Power transmission devices and vehicles

Abstract

The power transmission device includes an axle housing and an axle body. The axle housing includes a support body and two shafts, the support body having an internal space, and the two shafts extending laterally from the support body. The axle body is supported by the support body. The axle housing also includes a first vent plug. The first vent plug is fixed to the support body and configured to discharge gas from the internal space to the outside. The axle body includes: a gear mechanism configured to transmit driving force; a housing housing the gear mechanism; and a second vent plug fixed to the housing and configured to discharge gas from the housing to the outside. The second vent plug is located in the internal space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to power transmission devices and vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-052523 discloses a vehicle power transmission device comprising a housing, a transmission mechanism, and a vent plug. The housing houses the transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes an electric motor and a gear mechanism. The gear mechanism transmits driving force from the electric motor to the drive wheels. The vent plug is mounted on the housing. When the internal pressure of the housing increases, the vent plug expels gas from inside the housing to the outside.

[0003] In power transmission devices such as those disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-052523, when a vehicle equipped with such a device is traveling near water, water may splash onto the vent plug. In this case, water may enter the interior from the outside of the housing through the vent plug. To avoid this, it is preferable to position the vent plug as high as possible. However, since power transmission devices such as those disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-052523 are generally located at the bottom of the vehicle, there are limits to how high the vent plug can be positioned to suppress water intrusion. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The first aspect of this disclosure provides a power transmission device. The power transmission device includes: an axle housing having a support body with an internal space and a pair of shafts extending laterally from the support body; and an axle body supported on the support body. The axle housing also includes a first vent plug fixed to the support body and capable of venting gas from the internal space to the outside. The axle body includes: a gear mechanism for transmitting driving force; a housing housing the gear mechanism; and a second vent plug fixed to the housing and capable of venting gas from the housing to the outside, the second vent plug being located within the internal space.

[0005] According to the above structure, even if water splashes onto, for example, the power transmission device, the water is unlikely to reach the internal space of the support. That is, it is difficult to imagine water splashing onto the second vent plug. Therefore, water is prevented from entering the interior of the housing through the second vent plug.

[0006] In addition, the gas inside the casing is discharged into the internal space of the support body through the second vent plug, while the gas inside the support body is discharged to the outside of the support body through the first vent plug. Therefore, the pressure of the gas inside the casing will not rise excessively.

[0007] In the above structure, with the gear mechanism as the reference and the side where the second vent plug is located as the upper side, the first vent plug can also be located on the upper side of the second vent plug.

[0008] According to the above structure, compared to the case where, for example, the first vent plug is located at the same height as the second vent plug, it is possible to suppress, for example, water from entering the internal space of the support body through the first vent plug.

[0009] In the above structure, when the power transmission device is viewed from above, the second vent plug may also be located at a different position than the fixed position of the first vent plug relative to the support body.

[0010] According to the above structure, even if, for example, water enters the internal space of the support body through the first vent plug, it is possible to prevent water falling from the fixed part of the first vent plug relative to the support body from splashing onto the second vent plug.

[0011] In the above structure, the first vent plug includes: a hose with a first end fixed to the support body; and a plug body connected to a second end of the hose opposite to the first end, the hose being flexible.

[0012] According to the above structure, the plug body can be positioned, for example, on the upper side of the support, in a location where water is unlikely to splash. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from entering the internal space of the support through the first vent plug.

[0013] The second aspect of this disclosure provides a vehicle. The vehicle includes a power transmission device according to the first aspect, an electric generator serving as the vehicle's drive source, and a battery supplying power to the electric generator. The power transmission device and the battery can also be arranged front-to-back with respect to the front and rear of the vehicle.

[0014] In the aforementioned vehicles, there is a general tendency for the vehicle's floor to be lower due to the increased size of the battery. In this situation, for example, when the vehicle is traveling near water, such as a river, water tends to splash significantly around the power transmission device because there is no space for the water to avoid it. Therefore, it is particularly preferable to apply the technology of the present invention regarding the power transmission device to the aforementioned vehicles. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the power transmission device.

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the power transmission device at line AA. Detailed Implementation

[0017] <General Structure of the Vehicle>

[0018] The following is in accordance with Figure 1 and Figure 2One embodiment of this disclosure will be described below. The following description will be based on the vertical, horizontal, and lateral orientations of the vehicle 100.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, vehicle 100 includes a power transmission device 60 and an electric generator 70. Vehicle 100 is a so-called electric vehicle, wherein the driving force of the electric generator 70, which serves as a drive source, is transmitted through the power transmission device 60, thereby driving vehicle 100.

[0020] The power transmission device 60 includes a bridge housing 10 and a bridge body 20.

[0021] The axle housing 10 is supported by, for example, a frame component of the vehicle 100 (not shown). The axle housing 10 includes a support body 11 and a pair of axles 12. The support body 11 is bag-shaped as a whole; that is, the support body 11 has an internal space 11A. The support body 11 has an opening communicating with the internal space 11A and the outside of the support body 11. The support body 11 supports the axle body 20. One of the pair of axles 12 extends to the right from the right end of the support body 11. The other of the pair of axles 12 extends to the left from the left end of the support body 11. Each axle 12 is generally cylindrical in shape; that is, each axle 12 has an internal space 12A. The internal space 12A of each axle 12 communicates with the internal space 11A of the support body 11. Furthermore, the internal space 11A of the support body 11 and the internal space 12A of the axle 12 are enclosed spaces.

[0022] The support body 11 bulges upwards, downwards, and forwards, compared to the shaft body 12. Furthermore, the support body 11 has a roughly elliptical shape that is longer from left to right. Therefore, the power transmission device 60 is a so-called banjo-type power transmission device.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the bridge body 20 includes a reduction gear 36, a differential 37, multiple axles 40, and a housing 50. The housing 50 is bag-shaped as a whole. That is, the housing 50 has a storage space 50A as its internal space. The housing 50 is embedded in the opening of the support body 11. That is, the housing 50 is supported by the support body 11. In addition, a portion of the housing 50 is located in the internal space 11A of the support body 11.

[0024] The housing 50 houses the electric generator 70, the reduction gear 36, and the differential 37. Specifically, the electric generator 70, the reduction gear 36, and the differential 37 are located within the housing space 50A. Furthermore, the housing 50 stores oil for lubricating the electric generator 70, the reduction gear 36, and the differential 37. Additionally, the housing space 50A is a sealed space.

[0025] The output shaft of the electric generator 70 is connected to the left and right axles 40 via a reduction gear 36 and a differential 37. Therefore, the driving force from the electric generator 70 is transmitted to the left and right axles 40 via the reduction gear 36 and the differential 37. The reduction gear 36 reduces the rotational speed of the output shaft of the electric generator 70 and transmits the driving force from the electric generator 70 to the differential 37. The differential 37 allows for a speed difference between the left and right axles 40. In this embodiment, both the reduction gear 36 and the differential 37 are gear mechanisms for transmitting driving force.

[0026] The vehicle 100 also includes a battery 80. The battery 80 is a secondary battery. The battery 80 supplies power to the electric generator 70. The battery 80 has a flat, rectangular shape. The battery 80 is located at the front, with the power transmission device 60 as a reference. That is, the power transmission device 60 and the battery 80 are arranged front to back.

[0027] <Peripheral structure of the vent plug>

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the axle housing 10 also includes a first vent plug 15. The first vent plug 15 includes a plug body 16 and a hose 17. The hose 17 is flexible. One example of the material of the hose 17 is rubber. The first end of the hose 17 is fixed to the wall of the support body 11 above the axle body 20. The plug body 16 is connected to the second end of the hose 17 opposite to the first end. The plug body 16 is fixed to, for example, a frame component (not shown) of the vehicle 100 located above the support body 11 by clamps and brackets or other mounting accessories. That is, the plug body 16 is located above the support body 11. When the pressure of the gas in the internal space 11A of the support body 11 reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure, the plug body 16 discharges the gas in the internal space 11A to the outside via the hose 17. In other words, the first vent plug 15 can discharge the gas in the internal space 11A of the support body 11 to the outside.

[0029] The bridge body 20 also includes a second vent plug 45. The second vent plug 45 is fixed to the upper wall portion of the housing 50. That is, the second vent plug 45 is located above any of the electric generator 70, the reduction gear 36, and the differential 37. Furthermore, the second vent plug 45 is located within the internal space 11A of the support body 11. Moreover, the second vent plug 45 is located in front of the fixed portion of the hose 17 of the first vent plug 15 relative to the support body 11. In other words, when the power transmission device 60 is viewed from above, the second vent plug 45 is located at a different position than the fixed portion of the hose 17 of the first vent plug 15 relative to the support body 11.

[0030] Furthermore, as described above, a first vent plug 15 is fixed to the wall portion above the support body 11. The housing 50 of the bridge body 20 is embedded in the opening of the support body 11. Therefore, the plug body 16 of the first vent plug 15 is located above the second vent plug 45. Additionally, in Figure 2 The simplified diagram shows an electric generator 70, a reduction gear 36, and a differential 37.

[0031] When the pressure of the gas in the housing space 50A of the housing 50 reaches or exceeds a specified pressure, the second vent plug 45 discharges the gas in the housing space 50A to the outside. That is, the second vent plug 45 can discharge the gas in the housing space 50A of the housing 50 to the outside.

[0032] Furthermore, the second vent plug 45 side is the upper side relative to the power transmission device 60, relative to the reduction gear 36 and the differential 37. Therefore, in this embodiment, the upper side of the vehicle 100 coincides with the upper side of the power transmission device 60.

[0033] <The function of this implementation method>

[0034] For example, when vehicle 100 is driving near a river or other body of water, such as Figure 2 As shown by the dashed arrow, water sometimes splashes up, for example, from the lower part of the vehicle 100. Moreover, when water splashes between the battery 80 and the power transmission device 60, the water may splash onto the housing 50 and the support 11 in the power transmission device 60.

[0035] <Effects of this implementation method>

[0036] (1) In this embodiment, the second vent plug 45 is located in the internal space 11A of the support body 11. Therefore, even if water splashes onto the housing 50 and the support body 11 as described above, the water will hardly reach the internal space 11A of the support body 11. That is, even if water splashes onto the power transmission device 60 as described above, it is hard to imagine that the water will splash onto the second vent plug 45. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from entering the housing space 50A of the housing 50 through the second vent plug 45.

[0037] Furthermore, the gas in the housing space 50A of the housing 50 is discharged into the internal space 11A of the support 11 through the second vent plug 45. And the gas in the internal space 11A of the support 11 is discharged to the outside of the support 11 through the first vent plug 15. Therefore, the pressure of the gas in the housing space 50A of the housing 50 and the internal space 11A of the support 11 will not become excessively high.

[0038] (2) In this embodiment, the plug body 16 of the first vent plug 15 is located above the second vent plug 45. Therefore, for example, compared to the case where the plug body 16 of the first vent plug 15 is located at the same height as the second vent plug 45, it is possible to suppress, for example, water from entering the internal space 11A of the support 11 via the first vent plug 15.

[0039] (3) In this embodiment, the hose 17 of the first vent plug 15 is flexible. Furthermore, by utilizing the flexibility of the hose 17, the plug body 16 is pulled upwards relative to the support body 11 and fixed. That is, the plug body 16 is positioned, for example, in a location where water is unlikely to splash. Therefore, the possibility of water intruding into the internal space 11A of the support body 11 via the first vent plug 15 can be reduced.

[0040] (4) Assuming that, similarly to the first vent plug 15, the second vent plug 45 has a hose and a plug body. Furthermore, the plug body of the second vent plug 45 is fixed to the housing 50 via the hose. In this case, the structure of the power transmission device 60 becomes more complex, or the cost of the power transmission device 60 increases.

[0041] In this embodiment, the second vent plug 45 does not have a hose and is directly fixed to the housing 50. Therefore, compared with the case where the second vent plug 45 has a hose and a plug body, it is possible to prevent the structure of the power transmission device 60 from becoming more complex or the cost of the power transmission device 60 from increasing.

[0042] (5) Suppose, for example, water enters the internal space 11A of the support 11 via the first vent plug 15. Thus, when water enters, it falls from the hose 17 of the first vent plug 15 to the fixed part of the support 11.

[0043] In this embodiment, when the power transmission device 60 is viewed from above, the second vent plug 45 is located at a different position than the fixed position of the hose 17 of the first vent plug 15 relative to the support body 11. Therefore, even if, for example, water falls from the fixed position of the hose 17 of the first vent plug 15 relative to the support body 11, it is possible to prevent the water from splashing onto the second vent plug 45.

[0044] (6) In the vehicle 100, there is a general tendency that, due to the increased volume of the battery 80, the bottom surface of the vehicle 100 where the battery 80 is located becomes lower. Furthermore, the power transmission device 60 and the battery 80 are arranged front to back. In this situation, when the vehicle 100 travels near water, such as rivers, water easily splashes between the battery 80 and the power transmission device 60 because there is no space around the battery 80 to avoid water. In this embodiment, the technology regarding the second vent plug 45 is employed in a structure where water easily splashes onto the power transmission device 60. Therefore, the effect of suppressing water intrusion into the housing space 50A of the casing 50 can be obtained more significantly.

[0045] <Example of Change>

[0046] This embodiment can be modified as follows. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0047] • In the above embodiments, the structure of the first vent plug 15 in the power transmission device 60 may also be modified.

[0048] For example, the first vent plug 15 can also have a non-flexible connecting tube instead of the flexible hose 17. In this structure, as long as the connecting tube extends upward from the support body 11, the plug body 16 can be located on the upper side of the support body 11.

[0049] For example, the first vent plug 15 may only have a plug body 16. That is, the hose 17 may also be omitted. In this structure, as long as the plug body 16 is fixed to the wall of the support 11, the first vent plug 15 can discharge the gas in the internal space 11A of the support 11 to the outside.

[0050] For example, the fixing point of the first vent plug 15 relative to the support body 11, i.e., the fixing point of the hose 17, is not limited. As a specific example, the first end of the hose 17 may also be fixed to the rear or lower wall of the support body 11. If the second end of the hose 17 is guided and wound upward relative to the support body 11, the plug body 16 can be positioned on the upper side of the support body 11 regardless of the position of the first end of the hose 17.

[0051] For example, the positional relationship between the plug body 16 of the first vent plug 15 and the second vent plug 45 can be appropriately changed. Specifically, the plug body 16 of the first vent plug 15 can be located at the same height as the second vent plug 45, or it can be located below the second vent plug 45. In this configuration, it is preferable that the plug body 16 of the first vent plug 15 is located in a region where, for example, the possibility of water splashing is low.

[0052] • In the above embodiment, the structure of the second vent plug 45 in the power transmission device 60 may also be changed.

[0053] For example, the second vent plug 45 may not be located in front of the fixed part of the hose 17 of the first vent plug 15 relative to the support 11, but may be located on the right, left and rear sides.

[0054] Furthermore, when viewing the power transmission device 60 from above, the second vent plug 45 may be located at the same position as the fixed part of the hose 17 of the first vent plug 15 relative to the support body 11. Even with these structures, compared to a structure where the second vent plug 45 is located outside the internal space 11A of the support body 11, it is possible to suppress, for example, water splashing onto the second vent plug 45.

[0055] For example, the second vent plug 45 may also have a hose and a plug body, just like the first vent plug 15, with the plug body fixed to the housing 50 via the hose. Even with this structure, as long as the plug body of the second vent plug 45 is located in the internal space 11A of the support 11, it is possible to prevent, for example, water from entering the receiving space 50A of the housing 50 via the second vent plug 45. Furthermore, according to this structure, the plug body of the second vent plug 45 may, for example, be positioned at the top of the internal space 11A.

[0056] The structure of the power transmission device 60 described in the above embodiment is merely illustrative and can be modified appropriately. For example, the axle body 20 may only have one of the reduction mechanism 36 and the differential 37, or it may have other structures. The axle body 20 only needs to have at least one gear mechanism.

[0057] • In the above embodiments, the structure of the vehicle 100 other than the power transmission device 60 can also be appropriately modified.

[0058] For example, the battery 80 may be located behind the power transmission device 60. Even in this case, the power transmission device 60 and the battery 80 are arranged in a front-to-back configuration. Furthermore, the positional relationship between the battery 80 and the power transmission device 60 is not limited to a front-to-back arrangement. Additionally, if the vehicle 100 does not have an electric generator 70 as a drive source, the battery 80 may not be present around the power transmission device 60.

[0059] For example, the electric generator 70 may also be located outside the storage space 50A of the housing 50. Even in this configuration, as long as the output shaft of the electric generator 70 is connected to the reduction mechanism 36 located in the storage space 50A of the housing 50, the driving force of the electric generator 70 can be transmitted to the left and right axles 40.

[0060] For example, the drive source of vehicle 100 can also be changed. Specifically, the drive source of vehicle 100 can be an internal combustion engine in addition to the electric generator 70, or an internal combustion engine can be used instead of the electric generator 70. That is, the technology of this invention is not limited to electric vehicles.

Claims

1. A power transmission device, comprising: Axle housing, the axle housing having a support body and two shafts, the support body having an internal space, the two shafts extending laterally from the support body; and The bridge body is supported by the supporting structure, wherein... The bridge housing also includes a first vent plug, which is fixed to the support body and configured to discharge gas from the internal space to the outside. The main body of the bridge has: Gear mechanism, wherein the gear mechanism is configured to transmit driving force; Housing, the housing housing the gear mechanism; and A second vent plug, fixed to the housing, is configured to discharge gas from inside the housing to the outside. The second vent plug is located in the internal space.

2. The power transmission device according to claim 1, wherein, Using the gear mechanism as a reference, and taking the side where the second vent plug is located as the upper side, The first vent plug is located on the upper side relative to the second vent plug.

3. The power transmission device according to claim 2, wherein, When viewing the power transmission device from above The second vent plug is located at a different position than the first vent plug relative to the fixed part of the support.

4. The power transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The first vent plug has: A flexible hose, the first end of which is fixed to the support body; and A plug body, which is connected to a second end of the hose opposite to the first end. The hose is flexible.

5. A vehicle, wherein, have: The power transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; An electric generator, which serves as the driving source for the vehicle; and The battery supplies power to the electric generator. When the front and rear of the vehicle are used as a reference, The power transmission device and the battery are arranged in a front-to-back configuration.

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