Rotor hub and hybrid power driving module with rotor hub

Abstract

Provided is a rotor hub (10) for a hybrid drive module in which a drive shaft (45) connected to an engine is disposed forward and an output hub (70) connected to a transmission is disposed rearward. The rotor hub is provided with: a hub shaft (11) which is disposed on the centripetal side and which extends in the axial direction; a front cover (20) made as a separate member from the hub shaft (11) so as to be connected to the hub shaft (11) and extending radially outward from the hub shaft (11); a connector (30) which is made into a separate member from the front cover (20), is connected to the front cover (20), and is disposed further toward the centrifugal side than the front cover (20); and an outer bracket (36) which is made as a separate member from the connector (30) so as to be connected to the connector (30), extends forward from the connector (30), and is provided with internal teeth (37) on the inner periphery for mounting a friction plate (48). The outer periphery of the connector (30) and the outer periphery of the outer bracket (36) provide a surface supporting the rotor (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0156647 filed on November 21, 2022, and all the contents disclosed in the Korean patent application document are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a hybrid drive module, and more particularly, to a rotor hub having a structure that reduces the number of components and facilitates manufacturing a tooth profile for mounting an engine clutch and a lock-up clutch, and a hybrid drive module using the rotor hub. Background Art

[0003] A drive module used in a hybrid vehicle has a structure for transmitting the forces of an electric motor and an engine to a transmission. The hybrid drive module includes: a drive shaft for receiving the force of the engine; a rotor hub for mounting the rotor of the electric motor; an engine clutch for connecting between the drive shaft and the rotor hub; an output hub for receiving the force of the electric motor and / or the engine from the rotor hub and transmitting it to the transmission; and a power transmission unit for connecting between the electric motor and the output hub. The power transmission unit may be a structure that directly connects the electric motor and the output hub, or a structure including a torque converter and a lock-up clutch.

[0004] An engine clutch for selectively connecting the engine and the rotor hub and a lock-up clutch for selectively connecting the rotor hub and the output hub are mounted on the rotor hub. Since a rotor is provided on the outer circumference of the rotor hub, the shapes of the friction plate for mounting the engine clutch and the lock-up friction plate of the lock-up clutch are provided on the rotor hub in the radial direction relative to the rotor.

[0005] Due to the complex shape of such a rotor hub, it is manufactured by dividing it into multiple components and then joining them by welding or the like.

[0006] In Patent Document 1, a structure is disclosed in which tooth profiles for mounting a friction plate and a lock-up friction plate are machined on the front and rear inner circumferential surfaces of a rotor hub. The rotor hub of Patent Document 1 is also composed of multiple components, and among them, the shape of the component that needs to be machined with a tooth profile has a structure that is difficult to machine the tooth profile. In order to machine a tooth profile on a component having the above structure, a high-difficulty process such as spinning is required.

[0007] Meanwhile, it is very difficult to form a tooth profile only in a predetermined axial section in terms of the process characteristics of spinning. For this reason, when spinning is applied to tooth profile machining, it is necessary to design on the premise of forming the tooth profile to the axial end, so there are design limitations.

[0008] As a prior art document, there is Patent Document CN 214647538 U. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention is proposed to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a rotor hub structure and a hybrid drive module with a rotor hub structure that can minimize the number of components of a rotor hub that requires a complex shape while simply machining the tooth profile for mounting an engine clutch and a lock-up clutch.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a rotor hub structure and a hybrid drive module with a rotor hub structure that can machine the tooth profile without using high-difficulty machining techniques such as a spinning process.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a rotor hub structure and a hybrid drive module with a rotor hub structure that can machine the tooth profile by using simple machining techniques such as a broaching process or a stamping process.

[0012] The present invention aims to provide a rotor hub structure and a hybrid drive module with a rotor hub structure that can be designed to have a tooth profile only in a partial section in the axial direction.

[0013] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to this. Other objects and advantages of the present invention not mentioned can be understood through the following description and can be more clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, it can be easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be achieved by the means and combinations thereof appearing in the patent claims.

[0014] To solve the above problems, the present invention can be applied to the rotor hub 10 of a hybrid drive module in which a drive shaft 45 connected to an engine is arranged in the front and an output hub 70 connected to a transmission is arranged in the rear.

[0015] The front part of the drive shaft 45 and the rotor hub 10 can transmit or cut off the driving force through the engine clutches 47, 48, 36.

[0016] The rear part of the rotor hub 10 and the output hub 70 can transmit or cut off the driving force through the lock-up clutches 29, 82, 83.

[0017] The rear part of the rotor hub 10 and the output hub 70 can achieve fluid coupling through the toroidal surfaces 51, 60, 65.

[0018] The toroidal surfaces 51, 60, 65 can be a torque converter or a hydraulic clutch.

[0019] The rotor hub 10 includes a hub shaft 11, a front cover 20, a connector 30, and an outer bracket 36 that are manufactured as independent components and then assembled together.

[0020] The rotor hub 10 may further include a locking clutch bracket 29 that is fabricated as an independent component and then assembled.

[0021] The hub shaft 11 is disposed on the centripetal side of the rotor hub 10 and extends axially.

[0022] The hub shaft 11 may include a shaft 12 that extends axially and a first radially extending portion 13 that extends radially outward from the outer periphery of the shaft 12.

[0023] After the front cover 20 is fabricated as a component independent of the hub shaft 11, it is connected to the hub shaft 11.

[0024] The front cover 20 extends radially outward from the connection portion with the hub shaft 11.

[0025] The front cover 20 may include a second radially extending portion 23 that is connected to the first radially extending portion 13 of the hub shaft 11 and extends radially outward from the first radially extending portion 13.

[0026] The front cover 20 may further include a rearward extending portion 25 that extends rearward from the radially outer end of the second radially extending portion 23.

[0027] The front cover 20 may further include a radially expanding portion 27 that is connected to the rear end of the rearward extending portion 25 and extends radially outward.

[0028] The connector 30 is fabricated as a component independent of the front cover 20 and is thus connected to the front cover 20.

[0029] The connector 30 is disposed on the radially outer side relative to the front cover 20.

[0030] The connector 30 may include a third radially extending portion 33 that is connected to the front cover 20 and extends radially outward from the front cover 20.

[0031] The third radially extending portion 33 may be connected to the second radially extending portion 23 of the front cover 20.

[0032] The connector 30 may further include a first axially extending portion 35 that extends rearward from the radially outer end of the third radially extending portion 33.

[0033] The first axially extending portion 35 may be disposed on the radially outer side relative to the rearward extending portion 25.

[0034] A stopper 354 extending radially outward may be provided at the rear end of the first axially extending portion 35. The stopper 354 may restrict the axial position of the rotor 16 relative to the rotor hub 10.

[0035] The radially expanding portion 27 of the front cover 20 may be disposed further rearward than the connector 30 and may extend further radially outward than the connector 30.

[0036] After the outer bracket 36 is manufactured as a component independent of the connector 30, it is connected to the connector 30.

[0037] The outer bracket 36 is connected in front of the connector 30.

[0038] The outer bracket 36 extends forward from the connection portion with the connector 30.

[0039] The outer bracket 36 may have a second axially extending portion 362 extending axially.

[0040] Internal teeth 37 for mounting the friction plates 48 are provided on the inner circumference of the outer bracket 36.

[0041] The internal teeth 37 may be provided on the inner circumference of the second axially extending portion 362.

[0042] The friction plates 48 of the engine clutches 47, 48, 36 may be mounted on the inner side in the radial direction of the internal teeth 37.

[0043] The outer circumference of the connector 30 and the outer circumference of the outer bracket 36 may be axially connected to together provide a surface for supporting the rotor 16.

[0044] The internal teeth 37 of the outer bracket 36 may include a structure in which a plurality of axially extending convex portions 371 and a plurality of axially extending groove portions 372 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0045] The outer bracket 36 may not have a portion extending further inward than the inner diameter corresponding to the bottom surface B of the plurality of groove portions 372 except for the convex portions 371.

[0046] In this way, a space can be ensured for the tool to axially move on the inner side in the radial direction of the convex portions 371. When using this space, the groove portions 372 can be easily broached without machining the groove portions 372 in the convex portions 371.

[0047] Due to the outer bracket 36 having such a structure, the present invention can easily complete the machining of the internal teeth 37.

[0048] A first radial engagement surface 135 and a first axial engagement surface 133 may be provided at the centrifugal end of the first radial extension 13 of the hub shaft 11. The first radial engagement surface 135 has a normal in the centrifugal direction. The first axial engagement surface 133 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the first radial engagement surface 135 and has a normal in the axial direction.

[0049] The normal of the first axial engagement surface 133 may face forward.

[0050] A second radial engagement surface 232 and a second axial engagement surface 231 may be provided at the centripetal end of the second radial extension 23 of the front cover 20. The second radial engagement surface 232 has a normal in the centripetal direction. The second axial engagement surface 231 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the second radial engagement surface 232 and has a normal in the axial direction.

[0051] The normal of the second axial engagement surface 231 may face backward.

[0052] The first axial engagement surface 133 of the hub shaft 11 and the second axial engagement surface 231 of the front cover 20 may be axially opposed to and in contact with each other. Thereby, the axial position of the front cover 20 relative to the hub shaft 11 can be restricted.

[0053] The first radial engagement surface 135 of the hub shaft 11 and the second radial engagement surface 232 of the front cover 20 may be radially opposed to and in contact with each other. Thereby, the hub shaft 11 and the front cover 20 can be centered.

[0054] The joint portions of the first radial engagement surface 135 of the hub shaft 11 and the second radial engagement surface 232 of the front cover 20 may be welded to each other axially on the opposite sides of the first axial engagement surface 133 and the second axial engagement surface 231. Thereby, the welding process can be completed smoothly.

[0055] The joint portion of the first radial engagement surface 135 and the second radial engagement surface may be welded in the front.

[0056] Thereby, the hub shaft 11 and the front cover 20 can be manufactured as independent components. For example, the hub shaft 11 can be manufactured by a casting process and a machining process, and the front cover 20 can be manufactured by a sheet metal stamping process.

[0057] A third radial engagement surface 234 and a third axial engagement surface 233 may be provided in front of the second radially extending portion 23 of the front cover 20. The third radial engagement surface 234 has a normal line in the centrifugal direction. The third axial engagement surface 233 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the third radial engagement surface 234 and has a normal line facing forward.

[0058] A fourth radial engagement surface 332 and a fourth axial engagement surface 331 may be provided at the centripetal end of the third radially extending portion 33 of the connector 30. The fourth radial engagement surface 332 has a normal line in the centripetal direction. The fourth axial engagement surface 331 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the fourth radial engagement surface 332 and has a normal line facing backward.

[0059] The third axial engagement surface 233 of the front cover 20 and the fourth axial engagement surface 331 of the connector 30 may be axially opposed to and in contact with each other. Thereby, the axial position of the connector 30 relative to the front cover 20 can be restricted.

[0060] The third radial engagement surface 234 of the front cover 20 and the fourth radial engagement surface 332 of the connector 30 may be radially opposed to and in contact with each other. Thereby, the center alignment of the front cover 20 and the connector 30 can be achieved.

[0061] The third radial engagement surface 234 and the fourth radial engagement surface 332 may be welded to each other in the front. Thereby, the welding process can be successfully completed.

[0062] Thereby, the connector 30 and the front cover 20 can be manufactured as independent components. The manufacturing process of the connector 30 and the manufacturing process of the front cover 20 may be different from each other.

[0063] A fifth radial engagement surface 352 and a fifth axial engagement surface 351 may be provided at the front end of the first axially extending portion 35 of the connector 30. The fifth radial engagement surface 352 has a normal line in the centrifugal direction. The fifth axial engagement surface 351 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the fifth radial engagement surface 352 and has a normal line facing forward.

[0064] A sixth radial engagement surface 382 and a sixth axial engagement surface 381 may be provided at the rear end of the second axially extending portion 362 of the outer bracket 36. The sixth radial engagement surface 382 has a normal line in the centripetal direction. The sixth axial engagement surface 381 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the sixth radial engagement surface 382 and has a normal line facing backward.

[0065] The fifth axial joint surface 351 and the sixth axial joint surface 381 can be axially opposed to and in contact with each other. Thus, the axial position of the outer bracket 36 relative to the connector 30 can be restricted.

[0066] The fifth radial joint surface 352 and the sixth radial joint surface 382 can be radially opposed to and in contact with each other. Thus, the center alignment of the connector 30 and the outer bracket 36 can be achieved.

[0067] The fifth axial joint surface 351 and the sixth axial joint surface 381 can be welded to each other on the centrifugal side. Thus, the welding process can be smoothly completed.

[0068] Thus, the connector 30 and the outer bracket 36 can be manufactured as independent components.

[0069] The welded portion of the fifth axial joint surface 351 and the sixth axial joint surface 381 can be machined together with the outer peripheral surfaces of the first axial extension portion 35 and the second axial extension portion 362.

[0070] Thus, the concavo-convex shape of the welded portion can be neatly machined, so as to form a cylindrical outer peripheral surface together with the first axial extension portion 35 and the second axial extension portion 362.

[0071] A keyway 14 that is recessed in the radial direction and extends axially can be provided on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface. Thus, the circumferential position of the rotor 16 relative to the rotor hub 10 can be restricted.

[0072] The lock-up clutch bracket 29 can be manufactured as an independent component from the front cover 20 and then connected to the front cover 20.

[0073] The lock-up clutch bracket 29 can extend rearward from the connection portion with the front cover 20.

[0074] An inward concavo-convex portion 297 for mounting the lock-up friction plate 82 of the lock-up clutch 29, 82, 83 can be provided on the inner circumference of the lock-up clutch bracket 29 that extends rearward.

[0075] The lock-up clutch bracket 29 can include: fourth radial extension portions 13, 23, 33 that are connected to the second radial extension portion 23 and extend in the centrifugal direction from the connection portion; and a third axial extension portion 296 that extends rearward from the centrifugal end portions of the fourth radial extension portions 13, 23, 33.

[0076] The inward concavo-convex portion 297 can be provided on the third axial extension portion 296.

[0077] A seventh radial engagement surface 236 and a seventh axial engagement surface 235 may be provided behind the second radially extending portion 23 of the front cover 20. The seventh radial engagement surface 236 has a normal line in the centrifugal direction, and the seventh axial engagement surface 235 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the seventh radial engagement surface 236 and has a normal line facing rearward.

[0078] An eighth radial engagement surface 293 and an eighth axial engagement surface 292 may be provided at the centripetal end portions of the fourth radially extending portions 13, 23, 33. The eighth radial engagement surface 293 has a normal line in the centripetal direction, and the eighth axial engagement surface 292 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the eighth radial engagement surface 293 and has a normal line facing forward.

[0079] The seventh axial engagement surface 235 and the eighth axial engagement surface 292 may be axially opposed to and in contact with each other. Thereby, the axial position of the lock-up clutch bracket 29 relative to the front cover 20 can be restricted.

[0080] The seventh radial engagement surface 236 and the eighth radial engagement surface 293 may be radially opposed to and in contact with each other. Thereby, the center alignment of the front cover 20 and the lock-up clutch bracket 29 can be achieved.

[0081] The seventh radial engagement surface 236 and the eighth radial engagement surface 293 may be welded to each other at the rear. Thereby, the welding process can be smoothly completed.

[0082] The axial length L3 of the third axially extending portion 296 of the lock-up clutch bracket 29 may be set to be shorter than the axial length of the rearward extending portion 25 of the front cover 20.

[0083] The axial length L3 of the inward concavo-convex portion 297 may be shorter than the axial length L1 of the internal teeth 37.

[0084] Thereby, while the lock-up clutch bracket 29 is being subjected to sheet metal stamping, the inward concavo-convex portion 297 can be more conveniently processed.

[0085] In addition, to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a hybrid drive module including the rotor hub 10.

[0086] The hybrid drive module may further include a rotor 16 mounted on the outer periphery of the connector 30 and the outer periphery of the outer bracket 36.

[0087] For the sake of convenience of explanation, the section in which the internal teeth 37 extend axially is referred to as the first axial section L1.

[0088] The axial center of the rotor 16 can be axially arranged within the first axial section L1.

[0089] An oil hole 39 can be provided in the outer bracket 36 to communicate the inner space and the outer space in the radial direction.

[0090] The oil hole 39 can be arranged on the first axial section L1.

[0091] Thus, the oil for cooling the friction plate 48 mounted on the inner teeth 37 can move toward the rotor 16 side through the oil hole 39 under the action of centrifugal force, thereby cooling the rotor 16. The oil hole 39 can be arranged near the axial center of the rotor 16, so that the cooling of the rotor 16 can be more effectively achieved.

[0092] For convenience of description, the section where the outer bracket 36 extends axially is called the second axial section L2.

[0093] Since the outer bracket 36 and the connector 30 together form the axially extending parts 35 and 362 for supporting the rotor 16, the first axial section L1 can be arranged more on the rear side with reference to the axial center of the second axial section L2.

[0094] Advantages of the Invention

[0095] According to the present invention, while minimizing the number of components that require a rotor hub with a complex shape, each component can be manufactured using the most effective processing method for each component, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the rotor hub.

[0096] According to the present invention, the rotor hub can be divided into components in a form that can be easily processed to form the tooth profiles for installing the engine clutch and the lock-up clutch, making it easier to manufacture.

[0097] By making the outer bracket an independent component in the present invention, it is not necessary to apply high-difficulty processing techniques such as the spinning process, and tooth profile processing can be carried out using simple processing techniques such as broaching.

[0098] The present invention manufactures the lock-up clutch bracket with a shorter axially extending part by dividing it into independent components, so that simple tooth profile processing can be carried out through the stamping process.

[0099] The present invention can form tooth profiles only in the section where tooth profiles are required axially.

[0100] The present invention can integrally form the stopper that restricts the axial rear position of the rotor with the connector, thereby reducing the number of components.

[0101] On the basis of the above effects, the specific effects of the present invention will be described below by specific embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0102] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a hybrid drive module of a rotor hub according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective cross-sectional view of the rotor hub of the embodiment.

[0104] Figure 4 is an exploded side cross-sectional view of the rotor hub of the embodiment.

[0105] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the rotor hub of the embodiment.

[0106] Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the rotor hub of the embodiment with a rotor installed.

[0107] Figure 7 is Figure 3 an enlarged view of part VII of

[0108] Figure 8 is a front view of the outer bracket of the rotor hub.

[0109] In the figures:

[0110] 10: Rotor hub, 11: Hub shaft, 12: Shaft, 13: First radially extending portion, 133: First axial engagement surface, 135: First radial engagement surface, 13, 23, 33: Radially extending portion, 35, 362: Axially extending portion, 14: Keyway, 15: First bearing, 16: Rotor, 17: Stator, 18: Main housing, 19: Second bearing, 20: Front cover, 23: Second radially extending portion, 231: Second axial engagement surface, 232: Second radial engagement surface, 233: Third axial engagement surface, 234: Third radial engagement surface, 235: Seventh axial engagement surface, 236: Seventh radial engagement surface, 25: Rearward extending portion, 27: Radial expansion portion, 29: Lock-up clutch bracket, 291: Fourth radially extending portion, 292: Eighth axial engagement surface, 293: Eighth radial engagement surface, 296: Third axial extending portion, 297: Inner concavo-convex portion, L3: Length, 30: Connector, 33: Third radially extending portion, 331: Fourth axial engagement surface, 332: Fourth radial engagement surface, 35: First axial extending portion, 351: Fifth axial engagement surface, 352: Fifth radial engagement surface, 354: Stopper, 36: Outer bracket, 362: Second axial extending portion, L2: Second axial interval, 37: Internal teeth, 371: Protrusion, 372: Groove portion, B: Bottom surface, L1: First axial interval, 381: Sixth axial engagement surface, 382: Sixth radial engagement surface, 39: Oil hole, 40: Retainer, 41: Piston plate, 42: Elastomer, 43: Cavity plate, 45: Drive shaft, 46: Centrifugal flange, 47: Inner bracket, 470: Centripetal flange, 471: External teeth, 472: Binding rivet, 48: Friction plate, 47, 48, 36: Engine clutch, 51, 60, 65: Toroidal surface, torque converter, 50: Rear cover, 51: Impeller, 52: Third bearing, 60: Reactor, 61: One-way clutch, 62: Fourth bearing, 64: Fixed end, 65: Turbine, 66: Turbine plate, 70: Output hub, 72: Spline portion, 75: Gasket, 29, 82, 83: Lock-up clutch, 81: Lock-up piston, 82: Lock-up friction plate, 83: Lock-up clutch plate, 831: Outer concavo-convex portion, 90: Pendulum assembly, 95: Connecting plate, 99: Fastening rivet Detailed implementation manners

[0111] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0112] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and various modifications can be made and it can be implemented in different forms from each other. However, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those with ordinary knowledge. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and includes not only substituting or adding the features of one embodiment with those of other embodiments, but also all changes, equivalents and substitutes included in the technical concept and scope of the present invention.

[0113] It should be understood that the drawings are only for facilitating the understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited to the drawings, including all changes, equivalents and substitutes included in the concept and technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, for the sake of easy understanding, etc., the dimensions or thicknesses of the components may be exaggerated or reduced, but the scope of protection of the present invention shall not be construed as being limited thereby.

[0114] The terms used in this specification are only for describing specific implementation examples or embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless otherwise clearly stated in the context, singular expressions include plural expressions. In the specification, terms such as "including ~", "consisting of ~" are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification. That is, in the specification, terms such as "including ~", "consisting of ~" should be understood as not precluding the existence or additional possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0115] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by such terms. The terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

[0116] When referring to a certain component being "connected" or "coupled" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or coupled to the other component, but there may also be other components in between. Conversely, when referring to a certain component being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0117] When referring to a certain component being "connected" or "connected to" another component, it should be understood that it may include the case of being directly connected or connected to the other component, and there may also be other components in between. On the contrary, when referring to a certain component being "directly connected" or "directly connected to" another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0118] When referring to a component being "above" or "below" another component, it should be understood to include not only being directly above the other component, but also allowing for other components to be present in between.

[0119] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms that are the same as those defined in commonly used dictionaries shall be interpreted as having the same meaning in the context of the relevant art, and shall not be construed as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0120] Since the hybrid drive module of the embodiment is symmetric about an axis, for the convenience of drawing, only half of it is shown with respect to the axis. Additionally, for the convenience of explanation, the direction along the length direction of the axis that forms the center of rotation of the hybrid drive module is referred to as the axial direction. That is, the front-back direction or the axial direction is the direction parallel to the rotation axis, with the front side pointing towards the side where the power source is located, for example, the direction towards the engine side, and the back side pointing towards the other side, for example, the direction towards the transmission side. Therefore, the front face is the face whose surface faces forward, and the back face is the face whose surface faces backward.

[0121] The radial direction is the direction on a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, along a straight line passing through the center of the rotation axis, approaching or moving away from the center. The direction moving away from the center in the radial direction is called the centrifugal direction, and the direction approaching the center is called the centripetal direction.

[0122] The circumferential or circular direction is the direction around the periphery of the rotation axis. The outer circumference refers to the outer circle, and the inner circumference refers to the inner circle. Therefore, the outer circumferential surface is the surface facing away from the rotation axis, and the inner circumferential surface is the surface facing towards the rotation axis.

[0123] The circumferential side face is the face whose normal points towards the circumferential direction.

[0124] [Overall Structure of Hybrid Drive Module]

[0125] The following references Figure 1 and Figure 2 describe the overall structure of a preferred embodiment of the hybrid drive module according to the present invention.

[0126] The hybrid drive module includes: a drive shaft 45 that receives the force of the engine; an electric motor that includes a stator 17 and a rotor 16; a main housing 80 on which the stator 17 is mounted; a rotor hub 10 on which the rotor 16 is mounted and rotates together with the rotor 16; engine clutches 47, 48, 36 that selectively connect the drive shaft 45 and the rotor hub 10 between the drive shaft 45 and the rotor hub 10 to transmit the power of the drive shaft 45 to the rotor hub 10; and a power transmission portion that is disposed between the rotor hub 10 and an output hub 70 and transmits the rotational force of the rotor hub 10 to the output hub 70.

[0127] The rotor hub 10 includes: a hollow hub shaft 11 that is disposed on the centripetal side and extends in the axial direction; radial extension portions 13, 23, 33 that extend radially outward from the hub shaft 11; and axial extension portions 35, 362 that are disposed on the centrifugal side, are connected to the radial extension portions 13, 23, 33, and extend in the front-rear direction. The rotor 16 is mounted on the outer periphery of the axial extension portions 35, 362.

[0128] The rotor hub 10 can be manufactured by combining a plurality of components. The components that make up the rotor hub 10 may include a hub shaft 11, a front cover 20, a connector 30, and an outer bracket 36.

[0129] The hub shaft 11 includes: a hollow shaft 12 that extends in the front-rear direction and a first radial extension portion 13 that extends radially outward from the outer periphery of the shaft 12.

[0130] The front cover 20 includes: a second radial extension portion 23 that is welded to the centrifugal side of the first radial extension portion 13 and extends radially outward; a rearward extension portion 25 that extends rearward from the centrifugal side end of the second radial extension portion 23; and a radius enlargement portion 27 that extends radially outward at the rear end of the rearward extension portion 25 and is welded to a rear cover 50. A lock-up clutch bracket 29 may be welded to the rear of the second radial extension portion 23.

[0131] The connector 30 includes: a third radial extension portion 33 that is welded and connected to the centrifugal side of the second radial extension portion 23 and extends radially outward; and a first axial extension portion 35 that is connected to the centrifugal side of the third radial extension portion 33 and extends in the axial direction. The first axial extension portion 35 may be disposed radially more outward than the rearward extension portion 25.

[0132] The outer support 36 includes: a second axially extending portion 362, which is welded and connected to the centrifugal side of the third radially extending portion 33 to the front end of the first axially extending portion 35 and thus extends forward. Inner teeth 37 protruding in the centripetal direction are provided on the inner circumference of the second axially extending portion 362. The outer peripheral surface of the second axially extending portion 362 constitutes a surface connected to the outer peripheral surface of the first axially extending portion 35. Thus, the rotor 16 can be mounted on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first axially extending portion 35 and the second axially extending portion 362.

[0133] The radially extending portions 13, 23, 33 of the rotor hub 10 may be constituted by the first radially extending portion 13, the second radially extending portion 23, and the third radially extending portion 33. Then, the axially extending portions 35, 362 of the rotor hub 10 may be constituted by the first axially extending portion 35 and the second axially extending portion 362.

[0134] In this way, by combining multiple components to form the rotor hub 10, it is possible to apply the most reasonable manufacturing methods (such as die casting, sheet metal stamping, etc.) according to the forms required for each component, thereby saving the manufacturing cost of the rotor hub 10.

[0135] A drive shaft 45 is provided in front of the hub shaft 11. The drive shaft 45 is coaxial with the hub shaft 11 and is relatively rotatable with respect to the hub shaft 11. The drive shaft 45 is connected to the engine.

[0136] The drive shaft 45 has a hollow portion that is open to the rear. The hub shaft 11 can enter the hollow portion of the drive shaft 45 from the rear of the drive shaft 45 and thus be disposed in the hollow portion of the drive shaft 45.

[0137] An inner support 47 is coupled to the rear of the drive shaft 45. The inner support 47 is coupled to be axially restricted and rotationally restricted with respect to the drive shaft 45.

[0138] A centrifugal flange 46 extending radially outward is provided at the rear end of the drive shaft 45. A centripetal flange 470 extending radially inward is provided on the inner support 47. The front surface of the centripetal flange 470 faces and abuts against the rear surface of the centrifugal flange 46, and they are integrally coupled by a coupling rivet 472.

[0139] A bearing can be installed between the outer periphery of the hub shaft 11 and the inner periphery of the drive shaft 45 to allow relative rotation of the drive shaft 45 and the hub shaft 11 while aligning the axes of the drive shaft 45 and the hub shaft 11. The bearing can be installed at two positions spaced apart from each other axially. As shown in the figure, a needle bearing can be installed at the front in the axial direction, and a first bearing 15 can be installed at the rear in the axial direction.

[0140] The first bearing 15 mutually restricts the axial positions of the drive shaft 45 and the hub shaft 11. For this purpose, the front of the outer ring of the first bearing 15 interferes with a step provided on the inner periphery of the drive shaft 45, and the rear of the outer ring is interfered with by a snap ring interposed between the drive shaft 45 and the inner bracket 47. Then, the rear of the inner ring of the first bearing 15 interferes with a step provided on the outer periphery of the hub shaft 11, and the front of the inner ring is interfered with by a snap ring installed on the outer periphery of the hub shaft 11.

[0141] External teeth 471 extending axially are provided on the centrifugal side of the inner bracket 47. The external teeth 471 face the internal teeth 37 and are arranged spaced apart from the internal teeth 37 of the rotor hub 10 in the radial direction inside. Then, a plurality of friction plates 48 that are rotationally restricted with respect to the internal teeth 37 and a plurality of friction plates 48 that are rotationally restricted with respect to the external teeth 471 are alternately installed axially between the internal teeth 37 and the external teeth 471, thereby constituting the engine clutch 47, 48, 36.

[0142] A cavity plate 43 is provided further rearward of the inner bracket 47. The cavity plate 43 is installed on the shaft 12. The centripetal side of the cavity plate 43 is interposed between the rear of the inner ring of the first bearing 15 and the front of the step of the hub shaft 11, thereby restricting the axial position of the cavity plate 43 relative to the hub shaft 11.

[0143] A piston plate 41 is provided between the cavity plate 43, the friction plates 48, and the radially extending portions 13, 23, 33 of the rotor hub 10. The centripetal side end portion of the piston plate 41 is axially slidably installed on the surface of the hub shaft 11 in a sealed state. The radially central portion of the piston plate 41 is installed to be axially slidable with respect to the cavity plate 43 in a sealed state and is installed to be axially slidable with respect to the rotor hub 10 in a sealed state.

[0144] The space between the rear of the piston plate 41 and the front of the rotor hub 10 defines a piston chamber, and the space between the front of the piston plate 41 and the rear of the cavity plate 43 defines a compensation chamber.

[0145] The piston chamber and the compensation chamber are filled with oil. Thus, even if the rotational speed of the rotor hub 10 is different, the dynamic pressure acting on the oil in the piston chamber and the compensation chamber will be the same.

[0146] When hydraulic pressure is transmitted to the piston chamber through the hollow portion of the hub shaft 11 and the static pressure in the piston chamber increases, the piston plate 41 moves forward, thereby pressing the friction plate 48 forward, whereby the drive shaft 45 is rotationally restricted by the rotor hub 10.

[0147] An elastomer 42 is installed between the cavity plate 43 and the piston plate 41, and the elastomer 42 elastically presses the cavity plate 43 and the piston plate 41 in a direction away from each other. Therefore, when the force that the static pressure of the oil formed in the piston chamber pushes the piston plate 41 forward is less than the elastic force of the elastomer 42, the piston plate 41 can immediately move backward by the elastomer 42 and move away from the friction plate 47, whereby the rotational restriction of the drive shaft 45 relative to the rotor hub 10 can be released. This ensures the response speed of the operation and release of the engine clutch 47, 48, 36.

[0148] The drive shaft 45 is rotationally supported by the main housing 18 and restricts the axial position. For this purpose, a second bearing 19 is installed between the outer periphery of the drive shaft 45 and the inner periphery of the main housing 18. The second bearing 19 is axially located in front of the first bearing 15.

[0149] The rear of the inner ring of the second bearing 19 abuts against a step provided on the outer periphery of the drive shaft 45 and is restricted backward, and the front of the inner ring of the second bearing 19 abuts against a snap ring inserted into the outer periphery of the drive shaft 45 and is restricted forward.

[0150] The front of the outer ring of the second bearing 19 abuts against a step provided on the inner periphery of the main housing 18 and is restricted forward, and the rear of the outer ring of the second bearing 19 abuts against a snap ring inserted into the inner periphery of the main housing 18 and is restricted backward.

[0151] The power transmission portion is disposed in an internal space defined by a front cover 20 provided on the rotor hub 10 and a rear cover 50 connected to the front cover 20. The internal space is disposed behind the rotor hub 10.

[0152] The power transmission portion includes: an annulus that transmits the rotational force transmitted from the rotor hub 10 through the rear cover 50 to the output member; and locking clutches 29, 82, 83 that directly transmit the rotational force transmitted from the rotor hub 10 to the output member.

[0153] The toroid can be a torque converter 51, 60, 65 including an impeller 51, a turbine 65, and a reactor 60. However, the present invention does not exclude the toroid being a fluid clutch including an impeller 51 and a turbine 65 but not including a reactor 60.

[0154] The torque converter 51, 60, 65 includes: an impeller 51 mounted in front of the rear cover 50, a turbine 65 disposed in front of the impeller 51 and opposite to the impeller 51, and a reactor 60 disposed between the impeller 51 and the turbine 65.

[0155] The centripetal side end of the rear cover 50 can be connected to an oil pump (not shown) to form the pressure of the oil supplied to the inside of the hybrid drive module.

[0156] The turbine 65 is mounted behind the turbine plate 66. The turbine plate 66 extends from the turbine 65 in the centripetal direction and is fixed to the output hub 70 by fastening rivets 99.

[0157] The reactor 60 is mounted at the fixed end 64 by a one-way clutch 61 so as to be rotatable in one direction and restricted from rotating in the other direction. The fixed end 64 can be connected to the transmission to maintain a fixed state.

[0158] The lock-up clutches 29, 82, 83 include: a lock-up clutch bracket 29 having inward concavo-convex portions 297 extending axially on its inner circumference; a lock-up clutch plate 83 having outward concavo-convex portions 831 radially opposite to the inward concavo-convex portions 297 on the radially inner side of the inward concavo-convex portions 297 and fixed to the output hub 70 by fastening rivets 99; and a lock-up friction plate 82 disposed between the inward concavo-convex portions 297 and the outward concavo-convex portions 831.

[0159] The lock-up friction plate 82 can have a structure in which the lock-up friction plates 82 restricted from rotating by the inward concavo-convex portions 297 and the lock-up friction plates 82 restricted from rotating by the outward concavo-convex portions 831 are alternately arranged axially.

[0160] A lock-up piston 81 is provided between the lock-up friction plate 82, the lock-up clutch plate 83, and the radially extending portions 13, 23, 33 of the rotor hub 10. The centrifugal end of the lock-up piston 81 is axially slidably mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the lock-up clutch bracket 29 in a sealed state, and the centripetal end of the lock-up piston 81 is axially slidably mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 12 in a sealed state.

[0161] The space between the radially extending portions 13, 23, 33 and the locking piston 81 defines a locking chamber. When hydraulic pressure is transmitted through the hollow portion of the hub shaft 11 to the locking chamber, such that the force of the hydraulic pressure in the locking chamber pushing the locking piston 81 rearward is greater than the force of the hydraulic pressure behind the locking piston 81 pushing the locking piston 81 forward, the locking piston 81 retracts, thereby pressing the locking friction plate 82 rearward. As a result, the rotation of the rotor hub 10 is restricted by the locking clutch plate 83 to the output hub 70. That is, the rotor hub 10 and the output hub 70 are directly connected.

[0162] A third bearing 52 is installed between the rear cover 50 and the reactor 60 to support relative rotation between the rear cover 50 and the reactor 60. Additionally, a fourth bearing 62 is installed between the reactor 60 and the output hub 70 to support relative rotation between the reactor 60 and the output hub 70. Then, a spacer 75 is interposed between the output hub 70 and the hub shaft 11 to support relative rotation between the output hub 70 and the hub shaft 11. The spacer 75 maintains the spacing between the output hub 70 and the hub shaft 11 while allowing fluid to flow through this space.

[0163] The pendulum assembly 90 is axially disposed between the locking clutches 29, 82, 83 and the toroidal surfaces 51, 60, 65. The outer peripheral side of the pendulum assembly 90 is disposed between the radially expanding portion 27 of the front cover 20 and the toroidal surfaces 51, 60, 65. Thereby, the moment of inertia of the pendulum can be maximally ensured.

[0164] A connecting plate 95 that extends radially inward therefrom is connected to the centripetal side of the pendulum assembly 90 and is fixed to the output hub 70 by a fastening rivet 99.

[0165] A spline portion 72 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the output hub 70, and the spline portion 72 meshes with the input shaft of the transmission to transmit the power of the hybrid drive module to the transmission.

[0166] [Rotor Hub Structure]

[0167] The following refers to Figures 3 to 8 Describe a preferred embodiment of the rotor hub that constitutes the above hybrid drive module.

[0168] As described above, the rotor hub 10 includes a hub shaft 11, a front cover 20, a connector 30, an outer bracket 36, and a locking clutch bracket 29 that are each manufactured as independent components and then assembled. They can be joined by a joining method such as laser welding to form an integral rotor hub 10.

[0169] The hub shaft 11 is a component configured on the centripetal side and extending axially among the components constituting the rotor hub 10. The hub shaft 11 includes a hollow shaft 12 extending axially and a first radially extending portion 13 extending radially centrifugally from the outer periphery of the shaft 12.

[0170] In front of and behind the first radially extending portion 13, the piston plates 41 of the aforementioned engine clutches 47, 48, 36 and the locking pistons 81 of the locking clutches 29, 82, 83 are slidably mounted on the outer periphery of the shaft 12. Oil holes are provided in the shaft 12 to supply hydraulic pressure to control the operations of the engine clutches 47, 48, 36 and the locking clutches 29, 82, 83.

[0171] After the front cover 20 is manufactured as a component independent of the hub shaft 11, it is connected to the hub shaft 11. Such a front cover 20 has a shape extending radially outward from the connection portion with the hub shaft 11.

[0172] The front cover 20 further includes: a second radially extending portion 23, which is connected to the first radially extending portion 13 of the hub shaft 11 and extends radially centrifugally from the first radially extending portion 13; a rearward extending portion 25, which extends rearward from the centrifugal end of the second radially extending portion 23; and a radially expanding portion 27, which is connected to the rear end of the rearward extending portion 25 and extends radially centrifugally.

[0173] The second radially extending member 23 is welded and connected to the hub shaft 11 on the centripetal side, connected to the locking clutch bracket 29 at the rear, and welded and connected to the connector 30 at the front. Preferably, the locking clutch bracket 29 is connected radially on the inner side compared to the connector 30 such that the welding portion does not overlap with the connector 30.

[0174] In order to align the hub shaft 11 and the front cover 20, a first radially engaging surface 135 and a first axially engaging surface 133 are provided at the centrifugal end of the first radially extending portion 13 of the hub shaft 11. The first radially engaging surface 135 has a normal in the centrifugal direction, and the first axially engaging surface 133 extends more centrifugally than the first radially engaging surface 135 and has a normal facing forward. At the centripetal end of the second radially extending portion 23 of the front cover 20, a second radially engaging surface 232 and a second axially engaging surface 231 are provided. The second radially engaging surface 232 has a normal in the centripetal direction, and the second axially engaging surface 231 extends more centrifugally than the second radially engaging surface 232 and has a normal facing rearward.

[0175] The first axial engagement surface 133 of the hub shaft 11 and the second axial engagement surface 231 of the front cover 20 face each other axially and are in contact with each other, thereby restricting the axial position of the front cover 20 relative to the hub shaft 11. The first radial engagement surface 135 of the hub shaft 11 and the second radial engagement surface 232 of the front cover 20 face each other radially and are in contact with each other, thereby aligning the centers of the hub shaft 11 and the front cover 20.

[0176] As Figure 5 shown, weld the joint portion of the first radial engagement surface 135 of the hub shaft 11 and the second radial engagement surface 232 of the front cover 20 from the front. The welding can be completed, for example, by irradiating a laser. As shown in the figure, since there are no other components in front of the welding portion, it is easy to irradiate the laser to the welding portion.

[0177] To improve the meshing precision of the welding portion, the first axial engagement surface 133, the first radial engagement surface 135, the second axial engagement surface 231, and the second radial engagement surface 232 can be provided by further machining, such as cutting.

[0178] The connector 30 is arranged more forward than the second radial extension portion 23 of the front cover 20 and then more on the centrifugal side than the rearward extension portion 25.

[0179] The connector 30 has a third radial extension portion 33, a first axial extension portion 35, and a stopper 354. The third radial extension portion 33 is connected to the front cover 20 and extends in the centrifugal direction from the front cover 20. The first axial extension portion 35 extends rearward from the centrifugal end of the third radial extension portion 33. The stopper 354 extends radially outward from the rear end of the first axial extension portion 35, thereby restricting the axial rear position of the rotor 16 relative to the rotor hub 10.

[0180] The third radial extension portion 33 is connected to the second radial extension portion 23 in front of the front cover 20. In this state, the first axial extension portion 35 is arranged more on the centrifugal side than the rearward extension portion 25, and the radial extension portion 27 of the front cover 20 extends more radially outward rearward than the connector 30.

[0181] In order to align the front cover 20 and the connector 30, a third radial engagement surface 234 and a third axial engagement surface 233 are provided on the front surface of the second radial extension 23 of the front cover 20. The third radial engagement surface 234 has a normal line in the centrifugal direction. The third axial engagement surface 233 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the third radial engagement surface 234 and has a normal line facing forward. At the centripetal end of the third radial extension 33 of the connector 30, a fourth radial engagement surface 332 and a fourth axial engagement surface 331 are provided. The fourth radial engagement surface 332 has a normal line in the centripetal direction. The fourth axial engagement surface 331 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the fourth radial engagement surface 332 and has a normal line facing backward.

[0182] The third axial engagement surface 233 of the front cover 20 and the fourth axial engagement surface 331 of the connector 30 are axially opposed to and in contact with each other, thereby restricting the axial position of the connector 30 relative to the front cover 20. The third radial engagement surface 234 of the front cover 20 and the fourth radial engagement surface 332 of the connector 30 are radially opposed to and in contact with each other, thereby aligning the centers of the front cover 20 and the connector 30.

[0183] As Figure 5 shown, the third radial engagement surface 234 and the fourth radial engagement surface 332 are welded from the front. The welding can be completed, for example, by irradiating a laser. As shown in the figure, since there are no other components in front of the welding part, it is easy to irradiate the laser to the welding part.

[0184] In order to improve the meshing precision of the welding part, the third axial engagement surface 233, the third radial engagement surface 234, the fourth axial engagement surface 331, and the fourth radial engagement surface 332 can be provided by further processing, such as machining.

[0185] After the outer bracket 36 having the internal teeth 37 is manufactured as a component independent of the connector 30, it is connected to the front of the connector 30 to facilitate the machining of the internal teeth 37.

[0186] The outer bracket 36 has a second axial extension 362 extending axially. The rear end of the second axial extension 362 is connected to the front end of the connector 30.

[0187] To align the connector 30 and the outer bracket 36, a fifth radial engagement surface 352 and a fifth axial engagement surface 351 are provided at the front end of the centrifugal side of the connector 30. The fifth radial engagement surface 352 has a normal line in the centrifugal direction. The fifth axial engagement surface 351 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the fifth radial engagement surface 352 and has a normal line facing forward. At the rear end of the second axial extension 362 of the outer bracket 36, a sixth radial engagement surface 382 and a sixth axial engagement surface 381 are provided. The sixth radial engagement surface 382 has a normal line in the centripetal direction. The sixth axial engagement surface 381 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the sixth radial engagement surface 382 and has a normal line facing rearward.

[0188] The fifth axial engagement surface 351 and the sixth axial engagement surface 381 are axially opposed and in contact with each other, thereby restricting the axial position of the outer bracket 36 relative to the connector 30. The fifth radial engagement surface 352 and the sixth radial engagement surface 382 are radially opposed and in contact with each other, thereby aligning the centers of the connector 30 and the outer bracket 36.

[0189] As Figure 5 shown, the fifth axial engagement surface 351 and the sixth axial engagement surface 381 can be welded to each other on the centrifugal side. The welding can be completed, for example, by irradiating a laser. As shown in the figure, since there are no other components on the outer side in the radial direction of the welding part, it is easy to irradiate the laser to the welding part.

[0190] To improve the meshing precision of the welding part, the fifth axial engagement surface 351, the fifth radial engagement surface 352, the sixth axial engagement surface 381, and the sixth radial engagement surface 382 can be provided by further processing, such as machining.

[0191] The outer peripheral surfaces of the first axial extension 35 of the connector 30 and the second axial extension 362 of the outer bracket 36 are axially connected to together provide a surface for supporting the rotor 16.

[0192] For the accurate alignment and assembly of the rotor 16 and the rotor hub 10, the two outer peripheral surfaces need to be machined to be smoothly connected.

[0193] On the one hand, the aforementioned welded portion is provided at the connecting portion of the outer peripheral surface, but the surface of the welded portion may not be smooth. However, as described above, for the accurate alignment and assembly of the rotor 16 and the rotor hub 10, in any case, the outer peripheral surfaces of the first axially extending portion 35 and the second axially extending portion 362 of the outer bracket 36 are preferably surface processed. Therefore, after the welding process, the outer peripheral surfaces of the first axially extending portion 35 and the second axially extending portion 362 of the outer bracket 36 and their welded portions can be surface processed together to form a smooth surface as a whole.

[0194] One or more keyways 14 that are recessed in the radial direction and extend axially can be provided on such a cylindrical outer peripheral surface. Thereby, the circumferential position of the rotor 16 relative to the rotor hub 10 can be restricted.

[0195] After the rotor 16 is inserted into the cylindrical outer peripheral surface, the retainer 40 can be joined to the front end of the second axially extending portion 362 in front of the rotor 16. The retainer 40 restricts the axial forward position of the rotor 16 relative to the rotor hub 10.

[0196] The internal teeth 37 of the outer bracket 36 are provided on the inner circumference of the second axially extending portion 362. Thereby, the friction plates 48 of the engine clutches 47, 48, 36 can be mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the outer bracket 36. The internal teeth 37 have a structure in which a plurality of axially extending convex portions 371 and a plurality of axially extending groove portions 372 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0197] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the outer bracket 36 does not have a portion that extends more radially inward than the inner diameter corresponding to the bottom surface B of the plurality of groove portions 372 except for the convex portions 371. Thus, when viewed axially, the space on the radially inner side forms a hollow space compared to the bottom surface B of the groove portions 372. In a state where the groove portions 372 have not been processed, it is easy to form the groove portions 372 by machining the convex portions 371. For example, such machining can be completed by broaching.

[0198] In order to facilitate the machining of the groove portions 372, the inner peripheral surface of the second axially extending portion 362 can have a tapered shape in which its inner diameter gradually increases axially forward in front of the internal teeth 37.

[0199] In addition, to facilitate the machining of the groove portion 372, the sixth axial engagement surface 381 and the sixth radial engagement surface 382 can be formed by machining the inner peripheral portion from the rear end portion of the inner teeth 37 to the rear end portion of the second axial extension portion 362. Due to this machining, the inner diameter of the second axial extension portion 362 expands toward the rear of the inner teeth 37, and thus the machining of the groove portion 372 becomes easier.

[0200] That is, the fifth radial engagement surface 352 and the fifth axial engagement surface 351 of the connector 30 and the sixth radial engagement surface 382 and the sixth axial engagement surface 381 of the outer bracket 36 are configured as described above, which not only has the function of aligning the connector 30 and the outer bracket 36, but also has the effect of making it easier to machine the inner teeth 37 on the inner periphery of the outer bracket 36.

[0201] The lock clutch bracket 29 can extend rearward from the connection portion with the front cover 20.

[0202] The lock clutch bracket 29 has fourth radial extension portions 13, 23, 33, a third axial extension portion 296, and an inward concavo-convex portion 297. The fourth radial extension portions 13, 23, 33 are connected to the second radial extension portion 23 of the front cover 20 and extend in the centrifugal direction from this connection portion. The third axial extension portion 296 extends rearward from the centrifugal end portions of the fourth radial extension portions 13, 23, 33. The inward concavo-convex portion 297 is provided on the inner periphery of the third axial extension portion 296 to be able to mount the lock friction plate 82 of the lock clutches 29, 82, 83.

[0203] To align the front cover 20 and the lock clutch bracket 29, a seventh radial engagement surface 236 and a seventh axial engagement surface 235 are provided behind the second radial extension portion 23 of the front cover 20. The seventh radial engagement surface 236 has a normal line in the centrifugal direction. The seventh axial engagement surface 235 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the seventh radial engagement surface 236 and has a normal line facing rearward. An eighth radial engagement surface 293 and an eighth axial engagement surface 292 are provided at the centripetal end portions of the fourth radial extension portions 13, 23, 33. The eighth radial engagement surface 293 has a normal line in the centripetal direction. The eighth axial engagement surface 292 extends more in the centrifugal direction than the eighth radial engagement surface 293 and has a normal line facing forward.

[0204] The seventh axial engagement surface 235 and the eighth axial engagement surface 292 face each other axially and are in contact with each other, thereby restricting the axial position of the lock-up clutch bracket 29 relative to the front cover 20. The seventh radial engagement surface 236 and the eighth radial engagement surface 293 face each other radially and are in contact with each other, thereby aligning the centers of the front cover 20 and the lock-up clutch bracket 29.

[0205] As Figure 5 shown, the seventh radial engagement surface 236 and the eighth radial engagement surface 293 can be welded to each other at the rear. The welding can be completed, for example, by irradiating a laser. As shown in the figure, since there are no other components on the outer side in the radial direction of the welding part, it is easy to irradiate the laser to the welding part.

[0206] In order to improve the meshing precision of the welding part, the seventh axial engagement surface 235, the seventh radial engagement surface 236, the eighth axial engagement surface 292, and the eighth radial engagement surface 293 can be set by further processing, such as machining.

[0207] Reference Figure 6 , the axial length L3 of the third axial extension 296 of the lock-up clutch bracket 29 can be set to be shorter than the axial length of the rearward extension 25 of the front cover 20.

[0208] The lock-up clutch bracket 29 can be made by stamping sheet metal. In this way, the third axial extension 296 of the lock-up clutch bracket 29 can be formed by drawing a sheet metal using a stamping press. Due to the characteristics of the processing method of the drawing process of the stamping press, it is difficult to form the inward concavo-convex part only in a partial section of the drawing section. That is, when the inward concavo-convex part 297 is formed in the third axial extension 296 of the lock-up clutch bracket 29 by the drawing process completed by the stamping press, the inward concavo-convex part 297 is formed in the entire extension section of the third axial extension 296. On the one hand, when forming a tooth profile by the drawing process, since the available drawing length is limited, it may be difficult to form the inward concavo-convex part 297 when the drawing length of the third axial extension 296 becomes longer.

[0209] The front cover 20 can also be made of a stamped metal plate. At this time, if an inward concavo-convex portion is formed in the rearward extension portion 25 of the front cover 20, it can be considered that it is not necessary to adopt an independent lock-up clutch bracket 29 component. However, since the length of the rearward extension portion 25 of the front cover 20 is longer than the axial length of the inward concavo-convex portion required for the lock-up clutches 29, 82, 83, it may be difficult to form the inward concavo-convex portion in the rearward extension portion 25 of the front cover 20. At the same time, since a radius expansion portion 27 is connected again to the rear end portion of the rearward extension portion 25, the process of forming the inward concavo-convex portion on the inner peripheral surface of the rearward extension portion 25 will inevitably be more difficult.

[0210] In the embodiment, the inward concavo-convex portion 297 for supporting the friction plate of the lock-up clutch is realized in an independent lock-up clutch bracket 29 component, so that the inward concavo-convex portion 297 can be easily machined. At the same time, in this way, when the lock-up clutch bracket 29 is realized as an independent component to machine the inward concavo-convex portion 297, the inward concavo-convex portion 297 with only the required length can be arranged axially to form the lock-up clutch. As described in the embodiment, when the length of the rearward extension portion 25 is longer than the length of the inward concavo-convex portion 297 required to form the lock-up clutches 29, 82, 83, this component design may be more effective.

[0211] On the one hand, the outer bracket 36 needs to have at least the axial length required to support the rotor 16. On the contrary, the axial length L1 of the internal teeth 37 required for the engine clutches 47, 48, 36 can be shorter than the axial length of the outer bracket 36. At the same time, the axial length of the outer bracket 36 can be so long that it is difficult to form the internal teeth 37 on the outer bracket 36 by stamping.

[0212] Therefore, the internal teeth 37 of the outer bracket 36 are preferably formed by broaching rather than by deep drawing using a stamping machine. In this way, when the internal teeth 37 of the outer bracket 36 are machined by broaching, even if the axial length L1 of the internal teeth 37 is set to be longer than the axial length L3 of the inward concavo-convex portion 297, the machining will not be difficult.

[0213] At the same time, since the internal teeth 37 are machined by a broaching process, different from deep drawing or spinning, the internal teeth 37 can be formed only in a partial section of the axial section of the outer bracket 36, and a component with a smooth main surface shape can be formed in the other sections.

[0214] According to the rotor hub structure of this embodiment, the tooth profile can be formed only in the axial section where mutual restraint between components is required in the circumferential direction, and the meaningless tooth shape provided in the other parts can be minimized.

[0215] According to an embodiment, the inward concavo-convex portion 297 of the lock-up clutch bracket 29 can be formed by a deep drawing process using a stamping machine, while the inner teeth 37 of the outer bracket 36, which have a relatively longer extension length compared to the former, can be formed by a broaching process.

[0216] On the one hand, heat is generated on the rotor 16, and on the other hand, heat is also generated on the friction plates 48 of the engine clutches 47, 48, 36. Therefore, circulating oil is required for cooling. The rotor 16 is located radially outside the friction plate 48. The oil is subjected to centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotor hub 10 and thus flows in the centrifugal direction. Therefore, when the oil circulated to cool the friction plates 48 of the engine clutches 47, 48, 36 is also used to cool the rotor 16, the cooling flow path can be designed more effectively.

[0217] According to an embodiment, the axial center of the rotor 16 is arranged within a first axial section L1 in which the inner teeth 37 extend axially. Then, an oil hole 39 that connects the radially inner space and the outer space of the outer bracket 36 to communicate is provided in the first axial section L1. Thus, the oil hole 39 can be arranged near the axial center of the rotor 16.

[0218] Thereby, the oil that cools the friction plate 48 mounted on the inner teeth 37 moves to the rotor 16 side through the oil hole 39 to cool the rotor 16, so that the cooling of the rotor 16 can be achieved more effectively.

[0219] According to an embodiment, the outer bracket 36 and the connector 30 together constitute axial extensions 35, 362 of the rotor hub 10 that support the rotor 16. Therefore, the first axial section L1 can be configured such that more is arranged on the rear side with reference to the axial center of a second axial section L2 that extends axially along the outer bracket 36.

[0220] As described above, although the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings of the exemplary embodiments, it should be clearly understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and the drawings disclosed in this specification, and those of ordinary skill in the art can make various modifications within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. At the same time, even if the effects of the structure according to the present invention are not clearly described when describing the embodiments of the present invention, it should be clearly understood that predictable effects should also be recognized through this structure.

Claims

1. A rotor hub (10) of a hybrid drive module that is configured as a drive shaft (45) connected to an engine at the front and an output hub (70) connected to a transmission at the rear, wherein, The rotor hub includes: a hub shaft (11) disposed on the centripetal side and extending axially; a front cover (20) formed as a component independent of the hub shaft (11), connected to the hub shaft (11), and extending radially outward from the hub shaft (11); a connector (30) formed as a component independent of the front cover (20), connected to the front cover (20), and disposed on the centrifugal side relative to the front cover (20); and an outer bracket (36) formed as a component independent of the connector (30), connected to the connector (30), extending forward from the connector (30), and having internal teeth (37) for mounting a friction plate (48) provided on the inner circumference; Surfaces for supporting the rotor (16) are provided on the outer circumference of the connector (30) and the outer circumference of the outer bracket (36).

2. The rotor hub according to claim 1, wherein, The internal teeth (37) of the outer bracket (36) include a structure in which a plurality of axially extending convex portions (371) and a plurality of axially extending groove portions (372) are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. Except for the convex portions (371), the outer bracket (36) does not have a portion extending more inward than the inner diameter corresponding to the bottom surfaces of the plurality of groove portions (372).

3. The rotor hub according to claim 1, wherein the hub shaft (11) includes: a shaft (12) extending axially; and a first radially extending portion (13) extending centrifugally from the outer circumference of the shaft (12), the front cover (20) includes a second radially extending portion (23), the second radially extending portion (23) is connected to the first radially extending portion (13), and extends centrifugally from the first radially extending portion (13), a first radial engagement surface (135) and a first axial engagement surface (133) are provided at the centrifugal end of the first radially extending portion (13), the first radial engagement surface (135) has a normal in the centrifugal direction, the first axial engagement surface (133) extends more centrifugally than the first radial engagement surface (135) and has a normal in the axial direction, a second radial engagement surface (232) and a second axial engagement surface (231) are provided at the centripetal end of the second radially extending portion (23), the second radial engagement surface (232) has a normal in the centripetal direction, the second axial engagement surface (231) extends more centrifugally than the second radial engagement surface (232) and has a normal in the axial direction, the first axial engagement surface (133) and the second axial engagement surface (231) are axially opposed to and in contact with each other, the first radial engagement surface (135) and the second radial engagement surface (232) are radially opposed to and in contact with each other, The joint portions of the first radial engagement surface (135) and the second radial engagement surface (232) are welded to each other axially on the opposite sides of the first axial engagement surface (133) and the second axial engagement surface (231).

4. The rotor hub according to claim 1, wherein, the front cover (20) includes: a second radially extending portion (23) that is connected to the hub shaft (11) and extends in a centrifugal direction from the hub shaft (11); and a rearward extending portion (25) that extends rearward from the centrifugal end of the second radially extending portion (23), a third radially engaging surface (234) and a third axially engaging surface (233) are provided in front of the second radially extending portion (23), the third radially engaging surface (234) has a normal in the centrifugal direction, and the third axially engaging surface (233) extends more in the centrifugal direction than the third radially engaging surface (234) and has a normal facing forward, the connector (30) includes: a third radially extending portion (33) that is connected to the front cover (20) and extends in a centrifugal direction from the front cover (20); and a first axially extending portion (35) that extends rearward from the centrifugal end of the third radially extending portion (33), a fourth radially engaging surface (332) and a fourth axially engaging surface (331) are provided at the centripetal end of the third radially extending portion (33), the fourth radially engaging surface (332) has a normal in the centripetal direction, and the fourth axially engaging surface (331) extends more in the centrifugal direction than the fourth radially engaging surface (332) and has a normal facing rearward, the third axially engaging surface (233) and the fourth axially engaging surface (331) are axially opposed to and in contact with each other, the third radially engaging surface (234) and the fourth radially engaging surface (332) are radially opposed to and in contact with each other, the third radially engaging surface (234) and the fourth radially engaging surface (332) are welded to each other in the front.

5. The rotor hub according to claim 4, wherein, The first axially extending portion (35) is disposed on the centrifugal side relative to the rearward extending portion (25).

6. The rotor hub according to claim 5, wherein, The front cover (20) further has a radius expansion portion (27), the radius expansion portion (27) is connected to the rear end of the rearward extending portion (25) and extends in the centrifugal direction, the radius expansion portion (27) is disposed rearward relative to the connector (30) and extends further radially outward relative to the connector (30).

7. The rotor hub according to claim 4, wherein, A stopper (354) extending radially outward is provided at the rear end of the first axially extending portion (35).

8. The rotor hub according to claim 1, wherein, The connector (30) is provided with a first axially extending portion (35) extending axially, a fifth radially engaging surface (352) and a fifth axially engaging surface (351) are provided at the front end of the first axially extending portion (35), the fifth radially engaging surface (352) has a normal in the centrifugal direction, and the fifth axially engaging surface (351) extends more in the centrifugal direction than the fifth radially engaging surface (352) and has a normal facing forward, the outer bracket (36) has a second axially extending portion (362) extending axially, At the rear end of the second axially extending portion (362), a sixth radially engaging surface (382) and a sixth axially engaging surface (381) are provided. The sixth radially engaging surface (382) has a normal line in the centripetal direction, and the sixth axially engaging surface (381) extends more in the centrifugal direction than the sixth radially engaging surface (382) and has a normal line facing rearward. The fifth axially engaging surface (351) and the sixth axially engaging surface (381) are axially opposed to each other and in contact with each other. The fifth radially engaging surface (352) and the sixth radially engaging surface (382) are radially opposed to each other and in contact with each other. The fifth axially engaging surface (351) and the sixth axially engaging surface (381) are welded to each other on the centrifugal side.

9. The rotor hub according to claim 8, wherein, The welded portion of the fifth axially engaging surface (351) and the sixth axially engaging surface (381) is machined together with the outer peripheral surfaces of the first axially extending portion (35) and the second axially extending portion (362) to form a cylindrical outer peripheral surface.

10. The rotor hub according to claim 9, wherein, A keyway (14) that is recessed in the radial direction and extends axially is provided on the welded portion of the fifth axially engaging surface (351) and the sixth axially engaging surface (381), and on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first axially extending portion (35) and the second axially extending portion (362).

11. The rotor hub according to claim 1, wherein the rotor hub further includes: a lock-up clutch bracket (29) that is formed as a component independent of the front cover (20), is connected to the front cover (20), extends rearward from the front cover (20), and has inward concavo-convex portions (297) for mounting a lock-up friction plate (82) on its inner periphery. The front cover (20) has a second radially extending portion (23) that is connected to the hub shaft (11) and extends in the centrifugal direction from the hub shaft (11). At the rear of the second radially extending portion (23), a seventh radially engaging surface (236) and a seventh axially engaging surface (235) are provided. The seventh radially engaging surface (236) has a normal line in the centrifugal direction, and the seventh axially engaging surface (235) extends more in the centrifugal direction than the seventh radially engaging surface (236) and has a normal line facing rearward. The lock-up clutch bracket (29) includes: a fourth radially extending portion (13, 23, 33) that is connected to the second radially extending portion (23) and extends in the centrifugal direction from the connection portion; and a third axially extending portion (296) that extends rearward from the centrifugal end of the fourth radially extending portion (13, 23, 33). At the centripetal end of the fourth radial extension part (13, 23, 33), there are provided an eighth radial joint surface (293) and an eighth axial joint surface (292). The eighth radial joint surface (293) has a normal line in the centripetal direction, and the eighth axial joint surface (292) extends more in the centrifugal direction than the eighth radial joint surface (293) and has a normal line facing forward. The seventh axial joint surface (235) and the eighth axial joint surface (292) are axially opposed to and in contact with each other. The seventh radial joint surface (236) and the eighth radial joint surface (293) are radially opposed to and in contact with each other. The seventh radial joint surface (236) and the eighth radial joint surface (293) are welded to each other at the rear.

12. The rotor hub according to claim 11, wherein, The front cover (20) further includes a rearward extension part (25) extending rearward from the centrifugal end of the second radial extension part (23). The axial length (L3) of the third axial extension part (296) is shorter than the axial length of the rearward extension part (25).

13. The rotor hub according to claim 11, wherein, The axial length (L3) of the inward concavo-convex part (297) is shorter than the axial length (L1) of the internal teeth (37).

14. A hybrid drive module, which includes the rotor hub (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The hybrid drive module according to claim 14, wherein, The hybrid drive module further includes a rotor (16) mounted on the outer periphery of the connector (30) and the outer periphery of the outer bracket (36). The interval in which the internal teeth (37) extend axially defines a first axial interval (L1). The axial center of the rotor (16) is axially arranged within the first axial interval. In the outer bracket (36), within the first axial interval (L1), there is provided an oil hole (39) that connects the radially inner space and the outer space to communicate with each other compared with the internal teeth (37).

16. The hybrid drive module according to claim 15, wherein, The interval in which the outer bracket (36) extends axially defines a second axial interval (L2). The first axial interval (L1) is arranged more on the rear side with reference to the axial central part of the second axial interval (L2).

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