Electric machine for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Electric machine (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a temperature control device (2) which is configured to temperature control, in particular cool, at least one section of the electric machine (1), wherein the electric machine (1) has a lamination stack (4) which has a plurality of laminations which are arranged next to one another in an axial direction of the electric machine (1), wherein the temperature control device (2) has at least one temperature control channel (8) which extends at least partially through the lamination stack (4) in the axial direction, wherein a supply ring (3) which defines a supply chamber (5) is provided adjacent to the lamination stack (4) in the axial direction, the supply chamber (5) being connected to the temperature control channel (8) through which a temperature control medium can be conveyed, wherein the supply ring (3) has at least one outlet opening (12) through which the temperature control medium can be output from the supply chamber (5) in the direction of at least one conductor element (11) which projects from the lamination stack (4) in the axial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric motor for a motor vehicle, comprising a temperature control device configured for temperature control, particularly cooling, of at least one section of the motor, wherein the motor has a lamination assembly having a plurality of laminations arranged side by side along the axial direction of the motor, wherein the temperature control device has at least one temperature control channel extending at least partially through the lamination assembly in the axial direction, wherein a supply ring defining a supply cavity is provided adjacent to the lamination assembly in the axial direction, the supply cavity being connected to the temperature control channel through which a temperature control medium can be supplied. Background Technology

[0002] Motors of the type mentioned at the beginning, equipped with temperature control devices for controlling the temperature of the motor, particularly for cooling, are generally known from the prior art. Typically, a temperature control channel passes through the laminations of the stator to dissipate heat from the laminations. To supply the temperature control medium guided in the temperature control channel to the laminations, at least one supply ring is typically provided at the axial end of the laminations, i.e., at the end face of the stator. This supply ring defines a supply cavity from which the temperature control medium is introduced into the temperature control channel. In other words, the supply cavity typically forms an annular cavity into which the temperature control medium is introduced. Within the supply cavity, the temperature control medium is under pressure relative to the environment and is sealed relative to the environment by the supply ring.

[0003] The temperature-controlled medium enters the temperature-controlled channel from the supply chamber through one or more inlet openings, allowing it to flow through the stator, more specifically the lamination assembly, and typically exiting the lamination assembly at the axial end face. In this region, the temperature-controlled medium is guided through the so-called "winding heads," i.e., the conductor elements extending from the lamination assembly, so that they are also temperature-controlled. After exiting the lamination assembly and flowing through the winding heads, the temperature-controlled medium typically flows radially outward along the conductor elements and then accumulates in the bottom region of the housing, where a discharge opening is provided. Thus, in the "upper region" viewed along the height direction, the temperature control of the conductor elements is weakened compared to the lateral or lower regions of the conductor elements, because the conductor elements are only briefly passed through in the upper region, and the temperature-controlled medium subsequently flows laterally along the conductor elements, where it is able to transfer, or more precisely, absorb, more heat.

[0004] Especially within the extreme operating range of the motor, in the axial end region of the conductor element at the winding head (located in this upper region along the height direction, for example, at the 12 o'clock position), there may be a temperature rise relative to the other conductor elements, particularly those lateral or arranged in the lower region (especially at the 6 o'clock position). This can lead to the conductor element that heats up relative to the other conductor elements becoming a limiting factor in motor temperature control, making it necessary to reduce the motor power in extreme cases due to overheating in the described region. In other words, in such a case, the motor actually has higher power overall, but the motor's power capacity cannot be fully utilized due to a few individual conductor elements. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved motor for motor vehicles, wherein the temperature control of the conductor elements is particularly improved.

[0006] This objective is achieved by an electric motor having the features of claim 1. Advantageous designs are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] As described at the beginning, the present invention relates to an electric motor for a motor vehicle. This motor is particularly configured as a traction drive, thereby providing torque for driving the motor vehicle. The motor can also be particularly configured as an axle drive. The motor has a temperature control device configured to control the temperature, particularly cooling, of at least one section of the motor. Therefore, the term "temperature control" is understood to mean both cooling and heating.

[0008] The motor has a lamination assembly, which in particular forms the stator base of the motor. The lamination assembly comprises multiple individual laminations, more precisely, "magnetic lamination cores," arranged side-by-side with each other along the axial direction of the motor. The temperature control device has at least one temperature control channel extending at least partially through the lamination assembly in the axial direction. If a temperature control medium is guided through the temperature control channel, the medium can exchange heat with the lamination assembly to control its temperature, specifically absorbing heat from the lamination assembly and dissipating it as the medium flows through the temperature control channel. In the axial direction, the motor has a supply ring adjacent to the lamination assembly, defining a supply cavity, particularly at the end face of the stator, more precisely, the lamination assembly. The temperature control medium can be supplied to the supply cavity, which is connected to the temperature control channel, allowing the medium to flow from the supply cavity into the temperature control channel.

[0009] The present invention is based on the understanding that a supply ring has at least one outlet opening through which a temperature-controlled medium can be output from the supply chamber toward at least one conductor element extending axially from the lamination assembly. Compared to the previously described temperature-controlled medium path (through which the temperature-controlled medium flows from the supply chamber through an inlet opening into a temperature-controlled channel and then along the temperature-controlled channel through the lamination assembly, and subsequently exits the lamination assembly at an opening in the lamination assembly), an outlet opening is provided in the supply ring that connects the supply chamber to the environment of the supply ring.

[0010] Therefore, the temperature-controlled medium can be output directly from the supply chamber toward the conductor element, wherein the pressurized temperature-controlled medium flows out of the supply chamber through the outlet opening and can flow specifically to the conductor element, in particular without passing through the lamination assembly. This allows for targeted temperature control of the area of ​​the conductor element associated with the outlet opening.

[0011] Advantageously, for example, this can compensate for the phenomenon that certain areas of the conductor element are less surrounded by the temperature-controlled medium due to gravity, particularly conductor elements arranged vertically above the axis of rotation, i.e., above the axis of rotation. These conductor elements, compared to those arranged laterally or below the axis of rotation, are less surrounded by the temperature-controlled medium due to gravity, i.e., due to the flow direction of the temperature-controlled medium. By selectively guiding the temperature-controlled medium to such areas via the outlet opening, these areas can also achieve limited temperature control, thereby essentially ensuring uniform temperature control. This prevents a decrease in motor power due to overheating in individual areas of the conductor element, i.e., a reduction in motor power.

[0012] According to one design of the motor, the laminations of the motor may have a first side and a second side, particularly a twisted side, wherein a supply ring is arranged on the first side of the laminations, and / or a supply ring is arranged on the second side of the laminations. The "twisted side" is specifically understood as a side on which conductor elements, particularly so-called "hairpins," are unfolded, or on which conductor elements can be connected to each other. The supply ring is particularly arranged on the axial side of the motor, more precisely the laminations, opposite to the twisted side. Alternatively, in the motor, either the first supply ring can be provided on the first side of the motor, more precisely the laminations, or the second supply ring can be provided on the second side.

[0013] The motor can be further improved such that the at least one outlet opening, particularly as a nozzle, is configured to output the temperature-controlled medium as a directional flow from the supply chamber. As already described, in addition to the flow of the temperature-controlled medium (which is guided through the winding head via a temperature-controlled channel), the outlet opening can be specifically utilized to additionally guide the flow of the temperature-controlled medium directly from the supply chamber to the conductor element. For example, the outlet opening can be configured as a nozzle such that the directional flow, or more precisely, the jet, of the temperature-controlled medium is guided to a spatially limited area of ​​the conductor element, i.e., an area otherwise sparsely traversed by the temperature-controlled medium, particularly the area of ​​the conductor element located above the axis of rotation, especially perpendicularly above the axis of rotation. The directional flow, or more precisely, the jet, of the temperature-controlled medium can thus be output from the supply chamber, allowing the relevant area of ​​the conductor element to be temperature-controlled in a defined manner.

[0014] Furthermore, for this motor, the outlet opening can be configured to output the temperature control medium to the edge region of at least one conductor element of the motor, spaced apart from the lamination group in the axial direction. The edge region is specifically understood as the region of the conductor element furthest from the lamination group, particularly the edge of the uppermost conductor element facing away from the lamination group in the height direction. The flow of the temperature control medium exiting the temperature control channel through the lamination group is weakest at the described edge of the conductor element, particularly above the axis of rotation, and especially vertically above the axis of rotation, due to gravity or geometric reasons. By selectively guiding the temperature control medium to this edge region via the outlet opening, temperature equalization is achieved, thereby better utilizing the motor's power.

[0015] The at least one outlet opening can also be arranged in the outlet region of the supply ring, particularly in a circular segment of the supply ring arranged along the height direction. If the motor is arranged in a motor vehicle with its axis of rotation parallel to the horizontal line, conductor elements arranged above the axis of rotation, especially those arranged in or associated with the circular segment of the supply ring and located above the axis of rotation, are subject to less flow of the temperature-controlled medium due to gravity than those arranged laterally or below the axis of rotation. Therefore, the at least one outlet opening is suitably arranged in the outlet region of the supply ring, which is associated with conductor elements arranged above the axis of rotation along the height direction. The supply ring can, for example, be divided into different circular segments, wherein the outlet region with the at least one outlet opening is particularly arranged in the circular segment oriented along the height direction, for example, including the "12 o'clock position".

[0016] In one improvement to the motor, at least two outlet openings may be specified to be arranged in the outlet region, particularly within a range of -30° to +30° around the height axis. If the lamination assembly is viewed axially, more precisely, the supply ring of the motor located at the lamination assembly, the outlet region is located particularly between the 11 o'clock and 13 o'clock positions, specifically covering the 12 o'clock position. For example, the outlet region extends circumferentially within a range of -30° to +30° around the height direction, so that conductor elements arranged vertically above the axis of rotation, as well as conductor elements arranged within the range of -30° to +30°, can be covered by the at least one or both outlet openings.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the temperature control channel of the motor passing through the lamination group can be defined by at least two different inlet openings in each lamination, which are arranged sequentially with each other in the axial direction, and / or the temperature control channel and / or additional channels can be formed by at least one welded channel of the lamination group. In the first variant, at least two different types of laminations can be provided in the lamination group, such as a first lamination type and a second lamination type. These different laminations are distinguished in particular by the arrangement or shape of the inlet openings provided in the laminations. The inlet openings can differ in their position on or within the laminations, and / or in their diameter. These different laminations can, for example, only partially overlap, thereby achieving an orifice plate effect, because the effective working cross-section or flow cross-section that the temperature control medium guided through the two overlapping inlet openings can pass through is reduced compared to only one inlet opening. Furthermore, the welded channel of the lamination group (through which the individual laminations are connected to each other to form the lamination group) can be used as the temperature control channel. Advantageously, this eliminates the need to form a dedicated temperature control channel by introducing an inlet opening in the lamination; instead, the opening provided for forming the welding channel, or the opening formed by forming the welding channel, can be used as the inlet opening. Corresponding combinations of temperature control channels and additional channels are also feasible.

[0018] Furthermore, an additional channel can be provided for the motor from which the temperature-controlled medium can be output to the conductor elements on the second side of the lamination assembly opposite the supply ring, particularly on the twisted side. Such an additional channel is particularly useful when the temperature-controlled medium cannot be supplied from the motor housing, especially when it cannot be ensured that the temperature-controlled medium is supplied directly to the winding head on the twisted side via the lamination assembly passing through the temperature-controlled channel. In this case, the section of the temperature-controlled channel that normally guides the medium through the lamination assembly to the twisted side can be omitted. For example, the temperature-controlled channel can guide the medium only from the supply cavity to the first side and output the temperature-controlled medium there. Alternatively, the temperature-controlled channel and the additional channel can be combined and guided axially through the lamination assembly, particularly at different radial locations. Furthermore, any number of temperature-controlled channels and / or additional channels, particularly multiple temperature-controlled channels and / or additional channels distributed circumferentially, are also possible.

[0019] In addition to the electric motor, the present invention also relates to a drive system comprising the electric motor described above. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising the electric motor described above and / or the drive system described above. As described, in the drive system and / or the motor vehicle, the electric motor can be configured as an electric axle drive.

[0020] All the advantages, details and features described regarding the electric motor can be fully applied to the drive system and motor vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will now be described with reference to embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are schematic diagrams and illustrate:

[0022] Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of the motor is shown in cross-sectional view;

[0023] Figure 2 A three-dimensional sectional view is shown. Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of the motor;

[0024] Figure 3 Shown in axial view Figure 1 , Figure 2 A partial schematic diagram of the motor;

[0025] Figure 4 Shown in sectional view Figures 1-3 A partial schematic diagram of the motor's supply ring;

[0026] Figure 5 Shown in 3D Figure 4 A partial schematic diagram of the supply loop;

[0027] Figure 6 Shown in 3D Figure 4 , Figure 5 A partial schematic diagram of the supply loop; and

[0028] Figure 7 It shows Figures 1-3 A partial schematic diagram of the lamination assembly of the motor. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figure 1 An electric motor 1 for a motor vehicle is shown. The motor 1 is configured, for example, as a traction drive for a motor vehicle, more specifically, a drivetrain, particularly an axle drive. The motor 1 has a temperature control device 2, which includes a supply ring 3 arranged axially adjacent to a lamination assembly 4 of the motor 1, and defining a supply cavity 5 in both the axial and radial directions at the lamination assembly 4. Specifically, as not shown in detail, the supply cavity 5 is defined radially outward by the housing of the motor 1. As indicated by arrow 6, a temperature control medium can be introduced into the supply cavity 5, for example, under pressure, through the housing from the radial outside, using a pump device (not shown).

[0030] The lamination group 4 comprises a plurality of individual laminations arranged close to each other in the axial direction, and these laminations are combined into the lamination group 4, for example, by welding them together. The terms "axial direction," "radial direction," and "circumferential direction" are relative to... Figure 1 This refers to the axis of rotation 7 shown in the diagram. Here, the axial direction extends along, or more precisely, parallel to, the axis of rotation 7. The radial direction extends radially toward or away from the axis of rotation 7. The circumferential direction relates to the tangential direction or rotational direction around the axis of rotation 7. When the height direction is referred to in this application, it is particularly perpendicular to the axis of rotation 7, and... Figure 1 In the diagram, it points upwards, for example, opposite to the direction of arrow 6. The altitude direction is particularly opposite to the direction of gravity, which, for example, is... Figure 1 The middle finger points downwards.

[0031] To guide the temperature-controlled medium (e.g., water or oil) through the motor 1, and more specifically, to control the temperature of different sections of the motor 1, the temperature control device 2 has a temperature control channel 8, which is supplied from the supply chamber 5. Here, the foremost lamination of the lamination group 4 may have an inlet opening 9, which connects to additional inlet openings 10 of the remaining laminations of the lamination group 4. In other words, the temperature-controlled medium can flow from the supply chamber 5 through the inlet opening 9 of the first lamination and turn at adjacent laminations in the axial direction, i.e., radially inward, where the temperature-controlled medium flow is split in the axial direction. Figure 1 The medium is directed toward the first side (i.e., to the left) and toward the second side (i.e., the "twisted side") through the lamination group and the temperature control channel 8. Thus, on the one hand, the temperature control medium is guided through the lamination group 4 to control the temperature, and on the other hand, the temperature control medium reaches the winding head or conductor element 11 (e.g., hairpin section) extending from the lamination group 4.

[0032] The temperature-controlled medium flowing from both sides of the temperature-controlled channel 8 flows around the conductor element 11. Due to gravity, the temperature-controlled medium flows downward, i.e., in the direction of the rotation axis 7 or in the opposite direction to the height, past the conductor element 11. The farther the section of the conductor element 11 is from the outlet of the temperature-controlled channel 8 in the axial direction, the less temperature-controlled medium flows through it, which may result in uneven temperature distribution.

[0033] To compensate for this uneven distribution, the supply ring 3 has at least one outlet opening 12 that connects the supply chamber 5 to the environment. Specifically, the outlet opening 12 is chosen such that a jet or flow forming the temperature-controlled medium exits from the supply chamber 5 and impacts the edge region 13 of the conductor element 11 away from the stacked assembly 4. In particular, the outlet opening 12 may belong to, or be disposed in, or be constructed within the outlet region of the supply ring 3, which is oriented in the height direction relative to the axis of rotation 7. For example, as... Figure 3 As shown, the outlet opening 12 can be arranged at the "12 o'clock position" in the axial view or circumferential direction relative to the motor 1.

[0034] As shown, multiple outlet openings 12 can be provided. These outlet openings 12 can be arranged, for example, circumferentially around the supply ring 3, or a limited outlet area 14 can be arranged along the height direction, for example, within an outlet area 14 around the height direction or height axis from -30° to +30°.

[0035] Figure 4 A partial perspective view of the supply ring 3 is shown, in which it can be seen that multiple outlet openings 12 can be provided, located in the corner regions of the supply ring 3 that define the supply chamber 5. Therefore, the temperature-controlled medium under pressure can exit the supply chamber 5 through the outlet openings 12. The outlet openings 12 can, for example, act as nozzles, and thus output a directional jet of the temperature-controlled medium.

[0036] Figure 5 , Figure 6 Partial perspective views of the supply ring 3 are shown. Purely illustrative, three outlet openings 12, 12', and 12'' are provided, arranged in the outlet region 14. For example, the middle outlet opening 12 may be arranged at a 0° angle, i.e., vertically above the rotation axis 7. In contrast, the first outlet opening 12' and the second outlet opening 12'' may be offset by a defined angle in the circumferential direction, for example, in the range of 0 to + / -30°. Specifically, the first outlet opening 12' is offset by -30° and the second outlet opening 12'' by +30°, or vice versa.

[0037] Figure 7A perspective view of the stack 4 is shown, in which the supply ring 3 is concealed. It can be seen that the stack 4 has multiple inlet openings 9, which are connected, more precisely, in fluid communication, with inlet openings 10 arranged sequentially along the axial direction in the stacks of the stack 4, thereby enabling the described temperature-controlled medium distribution in the temperature-controlled channel 8. Correspondingly, the last stack along the axial direction may also have an opening acting as an orifice plate through which the temperature-controlled medium can be discharged. Another inlet opening 15 is also shown, which is connected to an auxiliary channel 16. Therefore, the temperature-controlled medium can also flow from the supply chamber 5 into the auxiliary channel 16 through the inlet opening 15. Figure 1 , Figure 2 The additional channel is also shown in the diagram. The additional channel 16 can be constructed, for example, through an opening in the laminations of the lamination group 4 (e.g., the inlet opening 10 of the laminations), or the additional channel 16 can be constructed through a welding channel through which the laminations of the lamination group 4 are welded to each other.

[0038] For example, Figure 1 As shown, the temperature control medium can be output at an outer radial position through the additional channel 16, thereby improving the temperature control of the conductor element 11, especially on the second side or the "twisted side".

[0039] The advantages, details and features described in the various embodiments can be combined, interchanged and transferred to each other in any way. List of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Motor 2 Temperature control device 3. Supply Chain 4 stacked pieces 5. Supply chamber 6 arrows 7. Axis of rotation 8 temperature control channels 9 and 10 entrance openings 11 Conductor elements 12. Exit opening 13 Edge Area 14 Export Area 15. Entrance opening 16 Additional channels.

Claims

1. An electric motor (1) for a motor vehicle, said motor comprising a temperature control device (2) configured to control the temperature, particularly cooling, of at least one section of the motor (1), wherein, The motor (1) has a lamination group (4) having a plurality of laminations arranged side by side along the axial direction of the motor (1), wherein the temperature control device (2) has at least one temperature control channel (8) extending at least partially through the lamination group (4) in the axial direction, wherein a supply ring (3) is provided adjacent to the lamination group (4) in the axial direction defining a supply cavity (5), the supply cavity (5) being connected to the temperature control channel (8) through which a temperature control medium can be delivered, characterized in that the supply ring (3) has at least one outlet opening (12) through which the temperature control medium can be output from the supply cavity (5) toward at least one conductor element (11) extending from the lamination group (4) in the axial direction.

2. The motor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lamination group (4) of the motor (1) has a first side and a second side, particularly a twisted side, wherein the supply ring (3) is arranged on the first side of the lamination group (4) and / or the supply ring (3) is arranged on the second side of the lamination group (4).

3. The motor (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least one outlet opening (12), in particular as a nozzle, is configured to output the temperature-controlled medium as a directional flow from the supply chamber (5).

4. The motor (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The outlet opening (12) is configured as an edge region (13) spaced apart from the lamination group (4) in the axial direction of at least one conductor element (11) of the motor (1) from the temperature control medium.

5. The motor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one outlet opening (12) is arranged in the outlet region (14) of the supply ring (3), particularly on a circular segment of the supply ring (3) arranged along the height direction.

6. The motor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At least two outlet openings (12, 12', 12'') are arranged in the outlet area (14), particularly within the range of -30° to +30° around the height axis.

7. The motor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The temperature control channel (8) passing through the stack (4) is defined by at least two different inlet openings (9, 10, 15) in each stack, which are arranged sequentially with each other in the axial direction, and / or the temperature control channel (8) and / or the additional channel (16) are formed by at least one welding channel of the stack (4).

8. The motor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, An additional channel (16) is provided, which can output the temperature control medium from the additional channel to the conductor element (11) on the second side of the stack (4) opposite to the supply ring (3), especially the twisted side.

9. A drive system comprising the motor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A motor vehicle, comprising an electric motor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and / or a drive system according to the preceding claim.

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