Assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a layout structure of a grounding body, which contributes to miniaturization of a module. The assembly includes a housing that houses an inverter, a rotating electrical machine, a shaft connected downstream of the rotating electrical machine, and a grounding body in contact with the shaft, the housing having a peripheral wall portion surrounding the inverter, and the grounding body being located inside the peripheral wall portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly. Background Art

[0002] Patent Documents 1 to 4 disclose assemblies in which a grounding brush is provided on a shaft constituting a power transmission mechanism.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-110149

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-170829

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-167653

[0008] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-11441

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] However, in the assemblies described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, sufficient miniaturization of the assembly cannot be achieved simply by providing the grounding brush on the shaft. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a layout structure of a ground body that contributes to miniaturization of a component.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a component is provided, which includes a housing that accommodates: an inverter, a rotating motor, a shaft connected to the downstream of the rotating motor, and a grounding body in contact with the shaft, the housing having a peripheral wall portion surrounding the inverter, and the grounding body being located on the inner side of the peripheral wall portion.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a layout structure of a ground body that contributes to miniaturization of a component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the components of this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 This is the appearance of the component.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the appearance of the assembly with the second cover removed.

[0018] Figure 4This is a diagram of the assembly viewed from the speed reduction mechanism side with the second cover removed.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a plan view of the assembly with the third cover and inverter removed.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the main parts of the component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as the present embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout.

[0022] First, refer to Figures 1 to 4 The overall structure of the assembly 100 of this embodiment will be described.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the assembly 100 of this embodiment, and specifically, it is a schematic expanded diagram showing the connection relationship between the various components of the assembly 100. Figure 2 1 is an external view of the component 100. Figure 3 FIG. 1 is an external view showing the assembly 100 in a state where the second cover 12 is removed. Figure 4 This is a diagram of the assembly 100 viewed from the speed reduction mechanism 30 side with the second cover 12 removed. Figure 5 1 is a plan view of the assembly 100 with the third cover 14 and the inverter 70 removed, specifically, a view viewed from a direction intersecting the axial direction (in other words, viewed in a radial direction). Figures 2 to 4 In each figure, the up and down direction corresponds to the direction of gravity.

[0024] Regarding the term "assembly," an assembly can also be referred to as, for example, a motor assembly (an assembly comprising at least an electric motor) or a power transmission device (a device comprising at least a power transmission mechanism). An electric motor is a rotating electrical machine having a motor function and / or a generator mechanism (at least one of these). A power transmission mechanism is, for example, a gear mechanism and / or a differential gear mechanism. The term "assembly" comprising an electric motor and a power transmission mechanism encompasses both the motor assembly and the power transmission device.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the assembly 100 includes a housing 10, a rotating electrical machine 20, a speed reduction mechanism 30 as a power transmission mechanism, a differential gear mechanism 40, and an inverter 70. The assembly 100 is mounted on a vehicle, which is an electric vehicle.

[0026] The housing 10 includes a first cover 11, a second cover 12, a shell 13, and a third cover 14. The rotating electric machine 20, the reduction gear mechanism 30, the differential gear mechanism 40, and the inverter 70 are housed in the housing 10. The shell 13 includes a shell body 131 and a peripheral wall portion 132 provided above the shell body 131. Furthermore, "above" and "below" refer to configurations that appear to overlap in the direction of gravity when viewed in a predetermined direction, such as an axial direction or a radial direction. For example, when a first element and a second element overlap in the direction of gravity when viewed axially, if the position of the first element is higher than the position of the second element, the first element is located above the second element. In this case, when viewed radially, the first element and the second element may overlap or may be offset.

[0027] The first cover 11 is from one axial side ( Figure 1 The second cover 12 (on the left side) blocks the opening on one side of the housing body 131, and the second cover 12 blocks the opening on the other side of the housing body 131 from the other axial side. The rotating electric machine 20 and the inverter 70 are housed in a separate state within the housing 13. The rotating electric machine 20 is housed in the rotating electric machine housing chamber S1 formed by the housing body 131, and the inverter 70 is housed in the inverter housing chamber S2 formed by the peripheral wall portion 132. In other words, the inverter 70 is surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 132. The third cover 14 covers the opening of the peripheral wall portion 132. The differential gear mechanism 40 is housed in the differential gear mechanism housing chamber S3 formed by the second cover 12 and the housing 13.

[0028] The inverter 70 is surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 132 so as to be located above the rotating electrical machine 20. In the present embodiment, the inverter 70 and the rotating electrical machine 20 overlap with each other when viewed in the radial direction.

[0029] Assembly 100 includes oil OL. Oil OL is supplied, for example, from outside housing 10 to rotating electric machine 20 within casing 13 to lubricate rotating electric machine 20. A portion of the oil OL supplied to rotating electric machine 20 is stored within housing 10. The remaining oil OL is discharged outside housing 10. The oil OL can be circulated within and outside housing 10.

[0030] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the housing body 131 has a through-hole 131a and a bottom 131b. Through-hole 131a is formed in a portion of the housing body 131 located below the first and fourth axes AX1 and AX4 in the direction of gravity, connecting the interior of the second cover 12 with the interior of the housing body 131. Therefore, oil OL within the housing body 131 can flow into the second cover 12 through through-hole 131a and is also used to lubricate the differential gear mechanism 40. Oil reservoirs are formed in the second cover 12 and the housing body 131, respectively, located below the gravity. Under stable circulation conditions, for example, the oil level LV in the oil reservoir overlaps with the through-hole 131a when viewed axially. Consequently, under stable circulation conditions, the oil level in both the oil reservoir in the second cover 12 and the oil reservoir in the housing body 131 are at the same level. The bottom 131b is the portion of the housing body 131 that faces the third cover 14.

[0031] like Figure 5 As shown, the peripheral wall portion 132 is formed to extend from the bottom 131b when viewed in a cross direction intersecting the axial direction (in other words, when viewed in a radial direction). The shape of the peripheral wall portion 132 is annular when viewed in the cross direction. Annular refers to the shape of the peripheral wall portion 132 that surrounds the inverter 70 when viewed in the cross direction, and includes, for example, a polygonal ring shape, a circular ring shape, an elliptical ring shape, etc. In this embodiment, the shape of the peripheral wall portion 132 is a four-sided ring shape (rectangular shape) as an example of a polygonal ring shape. In addition, the inverter storage chamber S2 is a space surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 132, the bottom 131b, and the third cover 14.

[0032] The stable circulation state is a state in which the oil OL circulates stably. For example, when a pump is used to circulate the oil, the oil level LV is stable while the pump is operating. Oil circulation can also be achieved by stirring up the oil OL through rotating components such as gears within the housing 10. In this case, the stable circulation state is a state in which the oil level LV is stable while the rotating components rotate.

[0033] The oil level LV is set to a height such that, under a stable circulation state, the stator 22 is immersed in the oil OL and the oil OL does not enter the gap (air gap) between the rotor 21 and the stator 22. This is because if the oil OL enters the air gap, the rotational resistance of the rotating electrical machine 20 will increase dramatically. On the other hand, it is desirable to cool the stator 22. Therefore, by setting the oil level LV as described above, the oil OL is set so that the oil OL contacts the coil ends of the stator 22.

[0034] return Figure 1The rotating electric machine 20 includes a rotor 21, a stator 22, and a rotating shaft 23, and constitutes the driving source of the vehicle. The rotor 21 is arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 23. The stator 22 is arranged in the housing 13 and accommodates the rotor 21. The rotating shaft 23 is arranged so as to rotate integrally with the rotor 21 and protrudes from the rotor 21 in both axial directions. The rotating shaft 23 penetrates the first cover 11 at one axial end and penetrates the housing 13 at the other axial end. A bearing 51 is provided in the first cover 11 at the portion through which the rotating shaft 23 penetrates, and a bearing 52 is provided in the housing 13 at the portion through which the rotating shaft 23 penetrates. The rotating shaft 23 is supported by the bearings 51 and 52. A resolver 80 is provided on the portion of the rotating shaft 23 protruding from the first cover 11. The resolver 80 detects the rotation of the rotating electric machine 20.

[0035] The reduction mechanism 30 is a gear mechanism comprising a first gear 31, a second gear 32, a third gear 33 (part of a first gear pair), a fourth gear 34 (another part of the first gear pair), a fifth gear 35 (part of a second gear pair), a sixth gear 36 (another part of the second gear pair), a first shaft 37, and a second shaft 38. The first gear 31 is arranged on the first axis AX1 along with the rotating electrical machine 20. In other words, the rotating electrical machine 20 and the first gear 31 are coaxially arranged with respect to the first axis AX1. Specifically, the arrangement of multiple elements (components, parts, etc.) on the Nth axis (N is a natural number) is synonymous with the arrangement of multiple elements coaxially with respect to the Nth axis. Similarly, the second gear 32 and the third gear 33 are arranged on the second axis AX2, while the fourth gear 34 and the fifth gear 35 are arranged on the third axis AX3. The sixth gear 36 and the differential gear mechanism 40 are arranged on the fourth axis.

[0036] The first, second, third, and fourth axes AX1, AX2, AX3, and AX4 all constitute the axes of the assembly 100 and extend in the same direction. Therefore, the directions in which the first, second, third, and fourth axes AX1, AX2, AX3, and AX4 extend correspond to the axial direction of the assembly 100. In other words, the axial direction refers to the axial direction of the rotational axes of the components that constitute the assembly (e.g., the motor, gear mechanism, or differential gear mechanism). The radial direction of the assembly 100 is defined as a direction orthogonal to any of the first, second, third, and fourth axes AX1, AX2, AX3, and AX4. The first axis AX1 constitutes the axis of the rotating shaft 23, the second axis AX2 constitutes the axis of the first shaft 37, the third axis AX3 constitutes the axis of the second shaft 38, and the fourth axis AX4 constitutes the axis of the differential gear mechanism 40.

[0037] The first gear 31 is connected to the downstream side of the rotating electrical machine 20. The downstream side refers to the power output side. With respect to the rotating electrical machine 20, this refers to the rotor 21 and stator 22 that generate power. Therefore, the downstream side of the rotating electrical machine 20 can also be considered the downstream side of the stator 22. Alternatively, regarding the positional relationship in power transmission, the rotating shaft 23 need not be a component of the rotating electrical machine 20. While the downstream side is the power output side, the upstream side is the power input side.

[0038] The first gear 31 is connected downstream of the rotating electric machine 20 in a power-transmitting manner. This connection may also be via another structure (e.g., a clutch or other gear mechanism). The first gear 31 is positioned axially further to the other side of the rotor 21 and is attached to the portion of the rotating shaft 23 that protrudes from the housing 13. The first gear 31 is press-fitted into the rotating shaft 23 and becomes integral with it. This allows the first gear 31 to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 23.

[0039] The second gear 32 meshes with the first gear 31. The second gear 32 has a larger number of teeth than the first gear 31 and, together with the first gear 31, forms the first reduction gear stage. The second gear 32 is mounted on the first shaft 37 and is arranged on the second shaft AX2. The second gear 32 is integrally formed with the first shaft 37. The first shaft 37 extends along the rotation axis 23. The first shaft 37 is supported by a bearing 53 provided in the housing 13 and a bearing 54 provided in the second cover 12. The bearings 53 and 54 are arranged at opposite ends of the first shaft 37.

[0040] The third gear 33 is connected downstream of the second gear 32. The third gear 33 is mounted on the first shaft 37 and disposed on the second shaft AX2. The third gear 33 is mounted on the first shaft 37 in a portion extending away from the rotating electric machine 20 relative to the second gear 32, i.e., in the other axial direction. The third gear 33 is integrally formed with the first shaft 37. The second gear 32 and the third gear 33 are axially disposed between the bearings 53 and 54.

[0041] The fourth gear 34 meshes with the third gear 33. The fourth gear 34 has a larger number of teeth than the third gear 33 and, together with the third gear 33, forms the second reduction gear stage. The fourth gear 34 is mounted on the second shaft 38 and is arranged on the third shaft AX3. The fourth gear 34 is integrally formed with the second shaft 38. The second shaft 38 extends along the rotation axis 23. The second shaft 38 is supported by a bearing 55 provided in the housing 13 and a bearing 56 provided in the second cover 12. The bearings 55 and 56 are located at opposite ends of the second shaft 38.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, the assembly 100 is further provided with a grounding brush 50. The grounding brush 50 contacts the front end of the second shaft 38. Details of the grounding brush 50 will be described later.

[0043] The fifth gear 35 is connected downstream of the fourth gear 34. The fifth gear 35 is mounted on the second shaft 38 and is arranged on the third shaft AX3. The fifth gear 35 is mounted on the portion of the second shaft 38 that extends axially toward the rotating electric machine 20 relative to the fourth gear 34. Therefore, the power transmission direction on the second shaft 38 is reversed axially toward the opposite side relative to the first shaft 37. The fifth gear 35 is integrally formed with the second shaft 38. The fourth gear 34 and the fifth gear 35 are axially arranged between the bearings 55 and 56.

[0044] The sixth gear 36 meshes with the fifth gear 35. The sixth gear 36 is a final reduction gear and is provided in the differential gear mechanism 40. The sixth gear 36 and the differential gear mechanism 40 are disposed on the fourth axis AX4. Power from the rotating electric machine 20 is transmitted from the sixth gear 36 to the differential gear mechanism 40. Therefore, the differential gear mechanism 40 is connected downstream of the sixth gear 36.

[0045] The sixth gear 36 overlaps with the first gear 31 when viewed radially. In other words, the first gear 31 has a portion that overlaps with the sixth gear 36 when viewed radially. This portion overlaps with the sixth gear 36 when viewed radially along a plane containing the first axis AX1 and the fourth axis AX4, for example. Overlapping in a specified direction, including radial and axial observations, refers to overlapping in a specified direction, meaning that multiple elements are arranged in the specified direction. Therefore, if a drawing illustrates multiple elements arranged in a specified direction, it can be considered that the specification contains a description of the overlapping of multiple elements when viewed in the specified direction.

[0046] When the sixth gear 36 is overlapped with the first gear 31 when viewed in the radial direction, as described above, the power transmission direction is reversed axially to the opposite side relative to the first shaft 37 via the second shaft 38. Therefore, by overlapping the sixth gear 36 with the first gear 31 when viewed in the radial direction, the axial dimension can be reduced.

[0047] The sixth gear 36 has a larger number of teeth than the fifth gear 35 and, together with the fifth gear 35, forms the third reduction gear stage. Thus, in the reduction mechanism 30, three stages of reduction are achieved, using the first and second gears 31 and 32, the third and fourth gears 33 and 34, and the fifth and sixth gears 35 and 36. This allows for a smaller reduction gear diameter, while maintaining a guaranteed reduction ratio, compared to a single or even two-stage reduction. This alleviates layout constraints, such as the need to maintain interaxial distances corresponding to the large reduction gear diameters, which limits the compactness of the assembly 100.

[0048] Specifically, in assembly 100, three gear stages can be formed using the four axes (first axis AX1 to fourth axis AX4), increasing the number of gear stages compared to single- and double-speed transmissions. Furthermore, by increasing the number of gear stages, the diameter of each gear can be reduced while achieving a desired speed ratio. This alleviates layout constraints caused by overly large gears, thereby improving the layout flexibility of assembly 100.

[0049] In the reduction mechanism 30, the third gear 33 and the fourth gear 34 are positioned farther from the stator 22 than the first gear 31, the second gear 32, the fifth gear 35, and the sixth gear 36. Specifically, the first gear 31, the second gear 32, the fifth gear 35, and the sixth gear 36 are positioned closer to the stator 22, while the remaining two gears, the third gear 33 and the fourth gear 34, are positioned farther from the stator 22. This creates space around these two gears, i.e., at the end of the assembly 100. This allows the end of the assembly 100 to be recessed, resulting in a more compact assembly, or allows for the placement of components in the space at the end of the assembly 100, thereby increasing layout flexibility.

[0050] The differential gear mechanism 40 includes a differential case 41 and differential gears 42. The differential case 41 is supported by bearings 57 provided on the case 13 and bearings 58 provided on the second cover 12, and rotates together with the sixth gear 36. The sixth gear 36 is coaxially fixed to the outer wall of the differential case 41, which houses the differential gears 42. The differential gears 42 distribute the power input to the differential case 41 via the sixth gear 36 and output it to the left and right drive wheels of the vehicle.

[0051] The differential gear mechanism 40 protrudes in a direction away from the stator 22 relative to the sixth gear 36. The portion of the differential gear mechanism 40 that protrudes further axially from the sixth gear 36 is designated as a protruding portion. Therefore, in other words, the differential gear mechanism 40 protrudes in a direction away from the sixth gear 36 rather than in a direction toward the stator 22, and is positioned near the sixth gear 36 in a direction away from the stator 22.

[0052] As a result, the differential gear mechanism 40 is arranged in the space at the end of the assembly 100 formed by the gear arrangement of the reduction mechanism 30. This, combined with the aforementioned reduction in axial dimension of the reduction mechanism 30 and the reduction in gear diameter achieved by adopting three stages of reduction, allows for a more compact assembly 100. As a result, the layout of the assembly 100 is further improved.

[0053] Bearings 57 and 58 are axially located on both sides of the differential gear mechanism 40. As a result, bearings 53, 55, and 57 are concentrated on one axial side relative to the gears of the reduction mechanism 30 and the differential gear mechanism 40, while bearings 54, 56, and 58 are concentrated on the other axial side. This facilitates maintaining the rigidity of the housing 10, which improves noise and vibration damping. Furthermore, since the bearing retaining holes can be concentrated on one axial side and the other axial side, alignment between the three rotating components—the first shaft 37, the second shaft 38, and the differential gear mechanism 40—is also facilitated. Furthermore, since the gears of the reduction mechanism 30 and bearings 53 to 58 are concentrated on the other axial side relative to the stator 22, it is easier to position the resolver 80 from one axial side relative to the rotating shaft 23, thereby facilitating assembly of the rotating electrical machine 20.

[0054] A first drive shaft 61, serving as a drive shaft, is assembled to the differential gear 42 from one axial side, and a second drive shaft 62 is assembled from the other axial side. Power from the rotating electric machine 20 is transmitted from the differential gear 42 to one drive wheel via the first drive shaft 61 and to the other drive wheel via the second drive shaft 62. The first drive shaft 61 is longer than the second drive shaft 62, which increases the distance between the drive wheels and the differential gear mechanism 40 and reduces the risk of kinking. The first drive shaft 61 is supported by a bearing 59 provided on the first cover 11.

[0055] The sixth gear 36 may also be a part of the differential gear mechanism 40. In other words, the sixth gear 36 may be a component of the differential gear mechanism 40. In this case, it can also be understood that the differential gear mechanism 40 is connected downstream of the sixth gear 36 in the form of a part of the differential gear mechanism 40 including the differential gear 42 that outputs power from the rotating electric machine 20 being connected downstream of the sixth gear 36.

[0056] like Figure 3 、 Figure 4 As shown, the first axis AX1 and the fourth axis AX4 are positioned below the second axis AX2 and the third axis AX3 when viewed axially. The terms "upper side" and "lower side" refer to a vertical relationship in the direction of gravity when viewed in a specified direction, including axial and radial observations, and include "upper" and "lower." In contrast to "upper" and "lower," the terms "upper side" and "lower side" also include a positional relationship that is obliquely above and obliquely below when viewed in a specified direction, including axial and radial observations. Therefore, for example, if a first element is located obliquely above a second element when viewed axially, without overlapping the second element in the direction of gravity, and if the first and second elements do not overlap when viewed radially, the first element is located above the second element.

[0057] As a result of the above arrangement, the first axis AX1 and the fourth axis AX4 are concentrated on the lower side of the assembly 100 in the direction of gravity. As a result, the oil OL scattered by the rotation of the sixth gear 36, which is the gear on the downstream side, is easily guided to the rotating electrical machine 20, thereby achieving a layout that allows for proper oil lubrication. Figure 4 As shown by the middle arrow, the oil OL can be guided toward the rotating electrical machine 20 through the through hole 131 a .

[0058] Furthermore, since the rotating electric machine 20, which is arranged on the first axis AX1, is positioned downward in the direction of gravity, space can be provided above the rotating electric machine 20. This prevents an increase in radial dimensions and allows the inverter 70 to be positioned above the rotating electric machine 20, bringing it closer to the rotating electric machine 20. This results in a more compact assembly 100, compared to, for example, a case where the rotating electric machine 20 is positioned upward in the direction of gravity and the inverter 70 is positioned above it, improving layout efficiency.

[0059] Furthermore, when the rotating electrical machine 20 is positioned upward in the direction of gravity and the inverter 70, a high-voltage component, is positioned below it, there is a risk of leakage due to damage. For example, leakage could occur if the inverter 70 is crushed by a heavy object including the rotating electrical machine 20 during a vehicle collision, or if an impact load is applied to the inverter 70 during a vehicle collision.

[0060] As described above, in assembly 100, the gear diameter is reduced by adopting a three-stage reduction gear, which results in less layout constraints. Therefore, the respective placements of the rotating electrical machine 20 and the differential gear mechanism 40 facilitate appropriate setting of the relative oil levels with respect to their respective oil reservoirs.

[0061] In this case, the oil level can be more appropriately set by raising the oil level in the oil reservoir within the second cover 12 relative to the differential gear mechanism 40 (thus, lowering the position of the differential gear mechanism 40). Furthermore, in the rotating electrical machine 20, to prevent the oil OL from entering the air gap between the rotor 21 and the stator 22, the oil level can be more appropriately set by lowering the oil level in the oil reservoir within the housing 13 relative to the differential gear mechanism 40 (thus, raising the position of the rotating electrical machine 20). In this regard, in the assembly 100, the first axis AX1 is positioned above the fourth axis AX4.

[0062] Next, refer to Figures 1 to 6 The main structure of the assembly 100 will be described.

[0063] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the main parts of the assembly 100, which is along the Figure 4The cross-sectional view of line VI-VI. In addition, Figure 6 , the up and down directions correspond to the direction of gravity.

[0064] like Figure 6 As shown, the peripheral wall portion 132 includes an opposing wall portion 132a that faces the second cover 12 and an opening 132b formed in the opposing wall portion 132a. In this embodiment, the opening 132b is formed by surrounding the opposing wall portion 132a and the bottom portion 131b. The second shaft 38 is supported by bearings 55 and 56 so that its front end passes through the opening 132b and enters the inverter housing chamber S2.

[0065] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the grounding brush 50 is a grounding body that electrically grounds the second shaft 38. The grounding brush 50 is positioned so that its front end contacts the second shaft 38 (specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the second shaft 38). Specifically, the grounding brush 50 is secured to the opposing wall portion 132a (specifically, the area of the opposing wall portion 132a located on the outer peripheral side of the opening 132b) by bolts 90, so that it is located inside the peripheral wall portion 132, i.e., within the inverter housing chamber S2. In other words, the grounding brush 50 contacts the front end of the second shaft 38 that passes through the opening 132b and enters the inverter housing chamber S2. Thus, by utilizing the space within the inverter housing chamber S2 surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 132 to arrange the grounding brush 50 that contacts the second shaft 38, layout flexibility is improved, thereby contributing to the miniaturization of the assembly 100.

[0066] Furthermore, the grounding brush 50 is located between the second shaft 38 and the third cover 14. This makes it easier to lay out the grounding brush 50 than when the grounding brush 50 is located between the second shaft 38 and the case body 131 (specifically, the bottom 131b).

[0067] like Figure 6 As shown, the assembly 100 further includes an oil seal 60 as a sealing member. The front end of the second shaft 38 is sealed by the oil seal 60 at the opening 132b. In other words, the oil seal 60 is provided between the inner circumference of the opening 132b and the outer circumference of the second shaft 38 so as to be located between the bearing 55 and the grounding brush 50. This prevents the oil OL in the differential gear mechanism storage chamber S3 from adhering to the grounding brush 50 through the opening 132b. In addition, the oil seal 60 is not limited to Figure 6 The shape may be, for example, an O-ring.

[0068] Second shaft 38, which contacts grounding brush 50, is connected downstream of rotating electric machine 20 via a first gear pair consisting of third gear 33 and fourth gear 34. Differential gear 42 is connected downstream of second shaft 38 via a second gear pair consisting of fifth gear 35 and sixth gear 36. Thus, by making second shaft 38, which has less layout constraints than rotating shaft 23 on the power input side and differential gear 42 on the power output side, the shaft in contact with grounding brush 50, layout flexibility is improved, thereby contributing to miniaturization of assembly 100.

[0069] like Figure 3 As shown, when viewed from a direction intersecting the axial direction (ie, viewed from a radial direction), the first drive shaft 61 has a portion overlapping with the space surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 132, that is, the inverter housing chamber S2 (see FIG. Figure 1 Thus, by utilizing the space around the first drive shaft 61 to form the inverter housing chamber S2 surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 132, the volume of the inverter housing chamber S2 can be increased, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the layout of various components including the grounding brush 50 within the inverter housing chamber S2.

[0070] Next, the main effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0071] (1) The assembly 100 of this embodiment includes a housing 10 that houses: an inverter 70, a rotating electric machine 20, a second shaft 38 (shaft) connected downstream of the rotating electric machine 20, and a grounding brush 50 (grounding body) in contact with the second shaft 38 (shaft). The housing 10 has a peripheral wall portion 132 that surrounds the inverter 70, and the grounding brush 50 (grounding body) is located inside the peripheral wall portion 132.

[0072] According to this configuration, the grounding brush 50 in contact with the second shaft 38 is arranged using the space within the inverter housing chamber S2 surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 132 , thereby improving layout efficiency and contributing to miniaturization of the assembly 100 .

[0073] (2) In addition, in this embodiment, the second shaft 38 (shaft) is connected to the downstream of the rotating electric machine 20 via the third gear 33 and the fourth gear 34 (the first gear pair), and the assembly 100 further includes a differential gear 42 connected to the downstream of the second shaft 38 (shaft) via the fifth gear 35 and the sixth gear 36 (the second gear pair).

[0074] According to this configuration, the second shaft 38 , which is less restricted in layout than the power input side rotating shaft 23 and the power output side differential gear 42 , is the shaft in contact with the grounding brush 50 , thereby improving layout performance and contributing to miniaturization of the assembly 100 .

[0075] (3) In addition, in the present embodiment, the assembly 100 includes the differential gear 42 connected to the downstream of the second shaft 38 (shaft) and the first drive shaft 61 (drive shaft) connected to the downstream of the differential gear 42, and when viewed from a direction intersecting the axial direction, the first drive shaft 61 (drive shaft) has a portion overlapping with the space surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 132.

[0076] According to this structure, by utilizing the space around the first drive shaft 61 to form the inverter storage chamber S2 surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 132, the volume of the inverter storage chamber S2 can be increased, thereby improving the layout freedom of various components including the grounding brush 50 in the inverter storage chamber S2.

[0077] (4) In the present embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 132 has the opening portion 132 b , and the second shaft 38 (shaft) is sealed by the oil seal 60 (sealing member) at the opening portion 132 b .

[0078] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the oil OL in the differential gear mechanism accommodation chamber S3 from adhering to the ground brush 50 through the opening 132 b .

[0079] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely illustrate a part of application examples of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

[0080] Explanation of symbols

[0081] 10: Shell

[0082] 20: Rotating motor

[0083] 38: Second axis (axis)

[0084] 42: Differential gear

[0085] 50: Grounding brush (grounding body)

[0086] 60: Oil seal (sealing component)

[0087] 61: First drive shaft (drive shaft)

[0088] 70: Inverter

[0089] 100: Components

[0090] 132: Peripheral wall

[0091] 132b: Opening

Claims

1. A component comprising: a housing that houses: an inverter, a rotating electrical machine, a shaft connected to a downstream portion of the rotating electrical machine, and a grounding body in contact with the shaft; The housing has a peripheral wall portion surrounding the inverter. The grounding body is located inside the peripheral wall portion.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The shaft is connected to the downstream of the rotating electrical machine via a first gear pair, A differential gear is further provided, which is connected to the downstream of the shaft via a second gear pair.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: have: a differential gear connected downstream of the shaft; a drive shaft connected downstream of the differential gear, The drive shaft has a portion overlapping with a space surrounded by the peripheral wall portion when viewed from a direction intersecting the axial direction.

4. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The peripheral wall portion has an opening portion, The shaft is sealed at the opening by a sealing member.

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