Drive device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drive device which suppresses an increase in the axial dimension of an output shaft of the drive device. The drive device includes: a first motor; the first gear mechanism is provided with a first input shaft and a first output shaft which are connected with a first motor; a second motor; and the second gear mechanism is provided with a second input shaft and a second output shaft which are connected with a second motor. The first gear mechanism is configured such that the first input shaft and the first output shaft intersect or are twisted, and the second gear mechanism is configured such that the second input shaft and the second output shaft intersect or are twisted.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, a drive device of this type has been proposed that includes two motors that independently drive left and right drive wheels, and two speed reducers that reduce the rotation of each motor and transmit the drive force to the drive wheels (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this device, the input shafts of the two speed reducers, connected to the motors, and the output shafts connected to the drive wheels, are arranged parallel to the lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-094798 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in the above-mentioned drive device, since the two motors are coaxially arranged, achieving higher output requires an increase in the axial length of each motor, and the overall size of the drive device in the vehicle lateral direction increases.

[0008] A main object of the driving device of the present invention is to suppress an increase in the axial dimension of the output shaft of the device.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] The driving device of the present invention adopts the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

[0011] The drive device of the present invention comprises: a first motor; a first gear mechanism, the first gear mechanism having a first input shaft and a first output shaft connected to the first motor; a second motor; and a second gear mechanism, the second gear mechanism having a second input shaft and a second output shaft connected to the second motor, characterized in that:

[0012] The first gear mechanism is configured such that the first input shaft and the first output shaft are in a crossed position or a twisted position.

[0013] The second gear mechanism is configured so that the second input shaft and the second output shaft are in a crossed position or a twisted position.

[0014] The drive device of the present invention includes: a first motor; a first gear mechanism having a first input shaft and a first output shaft connected to the first motor; a second motor; and a second gear mechanism having a second input shaft and a second output shaft connected to the second motor. The first gear mechanism is configured so that the first input shaft and the first output shaft intersect or are twisted, and the second gear mechanism is configured so that the second input shaft and the second output shaft intersect or are twisted. Here, "intersecting" means that the input and output shafts are arranged on the same plane, with the input shaft or its extension intersecting the output shaft or its extension. "Intersecting" means that the input and output shafts are not arranged on the same plane, with the input shaft or its extension intersecting the output shaft or its extension when projected onto an appropriate plane containing the output shaft. A specific example of "intersecting" includes "perpendicular," and the same applies to "intersecting" the input shaft or its extension when projected onto a twisted position.

[0015] In the drive device of the present invention, by configuring the first and second gear mechanisms in this manner, even if the shaft lengths of the two motors increase due to higher output, the axial dimensions of the two output shafts of the device can be suppressed from increasing.

[0016] In the drive device of the present invention, the first and second gear mechanisms may be configured such that the first input shaft and the second input shaft are parallel and the first and second output shafts are coaxial. By mounting the drive device on a vehicle with the first and second output shafts connected to the left and right drive wheels, respectively, even if the motor shaft lengths are increased to achieve higher output from both motors, the vehicle-lateral dimensions of the drive device can be minimized. In this case, the first and second gear mechanisms may be configured such that, when the first input shaft and the second input shaft rotate in different directions, the first output shaft and the second output shaft rotate in the same direction. This allows the effect of the second motor's rotation to offset the effect of the first motor's rotation, improving ride comfort when the drive device is mounted on a vehicle. In these cases, a single housing housing may be provided to house the first and second motors, the first gear mechanism, and the second gear mechanism. This improves the mountability of the drive device on a vehicle or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of a driving device 20 as one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram of a left-side driving portion of a driving device 20B according to a modified example, as viewed in the lateral direction from the center of the vehicle.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of a driving device 120 according to a modified example.

[0020] Figure 4 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of a driving device 220 according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Next, the mode for carrying out the present invention will be described using examples.

[0022] [Example]

[0023] Figure 1 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of a drive device 20 as an embodiment of the present invention. The drive device 20 of the embodiment is mounted on a vehicle having left and right front wheels as drive wheels 12a, 12b, or mounted on a vehicle having left and right rear wheels as drive wheels 12a, 12b. In the embodiment, Figure 1 The following describes an example in which the drive device 20 is mounted above the left and right front drive wheels 12a and 12b in front of the vehicle. The drive device 20 of this embodiment includes a first motor MG1, a first gear mechanism 30, a second motor MG2, a second gear mechanism 40, and a housing 22. The housing 22 houses the first motor MG1, the first gear mechanism 30, the second motor MG2, and the second gear mechanism 40.

[0024] The first motor MG1 is configured as, for example, a synchronous motor. The second motor MG2 is configured as a generator motor identical to the first motor MG1, for example, an identical synchronous motor. The first motor MG1 and the second motor MG2 are arranged so that the rotation axes of their rotors are oriented in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction and are mirror images of each other evenly on the left and right sides of the vehicle.

[0025] The first gear mechanism 30 includes a first input shaft 32, a first intermediate shaft 35, and a first output shaft 38. In the first gear mechanism 30, the first input shaft 32, the first intermediate shaft 35, and the first output shaft 38 are arranged on the same plane. One end of the first input shaft 32 is coaxially connected to the rotor of the first motor MG1, and the first gear 33 is mounted on the other end. A second gear 34, which meshes with the first gear 33, is mounted on one end of the first intermediate shaft 35. A third gear 36, configured as a bevel gear, is mounted on the other end of the first intermediate shaft 35. One end of the first output shaft 38 is connected to the left drive wheel 12a. A fourth gear 37, configured as a bevel gear, is mounted on the other end of the first output shaft 38. By configuring the third gear 36 and the fourth gear 37 as bevel gears, the first intermediate shaft 35 and the first output shaft 38 are orthogonal (substantially orthogonal). Considering that the first input shaft 32, the first intermediate shaft 35, and the first output shaft 38 are arranged on the same plane and are parallel to the first intermediate shaft 35, it can be understood that the first input shaft 32 and the first output shaft 38 are orthogonal (substantially orthogonal). Here, "two axes are orthogonal" means that one axis or its extension is orthogonal to the other axis or its extension. It should be noted that the first gear mechanism 30, by including the first intermediate shaft 35, can reduce or increase the rotational speed of the first motor MG1 (the rotational speed of the first input shaft 32) and transmit it to the first output shaft 38.

[0026] The second gear mechanism 40 includes a second input shaft 42, a second intermediate shaft 45, and a second output shaft 48. In the second gear mechanism 30, the second input shaft 42, the second intermediate shaft 45, and the second output shaft 48 are arranged on the same plane. One end of the second input shaft 42 is coaxially connected to the rotor of the second motor MG2, and the other end is mounted with the first gear 43. The second intermediate shaft 45 has a second gear 44 mounted on one end, which meshes with the first gear 43. The second intermediate shaft 45 has a third gear 46, configured as a bevel gear, mounted on the other end. One end of the second output shaft 48 is connected to the right drive wheel 12b. The second output shaft 48 has a fourth gear 47, configured as a bevel gear, mounted on the other end, which meshes with the third gear 46. By configuring the third gear 46 and the fourth gear 47 as bevel gears, the second intermediate shaft 45 and the second output shaft 48 are orthogonal (substantially orthogonal). Considering that the second input shaft 42, the second intermediate shaft 45, and the second output shaft 48 are arranged on the same plane and are parallel to the second intermediate shaft 45, it can be understood that the second input shaft 42 and the second output shaft 48 are orthogonal (substantially orthogonal). It should be noted that the second gear mechanism 40, by including the second intermediate shaft 45, can reduce or increase the rotational speed of the second motor MG2 (the rotational speed of the second input shaft 42) and transmit it to the second output shaft 48. The second gear mechanism 40 has the same structure as the first gear mechanism 30 and is arranged in a mirror-image manner. Therefore, the first output shaft 38 and the second output shaft 48 are arranged coaxially.

[0027] The drive device 20 of the embodiment is configured in a left-side symmetrical (mirror) manner with a left drive unit consisting of a first motor MG1 connected to the left drive wheel 12a and a first gear mechanism 30, and a right drive unit consisting of a second motor MG2 connected to the right drive wheel 12b and a second gear mechanism 40.

[0028] In the drive device 20 of the embodiment, the lubricating oil used to lubricate the first gear mechanism 30 and the second gear mechanism 40 is stored in an oil pan (not shown). The lubricating oil is stirred up from the oil pan by the second gears 34, 44, the third gears 36, 46, and the fourth gears 37, 47. Therefore, the drive device 20 of the embodiment does not require an oil pump for lubrication.

[0029] The drive device 20 of the embodiment rotates the rotor of the first motor MG1 in opposite directions to the rotor of the second motor MG2, enabling the first output shaft 38 and the second output shaft 48 to rotate in the same direction. Consequently, in the drive device 20 of the embodiment, when the vehicle is moved forward or reversed, the effects of vibrations and other effects generated by the rotation of the first motor MG1 can be offset by the effects of the second motor MG2. Furthermore, the effects of vibrations and other effects generated by the rotation of the second motor MG2 can be offset by the effects of the first motor MG1. Consequently, the ride comfort of the vehicle can be improved.

[0030] In the drive device 20 of the embodiment described above, the first motor MG1 and the second motor MG2 are arranged so that the rotational axes of their respective rotors are oriented in the vehicle front-rear direction. The first input shaft 32 of the first gear mechanism 30 is coaxially connected to the rotor of the first motor MG1, and the left drive wheel 12a is connected to the first output shaft 38 of the first gear mechanism 30. The second input shaft 42 of the second gear mechanism 40 is coaxially connected to the rotor of the second motor MG2, and the right drive wheel 12b is connected to the second output shaft 48 of the second gear mechanism 40. In the first gear mechanism 30, the third gear 36 and the fourth gear 37 are configured as bevel gears, thereby arranging the first input shaft 32 and the first output shaft 38 at an orthogonal (substantially orthogonal) position. In the second gear mechanism 40, similar to the first gear mechanism 30, the third gear 46 and the fourth gear 47 are configured as bevel gears, thereby arranging the second input shaft 42 and the second output shaft 48 at an orthogonal (substantially orthogonal) position. Therefore, even if the axial length of the first motor MG1 and the second motor MG2 is increased in order to achieve high output, although the axial (vehicle front-to-back) dimensions of the first input shaft 32 and the second input shaft 42 of the drive device 20 are increased, the axial (vehicle transverse) dimensions of the first output shaft 38 and the second output shaft 48 of the drive device 20 can be suppressed from increasing.

[0031] In the drive device 20 of the embodiment, the first gear mechanism 30 and the second gear mechanism 40 are configured so that the first input shaft 32 and the first output shaft 38, and the second input shaft 42 and the second output shaft 48 are orthogonal (substantially orthogonal) to each other on the same plane. Figure 2 As shown in the modified example, the first gear mechanism 30B and the second gear mechanism 40B may be configured so that the first input shaft 32 and the first output shaft 38B, and the second input shaft 42 and the second output shaft 48B are in twisted positions. Figure 2This is an explanatory diagram of the left drive unit of the drive device 20 of a modified example, viewed from the center of the vehicle in the horizontal direction. As shown in the figure, a second gear 34B is arranged vertically below the first gear 33 mounted on the first input shaft 32 so as to mesh with the first gear 33. A fourth gear 37B, which is a bevel gear, is arranged at the other end of the intermediate shaft 35B of the second gear 34B so as to mesh with the third gear 36B, which is a bevel gear. Thus, the axial direction of the first output shaft 38B becomes Figure 2 In the front-to-back direction of the paper, the first input shaft 32 and the first output shaft 38B are in a twisted position. Here, "twisted position" means that the first input shaft 32 and the first output shaft 38B are not arranged on the same plane. When the first input shaft 32 is projected onto an appropriate plane including the second output shaft 48B, the projected first input shaft 32 or its extension intersects (orthogonally (substantially) intersects) the second output shaft 48B or its extension in the embodiment. In the drive device 20B of this modified example, the left drive unit comprising the first motor MG1 and the first gear mechanism 30B and the right drive unit comprising the second motor MG2 connected to the right drive wheel 12b and the second gear mechanism 40B are also arranged in a bilaterally symmetrical (mirror-image) manner. As with the drive device 20 of the embodiment, even if the axial lengths of the first and second motors MG1 and MG2 are increased to achieve higher output, the axial (vehicle transverse) dimensions of the first and second output shafts 38B and 48B of the drive device 20B can be suppressed from increasing. Furthermore, in the drive device 20B of the modified example, the rotation direction of the rotor of the first motor MG1 and the rotation direction of the rotor of the second motor MG2 are also made opposite, thereby causing the first output shaft 38B and the second output shaft 48B to rotate in the same direction. Therefore, when the vehicle is moved forward or backward, the effects of vibrations generated by the rotation of the first motor MG1 and the second motor MG2 can be offset against each other.

[0032] In the driving device 20 of the embodiment, the first gear mechanism 30 and the second gear mechanism 40 have the first intermediate shaft 35 and the second intermediate shaft 45. However, as Figure 3As shown in a modified drive device 120, the first gear mechanism 130 and the second gear mechanism 140 may be configured without an intermediate shaft. Specifically, the first and second gear mechanisms 130 and 140 are configured such that bevel gears are mounted on first and second input shafts 132 and 142, respectively, coaxially connected to the rotors of the first and second motors MG1 and MG2. Output gears 137 and 147, respectively, mounted on first and second output shafts 138 and 148, respectively, mesh with the input gears 136 and 146. Furthermore, the left drive unit, comprising the first motor MG1 connected to the left drive wheel 12a and the first gear mechanism 130, and the right drive unit, comprising the second motor MG2 connected to the right drive wheel 12b and the second gear mechanism 140, are arranged in a bilaterally symmetrical (mirror) manner. While the modified drive device 120 lacks the advantages of having an intermediate shaft, it can still achieve the same advantages as the drive device 20 of the embodiment.

[0033] In the drive device 20 of the embodiment, the left drive unit consisting of the first motor MG1 connected to the left drive wheel 12a and the first gear mechanism 30 and the right drive unit consisting of the second motor MG2 connected to the right drive wheel 12b and the second gear mechanism 40 are arranged in a bilaterally symmetrical (mirror) manner. Figure 4 As shown in a modified example of a drive device 220, a left-side drive unit comprising a first motor MG1 connected to the left drive wheel 12a and a first gear mechanism 230, and a right-side drive unit comprising a second motor MG2 connected to the right drive wheel 12b and a second gear mechanism 240 can be arranged side by side with the same structure. As shown in the figure, the first gear mechanism 230, similar to the first gear mechanism 30 of the embodiment, comprises a first input shaft 232, a first gear 233, a second gear 234, a first intermediate shaft 235, a third gear 236, a fourth gear 237, and a first output shaft 238. Similarly, the second gear mechanism 240, similar to the first gear mechanism 230, comprises a second input shaft 242, a first gear 243, a second gear 244, a second intermediate shaft 245, a third gear 246, a fourth gear 247, and a second output shaft 248. By making the left and right drive units identical in this manner, the number of components constituting the drive device 220 can be reduced. It should be noted that in the drive device 220 of the modified example, when the rotation direction of the rotor of the first motor MG1 and the rotation direction of the rotor of the second motor MG2 are the same, the rotation direction of the output shaft 238 and the rotation direction of the output shaft 248 are the same. Therefore, in addition to being able to cancel out the effects of vibrations generated by the rotation of the first motor MG1 and the second motor MG2, the same effects as those of the drive device 20 of the embodiment can be achieved.

[0034] In the drive device 20 of the embodiment, there is a left drive unit consisting of a first motor MG1 connected to the left drive wheel 12a and a first gear mechanism 30, and a right drive unit consisting of a second motor MG2 connected to the right drive wheel 12b and a second gear mechanism 40, but in addition to this, one or more drive units consisting of a third motor and a third gear mechanism may also be provided.

[0035] In the drive device 20 of the embodiment, a left-side drive unit is formed by the first motor MG1 and the first gear mechanism 30 connected to the left drive wheel 12a, and a right-side drive unit is formed by the second motor MG2 and the second gear mechanism 40 connected to the right drive wheel 12b. However, as long as the input shafts and output shafts of the two gear mechanisms connected to the two motors are in an orthogonal (substantially orthogonal) position or a twisted position, a drive device can also be configured with a front-side drive unit formed by the first motor and the first gear mechanism connected to the front drive wheels, and a rear-side drive unit formed by the second motor and the second gear mechanism connected to the rear drive wheels.

[0036] The following describes the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the "Solutions to Problems" column. In the embodiment, the first motor MG1 corresponds to the "first motor," the first gear mechanism 30 corresponds to the "first gear mechanism," the second motor MG2 corresponds to the "second motor," and the second gear mechanism 40 corresponds to the "second gear mechanism."

[0037] It should be noted that the Examples are provided to specifically illustrate an example of a method for implementing the invention described in the "Means for Solving the Problems" column. Therefore, the correspondence between the main elements of the Examples and the main elements of the invention described in the "Means for Solving the Problems" column does not limit the elements of the invention described in the "Means for Solving the Problems" column. In other words, the invention described in the "Means for Solving the Problems" column should be interpreted based on the description in that column, and the Examples are merely specific examples of the invention described in the "Means for Solving the Problems" column.

[0038] While the modes for carrying out the present invention have been described above using the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can of course be carried out in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0039] Industrial Applicability

[0040] The present invention can be used in the manufacturing industry of drive devices.

Claims

1. A drive device comprising: a first motor; a first gear mechanism having a first input shaft and a first output shaft connected to the first motor; a second motor; and a second gear mechanism having a second input shaft and a second output shaft connected to the second motor, wherein: The first gear mechanism is configured such that the first input shaft and the first output shaft are in a crossed position or a twisted position. The second gear mechanism is configured so that the second input shaft and the second output shaft are in a crossed position or a twisted position.

2. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The first gear mechanism and the second gear mechanism are arranged such that the first input shaft and the second input shaft are parallel to each other and the first output shaft and the second output shaft are coaxially located.

3. The driving device according to claim 2, wherein: The first gear mechanism and the second gear mechanism are configured such that when the rotation direction of the first input shaft is different from the rotation direction of the second input shaft, the rotation direction of the first output shaft is the same as the rotation direction of the second output shaft.

4. The driving device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The driving device includes a housing housing that houses the first motor, the second motor, the first gear mechanism, and the second gear mechanism.

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