Rotating electrical machine and driving apparatus

Abstract

The utility model relates to a rotating motor and a driving device. One mode of the rotating motor comprises a rotor which can rotate by taking a central axis as a center; a stator facing the rotor with a gap therebetween; a housing having a housing part in which the rotor and the stator are housed; a conductive part, at least a part of which is housed inside the housing part; and a pressure adjustment part provided in the housing part. The housing part has: a peripheral wall part which surrounds the stator from the outside in the radial direction and which is open on one side in the axial direction; and a cover wall part which covers an opening on one side of the peripheral wall part in the axial direction. A part of the cover wall portion is a protruding wall portion protruding toward one side in the axial direction. At least a portion of the protruding wall portion is opposed to the conductive portion in the axial direction. The pressure adjusting part is arranged on the protruding wall part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a rotating motor and a driving device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a driving device including a ventilation device provided in a housing (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-82930 Utility Model Content

[0006] In the driving device described above, there is a problem that the shape of the housing is easily complicated due to the provision of the ventilator.

[0007] In view of the above situation, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a rotating electrical machine and a driving device having a structure capable of suppressing the complexity of the shape of a housing.

[0008] One embodiment of the rotary electric machine of the present invention comprises: a rotor capable of rotating about a central axis; a stator opposed to the rotor with a gap therebetween; a housing having a housing portion for housing the rotor and the stator therein; a conductive portion, at least a portion of which is housed inside the housing portion; and a pressure adjustment portion provided in the housing portion. The housing portion comprises: a peripheral wall portion that surrounds the stator from the radially outer side and is open on one axial side; and a cover wall portion that covers the opening on one axial side of the peripheral wall portion. A portion of the cover wall portion is a protruding wall portion that protrudes axially to one side. At least a portion of the protruding wall portion is axially opposed to the conductive portion. The pressure adjustment portion is provided in the protruding wall portion.

[0009] One aspect of a drive device of the present invention includes: the above-mentioned rotating electric machine; and a gear mechanism connected to the rotating electric machine.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, in a rotating electrical machine and a drive device, it is possible to suppress the shape of the housing from becoming complicated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram schematically showing the drive device according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the drive device according to the first embodiment as viewed from one axial side.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a diagram of the housing according to the first embodiment as viewed from one axial side.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the protruding wall portion and the pressure adjusting portion according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the protruding wall portion and the pressure adjustment portion of the first embodiment. Figure 2 VV section view in.

[0016] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing a part of the protruding wall portion of the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 7 It is from Figure 6 A perspective view showing a portion of the protruding wall portion according to the first embodiment as viewed from a different angle.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a diagram of the drive device according to the second embodiment as viewed from one axial side.

[0019] Figure 9 This is a diagram of a drive device according to a third embodiment as viewed from one axial side.

[0020] Figure 10 This is a diagram of a drive device according to a fourth embodiment as viewed from one axial side.

[0021] Figure 11 This is a diagram of a drive device according to a fifth embodiment as viewed from one axial side.

[0022] Figure 12 It is a perspective view showing a part of the protruding wall portion and the pressure adjusting portion according to the sixth embodiment.

[0023] Figure 13 It is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the protruding wall portion and the pressure adjusting portion according to the sixth embodiment.

[0024] Figure 14 It is a perspective view showing a part of the protruding wall portion according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In the accompanying drawings, an XYZ coordinate system is appropriately shown as a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. In the XYZ coordinate system, the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction. The side to which the Z-axis arrow points (+Z side) is the upper side, and the side opposite to which the Z-axis arrow points (-Z side) is the lower side. The X-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, and is the front-to-back direction of a vehicle equipped with a drive device in the following embodiments. In the following embodiments, the side to which the X-axis arrow points (+X side) is the front side of the vehicle, and the side opposite to which the X-axis arrow points (-X side) is the rear side of the vehicle. The Y-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and is the left-right direction of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle width direction. In the following embodiments, the side to which the Y-axis arrow points (+Y side) is the right side of the vehicle, and the side opposite to which the Y-axis arrow points (-Y side) is the left side of the vehicle.

[0026] The front-to-back positional relationship is not limited to that described in the following embodiments; the +X side may be the rear side of the vehicle, and the -X side may be the front side. In this case, the +Y side is the left side of the vehicle, and the -Y side is the right side. In this specification, "parallel directions" also include substantially parallel directions, and "orthogonal directions" also include substantially orthogonal directions.

[0027] The center axis J1 shown in the figure is an imaginary axis extending in a direction intersecting the up-down direction. In more detail, the center axis J1 extends in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the up-down direction, that is, in the left-right direction of the vehicle. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction parallel to the center axis J1 is referred to as "axial direction", the radial direction centered on the center axis J1 is referred to as "radial direction", and the circumferential direction centered on the center axis J1, that is, the axis around the center axis J1 is referred to as "circumferential direction". In the following description, the right side (+Y side) in the axial direction is referred to as "one axial side", and the left side (-Y side) in the axial direction is referred to as "the other axial side". The up-down direction is, for example, the vertical direction, and the front-back direction and the left-right direction (axial direction) are, for example, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. In the following embodiment, the front-back direction (X-axis direction) is equivalent to the "cross direction" that intersects both the axial direction and the up-down direction.

[0028] <First embodiment>

[0029] Figure 1 The drive device 100 of the embodiment shown is a drive device installed in a vehicle to rotate the axle. The vehicle on which the drive device 100 is installed is a vehicle that uses a motor as a power source, such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHV), or an electric vehicle (EV). Figure 1 As shown, the driving device 100 includes a rotary electric machine 10 , a gear mechanism 20 connected to the rotary electric machine 10 , and a flow path 90 .

[0030] In this embodiment, the rotating electrical machine 10 is a motor. The rotating electrical machine 10 includes a rotor 11 rotatable about a central axis J1; a stator 12 facing the rotor 11 with a gap therebetween; a housing 30; a base plate 15; a bus bar assembly 17; and a pressure regulator 50. The housing 30 includes a motor housing 31 housing the rotor 11 and stator 12; a gear housing 32 housing the gear mechanism 20; and a base plate housing 36 housing the base plate 15. In this embodiment, the motor housing 31 serves as the "housing portion."

[0031] The rotor 11 includes a motor shaft 11a arranged along the central axis J1 and a rotor core 11b fixed to the motor shaft 11a. The motor shaft 11a is rotatable about the central axis J1. The motor shaft 11a extends axially. In this embodiment, the motor shaft 11a is a hollow shaft extending horizontally. The motor shaft 11a is supported by a pair of bearings 13a and 13b so as to be rotatable about the central axis J1. The pair of bearings 13a and 13b are, for example, rolling bearings such as ball bearings. The motor shaft 11a includes a hole 11c that connects the interior of the motor shaft 11a to the exterior of the motor shaft 11a. A plurality of hole 11c are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0032] The stator 12 is located radially outward from the rotor 11. The stator 12 is annular and surrounds the rotor 11. The stator 12 includes a stator core 12a and a coil assembly 12b. The stator core 12a is located radially outward from the rotor core 11b, facing the rotor core 11b with a gap therebetween. The stator core 12a is constructed, for example, by stacking multiple plate members, such as electromagnetic steel sheets, in the axial direction. Alternatively, the stator core 12a may be a helical core formed from plate members extending helically about the central axis J1.

[0033] Coil assembly 12b includes multiple coils 12c mounted on stator core 12a. Multiple coils 12c are electrically connected to substrate 15 housed within substrate housing 36 via busbar assembly 17. Coil assembly 12b includes coil ends 12d and 12e that protrude axially further than stator core 12a. Coil end 12d protrudes axially further toward one side (+Y side) than stator core 12a. Coil end 12e protrudes axially further toward the other side (-Y side) than stator core 12a.

[0034] The gear mechanism 20 is connected to the rotor 11. More specifically, it is connected to the other axial end (the -Y side) of the motor shaft 11a. The gear mechanism 20 transmits the rotation of the rotor 11 to the vehicle's axles. The gear mechanism 20 includes a reduction gear 21 connected to the rotor 11 and a differential gear 22 connected to the reduction gear 21.

[0035] The reduction gear 21 includes an axially extending first gear shaft 23a and a second gear shaft 23b, a first gear 24a, a second gear 24b, and a third gear 24c. The first gear shaft 23a is supported by a pair of bearings 25a and 25b for rotation about the central axis J1. The first gear shaft 23a is connected to the end on the other axial side (the -Y side) of the motor shaft 11a. The second gear shaft 23b is rotatable about an axially extending intermediate axis J2. In this embodiment, the intermediate axis J2 is a virtual axis extending parallel to the central axis J1. Although not shown, the intermediate axis J2 is, for example, located above the central axis J1 and to the rear (-X side) of the central axis J1. The second gear shaft 23b is supported by a pair of bearings 25c and 25d for rotation about the intermediate axis J2. The first gear 24a is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the first gear shaft 23a. The second gear 24b and the third gear 24c are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the second gear shaft 23b. The second gear 24b meshes with the first gear 24a.

[0036] The differential device 22 has a ring gear 22a that can rotate around a differential axis J3 extending in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the differential axis J3 is a virtual axis extending parallel to the center axis J1. Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the differential axis J3 is located at approximately the same position as the center axis J1 in the vertical direction. More specifically, the differential axis J3 is located slightly below the center axis J1. Although not shown in the figure, the differential axis J3 is located, for example, below the intermediate axis J2. In this embodiment, the differential axis J3 is located at the rear side (-X side) of the center axis J1 and the intermediate axis J2. Figure 1 As shown, the ring gear 22a meshes with the third gear 24c. The lower end of the ring gear 22a is immersed in the oil O stored in the gear housing 32. The rotation of the ring gear 22a stirs up the oil O. The stirred-up oil O is supplied to the reduction gear 21 and the differential gear 22 as lubricating oil, for example.

[0037] A pair of output shafts 22g are connected to the differential device 22. The pair of output shafts 22g extend in the axial direction. The pair of output shafts 22g are respectively connected to the wheels of a vehicle (not shown). The torque output from the rotating electric machine 10 is transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle via the reduction gear 21 and the differential device 22.

[0038] In the housing 30 of this embodiment, the motor housing 31 and the gear housing 32 are arranged side by side in the axial direction. The gear housing 32 is located on the other axial side (the -Y side) of the motor housing 31. The gear housing 32 is connected to the other axial side of the motor housing 31. The substrate housing 36 is located above the motor housing 31. The inverter circuit that supplies power to the stator 12 is provided on the substrate 15 housed in the substrate housing 36.

[0039] In this embodiment, the housing 30 includes a housing body 30a, a motor cover 30b, a gear cover 30c, and a substrate cover 36b. In this embodiment, the housing body 30a, the motor cover 30b, the gear cover 30c, and the substrate cover 36b are each made of metal. In addition, the materials constituting the housing body 30a, the motor cover 30b, the gear cover 30c, and the substrate cover 36b are not particularly limited, and may also be materials other than metal, such as resin. The housing body 30a, the motor cover 30b, the gear cover 30c, and the substrate cover 36b are independent of each other. The housing body 30a includes a first peripheral wall portion 30d, a second peripheral wall portion 30e, a partition wall 33, and a substrate storage wall portion 36a. In this embodiment, the motor housing 31 is composed of a partition wall 33, a first peripheral wall portion 30d, and the motor cover 30b. That is, the motor housing 31 includes a partition wall 33, a first peripheral wall portion 30d, and the motor cover 30b. In this embodiment, the gear housing 32 is composed of the partition wall 33, the second peripheral wall portion 30e, and the gear cover 30c. In this embodiment, the substrate housing 36 is composed of the substrate storage wall portion 36a and the substrate cover 36b.

[0040] The first circumferential wall portion 30d is a circumferential wall portion that surrounds the stator 12 from the radially outer side. The first circumferential wall portion 30d is in the shape of a cylinder that is open on one axial side (+Y side). A partition wall 33 is provided at the end portion of the other axial side (-Y side) of the first circumferential wall portion 30d. The opening on one axial side of the first circumferential wall portion 30d is closed by a motor cover 30b fixed to the end portion of one axial side of the first circumferential wall portion 30d. Figure 3 As shown, the first peripheral wall portion 30d includes a cylindrical peripheral wall main portion 37 that surrounds the stator 12 from the radially outer side; a wall portion 38 that extends radially outward from the end of the peripheral wall main portion 37 on one axial side (the +Y side); and a first frame portion 39 that protrudes axially from the radially outer edge of the wall portion 38. A radially outwardly recessed recess 37a is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall main portion 37. In this embodiment, the recess 37a is provided in the upper portion of the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall main portion 37. The recess 37a is recessed upward and rearward (the -X side).

[0041] The wall portion 38 extends radially outward from the entire circumference of the end portion on one axial side (+Y side) of the peripheral wall main body portion 37. In the present embodiment, a portion of the wall portion 38 including the upper end constitutes a portion of the wall portion located on one axial side of the wall portion constituting the substrate housing 36. The portion of the wall portion 38 connected to the upper and rear side (-X side) portion of the end portion on one axial side of the peripheral wall main body portion 37 is a protrusion 38a protruding toward the rear side. The upper side portion of the protrusion 38a constitutes a portion of the wall portion located on one axial side of the wall portion constituting the substrate housing 36. The first frame portion 39 is in the shape of a frame that surrounds the central axis J1 along the radial outer edge portion of the wall portion 38. In addition, the wall portion 38 may not constitute a portion of the wall portion located on one axial side of the wall portion constituting the substrate housing 36.

[0042] The wall portion 38 is provided with a hole portion 38b that passes through the wall portion 38 in the axial direction. The hole portion 38b is provided in a portion of the wall portion 38 that constitutes the wall portion on one axial side (+Y side) of the substrate housing 36. The hole portion 38b is provided in the protrusion 38a. That is, the hole portion 38b is a through hole that passes through the protrusion 38a in the axial direction. The hole portion 38b connects the interior of the motor housing 31 and the interior of the substrate housing 36. The hole portion 38b is located on the rear side (-X side) of the center axis J1. The hole portion 38b is located at a position closer to the front side (+X side) than the differential axis J3. The hole portion 38b is located above the center axis J1 and the differential axis J3.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the bus bar assembly 17 passes through the hole portion 38b in the axial direction. The bus bar assembly 17 is configured to span the interior of the motor housing 31 and the interior of the substrate housing 36. The bus bar assembly 17 has a bus bar 14 and a retaining member 18 made of an insulating material (for example, an insulating resin) that holds the bus bar 14. The bus bar 14 extends in the axial direction. The bus bar 14 is configured to span the interior of the motor housing 31 and the interior of the substrate housing 36. In the present embodiment, the bus bar 14 is equivalent to a "conductive portion" at least a portion of which is housed inside the motor housing 31. That is, the rotating electrical machine 10 has the bus bar 14 as a conductive portion. In the present embodiment, a portion of the bus bar 14 is housed inside the motor housing 31. A plurality of bus bars 14 are provided.

[0044] The plurality of coil lead wires 16 extending from the coil assembly 12b of the stator 12 are electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 14, respectively. The plurality of coil lead wires 16 extend from the coil end 12d to the rear side (-X side) and the upper side. The rear and upper ends of the plurality of coil lead wires 16 are electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 14, respectively. The plurality of coil lead wires 16 are equivalent to a "conductive portion" at least a portion of which is housed inside the motor housing 31. That is, the rotating electrical machine 10 has the coil lead wires 16 as a conductive portion. In the present embodiment, the plurality of coil lead wires 16 are entirely housed inside the motor housing 31.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the motor cover 30b has: a cover wall portion 34 covering the opening on one axial side (+Y side) of the first peripheral wall portion 30d; and a second frame portion 35 protruding from the radial outer edge of the cover wall portion 34 to the other axial side (-Y side). That is, the motor housing 31 has the cover wall portion 34 and the second frame portion 35. Figure 2As shown, the second frame portion 35 is frame-shaped, extending along the radially outer edge of the cover wall portion 34 and surrounding the central axis J1. When viewed in the axial direction, the second frame portion 35 has the same shape as the first frame portion 39. The first frame portion 39 and the second frame portion 35 overlap each other when viewed in the axial direction. The other axial end of the second frame portion 35 axially contacts the one axial end of the first frame portion 39. The second frame portion 35 is secured to the first frame portion 39, for example, using a plurality of screws or other means.

[0046] The cover wall portion 34 is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the rotor 11 and the stator 12. The cover wall portion 34 is opposite to the rotor 11 and the stator 12 in the axial direction. Figure 1 As shown, a bearing holding portion 34 c for holding the bearing 13 a is provided on a surface of the cover wall portion 34 that faces the interior of the motor housing 31 , that is, on the other axial side (−Y side).

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the cover wall portion 34 includes a first portion 34a and a second portion 34b. The first portion 34a axially overlaps the rotor 11 and the stator 12. The second portion 34b protrudes rearward (-X direction) from the upper portion of the first portion 34a. The second portion 34b axially overlaps the protrusion 38a of the first circumferential wall portion 30d. The second portion 34b and the protrusion 38a are axially opposed to each other with a gap therebetween.

[0048] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a portion of the cover wall portion 34 is a protruding wall portion 40 that protrudes axially toward one side (the +Y side). The protruding wall portion 40 is located axially toward one side of the peripheral edge surrounding the protruding wall portion 40, as viewed in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the protruding wall portion 40 is a hollow portion whose interior is open toward the other axial side (the -Y side). The interior of the protruding wall portion 40 constitutes a portion of the interior of the motor housing 31.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the protruding wall portion 40 is part of the portion of the cover wall portion 34 located on the rear side (-X side). The protruding wall portion 40 includes a portion of the first portion 34a and a portion of the second portion 34b. In this embodiment, the protruding wall portion 40 extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. More specifically, the protruding wall portion 40 extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction that is inclined relative to both the vertical direction and the front-back direction (X-axis direction). The protruding wall portion 40 is positioned upward as it approaches the rear side.

[0050] At least a portion of the protruding wall portion 40 is axially opposite to the busbar 14 and the coil lead wires 16, which serve as the conductive portion. In the present embodiment, a portion of the protruding wall portion 40 is axially opposite to the busbar 14 and the coil lead wires 16. In the present embodiment, the entirety of the multiple busbars 14 and the entirety of the multiple coil lead wires 16 overlap with the protruding wall portion 40 in the axial direction. The protruding wall portion 40 covers the hole portion 38b, the busbar assembly 17, and the multiple coil lead wires 16 from one axial side (+Y side). The multiple coil lead wires 16 are located axially between the protruding wall portion 40 and the protruding portion 38a. The protruding wall portion 40 is a portion of the cover wall portion 34 that is axially opposite to the multiple busbars 14 and the multiple coil lead wires 16, which serve as the conductive portion, and that protrudes axially to one side. Therefore, the axial distance between the multiple busbars 14 and the multiple coil lead wires 16, through which current flows, and the cover wall portion 34 can be increased. This ensures an insulation distance between the plurality of bus bars 14 and the plurality of coil lead wires 16 as conductive portions and the case 30 .

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the protruding wall portion 40 has a relative wall portion 41 and a side wall portion 42. The relative wall portion 41 is a wall extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The relative wall portion 41 is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the plurality of bus bars 14 and the plurality of coil lead wires 16 serving as conductive portions. The relative wall portion 41 extends in a direction inclined relative to both the up and down directions and the front and back directions (X-axis direction) in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The relative wall portion 41 is located on the upper side as it moves toward the rear side (-X side). A raised portion 43b protruding to one axial side (+Y side) is provided on the relative wall portion 41. The raised portion 43b is a portion of the relative wall portion 41 that protrudes to one axial side more than the portion other than the raised portion 43b. In the present embodiment, the raised portion 43b is substantially rectangular.

[0052] The side wall portion 42 is connected to the outer peripheral edge portion of the relative wall portion 41. The side wall portion 42 protrudes from the outer peripheral edge portion of the relative wall portion 41 to the other axial side (-Y side) and is connected to the peripheral edge portion of the protruding wall portion 40 in the cover wall portion 34. The side wall portion 42 is annular and extends along the outer peripheral edge portion of the relative wall portion 41. The side wall portion 42 has a first upper wall portion 43a, a second upper wall portion 45, and a third upper wall portion 46. The first upper wall portion 43a, the second upper wall portion 45, and the third upper wall portion 46 are portions of the side wall portion 42 that have a surface facing upward on the outside of the motor housing 31. The portion of the side wall portion 42 that has a surface facing upward on the outside of the motor housing 31 only needs to be a portion that has a surface that includes an upward component on the outer surface of the side wall portion 42 facing the outside of the motor housing 31. In other words, the portion of the side wall 42 having the surface facing upward outside the motor case 31 only needs to be a portion of the side wall 42 having a surface that is visible when the side wall 42 is viewed from directly above.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first upper wall portion 43a is the upper end portion of the side wall portion 42. The first upper wall portion 43a is the uppermost portion of the side wall portion 42. Figure 6 As shown, the first upper wall portion 43a has a first upper surface 43c facing the upper side. The first upper surface 43c is a plane perpendicular to the up and down directions. The first upper surface 43c is, for example, a machined surface produced by cutting. The first upper surface 43c may be a surface produced when the motor cover 30b is manufactured by a forming method using a mold, such as die casting. The first upper wall portion 43a protrudes to one axial side (+Y side) than other portions of the side wall portion 42 connected to the first upper wall portion 43a. The first upper wall portion 43a protrudes to one axial side further than the second upper wall portion 45 and the third upper wall portion 46. The first upper wall portion 43a is connected to the raised portion 43b.

[0054] like Figure 4 As shown, the second upper wall portion 45 extends from the first upper wall portion 43a toward the front side (+X side) and the lower side. The second upper wall portion 45 has a second upper surface 45a facing the upper side. The second upper surface 45a is an inclined surface inclined relative to a surface perpendicular to the up and down directions. The second upper surface 45a faces the upper side and the front side. The second upper surface 45a is located on the lower side as it faces the front side. In this embodiment, the second upper surface 45a is a surface extending in a straight line. The second upper surface 45a is located at a position lower than the first upper surface 43c. Between the rear side (-X side) and upper end of the second upper surface 45a and the front end of the first upper surface 43c, a step portion 42b having a step surface facing the front side is provided.

[0055] The third upper wall portion 46 is connected to the front (+X side) and lower end of the second upper wall portion 45. The third upper wall portion 46 has a third upper surface 46a facing upward. The third upper surface 46a is a curved surface that is positioned downward as it approaches the front. The third upper surface 46a is an arc-shaped surface that is convex toward the front and upper side when viewed in the axial direction.

[0056] The protruding wall portion 40 has a holding portion 43 for holding the pressure adjustment portion 50. In this embodiment, the holding portion 43 is composed of a first upper wall portion 43a and a raised portion 43b. Figure 2 As shown, the holding portion 43 has a portion axially overlapping with the hole 38b and the bus bar assembly 17. The holding portion 43 has a portion positioned at the same position as the hole 38b and the bus bar assembly 17 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction).

[0057] like Figure 6As shown, a first through-hole 44 is provided in the retaining portion 43. Specifically, the protruding wall portion 40 has the first through-hole 44. The first through-hole 44 penetrates the protruding wall portion 40, connecting the exterior of the motor housing 31 with the interior of the motor housing 31. The first through-hole 44 is formed, for example, by machining the protruding wall portion 40 downward from the first upper surface 43c of the first upper wall portion 43a. In this embodiment, the first through-hole 44 has a circular shape when viewed from the top and bottom.

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the first through-hole 44 is provided across the side wall portion 42 and the opposing wall portion 41. More specifically, the first through-hole 44 is provided across the first upper wall portion 43a and the raised portion 43b. A threaded portion 44e is provided on the inner circumference of the first through-hole 44. A bottom portion 43d is provided on the lower side of the first through-hole 44. The bottom portion 43d is a portion of the raised portion 43b.

[0059] The first through hole 44 has an outer opening 44a and an inner opening 44b. The outer opening 44a is an opening that opens to the outside of the motor housing 31. The outer opening 44a opens to the first upper surface 43c. The outer opening 44a opens on the upper side.

[0060] The inner opening portion 44b is an opening portion that opens inside the motor housing 31. Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the inner opening portion 44b is provided across the side wall portion 42 and the opposing wall portion 41. More specifically, the inner opening portion 44b is provided across the first upper wall portion 43a and the raised portion 43b. The inner opening portion 44b has a first opening portion 44c that opens on the inner surface 41a of the opposing wall portion 41 and a second opening portion 44d that opens on the inner surface 42a of the side wall portion 42. The first opening portion 44c opens on the inner surface of the raised portion 43b in the inner surface 41a. The first opening portion 44c opens on the other axial side (-Y side). The second opening portion 44d opens on the inner surface of the first upper wall portion 43a in the inner surface 42a. The inner surface of the first upper wall portion 43a is the lower side of the first upper wall portion 43a. The second opening portion 44d opens on the lower side.

[0061] like Figure 1As shown, the second circumferential wall portion 30e of the housing body 30a is cylindrical and opens on the other axial side (-Y side). A partition wall 33 is provided at the end of the second circumferential wall portion 30e on one axial side (+Y side). The opening on the other axial side of the second circumferential wall portion 30e is closed by a gear cover 30c fixed to the end of the second circumferential wall portion 30e on the other axial side. The gear cover 30c has a cover portion 30f that covers the gear mechanism 20 from the other axial side and a third circumferential wall portion 30g that protrudes from the radial outer edge of the cover portion 30f to one axial side. The end of the third circumferential wall portion 30g on one axial side is connected to the end of the second circumferential wall portion 30e on the other axial side. A bearing retaining portion 35a that retains the bearing 25a and a bearing retaining portion 35c that retains the bearing 25c are provided on the cover portion 30f.

[0062] The partition wall 33 separates the interior of the motor housing 31 from the interior of the gear housing 32. The partition wall 33 is a wall portion that axially separates the interior of the motor housing 31 from the interior of the gear housing 32. The partition wall 33 has a partition wall opening 33a that connects the interior of the motor housing 31 to the interior of the gear housing 32. The partition wall 33 holds the bearings 13b, 25b, and 25d.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the housing 30 has a storage portion P for storing oil O as a fluid. The oil O is used as a refrigerant for cooling the rotating electrical machine 10. In addition, the oil O is used as a lubricating oil for the reduction gear 21 and the differential gear 22. As the oil O, for example, in order to exert the functions of a refrigerant and a lubricating oil, it is preferable to use an oil equivalent to an automatic transmission lubricating oil (ATF: Automatic Transmission Fluid) with a relatively low viscosity. The storage portion P is composed of a portion on the lower side of the housing 30. The storage portion P has a first storage portion P1 provided in the motor housing 31 and a second storage portion P2 provided in the gear housing 32. The interior of the first storage portion P1 is composed of the lower area inside the motor housing 31. The interior of the second storage portion P2 is composed of the lower area inside the gear housing 32. The interior of the first storage portion P1 and the interior of the second storage portion P2 are connected to each other via the partition wall opening 33a.

[0064] like Figure 1 As shown, flow path 90 is a flow path through which oil O, a fluid, flows. Flow path 90 is a path that supplies the oil O in the second reservoir P2 to the rotor 11, stator 12, and gear mechanism 20. A pump 81 and a cooler 82 are provided midway along flow path 90. The pump 81 and cooler 82 are mounted on the outer surface of the housing 30. Flow path 90 includes an intake flow path portion 91, a first connecting flow path portion 92, a second connecting flow path portion 93, a first fluid supply portion 94, a second fluid supply portion 95, a third connecting flow path portion 96, a fourth connecting flow path portion 97, and a discharge flow path portion 99.

[0065] The suction flow path 91 connects the interior of the second reservoir P2 to the pump 81. The first connecting flow path 92 connects the pump 81 to the cooler 82. The second connecting flow path 93 connects the cooler 82 to the first fluid supply unit 94. The second connecting flow path 93 is provided in the motor cover 30b. The second connecting flow path 93 is connected to the interior of the motor shaft 11a via the interior of the bearing retaining portion 34c.

[0066] The first fluid supply portion 94 is a fluid supply portion provided by the rotary electric machine 10. In the present embodiment, the first fluid supply portion 94 supplies oil O as a fluid to the stator 12. The first fluid supply portion 94 is located inside the motor housing 31. In the present embodiment, the first fluid supply portion 94 is composed of a tubular member extending in the axial direction. The first fluid supply portion 94 is, for example, a substantially cylindrical tube extending in the axial direction. Figure 3 As shown, the first fluid supply portion 94 is located within the recess 37a. The first fluid supply portion 94 is located further rearward (-X-side) than the central axis J1. The first fluid supply portion 94 is located above the rear portion of the stator 12. The first fluid supply portion 94 is not limited to a generally cylindrical tube. For example, the first fluid supply portion 94 may be in the form of a groove open at the top, or may be a hole provided within the wall of the motor housing 31.

[0067] like Figure 2 As shown, the first fluid supply portion 94 has a supply port 94a that opens toward the stator 12 inside the motor housing 31. The supply port 94a includes a first supply port 94b and a second supply port 94c. The first supply port 94b opens toward the rear side (-X side) and the lower side. The second supply port 94c opens toward the front side (+X side) and the lower side. A plurality of first supply ports 94b and second supply ports 94c are respectively provided at intervals in the axial direction. The plurality of first supply ports 94b, for example, include a first supply port 94b that opens toward the stator core 12a and a first supply port 94b that opens toward the coil ends 12d and 12e. The plurality of second supply ports 94c, for example, include a second supply port 94c that opens toward the stator core 12a and a second supply port 94c that opens toward the coil ends 12d and 12e. As Figure 1 As shown, the end portion on the other axial side (−Y side) of the first fluid supply portion 94 is connected to the end portion on one axial side (+Y side) of the second fluid supply portion 95 via a hole provided in the partition wall 33 .

[0068] The second fluid supply portion 95 is located inside the gear housing 32. In this embodiment, the second fluid supply portion 95 is formed of a tubular member extending in the axial direction. For example, the second fluid supply portion 95 is a substantially cylindrical tube extending in the axial direction. The second fluid supply portion 95 has a supply port 95a that opens toward the gear mechanism 20. A plurality of supply ports 95a are provided at intervals in the axial direction.

[0069] The third connecting flow path 96 connects the second fluid supply portion 95 with the interior of the bearing holder 35c. The fourth connecting flow path 97 connects the interior of the bearing holder 35c with the interior of the bearing holder 35a. The discharge flow path 99 connects the interior of the bearing holder 35a with the interior of the second reservoir P2.

[0070] When the pump 81 is driven, the oil O stored in the second reservoir P2 is drawn into the suction flow path 91 and flows into the cooler 82 through the first connecting flow path 92. The oil O flowing into the cooler 82 is cooled within the cooler 82 before flowing into the second connecting flow path 93. A portion of the oil O flowing into the second connecting flow path 93 flows into the motor shaft 11a through the bearing retaining portion 34c. The oil O flowing into the motor shaft 11a is supplied to the stator 12 through the hole 11c and the rotor core 11b. The remaining oil O flowing into the second connecting flow path 93 flows into the first fluid supply portion 94. The oil O flowing into the first fluid supply portion 94 flows toward the other axial side (the -Y side) within the first fluid supply portion 94. A portion of the oil O flowing into the first fluid supply portion 94 is supplied to the stator 12 through the supply port 94a. The oil O supplied from the interior of the motor shaft 11a to the stator 12 and the oil O supplied from the supply port 94a to the stator 12 fall downward and accumulate in the first reservoir P1. A portion of the oil O accumulated in the first reservoir P1 returns to the interior of the second reservoir P2 through the partition wall opening 33a provided in the partition wall 33.

[0071] The remaining portion of the oil O that has flowed into the first fluid supply section 94 flows into the second fluid supply section 95 from the end portion on one axial side (the +Y side) of the second fluid supply section 95. The oil O that has flowed into the second fluid supply section 95 flows toward the other axial side (the -Y side) within the second fluid supply section 95. A portion of the oil O that has flowed into the second fluid supply section 95 is supplied to the gear mechanism 20 through the supply port 95a. This ensures that the oil O is adequately supplied to the gear mechanism 20. The remaining portion of the oil O that has flowed into the second fluid supply section 95 flows into the third connecting flow path 96. The oil O that has flowed into the third connecting flow path 96 flows into the interior of the bearing retaining portion 35c. Thus, the oil O is supplied to the bearing 25c. At least a portion of the oil O that has flowed into the bearing retaining portion 35c flows through the fourth connecting flow path 97 into the bearing retaining portion 35a. Thus, the oil O is supplied to the bearing 25a. At least a portion of the oil O that has flowed into the bearing retaining portion 35a returns to the interior of the second reservoir P2 through the discharge flow path 99.

[0072] like Figure 4As shown, the pressure regulator 50 is provided in the motor housing 31. The pressure regulator 50 is capable of adjusting the pressure inside the motor housing 31. In this embodiment, the pressure regulator 50 is a vent valve. When the pressure inside the motor housing 31 exceeds a threshold value, the pressure regulator 50 connects the inside of the motor housing 31 with the outside of the motor housing 31, allowing some of the air inside the motor housing 31 to be released to the outside of the motor housing 31. Thus, when the pressure inside the motor housing 31 exceeds the threshold value, the pressure inside the motor housing 31 can be reduced.

[0073] The pressure adjustment portion 50 is provided on the protruding wall portion 40. Therefore, there is no need to provide a portion for mounting the pressure adjustment portion 50 in the portion other than the protruding wall portion 40 in the motor housing 31. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the complication of the shape of the portion other than the protruding wall portion 40 of the motor housing 31. In addition, the protruding wall portion 40 protrudes to one axial side (+Y side). Thus, not only can the insulation distance between the plurality of bus bars 14 and the plurality of coil lead wires 16 as the conductive portions and the motor housing 31 be ensured, but the pressure adjustment portion 50 can also be easily mounted on the protruding wall portion 40. Therefore, the protruding wall portion 40 can be formed into a simple shape instead of a complex shape, and the pressure adjustment portion 50 can be mounted on the protruding wall portion 40. Therefore, by providing the pressure adjustment portion 50 using the protruding wall portion 40, it is possible to suppress the complication of the shape of the motor housing 31 and the complication of the shape of the housing 30.

[0074] Furthermore, by providing the pressure regulating portion 50 on the protruding wall portion 40 that protrudes axially to one side (the +Y side), the pressure regulating portion 50 can be more easily separated from the stator 12 in the axial direction, compared to a case where the pressure regulating portion 50 is provided in a portion of the cover wall portion 34 other than the protruding wall portion 40. Therefore, when a first fluid supply portion 94 having a supply port 94a that opens toward the stator 12 is provided as in this embodiment, the oil O supplied from the supply port 94a toward the stator 12 can be less likely to reach the pressure regulating portion 50. This can suppress leakage of the oil O to the outside of the motor housing 31 through the pressure regulating portion 50.

[0075] In this embodiment, the pressure regulating portion 50 is provided on the side wall portion 42. Therefore, compared to a case where the pressure regulating portion 50 is provided on the opposing wall portion 41, the pressure regulating portion 50 can be prevented from protruding axially beyond the protruding wall portion 40. This can prevent the rotary electric machine 10 from increasing in size in the axial direction.

[0076] In this embodiment, the pressure regulator 50 is provided on the first upper wall portion 43a of the side wall portion 42. Specifically, the pressure regulator 50 is provided on the portion of the side wall portion 42 that has an upward-facing surface on the exterior of the motor housing 31. Therefore, when the interior of the motor housing 31 is connected to the exterior of the motor housing 31 via the pressure regulator 50, a portion of the air within the motor housing 31 can be easily opened upward. Consequently, when the air within the motor housing 31 warms and the pressure within the motor housing 31 rises, the warmed air within the motor housing 31 flows upward within the pressure regulator 50 and easily escapes to the exterior of the motor housing 31. Consequently, the pressure within the motor housing 31 can be easily and appropriately reduced. Furthermore, even if foreign matter such as metal powder is generated within the motor housing 31 from the rotor 11 and stator 12, the foreign matter falls downward due to gravity, making it less likely to pass through the pressure regulator 50. This prevents foreign matter generated within the motor housing 31 from escaping through the pressure regulator 50 to the exterior of the motor housing 31. Furthermore, when oil O is stored within the motor housing 31 as in this embodiment, gravity makes it difficult for the oil O within the motor housing 31 to pass through the pressure regulator 50. Consequently, leakage of the oil O to the outside of the motor housing 31 via the pressure regulator 50 can be suppressed. In particular, when oil O is supplied to the stator 12 from the supply port 94a that opens into the motor housing 31, or when oil O within the motor shaft 11a is supplied to the coil ends 12d and 12e via the rotor core 11b, the oil O is likely to scatter within the motor housing 31. Even in such situations, since the pressure regulator 50 opens upward within the motor housing 31, leakage of the oil O within the motor housing 31 to the outside via the pressure regulator 50 can be suppressed.

[0077] As described above, in this embodiment, the first upper wall portion 43a is the upper end portion of the side wall portion 42 of the protruding wall portion 40. That is, in this embodiment, the pressure regulating portion 50 is provided at the upper end portion of the side wall portion 42. Therefore, compared to the case where the pressure regulating portion 50 is provided at other parts of the side wall portion 42, the pressure regulating portion 50 can be arranged on the upper side. As a result, when the pressure inside the motor housing 31 rises, air can be more appropriately released to the outside of the motor housing 31 via the pressure regulating portion 50. Therefore, the pressure inside the motor housing 31 can be more appropriately reduced. In addition, it is possible to more appropriately suppress the oil O inside the motor housing 31 from leaking to the outside of the motor housing 31 via the pressure regulating portion 50.

[0078] like Figure 5As shown, at least a portion of the pressure regulating portion 50 is located inside the first through-hole 44. In this embodiment, a portion of the pressure regulating portion 50 is located inside the first through-hole 44. The pressure regulating portion 50 is mounted on the protruding wall portion 40 with a portion inserted into the first through-hole 44. The pressure regulating portion 50 includes a fixing portion 51, a cap portion 52, a sealing portion 53, and an elastic portion 54. The fixing portion 51 includes an extension portion 55 extending in the vertical direction and a flange portion 56 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the extension portion 55. The extension portion 55 extends in the vertical direction. The extension portion 55 is generally cylindrical. The portion of the extension portion 55 below the flange portion 56 is located inside the first through-hole 44. A threaded portion 55a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the extension portion 55 below the flange portion 56, and the threaded portion 55a engages with the threaded portion 44e provided on the inner peripheral surface of the first through-hole 44. The pressure regulating portion 50 is fixed to the protruding wall portion 40 by screwing the portion of the extension portion 55 below the flange portion 56 into the first through-hole 44. The lower end of the extension portion 55 is spaced apart and positioned above the bottom portion 43d. A portion of the portion of the extension portion 55 below the flange portion 56 is positioned within the protruding wall portion 40 via the inner opening 44b.

[0079] An annular protrusion 57 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the upper end of the extension portion 55. The annular protrusion 57 is annular and surrounds the extension portion 55. The extension portion 55 is provided with a third through-hole 58 that vertically penetrates the extension portion 55. The lower end of the third through-hole 58 communicates with the interior of the protruding wall portion 40 via the interior of the first through-hole 44. Thus, the third through-hole 58 communicates with the interior of the motor housing 31.

[0080] The flange portion 56 is annular and surrounds the extension portion 55. The flange portion 56 is located below the upper end of the extension portion 55 and above the lower end of the extension portion 55. The lower surface of the flange portion 56 contacts the peripheral edge of the first through-hole 44 in the first upper surface 43c. By screwing a portion of the extension portion 55 into the first through-hole 44 and contacting the lower surface of the flange portion 56 with the peripheral edge of the first through-hole 44 in the first upper surface 43c, the upper opening of the first through-hole 44, i.e., the outer opening 44a, is blocked. A sealing material may also be provided between the lower surface of the flange portion 56 and the first upper surface 43c.

[0081] The cap 52 is cylindrical and open at the bottom. In this embodiment, the cap 52 is substantially cylindrical. A portion of the portion of the extension 55 located above the flange 56 is inserted into the cap 52. The lower end of the cap 52 is positioned above the flange 56 with a gap therebetween. Although not shown, the cap 52 includes a protrusion from the bottom that engages with the annular protrusion 57. This prevents the cap 52 from falling upward from the fixing portion 51.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the closing portion 53 is a plate-shaped component with the plate surface facing the up-down direction. The closing portion 53 is located inside the cap portion 52. The closing portion 53 is located on the upper side of the extension portion 55. The closing portion 53 contacts the upper end of the extension portion 55 and closes the upper opening of the third through hole 58 in a manner that allows it to be opened. An elastic portion 54 is provided between the upper wall portion of the wall portion constituting the cap portion 52 and the closing portion 53 in the up-down direction. The elastic portion 54 applies an elastic force toward the lower side to the closing portion 53. The closing portion 53 is pressed against the upper end of the extension portion 55 by the elastic portion 54. In the present embodiment, the elastic portion 54 is a coil spring extending in the up-down direction.

[0083] When the pressure inside the motor housing 31 rises, the pressure inside the third through-hole 58 connected to the inside of the motor housing 31 also rises, and the pressure applied upward to the sealing portion 53 from the air inside the third through-hole 58 increases. When this upward pressure reaches a threshold value or above, the elastic portion 54 is pressed upward by the sealing portion 53 and elastically deformed, and the sealing portion 53 moves upward. As a result, the upper opening of the third through-hole 58 is opened. When the upper opening of the third through-hole 58 is opened, the inside of the third through-hole 58 and the outside of the motor housing 31 are connected to each other through the inside of the cap 52 and the lower opening of the cap 52. Therefore, the inside of the motor housing 31 and the outside of the motor housing 31 are connected to each other through the third through-hole 58, and a portion of the air inside the motor housing 31 is discharged to the outside of the motor housing 31. When some of the air in the motor housing 31 is released to the outside of the motor housing 31 and the pressure in the motor housing 31 falls below a threshold, the sealing portion 53 is pressed downward by the elastic portion 54, and the upper opening of the third through-hole 58 is resealed by the sealing portion 53. In this way, the pressure regulating portion 50 can regulate the pressure in the motor housing 31.

[0084] In this embodiment, the pressure regulating unit 50 is partially located within the inner opening 44b of the first through-hole 44, extending across the sidewall 42 and the opposing wall 41. Therefore, compared to a case where the inner opening 44b of the first through-hole 44 is provided only on the sidewall 42, the axial position of the first through-hole 44 can be positioned further to one side (the +Y side) in the axial direction. This facilitates positioning the pressure regulating unit 50 appropriately separated axially from the portion of the motor housing 31 housing the rotor 11 and stator 12. Consequently, leakage of foreign matter generated within the motor housing 31 and of the oil O supplied to the stator 12 and other components within the motor housing 31 through the pressure regulating unit 50 to the exterior of the motor housing 31 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0085] like Figure 2As shown, the pressure regulator 50 and the first fluid supply unit 94 are positioned at different positions in the front-to-back direction (X-axis), which intersects both the axial direction and the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the pressure regulator 50 and the first fluid supply unit 94 are separated from each other in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, the oil O supplied from the first fluid supply unit 94 to the stator 12 is less likely to reach the pressure regulator 50. This further reduces the risk of oil O leaking outside the motor housing 31 through the pressure regulator 50.

[0086] In this specification, the phrase "a certain object is disposed spaced apart from other objects in a certain direction" means that there is a position between the position of the certain object in a certain direction and the position of the other object in a certain direction, and that the position is a position in a certain direction that is not included in either of the position of the certain object in a certain direction and the position of the other object in a certain direction. In this embodiment, there is a position in the front-to-back direction that is between the front-to-back position of the pressure regulator 50 and the front-to-back position of the first fluid supply unit 94, and is not included in either of the front-to-back positions of the pressure regulator 50 and the first fluid supply unit 94.

[0087] The pressure regulating unit 50 is located rearward (-X side) of the first fluid supply unit 94. The pressure regulating unit 50 is located rearward of the central axis J1. The pressure regulating unit 50 is located forward (+X side) of the differential axis J3. The pressure regulating unit 50 is located above the central axis J1 and the differential axis J3.

[0088] In this embodiment, the pressure regulator 50 has a portion that is vertically aligned with the first fluid supply portion 94. The pressure regulator 50 and the first fluid supply portion 94 are located at approximately the same position in the vertical direction. The upper end of the pressure regulator 50 is located above the first fluid supply portion 94. In other words, the upper end of the pressure regulator 50 is located above the supply port 94a. Therefore, the oil O supplied from the supply port 94a to the stator 12 is less likely to reach the pressure regulator 50. More specifically, the oil O supplied from the supply port 94a to the stator 12 is less likely to reach the upper end of the third through-hole 58. This further reduces the risk of oil O leaking outside the motor housing 31 through the pressure regulator 50. In this embodiment, the upper end of the third through-hole 58 is located above the supply port 94a. Therefore, the oil O supplied from the supply port 94a to the stator 12 is less likely to reach the upper end of the third through-hole 58.

[0089] In this embodiment, the radial distance between the pressure regulator 50 and the central axis J1 is longer than the radial distance between the first fluid supply portion 94 and the central axis J1. That is, in this embodiment, the radial distance between the pressure regulator 50 and the central axis J1 is longer than the radial distance between the supply port 94a and the central axis J1. Therefore, the pressure regulator 50 can be appropriately separated from the stator 12, and leakage of the oil O supplied to the stator 12 through the supply port 94a through the pressure regulator 50 to the exterior of the motor housing 31 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0090] Hereinafter, embodiments different from the above-described embodiments will be described. In the description of each embodiment below, for the same structure as that described in the upper section of the description of each embodiment, the description is sometimes omitted by appropriately marking the same figure mark, etc. In addition, for the parts corresponding to the parts of the structure described in the upper section of the description of each embodiment, the same name is marked and different figure marks are marked to explain the differences from the above-described structure, and the description of the same points as the above-described structure is sometimes omitted. In addition, as for the structure omitted from description in each of the following embodiments, the same structure as that described in the upper section of each embodiment can be adopted within the scope of non-contradiction.

[0091] <Second embodiment>

[0092] like Figure 8 As shown, in the rotating electric machine 210 of the drive device 200 of this embodiment, the second upper surface 45a of the second upper wall portion 45 of the protruding wall portion 240 corresponds to the "mounting surface" facing the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) on the side where the first fluid supply portion 94 is disposed relative to the pressure adjustment portion 250, i.e., the front side (+X side). In other words, the side wall portion 42 has the second upper surface 45a serving as the mounting surface. The second upper surface 45a, serving as the mounting surface, constitutes a portion of the outer surface of the motor housing 231. The motor housing 231 corresponds to the "housing portion."

[0093] The protruding wall portion 240 is provided with a retaining portion 243 that holds the pressure adjusting portion 250. The retaining portion 243 is identical to the retaining portion 43 of the first embodiment, except that it is formed from a portion of the opposing wall portion 41 and a portion of the second upper wall portion 45. Similar to the retaining portion 43 of the first embodiment, the retaining portion 243 is provided with a first through-hole 244. The first through-hole 244 connects the interior of the motor housing 231 with the exterior of the motor housing 231. The first through-hole 244 is identical to the first through-hole 44 of the first embodiment, except that it opens onto the second upper surface 45a of the second upper wall portion 45.

[0094] In this embodiment, the pressure regulator 250 is disposed on the portion of the side wall 42 that has the second upper surface 45a serving as the mounting surface, namely, the second upper wall 45. Therefore, the end of the pressure regulator 250 on the interior side of the motor housing 231 in the third through-hole 58, which connects the interior of the motor housing 231 with the exterior of the motor housing 231, tends to face the side (-X side) opposite to the side where the first fluid supply portion 94 is located in the front-to-back direction. This makes it less likely that the oil O supplied from the first fluid supply portion 94 into the motor housing 231 will reach the end of the third through-hole 58 on the interior side of the motor housing 231. Consequently, leakage of the oil O through the pressure regulator 250 to the exterior of the motor housing 231 can be further suppressed.

[0095] The pressure regulating portion 250 includes a portion that protrudes upward and forward (toward the +X side) from the second upper surface 45a of the second upper wall portion 45. In this embodiment, the upper end of the pressure regulating portion 250 is located below the upper end of the first fluid supply portion 94. At least a portion of the pressure regulating portion 250 is located within the first through-hole 244. The pressure regulating portion 250 is mounted in the first through-hole 244 in the same manner as the pressure regulating portion 50 of the first embodiment is mounted in the first through-hole 44.

[0096] The remaining structure of the protruding wall portion 240 is the same as that of the protruding wall portion 40 in the first embodiment. The remaining structure of the pressure regulating portion 250 is the same as that of the pressure regulating portion 50 in the first embodiment. The remaining structure of the rotating electric machine 210 is the same as that of the rotating electric machine 10 in the first embodiment. The remaining structure of the drive device 200 is the same as that of the drive device 100 in the first embodiment.

[0097] In the above description, the mounting surface on which the pressure adjustment portion 250 is mounted is the second upper surface 45a facing forward and upward. However, the configuration of the mounting surface facing forward is not limited to this. The mounting surface can be any surface facing forward, and may be a surface perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and facing forward, or a surface facing forward and downward.

[0098] <Third embodiment>

[0099] like Figure 9 As shown, in the rotating electric machine 310 of the drive device 300 of this embodiment, the first fluid supply portion 394 is located closer to the front side (+X side) than the center axis J1. The first fluid supply portion 394 is located above the front portion of the stator 12. The first fluid supply portion 394 has a plurality of supply ports 394a. The plurality of supply ports 394a include a first supply port 394b and a second supply port 394c. The first supply port 394b opens on the rear side (-X side) and the upper side. The second supply port 394c opens on the lower side and the front side (+X side).

[0100] The pressure regulator 50 and the supply port 394a are located on opposite sides of each other in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) across the central axis J1. Therefore, the pressure regulator 50 can be appropriately separated from the supply port 394a in the front-to-back direction. This further effectively prevents the oil O supplied from the supply port 394a to the stator 12 from reaching the pressure regulator 50. Consequently, leakage of the oil O from the pressure regulator 50 to the exterior of the motor housing 31 can be further suppressed.

[0101] The other structures of the rotary electric machine 310 are the same as those of the rotary electric machine 10 in the first embodiment. The other structures of the drive device 200 are the same as those of the drive device 100 in the first embodiment.

[0102] <Fourth embodiment>

[0103] like Figure 10 As shown, the protruding wall portion 440 of the motor housing 431 in the rotating electric machine 410 of this embodiment has a portion located in the same position as the stator 12 in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction), which intersects both the axial direction and the vertical direction. The front (+X-side) end of the protruding wall portion 440 is located further back (-X-side) than the front end of the stator 12. The rear end of the protruding wall portion 440 is located further forward than the rear end of the stator 12. The protruding wall portion 440 has a portion located in the same position as the central axis J1 in the front-to-back direction. The protruding wall portion 440 is located above the central axis J1. The protruding wall portion 440 is located forward of the first fluid supply portion 94. In this embodiment, the protruding wall portion 440 has a generally rectangular shape that is elongated in the front-to-back direction when viewed in the axial direction. The protruding wall portion 440 axially opposes the multiple coil lead wires 416, which serve as conductive portions. The multiple coil lead wires 416 extend upward from the coil end 12d. In addition, the motor housing 431 corresponds to a "storage portion".

[0104] The pressure regulating portion 450 is provided on the upper wall portion of the side wall portion 442 of the protruding wall portion 440. The pressure regulating portion 450 has a portion located at the same position as the stator 12 in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). The front end (+X side) of the pressure regulating portion 450 is located further back (-X side) than the front end of the stator 12. The rear end of the pressure regulating portion 450 is located further forward than the rear end of the stator 12. The pressure regulating portion 450 has a portion located at the same position as the central axis J1 in the front-to-back direction. The pressure regulating portion 450 is located above the central axis J1. The pressure regulating portion 450 is located further forward than the first fluid supply portion 94.

[0105] In this embodiment, the protruding wall portion 440, the pressure regulating portion 450, and the first fluid supply portion 94 each have a portion located at the same position as the stator 12 in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction), which intersects both the axial direction and the vertical direction. Therefore, compared to a case where at least one of the protruding wall portion 440, the pressure regulating portion 450, and the first fluid supply portion 94 is located at a different front-to-back position from the stator 12, it is easier to reduce the size of the rotating electric machine 410 in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, when the substrate housing 36 is provided above the motor housing 431, as in this embodiment, the coil lead wires 416 electrically connected to the substrate 15 within the substrate housing 36 can be shortened, making it easier to electrically connect the stator 12 to the substrate 15. Furthermore, it is easier to supply oil O from the first fluid supply portion 94 to the stator 12.

[0106] The remaining structure of the protruding wall portion 440 is the same as that of the protruding wall portion 40 in the first embodiment. The remaining structure of the pressure adjustment portion 450 is the same as that of the pressure adjustment portion 50 in the first embodiment. The remaining structure of the rotary electric machine 410 is the same as that of the rotary electric machine 10 in the first embodiment. The remaining structure of the drive device 400 is the same as that of the drive device 100 in the first embodiment.

[0107] <Fifth embodiment>

[0108] like Figure 11 As shown, the rotary electric machine 510 of the drive device 500 of this embodiment includes the protruding wall portion 40 and pressure adjustment portion 50 of the first embodiment, and the protruding wall portion 440 and pressure adjustment portion 450 of the fourth embodiment. The provision of two pressure adjustment portions 50 and 450 allows for appropriate adjustment of the pressure within the motor housing 531. In this embodiment, either the coil lead wire 16 or the coil lead wire 416 can be a wire extending from a sensor such as a temperature sensor. The motor housing 531 serves as a "housing portion."

[0109] The other structures of the rotary electric machine 510 are the same as those of the rotary electric machine 10 in the first embodiment. The other structures of the drive device 500 are the same as those of the drive device 100 in the first embodiment.

[0110] <Sixth embodiment>

[0111] like Figure 12 As shown, in the rotary electric machine 610 of this embodiment, the protruding wall portion 640 has an extended wall portion 647 extending rearward from the holding portion 43. Figure 13 and Figure 14As shown, a protrusion 648 is provided on the portion of the side wall portion 642 facing the interior of the motor housing 631. The protrusion 648 protrudes downward from the upper portion of the inner surface 642a of the side wall portion 642. The protrusion 648 is connected to the inner surface 641a of the opposing wall portion 641. In this embodiment, the protrusion 648 has a generally semicircular shape that protrudes downward when viewed in the axial direction. The motor housing 631 serves as the "storage portion."

[0112] like Figure 13 As shown, the protruding wall portion 640 has a hole portion 644a, and at least a portion of the pressure adjustment unit 50 is located within the hole portion 644a. The hole portion 644a is recessed downward from the first upper surface 43c and has a bottom portion at the bottom. The lower end of the hole portion 644a is provided on the protrusion 648. The upper end of the hole portion 644a opens to the first upper surface 43c and opens to the outside of the motor housing 631. The upper opening of the hole portion 644a is blocked by the fixing portion 51 as in the first embodiment. The lower portion of the extension portion 55 in the pressure adjustment unit 50 is located within the hole portion 644a. A threaded portion 644c is provided on the inner circumference of the hole portion 644a, into which the threaded portion 55a provided on the outer circumference of the extension portion 55 is screwed. The hole portion 644a has a circular shape when viewed from above and below.

[0113] A second through-hole 644b is provided in the convex portion 648, connecting the interior of the hole portion 644a with the interior of the motor housing 631. The second through-hole 644b extends from the bottom of the hole portion 644a to the lower end of the convex portion 648, vertically penetrating the convex portion 648. The lower end of the second through-hole 644b opens into the interior of the motor housing 631. The second through-hole 644b has a circular shape when viewed from above. The inner diameter of the second through-hole 644b is smaller than the inner diameter of the hole portion 644a. When viewed from above, the center of the second through-hole 644b overlaps with the center of the hole portion 644a.

[0114] The portion of the second through-hole 644b that opens into the motor housing 631, i.e., the lower end, has a smaller opening area than the portion of the hole 644a that opens out of the motor housing 631, i.e., the upper end. Therefore, foreign matter generated within the motor housing 631 and the oil O contained within the motor housing 631 are less likely to enter the second through-hole 644b. This further reduces the risk of oil O leaking out of the motor housing 631 via the pressure regulator 50.

[0115] The other structures of the protruding wall portion 640 are the same as those of the protruding wall portion 40 in the first embodiment. The other structures of the rotary electric machine 610 are the same as those of the rotary electric machine 10 in the first embodiment.

[0116] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and other structures and other methods can also be adopted within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. The pressure regulating part can be of any structure as long as it can adjust the pressure in the storage part (motor housing). The pressure regulating part can be, for example, a ventilation filter. The pressure regulating part can be provided on any part of the protruding wall part as long as it is provided on the protruding wall part. The pressure regulating part can be provided on the relative wall part of the protruding wall part that is located on the axial side of the conductive part. The pressure regulating part can be provided on a part of the side wall part of the protruding wall part that has a surface facing the lower side, or can be provided on a part of the side wall part that has a surface facing the side opposite to the side where the fluid providing part is located. A plurality of pressure regulating parts can also be provided on one protruding wall part.

[0117] The protruding wall portion may have any shape and be positioned at any location, as long as it is a portion of the cover wall portion of the housing portion that protrudes axially to one side, and at least a portion of the protruding wall portion is axially opposed to the conductive portion. The number of protruding wall portions is not particularly limited, as long as it is one or more. The protruding wall portion may also be provided in a removable portion of the cover wall portion. Ribs may be provided on the opposing wall portion of the protruding wall portion.

[0118] The conductive portion axially opposed to the protruding wall portion may be any component as long as it is conductive and at least partially accommodated within the housing portion. The conductive portion may be wiring for a temperature sensor, a rotation sensor, or the like. There is no particular limitation on the number of conductive portions, as long as there is at least one.

[0119] The relative positional relationship between the pressure regulating unit and the fluid supply unit is not particularly limited. The fluid supplied from the supply port of the fluid supply unit is not particularly limited and may be a fluid other than oil. The rotating electrical machine may not be provided with a fluid supply unit.

[0120] The use of the drive device to which the present invention is applied is not particularly limited. For example, the drive device can be installed in a vehicle for purposes other than rotating an axle, or it can be installed in equipment other than a vehicle. The rotating electric machine to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a motor; it can also be a generator. The use of the rotating electric machine is not particularly limited. The rotating electric machine can also be installed in equipment other than a vehicle. The posture of the rotating electric machine during use is not particularly limited. The central axis of the rotating electric machine can extend in any direction.

[0121] Note that the present technology can adopt the following configurations.

[0122] (1) A rotating electric machine comprising: a rotor rotatable about a central axis; a stator opposed to the rotor with a gap therebetween; a housing having a housing for housing the rotor and the stator; a conductive portion, at least a portion of which is housed within the housing; and a pressure adjusting portion provided in the housing, the housing comprising: a peripheral wall portion surrounding the stator from the radially outer side and opening to one axial side; and a cover wall portion covering the opening on one axial side of the peripheral wall portion, a portion of the cover wall portion being a protruding wall portion protruding to one axial side, at least a portion of the protruding wall portion being axially opposed to the conductive portion, and the pressure adjusting portion being provided in the protruding wall portion.

[0123] (2) The rotating electrical machine according to (1), wherein the protruding wall portion includes: a relative wall portion located on one side of the conductive portion in the axial direction; and a side wall portion connected to the outer peripheral edge portion of the relative wall portion, and the pressure adjustment portion is provided on the side wall portion.

[0124] (3) The rotating electrical machine according to (2), wherein the pressure adjustment portion is provided in a portion of the side wall portion having a surface facing upward outside the housing portion.

[0125] (4) The rotating electrical machine according to (3), wherein the pressure adjustment portion is provided at an upper end portion of the side wall portion.

[0126] (5) A rotating electric machine according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein the protruding wall portion has a first through hole, at least a portion of the pressure adjustment portion is located inside the first through hole, the first through hole has an opening portion opening to the interior of the storage portion, and the opening portion is arranged across the side wall portion and the relative wall portion.

[0127] (6) A rotating electric machine according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein the protruding wall portion has a hole portion, at least a portion of the pressure adjustment portion is located inside the hole portion, a convex portion is provided in a portion of the side wall portion facing the interior of the storage portion, a second through hole is provided in the convex portion for connecting the interior of the hole portion with the interior of the storage portion, and an opening area of ​​a portion of the second through hole opening to the interior of the storage portion is smaller than an opening area of ​​a portion of the hole portion opening to the outside of the storage portion.

[0128] (7) A rotating electric machine according to any one of (2) to (6), wherein the rotating electric machine is provided with a fluid supply portion having a supply port opening toward the stator inside the housing portion, the pressure adjustment portion and the fluid supply portion are arranged at different positions in a cross direction intersecting both the axial direction and the up-down direction, the side wall portion has a mounting surface facing the side of the fluid supply portion relative to the pressure adjustment portion in the cross direction, the mounting surface constitutes a part of the outer surface of the housing portion, and the pressure adjustment portion is provided in a portion of the side wall portion having the mounting surface.

[0129] (8) The rotating electrical machine according to any one of (1) to (7), further comprising a fluid supply portion having a supply port opened toward the stator in the interior of the housing portion.

[0130] (9) The rotating electrical machine according to (8), wherein a radial distance between the pressure adjustment portion and the central axis is longer than a radial distance between the supply port and the central axis.

[0131] (10) The rotating electrical machine according to (8) or (9), wherein the upper end portion of the pressure adjustment portion is located above the supply port.

[0132] (11) The rotating electrical machine according to (10), wherein the protruding wall portion, the pressure adjusting portion, and the fluid supply portion each have a portion located at the same position as the stator in a direction intersecting both the axial direction and the up-down direction.

[0133] (12) The rotating electrical machine according to any one of (8) to (11), wherein the pressure adjustment portion and the fluid supply portion are arranged to be separated from each other in a direction intersecting both the axial direction and the up-down direction.

[0134] (13) The rotating electrical machine according to (12), wherein the pressure adjustment portion and the supply port are located on opposite sides of each other across the center axis in the intersecting direction.

[0135] (14) A driving device comprising: the rotating electric machine according to any one of (1) to (13); and a gear mechanism connected to the rotating electric machine.

[0136] The structures and methods described above in this specification can be appropriately combined within a range that does not contradict each other.

[0137] Explanation of symbols

[0138] 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610…Rotating electric machine, 11…Rotor, 12…Stator, 14…Bus bar (conductive portion), 16…Coil lead wire (conductive portion), 20…Gear mechanism, 30…Casing, 31, 231, 431, 531, 631…Motor housing (storage portion), 34…Lid wall, 40, 240, 440, 640…Protruding wall, 41, 641…Facing wall, 42, 442, 642…Side wall, 44, 244…First through-hole, 44b…Inner opening (opening), 45a…Second upper surface (mounting surface), 50, 250, 450…Pressure adjustment portion, 94…First fluid supply portion (fluid supply portion),

[0139] 94a, 394a...providing ports, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500...driving devices, 644a...hole portion,

[0140] 644b…second through hole, 648…convex portion, J1…center axis.

Claims

1. A rotating electrical machine, characterized in that: have: a rotor rotatable about a central axis; a stator, the stator being opposite to the rotor with a gap therebetween; a housing having a housing for housing the rotor and the stator; a conductive portion, at least a portion of which is accommodated within the accommodation portion; and a pressure regulating portion, the pressure regulating portion being provided in the storage portion, The storage portion includes: a peripheral wall portion that surrounds the stator from the radially outer side and opens to one side in the axial direction; and a cover wall portion covering an opening on one axial side of the peripheral wall portion, A portion of the cover wall portion is a protruding wall portion that protrudes toward one side in the axial direction. At least a portion of the protruding wall portion is axially opposed to the conductive portion, The pressure adjustment portion is provided on the protruding wall portion.

2. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 1, wherein: The protruding wall portion has: an opposite wall portion, the opposite wall portion being located on one axial side of the conductive portion; and a side wall portion connected to the outer peripheral edge portion of the opposing wall portion, The pressure adjustment portion is provided on the side wall portion.

3. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 2, wherein: The pressure adjustment portion is provided in a portion of the side wall portion having a surface facing upward outside the housing portion.

4. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 3, wherein: The pressure adjustment portion is provided at an upper end portion of the side wall portion.

5. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 2, wherein: The protruding wall portion has a first through hole, and at least a portion of the pressure adjustment portion is located inside the first through hole. The first through hole has an opening portion that opens into the interior of the housing portion. The opening portion is provided across the side wall portion and the opposing wall portion.

6. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 2, wherein: The protruding wall portion has a hole portion, and at least a portion of the pressure adjustment portion is located inside the hole portion. A convex portion is provided on a portion of the side wall portion facing the interior of the storage portion. The convex portion is provided with a second through hole connecting the interior of the hole portion and the interior of the storage portion. An opening area of ​​a portion of the second through-hole opening toward the interior of the housing portion is smaller than an opening area of ​​a portion of the hole opening toward the exterior of the housing portion.

7. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 2, wherein: A fluid supply portion is provided, the fluid supply portion having a supply port opened toward the stator in the interior of the storage portion, The pressure regulating portion and the fluid supplying portion are arranged at different positions in a direction intersecting both the axial direction and the vertical direction. The side wall portion has a mounting surface, the mounting surface facing the side of the fluid supply portion opposite to the pressure adjustment portion in the intersecting direction. The mounting surface constitutes a portion of the outer surface of the storage portion, The pressure adjustment portion is provided on a portion of the side wall portion having the mounting surface.

8. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 1, wherein A fluid supply portion is provided, the fluid supply portion having a supply port opened toward the stator in the interior of the accommodating portion.

9. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 8, characterized in that A radial distance between the pressure adjustment portion and the central axis is longer than a radial distance between the supply port and the central axis.

10. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 8, wherein An upper end portion of the pressure regulating portion is located above the supply port.

11. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 10, wherein: The protruding wall portion, the pressure regulating portion, and the fluid supply portion each have a portion located at the same position as the stator in a direction intersecting both the axial direction and the up-down direction.

12. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 8, wherein The pressure adjustment portion and the fluid supply portion are arranged to be separated from each other in a direction intersecting both the axial direction and the up-down direction.

13. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 12, wherein: The pressure adjustment portion and the supply port are located on opposite sides of each other across the central axis in the intersecting direction.

14. A driving device, characterized in that: have: The rotating electrical machine according to any one of claims 1 to 13; and A gear mechanism is connected to the rotating motor.

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