DRIVE DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL END COVER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drive device for a motor vehicle, having a machine housing in which a lubricant consumer, a lubricant tank and a lubricant pump are arranged, wherein the lubricant pump is fluidically connected on the suction side via a suction channel to the lubricant consumer and the lubricant tank is fluidly connected to the lubricant consumer via a feed channel.

[0002] For example, the prior art document CN 210196418 U is known. This document describes a lubricant system for a transmission device.

[0003] US Pat. No. 8,409,041 B2 relates to a hybrid transmission having a transmission housing with an inlet cover secured to a main housing portion and a hydraulic fluid reservoir fluidly connected to and secured to the transmission housing. The transmission further includes an input shaft drivingly coupled to a motor. A pump cover is secured to the housing, defining a pump recess therebetween. A torque-transmitting assembly includes a piston housing member coaxial with and longitudinally spaced from the pump cover to define an inlet passage therebetween. The inlet passage is configured to connect the hydraulic fluid reservoir to the transmission housing and is at least partially aligned radially adjacent to the pump recess.A sealing element is arranged between the pump cover and the piston housing element and is designed to seal it fluidically.

[0004] The object of the invention is to propose a drive device for a motor vehicle which has advantages over known drive devices, in particular enabling cost-effective and rapid production.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention with a drive device for a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1. It is provided that the lubricant pump is fluidically connected on the pressure side to the lubricant tank via a pressure channel, wherein the suction channel, the pressure channel and the feed channel are each open in a base body of the machine housing to form an opening and the openings are fluidically covered separately from one another by means of a cover plate fastened to the base body, wherein the lubricant pump is fluidically connected on the suction side parallel to the suction channel to a further suction channel and via this to the lubricant consumer and / or a further lubricant consumer.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] 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.

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

[0009] The lubricant supplied to the lubricant consumer is taken from the lubricant tank, which is designed and constructed to temporarily store the lubricant. After being supplied to the lubricant consumer, the lubricant is returned to the lubricant tank using the lubricant pump. This means that the lubricant pump is designed and constructed to convey the lubricant supplied by the lubricant consumer toward or into the lubricant tank.

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

[0011] The lubricant pump is connected to the lubricant consumer via the suction channel. This means that the lubricant pump pumps the lubricant from the lubricant consumer or its lubricant outlet toward the lubricant tank via the suction channel. The lubricant pump is also connected to the lubricant tank via the pressure channel. The lubricant pump draws in the lubricant from the lubricant consumer via the suction channel and pumps it toward the lubricant tank or into it via the pressure channel.

[0012] Both the suction channel and the pressure channel are preferably directly connected to the lubricant pump, thus extending from it in the direction of flow. It can also be provided that the suction channel extends to the lubricant outlet of the lubricant consumer, and the pressure channel extends to the lubricant tank. However, the suction channel is preferably spaced apart from the lubricant outlet and the pressure channel from the lubricant tank, so that they only extend partially to the respective element.

[0013] The lubricant tank and the lubricant consumer are fluidically connected to each other via the supply channel. The supply channel is thus located along a fluidic connection between the lubricant tank and the lubricant consumer. The supply channel can be provided to start directly from the lubricant tank and extend to the lubricant consumer. However, the supply channel can be fluidically separated from either the lubricant tank or the lubricant consumer, or from both, thus forming only part of the fluidic connection.

[0014] The suction channel, the pressure channel, and the supply 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. In this respect, the opening represents an outlet opening through which the respective channel or 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 supply channel, are preferably produced during a casting process for the machine housing. In this case, the machine housing is a cast part.

[0015] 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.

[0016] As already explained, 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 tightly 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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 delimits the channels, at least in certain areas, or represents a flow-guiding element for the channels.

[0020] The invention provides that the lubricant pump is fluidly connected on the suction side, parallel to the suction channel, to another suction channel and, via this, to the lubricant consumer and / or another lubricant consumer. In addition to the suction channel, the drive device thus has the additional suction channel. The lubricant pump is fluidly connected to the lubricant consumer via the additional suction channel in the same way as via the suction channel. Additionally or alternatively, a fluid connection is established between the lubricant pump and the additional lubricant consumer via the additional suction channel.

[0021] For example, the drive unit represents the lubricant consumer and the gearbox the further lubricant consumer, or vice versa. Lubricant is conveyed from the lubricant consumer or consumers towards the lubricant tank, in particular into the lubricant tank, via the suction channels, i.e. the suction channel and the further suction channel. The further suction channel is designed analogously to the suction channel. This means that the further suction channel is open in the base body of the machine housing, forming an opening. The opening is covered or closed by means of the end cover, whereby this covering or closing for the opening of the further suction channel and the openings of the suction channel, the pressure channel and the supply channel takes place fluidically separately from one another.Such a design of the drive unit, and in particular of the machine housing, creates a high degree of integration while simultaneously ensuring rapid assembly. This leads to cost-effective production of the drive unit.

[0022] A further development of the invention provides that the lubricant consumer and / or the further lubricant consumer are each present as one of the following devices: drive unit and transmission. The drive device preferably comprises the drive unit, as already explained. In addition or alternatively to the drive unit, the drive device has the transmission. The transmission has at least one gear stage, preferably several gear stages connected in series. A transmission input shaft is drive-connected to a transmission output shaft via the gear stage or gear stages. Preferably, a fixed transmission ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft is set by means of the gear stage or gear stages. The transmission input shaft is preferably connected to the drive unit, in particular rigidly and / or permanently.The transmission output shaft, on the other hand, is coupled or at least capable of being coupled to at least one wheel of the motor vehicle. For example, the drive device includes a clutch. This clutch can be arranged, for example, between the transmission output shaft and at least one wheel of the motor vehicle.

[0023] Both the drive unit and the gearbox must be supplied with lubricant during operation, firstly for lubrication and secondly for temperature control. In this respect, for example, the drive unit acts as the lubricant consumer and the gearbox as the other lubricant consumer. This means that lubricant taken from the lubricant tank is supplied to the drive unit and / or gearbox during operation of the drive device. This lubricant is then removed from the drive unit and / or gearbox via the suction channel with the help of the lubricant pump and pumped back towards the lubricant tank. Such a design requires a large number of channels in the machine housing, which can be manufactured particularly easily and cost-effectively thanks to the use of the end cover.

[0024] A further development of the invention provides that the suction channel is fluidically connected to the lubricant consumer via a lubricant sump, and / or the additional suction channel is fluidically connected to the additional lubricant consumer via the lubricant sump. The lubricant sump is fluidically located between the lubricant consumer and the suction channel, or between the additional lubricant consumer and the additional suction channel. Lubricant escaping from the lubricant consumer or the additional lubricant consumer initially enters the lubricant sump and is then drained from it via the suction channel and / or the additional suction channel, namely toward the lubricant tank.

[0025] For example, the lubricant consumer and the additional lubricant consumer, or their lubricant outlets, are fluidically connected to the same lubricant sump. However, it can also be provided that the suction channel is fluidically connected to the lubricant consumer via the lubricant sump, and the additional suction channel is fluidically connected to the additional lubricant consumer via another lubricant sump, with the lubricant sump and the lubricant sump being fluidically separated from each other or only connected to each other via the channels, the lubricant tank, the lubricant pump, and the lubricant consumers. This avoids a direct connection of the suction channel to the lubricant consumer or of the additional suction channel to the additional lubricant consumer.At the same time, a reliable pumping of the lubricant from the lubricant consumers towards the lubricant tank is ensured.

[0026] A further development of the invention provides that the end cover, for covering the openings, rests against edges that delimit the openings and lie completely in an imaginary plane. The openings are delimited by the edges. The edges preferably encompass each of the openings continuously, so that the openings are edge-closed. The edges are preferably free ends of webs, between which the channels or the recesses of the channels are formed. The edges lie completely in the imaginary plane. This means that the edges are completely flat and aligned with one another. In particular, the edges form sealing surfaces against which the end cover rests in a fluid-tight manner to cover or close the openings.

[0027] For example, seals are arranged between the cover and the edges, each of which continuously encompasses one of the openings. For example, the seals are attached to the cover and / or formed integrally with it. Alternatively, the seals can also be attached to the base body. The arrangement of the edges in the imaginary plane has the advantage that the cover essentially covers or closes the openings simultaneously, and the production of the cover and / or the arrangement of the seals can be accomplished in a simple manner.

[0028] A further development of the invention provides that the end cover is made of a material that is different from the material of the base body of the machine housing. In this respect, the end cover and the machine housing or its base body are made of a different material. The base body material used is, for example, metal, in particular aluminum or steel, or a corresponding alloy. The material of the end cover is, in particular, a plastic, in particular a thermoplastic. The aforementioned seal can, in this case, be formed integrally with the end cover; for example, it is injection-molded onto it. This ensures simple and cost-effective production.

[0029] A further development of the invention provides that a pressure chamber of the end cover, which is fluidically connected to the pressure channel through the corresponding opening, is fluidically connected to the lubricant tank via a connection opening formed in the end cover, so that the lubricant pump is fluidically connected to the lubricant tank via the pressure channel formed in the base body and the connection opening, and / or that a suction chamber of the end cover, which is fluidically connected to the suction channel and / or the further suction channel through the corresponding opening, is fluidically connected to the lubricant tank via a through-opening formed in the end cover, so that the lubricant pump is fluidly connected to the lubricant outlet via the suction channel formed in the base body and the through-opening.

[0030] For example, the pressure chamber is formed in the end cover and is located therein as a recess open towards the base body. The pressure chamber or an opening of the pressure chamber facing the machine housing is aligned with the pressure channel or the opening of the pressure channel, so that the pressure channel is fluidically connected to the pressure chamber. The pressure chamber is fluidically connected to the pressure channel on the one hand and to the lubricant tank on the other. In other words, the pressure channel is fluidically connected to the lubricant tank via the pressure chamber. For this purpose, the connection opening is formed in the end cover. Overall, this results in a design of the drive device in which the lubricant pump is fluidly connected to the lubricant tank via the pressure channel and the connection opening - in exactly that order.This enables a structurally simple design of the drive device and a flexible arrangement of the lubricant tank.

[0031] In addition to or as an alternative to the pressure chamber, the suction chamber is located in the cover plate. The same applies to the pressure chamber. It is also located as a recess in the cover plate, which has an opening on its side facing the main body of the machine housing and is accordingly open. The suction chamber or opening is aligned with the suction channel or the additional suction channel and, accordingly, the opening of the suction channel or the additional suction channel. Consequently, the suction chamber is fluidically connected to the suction channel or the additional suction channel.

[0032] On its side facing away from the suction channel or the additional suction channel, the suction chamber is fluidically connected to the lubricant tank, namely via the through-opening formed in the cover. The drive device is designed such that the lubricant pump is fluidically connected to the lubricant outlet via the suction channel and the through-opening—again in the specified order. This again enables a structurally simple yet flexible design.

[0033] A further development of the invention provides that the end cover is arranged in an air space into which at least one machine shaft of the drive device projects and / or which is delimited on the one hand by a wall of the base body and on the other hand by a machine housing cover fastened to the base body. The air space is enclosed at least in regions by the machine housing. Particularly preferably, the air space is sealed off in a fluid-tight manner from the outside environment. 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.

[0034] Additionally or alternatively, the 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 mating toothing which interacts positively with the toothing of the machine shaft. The use of the end cover enables effective use of the air space and accordingly a compact design of the machine housing.

[0035] A further development of the invention provides that the connection opening is fluidically connected to the lubricant tank via a lubricant line attached to the end cover, wherein the lubricant line passes through a partition wall defining the air space and / or extends partially through the lubricant tank. The lubricant line is in the form of a rigid tube, for example. It is attached to the end cover in such a way that it is fluidly connected to the connection opening and, via this, to the pressure chamber of the end cover. Ultimately, the lubricant line is thus fluidly connected to the pressure channel.

[0036] The lubricant line extends to the lubricant tank. For example, it ends directly at the lubricant tank. However, it is preferably provided that it extends partially through the lubricant tank. For example, it penetrates at least 50%, at least 75%, or more of the interior of the lubricant tank. In particular, the lubricant line is arranged in the lubricant tank such that its outlet opening facing away from the lubricant pump is always above a lubricant level occurring during normal operation of the drive device. Accordingly, the lubricant can be introduced into the lubricant tank particularly effectively through the lubricant line.

[0037] It can be provided that the lubricant line originating from the end cover first passes through the partition wall delimiting the air space before reaching the lubricant tank. This means that the lubricant tank is arranged outside the air space, in particular is separated from it. For example, the lubricant tank is formed by the machine housing itself, so that walls of the machine housing completely surround and enclose a storage space of the lubricant tank that holds the lubricant. The lubricant tank can therefore be connected to the lubricant pump in a particularly simple manner via the lubricant line. In particular, it is not necessary to design corresponding channels in the base body of the machine housing itself.

[0038] A further development of the invention provides that the end cover at least partially surrounds a receiving opening formed in the machine housing, wherein the machine shaft is arranged and / or mounted in the receiving opening. The receiving opening is formed, for example, in the aforementioned partition wall delimiting the air space. The machine shaft is preferably arranged or mounted in the receiving opening. The end cover is shaped to fit the receiving opening and surrounds it at least partially. This means that at least some of the channels or their openings are at an identical distance from the receiving opening, but are at different angular positions to it. In order to nevertheless easily cover or close the openings using the end cover, the end cover is adapted to the receiving opening.This results in extremely efficient use of space.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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, with a machine housing in which a lubricant consumer, a lubricant tank and a lubricant pump are arranged, Figure 2 shows a further schematic representation of the drive device, Figure 3 shows a schematic detailed representation of a region of the drive device, and Figure 4 shows an end cover of the machine housing and a lubricant line leading from it.

[0041] The Figure 1shows a schematic representation of a drive device 1 for a motor vehicle not shown in more 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 3 and a rotor 4. The drive device 1 also has a transmission 5, which in the exemplary embodiment shown has several gear stages. Preferably, the drive unit 2 is drivingly connected via the transmission 5 to an output shaft of the drive device 1, wherein at least one wheel of the motor vehicle can in turn be drivingly coupled to the output shaft. Both the drive unit 2 and the transmission 5 are arranged in a machine housing 6 of the drive device 1.

[0042] During operation of the drive device 1, lubricant is supplied to the drive unit 2 and the transmission 5 at least temporarily for lubrication and / or temperature control. For this purpose, the drive unit 2 and the transmission 5 have lubricant supply devices 7 and 8, respectively. The drive unit 2 and the transmission 5 thus represent a lubricant consumer 9 and a lubricant consumer 10. Lubricant is supplied to the lubricant consumers 9 and 10 at least temporarily from a lubricant tank 11. After lubrication and / or temperature control, the lubricant supplied to the lubricant consumers 9 and 10 exits into a lubricant sump 12 and is pumped from there again towards the lubricant tank 11 by a lubricant pump 13.In the context of the exemplary embodiment described here, it is provided that the lubricant is supplied to the lubricant consumer 9 by means of a first additional lubricant pump 14 and to the additional lubricant consumer 10 by means of a second additional lubricant pump 15.

[0043] The lubricant pump 13 is fluidly connected to the lubricant sump 12 and thus to the lubricant consumers 9 and 10 via a suction channel 16 and a further suction channel 17, namely on the suction side. On the pressure side, the lubricant pump 13 is connected to the lubricant tank 11 via a pressure channel 18 and a lubricant line 19. Finally, a feed channel 20 is provided, via which the lubricant tank 11 is connected to the lubricant consumers 9 and 10, namely via the further lubricant pumps 14 and 15. In the initial example shown here, it is intended to drive the lubricant pump 13 and the further lubricant pumps 14 and 15 by means of a common drive 21, which in this respect can also be referred to as a lubricant pump drive or oil pump drive. The drive 21 has, for example, an electric motor or is designed as such.

[0044] It is provided that the suction channel 16, the further suction channel 17, the pressure channel 18 and the feed channel 20 are each formed in a base body 22 of the machine housing 6, which can also be referred to as a gear housing, namely each with the formation of an opening 23 which is not visible here. The openings 23 of the said channels 16, 17, 18 and 20 are covered or closed separately from one another in terms of flow technology by means of a cover cover 24 which is attached to the base body 22 and is only indicated here.

[0045] The Figure 2shows another schematic representation of the drive device 1. Visible in particular is the base body 22, which encloses an air space 25, namely together with a machine housing cover (not shown here) that is fastened to the base body 22. At least one machine shaft 26 engages in the air space 25; in the illustrated embodiment, several machine shafts 26 engage. Visible is the end cover 24 fastened to the base body 22.

[0046] A suction nozzle 27 is arranged on the end cover 24, which is fluidly connected to the further suction channel 17 via the end cover 24. The suction nozzle 27 projects towards a bottom of the machine housing 6 in the air space 25, so that lubricant present in the air space 25 can be conveyed via the suction nozzle 27 via the further suction channel 17, the lubricant pump 13, the pressure channel 18 and the lubricant line 19 into the lubricant tank 11. The lubricant tank 11 is formed separately from the air space 25 in the machine housing 6 and, in the embodiment shown here, is separated from it by the partition wall 28.

[0047] The Figure 3shows a schematic detailed representation of a region of the machine housing 6 or the base body 22. The suction channels 16 and 17, the pressure channel 18, the supply channel 20, and their openings 23 are visible. It is clear that the openings 23 are delimited by edges 29, which lie continuously in a common imaginary plane. After being attached to the base body 22, the end cover 24 rests sealingly against the edges 29, so that the openings 23 are each closed. The edges form, for example, a component of a flange on which the end cover 24 is arranged.

[0048] Also visible is a through-hole 30 extending through the partition wall 28 and a receiving opening 31. After the end cover 24 has been installed, the lubricant line 19 passes through the through-hole 30 to fluidically connect the pressure channel 18 to the lubricant tank 11. The machine shaft 26 or one of the machine shafts 26 is arranged or mounted in the receiving opening 31.

[0049] The Figure 4shows a schematic representation of the end cover 24 and the lubricant line 19. It can be seen that the end cover 24 has several recesses 32, each of which overlaps one of the channels 16, 17, 18, and 20 and is fluidly connected to it through the respective opening 23. The recess 32, which is fluidly connected to the pressure channel 18, can also be referred to as a pressure chamber 33. It is fluidly connected to the lubricant line 19 via a connection opening 34.

[0050] Here, the lubricant line 19 opens into the pressure chamber 33 via the connection opening 34. Analogously, the recess 32 connected to the further suction channel 17 can be referred to as the suction chamber 35. The suction chamber 35 is fluidically connected to the suction nozzle 27. A wall 36 of the suction nozzle can be identified for the illustrated embodiment by an opening 37 formed in the end cover 24.

[0051] The described design of the drive device 1 enables particularly simple and cost-effective production of the described channels 16, 17, 18, and 20. Preferably, during the casting of the machine housing 6, recesses are formed in the base body 22, which form the channels 16, 17, 20, and 22 at least in some areas. These recesses or the corresponding openings 23 are subsequently covered or closed using the cover 24. The cover 24 thus serves to simultaneously and fluidically separate cover or close the openings 23. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS:

[0052] 1Drive device 2Drive unit 3Stator 4Rotor 5Gearbox 6Machine housing 7Lubricant supply device 8Lubricant supply device 9Lubricant consumer 10Lubricant consumer 11Lubricant tank 12Lubricant sump 13Lubricant pump 14First additional lubricant pump 15Second additional lubricant pump 16Suction channel 17Additional suction channel 18Pressure channel 19Lubricant line 20Feed channel 21Drive 22Gearbox housing 23Opening 24End cover 25Air space 26Machine shaft 27Suction nozzle 28Partition wall 29Rim 30Through recess 31Receiving opening 32Recess 33Pressure chamber 34Connection opening 35Suction chamber 36Wall 37Breakthrough

Claims

1. Drive apparatus (1) for a motor vehicle, with a machine housing (6) in which a lubricant consumer (9), a lubricant tank (11) and a lubricant pump (13) are arranged, wherein the lubricant pump (13) is fluidically connected on the suction side via a suction channel (16) to the lubricant consumer (9) and the lubricant tank (11) is fluidically connected via a flow channel (20) to the lubricant consumer (9), characterized in that the lubricant pump (13) is fluidically connected on the pressure side via a pressure channel (18) to the lubricant tank (11), wherein the suction channel (16), the pressure channel (18) and the flow channel (20) are each open in a base body (22) of the machine housing (6) forming an opening (23), and the openings (23) are fluidically covered separately from one another by means of an end cover (24) secured to the base body (22), wherein the lubricant pump (13) is connected on the suction side parallel to the suction channel (16) to a further suction channel (17) and via the latter fludically to the lubricant consumer (9) and / or a further lubricant consumer (10).

2. Drive apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the lubricant consumer (9) and / or the further lubricant consumer (10) are respectively present as one of the following apparatuses: drive unit (2) and transmission (5).

3. Drive apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction channel (16) is fluidically connected to the lubricant consumer (9) via a lubricant sump (12) and / or the further suction channel (17) is fluidically connected to the further lubricant consumer (10) via the lubricant sump (12).

4. Drive apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end cover (24) for covering the openings (23) bears against edges (29) delimiting the openings (23), which edges lie completely in an imaginary plane.

5. Drive apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end cover (24) consists of a material which is different from a material of the base body (22) of the machine housing (6).

6. Drive apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thata pressure chamber (33) of the end cover (24), which is fluidically connected to the pressure channel (18) through the corresponding opening (23), is fluidically connected to the lubricant tank (11) via a connection opening (34) formed in the end cover (24), so that the lubricant pump (13) is fluidically attached to the lubricant tank (11) via the pressure channel (18) formed in the base body (22) and the connection opening (34), and / or in that a suction chamber (35) of the end cover (24), which is fluidically connected to the suction channel (16) and / or the further suction channel (17) through the corresponding opening (23), is fluidically connected to the lubricant tank (11) via a through-opening formed in the end cover (24), so that the lubricant pump (13) is fluidically attached to the lubricant consumer (9) via the suction channel (16) formed in the base body (22) and the through-opening.

7. Drive apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end cover (24) is arranged in an air space (25) into which at least one machine shaft (26) of the drive apparatus (1) projects and / or which is delimited on the one hand by a wall of the base body (22) and on the other hand by a machine housing cover secured to the base body (22).

8. Drive apparatus according to claim 6 and 7, characterized in that the connection opening (34) is fluidically connected to the lubricant tank (11) via a lubricant line (19) secured to the end cover (24), wherein the lubricant line (19) runs through a partition wall (28) delimiting the air space (25) and / or extends partially through the lubricant tank (11).

9. Drive apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the end cover (24) at least partially surrounds a receiving opening (31) formed in the machine housing (6), wherein the machine shaft (26) is arranged and / or mounted in the receiving opening (31).