Housing for a drive system and method for manufacturing housing for a drive system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a housing for a drive system, particularly for a motor vehicle, the housing having a first housing section for receiving a stator of the drive system and a second housing section for receiving a transmission assembly; wherein a first cooling medium channel for cooling the stator is formed in or on the first housing section, and wherein a second cooling medium channel for cooling the transmission assembly is formed in or on the second housing section, wherein the first cooling medium channel is fluidly connected to the second cooling medium channel such that cooling medium can be guided through the first cooling medium channel into the second cooling medium channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a housing for a drive system. More particularly, it relates to a housing for a drive system of a motor vehicle. Furthermore, this invention relates to a method for manufacturing a housing for a drive system, particularly for motor vehicles. More specifically, it relates to a housing for an electric drive system, particularly for electric or hybrid vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] In an electric drive system, the stator can be cooled by a cooling medium circulating around the stator between the outer system housing and the inner stator housing section. For this purpose, a cooling medium channel can be provided that runs around the inner housing. The outer system housing is separated from the inner stator housing section by a seal. The transmission is located on the opposite side of the seal and is not cooled, or at least not significantly, by the cooling medium. Another cooling assembly is known from DE 10 2014 206845 A1.

[0003] To cool the transmission in the same way, an additional cooling circuit is required, which necessitates additional material and space requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a housing for a drive system and a method for manufacturing a housing for a drive system, which will be described in detail below.

[0005] Preferred implementation methods are also given below.

[0006] Therefore, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a housing for a drive system, particularly for a motor vehicle, the housing having a first housing section and a second housing section. The first housing section is for receiving the stator of the drive system. The second housing section is for receiving a transmission assembly. A first cooling medium passage for cooling the stator is constructed in or on the first housing section, and a second cooling medium passage for cooling the transmission assembly is constructed in or on the second housing section. The first cooling medium passage and the second cooling medium passage are in fluid connection, such that cooling medium can be guided through the first cooling medium passage to the second cooling medium passage.

[0007] Therefore, according to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a housing for a drive system, particularly for motor vehicles. A first housing section is constructed to receive the stator of the drive system. A second housing section is also constructed to receive a transmission assembly. A first cooling medium channel for cooling the stator is constructed in or on the first housing section, and a second cooling medium channel for cooling the transmission assembly is constructed in or on the second housing section. The first cooling medium channel and the second cooling medium channel are fluidly connected, such that cooling medium can be guided through the first cooling medium channel to the second cooling medium channel.

[0008] Advantages of the present invention

[0009] This invention enables the cooling of not only the stator but also the transmission assembly through a single cooling circuit. This eliminates the need for additional material and space requirements for separate cooling circuits.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the housing, the first housing section further includes a third cooling medium channel fluidly connected to the second cooling medium channel, wherein the first cooling medium channel has a cooling medium inlet for allowing cooling medium to enter, and wherein the third cooling medium channel has a cooling medium outlet for discharging cooling medium. According to the embodiment of the housing, the third cooling medium channel may run through or around the stator region and thereby additionally cool the stator.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the housing, the first cooling medium channel is at least partially fluidly separated from the third cooling medium channel by a partition. In particular, the partition can be provided to completely fluidly separate the first and third cooling medium channels. However, a certain amount of leakage can be tolerated, allowing the partition to be partially permeable to the cooling medium. Preferably, less than 20%, particularly preferably less than 10%, of the cooling medium is allowed to penetrate the partition, that is, to enter directly from the first cooling medium channel into the third cooling medium channel.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the housing, the second cooling medium channel has a first cooling medium channel section directly connected to the first cooling medium channel. Furthermore, the second cooling medium channel has a second cooling medium channel section that is directly connected to a third cooling medium channel and runs parallel to the first cooling medium channel section, wherein, during operation, the cooling medium flows antiparallel through both the first and second cooling medium channel sections. This is a simple geometric structure.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the housing, the second cooling medium channel has a third cooling medium channel section that connects the first cooling medium channel section to the second cooling medium channel section. The third cooling medium channel section can be specifically configured to cool the transmission assembly. For this purpose, the third cooling medium channel section is oriented adjacent to the transmission assembly or its receiving area.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the housing for the drive system, the third cooling medium passage section is configured in a U-shape. According to other embodiments, the third cooling medium passage section can also be configured in an S-shape. Furthermore, according to embodiments, the third cooling medium passage section can be provided with two interlocking rib structures or comb-like members, allowing the cooling medium to flow through the space between the ribs or comb-like members. The cooling medium can thus absorb as much heat as possible for better cooling of the transmission components.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the housing, the second housing section has a transmission oil pan region for receiving transmission fluid, wherein a third cooling medium passage section is adjacent to the transmission oil pan region. Cooling medium flowing through the third cooling medium passage section thereby cools the transmission fluid entering the transmission oil pan region.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the housing, the first housing section has an inner stator housing section and an outer stator housing section for receiving the stator, wherein the first cooling medium channel runs spirally or meanderingly between the inner and outer stator housing sections. According to other embodiments, the first cooling medium channel may also have a comb-like structure with interlocking cooling ribs. This allows for effective cooling of the stator.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the housing, the first cooling medium channel is connected to the second cooling medium channel through an opening in a pivot hole, sleeve, or casting.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the housing, structures, particularly ribs, are constructed in the first and / or second cooling medium channels to increase the surface area. These surface-increasing structures facilitate better heat dissipation, resulting in better cooling of the transmission assembly.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the housing, the first housing section is at least partially formed by the system housing, wherein the second housing section is at least partially formed by the transmission cover, wherein the transmission cover at least partially forms a second cooling medium passage, and wherein the transmission cover is connected to the system housing by means of at least one sealing element. Thus, the first and second cooling medium passages can be sealed via the transmission cover, eliminating the need for additional components or covers. This reduces manufacturing costs. Attached Figure Description

[0020] in:

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic exploded view of the housing used for the drive system is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic view of the lower side of a housing for a drive system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic side view of the housing used for the drive system is shown;

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic rear view of the housing for the drive system, along with [other details], is shown. Figure 3 A partial sectional view of section CC in the middle;

[0025] Figure 5 A schematic rear view of the housing for the drive system, along with... Figure 3 A partial sectional view of section AA in the middle;

[0026] Figure 6 According to the diagram showing a portion of the housing used for the drive system Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of section BB in the diagram;

[0027] Figure 7 The housing for the drive system is shown according to Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of section CC in the diagram; and

[0028] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a housing for a drive system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0029] In all the accompanying drawings, the same or functionally identical elements and devices are given the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic exploded view of a housing 100 for a drive system is shown. The depicted housing 100 allows for a better understanding of the invention. The housing 100 includes a first housing section 200 and a second housing section 300.

[0031] The first housing section 200 includes a front cover 200c, an inner stator housing section 200a, and an outer stator housing section 200b, which receive the stator (not shown). The outer stator housing section 200b is part of a system housing 1100, which may receive other components, particularly power electronic devices. A cooling medium channel 400 spirals between the inner stator housing section 200a and the outer stator housing section 200b.

[0032] The cooling medium flows through the cooling medium channel 400 to cool the stator. The cooling medium can be cooling water. Depending on the application, it can also be other coolants, such as cooling oil or gaseous cooling media.

[0033] The second housing section 300 is formed by a transmission cover, which together with the system housing 1100 receives the transmission or transmission assembly G.

[0034] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the lower side of a housing 1 for a drive system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided. The housing 1 according to the present invention is connected to... Figure 1 The difference in the housing shown is that it has a single cooling circuit, which is used not only to cool the stator but also to cool the transmission assembly G.

[0035] The housing 1 includes a first housing section 2, which has an interior stator housing section 2a for receiving the stator S and an exterior stator housing section 2b, wherein, as Figure 1 Similarly, the first cooling medium channel (not shown) runs in a spiral pattern between the inner stator housing section 2a and the outer stator housing section 2b.

[0036] The housing 1 further includes a second housing section 3, which has a transmission cover 3a and a transmission cooling section 3b with a cooling medium passage section. The transmission cooling section 3b includes a front region 3b-1 and a rear region 3b-2.

[0037] The terms "housing section" and "transmission cooling section" should not be understood in this context as necessarily being separate physical units. Rather, they can be understood as portions of a single, integral housing. Here, the transmission cooling section 3b may be constructed, at least partially, through the transmission cover 3a. However, the transmission cooling section 3b may also be a separate component or, at least partially, through the system housing 1000.

[0038] The cooling medium can be removed after multiple flow cycles.

[0039] Figure 3 A schematic side view of the housing 1 for the drive system is shown. After flowing through a first cooling medium channel, the cooling medium enters a second cooling medium channel 5 through an opening 10a. The opening 10a can be, for example, an opening in a zigzag borehole, sleeve, or casting (e.g., inserted using a angular drill bit). The second cooling medium channel 5 connects to a third cooling medium channel (not shown), which runs between the inner stator housing section 2a and the outer stator housing section 2b and terminates at a cooling medium outlet 6a through which the cooling medium flows out.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to a specific location of the cooling medium outlet 6a. The cooling medium outlet may be located, for example, in the upper region or also in the lower region, depending on the application. The cooling medium outlet 6a may also be located in the lower region of the transmission cover 3a or directly downstream of the oil-cooling medium-heat exchanger region within the system housing 1000.

[0041] Figure 4 A schematic rear view of the housing for the drive system, along with... Figure 3 A partial sectional view of section CC. Internal threads 401 and 402 are provided to screw the transmission cover 3a to the system housing 1000 to provide a sealed cooling circuit.

[0042] Figure 5 A schematic rear view of the housing 1 for the drive system is shown, along with the data provided. Figure 3 The diagram shows a partial sectional view of section AA. The second cooling medium channel 5 includes a first cooling medium channel section 5a connected to the first cooling medium channel and a second cooling medium channel section 5b connected to the third cooling medium channel and running parallel to the first cooling medium channel section 5a. During operation, the cooling medium flows in opposite parallel directions through the first cooling medium channel section 5a and the second cooling medium channel section 5b.

[0043] Figure 6 According to the diagram, a portion of the housing 1 used for the drive system is shown. Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of section BB. After the cooling medium flows through the spiral-shaped first cooling medium passage 4, it enters the first cooling medium passage section 5a through opening 10a. A third cooling medium passage section 5c is connected to the first cooling medium passage section 5a. This third cooling medium passage section is U-shaped and connects the first cooling medium passage section 5a to the second cooling medium passage section 5b, which runs parallel to the first cooling medium passage section 5a. Ribs 11 are constructed in the third cooling medium passage section 5c to increase the surface area. The third cooling medium passage section 5c runs below the transmission oil pan area 8 for receiving transmission oil 9.

[0044] The third cooling medium passage section 5c is at least partially formed by the transmission cover 3a, which is connected to the system housing 1000. Seals 12 and 13 are provided therein to prevent transmission oil 9 from entering the third cooling medium passage section 5c, or to prevent the cooling medium from flowing out or ambient air from entering. The seals can be, for example, constructed as cap seals, wet seals, insert seals, etc.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. For example, the first to third cooling medium channel sections 5a, 5b, and 5c may be constructed as a single unit.

[0046] Figure 7 The housing 1 for the drive system is shown according to Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of section CC is shown. A first opening 10a is depicted through which the cooling medium enters from the first cooling medium channel 4 into the first cooling medium channel section 5a of the second cooling medium channel 5. Furthermore, a second opening 10b corresponding to the first opening 10a is shown through which the cooling medium enters the third cooling medium channel 6 and subsequently flows out through the cooling medium outlet 6a.

[0047] The first cooling medium channel 4 is separated from the third cooling medium channel 6 by a partition 7. This partition preferably prevents the cooling medium from directly entering the third cooling medium channel 6 from the first cooling medium channel 4. However, the partition 7 can also be configured to be partially permeable.

[0048] Figure 9 shows a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a housing for a drive system.

[0049] In the first method step S1, a first housing section 2 for receiving the stator 5 of the drive system is constructed.

[0050] In the second method step S2, a second housing section for receiving the transmission assembly G is constructed. A first cooling medium channel 4 for cooling the stator is constructed in the first housing section 2. A second cooling medium channel 5 for cooling the transmission assembly G is constructed in the second housing section 3. The first cooling medium channel 4 and the second cooling medium channel 5 are fluidly connected, allowing cooling medium to be guided from the first cooling medium channel 4 to the second cooling medium channel 5.

[0051] In order to manufacture housing 1, the transmission cover 3a can be connected to the system housing 1000 by means of seals 12 and 13.

Claims

1. Housing (1) for a drive system, having: a first housing section (2) for receiving a stator of the drive system; and a second housing section (3) for receiving a transmission assembly (G); a first cooling medium channel (4) for cooling the stator is configured in or on the first housing section (2), and wherein a second cooling medium channel (5) for cooling the transmission assembly (G) is configured in or on the second housing section (3), and wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) is in fluid connection with the second cooling medium channel (5) such that cooling medium is guided through the first cooling medium channel (4) into the second cooling medium channel (5), wherein the first housing section (2) is at least partially constituted by a system housing (1000), wherein the second housing section (3) is at least partially constituted by a transmission cover, wherein the transmission cover at least partially constitutes the second cooling medium channel (5), and wherein the transmission cover is connected with the system housing by means of at least one sealing element (12, 13). The first housing section (2) further has a third cooling medium channel (6) which is in fluid connection with the second cooling medium channel (5), wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) has a cooling medium inlet for the cooling medium to enter, and wherein the third cooling medium channel (6) has a cooling medium outlet (6a) for the cooling medium to exit.

3. Housing (1) for a drive system, having: a first housing section (2) for receiving a stator of the drive system; and a second housing section (3) for receiving a transmission assembly (G); a first cooling medium channel (4) for cooling the stator is configured in or on the first housing section (2), and wherein a second cooling medium channel (5) for cooling the transmission assembly (G) is configured in or on the second housing section (3), and wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) is in fluid connection with the second cooling medium channel (5) such that cooling medium is guided through the first cooling medium channel (4) into the second cooling medium channel (5), wherein the first housing section (2) further has a third cooling medium channel (6) which is in fluid connection with the second cooling medium channel (5), wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) has a cooling medium inlet for the cooling medium to enter, and wherein the third cooling medium channel (6) has a cooling medium outlet (6a) for the cooling medium to exit. wherein The first cooling medium channel (4) is at least partially fluidically separated from the third cooling medium channel (6) by a partition (7). ​ 2. The housing (1) according to claim 1, wherein ​ ​ ​ ​ wherein ​ ​ 4. The housing (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein ​ 5. The housing (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The second cooling medium channel (5) has a first cooling medium channel section (5a) which is directly connected to the first cooling medium channel (4) and a second cooling medium channel section (5b) which is directly connected to the third cooling medium channel (6) and runs parallel to the first cooling medium channel section (5a), wherein, in operation, the cooling medium flows counter-parallel through the first cooling medium channel section (5a) and the second cooling medium channel section (5b).

6. The housing (1) according to claim 5, wherein The second cooling medium channel (5) has a third cooling medium channel section (5c) which connects the first cooling medium channel section (5a) to the second cooling medium channel section (5b).

7. The housing (1) according to claim 6, wherein The second housing section (3) has a transmission oil sump area (8) for receiving transmission oil (9) and wherein the third cooling medium channel section (5c) adjoins to the transmission oil sump area (8).

8. The housing (1) according to claim 1 or 3, wherein The first housing section (2) has an inner stator housing section (2a) and an outer stator housing section (2b) for receiving the stator and wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) runs helically or meander-like between the inner stator housing section (2a) and the outer stator housing section (2b).

9. The housing (1) according to claim 1 or 3, wherein The first cooling medium channel (4) is connected to the second cooling medium channel (5) by means of a transfer bore (10a), an opening in a sleeve or a casting.

10. The housing (1) according to claim 1 or 3, wherein A structure (11) for increasing the surface is configured in the first cooling medium channel (4) and / or in the second cooling medium channel (5).

11. The housing (1) according to claim 1 or 3, wherein The drive system is a drive system for a motor vehicle.

12. The housing (1) according to claim 10, wherein The structure (11) for increasing the surface is configured as a rib.

13. Method for manufacturing a housing (1) for a drive system, having the following steps: Configuration (SI) of a first housing section (2) which is used to receive a stator of a drive system; and Configuration (S2) of a second housing section (3) which is used to receive a transmission assembly (G); wherein A first cooling medium channel (4) for cooling the stator is configured in or on the first housing section (2) and wherein a second cooling medium channel (5) for cooling the transmission assembly (G) is configured in or on the second housing section (3) and wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) is fluidically connected to the second cooling medium channel (5) such that a cooling medium can be guided through the first cooling medium channel (4) into the second cooling medium channel (5), The second cooling medium channel (5) has a third cooling medium channel section (5c) which connects the first cooling medium channel section (5a) to the second cooling medium channel section (5b). The second housing section (3) has a transmission oil sump area (8) for receiving transmission oil (9) and wherein the third cooling medium channel section (5c) adjoins to the transmission oil sump area (8). The first housing section (2) has an inner stator housing section (2a) and an outer stator housing section (2b) for receiving the stator and wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) runs helically or meander-like between the inner stator housing section (2a) and the outer stator housing section (2b). The first cooling medium channel (4) is connected to the second cooling medium channel (5) by means of a transfer bore (10a), an opening in a sleeve or a casting. A structure (11) for increasing the surface is configured in the first cooling medium channel (4) and / or in the second cooling medium channel (5). The drive system is a drive system for a motor vehicle. The structure (11) for increasing the surface is configured as a rib.

13. Method for manufacturing a housing (1) for a drive system, having the following steps: Configuration (SI) of a first housing section (2) which is used to receive a stator of a drive system; and Configuration (S2) of a second housing section (3) which is used to receive a transmission assembly (G); A first cooling medium channel (4) for cooling the stator is configured in or on the first housing section (2) and wherein a second cooling medium channel (5) for cooling the transmission assembly (G) is configured in or on the second housing section (3) and wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) is fluidically connected to the second cooling medium channel (5) such that a cooling medium can be guided through the first cooling medium channel (4) into the second cooling medium channel (5), wherein the first housing section (2) is at least partially formed by a system housing (1000), wherein the second housing section (3) is at least partially formed by a transmission cover, wherein the transmission cover at least partially constitutes the second cooling medium channel (5), and wherein the transmission cover is connected to the system housing by means of at least one sealing element (12, 13).

14. Method for manufacturing a housing (1) for a drive system, having the following steps: - a configuration (SI) of a first housing section (2) for receiving a stator of a drive system; and - a configuration (S2) of a second housing section (3) for receiving a transmission assembly (G); wherein - a configuration of a first cooling medium channel (4) for cooling the stator in or on the first housing section (2), and wherein a second cooling medium channel (5) for cooling the transmission assembly (G) is configured in or on the second housing section (3), and wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) is in fluid connection with the second cooling medium channel (5) such that cooling medium can be guided through the first cooling medium channel (4) into the second cooling medium channel (5), - wherein the first housing section (2) further has a third cooling medium channel (6) which is in fluid connection with the second cooling medium channel (5), wherein the first cooling medium channel (4) has a cooling medium inlet for the cooling medium to enter, and wherein the third cooling medium channel (6) has a cooling medium outlet (6a) for the cooling medium to exit.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the drive system is a drive system for a motor vehicle.

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