Driving device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a driving device for a vehicle capable of appropriately cooling both of a rotary electric machine and an inverter module.SOLUTION: A driving device for a vehicle (1) comprises: a rotary electric machine (10); a power transmission mechanism (20); an inverter module (40); and a case (50). In the case (50), a first housing chamber (A1) housing the rotary electric machine (10) and a second housing chamber (A2) housing the inverter module (40) are formed. A first water channel (61) for cooling the inverter module (40) is connected to a second water channel (66). The second water channel (66) is provided in a region that is opposite a lower surface of the rotary electric machine (10).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle drive device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a vehicle drive device in which a housing chamber for housing a rotating electric machine and a housing chamber for housing an inverter module are provided in a single case. An example of such a vehicle drive device is disclosed in International Publication No. 2016 / 051535 (Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the vehicle drive device of Patent Document 1, a second accommodation chamber (inverter accommodation chamber 62) that accommodates an inverter module (inverter 10) is disposed above a first accommodation chamber (motor accommodation chamber 61) that accommodates a rotating electric machine (motor 30). The rotating electric machine is also cooled by cooling water that flows through a water passage provided between the bottom of the second accommodation chamber and the inverter module to cool the inverter module. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 051535 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the vehicle drive device of Patent Document 1, the cooling water is structured to cool the top and sides of the rotating electric machine through the case, so it is not possible to cool the oil that has accumulated inside the case, and there is a possibility that the rotating electric machine cannot be sufficiently cooled.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to realize a vehicle drive device that can appropriately cool both the rotating electric machine and the inverter module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A vehicle drive device according to the present disclosure includes: A rotating electric machine; An output member drivingly connected to the wheels; a power transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force between the rotating electric machine and the output member; an inverter module for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine; a case that houses the rotating electric machine, the power transmission mechanism, and the inverter module, the case includes a first housing chamber in which the rotating electric machine is housed, a second housing chamber in which the inverter module is housed, and a partition wall that separates the first housing chamber from the second housing chamber; An oil reservoir in which oil is stored is formed at a lower portion of the first storage chamber, a first water passage through which cooling water for cooling the inverter module flows is provided in the second accommodation chamber or the partition wall; A second water passage connected to the first water passage is provided in a region of the case facing a lower surface of the rotating electric machine.

[0008] According to this configuration, the inverter module can be appropriately cooled by the cooling water flowing through the first water passage, and the oil stored in the oil reservoir can be appropriately cooled by the cooling water flowing from the first water passage to the second water passage, thereby appropriately cooling the rotating electric machine. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle drive device that can appropriately cool both the rotating electric machine and the inverter module.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the techniques disclosed herein will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a vehicle drive device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] Control system block diagram [Diagram 3] Cross-sectional view of a vehicle drive device [Figure 4]Layout diagram of each space within the vehicle drive device [Diagram 5] Layout diagram of each space within the vehicle drive device [Figure 6] 1 is an axial view of a vehicle drive device; [Figure 7] Schematic diagram of cooling structure [Figure 8] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle drive device according to a second embodiment; [Figure 9] Schematic diagram of cooling structure [Figure 10] Case bottom view [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is an axial view of a vehicle drive device according to another embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of a vehicle drive device will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle drive device 1 includes a rotating electric machine 10, a power transmission mechanism 20, an output member 30 drivingly connected to a wheel W, and a case 50. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the vehicle drive device 1 includes an inverter module 40 for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine 10. The rotating electric machine 10, the power transmission mechanism 20, the output member 30, and the inverter module 40 are housed in the case 50. A part of the output member 30 is exposed to the outside of the case 50.

[0012] In this embodiment, the term "rotating electric machine" is used as a concept that includes a motor (electric motor), a generator (electric generator), and a motor-generator that functions as both a motor and a generator as necessary.

[0013] Moreover, "driving connection" refers to a state in which two rotating elements are connected so as to be able to transmit a driving force. This concept includes a state in which two rotating elements are connected so as to rotate integrally, and a state in which two rotating elements are connected so as to be able to transmit a driving force via one or more transmission members. Such transmission members include various members (shafts, gear mechanisms, belts, chains, etc.) that transmit rotation at the same speed or at a variable speed, and may also include engagement devices (friction engagement devices, meshing engagement devices, etc.) that selectively transmit rotation and driving force.

[0014] In this embodiment, the rotating electric machine 10 is disposed on the first axis X1. The power transmission mechanism 20 includes a counter gear mechanism 21 and a differential gear mechanism 26, the counter gear mechanism 21 being disposed on the second axis X2, and the differential gear mechanism 26 being disposed on the third axis X3. The output member 30 is disposed on the third axis X3. The first axis X1, the second axis X2, and the third axis X3 are parallel to one another, and in this embodiment, a direction parallel to these axes is referred to as an "axial direction L". Moreover, one side of the axial direction L (in this embodiment, the side on which the rotating electric machine 10 is disposed with respect to the power transmission mechanism 20) is referred to as an "axial first side L1", and the other side of the axial direction L (the side on which the power transmission mechanism 20 is disposed with respect to the rotating electric machine 10) is referred to as a "axial second side L2".

[0015] The rotating electric machine 10 includes a stator 11 fixed to a case 50, which is a non-rotating member, and a rotor 12 rotatably supported radially inside the stator 11. The stator 11 includes a stator core 11A and a stator coil 11B wound around the stator core 11A. The rotor 12 includes a rotor core 12A and a permanent magnet (not shown) fixed to the rotor core 12A.

[0016] The rotor 12 is connected to a rotor shaft 13 so as to rotate integrally with the rotor 12. The rotor shaft 13 is fitted to a radially inner end of the rotor core 12A. The rotor shaft 13 is configured as a hollow shaft extending toward a second axial side L2. A rotating electric machine output gear 13A is formed on the end of the rotor shaft 13 on the second axial side L2. The rotating electric machine output gear 13A meshes with a first counter gear 22 of a counter gear mechanism 21 constituting a power transmission mechanism 20. The rotor shaft 13 itself can also be considered as a component constituting a part of the power transmission mechanism 20.

[0017] The power transmission mechanism 20 transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine 10 and the output member 30. The power transmission mechanism 20 of the present embodiment includes a counter gear mechanism 21 drivingly connected to the rotating electric machine 10, and a differential gear mechanism 26 drivingly connected to the counter gear mechanism 21.

[0018] The counter gear mechanism 21 has a first counter gear 22, a second counter gear 23, and a counter shaft 24. The first counter gear 22 meshes with the rotating electric machine output gear 13A. The second counter gear 23 meshes with a differential input gear 27 of a differential gear mechanism 26 that constitutes the power transmission mechanism 20. The counter shaft 24 connects the first counter gear 22 and the second counter gear 23.

[0019] The differential gear mechanism 26 has a differential input gear 27 and a differential main body 28. The differential input gear 27 meshes with the second counter gear 23. The differential main body 28 has a pinion and a side gear, both of which are bevel gears, and transmits the rotation input to the differential input gear 27 to a pair of output members 30 (a first output member 31 and a second output member 32). The first output member 31 extends from the differential main body 28 to a first axial side L1 and is connected to the first wheel W1 via a first drive shaft DS1. The second output member 32 extends from the differential main body 28 to a second axial side L2 and is connected to the second wheel W2 via a second drive shaft DS2.

[0020] 2, the rotating electric machine 10 is controlled based on commands from a vehicle control device 90, which is a higher-level control device. The vehicle drive device 1 includes an inverter module 40 for actually controlling and driving the rotating electric machine 10 upon receiving commands from the vehicle control device 90. The inverter module 40 of this embodiment is configured by modularizing an inverter circuit 41, a rotating electric machine control unit 42, and a driver 43.

[0021] The inverter circuit 41 is configured with a plurality of switching elements. The inverter circuit 41 has a plurality of sets (three sets in this case) of arms for one AC phase, each set being configured with a series circuit of an upper-stage switching element on the positive side of DC and a lower-stage switching element on the negative side. A freewheel diode is provided in each switching element with the forward direction being the direction from the negative pole to the positive pole (the direction from the lower side to the upper side).

[0022] As the switching element, for example, a power semiconductor element such as an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor), a power MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor), a SiC-MOSFET (Silicon Carbide - Metal Oxide Semiconductor FET), a SiC-SIT (SiC - Static Induction Transistor), and a GaN-MOSFET (Gallium Nitride - MOSFET) can be used.

[0023] The rotating electric machine control unit 42 performs switching control of a plurality of switching elements constituting the inverter circuit 41, and converts the DC power supplied from the in-vehicle battery B into AC power of multiple phases (three phases in this embodiment). The rotating electric machine control unit 42 performs current feedback control based on the rotational position of the rotor 12 (magnetic pole position of the permanent magnet), the rotational speed of the rotor 12, and the current flowing through the stator coil 11B of each of the three phases. The rotational position of the rotor 12 is detected by a rotation sensor S1 such as a resolver or an inductive position sensor. The current flowing through the stator coil 11B is detected by a current sensor S2. In this embodiment, the current sensor S2 is also included in the inverter module 40.

[0024] The driver 43 amplifies the voltage of the switching control signal output from the rotary electric machine control unit 42 to increase the driving force and supply it to the inverter circuit 41 .

[0025] In this embodiment, a smoothing capacitor C that smoothes the voltage on the DC side of the inverter circuit 41 is provided between the in-vehicle battery B and the inverter circuit 41. In this example, the smoothing capacitor C is illustrated as not being included in the inverter module 40, but the smoothing capacitor C may also be included in the inverter module 40. Also, a boost converter may be provided, and in this case, the boost converter may be included in the inverter module 40.

[0026] The inverter module 40 includes a plurality of connection terminals 44 (three in this embodiment) corresponding to the stator coils 11B of each phase. The inverter module 40 is connected to the stator coils 11B of each phase via the plurality of connection terminals 44.

[0027] The case 50 accommodates the rotating electric machine 10, the power transmission mechanism 20, a part of the output member 30, and the inverter module 40. As shown in Fig. 3, the case 50 of this embodiment includes a first case portion 51, a second case portion 55, and a cover portion 59. These are joined in the axial direction L. The first case portion 51 and the second case portion 55 are joined in the axial direction L, and the second case portion 55 and the cover portion 59 are joined in the axial direction L. The second case portion 55 is joined to the first case portion 51 from a first axial side L1, and the cover portion 59 is further joined to the second case portion 55 from the first axial side L1.

[0028] The first case portion 51 includes a first peripheral wall 52 that surrounds at least the outer periphery of the rotating electric machine 10, and mainly houses the rotating electric machine 10. The first peripheral wall 52 is also formed to surround the outer periphery of the counter gear mechanism 21 and the differential gear mechanism 26 that constitute the power transmission mechanism 20, and the first case portion 51 also houses the counter gear mechanism 21 and the differential gear mechanism 26. In this embodiment, a part of the rotating electric machine 10 (a part of the first axial side L1) is housed in the second case portion 55, and at least a part of a first housing chamber A1 that houses the rotating electric machine 10 is formed inside the first case portion 51. The counter gear mechanism 21 and the differential gear mechanism 26 are also housed in the first housing chamber A1.

[0029] In this embodiment, the first housing chamber A1 is divided into a first housing space H1 in which the rotating electric machine 10 is housed, and a second housing space H2 in which a part of the power transmission mechanism 20 (excluding the rotor shaft 13) is housed. The first case portion 51 has an intermediate wall 53 extending in the radial direction of the first axis X1 on the second axial side L2 relative to the rotating electric machine 10. The intermediate wall 53 is formed integrally with the first peripheral wall 52. A through hole is formed in the intermediate wall 53, and the rotor shaft 13 is inserted through this through hole. The first housing chamber A1 is divided by the intermediate wall 53 into the first housing space H1 and the second housing space H2.

[0030] As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, a first oil reservoir R1 in which oil is stored is formed in the lower part of the first housing space H1 of the first housing chamber A1. The oil stored in the first oil reservoir R1 mainly cools the stator 11 (particularly the stator coil 11B in this embodiment). In this embodiment, the first oil reservoir R1 corresponds to the "oil reservoir". Also, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a second oil reservoir R2 in which oil is stored is formed in the lower part of the second housing space H2 of the first housing chamber A1. The oil stored in the second oil reservoir R2 is mainly scooped up by the differential input gear 27 of the differential gear mechanism 26 to cool and lubricate the counter gear mechanism 21 and the differential gear mechanism 26.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first case portion 51 has an intermediate wall 53, so that the first accommodation chamber A1 is divided into a first accommodation space H1 and a second accommodation space H2. As a result, the oil level height of the first oil reservoir R1 at the lower part of the first accommodation space H1 and the oil level height of the second oil reservoir R2 at the lower part of the second accommodation space H2 are different from each other.

[0032] The first case portion 51 has an opposing wall 54 in a region facing the lower surface of the rotating electric machine 10 (stator 11). As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 6, the opposing wall 54 is formed as a curved wall portion extending in the axial direction L over a certain circumferential range of the rotating electric machine 10. In this embodiment, the opposing wall 54 is formed as a portion of the first peripheral wall 52 that is thicker than other portions. The opposing wall 54 and the stator 11 are in close contact with each other in the radial direction.

[0033] An opposing wall in-wall water passage 67 is formed in the opposing wall 54. In this embodiment, a plurality of (two in this example) opposing wall in-wall water passages 67 are formed side by side in the circumferential direction of the rotating electric machine 10. The opposing wall in-wall water passage 67 is formed so as to extend in the axial direction L over a certain circumferential range of the rotating electric machine 10. When the case 50 is formed by casting, such an opposing wall in-wall water passage 67 can be formed by casting out.

[0034] The second case part 55 is joined to a side surface of the first case part 51 on the first axial side L1. The second case part 55 has a second peripheral wall 56 surrounding at least the outer periphery of the inverter module 40, and mainly houses the inverter module 40. The second peripheral wall 56 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the smoothing capacitor C as well, and the second case part 55 also houses the smoothing capacitor C. In this embodiment, the second peripheral wall 56 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of a part of the rotating electric machine 10 (specifically, a part of the stator coil 11B that protrudes from the stator core 11A to the first axial side L1), and the second case part 55 also houses a part of the rotating electric machine 10.

[0035] In this manner, a part of the first housing chamber A1 and a second housing chamber A2 in which the inverter module 40 is housed are formed inside the second case portion 55. The second case portion 55 has a partition wall 58 extending in the radial direction of the first axis X1 on the first axial side L1 with respect to the rotating electric machine 10. The partition wall 58 is formed integrally with the second peripheral wall 56. The interior of the second case portion 55 is partitioned by the partition wall 58 into the first housing chamber A1 and the second housing chamber A2.

[0036] In this embodiment, the connection terminal 44 connected to the rotating electric machine 10 in the inverter module 40 is arranged in a state of penetrating the partition wall 58. The connection terminal 44 is arranged across the first accommodation chamber A1 and the second accommodation chamber A2 by penetrating the partition wall 58, and the first accommodation chamber A1 and the second accommodation chamber A2 are directly connected in the axial direction L. Therefore, the inverter module 40 and the rotating electric machine 10 can be electrically connected via a route that is nearly the shortest. The multiple connection terminals 44 are arranged in a line along the partition wall 58. In this embodiment, multiple types of wire harnesses (for example, resolver wiring, control wiring and power wiring of an electric oil pump, and thermistor wiring for detecting coil temperature) are also arranged in a state of penetrating the partition wall 58.

[0037] The second case portion 55 also has a communication wall 57 that connects the partition wall 58 and the opposing wall 54 of the first case portion 51. The communication wall 57, like the opposing wall 54, is formed as a curved wall portion extending in the axial direction L over a certain circumferential range of the rotating electric machine 10. When the first case portion 51 and the second case portion 55 are joined, the communication wall 57 and the opposing wall 54 are integrated seamlessly in the axial direction L. The aforementioned opposing wall inner water channel 67 is also formed in the communication wall 57 and is continuous between the communication wall 57 and the opposing wall 54.

[0038] The cover portion 59 is joined to a side surface of the second case portion 55 on the first axial side L1. In this embodiment, the cover portion 59 is formed in a flat plate shape extending generally along the radial direction. The space surrounded by the cover portion 59, the second peripheral wall 56 of the second case portion 55, and the partition wall 58 of the second case portion 55 forms the second housing chamber A2.

[0039] The following describes a cooling mechanism for cooling the rotating electric machine 10 and the inverter module 40. As shown in Fig. 7, the cooling mechanism for the rotating electric machine 10 and the inverter module 40 of this embodiment includes a cooling water circuit 60 that circulates cooling water, an oil circuit 70 that circulates oil, and a heat exchanger 80 that exchanges heat between the cooling water and the oil.

[0040] The cooling water circuit 60 receives cooling water discharged from a water pump (not shown) through an external hose (not shown). The cooling water circuit 60 of this embodiment includes a first water passage 61 for mainly cooling the inverter module 40 and a second water passage 66 for mainly cooling the rotating electric machine 10. The first water passage 61 is connected downstream of the water pump and the external hose, and the second water passage 66 is connected downstream of the first water passage 61.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first water passage 61 is provided between the second storage chamber A2 and the partition wall 58. The first water passage 61 in this embodiment includes an intra-module water passage 62, a heat exchange water passage 63, and an intra-partition wall water passage 64. The heat exchange water passage 63 is connected to the downstream side of the intra-module water passage 62, and the intra-partition wall water passage 64 is connected to the downstream side of the heat exchange water passage 63.

[0042] The module water passage 62 is a water passage formed in the inverter module 40 arranged in the second housing chamber A2. The module water passage 62 is formed in the inverter module 40 so that the cooling water flows along a heat sink thermally connected to a plurality of switching elements constituting the inverter circuit 41. This makes it possible to effectively cool the switching elements which generate a relatively large amount of heat while the vehicle is running.

[0043] The heat exchange water passage 63 is a water passage formed in the heat exchanger 80 arranged in the second housing chamber A2. The heat exchange water passage 63 is arranged in parallel to the heat exchange oil passage 72 constituting the oil circuit 70 in the heat exchanger 80. In this embodiment, the cooling water flowing through the heat exchange water passage 63 cools the oil flowing through the heat exchange oil passage 72 by heat exchange in the heat exchanger 80.

[0044] The partition wall water channel 64 is a channel formed in the partition wall 58. The partition wall water channel 64 is formed in a lower region of the partition wall 58. The partition wall water channel 64 extends from the cooling water outlet of the heat exchanger 80 to near the connecting wall 57.

[0045] The second water passage 66 is provided in an area of ​​the first case part 51 and the second case part 55 that faces the lower surface of the rotating electric machine 10. The second water passage 66 is provided in an area that faces the downward surface of the stator 11 (i.e., the surface below the first axis X1 on the outer circumferential surface of the stator 11). Note that "above" and "below" refer to the above and below when the vehicle drive device 1 is mounted on a vehicle.

[0046] The second water passage 66 in this embodiment includes an opposed-wall water passage 67. The opposed-wall water passage 67 is connected to the downstream side of the partition-wall water passage 64. The opposed-wall water passage 67 is formed to extend along the axial direction L between the communication wall 57 of the second case portion 55 and the opposed wall 54 of the first case portion 51. The cooling water flowing through the opposed-wall water passage 67 cools the oil stored in the first oil reservoir R1, and the cooled oil can cool the stator core 11A.

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, the opposing wall 54 in which the opposing-wall water passage 67 is formed is in contact with the stator core 11A, so that the stator core 11A can also be directly cooled by the opposing wall 54 cooled by the cooling water.

[0048] The oil circuit 70 is provided in the case 50. In this embodiment, the oil circuit 70 is provided mainly in the second case portion 55. The oil circuit 70 includes an intake oil passage 71, a heat exchange oil passage 72, an oil passage inside the partition wall 73, a first supply oil passage 74, and a second supply oil passage 75. An oil pump (specifically, an electric oil pump) not shown is connected downstream of the intake oil passage 71, and the heat exchange oil passage 72 is connected downstream of the oil pump. In addition, the oil passage inside the partition wall 73 is connected downstream of the heat exchange oil passage 72, and the first supply oil passage 74 and the second supply oil passage 75 are connected in parallel to each other downstream of the oil passage inside the partition wall 73.

[0049] The suction oil passage 71 is formed to communicate with a first oil reservoir R1 formed in a lower portion of the first accommodation space H1 of the first accommodation chamber A1. The oil stored in the first oil reservoir R1 is sucked into the oil pump through the suction oil passage 71.

[0050] The heat exchange oil passage 72 is an oil passage formed in a heat exchanger 80 disposed in the second housing chamber A2. The heat exchange oil passage 72 is disposed in parallel to a heat exchange water passage 63 constituting the coolant circuit 60 within the heat exchanger 80. In this embodiment, the oil flowing through the heat exchange oil passage 72 is cooled within the heat exchanger 80 by heat exchange with the coolant flowing through the heat exchange water passage 63.

[0051] The partition wall oil passage 73 is an oil passage formed in the partition wall 58. The partition wall oil passage 73 is formed in a region from near the center to the upper side of the partition wall 58. The partition wall water passage 64 extends from an oil outlet of the heat exchanger 80 to near the second circumferential wall 56. The partition wall oil passage 73 is formed at a different circumferential position from the partition wall water passage 64, which is also formed in the partition wall 58.

[0052] The first oil supply passage 74 is formed from near the center of the partition wall 58 in the partition wall inner oil passage 73 to the inside of the rotor shaft 13 and the inside of the rotor 12 (rotor core 12A). The oil flowing through the first oil supply passage 74 cools the rotor core 12A and the permanent magnets, and further pours down from the radial inside onto a portion (coil end) of the stator coil 11B protruding from the stator core 11A in the axial direction L, thereby cooling said portion.

[0053] The second oil supply passage 75 extends from the vicinity of the upper end of the partition wall 58 in the partition wall inner oil passage 73 along the axial direction L. The oil flowing through the second oil supply passage 75 cools the stator core 11A as it flows down along the outer surface of the stator 11 (stator core 11A).

[0054] The oil that has passed through the first oil supply passage 74 and the second oil supply passage 75 to cool the rotating electric machine 10 is again collected and stored in the first oil reservoir R1 formed in the lower part of the first housing space H1. The oil is sucked into the oil pump through the suction oil passage 71 and circulates through the oil circuit 70.

[0055] The heat exchanger 80 exchanges heat between the cooling water flowing through the cooling water circuit 60 (heat exchange water passage 63) and the oil flowing through the oil circuit 70 (heat exchange oil passage 72). The heat exchanger 80 of this embodiment is also a so-called oil cooler, and cools the oil flowing through the oil circuit 70 by exchanging heat with an external refrigerant (e.g., coolant liquid or outside air). The heat exchanger 80 is disposed in the second housing chamber A2. The heat exchanger 80 is disposed in the lower part of the second housing chamber A2 in contact with the partition wall 58.

[0056] In this embodiment, the rotating electrical machine 10 can be cooled well by using both water cooling and oil cooling, so that low-grade materials can be used for the stator coil 11B and the permanent magnets, thereby enabling cost reduction.

[0057] Moreover, since the inverter module 40 is disposed adjacent to the rotating electric machine 10 in the axial direction L, the degree of freedom in arranging external hoses to the coolant circuit 60 can be increased without increasing the vertical size of the vehicle drive device 1. Furthermore, the multiple connection terminals 44 can be installed penetrating the partition wall 58, and the length of the wiring between the inverter module 40 and the rotating electric machine 10 can be shortened.

[0058] Furthermore, since the heat exchanger 80 is built into the second housing chamber A2, an intermediate hose that is necessary in the case of an externally mounted structure is not necessary, and the cooling water circuit 60 and the oil circuit 70 can be simplified.

[0059] In this way, the vehicle drive device 1 of the first embodiment: A rotating electric machine 10, An output member 30 that is drivingly connected to the wheel W; a power transmission mechanism 20 that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine 10 and an output member 30; an inverter module 40 for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine 10; The electric motor includes a rotating electric machine, a power transmission mechanism, and a case that houses an inverter module. The case 50 includes a first case portion 51 that forms at least a part of a first housing chamber A1 in which the rotating electric machine 10 is housed, and a second case portion 55 that is joined to a side surface of the first case portion 51. The second case portion 55 forms at least a part of the second housing chamber A2 in which the inverter module 40 is housed, and includes a partition wall 58 that separates the first housing chamber A1 from the second housing chamber A2. A first oil reservoir R1 for storing oil is formed at the bottom of the first storage chamber A1, A first water passage 61 through which cooling water for cooling the inverter module 40 flows is provided in the second accommodation chamber A2 or the partition wall 58. A second water passage 66 connected to the first water passage 61 is provided in a region of the first case portion 51 facing the lower surface of the rotating electrical machine 10 .

[0060] According to this configuration, the second case part 55 forming at least a part of the second housing chamber A2 is joined to the side surface of the first case part 51, so that the vehicle drive device 1 can be made smaller in the vertical direction. Also, the inverter module 40 can be appropriately cooled by the cooling water flowing through the first water passage 61, and the oil stored in the first oil reservoir R1 can be cooled by the cooling water flowing from the first water passage 61 to the second water passage 66, and thus the rotating electric machine 10 can be appropriately cooled. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle drive device 1 that can appropriately cool the rotating electric machine 10 and the inverter module 40 while being made smaller in the vertical direction.

[0061] In one embodiment, An oil circuit 70 through which oil circulates is provided within the case 50, A heat exchanger 80 for exchanging heat between the cooling water and the oil is preferably disposed in the second housing chamber A2.

[0062] With this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the heat exchanger 80 is disposed outside the case 50, external piping connecting the case 50 and the heat exchanger 80 is not required, thereby simplifying the cooling water flow path and the oil flow path.

[0063] In one embodiment, It is preferable that the first accommodation chamber A1 is provided with an intermediate wall 53 that separates the first accommodation space H1 in which the rotating electric machine 10 is accommodated from a second accommodation space H2 in which a part of the power transmission mechanism 20 is accommodated.

[0064] According to this configuration, the intermediate wall 53 allows the oil to be retained at the bottom of the first housing space H1 housing the rotating electric machine 10, and the oil can be efficiently cooled by the cooling water flowing through the second water passage 66, thereby efficiently cooling the rotating electric machine 10. Also, appropriate oil level heights can be set individually for the first housing space H1 housing the rotating electric machine 10 and the second housing space H2 housing a part of the power transmission mechanism 20.

[0065] In one embodiment, It is preferable that a plurality of connection terminals 44 in the inverter module 40 that are connected to the rotating electric machine 10 are arranged in a line along the partition wall 58 .

[0066] According to this configuration, the number of electrical connection members for electrically connecting the inverter module 40 and the rotating electrical machine 10 can be shortened.

[0067] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the vehicle drive device will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle drive device 1 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in the specific configuration of the case 50 and the arrangement of the inverter module 40. The vehicle drive device 1 of this embodiment will be described below mainly with respect to the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not specifically mentioned are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used to omit detailed description.

[0068] 8 and 9, in this embodiment, the case 50 that houses the rotating electric machine 10, the power transmission mechanism 20, a part of the output member 30, and the inverter module 40 includes a case main body 51A and a cover portion 59A. While the case 50 in the first embodiment includes a first case portion 51, a second case portion 55, and a cover portion 59, the case 50 in this embodiment is configured with an integrated case main body 51A except for the cover portion 59A. The case main body 51A and the cover portion 59A are joined in the axial direction L.

[0069] The case body 51A has a peripheral wall 52A that surrounds at least the outer periphery of the rotating electric machine 10, and houses the rotating electric machine 10. The case body 51A has a first housing chamber A1 inside the peripheral wall 52A. The peripheral wall 52A is also formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the counter gear mechanism 21 and the differential gear mechanism 26 that constitute the power transmission mechanism 20, and the case body 51A also houses the counter gear mechanism 21 and the differential gear mechanism 26. The counter gear mechanism 21 and the differential gear mechanism 26 are also housed in the first housing chamber A1.

[0070] The case body 51A has an opening 51b that opens in the axial direction L (specifically, the first axial side L1). The cover 59A is joined to the case body 51A so as to cover the opening 51b of the case body 51A. The cover 59A is joined to the case body 51A from the first axial side L1. A joint 51C (mating surface; see FIG. 8) between the case body 51A and the cover 59A is formed in a ring shape that is approximately one size larger than the outer shape of the rotating electric machine 10. Although not shown, another cover is also joined to the case body 51A from the second axial side L2.

[0071] The case main body 51A has a box-shaped portion 58A that opens upward at a position adjacent to the upper side of the peripheral wall 52A. The box-shaped portion 58A is formed in a box shape having a bottom surface portion and a side wall portion that surrounds the periphery. The inverter module 40 is accommodated inside the box-shaped portion 58A. The case main body 51A has a second accommodation chamber A2 inside the box-shaped portion 58A. The second accommodation chamber A2 is disposed adjacent to the upper side of the peripheral wall 52A of the case main body 51A. A part (upper part) of the peripheral wall 52A also functions as a partition wall 52B that partitions the first accommodation chamber A1 and the second accommodation chamber A2.

[0072] The upper opening of the box-shaped portion 58A is covered by an inverter cover 59B that is joined to the box-shaped portion 58A from above.

[0073] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the connection terminals 44 of the inverter module 40 are disposed inside the case 50 in a state in which they penetrate the case main body portion 51A (box-shaped portion 58A in the illustrated example).

[0074] The vehicle drive device 1 of this embodiment also includes a cooling mechanism for the rotating electric machine 10 and the inverter module 40. As shown in Fig. 9, this cooling mechanism includes a coolant circuit 60 that circulates coolant, an oil circuit 70 that circulates oil, and a heat exchanger 80 that exchanges heat between the coolant and the oil.

[0075] The cooling water circuit 60 includes a first water passage 61 for mainly cooling the inverter module 40, a second water passage 66 for mainly cooling the rotating electric machine 10, and a connecting water passage 65 connecting the first water passage 61 and the second water passage 66.

[0076] The first water passage 61 is formed to pass through the second housing A2 arranged above the rotating electric machine 10. The first water passage 61 is formed in the inverter module 40 so that the cooling water flows along a heat sink thermally connected to a plurality of switching elements constituting the inverter circuit 41, for example. The cooling water flowing through the first water passage 61 can effectively cool the switching elements included in the inverter module 40. The first water passage 61 penetrates the bottom surface of the box-shaped portion 58A and communicates with the lower part of the box-shaped portion 58A.

[0077] The communication water passage 65 is connected to the downstream side of the first water passage 61. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 80 is disposed in a vertically placed position below the box-shaped portion 58A and to the side of the peripheral wall 52A. The communication water passage 65 is formed to pass through the inside of the heat exchanger 80, and the cooling water flowing through the communication water passage 65 cools the oil flowing through the heat exchange oil passage 72 by heat exchange within the heat exchanger 80. The communication water passage 65 also extends downward from the lower portion of the heat exchanger 80 toward the lower portion of the case main body portion 51A.

[0078] The portion of the communication water passage 65 upstream of the heat exchanger 80 extends downward in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the axial direction L) so as to move away from the axis of the rotating electric machine 10. The portion of the communication water passage 65 passing through the inside of the heat exchanger 80 extends downward. The portion of the communication water passage 65 downstream of the heat exchanger 80 extends downward in the width direction so as to move closer to the axis of the rotating electric machine 10. In this way, the communication water passage 65 is provided along the peripheral wall 52A on the side of the peripheral wall 52A. Note that the communication water passage 65 does not need to be exactly along the peripheral wall 52A, and it is sufficient if it is provided generally along the peripheral wall 52A.

[0079] The second water passage 66 is connected to the downstream side of the communication water passage 65. The second water passage 66 is provided in an area facing the lower surface of the rotating electric machine 10 in the case body 51A. The second water passage 66 is provided in the facing wall 54A, which is an area facing the downward surface of the stator 11 (i.e., the surface below the first axis X1 on the outer circumferential surface of the stator 11). The oil stored in the first oil reservoir R1 can be cooled by the cooling water flowing through the second water passage 66, and the rotating electric machine 10 (the stator core 11A) can be cooled by the cooled oil. In addition, the stator core 11A is in contact with the facing wall 54A in which the second water passage 66 is formed, and the stator core 11A can also be directly cooled by the facing wall 54A cooled by the cooling water.

[0080] In this embodiment, the second water passage 66 is provided between the opposing wall 54A and the water passage cover 59C joined thereto. As shown in FIG. 10, in which the vehicle drive device 1 is viewed from below, when the opposing wall 54A has a flat portion 54b, a groove may be formed in the flat portion 54b to form the second water passage 66 between the opposing wall 54A and the water passage cover 59C. The flat portion 54b functions as a mating surface with the water passage cover 59C. In this case, the entire water passage cover 59C may be formed flat, or a groove of the same shape may be formed on the water passage cover 59C side to form the second water passage 66 across the opposing wall 54A and the water passage cover 59C.

[0081] This configuration is suitable for forming the second water passage 66 in a relatively complicated shape, since the second water passage 66 can be formed by, for example, cutting. In the example of FIG. 10, the second water passage 66 (groove) is formed in a labyrinth shape by combining a plurality of branching portions and a plurality of serpentine portions. In this way, the flow rate of the cooling water flowing through the second water passage 66 can be increased. This increases the cooling efficiency of the oil stored in the first oil reservoir R1, and thus increases the cooling efficiency of the rotating electric machine 10.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 8, the second water passage 66 is provided in an area overlapping with a joint 51C between the case body 51A and the cover 59A as viewed in the axial direction L. The second water passage 66 is provided in an area overlapping with a portion of the joint 51C located below the rotating electric machine 10 as viewed in the axial direction L. In this embodiment, the second water passage 66 is disposed above the lower end of the joint 51C between the case body 51A and the cover 59A. In this manner, both the rotating electric machine 10 and the inverter module 40 can be appropriately cooled while preventing the vehicle drive device 1 from becoming larger in the vertical direction (particularly, from becoming larger in the downward direction).

[0083] In this way, the vehicle drive device 1 of the second embodiment has: A rotating electric machine 10, An output member 30 that is drivingly connected to the wheel W; a power transmission mechanism 20 that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine 10 and an output member 30; an inverter module 40 for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine 10; The electric motor includes a rotating electric machine, a power transmission mechanism, and a case that houses an inverter module. The case 50 includes a first accommodation chamber A1 in which the rotating electric machine 10 is accommodated, a second accommodation chamber A2 in which the inverter module 40 is accommodated, and a partition wall 52B that separates the first accommodation chamber A1 from the second accommodation chamber A2. A first oil reservoir R1 for storing oil is formed at the bottom of the first storage chamber A1, The second housing chamber A2 is provided with a first water passage 61 through which cooling water for cooling the inverter module 40 flows. A second water passage 66 connected to the first water passage 61 is provided in a region of the case 50 facing the lower surface of the rotating electrical machine 10 .

[0084] According to this configuration, the inverter module 40 can be appropriately cooled by the cooling water flowing through the first water passage 61, and the oil stored in the first oil reservoir R1 can be appropriately cooled by the cooling water flowing from the first water passage 61 to the second water passage 66, thereby appropriately cooling the rotating electric machine 10. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle drive device 1 that can appropriately cool both the rotating electric machine 10 and the inverter module 40.

[0085] In one embodiment, The case 50 includes a case main body 51A that defines at least a portion of the first housing chamber A1 and has an opening 51b that opens in the axial direction L, and a cover portion 59A that is joined to the case main body 51A so as to cover the opening 51b. It is preferable that the second water passage 66 is disposed above the lower end of the joint portion 51C between the case body portion 51A and the cover portion 59A.

[0086] According to this configuration, it is easy to prevent the vehicle drive device 1 from becoming large in size in the vertical direction due to the provision of the second water passage 66.

[0087] In one embodiment, The second storage chamber A2 is disposed adjacent to a peripheral wall 52A of the case main body portion 51A that forms at least a part of the first storage chamber A1, A communication water passage 65 connecting the first water passage 61 and the second water passage 66 is preferably provided along the peripheral wall 52A.

[0088] According to this configuration, the cooling water that has cooled the inverter module 40 while flowing through the first water passage 61 can be guided to the second water passage 66 via a rational route. Therefore, the oil stored in the first oil reservoir R1 and the rotating electric machine 10 can be appropriately cooled while preventing the vehicle drive device 1 from becoming large.

[0089] In one embodiment, It is preferable that the second water passage 66 is formed in a labyrinth shape.

[0090] According to this configuration, the flow rate of the cooling water flowing through the second water passage 66 can be increased, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the oil accumulated in the first oil reservoir R1, and ultimately improving the cooling efficiency of the rotating electrical machine 10.

[0091] Other embodiments (1) In each of the above embodiments, the configuration in which the opposing wall 54 and the stator 11 are in close contact with each other in the radial direction has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and a gap in the radial direction may exist between the opposing wall 54 and the stator 11.

[0092] (2) In the above first embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which the second water passage 66 (opposing wall water passage 67) is formed across the connecting wall 57 of the second case portion 55 and the opposing wall 54 of the first case portion 51. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the second water passage 66 may be formed in only one of the first case portion 51 and the second case portion 55. In this case, it is sufficient that a portion corresponding to the opposing wall 54 and a portion corresponding to the connecting wall 57 are integrally formed in a state belonging to either the first case portion 51 or the second case portion 55, and the second water passage 66 is formed therein.

[0093] In this way, A second water passage connected to the first water passage is provided in a region of at least one of the first case portion and the second case portion that faces a lower surface of the rotating electric machine.

[0094] (3) In the above first embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which the first storage chamber A1 is formed by the first case portion 51 and the second case portion 55 together. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the first storage chamber A1 may be formed by only the first case portion 51.

[0095] (4) In the above first embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which the second storage chamber A2 is formed only by the second case portion 55. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the second storage chamber A2 may be formed by the second case portion 55 in combination with a bowl-shaped third case portion used in place of the cover portion 59.

[0096] (5) In the above embodiments, the first case portion 51 or the case main body portion 51A has an intermediate wall 53 that divides the first housing space H1, in which the rotating electric machine 10 is housed, from the second housing space H2, in which a part of the power transmission mechanism 20 is housed. Such an intermediate wall 53 may completely divide the first housing space H1 and the second housing space H2, or may divide the first housing space H1 and the second housing space H2 incompletely to the extent that the oil in the first housing chamber A1 can be separated. Also, the first case portion 51 or the case main body portion 51A may not have the intermediate wall 53, and the rotating electric machine 10 and the power transmission mechanism 20 may be housed in a single space.

[0097] (6) In the above first embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which the connection terminals 44 of the inverter module 40 are disposed inside the case 50 in a state in which they penetrate the partition wall 58. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the connection terminals 44 may be disposed so as to penetrate the second peripheral wall 56 and be exposed to the outside of the case 50. Also, in the configuration of the second embodiment, the connection terminals 44 of the inverter module 40 may be disposed inside the case 50 in a state in which they penetrate a portion of the peripheral wall 52A that also serves as the partition wall 52B.

[0098] (7) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration has been described as an example in which a portion for cooling a plurality of switching elements that constitute the inverter circuit 41 is formed inside the inverter module 40. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, a portion for cooling the switching elements may be formed in the partition wall 58 or a portion of the peripheral wall 52A that also serves as the partition wall 52B.

[0099] (8) In the above-described first embodiment, the heat exchanger 80 is disposed in the second storage chamber A2. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the heat exchanger 80 may be formed in the partition wall 58, for example. That is, the heat exchange water passage 63 and the heat exchange oil passage 72 may be formed inside the partition wall 58 so that they flow opposite to each other, and the portion may function as the heat exchanger 80. In the configuration of the second embodiment, the heat exchanger 80 may be formed in a portion of the peripheral wall 52A that also serves as the partition wall 52B.

[0100] In this way, A heat exchanger 80 for exchanging heat between the cooling water and the oil is preferably disposed in the second storage chamber A2 or formed in the partition wall 58 or the partition wall 52B.

[0101] (9) In the above first embodiment, a configuration in which the heat exchanger 80 is disposed inside the case 50 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the heat exchanger 80 may be disposed in a state exposed to the outside of the case 50, for example.

[0102] (10) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration has been described as an example in which the cooling water flows through the first water passage 61 and then flows into the second water passage 66. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the cooling water may be configured so that it flows through the second water passage 66 and then flows into the first water passage 61.

[0103] (11) In the above first embodiment, a configuration in which the first case portion 51 and the second case portion 55 are integrally formed has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and at least one of the first case portion 51 and the second case portion 55 may be formed by combining a plurality of members.

[0104] (12) In the above first embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which the second case portion 55 is joined to a side surface of the first case portion 51 in the axial direction L. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the second case portion 55 may be joined to a side surface of the first case portion 51 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction L (more specifically, in a direction perpendicular to both the axial direction L and the up-down direction).

[0105] (13) In the second embodiment described above, a configuration in which the second storage chamber A2 is disposed adjacent to and above the peripheral wall 52A of the case main body 51A has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the second storage chamber A2 may be disposed adjacent to and laterally of the peripheral wall 52A of the case main body 51A, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0106] (13) In each of the above embodiments, the power transmission mechanism 20 includes the counter gear mechanism 21 and the differential gear mechanism 26. However, the power transmission mechanism 20 is not limited to such a configuration, and may include, for example, a reduction gear, a multi-speed transmission, and a continuously variable transmission. In this case, the vehicle drive device 1 is not limited to a three-shaft configuration as in the present embodiments, and may be a one-shaft configuration, a two-shaft configuration, or a four or more shaft configuration.

[0107] (14) The configurations disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments (including the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments; the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction occurs. As for other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are illustrative in all respects and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0108] Summary of the embodiment In summary, the vehicle drive device according to the present disclosure preferably includes the following configurations.

[0109] A vehicle drive device (1), A rotating electric machine (10), an output member (30) drivingly connected to a wheel (W); a power transmission mechanism (20) that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine (10) and the output member (30); an inverter module (40) for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine (10); a case (50) that houses the rotating electric machine (10), the power transmission mechanism (20), and the inverter module (40), the case (50) includes a first accommodation chamber (A1) in which the rotating electric machine (10) is accommodated, a second accommodation chamber (A2) in which the inverter module (40) is accommodated, and a partition wall (58, 52B) that separates the first accommodation chamber (A1) from the second accommodation chamber (A2), An oil reservoir (R1) for storing oil is formed at the bottom of the first storage chamber (A1), a first water passage (61) through which cooling water for cooling the inverter module (40) flows is provided in the second accommodation chamber (A2) or the partition wall (58, 52B); A second water passage (66) connected to the first water passage (61) is provided in a region of the case (50) facing the lower surface of the rotating electric machine (10).

[0110] According to this configuration, the inverter module (40) can be appropriately cooled by the cooling water flowing through the first water passage (61), and the oil stored in the oil reservoir (R1) can be appropriately cooled by the cooling water flowing from the first water passage (61) to the second water passage (66), thereby appropriately cooling the rotating electric machine (10). Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle drive device (1) that can appropriately cool both the rotating electric machine (10) and the inverter module (40).

[0111] In one embodiment, a direction along an axis of the rotating electric machine (10) is defined as an axial direction (L), and the case (50) includes: a case main body portion (51A) which forms at least a part of the first accommodation chamber (A1) and which has an opening portion (51b) which opens in the axial direction (L); and a cover portion (59A) which is joined to the case main body portion (51A) so as to cover the opening portion (51b); It is preferable that the second water passage (66) be disposed above a lower end of a joint (51C) between the case body (51A) and the cover (59A).

[0112] According to this configuration, it is easy to prevent the vehicle drive device (1) from becoming large in size in the vertical direction due to the provision of the second water passage (66).

[0113] In one embodiment, the second storage chamber (A2) is disposed adjacent to a peripheral wall (52A) of a case body portion (51A) that forms at least a part of the first storage chamber (A1); It is preferable that a communication water passage (55) connecting the first water passage (61) and the second water passage (66) is provided along the peripheral wall (52A).

[0114] According to this configuration, the cooling water that has cooled the inverter module (40) while flowing through the first water passage (61) can be guided to the second water passage (66) via a rational route. Therefore, the oil stored in the oil reservoir (R1) and the rotating electric machine (10) can be appropriately cooled while preventing the vehicle drive device (1) from becoming large in size.

[0115] In one embodiment, It is preferable that the second water passage (66) is formed in a labyrinth shape.

[0116] According to this configuration, the flow rate of the cooling water flowing through the second water passage (66) can be increased, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the oil accumulated in the oil reservoir (R1), and ultimately improving the cooling efficiency of the rotating electric machine (10).

[0117] In one embodiment, It is preferable that the case (50) comprises a first case portion (51) forming at least a part of the first storage chamber (A1), and a second case portion (55) forming at least a part of the second storage chamber (A2), comprising the partition wall (58), and joined to a side of the first case portion (51).

[0118] According to this configuration, since the second case portion (55) forming at least a part of the second housing chamber (A2) is joined to the side surface of the first case portion (51), the vehicle drive device (1) can be made compact in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle drive device (1) that can appropriately cool the rotating electric machine (10) and the inverter module (40) while being compact in the vertical direction.

[0119] In one embodiment, an oil circuit (70) through which the oil circulates is provided within the case (50); It is preferable that a heat exchanger (80) for exchanging heat between the cooling water and the oil is disposed in the second storage chamber (A2) or formed in the partition wall (58, 52B).

[0120] According to this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the heat exchanger (80) is disposed outside the case (50), external piping connecting the case (50) and the heat exchanger (80) is not required, thereby simplifying the cooling water flow path and the oil flow path.

[0121] In one embodiment, It is preferable that an intermediate wall (53) is provided in the first housing (A1) to separate a space (H1) in which the rotating electric machine (10) is housed from a space (H2) in which a portion of the power transmission mechanism (20) is housed.

[0122] According to this configuration, the intermediate wall (53) allows the oil to be retained in the lower portion of the space (H1) housing the rotating electric machine (10), and the oil can be efficiently cooled by the cooling water flowing through the second water passage (66), thereby efficiently cooling the rotating electric machine (10). Also, appropriate oil level heights can be set separately for the space (H1) housing the rotating electric machine (10) and the space (H2) housing a part of the power transmission mechanism (20).

[0123] In one embodiment, It is preferable that a plurality of connection terminals (44) of the inverter module (40) to be connected to the rotating electric machine (10) are arranged side by side along the partition walls (58, 52B).

[0124] According to this configuration, the number of electrical connection members for electrically connecting the inverter module (40) and the rotating electric machine (10) can be reduced.

[0125] It is sufficient for the vehicle drive device according to the present disclosure to achieve at least one of the above-mentioned effects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1: vehicle drive device, 10: rotating electric machine, 11: stator, 11A: stator core, 11B: stator coil, 12: rotor, 12A: rotor core, 13: rotor shaft, 13A: rotating electric machine output gear, 20: power transmission mechanism, 21: counter gear mechanism, 22: first counter gear, 23: second counter gear, 24: counter shaft, 26: differential gear mechanism, 27: differential input gear, 28: differential main body, 30: output member, 31: first output member, 32: second output member , 40: inverter module, 41: inverter circuit, 42: rotating electric machine control unit, 43: driver, 44: connection terminal, 50: case, 51: first case part, 51A: case main body part, 51b: opening, 51C: joint part, 52: first peripheral wall, 52A: peripheral wall, 52B: partition wall, 53: intermediate wall, 54: opposing wall, 54A: opposing wall, 54b: flat part, 55: second case part, 56: second peripheral wall, 57: connecting wall, 58: partition wall, 58A: box-shaped part, 59: cover part, 59A: cover portion, 59B: inverter cover, 59C: water passage cover, 60: cooling water circuit, 61: first water passage, 62: water passage inside module, 63: heat exchange water passage, 64: water passage inside partition wall, 65: connecting water passage, 66: second water passage, 67: water passage inside opposing wall, 70: oil circuit, 71: intake oil passage, 72: heat exchange oil passage, 73: oil passage inside partition wall, 74: first supply oil passage, 75: second supply oil passage, 80: heat exchanger, 90: vehicle control device, A1: first housing chamber, A2: second housing chamber, B: vehicle battery , C: smoothing capacitor, DS1: first drive shaft, DS2: second drive shaft, H1: first housing space (space housing a rotating electric machine), H2: second housing space (space housing part of the power transmission mechanism), L: axial direction, L1: first axial side, L2: second axial side, R1: first oil reservoir (oil reservoir), R2: second oil reservoir, S1: rotation sensor, S2: current sensor, W: wheel, W1: first wheel, W2: second wheel, X1: first axis, X2: second axis, X3: third axis

Claims

1. A rotating electric machine; An output member drivingly connected to the wheels; a power transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force between the rotating electric machine and the output member; an inverter module for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine; a case that houses the rotating electric machine, the power transmission mechanism, and the inverter module, the case includes a first accommodation chamber in which the rotating electric machine is accommodated, a second accommodation chamber in which the inverter module is accommodated, and a partition wall that separates the first accommodation chamber from the second accommodation chamber, An oil reservoir in which oil is stored is formed at a lower portion of the first storage chamber, a first water passage through which cooling water for cooling the inverter module flows is provided in the second accommodation chamber or the partition wall; A vehicle drive device, wherein a second water passage connected to the first water passage is provided in an area of ​​the case facing a lower surface of the rotating electric machine.

2. a case body portion that forms at least a part of the first housing chamber and has an opening that opens in the axial direction, the case body portion including a cover portion that is joined to the case body portion so as to cover the opening, the case body portion being arranged so as to define an axial direction along an axis of the rotating electric machine; The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the second water passage is disposed above a lower end of a joint between the case body and the cover.

3. The second storage chamber is disposed adjacent to a peripheral wall of a case main body portion that forms at least a portion of the first storage chamber, 3. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein a communication water passage that connects the first water passage and the second water passage is provided along the peripheral wall.

4. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second water passage is formed in a labyrinth shape.

5. 3. The vehicle drive device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the case comprises a first case portion that forms at least a portion of the first storage chamber, and a second case portion that forms at least a portion of the second storage chamber, has the partition wall, and is joined to a side of the first case portion.

6. an oil circuit through which the oil circulates is provided within the case; 3. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the cooling water and the oil is disposed in the second housing chamber or formed in the partition wall.

7. 3. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein the first housing chamber is provided with an intermediate wall that separates a space in which the rotating electric machine is housed from a space in which a part of the power transmission mechanism is housed.

8. 3. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of connection terminals of the inverter module, which are connected to the rotating electric machine, are arranged in a line along the partition wall.

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