Fluid centripetal guiding device and power system for vehicle

Abstract

Provided is a fluid centripetal guide device, comprising: a main body part (11) having a circular ring shape and forming an inlet hole (11h); and a plurality of guide parts (12) fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the main body part (11) and protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface. The guide part (12) has formed therein an opening (12p) that opens toward one side in the circumferential direction, and a passage (12h) that extends from the opening (12p) to the entry hole (11h). The radially outer wall surface of the channel (12h) extends from the opening (12p) towards the inlet hole (11h) in a curved manner for guiding the fluid flowing in from the opening (12p) towards the inlet hole (11h) during the rotation of the fluid centripetal guiding device (1). According to the fluid centripetal guiding device, the centripetal guiding function of fluid (such as oil) can be achieved through a relatively simple structure. The invention further provides a vehicle power system comprising the fluid centripetal guiding device.

Description

Fluid centripetal guiding device and vehicle power system Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of fluid guidance, and in particular to a guiding device for centripetally guiding fluid and a vehicle power system comprising the guiding device. Background Art

[0002] In existing technologies, new energy vehicles, such as electric vehicles, integrate drive motors, planetary gear reducers, and braking systems within the wheel housing to form an in-wheel motor drive system, which serves as the vehicle's powertrain and drives the wheels. This in-wheel motor drive system requires cooling and lubrication mechanisms to cool and lubricate the various components, and furthermore, requires a guiding device to smoothly direct the cooling and lubricating fluids to the target components.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application is based on the requirements of the above-mentioned prior art. One purpose of this application is to provide a fluid centripetal guiding device that can achieve centripetal guidance of fluid (such as oil) with a relatively simple structure. Another purpose of this application is to provide a vehicle power system including the above-mentioned fluid centripetal guiding device.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the invention, this application adopts the following technical solutions.

[0006] The present application provides a fluid centripetal guiding device, comprising:

[0007] a main body having a circular ring shape and having an inlet hole formed therein extending therethrough in a radial direction; and

[0008] A plurality of guide portions are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the main body portion, the guide portions are fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion and protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface, the guide portions are formed with an opening and a channel, the opening is open toward one circumferential side, the channel extends from the opening to the entry hole, and the radial outer side wall of the channel extends curvedly from the opening toward the entry hole, for guiding the fluid flowing in from the opening toward the entry hole during the rotation of the fluid centripetal guiding device.

[0009] In an optional solution, the radially outer wall surface extends from the opening toward the other circumferential side while extending toward the radially inner side.

[0010] In another optional solution, the width of the channel gradually narrows from the opening toward the entry hole, and a portion of the outer peripheral surface located within the channel is formed with a guide surface inclined toward the entry hole.

[0011] In another optional solution, the fluid centripetal guiding device further includes a mounting portion, which is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the main body and protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface, and the mounting portion is staggered with the inlet hole.

[0012] In another optional solution, the mounting portion is formed in a convex strip shape extending linearly along the axial direction of the main body.

[0013] The present application also provides a vehicle power system as follows, comprising the fluid centripetal guiding device described in any one of the above technical solutions.

[0014] In an optional solution, a motor shaft is further included, wherein the motor shaft is formed into a hollow structure and a guide hole is formed on the motor shaft that passes through the wall thereof.

[0015] The fluid centripetal guiding device is fixed to the motor shaft, and the inlet hole of the fluid centripetal guiding device is communicated with the guiding hole.

[0016] In another optional solution, the motor shaft is formed with a flange portion, which protrudes radially outward relative to other portions of the motor shaft, and the main body of the fluid centripetal guiding device is sleeved and fixed on the radial outside of the flange portion.

[0017] In another optional solution, a mounting groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion, and the mounting groove is open toward one axial side or the other axial side, and the convex strip-shaped mounting portion of the fluid centripetal guiding device is installed in the mounting groove.

[0018] In another optional solution, it further includes an output shaft, a bearing and a sealing assembly, wherein the bearing is located in the installation space between the motor shaft and the output shaft, the sealing assembly is used to close one end of the installation space, and the guide hole can guide the fluid toward the installation space.

[0019] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, the present application provides a fluid centripetal guiding device, which includes a circular main body and multiple guide parts protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the main body, and each guide part forms a channel connected to the entry hole of the main body, and the radial outer wall of the channel is used to guide the fluid entering from the opening of the channel to the entry hole during the operation of the fluid centripetal guiding device.

[0020] Thus, the centripetal fluid guiding device of the present application can achieve the centripetal guiding function of fluid (e.g., oil) with a relatively simple structure. The centripetal fluid guiding device according to the present application is easy to manufacture and has low cost, which is conducive to large-scale industrial production. Moreover, the centripetal fluid guiding device is relatively small in size and occupies a small installation space, and can be adapted to a vehicle power system. The present application also provides a vehicle power system including the above-mentioned centripetal fluid guiding device, which can use the centripetal fluid guiding device to guide fluid to a target component to cool and lubricate it. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG1A is a schematic perspective view showing a centripetal fluid guiding device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] FIG. 1B is a schematic front view of the fluid centripetal guiding device in FIG. 1A .

[0023] FIG1C is a perspective schematic diagram showing the fluid centripetal guiding device in FIG1A in a cross-sectional manner, wherein the section lines are omitted.

[0024] FIG. 1D is a schematic side view of the fluid centripetal guiding device in FIG. 1A .

[0025] Figure 2A is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the partial structure of a vehicle power system (taking a hub motor drive system as an example) according to an embodiment of the present application. The vehicle power system includes the fluid centripetal guiding device shown in Figure 1A and the section lines are omitted in the figure.

[0026] FIG. 2B is a perspective schematic diagram showing an assembly of the fluid centripetal guide device and the motor shaft of the vehicle power system in FIG. 2A .

[0027] FIG. 2C is a perspective schematic diagram showing a motor shaft of the vehicle power system in FIG. 2A .

[0028] Description of Reference Numerals

[0029] 1 fluid centripetal guiding device; 11 main body; 11h inlet hole; 11s guiding surface; 12 guiding portion; 12p opening; 12h channel; 13 mounting portion;

[0030] 2 motor shaft; 2h guide hole; 2c mounting groove; 21 flange portion; 22 first gear portion; 23 second gear portion; 24 bracket mounting portion;

[0031] 3 output shaft; 4 bearing; 5 sealing assembly;

[0032] S installation space;

[0033] A is axial; R is radial; C is circumferential. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these specific descriptions are only used to teach those skilled in the art how to implement the present application, and are not intended to exhaust all possible methods of the present application, nor to limit the scope of the present application.

[0035] In this application, unless otherwise specified, "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" refer to the axial, radial, and circumferential directions of the centripetal fluid guiding device (main body) of this application, respectively. "One axial side" refers to the left side in Figures 1D and 2A , and "the other axial side" refers to the right side in Figures 1D and 2A .

[0036] In the present application, "transmission connection" refers to two components being connected to each other in a manner capable of transmitting torque, including both direct and indirect connections between the two components.

[0037] The structure of a fluid centripetal guiding device according to an embodiment of the present application will be first described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] (Fluid Centripetal Guiding Device According to One Embodiment of the Present Application)

[0039] As shown in Figures 1A to 1D, the fluid centripetal guiding device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application includes a main body 11, a guide part 12 and an installation part 13 formed as an integral whole. The guide part 12 is fixedly arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 11, and the installation part 13 is fixedly arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the main body 11.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1A to 1D , the main body 11 is formed into a circular ring shape extending continuously along the entire circumference in the circumferential direction C. The main body 11 is formed with three inlet holes 11h extending therethrough in the radial direction R. Each inlet hole 11h mates with a guide portion 12 and communicates with a channel 12h formed by the guide portion 12. A guide surface 11s is further formed on the outer circumference of the main body 11 in the portion located in the channel 12h. The guide surface 11s can be formed by cutting the main body 11 so that the guide surface 11s is inclined toward the inlet hole 11h to help guide the fluid entering from the inlet to the inlet hole 11h.

[0041] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1A to 1C, three guide portions 12 are evenly spaced apart in the circumferential direction C. Each guide portion 12 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the main body 11 and protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface. Each guide portion 12 is formed with an opening 12p that opens toward one circumferential side (for example, the downstream side in the counterclockwise direction as shown in Figures 1A to 1C). The guide portion 12 is also formed with a channel 12h extending from the opening 12p to the inlet hole 11h. The channel 12h is actually defined by the radial outer side wall, the axial side wall, the other axial side wall of the guide portion 12, and the main body 11. In the channel 12h, on the one hand, as shown in Figure 1C, the height of the channel 12h gradually decreases from the opening 12p toward the entry hole 11h. This is because the radial outer wall extends in a curved manner from the opening 12p toward the entry hole 11h. Specifically, the radial outer wall extends from the opening 12p toward the other circumferential side (for example, the upstream side in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figures 1A to 1C) while extending toward the radial inner side. Thus, the radial outer wall is used to guide the fluid flowing in from the opening 12p toward the entry hole 11h during the rotation of the fluid centripetal guiding device 1 (for example, rotation in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figures 1A to 1C); on the other hand, as shown in Figure 1D, the (axial) width of the channel 12h can gradually decrease (narrow) from the opening 12p toward the entry hole 11h, thereby facilitating the flow of the fluid from the opening 12p toward the entry hole 11h.

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1A to 1C , the mounting portion 13 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the main body 11 and protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface. The mounting portion 13 is staggered relative to the entry hole 11h and is located at a position corresponding to the guide surface 11s in the radial direction R, thereby improving the structural strength of the portion of the main body 11 where the guide surface 11s is formed by cutting. Furthermore, the mounting portion 13 is formed as a ridge (flat key) extending along the axial direction A of the main body 11, and is designed to mate with the mounting groove 2c (keyway) of the motor shaft 2 of the vehicle power system (in-wheel motor drive system) described below.

[0043] The structure of a vehicle power system including the above-mentioned fluid centripetal guiding device 1 will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] (Vehicle Power System According to One Embodiment of the Present Application)

[0045] As shown in FIG2A , a vehicle power system according to one embodiment of the present application is an in-wheel motor drive system. The in-wheel motor drive system comprises the aforementioned centripetal fluid guiding device 1, a motor shaft 2, an output shaft 3, a bearing 4, and a sealing assembly 5, which are assembled together. Specifically, the motor shaft 2 and the rotor of the drive motor can be connected by a rotor bracket, and the interior of the motor shaft 2 is formed into a hollow structure. The output shaft 3 and the wheel hub can be connected by multiple connectors. The output shaft 3 can also be connected by a planetary gear reducer to the motor shaft 2, with a portion of the output shaft 3 inserted into the motor shaft 2. Furthermore, the bearing 4 can be a needle roller bearing, with its inner ring fixed to the output shaft 3 and the motor shaft 2 also serving as the outer ring of the bearing 4, thereby providing radial support. The bearing 4 is located in the installation space S between the motor shaft 2 and the output shaft 3. The sealing assembly 5 is located at the axial end of the installation space S and is used to seal the axial end of the installation space S.

[0046] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C , the motor shaft 2 includes a flange portion 21 , a first gear portion 22 , a second gear portion 23 and a bracket mounting portion 24 .

[0047] The flange portion 21 protrudes radially outward relative to the rest of the motor shaft 2. The main body 11 of the fluid centripetal guiding device 1 is securely mounted radially outward of the flange portion 21. Due to the greater radial outward protrusion of the flange portion 21, the guide portion 12 of the fluid centripetal guiding device 1 rotates during operation of the in-wheel motor drive system, repeatedly immersing and scooping up the fluid stored within the in-wheel motor drive system's housing. The rotation of the fluid centripetal guiding device 1 further guides the cooling fluid to flow centripetally along the channel 12h. As shown in Figures 2B and 2C, the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion 21 is formed with three mounting grooves 2c. These three mounting grooves 2c are evenly spaced apart in the circumferential direction C, and the shape and dimensions of each mounting groove 2c correspond to those of the mounting portion 13 of the fluid centripetal guiding device 1. The mounting grooves 2c have an opening that opens axially to one side, allowing the mounting portion 13 of the fluid centripetal guiding device 1 to be inserted and mounted therein from the axial side through the opening of the mounting grooves 2c.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2A to 2C , the motor shaft 2 further includes a guide hole 2h extending through its wall. The radially outward opening of the guide hole 2h is located on the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion 21 and is configured to communicate with the inlet hole 11h of the main body 11 of the fluid centripetal guiding device 1. The radially inward opening of the guide hole 2h communicates with the installation space S between the motor shaft 2 and the input shaft, guiding the fluid into the installation space S. Specifically, in this embodiment, the guide hole 2h extends from the radially inward side toward the radially outward side while also extending obliquely from one axial side toward the other axial side.

[0049] Furthermore, a first gear portion 22 is located axially on one side of the flange portion 21 and can be drivingly coupled to the sun gear of the planetary gear reducer. A second gear portion 23 is located axially on the other side of the flange portion 21 and can be drivingly coupled to the brake disc of the brake assembly. A bracket mounting portion 24 is located between the flange portion 21 and the second gear portion 23 and can be fixed to the rotor bracket.

[0050] By adopting the above solution, in the aforementioned in-wheel motor drive system, when the in-wheel motor drive system is in operation, the fluid centripetal guiding device 1 rotates along with the motor shaft 2. The guide portion 12 can continuously scoop up fluid (e.g., oil) from the housing of the in-wheel motor drive system and further centripetally guide the fluid into the installation space S. During this process, the fluid flows along the following path: opening 12p of the guide portion 12 → channel 12h of the guide portion 12 → inlet hole 11h of the main body 11 → guide hole 2h of the motor shaft 2 → installation space S → bearing 4 and seal assembly 5. In this way, the fluid can cool and lubricate the bearing 4 and seal assembly 5.

[0051] The above describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present application, and the following provides supplementary explanations.

[0052] i. In the above specific embodiments, the detailed description focuses on the structures closely related to the centripetal fluid guiding device 1 of the present application, while omitting the detailed description of other structures of the vehicle power system according to the present application. It will be understood that the in-wheel motor drive system of the vehicle power system according to one embodiment of the present application may further include a housing, a drive motor, a rotor bracket, a planetary gear reducer, a brake assembly, and other bearing and sealing assemblies.

[0053] ii. In the technical solution of the present application, the fluid can typically be the oil stored in the oil tank at the bottom of the housing of the vehicle power system. The oil guided into the installation space S can not only be used to cool the bearing 4 and the sealing assembly 5, but also to lubricate the bearing 4 and the sealing assembly 5.

[0054] In addition, in the above specific embodiments, the bearing 4 uses the motor shaft 2 as the outer ring, but the present application is not limited to this. A bearing 4 with an independent outer ring can also be used for radial support, and the outer ring can be fixed together with the motor shaft 2.

[0055] The bearing 4 itself may also be without an outer ring or without both an outer ring and an inner ring. For example, the bearing 4 may be a bearing comprising a plurality of rolling elements and a cage.

[0056] iii. It will be understood that the number and arrangement of the guide portions 12 of the centripetal fluid guiding device 1 of the present application are not limited to those described in the above-described specific embodiments, but can be modified as needed. When the centripetal fluid guiding device 1 of the above-described embodiment is installed, the openings 12p of the guide portions 12 can be oriented in the same direction as the rotation direction of the motor shaft 2 when the vehicle is moving forward, that is, the openings 12p are oriented downstream in the rotation direction of the motor shaft 2 when the vehicle is moving forward.

[0057] In some cases, the fluid centripetal guiding device 1 may include a plurality of guiding portions 12 with openings 12p facing in opposite directions, so that the fluid centripetal guiding device 1 can guide the fluid centripetally regardless of the rotation direction.

[0058] iv. In the technical solution of the present application, there is no need to pump fluid by establishing a seal and directional pressure in a closed space as in the prior art, so there is no need to set up a separate pump, thereby saving the cost of setting up a separate pump and corresponding lines and pipelines.

[0059] v. It is understood that the fluid centripetal guiding device 1 of the present application is not limited to use in vehicles. For example, it can also be applied to vehicle power systems such as electric bridge drive systems and hybrid drive systems.

Claims

1. A fluid centripetal guiding device, characterized in that: include: a main body (11) having an annular shape and having an inlet hole (11h) extending therethrough in a radial direction (R); as well as A plurality of guide portions (12) are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction (C) of the main body (11); the guide portions (12) are fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the main body (11) and protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface; the guide portions (12) are formed with an opening (12p) and a channel (12h); the opening (12p) is open toward one circumferential side; the channel (12h) extends from the opening (12p) to the inlet hole (11h); the radial outer wall surface of the channel (12h) curves and extends from the opening (12p) toward the inlet hole (11h), and is used to guide the fluid flowing in from the opening (12p) toward the inlet hole (11h) during the rotation of the fluid centripetal guiding device (1).

2. The fluid centripetal guiding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radially outer wall surface extends from the opening (12p) toward the other circumferential side and toward the radially inner side.

3. The fluid centripetal guiding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The width of the channel (12h) gradually narrows from the opening (12p) toward the entry hole (11h), and a portion of the outer peripheral surface located within the channel (12h) is formed with a guide surface (11s) inclined toward the entry hole (11h).

4. The fluid centripetal guiding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The fluid centripetal guiding device (1) further comprises a mounting portion (13), wherein the mounting portion (13) is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the main body (11) and protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface, and the mounting portion (13) is staggered with the inlet hole (11h).

5. The fluid centripetal guiding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mounting portion (13) is formed in a convex strip shape extending linearly along the axial direction (A) of the main body (11).

6. A vehicle power system, characterized in that: A fluid centripetal guiding device (1) comprising the device described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The vehicle power system according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a motor shaft (2), the motor shaft (2) is formed into a hollow structure, and the motor shaft (2) is also formed with a guide hole (2h) penetrating the wall thereof. The fluid centripetal guiding device (1) is fixed to the motor shaft (2), and the inlet hole (11h) of the fluid centripetal guiding device (1) is communicated with the guide hole (2h).

8. The vehicle power system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The motor shaft (2) is formed with a flange portion (21), the flange portion (21) protruding radially outward relative to other portions of the motor shaft (2), and the main body (11) of the fluid centripetal guiding device (1) is sleeved and fixed on the radially outer side of the flange portion (21).

9. The vehicle power system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The outer peripheral surface of the flange portion (21) is formed with a mounting groove (2c), the mounting groove (2c) is open toward one axial side or the other axial side, and the convex strip-shaped mounting portion (13) of the fluid centripetal guide device (1) is mounted in the mounting groove (2c).

10. The vehicle power system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The invention also includes an output shaft (3), a bearing (4) and a sealing assembly (5), wherein the bearing (4) is located in an installation space (S) between the motor shaft (2) and the output shaft (3), and the sealing assembly (5) is used to close one end of the installation space (S). The guide hole (2h) is capable of guiding the fluid toward the installation space (S).

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