Flow distribution device, electric drive system and vehicle

Abstract

The application provides a flow distribution device, an electric drive system and a vehicle. The flow distribution device comprises a shell, at least one oil inlet cavity and multiple oil return cavities are arranged in the shell, and multiple oil paths are arranged in the oil inlet cavity; a valve core is slidably arranged in the oil inlet cavity; a temperature memory spring is arranged in each oil return cavity, and the multiple temperature memory springs are connected with the valve core. The temperature memory spring controls the sliding of the valve core in the oil inlet cavity based on the oil temperature, so as to adjust the flow of the cooling oil in the multiple oil paths. The technical scheme of the application realizes the flow adjustment of the cooling oil in the part of the electric drive system that needs to be cooled. The scheme does not need to use a sensor or an electric control actuator, and the automatic distribution of the flow is realized by a pure mechanical structure, so that the heat dissipation efficiency of the electric drive system is effectively improved, the temperature of the electric drive system under high load is reduced, the flow distribution device is simple and compact in structure, and is convenient to arrange.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle technology, and more specifically, to a flow distribution device, an electric drive system, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of electric vehicles, their core driving system—the electric drive system—is also developing towards higher speeds, greater compactness, and greater integration. Among them, oil-cooled motors have significant advantages over traditional water-cooled motors in terms of integration, power density, and high speed, making them the main direction of current electric drive system development.

[0003] In oil-cooled electric drive systems, the motor uses the same oil for lubrication and cooling as the gearbox. Therefore, the electric drive system needs to be equipped with an oil pump to output the system oil to the gearbox and the motor separately. Since most electric drive systems do not have additional hydraulic control requirements, and in order to ensure the compactness of the mechanism and the system cost, electric drive systems usually do not add an additional electromechanical control unit to distribute the flow. Therefore, the cooling and lubrication flow distribution between the motor and the gearbox is determined by its basic lubrication structure and cannot be dynamically distributed and adjusted.

[0004] Since the high heat generation conditions of the motor and gearbox are not exactly the same, with the gearbox generating more heat at high speeds and the motor generating more heat at high power, the cooling flow requirements of the two differ under different operating conditions. However, current oil-cooled electric drive systems cannot dynamically allocate lubrication flow under different operating conditions due to initial structural limitations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a flow distribution device, an electric drive system, and a vehicle to solve the problem that existing electric drive systems cannot dynamically distribute lubrication flow under different operating conditions.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, a flow distribution device is provided, comprising: a housing having at least one oil inlet chamber and multiple oil return chambers therein, the oil inlet chamber having multiple oil passages; a valve core slidably disposed within the oil inlet chamber; and temperature memory springs, each of the oil return chambers having a corresponding temperature memory spring, the multiple temperature memory springs being connected to the valve core, the temperature memory springs controlling the sliding of the valve core within the oil inlet chamber based on the oil temperature to regulate the flow rate of cooling oil in the multiple oil passages.

[0007] Furthermore, the multiple oil passages include a first oil passage, a second oil passage, and a third oil passage. The first oil passage and the second oil passage are arranged side by side along the radial direction of the housing, and both the first oil passage and the second oil passage extend along the axial direction of the housing. The first oil passage has a first inlet, the second oil passage has a second inlet, and the first oil passage, the second oil passage, and the third oil passage are connected through an oil inlet chamber.

[0008] Furthermore, the first and second ends of the valve core are both provided with isolation sections, which are used to separate the oil inlet chamber from the oil return chamber. The isolation sections have an annular structure.

[0009] Furthermore, a first valve port is provided at one end of the valve core, and a second valve port is provided at the other end of the valve core. During the sliding process of the valve core in the oil inlet chamber, the flow rate of the first inlet and the second inlet is adjusted by the first valve port cooperating with the first inlet and the second valve port cooperating with the second inlet.

[0010] Furthermore, there is one oil inlet chamber and two oil return chambers. The oil inlet chamber is located between the two oil return chambers, and both the oil inlet chamber and the oil return chamber extend along the radial direction of the shell.

[0011] Furthermore, both return oil chambers are provided with return oil passages, which extend along the axial direction of the shell and are connected to the return oil chambers. The return oil passages have return oil inlets and return oil outlets.

[0012] Furthermore, the valve core has a columnar structure.

[0013] Furthermore, there is a connecting channel between the oil inlet chamber and the oil return chamber. A stop ring is provided in the connecting channel. The inner diameter of the stop ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the valve core. One end of the temperature memory spring abuts against the inner wall of the oil return chamber, and the other end of the temperature memory spring passes through the stop ring and abuts against the valve core.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, an electric drive system is provided, including a flow distribution device, wherein the flow distribution device is the flow distribution device described above.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided, including an electric drive system, wherein the electric drive system is the electric drive system described above.

[0016] By applying the technical solution of this invention, at least one oil inlet chamber and multiple oil return chambers are opened within the housing. The oil inlet chamber has multiple oil passages. A valve core is slidably disposed within the oil inlet chamber, and a temperature memory spring is correspondingly disposed in each oil return chamber. These multiple temperature memory springs are connected to the valve core. Based on the oil temperature, the temperature memory springs control the sliding of the valve core within the oil inlet chamber, thereby regulating the flow rate of the cooling oil in the multiple oil passages. This achieves the function of regulating the flow rate of the cooling oil in the parts of the electric drive system that require cooling. This solution eliminates the need for sensors or electronic actuators, achieving automatic flow distribution through a purely mechanical structure. This effectively improves the heat dissipation efficiency of the electric drive system and helps reduce the temperature of the electric drive system under high loads. The flow distribution device has a simple and compact structure, making it easy to arrange. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a first embodiment of the flow distribution device according to the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the flow distribution device according to the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the flow distribution device according to the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of the flow distribution device according to the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of the flow distribution device according to the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electric drive system according to the present invention is shown.

[0024] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0025] 10. Shell; 11. Oil inlet chamber; 111. First oil passage; 1111. First inlet; 112. Second oil passage; 1121. Second inlet; 113. Third oil passage; 12. Oil return chamber; 121. Oil return inlet; 122. Oil return outlet;

[0026] 20. Valve core; 21. Isolation section; 22. First valve port; 23. Second valve port;

[0027] 30. Temperature memory spring;

[0028] 40. Stop ring. Detailed Implementation

[0029] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0030] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0031] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented, for example, in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0032] Exemplary embodiments according to this application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. It should be understood that these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of this application is thorough and complete, and that the concept of these exemplary embodiments is fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, for clarity, the thickness of layers and regions may be exaggerated, and the same reference numerals are used to denote the same devices, and therefore their description will be omitted.

[0033] Combination Figures 1 to 5 As shown, according to a specific embodiment of this application, a flow distribution device is provided.

[0034] Specifically, the flow distribution device includes a housing 10, a valve core 20, and a temperature memory spring 30. The housing 10 has at least one oil inlet chamber 11 and multiple oil return chambers 12. The oil inlet chamber 11 has multiple oil passages. The valve core 20 is slidably disposed within the oil inlet chamber 11. Each oil return chamber 12 has a corresponding temperature memory spring 30. The multiple temperature memory springs 30 are connected to the valve core 20. The temperature memory springs 30 control the sliding of the valve core 20 within the oil inlet chamber 11 based on the oil temperature, thereby regulating the flow rate of cooling oil in the multiple oil passages.

[0035] By applying the technical solution of this embodiment, at least one oil inlet chamber 11 and multiple oil return chambers 12 are provided within the housing 10. The oil inlet chamber 11 has multiple oil passages. A valve core 20 is slidably disposed within the oil inlet chamber 11, and a temperature memory spring 30 is correspondingly disposed within each oil return chamber 12. The multiple temperature memory springs 30 are connected to the valve core 20. The temperature memory springs 30 control the sliding of the valve core 20 within the oil inlet chamber 11 based on the oil temperature, thereby regulating the flow rate of the cooling oil in the multiple oil passages. This achieves the function of regulating the flow rate of the cooling oil in the parts of the electric drive system that require cooling. This solution does not require sensors or electronic actuators; it achieves automatic flow distribution through a purely mechanical structure, effectively improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the electric drive system and helping to reduce the temperature of the electric drive system under high loads. This flow distribution device has a simple and compact structure and is easy to arrange.

[0036] Furthermore, the multiple oil passages include a first oil passage 111, a second oil passage 112, and a third oil passage 113. The first oil passage 111 and the second oil passage 112 are arranged side by side along the radial direction of the housing 10, and both the first oil passage 111 and the second oil passage 112 extend along the axial direction of the housing 10. The first oil passage 111 has a first inlet 1111, and the second oil passage 112 has a second inlet 1121. The first oil passage 111, the second oil passage 112, and the third oil passage 113 are connected through the oil inlet chamber 11. In this embodiment, the cooled oil enters the oil inlet chamber 11 from the third oil passage 113, and then is distributed by the valve core 20 to regulate the flow rate of the cooling oil flowing from the first inlet 1111 into the first oil passage 111, and to regulate the flow rate of the cooling oil flowing from the second inlet 1121 into the second oil passage 112. This further realizes the flow rate regulation of the cooling oil in the parts of the electric drive system that need to be cooled, and improves the reliability of the flow distribution device.

[0037] Furthermore, both the first and second ends of the valve core 20 are provided with an isolation portion 21, which is used to separate the oil inlet chamber 11 from the oil return chamber 12. The isolation portion 21 has an annular structure. Specifically, the isolation portion 21 is made of rubber or other materials with heat insulation properties. By isolating the oil inlet chamber 11 from the oil return chamber 12 through the isolation portion 21, the influence of the cooling oil temperature in the oil inlet chamber 11 on the temperature memory spring 30 is avoided.

[0038] The valve core 20 has a first valve port 22 at one end and a second valve port 23 at the other end. As the valve core 20 slides within the oil inlet chamber 11, the first valve port 22 engages with the first inlet 1111, and the second valve port 23 engages with the second inlet 1121, thereby adjusting the flow rate of the first inlet 1111 and the second inlet 1121. Preferably, the valve core 20 has a cylindrical structure. Specifically, the valve core 20 is a cylindrical structure. A ring is cut off in the axial direction of the valve core 20 to form a first valve port 22. Another ring is cut off at a certain distance from the first valve port 22 in the axial direction of the valve core 20 to form a second valve port 23. During the sliding process of the valve core 20 within the oil inlet chamber 11, the position of the first valve port 22 is movable relative to the first inlet 1111, and the position of the second valve port 23 is movable relative to the second inlet 1121. When the first valve port 22 is completely aligned with the first inlet 1111, the flow rate of the first oil passage 111 is maximum. When the first valve port 22 deviates from the first inlet 1111, the flow rate of the first oil passage 111 decreases. Similarly, when the second valve port 23 is completely aligned with the second inlet 1121, the flow rate of the second oil passage 112 is maximum. When the second valve port 23 deviates from the second inlet 1121, the flow rate of the second oil passage 112 decreases. This configuration makes the flow distribution device simple and reliable. By cooperating the first valve port 22 with the first inlet 1111 and the second valve port 23 with the second inlet 1121, the technical effect of adjusting the flow rate of the first inlet 1111 and the second inlet 1121 is achieved, thereby achieving the purpose of adjusting the flow rate of the cooling oil in the part of the electric drive system that needs to be cooled.

[0039] In one specific embodiment of this application, there is one oil inlet chamber 11 and two oil return chambers 12. The oil inlet chamber 11 is located between the two oil return chambers 12, and both the oil inlet chamber 11 and the oil return chambers 12 extend radially along the housing 10. This arrangement makes the flow distribution device simple and reliable in structure, and further facilitates its placement in the electric drive system assembly.

[0040] In another specific embodiment of this application, both return oil chambers 12 are provided with return oil passages. The return oil passages extend along the axial direction of the housing 10 and are connected to the return oil chambers 12. The return oil passages have return oil inlets 121 and return oil outlets 122. In this embodiment, the cooling oil in the inlet chamber 11 flows into the part of the electric drive system that needs to be cooled through the first oil passage 111 and the second oil passage 112. The cooling oil is then heated, and the heated cooling oil flows back into the return oil chambers 12 from the return oil inlet 121, and then flows back to the oil pan through the return oil outlet 122.

[0041] The oil inlet chamber 11 and the oil return chamber 12 are connected by a channel. A stop ring 40 is installed within the channel. The inner diameter of the stop ring 40 is smaller than the outer diameter of the valve core 20. One end of the temperature memory spring 30 abuts against the inner wall of the oil return chamber 12, and the other end of the temperature memory spring 30 passes through the stop ring 40 and abuts against the valve core 20. By setting the stop ring 40, the valve core 20 is confined within the oil inlet chamber 11, thereby preventing the oil temperature in the oil return chamber 12 from affecting the oil temperature in the oil inlet chamber 11, and meeting the cooling requirements of the electric drive system.

[0042] According to another specific embodiment of this application, an electric drive system is provided, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the electric drive system includes a flow distribution device, i.e. Figure 6 The flow distribution mechanism in the above embodiment refers to the flow distribution device. The electric drive system is primarily the power unit of an electric vehicle, mainly comprising three parts: a motor, a gearbox, and an inverter. Traditional motors use water cooling, where cooling water passes through the motor housing and inverter housing to cool them. The gearbox uses oil lubrication alone without cooling. Modern oil-cooled motors share cooling oil with the motor, gearbox, and even the inverter. The cooling oil exchanges heat with the vehicle's cooling water through a cooler to achieve oil cooling. Oil-cooled electric drive systems often lack additional actuators and therefore do not have an electromechanical control unit. Thus, lubrication flow control cannot be achieved through an electromechanical control unit. After the oil pump draws in oil, it is directly distributed to the motor and gearbox through oil passages on the housing. Once the initial diameter and length of the oil passages are determined, the flow distribution ratio is also determined. The main components requiring oil cooling are the motor and gearbox. Taking oil cooling of the motor and gearbox in an electric drive system as an example, the specific process of distributing the cooling oil flow in the motor and gearbox using the flow distribution mechanism in the above embodiment is as follows:

[0043] 1. In the electric drive system, the cooled lubricating oil pumped by the oil pump enters the inlet chamber 11 via the third oil passage 113. Through the distribution of the valve core 20, it flows to different lubrication needs, such as the motor or gearbox, via the first oil passage 111 and the second oil passage 112 respectively. After the two oil passages have cooled both locations, they are heated. The oil in the first oil passage 111 and the second oil passage 112 enters the return chamber 12 via the return oil inlet 121 of the return oil passage, then flows through the temperature memory spring 30 and returns to the oil pan via the return oil outlet 122. When the oil temperature in the two return oil passages is the same, the temperature memory spring 30 is at the same temperature, and the spring force is the same. The valve core 20 remains in the middle position. Under the combined action of the first valve port 22 and the first inlet 1111, and the second valve port 23 and the second inlet 1121, the flow rate in the first inlet 1111 and the second inlet 1121 is the same, and the flow rate of the cooling oil flowing into the first oil passage 111 and the second oil passage 112 is the same (e.g., Figure 3(as shown);

[0044] 2. When the oil temperature in the left return oil circuit is greater than that in the right return oil circuit, the temperature of the temperature memory spring 30 in the left return oil chamber 12 is greater than that in the right return oil chamber 12. Therefore, the spring force of the temperature memory spring 30 in the left return oil chamber 12 is greater than that in the right return oil chamber 12, thus pushing the valve core 20 to the right. The first valve port 22 gradually aligns with the first inlet 1111, and the second valve port 23 gradually deviates from the second inlet 1121, thereby increasing the flow rate of cooling oil in the first oil circuit 111 and decreasing the flow rate of cooling oil in the second oil circuit 112. Simultaneously, due to the restriction of the valve core 20 displacement by the right-side stop ring 40, a small portion of the second valve port 23 remains aligned with the second inlet 1121, ensuring that even under extreme temperature differences or when the temperature memory spring 30 fails, the second oil circuit 112 still maintains a certain flow rate of cooling oil (e.g., ...). Figure 4 (as shown);

[0045] 3. When the oil temperature in the right-side return oil circuit is greater than that in the left-side return oil circuit, the temperature of the temperature memory spring 30 in the right-side return oil chamber 12 is greater than that in the left-side return oil chamber 12. Therefore, the spring force of the temperature memory spring 30 in the right-side return oil chamber 12 is greater than that in the left-side return oil chamber 12. This pushes the valve core 20 to move to the left, and the second valve port 23 gradually aligns with the second inlet 1121, while the first valve port 22 gradually deviates from the first inlet 1111. This increases the cooling oil flow rate in the second oil circuit 112 and decreases the cooling oil flow rate in the first oil circuit 111. Simultaneously, due to the restriction of the valve core 20 displacement by the left-side stop ring 40, a small portion of the first valve port 22 remains aligned with the first inlet 1111. This ensures that even under extreme temperature differences or when the temperature memory spring 30 fails, the first oil circuit 111 still maintains a certain cooling oil flow rate (e.g., ...). Figure 5 (As shown).

[0046] In this embodiment, the cooling oil pushes the valve core 20 to slide within the oil inlet chamber 11 via the temperature memory spring 30, thereby distributing the cooling oil flow through the two parts of the electric drive system that require cooling, such as the motor and the gearbox. Utilizing the physical characteristic of the temperature memory spring elongating at high temperatures, the movement of the valve core 20 is automatically adjusted based on the temperature difference between the two ends of the return flow, thus dynamically adjusting the flow distribution in real time. This achieves automatic flow distribution through a purely mechanical structure without the need for sensors or electronic actuators, effectively improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the electric drive system and helping to reduce the temperature of the electric drive system under high loads. The flow distribution device of this application can also be used for flow distribution in some oil-cooled motor inverters.

[0047] According to another specific embodiment of this application, a vehicle is provided, including an electric drive system, which is the electric drive system described in the above embodiments. Since the electric drive system in the above embodiments can achieve automatic flow distribution without the need for sensors or electronic actuators, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the electric drive system, the use of the electric drive system in the above embodiments also helps to improve the reliability of the vehicle.

[0048] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "over," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used here to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figure with other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation besides the orientation of the device as described in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is inverted, a device described as "above" or "above" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways, rotated 90 degrees, or in other orientations.

[0049] In addition to the above, it should be noted that the terms "one embodiment," "another embodiment," and "embodiment" used in this specification refer to specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment, which are included in at least one embodiment described in the general description of this application. The appearance of the same expression in multiple places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, the intention is to suggest that implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments also falls within the scope of this invention.

[0050] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0051] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow distribution device, characterized in that, include: The housing (10) has at least one oil inlet chamber (11) and multiple oil return chambers (12) inside, and the oil inlet chamber (11) has multiple oil passages. Valve core (20), which is slidably disposed in the oil inlet chamber (11); Temperature memory spring (30), one temperature memory spring (30) is provided in each of the oil return chambers (12), and multiple temperature memory springs (30) are connected to the valve core (20). The temperature memory spring (30) controls the valve core (20) to slide in the oil inlet chamber (11) based on the oil temperature, so as to adjust the flow rate of cooling oil in multiple oil circuits; The plurality of oil passages include a first oil passage (111), a second oil passage (112), and a third oil passage (113). The first oil passage (111) and the second oil passage (112) are arranged side by side along the radial direction of the housing (10), and the first oil passage (111) and the second oil passage (112) both extend along the axial direction of the housing (10). The first oil passage (111) has a first inlet (1111), and the second oil passage (112) has a second inlet (1121). The first oil passage (111), the second oil passage (112), and the third oil passage (113) are connected through the oil inlet chamber (11). The valve core (20) has an isolation section (21) on the end face of both the first and second ends. The isolation section (21) is used to separate the oil inlet chamber (11) from the oil return chamber (12). The isolation section (21) has an annular structure. One end of the valve core (20) is provided with a first valve port (22), and the other end of the valve core (20) is provided with a second valve port (23). During the sliding process of the valve core (20) in the oil inlet chamber (11), the first valve port (22) cooperates with the first inlet (1111), and the second valve port (23) cooperates with the second inlet (1121) to adjust the flow rate of the first inlet (1111) and the second inlet (1121).

2. The flow distribution device according to claim 1, characterized in that, There is one oil inlet chamber (11) and two oil return chambers (12). The oil inlet chamber (11) is located between the two oil return chambers (12). Both the oil inlet chamber (11) and the oil return chamber (12) extend along the radial direction of the housing (10).

3. The flow distribution device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both of the oil return chambers (12) are provided with oil return passages. The oil return passages extend along the axial direction of the housing (10) and are connected to the oil return chambers (12). The oil return passages have an oil return inlet (121) and an oil return outlet (122).

4. The flow distribution device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The valve core (20) has a columnar structure.

5. The flow distribution device according to claim 1, characterized in that, There is a connecting channel between the oil inlet chamber (11) and the oil return chamber (12). A stop ring (40) is provided in the connecting channel. The inner diameter of the stop ring (40) is smaller than the outer diameter of the valve core (20). One end of the temperature memory spring (30) abuts against the inner wall of the oil return chamber (12), and the other end of the temperature memory spring (30) passes through the stop ring (40) and abuts against the valve core (20).

6. An electric drive system, characterized in that, Includes a flow distribution device, wherein the flow distribution device is the flow distribution device according to any one of claims 1-5.

7. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes an electric drive system, wherein the electric drive system is the electric drive system as described in claim 6.

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