DRIVE UNIT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK INTENDED IN A MACHINE HOUSING

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drive device for a motor vehicle.

[0002] For example, DE 10 2016 215 184 A1 is known from the prior art. This describes a transmission for a motor vehicle, comprising a hydraulic transmission control unit, a transmission housing, an oil pan attached to the transmission housing, and power electronics supported on the transmission housing and / or the oil pan. It is provided that the hydraulic transmission control unit and the power electronics are arranged tangentially and / or axially adjacent to one another, at least in sections, relative to a transmission center axis. Document US 10 746 282 B2 shows a drive device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] The object of the invention is to propose a drive device for a motor vehicle which has advantages over known drive devices, in particular enables cost-effective and rapid production and is also of particularly compact design.

[0004] This is achieved according to the invention with a drive device for a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1. A machine housing is provided in which an operating fluid consumer, an operating fluid tank and an operating fluid pump are arranged, wherein an air space is present in the machine housing into which at least one machine shaft of the drive device projects and which is separated by means of a partition wall from the operating fluid tank formed in the machine housing adjacent to the air space.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] The drive device serves to drive the motor vehicle, thus providing a drive torque directed toward driving the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the drive device preferably has a drive unit that is at least temporarily coupled to at least one wheel of the motor vehicle. The drive unit is preferably at least partially arranged in the machine housing or accommodated by the machine housing. For example, the drive unit is in the form of an electric machine that is operated at least temporarily as an electric motor.

[0007] The operating fluid consumer, the operating fluid tank, and the operating fluid pump are arranged in the machine housing. The operating fluid is understood to be a medium used to operate the drive device, which is preferably at least temporarily or—particularly preferably—permanently in liquid form. The operating fluid is, in particular, a lubricant. In this case, the operating fluid consumer can also be referred to as a lubricant consumer, the operating fluid tank as a lubricant tank, and the operating fluid pump as a lubricant pump. Alternatively, the operating fluid is a coolant. The operating fluid consumer, the operating fluid tank, and the operating fluid pump can then also be referred to as coolant consumer, coolant tank, and coolant pump, respectively.

[0008] For example, the resource consumer is in the form of the drive unit and / or a transmission. During operation of the drive device, resource is supplied to the resource consumer at least temporarily. The resource consumer serves to lubricate and / or temper the resource consumer. The term "resource consumer" does not mean that the resource consumer actually consumes the resource. Rather, the resource consumer receives the resource, particularly at a resource inlet, and subsequently makes it available again, at least for the most part, preferably at a resource outlet.

[0009] The operating fluid supplied to the operating fluid consumer is taken from the operating fluid tank, which is designed and constructed for temporary storage of the operating fluid. After being supplied to the operating fluid consumer, the operating fluid is returned to the operating fluid tank using the operating fluid pump. This means that the operating fluid pump is designed and constructed to convey the operating fluid provided by the operating fluid consumer toward or into the operating fluid tank.

[0010] Preferably, there is at least one additional operating fluid pump, by means of which the operating fluid is withdrawn from the operating fluid tank and conveyed toward the operating fluid consumer or supplied to the operating fluid consumer. For example, in this case, the operating fluid pump and the additional operating fluid pump can be operated independently of one another, so that the operating fluid can be supplied to the operating fluid tank by means of the operating fluid pump and withdrawn from the operating fluid tank and conveyed toward the operating fluid consumer by means of the additional operating fluid pump. However, the operating fluid pump and the additional operating fluid pump are preferably operated jointly. In particular, they are driven by a common drive.

[0011] To achieve a particularly compact design of the drive unit and also to ensure simple and cost-effective production, the operating fluid tank is integrated into the machine housing, thus eliminating the need for a separate operating fluid tank outside the machine housing. Furthermore, the operating fluid tank is completely housed within the machine housing.

[0012] The operating fluid tank is located adjacent to the air space into which at least one machine shaft of the drive device projects.

[0013] The machine housing has a base body, on which a machine housing cover is arranged and / or fastened to close the air space and the operating fluid tank. The air space and the operating fluid tank are each delimited on the one hand by a wall of the base body and on the other hand by the machine housing cover arranged or fastened to the base body. The air space is at least partially enclosed by the machine housing. Particularly preferably, the air space is sealed off from the outside environment in a fluid-tight manner. For this purpose, the machine housing cover is preferably fastened to the base body in a fluid-tight manner, such that the air space is delimited on the one hand by the base body or its wall and on the other hand by the machine housing cover, in particular in the axial direction of the machine shaft.

[0014] The partition wall is arranged between the air space and the operating fluid tank in order to fluidically separate the operating fluid tank and the air space, at least in some areas. The partition wall preferably originates from the base body or its wall and extends away from it, in particular in the direction of the machine housing cover. Particularly preferably, after the machine housing cover has been mounted on the base body, the partition wall rests fluid-tight against the machine housing cover in order to fluidically separate the air space and the operating fluid tank from each other.

[0015] InThe machine shaft of the drive device is located at least partially in the air space. The machine shaft is, for example, a component of the drive unit; in particular, it represents a drive shaft of the drive unit. For example, the machine shaft has a toothing in the air space, via which it is drive-coupled to at least one other shaft of the drive device. For example, the toothing serves to fix a gear relative to the machine shaft in the circumferential direction. For this purpose, the gear has a counter-toothing that interacts positively with the toothing of the machine shaft.

[0016] Preferably, the machine shaft extends through the wall of the base body into the air space; in particular, the machine shaft is rotatably mounted on the wall. In this case, a bearing recess is preferably provided in the wall, through which the machine shaft passes. A bearing is also arranged in the bearing recess, by means of which the machine shaft is rotatably mounted on the wall. The bearing is in particular a plain bearing or a rolling bearing.

[0017] It can be provided that the volume of the operating fluid tank is the same or at least approximately the same as the volume of the airspace. However, the volume of the operating fluid tank preferably corresponds to at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, or at least 50% of the volume of the airspace. This ensures a sufficient size of the operating fluid tank.

[0018] A further development of the invention provides that the operating fluid pump is fluidically connected on the suction side via a suction channel to the operating fluid consumer and on the pressure side via a pressure channel to the operating fluid tank and the operating fluid tank via a flow channel to the operating fluid consumer, wherein the suction channel, the pressure channel and the flow channel are each formed openly in a base body of the machine housing, forming an opening, and the openings are fluidically covered separately from one another by means of a cover plate fastened to the base body.

[0019] For example, the operating fluid pump is connected to the operating fluid consumer via the suction channel. This means that the operating fluid pump conveys the operating fluid from the operating fluid consumer or its operating fluid outlet toward the operating fluid tank via the suction channel. On the other hand, the operating fluid pump is preferably connected to the operating fluid tank via the pressure channel. The operating fluid pump draws in the operating fluid from the operating fluid consumer via the suction channel and conveys it toward the operating fluid tank or into it via the pressure channel.

[0020] Preferably, both the suction channel and the pressure channel are directly connected to the operating fluid pump, thus extending from it in the direction of flow. It can also be provided that the suction channel extends to the operating fluid outlet of the operating fluid consumer, and the pressure channel extends to the operating fluid tank. However, the suction channel is preferably spaced apart from the operating fluid outlet and the pressure channel from the operating fluid tank, so that they only extend partially to the respective element.

[0021] It can be provided that the operating fluid tank and the operating fluid consumer are fluidically connected to each other via a supply channel. The supply channel is thus located along a fluid connection between the operating fluid tank and the operating fluid consumer. It can be provided that the supply channel starts directly from the operating fluid tank and extends to the operating fluid consumer. However, it can also be provided that the supply channel is fluidically separated from either the operating fluid tank or the operating fluid consumer, or from both, thus forming only part of the fluid connection.

[0022] In an optional embodiment of the drive device, the suction channel, the pressure channel, and the feed channel are each formed at least partially in the machine housing. For each of the channels, there is therefore a corresponding recess in the machine housing, which is open via the respective opening. The opening thus represents an outlet opening, through which the respective channel or the respective recess initially opens into the external environment of the base body, namely as long as the end cover is not attached to the base body, i.e. when the end cover is not attached to the base body. In other words, the recesses are open in the direction of the end cover and have their respective openings there. The recesses in the machine housing, i.e. the suction channel, the pressure channel, and the feed channel, are preferably produced during a casting process for the machine housing.In this case, the machine housing is a cast part.

[0023] It can be provided that the recesses form only a part of the channels. For example, a section of the respective channel opens into the corresponding recess in the machine housing. It can be provided, in particular, that a first section of one of the channels opens into the recess at a first point and a second section extends from the recess at a second point spaced from the first point, such that the two sections are fluidically connected to one another via the recess or are in flow communication with one another. The section or at least one of the sections of the respective channel is preferably also formed during casting or, alternatively, is designed as a bore.

[0024] It can be provided that the channels or recesses are initially open in the machine housing. For this reason, the cover plate is attached to the base body in such a way that the openings are completely covered and thus sealed. The cover plate thus separates the channels from one another in terms of fluid flow. This means, in particular, that the channels are not fluidically connected to one another via their openings, but rather that such a fluid connection is interrupted by the cover plate.

[0025] The end cover serves to cover or close the openings together, so that only a single element, namely the end cover, needs to be attached to the base body to complete the channels. It is therefore not necessary to attach and / or fasten different closure elements separately to the machine housing. This enables particularly rapid production of the drive unit and also significantly simplifies assembly.

[0026] Particularly preferably, the cover plate is screwed to the machine housing, i.e., secured thereto by at least one screw or bolt. This ensures reliable and permanently sealed covering or sealing of the openings by means of the cover plate. Overall, it is readily possible for the described drive device to initially form the channels at least partially in the machine housing in a particularly simple manner, particularly during a casting process in which the machine housing is manufactured.

[0027] The cover plate is then placed on the base body and secured to cover or close the openings of the channels or recesses. The arrangement of the cover plate thus simultaneously creates or completes the multiple channels. The cover plate thus limits the channels in certain areas or represents a flow-guiding element for the channels.

[0028] According to the invention, an overflow opening is formed in the partition wall, through which the operating fluid tank is fluidically connected to the air space. Thus, the partition wall does not completely separate the air space from the operating fluid tank, or vice versa, but rather a fluid connection is established between the operating fluid tank and the air space via the overflow opening. This allows pressure equalization between the operating fluid tank and the air space, so that a change in the fill level in the operating fluid tank is possible without a significant change in the pressure present in it.

[0029] The overflow opening is located in the upper half of the partition wall when the machine housing or drive device is properly arranged. The overflow opening is preferably located at an upper end of the partition wall. In particular, when the drive device is properly arranged and the operating fluid tank is at the proper fill level, the overflow opening is located above the operating fluid level in the operating fluid tank, so that while air can easily flow between the operating fluid tank and the air space, the operating fluid contained in the operating fluid tank is reliably held in place by gravity.

[0030] A further development of the invention provides that at least a partial area of ​​the overflow opening overlaps an area of ​​the airspace when the drive device is arranged as intended. In other words, the overflow opening is arranged at least partially above the airspace, and so is the operating fluid tank. The partition wall is designed and arranged accordingly for this purpose. Such an arrangement of the overflow opening enables reliable drainage of operating fluid into the airspace, should operating fluid occasionally overflow from the operating fluid tank into the airspace through the overflow opening.

[0031] A further development of the invention provides that the overflow opening is present, at least in part, in a region of the partition wall that is inclined towards the airspace. The arrangement of the overflow opening spanning the airspace is thus achieved by the inclination of the partition wall or the region of the partition wall. When the drive device is arranged as intended, the region of the partition wall is inclined towards the airspace from bottom to top, so that the further up the region of the partition wall is, the further it extends into the airspace. Compared to a vertical plane, the region of the partition wall is inclined, for example, by an angle of at least 15° and at most 75°, at least 30° and at most 60°, or approximately or exactly 45°. This achieves the advantages already described.

[0032] A further development of the invention provides that the operating fluid tank, viewed in cross-section relative to a rotational axis of the machine shaft, is located on opposite sides of the machine shaft. An imaginary plane, for example the vertical plane mentioned above, which completely encompasses the rotational axis of the machine shaft, thus intersects the operating fluid tank such that a portion of its volume content is located on a first side of the plane and a second portion of its volume content is located on a second side of the plane facing away from the first side of the plane.

[0033] Particularly preferably, the plane intersects the operating fluid tank at spaced-apart locations, namely on opposite sides of the rotational axis. For example, if the drive device is arranged as intended, the operating fluid tank is located both below and above the rotational axis of the machine shaft. This ensures a sufficiently large volume of the operating fluid tank despite the machine shaft protruding into the air space.

[0034] A further development of the invention provides that the operating fluid tank surrounds the machine shaft in cross-section by at least 180°, at least 195°, at least 210°, or at least 225°. The angular range over which the operating fluid tank extends relative to the rotational axis of the machine shaft runs from a first outermost end of the operating fluid tank to a second outermost end of the operating fluid tank. By encompassing one of the specified values, a particularly large volume of the operating fluid tank is achieved.

[0035] A further development of the invention provides that, seen in cross section, a width of the overflow opening in a horizontal direction when the drive device is arranged as intended corresponds to a maximum of 10%, a maximum of 7.5%, a maximum of 5% or a maximum of 2.5% of a maximum width of the operating fluid tank in the same direction over its entire height, and / or that, seen in cross section, the width of the overflow opening in a horizontal direction when the drive device is arranged as intended corresponds to a maximum of 10%, a maximum of 7.5%, a maximum of 5% or a maximum of 2.5% of a vertical height of the operating fluid tank in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

[0036] The width of the overflow opening is its cross-sectional extension in the horizontal direction when the drive device is arranged as intended. The maximum width of the center tank describes its maximum dimensions in the same direction across its entire height, i.e., in the vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction. By limiting the width of the overflow opening to one of the stated proportions of the maximum width of the operating fluid tank, a sufficiently small overflow opening is achieved to ensure reliable pressure equalization between the operating fluid tank and the air space, while preventing any unintentional overflow of operating fluid from the operating fluid tank into the air space.

[0037] Additionally or alternatively, the width of the overflow opening, viewed in cross-section, corresponds to one of the aforementioned proportions of the height of the operating fluid tank. The height is in the vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the horizontal direction. This limitation of the width of the overflow opening also serves to achieve the objective stated above.

[0038] A further development of the invention provides that the operating fluid consumer is fluidically connected via a supply channel, which opens into the operating fluid tank via a supply outlet opening, and via a operating fluid sump to a return channel, which opens into the operating fluid tank via a return outlet opening. Viewed in cross-section, the overflow opening is arranged on the side of the return outlet opening facing away from the supply outlet opening. The supply channel and the return channel serve to fluidically connect the operating fluid consumer to the operating fluid tank.

[0039] Operating fluid is withdrawn from the operating fluid tank via the supply channel, or more precisely, via its supply outlet, and supplied to the operating fluid consumer. From the operating fluid consumer, the operating fluid flows into the operating fluid sump, from which it is conveyed via the return channel toward the operating fluid tank. The operating fluid reenters the operating fluid tank via the return outlet of the return channel. Both the supply outlet and the return outlet are located in the operating fluid tank or at least open into it.

[0040] Viewed in cross-section, the return port should now be positioned between the overflow port and the supply port, so that, when the drive device is properly arranged, the overflow port is ultimately located above the return port, which in turn is located above the supply port. This reliably prevents the operating fluid from being supplied and prevents it from escaping from the operating fluid tank into the air space.

[0041] A further development of the invention provides that the return channel passes through a passage recess formed in the partition wall. The passage recess is thus formed in the partition wall, in particular in addition to the overflow opening. The passage recess serves to allow the return channel to pass from the air space into the operating fluid tank. Preferably, the return channel is arranged tightly within the passage recess, so that although operating fluid can be introduced into the operating fluid tank through the return channel, no operating fluid can pass through the passage recess along the return channel from the operating fluid tank into the air space. Such a design of the drive device enables a particularly compact design.

[0042] A further development of the invention provides that the air space, viewed in longitudinal section with respect to the axis of rotation of the machine shaft, is delimited on the one hand by a wall of the machine housing and on the other hand by a machine housing cover attached to the machine housing, wherein - again viewed in longitudinal section - the wall of the machine housing and the machine housing cover are curved and / or angled in the same direction. The arrangement of the air space and - optionally - also of the operating fluid tank between the wall of the machine housing or the base body of the machine housing and the machine housing cover has already been mentioned. Both the wall and the machine housing cover are curved and / or angled in longitudinal section. The curvature or angle is in the same direction. This results in a compact and, at the same time, extremely stable design of the drive device or its machine housing.

[0043] A further development of the invention provides that, viewed in longitudinal section, the machine housing cover extends further in the radial direction from outside to inside in the direction facing away from the operating fluid tank than the wall of the machine housing, so that the distance between the machine housing cover and the wall of the machine housing increases in the radial direction from outside to inside. The curvature or angling of the wall and the machine housing cover is implemented in such a way that, viewed in longitudinal section, they converge toward one another in the radial direction outwards, or their distance increases in the radial direction inwards. This results in a particularly large volume of the operating fluid tank.

[0044] A further development of the invention provides that a separating clutch is arranged on a side of the wall of the machine housing facing away from the air space, via which the machine shaft and / or a further machine shaft drivingly coupled to the machine shaft is drivingly connected to an output flange of the drive device. The machine shaft or the further machine shaft are preferably arranged entirely within the machine housing, i.e., do not extend out of it. The output flange, however, is arranged outside the machine housing or at least accessible from outside the machine housing. The drive device makes the drive torque it generates available, at least temporarily, via the output flange.

[0045] The machine shaft or the additional machine shaft is connected to the output flange for drive purposes. Thus, the drive unit is at least temporarily connected to the output flange via the machine shaft and / or the additional machine shaft. The output flange is connected to the machine shaft or the additional machine shaft via the separating clutch. In In a first setting of the separating clutch, the machine shaft or the further machine shaft is coupled to the output flange in terms of drive technology, in particular rigidly. In In a second setting of the separating clutch, however, the machine shaft or the further machine shaft is decoupled from the output flange in terms of drive technology.

[0046] Because the fluid tank is located inside the machine housing, the fluid tank that would otherwise be required outside the machine housing is no longer required. This means that instead of this external fluid tank, an actuator can be mounted on the machine housing, which can be used to engage the separating clutch. This means that the actuator is mounted outside the machine housing, while the separating clutch is located inside the machine housing. This makes the drive system even more compact.

[0047] The features and feature combinations described in the description, in particular the features and feature combinations described in the following description of the figures and / or shown in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also considered to be encompassed by the invention that are not explicitly shown or explained in the description and / or the figures, but which follow from or can be derived from the explained embodiments.

[0048] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, without limiting the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a drive device for a motor vehicle, Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through the drive device, and Figure 3 shows a further longitudinal section through the drive device.

[0049] The Figure 1shows a schematic representation of a drive device 1 for a motor vehicle (not shown in detail). The drive device 1 has a drive unit 2, which in the exemplary embodiment shown here is an electric machine and accordingly has a stator and a rotor 4. The drive device 1 also has a gearbox (not shown in detail) that has a plurality of gear stages. The drive unit 2 is preferably drive-connected via the gearbox to an output shaft of the drive device 1, preferably via an output flange 3 (not visible here) of the drive device 1, wherein at least one wheel of the motor vehicle can in turn be drive-coupled to the output shaft. Both the drive unit 2 and the gearbox are arranged in a machine housing 4 of the drive device 1.

[0050] During operation of the drive device 1, operating fluid is supplied to the drive unit 2 and the transmission at least temporarily for lubrication and / or temperature control. For this purpose, the drive unit 2 and the transmission have corresponding operating fluid supply devices. The drive unit 2 and the transmission thus represent operating fluid consumers. Operating fluid is supplied to these at least temporarily from an operating fluid tank 5. After lubrication and / or temperature control, the operating fluid supplied to the operating fluid consumers exits into an operating fluid sump and is pumped from there towards the operating fluid tank 5 by means of an operating fluid pump. Within the scope of the exemplary embodiment described here, it is provided that the operating fluid is supplied to the drive unit 2 by means of a first additional operating fluid pump and to the transmission by means of a second additional operating fluid pump.

[0051] The operating fluid pump is fluidically connected to the operating fluid sump and thus to the operating fluid consumers via a suction channel, namely on the suction side. On the pressure side, the operating fluid pump is connected to the operating fluid tank 5 via a pressure channel and an operating fluid line. Finally, a supply channel is provided, via which the operating fluid tank 5 is connected to the operating fluid consumers, namely via the additional operating fluid pumps. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the operating fluid pump and the additional operating fluid pumps are driven by a common drive, which in this respect can also be referred to as an operating fluid pump drive or oil pump drive. The drive has, for example, an electric motor or is designed as such.

[0052] It is intended that the suction channel, the additional suction channel, the pressure channel, and the supply channel are each formed in a base body 6 of the machine housing 4, which can also be referred to as the gearbox housing, namely each forming an opening (not visible here). The openings of these channels are fluidically covered or closed separately from one another by means of a cover 7 attached to the base body 6, which is only indicated.

[0053] The base body 6 of the machine housing 4 encloses an air chamber 8, namely together with a machine housing cover 9 (not shown here), which is fastened to the base body 6. At least one machine shaft 10 engages in the air chamber 8; in the illustrated embodiment, several machine shafts 10. A suction nozzle 11 is arranged on the end cover 7 and is fluidly connected to the further suction channel via the end cover 7. The suction nozzle 11 projects into the air chamber 8 towards a bottom of the machine housing 4, so that operating fluid present in the air chamber 8 can be conveyed via the suction nozzle 11 into the operating fluid tank 5 via the further suction channel, the operating fluid pump, the pressure channel and the operating fluid line. The operating fluid line can also be referred to as a return channel or return line.

[0054] The operating fluid tank 5 is formed separately from the air space 8 in the machine housing 4 and separated from it by a partition wall 12. In The partition wall has a through-hole 13 through which the operating fluid line passes, in order to fluidically connect the pressure channel to the operating fluid tank 5. An overflow opening 14 is formed in the partition wall, via which the operating fluid tank 5 is fluidically connected to the air space 8. In the intended installation position of the drive device 1, the overflow opening 14 is arranged at a geodetically upper end of the partition wall 12 or at least in an upper half of the partition wall 12. This prevents excessive overflow of operating fluid from the operating fluid tank 5 toward the air space 8.

[0055] Both the operating fluid tank 5 and the air space 8 are delimited in the axial direction with respect to a rotational axis of the machine shaft 10, on the one hand by a wall 15 of the base body 6 and on the other hand by the machine housing cover 9. The operating fluid tank 5 has a volume which corresponds to at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% or at least 50% of a volume of the air space 8. The overflow opening 14 is also arranged such that it overlaps the air space 8 at least in part. As a result, a region 16 of the partition wall is arranged at an incline, namely in particular such that, when the drive device 1 is arranged as intended, it extends upwards ever further into the air space 8.

[0056] The Figure 2shows a schematic longitudinal section of the drive device 1. Visible again is the operating fluid tank 5, which is bounded on one side by the wall 15 and on the other side by the machine housing cover 9. It can be seen that the wall 15 and the machine housing cover 9 are curved or angled in the same direction. In the longitudinal section shown, the distance between the wall 15 and the machine housing cover 9 increases radially from the outside to the inside relative to the machine shaft 10.

[0057] The Figure 3shows a further schematic longitudinal sectional view of the drive device 1. A further machine shaft 17 can be seen, which is drive-relatedly coupled to the machine shaft 10, for example via a differential gear 18. The further machine shaft 17 is drive-relatedly connected to the output flange 3 of the drive device 1, namely via a separating clutch 19. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the separating clutch 19 has a sliding claw 20, wherein in a first position of the sliding claw 20 the output flange 3 is rigidly drive-relatedly coupled to the further machine shaft 17 and in a second position is drive-relatedly decoupled from it.

[0058] The separating clutch 19 is preferably completely accommodated within the machine housing 4. An actuator for actuating the separating clutch 19, in particular for displacing the shifting claw 20 between the first position and the second position, is arranged outside the machine housing 4 and attached to the outside thereof. This is made possible by the space freed up by arranging the operating fluid tank 5 within the machine housing 4. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS:

[0059] 1Drive device 2Drive unit 3Output flange 4Machine housing 5Operating fluid tank 6Base body 7End cover 8Air space 9Machine housing cover 10Machine shaft 11Suction nozzle 12Partition wall 13Through recess 14Overflow opening 15Wall 16Area 17Additional machine shaft 18Differential gear 19Separating clutch 20Sliding claw

Claims

1. Drive device (1) for a motor vehicle, having a machine housing (4) in which an operating material consumer, an operating material tank (5) and an operating material pump are arranged, wherein in the machine housing (4) there is an air space (8) into which at least one machine shaft (10) of the drive device (1) protrudes and which is separated by a separating wall (12) from the operating material tank (5), which is formed adjacent to the air space (8) in the machine housing (4), characterized in that the operating material tank (5) is only fluidically connected to the air space (8) via an overflow opening (14) formed in the separating wall (12).

2. Drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that the overflow opening (14) is provided at least with one partial section in an area of the separating wall (12) which is arranged inclined towards the air space (8).

3. Drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating material tank (5), viewed in cross section with respect to an axis of rotation of the machine shaft (10), is provided on opposite sides of the machine shaft (10).

4. Drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating material tank (5) encloses the machine shaft (10), viewed in cross section, around at least 180°, at least 195°, at least 210°, or at least 225°.

5. Drive device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, viewed in cross section, the width of the overflow opening (14) in a horizontal direction, when the drive device (1) is in the intended arrangement, corresponds to at most 10%, at most 7.5%, at most 5%, or at most 2.5% of a maximum width of the operating material tank (5) in the same direction over its entire height, and / or in that, viewed in cross section, the width of the overflow opening (14) in a horizontal direction, when the drive device (1) is in the intended arrangement, corresponds to at most 10%, at most 7.5%, at most 5%, or at most 2.5% of a height of the operating material tank (5) provided in a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

6. Drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating material consumer is fluidically connected via a flow channel which discharges via a flow orifice opening into the operating material tank (5), and via an operating material sump to a return channel which discharges via a return orifice opening into the operating material tank (5), wherein, viewed in cross section, the overflow opening is arranged on the side of the return orifice opening facing away from the flow orifice opening.

7. Drive device according to claim 7, characterized in that the return channel extends through a passage recess (13) formed in the separating wall (12).

8. Drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air space (8), viewed in longitudinal section with respect to the axis of rotation of the machine shaft (10), is delimited, on one side, by a wall (15) of the machine housing (4) and, on the other side, by a machine housing cover (9) fastened on the machine housing (4), wherein, again viewed in longitudinal section, the wall (15) of the machine housing (4) and the machine housing cover (9) are curved and / or angled in the same direction.

9. Drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a disconnecting clutch (19) is arranged on a side of the wall (15) of the machine housing (4) facing away from the air space (8), via which disconnecting clutch the machine shaft (10) and / or a further machine shaft (17) drive-coupled to the machine shaft (10) is connected with respect to drive to an output flange (3) of the drive device (1).