Drive unit for a motor vehicle, in particular for a car, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive unit (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a machine (2) having a rotor (3), which has a shaft (9), and which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (5) relative to at least one component (14) of the machine (2), and comprising a diverting device (11) designed for diverting electrical currents from the rotor (3), which has a contact element (12) that can be moved relative to the component (14) and is electrically connected to the component (14), which in turn has a first sliding contact surface (16) in contact with a second sliding contact surface (17) of the shaft (9) that can be rotated about the axis of rotation (5) relative to the contact element (12), whereby an electrically conductive sliding contact (18) is formed between the sliding contact surfaces (16, 17), via which the electrical currents can be transmitted from the rotor (3), via the contact element (12), to the component (14), and can thus be diverted from the rotor (3).

Description

[0001] Drive device for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a drive device for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with at least one such drive device.

[0003] WO 2019 / 185 447 A1 discloses a diverting device for diverting electrical currents from a rotor part of a machine, in particular one formed with a shaft, into a stator part of the machine. Furthermore, DE 10 2010 039 847 A1 discloses a grounding contact.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a drive device for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with at least one such drive device, so that on the one hand a particularly advantageous discharge of electrical currents and on the other hand an advantageous cooling and / or lubrication of the machine can be realized.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a drive device having the features of patent claim 1 and by a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to a drive device for a motor vehicle. This means that the motor vehicle, which is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car, and also simply referred to as a vehicle, in its fully manufactured state has the drive device and can be driven by means of the drive device. The drive device has a machine by means of which the motor vehicle can be driven. Very preferably, the machine is an electric machine which can be operated, for example, in engine mode and thus as an electric motor, by means of which the motor vehicle can be driven, in particular purely electrically. Thus, the motor vehicle is preferably designed as a hybrid or electric vehicle, in particular as a battery electric vehicle (BEV).The electric machine is very preferably a high-voltage component whose electrical voltage, in particular electrical operating or nominal voltage, is preferably greater than 50 volts, and very preferably amounts to several hundred volts. The machine has a rotor, which is also referred to as a rotor part or rotor device. Furthermore, the machine has at least one component provided in addition to the rotor, wherein the rotor is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the at least one component. In particular, the machine can provide torques for driving the motor vehicle via its rotor. The rotor has a shaft, which is thus rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the at least one component. In particular, the machine can provide the aforementioned torques, by means of which the motor vehicle can be driven, via the shaft.Thus, for example, the shaft is an output shaft of the machine, in particular of the drive device as a whole. Thus, it is particularly conceivable that the drive device as a whole can provide drive torques for driving the motor vehicle, in particular purely electrically, via the rotor, in particular via the shaft. The drive torques can result from the aforementioned torques or the drive torques can correspond to the torques.

[0007] The drive device also has a diverter device by means of which electrical currents can be diverted from the rotor, i.e., can be carried away from the rotor and in particular from the shaft. This means in particular that the electrical currents are transferred from the rotor, in particular from the shaft, to the diverter device and can thus be diverted or carried away from or by the rotor, in particular from or by the shaft. As a result, the electrical currents can be specifically diverted from or by the rotor, i.e., carried away, without, for example, causing undesired damage to the drive device, in particular as a result of untargeted or accidental diversion of the electrical currents from or by the rotor.In particular, it is conceivable for the machine, in particular the electric machine, to have a stator by means of which, for example, the rotor can be driven, in particular using electrical energy, and can therefore be rotated about the axis of rotation relative to the stator. In this case, the at least one component can, for example, be a component of the stator. The rotor and thus the shaft can be rotated about the axis of rotation relative to the at least one component. The diverter device has a contact element which can be moved relative to the component, in particular along a sliding direction, and which is electrically connected to the component at least indirectly, in particular directly, i.e. is in electrical contact. The contact element has a first sliding contact surface which bears against a second sliding contact surface of the shaft.The shaft is rotatable about the rotational axis relative to the contact element, so that when the shaft is rotated about the rotational axis relative to the component and also relative to the contact element, while the sliding contact surfaces are in contact, in particular directly, the sliding contact surfaces slide against each other or rub against each other. Because the sliding contact surfaces are in contact, in particular directly, an electrically conductive sliding contact is formed, in particular directly, between the sliding contact surfaces, via which the electrical currents can be transmitted from the shaft and thus from the rotor via the contact element to the component and thus can be discharged from the rotor, in particular can be discharged in a targeted manner.

[0008] The diverter device also has, for example, at least one spring element, which is preferably formed separately from the contact element and / or separately from the component. By means of the spring element, the first sliding contact surface is prestressed against the second sliding contact surface, in particular along the sliding direction. For this purpose, for example, the spring element is tensioned, whereby the spring element provides a spring force acting in particular along the sliding direction. By means of the spring force, the first sliding contact surface is held in, in particular direct, contact with the second sliding contact surface, whereby the first sliding contact surface is prestressed, in particular directly, against the second sliding contact surface. The spring element is preferably elastically deformable, in particular along the sliding direction. The axis of rotation runs in the axial direction of the shaft, in particular such that the axis of rotation coincides with the axial direction of the shaft.The sliding direction, for example, runs parallel to the axial direction of the shaft and thus parallel to the rotational axis. Thus, the spring element, for example, allows axial movements, i.e., translational movements of the contact element along the sliding direction and relative to the component. Such translational movements of the contact element along the sliding direction and relative to the component occur, for example, due to axial movements of the shaft. Axial movements of the shaft are understood to mean translational movements of the shaft in the axial direction of the shaft and relative to the component.If the shaft thus moves in the axial direction of the shaft relative to the component, then during such axial movements of the shaft, for example because the switching contact surfaces abut one another, in particular directly, particularly when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft or along the sliding direction, the contact element is moved translationally along the sliding direction relative to the component, wherein during these axial movements of the shaft and during these axial movements of the contact element, the first sliding contact surface is held in, in particular direct, contact with the second sliding contact surface by means of the spring element. In other words, the contact element can thus carry out the axial movements of the shaft, while the first sliding contact surface is held in, in particular direct contact with the second sliding contact surface by means of the spring element.

[0009] In order to be able to divert the electrical currents particularly advantageously from the rotor and to introduce them into the component in particular via the contact element, and to be able to realize particularly advantageous lubrication and / or cooling of the machine, on the other hand, it is provided according to the invention that a component of the shaft forming the second sliding contact surface has a through-opening which is central with respect to the axis of rotation and the shaft and which opens into a hollow, first longitudinal region of the shaft on a side of the component which is facing away from the first sliding contact surface, in particular in the axial direction of the shaft.

[0010] The at least one component of the machine is also referred to as the first component or first part, whereby, for example, the component having the through-opening is also referred to as the second component or second part. The shaft is thus hollow at least in the first longitudinal region, and is therefore designed as a hollow shaft. When reference is made below to the component or to the at least one component, this refers to the first component, and therefore the first part. When reference is made below to the component, this refers to the second component or the second part.

[0011] Furthermore, the invention provides that the second sliding contact surface and thus also the first sliding contact surface are arranged off-axis with respect to the axis of rotation. In other words, the second sliding contact surface and thus also the first sliding contact surface are arranged off-axis with respect to or opposite the axis of rotation. This means that the second sliding contact surface and thus also the first sliding contact surface are offset outwards relative to the axis of rotation, particularly when viewed in the radial direction of the shaft. Furthermore, the invention provides that the component has a fluid channel through which a preferably liquid lubricant and / or coolant can flow. The lubricant and / or coolant is a fluid, in particular a liquid, so that when reference is made to the fluid below, this means the lubricant and / or coolant, unless stated otherwise.The fluid channel has, at least in a second longitudinal region of the fluid channel, a passage direction extending obliquely to the axis of rotation and thus obliquely to the axial direction of the shaft, in which the fluid (lubricant and / or coolant) can flow through the second longitudinal region. This means that during operation of the drive device and thus of the machine, the fluid (lubricant and / or coolant) flows through the second longitudinal region in the passage direction. The passage direction in which the fluid flows through the second longitudinal region of the fluid channel during the aforementioned operation is also referred to as the first passage direction of the second longitudinal region of the fluid channel.

[0012] The second length region opens into the passage direction via an outlet opening of the second length region arranged on a side of the component facing the second sliding contact surface, in particular in the axial direction of the shaft, into an environment of the component, whereby the lubricant and / or coolant (fluid) flowing through the second length region in the passage direction of the second length region can be sprayed out of the second length region in the passage direction via the outlet opening and thereby out of the fluid channel, can be sprayed through the passage opening in the passage direction of the second length region and can be injected into the hollow, first length region of the shaft in the passage direction of the second length region.This allows the fluid to be introduced particularly advantageously into the hollow, first longitudinal region of the shaft, in particular such that an inner circumferential surface of the shaft can be particularly advantageously wetted or sprayed with the fluid. This particularly means the following: The hollow, first longitudinal region is, for example, a particularly central channel or has a particularly central channel, wherein the channel is delimited, in particular directly, by the inner circumferential surface of the shaft, in particular outwardly in the radial direction of the shaft.Through the particularly advantageous wetting of the inner circumferential surface of the shaft with the fluid, for example during the aforementioned operation, a particularly advantageous swirl of the fluid in the hollow, first longitudinal region can be brought about, in particular by the fluid with which the inner circumferential surface is or was wetted being entrained by the inner circumferential surface of the shaft rotating about the axis of rotation. As a result, the fluid is set into a swirl in the hollow, first longitudinal region. As a result, the fluid can be conveyed particularly advantageously, in particular along the axial direction of the shaft, through the hollow, first longitudinal region, so that points of the machine to be supplied with the fluid can be supplied particularly well with the fluid, in particular with a sufficiently large quantity of the fluid.By offsetting the sliding contact surfaces from the rotational axis, it is possible to position the through-hole centrally with respect to the rotational axis, allowing a beneficially large amount of fluid to be injected through the through-hole and thus into the hollow, first longitudinal region. This beneficially large amount of fluid can be conveyed particularly advantageously to the aforementioned locations by the previously described advantageous swirling of the fluid in the hollow, first longitudinal region, thus ensuring particularly advantageous lubrication and / or cooling of the machine.

[0013] Tests have shown that a central arrangement of the sliding contact surfaces with respect to the axis of rotation and a resulting arrangement of the through opening that is off-axis with respect to the axis of rotation can, on the one hand, lead to a blinding effect, so that a sufficiently large quantity of fluid cannot be introduced into the hollow, first longitudinal region. On the other hand, advantageous wetting of the inner circumferential surface of the shaft with the fluid may no longer be possible, so that no swirl or only an unfavorably small swirl can be imparted to the fluid in the hollow, first longitudinal region. As a result, the desired supply of the points with the fluid may not be guaranteed. The invention, however, now enables an advantageous supply of the points with an advantageously large quantity of the fluid, so that particularly advantageous lubrication and / or cooling of the machine can be ensured.

[0014] In order to be able to realize a particularly advantageous supply of the fluid to the location, one embodiment of the invention provides that the fluid channel has a third longitudinal region arranged upstream of the second longitudinal region, viewed along the first passage direction. The passage direction of this third longitudinal region, also referred to as the second passage direction, in which the lubricant and / or coolant can flow through the third longitudinal region, runs obliquely to the passage direction of the second longitudinal region and parallel to the axis of rotation, thus parallel to the axial direction of the shaft. This allows a particularly advantageously large quantity of fluid to be injected into the hollow, first longitudinal region in an advantageously short time.It has proven particularly advantageous if the second longitudinal region directly adjoins the third longitudinal region, which is fluidically connected to the second longitudinal region, so that, viewed along the respective passage direction, no other, further longitudinal region of the fluid channel is arranged between the second longitudinal region and the third longitudinal region. This allows a particularly large amount of fluid to flow through the second longitudinal region and through the third longitudinal region, thus flowing through the fluid channel, and subsequently being injected into the hollow, first longitudinal region, thus ensuring a particularly advantageous supply of fluid to the locations.

[0015] A further embodiment is characterized in that the through-opening is circular and thus shaped like a circle, the center of which lies on the axis of rotation. This allows the fluid to be introduced, in particular injected, into the hollow, first longitudinal region in a particularly advantageous manner, so that the inner circumferential surface of the shaft can be wetted with the fluid in a particularly advantageous manner. Consequently, advantageous conveyance of the fluid in or through the hollow, first longitudinal region can be ensured, so that the locations can be supplied with the fluid particularly well.

[0016] In order to ensure particularly advantageous lubrication and / or cooling of the machine, a further embodiment of the invention provides for the outlet openings to be circular and thus in the shape of a circle, the center of which can lie on the axis of rotation or, in particular, can be spaced from the axis of rotation in the radial direction of the shaft. In particular, it is conceivable for the axis of rotation to intersect the outlet opening. Preferably, the outlet opening and the through-opening overlap one another when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft, in particular in such a way that the outlet opening is at least predominantly, i.e. at least more than half or completely, overlapped by the through-opening in the axial direction of the shaft and, in particular, towards the hollow, first longitudinal region.This allows a particularly advantageous large amount of fluid to be injected into the first length region.

[0017] For example, the outlet opening and the through-opening extend in mutually parallel and, for example, spaced-apart or coincident planes, which preferably run perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft, thus perpendicular to the axis of rotation. In order to arrange the through-opening particularly advantageously and thus to be able to introduce, in particular inject, the fluid particularly advantageously into the hollow, first longitudinal region, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the axis of rotation is spaced from the entire first sliding contact surface, thus not intersecting the first sliding contact surface.

[0018] It is preferably provided that the sliding contact surfaces, in particular because the sliding contact surfaces lie against one another, in particular directly, extend in a common sliding contact surface plane, which preferably extends perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the shaft and perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft.

[0019] In order to be able to divert the electrical currents from the rotor in a particularly advantageous and targeted manner and to ensure a particularly advantageous supply of the points with the fluid, it is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the component forming the second sliding contact surface is a cap which is formed separately from a shaft body of the shaft and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the shaft body, which has the hollow, first longitudinal region and thus in particular the inner circumferential surface of the shaft.

[0020] In order to be able to divert the electrical currents particularly advantageously and specifically to the rotor via the shaft, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the shaft is designed as an intermediate shaft. The rotor has a rotor shaft arranged coaxially to the intermediate shaft, which rotor shaft is designed separately from the intermediate shaft and is connected to the intermediate shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. For example, the rotor shaft is arranged at least partially in a laminated core of the rotor, in particular in such a way that the laminated core is connected to the rotor shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. It is conceivable that the intermediate shaft is not arranged in the laminated core, but is completely connected to the laminated core in the axial direction of the intermediate shaft and thus in the axial direction of the rotor shaft.

[0021] A further embodiment is characterized in that, with respect to a torque flow (also referred to as a torque path), along which torques can be transmitted from the rotor shaft arranged in the torque flow to the intermediate shaft arranged in the torque flow, the rotor shaft is arranged upstream of the intermediate shaft, and thus the intermediate shaft is arranged downstream of the rotor shaft. This allows the electrical currents to be discharged from the rotor via the rotor shaft and the intermediate shaft in a particularly advantageous and targeted manner without causing undesirable damage to the inlet device.

[0022] In particular, the diverting device is or functions as a grounding device via which the shaft and thus the rotor can be grounded and thus connected to an electrical ground. In particular, the diverting device is a wet-running diverting device and this is to be understood in particular that, particularly during the aforementioned operation of the inlet device and thus of the machine, the diverting device is arranged at least partially in the fluid, which is preferably in the form of a liquid, in particular as oil. In the invention, the diverting device takes on a particularly advantageous fluid lance function, in particular an oil lance function, within the framework of which the fluid, which is in the form of oil, for example, can be injected in a particularly advantageous, targeted manner and in a sufficiently large quantity via the through-opening in the hollow, first longitudinal region.Via the hollow, first length region, for example, bearing points as well as the rotor and, for example, also the stator can be supplied with the fluid and thus cooled and / or lubricated, which is sprayed out of the outlet opening and thereby sprayed through the through opening at an angle to the axis of rotation and thus injected into the high, first length region.

[0023] For example, the second longitudinal region and / or the third longitudinal region is designed as a respective bore or is formed by a bore. Because the passage direction of the second longitudinal region runs obliquely to the axial direction of the shaft, i.e. obliquely to the axis of rotation, a particularly advantageous wall contact of the fluid flowing through the passage opening, and thus of a fluid jet formed by the fluid flowing through the passage opening, with the inner circumferential surface of the shaft, also referred to as the inner wall or formed by an inner wall, can be ensured. A resulting swirl, in particular of the fluid, transports the fluid, in particular automatically, through the hollow, first longitudinal region and into the interior of the rotor.Simulations have confirmed a particularly high effectiveness of the invention, in particular with regard to an advantageous transport of the fluid through the hollow, first length region to the said locations and in particular with an advantageously large quantity.

[0024] A second aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle, preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, and also referred to as a vehicle, which has at least one drive device according to the first aspect of the invention. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0025] Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a partial schematic and perspective sectional view of a drive device for a motor vehicle;

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a further schematic and perspective view

[0028] Sectional view of the drive device; and

[0029] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a discharge device of the

[0030] Drive device.

[0031] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a detail in a schematic and sectional perspective view of a drive device 1 for a motor vehicle, also simply referred to as a vehicle and preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car, which can be driven by means of the drive device 1, in particular purely electrically. The drive device 1 has a machine designed as an electric machine 2, which has a rotor 3 and a stator 4. The rotor 3 can be driven by means of the stator 4 and can therefore be rotated about an axis of rotation 5 relative to at least one component 6 (Fig. 2) of the drive device 1. The rotor 3 has a rotor shaft 7 as the first shaft, wherein the electric machine 2 can provide drive torques for driving the motor vehicle, in particular purely electrically, via the rotor 3, in particular via the rotor shaft 7.For example, the rotor 3 comprises a laminated core 8, wherein the rotor shaft 7 is at least partially arranged in the laminated core 8. In particular, the laminated core 8 is connected to the rotor shaft 7 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0033] The drive device 1 also comprises an intermediate shaft 9 as a second shaft. The intermediate shaft 9 is formed separately from the rotor shaft and is connected to the rotor shaft 7 in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular via a spline. As a result, the drive torques provided or capable of being provided by the electric machine 2 via its rotor 3, in particular via the rotor shaft 7, can be transmitted to the intermediate shaft 9, which can subsequently provide torques for driving the motor vehicle, in particular purely electrically. The torques are, for example, the drive torques or result from the drive torques. For example, the intermediate shaft 9 is a transmission input shaft or is connected to a transmission input shaft in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the aforementioned torques can be introduced into a transmission of the drive device 1 (not shown in detail in the figures) via the transmission input shaft.Thus, for example, the motor vehicle can be driven via the transmission by means of the drive device 1, in particular purely electrically. The drive device 1 comprises a housing 10, wherein the electric machine 2 and / or the intermediate shaft 9 are each arranged at least partially in the housing 10. The component 6 is a first component, which in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures is designed as a cover of the housing 10. For example, the housing 10 has a housing element which has a through-opening. For example, the through-opening of the housing element is closed by means of the component 6 (cover).

[0034] From Fig. 2 it can be seen that the drive device 1 has a diverter device 11, by means of which electrical currents, in particular via the intermediate shaft 9, can be diverted from the rotor 3, in particular into the housing 10 or the component 6. This means in particular that the aforementioned electrical currents are transmitted, for example, from the rotor 3 via the rotor shaft 7 to the intermediate shaft 9 and from the intermediate shaft 9 to the diverter device 11 and via the diverter device 11 or from the diverter device 11 to the component 6 and can thus be diverted, guided out or carried away from the rotor 3 in a targeted manner, in particular without there being an arbitrary or random diversion of the electrical currents from the rotor 3.For example, the rotor 3 is mounted on the housing 10 via at least one or more bearings, for example designed as rolling bearings, so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation 5 relative to the housing 10. The aforementioned electrical currents can arise, in particular, due to the use of an inverter for the electrical machine 2. If, for example, the diverter device 11 were not used to specifically divert the electrical currents from or to the rotor 3 of the electrical machine 2, it could happen that the electrical currents, which seek the path of least resistance, jump from the rotor 3 to the housing 10 via the bearing or bearings. This can lead to damage to the bearings, in particular to the raceways of the bearings, which would constitute undesirable damage to the drive device 1. This can now be ensured by the use of the diverter device 11.

[0035] In order to be able to divert the electrical currents from the rotor 3 in a particularly advantageous manner and to ensure particularly advantageous lubrication and / or cooling of the drive device 1, in particular of the electrical machine 2, the diverting device 11 has a contact element 12 which is displaceable relative to the component 6, in particular along a sliding direction illustrated in FIG. 2 by a double arrow 13. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the diverting device 11 has a second component 14 which is formed separately from the first component 6 and which functions or is formed, for example, as a guide element by means of which the contact element 12 is guided along the sliding direction. The contact element 12 can thus be displaced in a guided manner along the component 14 and along the sliding direction, i.e. can be pushed back and forth in a guided manner. In particular, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the component 14 forms a housing of the discharge device 11. The component 14 is formed separately from the component 6. In addition, the component 14 is electrically connected to the component 6, i.e., it is in electrical contact with the component 6, in particular directly. In particular, the component 14 is connected to the component 6, in particular in such a way that relative rotations and preferably also transitory relative movements between the components 14 and 6 are avoided. For this purpose, for example, the component 14 is pressed into the component 6. The discharge device 11 is shown in Fig. 3 in a schematic perspective view.

[0036] From Fig. 2 it can be seen that the component 6 has a channel 15, also referred to as the main channel or main oil channel, through which a lubricant and / or coolant can flow for lubricating and / or cooling the drive device 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the lubricant and / or coolant, which is also simply referred to as fluid, is a liquid, in particular an oil, so that the channel 15 is also referred to as the oil channel or main oil channel. By means of the fluid, at least certain points of the drive device 1 can be lubricated and / or cooled. Some of the points are, for example, bearing points which are supplied with the fluid and can thus be lubricated and / or cooled by means of the fluid. In particular, the aforementioned bearings are arranged at the bearing points. For example, the bearings are rolling bearings.

[0037] 2 and 3 that the contact element 12, in particular on its end face facing the intermediate shaft 9, in particular in the axial direction of the intermediate shaft 9, has a first sliding contact surface 16, which is also referred to as the first contact surface. The first sliding contact surface 16 lies, in particular directly, against a second sliding contact surface 17 of the intermediate shaft 9, whereby an electrically conductive sliding contact 18 is formed between the sliding contact surfaces 16 and 17. The second sliding contact surface 17 is also referred to as the second sliding contact surface. Via the electrically conductive sliding contact 18, the aforementioned electrical currents can be transmitted from the rotor 3 via the contact element 12 to the component 14 and via this to the component 6 and can thereby be diverted from the rotor 3.In other words, the electrical currents can be transmitted, for example, from the rotor 3 via the rotor shaft 7 to the intermediate shaft 9 and from the intermediate shaft 9 via the sliding contact 18 to the contact element 12 and from the contact element 12 to the component 14 and from the component 14 to the component 6. For this purpose, for example, the contact element 12 is electrically connected to the component 14 via a, in particular electrically conductive, stranded wire 19 of the discharge device 11, in particular in such a way that the stranded wire 19 is electrically conductively connected, on the one hand, in particular at one end, to the contact element 12 and, on the other hand, in particular at the other end, to the component 14. At least a partial region of the stranded wire 19 carries out the displacements of the contact element 12 relative to the component 14 and relative to the component 6.The diverter device 11 also comprises a spring element 20, which in this case is designed as a mechanical spring, in particular as a compression spring. By means of the spring element 20, the first sliding contact surface 16 is pretensioned against the second sliding contact surface 17. For this purpose, for example, the spring element 20 is tensioned, whereby the spring element 20 provides a spring force which acts in particular along the sliding direction. By means of the spring force, the sliding contact surface 16 is held in, in particular direct, contact with the sliding contact surface 17. Along the sliding direction, the spring element 20 is more elastically deformable, so that the spring element 20 allows displacements of the contact element 12 along the sliding direction and relative to the component 14 and relative to the component 6. These displacements of the contact element 12 are also referred to as axial movements of the contact element 12.These axial movements of the contact element 12 occur in particular due to axial movements of the intermediate shaft 9, which, for example, during the axial movements of the intermediate shaft 9, moves translationally, in particular shifts back and forth, in the axial direction of the intermediate shaft 9 and thus along the axis of rotation 5 relative to the housing 10 and thus in particular relative to the components 6 and 14.

[0038] A component 21 of the intermediate shaft 9 forming the second sliding contact surface 17 has a through-opening 22 which is central with respect to the axis of rotation 5 and which opens into a hollow, first longitudinal region L1 of the intermediate shaft 9 on a side S1 of the component 21 facing away from the first sliding contact surface 16, in particular in the axial direction of the intermediate shaft 9. The component 21 is also referred to as the first structural element or first component. The second sliding contact surface 17 is arranged off-axis to the axis of rotation 5, in particular such that the axis of rotation 5 does not intersect the sliding contact surfaces 16 and 17. Thus, for example, the second sliding contact surface 17 is annular and thus designed as a ring whose center lies, for example, on the axis of rotation 5.The component 6 is also referred to as the first component or first part, the component 14 is also referred to as the second component or second part, the component 21 is also referred to as the third component or third component.

[0039] The component 14 has a fluid channel 26 through which the fluid can flow, which is fluidically connected to the channel 15. The fluid flowing through the channel 15 can thus flow from the channel 15 into the fluid channel 26. The fluid channel 26 has a second longitudinal region L2, the direction of flow of which is illustrated by an arrow 23 and runs obliquely to the axis of rotation 5. The fluid can flow through the second longitudinal region L2 of the fluid channel 26 in the direction of flow, also referred to as the first direction of flow and illustrated by the arrow 23. Furthermore, the second longitudinal region L2 and thus the fluid channel 26 as a whole open in the first direction of flow via an outlet opening 24 of the second longitudinal region L2 arranged on a side S2 of the component 14 facing the second sliding contact surfaces 17, into an environment 25 of the component 4, in the environment 25 of which the component 21 is arranged in the present case.

[0040] As a result, the fluid flowing through the second longitudinal region L2 in the first passage direction illustrated by arrow 23 can be sprayed out of the second longitudinal region L2 and out of the fluid channel 26 as a whole in the first passage direction illustrated by arrow 23 via the outlet opening 24, sprayed onto or into the environment 25, sprayed through the passage opening 22 and injected into the hollow, first longitudinal region L1 of the intermediate shaft 9. In other words, during operation of the drive device 1, the fluid first flows through the channel 15. From the channel 15, the fluid flows into and through the fluid channel 26 and thus through the second longitudinal region L2, wherein the fluid flows in the first passage direction illustrated by arrow 23 through the second longitudinal region L2 and thereby through the outlet opening 24.The outlet opening 24 is a purely two-dimensional opening, or can be imagined as a two-dimensional opening, through which the second longitudinal region L2 and thus the fluid channel 26 opens into the environment 25. During operation, the fluid is thus sprayed out of the second longitudinal region L2 and thus out of the fluid channel 26 via the outlet opening 24 in the first passage direction illustrated by arrow 23, and the fluid is sprayed through the passage opening 22 in the first passage direction illustrated by arrow 23, and the fluid is injected into the hollow, first longitudinal region L1 in the first passage direction illustrated by arrow 23. A fluid jet, also simply referred to as a jet, is shown schematically in Fig. 2 and designated by 27.The fluid jet 27 is formed by the fluid that is sprayed out of the second longitudinal region L2 via the outlet opening 24 in the first passage direction illustrated by the arrow 23 and through the passage opening 22. Since the fluid is preferably an oil, the fluid jet 27 is preferably an oil jet. It can be seen that the intermediate shaft 9 has an inner circumferential surface 30 in the first longitudinal region L1, against which the fluid jet 27, and thus the fluid forming the fluid jet 27, is sprayed, in particular directly, in particular in the first passage direction illustrated by the arrow 23. If the intermediate shaft 9 rotates about the axis of rotation 5, a swirl, thus a swirling flow, is imparted to the fluid that is sprayed against the inner circumferential surface 30.As a result, the fluid is transported through the hollow, first longitudinal region L1 and, in particular, to the aforementioned locations, which can be supplied with the fluid in a particularly advantageous manner. This ensures advantageous cooling and / or lubrication of the drive device 1, in particular of the electric machine 2.

[0041] It is particularly clearly visible from Fig. 2 that the fluid channel 26 has a third longitudinal region L3 arranged upstream of the second longitudinal region L2, the second passage direction of which, indicated by an arrow 28, runs parallel to the rotation axis 5. Thus, the second passage direction (arrow 28) runs obliquely to the first passage opening (arrow 23). The second longitudinal region L2 directly adjoins the third longitudinal region L3.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the through-opening 22 is circular and thus in the shape of a circle, the center of which lies on the rotational axis 5. The outlet opening 24 is also circular and thus in the shape of a circle, but its center is spaced, for example, from the rotational axis 5. However, the rotational axis 5 intersects the outlet opening 24. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the rotational axis 5 is spaced from the entire first sliding contact surface 16.

[0043] The component 21 forming the second sliding contact surface 17 is a cap, which is formed separately from a shaft body 29 of the intermediate shaft 9. The component 21 (cap) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the shaft body 29, wherein the shaft body 29 has the hollow, first longitudinal region L1 and in particular the inner circumferential surface 30.

[0044] List of reference symbols

[0045] 1 drive device 2 electric machine

[0046] 3 Rotor 4 Stator

[0047] 5 axis of rotation 6 first component

[0048] 7 Rotor shaft 8 Laminated core

[0049] 9 Intermediate shaft 10 Housing

[0050] 11 Discharge device 12 Contact element

[0051] 13 double arrow 14 second component

[0052] 15 Channel 16 First sliding contact surface 17 Second sliding contact surface 18 Electrically conductive sliding contact

[0053] 19 Strand 20 Spring element 21 Component

[0054] 22 Through opening 23 Arrow 24 Exit opening

[0055] 25 Environment 26 Fluid channel 27 Fluid jet

[0056] 28 Arrow 29 Shaft body

[0057] 30 inner circumferential surface S1 side S2 side L1 length range L2 length range

[0058] L3 length range

Claims

A drive device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a machine (2) which has a rotor (3) with a shaft (9) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (5) relative to at least one component (14) of the machine (2), and comprising a diverting device (11) designed to divert electrical currents from the rotor (3), which has a contact element (12) which is displaceable relative to the component (14) and electrically connected to the component (14), which has a first sliding contact surface (16) which bears against a second sliding contact surface (17) of the shaft (9) which is rotatable about the axis of rotation (5) relative to the contact element (12), whereby an electrically conductive sliding contact (18) is formed between the sliding contact surfaces (16, 17), via which the electrical currents can be transmitted from the rotor (3) via the contact element (12) to the component (14) and can thereby be diverted from the rotor (3), characterized in that: - a component (21) of the shaft (9) forming the second sliding contact surface (17) has a central through-opening (22) with respect to the axis of rotation (5) and the shaft (9), which through-opening opens into a hollow, first longitudinal region (L1) of the shaft (9) on a side (S1) of the component (21) facing away from the first sliding contact surface (16); - the second sliding contact surface (17) is arranged off-axis to the axis of rotation (5); and - the component (14) has a fluid channel (26) through which a lubricant and / or coolant can flow, which has a passage direction (23) extending obliquely to the rotation axis (5) at least in a second longitudinal region (L2) of the fluid channel (26), in which: o the second longitudinal region (L2) can be flowed through by the lubricant and / or coolant; and o the second longitudinal region (L2) opens into an environment (25) of the component (14) via an outlet opening (24) of the second longitudinal region (L2) arranged on a side (S2) of the component (14) facing the second sliding contact surface (17), whereby the lubricant flowing through the second longitudinal region (L2) in the passage direction (23) and / or coolant can be sprayed out in the passage direction (23) via the outlet opening (24) from the second longitudinal region (L2) and from the fluid channel (26), can be sprayed through the passage opening (22) and can be injected into the hollow, first longitudinal region (L1) of the shaft (9). Drive device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid channel (26) has a third longitudinal region (L3) arranged upstream of the second longitudinal region (L2), the passage direction (28) of which, in which the lubricant and / or coolant can flow through the third longitudinal region (L3), runs obliquely to the passage direction (23) of the second longitudinal region (L2) and parallel to the axis of rotation (5). Drive device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second longitudinal region (L2) directly adjoins the third longitudinal region (L3).Drive device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the through-opening (22) is circular and thus in the shape of a circle, the center of which lies on the axis of rotation (5). Drive device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet opening (24) is circular and thus in the shape of a circle. Drive device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis of rotation (5) is spaced from the entire first sliding contact surface (16). Drive device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component (21) forming the second sliding contact surface (17) is a cap which. formed separately from a shaft body (29) of the shaft (9) and rotationally connected to the shaft body (29), which has the hollow, first longitudinal region (L1). Drive device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaft (9) is designed as an intermediate shaft (9), wherein the rotor (3) has a rotor shaft (7) arranged coaxially to the intermediate shaft (9), which rotor shaft (7) is formed separately from the intermediate shaft (9) and rotationally connected to the intermediate shaft (9). Drive device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, with respect to a torque flow along which torques can be transmitted from the rotor shaft (7) arranged in the torque flow to the intermediate shaft (9) arranged in the torque flow, the rotor shaft (7) is arranged upstream of the intermediate shaft (9). Motor vehicle, with at least one drive device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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