Electric drive device

Abstract

Provided is an electric drive device in which the size of the device can be reduced by the arrangement of an inverter circuit, and the inverter circuit can be attached to the device separately from a speed reducer. In an electric drive device (1), the rotation shaft of a transmission (17) other than an input rotation shaft (31) is disposed on one side (Y1) of the input rotation shaft (31) in a first orthogonal direction, and an inverter circuit (10) has a portion that is disposed on the outside of a housing space (46) of a speed reducer and on the outside of the input rotation shaft in the radial direction other than the one side (Y1) of the input rotation shaft (31) in the first orthogonal direction. And a portion (X2) disposed closer to one side (X1) in the axial direction than the rotating electrical machine (20), the portion overlapping the rotating electrical machine (20) when viewed in the axial direction (X).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to an electric drive device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in consideration of environmental issues such as global warming, the electrification of vehicles has been rapidly advancing, with the conversion from conventional internal combustion engine-powered vehicles to vehicles driven by rotating electric machines that do not emit carbon dioxide during driving. Electric drive devices require not only rotating electric machines, but also speed reducers that reduce the speed of the rotating electric machines and inverter circuits that convert DC power into AC power.

[0003] For these rotating electrical machines, speed reducers, and inverter circuits, there has been proposed a device that integrates and downsizes components that were conventionally manufactured separately and connected to each other. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5900012 Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2019 / 152372 Summary of the invention Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0005] For example, in Patent Document 1, the inverter circuit is arranged at a position opposite to the rotating electric machine via the speed reducer so that the connection portion between the output shaft of the speed reducer and the axle can be arranged as close to the left and right center of the vehicle as possible. However, since the speed reducer is sandwiched between the rotating electric machine and the inverter circuit, the connection line between the rotating electric machine and the inverter circuit (the bus bar connecting the power line and the sensor signal line for rotating electric machine control) becomes longer, which has problems in terms of efficiency, cost and noise resistance.

[0006] In Patent Document 2, although the distance between the rotating electrical machine and the inverter circuit is being shortened, the reducer and the inverter circuit need to be installed in the housing at the same time. Therefore, the lubricating oil of the reducer may be mixed into the inverter circuit. In addition, there are problems such as low assembly freedom and poor workability and production efficiency.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present application is to provide an electric drive device that can be miniaturized by configuring an inverter circuit and that can be mounted on the device separately from a speed reducer. Technical solutions adopted to solve technical problems

[0008] The electric drive device of the present application includes: an inverter circuit, which converts DC power and AC power; a rotating motor, which has a winding and a rotor shaft, the winding is supplied with the AC power converted by the inverter circuit, and the rotor shaft rotates integrally with the rotor; a reducer, which reduces the speed of the rotor shaft and outputs it; and a housing, the housing at least accommodates the reducer, the reducer has at least a plurality of shafts and a plurality of gears arranged parallel to the axial direction of the rotor shaft, the plurality of shafts include an input shaft and an output shaft, the input shaft extends coaxially from the rotor shaft to one side of the axial direction and rotates integrally with the rotor shaft, the output shaft outputs the rotation to the outside of the reducer, the housing has a second housing member and a first housing member, The second housing member has a reducer accommodating opening portion with a bottom and a cylindrical shape, which is open on one side of the axial direction. The first housing member blocks the opening of the reducer accommodating opening portion. The reducer is accommodated in a reducer accommodating space formed by the reducer accommodating opening portion of the second housing member and the first housing member. A specific direction orthogonal to the axial direction is set as a first orthogonal direction. The rotating shaft other than the input rotating shaft is arranged on a side closer to the first orthogonal direction than the input rotating shaft. The inverter circuit has the following part, which is arranged outside the accommodating space of the reducer and on the radial outside of the input rotating shaft except on one side of the first orthogonal direction of the input rotating shaft, and is arranged at a position closer to one side of the axial direction than the rotating motor, and the part overlaps with the rotating motor when viewed in the axial direction. Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the electric drive device of the present application, since the shaft of the reducer other than the input shaft is arranged at a position closer to the first orthogonal direction than the input shaft, a space where the parts of the reducer are not arranged is generated in the radially outer side of the input shaft arranged on the first orthogonal direction except the input shaft and overlapping with the rotating motor when viewed in the axial direction. The inverter circuit can be arranged in this space, so that the electric drive device can be miniaturized. In addition, since the inverter circuit is arranged outside the housing space of the reducer, it is no longer necessary to install the reducer and the inverter circuit into the housing at the same time as in Patent Document 2. That is, when the reducer housing opening of the second housing member is engaged with the first housing member and the reducer is installed in the housing space of the reducer, the inverter circuit does not need to be installed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lubricating oil of the reducer from mixing into the inverter circuit. In addition, the assembly freedom is increased, and the workability and production efficiency are improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1This is a skeleton diagram showing a schematic structure of the electric drive device according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the speed reducer according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the electric drive device according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the electric drive device according to the first embodiment as viewed from the other axial side. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the electric drive device according to Embodiment 1 as viewed from one side in the second orthogonal direction. Figure 6 This is a circuit diagram of the inverter circuit according to the first embodiment. Figure 7 This is a diagram for explaining the orientation of the electric drive device mounted on the vehicle according to the first embodiment. Figure 8 It is a perspective view of the electric drive device according to the second embodiment. Fig. 9 This is a perspective view of the electric drive device according to Embodiment 2 as viewed from one side in the second orthogonal direction. Fig.10 This is a perspective view of the electric drive device according to the second embodiment as viewed from the other side in the first orthogonal direction. Fig.11 This is a diagram for explaining the orientation of the electric drive device installed in the vehicle according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] 1. Implementation Method 1 An electric drive device 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a skeleton diagram showing a schematic structure of the electric drive device 1, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a schematic structure of the reducer 30, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the electric drive device 1, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the electric drive device 1 viewed from the other axial side X2, Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the electric drive device 1 as viewed from one side Z1 in the second orthogonal direction.

[0012] The electric drive device 1 includes an inverter circuit 10 , a rotary electric machine 20 , a speed reducer 30 , a housing 40 , and the like.

[0013] In the present application, a direction parallel to the axis C1 of the rotor shaft 23 of the rotary electric machine 20 is defined as an axial direction X, and one axial side X1 and the other axial side X2 opposite to the one axial side X1 are defined. A specific direction orthogonal to the axial direction X is defined as a first orthogonal direction Y, and one side Y1 of the first orthogonal direction and the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction opposite to the one side Y1 of the first orthogonal direction are defined. A direction orthogonal to the axial direction X and the first orthogonal direction Y is defined as a second orthogonal direction Z, and one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction and the other side Z2 of the second orthogonal direction opposite to the one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction are defined.

[0014] <Rotating electrical machine 20> The rotating electric machine 20 includes a stator 21, a rotor 22, and a rotor shaft 23 that rotates integrally with the rotor 22. In addition, the rotating electric machine 20 includes a winding 24 that supplies the AC power converted by the inverter circuit 10. The winding 24 is wound around the stator 21. In this embodiment, three-phase windings 24 of U phase, V phase, and W phase are provided. In addition, the number of phases may be other than three phases, and a plurality of three-phase windings may be provided.

[0015] In this embodiment, permanent magnets are provided on the rotor 22, and the rotating machine 20 is a permanent magnet type synchronous rotating machine. In addition, the rotating machine 20 may be a field winding type synchronous rotating machine in which an electromagnet is provided on the rotor 22, or an induction rotating machine in which an iron core is provided on the rotor 22.

[0016] The rotating electric machine 20 can perform one or both of driving and generating electricity. The rotating electric machine 20 is driven by the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit 10 , or the rotating electric machine 20 supplies the generated AC power to the inverter circuit 10 .

[0017] The components of the rotating electrical machine 20, such as the stator 21, the rotor 22, the rotor shaft 23, and the winding 24, are housed in the motor housing 25. The rotor shaft 23 is supported rotatably relative to the motor housing 25 on one axial side X1 and the other axial side X2 by bearings 26. The rotor shaft 23 penetrates the side wall of the motor housing 25 on the one axial side X1 and protrudes toward the one axial side X1.

[0018] <Circuit Configuration of Inverter Circuit 10> The inverter circuit 10 is a power conversion circuit that converts DC power and AC power. The inverter circuit 10 includes a smoothing capacitor 11 , a power semiconductor circuit 12 , and a substrate 13 .

[0019] In the present embodiment, the inverter circuit 10 converts DC power into three-phase AC power. Figure 6, a circuit diagram of the inverter circuit 10 is shown in FIG. The inverter circuit 10 is provided with three sets of series circuits (legs) corresponding to each of the three phases, and each set of series circuits (legs) is formed by connecting in series a switch element SP on the high potential side connected to a bus bar BP on the high potential side and a switch element SN on the low potential side connected to a bus bar BN on the low potential side. In addition, the connection point of the two switch elements in the series circuit of each phase is connected to the winding 24 of the corresponding phase through the connecting wiring 18 described later. The bus bar BP on the high potential side is connected to the high potential side of the DC power supply 60 outside the electric drive device 1, and the bus bar BN on the low potential side is connected to the low potential side of the external DC power supply 60.

[0020] The switching element is a power semiconductor circuit 12, and uses IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor), MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor), etc. The switching element can be modularized as appropriate.

[0021] The smoothing capacitor 11 is connected between the bus BP on the high potential side and the bus BN on the low potential side. The substrate 13 includes a gate drive circuit 14, which outputs a switching signal to the gate terminal of each switching element according to the switching command value of each switching signal output from the control circuit 15. In addition, the substrate 13 includes a control circuit 15, which outputs the switching command value of the switching element to each gate drive circuit. The control circuit 15 calculates the AC voltage command value of each phase, etc., and outputs the switching command value of each switching signal of each phase. In addition, the control circuit 15 can be set outside the inverter circuit 10 or outside the electric drive device 1.

[0022] <Reducer 30> The reducer 30 reduces the speed of the rotor shaft 23 and outputs it. The reducer 30 has a plurality of shafts and a plurality of gears, and the plurality of shafts are arranged parallel to the axial direction X of the rotor shaft 23. The plurality of shafts at least include an input shaft 31 and an output shaft 32, wherein the input shaft 31 coaxially extends from the rotor shaft 23 to one axial side X1 and rotates integrally with the rotor shaft 23, and the output shaft 32 outputs the rotation to the outside of the reducer 30.

[0023] In this embodiment, if Figure 1As shown, the speed reducer 30 has a differential gear mechanism DF, and two output shafts OS1 and OS2 (hereinafter referred to as the first differential output shaft OS1 and the second differential output shaft OS2) on one axial side X1 and the other axial side X2 of the differential gear mechanism DF serve as output shafts 32. The differential gear mechanism DF has: an input and output gear 35 that can rotate around the axis C3 of the first differential output shaft and the second differential output shaft (output shaft 32); a carrier CA that rotates integrally with the input and output gear 35; a planetary shaft PS that rotates integrally with the carrier CA and is orthogonal to the axis C3 of the output shaft 32; a pair of planetary gears PG that can rotate around the planetary shaft PS; a first output gear OG1 that meshes with the planetary gear PG and rotates integrally with the first differential output shaft OS1; and a second output gear OG2 that meshes with the planetary gear PG and rotates integrally with the second differential output shaft OS2. The carrier CA accommodates the planetary shaft PS, the planetary gear PG, the first output gear OG1 and the second output gear OG2.

[0024] The speed reducer 30 may not include the differential gear mechanism DF, and the output-input gear 35 and the output shaft 32 may be configured to rotate integrally. Figure 1 The figures other than 1 and 2 show a case where the differential gear mechanism DF is not provided and the input and output gears 35 and the output shaft 32 are configured to rotate integrally. In these figures, the output shaft 32 is configured to penetrate the housing 40 (first housing 41) on the other axial side X2 and protrude, and does not penetrate on the one axial side X1.

[0025] An intermediate shaft 33 is provided as a shaft of the speed reducer 30 for transmitting rotation between the input shaft 31 and the output shaft 32. The axis C1 of the input shaft 31, the axis C2 of the intermediate shaft 33, and the axis C3 of the output shaft 32 are parallel to each other.

[0026] An input and output gear 34 is provided to rotate integrally with the input rotating shaft 31. An intermediate input gear 36 is provided to mesh with the input and output gear 34 of the input rotating shaft 31 and to rotate integrally with the intermediate rotating shaft 33. An intermediate output gear 37 is provided to rotate integrally with the intermediate rotating shaft 33. Compared with the number of teeth and diameter of the input and output gear 34, the intermediate input gear 36 has a larger number of teeth and a larger diameter, compared with the number of teeth and diameter of the intermediate input gear 36, the intermediate output gear 37 has a smaller number of teeth and a smaller diameter, and compared with the number of teeth and diameter of the intermediate output gear 37, the output input gear 35 has a larger number of teeth and a larger diameter. Thus, the reducer 30 performs two-stage reduction.

[0027] The positions of the plurality of rotating shafts of the speed reducer 30 (in this example, the input rotating shaft 31 , the intermediate rotating shaft 33 , and the output rotating shaft 32 ) in the axial direction X have portions that overlap with each other.

[0028] The shafts 31, 32, 33 of the reducer 30 are rotatably supported on one axial side X1 by the first housing member 41 via the bearing 34. The shafts 31, 32, 33 of the reducer 30 are rotatably supported on the other axial side X2 by the second housing member 42 via the bearing 34.

[0029] The input / output gear 34 and the intermediate input gear 36 are arranged on one axial side X1 of the center of the reducer 30 in the axial direction X, and the intermediate output gear 37 and the input / output gear 35 are arranged on the other axial side X2 of the center of the reducer 30 in the axial direction X.

[0030] In addition, as the shaft of the speed reducer 30, the input-output gear 34 may be meshed with the output-input gear 35 without providing the intermediate shaft 33, or a plurality of intermediate shafts may be provided. In addition, the input shaft 31 and the rotor shaft 23 may be formed integrally. As the speed reducer 30, various speed reducer structures that reduce the rotation speed of the rotor shaft 23 and output it may be adopted.

[0031] <Reducer Accommodation Space 46 of Housing 40> The housing 40 accommodates at least the reducer 30. The housing 40 includes a second housing member 42 and a first housing member 41, wherein the second housing member 42 includes a bottomed cylindrical reducer accommodation opening 45 opened on one axial side X1, and the first housing member 41 blocks the opening of the reducer accommodation opening 45. The reducer 30 is accommodated in a reducer accommodation space 46 formed by the reducer accommodation opening 45 of the second housing member 42 and the first housing member 41.

[0032] The second housing member 42 covers the other axial side X2 of the reducer 30, and rotatably supports the other axial side X2 of the plurality of rotating shafts of the reducer 30 via the bearing 34. The first housing member 41 covers the one axial side X1 of the reducer 30, and rotatably supports the one axial side X1 of the plurality of rotating shafts of the reducer 30 via the bearing 34.

[0033] The second housing member 42 has a bottomed cylindrical reducer housing opening portion 45 opened on one axial side X1. The bottom wall 45a on the other axial side X2 of the reducer housing opening portion 45 of the second housing member 42 supports the other axial side X2 of the plurality of rotating shafts of the reducer 30 via the bearing 34 so as to be rotatable. The bottom wall 45a is provided with a through hole through which the input rotating shaft 31 passes on the other axial side X2 and a through hole through which the output rotating shaft 32 (the second differential output shaft OS2) passes on the other axial side X2.

[0034] The rotating electric machine 20 is arranged on the other axial side X2 of the second housing member 42. The end of the motor housing 25 of the rotating electric machine 20 on one axial side X1 is fixed to the end of the second axial side X2 of the second housing member 42 by a fastening member such as a bolt. In addition, the second housing member 42 and the motor housing 25 may be formed integrally.

[0035] The first housing member 41 blocks the opening of the speed reducer receiving opening 45 of the second housing member 42. The speed reducer receiving opening 45 of the second housing member 42 is fitted with the first housing member 41 and fixed by a fastening member such as a bolt. The fitting surface between the opening of the speed reducer receiving opening 45 of the second housing member 42 and the first housing member 41 is along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction X.

[0036] The first housing member 41 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is open on the other axial side X2. The bottom wall 41a on the axial side X1 of the first housing member 41 supports the axial side X1 of the plurality of rotating shafts of the speed reducer 30 via the bearing 34 so that the shafts can rotate. The bottom wall 41a is provided with a through hole (only one hole) through which the output rotating shaft 32 (first differential output shaft OS1) passes on the axial side X1. Figure 1 shown).

[0037] <Configuration of each part> The rotating shafts of the speed reducer 30 other than the input rotating shaft 31 (the output rotating shaft 32 and the intermediate rotating shaft 33 in this example) are arranged at a position closer to the one side Y1 in the first orthogonal direction than the input rotating shaft 31. The inverter circuit 10 has a portion that is arranged outside the accommodating space 46 of the speed reducer and is arranged radially outside the input rotating shaft 31 except for the one side Y1 in the first orthogonal direction of the input rotating shaft 31, and is arranged at a position closer to the one axial side X1 than the rotating electric machine 20, and when viewed in the axial direction X, the portion overlaps with the rotating electric machine 20.

[0038] According to this structure, since the shaft of the reducer 30 other than the input shaft 31 is arranged at a position closer to the first orthogonal side Y1 than the input shaft 31, a space where the parts of the reducer 30 are not arranged is generated in the radially outer side of the input shaft 31 other than the first orthogonal side Y1 of the input shaft 31 and the space overlapping with the rotary electric machine 20 when viewed in the axial direction X. The inverter circuit 10 can be arranged in this space, and the electric drive device 1 can be miniaturized. In addition, since the inverter circuit 10 is arranged outside the housing space 46 of the reducer, it is no longer necessary to simultaneously install the reducer and the inverter circuit in the housing as in Patent Document 2. That is, when the reducer housing opening 45 of the second housing member 42 is fitted with the first housing member 41 and the reducer 30 is installed in the housing space 46 of the reducer, the inverter circuit 10 does not need to be installed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lubricating oil of the reducer from mixing into the inverter circuit 10. In addition, the assembly freedom is increased, and the workability and production efficiency are improved.

[0039] In this embodiment, the input rotating shaft 31, the intermediate rotating shaft 33, and the output rotating shaft 32 are sequentially arranged on one side Y1 in the first orthogonal direction. The intermediate rotating shaft 33 is arranged on one side Y1 in the first orthogonal direction and the other side Z2 in the second orthogonal direction of the input rotating shaft 31, and the output rotating shaft 32 is arranged on one side Y1 in the first orthogonal direction and one side Z1 in the second orthogonal direction of the intermediate rotating shaft 33. In addition, the first orthogonal direction Y may be offset from the direction shown in the figure as long as it is within the range of directions in which other rotating shafts are arranged relative to the input rotating shaft 31.

[0040] The speed reducer accommodating opening 45 of the second housing member 42 and the first housing member 41 cover the radially outer side (periphery) of the input shaft 31 except for the one side Y1 in the first orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31. Thus, a space sandwiched between the speed reducer accommodating opening 45 of the second housing member 42 and the first housing member 41 exists on the radially outer side of the input shaft 31 except for the one side Y1 in the first orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31, and the inverter circuit 10 is arranged in this space.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the inverter circuit 10 is arranged on the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31. According to this structure, the various parts of the speed reducer 30 are arranged on the one side Y1 of the first orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31, and the inverter circuit 10 is arranged on the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31, so that the weight balance can be achieved on the one side Y1 of the first orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31 and the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction.

[0042] <Inverter Accommodation Opening 47> The case 40 has an inverter housing opening 47 which is an opening for housing the inverter circuit 10 . The opening of the inverter housing opening 47 is blocked by a member different from that of the first case 41 .

[0043] According to this configuration, for example, the inverter circuit 10 and the speed reducer 30 can be separately installed in the inverter housing opening 47 in a clean room or the like, and foreign matter can be prevented from entering the inverter circuit 10 .

[0044] In this embodiment, the inverter accommodating opening 47 is formed in the second housing member 42. The inner space of the inverter accommodating opening 47 is not connected to the accommodating space 46 of the reducer. By providing the reducer accommodating opening 45 and the inverter accommodating opening 47 in the second housing member 42, the number of components can be reduced, and the enlargement of the device can be suppressed.

[0045] In addition, similarly to Embodiment 2 described later, the inverter housing opening 47 may be formed in a case member that is separate from the first case member 41 and the second case member 42 .

[0046] In the present embodiment, the opening of the inverter accommodating opening 47 is blocked by the frame 16 of the inverter circuit 10 described later. According to this structure, the inverter circuit 10 can be easily installed by inserting the parts of the inverter circuit 10 into the inner side of the inverter accommodating opening 47, fitting the frame 16 of the inverter circuit 10 with the opening of the inverter accommodating opening 47, and fixing them with fastening members such as bolts.

[0047] The inverter housing opening 47 opens toward the other side Y2 in the first orthogonal direction at the other side Y2 in the first orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31. The inverter circuit 10 is housed inside the inverter housing opening 47.

[0048] According to this structure, the inverter circuit 10 is arranged on the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31, and the inverter receiving opening 47 is also opened toward the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction, so the inverter circuit 10 can be easily installed from the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction. In addition, since the opening direction of the reducer receiving opening 45, i.e., the axial one side X1, is orthogonal to the opening direction of the inverter receiving opening 47, i.e., the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction, the installation direction of the reducer 30 can be orthogonal to the installation direction of the inverter circuit 10, which can improve the workability of the installation.

[0049] The inverter accommodating opening 47 includes an overlapping extension portion 47a and an outer extension portion 47b, wherein the overlapping extension portion 47a is formed to extend from the reducer accommodating opening 45 of the second housing member 42 at the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction of the reducer accommodating opening 45, and the outer extension portion 47b is formed to extend from the reducer accommodating opening 45 of the second housing member 42 at the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction of the first housing member 41. The inner space of the inverter accommodating opening 47 and the accommodating space 46 of the reducer are separated by the peripheral wall 45b of the reducer accommodating opening 45 and the like.

[0050] By providing the overlapping extension portion 47a, the inverter accommodating opening portion 47 can be provided at the position of the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction of the reducer accommodating opening portion 45 of the second housing member 42. In addition, by providing the outer extension portion 47b, the inverter accommodating opening portion 47 can be extended toward the axial side X1 to the position of the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction of the first housing member 41, that is, extended to the position of the axial side X1 of the first housing member 41 where the reducer accommodating opening portion 45 of the second housing member 42 is not configured. Thus, even if the first housing member 41 blocks the reducer accommodating opening portion 45 of the second housing member 42, the space on the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction of the accommodating space 46 of the reducer can be effectively utilized, and the inverter accommodating opening portion 47 that is wider in the axial direction X can be provided, which can suppress the enlargement of the device.

[0051] In addition, the position of the inverter housing opening 47 in the second orthogonal direction Z is extended to one side Z1 and the other side Z2 in the second orthogonal direction Z that are closer to the position of the input shaft 31 in the second orthogonal direction Z. The space on the other side Y2 in the first orthogonal direction of the housing space 46 of the speed reducer can be effectively utilized, and the inverter housing opening 47 that is wider in the second orthogonal direction Z can be provided, which can suppress the enlargement of the device.

[0052] <Configuration of Each Component of Inverter Circuit 10> like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the width Dy of the inverter circuit 10 in the first orthogonal direction Y is smaller than the width Dz in the second orthogonal direction Z and the width Dx in the axial direction X of the inverter circuit 10 .

[0053] According to this structure, the space on the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction of the reducer's accommodating space 46 can be widely used in the second orthogonal direction Z and the axial direction X, the width Dy of the inverter circuit 10 in the first orthogonal direction Y can be reduced, the protruding width of the inverter circuit 10 to the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction can be reduced, and the size of the device can be suppressed.

[0054] Compared with other components, the smoothing capacitor 11 is larger in volume and thickness in order to smooth the current when a large current is passed. Therefore, the arrangement of the smoothing capacitor 11 becomes a problem.

[0055] like Figure 4 As shown, the position of the smoothing capacitor 11 in the second orthogonal direction Z is arranged closer to one side Z1 in the second orthogonal direction than the position of the input shaft 31 in the second orthogonal direction Z. In addition, the position of the smoothing capacitor 11 in the second orthogonal direction Z may be arranged closer to the other side Z2 in the second orthogonal direction than the position of the input shaft 31 in the second orthogonal direction Z. The positions of the power semiconductor circuit 12 and the substrate 13 in the second orthogonal direction Z overlap with the position of the input shaft 31 in the second orthogonal direction Z. The width of the smoothing capacitor in the first orthogonal direction Y is larger than the width of the power semiconductor circuit 12 and the substrate 13 in the first orthogonal direction Y, and the smoothing capacitor 11 protrudes further to one side Y1 in the first orthogonal direction than the power semiconductor circuit 12 and the substrate 13.

[0056] According to this structure, the smoothing capacitor 11 can be arranged corresponding to the space on the one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31, and the power semiconductor circuit 12 and the substrate 13 can be arranged corresponding to the space on the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31. As a result, the inverter circuit 10 can be arranged close to the input shaft 31 on the one side Y1 of the first orthogonal direction. The protruding width of the inverter circuit 10 to the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction can be reduced, and the size of the device can be suppressed.

[0057] As described above, the inverter circuit 10 has a portion that is disposed at a position closer to the axial side X1 than the rotating electrical machine 20 and overlaps with the rotating electrical machine 20 when viewed in the axial direction X. Figure 1 As shown, the connection wiring 18 extends from the inverter circuit 10 to the other axial side X2, passes through the wall between the inverter circuit 10 and the rotating electric machine 20, and is connected to the winding 24. According to this structure, the length of the connection wiring 18 can be shortened. In the present embodiment, the wall between the inverter circuit 10 and the rotating electric machine 20 is the wall on the other axial side X2 of the inverter housing opening 47 and the wall on the one axial side X1 of the motor housing 25.

[0058] In this embodiment, if Figure 4 As shown, the inverter circuit 10 includes a frame 16 having a surface facing one side Y1 in the first orthogonal direction. The smoothing capacitor 11, the power semiconductor circuit 12, and the substrate 13 are fixed to the surface of the frame 16 on the one side Y1 in the first orthogonal direction. As described above, the frame 16 blocks the opening of the inverter housing opening 47.

[0059] According to this structure, the inverter circuit 10 can be easily installed by inserting the smoothing capacitor 11, the power semiconductor circuit 12, and the substrate 13 into the inner side of the inverter accommodating opening 47, fitting the frame 16 into the opening of the inverter accommodating opening 47, and fixing them with fastening members such as bolts. The frame 16 is formed into a plate shape (a rectangular plate shape in this example) that is long in the second orthogonal direction Z and the axial direction X.

[0060] <Cooler 17> The inverter circuit 10 is provided with a water-cooled cooler 17. The water-cooled cooler 17 is fixed to the surface of the frame 16 on the other side Y2 in the first orthogonal direction, and cools each part of the inverter circuit 10 via the frame 16. The cooler 17 may be provided inside the frame 16.

[0061] like Figure 7 As shown, when the electric drive device 1 is installed in the vehicle 50, the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction is preferably oriented toward the front side of the vehicle. The vehicle 50 includes a radiator 51 for cooling the cooling water supplied to the cooler 17 at the front of the vehicle.

[0062] According to this configuration, the cooler 17 can be arranged close to the radiator 51, and the cooling water pipe 52 can be shortened.

[0063] Alternatively, when the electric drive device 1 is installed in the vehicle, the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction may also be oriented toward the rear side of the vehicle. According to this structure, since the inverter circuit 10 is disposed at the rear side of the electric drive device 1, when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal collision, the inverter circuit 10 can be prevented from being crushed, and the danger of leakage can be reduced.

[0064] Alternatively, when the electric drive device 1 is installed in the vehicle 50 , the other side Y2 in the first orthogonal direction may be directed toward the upper side of the vehicle.

[0065] 2. Implementation Method 2 Next, an electric drive device 1 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. Description of the same components as those in Embodiment 1 will be omitted. The basic structure of the electric drive device 1 according to this embodiment is the same as that in Embodiment 1, but the arrangement of the inverter circuit 10 and the like are different from those in Embodiment 1.

[0066] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the electric drive device 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the electric drive device 1 viewed from one side Z1 in the second orthogonal direction, Fig.10 This is a perspective view of the electric drive device 1 viewed from the other side Y2 in the first orthogonal direction.

[0067] Similar to the first embodiment, the shafts of the speed reducer 30 other than the input shaft 31 (the output shaft 32 and the intermediate shaft 33 in this example) are arranged at a position closer to the first orthogonal direction one side Y1 than the input shaft 31. The inverter circuit 10 has a portion that is arranged outside the housing space 46 of the speed reducer and radially outside the input shaft 31 except for the first orthogonal direction one side Y1 of the input shaft 31, and is arranged at a position closer to the axial direction one side X1 than the rotary electric machine 20, and overlaps with the rotary electric machine 20 when viewed in the axial direction X.

[0068] In this embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is that the inverter circuit 10 is arranged on one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31. There is a space between the reducer receiving opening 45 of the second housing member 42 and the first housing member 41 on the one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31, and the inverter circuit 10 can be arranged using this space. Since the intermediate shaft 33 is arranged on one side Y1 of the first orthogonal direction and the other side Z2 of the second orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31, the space on the one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31 is larger than the space on the other side Z2 of the second orthogonal direction, and the arrangement space of the inverter circuit 10 can be expanded.

[0069] <Inverter Accommodation Opening 47> Similar to the first embodiment, the housing 40 has an opening portion for accommodating the inverter circuit 10, namely, the inverter accommodating opening portion 47, and the opening of the inverter accommodating opening portion 47 is blocked by a member different from the first housing member 41 (in this example, the frame 16 of the inverter circuit 10).

[0070] The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the inverter housing opening 47 is formed in a housing member (inverter housing 48) that is separate from the first housing member 41 and the second housing member 42. The inverter housing 48 is fixed to the second housing member 42 or the motor housing 25 by fastening members such as bolts.

[0071] According to this structure, the inverter circuit 10 and the inverter case 48 can be assembled separately from the speed reducer 30, which can improve workability and production efficiency, and can prevent the lubricating oil of the speed reducer from mixing into the inverter circuit 10. In addition, after the electric drive device 1 is completed, the inverter circuit 10 and the inverter case 48 can be detached from the electric drive device 1, which can improve maintainability.

[0072] In this embodiment, the second housing member 42 has a side wall 45c extending from the bottom wall 45a on the other axial side X2 of the reducer accommodating opening 45 to the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction Y, and the end of the other axial side X2 of the inverter housing 48 is fixed to the axial side X1 of the side wall 45c of the second housing member 42 by a fastening member.

[0073] In addition, similarly to the first embodiment, the inverter housing opening 47 may be formed in the second case member 42. In this case, the inverter housing opening 47 may be formed so as to extend from the side wall 45c of the second case member 42 toward the one axial direction X1.

[0074] The inverter housing opening 47 opens toward the one side Z1 in the second orthogonal direction at the one side Z1 in the second orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31. In addition, the inverter circuit 10 is housed inside the inverter housing opening 47.

[0075] According to this structure, the inverter circuit 10 is arranged on the one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31, and the inverter housing opening 47 is also opened toward the one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction, so the inverter circuit 10 can be easily installed from the one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction. In addition, the opening direction of the speed reducer housing opening 45, that is, the axial side X1, is orthogonal to the opening direction of the inverter housing opening 47, that is, the one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction, so the installation direction of the speed reducer 30 can be orthogonal to the installation direction of the inverter circuit 10, which can improve the workability of the installation.

[0076] The inverter accommodating opening 47 includes a portion disposed on one side Z1 of the speed reducer accommodating opening 45 of the second housing member 42 in the second orthogonal direction and a portion disposed on one side Z1 of the first housing member 41 in the second orthogonal direction.

[0077] According to this structure, the inverter accommodating opening 47 can be extended on one axial side X1 to the position on one axial side X1 of the first housing member 41 where the speed reducer accommodating opening 45 of the second housing member 42 is not configured. Therefore, even if the first housing member 41 blocks the speed reducer accommodating opening 45 of the second housing member 42, the space on one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31 can be effectively utilized, and the inverter accommodating opening 47 that is wider in the axial direction X can be provided, which can suppress the enlargement of the device.

[0078] In addition, the position of the inverter housing opening 47 in the first orthogonal direction Y is extended to one side Y1 in the first orthogonal direction Y and the other side Y2 in the first orthogonal direction Y, which are closer to the position of the input shaft 31 in the first orthogonal direction Y. The space on the one side Z1 in the second orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31 can be effectively utilized, and the inverter housing opening 47 which is wider in the first orthogonal direction Y can be provided, and the enlargement of the device can be suppressed.

[0079] <Configuration of Each Component of Inverter Circuit 10> like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the width Dz of the inverter circuit 10 in the second orthogonal direction Z is smaller than the width Dy in the first orthogonal direction Y and the width Dx in the axial direction X of the inverter circuit 10 .

[0080] According to this structure, the space on one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31 can be widely used in the first orthogonal direction Y and the axial direction X, the width Dz of the inverter circuit 10 in the second orthogonal direction Z can be reduced, the protruding width of the inverter circuit 10 to the one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction can be reduced, and the size of the device can be suppressed.

[0081] like Fig.10 As shown, the position of the smoothing capacitor 11 in the axial direction X is arranged on one side X1 in the axial direction X than the position of the input shaft 31 in the axial direction X. The positions of the power semiconductor circuit 12 and the substrate 13 in the axial direction X overlap with the position of the input shaft 31 in the axial direction X. The width of the smoothing capacitor 11 in the second orthogonal direction Z is larger than the width of the power semiconductor circuit 12 and the substrate 13 in the second orthogonal direction Z, and the smoothing capacitor 11 protrudes further to the other side Z2 in the second orthogonal direction than the power semiconductor circuit 12 and the substrate 13.

[0082] According to this structure, the smoothing capacitor 11 can be arranged corresponding to the space on one side X1 of the axial direction X of the input shaft 31, and the power semiconductor circuit 12 and the substrate 13 can be arranged corresponding to the space on one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction of the input shaft 31. As a result, the inverter circuit 10 can be arranged close to the input shaft 31 on the other side Z2 of the second orthogonal direction. As a result, the protruding width of the inverter circuit 10 to the one side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction can be reduced, and the size of the device can be suppressed. In addition, since the smoothing capacitor 11 is arranged at a position on the opposite side of the rotating electric machine 20 across the speed reducer 30, the weight balance in the axial direction X can be achieved.

[0083] As described above, the inverter circuit 10 has a portion that is arranged at a position closer to the axial side X1 than the rotating electric machine 20 and overlaps with the rotating electric machine 20 when viewed in the axial direction X. The connection wiring 18 extends from the inverter circuit 10 to the other axial side X2, passes through the wall between the inverter circuit 10 and the rotating electric machine 20, and is connected to the winding 24. According to this structure, the length of the connection wiring 18 can be shortened. In the present embodiment, the wall between the inverter circuit 10 and the rotating electric machine 20 is the wall on the other axial side X2 of the inverter accommodating opening 47 and the wall on the one axial side X1 of the motor housing 25.

[0084] In the present embodiment, the inverter circuit 10 includes a frame 16 having a surface facing the other side Z2 in the second orthogonal direction. The smoothing capacitor 11, the power semiconductor circuit 12, and the substrate 13 are fixed to the surface on the other side Z2 in the second orthogonal direction of the frame 16. As described above, the frame 16 blocks the opening of the inverter housing opening 47.

[0085] According to this structure, the inverter circuit 10 can be easily installed by inserting the smoothing capacitor 11, the power semiconductor circuit 12, and the substrate 13 into the inner side of the inverter accommodating opening 47, fitting the frame 16 into the opening of the inverter accommodating opening 47, and fixing them with fastening members such as bolts. The frame 16 is formed into a plate shape (a rectangular plate shape in this example) that is long in the first orthogonal direction Y and the axial direction X.

[0086] like Fig.11 As shown, when the electric drive device 1 is installed on the vehicle 50, the side Z1 of the second orthogonal direction is preferably facing the upper side of the vehicle 50. According to this structure, the inverter circuit 10 can be protected from damage such as flying stones from the road surface. In addition, when the electric drive device 1 is installed on the vehicle, the inverter circuit 10 can be connected to the connector on the vehicle side from the upper side of the vehicle, thereby improving workability and production efficiency. In addition, after being installed on the vehicle, it is easy to maintain the inverter circuit 10 from the upper side of the vehicle.

[0087] Similar to the first embodiment, the inverter circuit 10 may be provided with a water-cooled cooler 17 , and the water-cooled cooler 17 may be fixed to the surface on the one side Z1 in the second orthogonal direction of the frame 16 . Alternatively, the cooler 17 may be provided inside the frame 16 .

[0088] In addition, when the electric drive device 1 is installed on the vehicle 50, the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction may also be oriented toward the front side of the vehicle. The cooler 17 may be arranged close to the radiator 51. Alternatively, when the electric drive device 1 is installed on the vehicle, the other side Y2 of the first orthogonal direction may also be oriented toward the rear side of the vehicle. Since the inverter circuit 10 is arranged at the rear side of the electric drive device 1, when the vehicle collides with an object in front, the inverter circuit 10 can be protected, and the danger of leakage and the like can be reduced.

[0089] Although the present application describes various exemplary embodiments and examples, the various features, methods and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to specific embodiments, but can also be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations. Therefore, it is considered that numerous variations that are not illustrated are also included in the technical scope disclosed in the present application specification. For example, it includes the case where at least one constituent element is deformed, added or omitted, and also includes the case where at least one constituent element is extracted and combined with constituent elements of other embodiments. Explanation of symbols

[0090] 1 electric drive device, 10 inverter circuit, 11 smoothing capacitor, 12 power semiconductor circuit, 13 substrate, 16 frame, 17 cooler, 18 connecting wiring, 20 rotating electrical machine, 23 rotor shaft, 24 winding, 30 reducer, 31 input shaft, 32 output shaft, 40 housing, 41 first housing member, 42 second housing member, 45 reducer accommodating opening, 46 reducer accommodating space, 47 inverter accommodating opening, 47a overlapping extension, 47b outer extension, 48 inverter housing, 50 vehicle, 51 radiator, X-axis direction, X1 axial side, X2 axial side, Y first orthogonal direction, Y1 first orthogonal direction, Y2 first orthogonal direction, Z second orthogonal direction, Z1 second orthogonal direction, Z2 second orthogonal direction.

Claims

1. An electric drive device, characterized in that: include: an inverter circuit, the inverter circuit converting DC power and AC power; a rotating electric machine having a winding and a rotor shaft, wherein the winding is supplied with the AC power converted by the inverter circuit, and the rotor shaft rotates integrally with the rotor; A reducer, which reduces the speed of the rotor shaft and outputs the speed; as well as a housing, wherein the housing at least accommodates the reducer, The reducer at least comprises a plurality of rotating shafts and a plurality of gears arranged in parallel with the axial direction of the rotor rotating shaft, wherein the plurality of rotating shafts comprises an input rotating shaft and an output rotating shaft, wherein the input rotating shaft coaxially extends from one side of the axial direction of the rotor rotating shaft and rotates integrally with the rotor rotating shaft, and the output rotating shaft outputs the rotation to the outside of the reducer, The housing includes a second housing member and a first housing member, the second housing member includes a cylindrical reducer receiving opening with a bottom opening on one side of the axial direction, the first housing member blocks the opening of the reducer receiving opening, and the reducer is received in a reducer receiving space formed by the reducer receiving opening of the second housing member and the first housing member. A specific direction orthogonal to the axial direction is set as a first orthogonal direction, The rotation shaft other than the input rotation shaft is arranged on one side of the input rotation shaft in the first orthogonal direction, The inverter circuit has a portion that is arranged outside the housing space of the reducer and radially outside the input shaft except on one side of the first orthogonal direction of the input shaft, and is arranged at a position closer to the axial side than the rotating motor, and overlaps with the rotating motor when viewed in the axial direction.

2. The electric drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing has an inverter accommodating opening portion, the inverter accommodating opening portion is an opening portion for accommodating the inverter circuit, and the opening of the inverter accommodating opening portion is closed by a member different from the first housing member.

3. The electric drive device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The inverter circuit is disposed on the other side of the first orthogonal direction of the input shaft.

4. The electric drive device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A direction orthogonal to the axial direction and the first orthogonal direction is set as a second orthogonal direction, The width of the inverter circuit in the first orthogonal direction is smaller than the width of the inverter circuit in the second orthogonal direction and the width in the axial direction.

5. The electric drive device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The housing has an inverter accommodating opening portion opened toward the other side of the first orthogonal direction at the other side of the input shaft in the first orthogonal direction, and the inverter circuit is accommodated inside the inverter accommodating opening portion.

6. The electric drive device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inverter accommodating opening is formed in the second housing member, The inverter accommodating opening portion has an overlapping extension portion and an outer extension portion, the overlapping extension portion is formed to extend from the reducer accommodating opening portion of the second shell member on the other side of the first orthogonal direction of the reducer accommodating opening portion, and the outer extension portion is formed to extend from the reducer accommodating opening portion of the second shell member on the other side of the first orthogonal direction of the first shell member.

7. The electric drive device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The inverter circuit includes a smoothing capacitor, a power semiconductor circuit, and a substrate. A direction orthogonal to the axial direction and the first orthogonal direction is set as a second orthogonal direction, The position of the smoothing capacitor in the second orthogonal direction is arranged on one side of the second orthogonal direction or on the other side of the second orthogonal direction relative to the position of the input shaft in the second orthogonal direction. The positions of the power semiconductor circuit and the substrate in the second orthogonal direction overlap with the position of the input shaft in the second orthogonal direction. The width of the smoothing capacitor in the first orthogonal direction is larger than the widths of the power semiconductor circuit and the substrate in the first orthogonal direction, and the smoothing capacitor protrudes further toward one side in the first orthogonal direction than the power semiconductor circuit and the substrate.

8. The electric drive device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: The inverter circuit includes a frame, a smoothing capacitor, a power semiconductor circuit, and a substrate, wherein the frame has a surface facing one side of the first orthogonal direction, and the smoothing capacitor, the power semiconductor circuit, and the substrate are fixed to the surface of the frame on one side of the first orthogonal direction. The frame body blocks the opening of the inverter accommodating opening.

9. The electric drive device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A direction orthogonal to the axial direction and the first orthogonal direction is set as a second orthogonal direction, The inverter circuit is disposed on one side of the input shaft in the second orthogonal direction.

10. The electric drive device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The width of the inverter circuit in the second orthogonal direction is smaller than the width of the inverter circuit in the first orthogonal direction and the width in the axial direction.

11. The electric drive device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The housing has an inverter accommodating opening portion opened toward one side of the second orthogonal direction at one side of the input shaft in the second orthogonal direction, and the inverter circuit is accommodated inside the inverter accommodating opening portion.

12. The electric drive device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The inverter circuit includes a smoothing capacitor, a power semiconductor circuit, and a substrate. The axial position of the smoothing capacitor is arranged on one side in the axial direction relative to the axial position of the input shaft. The axial positions of the power semiconductor circuit and the substrate overlap with the axial position of the input shaft. The width of the smoothing capacitor in the second orthogonal direction is larger than the widths of the power semiconductor circuit and the substrate in the second orthogonal direction, and the smoothing capacitor protrudes further to the other side of the second orthogonal direction than the power semiconductor circuit and the substrate.

13. The electric drive device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The inverter circuit includes a frame, a smoothing capacitor, a power semiconductor circuit, and a substrate. The frame has a surface facing the other side of the second orthogonal direction. The smoothing capacitor, the power semiconductor circuit, and the substrate are fixed to the surface of the frame on the other side of the second orthogonal direction. The frame body blocks the opening of the inverter accommodating opening.

14. The electric drive device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that: When the electric drive device is installed in the vehicle, one side in the second orthogonal direction faces the upper side of the vehicle.

15. The electric drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The inverter circuit is provided with a water-cooled cooler, When the electric drive device is mounted on a vehicle, the other side of the first orthogonal direction faces the front side of the vehicle, and the vehicle includes a radiator at the front portion of the vehicle that cools cooling water supplied to the cooler.

16. The electric drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: When the electric drive device is installed in the vehicle, the other side of the first orthogonal direction faces the rear side of the vehicle.

17. The electric drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that: The connection wiring extends from the inverter circuit to the other side in the axial direction, passes through a wall between the inverter circuit and the rotating electric machine, and is connected to the winding.

18. The electric drive device according to any one of claims 2, 5 and 11, characterized in that: The inverter accommodating opening is formed in the second housing member, and an inner space of the inverter accommodating opening is not communicated with an accommodating space of the speed reducer.

19. The electric drive device according to any one of claims 2, 5 and 11, characterized in that: The inverter housing opening is formed in a housing member that is separate from the first housing member and the second housing member.

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