second drive structure 210 can be formed into one body with each other, or can be separately provided and engaged with each other.

[0060] The reduction gear set may include a differential gear 111 engaged with the drive shaft 250 and a reduction gear 112 disposed above and connected to the differential gear 111. The differential gear 111 and the reduction gear 112 may be formed as a suitable gear structure selected from various gear structures known in the art. A brief description of the differential gear 111 and the reduction gear 112 will now be made. Figures 5 to 7As shown, the differential gear 111 may be composed of a housing A, a ring gear B, a differential pinion gear C, and a differential side gear D, and the reduction gear 112 may be composed of a final reduction gear E and an output gear F to reduce the rotation torque of the differential gear 111. Since the differential gear 111 composed of relatively large gears is arranged below the reduction gear 112, the oil stored in the first housing 100 is strongly agitated, thereby achieving effective circulation of the oil through the first reservoir 130.

[0061] The first housing 100 may be provided with a differential cover 150 for supporting the differential gear 111. The first reservoir 130 may include a first collecting portion 132 formed in the differential cover 150 and a second collecting portion 133 spaced apart from the differential cover 150 and formed in the first housing 100.

[0062] The differential cover 150 may be formed as one body with the first housing 100, or may be provided separately from the first housing 100 and engaged therewith. The differential cover 150 may include a main body 151 through which a drive shaft 250 passes, and a first collecting portion 132 that supports the differential gear 111, and a first collecting portion 132 that is formed at an upper portion of the main body 151 and opens upward to collect the agitated oil. The drive shaft 250 passes through the main body 151 of the differential cover 150, which supports the bearing of the differential gear 111 and is engaged with the first housing 100. When the first housing 100 and the second housing 200 are engaged with each other, the main body 151 may also be engaged with and fixed to the second housing 200. Therefore, the differential gear 111 may be firmly fixed in the first housing 100 by the first housing 100 and the differential cover 150. Since the first collecting part 132 is formed at the upper portion of the body 151, the agitated oil can be easily collected.

[0063] In this way, since the first housing 100 and the differential cover 150 surround and support the differential gear 111, the differential gear 111 can be stably fixed. In addition, since the first collecting portion 132 is formed in the differential cover 150, the first collecting portion 132 can be arranged in the first housing 100 simply by engaging the differential cover 150 with the first housing 100, without the need to perform a process of forming the first collecting portion 132 in the first internal space 120.

[0064] The second collecting portion 133 is spaced apart from the differential cover 150 and is formed in the first housing 100 to collect the agitated oil together with the first collecting portion 132, thereby collecting a sufficient amount of the agitated oil. The second collecting portion 133 will be described in detail below.

[0065] At the same time, if Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the first collecting portion 132 may be in communication with the first inner space 120 to provide the collected oil to the drive shaft, and may be connected to the second reservoir 230 through the reservoir passage 600 .

[0066] The reservoir passage 600 is connected to the first collecting portion 132 so as to communicate therewith, and is connected to the second reservoir 230 provided in the second housing 200 so as to communicate therewith. Therefore, the oil collected in the first collecting portion 132 constituting the first reservoir 130 can be moved to the second reservoir 230 through the reservoir passage 600. The reservoir passage 600 can be connected to the side of the first collecting portion 132 so as to avoid interference with other driving components including the reduction gear set. Therefore, as Fig. 9 As shown, the reservoir passage 600 may extend laterally and then bend to extend toward the second housing 200 .

[0067] like Fig.10 As shown, the first housing 100 may be provided with a guide portion 160 , which is located above the differential gear 111 so that the oil agitated by the differential gear 111 contacts it, and the guide portion 160 guides the oil in contact with it so that the oil moves toward the first collecting portion 132 and the second collecting portion 133 .

[0068] That is, the oil moved upward by the differential gear 111 adheres to the guide portion 160 or collides with the guide portion 160. The guide portion 160 guides the oil to move downward toward the first collecting portion 132 and the second collecting portion 133. In this way, since the guide portion 160 is formed above the differential gear 111 in the first housing 100, the oil agitated by the differential gear 111 is guided by the guide portion 160 to move toward the first collecting portion 132 and the second collecting portion 133 constituting the first reservoir 130, so that a sufficient amount of oil is collected in the first reservoir 130.

[0069] Specifically, the guide portion 160 may be formed to have a predetermined area, and both ends thereof may be bent downward. That is, the guide portion 160 has a predetermined area so as to increase the area in contact with the agitated oil, and both ends thereof are bent downward toward the first collecting portion 132 and the second collecting portion 133, so that the oil in contact with the guide portion 160 moves along the guide portion 160 to the first liquid reservoir 220.

[0070] The second collecting portion 133 is formed to be open toward the guide portion 160 and communicate with the first internal space 120, thereby supplying the collected oil to the first driving structure 110. The recirculation device 131 may be formed at the second collecting portion 133, and when the level of the collected oil exceeds a predetermined level, the oil is recirculated to the first internal space 120 through the recirculation device 131.

[0071] When the first driving structure 110 is operated and the reduction gear set rotates, the oil stirred by the reduction gear set is collected in the first collecting portion 132 and the second collecting portion 133, and the oil collected in the first collecting portion 132 and the second collecting portion 133 is transported to the second internal space 220 through the first internal space 120 or the second reservoir 230, thereby improving the cooling and lubrication effect through the effective circulation of the oil. Specifically, since the second collecting portion 133 is arranged to be spaced apart from the first collecting portion 132 in the first housing 100, it is possible to more effectively collect the stirred irregularly moving oil, and effectively cool and lubricate the components in the first housing 100 that need cooling and lubrication.

[0072] The recirculation device 131 is formed at the second collecting portion 133 so as to recirculate the excess oil to the first inner space 120. The recirculation device 131 may be provided as a hole formed in the second collecting portion 133 so as to be opened upward toward the guide portion 160. Therefore, the excess oil collected in the second collecting portion 133 may flow out through the recirculation device 131 disposed thereover and may circulate to the first inner space 120.

[0073] The first collecting part 132 and the second collecting part 133 constituting the above-mentioned first reservoir 130 and the second reservoir 230 may have a discharge hole formed therein so as to communicate with the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220 to achieve oil circulation. Further, the internal space passage 700 is formed in the first shell 100 and the second shell 200 so that the first internal space 120 and the second internal space 220 share the oil. Further, since the bypass passage 140 is formed above the internal space passage 700 and is in a state of being spaced apart therefrom, when the amount of oil stored in the first internal space 120 or the second internal space 220 exceeds a predetermined level, the amount of oil can be adjusted using the bypass passage 140.

[0074] The above operations / functions performed by the controller may be implemented as computer-readable code / algorithms / software stored in a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device capable of storing data that is subsequently read by a computer or a processor / microprocessor. Examples of computer-readable recording media include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), silicon disk drives (SDDs), read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like.

[0075] The controller may include one or more processors / microprocessors. The controller may be implemented with circuits. The controller may perform the above operations / functions by executing computer-readable code / algorithms / software stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

[0076] It is obvious from the above description that according to the drive system with an oil circulation structure of the present application, the agitated oil is collected in the housing, and the collected oil is effectively distributed to the drive structure (including the motor and the reducer), thereby smoothly cooling and lubricating the corresponding drive structure. Further, the oil level can be adjusted according to whether the drive structure is in a low load state or a high load state, thereby improving the lubrication and cooling performance.

[0077] Although exemplary embodiments of the present application have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the application as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A drive system with an oil circulation structure, comprising: a first housing including a first internal space and a first reservoir, wherein the first internal space accommodates the first driving structure and stores oil, and the first reservoir collects the oil stirred by the first driving structure; a second housing engaged with a side portion of the first housing, the second housing comprising a second internal space and a second reservoir, the second internal space accommodating a second drive structure and communicating with the first internal space to share oil with the first internal space, the second drive structure being configured to transmit power to the first drive structure and receive power from the first drive structure, the second reservoir being connected to the first reservoir to receive oil from the first reservoir; a first valve configured to selectively allow oil to flow from the first reservoir to a second reservoir; a second valve configured to selectively allow oil to flow between the first interior space and the second interior space; A controller is configured to control the opening degrees of the first valve and the second valve to adjust the amount of oil in the first internal space and the second internal space.

2. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 1, wherein: The first reservoir is arranged to communicate with the first internal space so that the oil collected therein is supplied to the first driving structure; The second reservoir is disposed in communication with the second internal space such that oil collected therein is supplied to the second driving structure.

3. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 2, wherein: The first reservoir and the second reservoir are connected to each other through a reservoir passage so that oil flows therebetween; The first valve is disposed in the reservoir passage; The first inner space and the second inner space are connected to each other through an inner space passage so that oil can flow therebetween; The second valve is disposed in the inner space passage.

4. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 3, wherein: The first reservoir is provided with a recirculation device, the recirculation device being spaced apart from the reservoir passage; When the oil collected in the first reservoir exceeds a predetermined level, the oil is recirculated to the first internal space through the recirculation device.

5. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 3, wherein: The first internal space and the second internal space are provided with a bypass passage therebetween, the bypass passage being spaced apart from the internal space passage; When the oil collected in the first internal space or the second internal space exceeds a predetermined level, the oil circulates between the first internal space and the second internal space through the bypass passage.

6. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 1, wherein: The controller receives information about states of the first and second drive structures and controls opening degrees of the first and second valves according to the states of the first and second drive structures to adjust the amount of oil in the first or second internal space.

7. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 6, wherein: When the first driving structure is in a first stage overheating state, the controller closes the first valve and opens the second valve.

8. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 6, wherein: When the first driving structure is in a second stage overheating state, the controller closes the first valve and the second valve.

9. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 6, wherein: When the second driving structure is in an overheated state, the controller opens the first valve and closes the second valve.

10. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 6, wherein: When the first driving structure and the second driving structure are both in a normal state or an overheated state, the controller opens the first valve and the second valve.

11. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive shaft extending through the first housing and the second housing; Wherein, the first driving structure is configured as a reduction gear set to reduce the rotational torque of the driving shaft. The second drive structure is configured as an electric motor that applies power to the drive shaft.

12. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 11, wherein: The reduction gear set comprises: a differential gear engaged with the drive shaft; A reduction gear is arranged above the differential gear and connected to the differential gear.

13. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 12, wherein: The first housing is provided with a differential cover for supporting the differential gear; The first liquid reservoir comprises: a first collecting portion disposed in the differential cover; and A second collecting portion is spaced apart from the differential cover and is disposed in the first housing.

14. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 13, wherein: The differential cover comprises: a body configured so that the drive shaft passes through the body and configured to support the differential gear; The first collecting part is arranged at an upper portion of the main body so as to be opened upward to collect the agitated oil.

15. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 13, wherein: The first collecting portion communicates with the first internal space to provide the collected oil to the driving shaft, and is connected to the second reservoir through a reservoir passage.

16. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 13, wherein: The first housing is provided with a guide portion, the guide portion being located above the differential gear so that the oil stirred by the differential gear contacts the guide portion; The guide portion guides the oil in contact therewith so that the oil moves toward the first and second collecting portions.

17. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 16, wherein: The guide portion has a predetermined area; Both ends of the guide portion are bent downward.

18. The drive system with an oil circulation structure according to claim 16, wherein: The second collecting portion is configured to be open toward the guide portion and communicate with the first internal space so as to supply the collected oil to the first driving structure; A recirculation device is arranged at the second collecting portion, and when the level of the collected oil exceeds a predetermined level, the oil is recirculated to the first internal space through the recirculation device.

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