Drive device

Abstract

The invention relates to a driving device. The drive device includes: a first drive unit including a first motor and a first gear that drive a left wheel of a vehicle; a second drive unit including a second motor and a second gear that drive a right wheel of the vehicle; a housing that accommodates the first drive unit and the second drive unit and is capable of storing the lubricant to such an extent that a part of the first gear and a part of the second gear are impregnated; and a lubricant joining part that joins the lubricant that has been stirred up by the first gear and the lubricant that has been stirred up by the second gear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a drive device. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-205444 discloses an electric vehicle including a drive unit including a gear train and a motor that independently correspond to left and right wheels.

[0003] Such electric vehicles and other vehicles are equipped with housings capable of storing lubricants supplied to the gear train and the motor on the left and right wheels. The lower parts of some gears of the gear train are partially immersed in the lubricant stored at the bottom of the housing. The gears stir up the lubricant upwards through their rotation. The lubricant storage part provided above each gear receives and stores the stirred lubricant, and discharges it into the housing. Thus, the gear train and the motor are lubricated and cooled by the lubricant.

[0004] For example, when the vehicle turns right, the lubricant tends to move to the left side of the housing due to the turning gravity. As a result, the amount of lubricant around the gear of the right wheel decreases, and the amount of stirred oil also decreases. As a result, it is sometimes difficult to ensure a sufficient amount of lubricant supplied to the motor of the right wheel. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present specification provides a technology that can stably supply lubricant to driving parts of left and right wheels when a vehicle such as an electric vehicle is traveling.

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification is embodied as a drive device. The drive device includes: a first drive unit, the first drive unit includes a first motor and a first gear for driving the left wheel of the vehicle; a second drive unit, the second drive unit includes a second motor and a second gear for driving the right wheel of the vehicle; and a housing, the housing accommodating the first drive unit and the second drive unit, and capable of storing lubricant to the extent that a part of the first gear and a part of the second gear are immersed. The drive device also includes a lubricant merging unit that merges the lubricant stirred up by the first gear and the lubricant stirred up by the second gear.

[0007] The drive device combines and collects the lubricant stirred up by the first gear and the second gear at the lubricant converging portion. Due to the high turning gravity generated when the vehicle turns while driving, the lubricant distribution in the housing may sometimes deviate to the left and right, and the amount of lubricant stirred up may deviate to the left and right of the vehicle. Even in such a case, since the lubricant converging portion concentrates the lubricant stirred up to the left and right, the lubricant converging portion is not affected by the left and right fluctuations in the amount of such stirring up, and a stable amount of lubricant is combined and collected.

[0008] By providing such a lubricant merging portion, even during driving with a high turning weight input, the lubricant can be stably supplied to the first drive unit and the second drive unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0010] Figure 1 This is a plan view showing an embodiment of a drive device provided in a wheel of a vehicle.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a diagram of the front wheel drive device as viewed from the left side of the vehicle.

[0012] Figure 3 It is a top view showing the structure of a motor and a gear train in the drive device.

[0013] Figure 4A It is a top view of the lubricant confluence section.

[0014] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A B view.

[0015] Figure 4C yes Figure 4A C-direction view.

[0016] Figure 5A This is a plan view showing how the lubricant circulates at the lubricant junction when the vehicle turns right.

[0017] Figure 5B This is a diagram showing the lubricant confluence portion as viewed from the left side of the vehicle.

[0018] Fig. 6A It is a plan view showing another embodiment of the drive device, and is a diagram also showing a circulation pattern of the lubricant when the vehicle turns right.

[0019] Figure 6B This is a diagram showing the lubricant confluence portion as viewed from the left side of the vehicle.

[0020] Fig. 7A It is a top view of the lubricant confluence section.

[0021] Figure 7B yes Fig. 7A B view.

[0022] Figure 7C yes Fig. 7A C-direction view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] One mode of the driving device disclosed in this specification may have the following structure as described above: a first driving unit, the first driving unit having a first motor and a first gear for driving the left wheel of the vehicle; a second driving unit, the second driving unit having a second motor and a second gear for driving the right wheel of the vehicle; a housing, the housing accommodating the first driving unit and the second driving unit, and capable of storing the lubricant to the extent that a part of the first gear and a part of the second gear are immersed; and a lubricant confluence unit, the lubricant confluence unit confluences the lubricant stirred up by the first gear and the lubricant stirred up by the second gear. It should be noted that in this specification, the lubricant is not particularly limited, for example, it is an oily body.

[0024] In another embodiment of the drive device, the lubricant confluence portion may include the following structures: a storage portion capable of storing the lubricant; a first intake port for taking the lubricant stirred up by the first gear into the storage portion; a second intake port for taking the lubricant stirred up by the second gear into the storage portion; and one or more discharge ports for discharging the lubricant from the storage portion toward the first drive portion and the second drive portion. According to such a lubricant confluence portion, since the lubricant is stored in the storage portion, the variation of the lubricant amount can be effectively suppressed, and the lubricant can be supplied to the first drive portion and the second drive portion more stably.

[0025] In this embodiment, the one or more discharge ports may include a first discharge port for discharging the lubricant toward the first motor and a second discharge port for discharging the lubricant toward the second motor, thereby stably and reliably lubricating and cooling the first drive unit and the second drive unit.

[0026] In another embodiment of the drive device, the lubricant confluence portion may also include a flow path component having a first flow path, a second flow path, a connecting portion between the first flow path and the second flow path, and a third flow path. The first flow path may have a first intake port for taking in the lubricant stirred up by the first gear. The second flow path may have a second intake port for taking in the lubricant stirred up by the second gear. The third flow path may extend from the connecting portion and have one or more discharge ports for discharging the lubricant toward the first drive portion and the second drive portion. Thus, the lubricant from the first intake port and the second intake port merges and gathers at the connecting portion and the third flow path. Therefore, the amount of lubricant supplied to the first drive portion and the second drive portion can be effectively stabilized.

[0027] In this embodiment, the lubricant confluence portion may further include a storage portion that is connected to the first flow path and the second flow path and can store the lubricant. Thus, for example, excess lubricant in the first flow path and the second flow path is stored in the storage portion, which can stabilize the discharge amount and optimize the stirring loss in the flow path.

[0028] In this embodiment, the one or more discharge ports may include one discharge port that discharges the lubricant toward the first drive unit and the second drive unit. By providing one discharge port, the structure can be simplified, and the lubricant can be stably supplied to the first drive unit and the second drive unit.

[0029] First embodiment

[0030] Hereinafter, a driving device 10 as one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 5B The driving device 10 of the front wheels 4a and 4b of the vehicle 2, which is mainly a four-wheel drive electric vehicle, is shown. The rear wheels 4c and 4d of the vehicle 2 also have a front-to-rear symmetrical structure, so their description is omitted. It should be noted that the vehicle 2 may not be a four-wheel drive vehicle, but may be a two-wheel drive vehicle with front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive other than a four-wheel drive vehicle. In addition, the vehicle 2 broadly refers to an electric vehicle having a motor that drives at least one wheel. For example, the vehicle 2 includes a battery electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and a fuel cell electric vehicle.

[0031] Here, the direction FR in the drawing indicates the front in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 2, and the direction RR indicates the rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 2. In addition, the direction LH indicates the left in the left-right direction of the vehicle 2, and the direction RH indicates the right in the left-right direction of the vehicle 2. In addition, the direction UP indicates the upper side in the up-down direction of the vehicle 2, and the direction DW indicates the lower side in the up-down direction of the vehicle 2. Usually, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the vehicle 2 are horizontal directions, and the up-down direction of the vehicle 2 is a vertical direction.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the drive device 10 drives the front wheel 4a and the front wheel 4b of the vehicle 2. The drive device 10 includes a drive unit 12 for the wheel 4a, a drive unit 14 for the wheel 4b, and a lubricant confluence portion (hereinafter also referred to as a confluence portion) 60 for supplying lubricant LB thereto. The drive units 12, 14, and the confluence portion 60 are accommodated in a housing 16. As described later, the housing 16 is capable of storing a lubricant (liquid) for lubricating and cooling the components of the drive units 12, 14. The housing 16 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, made of a metal material. Figure 1In the example shown, only the lower portion of the driving units 12 and 14 is isolated by the partition wall portion 18 provided at the bottom of the housing 16 .

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the drive unit 12 includes an electric motor 102, a gear set 112 connected to the wheel 4a and the electric motor 102, and an inverter (not shown) for controlling the electric motor 102. The gear set 112 is connected to the wheel 4a via the transmission shaft 6a. The power of the electric motor 102 is transmitted to the wheel 4a via the gear set 112. The drive unit 12 is an example of a first drive unit disclosed in this specification, and the electric motor 102 is an example of a first motor.

[0034] The electric motor 102 includes a rotor and an iron core (not shown), and the drive shaft 32 is rotated by rotating the rotor. The rotor and the iron core of the electric motor 102 are exposed in the space inside the case 16.

[0035] The drive unit 14 is similar to the drive unit 12, and includes an electric motor 104, a gear group 114 connected to the wheel 4b and the electric motor 104, and an inverter (not shown) for controlling the electric motor 104. The gear group 114 is connected to the wheel 4b via the transmission shaft 6b. The power of the electric motor 104 is transmitted to the wheel 4b via the gear group 114. The drive unit 14 is an example of a second drive unit disclosed in this specification, and the electric motor 104 is an example of a second motor.

[0036] The electric motor 104 includes a rotor and a core (not shown), and the rotor rotates to rotate the drive shaft 52. The electric motor 104 is partitioned by a partition wall 18 of a predetermined height and is disposed in the housing 16, and the rotor and the core are exposed in the housing 16.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the gear group 112 for the wheel 4a and the gear group 114 for the wheel 4b have a bilaterally symmetrical structure. The gear groups 112 and 114 are arranged on the left and right sides of the partition wall 18 and exposed in the housing 16. The partition wall 18 also isolates the lubricant LB.

[0038] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the gear sets 112 and 114 include a plurality of gears 22 to 28 and 42 to 48, respectively. The gear set 112 includes a driving gear 22, a first counter gear 24, a second counter gear 26, and a ring gear 28. The gear set 114 includes a driving gear 42, a first counter gear 44, a second counter gear 46, and a ring gear 48.

[0039] The drive gears 22 and 42 are external gears and are provided on the drive shafts 32 and 52. The drive shafts 32 and 52 are arranged along the first rotation axis X1 extending in the left-right direction. The drive shafts 32 and 52 are mounted on the housing 16 via a plurality of bearings and are supported so as to be rotatable. The drive shafts 32 and 52 are connected to the electric motors 102 and 104 and are driven to rotate by the electric motors 102 and 104. The drive gears 22 and 42 are fixed to the drive shafts 32 and 52 in a non-rotatable manner and rotate integrally with the drive shafts 32 and 52.

[0040] The first counter gear 24, 44 and the second counter gear 26, 46 are external gears. The first counter gear 24, 44 and the second counter gear 26, 46 are provided on the intermediate shaft 34, 54. The intermediate shaft 34, 54 is arranged along the second rotation axis X2 extending in the left-right direction. The intermediate shaft 34, 54 is mounted on the housing 16 via a plurality of bearings and is supported to be rotatable. The first counter gear 24, 44 and the second counter gear 26, 46 are fixed to the intermediate shaft 34, 54 in a non-rotatable manner and rotate integrally with the intermediate shaft 34, 54. The first counter gear 24, 44 meshes with the drive gear 22, 42. Therefore, when the drive gear 22, 42 is driven to rotate by the electric motor 102, 104, the first counter gear 24 and the second counter gear 26 rotate in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the drive gear 22. The outer diameter of the first counter gear 24, 44 is larger than the outer diameter of the drive gear 22, 42. Therefore, the first speed reduction (in other words, torque amplification) is performed between the drive shaft 32 , 52 and the intermediate shaft 34 , 54 . It should be noted that the outer diameter of the second counter gear 26 , 46 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first counter gear 24 , 44 .

[0041] The ring gears 28 and 48 are external gears. As described above, the ring gears 28 and 48 are arranged along the third rotation axis X3 extending in the left-right direction. The ring gears 28 and 48 are fixed to the transmission shafts 6a and 6b mounted on the housing 16 via a plurality of bearings (not shown) in a non-rotatable manner. The ring gears 28 and 48 mesh with the second counter gears 26 and 46. Therefore, when the second counter gears 26 and 46 rotate, the ring gears 28 and 48 rotate in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the second counter gears 26 and 46 (in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the second counter gears 26 and 46). Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the wheels 4a and 4b are rotated toward the rear of the vehicle 2. The transmission shafts 6a and 6b are connected to the wheels 4a and 4b. The ring gears 28 and 48 are examples of the first gear and the second gear disclosed in this specification.

[0042] like Figure 2As shown, lubricant LB is contained inside the housing 16. Lubricant LB lubricates and cools components of the drive parts 12, 14 such as the gear sets 112, 114 and the motors 102, 104. The lubricant LB is stored in the lower part of the housing 16, and usually, a part of the ring gear 28, 48 is immersed in the lubricant LB. That is, a part of the ring gear 28, 48 is located below the oil level SF of the lubricant LB. On the other hand, the drive gears 22, 42, the first counter gears 24, 44, and the second counter gears 26, 46 are located above the oil level SF of the lubricant LB. As shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown by the multiple block arrows, when the ring gears 28 , 48 rotate, the lubricant LB is stirred up by the ring gears 28 , 48 .

[0043] Lubricant confluence

[0044] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the driving units 12 and 14 are provided with a common junction 60. Figure 2 as well as Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C As shown, the confluence portion 60 includes a storage portion 62 for the lubricant LB, intake portions 70, 72 for the lubricant LB, and discharge portions 80, 82 for the lubricant LB. The confluence portion 60 is generally arranged between the left and right ring gears 28, 48. The confluence portion 60 is a shell-shaped body having an internal space that is connected to the outside only at the intake portions 70, 72 and the discharge portions 80, 82.

[0045] like Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C As shown, the storage portion 62 includes a storage groove 64, which is accommodated between the ring gears 28, 28 and has a bottom 64a that is lower than the surroundings. Thus, the lubricant LB taken in from the left and right intake portions 70, 72 can be merged and collected in the storage groove 64. The storage portion 62 is configured to be filled with the lubricant LB to the maximum extent of the capacity of the storage groove 64 when the drive device 10 is in operation.

[0046] The intake portions 70 and 72 are pipes extending from the left and right ends of the upper portion of the storage portion 62 or their vicinities. Figure 2 , Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C , Figure 5A as well as Figure 5B As shown, the intake portions 70 and 72 extend along a portion of the upper outer peripheral edge of the ring gears 28 and 48, respectively, and extend diagonally downward toward the front of the vehicle 2. The intake portions 70 and 72 have intake ports 70a and 72a for taking in the lubricant LB at their front ends, respectively.

[0047] The discharge portions 80 and 82 are pipes extending from the left and right portions of the storage tank 64 near the bottom 64a toward the rear of the vehicle 2. Figure 2 The discharge portions 80 and 82 are respectively provided with discharge ports 80a and 82a at their front ends for discharging the lubricant LB. The discharge ports 80a and 82a can respectively supply the lubricant LB to components of the drive portions 12 and 14, such as the drive gears 22 and 42, the first counter gears 24 and 44, the second counter gears 26 and 46, and the motors 102 and 104.

[0048] Next, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C , Figure 5A as well as Figure 5B The operation of the driving device 10 is described below. Figure 5B In the figure, the confluence section 60 is recorded at the very front for emphasis. When the motors 102 and 104 of the drive device 10 work and the drive gears 22 and 42 rotate, the first reversing gears 24 and 44, the second reversing gears 26 and 46, and the ring gears 28 and 48 rotate accordingly. Through the rotation of the ring gears 28 and 48, the lubricant LB is taken into the storage section 62 from the inlets 70a and 72a of the confluence section 60 along the pipelines of the intake sections 70 and 72. It should be noted that the rotation direction of the ring gears 28 and 48 does not have to be consistent with the rotation direction of the wheels 4a and 4b, respectively. In the drive device 10 of the present embodiment, the rotation of the ring gears 28 and 48 is reversed through gears not shown in the figure and transmitted to the wheels 4a and 4b.

[0049] The lubricant LB taken into the storage portion 62 merges and collects in the storage tank 64. Here, during stable driving, since there is no left-right deviation of the lubricant LB in the housing 16, the amount of lubricant LB taken from the intake portions 70 and 72 does not differ greatly between the left and right, and a sufficient amount of lubricant LB is taken into the merging portion 60. The lubricant LB merged and collected in the storage tank 64 through the left and right intake portions 70 and 72 passes through the pipes of the left and right discharge portions 80 and 82, and is discharged from the discharge ports 80a and 82a into the housing 16.

[0050] On the other hand, the lubricant LB may be deviated in the housing 16 due to the gravity of the turn. For example, when turning right, in the right drive unit 14, the lubricant LB is deviated toward the center side of the vehicle 2, such as the motor 104 side, rather than the ring gear 48. Therefore, the lubricant LB around the ring gear 48 decreases, the oil level decreases, and the amount of stirring of the ring gear 48 decreases. On the other hand, if Figure 5BAs shown, in the left drive unit 12, the lubricant LB is deviated from the center side of the vehicle 2 to the ring gear 28 side. Therefore, the lubricant LB around the ring gear 28 increases, the oil level rises, and the amount of stirring of the ring gear 28 increases.

[0051] According to the drive device 10, even if the amount of lubricant LB taken in from the left and right intake portions 70 and 72 changes due to the deviation of the lubricant LB, the lubricant LB will merge at the confluence portion 60 and be collected in the storage tank 64. Therefore, the change in the storage amount of the lubricant LB in the storage tank 64 can be suppressed. As a result, the discharge pressure of the lubricant LB from the storage tank 64 can be stably ensured. In addition, as Figure 5A As shown, the discharge amount from the left and right discharge ports 80a, 82a can be suppressed or avoided to become unbalanced, and a stable discharge amount of the lubricant LB can be ensured. In addition, since the storage tank 64 stores a substantially full amount of lubricant LB, the variation of the amount of lubricant LB can be more effectively suppressed, and the discharge pressure is also stabilized.

[0052] Second embodiment

[0053] Next, a drive device 110 as another embodiment of the drive device disclosed in this specification is described. The drive device 110 has the same structure as the drive device 10 except for the confluence portion 160. In the following description, the same component reference numerals are used for the components in the drive device 110 that are common to the drive device 10, and their description is omitted.

[0054] like Fig. 6A , Figure 6B , Fig. 7A , Figure 7B as well as Figure 7C As shown, the drive units 12 and 14 are provided with a common junction 160. The junction 160 is located approximately between the left and right gear groups 112 and 114 and is provided near the ring gears 28 and 48. The junction 160 includes a storage portion 162 for the lubricant LB and a flow path member 170 for taking in and discharging the lubricant LB.

[0055] The storage portion 162 has an internal space capable of storing the lubricant LB. The storage portion 162 is disposed between the left and right ring gears 28 and 48. The storage portion 162 has introduction holes 164 and 166 capable of taking the lubricant LB into the storage portion 162. The introduction holes 164 and 166 are provided at the left and right ends of the upper end of the storage portion 162 near the rear of the vehicle 2 or at portions close thereto. Thus, the lubricant LB is introduced into the storage portion 162 via the flow path member 170.

[0056] The flow path component 170 includes a first flow path 172, a second flow path 174, a connecting portion 176, and a third flow path 178. The flow path component 170 is in a forked shape as a whole. The first flow path 172 and the second flow path 174 extend from the upper end edge or the vicinity of the ring gears 28 and 48 on the left and right sides of the vehicle 2, respectively, toward the center of the vehicle 2 and from the lower end edge or the vicinity of the second counter gears 26 and 46 to the lower end edge or the vicinity of the first counter gears 24 and 44. The first flow path 172 and the second flow path 174 extend obliquely downward toward the rear of the vehicle 2. The first flow path 172 and the second flow path 174 merge at the center of the vehicle 2 or its vicinity to form a connecting portion 176.

[0057] The first flow path 172 and the second flow path 174 are respectively provided with inlets 172a and 174a for the lubricant LB. The inlets 172a and 174a are respectively opened to the front of the vehicle 2, and can take in the lubricant LB stirred up by the gears 28 and 48. The first flow path 172 and the second flow path 174 are provided with discharge holes 172b and 174b for the lubricant LB in the middle of their respective flow paths. The discharge holes 172b and 174b are respectively provided at positions corresponding to the introduction holes 164 and 166 of the storage section 162. The discharge holes 172b and 174b of the first flow path 172 and the second flow path 174 are connected to the interior of the storage section 162 via the introduction holes 164 and 166.

[0058] The third flow path 178 further extends from the connection portion 176 to the rear of the vehicle 2. The third flow path 178 includes a discharge port 178a that opens to the rear of the vehicle 2. The third flow path 178 extends from the connection portion 176 to the rear of the vehicle 2 in a substantially horizontal direction, and the discharge port 178a opens toward the center of the left and right motors 102 and 104. Thus, the lubricant LB is mainly supplied to the motors 102 and 104.

[0059] Next, refer to Fig. 6A , Figure 6B , Fig. 7A , Figure 7B as well as Figure 7C The operation of the driving device 110 will be described. Figure 6B In the figure, the junction 60 is described at the front for emphasis. When the motors 102 and 104 of the driving device 110 are operated, the driving gears 22 and 42 rotate, and accordingly the ring gears 28 and 48 rotate, and the lubricant LB is stirred up.

[0060] The stirred lubricant LB is taken in from the inlets 172a and 174a of the confluence portion 160 and passes through the first flow path 172 and the second flow path 174. Then, the lubricant LB reaches the connection portion 176 and merges, and is collected and discharged from the discharge port 178a through the third flow path 178. Fig. 7A , Figure 7B as well as Figure 7C As shown, the lubricant LB excessively taken into the first flow path 172 and the second flow path 174 is appropriately introduced into the storage portion 162 through the discharge holes 172b and 174b and the introduction holes 164 and 166 and stored. Thus, the stirring coefficient in the first flow path 172 and the second flow path 174 is optimized.

[0061] Here, during steady travel, since there is no left-right deviation of the lubricant LB in the housing 16 , the lubricant LB from the first flow path 172 and the second flow path 174 does not differ greatly left-right, and a constant amount can be stably discharged from the discharge port 178 a .

[0062] On the other hand, when turning right, as described above, the lubricant LB may deviate in the housing 16 due to the turning gravity, and the amount of lubricant LB taken in from the first flow path 172 and the second flow path 174 may vary due to the deviation of the lubricant LB. Figure 6B As shown, the lubricant LB around the ring gear 28 increases, the oil level rises, and the amount of stirring of the ring gear 28 increases. Even in such a case, the lubricant LB merges and gathers at the connecting portion 176 and the third flow path 178, and is discharged from the discharge port 178a. Thus, the discharge amount from the discharge port 178a can be stably ensured.

[0063] As described above, the drive devices 10 and 110 are provided with the confluence parts 60 and 160 shared by the left and right drive parts 12 and 14. These confluence parts 60 and 160 are configured to merge and collect the lubricants LB stirred up on the left and right sides and then discharge them. Therefore, even if there is a left-right deviation in the oil level of the lubricant LB immersed in the left and right gear rings 28 and 48, it is possible to suppress the variation in the discharge amount of the lubricant LB discharged to the left and right drive parts 12 and 14 corresponding to such a deviation. Moreover, the lubricant LB can be stably discharged and supplied to the left and right drive parts 12 and 14 from the discharge ports 80a, 82a, and 178a. As a result, the left and right drive parts 12 and 14 are stably lubricated and cooled.

[0064] The above-described embodiment is one embodiment of the technology disclosed in this specification, and does not limit the form for implementing the technology.

[0065] In the first embodiment, the two discharge ports 80a and 82a are used to discharge the lubricant LB to the drive units 12 and 14, respectively, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, similarly, in the second embodiment described above, a discharge port 178a is provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The discharge port may be single, or may be provided with two or more, or three or more. In addition, the discharge destination of the lubricant LB desired by the discharge ports 80a, 82a, and 178a is also not limited. The discharge port may be provided to point to any component or part of the drive units 12 and 14.

[0066] In the first and second embodiments, the housing 16 includes the partition wall 18 that isolates the lower portions of the left and right drive units 12 and 14, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the housing may be provided without the partition wall 18. Even in this case, even if the turning gravity is generated and unevenness of the lubricant LB occurs in the left and right directions in the housing 16, the drive devices 10 and 110 can stably supply the lubricant LB to the left and right drive units 12 and 14.

[0067] In the first and second embodiments, the storage section 62 and the storage section 162 are not provided with other discharge ports for the lubricant LB, but other discharge ports may be provided as needed. The lubricant LB is also stably discharged from such other discharge ports through the merging sections 60 and 160 .

[0068] The motors 102 and 104 and the gear groups 112 and 114 in the first and second embodiments are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art can appropriately set different arrangements and structures.

[0069] In the first and second embodiments, the lubricant LB is stirred up toward the lubricant confluence portion 60, 160 by the rotation of the ring gear 28, 48, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the rotation axis X2 may be arranged below so that at least a portion of the lower side of the first counter gear 24, 44 is immersed, and the first counter gear 24, 44 stirs up the lubricant LB and makes it converge at the lubricant confluence portion 60, 160.

[0070] In the second embodiment, the storage part 162 is provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Even if the flow path component 170 is provided but the storage part 162 is not provided, the lubricant LB will be discharged after being collected and collected in the flow path component 170. It should be noted that even if the storage part 162 is not provided, the discharge holes 172b and 174b for the lubricant LB may be provided at any position. The lubricant LB discharged from the discharge holes 172b and 174b can lubricate and cool the components of the drive parts 12 and 14 in the housing 16.

[0071] The above detailed description of the implementation methods is provided, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of protection of the claims. The technologies described in the scope of protection of the claims include technologies obtained by various deformations and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. The technical components described in this specification or the drawings exert technical usefulness alone or through various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of application. In addition, the technologies illustrated in this specification or the drawings can achieve multiple purposes at the same time, and achieving one of the purposes itself has technical practicality.

Claims

1. A driving device, wherein: The driving device comprises: a first drive unit including a first motor and a first gear for driving a left wheel of the vehicle; a second drive unit including a second motor and a second gear for driving a right wheel of the vehicle; a housing that accommodates the first driving unit and the second driving unit and is capable of storing lubricant to such an extent that a portion of the first gear and a portion of the second gear are immersed; as well as A lubricant merging portion is provided to merge the lubricant stirred up by the first gear and the lubricant stirred up by the second gear.

2. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The lubricant confluence section includes: a storage section capable of storing the lubricant, a first inlet for taking the lubricant stirred up by the first gear into the storage section, a second inlet for taking the lubricant stirred up by the second gear into the storage section, and one or more discharge outlets for discharging the lubricant from the storage section toward the first drive section and the second drive section.

3. The driving device according to claim 2, wherein: The one or more discharge ports include a first discharge port that discharges the lubricant toward the first motor and a second discharge port that discharges the lubricant toward the second motor.

4. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The lubricant confluence portion includes a flow path component, the flow path component having a first flow path, a second flow path, a connecting portion between the first flow path and the second flow path, and a third flow path. The first flow path has a first intake port for taking in the lubricant stirred up by the first gear. The second flow path has a second intake port for taking in the lubricant stirred up by the second gear. The third flow path extends from the connection portion and has one or more discharge ports for discharging the lubricant toward the first drive portion and the second drive portion.

5. The driving device according to claim 4, wherein: The lubricant confluence portion further includes a storage portion that communicates with the first flow path and the second flow path and is capable of storing the lubricant.

6. The driving device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The one or more discharge ports include one discharge port that discharges the lubricant toward the first driving portion and the second driving portion.

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