drive device

Abstract

A drive device of the present application includes a rotary electric machine having a rotor that rotates around a main axis, a power transmission mechanism having a plurality of gears and connected to the rotor and transmitting power, a housing that houses the power transmission mechanism, oil that is accumulated in a region on a lower side in a first direction within the housing, and a collection container that is disposed within the housing and has an opening toward an upper side. The housing has a side wall that extends in an axial direction and surrounds the plurality of gears. The plurality of gears includes a lift gear that lifts up the oil along an inner surface of the side wall and sends the oil to the collection container. A protruding portion is provided on the inner surface of the side wall, is disposed in a path of the oil lifted up by the lift gear, and is located between the lift gear and the collection container when viewed in the axial direction. The protruding portion has a guide surface that opposes the lifted-up oil. When viewed in the axial direction, an extension line of a tangent line of the guide surface passes through the opening of the collection container.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0002] In recent years, with the popularization of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, development of a drive device that drives a vehicle is being promoted. In the above-described drive device, in order to improve lubricity of a gear or cool a rotary electric machine, oil is sometimes stored inside. Patent Literature 1 discloses a configuration in which oil accumulated in the bottom of a housing is lifted up by rotation of a gear and received with a storage portion (a collection container).

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-128816 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] A gear cover that covers a gear is screwed to a housing. Further, a protruding portion that makes the wall thickness of the periphery of a threaded hole thick is provided to the inner side surface of the housing. In the gear housing of the existing configuration, oil lifted up by the gear sometimes collides with the protruding portion or the like and is difficult to reach the collection container.

[0008] In view of the above-described problems, one of the objects of one embodiment of the present application is to provide a drive device that can easily capture oil lifted up by a gear with a collection container.

[0009] TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0010] One embodiment of the drive device of the present application includes a rotary electric machine having a rotor that rotates around a main axis, a power transmission mechanism having a plurality of gears and connected to and transmitting power from the rotor, a housing that houses the power transmission mechanism, oil that is accumulated in a region on the lower side in a first direction inside the housing, and a collection container that is disposed inside the housing and has an opening toward the upper side. The housing has a side wall that extends in the axial direction and surrounds the plurality of gears. The plurality of gears include a lifting gear that lifts up and sends the oil to the collection container along an inner surface of the side wall. A protruding portion is provided to the inner surface of the side wall, is disposed in a path of the oil lifted up by the lifting gear, and is located between the lifting gear and the collection container when viewed in the axial direction. The protruding portion has a guide surface that opposes the lifted-up oil. When viewed in the axial direction, an extension line of a tangent line of the guide surface passes through the opening of the collection container.

[0011] Inventive Effects

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present application, a driving device that can easily capture oil raised by a gear with a collection container can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a driving device according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a side view of a driving device according to one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a front view of a raising path of a driving device according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 3. Figure 3

[0017] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a side view of a driving device according to a modification.

[0018] (Symbol Explanation)

[0019] 1, 101 driving device; 2 rotary electric machine; 3 gear portion (power transmission mechanism); 6, 106 housing; 20 rotor; 41, 42, 43, 141, 143 gear; 51 gear (raising gear); 60, 160 side wall; 60a, 106f, 106g inner surface; 60b outer surface; 61 inner side protrusion (protrusion); 61a guide surface; 61b opposite surface; 62 outer side protrusion; 62a outer side connecting surface; 67 fixing screw; 69 fixing hole; 91a path; 93, 193 collection container; 93a bottom; 93b first side portion (side portion); 93c front end portion; 93p opening; 142 pinion gear (second raising gear); 151 gear (first raising gear); J2 main axis; L extension line; O oil; X second direction; Y first direction; θ angle DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, a rotary electric machine according to an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] ​In the following description, the direction of gravity is defined based on the positional relationship of the drive unit 1 mounted on a vehicle located on a horizontal road surface. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, an XYZ coordinate system is appropriately shown as a three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system. In the XYZ coordinate system, the Z-axis direction represents the vertical direction (i.e., the up-down direction), the +Z direction is the upper side (the side opposite to the direction of gravity), and the -Z direction is the lower side (the direction of gravity). Furthermore, the X-axis direction is orthogonal to the Z-axis direction and represents the forward-backward direction (second direction) of the vehicle on which the drive unit 1 is mounted; the +X direction is the front of the vehicle, and the -X direction is the rear of the vehicle. The Y-axis direction is orthogonal to both the X-axis and Z-axis directions and represents the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle; the +Y direction is the left side of the vehicle, and the -Y direction is the right side of the vehicle.

[0022] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction parallel to the main axis J2 of the rotary motor 2 (Y-axis direction) will be simply referred to as "axial direction". Furthermore, the left side of the vehicle (i.e., the +Y side) will be simply referred to as one side of the axial direction, and the right side of the vehicle (i.e., the -Y side) will be simply referred to as the other side of the axial direction. Additionally, the radial direction centered on the main axis J2 will be simply referred to as "radial direction", and the circumferential direction centered on the main axis J2, i.e., the direction of the axis around the main axis J2, will be simply referred to as "circumferential direction".

[0023] In the following description, the width direction of the vehicle, which is parallel to the Y-axis, will be referred to as the "vehicle width direction" or "first direction". The front-rear direction of the vehicle, which is parallel to the X-axis, will be referred to as the "front-rear direction" or "second direction". Furthermore, the rear of the vehicle (i.e., the -X side) will be referred to as one side of the front-rear direction, and the front of the vehicle (i.e., the +X side) will be referred to as the other side of the front-rear direction. The first and second directions are orthogonal to each other along the horizontal plane.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram of a drive device 1 according to one embodiment.

[0025] The drive unit 1 drives the vehicle. The drive unit 1 is installed in vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHV), and electric vehicles (EV) that use a rotary motor 2 as a power source, and serves as their power source.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the drive unit 1 includes a rotary motor 2, a gear unit (power transmission mechanism) 3, a housing 6, and an oil hydrant. Inside the housing 6, there is a storage space 80 for housing the rotary motor 2 and the gear unit 3. The storage space 80 is divided into a motor chamber 81 for housing the rotary motor 2 and a gear chamber 82 for housing the gear unit 3.

[0027] <Rotating Electric Machine>

[0028] The rotary electric machine 2 is housed in the motor chamber 81 of the housing 6. The rotary electric machine 2 includes a rotor 20 and a stator 30 located radially outward of the rotor 20. The rotary electric machine 2 is an internal rotor type motor including the stator 30 and the rotor 20 rotatably disposed inward of the stator 30.

[0029] The rotor 20 is rotated by supplying electric power from a battery, which is omitted from illustration, to the stator 30. The rotor 20 has a shaft 21, a rotor core 24, and rotor magnets (omitted from illustration). That is, the rotary electric machine 2 has the shaft 21, the rotor core 24, and the rotor magnets. The rotor 20 is rotated about a main axis J2. The torque of the rotor 20 is transmitted to the gear portion 3.

[0030] The shaft 21 extends about the main axis J2 extending in the vehicle width direction (first direction). The shaft 21 is rotated about the main axis J2. The shaft 21 is a hollow shaft in which a hollow portion 22 having an inner peripheral surface extending along the main axis J2 is provided inside.

[0031] The shaft 21 extends across the motor chamber 81 and the gear chamber 82 of the housing 6. An end portion of the shaft 21 on one side protrudes to the gear chamber 82 side. A pinion gear 41 is fixed to the end portion of the shaft 21 protruding to the gear chamber 82.

[0032] The rotor core 24 is, for example, configured by laminating silicon steel sheets. The rotor core 24 can also be a press powder magnetic core. The rotor core 24 is a cylinder extending in the axial direction. A plurality of rotor magnets, which are omitted from illustration, are fixed to the rotor core 24. The plurality of rotor magnets are arranged in the circumferential direction in such a manner that magnetic poles alternate.

[0033] The stator 30 surrounds the rotor 20 from the radially outer side. The stator 30 has a stator core 32, a coil 31, and an insulating member (omitted from illustration) interposed between the stator core 32 and the coil 31. The stator 30 is held to the housing 6. The stator core 32 has a plurality of magnetic pole teeth (omitted from illustration) from the inner peripheral surface of the annular yoke portion to the radially inner side. Coil wires are disposed between the magnetic pole teeth. The coil wires in the gaps between the adjacent magnetic pole teeth constitute the coil 31. The insulating member is composed of an insulating material.

[0034] <GEAR PORTION>

[0035] The gear portion 3 has a plurality of gears 41, 42, 43, 51. The gear portion 3 is connected to the rotor 20 of the rotary electric machine 2 and transmits power. The gear portion 3 has a speed reduction device 4 and a differential device 5.

[0036] The speed reduction device 4 has a function of reducing the rotational speed of the rotary electric machine 2 and increasing the torque output from the rotary electric machine 2 according to the speed reduction ratio. The speed reduction device 4 is connected to the shaft 21 of the rotary electric machine 2. The speed reduction device 4 transmits the torque output from the rotary electric machine 2 to the differential device 5.

[0037] The reduction gear 4 has a pinion 41, an intermediate shaft 45, and a lay shaft gear 42 and a driving gear 43 fixed to the intermediate shaft 45. The torque output from the rotary electric machine 2 is transmitted to the ring gear 51 of the differential 5 via the shaft 21, the pinion 41, the lay shaft gear 42, and the driving gear 43. The gear ratio of each gear and the number of gears can be variously changed according to a desired reduction ratio. The reduction gear 4 is a parallel shaft gear type reduction gear in which the shafts of the gears are arranged in parallel.

[0038] The pinion 41 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 21 of the rotary electric machine 2. The pinion 41 rotates together with the shaft 21 about the main axis J2.

[0039] The intermediate shaft 45 extends along an intermediate axis J4 parallel to the main axis J2. The intermediate shaft 45 rotates about the intermediate axis J4.

[0040] The lay shaft gear 42 and the driving gear 43 are arranged in the axial direction. The lay shaft gear 42 and the driving gear 43 are provided to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate shaft 45. The lay shaft gear 42 and the driving gear 43 are connected via the intermediate shaft 45. The lay shaft gear 42 and the driving gear 43 rotate about the intermediate axis J4. At least two of the lay shaft gear 42, the driving gear 43, and the intermediate shaft 45 can be constituted by a single member. The lay shaft gear 42 is engaged with the pinion 41. The driving gear 43 is engaged with the ring gear 51 of the differential 5.

[0041] The differential 5 is a device for transmitting the torque output from the rotary electric machine 2 to the wheels of the vehicle. The differential 5 has a function of absorbing the speed difference between the left and right wheels while transmitting the same torque to a pair of output shafts 55 when the vehicle turns.

[0042] The differential 5 has a ring gear (sun gear) 51, a gear housing (not shown), a pair of pinions (not shown), a pair of pinion shafts (not shown), and a pair of side gears (not shown). The ring gear 51 rotates about a differential axis J5 parallel to the main axis J2. The torque output from the rotary electric machine 2 is transmitted to the ring gear 51 via the reduction gear 4.

[0043] The pair of output shafts 55 extend in the axial direction. The pair of output shafts 55 are connected to the side gears at one ends thereof, respectively, and are connected to the wheels at the other ends thereof, respectively. The pair of output shafts 55 transmit the torque of the rotary electric machine 2 to the ground via the wheels.

[0044] In the gear portion, the main axis J2, the intermediate axis J4, and the differential axis J5 extend in the vehicle width direction (Y-axis direction, first direction). The main axis J2 is positioned on the upper side than the differential axis J5 and the intermediate axis J4. The differential axis J5 and the intermediate axis J4 are arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0045] Figure 2is a side view schematic diagram of the driving device 1. In addition, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram, and the configuration of each part is not necessarily drawn accurately. In particular, the positional relationship between the ring gear 51 and the collection container 93 is described with reference to the following Figure 3 and Figure 4 .

[0046] As shown in Figure 3 , an oil accumulation portion P in which oil O is accumulated is provided in a lower region in the gear chamber 82. In the following description, the lower region in the gear chamber 82 is referred to as the oil accumulation portion P. The oil O accumulated in the oil accumulation portion P is lifted up due to the operation of the gear portion 3, and a part of it is supplied to the collection container 93, and a part of it is diffused into the gear chamber 82.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the ring gear 51 has a larger diameter than the other gears. In addition, at least a part of the ring gear 51 is immersed in the oil accumulation portion P. The gear portion 3 lifts up and sends the oil O at the ring gear 51 to the collection container 93. That is, the plurality of gears 41, 42, 43, 51 include a lifting gear. In addition, in the present specification, the lifting gear refers to a gear that lifts up and sends oil to the collection container 93.

[0048] The oil O diffused into the gear chamber 82 is supplied to each gear of the gear portion 3 in the gear chamber 82 and makes the oil O spread over the tooth surfaces of the gears. The oil O supplied to the gear portion 3 and used for lubrication drips down and is recovered to the oil accumulation portion P located on the lower side of the gear chamber 82.

[0049] The oil O is supplied to the collection container 93, and the storage amount of the collection container 93 increases, whereby the liquid level of the oil O of the oil accumulation portion P decreases. Therefore, by supplying the oil O to the collection container 93, it is possible to reduce the stirring resistance of the oil O against the ring gear 51.

[0050] <Shell>

[0051] As shown in Figure 1 , the shell 6 houses the rotary electric machine 2 and the gear portion 3. A motor chamber 81 and a gear chamber 82 are provided inside the shell 6.

[0052] The shell 6 has a shell main body 83, a motor cover 84, and a gear cover 85. The motor cover 84 is disposed on the other axial side of the shell main body 83. The gear cover 85 is disposed on the axial side of the shell main body 83. The motor chamber 81 is a space surrounded by the shell main body 83 and the motor cover 84. The gear chamber 82 is a space surrounded by the shell main body 83 and the gear cover 85. The shell main body 83 and the motor cover 84 are fixed to each other by screws or the like. Likewise, the shell main body 83 and the gear cover 85 are fixed to each other by screws or the like

[0053] The housing 6 has a partition wall 66, an opposite wall 68, a side wall 60, and a collection container 93 that surround the gear portion 3. That is, the drive device 1 has the partition wall 66, the opposite wall 68, the side wall 60, and the collection container 93. The partition wall 66, the opposite wall 68, and the side wall 60 constitute the gear chamber 82.

[0054] The partition wall 66 and the opposite wall 68 extend along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction. The partition wall 66 faces the opposite wall 68 in the axial direction with the gear portion 3 interposed therebetween. The partition wall 66 is a portion of the housing main body 83. On the other hand, the opposite wall 68 is a portion of the gear cover 85. The side wall 60 is constituted by a portion extending from the partition wall 66 toward one axial direction (+Y side) and a portion extending from the opposite wall 68 toward the other axial direction (-Y side). A boundary portion of the housing main body 83 and the gear cover 85 is provided at the side wall 60. That is, the housing main body 83 and the gear cover 85 are fastened at the side wall 60.

[0055] The partition wall 66 divides the accommodation space 80 of the housing 6 into the motor chamber 81 and the gear chamber 82. The shaft through-hole 66f and the partition wall opening 66g are provided at the partition wall 66. The shaft through-hole 66f and the partition wall opening 66g communicate the motor chamber 81 and the gear chamber 82 with each other. The shaft 21 passes through the shaft through-hole 66f. The partition wall opening 66g is provided near the bottom of the motor chamber 81. The oil O cooled in the motor chamber 81 moves from the motor chamber 81 to the oil accumulation portion P of the gear chamber 82 via the partition wall opening 66g.

[0056] The side wall 60 extends along the axial direction. The side wall 60 surrounds the gears 41, 42, 43, 51 from the radially outer side of the main axis J2, the intermediate axis J4, and the differential axis J5. The side wall 60 connects the partition wall 66 and the opposite wall 68.

[0057] The collection container 93 is provided in the housing 6. The collection container 93 is open upward. The collection container 93 functions as a reservoir that temporarily stores the oil. The oil O raised by the ring gear 51 is accumulated in the collection container 93.

[0058] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the vehicle travels forward, the ring gear 51 rotates in a direction in which the ring gear 51 rotates upward on the side opposite to the differential axis J5 (hereinafter referred to as a first rotation direction T1). Therefore, the oil O is raised by the ring gear 51 and passes between the intermediate axis J4 and the differential axis J5 to enter the collection container 93. That is, when the vehicle travels forward, the oil O of the oil accumulation portion P is mainly guided to the collection container 93 due to the raising of the ring gear 51.

[0059] <Oil>

[0060] The oil O is used as lubricating oil for the gear portion 3. Also, the oil O is used for cooling of the rotary electric machine 2. The oil O is accumulated in a lower region (i.e., an oil accumulation portion P) in the gear chamber 82. That is, the oil O is accumulated in a region on a vertically lower side in the housing 6. The oil O is preferably an oil equivalent to Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) having a lower viscosity in order to function as lubricating oil and cooling oil.

[0061] In the drive apparatus 1, the oil O circulates in an oil passage 90. The oil passage 90 is a path of the oil O that supplies the oil O from the oil accumulation portion P to the rotary electric machine 2.

[0062] In addition, in the present specification, the "oil passage" refers to a path of the oil O that circulates in the accommodation space 80. Therefore, the concept of the "oil passage" includes not only a "flow path" that forms a stable flow of oil always in one direction, but also a path that temporarily retains oil (for example, functions as a reservoir like a sump), a path that allows oil to drip, and a path that allows oil to scatter.

[0063] The oil passage 90 includes a lift-up path 91a, a shaft supply path 91b, a shaft inner path 91c, and a rotor inner path 91d. The lift-up path 91a is a path that moves the oil O from the gear chamber 82 to the motor chamber 81 by lifting up the oil O by the differential device 5. The shaft supply path 91b is a path that guides the oil O from the sump 93 to the rotary electric machine 2. The shaft inner path 91c is a path for the oil O to pass through the hollow portion 22 of the shaft 21. Further, the rotor inner path 91d is a path for the oil O to pass through the inside of the rotor core portion 24 and to scatter toward the stator 30.

[0064] A part of the oil O accumulated in the sump 93 is supplied to the inside of the shaft 21 through the shaft supply path 91b. The oil O supplied to the hollow portion 22 of the shaft 21 is given a centrifugal force accompanying rotation of the rotor 20. The oil O continuously scatters from the hole provided in the rotor 20 to the radially outer side, and cools the stator 30. The oil O that reaches the stator 30 takes heat from the stator 30 and drips down to the lower side, and is accumulated in a lower region in the motor chamber 81. The oil O accumulated in the lower region in the motor chamber 81 moves to the gear chamber 82 through the partition wall opening 66g provided in the partition wall 66.

[0065] <Regarding the path of the oil that is lifted up>

[0066] As Figure 1As shown, the collection container 93 is provided in the gear chamber 82 of the housing 6. The collection container 93 is configured by connecting a rib-shaped portion protruding from the partition wall 66 toward the one axial side (+Y side) and another rib-shaped portion protruding from the opposite wall 68 toward the other axial side (-Y side) to each other in the axial direction. Thus, the collection container 93 extends over the entire length in the axial direction of the gear chamber 82. Therefore, the collection container 93 can receive not only the oil O raised by the ring gear 51 but also the oil O raised by the pinion gear 42.

[0067] Figure 3 is a front view of the raised path 91a of the present embodiment. Figure 4 is Figure 3 is a partial enlarged view of

[0068] The collection container 93 is located at a position higher than the differential axis J5 in the vertical direction. The collection container 93 is located at a position lower than the upper end of the ring gear 51. That is, the collection container 93 and the ring gear 51 are arranged in the front-rear direction. The collection container 93 is located in front of the ring gear 51.

[0069] An opening 93p is provided at the collection container 93, which receives the oil O raised by the gear portion 3. The oil O of the raised path 91a enters the collection container 93 through the opening 93p.

[0070] As Figure 2 shown, the collection container 93 has a bottom portion 93a, a first side portion (side portion) 93b, a second side portion 93d, and a front end portion 93c. The bottom portion 93a extends along the horizontal direction. The bottom portion 93a is disposed directly below the opening 93p. In the present specification, "directly below" means that at least a part of the bottom portion 93a is disposed so as to overlap the opening 93p when viewed from the lower side and the vertical direction. Similarly, "directly above" means that at least a part of the bottom portion 93a is disposed so as to overlap the opening 93p when viewed from the upper side and the vertical direction.

[0071] As Figure 3 shown, the first side portion 93b constitutes a wall surface of the rear side (-X side) of the collection container 93. The second side portion 93d constitutes a wall surface of the front side (+X side) of the collection container 93. The collection container 93 stores the oil O in an area surrounded by the bottom portion 93a, the first side portion 93b, the second side portion 93d, the opposite wall 68, and the partition wall 66.

[0072] The first side portion 93b extends upward from the end portion of the bottom portion 93a on the differential axis J5 side. The first side portion 93b is inclined toward the ring gear 51 as it goes upward. Thus, the first side portion 93b ensures that the opening 93p is wide and improves the oil O capture rate.

[0073] The front end portion 93c is provided at the upper end of the first side portion 93b. The front end portion 93c is inclined toward the side of the ring gear 51 as it goes upward from the upper end of the first side portion 93b. The upper end of the front end portion 93c is disposed separately from the top surface of the gear chamber 82. The oil O of the lift-up path 91a passes between the upper end of the front end portion 93c and the top surface of the gear chamber 82.

[0074] A portion of the oil O lifted up by the ring gear 51 collides with the top surface of the gear chamber 82 and drips down. According to the present embodiment, the front end portion 93c extends obliquely toward the side of the ring gear 51, and thus, it is possible to guide the oil O that drips down from the top surface toward the inside of the collection container 93. Thereby, it is possible to improve the capture rate of the collection container 93.

[0075] As described above, the housing main body 83 and the gear cover 85 are fastened at the side wall 60. Therefore, a fixing hole 69 into which the fixing screw 67 (refer to Figure 2 ) is inserted is provided at the housing main body 83 and the gear cover 85. The fixing hole 69 extends in the axial direction. The fixing hole 69 can also be a threaded hole in which a female screw is provided on the inner peripheral surface, or a through hole for nut fixing of the fixing screw 67.

[0076] The side wall 60 has an inner side protruding portion (protruding portion) 61 and an outer side protruding portion 62 that protrude from the inside of the peripheral wall thickness of the fixing hole 69. The inner side protruding portion 61 protrudes toward the inside of the gear chamber 82 with respect to the fixing hole 69. On the other hand, the outer side protruding portion 62 protrudes toward the outside of the gear chamber 82 with respect to the fixing hole 69. That is, the inner side protruding portion 61 is provided on the inner surface 60a of the side wall 60, and the outer side protruding portion 62 is provided on the outer surface 60b of the side wall 60. The fixing hole 69, the inner side protruding portion 61, and the outer side protruding portion 62 are arranged in the thickness direction of the side wall 60. That is, the outer side protruding portion 62 is located on the side opposite to the inner side protruding portion 61 in the thickness direction of the side wall 60. Furthermore, in the portion of the side wall 60 in which the inner side protruding portion 61 is provided, the fixing hole 69 into which the fixing screw 67 is inserted is provided

[0077] In the present embodiment, the inner side protruding portion 61 is disposed in the lift-up path 91a. That is, the inner side protruding portion 61 is disposed in the lift-up path 91a (that is, the path of the oil O lifted up by the ring gear 51).

[0078] The inner side protruding portion 61 is located between the ring gear 51 and the collection container 93 in the lift-up path 91a when viewed in the axial direction. The inner side protruding portion 61 is disposed directly above the ring gear 51. On the other hand, the inner side protruding portion 61 is disposed offset toward the side of the ring gear 51 with respect to the direct above of the collection container 93.

[0079] The inner protrusion 61 has a guide surface 61a and an opposite surface 61b. The guide surface 61a faces the upstream side of the lifting path 91a (i.e., the toothed ring 51 side). On the other hand, the opposite surface 61b faces the downstream side of the lifting path 91a (i.e., the collection container 93 side). That is, the opposite surface 61b is located on the opposite side of the guide surface 61a.

[0080] like Figure 4 As shown, the guide surface 61a is the region on the surface of the inner protrusion 61 that is closer to the gear ring 51 than the vertex 61p of the inner protrusion 61. Furthermore, the opposite surface 61b is the region on the surface of the inner protrusion 61 that is closer to the collection container 93 than the vertex 61p of the inner protrusion 61. Additionally, the vertex of the inner protrusion 61 refers to the point where, when viewed axially, the inner protrusion 61 protrudes the highest point in the thickness direction of the sidewall 60.

[0081] The guide surface 61a and the opposite surface 61b face opposite directions. The guide surface 61a and the opposite surface 61b are smoothly connected to each other. The guide surface 61a and the opposite surface 61b are each smoothly connected to the inner surface 60a of the sidewall 60. Therefore, the guide surface 61a and the opposite surface 61b are curved surfaces with continuously varying radii of curvature. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the radius of curvature of the guide surface 61a is larger than the radius of curvature of the opposite surface 61b.

[0082] The outer protrusion 62 has two outer connecting surfaces 62a and 62b. The two outer connecting surfaces 62a and 62b face opposite sides. The two outer connecting surfaces 62a and 62b are smoothly connected to each other. The two outer connecting surfaces 62a and 62b are each smoothly connected to the outer surface 60b of the sidewall 60. Therefore, the two outer connecting surfaces 62a and 62b are curved surfaces with continuously varying radii of curvature. The two outer connecting surfaces 62a and 62b are symmetrical in shape.

[0083] like Figure 3 As shown, the oil O lifted by the toothed ring 51 in the lifting path 91a is delivered to the collection container 93 via the lifting path 91a along the inner surface 60a of the sidewall 60. Furthermore, the inner protrusion 61 of this embodiment is disposed in the path of the lifting path 91a. Therefore, the oil O scattered in the lifting path 91a collides with the guide surface 61a of the inner protrusion 61.

[0084] like Figure 4As shown, when viewed axially, it is assumed that the extension line L of the tangent of the guide surface 61a is extended. In this embodiment, the extension line L of the tangent of the guide surface 61a passes through the opening 93p of the collection container. The extension line L imaginarily represents the path of the oil O that collides with the guide surface 61a. Therefore, the guide surface 61a can guide the oil O that collides with the inner protrusion 61 into the interior of the collection container 93. That is, according to the guide surface 61a of this embodiment, the capture rate of oil O in the collection container 93 can be improved.

[0085] Furthermore, since the guide surface 61a is a curved surface, the extension line L, which is the tangent of the guide surface 61a, can change its slope within a specified range by moving the tangent point. In this embodiment, the guide surface 61a is formed such that the extension line L of the tangent passing through any point located within the guide surface 61a passes through the opening 93p of the collection container 93.

[0086] In this embodiment, the inner protrusion 61 is located above the opening 93p of the collection container 93. Therefore, the guide surface 61a guides the oil O to the collection container 93 by changing the direction of oil O dispersion downwards upon contact with the oil O. Thus, the oil O that contacts the guide surface 61a disperses without resisting gravity, allowing the collection container 93 to capture the oil O more effectively compared to dispersion against gravity.

[0087] According to this embodiment, the guide surface 61a is a curved surface that smoothly connects to the inner surface 60a of the sidewall 60. Therefore, the dispersion direction of the oil O can be changed toward the opening 93p of the collection container 93 without causing the oil O in contact with the guide surface 61a to spread. As a result, the oil O capture rate in the collection container 93 can be improved.

[0088] According to this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the guide surface 61a is greater than the radius of curvature of the opposite surface 61b. Similarly, the radius of curvature of the guide surface 61a is greater than the radius of curvature of the outer connecting surfaces 62a and 62b. If the radii of curvature of the guide surface 61a, the opposite surface 61b, and the outer connecting surfaces 62a and 62b, which are curved surfaces, are increased, the thickness of the inner protrusion 61 increases overall, and the weight of the outer casing 6 increases. According to this embodiment, by making the radius of curvature of the guide surface 61a, which is only in contact with oil O, larger, and suppressing the radius of curvature of the opposite surface 61b and the outer connecting surfaces 62a and 62b to be smaller, the weight reduction of the outer casing 6 can be achieved.

[0089] like Figure 4 As shown, the first side portion 93b of the collection container 93 extends upward from the end of the toothed ring 51 side of the bottom 93a. The first side portion 93b extends obliquely towards the toothed ring 51 side as it moves upward. Thus, the first side portion 93b ensures a wider opening 93p, thereby improving the oil O capture rate.

[0090] likeFigure 4 As shown, the angle θ that the extension line L of the tangent line of the guide surface 61a makes with the first side portion 93b of the collection container 93 is an obtuse angle. Therefore, the first side portion 93b can smoothly guide the oil O into the opening 93p along the surface without interfering with the contact with the guide surface 61a toward the scattering path of the oil O of the collection container 93.

[0091] As the scattering distance becomes longer, the droplets of the oil O passing through the lift-up path 91a gradually scatter and are not easily captured by the collection container 93. According to the present embodiment, the inner side protrusion 61 is arranged offset toward the side of the ring gear 51 with respect to the directly above of the collection container 93. Therefore, it is possible to make the oil O of the lift-up path 91a contact the inner side protrusion 61 and the droplets of the oil O be captured by the collection container 93 in a concentrated manner at a stage where the degree of dispersion of the droplets of the oil O is relatively low. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the capture rate of the oil O in the collection container 93.

[0092] <Variant>

[0093] Figure 5 A side view schematic diagram of the drive device 101 which is a variant of the above-described embodiment.

[0094] The drive device 101 of the present variant mainly differs in the arrangement of the gears 141, 142, 143, 151 and the shape of the housing 106.

[0095] As with the above-described embodiment, the drive device 101 of the present variant is provided with an oil accumulation portion P in the lower region of the gear chamber 82 of the housing 106. The oil O accumulated in the oil accumulation portion P is lifted up by the action of the gear portion 103 and a part of it is supplied to the collection container 193.

[0096] In the present variant, as in the present embodiment, a part of the ring gear 151 and the countershaft gear 142 are immersed in the oil accumulation portion P. The gear portion 103 lifts up the oil O at the ring gear 151 and the countershaft gear 142. That is, the plurality of gears 141, 142, 143, 151 includes a first lift-up gear (in the present embodiment, the ring gear 151) and a second lift-up gear (in the present embodiment, the countershaft gear 142).

[0097] The ring gear 151 of the present variant is located at the rear of the vehicle (one side of the second direction) with respect to the collection container 193. The ring gear 151 lifts up and sends the oil O to the collection container 193 along the inner surface 106f of the side wall 160 toward the front of the vehicle (the other side of the second direction).

[0098] On the other hand, the countershaft gear 142 is located at the front of the vehicle (the other side of the second direction) with respect to the collection container 193. The countershaft gear 142 lifts up and sends the oil O to the collection container 193 along the inner surface 160g of the side wall 160 toward the rear (one side of the second direction).

[0099] The first inner side protrusion (first protrusion) 161A and the second inner side protrusion (second protrusion) 161B, which are the same as the inner side protrusions 61 of the above-described embodiment, are provided at the inner surfaces 106f, 160g of the side wall 160. The first inner side protrusion 161A is disposed in the path of the oil O lifted by the ring gear 151 and guides the oil O to the collection container 193. On the other hand, the second inner side protrusion 161B is disposed in the path of the oil O lifted by the pinion gear 142 and guides the oil O to the collection container 193.

[0100] According to the present modified example, in the case where the oil O is lifted by a plurality of gears 142, 151, the inner side protrusions 161A, 161B corresponding to the respective gears 142, 151 are provided at the inner surfaces 106f, 160g of the side wall 160. Thereby, the oil O lifted by the respective gears 142, 151 can be captured in the collection container 193 with a high capture rate.

[0101] The above describes the embodiment and the modified example of the present application, but each structure and combination thereof and the like in the embodiment is an example, and addition, omission, replacement, and other changes of the structure can be made within the scope not departing from the gist of the present application. Moreover, the present application is not limited to the embodiment.

Claims

1. A drive apparatus comprising: a rotary electric machine having a rotor that rotates about a main axis; a power transmission mechanism having a plurality of gears and connected to the rotor and transmitting power; a housing that accommodates the power transmission mechanism; oil that is accumulated in a region on a lower side in a first direction within the housing; and a collection container that is provided in the housing and has an opening toward an upper side, the housing has a side wall that extends in an axial direction and surrounds the plurality of gears, the plurality of gears includes a lift gear that lifts and feeds the oil along an inner surface of the side wall to the collection container, a protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the side wall, the protrusion is provided in a path of the oil lifted by the lift gear and is located between the lift gear and the collection container when viewed in the axial direction, the protrusion has a guide surface that opposes the lifted oil, an extension line of a tangent line of the guide surface passes through the opening of the collection container when viewed in the axial direction.

2. The drive apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided offset toward the lift gear side with respect to directly above the collection container.

3. The drive apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protrusion is located at an upper side than the opening of the collection container.

4. The drive apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the collection container has: a bottom portion that is provided directly below the opening; a side portion that extends upward from the bottom portion; and a front end portion that is inclined toward the lift gear side as it goes upward from an upper end of the side portion, an angle that the extension line of the tangent line makes with the side portion is an obtuse angle.

5. The drive apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guide surface is a curved surface that is smoothly connected with the inner surface of the side wall.

6. The drive apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the protrusion has an opposite surface on an opposite side of the guide surface, the opposite surface is a curved surface that is smoothly connected with the inner surface of the side wall, a radius of curvature of the guide surface is larger than a radius of curvature of the opposite surface.

7. The drive apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein an outer protrusion is provided on an outer surface of the side wall, the outer protrusion is located on an opposite side of the protrusion in a thickness direction of the side wall, the outer protrusion has an outer connecting surface that is smoothly connected in a curved manner with the outer surface of the side wall, the radius of curvature of the guide surface is larger than a radius of curvature of the outer connecting surface.

8. The drive apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a first protrusion and a second protrusion are provided on the inner surface of the side wall as the protrusion, the plurality of gears includes a first lift gear and a second lift gear as the lift gear, the first protrusion is located between the first lift gear and the second lift gear when viewed in the axial direction, and the second protrusion is located between the second lift gear and the collection container when viewed in the axial direction. the first lifting gear is located on the second direction side relative to the collection container, lifts and feeds the oil along the inner surface of the side wall toward the other second direction side to the collection container, the first protrusion is arranged in the path of the oil lifted by the first lifting gear, the second lifting gear is located on the other second direction side relative to the collection container, lifts and feeds the oil along the inner surface of the side wall toward the one second direction side to the collection container, the second protrusion is arranged in the path of the oil lifted by the second lifting gear.

9. The drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a fixing hole into which a fixing screw is inserted is provided in the portion of the side wall in which the protrusion is provided.

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