Breather assembly of in-wheel drive assembly and in-wheel drive assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a venting assembly for an in-wheel drive assembly and an in-wheel drive assembly. The venting assembly comprises a flange shaft (2) for non-rotatable connection to a wheel hub for transmitting torque to the wheel hub, the flange shaft (2) having a gas duct (V) inside, the gas duct (V) having at least one opening open to an inner space of the in-wheel drive assembly and at least one opening connectable to an outer space of the in-wheel drive assembly, the inner space and the outer space being in communication via the gas duct (V) such that the air pressure in the inner space can be regulated. The venting assembly according to the invention enables venting between the inner space and the outer space of the in-wheel drive assembly without easily leaking lubricant from the inner space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of in-wheel drive (IWD) assemblies of vehicles, and in particular to a ventilation component of the in-wheel drive assembly. Background Art

[0002] Affected by the environment and operating conditions, the temperature inside the in-wheel drive assembly may fluctuate significantly, which places high demands on the sealing and ventilation performance of the in-wheel drive assembly. It is necessary to ensure the sealing of the in-wheel drive assembly, and to ensure that when the temperature change causes the pressure change inside the in-wheel drive assembly, it can be ventilated with the outside to reduce the internal and external pressure difference and maintain a good sealing effect of the seal.

[0003] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A possible technical solution for achieving internal and external ventilation of an in-wheel drive assembly is shown. In this solution, an air duct V is provided on the housing 1 of the in-wheel drive assembly. A first opening V1 of the air duct V is located on the inner wall of the housing 1, allowing the air duct V to open to the interior space of the in-wheel drive assembly. A second opening V2 of the air duct V opens to the exterior space of the in-wheel drive assembly.

[0004] The disadvantage of this solution is that the lubricant in the internal space (mainly from the transmission) tends to flow to the vicinity of the first opening V1. Especially when the gear speed of the transmission is high, the lubricant is more likely to accumulate at the first opening V1 or even flow through the air passage V due to the influence of centrifugal force, causing lubricant leakage.

[0005] Therefore, how to provide an in-wheel drive assembly and a ventilation component thereof that can provide a ventilation function while not easily causing lubricant leakage is a problem that needs to be solved urgently in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome or at least alleviate the deficiencies of the above-mentioned prior art and to provide a ventilation component of an in-wheel drive assembly and an in-wheel drive assembly.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a breather assembly of an in-wheel drive assembly is provided, comprising a flange shaft, the flange shaft being non-rotatably connected to a wheel hub to transmit torque to the wheel hub, wherein:

[0008] An air duct is provided inside the flange shaft, and the air duct has at least one opening open to the internal space of the in-wheel drive assembly and at least one opening capable of connecting to the external space of the in-wheel drive assembly. The internal space and the external space are connected via the air duct so that the air pressure in the internal space can be adjusted.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the air passage comprises an axial air passage and a radial air passage that are interconnected.

[0010] The axial air passage is coaxially arranged with the flange shaft, and has an axial air passage opening located at the axial end surface of the flange shaft, and the axial air passage opening faces the external space.

[0011] The radial air passage extends in the radial direction of the flange shaft. The radial air passage has a radial air passage opening located on the outer circumference of the flange shaft. The radial air passage opening faces the inner space.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, there are a plurality of radial air channels, and the plurality of radial air channels are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the flange shaft.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the inner diameter of the radial air channel is smaller than the inner diameter of the axial air channel.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the ventilation assembly further includes a breathable valve connected to the airway to prevent foreign matter from passing through the airway.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, the ventilation assembly further comprises an adapter, the adapter connecting the ventilation valve and the airway.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the vent assembly further comprises an adapter and a vent valve;

[0017] The adapter has a through-channel that passes through the adapter in the axial direction. The adapter includes a small head and a large head. The outer diameter of the small head is smaller than the outer diameter of the large head.

[0018] The large head is used to fix the adapter so that the adapter and the flange shaft can rotate relative to each other.

[0019] The small head extends from the axial airway opening into the axial airway, so that the axial airway and the through passage are in communication;

[0020] The breathable valve is installed on the adapter so that the through passage is in communication with the internal passage of the breathable valve, and the breathable valve is partially located in the external space.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, the adapter does not contact the flange shaft.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an in-wheel drive assembly comprising an inner housing, a sleeve, and a bearing, wherein the sleeve and the bearing are disposed in an inner cavity of the inner housing, the sleeve and the inner housing are non-rotatably connected, and the outer ring of the bearing is non-rotatably connected to the inner housing, and the in-wheel drive assembly further comprises a breather assembly according to claim 7 or 8,

[0023] The flange shaft of the ventilation assembly is connected to the inner ring of the bearing in a non-rotatable manner, and the adapter is connected to the sleeve in a non-rotatable manner.

[0024] In at least one embodiment, the sleeve limits the bearing in the axial direction of the bearing.

[0025] The breather assembly according to the present invention can achieve ventilation between the inner space and the outer space of the in-wheel drive assembly, and is unlikely to cause the lubricant in the inner space to leak.

[0026] The in-wheel drive assembly according to the present invention has a simple structure and has good sealing performance while being able to achieve ventilation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a possible housing of an in-wheel drive assembly with an air duct.

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of half.

[0029] Figure 3 1 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an in-wheel drive assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the .

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a breathable valve according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Description of reference numerals:

[0033] 1 outer shell; 10 inner shell; 2 flange shaft; 3 adapter; 30 through channel; 31 small end; 32 large end; 4 breather valve; 41 mounting portion; 5 sleeve; 6 bearing;

[0034] V airway; V1 first opening; V2 second opening; VA axial airway; VR radial airway; VA0 axial airway opening; VR0 radial airway opening; G gap; E motor;

[0035] A is axial; R is radial. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these specific descriptions are only used to teach those skilled in the art how to implement the present invention, and are not intended to exhaust all possible embodiments of the present invention, nor to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0037] Unless otherwise specified, refer to Figure 3 , A represents the axial direction of the in-wheel drive assembly, and the axial direction A is consistent with the axial direction of the flange shaft 2 in the in-wheel drive assembly; R represents the radial direction of the in-wheel drive assembly, and the radial direction R is consistent with the radial direction of the flange shaft 2 in the in-wheel drive assembly.

[0038] Reference Figures 3 to 5 An in-wheel drive assembly and a breather component according to the present invention are introduced.

[0039] Reference Figure 3 The in-wheel drive assembly mainly includes an inner housing 10, a flange shaft 2, a motor E, a sleeve 5 and a bearing 6. It should be noted that Figure 3 It is only a schematic structural diagram, and the connectors between certain components are omitted in the diagram, or multiple components are displayed in the form of one schematic component.

[0040] The inner housing 10 is generally cylindrical and fixedly connected to the vehicle frame. The flanged shaft 2 is rotatably connected to the inner housing 10. The flanged shaft 2 is at least partially disposed within the inner housing 10 and coaxially with the inner housing 10 for support. The flanged shaft 2 also provides a torsionally fixed connection to the wheel hub, thereby transmitting torque to the vehicle's wheel hub.

[0041] When motor E is operating, its rotor drives flange shaft 2 to rotate relative to inner housing 10 (the transmission connecting the rotor and flange shaft 2 is not shown). The outer ring of bearing 6 is torsionally fixedly connected to inner housing 10 (non-rotatable relative to each other), while the inner ring of bearing 6 is torsionally fixedly connected to flange shaft 2. Sleeve 5 is also torsionally fixedly connected to inner housing 10. Sleeve 5, for example, is a threaded sleeve and serves to position bearing 6 at its axial end.

[0042] Also refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, the ventilation assembly includes a flange shaft 2, an adapter 3 and a ventilation valve 4.

[0043] An air passage V is provided inside the flange shaft 2 , and the air passage V includes an axial air passage VA and a radial air passage VR that are in communication with each other.

[0044] Preferably, there is one axial airway VA, coaxially disposed with the flange shaft 2. The axial airway VA has an axial airway opening VA0 on the surface of the flange shaft, located at an axial end surface of the flange shaft 2. The axial airway opening VA0 faces the exterior of the in-wheel drive assembly, further connecting the airway V to the outside world.

[0045] Preferably, there are multiple radial air passages VR (two in the present embodiment). The multiple radial air passages VR are located in the axial direction A at the other end of the axial air passage VA away from the axial air passage opening VA0, and the multiple radial air passages VR are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the flange shaft 2. Each radial air passage VR has a radial air passage opening VR0 located on the outer peripheral surface of the flange shaft 2. The radial air passage opening VR0 faces the internal space of the in-wheel drive assembly and is open to the internal space. The radial air passage opening VR0 is preferably arranged in an area adjacent to the flange-shaped portion of the flange shaft 2, in which the radial air passage opening VR0 can avoid interference with the bearing or seal, thereby ensuring smooth ventilation of the air passage V.

[0046] It should be understood that the present invention does not limit the number of radial airways VR. However, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, too few radial airways VR are not conducive to timely ventilation, while too many will reduce the structural strength of the flange shaft 2 and increase the risk of foreign matter entering the airway V.

[0047] Preferably, the inner diameter r1 of the radial air passage VR is smaller than the inner diameter r2 of the axial air passage VA, for example, r1 = 2 mm and r2 = 6.5 mm. This allows the axial air passage VA to have greater ventilation capacity and prevents foreign matter that unintentionally enters the axial air passage VA from passing through the radial air passage VR and further into the interior space of the in-wheel drive assembly.

[0048] Since the axial airway opening VA0 is used to communicate with the outside world, a breathable valve (also known as a vent plug) is typically installed at the airway opening to prevent foreign matter from entering the airway. The breathable valve has a filter structure (e.g., a filter membrane) that blocks the passage of large molecules (e.g., water) while allowing the passage of small molecules of gas.

[0049] The vent valve 4 of this embodiment can be referred to, for example, Figure 5 The vent valve 4 may be a vent valve commonly used in the automotive industry.

[0050] Since the size of the mounting portion 41 of the vent valve 4 may not match the inner diameter of the axial airway opening VA0, in order to facilitate the installation of the vent valve 4 at the axial airway opening VA0, preferably, an adapter 3 is provided between the flange shaft 2 and the vent valve 4.

[0051] Adapter 3 is mounted on the end of flange shaft 2 near axial airway opening VA0, further connecting axial airway opening VA0 to breather valve 4. Adapter 3 has a stepped cylindrical shape and includes a through-passage 30 extending in the axial direction A. The stepped portion of adapter 3 includes a small end 31 and a large end 32. Small end 31 partially extends into axial airway VA, while large end 32 is used for mounting and positioning adapter 3.

[0052] Specifically, the large head 32 is embedded within the sleeve 5 and is torque-proofly connected to the sleeve 5. The outer diameter of the small head 31 is smaller than the inner diameter of the axial airway VA. For example, the inner diameter r2 of the axial airway VA is 6.5 mm, and the outer diameter r3 of the small head 31 is 6 mm. In this case, the inner diameter r4 of the small head 31 is, for example, 5 mm. When the adapter 3 is installed, a gap G remains between the adapter 3 and the flange shaft 2 in both the axial direction A and the radial direction R. For example, the distance between the opposing axial end surfaces of the adapter 3 and the flange shaft 2 is 5 mm to 10 mm.

[0053] The mounting portion 41 of the breather valve 4 extends into the through-passage 30, and the breather valve 4 can partially extend into the external space. Thus, the radial air passage VR, the axial air passage VA, the through-passage 30, and the internal passage of the breather valve 4 are sequentially connected, enabling ventilation between the interior and exterior spaces of the in-wheel drive assembly.

[0054] This installation arrangement of the flange shaft 2, adapter 3, and breather valve 4 also ensures that, when the in-wheel drive assembly is operating, the flange shaft 2 rotates relative to the vehicle frame, while the adapter 3, breather valve 4, and sleeve 5 do not rotate relative to the vehicle frame. Because gap G prevents contact between the flange shaft 2 and adapter 3, the motion of the flange shaft 2 and adapter 3 do not affect each other. The adapter 3 and breather valve 4 do not rotate under different operating conditions of the in-wheel drive assembly, ensuring that the installation of the adapter 3 and breather valve 4 does not increase the rotational inertia of the flange shaft 2.

[0055] When flange shaft 2 is stationary, the lubricant inside the in-wheel drive assembly typically does not exceed the height of the rotation axis of flange shaft 2 in a stable state. This means that the lubricant is unlikely to reach air passage V, particularly the axial air passage VA. When flange shaft 2 is rotating, the lubricant is likely to move toward the periphery of the in-wheel drive assembly due to centrifugal force, making it less likely to reach air passage V.

[0056] The present invention has at least one of the following advantages:

[0057] (i) The present invention achieves communication between the interior and exterior spaces of the in-wheel drive assembly, enabling the in-wheel drive assembly to automatically adjust the internal air pressure when the temperature changes.

[0058] (ii) The in-wheel drive assembly according to the present invention is not likely to cause lubricant leakage while achieving internal and external ventilation.

[0059] (iii) When providing the ventilation component in the in-wheel drive assembly according to the present invention, there is no need to change the structure and size of the original parts. For example, it is only necessary to provide an air duct on the flange shaft of the original size, which reduces the manufacturing cost.

[0060] (iv) The in-wheel drive assembly and the ventilation component thereof according to the present invention have a simple structure and are easy to assemble and disassemble.

[0061] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above embodiments under the guidance of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A breather assembly of an in-wheel drive assembly, comprising a flange shaft (2), the flange shaft (2) being connected to a wheel hub in a non-rotatable manner to transmit torque to the wheel hub, wherein: An air passage (V) is provided inside the flange shaft (2), the air passage (V) having at least one opening open to the internal space of the in-wheel drive assembly and at least one opening capable of connecting to the external space of the in-wheel drive assembly, the internal space and the external space being communicated via the air passage (V) so that the air pressure in the internal space can be adjusted. The ventilation assembly further comprises an adapter (3) and a breathable valve (4); a gap G is left between the adapter (3) and the flange shaft (2) in both the axial direction (A) and the radial direction (R); the adapter (3) and the flange shaft (2) are capable of relative rotation; and the breathable valve (4) is mounted on the adapter (3).

2. The breather assembly of the in-wheel drive assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The airway (V) includes an axial airway (VA) and a radial airway (VR) that are interconnected. The axial airway (VA) is coaxially arranged with the flange shaft (2), and the axial airway (VA) has an axial airway opening (VA0) located on the axial end face of the flange shaft (2), and the axial airway opening (VA0) faces the external space. The radial air passage (VR) extends radially along the flange shaft (2), and the radial air passage (VR) has a radial air passage opening (VR0) located on the outer peripheral surface of the flange shaft (2), and the radial air passage opening (VR0) faces the inner space.

3. The breather assembly of the in-wheel drive assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: There are a plurality of radial air passages (VR), and the plurality of radial air passages (VR) are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the flange shaft (2).

4. The breather assembly of the in-wheel drive assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the radial air passage (VR) is smaller than the inner diameter of the axial air passage (VA).

5. The ventilation component of the in-wheel drive assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the breathable valve (4) is connected to the air passage (V) to prevent foreign matter from passing through the air passage (V).

6. The breather assembly of the in-wheel drive assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The adapter (3) connects the breathable valve (4) and the airway (V).

7. The breather assembly of the in-wheel drive assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The adapter (3) has a through passage (30) that passes through the adapter (3) in the axial direction. The adapter (3) includes a small head (31) and a large head (32). The outer diameter of the small head (31) is smaller than the outer diameter of the large head (32). The large head (32) is used to fix the adapter (3). The small head (31) extends from the axial airway opening (VA0) into the axial airway (VA), so that the axial airway (VA) and the through passage (30) are in communication; The mounting portion (41) of the breathable valve (4) extends into the through passage (30), so that the through passage (30) communicates with the internal passage of the breathable valve (4), and the breathable valve (4) is partially located in the external space.

8. The breather assembly of the in-wheel drive assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The adapter (3) does not contact the flange shaft (2).

9. An in-wheel drive assembly, comprising an inner housing (10), a sleeve (5) and a bearing (6), wherein the sleeve (5) and the bearing (6) are arranged in the inner cavity of the inner housing (10), and the sleeve (5) and the inner housing (10) are connected so as not to rotate relative to each other, and the outer ring of the bearing (6) and the inner housing (10) are connected so as not to rotate relative to each other, characterized in that: The in-wheel drive assembly further comprises a breather assembly according to claim 7 or 8, The flange shaft (2) of the ventilation assembly is connected to the inner ring of the bearing (6) in a non-rotatable manner, and the adapter (3) is connected to the sleeve (5) in a non-rotatable manner.

10. The in-wheel drive assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that: The sleeve (5) limits the bearing (6) in the axial direction of the bearing (6).

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