drive device

Abstract

A motor housing of a drive device has a first housing member fixed to a transmission mechanism housing, and a second housing member fixed to an axially other side of the first housing member. The transmission mechanism housing has a third housing member fixed to the first housing member, and a fourth housing member fixed to an axially one side of the third housing member. The first housing member has a first opposite wall portion axially opposite to the third housing member, and a first bearing holding portion provided to the first opposite wall portion. The housing has a first flow path through which a first fluid flows inside. The first flow path has a plurality of axial flow path portions extending in the axial direction, a first circumferential flow path portion connecting end portions of the axial flow path portions on the axially one side to each other, and a second circumferential flow path portion connecting end portions of the axial flow path portions on the axially other side to each other. At least a part of the first flow path is constituted by the first housing member and the third housing member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a drive device. BACKGROUND

[0002] A power drive assembly provided with a housing having a cooling passage is known. For example, in Patent Literature 1, as such a power drive assembly, a power drive assembly is described in which a front end cover in the housing of a motor and a rear housing in a transmission case become a part of the same single member.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 110011458 Specification

[0006] In order to expand the axial range in which the motor can be cooled, it is preferable that the axial dimension of the cooling passage described above be large. In order to increase the axial dimension of the cooling passage, it is conceivable to extend the cooling passage in the axial direction to the side where the transmission case is located. Here, in the case of the structure of Patent Literature 1, the front end cover of the housing of the motor doubles as the axial wall portion of the rear housing of the transmission case. Therefore, for example, even if the cooling passage extends to the axial wall portion of the transmission case, there is virtually no change from the case where a portion of the cooling passage is provided on the front end cover of the housing of the motor. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to extend the cooling passage in the axial direction beyond the range provided in the housing of the motor, and it is difficult to increase the axial dimension of the cooling passage. SUMMARY

[0007] In view of the above, one of the objects of the present application is to provide a drive device having a structure that enables an increase in the axial dimension of a flow path provided on an outer casing.

[0008] One embodiment of the driving device of the present application includes a motor including a rotor rotatable about a center axis and a stator covering a radially outer side of the rotor, a transmission mechanism connected to the motor, a housing including a motor housing in which the motor is housed and a transmission mechanism housing fixed to an axially one side of the motor housing and in which the transmission mechanism is housed, and a first bearing supporting the rotor so as to be rotatable. The motor housing includes a first housing member fixed to the transmission mechanism housing, and a second housing member fixed to an axially other side of the first housing member. The transmission mechanism housing includes a third housing member fixed to the first housing member, and a fourth housing member fixed to an axially one side of the third housing member. The first housing member includes a first opposing wall portion opposing the third housing member in the axial direction, and a first bearing holding portion provided to the first opposing wall portion and holding the first bearing. The housing includes a first flow path through which a first fluid flows. The first flow path includes a plurality of axial flow path portions extending in the axial direction and arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, a first circumferential flow path portion connecting end portions on an axially one side of the axial flow path portions adjacent in the circumferential direction to each other, and a second circumferential flow path portion connecting end portions on an axially other side of the axial flow path portions adjacent in the circumferential direction to each other. At least a part of the first flow path is constituted by the first housing member and the third housing member.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present application, in a driving device, an axial dimension of a flow path provided on a housing can be increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a driving device according to one embodiment of the present application, as viewed from an upper side.

[0011] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the driving device according to one embodiment of the present application, as viewed from a rear side.

[0012] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of a first housing member in a motor housing according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0013] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a part of a second housing member in the motor housing according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0014] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of the housing according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0015] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a view of a first opening portion and a second opening portion according to one embodiment of the present application, as viewed from an axially one side.

[0016] Figure 7is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a portion of an oil supply path of an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a housing of an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a portion of a housing of an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 10 is a view of a first housing member in a motor housing of an embodiment, viewed from the other side in the axial direction.

[0020] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a positioning portion of an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a first groove portion of an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 13 is a view of a second groove portion of an embodiment, viewed from the one side in the axial direction.

[0023] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a portion of a motor housing of an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a first flow path of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In the following description, the positional relationship of the drive device of an embodiment when installed on a vehicle located on a horizontal road surface is defined, and the description is made with reference to the vertical direction. That is, the relative positional relationship related to the vertical direction described in the following embodiments is defined so as to be satisfied at least when the drive device is installed on a vehicle located on a horizontal road surface.

[0026] In the drawings, an XYZ coordinate system is appropriately shown as a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. In the XYZ coordinate system, the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction. The +Z side is the upper side in the vertical direction, and the -Z side is the lower side in the vertical direction. In the following description, the upper side in the vertical direction is simply referred to as the "upper side", and the lower side in the vertical direction is simply referred to as the "lower side". The X-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction, and is the front-rear direction of the vehicle on which the drive device is installed. In the following embodiments, the +X side is the front side of the vehicle, and the -X side is the rear side of the vehicle. The Y-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and is the left-right direction of the vehicle, i.e., the vehicle width direction. In the following embodiments, the +Y side is the left side of the vehicle, and the -Y side is the right side of the vehicle. The front-rear direction and the left-right direction are horizontal directions orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0027] In addition, the positional relationship in the front-rear direction is not limited to the positional relationship in the following embodiments, and can be such that the +X side is the rear side of the vehicle and the -X side is the front side of the vehicle. In this case, the +Y side is the right side of the vehicle and the -Y side is the left side of the vehicle. In addition, in the present specification, the "flat lateral direction" also includes a substantially parallel direction, and the "orthogonal direction" also includes a substantially orthogonal direction.

[0028] The appropriately illustrated center axis J1 is an imaginary axis extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. More specifically, the center axis J1 extends in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, that is, the left-right direction of the vehicle. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction parallel to the center axis J1 will be simply referred to as the "axial direction", the radial direction centered on the center axis J1 will be simply referred to as the "radial direction", and the circumferential direction centered on the center axis J1, that is, the direction of rotation of the center axis J1 will be simply referred to as the "circumferential direction". In the following embodiments, the left side (+Y side) will be referred to as the "axial direction one side", and the right side (-Y side) will be referred to as the "axial direction other side".

[0029] The appropriately illustrated arrow Θ indicates the circumferential direction. In the following description, the side in the circumferential direction on which the center axis J1 is centered and proceeds counterclockwise as viewed from the axial direction one side (+Y side), that is, the side toward which the arrow Θ points (+Θ side), will be referred to as the "circumferential direction one side", and the side in the circumferential direction on which the center axis J1 is centered and proceeds clockwise as viewed from the axial direction one side, that is, the side opposite to the side toward which the arrow Θ points (-Θ side), will be referred to as the "circumferential direction other side".

[0030] Figure 1 Figure 2 The drive device 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is installed in a vehicle and is a drive device that rotates a vehicle axle 64. The vehicle in which the drive device 100 is installed is a hybrid vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), an electric vehicle (EV), or the like that uses a motor as a power source. As shown in FIG. 1, the drive device 100 is installed in the vehicle in a state in which the drive device 100 is attached to the vehicle axle 64. Figure 1 Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1, the drive device 100 includes a motor 20, a transmission mechanism 60, a housing 10, bearings 71 to 76, an inverter unit 80, a rotation detection device 81, and a pump 94. The housing 10 has a motor housing 11 that houses the motor 20 inside and a transmission mechanism housing 12 that houses the transmission mechanism 60 inside. The motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12 are separate bodies that are fixed to each other. The transmission mechanism housing 12 is fixed to the axial direction one side of the motor housing 11. That is, the transmission mechanism housing 12 is connected to the axial direction one side of the motor housing 11. The bearings 71 to 76 are, for example, ball bearings.

[0031] ​​The motor 20 is a portion that drives the drive device 100. The motor 20 has a rotor 30 that is rotatable about a central axis J1 extending in the axial direction, and a stator 40 that covers a radially outer side of the rotor 30. The rotor 30 has a motor shaft 31 and a rotor main body 32. The motor shaft 31 is rotatable about the central axis J1. The motor shaft 31 is rotatably supported by bearings 71, 72. By this, the bearings 71, 72 rotatably support the rotor 30. In the present embodiment, the bearing 72 corresponds to a "first bearing".

[0032] In the present embodiment, the motor shaft 31 is a hollow shaft that is open at both axial sides. The motor shaft 31 is in a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction about the central axis J1. The entire motor shaft 31 is housed inside the motor housing 11. A hole portion 33 that connects an inside of the motor shaft 31 and an outside of the motor shaft 31 is provided on the motor shaft 31. An end portion of the motor shaft 31 on one axial side is supported by the bearing 72. A first gear shaft 63 of a reduction device 61 described later is connected to the end portion of the motor shaft 31 on one axial side. The rotor main body 32 is fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the motor shaft 31. Although not shown, the rotor main body 32 has a rotor core and rotor magnets fixed to the rotor core.

[0033] The stator 40 is located radially outward of the rotor 30. The stator 40 is fixed inside the motor housing 11. The stator 40 has a stator core 41 and a coil assembly 42. The stator core 41 is in a ring shape that surrounds the rotor 30. The coil assembly 42 has a plurality of coils 42c mounted on the stator core 41 in the circumferential direction. The plurality of coils 42c are mounted on the stator core 41 by an insulator not shown. Although not shown, the coil assembly 42 can have a binding member or the like that binds the coils 42c, or can have a jumper wire that connects the coils 42c to each other. The coil assembly 42 has a coil end portion 42a that protrudes from the stator core 41 toward one axial side, and a coil end portion 42b that protrudes from the stator core 41 toward the other axial side.

[0034] The transmission mechanism 60 is connected to the motor 20. The transmission mechanism 60 transmits rotation of the rotor 30 to an axle 64 of a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the transmission mechanism 60 of the present embodiment has a reduction device 61 connected to the motor 20, and a differential device 62 connected to the reduction device 61. Figure 1

[0035] ​The reduction gear 61 has a first gear shaft 63, a first gear 61a, a second gear 61b, a third gear 61c, and a second gear shaft 61d. The first gear shaft 63 is a gear shaft that is connected to the motor shaft 31 in the axial direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the transmission mechanism 60 has the first gear shaft 63 that is a gear shaft connected to the motor shaft 31 in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the first gear shaft 63 is a hollow shaft that is open at both axial sides. The first gear shaft 63 is in a cylindrical shape that extends in the axial direction with the center axis J1 as the center. The outer diameter of the first gear shaft 63 is smaller than the outer diameter of the motor shaft 31.

[0036] The first gear shaft 63 is connected to the axial one side of the motor shaft 31. The end portion of the first gear shaft 63 on the other axial side is fitted inside the end portion of the motor shaft 31 on the one axial side. The first gear shaft 63 extends from the inside of the motor housing 11 to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. The motor shaft 31 and the first gear shaft 63 are connected to each other by spline fitting. The first gear shaft 63 is rotatably supported by bearings 73, 74. In addition, in the present embodiment, the bearing 73 corresponds to a "second bearing".

[0037] The first gear 61a is fixed to the portion of the first gear shaft 63 that is inside the transmission mechanism housing 12. The second gear 61b and the third gear 61c are fixed to the second gear shaft 61d. The second gear 61b is engaged with the first gear 61a. The second gear shaft 61d extends in the axial direction with a gear axis J2 that extends in parallel with the center axis J1 as the center. The gear axis J2 is an imaginary axis that is located on the lower side of the center axis J1. The gear axis J2 is, for example, located on the rear side (-X side) of the center axis J1. The second gear shaft 61d is rotatably supported by bearings 75, 76.

[0038] The differential gear 62 has a ring gear 62a. The ring gear 62a is engaged with the third gear 61c. The lower end portion of the ring gear 62a is dipped in the oil O stored inside the transmission mechanism housing 12. The oil O is stirred by the rotation of the ring gear 62a. The stirred oil O is supplied to the reduction gear 61 and the differential gear 62 as, for example, lubricating oil. The differential gear 62 rotates the axle shaft 64 about a differential axis J3. The differential axis J3 is an imaginary axis that extends in parallel with the center axis J1.

[0039] The motor housing 11 houses the rotor 30 and the stator 40 inside. The motor housing 11 has a first housing member 13 and a second housing member 14.

[0040] The first housing component 13 is a cylindrical component that surrounds the motor 20 radially outward. In this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the first housing component 13 is cylindrical about the central axis J1. The first housing component 13 has an opening on the other axial side. The first housing component 13 is fixed to the transmission mechanism housing 12. A stator core 41 is fitted inside the first housing component 13. The first housing component 13 has: a first opposing wall portion 13a extending radially; a peripheral wall portion 13b extending axially from the radially outer peripheral edge of the first opposing wall portion 13a; and a first bearing retaining portion 13c provided in the first opposing wall portion 13a.

[0041] The first opposing wall portion 13a is axially opposed to the transmission mechanism housing 12. The first opposing wall portion 13a is located on the other axial side of the transmission mechanism housing 12. The first opposing wall portion 13a is fixed to the transmission mechanism housing 12. More specifically, the first opposing wall portion 13a is axially opposed to the third housing component 15 (described later) of the transmission mechanism housing 12, and is fixed on the other axial side of the third housing component 15. The first opposing wall portion 13a has a hole 13d extending axially through the first opposing wall portion 13a. The hole 13d is a circular hole centered on the central axis J1. The first gear shaft 63 passes axially through the hole 13d.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the first opposing wall portion 13a has a first opening portion 13e that opens into both the interior and exterior of the motor housing 11. The first opening portion 13e extends axially through the first opposing wall portion 13a. The first opening portion 13e is a through hole that connects the space S located axially between the first opposing wall portion 13a and the second opposing wall portion 15a (described later) to the interior of the motor housing 11. The first opening portion 13e is provided in the portion of the first opposing wall portion 13a that is lower than the first bearing retaining portion 13c. The lower end of the first opening portion 13e is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 13b.

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, the first opening 13e is a roughly trapezoidal shape with rounded corners. The circumferential dimension of the first opening 13e increases as it moves radially outward. Viewed axially, the circumferential width of the first opening 13e intersecting the vertical direction widens on the lower side in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the circumferential center of the first opening 13e is offset to the other side (-θ side) circumferentially compared to the position directly below the central axis J1.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first bearing retaining portion 13c is disposed on the axially opposite side of the first opposing wall portion 13a. The first bearing retaining portion 13c protrudes from the axially opposite side of the first opposing wall portion 13a towards the axially opposite side. Figure 3As shown, the first bearing holding portion 13c is in a cylindrical shape centered on the center axis J1. The first bearing holding portion 13c has a through portion 13f that penetrates the first bearing holding portion 13c in the radial direction. In the present embodiment, the through portion 13f penetrates a portion of the first bearing holding portion 13c that is located on the upper side of the center axis J1 and on the rear side (-X side) in the radial direction. The through portion 13f extends toward the rear side and obliquely upper side from the inner peripheral surface of the first bearing holding portion 13c to the outer peripheral surface of the first bearing holding portion 13c. As shown in FIG. 2, the first bearing holding portion 13c holds the bearing 72 inside. Figure 1 As shown, the first bearing holding portion 13c holds the bearing 72 inside.

[0045] The second housing member 14 is separate from the first housing member 13. The second housing member 14 is fixed on the other side of the first housing member 13 in the axial direction. The second housing member 14 plugs the opening on the other side of the first housing member 13 in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the second housing member 14 has a cover wall portion 14a that extends in the radial direction and a peripheral wall portion 14b that extends from the radial outer peripheral edge portion of the cover wall portion 14a toward the one side in the axial direction. Figure 4 As shown, the second housing member 14 has a cover wall portion 14a that extends in the radial direction and a peripheral wall portion 14b that extends from the radial outer peripheral edge portion of the cover wall portion 14a toward the one side in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the second housing member 14 has a cover wall portion 14a that extends in the radial direction and a peripheral wall portion 14b that extends from the radial outer peripheral edge portion of the cover wall portion 14a toward the one side in the axial direction. Figure 1 As shown, the end portion of the peripheral wall portion 14b on the one side in the axial direction is in contact with the end portion of the peripheral wall portion 13b of the first housing member 13 on the other side in the axial direction. The cover wall portion 14a has a recessed portion 14c that is recessed toward the other side in the axial direction from the surface of the cover wall portion 14a on the one side in the axial direction. The portion on the one side in the axial direction in the recessed portion 14c is a bearing holding portion 14d that holds the bearing 71 inside.

[0046] A holding portion 14f that protrudes toward the one side in the axial direction is provided on the surface of the cover wall portion 14a on the one side in the axial direction. The holding portion 14f surrounds the opening of the recessed portion 14c on the surface of the cover wall portion 14a on the one side in the axial direction. A rotation detection device 81 is held on the radially inner side of the holding portion 14f. The rotation detection device 81 is capable of detecting the rotation of the rotor 30. In the present embodiment, the rotation detection device 81 has a detected portion 81a that is fixed to the motor shaft 31 and a detection portion 81b that is fixed to the second housing member 14. The detected portion 81a is in a ring shape that surrounds the motor shaft 31. The detection portion 81b is held on the radially inner side of the holding portion 14f. The detection portion 81b is in a ring shape that surrounds the detected portion 81a.

[0047] In this embodiment, the rotation detection device 81 is a resolver. The detected part 81a is the resolver rotor. The detection part 81b is the resolver stator. As the detected part 81a rotates together with the motor shaft 31, an induced voltage corresponding to the circumferential position of the detected part 81a is generated in the coil of the detection part 81b. The rotation detection device 81 can detect the rotation of the detected part 81a and the motor shaft 31 based on the change in the induced voltage generated in the coil of the detection part 81b. Thus, the rotation detection device 81 can detect the rotation of the rotor 30. In this embodiment, since the detection part 81b is fixed on the second housing part 14, which is separate from the first housing part 13, an assembly method in which the second housing part 14 is fixed to the first housing part 13 after the detection part 81b is fixed to the second housing part 14 can be adopted. Therefore, the rotation detection device 81 can be easily installed.

[0048] In this embodiment, an inverter unit 80 is mounted on the motor housing 11. The inverter unit 80 is fixed to the rear surface of the motor housing 11. Although not shown in the figure, the inverter unit 80 has an inverter circuit that is electrically connected to the stator 40.

[0049] The transmission mechanism housing 12 internally houses a speed reduction device 61 and a differential device 62. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the transmission mechanism housing 12 protrudes downwards from the motor housing 11. The bottom surface of the inner surface of the transmission mechanism housing 12 is located lower than the bottom surface of the inner surface of the motor housing 11. The transmission mechanism housing 12 has a third housing component 15 fixed to the first housing component 13 and a fourth housing component 16 fixed to one axial side of the third housing component 15.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the third housing component 15 has: a second opposing wall portion 15a extending radially; a peripheral wall portion 15b extending axially from the radially outer periphery of the second opposing wall portion 15a; a second bearing retaining portion 15c disposed on the second opposing wall portion 15a; and a bearing retaining portion 15d disposed on the second opposing wall portion 15a. The second opposing wall portion 15a is axially opposite to the first opposing wall portion 13a. The second opposing wall portion 15a is fixed to the axial side of the first opposing wall portion 13a. The second opposing wall portion 15a has a hole 15f extending axially through the second opposing wall portion 15a. The hole 15f is a circular hole centered on the central axis J1. The first gear shaft 63 passes through the hole 15f axially.

[0051] The second opposing wall portion 15a has a recess 15e recessed on the axial side from the other side of the second opposing wall portion 15a. The inner periphery of the recess 15e is, for example, a circle centered on the central axis J1 when viewed axially. The opening on the other side of the axial direction of the recess 15e is blocked by the first opposing wall portion 13a. A space S is provided between the first opposing wall portion 13a and the second opposing wall portion 15a in the axial direction. The space S is formed by the interior of the recess 15e.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, the second opposing wall portion 15a has a second opening portion 15h that opens into both the interior and exterior of the transmission mechanism housing 12. The second opening portion 15h extends axially through the second opposing wall portion 15a. The second opening portion 15h is a through hole connecting the space S located axially between the first opposing wall portion 13a and the second opposing wall portion 15a to the interior of the transmission mechanism housing 12. The second opening portion 15h is provided in the portion of the second opposing wall portion 15a located below the second bearing retaining portion 15c. The second opening portion 15h is provided at the lower end of the bottom surface of the recess 15e. The bottom surface of the recess 15e is the surface of the inner surface of the recess 15e located on one axial side and facing the other axial side. The lower end of the second opening portion 15h is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the recess 15e. More specifically, as... Figure 5 As shown, the lower end of the second opening 15h is connected to the bottom surface of the recess 15u provided on the lower side portion 15t of the inner circumferential surface of the recess 15e. The recess 15u is provided on one axial side of the lower side portion 15t. The recess 15u is recessed to the lower side and opens to the upper side and one axial side. The interior of the recess 15u is connected to the interior of the lower portion of the second opening 15h. The interior of the recess 15u opens into the interior of the transmission mechanism housing 12 through the second opening 15h.

[0053] The second opening 15h is positioned opposite the first opening 13e, which is located on the axial side of the first opposing wall 13a, with an open gap. For example... Figure 6 As shown, at least a portion of the first opening 13e and the second opening 15h overlap when viewed axially. In this embodiment, the first opening 13e and the second opening 15h overlap by more than half when viewed axially. The second opening 15h protrudes further downward than the first opening 13e. The front end (+X side) of the first opening 13e protrudes further forward than the second opening 15h.

[0054] The second opening portion 15h has a substantially oblong shape with a circumferential dimension larger than a radial dimension. The circumferential dimension of the lower side portion of the second opening portion 15h is larger than the circumferential dimension of the upper side portion of the second opening portion 15h. That is, the width of the circumferential direction of the second opening portion 15h that intersects with the vertical direction widens on the lower side in the vertical direction when viewed in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the circumferential center of the second opening portion 15h is offset to the other side (-θ side) in the circumferential direction from the position directly below the center axis J1. As shown in FIG. 6, the opening area of the opening end portion 15w of the second opening portion 15h that is open to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 is larger than the opening area of the opening end portion 13w of the first opening portion 13e that is open to the inside of the motor housing 11. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 6, the opening area of the opening end portion 15w of the second opening portion 15h that is open to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 is larger than the opening area of the opening end portion 13w of the first opening portion 13e that is open to the inside of the motor housing 11.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6, the opening area of the opening end portion 15w of the second opening portion 15h that is open to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 is larger than the opening area of the opening end portion 13w of the first opening portion 13e that is open to the inside of the motor housing 11. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 6, the opening area of the opening end portion 15w of the second opening portion 15h that is open to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 is larger than the opening area of the opening end portion 13w of the first opening portion 13e that is open to the inside of the motor housing 11.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, the opening area of the opening end portion 15w of the second opening portion 15h that is open to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 is larger than the opening area of the opening end portion 13w of the first opening portion 13e that is open to the inside of the motor housing 11. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 6, the opening area of the opening end portion 15w of the second opening portion 15h that is open to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 is larger than the opening area of the opening end portion 13w of the first opening portion 13e that is open to the inside of the motor housing 11. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 6, the opening area of the opening end portion 15w of the second opening portion 15h that is open to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 is larger than the opening area of the opening end portion 13w of the first opening portion 13e that is open to the inside of the motor housing 11. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 6, the opening area of the opening end portion 15w of the second opening portion 15h that is open to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 is larger than the opening area of the opening end portion 13w of the first opening portion 13e that is open to the inside of the motor housing 11.

[0057] The fourth housing member 16 has a cover wall portion 16a that extends in the radial direction, a peripheral wall portion 16b that extends from the radially outer peripheral edge portion of the cover wall portion 16a to the other side in the axial direction, and bearing holding portions 16c, 16d provided to the cover wall portion 16a. The end portion of the peripheral wall portion 16b on the other side in the axial direction is in contact with the end portion of the peripheral wall portion 15b of the third housing member 15 on the side in the axial direction.

[0058] In this embodiment, bearing retaining portions 16c and 16d are provided on the surface of the cover wall portion 16a on the axial side opposite to the surface. The bearing retaining portions 16c and 16d protrude axially from the surface of the cover wall portion 16a on the axial side opposite to the surface. Although not shown in the figures, the bearing retaining portion 16c is cylindrical with its central axis J1 as the center. The bearing retaining portion 16d is cylindrical with its gear axis J2 as the center. The bearing retaining portion 16c holds the bearing 74 internally. The bearing retaining portion 16d holds the bearing 76 internally.

[0059] like Figure 2 As shown, oil O is housed inside the transmission mechanism housing 12. Oil O is stored in the lower region of the transmission mechanism housing 12. Oil O is used as a refrigerant to cool the motor 20. Oil O also serves as lubricant for the reduction gear 61 and the differential gear 62. As oil O, for example, to perform the functions of both refrigerant and lubricant, it is preferable to use an oil with a low viscosity, similar to automatic transmission fluid (ATF). In this embodiment, oil O is equivalent to a second fluid.

[0060] In this embodiment, a pump 94 is mounted on the housing 12 of the transfer mechanism. The pump 94 is mounted on the lower surface of the housing 12 of the transfer mechanism. The pump 94 is a pump that allows oil O to flow into the second supply flow path 92, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the pump 94 is an electric pump. Alternatively, the pump 94 may also be a mechanical pump that is rotated by a first gear shaft 63 or a second gear shaft 61d.

[0061] Although the illustrations are omitted, the axial connections between the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14, between the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15, and between the third housing component 15 and the fourth housing component 16 are sealed by sealing components. The sealing components may be, for example, liquid gaskets.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first housing component 13, the second housing component 14, the third housing component 15, and the fourth housing component 16 are fixed together by bolts. More specifically, as... Figure 8As shown, the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 are fixed to each other by the first bolts 10a. The first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 are fixed to each other by the second bolts 10b. The third housing member 15 and the fourth housing member 16 are fixed to each other by the third bolts 10c. The first bolts 10a, the second bolts 10b, and the third bolts 10c are each provided with a plurality of bolts. That is, the second housing member 14 is fixed to the other axial side of the first housing member 13 by the plurality of first bolts 10a. The third housing member 15 is fixed to the one axial side of the first housing member 13 by the plurality of second bolts 10b. The fourth housing member 16 is fixed to the one axial side of the third housing member 15 by the plurality of third bolts 10c.

[0063] The plurality of first bolts 10a are each fixed to a plurality of first protrusions 13k provided on the outer circumferential surface of the first housing member 13 and a plurality of second protrusions 14k provided on the outer circumferential surface of the second housing member 14. The first protrusions 13k are provided at the end portion on the other axial side in the outer circumferential surface of the first housing member 13. The first protrusions 13k protrude to the radially outer side. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of first protrusions 13k are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Figure 9 Figure 10 As shown, the plurality of first protrusions 13k are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of first protrusions 13k are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction over one turn or the like. In the present embodiment, the first protrusions 13k are provided with eight. Figure 10

[0064] In the present specification, "arrangement of a certain object at intervals" includes a case where the certain object is strictly arranged at intervals and a case where the certain object is roughly arranged at intervals.

[0065] The first protrusions 13k have female screw holes 13p recessed from the axial one side to the axial other side of the first protrusions 13k. In the present embodiment, the female screw holes 13p penetrate the first protrusions 13k in the axial direction. In addition, the female screw holes 13p can also be holes having a bottom on the axial one side. One female screw hole 13p is provided at each of the first protrusions 13k. That is, in the present embodiment, a total of eight female screw holes 13p are provided. In the present embodiment, the plurality of female screw holes 13p are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction over one turn or the like.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of first protrusions 13k are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction over one turn or the like. In the present embodiment, the first protrusions 13k are provided with eight. Figure 9 As shown, the second protrusions 14k are provided at the end portion on the axial one side in the outer circumferential surface of the second housing member 14. The second protrusions 14k protrude to the radially outer side. The plurality of second protrusions 14k are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Although the illustration is omitted, the plurality of second protrusions 14k are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction over one turn or the like. The second protrusions 14k are provided with, for example, eight. The axial one side surface of each of the second protrusions 14k is in contact with the axial other side surface of each of the first protrusions 13k.​​

[0067] The second protrusion 14k has a fixing hole 14p extending through it axially. Each second protrusion 14k has one fixing hole 14p. For example, a total of eight fixing holes 14p are provided. The fixing holes 14p are arranged at equal intervals, for example, circumferentially. Viewed axially, each fixing hole 14p and each female threaded hole 13p overlap each other. Each first bolt 10a passes through each fixing hole 14p from the other side of the axial direction and is screwed into each female threaded hole 13p. Thus, the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14 are fixed by the plurality of first bolts 10a. Figure 10 As shown, multiple first bolts 10a are arranged at equal intervals around the central axis J1.

[0068] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, multiple second bolts 10b are respectively fixed to multiple third protrusions 13m on the outer peripheral surface of the first housing component 13 and multiple fourth protrusions 15m on the outer peripheral surface of the third housing component 15. The third protrusions 13m are located at an end on one axial side of the outer peripheral surface of the first housing component 13. The third protrusions 13m protrude radially outward. The multiple third protrusions 13m are arranged at circumferential intervals. Figure 10 As shown, in this embodiment, a plurality of third protrusions 13m are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference. In this embodiment, eight third protrusions 13m are provided. The circumferential position of the third protrusions 13m is offset relative to the circumferential position of the first protrusions 13k. For example, the circumferential position of the third protrusions 13m is at the circumferential center between adjacent first protrusions 13k. In this embodiment, the plurality of first protrusions 13k and the plurality of third protrusions 13m are arranged alternately along the circumferential direction when viewed axially.

[0069] The third protrusion 13m has a fixing hole 13q that extends through the third protrusion 13m along the axial direction. Each third protrusion 13m is provided with one fixing hole 13q. That is, in this embodiment, a total of eight fixing holes 13q are provided. The plurality of fixing holes 13q are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference.

[0070] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, a fourth protrusion 15m is provided at the end on the opposite side of the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface of the third housing member 15. The fourth protrusion 15m protrudes radially outward. A plurality of fourth protrusions 15m are arranged at intervals along the circumference. Although not shown in the figure, a plurality of fourth protrusions 15m are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference. For example, eight fourth protrusions 15m are provided. The opposite side of the axial direction of each fourth protrusion 15m is in contact with the side of the axial direction of each third protrusion 13m.

[0071] The fourth protrusion 15m has a female threaded hole 15q recessed on the axial side from the other side of the fourth protrusion 15m. In this embodiment, the female threaded hole 15q extends through the fourth protrusion 15m axially. Alternatively, the female threaded hole 15q may also be a hole with a bottom on the axial side. Each fourth protrusion 15m is provided with one female threaded hole 15q. For example, a total of eight female threaded holes 15q are provided. The plurality of female threaded holes 15q are arranged at equal intervals, for example, around the circumference.

[0072] Viewed axially, the fixing holes 13q and the female threaded holes 15q overlap each other. Each second bolt 10b passes through the fixing hole 13q from the other side of the axial direction and is screwed into the female threaded hole 15q. Thus, the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15 are secured by a plurality of second bolts 10b. Figure 10 As shown, a plurality of second bolts 10b are arranged at equal intervals around the central axis J1. In this embodiment, the plurality of first bolts 10a and the plurality of second bolts 10b are arranged alternately around the central axis J1 when viewed axially. Each second bolt 10b is located at the circumferential center between circumferentially adjacent first bolts 10a when viewed axially.

[0073] Thus, in this embodiment, the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15 are fixed to each other by a second bolt 10b screwed into the same side as the first bolt 10a that fixes the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14. That is, the second bolt 10b that fixes the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15 is inserted into the fixing hole 13q and the female threaded hole 15q in the same direction as the first bolt 10a that fixes the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14.

[0074] like Figure 8 As shown, the third bolt 10c is fixed to a fifth protrusion 15n at one axial side of the outer peripheral surface of the third housing component 15 and a sixth protrusion 16n at the other axial side of the outer peripheral surface of the fourth housing component 16. Although not shown in the figure, multiple fifth protrusions 15n and sixth protrusions 16n are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. The fifth protrusions 15n and sixth protrusions 16n protrude radially outward. The circumferential positions of the fifth protrusions 15n and sixth protrusions 16n can be the same as the circumferential positions of the third protrusions 13m and fourth protrusions 15m, or they can be offset in the circumferential direction relative to the third protrusions 13m and fourth protrusions 15m.

[0075] The fifth protruding portion 15n has a female threaded hole 15r recessed from an axial one side to an axial other side of the fifth protruding portion 15n. In the present embodiment, the female threaded hole 15r penetrates the fifth protruding portion 15n in the axial direction. In addition, the female threaded hole 15r can also be a hole having a bottom on the axial other side. The sixth protruding portion 16n has a fixing hole 16r penetrating the sixth protruding portion 16n in the axial direction. Each third bolt 10c passes through each fixing hole 16r from the axial one side and is screwed into each female threaded hole 15r. Thus, the third housing member 15 and the fourth housing member 16 are fixed by the plurality of third bolts 10c.

[0076] Thus, in the present embodiment, the third housing member 15 and the fourth housing member 16 are fixed to each other by the third bolts 10c screwed in from the side opposite to the side in which the first bolts 10a fixing the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 and the second bolts 10b fixing the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 are screwed in. That is, the third bolts 10c fixing the third housing member 15 and the fourth housing member 16 are inserted into the fixing holes 16r and the female threaded holes 15r in a different orientation from the first bolts 10a fixing the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 and the second bolts 10b fixing the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15.

[0077] In addition, in the present embodiment, the female threaded holes 13p, 15q, 15r correspond to "bolt holes". In the present embodiment, the fixing holes 13q, 14p, 16r correspond to "through holes".

[0078] As described above, in the present embodiment, the plurality of first bolts 10a that fix the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 pass through the plurality of fixing holes 14p provided on the second housing member 14 as through holes from the other side in the axial direction, respectively, and are fixed to the plurality of female screw holes 13p provided on the first housing member 13 as bolt holes, respectively. The plurality of second bolts 10b that fix the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 pass through the plurality of fixing holes 13q provided on the first housing member 13 as through holes from the other side in the axial direction, respectively, and are fixed to the plurality of female screw holes 15q provided on the third housing member 15 as bolt holes, respectively. The plurality of third bolts 10c that fix the third housing member 15 and the fourth housing member 16 pass through the plurality of fixing holes 16r provided on the fourth housing member 16 as through holes from the one side in the axial direction, respectively, and are fixed to the plurality of female screw holes 15r provided on the third housing member 15 as bolt holes, respectively. That is, the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 are fixed by the second bolts 10b from the same side in the axial direction as the side from which the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 are fixed by the first bolts 10a. Therefore, the operations of fixing the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 and the operations of fixing the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 can be performed from the same side in the axial direction, that is, from the other side in the axial direction in the present embodiment. Thus, the assembly workability of the housing 10 can be improved.

[0079] Here, in the present embodiment, the transmission mechanism housing 12 is formed in a shape that protrudes more to the radially outer side than the motor housing 11. In this case, if the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 are to be fixed by inserting bolts from the side in the axial direction on which the transmission mechanism housing 12 is positioned, that is, from the one side in the axial direction, with respect to the motor housing 11, in order to avoid interference with the transmission mechanism housing 12 itself, it is necessary to arrange the fixing portions of the bolts at positions further to the radially outer side or the like. Therefore, the housing 10 is likely to be large-sized.

[0080] On the contrary, for example, if the first housing member 13, the third housing member 15, and the fourth housing member 16 are fastened together by bolts inserted from the one side in the axial direction, the housing 10 can be suppressed from being large-sized, and the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 can be fixed. However, in this case, when the bolts are removed and the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12 are to be separated, the third housing member 15 and the fourth housing member 16 that constitute the transmission mechanism housing 12 are also separated. Therefore, in a state in which they are not fixed to the motor housing 11, it is not possible to handle them in a state in which the transmission mechanism housing 12 is combined. Thus, the assembly workability of the housing 10 is likely to be deteriorated. In addition, when maintenance of the drive device 100 is performed and when the transmission mechanism 60 is replaced or the like, the workability is likely to be deteriorated.

[0081] Further, in the seal members provided between the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 in the axial direction and between the third housing member 15 and the fourth housing member 16 in the axial direction, the axial force based on the bolt required to appropriately maintain the sealability is sometimes different. Therefore, when the first housing member 13, the third housing member 15, and the fourth housing member 16 are fastened together with the same bolt, it is sometimes difficult to appropriately apply the axial force to the seal members respectively arranged between the housing members. Therefore, problems such as a decrease in the sealability between the housing members and a difficulty in adjusting the axial force of the bolt are likely to occur.

[0082] The above-described problems in the case where the first housing member 13, the third housing member 15, and the fourth housing member 16 are fastened together with the bolt inserted from the one side in the axial direction also occur in the case where the first housing member 13, the second housing member 14, and the third housing member 15 are fastened together with the bolt inserted from the other side in the axial direction.

[0083] To address the above-described problems, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 are fixed by the second bolt 10b from the same side in the axial direction as the side where the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 are fixed by the first bolt 10a. Therefore, even if the position of the portion fixed by the second bolt 10b is not changed to a position further outward in the radial direction, it is possible to suppress interference of the second bolt 10b with the transmission mechanism housing 12. Thus, it is possible to suppress the increase in the size of the housing 10, and it is possible to fix the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 with the second bolt 10b. Further, even if the second bolt 10b is removed, only the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 are separated, and the third housing member 15 and the fourth housing member 16 are not separated. Therefore, even in a state where the housing 10 is not fixed to the motor housing 11, it is possible to perform the processing in a state where the transmission mechanism housing 12 is combined. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the assemblability of the housing 10. Further, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the workability when maintenance of the drive device 100 is performed and when the transmission mechanism 60 is replaced. Further, since it is possible to change the axial force with the second bolt 10b and the third bolt 10c, respectively, it is possible to separately apply different axial forces to the seal members between the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 and between the third housing member 15 and the fourth housing member 16. Thus, it is possible to easily ensure the sealability between the housing members, and it is possible to easily perform adjustment of the axial force of the second bolt 10b and the axial force of the third bolt 10c. This is also applicable to the seal member between the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14.

[0084] Further, for example, if another housing member is provided between the motor housing 11 and the transmission housing 12, and the motor housing 11 and the transmission housing 12 are fixed with respect to the other housing member, the motor housing 11 and the transmission housing 12 can be separated in the assembled state, respectively. However, in this case, the number of components constituting the housing 10 increases by the amount of the other housing member. In contrast, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the motor housing 11 and the transmission housing 12 can be separated in the assembled state, respectively, without providing the other member. Therefore, the increase in the number of components constituting the housing 10 can be suppressed. Further, since the other member can not be provided, the weight of the drive device 100 can be reduced. Thus, even in the case where the configuration of the drive device 100 is configured to cool the motor 20 with water W, as in the present embodiment, the increase in the weight of the drive device 100 as a whole can be suppressed.

[0085] Further, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of first bolts 10a that fix the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 respectively fix the plurality of first protrusions 13k provided to the outer circumferential surface of the first housing member 13 and the plurality of second protrusions 14k provided to the outer circumferential surface of the second housing member 14. In this way, by providing the first protrusions 13k and the second protrusions 14k that partially protrude from the outer circumferential surfaces of the housing members, a structure is formed in which the first protrusions 13k and the second protrusions 14k are fixed with the first bolts 10a, and the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 can be suppressed from being enlarged in the radial direction over the entire circumference.

[0086] Further, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of second bolts 10b that fix the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 respectively fix the plurality of third protrusions 13m provided to the outer circumferential surface of the first housing member 13 and the plurality of fourth protrusions 15m provided to the outer circumferential surface of the third housing member 15. In this way, by providing the third protrusions 13m and the fourth protrusions 15m that partially protrude from the outer circumferential surfaces of the housing members, a structure is formed in which the third protrusions 13m and the fourth protrusions 15m are fixed with the second bolts 10b, and the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 can be suppressed from being enlarged in the radial direction over the entire circumference.

[0087] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the plurality of first bolts 10a and the plurality of second bolts 10b are arranged alternately around the central axis J1 when viewed axially. Therefore, the first housing component 13, the second housing component 14, and the third housing component 15 can be stably fixed by arranging the plurality of first bolts 10a and the plurality of second bolts 10b circumferentially, respectively, and interference between one of the first bolts 10a and the second bolt 10b and the other can be suppressed. Thus, when fixing the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14 using the first bolts 10a and fixing the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15 using the second bolts 10b from the same axial side, each operation is easier to perform. Therefore, the assemblability of the housing 10 can be improved.

[0088] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a plurality of first bolts 10a are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference of the central axis J1. Therefore, the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14 can be more stably secured by the plurality of first bolts 10a. Additionally, it is easy to ensure that the axial force applied by the plurality of first bolts 10a to the sealing member located between the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14 is uniform throughout the entire circumference. Thus, a proper seal can be easily achieved throughout the entire circumference between the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14.

[0089] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a plurality of second bolts 10b are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference of the central axis J1. Therefore, the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15 can be more stably secured by the plurality of second bolts 10b. Additionally, it is easy to ensure that the axial force applied by the plurality of second bolts 10b to the sealing member located between the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15 is uniform throughout the entire circumference. Thus, a proper seal can be easily achieved throughout the entire circumference between the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15.

[0090] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown by the double-dotted line, the third protrusion 13m provided on the first housing component 13 can also extend axially. In this case, the end of the third protrusion 13m on the other axial side can be brought close to the first protrusion 13k. Therefore, when fixing the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15 from the other axial side, the position of the clamp and tool used to tighten the second bolt 10b can be close to the position of the clamp and tool used when fixing the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14. Furthermore, the axial dimension of the clamp and tool can be shortened. This improves the workability of fixing the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15 with the second bolt 10b. In particular, the second bolt 10b can be tightened appropriately to generate an appropriate axial force.

[0091] Figure 9 The end of the third protrusion 13m, shown by the double-dotted line, is located, for example, on the other side of the axial direction, at a position on the other side of the axial direction than the axial center of the first housing component 13. Figure 9 The end of the third protrusion 13m, shown by the double-dotted line, is located on one side of the axial direction, for example, compared to the end of the first protrusion 13k on one side of the axial direction. This prevents interference between the third protrusion 13m and the first protrusion 13k.

[0092] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14 are also secured by a fourth bolt 10d, which is different from the aforementioned plurality of first bolts 10a. Figure 3 As shown, the first housing component 13 has a female threaded hole 13i recessed from the end face on the other side of the axial direction of the peripheral wall portion 13b to one side of the axial direction. The female threaded hole 13i is located between the groove portion 93a (described later) and the second circumferential flow path portion 52b of the first flow path 50 (described later). The female threaded hole 13i is located radially inside the second recycling path main body portion 93c (described later). The female threaded hole 13i is a bolt hole for screwing in and fixing the fourth bolt 10d.

[0093] like Figure 4 As shown, the second outer casing component 14 has a fixing hole 14e that serves as a through hole extending axially through the second outer casing component 14. The fixing hole 14e is located between the connecting portion 93b (described later) and the second circumferential flow path portion 52b of the first flow path 50 (described later). The fixing hole 14e is located radially inside the second recycling path main body portion 93c (described later). A fourth bolt 10d, passing through the fixing hole 14e from the other axial side, is screwed into the female threaded hole 13i. Thus, in this embodiment, the first outer casing component 13 and the second outer casing component 14 are fixed to each other at a position radially inside the recycling flow path 93 and adjacent to the first flow path 50 in the circumferential direction.

[0094] like Figure 11 As shown, the first housing component 13 has a positioning protrusion 13r provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first housing component 13. The second housing component 14 has a positioning protrusion 14r provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second housing component 14. The positioning protrusions 13r and 14r protrude radially outward. The positioning protrusion 13r has a hole 13s recessed from the axial side of the positioning protrusion 13r facing the axial side. The hole 13s is a circular hole with a bottom on the axial side. The positioning protrusion 14r has a hole 14s recessed from the axial side of the positioning protrusion 14r facing the axial side. The hole 14s is a circular hole with a bottom on the axial side. The hole 13s and the hole 14s are axially opposite each other.

[0095] The positioning protrusion 13r is connected to one first protrusion 13k in the circumferential direction. The positioning protrusion 14r is connected to one second protrusion 14k in the circumferential direction. The positioning protrusion 13r and the positioning protrusion 14r contact each other in the axial direction. As Figure 10 shown in the embodiment, two positioning protrusions 13r are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. The two positioning protrusions 13r are provided at positions on substantially opposite sides sandwiching the center axis J1 in the radial direction, respectively. Although not shown, two positioning protrusions 14r are also provided at intervals in the circumferential direction similarly to the positioning protrusions 13r.

[0096] As Figure 11 shown in the embodiment, the housing 10 has positioning pins 10e that position the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 in the circumferential direction. The positioning pins 10e are in a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. The positioning pins 10e are fitted into both the hole portions 13s of the positioning protrusions 13r provided in the first housing member 13 and the hole portions 14s of the positioning protrusions 14r provided in the second housing member 14. Thus, the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 are positioned in the circumferential direction.

[0097] An axial one side portion of the positioning pin 10e is fitted into the hole portion 13s. An axial other side portion of the positioning pin 10e is fitted into the hole portion 14s. As Figure 10 shown in the embodiment, two positioning pins 10e are provided. The two positioning pins 10e are provided at positions on substantially opposite sides sandwiching the center axis J1, respectively.

[0098] In addition, in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the illustrations of the first protrusion 13k, the second protrusion 14k, the third protrusion 13m, the fourth protrusion 15m, the fifth protrusion 15n, the sixth protrusion 16n, and the positioning protrusions 13r and 14r are omitted. In Figure 3 , the illustrations of the first protrusion 13k and the positioning protrusion 13r are omitted. In Figure 4 , the illustrations of the second protrusion 14k and the positioning protrusion 14r are omitted. In Figure 14 , the illustrations of the first protrusion 13k, the second protrusion 14k, the third protrusion 13m, and the positioning protrusions 13r and 14r are omitted.

[0099] As Figure 2 shown, the housing 10 has a first groove portion 17. The first groove portion 17 is located between the first opposing wall portion 13a and the second opposing wall portion 15a in the axial direction. That is, the first groove portion 17 is located in the space S. As Figure 12As shown, the first groove 17 is a groove-shaped structure that opens upward and extends axially. Oil O flows within the first groove 17. The first groove 17 is a reservoir capable of storing oil O internally. In this embodiment, the first groove 17 is located behind (on the -X side) of the central axis J1. The first groove 17 is located behind the hole 13d.

[0100] The first groove 17 connects the first opposing wall portion 13a and the second opposing wall portion 15a. In this embodiment, the first groove 17 has a first portion 17a protruding from one axial side (+Y side) of the first opposing wall portion 13a facing the axial direction, and a second portion 17b protruding from the other axial side (-Y side) of the second opposing wall portion 15a facing the other axial direction. The end of the first portion 17a on one axial side and the end of the second portion 17b on the other axial side are connected to each other. The axial dimension of the second portion 17b is larger than the axial dimension of the first portion 17a.

[0101] The first groove portion 17 has an upward-facing bottom surface 17c and a pair of side surfaces 17d and 17e projecting upward from both sides of the bottom surface 17c in a front-rear direction. The bottom surface 17c and the pair of side surfaces 17d and 17e extend axially. The bottom surface 17c and the pair of side surfaces 17d and 17e connect a first opposing wall portion 13a and a second opposing wall portion 15a. The pair of side surfaces 17d and 17e are arranged opposite each other with a axial gap. Side surface 17d is located on the front side (+X side) of side surface 17e.

[0102] The bottom surface 17c is inclined vertically relative to the front-to-back direction. The bottom surface 17c is located on the lower side as it faces forward (+X side). In this embodiment, the bottom surface 17c is an inclined surface that is located on the lower side as it approaches the first hole 13g provided in the first opposing wall portion 13a. Therefore, oil O in the first groove portion 17 can be easily guided into the first hole 13g along the bottom surface 17c by gravity. The first hole 13g axially penetrates the first opposing wall portion 13a. The first hole 13g is, for example, a circular hole. The first hole 13g opens at its front end inside the first groove portion 17. The first hole 13g is connected to the bottom surface 17c and the side surface 17d.

[0103] like Figure 7 As shown, the first groove 17 is connected to the portion of the first opposing wall 13a located below the first hole 13g on one axial side and the portion of the second opposing wall 15a located below the second hole 15g on the other axial side. The second hole 15g extends axially through the second opposing wall 15a. The second hole 15g is, for example, a circular hole. The second hole 15g opens at the rear end (-X side) inside the first groove 17 and the front end (+X side) inside the second groove 18.

[0104] like Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 has a second groove portion 18. The second groove portion 18 is located inside the transmission mechanism housing 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the second groove portion 18 is a groove that is open upward and extends in the axial direction. The oil O flows in the second groove portion 18. The second groove portion 18 is a reservoir that can store the oil O inside. In the present embodiment, the second groove portion 18 is located on the rear side (-X side) of the center axis J1. The second groove portion 18 is located on the upper side of the bearing holding portion 15d. As shown in FIG. 3, the end portion of the front side (+X side) of the second groove portion 18 is located on the axial direction one side (+Y side) of the rear side end portion of the first groove portion 17. Figure 7 and Figure 13 As shown in FIG. 2, the second groove portion 18 is a groove that is open upward and extends in the axial direction. The oil O flows in the second groove portion 18. The second groove portion 18 is a reservoir that can store the oil O inside. In the present embodiment, the second groove portion 18 is located on the rear side (-X side) of the center axis J1. The second groove portion 18 is located on the upper side of the bearing holding portion 15d. As shown in FIG. 3, the end portion of the front side (+X side) of the second groove portion 18 is located on the axial direction one side (+Y side) of the rear side end portion of the first groove portion 17. Figure 7

[0105] As shown in FIG. 2, the second groove portion 18 is a groove that is open upward and extends in the axial direction. The oil O flows in the second groove portion 18. The second groove portion 18 is a reservoir that can store the oil O inside. In the present embodiment, the second groove portion 18 is located on the rear side (-X side) of the center axis J1. The second groove portion 18 is located on the upper side of the bearing holding portion 15d. As shown in FIG. 3, the end portion of the front side (+X side) of the second groove portion 18 is located on the axial direction one side (+Y side) of the rear side end portion of the first groove portion 17. Figure 2

[0106] As shown in FIG. 2, the second groove portion 18 is a groove that is open upward and extends in the axial direction. The oil O flows in the second groove portion 18. The second groove portion 18 is a reservoir that can store the oil O inside. In the present embodiment, the second groove portion 18 is located on the rear side (-X side) of the center axis J1. The second groove portion 18 is located on the upper side of the bearing holding portion 15d. As shown in FIG. 3, the end portion of the front side (+X side) of the second groove portion 18 is located on the axial direction one side (+Y side) of the rear side end portion of the first groove portion 17. Figure 13

[0107] The side surface 18d is located on the front side (+X side) of the side surface 18e. The side surface 18d is inclined with respect to the vertical direction to the front-rear direction. The side surface 18d is located on the front side (+X side) as it goes upward. In the present embodiment, the side surface 18d is an inclined surface that is located on the lower side as it approaches the second hole portion 15g. Therefore, it is easy to guide the oil O that has entered the second groove portion 18 to the inside of the second hole portion 15g along the side surface 18d using gravity.

[0108] The side surface 18e is inclined with respect to the vertical direction to the front-rear direction. The side surface 18e is located on the rear side (-X side) as it goes upward. The bottom surface 18c is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction to the vertical direction. The bottom surface 18c is located on the lower side as it goes to the rear side (-X side).

[0109] As shown in FIG. 2, the second groove portion 18 is a groove that is open upward and extends in the axial direction. The oil O flows in the second groove portion 18. The second groove portion 18 is a reservoir that can store the oil O inside. In the present embodiment, the second groove portion 18 is located on the rear side (-X side) of the center axis J1. The second groove portion 18 is located on the upper side of the bearing holding portion 15d. As shown in FIG. 3, the end portion of the front side (+X side) of the second groove portion 18 is located on the axial direction one side (+Y side) of the rear side end portion of the first groove portion 17. Figure 7 ​​​As shown, the second groove 18 is connected to the portion of the second opposing wall 15a located below the second hole 15g on one axial side. Supply holes 18f and 18g are provided in the second groove 18. The supply hole 18f connects the interior of the second groove 18 to the interior of the second bearing retaining portion 15c. Therefore, a portion of the oil O entering the second groove 18 is supplied to the bearing 73 within the second bearing retaining portion 15c via the supply hole 18f. Figure 13 As shown, the supply hole 18f opens on the side 18d. The supply hole 18f extends forward (+X side) and downward from the side 18d.

[0110] The supply hole 18g connects the interior of the second groove 18 and the interior of the bearing retainer 15d. Therefore, a portion of the oil O entering the second groove 18 is supplied to the bearing 75 within the bearing retainer 15d via the supply hole 18g. The supply hole 18g opens on the bottom surface 18c. The supply hole 18g extends downward and obliquely forward (+X side) from the bottom surface 18c.

[0111] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 10 has a first flow path 50 and a second flow path 90. That is, the drive device 100 includes a first flow path 50 and a second flow path 90. The first flow path 50 is a flow path for water W, which is a first fluid, to flow inside. The second flow path 90 is a flow path for oil O, which is a second fluid, to flow inside. In this embodiment, oil O and water W function as refrigerants for cooling the stator 40. That is, in this embodiment, the first flow path 50 and the second flow path 90 are flow paths for water W, which is a refrigerant for cooling the stator 40. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the first flow path 50 and at least a portion of the second flow path 90 are constituted by a first housing component 13, a second housing component 14, and a third housing component 15. Therefore, it is easy to increase the axial range of the first flow path 50 and the second flow path 90, and the stator 40 can be cooled easily.

[0112] Furthermore, in this specification, "flow path" refers to the path through which fluid flows. Therefore, the concept of "flow path" includes not only the "flow path" that causes fluid to flow constantly in one direction, but also the path through which fluid is temporarily retained and the path through which fluid drips. Paths through which fluid is temporarily retained include, for example, reservoirs that store fluid.

[0113] At least a portion of the second flow path 90 is composed of a first housing component 13 and a third housing component 15. In this embodiment, the second flow path 90 is composed of a first housing component 13, a second housing component 14, and a third housing component 15. The second flow path 90 has a first supply flow path 91, a second supply flow path 92, a first recovery path 93x, and a second recovery path 93y. The first supply flow path 91 and the second supply flow path 92 are supply flow paths that supply oil O inside the transfer mechanism housing 12 to the interior of the motor housing 11. That is, the first supply flow path 91 and the second supply flow path 92 are supply paths that supply oil O housed inside the transfer mechanism housing 12 to the motor 20.

[0114] The first supply path 91 includes an agitation path 91a, a shaft supply path 91b, an internal shaft path 91c, and an internal rotor path 90a. The agitation path 91a is the path through which the oil O inside the transmission mechanism housing 12 is agitated by the rotation of the gear ring 62a of the differential device 62 and enters the second groove 18. The shaft supply path 91b is the path through which the oil O in the second groove 18 flows into the bearing holding portion 16c via a flow path (not shown) provided in the cover wall portion 16a, and then flows from the bearing holding portion 16c into the first gear shaft 63. In the oil supply path 91b, the oil O flows into the bearing holding portion 16c, thereby supplying oil O to the bearing 74 held in the bearing holding portion 16c. In the shaft supply path 91b of this embodiment, the oil O flows in from the axial side end of the first gear shaft 63.

[0115] The internal path 91c is the path through which oil O flows from the end of the first gear shaft 63 on one axial side into the first gear shaft 63 and then flows from the first gear shaft 63 into the motor shaft 31 on the other axial side. That is, in this embodiment, the interior of the motor shaft 31 forms part of the first supply flow path 91. The internal path 90a is the path through which oil O in the motor shaft 31 disperses from the bore 33 through the interior of the rotor body 32 to the stator 40. Thus, oil O is supplied to the rotor 30 and the stator 40 via the first supply flow path 91.

[0116] like Figure 1 As shown, the second supply flow path 92 has an inlet flow path 92a, a connecting flow path 92b, an inner shaft path 92c, and an inner rotor path 90a. The inlet flow path 92a extends axially from the interior of the transmission mechanism housing 12. More specifically, the inlet flow path 92a extends axially to the other side from the interior of the transmission mechanism housing 12, extending to the second housing member 14 via the second opposing wall 15a, the first opposing wall 13a, and the peripheral wall 13b. That is, the inlet flow path 92a has a flow path portion 92d provided on the first housing member 13, a flow path portion 92e provided on the second housing member 14, and a flow path portion 92f provided on the third housing member 15.

[0117] Flow path portion 92f is connected to one axial side of flow path portion 92d. Therefore, the second flow path 90 can be appropriately enlarged axially through flow path portions 92d and 92f. Flow path portion 92e is connected to the other axial side of flow path portion 92d. Therefore, the second flow path 90 can be further enlarged axially through flow path portions 92d and 92e. Flow path portion 92f extends axially through the second opposing wall portion 15a and opens inside the transfer mechanism housing 12. Therefore, oil O inside the transfer mechanism housing 12 can flow from flow path portion 92f into the inlet flow path portion 92a. Oil O drawn from inside the transfer mechanism housing 12 by pump 94 flows into the inlet flow path portion 92a. Inside the inlet flow path portion 92a, oil O flows axially to the other side.

[0118] like Figure 3 As shown, the flow path cross-section of the inlet flow path 92a is an elongated oval shape with a longer circumferential direction. The circumferential dimension of the inlet flow path 92a is smaller than that of the second recovery path main body 93c (described later), the first circumferential flow path 52a (described later), and the second circumferential flow path 52b (described later). Therefore, the circumferential dimension of the inlet flow path 92a can be made relatively small. As a result, the pressure loss generated in the oil O flowing in the inlet flow path 92a can be reduced. Therefore, oil O can be easily delivered into the inlet flow path 92a using the pump 94.

[0119] The inlet flow path 92a is located, for example, forward (+X side) and downward from the central axis J1. At least a portion of the inlet flow path 92a is located radially outward from the first flow path 50. In this embodiment, the inlet flow path 92a, except for its two axial ends, is located substantially entirely radially outward from the first flow path 50. The inlet flow path 92a is located below the first flow path 50.

[0120] like Figure 1As shown, a connecting flow path 92b is provided on the cover wall 14a of the second housing component 14. The connecting flow path 92b extends upward from the end on the other side of the axial direction of the inlet flow path 92a and connects to the recess 14c. Oil O flows into the recess 14c. A portion of the oil O flowing into the recess 14c is supplied to the bearing 71 held by the bearing retaining portion 14d. Another portion of the oil O flowing into the recess 14c flows into the motor shaft 31 from the other side of the axial direction. The shaft path 92c is the path through which oil O flowing into the motor shaft 31 from the end on the other side of the axial direction flows axially to one side within the motor shaft 31. That is, in this embodiment, the interior of the motor shaft 31 constitutes part of the second supply flow path 92. Thus, in this embodiment, oil O flows into the motor shaft 31 from both axial directions via the first supply flow path 91 and the second supply flow path 92. That is, oil O is supplied into the interior of the motor shaft 31 from both axial directions. Therefore, for example, compared to the case where oil O flows in from only one end of the motor shaft 31, it is possible to allow oil O to flow appropriately along the entire axial direction of the motor shaft 31. That is, it is possible to prevent oil O flowing in from one end of the motor shaft 31 from failing to reach the other end of the motor shaft 31, thus preventing oil O from reaching the entire motor shaft 31. Therefore, it is easy to appropriately supply oil O to the bearings 71, 74 supporting the axial ends of the motor shaft 31. The oil O flowing in the shaft path 92c flows in the rotor path 90a in the same way as the shaft path 91c, and is supplied to the rotor 30 and stator 40.

[0121] Oil O supplied to the stator 40 through the first supply flow path 91 and the second supply flow path 92 absorbs heat from the stator 40. The oil O that has cooled the stator 40 falls downward and accumulates in the lower region inside the motor housing 11. The oil O accumulated in the lower region inside the motor housing 11 returns to the interior of the transfer mechanism housing 12 via the first recovery path 93x or the second recovery path 93y.

[0122] like Figure 2 As shown, the first recovery path 93x is a flow path that returns the oil O supplied to the motor 20 to the interior of the transfer mechanism housing 12. The first recovery path 93x extends from the interior of the motor housing 11 to the interior of the transfer mechanism housing 12. At least a portion of the first recovery path 93x is formed by a first opening 13e and a second opening 15h. In this embodiment, the first recovery path 93x is formed by the first opening 13e, a portion of the space S, and the second opening 15h. That is, the first recovery path 93x is formed by a through hole 19a. In this embodiment, the first recovery path 93x is provided across the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15.

[0123] The second recovery path 93y is a flow path that returns the oil O supplied to the motor 20 to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. The second recovery path 93y extends from the inside of the motor housing 11 to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. In the present embodiment, the second recovery path 93y is provided across the third housing member 15, the first housing member 13, and the second housing member 14. The second recovery path 93y is located on the lower side of the motor 20. The second recovery path 93y has a groove portion 93a, a connection portion 93b, and a second recovery path main portion 93c. The groove portion 93a is provided to the inner peripheral surface of the motor housing 11. In the present embodiment, the groove portion 93a is recessed downward from the portion of the inner peripheral surface of the first housing member 13 that is located on the lower side. The groove portion 93a extends in the axial direction. The end portion of the groove portion 93a on the one axial side is plugged. The end portion of the groove portion 93a on the other axial side is open at the end surface of the other axial side of the peripheral wall portion 13b. The end portion of the groove portion 93a on the other axial side is connected to the connection portion 93b.

[0124] The bottom surface of the groove portion 93a is located on the lower side as it goes toward the other axial side. That is, the bottom surface of the groove portion 93a is an inclined surface that is located on the lower side as it goes toward the connection portion 93b. Therefore, it is possible to easily guide the oil O that has entered the groove portion 93a along the bottom surface of the groove portion 93a to the connection portion 93b using gravity. The bottom surface of the groove portion 93a is a surface of the inner surface of the groove portion 93a that is located on the radially outer side and that faces the radially inner side. In the present embodiment, the bottom surface of the groove portion 93a faces the upper side. As shown in FIG. 6, the circumferential dimension of the groove portion 93a is smaller than the circumferential dimension of the first opening portion 13e. Figure 14

[0125] The connection portion 93b connects the groove portion 93a and the second recovery path main portion 93c. The connection portion 93b is connected to the end portion 93f of the groove portion 93a on the other axial side. In the present embodiment, the connection portion 93b is provided to the peripheral wall portion 14b of the second housing member 14. The connection portion 93b extends downward from the portion of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 14b that is located on the lower side. The connection portion 93b is open on the upper side. As shown in FIG. 6, the end portion of the connection portion 93b on the lower side is connected to the end portion 93g of the second recovery path main portion 93c on the other axial side. By this, the connection portion 93b connects the end portion 93f of the groove portion 93a on the other axial side and the end portion 93g of the second recovery path main portion 93c on the other axial side. Figure 2

[0126] ​​The second recovery path main portion 93c is located radially outward of the groove portion 93a. In the present embodiment, the second recovery path main portion 93c is located on the lower side of the groove portion 93a. The second recovery path main portion 93c extends in the axial direction and is connected to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. The end portion 93p of the second recovery path main portion 93c on the axial direction side is open in the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. In the present embodiment, the second recovery path main portion 93c is provided across the second housing member 14, the first housing member 13, and the third housing member 15. That is, the second recovery path main portion 93c has a flow path portion 93h provided to the first housing member 13, a flow path portion 93i provided to the second housing member 14, and a flow path portion 93j provided to the third housing member 15. The end portion 93k of the flow path portion 93h on the axial direction side is connected to the end portion on the other axial direction side of the flow path portion 93j. The end portion 93m of the flow path portion 93h on the other axial direction side is connected to the end portion on the axial direction side of the flow path portion 93i.

[0127] Thus, in the present embodiment, the second flow path 90 has the flow path portion 93h and the flow path portion 93j connected to the axial direction side of the flow path portion 93h. Therefore, by the flow path portion 93h and the flow path portion 93j, the second flow path 90 can be appropriately made large in the axial direction. The flow path portion 93j penetrates the second opposing wall portion 15a in the axial direction and is open in the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. Therefore, it is possible to return the oil O from the flow path portion 93j to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12.

[0128] In the present embodiment, the flow path portion 93h corresponds to a flow path portion extending in the axial direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the first housing member 13 has the flow path portion 93h as a flow path portion extending in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the flow path portion 93j corresponds to a "third opening portion" that is open in the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. The flow path portion 93j is provided to the second opposing wall portion 15a. That is, in the present embodiment, the second opposing wall portion 15a has the flow path portion 93j as a third opening portion that is open to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. Thus, in the present embodiment, at least a portion of the second recovery path 93y is constituted by the flow path portion 93h extending in the axial direction and the flow path portion 93j as a third opening portion.

[0129] The second recovery path main portion 93c extends from the end portion on the lower side of the connection portion 93b toward the axial direction side, penetrates the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 in the axial direction, and is open in the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. Thus, in the present embodiment, the second flow path 90 has the second recovery path main portion 93c as a flow path portion extending in the axial direction from the inside of the motor housing 11 to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. The second recovery path main portion 93c is located on the lower side of the through-hole 19a of the partition wall portion 19.

[0130] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the flow path cross section of the second recovery path body portion 93c is a shape longer in the circumferential direction. The circumferential dimension of the second recovery path body portion 93c is larger than the circumferential dimension of the groove portion 93a and the circumferential dimension of the connecting portion 93b. Therefore, it is possible to increase the flow rate of the oil O flowing within the second recovery path body portion 93c. Thereby, it is possible to increase the amount of the oil O returning from within the motor housing 11 to within the transmission mechanism housing 12.

[0131] At least a portion of the second recovery path body portion 93c is located radially outward of the first flow path 50. Thereby, at least a portion of the second recovery path 93y is located radially outward of the first flow path 50. Therefore, in the present embodiment, at least a portion of the first flow path 50 and the second flow path 90 overlap each other in the radial direction. In other words, the first flow path 50 and the second flow path 90 have a portion overlapping each other as viewed in the radial direction. As Figure 14 shown, a portion of the second recovery path body portion 93c is located below a pair of axial flow path portions 51 described later, which are arranged in the first flow path 50 sandwiching the groove portion 93a in the circumferential direction, a first circumferential flow path portion 52c described later, which is located on the axial side of the groove portion 93a in the first flow path 50, and a pair of second circumferential flow path portions 52b described later, which are arranged in the first flow path 50 sandwiching the connecting portion 93b in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, as described above, since the circumferential dimension of the second recovery path body portion 93c is larger than the circumferential dimension of the groove portion 93a and the circumferential dimension of the connecting portion 93b, it is possible to make the second recovery path body portion 93c protrude more in the circumferential direction than the groove portion 93a and the connecting portion 93b. Therefore, it is possible to easily arrange the second recovery path body portion 93c radially outward of the first flow path 50.

[0132] The second recovery path body portion 93c is arranged adjacent to the circumferential side (+θ side) of the introduction flow path portion 92a. That is, in the present embodiment, the introduction flow path portion 92a and the second recovery path 93y are arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the portion of the motor housing 11 in which the second recovery path body portion 93c and the introduction flow path portion 92a are provided protrudes more to the lower side than the other portions of the motor housing 11.

[0133] A partition wall 93d is provided at the second recycling path main body 93c, which circumferentially divides the interior of the second recycling path main body 93c. The partition wall 93d extends axially from the end 93p on one axial side of the flow path portion 93h toward the other axial side. In this embodiment, the partition wall 93d extends from the end 93k on one axial side of the flow path portion 93h to the axial center of the flow path portion 93h. In other words, the partition wall 93d extends from the end on one axial side of the first housing component 13 to the axial center of the first housing component 13. The partition wall 93d roughly bisects the circumferentially longer second recycling path main body 93c in the circumferential direction. The partition wall 93d can improve the strength of the portion of the housing 10 where the second recycling path main body 93c is located. In addition, the axial force of the second bolt 10b can be better transmitted to the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15.

[0134] Alternatively, the partition wall portion 93d may not extend to the axial center portion of the flow path portion 93h, i.e., the axial center portion of the first housing component 13. For example, it can be configured in any position as long as the end 93r on the other side of the axial direction of the partition wall portion 93d is located on the other side of the axial direction compared to the end 93k on one side of the axial direction of the flow path portion 93h, and on one side of the axial direction compared to the end 93m on the other side of the axial direction of the flow path portion 93h.

[0135] like Figure 3 As shown, the second recycling path main body 93c has a recessed portion 93e that is recessed radially inward. The recessed portion 93e is located at the circumferential center of the portion on the other side of the axial direction in the second recycling path main body 93c. The outer peripheral surface of the portion of the motor housing 11 in which the recessed portion 93e is provided is recessed radially inward. As a result, for example, interference between the second bolt 10b, which fixes the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15, and the second recycling path main body 93c can be suppressed.

[0136] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, at least a portion of the first flow path 50 is located radially outside the motor 20. In this embodiment, the first flow path 50, except for its axial ends, is located substantially entirely radially outside the motor 20. The lower portion of the first flow path 50 lies between the second recovery path body 93c and the motor 20 radially. Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown, in this embodiment, the first flow path 50 extends in a rectangular wave shape along the circumferential direction. The first flow path 50 has a plurality of axial flow path portions 51, a plurality of first circumferential flow path portions 52a, and a plurality of second circumferential flow path portions 52b.

[0137] The plurality of axial flow path portions 51 extend in the axial direction. The plurality of axial flow path portions 51 are arranged in a circumferentially spaced-apart manner. In the present embodiment, the axial flow path portions 51 are provided to the motor housing 11. More specifically, the axial flow path portions 51 are provided to the first housing member 13. As shown in FIG. 1, among the plurality of axial flow path portions 51, two axial flow path portions 51 located on the lower side are arranged so as to sandwich the groove portion 93a in the circumferential direction. Figure 14

[0138] As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of axial flow path portions 51 include axial flow path portions 51c that are divided into two portions in the axial direction by a partition wall portion 51d. The axial flow path portion 51c has an upstream side flow path portion 51a and a downstream side flow path portion 51b. In the present embodiment, the upstream side flow path portion 51a is a portion of the axial flow path portion 51c that is located on one axial side compared to the partition wall portion 51d. In the present embodiment, the downstream side flow path portion 51b is a portion of the axial flow path portion 51c that is located on the other axial side compared to the partition wall portion 51d. Figure 1

[0139] As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the axial flow path portions 51 are constituted by at least a portion of the hole 11a that extends through the first housing member 13 in the axial direction. The axial flow path portions 51 are constituted by, for example, a portion other than the axial both end portions of the hole 11a. The opening on the one axial side of the hole 11a is plugged by the third housing member 15. The opening on the other axial side of the hole 11a is plugged by the second housing member 14. Figure 15

[0140] The first housing member 13 has partition wall portions 52f that separate between circumferentially adjacent axial flow path portions 51. The partition wall portions 52f extend in the axial direction. The axial dimension of the partition wall portions 52f is smaller than the axial dimension of the first housing member 13. The partition wall portions 52f include first partition wall portions 52d and second partition wall portions 52e. The first partition wall portions 52d and the second partition wall portions 52e are each provided a plurality of times, and are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0141] The first partition wall portion 52d is a partition wall portion 52f that circumferentially separates a pair of axial flow path portions 51 connected by a first circumferential flow path portion 52a from each other. The end portion on the one axial side of the first partition wall portion 52d is arranged so as to be away from the one axial side end surface of the first housing member 13 in the other axial direction. The end portion on the other axial side of the first partition wall portion 52d is located on the other axial side end surface of the first housing member 13, and is in contact with the one axial side surface of the second housing member 14.

[0142] ​​​The second partition wall 52e is a partition wall 52f that separates a pair of axial flow paths 51 connected by the second circumferential flow path 52b from each other in the circumferential direction. The axial end of the second partition wall 52e is configured to be axially separated from the axial end face of the first housing member 13. The axial end of the second partition wall 52e is located at the axial end face of the first housing member 13 and contacts the axial surface of the third housing member 15.

[0143] like Figure 14 As shown, the first circumferential flow path 52a and the second circumferential flow path 52b extend circumferentially. Multiple first circumferential flow path sections 52a are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Multiple second circumferential flow path sections 52b are also arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The first circumferential flow path sections 52a connect the ends of adjacent axial flow path sections 51 on one axial side to each other in the circumferential direction. The ends of the axial flow path sections 51 on both axial sides are alternately connected by the first circumferential flow path sections 52a and the second circumferential flow path sections 52b, thereby making the first flow path 50 rectangular and wavy.

[0144] The plurality of first circumferential flow path portions 52a include a first circumferential flow path portion 52c that crosses the axial side of the groove portion 93a in the circumferential direction. The first circumferential flow path portion 52c is the lowermost of the plurality of first circumferential flow path portions 52a. The circumferential dimension of the first circumferential flow path portion 52c is larger than the circumferential dimensions of the other first circumferential flow path portions 52a. Figure 5 As shown, the first opening 13e and the second opening 15h are located above the portion on the other side (-θ side) of the first circumferential flow path 52c. The inner portion 52k of the first circumferential flow path 52c located within the first housing member 13 is situated between the first opening 13e and the flow path portion 93h of the second recovery path 93y located in the vertical direction. The outer portion 52m of the first circumferential flow path 52c located within the third housing member 15 is situated between the second opening 15h and the flow path portion 93j of the second recovery path 93y located in the vertical direction. That is, in this embodiment, the first flow path 50 has an inner portion 52k located between the first opening 13e and the second recovery path 93y, and an outer portion 52m located between the second opening 15h and the second recovery path 93y.

[0145] The plurality of second circumferential flow path portions 52b include a pair of second circumferential flow path portions 52b that circumferentially sandwich the end portion of the groove portion 93a on the other side of the axial direction and the connecting portion 93b. That is, in this embodiment, the end portion of the groove portion 93a on the other side of the axial direction and the connecting portion 93b are located between the circumferentially adjacent second circumferential flow path portions 52b.

[0146] like Figure 15 As shown, in this embodiment, the first circumferential flow path 52a is provided across the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12. More specifically, the first circumferential flow path 52a is provided across the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15. That is, at least a portion of the first circumferential flow path 52a is provided on the third housing member 15. In addition, at least a portion of the inner surface of the first circumferential flow path 52a is the surface of the third housing member 15. The first circumferential flow path 52a is formed by a portion provided on one axial side end face of the first housing member 13 and a first recess 52g recessed on the other axial side end face of the third housing member 15, which are connected axially. The first recess 52g is a groove that extends circumferentially and opens on the other axial side. Thus, the third housing member 15 has a first recess 52g recessed on the other axial side of the third housing member 15.

[0147] In this embodiment, the interior of the first circumferential flow path 52a is formed by the interior of a first space portion 52i and a first recess 52g disposed on one axial side of the first partition wall portion 52d in the first housing component 13. The first space portion 52i includes, for example, a space portion adjacent to one axial side of the first partition wall portion 52d and space portions located on both circumferential sides of the space portion adjacent to the first partition wall portion 52d. The space portions located on both circumferential sides of the space portion adjacent to the first partition wall portion 52d are connected to the axial-side end portion in the interior of the axial flow path 51. The first space portion 52i includes the axial-side end portion in the interior space of the hole 11a.

[0148] In this embodiment, the second circumferential flow path 52b is provided across the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14. That is, at least a portion of the second circumferential flow path 52b is provided on the second housing member 14. In addition, at least a portion of the inner surface of the second circumferential flow path 52b is the surface of the second housing member 14. In addition, in this embodiment, the first flow path 50 is provided across the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14. The second circumferential flow path 52b is formed by a portion provided on the end face of the first housing member 13 on the other side of the axial direction being axially connected to a second recess 52h that is recessed from the end face of the second housing member 14 on one side of the axial direction to the other side of the axial direction. The second recess 52h is a groove that extends circumferentially and opens on one side of the axial direction. Thus, the second housing member 14 has a second recess 52h that is recessed from the end face of the second housing member 14 on one side of the axial direction to the other side of the axial direction.

[0149] In this embodiment, the interior of the second circumferential flow path portion 52b is formed by the interior of a second space portion 52j and a second recess 52h disposed on the axially opposite side of the second partition wall portion 52e in the first housing component 13. The second space portion 52j includes, for example, a space portion adjacent to the axially opposite side of the second partition wall portion 52e and space portions located on both circumferentially sides of the space portion adjacent to the second partition wall portion 52e. The space portions located on both circumferentially sides of the space portion adjacent to the second partition wall portion 52e are connected to the axially opposite end portion in the interior of the axial flow path portion 51. The second space portion 52j includes the axially opposite end portion in the interior space of the hole 11a.

[0150] Within the axial flow path 51, water W flows axially. Within circumferentially adjacent axial flow path sections 51, the directions of water W flow are opposite to each other. Within the first circumferential flow path section 52a and the second circumferential flow path section 52b, water W flows in a circumferential direction (+θ direction). The first circumferential flow path section 52a connects the axial end of the axial flow path section 51 where water W flows in one direction to the axial end of the axial flow path section 51 where water W flows in the other direction. The second circumferential flow path section 52b connects the axial end of the axial flow path section 51 where water W flows in the other direction to the axial end of the axial flow path section 51 where water W flows in one direction to the axial end of the axial flow path section 51 where water W flows in one direction.

[0151] like Figure 1 As shown, the first flow path 50 has an inflow flow path 53a and an outflow flow path 53b. In this embodiment, the inflow flow path 53a and the outflow flow path 53b pass through the interior of the inverter unit 80. Water W flows into the inflow flow path 53a from outside the drive unit 100. The water W flowing into the inflow flow path 53a flows into the upstream flow path 51a. The water W flowing into the upstream flow path 51a flows along a rectangular wave-shaped flow path formed by the axial flow path 51, the first circumferential flow path 52a, and the second circumferential flow path 52b, while circling around the motor 20 once, and flows into the outflow flow path 53b from the downstream flow path 51b. The water W flowing into the outflow flow path 53b flows out to the outside of the drive unit 100.

[0152] like Figure 8 As shown, the fastening surfaces 13x and 14x of the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14, which are fixed together by the first bolt 10a, are sealing surfaces that seal a portion of the first flow path 50 at the connection between the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14. That is, the axial direction between the portion of the first housing component 13 constituting the first flow path 50 and the portion of the second housing component 14 constituting the first flow path 50 is sealed. Therefore, even if the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14 constitute at least a portion of the first flow path 50, leakage of water W from the first flow path 50 can be suppressed.

[0153] The fastening surface 13x is the surface on the other side of the axial direction of the first housing component 13. The fastening surface 14x is the surface on one side of the axial direction of the second housing component 14. Furthermore, the fastening surfaces 13x and 14x are also sealing surfaces that seal a portion of the second flow path 90 at the connection between the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14. Therefore, a portion of the first flow path 50 and a portion of the second flow path 90 at the connection between the first housing component 13 and the second housing component 14 can be sealed together using the first bolt 10a. Thus, compared to sealing the first flow path 50 and the second flow path 90 separately with different bolts, the assembly of the housing 10 can be performed more easily. Additionally, the number of components in the drive unit 100 can be easily reduced.

[0154] The fastening surfaces 13y and 15y of the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15, which are fixed to each other by the second bolt 10b, are sealing surfaces that seal a portion of the first flow path 50 at the connection between the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15. That is, the axial direction between the portion of the first housing component 13 constituting the first flow path 50 and the portion of the third housing component 15 constituting the first flow path 50 is sealed. Therefore, even if the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15 constitute at least a portion of the first flow path 50, leakage of water W from the first flow path 50 can be prevented.

[0155] The fastening surface 13y is the surface on one axial side of the first housing component 13. The fastening surface 15y is the surface on the other axial side of the third housing component 15. Furthermore, the fastening surfaces 13y and 15y are also sealing surfaces that seal a portion of the second flow path 90 at the connection between the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15. Therefore, a portion of the first flow path 50 and a portion of the second flow path 90 at the connection between the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15 can be sealed together using the second bolt 10b. This makes it easier to assemble the housing 10 compared to sealing the first flow path 50 and the second flow path 90 separately with different bolts. Additionally, it makes it easier to further reduce the number of components in the drive unit 100.

[0156] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 10 has an oil supply path 95. The oil supply path 95 extends axially from the interior of the transmission mechanism housing 12 through the second opposing wall portion 15a. In this embodiment, the oil supply path 95 extends axially through the first opposing wall portion 13a into the interior of the motor housing 11. Figure 7As shown, the oil supply path 95 has a supply port 13h for supplying oil O to the bearing 72 held by the first bearing retainer 13c. In this embodiment, the supply port 13h is an opening in the first bore 13g on the axial side opposite to the first opposing wall 13a. The supply port 13h opens inside the motor housing 11. Figure 3 As shown, the supply port 13h is located above the central axis J1. The supply port 13h opens inside the through portion 13f. Viewed axially, the supply port 13h overlaps with the through portion 13f.

[0157] In this embodiment, the oil supply path 95 has a first orifice 13g, a second orifice 15g, a first groove 17, and a second groove 18. For example... Figure 7 Figure 3 As indicated by the dashed arrow, a portion of the oil O stirred up by the gear ring 62a and entering the second groove 18 flows into the first groove 17 within the space S through the second hole 15g. The oil O flowing into the first groove 17 flows within the first groove 17 and, through the first hole 13g, is supplied to the motor housing 11 from the supply port 13h. The oil O discharged from the supply port 13h flows into the interior of the first bearing retaining portion 13c via the through portion 13f and is supplied to the bearing 72.

[0158] According to this embodiment, at least a portion of the first flow path 50 is located radially outside the motor 20. Therefore, the motor 20 can be cooled using water W flowing within the first flow path 50. In this embodiment, the stator 40 can be cooled using water W flowing within the first flow path 50. Furthermore, at least a portion of the second recovery path 93y is located radially outside the first flow path 50. Therefore, the second recovery path 93y can be positioned close to the first flow path 50. Thus, the oil O flowing through the second recovery path 93y is easily cooled by the water W flowing within the first flow path 50. Therefore, the temperature of the oil O flowing into the transfer mechanism housing 12 from the second recovery path 93y can be reduced. Therefore, the temperature of the oil O supplied from the transfer mechanism housing 12 to the interior of the motor housing 11 via the first supply flow path 91 and the second supply flow path 92 can be relatively low. Therefore, lower-temperature oil O can be supplied to the motor 20 housed within the motor housing 11. Therefore, the motor 20 can be appropriately cooled using the relatively low-temperature oil O. Thus, in this embodiment, the motor 20 can be appropriately cooled using water W and oil O. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the motor 20 can be improved. Furthermore, the motor 20 can be easily cooled even without an oil cooler or other cooler for cooling the oil O. Therefore, the number of components in the drive unit 100 can be reduced by an amount equivalent to the number without a cooler.

[0159] Further, according to the present embodiment, the first flow path 50 extends in a rectangular wave shape along the circumferential direction. Therefore, the portion of the housing 10 in which the first flow path 50 is provided can be enlarged, and the motor 20 can be cooled better by the water W flowing in the first flow path 50. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the motor 20 can be further improved. Further, in the case where the housing 10 is divided into a plurality of components as in the present embodiment, the first flow path 50 can be easily manufactured by being constituted by the components constituting the housing 10.

[0160] According to the present embodiment, at least a portion of the first flow path 50 is constituted by the first housing component 13 and the third housing component 15. Therefore, the first flow path 50 can be easily made longer on the axial side where the transmission mechanism housing 12 is located. Thereby, the motor 20 can be appropriately cooled by the first flow path 50. Here, in the present embodiment, as described above, the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12 are each assembled from two housing components, whereby the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12 can be separated. Since the configuration is such, the first flow path 50 can be constituted by the third housing component 15 constituting the transmission mechanism housing 12, and the first flow path 50 can be easily and more appropriately provided larger in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the first flow path 50 can be made to extend further to the axial side than the bearing 72 held by the first opposing wall portion 13a. Thereby, according to the present embodiment, the axial dimension of the first flow path 50 provided on the housing 10 can be increased. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the motor 20 by the first flow path 50 can be improved.

[0161] Further, in the present embodiment, at least a portion of the first circumferential flow path portion 52a is provided on the third housing component 15. Therefore, a portion of the first flow path 50 can also be provided on the third housing component 15. Thereby, the first flow path 50 can be appropriately made larger in the axial direction, and the motor 20 can be more appropriately and easily cooled. Further, in the present embodiment, at least a portion of the second circumferential flow path portion 52b is provided on the second housing component 14. Therefore, a portion of the first flow path 50 can also be provided on the second housing component 14. Thereby, the first flow path 50 can be more appropriately made larger in the axial direction, and the motor 20 can be more appropriately and easily cooled.

[0162] Further, in the present embodiment, the first flow path 50 can be easily manufactured by providing the hole 11a that penetrates the first housing component 13 in the axial direction, and plugging the axial both sides of the hole 11a with the second housing component 14 and the third housing component 15. In the present embodiment, the opening of the axial one side of the hole 11a is plugged with the third housing component 15, and the opening of the axial other side of the hole 11a is plugged with the second housing component 14. At least a portion of the inner surface of the first circumferential flow path portion 52a is the surface of the third housing component 15. At least a portion of the inner surface of the second circumferential flow path portion 52b is the surface of the second housing component 14. Therefore, the first flow path 50 can be easily manufactured.

[0163] Further, according to the present embodiment, the first housing member 13 has a partition wall portion 52f that separates the axially adjacent axial flow path portions 51 from each other. The axial dimension of the partition wall portion 52f is smaller than the axial dimension of the first housing member 13. Therefore, a gap can be provided at least one of between the partition wall portion 52f and the axial direction of the second housing member 14 and between the partition wall portion 52f and the axial direction of the third housing member 15. Thereby, at least one of the second housing member 14 and the third housing member 15 is fixed to the first housing member 13 with the gap, and thus it is possible to easily configure a part of the first flow path 50.

[0164] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the end portion of the first partition wall portion 52d on the one axial side is located at a position that is axially further from the end portion of the first housing member 13 on the one axial side. Therefore, a first space portion 52i is provided between the first partition wall portion 52d and the axial direction of the third housing member 15. The inside of the first circumferential flow path portion 52a is constituted by the inside of the first space portion 52i provided on the one axial side of the first partition wall portion 52d and the first recessed portion 52g in the first housing member 13. Thereby, it is possible to easily form the first circumferential flow path portion 52a so as to span the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15.

[0165] Further, in the present embodiment, the end portion of the second partition wall portion 52e on the other axial side is located at a position that is axially closer to the end portion of the first housing member 13 on the other axial side. Therefore, a second space portion 52j is provided between the second partition wall portion 52e and the axial direction of the second housing member 14. The inside of the second circumferential flow path portion 52b is constituted by the inside of the second space portion 52j provided on the other axial side of the second partition wall portion 52e and the second recessed portion 52h in the first housing member 13. Thereby, it is possible to easily form the second circumferential flow path portion 52b so as to span the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14.

[0166] Further, according to the present embodiment, the first circumferential flow path portion 52a is provided so as to span the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15. Therefore, for example, compared to a case where the entire first circumferential flow path portion 52a is provided in the third housing member 15, it is possible to suppress the third housing member 15 from being large in the axial direction. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the drive device 100 from being large in the axial direction. Further, since the first flow path 50 is more appropriately extended to the one axial side than the stator 40, it is possible to expand the range of the stator 40 that can be cooled by the first flow path 50. Thereby, it is possible to more effectively cool the motor 20 with the water W flowing in the first flow path 50.

[0167] Further, according to the present embodiment, the first bearing holding portion 13c is provided on the other side in the axial direction of the first opposing wall portion 13a. Therefore, by the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15 constituting at least a part of the first flow path 50, it is possible to easily position a part of the first flow path 50 at a position on the one side in the axial direction from the bearing 72 held by the first bearing holding portion 13c. Thus, it is possible to more appropriately increase the axial dimension of the first flow path 50 with respect to the motor 20. Further, the bearing 72 is in a state of being housed inside the motor housing 11. Therefore, when the motor housing 11 is separated from the transmission mechanism housing 12, it is easy to appropriately handle the motor housing 11 and the motor 20 as a unit.

[0168] Further, according to the present embodiment, the transmission mechanism 60 has a first gear shaft 63 connected to the motor shaft 31 in the axial direction. The motor shaft 31 and the first gear shaft 63 are connected to each other by spline fitting. Therefore, by separating the motor shaft 31 and the first gear shaft 63 from each other in the axial direction, it is possible to release the connection between the motor shaft 31 and the first gear shaft 63. Thus, when the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12 are separated in the axial direction, it is easy to release the connection between the motor 20 and the transmission mechanism 60. Therefore, it is easy to separate the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12. Further, when the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12 are connected in the axial direction, it is easy to connect the motor 20 and the transmission mechanism 60 in the axial direction. Therefore, it is easy to connect the separated motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12.

[0169] Further, according to the present embodiment, the third housing member 15 has a second bearing holding portion 15c provided on the one side in the axial direction of the second opposing wall portion 15a. Therefore, the bearing 73 rotatably supporting the first gear shaft 63 is in a state of being housed inside the transmission mechanism housing 12. Thus, when the transmission mechanism housing 12 is separated from the motor housing 11, it is easy to appropriately handle the transmission mechanism housing 12 and the transmission mechanism 60 as a unit.

[0170] Further, according to the present embodiment, the second flow path 90 has a first recovery path 93x that returns the oil O supplied to the motor 20 to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. At least a part of the first recovery path 93x is constituted by the first opening portion 13e and the second opening portion 15h. Therefore, it is possible to return the oil O supplied to the motor 20 by the first supply flow path 91 and the second supply flow path 92 from inside the motor housing 11 to inside the transmission mechanism housing 12 through the first recovery path 93x.

[0171] In structures where fluids such as oil O move between the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12 for cooling or other purposes, it has historically been difficult to independently separate the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12. Therefore, in the event of a malfunction in the motor 20 or the transmission mechanism 60, it is difficult to separate only the malfunctioning component, leading to difficulties in replacement and repair. In contrast, according to this embodiment, as described above, by constructing the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12 as two separate components, it is possible to easily separate the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12 from each other. Therefore, according to this embodiment, in a drive device 100 with a structure that moves oil O between the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12, it is possible to easily independently separate the motor 20 and the transmission mechanism 60. Consequently, in the event of a malfunction in the motor 20 or the transmission mechanism 60, it is possible to separate only the malfunctioning component. Therefore, it is easy to replace and repair the malfunctioning component.

[0172] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, at least a portion of the first opening 13e and the second opening 15h overlap each other when viewed axially. Therefore, oil O flowing from the motor housing 11 into the first opening 13e can easily flow into the transfer mechanism housing 12 through the second opening 15h. Consequently, oil O can more easily return from the motor housing 11 to the transfer mechanism housing 12 via the first recovery path 93x.

[0173] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, bearings 71 and 72, which rotatably support the motor shaft 31, are respectively held on the first opposing wall portion 13a and the second housing component 14. Bearings 73 and 74, which rotatably support the first gear shaft 63, are respectively held on the second opposing wall portion 15a and the fourth housing component 16. Therefore, by separating the motor housing 11 from the transmission mechanism housing 12, the unit including the motor housing 11 and the motor 20 can be appropriately separated from the unit including the transmission mechanism housing 12 and the transmission mechanism 60.

[0174] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, viewed axially, the width of the first opening 13e in the direction intersecting the vertical direction increases towards the lower side in the vertical direction. Similarly, viewed axially, the width of the second opening 15h in the direction intersecting the vertical direction also increases towards the lower side in the vertical direction. Therefore, oil O that accumulates in the lower part of the motor housing 11 due to gravity can easily flow into the first opening 13e and the second opening 15h. Consequently, oil O can more easily return from the motor housing 11 to the transfer mechanism housing 12 via the first recovery path 93x.

[0175] Further, according to the present embodiment, the opening area of the opening end portion 15w of the second opening portion 15h, which is open to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12, is larger than the opening area of the opening end portion 13w of the first opening portion 13e, which is open to the inside of the motor housing 11. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the oil O flowing into the first opening portion 13e from the inside of the motor housing 11 from being blocked between the first opening portion 13e and the second opening portion 15h. Thus, it is possible to make the oil O flowing into the first opening portion 13e flow more favorably into the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 via the second opening portion 15h. Therefore, by the first recovery path 93x, it is possible to return the oil O from the inside of the motor housing 11 to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 more easily.

[0176] Further, according to the present embodiment, the second flow path 90 has a second recovery path 93y that returns the oil O supplied to the motor 20 to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. Therefore, the oil O supplied to the inside of the motor housing 11 can be returned to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 from the second recovery path 93y in addition to the first recovery path 93x. Thus, it is possible to increase the amount of the oil O returned from the inside of the motor housing 11 to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. Further, at least a portion of the second recovery path 93y is constituted by the flow path portion 93h provided to the first housing member 13 and extending in the axial direction and the flow path portion 93j provided to the second opposing wall portion 15a as a third opening portion. Therefore, it is possible to easily and appropriately constitute the second recovery path 93y across the first housing member 13 and the third housing member 15.

[0177] Further, according to the present embodiment, the second recovery path 93y has a groove portion 93a provided to the inner peripheral surface of the motor housing 11 and extending in the axial direction, a second recovery path main portion 93c located at a position radially outward of the groove portion 93a and extending in the axial direction to be connected to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12, and a connection portion 93b connecting the groove portion 93a and the second recovery path main portion 93c. Therefore, it is possible to make at least a portion of the oil O supplied to the inside of the motor housing 11 by the first supply flow path 91 and the second supply flow path 92 flow into the second recovery path 93y from the groove portion 93a. Further, it is possible to deliver the oil O flowing into the groove portion 93a to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 via the connection portion 93b and the second recovery path main portion 93c. Thus, by the second recovery path 93y, it is possible to easily return the oil O in the motor housing 11 to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. Further, according to the present embodiment, at least a portion of the second recovery path main portion 93c is located radially outward of the first flow path 50. Therefore, the oil O flowing in the second recovery path main portion 93c is easily cooled by the water W flowing in the first flow path 50.

[0178] Further, according to the present embodiment, the connection portion 93b connects the end portion of the groove portion 93a on the other side in the axial direction with the end portion of the second recovery path main portion 93c on the other side in the axial direction. That is, it is possible to set the position at which the groove portion 93a and the second recovery path main portion 93c are connected by the connection portion 93b to a position that is relatively far from the transmission mechanism housing 12 in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to make the distance that the oil O flows from the connection portion 93b into the second recovery path main portion 93c and flows until it reaches inside the transmission mechanism housing 12 longer. Thus, it is possible to extend the time during which the oil O flowing inside the second recovery path main portion 93c is cooled by the water W flowing inside the first flow path 50. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately cool the oil O flowing inside the second recovery path main portion 93c by the water W flowing inside the first flow path 50. Thus, it is possible to easily supply the motor 20 with oil O that is at a lower temperature. Thus, it is possible to further improve the cooling efficiency of the motor 20.

[0179] Further, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of first circumferential flow path portions 52a include a first circumferential flow path portion 52c that spans the groove portion 93a on the one side in the axial direction. The connection portion 93b is positioned between circumferentially adjacent second circumferential flow path portions 52b. In this way, on the side in the axial direction opposite the side on which the connection portion 93b is provided, the groove portion 93a is spanned by the first circumferential flow path portion 52c, whereby it is possible to cause the connection portion 93b to extend from a position that is radially inward of the first flow path 50 to a position that is radially outward of the first flow path 50 without interfering with the first flow path 50. Thus, it is possible to arrange at least a portion of the second recovery path main portion 93c radially outward of the first flow path 50 without interfering with the first flow path 50.

[0180] Further, according to the present embodiment, the second supply flow path 92 has a lead-in flow path portion 92a that extends in the axial direction from inside the transmission mechanism housing 12. At least a portion of the lead-in flow path portion 92a is positioned radially outward of the first flow path 50. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the lead-in flow path portion 92a close to the first flow path 50. Thus, it is possible to easily cool the oil O that passes through the lead-in flow path portion 92a by the water W flowing inside the first flow path 50. Therefore, it is possible to make the temperature of the oil O supplied to inside the motor housing 11 by the second supply flow path 92 relatively low. Thus, it is possible to better cool the motor 20 housed inside the motor housing 11 by the oil O. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the cooling efficiency of the motor 20.

[0181] Further, according to the present embodiment, the lead-in flow path portion 92a and the second recovery path 93y are arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Therefore, it is possible to concentrate the arrangement of the lead-in flow path portion 92a and the second recovery path 93y. Thus, it is possible to suppress the complication of the configuration of the housing 10.

[0182] Further, according to the present embodiment, the second recovery path 93y and the first flow path 50 are provided so as to cross the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14, respectively. Therefore, the second recovery path 93y and the first flow path 50 can be made large in the axial direction, respectively. Thus, the portion of the second recovery path 93y that is disposed close to the first flow path 50 can be easily increased. Therefore, the oil O flowing in the second recovery path 93y can be more easily cooled by the water W flowing in the first flow path 50. Further, since the first flow path 50 can be made large in the axial direction, the range of the motor 20 that can be cooled by the water W flowing in the first flow path 50 can be made wide in the axial direction. Thus, the entire stator core 41 and the coil end portions 42a, 42b that protrude in both axial directions from the stator core 41 can be easily cooled by the water W flowing in the first flow path 50. Thus, the cooling efficiency of the motor 20 can be further improved.

[0183] Further, according to the present embodiment, the second flow path 90 has the second recovery path main portion 93c as a flow path portion that extends in the axial direction from the inside of the motor housing 11 to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. At least a portion of the first flow path 50 and the second flow path 90 overlap each other in the radial direction. Therefore, the oil O flowing in the second recovery path main portion 93c is easily cooled by the water W flowing in the first flow path 50. Thus, in a wider range in the axial direction of the second flow path 90, the oil O in the second flow path 90 is easily cooled by the water W in the first flow path 50.

[0184] Further, according to the present embodiment, in the present embodiment, the first flow path 50 has the inner side portion 52k that is a portion between the first opening portion 13e and the second recovery path 93y and the outer side portion 52m that is a portion between the second opening portion 15h and the second recovery path 93y. Therefore, the oil O flowing in the second recovery path 93y is more easily cooled by the water W flowing in the first flow path 50.

[0185] Further, according to the present embodiment, the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 are fixed to each other at a position radially inside the second recovery path 93y and circumferentially adjacent to the first flow path 50. In the present embodiment, the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 are fixed to each other at the position by the fourth bolt 10d screwed into the female threaded hole 13i. Thereby, the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 can be fixed at a position close to both the second recovery path 93y and the first flow path 50. Thus, the portions of the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 that respectively constitute the second recovery path 93y can be inhibited from separating from each other. Further, the portions of the first housing member 13 and the second housing member 14 that respectively constitute the first flow path 50 can be inhibited from separating from each other. Thereby, the oil O can be inhibited from leaking from inside the second recovery path 93y, and the water W can be inhibited from leaking from inside the first flow path 50. Further, the oil O leaked from inside the second recovery path 93y can be inhibited from permeating into the first flow path 50 to mix with the water W. Further, the water W leaked from inside the first flow path 50 can be inhibited from permeating into the second recovery path 93y to mix with the oil O.

[0186] For example, as in the present embodiment, in the case where the housing 10 is constituted by two different members that constitute the motor housing 11 and two different members that constitute the transmission mechanism housing 12, the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12 are provided separately. In this case, a structure for lubricating a bearing has conventionally been provided in each of the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12. Thus, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the drive device 100 increases due to the complication of the configuration of the housing 10 or the use of a relatively expensive bearing that does not need to be supplied with lubricating oil. The relatively expensive bearing that does not need to be supplied with lubricating oil is, for example, a bearing provided with a semi-solid grease.

[0187] On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the housing 10 has an oil supply path 95 extending through the second opposing wall portion 15a in the axial direction from the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. The oil supply path 95 has a supply port 13h that supplies oil O to the bearing 72 held by the first opposing wall portion 13a of the motor housing 11. The supply port 13h is located on the upper side of the center axis J1. Thus, oil O discharged from the supply port 13h can fall due to gravity and be supplied to the bearing 72 provided to the motor housing 11, which supports the rotor 30 that can rotate about the center axis J1. That is, by the oil supply path 95, a portion of the oil O inside the transmission mechanism housing 12 can be supplied to the bearing 72 provided to the motor housing 11. In this way, the bearing 72 provided to the motor housing 11 can be lubricated by the bearing lubrication structure provided to the transmission mechanism housing 12. That is, in the drive device 100, the motor housing 11 and the transmission mechanism housing 12 can be configured to be separable, and the bearing 72 provided to the motor housing 11 can be lubricated using the oil O inside the transmission mechanism housing 12. Thus, the configuration of the housing 10 can be prevented from being complicated, and as the bearing 72, a bearing that does not need to be supplied with lubricating oil does not need to be used. Thus, an increase in the manufacturing cost of the drive device 100 can be suppressed.

[0188] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the first bearing holding portion 13c is provided to the face on the other axial side of the first opposing wall portion 13a. The oil supply path 95 extends through the first opposing wall portion 13a in the axial direction to the inside of the motor housing 11. The supply port 13h is opened to the inside of the motor housing 11. Thus, even in the case where the bearing 72 held by the first bearing holding portion 13c is located inside the motor housing 11, the bearing 72 can be supplied with oil O by the oil supply path 95.

[0189] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the first bearing holding portion 13c has a through portion 13f that penetrates the first bearing holding portion 13c in the radial direction. The supply port 13h is opened to the inside of the through portion 13f. Thus, oil O discharged from the supply port 13h is easily supplied to the inside of the first bearing holding portion 13c from the through portion 13f. Thus, the bearing 72 can be more easily supplied with oil O.

[0190] Further, according to the present embodiment, the oil supply path 95 has the first hole portion 13g that penetrates the first opposing wall portion 13a in the axial direction, the second hole portion 15g that penetrates the second opposing wall portion 15a in the axial direction, and the first groove portion 17 that is located between the axial directions of the first opposing wall portion 13a and the second opposing wall portion 15a and connects the first opposing wall portion 13a and the second opposing wall portion 15a. The first groove portion 17 is connected to a portion of the side of the first opposing wall portion 13a in the axial direction that is located on the lower side of the first hole portion 13g and a portion of the side of the second opposing wall portion 15a in the axial direction that is located on the lower side of the second hole portion 15g. Therefore, the oil O inside the transmission mechanism housing 12 can be supplied into the motor housing 11 in order via the second hole portion 15g, the first groove portion 17, and the first hole portion 13g. Thus, the oil O inside the transmission mechanism housing 12 can be more favorably supplied to the bearing 72 inside the motor housing 11.

[0191] Further, according to the present embodiment, the oil supply path 95 has the second groove portion 18 inside the transmission mechanism housing 12. The second groove portion 18 is connected to the portion of the side of the second opposing wall portion 15a in the axial direction that is located on the lower side of the second hole portion 15g. Therefore, for example, a portion of the oil O that is scattered into the transmission mechanism housing 12 by agitation of the ring gear 62a can be caught by the second groove portion 18. Further, at least a portion of the oil O caught by the second groove portion 18 can be caused to flow inside the second hole portion 15g. Thus, the oil O inside the transmission mechanism housing 12 can be more favorably supplied to the bearing 72 inside the motor housing 11 in order via the second hole portion 15g, the first groove portion 17, and the first hole portion 13g.

[0192] Further, according to the present embodiment, the second opposing wall portion 15a has the second opening portion 15h that connects the space S between the axial directions of the first opposing wall portion 13a and the second opposing wall portion 15a and the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12. Therefore, for example, the oil O that leaks out of the first groove portion 17 can be caused to return into the transmission mechanism housing 12 via the second opening portion 15h. Thus, the accumulation of the oil O in the space S can be suppressed.

[0193] Further, according to the present embodiment, the first opposing wall portion 13a has the first opening portion 13e that connects the space S between the axial directions of the first opposing wall portion 13a and the second opposing wall portion 15a and the inside of the motor housing 11. Therefore, the inside of the motor housing 11 and the inside of the transmission mechanism housing 12 can be connected by the first opening portion 13e, the space S, and the second opening portion 15h. Thus, the aforementioned through hole 19a is configured, and at least a portion of the oil O supplied into the motor housing 11 can be caused to return into the transmission mechanism housing 12.

[0194] The present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and other structures and other methods can be employed within the scope of the technical idea of the present application. The second flow path can be any structure. In the above-described embodiments, as the supply path, a structure in which the first supply flow path 91 and the second supply flow path 92 are provided is employed, but is not limited thereto. As the supply path, either one of the first supply flow path 91 and the second supply flow path 92 can be provided alone. The supply path can not be provided.

[0195] The first recovery path through which the second fluid supplied to the motor is returned to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing can be any structure as long as at least a part thereof is constituted by the first opening portion and the second opening portion. The first opening portion and the second opening portion can overlap each other as a whole or can not overlap each other as a whole when viewed in the axial direction. The shape and size of the first opening portion are not particularly limited. The shape and size of the second opening portion are not particularly limited. The first recovery path can not be provided.

[0196] The second recovery path through which the second fluid supplied to the motor is returned to the inside of the transmission mechanism housing can be any structure. In the case where the motor housing has the first housing member and the second housing member, the second recovery path can be provided only on the first housing member in the motor housing. The shape and size of the groove portion constituting the second recovery path, the shape and size of the connection portion constituting the second recovery path, and the shape and size of the second recovery path main portion constituting the second recovery path are not particularly limited. The second recovery path can not be provided.

[0197] The first flow path having the plurality of axial flow path portions, the first circumferential flow path portion, and the second circumferential flow path portion can be any shape as long as at least a part thereof is constituted by the first housing member and the third housing member. The first circumferential flow path portion can not be provided across the first housing member and the third housing member. The second circumferential flow path portion can not be provided across the first housing member and the second housing member. The number of the axial flow path portions is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more. The number of the first circumferential flow path portion and the number of the second circumferential flow path portion are not particularly limited as long as they are one or more.

[0198] In the case where the first circumferential flow path portion is constituted by the first housing member and the third housing member, the first recess can not be provided on the third housing member. In this case, the first circumferential flow path portion can be constituted by the first space portion provided to the axial one side of the first partition wall portion in the first housing member being closed by the face of the axial other side of the third housing member. In the case where the second circumferential flow path portion is constituted by the first housing member and the second housing member, the second recess can not be provided on the second housing member. In this case, the second circumferential flow path portion can be constituted by the second space portion provided to the axial other side of the second partition wall portion in the first housing member being closed by the face of the axial one side of the second housing member.

[0199] The kind of the first fluid flowing inside the first flow path and the kind of the second fluid flowing inside the second flow path are not particularly limited. The first fluid and the second fluid can be the same kind of fluid. The second fluid can be an insulating liquid or water. In the case where the second fluid is water, the surface of the stator can also be subjected to an insulating treatment. The first fluid can be oil. The second flow path can also not be provided.

[0200] The oil supply path extending through the second opposing wall portion in the axial direction from the inside of the transmission mechanism housing can be of any structure as long as it has a supply port located on the upper side than the center axis and supplies oil to the bearing. In the case where the bearing holding portion provided to the first opposing wall portion of the motor housing is provided to the face of the first opposing wall portion on the axial direction one side, that is, the face of the first opposing wall portion facing the transmission mechanism housing side, the oil supply path can also pass through only the second opposing wall portion and not the first opposing wall portion. In this case, for example, the supply port of the oil supply path is opened in the space between the first opposing wall portion and the second opposing wall portion. The oil supply path can also not have at least one of the first hole portion, the second hole portion, the first groove portion, and the second groove portion. The oil supply path can also be composed of a tubular member such as a pipe, for example. The oil supply path can also not be provided.

[0201] The use of the driving device of the present application is not particularly limited. The driving device can be installed in a vehicle in a use other than the use of rotating the axle, for example, or can be installed in a device other than a vehicle. The posture when using the driving device is not particularly limited. The center axis of the motor can be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction or can extend in the vertical direction. In the above, the structures described in the present specification can be appropriately combined within a range where they do not contradict each other.

[0202] 10… housing; 10e… positioning pin; 11… motor housing; 11a… hole; 12… transmission mechanism housing; 13… first housing member; 13a… first opposing wall portion; 13c… first bearing holding portion; 13s, 14s… hole portion; 14… second housing member; 15… third housing member; 15a… second opposing wall portion; 15c… second bearing holding portion; 16… fourth housing member; 20… motor; 30… rotor; 31… motor shaft; 40… stator; 50… first flow path; 51, 51c… axial flow path portion; 52f… partition wall portion; 52a, 52c… first circumferential flow path portion; 52b… second circumferential flow path portion; 52d… first partition wall portion; 52e… second partition wall portion; 52g… first recessed portion; 52h… second recessed portion; 52i… first space portion; 52j… second space portion; 60… transmission mechanism; 63… first gear shaft (gear shaft); 72… bearing (first bearing); 73… bearing (second bearing); 81… rotation detection device; 81b… detection portion; 90… second flow path; 100… drive device; J1… central axis; S… space; O… oil (second fluid); W… water (first fluid).

Claims

1. A driving device comprising: A motor having a rotor and a stator, the rotor being rotatable about a central axis, and the stator covering the radially outer side of the rotor; A transmission mechanism connected to the motor; The housing has a motor housing and a transmission mechanism housing, wherein the motor housing houses the motor and the transmission mechanism housing is fixed to one axial side of the motor housing and houses the transmission mechanism therein; as well as A first bearing supports the rotor so that it can rotate. The motor housing has: A first housing component is fixed to the housing of the transmission mechanism; as well as A second housing component is fixed to the other side of the first housing component along its axial direction. The housing of the transmission mechanism has: A third housing component is fixed to the first housing component; as well as A fourth housing component is fixed to one axial side of the third housing component. The first housing component has: A first opposing wall portion, which is axially opposed to the third housing component; and A first bearing retaining portion is disposed on the first opposing wall portion and retains the first bearing. The outer casing has a first flow path for the first fluid to flow inside. The first flow path has: Multiple axial flow paths, which extend axially and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction; The first circumferential flow path section connects to each other at the ends of adjacent axial flow path sections on one axial side; and The second circumferential flow path is connected to the ends of the adjacent axial flow path on the opposite side of the axial direction. At least a portion of the first flow path is formed by the first housing component and the third housing component. The outer casing has a second flow path for the second fluid to flow inside. The second flow path has a flow path portion disposed in the housing and extending axially from the interior of the motor housing to the interior of the transmission mechanism housing. At least a portion of the flow path portion in the first flow path and the second flow path overlaps each other radially.

2. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein, The first flow path extends in a rectangular wave shape along the circumference.

3. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein, The axial flow path is formed by at least a portion of a hole that extends axially through the first housing component. The opening on one axial side of the hole is blocked by the third housing component. The opening on the other side of the axial direction of the hole is blocked by the second housing component. At least a portion of the inner surface of the first circumferential flow path is the surface of the third housing component. At least a portion of the inner surface of the second circumferential flow path is the surface of the second housing component.

4. The driving device according to claim 3, wherein, The axial flow path is disposed on the first housing component. The first housing component has partition walls that space the circumferentially adjacent axial flow paths apart from each other. The axial dimension of the partition wall is smaller than the axial dimension of the first housing component.

5. The driving device according to claim 4, wherein, The third housing component has a first recess recessed from the axial side of the third housing component. The partition wall portion includes a first partition wall portion. The end of the first partition wall on one axial side is located on the other axial side than the end of the first housing component on one axial side. The interior of the first circumferential flow path is formed by the first space portion disposed on the axial side of the first partition wall portion in the first housing component and the interior of the first recess.

6. The driving device according to claim 4, wherein, The second housing component has a second recess recessed from one axial side of the second housing component toward the other axial side. The partition wall portion includes a second partition wall portion. The end of the second partition wall on the other axial side is located on one side axially closer than the end of the first housing component on the other axial side. The interior of the second circumferential flow path is formed by the interior of the second space portion and the interior of the second recess portion, which are disposed on the other side of the second partition wall portion in the first housing component.

7. The drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The first bearing retaining portion is disposed on the other side of the first opposing wall portion along the axial direction.

8. The drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The rotor has a motor shaft extending axially. The transmission mechanism has a gear shaft that is axially connected to the motor shaft. The motor shaft and the gear shaft are connected to each other by spline engagement.

9. The driving device according to claim 8, wherein, The gear shaft is supported by a second bearing to enable it to rotate. The third housing component has: A second opposing wall portion, which is axially opposite to the first opposing wall portion; and The second bearing retainer is disposed on one axial side of the second opposing wall portion and retains the second bearing.

10. The drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, It also includes a rotation detection device capable of detecting the rotation of the rotor. The rotation detection device has a detection section fixed to the second housing component.

11. The drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The portion of the first housing component constituting the first flow path is sealed axially with the portion of the third housing component constituting the first flow path.

12. The drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The housing has a locating pin that engages with both a hole in the first housing component and a hole in the second housing component.

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