Drive device and electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a driving device and an electric vehicle, a shell of the driving device is used for accommodating a motor controller, and the motor controller is used for being electrically connected with a power battery of the electric vehicle and used for being electrically connected with a stator winding of a generator of the electric vehicle or a stator winding of a driving motor. A power module of the motor controller is fixed to the inner wall of the shell. Wherein a part of the inner wall of the shell is used for enclosing the heat dissipation plate to form a heat dissipation flow channel, the heat dissipation plate is stacked between the power module and the part of the inner wall of the shell, and the heat dissipation flow channel is used for circulation of cooling liquid and cooling of the power module. A part of the inner wall of the shell used for containing the motor controller is reused to enclose the heat dissipation plate to form the heat dissipation flow channel for cooling the power module, so that structural parts forming the heat dissipation flow channel can be reduced, the arrangement between the shell and the power module is more compact, the size of the driving device in the stacking direction of the heat dissipation flow channel and the power module can be reduced, and the service life of the driving device is prolonged. The miniaturization of the driving device is facilitated, and the layout of the driving device in the whole vehicle is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electric vehicle technology, and in particular to a drive device and an electric vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The power module of the motor controller generates a lot of heat during operation, which requires the use of a heat sink to dissipate heat. Currently, the main method is to use an independent heat sink to cool the power module. However, the independent heat sink occupies a large space inside the motor controller, making the overall size of the motor controller larger and limiting its placement in the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a drive device and an electric vehicle, which reduces the size of the drive device by reusing part of the inner wall of the housing that houses the motor controller to form a heat dissipation channel for cooling the power module.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a drive device. The housing of the drive device is used to house a motor controller. The motor controller is used to electrically connect to the power battery of an electric vehicle and to electrically connect to the stator winding of a generator or a drive motor of the electric vehicle. The power module of the motor controller is fixed to the inner wall of the housing. A portion of the inner wall of the housing is used to enclose a heat sink to form a heat dissipation channel. The heat sink is stacked between the power module and a portion of the inner wall of the housing. The heat dissipation channel is used to allow coolant to flow and cool the power module.

[0005] In this embodiment, a portion of the inner wall of the housing is used to enclose the heat sink to form a heat dissipation channel. Reusing a portion of the inner wall of the housing used to house the motor controller to enclose the heat sink and form the heat dissipation channel reduces the number of structural components forming the heat dissipation channel, simplifying its structure and increasing the integration and cohesion of the drive device. Compared to using a separate heat sink to form the heat dissipation channel and then stacking it with the power module, the dimensions of the drive device along the stacking direction of the heat dissipation channel and the power module can be reduced, which is beneficial for reducing the size of the drive device and facilitating its miniaturization.

[0006] In this embodiment, the heat sink is stacked between the power module and part of the inner wall of the housing, so that the heat dissipation channel formed by the heat sink and part of the inner wall of the housing is stacked with the power module, which facilitates the heat dissipation channel to directly cool the power module and improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the power module.

[0007] In this embodiment, the heat dissipation plate is enclosed by a portion of the inner wall of the housing used to house the motor controller to form a heat dissipation channel for cooling the power module. This reduces the number of structural components that make up the heat dissipation channel, making the arrangement between the housing and the power module more compact. This is beneficial for reducing the size of the drive device along the stacking direction of the heat dissipation channel and the power module, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the drive device and optimizes the layout of the drive device in the vehicle.

[0008] In one embodiment, one of the inner wall of the housing and the heat sink includes a groove, the opening of which faces the other of the inner wall of the housing and the heat sink, and the other of the inner wall of the housing and the heat sink forming a heat dissipation channel by enclosing the opening of the groove.

[0009] In this embodiment, the inner wall of the housing includes a groove with the opening of the groove facing the heat sink. The heat sink is used to enclose the opening of the groove to form a heat dissipation channel, so that the inner wall of the housing can use the groove to hold more coolant, thereby increasing the flow rate of coolant in the heat dissipation channel, which is beneficial to improving the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation channel on the power module, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the motor controller.

[0010] In this embodiment, a groove is formed on the inner wall of the housing to create a large heat dissipation channel, which also avoids occupying additional space within the housing for the motor controller, thus facilitating the miniaturization of the drive device. Furthermore, the groove can be formed directly during the draft molding process of the housing, simplifying manufacturing.

[0011] In one embodiment, the heat sink includes a groove with the opening of the groove facing the inner wall of the housing. The inner wall of the housing is used to enclose the opening of the groove to form a heat dissipation channel, so that the heat sink can use the groove to hold more coolant, thereby increasing the flow rate of coolant in the heat dissipation channel, which is beneficial to improving the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation channel on the power module, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the motor controller.

[0012] In one embodiment, the length direction of the groove is the same as the arrangement direction of the plurality of power modules of the power module.

[0013] In this embodiment, the length direction of the groove is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple power modules of the power module. The groove is used to form a heat dissipation channel, so that the heat dissipation contact area between the heat dissipation channel and the power module is larger, and the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation channel on the power module is better.

[0014] In this embodiment, the length direction of the groove is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple power modules of the power module, which also minimizes the space occupied by the groove and the power module in the housing along the direction perpendicular to the length direction of the groove. This is beneficial for miniaturization of the drive device and optimizes the drive device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the housing and another of the heat sinks include heat dissipation teeth that protrude toward the bottom of the groove and are used to embed within the groove.

[0016] In this embodiment, the heat sink includes a groove, and the inner wall of the housing surrounds the groove opening to form a heat dissipation channel. The inner wall of the housing includes heat dissipation teeth, which protrude toward the bottom of the groove. The heat dissipation teeth are used to embed into the groove. The heat dissipation teeth can turbulent the coolant in the heat dissipation channel and can also increase the heat dissipation area of ​​the coolant in the heat dissipation channel, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation channel on the power module.

[0017] In this embodiment, heat dissipation teeth are formed on the inner wall of the housing. The heat dissipation teeth can be integrally die-cast with the housing, which makes the structure of forming heat dissipation teeth simpler, the integration of the housing higher, and is conducive to the miniaturization of the drive device.

[0018] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the housing includes a groove, and a heat sink plate surrounds the opening of the groove to form a heat dissipation channel. The heat sink plate includes heat dissipation teeth, which protrude towards the bottom of the groove and are used to embed within the groove. The heat dissipation teeth can turbulently flow the coolant within the heat dissipation channel and can also increase the heat dissipation area of ​​the heat dissipation channel, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation channel on the power module. Integrating the heat dissipation teeth into the heat sink plate simplifies the structure of the inner wall of the housing and facilitates the die-casting of the housing.

[0019] In one embodiment, the motor controller further includes a support plate, with multiple power modules of the power module fixed to the side of the support plate facing the inner wall of the housing, and multiple fixing posts of the support plate passing through the heat sink and fixed to the inner wall of the housing.

[0020] In this embodiment, the motor controller further includes a support plate, and multiple power modules of the power module are fixed to the side of the support plate facing the inner wall of the housing, so that the multiple power modules of the power module can be fixed to the support plate and then fixed to the inner wall of the housing, which facilitates the assembly of the power module.

[0021] In this embodiment, multiple fixing posts of the support plate pass through the heat sink and are fixed to the inner wall of the housing. This allows the support plate to fix the power module to the inner wall of the housing while simultaneously fixing the heat sink to the inner wall of the housing, enabling the heat sink to enclose a portion of the inner wall of the housing to form a heat dissipation channel. Furthermore, this arrangement ensures relative stability after the heat sink encloses a portion of the inner wall of the housing to form a heat dissipation channel, improving the reliability of the drive device.

[0022] In this embodiment, multiple fixing posts of the support plate pass through the heat sink and are fixed to the inner wall of the housing. This also allows the power module and the heat sink to share the multiple fixing posts of the support plate and be fixed to the inner wall of the housing. This simplifies the fixing structure of the power module and the heat sink, saves housing space, and thus facilitates the miniaturization of the drive device.

[0023] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the housing includes a groove, and multiple fixing posts of the support plate pass through the heat sink and are fixed to the periphery of the groove in the inner wall of the housing. This allows the power module to be fixed to the inner wall of the housing using the support plate while simultaneously fixing the heat sink to the groove. Fixing the heat sink to the groove ensures that when the heat sink and the groove enclose to form a heat dissipation channel, they do not occupy excessive space outside the groove, resulting in a more compact heat dissipation structure and facilitating the miniaturization of the drive device.

[0024] In one embodiment, the heat sink includes a plurality of clearance holes and a sealing structure. The plurality of clearance holes are distributed around the outer periphery of the sealing structure. The sealing structure is used to seal the heat dissipation channel enclosed by a portion of the inner wall of the heat sink and the housing. The plurality of clearance holes are used to allow a plurality of fixing posts to pass through.

[0025] In this embodiment, multiple clearance holes are distributed around the outer periphery of the sealing structure. The sealing structure is used to seal the heat dissipation channel enclosed by the heat sink and part of the inner wall of the housing, so that the clearance holes will not affect the sealing effect of the heat dissipation channel when they pass through the fixed column.

[0026] In this embodiment, the heat sink includes multiple clearance holes for multiple fixing posts to pass through. When the fixing posts of the support plate pass through the heat sink, the support plate can apply pressure to the heat sink, thereby making the heat sink more securely fixed to the inner wall of the housing. The pressure applied to the heat sink by the fixing posts of the support plate to the inner wall of the housing results in a tighter fit between the sealing structure of the heat sink and a portion of the inner wall of the housing, which improves the sealing effect of the heat dissipation channel enclosed by the heat sink and the portion of the inner wall of the housing.

[0027] In this embodiment, the heat sink is formed with multiple clearance holes for multiple fixing posts to pass through. Compared with forming fixing protrusions on the periphery of the heat sink, the volume of the support plate and the heat sink can be smaller, thereby reducing the space occupied by the support plate and the heat sink in the housing, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the drive device.

[0028] In one embodiment, the heat sink includes multiple clearance holes, a sealing structure, and heat dissipation teeth. The sealing structure is distributed around the outer periphery of the heat dissipation teeth, and the clearance holes are distributed around the outer periphery of the sealing structure, so that there is no interference between the sealing structure and the heat dissipation teeth. Furthermore, when the heat sink is fixed to a groove on the inner wall of the housing, the heat dissipation teeth can be fully accommodated within the groove, facilitating the turbulence of the coolant in the heat dissipation channel.

[0029] In one embodiment, the housing includes an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being for supplying coolant to the heat dissipation channel, and the outlet being for discharging coolant from the heat dissipation channel. The inlet and outlet are distributed on a portion of the inner wall of the housing enclosed by the heat dissipation plate.

[0030] In this embodiment, the housing includes an inlet and an outlet. A portion of the inner wall of the housing is used to enclose the heat sink to form a heat dissipation channel. The inlet and outlet are distributed on a portion of the inner wall of the housing enclosed by the heat sink, so that the inlet can deliver coolant to the heat dissipation channel quickly and via a short path, and the outlet can discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel quickly and via a short path, thereby increasing the flow rate of coolant in the heat dissipation channel and improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the power module.

[0031] In this embodiment, the inlet and outlet ports are distributed on a portion of the inner wall of the housing enclosed by the heat sink, which reduces the design of coolant piping, simplifies the housing structure, and facilitates miniaturization of the drive device. If the inlet and outlet ports were located on the inner wall portion outside the housing's inner wall, not only would the thickness of that portion of the inner wall need to be increased to allow the pipes to pass through and connect with the heat dissipation channel, but additional piping would also be required to connect the inlet and outlet ports to the heat dissipation channel, resulting in a complex structure and a large space requirement. Distributing the inlet and outlet ports on a portion of the inner wall of the housing enclosed by the heat sink also makes the structural layout of the heat dissipation channel, inlet, and outlet ports more compact and simpler, reducing the space occupied by the coolant channel and further facilitating miniaturization of the drive device.

[0032] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the housing includes a groove, with an inlet and an outlet distributed at the bottom of the groove. Compared to distributing the inlet and outlet on the periphery of the groove, the depth of the groove and the arrangement of the pipes communicating with the inlet and outlet within the housing can be reduced, making the structure simpler, saving space, and facilitating the miniaturization of the drive device.

[0033] In one embodiment, the housing includes an electrical control slot and a cover plate. The cover plate is used to enclose the electrical control slot to form an electrical control cavity, which is used to accommodate a motor controller. The cover plate is used to fix the power module of the motor controller. A heat sink is stacked between the power module and the cover plate. The inner wall of the cover plate facing the electrical control slot is used to enclose the heat sink to form a heat dissipation channel.

[0034] In this embodiment, the cover plate is used to fix the power module of the motor controller, which makes the installation and maintenance of the motor controller more convenient.

[0035] In this embodiment, a heat sink is stacked between the power module and the cover plate. The inner wall of the cover plate facing the electrical control slot is used to enclose the heat sink to form a heat dissipation channel, allowing the heat dissipation channel to be distributed on the cover plate, resulting in a more compact structural layout. The arrangement of the heat dissipation channel on the cover plate also allows the power module and heat sink to be fixed to the cover plate before the cover plate is fixed to the electrical control slot, simplifying the assembly process of the drive device.

[0036] In one embodiment, the bottom of the electrical control tank is used to enclose the heat sink to form a heat dissipation channel.

[0037] In one embodiment, the liquid inlet and liquid outlet are distributed on the inner wall of the cover plate that forms the heat dissipation channel, which simplifies the formation process of the liquid inlet and liquid outlet and makes the structure of the cover plate more integrated. This is beneficial for simplifying the structure of the electrical control tank and for miniaturizing the drive device.

[0038] In one embodiment, the motor controller further includes a circuit board stacked on the side of the power module away from the heat sink, and the side of the cover plate facing the electrical control slot includes a first mounting structure for fixing the circuit board, the first mounting structure surrounding the outer periphery of the outer side of the cover plate that forms a portion of the inner wall for heat dissipation channels.

[0039] In this embodiment, the side of the cover plate facing the electrical control slot includes a first mounting structure. The first mounting structure is used to fix the circuit board. The first mounting structure surrounds the outer periphery of the inner wall of the cover plate that forms the heat dissipation channel, allowing the heat dissipation channel to be distributed within the envelope of the first mounting structure. This allows the heat dissipation channel to be arranged using the space of the circuit board, without additionally occupying cover plate space outside the circuit board. It also makes the arrangement of the circuit board and heat dissipation channel more compact, reducing the space occupied by the circuit board and heat dissipation channel in the electrical control cavity, which is beneficial for miniaturization of the drive device and optimizes the layout of the drive device within the vehicle.

[0040] In one embodiment, the first mounting structure includes a plurality of fixing posts for fixing the circuit board. The plurality of fixing posts surround to form a groove structure. The length direction of the groove structure is the same as the arrangement direction of the plurality of power modules of the power module. The plurality of fixing posts are distributed in a roughly rectangular shape.

[0041] In this embodiment, the length direction of the groove structure is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple power modules of the power module, so that the length direction of the circuit board is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple power modules of the power module. This means that when the power module and the circuit board are stacked, they will not occupy too much space in the control cavity along the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the power module and the circuit board. This is beneficial to providing more space for other functional components of the motor controller in the control cavity, and also to making the drive device smaller.

[0042] In one embodiment, the motor controller further includes a bus capacitor for electrically connecting the power module and the power battery. The side of the cover plate facing the electrical control slot includes a second mounting structure for fixing the bus capacitor. The length direction of the second mounting structure is the same as the length direction of the inner wall of the cover plate that forms a heat dissipation channel.

[0043] In this embodiment, the side of the cover plate facing the electrical control slot includes a second mounting structure for fixing the bus capacitor. The length direction of the second mounting structure is the same as the length direction of the inner wall of the cover plate that forms the heat dissipation channel. This ensures that the length direction of the bus capacitor is the same as the length direction of the inner wall of the cover plate that forms the heat dissipation channel, allowing the heat dissipation channel and the bus capacitor to be arranged in parallel on the cover plate. This results in a smaller size of the drive device along the arrangement direction of the cover plate and the electrical control slot, which is beneficial for miniaturization of the drive device. It also makes the bus capacitor, power module, and heat dissipation channel of the motor controller more compact, saving space in the electrical control cavity and facilitating miniaturization of the drive device.

[0044] In one embodiment, a cover plate is used to fix the power module of the motor controller. A heat sink is stacked between the power module and the cover plate. The side of the cover plate facing the electrical control slot includes a second mounting structure for fixing the bus capacitor. The length direction of the second mounting structure is the same as the length direction of the inner wall of the portion of the cover plate that forms a heat dissipation channel. This arrangement allows the power module and the bus capacitor to be arranged in parallel, resulting in a smaller size of the motor controller along the arrangement direction of the cover plate and the electrical control slot. It also allows the bus capacitor and power module of the motor controller to be laid flat and fixed to the cover plate, thereby facilitating the inspection, maintenance, and assembly of the bus capacitor and power module.

[0045] In one embodiment, the second mounting structure includes a plurality of fixing posts for fixing the bus capacitor. The plurality of fixing posts surround to form a groove structure. The length direction of the groove structure is the same as the length direction of the second mounting structure. The length direction of the groove structure is the same as the length direction of the inner wall of the cover plate used to form a heat dissipation channel. The plurality of fixing posts are distributed in a roughly rectangular shape.

[0046] In this embodiment, the length direction of the groove structure is the same as the length direction of the inner wall of the cover plate that forms the heat dissipation channel, so that the length direction of the bus capacitor and the heat dissipation channel are the same as the length direction of the inner wall of the cover plate that forms the heat dissipation channel. This allows the bus capacitor and the heat dissipation channel to be arranged in parallel, thereby making the size of the motor controller along the arrangement direction of the cover plate and the electrical control groove smaller, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the drive device.

[0047] In this embodiment, the length direction of the groove structure is the same as the length direction of the inner wall of the cover plate that forms the heat dissipation channel, and the length direction of the groove is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple power modules of the power module. This allows the bus capacitor and the power module to be arranged in parallel, resulting in a smaller size of the motor controller along the arrangement direction of the cover plate and the electrical control slot. It also allows the bus capacitor and power module of the motor controller to be laid flat and fixed to the cover plate, thereby facilitating the inspection, maintenance, and assembly of the bus capacitor and power module.

[0048] In one embodiment, the cover plate includes an inlet channel and an outlet channel, the inlet channel being used to deliver coolant to the heat dissipation channel, and the outlet channel being used to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel, and at least one of the inlet channel and the outlet channel being stacked with the bus capacitor.

[0049] In this embodiment, the cover plate includes an inlet channel and an outlet channel. The inlet channel is used to supply coolant to the heat dissipation channel, and the outlet channel is used to discharge the coolant from the heat dissipation channel. Distributing the inlet and outlet channels on the cover plate increases its integration and fusion, and simplifies the structure of the coolant pipes connected to the heat dissipation channel. This simplifies the structure of the drive device and facilitates its miniaturization. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for additional coolant pipes, saving pipe layout space and further facilitating drive device miniaturization.

[0050] In this embodiment, at least one of the liquid inlet channel and the liquid outlet channel is stacked with the bus capacitor, so that at least one of the liquid inlet channel and the liquid outlet channel can also cool down the bus capacitor, which is beneficial to improving the cooling efficiency of the motor controller.

[0051] In one embodiment, the side of the cover plate away from the electrical control slot includes at least one groove, the opening of which is away from the electrical control slot. The at least one groove is used to deliver coolant to the heat dissipation channel or to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel.

[0052] In this embodiment, the side of the cover plate away from the electrical control slot includes at least one groove. The at least one groove is used to deliver coolant to the heat dissipation channel or to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel. This allows the input and output of coolant in the heat dissipation channel to be carried out directly in at least one groove of the cover plate, which simplifies the structure of the coolant input and output channels in the heat dissipation channel, saves space, and facilitates the miniaturization of the drive device.

[0053] In this embodiment, a groove is formed by the cover plate to deliver coolant to the heat dissipation channel or to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel. Compared with forming a pipe on the cover plate, the groove occupies less thickness space of the cover plate, which is more conducive to making the thickness of the cover plate smaller and thus to miniaturizing the drive device.

[0054] In one embodiment, at least one groove includes two grooves, which respectively seal two sealing caps forming the liquid inlet channel and liquid outlet channel of the cover plate. The liquid inlet hole and liquid outlet hole are located at the bottom of the grooves forming the liquid inlet channel and liquid outlet channel, respectively. This shortens the path for the liquid inlet channel to deliver coolant to the liquid inlet hole and shortens the path for the liquid outlet channel to receive coolant discharged from the liquid outlet hole, simplifying the coolant flow channel pipeline layout, making the structure more compact, saving space, and facilitating the miniaturization of the drive device.

[0055] In one embodiment, the housing further includes a sealing cap for sealing the opening of at least one groove, such that coolant in the inlet channel, outlet channel, inlet hole, and outlet hole within the groove does not leak from the opening of the groove.

[0056] In one embodiment, the groove includes a through hole for connecting the heat dissipation channel and the groove, the through hole penetrating the bottom of the groove and the cover plate to form part of the inner wall of the heat dissipation channel.

[0057] In this embodiment, the through hole connects the heat dissipation channel and the groove. The through hole penetrates the bottom of the groove and the cover plate, forming part of the inner wall of the heat dissipation channel. This shortens the path for coolant to flow from the groove to the heat dissipation channel or vice versa, accelerating the flow rate of coolant within the channel and improving its heat dissipation effect on the power module. Directly utilizing the through hole at the bottom of the groove to connect the heat dissipation channel and the groove also allows for a more compact arrangement of the groove and the heat dissipation channel, saving space within the electronic control cavity and facilitating the miniaturization of the drive device.

[0058] In one embodiment, the through holes of the two grooves are respectively used to form an inlet hole and an outlet hole. The inlet hole is used to deliver coolant into the heat dissipation channel, and the outlet hole is used to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel. This allows coolant to be directly delivered into the heat dissipation channel using the through holes of the grooves, and also allows coolant to be discharged from the heat dissipation channel using the through holes of the grooves.

[0059] In one embodiment, the housing of the drive unit further includes a motor cavity for accommodating a generator. The motor cavity and the electrical control slot are arranged along the axial direction of the generator. A cover plate surrounds the electrical control slot along the axial direction of the generator. The drive unit also includes a heat exchanger for receiving coolant output from the heat dissipation channel through the internal flow channel of the cover plate and for delivering cooling oil to the motor cavity to cool the stator of the generator.

[0060] In this embodiment, the motor cavity and the electrical control slot are arranged along the axial direction of the generator, which can make the height dimension of the drive device smaller.

[0061] In this embodiment, the cover plate surrounds the electrical control slot along the axial direction of the generator, and the reuse of part of the inner wall of the cover plate forms a heat dissipation channel, which makes the axial dimensions of the electrical control slot and the cover plate smaller, and the axial dimension of the drive device along the generator smaller. As a result, the drive device not only has a smaller height dimension, but also a smaller axial dimension, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the drive device.

[0062] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger is used to receive the coolant output from the heat dissipation channel through the internal flow channel of the cover plate and to deliver cooling oil to the generator cavity to cool the stator of the generator. Compared with setting up additional coolant pipes, the internal flow channel of the cover plate can simplify the pipeline for delivering coolant from the heat dissipation channel to the heat exchanger.

[0063] In one embodiment, the functional components of the motor controller include a power module, a bus capacitor, and a circuit board, etc. The cover plate is used to fix the power module of the motor controller, and the cover plate is also used to fix the circuit board through a first mounting structure and the bus capacitor through a second mounting structure.

[0064] In the current design, the motor controller is fixed inside the electrical control slot of the housing, and then a cover plate is used to enclose the electrical control slot, thus fixing the motor controller and the generator inside the housing together. When assembling and fixing the functional components of the motor controller into the electrical control slot, the assembly equipment needs to move the housing, including the generator. However, the generator is large and long, making the assembly equipment operation inconvenient, and consequently, the assembly of the motor controller itself. After the motor controller is fixed inside the electrical control slot, it needs to be tested. However, the testing equipment is limited by the size of the generator, making testing inconvenient. Furthermore, when the motor controller malfunctions, it needs to be repaired. Because the generator's motor shaft is fixedly connected to the engine's output shaft, the structure consisting of the engine and generator is larger, heavier, and longer, making it difficult for maintenance equipment to repair the motor controller.

[0065] In this embodiment, before the cover plate encloses the electrical control slot to form the electrical control cavity, the functional components of the motor controller are fixed to the cover plate. These components can be independently tested, repaired, and assembled, making the testing, repair, and assembly of the motor controller unrestricted by the size and length of the generator. When assembling the functional components of the motor controller onto the cover plate, the cover plate's light weight and thinness make assembly easier. When testing the assembled motor controller, only the motor controller and cover plate need to be sent to testing equipment or inspected by maintenance personnel, making testing convenient. When maintenance is required, the cover plate is separated from the housing, and the cover plate containing the functional components of the motor controller is sent to maintenance equipment or inspected by maintenance personnel, thus detaching the motor controller from the generator and engine, and preventing it from being affected by the size and weight of the generator and engine.

[0066] In this embodiment, by fixing the functional components of the motor controller to the cover plate so that the functional components of the motor controller can be independently tested, repaired and assembled, and by forming a heat dissipation channel by enclosing a heat dissipation plate on part of the inner wall of the cover plate, the axial dimension of the motor controller can be reduced while making the motor controller easy to test, repair and assemble, so that the structure of the motor controller is compact and conducive to the miniaturization of the drive device.

[0067] Secondly, this application provides an electric vehicle, which includes a drive unit as described in the first aspect, the drive unit being used to charge a power battery or to drive wheels.

[0068] In the drive device of this application embodiment, by reusing part of the inner wall of the housing used to house the motor controller to surround the heat dissipation plate to form a heat dissipation channel for cooling the power module, the number of structural components constituting the heat dissipation channel can be reduced, making the arrangement between the housing and the power module more compact. This is beneficial to reducing the size of the drive device along the stacking direction of the heat dissipation channel and the power module, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the drive device, facilitates the layout of the drive device in the whole vehicle, and improves the overall performance of the electric vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0069] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0070] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an electric vehicle provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a driving device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 3 This is another schematic diagram of the driving device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0073] Figure 4 This is another schematic diagram of the driving device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0074] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 An exploded view of the drive mechanism in the image;

[0075] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Another exploded view of the drive unit in the image;

[0076] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of a motor controller provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the housing of the drive device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a housing and heat sink provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 10 This is another exploded view of the driving device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0080] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a cover plate provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0081] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0082] This application provides a drive device. The housing of the drive device is used to house a motor controller. The motor controller is used to electrically connect to the power battery of an electric vehicle and to electrically connect to the stator winding of a generator or a drive motor of the electric vehicle. The power module of the motor controller is fixed to the inner wall of the housing. A portion of the inner wall of the housing is used to enclose a heat sink to form a heat dissipation channel. The heat sink is stacked between the power module and a portion of the inner wall of the housing. The heat dissipation channel is used for the flow of coolant to cool the power module.

[0083] By reusing part of the inner wall of the housing used to house the motor controller to enclose the heat sink plate to form the heat dissipation channel for cooling the power module, the number of structural components that make up the heat dissipation channel can be reduced, making the arrangement between the housing and the power module more compact. This is beneficial for reducing the size of the drive unit along the stacking direction of the heat dissipation channel and the power module, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the drive unit and facilitates the layout of the drive unit in the vehicle.

[0084] The drive device provided in this application embodiment is applied to electric vehicles to improve the overall performance of electric vehicles.

[0085] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an electric vehicle 1 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0086] In one embodiment, the electric vehicle 1 includes a power battery 10 and a drive unit 20, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the drive unit 20 is used to charge the power battery 10 or to drive the wheels 30. In this embodiment, the electric vehicle 1 refers to a wheeled device driven or towed by a power unit.

[0087] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a driving device 20 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0088] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the drive unit 20 includes an engine 21, a generator 22, and a motor controller 23.

[0089] In this embodiment, the output shaft of the engine 21 is driven to the motor shaft of the generator 22, driving the rotor of the generator 22 to rotate. When the rotor of the generator 22 rotates, it cuts magnetic field lines, causing the stator winding of the generator 22 to generate alternating current. The alternating current generated by the stator winding of the generator 22 is transmitted to the motor controller 23, which converts the alternating current into direct current to charge the power battery 10. In this embodiment, the drive device 20 can also be referred to as a power generation assembly.

[0090] Figure 3 This is another schematic diagram of the driving device 20 provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0091] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the drive unit 20 includes a motor controller 23, a drive motor 24, and a reducer 25.

[0092] In this embodiment, the motor controller 23 receives high-voltage direct current (DC) from the power battery 10 and converts it into high-voltage alternating current (AC) to drive the drive motor 24, causing the drive motor 24 to rotate. The drive motor 24 is connected to the reducer 25, and the drive motor 24 drives the reducer 25 to rotate. In this embodiment, the drive device 20 can also be referred to as a powertrain.

[0093] In one embodiment, the housing of the drive unit 20 is used to house the functional components of the motor controller 23, which may also be referred to as the motor controller 23. The motor controller 23 includes functional components such as a power module, bus capacitors, a heat sink, and a circuit board.

[0094] The power module of the motor controller generates a lot of heat during operation, which requires the use of a heat sink to dissipate heat. Currently, the main method is to use an independent heat sink to cool the power module. However, an independent heat sink occupies a large space inside the motor controller, making the motor controller larger and limiting its layout.

[0095] This application reuses a portion of the inner wall of the housing used to house the motor controller to enclose a heat sink plate, forming a heat dissipation channel for cooling the power module. This reduces the number of structural components that make up the heat dissipation channel, making the arrangement between the housing and the power module more compact. This helps to reduce the size of the drive unit along the stacking direction of the heat dissipation channel and the power module, which is beneficial for miniaturizing the drive unit and optimizing the layout of the drive unit in the vehicle.

[0096] The driving device 20 provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below.

[0097] Figure 4 This is another schematic diagram of the driving device 20 provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 An exploded view of the drive unit 20 in the middle. Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Another exploded view of the drive unit 20 in the middle. Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the motor controller 23 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the housing 100 of the drive device 20 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0098] In one embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the housing 100 of the drive unit 20 is used to house the motor controller 23, which is used to electrically connect the power battery 10 of the electric vehicle 1 and to electrically connect the stator winding of the generator 22 of the electric vehicle 1 or the stator winding of the drive motor 24. Figures 4 to 8 As shown, the power module 210 of the motor controller 23 is fixed to the inner wall 110 of the housing 100. A portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100 encloses the heat sink 120 to form a heat dissipation channel 130. The heat sink 120 is stacked between the power module 210 and a portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100. The heat dissipation channel 130 allows coolant to flow and cool the power module 210.

[0099] In this embodiment, a portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100 is used to enclose the heat sink 120 to form a heat dissipation channel 130. Reusing the portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100 used to house the motor controller 23 to enclose the heat sink 120 and form the heat dissipation channel 130 reduces the number of structural components forming the heat dissipation channel 130, making the structure of the heat dissipation channel 130 simpler and increasing the structural integration and cohesion of the drive device 20. Compared to using an independent heat sink to form the heat dissipation channel 130 and then stacking it with the power module 210, the dimensions of the drive device 20 along the stacking direction of the heat dissipation channel 130 and the power module 210 can be reduced, which is beneficial for reducing the volume of the drive device 20 and facilitating its miniaturization.

[0100] In this embodiment, the heat sink 120 is stacked between the power module 210 and a portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100, so that the heat dissipation channel 130 formed by the heat sink 120 and the portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100 is stacked with the power module 210, which facilitates the heat dissipation channel 130 to directly cool the power module 210 and improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the power module 210.

[0101] In this embodiment, the heat sink 120 is enclosed by a portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100 used to house the motor controller 23 to form a heat dissipation channel 130 for cooling the power module 210. This reduces the number of structural components that make up the heat dissipation channel 130, making the arrangement between the housing 100 and the power module 210 more compact. This helps to reduce the size of the drive device 20 along the stacking direction of the heat dissipation channel 130 and the power module 210, facilitating the miniaturization of the drive device 20 and optimizing the layout of the drive device 20 in the vehicle.

[0102] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the housing 100 and heat sink 120 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0103] In one embodiment, such as Figures 6 to 9 As shown, one of the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 and the heat sink 120 includes a groove 140, the opening 141 of the groove 140 facing the other of the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 and the heat sink 120, and the other of the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 and the heat sink 120 forming a heat dissipation channel 130 for enclosing the opening 141 of the groove 140.

[0104] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figures 6 to 8As shown, the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 includes a groove 140, the opening 141 of the groove 140 facing the heat sink 120. The heat sink 120 is used to enclose the opening 141 of the groove 140 to form a heat dissipation channel 130, so that the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 can use the groove 140 to accommodate more coolant, thereby increasing the coolant flow in the heat dissipation channel 130, which is beneficial to improving the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation channel 130 on the power module 210, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the motor controller 23.

[0105] In this embodiment, a groove 140 is formed on the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 to create a larger heat dissipation channel 130. This avoids occupying additional space within the housing 100 used to house the motor controller 23, which is beneficial for miniaturizing the drive device 20. Furthermore, the groove 140 can be formed directly during the draft molding of the housing 100, which facilitates processing.

[0106] In one embodiment, such as Figure 9 As shown, the heat sink 120 includes a groove 140, the opening 141 of the groove 140 facing the inner wall 110 of the housing 100. The inner wall 110 of the housing 100 is used to enclose the opening 141 of the groove 140 to form a heat dissipation channel 130, so that the heat sink 120 can use the groove 140 to hold more coolant, thereby increasing the coolant flow in the heat dissipation channel 130, which is beneficial to improving the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation channel 130 on the power module 210, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the motor controller 23.

[0107] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the length direction of the groove 140 is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple power modules 211 of the power module 210.

[0108] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 8 As shown, the length direction of the groove 140 is denoted as A, as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the arrangement direction of the multiple power modules 211 of the power module 210 is denoted as B. The length direction A of the groove 140 is the same as the arrangement direction B of the multiple power modules 211 of the power module 210. The groove 140 is used to form a heat dissipation channel 130, so that the heat dissipation contact area between the heat dissipation channel 130 and the power module 210 is larger, and the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation channel 130 on the power module 210 is better.

[0109] In this embodiment, the length direction A of the groove 140 is the same as the arrangement direction B of the multiple power modules 211 of the power module 210, which also minimizes the space occupied by the groove 140 and the power module 210 in the housing 100 along the direction perpendicular to the length direction A of the groove 140. This is beneficial for miniaturization of the drive device 20 and optimizes the layout of the drive device 20 in the vehicle.

[0110] In one embodiment, such as Figures 6 to 9 As shown, another of the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 and the heat sink 120 includes heat dissipation teeth 150, which protrude toward the bottom 142 of the groove 140 and are used to be embedded in the groove 140.

[0111] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 9 As shown, the heat sink 120 includes a groove 140. The inner wall 110 of the housing 100 surrounds the opening 141 of the groove 140 to form a heat dissipation channel 130. The inner wall 110 of the housing 100 includes heat dissipation teeth 150. The heat dissipation teeth 150 protrude towards the bottom 142 of the groove 140. The heat dissipation teeth 150 are used to embed in the groove 140. The heat dissipation teeth 150 can turbulent the coolant in the heat dissipation channel 130. The heat dissipation teeth 150 can also increase the heat dissipation area of ​​the coolant in the heat dissipation channel 130, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation channel 130 on the power module 210.

[0112] In this embodiment, heat dissipation teeth 150 are formed on the inner wall 110 of the housing 100. The heat dissipation teeth 150 can be integrally die-cast with the housing 100, which makes the structure of the heat dissipation teeth 150 simpler and the integration of the housing 100 higher, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0113] In one embodiment, such as Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 includes a groove 140. A heat sink 120 surrounds the opening 141 of the groove 140 to form a heat dissipation channel 130. The heat sink 120 includes heat dissipation teeth 150, which protrude towards the bottom 142 of the groove 140. The heat dissipation teeth 150 are used to embed into the groove 140. The heat dissipation teeth 150 can turbulent the coolant in the heat dissipation channel 130 and increase the heat dissipation area of ​​the heat dissipation channel 130, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation channel 130 on the power module 210. Integrating the heat dissipation teeth 150 into the heat sink 120 simplifies the structure of the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 and facilitates the die-casting of the housing 100.

[0114] In one embodiment, such as Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the motor controller 23 also includes a support plate 220. Multiple power modules 211 of the power module 210 are fixed to the side 221 of the support plate 220 facing the inner wall 110 of the housing 100. Multiple fixing posts 222 of the support plate 220 pass through the heat sink 120 and are fixed to the inner wall 110 of the housing 100.

[0115] In this embodiment, the motor controller 23 further includes a support plate 220. Multiple power modules 211 of the power module 210 are fixed to the side 221 of the support plate 220 facing the inner wall 110 of the housing 100, so that the multiple power modules 211 of the power module 210 can be fixed to the support plate 220 and then fixed to the inner wall 110 of the housing 100, which facilitates the assembly of the power module 210.

[0116] In this embodiment, multiple fixing posts 222 of the support plate 220 pass through the heat sink 120 and are fixed to the inner wall 110 of the housing 100. This allows the support plate 220 to fix the power module 210 to the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 while simultaneously fixing the heat sink 120 to the inner wall 110 of the housing 100. This allows the heat sink 120 to enclose a portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100, forming a heat dissipation channel 130. Furthermore, the heat sink 120's encirclement of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100 to form the heat dissipation channel 130 ensures relative stability, improving the reliability of the drive device 20.

[0117] In this embodiment, the multiple fixing posts 222 of the support plate 220 pass through the heat sink 120 and are fixed to the inner wall 110 of the housing 100. This also allows the power module 210 and the heat sink 120 to share the multiple fixing posts 222 of the support plate 220 and be fixed to the inner wall 110 of the housing 100. This simplifies the fixing structure of the power module 210 and the heat sink 120, saves space in the housing 100, and thus facilitates the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0118] In one embodiment, such as Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 includes a groove 140. Multiple fixing posts 222 of the support plate 220 pass through the heat sink 120 and are fixed to the periphery of the groove 140 in the inner wall 110 of the housing 100. This allows the power module 210 to be fixed to the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 using the support plate 220, while simultaneously fixing the heat sink 120 to the groove 140. Fixing the heat sink 120 to the groove 140 ensures that when the heat sink 120 and the groove 140 enclose a heat dissipation channel 130, they do not occupy excessive space outside the groove 140, resulting in a more compact heat dissipation structure and facilitating the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0119] In one embodiment, such as Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the heat sink 120 includes a plurality of clearance holes 121 and a sealing structure 122. The plurality of clearance holes 121 are distributed around the outer periphery of the sealing structure 122. The sealing structure 122 is used to seal the heat dissipation channel 130 enclosed by the heat sink 120 and part of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100. The plurality of clearance holes 121 are used for the passage of a plurality of fixing posts 222.

[0120] In this embodiment, a plurality of clearance holes 121 are distributed around the outer periphery of the sealing structure 122. The sealing structure 122 is used to seal the heat dissipation channel 130 enclosed by the heat dissipation plate 120 and part of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100, so that the clearance holes 121 will not affect the sealing effect of the heat dissipation channel 130 when passing through the fixing post 222.

[0121] In this embodiment, the heat sink 120 includes multiple clearance holes 121 for multiple fixing posts 222 to pass through. When the fixing posts 222 of the support plate 220 pass through the heat sink 120, the support plate 220 can apply pressure to the heat sink 120, thereby making the heat sink 120 more securely fixed to the inner wall 110 of the housing 100. When the multiple fixing posts 222 of the support plate 220 are fixed to the inner wall 110 of the housing 100, they apply pressure to the heat sink 120, causing the sealing structure 122 of the heat sink 120 to fit more tightly with a portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100. This improves the sealing effect of the heat dissipation channel 130 enclosed by the heat sink 120 and the portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100.

[0122] In this embodiment, the heat sink 120 forms a plurality of clearance holes 121 for a plurality of fixing posts 222 to pass through. Compared with forming fixing protrusions on the periphery of the heat sink 120, the volume of the support plate 220 and the heat sink 120 can be smaller, thereby making the space occupied by the support plate 220 and the heat sink 120 in the housing 100 smaller, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0123] In one embodiment, such as Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the heat sink 120 includes multiple clearance holes 121, a sealing structure 122, and heat dissipation teeth 150. The sealing structure 122 is distributed around the outer periphery of the heat dissipation teeth 150, and the clearance holes 121 are distributed around the outer periphery of the sealing structure 122, so that there is no interference between the sealing structure 122 and the heat dissipation teeth 150. Furthermore, when the heat sink 120 is fixed to the groove 140 of the inner wall 110 of the housing 100, the heat dissipation teeth 150 can be fully accommodated within the groove 140, facilitating the turbulence of the coolant in the heat dissipation channel 130 by the heat dissipation teeth 150.

[0124] In one embodiment, such as Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the housing 100 includes a liquid inlet 111 and a liquid outlet 112. The liquid inlet 111 is used to supply coolant to the heat dissipation channel 130, and the liquid outlet 112 is used to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel 130. The liquid inlet 111 and the liquid outlet 112 are distributed on a portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100 enclosed by the heat dissipation plate 120.

[0125] In this embodiment, the housing 100 includes an inlet hole 111 and an outlet hole 112. A portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100 is used to enclose the heat sink 120 to form a heat dissipation channel 130. The inlet hole 111 and the outlet hole 112 are distributed on a portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100 enclosed by the heat sink 120, so that the inlet hole 111 can deliver coolant to the heat dissipation channel 130 quickly and via a short path, and the outlet hole 112 can discharge the coolant in the heat dissipation channel 130 quickly and via a short path, thereby increasing the flow rate of coolant in the heat dissipation channel 130 and improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation channel 130 for the power module 210.

[0126] In this embodiment, the inlet hole 111 and outlet hole 112 are distributed on a portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100 enclosed by the heat sink 120. This reduces the design of coolant piping, simplifies the structure of the housing 100, and facilitates the miniaturization of the drive device 20. If the inlet hole 111 and outlet hole 112 are arranged on the inner wall portion outside the portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100, not only is it necessary to increase the thickness of the portion of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100 to allow the pipes to pass through and communicate with the heat dissipation channel 130, but the connection between the inlet hole 111 and outlet hole 112 and the heat dissipation channel 130 also requires additional piping, resulting in a complex structure and a large space occupation. Distributing the inlet hole 111 and outlet hole 112 on part of the inner wall 110a of the housing 100 enclosed by the heat sink 120 makes the structure of the heat dissipation channel 130, the inlet hole 111 and the outlet hole 112 more compact, the structure simpler, and the coolant channel occupies less space, which is more conducive to the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0127] In one embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, the inner wall 110 of the housing 100 includes a groove 140, with an inlet hole 111 and an outlet hole 112 distributed at the bottom 142 of the groove 140. Compared to distributing the inlet hole 111 and the outlet hole 112 on the periphery of the groove 140, the depth of the groove 140 and the arrangement of the pipes communicating with the inlet hole 111 and the outlet hole 112 within the housing 100 can be reduced, making the structure simpler, saving space, and facilitating the miniaturization of the drive device 29.

[0128] Figure 10 This is another exploded view of the driving device 20 provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0129] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 , Figure 6 and Figure 10 As shown, the housing 100 includes an electrical control slot 160 and a cover plate 170. The cover plate 170 encloses the electrical control slot 160 to form an electrical control cavity 180, which is used to accommodate the motor controller 23. Figures 5 to 7As shown, the cover plate 170 is used to fix the power module 210 of the motor controller 23. The heat sink 120 is stacked between the power module 210 and the cover plate 170. The inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 facing the electrical control slot 160 is used to enclose the heat sink 120 to form a heat dissipation channel 130.

[0130] In this embodiment, the cover plate 170 is used to fix the power module 210 of the motor controller 23. Fixing the power module 210 of the motor controller 23 with the cover plate 170 makes the installation and maintenance of the motor controller 23 more convenient.

[0131] In this embodiment, the heat sink 120 is stacked between the power module 210 and the cover plate 170. The inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 facing the electrical control slot 160 is used to enclose the heat sink 120 to form a heat dissipation channel 130, so that the heat dissipation channel 130 can be distributed on the cover plate 170, making the structural layout more compact. The arrangement of the heat dissipation channel 130 on the cover plate 170 also allows the power module 210 and the heat sink 120 to be fixed to the cover plate 170 before the cover plate 170 is fixed to the electrical control slot 160, simplifying the assembly process of the drive device 20.

[0132] In one embodiment, the bottom of the electrical control slot 160 is used to enclose the heat sink 120 to form a heat dissipation channel 130.

[0133] In one embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, the liquid inlet hole 111 and the liquid outlet hole 112 are distributed on the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 that forms the heat dissipation channel 130, which makes the formation process of the liquid inlet hole 111 and the liquid outlet hole 112 simpler, and also makes the structure of the cover plate 170 more integrated, which is conducive to simplifying the structure of the electrical control tank 160 and to miniaturizing the drive device 20.

[0134] In one embodiment, such as Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the motor controller 23 also includes a circuit board 230, which is stacked on the side 212 of the power module 210 away from the heat sink 120. The side 172 of the cover plate 170 facing the electrical control slot 160 includes a first mounting structure 1721, which is used to fix the circuit board 230. The first mounting structure 1721 surrounds the outer periphery of the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 that forms the heat dissipation channel 130.

[0135] In this embodiment, the side 172 of the cover plate 170 facing the electrical control cavity 160 includes a first mounting structure 1721. The first mounting structure 1721 is used to fix the circuit board 230. The first mounting structure 1721 surrounds the outer periphery of the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 that forms the heat dissipation channel 130, so that the heat dissipation channel 130 can be distributed within the envelope of the first mounting structure 1721, so that the heat dissipation channel 130 can be arranged using the space of the circuit board 230, so that the heat dissipation channel 130 does not occupy additional space of the cover plate 170 other than the circuit board 230. It also makes the arrangement of the circuit board 230 and the heat dissipation channel 130 more compact, and makes the space occupied by the circuit board 230 and the heat dissipation channel 130 in the electrical control cavity 180 smaller, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the drive device 20 and optimizes the layout of the drive device 20 in the vehicle.

[0136] In one embodiment, the first mounting structure 1721 includes a plurality of fixing posts 1725 for fixing the circuit board 230. The plurality of fixing posts 1725 enclose a groove structure, the length direction of which is the same as the arrangement direction of the plurality of power modules 211 of the power module 210. Figure 8 As shown, multiple fixed columns 1725 are distributed in a roughly rectangular pattern around each other.

[0137] In this embodiment, the length direction of the groove structure is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple power modules 211 of the power module 210, so that the length direction of the circuit board 230 is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple power modules 211 of the power module 210. This means that when the power module 210 and the circuit board 230 are stacked, they will not occupy too much space in the control cavity 180 along the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the power module 210 and the circuit board 230. This is beneficial to providing more space for other functional components of the motor controller 23 in the control cavity 180, and also to making the drive device 20 have a smaller volume.

[0138] In one embodiment, such as Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the motor controller 23 also includes a bus capacitor 240, which is used to electrically connect the power module 210 and the power battery 10. The side 172 of the cover plate 170 facing the electrical control slot 160 includes a second mounting structure 1722, which is used to fix the bus capacitor 240. The length direction of the second mounting structure 1722 is the same as the length direction of the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 that forms the heat dissipation channel 130.

[0139] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 8As shown, the length direction of the second mounting structure 1722 is denoted as C, and the length direction of the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 that forms the heat dissipation channel 130 is denoted as D. The side 172 of the cover plate 170 facing the electrical control groove 160 includes the second mounting structure 1722. The second mounting structure 1722 is used to fix the bus capacitor 240. The length direction C of the second mounting structure 1722 is the same as the length direction D of the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 that forms the heat dissipation channel 130. This makes the length direction of the bus capacitor 240 the same as the length direction D of the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 that forms the heat dissipation channel 130. This makes the heat dissipation channel 130 and the bus capacitor 240 arranged in parallel on the cover plate 170. This makes the size of the drive device 20 smaller along the arrangement direction of the cover plate 170 and the electrical control groove 160, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the drive device 20. This also makes the bus capacitor 240, power module 210 and heat dissipation channel 130 of motor controller 23 compactly arranged, which is also conducive to saving space in the electrical control cavity 180 and facilitating the miniaturization of drive device 20.

[0140] In one embodiment, such as Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the cover plate 170 is used to fix the power module 210 of the motor controller 23. The heat sink 120 is stacked between the power module 210 and the cover plate 170. The side 172 of the cover plate 170 facing the electrical control slot 160 includes a second mounting structure 1722, which is used to fix the bus capacitor 240. The length direction C of the second mounting structure 1722 is the same as the length direction D of the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 that forms the heat dissipation channel 130. This arrangement allows the power module 210 and the bus capacitor 240 to be arranged in parallel, resulting in a smaller size of the motor controller 23 along the arrangement direction of the cover plate 170 and the electrical control slot 160. It also allows the bus capacitor 240 and the power module 210 of the motor controller 23 to be laid flat and fixed on the cover plate 170, thereby facilitating the inspection, maintenance, and assembly of the bus capacitor 240 and the power module 210.

[0141] In one embodiment, such as Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the second mounting structure 1722 includes multiple fixing posts 1723, which are used to fix the bus capacitor 240. The multiple fixing posts 1723 enclose a groove structure 1724, the length direction of which is the length direction C of the second mounting structure 1722. The length direction C of the groove structure 1724 is the same as the length direction D of the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 that forms the heat dissipation channel 130. Figure 8 As shown, multiple fixed columns 1723 are distributed in a roughly rectangular pattern around each other.

[0142] In this embodiment, the length direction C of the groove structure 1724 is the same as the length direction D of the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 that forms the heat dissipation channel 130. This makes the bus capacitor 240 and the heat dissipation channel 130 arranged in parallel, so that the size of the motor controller 23 along the arrangement direction of the cover plate 170 and the electrical control groove 160 is smaller, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0143] In this embodiment, the length direction C of the groove structure 1724 is the same as the length direction D of the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 that forms the heat dissipation channel 130. The length direction of the groove 140 is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple power modules 211 of the power module 210, so that the bus capacitor 240 and the power module 210 are arranged in parallel, and the size of the motor controller 23 along the arrangement direction of the cover plate 170 and the electrical control slot 160 is smaller. It also allows the bus capacitor 240 and the power module 210 of the motor controller 23 to be laid flat and fixed on the cover plate 170, thereby facilitating the inspection, maintenance and assembly of the bus capacitor 240 and the power module 210.

[0144] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a cover plate 170 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0145] In one embodiment, such as Figure 6 and Figure 11 As shown, the cover plate 170 includes an inlet channel 173 and an outlet channel 174. The inlet channel 173 is used to deliver coolant to the heat dissipation channel 130, and the outlet channel 174 is used to discharge the coolant from the heat dissipation channel 130. At least one of the inlet channel 173 and the outlet channel 174 is stacked with the bus capacitor 240.

[0146] In this embodiment, the cover plate 170 includes an inlet channel 173 and an outlet channel 174. The inlet channel 173 is used to supply coolant to the heat dissipation channel 130, and the outlet channel 174 is used to discharge the coolant from the heat dissipation channel 130. Distributing the inlet channel 173 and the outlet channel 174 on the cover plate 170 results in higher integration and fusion of the cover plate 170. It also simplifies the structure of the coolant pipes connected to the heat dissipation channel 130, which is beneficial for simplifying the structure of the drive device 20 and facilitating its miniaturization. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for additional coolant pipes, saving pipe layout space and facilitating the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0147] In this embodiment, at least one of the liquid inlet channel 173 and the liquid outlet channel 174 is stacked with the bus capacitor 240, so that at least one of the liquid inlet channel 173 and the liquid outlet channel 174 can also cool down the bus capacitor 240, which is beneficial to improving the cooling efficiency of the motor controller 23.

[0148] In one embodiment, such as Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the side 175 of the cover plate 170 opposite to the electrical control groove 160 includes at least one groove 1750. The groove opening 1751 of the groove 1750 is opposite to the electrical control groove 160. The at least one groove 1750 is used to deliver coolant to the heat dissipation channel 130 or to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel 130.

[0149] In this embodiment, the side 175 of the cover plate 170 opposite to the electrical control groove 160 includes at least one groove 1750. The at least one groove 1750 is used to deliver coolant to the heat dissipation channel 130 or to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel 130. This allows the input and output of coolant in the heat dissipation channel 130 to be carried out directly in the at least one groove 1750 of the cover plate 170, which simplifies the structure of the coolant input and output channels in the heat dissipation channel 130, saves space, and facilitates the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0150] In this embodiment, the cover plate 170 forms a groove 1750 to deliver coolant to the heat dissipation channel 130 or to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel 130. Compared with forming a pipe in the cover plate 170, the groove 1750 occupies less thickness space in the cover plate 170, which is more conducive to making the thickness dimension of the cover plate 170 smaller and is beneficial to the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0151] In one embodiment, such as Figure 11 As shown, at least one groove 1750 includes two grooves 1750, which respectively seal two sealing caps 1100 to form the liquid inlet channel 173 and the liquid outlet channel 174 of the cover plate 170. The liquid inlet hole 111 and the liquid outlet hole 112 are located at the bottom 1753 of the grooves 1750 that form the liquid inlet channel 173 and the liquid outlet channel 174, respectively. This makes the path for the liquid inlet channel 173 to deliver coolant to the liquid inlet hole 111 short, and the path for the liquid outlet channel 174 to receive the coolant discharged from the liquid outlet hole 112 short, simplifying the coolant flow channel pipeline layout, making the structure more compact, saving space, and facilitating the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0152] In one embodiment, such as Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the housing 100 also includes a sealing cap 1100, which is used to seal the opening 1751 of at least one groove 1750 so that the coolant in the inlet channel 173, the outlet channel 174, the inlet hole 111 and the outlet hole 112 in the groove 1750 will not leak from the opening 1751 of the groove 1750.

[0153] In one embodiment, such as Figure 8 and Figure 11 As shown, the groove 1750 includes a through hole 1752, which is used to connect the heat dissipation channel 130 and the groove 1750. The through hole 1752 penetrates the bottom 1753 of the groove 1750 and the cover plate 170 to form part of the inner wall 171 of the heat dissipation channel 130.

[0154] In this embodiment, the through hole 1752 connects the heat dissipation channel 130 and the groove 1750. The through hole 1752 penetrates the bottom 1753 and the cover plate 170 of the groove 1750 to form part of the inner wall 171 of the heat dissipation channel 130. This shortens the path for the groove 1750 to supply coolant to the heat dissipation channel 130 or for the heat dissipation channel 130 to output coolant to the groove 1750, thereby accelerating the flow rate of coolant within the heat dissipation channel 130 and improving the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation channel 130 on the power module 210. Directly utilizing the through hole 1752 in the bottom 1753 of the groove 1750 to connect the heat dissipation channel 130 and the groove 1750 also makes the arrangement of the groove 1750 and the heat dissipation channel 130 more compact, saving space within the electronic control cavity 180 and facilitating the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0155] In one embodiment, such as Figure 11 As shown, the through holes 1752 of the two grooves 1750 are used to form the inlet hole 111 and the outlet hole 112, respectively. The inlet hole 111 is used to supply coolant to the heat dissipation channel 130, and the outlet hole 112 is used to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel 130. This allows coolant to be directly supplied to the heat dissipation channel 130 through the through holes 1752 of the grooves 1750, and also allows coolant to be discharged from the heat dissipation channel 130 through the through holes 1752 of the grooves 1750.

[0156] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 10 As shown, the housing 100 of the drive unit 20 also includes a motor cavity 190, which is used to accommodate the generator 22. The motor cavity 190 and the electrical control slot 160 are arranged along the axial direction O of the generator 22. The cover plate 170 surrounds the electrical control slot 160 along the axial direction O of the generator 22. The drive unit 20 also includes a heat exchanger 26, which is used to receive the coolant output from the heat dissipation channel 130 through the internal flow channel 176 of the cover plate 170 and to deliver cooling oil to the motor cavity 190 to cool the stator 22a of the generator 22.

[0157] In this embodiment, the motor cavity 190 and the electrical control slot 160 are arranged along the axial direction O of the generator 22, which can make the height dimension of the drive device 20 smaller.

[0158] In this embodiment, the cover plate 170 surrounds the electrical control groove 160 along the axial direction O of the generator 22, and the reuse of part of the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 forms a heat dissipation channel 130, which makes the axial dimensions of the electrical control groove 160 and the cover plate 170 smaller, and the dimensions of the drive device 20 along the axial direction O of the generator 22 smaller. As a result, the drive device 20 not only has a smaller height dimension, but also a smaller axial dimension, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0159] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 26 is used to receive the coolant output from the heat dissipation channel 130 through the internal flow channel 176 of the cover plate 170 and to deliver cooling oil to the motor cavity 190 to cool the stator 22a of the generator 22. Compared with setting up additional coolant pipes, the internal flow channel 176 of the cover plate 170 can simplify the pipeline for delivering coolant from the heat dissipation channel 130 to the heat exchanger 26.

[0160] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 , Figures 6 to 8 and Figure 10 As shown, the functional components of the motor controller 23 include a power module 210, a bus capacitor 240, and a circuit board 230. The cover plate 170 is used to fix the power module 210 of the motor controller 23. The cover plate 170 is also used to fix the circuit board 230 through the first mounting structure 1721 and the bus capacitor 240 through the second mounting structure 1722.

[0161] In the current design, the motor controller 23 is fixed inside the electrical control slot 160 of the housing 100, and then the cover plate 170 surrounds the electrical control slot 160 of the housing 100, thus fixing the motor controller 23 and the generator 22 inside the housing 100 together. When assembling and fixing the functional components of the motor controller 23 into the electrical control slot 160 of the housing 100, the assembly equipment needs to move the housing 100, including the generator 22. However, the generator 22 is large in size and long in length, making the assembly equipment operation inconvenient and the assembly of the motor controller 23 inconvenient. After the motor controller 23 is fixed inside the electrical control slot 160 of the housing 100, it needs to be tested. However, the testing equipment is limited by the size of the generator 22, making testing inconvenient. In addition, when the motor controller 23 malfunctions, it needs to be repaired. Since the motor shaft of the generator 22 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the engine 21, the structure composed of the engine 21 and the generator 22 is larger, heavier, and longer, making it difficult for maintenance equipment to repair the motor controller 23.

[0162] In this embodiment, before the cover plate 170 encloses the electrical control slot 160 to form the electrical control cavity 180, the functional components of the motor controller 23 are fixed to the cover plate 170. The functional components of the motor controller 23 can be independently tested, repaired, and assembled, making the testing, repair, and assembly of the motor controller 23 unrestricted by the size and length of the generator 22. When assembling the functional components of the motor controller 23 onto the cover plate 170, the cover plate 170 is lightweight and thin, making assembly of the motor controller 23 easier. When testing the assembled motor controller 23, only the motor controller 23 and the cover plate 170 need to be sent to the testing equipment or inspected by maintenance personnel, making testing convenient. When maintenance of the motor controller 23 is required, the cover plate 170 is separated from the housing 100, and the cover plate 170 with the functional components of the motor controller 23 fixed to it is sent to the maintenance equipment or inspected by maintenance personnel, thus detaching the motor controller 23 from the generator 22 and engine 21, and preventing it from being affected by the size and weight of the generator 22 and engine 21.

[0163] In this embodiment, the functional components of the motor controller 23 are fixed to the cover plate 170 so that the functional components of the motor controller 23 can be independently tested, repaired and assembled. By enclosing the heat sink 120 with part of the inner wall 171 of the cover plate 170 to form a heat dissipation channel 130, the motor controller 23 can be easily tested, repaired and assembled, while the size of the motor controller 23 along the axial direction O of the generator 22 can be reduced. This makes the structure of the motor controller 23 compact and is conducive to the miniaturization of the drive device 20.

[0164] The driving device and electric vehicle provided in the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and embodiments of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in specific embodiments and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A driving device, characterized in that, The housing of the drive unit is used to house a motor controller, which is used to electrically connect to the power battery of the electric vehicle and to electrically connect to the stator winding of the generator or the stator winding of the drive motor of the electric vehicle. The power module of the motor controller is fixed to the inner wall of the housing, wherein: A portion of the inner wall of the housing is used to enclose the heat sink to form a heat dissipation channel. The heat sink is stacked between the power module and the portion of the inner wall of the housing. The heat dissipation channel is used to allow coolant to flow and cool the power module.

2. The driving device according to claim 1, characterized in that, One of the inner wall of the housing and the heat sink includes a groove, the opening of which faces the other of the inner wall of the housing and the heat sink. The groove of the inner wall of the housing and the other of the heat sink, which surrounds the opening of the groove, constitute the heat dissipation channel.

3. The driving device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The length direction of the groove is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple power modules of the power module.

4. The driving device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner wall of the housing and another of the heat sinks include heat dissipation teeth that protrude toward the bottom of the groove and are used to embed into the groove.

5. The driving device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The motor controller also includes a support plate, and multiple power modules of the power module are fixed to the side of the support plate facing the inner wall of the housing. Multiple fixing posts of the support plate pass through the heat sink and are fixed to the inner wall of the housing.

6. The driving device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heat sink includes multiple clearance holes and a sealing structure. The multiple clearance holes are distributed around the outer periphery of the sealing structure. The sealing structure is used to seal the heat dissipation channel enclosed by the heat sink and part of the inner wall of the housing. The multiple clearance holes are used for the multiple fixing posts to pass through.

7. The driving device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The housing includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is used to supply coolant to the heat dissipation channel, and the outlet is used to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel. The inlet and outlet are distributed on a portion of the inner wall of the housing enclosed by the heat dissipation plate.

8. The driving device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The housing includes an electrical control slot and a cover plate. The cover plate is used to enclose the electrical control slot to form an electrical control cavity. The electrical control cavity is used to accommodate the motor controller. The cover plate is used to fix the power module of the motor controller. The heat sink is stacked between the power module and the cover plate. The inner wall of the cover plate facing the electrical control slot is used to enclose the heat sink to form the heat dissipation channel.

9. The driving device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The motor controller also includes a circuit board, which is stacked on the side of the power module away from the heat sink. The side of the cover plate facing the electrical control slot includes a first mounting structure for fixing the circuit board. The first mounting structure surrounds the outer periphery of the cover plate, which forms part of the inner wall of the heat dissipation channel.

10. The driving device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The motor controller also includes a bus capacitor for electrically connecting the power module and the power battery. The side of the cover plate facing the electrical control slot includes a second mounting structure for fixing the bus capacitor. The length direction of the second mounting structure is the same as the length direction of the inner wall of the cover plate that forms the heat dissipation channel.

11. The driving device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The cover plate includes an inlet channel and an outlet channel. The inlet channel is used to deliver coolant to the heat dissipation channel, and the outlet channel is used to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel. At least one of the inlet channel and the outlet channel is stacked with the bus capacitor.

12. The driving device according to any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that, The cover plate includes at least one groove on the side opposite to the electrical control slot, the groove opening being opposite to the electrical control slot, and the at least one groove being used to deliver coolant to the heat dissipation channel or to discharge coolant from the heat dissipation channel.

13. The driving device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The groove includes a through hole for connecting the heat dissipation channel and the groove. The through hole penetrates the bottom of the groove and the cover plate to form part of the inner wall of the heat dissipation channel.

14. The driving device according to any one of claims 8-13, characterized in that, The housing of the drive unit also includes a motor cavity for accommodating the generator. The motor cavity and the electrical control slot are arranged along the axial direction of the generator. The cover plate surrounds the electrical control slot along the axial direction of the generator. The drive unit also includes a heat exchanger for receiving coolant output from the heat dissipation channel through the internal flow channel of the cover plate and for supplying cooling oil to the motor cavity to cool the stator of the generator.

15. An electric vehicle, characterized in that, The electric vehicle includes a drive unit as described in any one of claims 1-14, the drive unit being used to charge the power battery or to drive the wheels.

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