Drive device

Abstract

A drive device according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided with: a motor having a rotor capable of rotating about a central axis and a stator positioned on the outside in the radial direction of the rotor; the gear mechanism is connected with the rotor; a housing having a motor housing in which the motor is housed and a gear housing in which the gear mechanism is housed; and a fluid supply unit that supplies fluid to the motor. The stator has a stator core fixed within the motor housing. The inner surface of the motor housing is provided with a first protruding part which protrudes towards the inner side in the radial direction. The radially inner surface of the first protruding portion is an opposing surface that radially opposes the radially outer surface of the stator core. When viewed in the axial direction, the facing surface extends along the radially outer surface of the stator core. The housing has a first flow path through which a fluid flows. The first flow path has a first opening that opens at a first side surface on one side of the first protrusion in the circumferential direction, and a second opening that opens inside the gear housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive device.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-211737 filed in Japan on December 28, 2022, the contents of which are cited here. Background Art

[0003] A vehicle drive device having a housing having a gear chamber for housing a reduction gear pair and a motor chamber for housing an electric motor is known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle drive device that lubricates a bearing supporting a secondary shaft by raising lubricating oil through a reduction gear pair.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-121732 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] In the vehicle drive device as described above, it is required to supply fluid to a specific location in the gear chamber, as in the supply of lubricating oil to the bearing in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. However, in the method of raising the fluid by using a reduction gear pair as in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the fluid supply is insufficient depending on the location in the gear chamber.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one object of the present invention is to provide a drive device having a structure capable of suppressing insufficient supply of a fluid in a gear housing.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] A driving device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a motor having a rotor rotatable about a central axis and a stator located radially outside the rotor; a gear mechanism connected to the rotor; a housing having a motor housing that accommodates the motor and a gear housing that accommodates the gear mechanism; and a fluid supply unit that supplies fluid to the motor. The stator has a stator core fixed in the motor housing. A first protrusion that protrudes radially inward is provided on the inner surface of the motor housing. The radially inner surface of the first protrusion is an opposing surface that is radially opposed to the radially outer surface of the stator core. When viewed in the axial direction, the opposing surface extends along the radially outer surface of the stator core. The housing has a first flow path for the fluid to flow. The first flow path has: a first opening that opens at a first side surface on one circumferential side of the first protrusion; and a second opening that opens inside the gear housing.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, in the drive device, it is possible to suppress insufficient supply of the fluid in the gear housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the driving device in the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the stator core and the first fluid supply part in the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the driving device in the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a diagram of the gear housing according to the first embodiment as viewed from one axial side.

[0018] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the second opening of the first flow path in the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the first protrusion and the first opening of the first flow path in the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the driving device in the second embodiment.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a portion of the drive device in the third embodiment as viewed from one axial side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the accompanying drawings, an XYZ coordinate system is appropriately shown as a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. In the XYZ coordinate system, the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction. The +Z side is the upper side, and the -Z side is the lower side. The X-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, and is the front-to-back direction of a vehicle equipped with a drive device. In the following embodiments, the +X side is the front side of the vehicle, and the -X side is the rear side of the vehicle. The Y-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and is the left-to-right direction of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle width direction. In the following embodiments, the +Y side is the left side of the vehicle, and the -Y side is the right side of the vehicle.

[0023] In addition, the positional relationship in the front-rear direction is not limited to the positional relationship in the following embodiments, and the +X side may be the rear side of the vehicle and the -X side may be the front side of the vehicle. In this case, the +Y side is the right side of the vehicle and the -Y side is the left side of the vehicle. In addition, in this specification, "parallel direction" also includes a substantially parallel direction, and "vertical direction" also includes a substantially vertical direction.

[0024] The center axis J1 shown in the figure appropriately is an imaginary axis extending in a direction intersecting the up-down direction. More specifically, the center axis J1 extends in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, that is, the left-right direction of the vehicle. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction parallel to the center axis J1 is referred to as the "axial direction", the radial direction centered on the center axis J1 is referred to as the "radial direction", and the circumferential direction centered on the center axis J1, that is, the direction around the center axis J1, is referred to as the "circumferential direction".

[0025] In the following description, the left side (+Y side) in the axial direction is referred to as "one side in the axial direction", and the right side (-Y side) in the axial direction is referred to as "the other side in the axial direction". The up-down direction is, for example, the vertical direction, and the front-back direction and the left-right direction are, for example, horizontal directions perpendicular to the vertical direction. In addition, the front-back direction is an intersecting direction that intersects both the up-down direction and the axial direction, the front side (+X side) is one side in the intersecting direction, and the rear side (-X side) is the other side in the intersecting direction.

[0026] The arrow θ shown in the figure appropriately indicates the circumferential direction. In the following description, the side in the circumferential direction that moves clockwise around the central axis J1 when viewed from the other axial side (-Y side), that is, the side toward which the arrow θ points (+θ side) is referred to as "one circumferential direction side", and the side in the circumferential direction that moves counterclockwise around the central axis J1 when viewed from the other axial side, that is, the side opposite to the side toward which the arrow θ points (-θ side) is referred to as "the other circumferential direction side".

[0027] <First embodiment>

[0028] Figure 1The drive device 100 of the present embodiment shown is a drive device mounted on a vehicle and rotates the axle. The vehicle equipped with the drive device 100 is a vehicle that uses a motor as a power source, such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHV), or an electric vehicle (EV). Figure 1 As shown, the driving device 100 includes a motor 10, a gear mechanism 20, and a housing 30. The housing 30 includes a motor housing 31 that accommodates the motor 10 therein and a gear housing 32 that accommodates the gear mechanism 20 therein.

[0029] The motor 10 has a rotor 40 that can rotate around a central axis J1 and a stator 50 located radially outside the rotor 40. The rotor 40 has a motor shaft 41 arranged along the central axis J1 and a rotor core 42 fixed to the motor shaft 41. In the present embodiment, the motor shaft 41 is a hollow shaft that extends axially with the central axis J1 as the center and is open on both sides of the axial direction. The motor shaft 41 is supported by a pair of bearings 43a and 43b so as to be rotatable around the central axis J1. The pair of bearings 43a and 43b are, for example, ball bearings. A hole portion 41a that connects the inside of the motor shaft 41 and the outside of the motor shaft 41 is provided in the motor shaft 41. A plurality of hole portions 41a are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. Although not shown in the figure, a magnet is retained in the rotor core 42.

[0030] The stator 50 is annular and surrounds the rotor 40. The stator 50 includes a stator core 51 and a coil assembly 54. The stator core 51 is located radially outside the rotor core 42 and is arranged opposite to the rotor core 42 with a gap therebetween. The stator core 51 is formed by stacking a plurality of plate members such as electromagnetic steel plates in the axial direction. Figure 2 As shown, the stator core 51 includes a stator core body portion 52 and a fixing portion 53 .

[0031] The stator core body 52 is in a ring shape surrounding the rotor 40. In the present embodiment, the stator core body 52 is in a generally cylindrical shape centered on the central axis J1 and open on both sides in the axial direction. The stator core body 52 has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 52c surrounding the central axis J1. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 52c is in a generally cylindrical shape centered on the central axis J1. The outer peripheral surface 52c constitutes a part of the radially outer surface of the stator core 51. In the present embodiment, the radially outer surface of the stator core 51 is constituted by the outer peripheral surface 52c and the radially outer side surface of the fixing portion 53.

[0032] The stator core body 52 has a substantially cylindrical core back 52a extending in the axial direction and a plurality of teeth 52b extending radially inward from the core back 52a. The outer peripheral surface of the core back 52a is the outer peripheral surface 52c of the stator core body 52. ​​The plurality of teeth 52b are arranged at equal intervals over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

[0033] The fixing portion 53 protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 52c of the stator core body portion 52. The fixing portion 53 is a portion fixed to the motor housing 31. The fixing portion 53 extends in the axial direction. The fixing portion 53 extends, for example, from an end portion on one axial side of the stator core body portion 52 to an end portion on the other axial side of the stator core body portion 52. In the present embodiment, a plurality of fixing portions 53 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. For example, four fixing portions 53 are provided.

[0034] Each fixing portion 53 has a through hole 53e that penetrates each fixing portion 53 in the axial direction. The through hole 53e is, for example, a circular hole. Figure 3 As shown, a bolt 55 extending in the axial direction passes through the through hole 53e. The bolt 55 passes through the through hole 53e from the other axial side (-Y side), for example, and is screwed into a threaded hole (not shown) provided in the motor housing 31. Thus, the fixing portion 53 is fixed to the motor housing 31 by the bolt 55, and the stator core 51 is fixed in the motor housing 31.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the fixing portion 53 includes a first fixing portion 53a, a second fixing portion 53b, a third fixing portion 53c, and a fourth fixing portion 53d. The first fixing portion 53a, the second fixing portion 53b, the third fixing portion 53c, and the fourth fixing portion 53d are arranged at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction. The first fixing portion 53a, the second fixing portion 53b, the third fixing portion 53c, and the fourth fixing portion 53d are arranged at equal intervals over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, for example.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the first fixing portion 53a and the second fixing portion 53b are located above the central axis J1. In the present embodiment, the third fixing portion 53c and the fourth fixing portion 53d are located below the central axis J1. In the present embodiment, the first fixing portion 53a and the fourth fixing portion 53d are located at the rear side (-X side) of the central axis J1. In the present embodiment, the second fixing portion 53b and the third fixing portion 53c are located at the front side (+X side) of the central axis J1.

[0037] The first fixing portion 53a protrudes upward and obliquely rearward (-X side) from the stator core body 52. ​​The second fixing portion 53b protrudes upward and obliquely frontward (+X side) from the stator core body 52. ​​The third fixing portion 53c protrudes downward and obliquely frontward (+X side) from the stator core body 52. ​​The fourth fixing portion 53d protrudes downward and obliquely rearward (-X side) from the stator core body 52.

[0038] In this embodiment, the circumferential positions of the first fixing portion 53a, the second fixing portion 53b, the third fixing portion 53c and the fourth fixing portion 53d are different from each other, but the shapes are the same. In this embodiment, each fixing portion 53 has a symmetrical shape in the circumferential direction. Figure 3 As shown, the fixing portion 53 is disposed apart from the inner circumferential surface of the motor housing 31. The circumferential dimension of the fixing portion 53 decreases radially outward. The outer shape of the radially outer end of the fixing portion 53 is an arc shape convex radially outward when viewed in the axial direction.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the coil assembly 54 has a plurality of coils 54c mounted on the stator core 51. Although not shown in the figure, the coil assembly 54 may have a bundling member for bundling the coils 54c, or may have a lap wire for connecting the coils 54c to each other. The coil assembly 54 has coil ends 54a, 54b that protrude axially from the stator core 51.

[0040] The gear mechanism 20 is connected to the rotor 40. More specifically, the gear mechanism 20 is connected to the end of one axial side (+Y side) of the motor shaft 41. The gear mechanism 20 transmits the rotation of the rotor 40 to the axle of the vehicle. The gear mechanism 20 has a reduction gear 21 connected to the rotor 40 and a differential device 22 connected to the reduction gear 21.

[0041] The reduction gear 21 includes a first gear shaft 23a, a second gear shaft 23b, a first gear 24a, a second gear 24b and a third gear 24c. The first gear shaft 23a extends in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the first gear shaft 23a is a hollow shaft centered on the central axis J1 and open on both sides in the axial direction. The first gear shaft 23a is supported by a pair of bearings 25a and 25b so as to be rotatable around the central axis J1. The pair of bearings 25a and 25b are, for example, ball bearings. The end of the other axial side (-Y side) of the first gear shaft 23a is connected to the end of the one axial side (+Y side) of the motor shaft 41.

[0042] The second gear shaft 23b is rotatable about the intermediate axis J2. In the present embodiment, the intermediate axis J2 is a virtual axis extending parallel to the central axis J1. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the intermediate axis J2 is located above the central axis J1 and is located on the rear side (-X side) of the central axis J1. Figure 1 As shown, the second gear shaft 23b extends in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the second gear shaft 23b is a hollow shaft centered on the intermediate axis J2 and open on both sides of the axial direction. The second gear shaft 23b is supported by a pair of bearings 25c and 25d so as to be rotatable around the intermediate axis J2. The pair of bearings 25c and 25d are, for example, ball bearings.

[0043] The first gear 24a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first gear shaft 23a. The second gear 24b and the third gear 24c are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second gear shaft 23b. The second gear 24b meshes with the first gear 24a. The third gear 24c is located at the other side (-Y side) in the axial direction than the first gear 24a and the second gear 24b.

[0044] The differential device 22 includes a differential case 22a and a ring gear 22b. The differential case 22a and the ring gear 22b are rotatable about the output axis J3. In the present embodiment, the output axis J3 is a virtual axis extending parallel to the center axis J1. Figure 4 As shown, the output axis J3 is located above the center axis J1 and below the intermediate axis J2. The output axis J3 is located rearward (-X side) of the center axis J1 and the intermediate axis J2. The axle of the vehicle is connected to the differential case 22a.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the differential housing 22a has: a housing portion 22c, which accommodates a differential mechanism portion not shown in the figure; and a pair of differential housing shafts 22d and 22e, which extend from the housing portion 22c in the axial direction of the output axis J3. The differential housing shaft 22d extends from the housing portion 22c to one axial side (+Y side). The differential housing shaft 22e extends from the housing portion 22c to the other axial side (-Y side). The differential housing shaft 22e is supported by a bearing 25e so as to be rotatable around the output axis J3. The bearing 25e is, for example, a ball bearing. Although not shown in the figure, the differential housing shaft 22d is also supported by a bearing so as to be rotatable around the output axis J3.

[0046] The ring gear 22b is provided in the differential case 22a. The ring gear 22b meshes with the third gear 24c. The lower end of the ring gear 22b is immersed in the oil O stored in the gear housing 32. The oil O is stirred up by the rotation of the ring gear 22b. The stirred up oil O is provided to the reduction gear 21 and the differential gear 22 as lubricating oil, for example.

[0047] In the housing 30 of the present embodiment, the motor housing 31 and the gear housing 32 are arranged in the axial direction. The gear housing 32 is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the motor housing 31. The gear housing 32 is connected to one axial side of the motor housing 31. In the present embodiment, the housing 30 is composed of a housing body 30a, a motor cover 30b and a gear cover 30c. The housing body 30a, the motor cover 30b and the gear cover 30c are separate from each other. The housing body 30a has a first circumferential wall portion 30d, a second circumferential wall portion 30e and a partition wall portion 33. In addition, as Figure 4As shown, the housing body 30a has a side wall portion 36. That is, the housing 30 has a first peripheral wall portion 30d, a second peripheral wall portion 30e, a partition wall portion 33, and a side wall portion 36. In the present embodiment, the gear housing 32 is composed of the partition wall portion 33, the side wall portion 36, the second peripheral wall portion 30e, and the gear cover 30c. In the present embodiment, the motor housing 31 is composed of the partition wall portion 33, the first peripheral wall portion 30d, and the motor cover 30b.

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, the first peripheral wall portion 30d is in the shape of a tube that opens on the other axial side (-Y side). A partition wall portion 33 is provided at the end of one axial side (+Y side) of the first peripheral wall portion 30d. The opening on the other axial side of the first peripheral wall portion 30d is closed by a motor cover 30b fixed to the end of the other axial side of the first peripheral wall portion 30d. The motor cover 30b covers the motor 10 from the other axial side. A bearing retaining portion 34b that retains the bearing 43b is provided on the surface of one axial side of the motor cover 30b. The bearing retaining portion 34b is in the shape of a roughly annular ring that surrounds the bearing 43b.

[0049] The second peripheral wall portion 30e is in the shape of a cylinder that opens on one axial side (+Y side). A partition wall portion 33 is provided at the end of the second peripheral wall portion 30e on the other axial side (-Y side). The opening on one axial side of the second peripheral wall portion 30e is closed by a gear cover 30c fixed to the end of the second peripheral wall portion 30e on one axial side. The gear cover 30c has: a cover portion 30f that covers the gear mechanism 20 from one axial side; and a third peripheral wall portion 30g that protrudes from the radial outer edge portion of the cover portion 30f to the other axial side. The end of the third peripheral wall portion 30g on the other axial side is connected to the end of the second peripheral wall portion 30e on one axial side. A bearing retaining portion 35a that retains the bearing 25a and a bearing retaining portion 35c that retains the bearing 25c are provided on the surface of the cover portion 30f on the other axial side. Each bearing retaining portion 35a, 35c is in the shape of a substantially annular ring that surrounds each bearing 25a, 25c.

[0050] The partition wall portion 33 divides the interior of the motor housing 31 and the interior of the gear housing 32. The partition wall portion 33 is a wall portion that axially separates the interior of the motor housing 31 from the interior of the gear housing 32. The partition wall portion 33 has a partition wall opening 33a that connects the interior of the motor housing 31 and the interior of the gear housing 32. In the present embodiment, the partition wall opening 33a penetrates the lower end of the partition wall portion 33 in the axial direction.

[0051] A bearing retaining portion 34a for retaining the bearing 43a is provided on a portion of the partition wall portion 33 that constitutes a portion of the inner surface of the motor housing 31, that is, on the surface of the partition wall portion 33 on the other axial side (-Y side). A bearing retaining portion 35b for retaining the bearing 25b and a bearing retaining portion 35d for retaining the bearing 25d are provided on a portion of the partition wall portion 33 that constitutes a portion of the inner surface of the gear housing 32, that is, on the surface of the partition wall portion 33 on the one axial side (+Y side). Each of the bearing retaining portions 34a, 35b, 35d is in a substantially annular shape surrounding each of the bearings 43a, 25b, 25d. The interior of the bearing retaining portion 34a and the interior of the bearing retaining portion 35b are connected to each other in the axial direction, forming a hole that penetrates the partition wall portion 33 in the axial direction.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, the side wall portion 36 is connected to the rear side (-X side) of the partition wall portion 33. In the present embodiment, the partition wall portion 33 and the side wall portion 36 constitute the wall portion of the gear housing 32, which is located on the other axial side (-Y side). The second peripheral wall portion 30e protrudes from the radial outer edge of the wall portion constituted by the partition wall portion 33 and the side wall portion 36 to one axial side (+Y side). The side wall portion 36 protrudes to the rear side (-X side) than the motor housing 31.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, the side wall portion 36 has a protruding wall portion 36a that protrudes to the other axial side (-Y side). The protruding wall portion 36a is in the shape of a tube that surrounds the output axis J3 and opens on one axial side (+Y side). The side wall portion 36 overlaps with the motor housing 31 when viewed along the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). The protruding wall portion 36a has a peripheral wall portion 36b that surrounds the output axis J3 and a bottom wall portion 36c connected to the end of the peripheral wall portion 36b on the other axial side. The bottom wall portion 36c is located at a position closer to the other axial side than the partition wall portion 33. The bottom wall portion 36c is located at a position closer to the other axial side than the end of one axial side of the stator 50.

[0054] A bearing retaining portion 35e for retaining a bearing 25e is provided on a portion of the bottom wall portion 36c that constitutes a part of the inner surface of the gear housing 32, that is, on the surface of one axial side (+Y side) of the bottom wall portion 36c, and the bearing 25e supports the differential housing shaft 22e so that it can rotate. That is, the gear housing 32 has a bearing retaining portion 35e for retaining a bearing 25e that supports a part of the differential device 22 so that it can rotate. The bearing retaining portion 35e is in a roughly annular shape centered on the output axis J3 and surrounding the bearing 25e. The bearing retaining portion 35e is located at a position closer to the other axial side than the partition wall portion 33. In the present embodiment, when viewed in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction), the bearing retaining portion 35e overlaps with the motor 10.

[0055] like Figure 5As shown, the bearing holding portion 35e includes: a peripheral wall portion 35g, which is substantially cylindrical and surrounds the output axis J3; and a bottom wall portion 35h, which protrudes from the end portion of the peripheral wall portion 35g on the other axial side (-Y side) to the radial inner side centered on the output axis J3. The peripheral wall portion 35g protrudes to one axial side (+Y side). The bottom wall portion 35h is substantially annular and surrounds the output axis J3.

[0056] The bearing holding portion 35e has a guide groove 35f. The guide groove 35f is arranged across the peripheral wall portion 35g and the bottom wall portion 35h. The portion of the guide groove 35f arranged on the peripheral wall portion 35g opens on the inner side of the radial direction centered on the output axis J3, and penetrates the peripheral wall portion 35g in the axial direction. The portion of the guide groove 35f arranged on the bottom wall portion 35h opens on one side of the axial direction (+Y side), and penetrates the bottom wall portion 35h in the radial direction centered on the output axis J3. In the present embodiment, the guide groove 35f is arranged on the lower side portion of the front side portion (+X side portion) of the bearing holding portion 35e.

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, in the present embodiment, the housing 30 has a storage portion 39 for storing oil O as a fluid. The oil O is used as a refrigerant for cooling the motor 10. In addition, the oil O is used as a lubricating oil in the reduction gear 21 and the differential gear 22. As the oil O, for example, in order to function as a refrigerant and a lubricating oil, it is preferable to use an oil equivalent to an automatic transmission lubricating oil (ATF: Automatic Transmission Fluid) with a relatively low viscosity.

[0058] The storage portion 39 is composed of a bottom wall portion 30h located on the lower side among the wall portions constituting the housing 30 and a plurality of wall portions protruding upward from the bottom wall portion 30h. The bottom wall portion 30h is composed of a bottom wall portion 30i located on the lower side among the wall portions constituting the motor housing 31 and a bottom wall portion 30j located on the lower side among the wall portions constituting the gear housing 32. In the present embodiment, the bottom wall portion 30i of the motor housing 31 and the bottom wall portion 30j of the gear housing 32 are located at the same position in the up-down direction. The plurality of wall portions protruding upward from the bottom wall portion 30h among the wall portions constituting the storage portion 39 include the wall portions constituting the motor housing 31 and the wall portions constituting the gear housing 32. The plurality of wall portions include, for example, a partition wall portion 33, a motor cover 30b, and a cover portion 30f.

[0059] In this embodiment, the storage portion 39 includes a storage portion 39a provided in the motor housing 31 and a storage portion 39b provided in the gear housing 32. The interior of the storage portion 39a and the interior of the storage portion 39b are connected via the partition wall opening 33a. The interior of the partition wall opening 33a also constitutes a part of the interior of the storage portion 39.

[0060] like Figure 3As shown, a protrusion 37 protruding radially inward is provided on the inner surface of the motor housing 31. In the present embodiment, the protrusion 37 is a support portion that supports the stator core 51 from the radially outer side. In more detail, the protrusion 37 supports the core back 52a of the stator core main body 52 from the radially outer side. In the present embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 37 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. The plurality of protrusions 37 include a first protrusion 37a and a second protrusion 37b. That is, a first protrusion 37a and a second protrusion 37b protruding radially inward are provided on the inner surface of the motor housing 31. In addition, although not shown in the figure, more than three protrusions 37 are provided, and the plurality of protrusions 37 are arranged on the radially outer side of the stator core 51 in a manner of surrounding the stator core 51.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the first protrusion 37a is located on the rear side (-X side) of the stator core 51. The radially inner surface of the first protrusion 37a is an opposing surface 37f that is radially opposed to the radially outer surface of the stator core 51. When viewed in the axial direction, the opposing surface 37f extends along the radially outer surface of the stator core 51. In the present embodiment, the opposing surface 37f is radially opposed to the outer peripheral surface 52c of the stator core main body 52, and extends along the outer peripheral surface 52c when viewed in the axial direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the stator core main body 52 and the opposing surface 37f are radially opposed. When viewed in the axial direction, the opposing surface 37f extends in an arc shape centered on the central axis J1. In the present embodiment, the opposing surface 37f faces the front side (+X side). The opposing surface 37f, for example, contacts the outer peripheral surface 52c. In addition, the facing surface 37f may face the outer peripheral surface 52c with a small gap therebetween.

[0062] The first protrusion 37a has a first side surface 37c. The first side surface 37c is a side surface on one circumferential side (+θ side) of the first protrusion 37a. The radially inner end of the first side surface 37c is connected to the circumferential end of the opposing surface 37f. In the present embodiment, the first side surface 37c faces the upper side. In more detail, the first side surface 37c faces the upper side and the oblique front side (+X side). In the present embodiment, when viewed in the axial direction, the first side surface 37c extends radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 52c. When viewed in the axial direction, the angle formed by the first side surface 37c and the portion of the outer peripheral surface 52c extending from the radially inner end of the first side surface 37c to one circumferential side is For example, an acute angle or a right angle. It is about 30° or more and 90° or less. Figure 6 As shown, the first side surface 37c extends in the axial direction.

[0063] The first protrusion 37a has a groove portion 37e that is recessed radially outward from the opposing surface 37f. The groove portion 37e is open on both sides in the circumferential direction. That is, the groove portion 37e extends circumferentially from the first side surface 37c to the second side surface 37d on the other circumferential side (-θ side) of the first protrusion 37a. Therefore, even when the opposing surface 37f is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 52c of the stator core 51 or is opposed to each other with a small gap therebetween, the oil O supplied to the stator 50 by the first fluid supply portion 85 described later can pass through the first protrusion 37a in the circumferential direction via the groove portion 37e. As a result, the stator 50 can be easily cooled by the oil O. A plurality of groove portions 37e are provided at intervals in the axial direction.

[0064] like Figure 3 As shown, the second protrusion 37b is arranged at a distance from the first protrusion 37a in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the second protrusion 37b is arranged separately to one side (+θ side) of the circumferential direction of the first protrusion 37a. In the present embodiment, the second protrusion 37b is located at a position higher than the first protrusion 37a and at the front side (+X side). That is, in the present embodiment, the first protrusion 37a is located lower than the second protrusion 37b. The second protrusion 37b is located on the upper side of the stator core 51. The radially inner surface of the second protrusion 37b is an opposing surface 37g that is radially opposite to the radially outer surface of the stator core 51. The opposing surface 37g faces downward. The opposing surface 37g is the same as the opposing surface 37f of the first protrusion 37a except that the orientation and the circumferential position are different.

[0065] A recessed portion 38 that is recessed radially outward is provided on the inner surface of the motor housing 31. The recessed portion 38 is located between the first protrusion 37a and the second protrusion 37b in the circumferential direction. The first fixing portion 53a is located inside the recessed portion 38. The first fixing portion 53a and the radially outward portion of the inner surface of the recessed portion 38 are opposed to each other with a gap therebetween. Although not shown in the figure, the recessed portion 38 is open on the other axial side (-Y side).

[0066] The recess 38 includes a first portion 38a and a second portion 38b. The first portion 38a is a portion on one circumferential side (+θ side) of the recess 38. The first fixing portion 53a is located inside the first portion 38a. The portion of the inner surface of the first portion 38a located on the radially outer side extends along the radially outer surface of the first fixing portion 53a when viewed in the axial direction, and is substantially in the shape of an arc that is recessed radially outward. The second portion 38b is a portion on the other circumferential side (-θ side) of the recess 38. The portion of the inner surface of the second portion 38b located on the radially outer side is substantially in the shape of an arc that is recessed radially outward when viewed in the axial direction. The connection portion between the portion of the inner surface of the first portion 38a located on the radially outer side and the portion of the inner surface of the second portion 38b located on the radially outer side is substantially in the shape of an arc that is protruding radially inward when viewed in the axial direction.

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown, in the present embodiment, the drive device 100 has a first fluid supply portion 85 for supplying oil O as a fluid to the motor 10. In the present embodiment, the first fluid supply portion 85 is a tube extending in the axial direction. In more detail, the first fluid supply portion 85 is in the shape of a cylinder extending in the axial direction and opening on both sides in the axial direction. The first fluid supply portion 85 is located inside the motor housing 31. The end of the first fluid supply portion 85 on one axial side (+Y side) is supported by the partition wall portion 33. The end of the first fluid supply portion 85 on the other axial side (-Y side) is supported by the motor cover 30b. The first fluid supply portion 85 is located radially outside the stator core 51.

[0068] The first fluid supply portion 85 has a first supply port 85c that opens toward the stator core 51. Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the first supply port 85c is arranged to face the outer peripheral surface 52c of the stator core body 52 in the radial direction with a gap therebetween. In this embodiment, the first supply port 85c is composed of a hole that penetrates the first fluid supply portion 85a as a tube from the inner surface to the outer surface. Figure 1 As shown, a plurality of first supply ports 85c are provided at intervals in the axial direction. The first fluid supply portion 85 constitutes a part of the second flow path 80 described later, and the oil O as a fluid flows inside the first fluid supply portion 85. A part of the oil O flowing inside the first fluid supply portion 85 is ejected from the first supply port 85c into the motor housing 31 and supplied to the stator core 51. Thus, the first fluid supply portion 85 supplies the oil O as a fluid to the motor 10.

[0069] like Figure 2As shown, in the present embodiment, the first fluid supply part 85 is provided with two parts, namely, the first fluid supply part 85a and the first fluid supply part 85b. The first fluid supply part 85a is located on the upper side of the stator core 51. In more detail, the first fluid supply part 85a is located on the upper side of the stator core body part 52, and is located between the first fixing part 53a and the second fixing part 53b in the circumferential direction. The first fluid supply part 85a is located at a position closer to the front side (+X side) than the central axis J1.

[0070] The first fluid supply portion 85b is located at a lower side and rear side (-X side) than the first fluid supply portion 85a. The first fluid supply portion 85b is located at the rear side (-X side) of the stator core 51. More specifically, the first fluid supply portion 85b is located at the rear side of the stator core body 52 and between the first fixing portion 53a and the fourth fixing portion 53d in the circumferential direction. The first fluid supply portion 85b is located at an upper side than the central axis J1. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the first fluid supply portion 85b is located inside the recessed portion 38. More specifically, the first fluid supply portion 85b is located inside the second portion 38b of the recessed portion 38. The first fluid supply portion 85b is radially opposed to the outer peripheral surface 52c with a gap therebetween. The radially outer end of the first fluid supply portion 85b is located radially inward of the radially outer end of the first fixing portion 53a.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the first fluid supply portion 85b is located between the first fixed portion 53a and the first protrusion 37a in the circumferential direction. The first fluid supply portion 85b is located on the other side (-θ side) of the first fixed portion 53a in the circumferential direction, and is circumferentially opposed to the first fixed portion 53a with a gap therebetween. The first fluid supply portion 85b is located on one side (+θ side) of the circumferential direction of the first protrusion 37a, and is opposed to the first side surface 37c of the first protrusion 37a with a gap therebetween. In the first fluid supply portion 85b, the first supply port 85c opens at the lower side and the oblique front side (+X side), and is opposed to the outer peripheral surface 52c with a gap therebetween. As described above, in the first fluid supply portion 85b, a plurality of first supply ports 85c are provided at intervals in the axial direction.

[0072] The first fluid supply portion 85b has a second supply port 85d that opens toward the first opening portion 71 described later. In the present embodiment, the second supply port 85d is composed of a hole that penetrates the first fluid supply portion 85b as a tube from the inner surface to the outer surface. The second supply port 85d is located at a different position from the first supply port 85c in the circumferential direction around the central axis of the first fluid supply portion 85b. The second supply port 85d is located at a different position from the first supply port 85c in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the second supply port 85d opens at the lower side and slightly obliquely to the front side. In the first fluid supply portion 85b, the second supply port 85d is located at a position that is closer to the rear side (-X side) than the first supply port 85c. In the first fluid supply portion 85b, the inclination of the direction in which the second supply port 85d opens relative to the up-down direction is smaller than the inclination of the direction in which the first supply port 85c opens relative to the up-down direction.

[0073] The housing 30 has a first flow path 70 through which oil O as a fluid flows. The first flow path 70 connects the inside of the motor housing 31 and the inside of the gear housing 32. Figure 4 As shown, the first flow path 70 has a first opening portion 71 opened on the first side surface 37c on one circumferential side (+θ side) of the first protrusion 37a, and a second opening portion 72 opened inside the gear housing 32. Therefore, a portion of the oil O as a fluid supplied to the motor 10 by the first fluid supply portion 85 can be transported to the inside of the gear housing 32 via the first flow path 70. In addition, the first protrusion 37a has: an opposing surface 37f, which extends along the radially outer surface of the stator core 51 when viewed in the axial direction, and the opposing surface 37f is opposite to the radially outer surface of the stator core 51; and a first side surface 37c on the circumferential side. Therefore, as Figure 3 As shown, it is easy to temporarily retain a part of the oil O supplied to the motor 10 by the first fluid supply part 85 in the corner 90 formed by the first side surface 37c and the radially outer surface of the stator core 51. As a result, it is easy to make at least a part of the oil O retained in the corner 90 flow into the first opening 71 opened in the first side surface 37c. Therefore, the oil O can be appropriately delivered to the inside of the gear housing 32 through the first flow path 70. Therefore, by making the second opening 72 opened in the inside of the gear housing 32 open at a desired position in the gear housing 32 to which the oil O is to be supplied, the oil O can be appropriately delivered to the desired position in the gear housing 32. As a result, it is possible to suppress the insufficient supply of the oil O in the gear housing 32. In addition, the corner 90 formed by the first side surface 37c and the radially outer surface of the stator core 51 can be used as a portion where the oil O is temporarily retained, so there is no need to separately provide a portion for the oil O to be accumulated in the housing 30, and it is possible to suppress the complexity of the housing 30.

[0074] In addition, in the present embodiment, the corner portion 90 is formed by a portion of the first side surface 37c and the outer peripheral surface 52c extending from the radial inner end of the first side surface 37c to one circumferential side (+θ side), and the opening angle of the corner portion 90 is the above-mentioned angle

[0075] In the present embodiment, the first opening 71 opens in the recess 38. In addition, as described above, the first fluid supply portion 85b is disposed in the recess 38. Therefore, it is easy to appropriately allow the oil O supplied from the first fluid supply portion 85b to the recess 38 to flow into the first opening 71. Thus, it is easier to transport the oil O into the gear housing 32 via the first flow path 70. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the insufficient supply of the oil O in the gear housing 32.

[0076] In addition, as described above, in the present embodiment, the first fluid supply portion 85b is located between the first fixed portion 53a and the first protrusion 37a in the circumferential direction in the recess 38. Therefore, the first fixed portion 53a can be used to suppress the oil O supplied from the first fluid supply portion 85b to the recess 38 from flowing to the side (+θ side) different from the side (−θ side) where the first protrusion 37a is located in the circumferential direction. As a result, the oil O supplied from the first fluid supply portion 85b to the recess 38 can be easily temporarily retained in the corner 90, and the oil O can be more appropriately flowed from the corner 90 into the first opening 71. Therefore, the oil O can be more appropriately transported to the gear housing 32 via the first flow path 70, and the supply of the oil O in the gear housing 32 can be more appropriately suppressed from becoming insufficient.

[0077] In addition, as described above, in the present embodiment, the first protrusion 37a is located at a lower side than the second protrusion 37b. Therefore, it is easy to make the first side surface 37c face upward, and it is easy to make the corner portion 90 formed by the first side surface 37c and the outer peripheral surface 52c open at the upper side. Thus, the oil O supplied from the first fluid supply portion 85b to the recess 38 can be appropriately guided to the corner portion 90 by gravity. Therefore, the oil O can be more appropriately transported to the gear housing 32 via the first flow path 70, and the supply of the oil O in the gear housing 32 can be more appropriately suppressed from becoming insufficient.

[0078] In the present embodiment, the first opening 71 is opened at the upper side. Therefore, it is easy to use gravity to make the oil O temporarily retained in the corner 90 flow into the first opening 71. As a result, the oil O can be more appropriately transported into the gear housing 32 via the first flow path 70, and the supply of the oil O in the gear housing 32 can be more appropriately suppressed.

[0079] In addition, in this specification, "the first opening portion opens at the upper side" means that at least a part of the first opening portion can be visually confirmed when the first opening portion is observed from the upper side, and includes the first opening portion opening in a direction inclined in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction relative to the upper side in addition to the first opening portion opening directly upward. In this embodiment, the first opening portion 71 opens in a direction inclined toward the front side (+X side) relative to the direction directly upward. That is, in this embodiment, the first opening portion 71 opens at the upper side and the front side.

[0080] In addition, as described above, in the present embodiment, the first fluid supply portion 85b has the second supply port 85d as a supply port that opens toward the first opening portion 71. Therefore, it is easy for the oil O that flows into the motor housing 31 from the second supply port 85d to flow into the first opening portion 71. Thus, the oil O can be more appropriately delivered to the gear housing 32 via the first flow path 70, and the insufficient supply of the oil O in the gear housing 32 can be more appropriately suppressed.

[0081] In addition, in this specification, regarding "the supply port opens toward the first opening portion", it is sufficient that at least a portion of the supply port is opposed to the first opening portion in the direction in which the supply port opens. In this embodiment, the entire second supply port 85d is opposed to the first opening portion 71 in the direction in which the second supply port 85d opens. In this embodiment, the direction in which the second supply port 85d opens refers to the direction in which the hole constituting the second supply port 85d penetrates the first fluid supply portion 85b from the inner surface to the outer surface.

[0082] like Figure 6 As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the first opening 71 is provided across the first side surface 37c and the opposing surface 37f. Therefore, it is easy to make the oil O flowing toward the first protrusion 37a along the outer peripheral surface 52c opposed to the opposing surface 37f flow into the first opening 71 appropriately. Thus, the oil O can be more appropriately delivered to the gear housing 32 via the first flow path 70, and the supply of the oil O in the gear housing 32 can be more appropriately suppressed.

[0083] Here, when the oil O flows excessively in the first flow path 70, the amount of the oil O for cooling the stator 50 may be insufficient. In addition, depending on the position of the first flow path 70 opening in the gear housing 32, it is sometimes preferable not to allow too much oil O to flow in. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, the first protrusion 37a has a groove portion 37e recessed radially outward from the opposing surface 37f, and the groove portion 37e extends circumferentially from the first side surface 37c to the second side surface 37d on the other side of the first protrusion 37a in the circumferential direction. Therefore, a part of the oil O temporarily retained in the corner portion 90 can be transported to the other side of the first protrusion 37a in the circumferential direction through the groove portion 37e. Thus, it is possible to suppress the oil O from excessively flowing from the first opening portion 71 into the first flow path 70. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the amount of the oil O for cooling the stator 50 from being insufficient, and it is easy to appropriately adjust the amount of the oil O flowing into the gear housing 32 through the first flow path 70.

[0084] In the present embodiment, the first opening 71 is provided in a portion between the grooves 37e adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction in the first side surface 37c. Therefore, it is easy to make a part of the oil O that intends to flow into the two grooves 37e arranged across the first opening 71 flow into the first opening 71, and it is possible to suppress the amount of oil O flowing in the first flow path 70 from decreasing. In the present embodiment, the first opening 71 is arranged at a position biased toward the other axial side (-Y side) in the portion between the pair of grooves 37e arranged across the first opening 71 in the axial direction. The axial distance between the groove 37e located on the other axial side of the pair of grooves 37e arranged across the first opening 71 in the axial direction and the first opening 71 is smaller than the axial dimension of the first opening 71. In the present embodiment, the first opening 71 is circular when viewed in the direction in which the first flow path 70 extends.

[0085] like Figure 5As shown, in the present embodiment, the second opening portion 72 is provided in the bearing retaining portion 35e. Therefore, it is possible to supply oil O as lubricating oil to the bearing 25e retained in the bearing retaining portion 35e via the first flow path 70. Here, in the present embodiment, the bearing retaining portion 35e is a bearing retaining portion located at a position closer to the other axial side (-Y side) than the partition wall portion 33. Therefore, compared with other bearing retaining portions, it is difficult to utilize the lifting of the oil O by the ring gear 22b and the second flow path 80 described later to supply the oil O to the bearing retaining portion 35e. In the present embodiment, in this way, it is possible to appropriately supply the oil O to the bearing retaining portion 35e, which was previously arranged at a position where it was difficult to supply the oil O, via the first flow path 70. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately suppress the insufficient supply of the oil O in the gear housing 32. As described above, in the present embodiment, the bearing retaining portion 35e retains the bearing 25e that supports a part of the differential device 22 so that it can rotate. Therefore, the lubrication of the bearing 25 e can be appropriately maintained by the oil O flowing out from the second opening 72 , and a part of the differential device 22 can be appropriately rotatably supported by the bearing 25 e .

[0086] In addition, if the oil O is excessively supplied to the bearing 25e such as the ball bearing, the rotation performance of the bearing 25e may be reduced. In contrast, in the present embodiment, by providing the groove portion 37e as described above, it is possible to prevent the amount of oil O supplied from the second opening portion 72 to the bearing holding portion 35e from becoming excessive. Thus, it is possible to prevent the rotation performance of the bearing 25e from being reduced and to appropriately maintain the lubrication of the bearing 25e.

[0087] In the present embodiment, the second opening 72 opens at the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 35g of the bearing holding portion 35e. The second opening 72 opens at one axial side (+Y side) and the rear side (-X side). In the present embodiment, the second opening 72 is circular when viewed in the direction in which the first flow path 70 extends.

[0088] In the present embodiment, the second opening 72 opens on the inner surface of the guide groove 35f. Therefore, the oil O flowing out from the second opening 72 can flow in the guide groove 35f, and the oil O can be appropriately supplied to the bearing 25e held in the bearing holding portion 35e via the guide groove 35f. In the present embodiment, the second opening 72 opens on the inner surface of the portion of the guide groove 35f provided on the peripheral wall portion 35g.

[0089] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the first flow path 70 is located at the lower side as it goes from the first opening 71 toward the second opening 72. Therefore, the oil O flowing into the first opening 71 can be appropriately flowed to the second opening 72 by gravity. Thus, the oil O can be appropriately flowed in the first flow path 70 without using a pump or the like.

[0090] In this embodiment, the first flow path 70 extends in a straight line. The first flow path 70 extends in a direction inclined in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) and the axial direction relative to the up-down direction. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first flow path 70 is located on one side (+Y side) in the axial direction as it goes downward from the first opening 71 to the second opening 72. Figure 4 As shown, the first flow path 70 is located on the rear side (-X side) as it goes downward from the first opening 71 to the second opening 72. The first flow path 70 is produced by drilling a hole in the housing body 30a using a tool such as a drill.

[0091] like Figure 1 As shown, the housing 30 has a second flow path 80. A pump 89a and a cooler 89b are provided in the middle of the second flow path 80. The pump 89a and the cooler 89b are mounted on the housing 30. The second flow path 80 has a first connection flow path portion 81, a second connection flow path portion 82, a third connection flow path portion 83, a fourth connection flow path portion 84, a first fluid supply portion 85, a second fluid supply portion 86, a motor shaft inner flow path portion 87, and a gear shaft inner flow path portion 88a, 88b.

[0092] The first connecting flow path 81 connects the inside of the storage section 39 and the pump 89a. The first connecting flow path 81 is provided at the bottom wall 30h of the housing 30, and opens inside the partition wall opening 33a in the storage section 39. The second connecting flow path 82 connects the pump 89a and the cooler 89b. In the present embodiment, the second connecting flow path 82 is provided at the bottom wall 30i of the motor housing 31.

[0093] The third connecting flow path portion 83 connects the cooler 89b and the inside of the first fluid supply portion 85. In this way, in the present embodiment, the second flow path 80 extends from the reservoir 39 to at least the first fluid supply portion 85. Therefore, the oil O in the reservoir 39 of the housing 30 can be appropriately transported to the first fluid supply portion 85 via the second flow path 80. Thus, the oil O can be appropriately transported from the first fluid supply portion 85 to the inside of the motor housing 31, the stator 50 can be appropriately cooled, and the oil O can also be appropriately transported to the inside of the gear housing 32 via the first flow path 70. In the present embodiment, the third connecting flow path portion 83 is provided across the bottom wall portion 30i of the motor housing 31 and the motor cover 30b.

[0094] The motor shaft inner flow path portion 87 branches from the portion of the third connection flow path portion 83 provided in the motor cover 30b through the bearing holding portion 34b. The motor shaft inner flow path portion 87 is composed of a hollow motor shaft 41. In the motor shaft inner flow path portion 87 of the present embodiment, the oil O flows from the other axial side (-Y side) to the one axial side (+Y side). The end portion of the other axial side of the motor shaft inner flow path portion 87 is connected to the bearing holding portion 34b. A portion of the oil O flowing from the third connection flow path portion 83 to the motor shaft inner flow path portion 87 is supplied to the bearing 43b held in the bearing holding portion 34b.

[0095] A portion of the oil O flowing in the motor shaft inner flow path portion 87 is scattered toward the stator 50 from the hole portion 41a of the motor shaft 41 through the inside of the rotor core 42. The remaining portion of the oil O flowing in the motor shaft inner flow path portion 87 flows from the end portion on one axial side (+Y side) of the motor shaft 41 into the bearing holding portion 34a and the bearing holding portion 35b, and is supplied to the bearings 43a and 25b.

[0096] A portion of the oil O flowing from the third connection flow path portion 83 into the first fluid supply portion 85 is supplied from the first supply port 85c and the second supply port 85d to the motor housing 31. A portion of the oil O supplied from the first fluid supply portion 85 to the motor housing 31 flows to the gear housing 32 via the first flow path 70. In the present embodiment, the oil O flowing in the first flow path 70 flows from the second opening portion 72 into the bearing holding portion 35e and is supplied to the bearing 25e. The remaining portion of the oil O supplied from the first fluid supply portion 85 to the motor housing 31 is supplied to the stator 50. The oil O supplied to the stator 50 and the bearings 43a and 43b falls downward and is accumulated in the reservoir 39a of the motor housing 31. The oil O supplied to the bearings 25b and 25e falls downward and is accumulated in the reservoir 39b of the gear housing 32. The remaining portion of the oil O flowing inside the first fluid supply portion 85 flows to the second fluid supply portion 86.

[0097] In the present embodiment, the second fluid supply portion 86 is a tube extending in the axial direction. In more detail, the second fluid supply portion 86 is in the shape of a cylinder extending in the axial direction and opening on both sides of the axial direction. The second fluid supply portion 86 is located inside the gear housing 32. The end of the second fluid supply portion 86 on one axial side (+Y side) is supported by the cover portion 30f of the gear cover 30c. The end of the second fluid supply portion 86 on the other axial side (-Y side) is supported by the partition wall portion 33. The second fluid supply portion 86 is connected to the first fluid supply portion 85a in the axial direction via a hole passing through the partition wall portion 33.

[0098] The second fluid supply portion 86 has a third supply port 86a that opens toward the gear mechanism 20. A plurality of the third supply ports 86a are provided at intervals in the axial direction. The oil O flowing from the first fluid supply portion 85 to the second fluid supply portion 86 flows to one side in the axial direction, and a portion is ejected from the third supply port 86a toward the gear mechanism 20. Thus, the oil O can be appropriately supplied as lubricating oil to each gear of the gear mechanism 20. The remaining oil O flowing in the second fluid supply portion 86 flows to the fourth connecting flow path portion 84.

[0099] The fourth connecting flow path portion 84 connects the end portion on one axial side (+Y side) of the second fluid supply portion 86 and the end portions on one axial side of the gear shaft internal flow paths 88a and 88b. In the present embodiment, the fourth connecting flow path portion 84 is provided on the cover portion 30f of the gear cover 30c. The oil O flowing in the fourth connecting flow path portion 84 branches and flows to the gear shaft internal flow path portion 88a and the gear shaft internal flow path portion 88b.

[0100] The gear shaft inner flow path portion 88a is composed of the hollow first gear shaft 23a. The gear shaft inner flow path portion 88b is composed of the hollow second gear shaft 23b. In the gear shaft inner flow path portions 88a and 88b, the oil O flows from one axial side (+Y side) to the other axial side (-Y side). The ends on both axial sides of the gear shaft inner flow path portion 88a are connected to the inside of the bearing holding portions 35a and 35b, respectively. The ends on both axial sides of the gear shaft inner flow path portion 88b are connected to the inside of the bearing holding portions 35c and 35d, respectively. A portion of the oil O flowing from the fourth connecting flow path portion 84 to the gear shaft inner flow path portions 88a and 88b is supplied to the bearings 25a and 25c held in the bearing holding portions 35a and 35c. The oil O flowing in the gear shaft inner flow path portion 88a is supplied from the end on the other axial side of the gear shaft inner flow path portion 88a to the bearings 43a and 25b in the bearing holding portions 34a and 35b. The oil O flowing in the gear shaft inner flow path portion 88b is supplied from the other axial end of the gear shaft inner flow path portion 88b to the bearing 25d in the bearing holding portion 35d. The oil O supplied to the bearings 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d falls downward and accumulates in the reservoir 39b of the gear housing 32.

[0101] Hereinafter, an embodiment different from the above-described embodiment will be described. In the description of each embodiment below, for the same structure as that described in the portion above the description of each embodiment, the description is sometimes omitted by appropriately marking the same reference numerals, etc. In addition, for the parts corresponding to the parts of the structure described in the portion above the description of each embodiment, the same name is marked and different reference numerals are marked, and the points different from the above-described structure are described, and the description of the points identical to the above-described structure is sometimes omitted. In addition, as a structure omitted from description in each of the following embodiments, within the scope of non-contradiction, a structure identical to that described in the portion above the description of each embodiment can be adopted.

[0102] <Second embodiment>

[0103] like Figure 7 As shown, in the drive device 200 of the present embodiment, the first fluid supply portion 285 and the second fluid supply portion 286 in the second flow path 280 are flow path portions arranged in the wall portion of the housing 230. The first fluid supply portion 285 is arranged in the wall portion on the upper side of the motor housing 31. The second fluid supply portion 286 is arranged in the wall portion on the upper side of the gear housing 32. The first supply port 285c of the first fluid supply portion 285 opens on the inner surface of the motor housing 31. Although omitted from the illustration, the second supply port in the first fluid supply portion 285 that opens toward the first opening portion 71 also opens on the inner surface of the motor housing 31. The third supply port 286a of the second fluid supply portion 286 opens on the inner surface of the gear housing 32. The other structures of the drive device 200 are the same as the other structures of the drive device 100 of the first embodiment.

[0104] <Third embodiment>

[0105] like Figure 8 As shown, in the drive device 300 of the present embodiment, the intermediate axis J2 is located at a position lower than the central axis J1. In the present embodiment, the position of the intermediate axis J2 in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) is substantially the same as the position of the central axis J1 in the front-to-back direction. In the present embodiment, the output axis J3 is located at a position lower than the central axis J1 and at a position rearward (-X side) than the central axis J1. In the present embodiment, the position of the output axis J3 in the up-down direction is substantially the same as the position of the intermediate axis J2 in the up-down direction.

[0106] The housing 330 is provided with a first storage portion 339c and a second storage portion 339d. The first storage portion 339c is the same as the storage portion 39 of the first embodiment. The second storage portion 339d is provided inside the gear housing 332. The second storage portion 339d is configured to be separated upward from the first storage portion 339c. The second storage portion 339d is open on the upper side. The second storage portion 339d is, for example, in the shape of a groove. In the present embodiment, the second storage portion 339d is located at a position further back than the center axis J1 and the intermediate axis J2. The second storage portion 339d is located on the upper side of the output axis J3.

[0107] At least a portion of the oil O lifted by the ring gear 22b flows into the second reservoir 339d. The oil O stored in the second reservoir 339d is provided to the bearing retaining portions 335d and 335e provided on the inner surface of the gear housing 332. Although not shown in the figure, the bearing retaining portion 335d retains the same bearing as the bearing 25d retained by the bearing retaining portion 35d of the first embodiment. Although not shown in the figure, the bearing retaining portion 335e retains the same bearing as the bearing 25e retained by the bearing retaining portion 35e of the first embodiment.

[0108] In the present embodiment, the second opening 372 of the first flow path 370 opens in the second reservoir 339d. Therefore, a part of the oil O supplied from the first fluid supply portion 85 to the motor housing 31 can be supplied to the second reservoir 339d via the first flow path 370. Thus, the oil O can be appropriately supplied to the bearings held in the bearing holding portions 335d and 335e via the second reservoir 339d.

[0109] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and other structures and other methods can also be adopted within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. The first flow path for fluid flow only needs to have a first opening portion and a second opening portion, and can be of any structure. The first opening portion only needs to open on the first side surface on one circumferential side of the first protrusion, and can open in any direction and can be of any shape. The first opening portion may also be provided only on the first side surface instead of on the opposing surface. The second opening portion only needs to open inside the gear housing, and can open in any direction and can be of any shape. The second opening portion may open at any position inside the gear housing.

[0110] The first protrusion may be any part as long as it protrudes radially inward and has an opposing surface. The first protrusion may not support the stator core. The groove may not be provided in the first protrusion. In the case where a recess is provided between the first protrusion and the second protrusion in the circumferential direction, the fluid supply portion may not be located in the recess, and the fixing portion of the stator core may not be located in the recess. The fluid provided by the fluid supply portion to the motor is not particularly limited, and may be a fluid other than oil. The fluid provided by the fluid supply portion to the motor may be, for example, water.

[0111] The use of the drive device of the present invention is not particularly limited. The drive device can be mounted on a vehicle for purposes other than rotating an axle, for example, or mounted on equipment other than a vehicle. The posture when using the drive device is not particularly limited. The central axis of the motor of the drive device can be inclined relative to the horizontal direction, or can extend in the vertical direction.

[0112] In addition, the present technology can adopt the following structures.

[0113] (1) A drive device, comprising: a motor having a rotor rotatable about a central axis and a stator located radially outside the rotor; a gear mechanism connected to the rotor; a housing having a motor housing that accommodates the motor and a gear housing that accommodates the gear mechanism; and a fluid supply unit that supplies fluid to the motor, wherein the stator has a stator core fixed in the motor housing, and a first protrusion that protrudes radially inward is provided on an inner surface of the motor housing, wherein a radially inner surface of the first protrusion is an opposing surface that is radially opposed to a radially outer surface of the stator core, and when viewed in the axial direction, the opposing surface extends along a radially outer surface of the stator core, and the housing has a first flow path for the fluid to flow, wherein the first flow path has: a first opening that opens at a first side surface on a circumferential side of the first protrusion; and a second opening that opens inside the gear housing.

[0114] (2) A drive device according to (1), wherein the inner surface of the motor housing is provided with: a second protrusion which protrudes radially inward and is arranged to be spaced apart from the first protrusion in the circumferential direction; and a recess which is located between the first protrusion and the second protrusion in the circumferential direction and is recessed radially outward, the first opening portion opens in the recess, and the fluid supply portion is arranged in the recess.

[0115] (3) A drive device according to (2), wherein the stator core comprises: a stator core main body portion, which is radially opposite to the opposing surface; and a fixing portion, which protrudes radially outward from the stator core main body portion and is fixed to the motor housing, the fixing portion is located inside the recessed portion, and the fluid supply portion is located between the fixing portion and the first protrusion in the circumferential direction.

[0116] (4) The driving device according to (2) or (3), wherein the first protrusion is located below the second protrusion.

[0117] (5) The driving device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first opening is opened on the upper side.

[0118] (6) The driving device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the fluid supply portion has a supply port that opens toward the first opening.

[0119] (7) The driving device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the first flow path is located on a lower side as it goes from the first opening toward the second opening.

[0120] (8) The driving device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the first opening is provided across the first side surface and the opposing surface.

[0121] (9) A drive device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the first protrusion has a groove portion that is recessed radially outward from the opposing surface, and the groove portion extends circumferentially from the first side surface to the second side surface on the other circumferential side of the first protrusion.

[0122] (10) The drive device according to (9), wherein a plurality of the groove portions are provided at intervals in the axial direction, and the first opening portion is provided in a portion of the first side surface located between the groove portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0123] (11) A drive device according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the gear housing is located on one axial side of the motor housing, the housing has a partition wall portion that divides the interior of the motor housing and the interior of the gear housing, the gear housing has a bearing retaining portion, the bearing retaining portion is located on the other axial side of the partition wall portion, and the second opening portion is provided in the bearing retaining portion.

[0124] (12) A drive device according to (11), wherein the gear mechanism comprises: a reduction gear connected to the rotor; and a differential connected to the reduction gear, and the bearing retaining portion retains a bearing that supports a portion of the differential device so that it can rotate.

[0125] (13) The drive device according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the housing has: a storage portion that stores the fluid; and a second flow path that extends from the storage portion at least to the fluid supply portion.

[0126] The structures and methods described above in this specification can be appropriately combined within a range that does not contradict each other.

[0127] Description of symbols

[0128] 10: Motor; 20: Gear mechanism; 21: Speed ​​reduction device; 22: Differential device; 25e: Bearing; 30, 230, 330: Housing; 31: Motor housing; 32, 332: Gear housing; 33: Partition wall; 35e: Bearing holding portion; 37a: First protrusion; 37b: Second protrusion; 37c: First side surface; 37d: Second side surface; 37e: Groove; 37f: Opposing surface; 38: Concave portion ; 39, 39a, 39b: storage part; 40: rotor; 50: stator; 51: stator core; 52: stator core main body; 53: fixing part; 70, 370: first flow path; 71: first opening; 72, 372: second opening; 80: second flow path; 85: first fluid supply part (fluid supply part); 100, 200, 300: driving device; J1: center axis; O: oil (fluid).

Claims

1. A driving device, comprising: A motor having a rotor rotatable about a central axis and a stator located radially outside the rotor; a gear mechanism connected to the rotor; a housing having a motor housing for accommodating the motor therein and a gear housing for accommodating the gear mechanism therein; as well as a fluid supply unit for supplying fluid to the motor, The stator has a stator core fixed in the motor housing. A first protrusion protruding radially inward is provided on the inner surface of the motor housing. The radially inner surface of the first protrusion is an opposing surface that is radially opposed to the radially outer surface of the stator core. When viewed in the axial direction, the opposing surface extends along the radially outer surface of the stator core. The housing has a first flow path through which the fluid flows. The first flow path has: a first opening portion which opens at a first side surface on one circumferential side of the first protrusion; as well as The second opening opens inside the gear housing.

2. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The inner surface of the motor housing is provided with: a second protrusion that protrudes radially inward and is disposed at a distance from the first protrusion in the circumferential direction; and a recessed portion, which is located between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion in the circumferential direction and is recessed radially outward, The first opening is opened in the recessed portion, The fluid supply portion is disposed in the recessed portion.

3. The driving device according to claim 2, wherein: The stator core has: a stator core main body portion which is opposed to the opposing surface in the radial direction; and a fixing portion protruding radially outward from the stator core main body and fixed to the motor housing, The fixing portion is located inside the recessed portion, The fluid supply portion is located between the fixing portion and the first protrusion in the circumferential direction.

4. The driving device according to claim 2, wherein: The first protrusion is located below the second protrusion.

5. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The first opening is opened at the upper side.

6. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The fluid supply portion has a supply port that opens toward the first opening.

7. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The first flow path is located on a lower side as it goes from the first opening toward the second opening.

8. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The first opening is provided across the first side surface and the opposing surface.

9. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The first protrusion has a groove portion recessed radially outward from the opposing surface. The groove portion extends in the circumferential direction from the first side surface to a second side surface on the other side of the first protrusion in the circumferential direction.

10. The driving device according to claim 9, wherein: The grooves are provided in plurality at intervals in the axial direction. The first opening is provided in a portion of the first side surface located between the groove portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

11. The driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The gear housing is located on one axial side of the motor housing. The housing has a partition wall portion that divides the interior of the motor housing and the interior of the gear housing, The gear housing has a bearing holding portion, the bearing holding portion being located at the other side in the axial direction relative to the partition wall portion. The second opening is provided in the bearing holding portion.

12. The driving device according to claim 11, wherein: The gear mechanism has: a reduction gear connected to the rotor; and a differential device connected to the reduction gear, The bearing holding portion holds a bearing that rotatably supports a portion of the differential device.

13. The driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The housing has: a storage portion storing the fluid; as well as A second flow path extends from the storage portion at least to the fluid supply portion.

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