Drive device

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a drive device includes a motor, a motor housing, an inverter, an inverter housing, and a gear. The inverter housing and the motor housing overlap in a radial direction. The inverter housing is provided with a first flow path through which a refrigerant flows. The motor housing is provided with a second flow path through which the refrigerant flows. The drive device is provided with a third flow path connecting the first flow path and the second flow path. The second flow path has a second inflow portion and a second outflow portion. The second inflow portion allows the refrigerant to flow into the second flow path. The second outflow portion allows the refrigerant to flow out from the second flow path. The second inflow portion is provided at a position closer to the motor shaft than an end portion of the motor housing on the opposite side of the differential shaft across the motor shaft in a region of the motor housing on the opposite side of the differential shaft across the motor shaft.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-212759 filed in Japan on December 28, 2022, the contents of which are cited here. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, there is a drive device having a motor and a motor housing for housing the motor. In the drive device, a flow path for refrigerant to flow is provided inside the motor housing (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). The motor housing is provided with an inflow portion for refrigerant to flow in from the outside. A tubular component such as a hose for supplying refrigerant to the motor housing is connected to the inflow portion.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-297641 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, for example, in the case where the drive device has a gear that rotates the differential shaft in conjunction with the rotation of the motor shaft, depending on the position of the inflow portion in the motor housing, the differential shaft may interfere with the inflow portion and the tubular member connected to the inflow portion.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drive device capable of suppressing interference between a differential shaft and an inflow portion into which a refrigerant flows and a tubular member connected to the inflow portion.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] The drive device of the embodiment has a motor, a motor housing, an inverter, an inverter housing and a gear. The motor housing accommodates the motor. The inverter is electrically connected to the motor. The inverter housing accommodates the inverter. The gear is located on the other axial side of the motor. The gear rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the motor shaft to rotate the differential shaft. The inverter housing overlaps with the motor housing in the radial direction. A first flow path for refrigerant to flow is provided in the inverter housing. A second flow path for refrigerant to flow is provided in the motor housing. The drive device is provided with a third flow path connecting the first flow path and the second flow path. The second flow path has a second inflow portion and a second outflow portion. The second inflow portion allows the refrigerant to flow into the second flow path. The second outflow portion allows the refrigerant to flow out of the second flow path. The second inflow portion is provided in a region of the motor housing on the opposite side to the differential shaft across the motor shaft and closer to the motor shaft than an end portion of the motor housing on the opposite side to the differential shaft across the motor shaft.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] The drive device of the present invention achieves an effect of being able to suppress interference between the differential shaft and the inflow portion into which the refrigerant flows and the tubular member connected to the inflow portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic perspective view of a driving device according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional illustration of the driving device cut along a plane parallel to the XZ plane.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a side view illustrating the driving device as viewed from the negative direction of the X-axis to the positive direction of the X-axis.

[0017] Figure 4 It is an explanatory diagram of the inflow direction of the refrigerant in the second flow path and the outflow direction of the refrigerant.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional illustration of the driving device cut along a plane parallel to the YZ plane.

[0019] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement inside the inverter case. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, a method for implementing the drive device of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In each of the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the components that have the same function, thereby omitting repeated descriptions.

[0021] In the embodiments shown below, expressions such as "constant", "orthogonal", "perpendicular" or "parallel" are sometimes used, but these expressions do not need to be strictly "constant", "orthogonal", "perpendicular" or "parallel". That is, the above expressions allow for deviations in manufacturing accuracy, setting accuracy, etc.

[0022] In the drawings referred to below, for easy understanding of the description, an orthogonal coordinate system is sometimes shown which defines mutually orthogonal X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction and sets the positive Z-axis direction as the vertical upward direction.

[0023] Figure 1 1 is a schematic perspective view of a driving device 1 according to an embodiment. The driving device 1 according to the embodiment is mounted on a vehicle. The driving device 1 is a device for driving the vehicle to travel. Figure 1 As shown, the drive device 1 includes a motor housing 2 and an inverter housing 3 .

[0024] The motor housing 2 accommodates the motor, the speed reducer, the differential device, etc. The motor rotates around the motor shaft. The speed reducer includes a speed reduction gear. The speed reduction gear rotates the differential shaft in conjunction with the rotation of the motor shaft. The speed reduction gear rotates the differential shaft at a speed lower than the speed of the motor shaft.

[0025] The differential shaft rotates the left and right wheels of the vehicle. The differential device includes a differential gear. The differential gear absorbs the difference in rotation between the left and right wheels of the vehicle. The gear for speed reduction and the differential gear are located on the other side of the motor axis. Figure 1 In the example shown, the axial direction of the motor is parallel to the Y axis.

[0026] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the speed reduction gear and the differential gear are arranged on the positive side of the Y axis in the motor case 2. The motor is arranged on the negative side of the Y axis than the speed reduction gear and the differential gear in the motor case 2.

[0027] A portion of the side surface of the motor housing 2 extends in the circumferential direction along the outer side surface of the stator of the cylindrical motor. Figure 1 In the example shown, the side surface of the motor case 2 in the negative direction of the X axis is curved in a substantially arc shape along the peripheral surface of the motor.

[0028] The inverter housing 3 is provided so as to overlap with the motor housing 2 in the radial direction. Figure 1In the example shown, the inverter case 3 is arranged at the end of the motor case 2 in the positive direction of the Z axis.

[0029] The inverter case 3 accommodates an inverter, a capacitor, a bus bar, etc. The inverter performs a rotation speed control of the motor, etc. The capacitor smoothes the power supply voltage input from the DC power supply to the inverter, for example. The bus bar is a connection portion that electrically connects the motor and the inverter.

[0030] The inverter case 3 is provided with a first flow path 4 through which the refrigerant flows. The first flow path 4 includes a first outflow portion 41 through which the refrigerant flows out from the inside of the inverter case 3 to the outside. The first flow path 4 includes a first inflow portion 42 through which the refrigerant flows in from the outside of the inverter case 3 to the inside.

[0031] The motor housing 2 is provided with a second flow path 5 through which the refrigerant flows. The second flow path 5 includes a second inlet portion 51 through which the refrigerant flows from the outside of the motor housing 2 to the inside. The second flow path 5 includes a second outlet portion 52 through which the refrigerant flows from the inside of the motor housing 2 to the outside.

[0032] The driving device 1 is provided with a third flow path 6 connecting the first flow path 4 and the second flow path 5. Figure 1 As shown, for example, the third flow path 6 is a hose. One end of the third flow path 6 is connected to the first outflow portion 41 of the first flow path 4. The other end of the third flow path 6 is connected to the second inflow portion 51 of the second flow path 5. In addition, at least a portion of the third flow path 6 may be directly provided inside the wall constituting the motor housing, or in another structure such as a motor cover described later.

[0033] The first connection portion 61 connecting the third flow path 6 and the first flow path 4 is sealed by a sealing member. The second connection portion 62 connecting the third flow path 6 and the second flow path 5 is sealed by a sealing member.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the sealing member is, for example, an O-ring. In addition, the sealing member is not limited to the O-ring, and may be an adhesive, etc. Thus, the sealing member can prevent the refrigerant from leaking from the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the driving device 1 cut along a plane parallel to the XZ plane. Figure 2 As shown, the motor 20 is arranged in the motor housing 2 so that the axial direction of the motor shaft 21 is parallel to the axial direction of the differential shaft 71. Figure 2 In the example shown, the motor shaft 21 and the differential shaft 71 are arranged in parallel with the Y axis.

[0036] The motor 20 includes a stator core 22 and a rotor 23. The stator core 22 is cylindrical and fixed to the inner surface of the motor housing 2. The rotor 23 rotates integrally with the motor shaft 21 inside the stator core 22. The second flow path 5 is arranged on the side wall constituting the motor housing 2 in a manner that allows the refrigerant to flow in a spiral shape along the outer surface of the stator core 22. The second flow path 5 can also be arranged in a manner that allows the refrigerant to flow in a winding manner along the outer surface of the stator core 22. In addition, the side wall of the motor housing 2 can also be configured as a double circular structure. In this case, the second flow path portion 5 is formed radially between the inner cylinder portion that holds the stator core 22 and the outer cylinder portion that surrounds the inner cylinder portion in the circumferential direction.

[0037] The second flow passage 5 includes a second inlet 51 into which the refrigerant flows. The second inlet 51 is provided in the region 24 on the opposite side of the differential shaft 71 across the motor shaft 21 in the motor housing 2. The second inlet 51 is located further in the negative direction of the X axis than the motor shaft 21.

[0038] The second inflow portion 51 is provided in the region 24 at a position closer to the motor shaft 21 than the end of the motor housing 2 on the side opposite to the differential shaft 71 across the motor shaft 21. The second inflow portion 51 is provided in a region on the outer side of the motor housing 2 on the side opposite to the inverter housing 3 across the motor shaft 21. The second inflow portion 51 is located on the negative side of the inverter housing 3 in the Z axis direction.

[0039] Thus, the second inflow portion 51 is provided in a dead space surrounded by the end surface of the region 24 in the negative X-axis direction, the end surface of the region 24 in the negative Z-axis direction, and the outer side surface of the motor case 2. This can suppress an increase in size of the drive device.

[0040] In the drive device 1, the second inflow portion 51 is arranged in the motor housing 2 on the opposite side of the differential shaft 71 across the motor shaft 21, thereby suppressing interference between the differential shaft 71 and the second inflow portion 51 and the third flow path 6, i.e., the hose, wherein the third flow path 6 is connected to the second inflow portion 51.

[0041] The second flow passage 5 includes a second outflow portion 52 for the refrigerant to flow out of the second flow passage 5. The second outflow portion 52 is provided in the region 24 on the side opposite to the differential shaft 71 across the motor shaft 21 in the motor housing 2. The second outflow portion 52 is located on the negative side of the X-axis relative to the motor shaft 21. The second outflow portion 52 is located on the other axial side (positive side of the Y-axis) relative to the first outflow portion 51. The second outflow portion 52 is arranged circumferentially with the first outflow portion 51. The second outflow portion 52 is located on the positive side of the Z-axis relative to the first outflow portion 51.

[0042] The second outflow portion 52 is provided in the region 24 at a position closer to the motor shaft 21 than the end of the motor housing 2 on the opposite side to the differential shaft 71 across the motor shaft 21. The second outflow portion 52 is provided in a region on the outer side of the motor housing 2 on the opposite side to the inverter housing 3 across the motor shaft 21.

[0043] Thus, the second outflow portion 52 is provided in a dead space surrounded by the end surface of the region 24 in the negative X-axis direction, the end surface of the region 24 in the negative Z-axis direction, and the outer side surface of the motor case 2. This can suppress an increase in size of the drive device.

[0044] In the drive device 1, the second outflow portion 52 is arranged in the motor housing 2 on the side opposite to the differential shaft 71 across the motor shaft 21, thereby suppressing interference between the differential shaft 71 and the second outflow portion 52 and the third flow path 6, i.e., the hose, wherein the third flow path 6 is connected to the second outflow portion 52.

[0045] Figure 3 This is a side view of the drive device 1 viewed from the negative direction of the X-axis to the positive direction of the X-axis. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first flow passage 4 is provided with a first outflow portion 41 for allowing the refrigerant to flow out of the first flow passage 4 on a surface of the side surface of the inverter case 3 that faces the motor 20 in the axial direction. Figure 3 In the example shown, one axial side of the motor 20 is the negative side of the Y axis.

[0046] Here, for example, when the first outflow portion 41 opens toward one axial side of the motor 20 and the second inflow portion 51 opens toward the other axial side of the motor 20 , the third flow path 6 bends in a substantially S-shape to connect the first flow path 4 and the second flow path 5 .

[0047] In contrast, the first outflow portion 41 of the embodiment opens toward one axial side of the motor 20. The second inflow portion 51 of the embodiment opens toward one axial side of the motor 20. Thus, in the embodiment, the third flow path 6 can connect the first flow path 4 and the second flow path 5 by bending in a substantially C shape.

[0048] In this way, the third flow path 6 of the embodiment connects the first flow path 4 and the second flow path 5 by bending in a roughly C shape, so the pressure loss of the refrigerant flowing inside the third flow path 6 can be reduced compared to the case where the first flow path 4 and the second flow path 5 are connected by bending in a roughly S shape.

[0049] The first outflow portion 41 is located on the axial side of the motor 20 on the outer side of the motor housing 2. The second inflow portion 51 is located on the axial side of the motor 20 on the outer side of the motor housing 2. Thus, the length of the third flow path 6 can be shortened, thereby reducing the pressure loss of the refrigerant.

[0050] The motor housing 2 has a motor cover 25 at one axial end of the motor 20. At least a portion of the third flow path 6 is provided on one axial side of the motor cover. Figure 3 In the example shown, the third flow path 6 is provided on the end side of the motor housing 2 in the negative direction of the Y axis. The third flow path portion 6 is opposed to the motor cover portion 25 in the axial direction (Y axis direction). Thus, for example, when the drive device 1 is mounted in a manner that the X axis direction becomes the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the enlargement in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is suppressed. In addition, a part of the third flow path portion 6 may also be retained by the motor cover portion 25. Thus, when the third flow path portion 6 is a hose, it is also possible to suppress the third flow path 6 from bending in a substantially S-shaped manner.

[0051] The drive device 1 has a connection portion 32 for electrically connecting the motor 20 and the inverter 30 inside the motor housing 2. For example, the connection portion 32 includes the aforementioned bus bar. The connection portion 32 such as the bus bar generates heat when the motor 20 is driven. The refrigerant flows into the motor housing 2 from the second inlet 51.

[0052] Therefore, condensation is easily generated on the inner side surface of the motor housing 2 facing the connection portion 32 due to the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the motor housing 2. Therefore, a pressure adjustment mechanism 33 is provided on the outer side surface of the motor housing 2 at a position overlapping with the connection portion 32 in the radial direction, so as to connect the inside and the outside of the motor housing 2, and the pressure adjustment mechanism 33 adjusts the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the housing.

[0053] For example, the pressure regulating mechanism 33 is a breather filter, and thereby the pressure regulating mechanism 33 releases moisture generated inside the motor case 2 to the outside of the motor case 2 , thereby preventing condensation from occurring on the inner side surface of the motor case 2 .

[0054] Figure 4 2 is an explanatory diagram of the refrigerant inflow direction and the refrigerant outflow direction in the second flow path 5. Figure 4 As shown, when viewed from the axial direction of the motor 20 , the second flow path 5 extends in the direction of a thick arrow 53 passing between the differential shaft 71 and the motor shaft 21 along a tangential direction of the outer surface of the stator core 22 .

[0055] Thus, the refrigerant flows in the second flow path 5 without bending from the second inlet portion 51 to the radial inner side surface of the second flow path, so that the refrigerant can flow to the second flow path 5 in a manner of flowing around the outer side surface of the stator core 22. Therefore, the pressure loss of the refrigerant flowing in the second flow path can be reduced.

[0056] In addition, Figure 4In the example shown, the lower right portion when the drive device is viewed from the negative direction of the Y axis to the positive direction of the Y axis, that is, a portion of the corner area surrounded by the end face on the negative direction of the X axis in area 24 and the end face on the negative direction of the Z axis in area 24, can be effectively utilized for flow path formation.

[0057] When viewed from the axial direction of the motor 20, the angle formed by the inflow direction of the refrigerant indicated by the thick arrow 53 from the second inflow portion 51 toward the inside of the motor housing 2 and the outflow direction of the refrigerant indicated by the thick arrow 54 from the second outflow portion 52 toward the outside of the motor housing 2 is an acute angle. The second outflow portion 52 extends between the end portion of the outer surface of the motor housing 2 on the side opposite to the differential shaft 71 across the motor shaft 21 and the motor.

[0058] In this way, the second inflow portion 51 and the second outflow portion are provided in an unused space surrounded by the end surface in the negative direction of the X-axis in the region 24, the end surface in the negative direction of the Z-axis in the region 24, and the outer side surface of the motor housing 2. As a result, the second inflow portion and the second outflow portion can be prevented from protruding from the outer side surface of the motor housing 2, and the size of the drive device 1 as a whole can be miniaturized. In addition, for example, compared with the case where the second outflow portion 52 is provided at the top, the length of the second flow path 5 can be increased, and the stator core 22 can be further cooled. In addition, when the drive device 1 is mounted in a manner such that the X-axis direction becomes the front-rear direction of the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the size of the drive device 1 from being increased in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0059] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional illustration of the drive device cut with a plane parallel to the YZ plane. Figure 5 As shown, the inverter case 3 includes a storage portion 43 and an inverter cover 44. The storage portion 43 stores the inverter 30 and is open on the side opposite to the motor 20 across the inverter 30. That is, the storage portion 43 is open on the positive direction side of the Z axis. The motor 20 is located on the negative direction side of the storage portion 43 on the Z axis.

[0060] The inverter cover 44 covers the opening in the storage portion 43. In the present embodiment, the first flow path 4 is provided integrally with the inverter cover 44. Thus, the inverter 30 is sandwiched between the first flow path 4 and the second flow path 5, so that the inverter 30 can be effectively cooled. In addition, the first flow path 4 may also be provided in the storage portion 43.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the inverter 30 is assembled to the inner side surface of the inverter cover 44. Thus, the inverter 30 can be assembled separately from the motor. In addition, in the process of assembling the inverter 30, first, the inverter 30 is mounted on the inverter cover 44 before being mounted on the storage portion 43. Then, the opening of the storage portion 43 is closed by the inverter cover 44 on which the inverter 30 is mounted, and the inverter cover 44 is fixed to the storage portion 43.

[0062] Thus, the inverter 30 can be easily assembled, and the inverter 30 can be assembled and the first flow path 4 can be formed at the same time. In addition, the distance between the inverter 30 and the first flow path integrally provided in the inverter cover 44 can be shortened, so the inverter 30 can be effectively cooled. In addition, the inverter 30 can also be assembled inside the storage portion 43.

[0063] Figure 6 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration inside the inverter housing 3. Figure 6 As shown, the first inflow portion 42 of the first flow path 4 is provided at a position overlapping with the second flow path 5 in the radial direction of the motor 20. The first outflow portion 41 of the first flow path 4 is provided at a position overlapping with the second flow path 5 in the radial direction of the motor 20. Thus, by shortening the distance from the first flow path 4 to the second flow path 5, the pressure loss of the refrigerant can be reduced.

[0064] The inverter case 3 accommodates a capacitor 81. The capacitor 81 may generate heat when the motor 20 is driven. The capacitor 81 is provided at a position overlapping with the second flow path 5 in the radial direction of the motor 20. The capacitor 81 is located between a part of the first flow path 4 and the second flow path 5. Thus, the cooling efficiency of the capacitor 81 is improved.

[0065] The inverter 30 includes power devices such as IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor). The power device sometimes generates heat when the motor 20 is driven. The power device is arranged at a position overlapping with the second flow path 5 in the radial direction of the motor 20. The power device is arranged at a position overlapping with a part of the first flow path 4 in the radial direction of the motor 20. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the power device is improved.

[0066] A bus bar 82 is provided between the inverter case 3 and the motor case 2 to connect the inverter 30 and the motor 20. The bus bar 82 may generate heat when the motor 20 is driven. The bus bar 82 is provided at a position overlapping with the second flow path 5 in the radial direction of the motor 20. Thus, the cooling efficiency of the bus bar 82 is improved.

[0067] In addition, the present technology can adopt the following structures.

[0068] (1) A drive device comprising: a motor; a motor housing that accommodates the motor; an inverter that is electrically connected to the motor; an inverter housing that accommodates the inverter; and a gear that is located on the other side of the motor in the axial direction and rotates the differential shaft in conjunction with the rotation of the motor shaft, the inverter housing and the motor housing overlap in the radial direction, a first flow path for a refrigerant to flow is provided in the inverter housing, and a second flow path for the refrigerant to flow is provided in the motor housing, the drive device is provided with a third flow path connecting the first flow path and the second flow path, the second flow path comprising: a second inflow portion for the refrigerant to flow into the second flow path; and a second outflow portion for the refrigerant to flow out of the second flow path, the second inflow portion being provided in a region of the motor housing on the side opposite to the differential shaft across the motor shaft, at a position closer to the motor shaft than an end of the motor housing on the side opposite to the differential shaft across the motor shaft.

[0069] (2) The drive device according to (1), wherein the second inflow portion is provided in a region on the outer surface of the motor case on the opposite side to the inverter case across the motor shaft.

[0070] (3) A drive device according to (1) or (2), wherein the second flow path has a second outflow portion for the refrigerant to flow out of the second flow path, and the second outflow portion is arranged on the outer side of the motor housing on the side opposite to the differential shaft across the motor shaft, and is arranged at a position closer to the motor shaft than the end on the side opposite to the differential shaft across the motor shaft.

[0071] (4) The drive device according to (3), wherein the second outflow portion is provided in a region on the outer surface of the motor case on the opposite side to the inverter case across the motor shaft.

[0072] (5) A drive device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first flow path is provided with a first outflow portion for the refrigerant to flow out of the first flow path on a surface of the side surface of the inverter housing facing the axial side of the motor, the first outflow portion is open toward the axial side of the motor, and the second inflow portion is open toward the axial side of the motor.

[0073] (6) The drive device according to (5), wherein the second inflow portion is located on one side in the axial direction of the outer surface of the motor housing.

[0074] (7) The driving device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein a first connection portion connecting the third flow path and the first flow path and a second connection portion connecting the third flow path and the second flow path are respectively sealed by a sealing member.

[0075] (8) The drive device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the motor housing has a motor cover at one axial end of the motor, and at least a portion of the third flow path is provided on one axial side of the motor cover.

[0076] (9) A drive device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the motor has a cylindrical stator core fixed to the inner surface of the motor housing, and when viewed from the axial direction of the motor, the second flow path extends along the tangent direction of the outer surface of the stator core in the direction passing through the differential shaft and the motor shaft.

[0077] (10) A drive device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein, when viewed from the axial direction of the motor, an angle formed by an inflow direction of the refrigerant from the second inflow portion toward the interior of the motor housing and an outflow direction of the refrigerant from the second outflow portion toward the exterior of the motor housing is an acute angle, and the second outflow portion extends between the end portion of the outer surface of the motor housing on the side opposite to the differential shaft across the motor shaft and extending from the motor.

[0078] (11) A drive device according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the inverter housing includes: a storage portion that stores the inverter and has an opening on the side opposite to the motor across the inverter; and an inverter cover portion that closes the opening in the storage portion, and the first flow path is integrally provided with the inverter cover portion.

[0079] (12) A drive device according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the drive device also has a connecting portion that electrically connects the motor to the inverter, and a pressure adjustment mechanism that connects the inside and outside of the motor housing is provided on the outer surface of the motor housing at a position radially overlapping with the connecting portion.

[0080] Description of symbols

[0081] 1: drive device; 2: motor housing; 3: inverter housing; 4: first flow path; 5: second flow path; 6: third flow path; 20: motor; 21: motor shaft; 22: stator core; 23: rotor; 24: area; 25: motor cover; 30: inverter; 32: connection part; 33: pressure adjustment mechanism; 41: first outflow part; 42: first inflow part; 43: storage part; 44: inverter cover; 51: second inflow part; 52: second outflow part; 53: bold arrow; 54: bold arrow; 61: first connection part; 62: second connection part; 71: differential shaft; 81: capacitor; 82: bus bar.

Claims

1. A driving device, comprising: motor; A motor housing, which accommodates the motor; an inverter electrically connected to the motor; an inverter housing for housing the inverter; and The gear is located on the other side of the motor axis and rotates in conjunction with the motor shaft to rotate the differential shaft. The inverter housing overlaps the motor housing in a radial direction. The inverter housing is provided with a first flow path for the refrigerant to flow. The motor housing is provided with a second flow path through which the refrigerant flows. The driving device is provided with a third flow path connecting the first flow path and the second flow path. The second flow path has: a second inflow portion for allowing the refrigerant to flow into the second flow path; and a second outflow portion for allowing the refrigerant to flow out from the second flow path, The second inflow portion is provided in a region of the motor housing on the opposite side to the differential shaft across the motor shaft and closer to the motor shaft than an end portion of the motor housing on the opposite side to the differential shaft across the motor shaft.

2. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The second inflow portion is provided on the outer surface of the motor case in a region on the opposite side to the inverter case across the motor shaft.

3. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second flow passage has a second outflow portion for allowing the refrigerant to flow out to the outside of the second flow passage. The second outflow portion is provided on the outer surface of the motor case on the side opposite to the differential shaft across the motor shaft and is provided closer to the motor shaft than the end portion on the side opposite to the differential shaft across the motor shaft.

4. The driving device according to claim 3, wherein: The second outflow portion is provided on the outer surface of the motor case in a region on the opposite side to the inverter case across the motor shaft.

5. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first flow passage is provided with a first outflow portion for allowing the refrigerant to flow out of the first flow passage on a surface of a side surface of the inverter housing that faces the motor in the axial direction. The first outflow portion opens toward one axial side of the motor. The second inflow portion opens toward one side in the axial direction of the motor.

6. The driving device according to claim 5, wherein: The second inflow portion is located on one axial side of the outer surface of the motor housing.

7. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A first connection portion connecting the third flow path and the first flow path and a second connection portion connecting the third flow path and the second flow path are respectively sealed by a sealing member.

8. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The motor housing has a motor cover at one axial end of the motor. At least a portion of the third flow path is provided on one axial side of the motor cover.

9. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The motor has a cylindrical stator core fixed to the inner side surface of the motor housing. When viewed in the axial direction of the motor, the second flow path extends along a tangential direction of an outer surface of the stator core in a direction passing between the differential shaft and the motor shaft.

10. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When viewed from the axial direction of the motor, an angle formed by an inflow direction of the refrigerant from the second inflow portion toward the inside of the motor housing and an outflow direction of the refrigerant from the second outflow portion toward the outside of the motor housing is an acute angle, The second outflow portion extends toward a position between an end portion of an outer side surface of the motor housing on the opposite side to the differential shaft with respect to the motor shaft and the motor.

11. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The inverter housing comprises: a storage portion that stores the inverter and has an opening on a side opposite to the motor across the inverter; and an inverter cover portion that closes the opening portion in the storage portion, The first flow path is provided integrally with the inverter cover.

12. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The drive device further includes a connection portion for electrically connecting the motor and the inverter. A pressure adjustment mechanism for communicating the inside and outside of the motor case is provided on the outer surface of the motor case at a position overlapping with the connection portion in a radial direction.

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