Unit

Abstract

Provided is a unit that can be reduced in size. The unit has a capacitor, an electronic circuit electrically connected to the capacitor, a rotating electrical machine electrically connected to the electronic circuit, and a shaft in power connection to the downstream of the rotating electrical machine, the shaft does not overlap the rotating electrical machine in a first radial view, one of the capacitor and the electronic circuit overlaps the rotating electrical machine in the first radial view, and the other of the capacitor and the electronic circuit overlaps the rotating electrical machine in the first radial view. The other of the capacitor and the electronic circuit overlaps the shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to units. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 has disclosed a unit having an inverter.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: (Japan) Patent Publication No. 2022-33113 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the unit described in Patent Document 1, since the rotating electric machine and the shaft located between the rotating electric machine and the inverter overlap in the lateral direction, the inverter and the rotating electric machine cannot be arranged close to each other. Therefore, the unit cannot be miniaturized.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a unit that can be reduced in size.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] According to a certain embodiment of the present invention, a unit is provided, which comprises: a capacitor, an electronic circuit electrically connected to the capacitor, a rotating motor electrically connected to the electronic circuit, and a shaft connected to the downstream power of the rotating motor, wherein in a first radial view, the shaft does not overlap with the rotating motor, in the first radial view, one of the capacitor and the electronic circuit overlaps with the rotating motor, and in the first radial view, the other of the capacitor and the electronic circuit overlaps with the shaft.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the unit of this embodiment (a state in which the fourth housing is removed).

[0014] Figure 2 It is a transverse cross-sectional view showing a unit according to the present embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing the fourth box.

[0016] Figure 4 It is a transverse cross-sectional view of a unit showing a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as the present embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] First, refer to Figures 1 to 3 , the unit 1 of this embodiment will be described. It should be noted that, in this specification, the same reference numerals are used for the same main components as a whole.

[0019] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the unit 1 according to the present embodiment (a state in which the fourth housing 24 is removed). Figure 2 It is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the unit 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the fourth housing 24 .

[0020] Figures 1 to 3 The unit 1 shown is used in driving the driving wheels (not shown) of the vehicle, but is not limited to this. For example, it can also be used in driving electrical products. Unit 1 is also called a motor unit (a unit having at least a motor), a power transmission device (a device having at least a power transmission mechanism (such as a gear mechanism and / or a differential gear mechanism, etc.)), etc. It should be noted that the device (unit) having a motor and a power transmission mechanism belongs to the concepts of both the motor unit and the power transmission device. Specifically, unit 1 has: a housing 2, a motor 3 as a rotating electric machine, a transmission shaft 4 as an axis, a reduction gear set 5 as a gear mechanism, and an inverter 6.

[0021] The housing 2 is a housing component for housing the motor 3, the transmission shaft 4, the reduction gear set 5, and the inverter 6. The housing 2 is composed of one or more housings. Specifically, the housing 2 is composed of a first housing 21 as a housing component (specifically, a first housing component), a second housing 22, a third housing 23, and a fourth housing 24 as a housing component (specifically, a second housing component).

[0022] The first housing 21 is a three-in-one housing. The three-in-one housing refers to a form in which a part of the motor housing that accommodates the motor 3 and the transmission shaft 4 and a part of the inverter housing that accommodates the inverter 6 are formed integrally.

[0023] The first housing 21 has a cylinder 211 provided in an open manner at least at the front end as one end, a front flange 212 provided at the front end of the cylinder 211 so as to protrude toward the outer circumference, a rear flange 213 provided at the rear end as the other end of the cylinder 211 so as to protrude toward the outer circumference, and a protrusion 214 extending along the axial direction X and protruding toward the outer circumference of the cylinder 211 on the outer circumference side of the motor 3. Here, the axial direction X refers to the axial direction X of the rotation axis of the accessories constituting the unit 1. The accessories are, for example, the motor 3, the gear mechanism, and the differential gear mechanism.

[0024] The cylinder 211 has an arc portion 211a which is continuous with the protruding portion 214 at one end and houses a part of the motor 3 inside, and a lateral direction Y (see FIG. 1 ) which is continuous with the other end of the protruding portion 214 and extends along the second radial direction. Figure 2 ) The flat portion 211b extends from the transmission shaft 4 in the longitudinal direction Z (see Figure 2 ) are listed in parallel.

[0025] The second housing 22 is connected to the front end of the cylinder 211 of the first housing 21. Specifically, the outer periphery of the second housing 22 is fastened to the front flange 212 by bolts. In addition, the second housing 22 supports both the front end of one end of the rotating shaft 31 described later as the motor 3 and the front end of one end of the transmission shaft 4 via a bearing (not shown).

[0026] The motor 3 is a rotating electric machine having a motor function and / or a generator function. In addition, the motor 3 has: a rotating shaft 31 rotatably supported by the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 via bearings (not shown), a rotor 32 located on the outer peripheral side of the rotating shaft 31 and rotating integrally with the rotating shaft 31, and a stator 33 fixed to the inner peripheral side of the cylinder 211 in a manner located on the outer peripheral side of the rotor 32.

[0027] The transmission shaft 4 rotates integrally with the driving wheels of the vehicle. The transmission shaft 4 is connected to the downstream power of the motor 3 via the reduction gear set 5. That is, the motor 3 and the transmission shaft 4 are connected so as to be able to transmit power. The input side of the power is the upstream, and the output side of the power is the downstream. In addition, the transmission shaft 4 is rotatably supported by the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 via bearings (not shown).

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, in the first radial view, the transmission shaft 4 and the motor 3 (specifically, the rotating shaft 31, the rotor 32 and the stator 33) do not overlap. That is, in the first radial view, the transmission shaft 4 and the motor 3 are offset. In other words, the transmission shaft 4 and the motor 3 are not parallel in the longitudinal direction Z.

[0029] The third housing 23 accommodates the reduction gear set 5. The third housing 23 is composed of a bottomed cylinder with an opening at the front end as one end and a closed rear end as the other end. In addition, the third housing 23 is connected to the rear end of the cylinder 211. Specifically, the outer periphery of the front end of the third housing 23 is connected to the rear flange 213 by bolt fastening.

[0030] The reduction gear set 5 has a portion that is offset from the motor 3 in the axial view. That is, the reduction gear set 5 has a portion that does not overlap with the motor 3 in the axial view. That is, the reduction gear set 5 has a portion that is not parallel to the motor 3 in the axial direction X.

[0031] The reduction gear set 5 is a power transmission mechanism that reduces the power of the motor 3 and transmits it to the transmission shaft 4 , and is composed of a plurality of gears. The reduction gear set 5 is connected to the downstream power of the motor 3 and to the upstream power of the transmission shaft 4 .

[0032] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the fourth box 24 constitutes the other part of the inverter box. The inverter 6 is installed in the fourth box 24. The fourth box 24 is fastened with bolts and connected to a part of the outer circumference of the cylinder 211 (specifically, the arc portion 211a and the flat portion 211b). In addition, a part of the inverter 6 is built into the storage area S formed by connecting the first box 21 and the fourth box 24.

[0033] The fourth housing 24 includes a first mounting portion 241 to which one of a capacitor 61 and an electronic circuit 62 described later of the inverter 6 is mounted, and a second mounting portion 242 to which the other of the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 described later of the inverter 6 is mounted.

[0034] In this embodiment, when the first box body 21 and the fourth box body 24 are connected, the first mounting portion 241 is a plate extending along the horizontal direction Y, and the second mounting portion 242 is a plate inclined relative to the horizontal direction Y in a front view. In addition, the first mounting portion 241 and the second mounting portion 242 are respectively opposite to the arc portion 211a and the flat portion 211b.

[0035] In addition, when the first housing 21 and the fourth housing 24 are connected, the fourth housing 24 has a portion (specifically, the first mounting portion 241 and the second mounting portion 242) overlapping with the third housing 23 constituting the gear mechanism in the axial view. That is, the fourth housing 24 and the third housing 23 are arranged side by side in the axial direction X. Thus, it is possible to avoid the first mounting portion 241 and the second mounting portion 242 of the fourth housing 24 from being exposed from the third housing 23 in the front view, thereby achieving the miniaturization of the unit 1 in the radial direction as a whole.

[0036] The inverter 6 is a controller for controlling the driving of the motor 3. The inverter 6 includes a capacitor 61, an electronic circuit 62, a cooler 63, a power connector 64, and a connection wire 65.

[0037] The capacitor 61 (specifically, a smoothing capacitor) is an electronic component that stores or discharges electricity. The capacitor 61 is mounted on the back side of the first mounting portion 241 so as to extend along the horizontal direction Y in a front view.

[0038] The electronic circuit 62 is electrically connected to the capacitor 61 and to the motor 3 via the connection wiring 65. The electronic circuit 62 is mounted on the back surface of the second mounting portion 242. The electronic circuit 62 has a PWR substrate 621 as a substrate that is arranged in a tilted manner relative to the horizontal direction Y (that is, the capacitor 61) in a front view.

[0039] Thus, the second mounting portion 242 on which the PWR substrate 621 is mounted can also be arranged to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction Y. Therefore, compared with a structure in which the capacitor 61 and the PWR substrate 621 of the electronic circuit 62 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction Y, the unit 1 can be miniaturized in the horizontal direction Y. In addition, it is easy to form an inclined or stepped portion in the unit 1, and the overall design of the unit 1 can be improved.

[0040] The cooler 63 is a component for cooling the PWR substrate 621. The cooler 63 is mounted on the surface of the second mounting portion 242. Therefore, it is easier to configure the cooling water path of the cooler 63 than in a structure where the cooler 63 is mounted on the back of the second mounting portion 242. It should be noted that from the perspective of integrating the cooling water path, it is preferred that the unit oil cooler is also configured on the surface of the second mounting portion 242.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, in the first radial view, the capacitor 61 overlaps with the motor 3, and in the first radial view, the electronic circuit 62 overlaps with the transmission shaft 4 which is not parallel to the motor 3 in the longitudinal direction Z. That is, the capacitor 61 is parallel to the motor 3 in the longitudinal direction Z, and the electronic circuit 62 is parallel to the transmission shaft 4 which is not parallel to the motor 3 in the longitudinal direction Z.

[0042] Therefore, in the first radial view, the transmission shaft 4 is not located between the motor 3 and the inverter 6 (that is, when viewed from the first radial direction, the transmission shaft 4 is not located between the motor 3 and the inverter 6), but the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 of the inverter 6 are respectively arranged close to the motor 3 and the transmission shaft 4, thereby effectively utilizing the radial space around the motor 3 and the transmission shaft 4, thereby achieving miniaturization of the unit 1 as a whole in the longitudinal direction Z.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 are disposed so as to overlap with the motor 3 and the transmission shaft 4 respectively in the first radial direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be disposed so as to overlap with the transmission shaft 4 and the motor 3 respectively.

[0044] In this case, the electronic circuit 62 is mounted on the back side of the first mounting portion 241 , and the capacitor 61 is mounted on the back side of the second mounting portion 242 .

[0045] In the first radial view, the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 are offset from the reduction gear set 5. That is, in the first radial view, the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 do not overlap with the reduction gear set 5. In other words, the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 are not parallel to the reduction gear set 5 in the longitudinal direction Z.

[0046] In the axial view, the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 have portions overlapping with the reduction gear train 5. That is, the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 have portions parallel to the reduction gear train 5 in the axial direction X.

[0047] Thus, by effectively utilizing the space of the stepped portion formed by the motor 3 and the reduction gear train 5 and arranging the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 in the space of the stepped portion, it is easy to adopt a design that can reduce the size of the unit 1.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the power connector 64 electrically connects the power supply (not shown) to the capacitor 61. In the second radial view, the capacitor 61 is arranged between the power connector 64 and the electronic circuit 62. That is, when viewed from the horizontal direction Y, the capacitor 61 is located between the power connector 64 and the electronic circuit 62.

[0049] This allows for a configuration that takes current into consideration, thereby enabling a structure that simplifies wiring configuration.

[0050] In addition, the power connector 64 has a direction from the fourth housing 24 to the direction away from the capacitor 61 (in Figure 2 The protruding front end portion 641 is shown on the left side. Figure 2 As shown, in the second radial direction, the protrusion 214 is arranged between the front end 641 of the power connector 64 and the capacitor 61. That is, when viewed from the lateral direction Y, the protrusion 214 is located between the front end 641 and the capacitor 61.

[0051] Thus, the front end portion 641 of the power connector 64 is offset from the protrusion 214 in the first radial direction, thereby reducing the influence of interference between the power connector 64 and the protrusion 214 when the fourth case 24 and the first case 21 are connected.

[0052] The connection wiring 65 electrically connects the PWR substrate 621 of the electronic circuit 62 and the motor 3. One end of the connection wiring 65 is connected to the end of the PWR substrate 621 away from the capacitor 61, and the other end is connected to the connector of the motor 3.

[0053] (Variation Example)

[0054] Next, refer to Figure 4, the unit 1 of the modified example will be described. It should be noted that in this modified example, the description of the aspects consistent with the above embodiment is omitted, and the description will be mainly focused on the differences from the above embodiment.

[0055] Figure 4 It is a transverse cross-sectional view of the unit 1 showing a modified example.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the electronic circuit 62 is arranged in a tilted manner relative to the capacitor 61, but is not limited thereto. Figure 4 As shown, the second mounting portion 242 may be arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction Z. In this case, the second mounting portion 242 for mounting the electronic circuit 62 is not inclined relative to the lateral direction Y but is formed to extend along the lateral direction Y from the first mounting portion 241 .

[0057] In this case, the transmission shaft 4 overlaps the rotating shaft 31 of the motor 3 in the second radial direction. That is, the transmission shaft 4 and the rotating shaft 31 of the motor 3 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction Y. Thus, compared with the above-mentioned embodiment, it is possible to ensure a larger installation space in the longitudinal direction Z of the electronic circuit 62, so that even when the electronic circuit 62 is arranged in a manner extending along the longitudinal direction Z, it is possible to seek miniaturization of the entire unit 1 in the radial direction.

[0058] In addition, in this modification, in the second radial direction, the capacitor 61 is arranged between the power connector 64 and the electronic circuit 62 in the same manner as in the above embodiment, but the electronic circuit 62 is arranged in a manner extending along the longitudinal direction Z, so that the capacitor 61 and the power connector 64 can be arranged on the transmission shaft 4 side (in the second radial direction) in comparison with the above embodiment. Figure 4 The front end portion 641 of the power connector 64 (see Figure 2 ) protrudes from the fourth case 24. As a result, the power connector 64 can be entirely built into the fourth case 24, and the unit 1 as a whole can be further miniaturized in the radial direction.

[0059] In the front view, the dimension of the electronic circuit 62 in the longitudinal direction Z is larger than the dimension of the capacitor 61 in the lateral direction Y. Thus, the utilization rate of the storage area S formed by connecting the first case 21 and the fourth case 24 can be improved.

[0060] The cooler 63 is disposed in the storage region S so as to be adjacent to the electronic circuit 62 and extend along the longitudinal direction Z. The electronic circuit 62 is disposed between the capacitor 61 and the cooler 63 in the second radial direction.

[0061] (Effect)

[0062] Next, main functions and effects of the embodiment and the modified examples will be described.

[0063] (1) Unit 1 comprises: a capacitor 61, an electronic circuit 62 electrically connected to the capacitor 61, a motor 3 (rotating motor) electrically connected to the electronic circuit 62, and a transmission shaft 4 (shaft) connected to the downstream power of the motor 3 (rotating motor); in the first radial view, the transmission shaft 4 (shaft) does not overlap with the motor 3 (rotating motor); in the first radial view, the capacitor 61 overlaps with the motor 3 (rotating motor); and in the first radial view, the electronic circuit 62 overlaps with the transmission shaft 4 (shaft).

[0064] According to this structure, in the first radial view, the transmission shaft 4 is not located between the motor 3 and the inverter 6, but the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 of the inverter 6 are arranged close to the motor 3 and the transmission shaft 4, respectively. As a result, the radial space around the motor 3 and the transmission shaft 4 can be effectively utilized, so that the overall unit 1 can be miniaturized in the longitudinal direction Z.

[0065] (2) The transmission shaft 4 (shaft) is connected to the power of the motor 3 (rotating motor) via the reduction gear (gear mechanism), and the reduction gear set 5 (gear mechanism) has a portion that deviates from the motor 3 (rotating motor) in the axial view. In the first radial view, the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 deviate from the reduction gear set 5 (gear mechanism), and in the axial view, the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 have a portion that overlaps with the reduction gear set 5 (gear mechanism).

[0066] According to this structure, by effectively utilizing the space of the stepped portion formed by the motor 3 and the reduction gear train 5 and arranging the capacitor 61 and the electronic circuit 62 in the space of the stepped portion, it is easy to adopt a design that can reduce the size of the unit 1.

[0067] (3) The electronic circuit 62 includes the PWR substrate 621 (substrate), and the PWR substrate 621 (substrate) is arranged to be inclined with respect to the capacitor 61 .

[0068] According to this structure, since the second mounting portion 242 on which the PWR substrate 621 is mounted can also be arranged to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction Y, the unit 1 can be made smaller in the horizontal direction Y compared to a structure in which the capacitor 61 and the PWR substrate 621 of the electronic circuit 62 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction Y. In addition, it is easy to form an inclined or stepped portion in the unit 1, and the overall design of the unit 1 can be improved.

[0069] (4) The unit 1 further includes a power connector 64 electrically connected to the capacitor 61 , and the capacitor 61 is disposed between the power connector 64 and the electronic circuit 62 when viewed in the second radial direction intersecting the longitudinal direction Z (the first radial direction).

[0070] According to this structure, since it is possible to form a configuration taking the current into consideration, it is possible to achieve a structure that simplifies the wiring layout.

[0071] (5) The unit 1 also has a first case 21 (case component) for accommodating the motor 3 (rotating electric machine). The first case 21 (case component) has a protrusion 214 protruding toward the outer peripheral side of the motor 3 (rotating electric machine). In the second radial view, the protrusion 214 is arranged between the front end portion 641 of the power connector 64 and the capacitor 61.

[0072] According to this configuration, the front end portion 641 of the power connector 64 is offset from the protrusion 214 when viewed in the first radial direction, thereby reducing the influence of interference between the power connector 64 and the protrusion 214 when the fourth case 24 and the first case 21 are connected.

[0073] (6) When viewed in the second radial direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Z (first radial direction), the transmission shaft 4 (shaft) overlaps the rotating shaft 31 of the motor 3 (rotating electric machine), and the electronic circuit 62 is arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction Z (first radial direction).

[0074] According to this structure, a larger installation space in the longitudinal direction Z of the electronic circuit 62 can be ensured compared with the above-mentioned embodiment. Therefore, even when the electronic circuit 62 is arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction Z, the entire unit 1 can be miniaturized in the radial direction.

[0075] (7) In the front view, the dimension of the electronic circuit 62 in the longitudinal direction Z (first radial direction) is larger than the dimension of the capacitor 61 in the lateral direction Y (second radial direction).

[0076] According to this structure, the utilization rate of the storage area S formed by connecting the first housing 21 and the fourth housing 24 can be improved.

[0077] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely represent a part of application examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific structures of the above embodiments.

[0078] Description of Reference Numerals

[0079] 1 unit; 3 motor (rotating motor); 4 shaft (transmission shaft); 5 reduction gear set (gear mechanism); 21 first housing (housing component); 61 capacitor; 62 electronic circuit; 64 power connector; 214 protrusion; 621 PWR substrate (substrate); 641 front end portion.

Claims

1. A unit, characterized in that have: Capacitors; an electronic circuit electrically connected to the capacitor; a rotating motor electrically connected to the electronic circuit; a shaft in downstream power connection with the rotating electric machine; In a first radial view, the shaft does not overlap the rotating electrical machine, In the first radial view, one of the capacitor and the electronic circuit overlaps with the rotating electrical machine. In the first radial view, the other of the capacitor and the electronic circuit overlaps with the axis.

2. The unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The shaft is connected to the rotating motor via a gear mechanism. The gear mechanism has a portion offset from the rotating electrical machine in an axial view, In the first radial view, the capacitor and the electronic circuit are offset from the gear mechanism, In the axial view, the capacitor and the electronic circuit have portions overlapping with the gear mechanism.

3. The unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The electronic circuit has a substrate, The substrate is arranged to be inclined relative to the capacitor.

4. The unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Furthermore, a power connector is provided which is electrically connected to the capacitor. In a second radial direction intersecting the first radial direction, the capacitor is arranged between the power connector and the electronic circuit.

5. The unit according to claim 4, characterized in that In addition, there is a box component for accommodating the rotating motor. The case member has a protrusion protruding toward the outer peripheral side on the outer peripheral side of the rotating electrical machine, The protrusion is arranged between a front end portion of the power connector and the capacitor in the second radial direction.

6. The unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In a second radial direction orthogonal to the first radial direction, the axis overlaps with the rotation axis of the rotating electrical machine, The other of the capacitor and the electronic circuit is arranged to extend along the first radial direction.

7. The unit according to claim 6, characterized in that In a front view, the first radial dimension of the other of the capacitor and the electronic circuit is larger than the second radial dimension of one of the capacitor and the electronic circuit.

Images