Drive device

Abstract

To provide a drive device which can supply a fluid to a gear preferably while achieving downsizing of the drive device.SOLUTION: One aspect of a drive device of the invention includes: a motor having a rotor which my rotate around a first axis; a transmission mechanism which is located at one axial side of the motor and transmits rotation of the rotor; and a housing having a first housing part which houses the motor and a second housing part which houses the transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism has a first gear capable of rotating around a second axis. The second housing part has a first facing surface facing the first gear in a radial direction of the second axis. The housing is provided with a passage. The passage has: a first passage part at least partially provided at the first housing part; and a second passage part which extends from one axial end of the first passage part and is open to the radial inner side of the second axis on the first facing surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles are equipped with a cooling circuit that cools the motor. Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling system that cools the motor using an oil circulation circuit that circulates cooling oil. In Patent Document 1, a portion of the oil that has cooled the motor is stored in an oil reservoir provided at the bottom of the gear chamber. The oil in the oil reservoir is sent to an oil storage located at the top of the gear chamber, and is supplied to the gear meshing portion and bearings from an opening provided at the bottom of the oil storage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-61859 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to reduce the size of the drive unit, it is necessary to narrow the internal space of the housing, which makes it difficult to arrange a structure for supplying fluid to the gears inside the housing, resulting in a problem that the supply of fluid to the gears is likely to be insufficient.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a drive device that can suitably supply fluid to gears while reducing the size of the drive device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the drive device of the present invention includes a motor having a rotor rotatable about a first axis, a transmission mechanism located on one axial side of the motor and transmitting the rotation of the rotor, and a housing having a first accommodating section that accommodates the motor and a second accommodating section that accommodates the transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism has a first gear rotatable about the second axis. The second accommodating section has a first opposing surface that faces the first gear in the radial direction of the second axis. A flow path is provided in the housing. The flow path has a first flow path section, at least a portion of which is provided in the first accommodating section, and a second flow path section that extends from an end portion on one axial side of the first flow path section and opens toward the inside in the radial direction of the second axis at the first opposing surface. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a drive device that can appropriately supply fluid to a gear while achieving a reduction in size of the drive device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a drive device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the drive device according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a drive device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the drive device of the first modified example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the drive device of the second modification. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of the drive device of the third modification. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a drive device according to the fourth modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a drive device according to the fourth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the vertical direction is defined based on the positional relationship when the driving device of the embodiment shown in each figure is mounted on a vehicle located on a horizontal road surface. In addition, in the drawings, an XYZ coordinate system is appropriately shown as a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. In the XYZ coordinate system, the Z axis direction is the vertical direction. The +Z side is the upper side, and the -Z side is the lower side. In the following description, the upper side in the vertical direction is simply called the "upper side", and the lower side in the vertical direction is simply called the "lower side". The X axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the Z axis direction and is the front-rear direction of the vehicle on which the driving device is mounted. In the following embodiment, the +X side is the front side of the vehicle, and the -X side is the rear side of the vehicle. The Y axis direction is a direction perpendicular to both the X axis direction and the Z axis direction, and is the left-right direction of the vehicle, i.e., the vehicle width direction. The front-rear direction and the left-right direction are horizontal directions perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0010] The first axis J1 shown in each drawing is a virtual line extending in the Y-axis direction, i.e., in the left-right direction of the vehicle. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction parallel to the first axis J1 will be simply referred to as the "axial direction", the radial direction centered on the first axis J1 will be simply referred to as the "radial direction", and the circumferential direction centered on the first axis J1, i.e., around the axis of the first axis J1, will be simply referred to as the "circumferential direction". In the following description, the +Y side may be simply referred to as the one axial side, and the -Y side may be simply referred to as the other axial side.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a drive device according to the present embodiment. The drive device 1 is mounted on a vehicle that uses a motor as a power source, such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHV), or an electric vehicle (EV), and is used as the power source thereof.

[0012] The drive device 1 includes a motor 2, a transmission mechanism 3, a housing 6, an inverter 7, a cooler 8b, and a pump 8a. The housing 6 accommodates the motor 2, the transmission mechanism 3, and the inverter 7. A fluid O is stored inside the housing 6. The housing 6 is also provided with a flow path 90 through which the fluid O circulates.

[0013] (Motor) In this embodiment, the motor 2 is an inner rotor type motor. In addition, the motor 2 in this embodiment is, for example, a three-phase AC motor. The motor 2 may have only one of a function as an electric motor and a function as a generator, or may have both of these functions. The motor 2 has a rotor 20 and a stator 30. Note that the motor 2 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, it may be an outer rotor type motor or a DC motor.

[0014] The rotor 20 is rotatable about the first axis J1. The torque of the rotor 20 is transmitted to the transmission mechanism 3. The rotor 20 has a motor shaft 21 extending in the axial direction about the first axis J1, a rotor core 24 fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the motor shaft 21, and a rotor magnet (not shown) fixed to the rotor core. The motor shaft 21 in this embodiment is a hollow shaft having a hollow portion 22 extending in the axial direction therein.

[0015] The stator 30 surrounds the rotor 20 from the radially outer side. The stator 30 has a stator core 32, a coil 31, and an insulating member (not shown) interposed between the stator core 32 and the coil 31. The stator 30 is held in a housing 6. The stator core 32 has a plurality of magnetic pole teeth (not shown) radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the annular yoke. A coil wire is arranged between the magnetic pole teeth via an insulating member. The coil wire located in the gap between adjacent magnetic pole teeth constitutes the coil 31. The insulating member is, for example, insulating paper.

[0016] (Transmission mechanism) The transmission mechanism 3 is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the motor 2. The transmission mechanism 3 is connected to the rotor 20. The transmission mechanism 3 transmits the rotation of the rotor 20 to an output shaft 55. The transmission mechanism 3 has a first shaft 44, a second shaft 45, a first gear 41, a second gear 42, a third gear 43, and a differential gear 5. The differential gear 5 has a ring gear 51 and a pair of output shafts 55. Wheels (not shown) are attached to the ends of the pair of output shafts 55, respectively.

[0017] The first shaft 44 extends in the axial direction about the second axis J2. The second axis J2 is a virtual line parallel to the first axis J1. In this embodiment, the second axis J2 is arranged on the same line as the first axis J1. Therefore, the first shaft 44 is arranged on the same line as the motor shaft 21. The first shaft 44 is rotatable about the second axis J2. The first shaft 44 is connected at its end on the other axial side (-Y side) to an end on one axial side (+Y side) of the motor shaft 21. As a result, the first shaft 44 is connected to the rotor 20 of the motor 2 and rotates together with the rotor 20.

[0018] The first gear 41 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the first shaft 44. The first gear 41 is rotatable about the second axis J2.

[0019] The second shaft 45 extends in the axial direction about a fourth axis J4. The fourth axis J4 is an imaginary line parallel to the second axis J2. The second shaft 45 is rotatable about the fourth axis J4.

[0020] The second gear 42 and the third gear 43 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the second shaft 45. The second gear 42 and the third gear 43 are rotatable about the fourth axis J4. The second gear 42 meshes with the first gear 41.

[0021] The differential device 5 is rotatable about a third axis J3. The third axis J3 is an imaginary line parallel to the second axis J2. The differential device 5 has a ring gear 51 rotatable about the third axis J3, a differential mechanism (not shown), and an output shaft 55. The ring gear 51 meshes with the third gear 43. The differential device 5 transmits the torque transmitted from the third gear 43 to the output shaft 55.

[0022] The torque output from the motor 2 is transmitted to the ring gear 51 of the differential device 5 via the first shaft 44, the first gear 41, the second gear 42, the second shaft 45 and the third gear 43, and is output to a pair of output shafts 55 via the differential mechanism part of the differential device 5.

[0023] The lower end portion of the ring gear 51 is immersed in the fluid O stored in the housing 6. The ring gear 51 scoops up the fluid O, thereby supplying the fluid O to the tooth surfaces of the other gears and enhancing lubrication of the meshing gears. Note that the gear that scoops up the fluid O may be a gear other than the ring gear 51.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a front view of the drive device 1 of this embodiment as viewed from one axial side (+Y side). In Fig. 2 and the following front views corresponding to Fig. 2, a part of the housing 6 is omitted and the transmission mechanism 3 is illustrated.

[0025] 2, the second axis J2, the fourth axis J4, and the third axis J3 are aligned along the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) of the vehicle. The fourth axis J4 is located between the second axis J2 and the third axis J3 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0026] (housing) 1, the housing 6 has a first accommodating portion 81 that accommodates the motor 2, a second accommodating portion 82 that accommodates the transmission mechanism 3, and a third accommodating portion 83 that accommodates the inverter 7. The second accommodating portion 82 is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the first accommodating portion 81. The third accommodating portion 83 is located above the first accommodating portion 81.

[0027] In this embodiment, the fluid O accumulates in the lower region of the second housing portion 82. In the following description, the lower region in the second housing portion 82 is referred to as the fluid pool P. The fluid O that accumulates in the fluid pool P is scooped up by the operation of the transmission mechanism 3 and dispersed within the second housing portion 82. The fluid O dispersed within the second housing portion 82 is supplied to each gear of the transmission mechanism 3 within the second housing portion 82, causing the fluid O to spread across the gear tooth surfaces. The fluid O that has been supplied to the transmission mechanism 3 and used for lubrication drips down and is collected in the fluid pool P.

[0028] Furthermore, the housing 6 has a housing main body 88, a motor cover 87, a gear cover 85, and an inverter cover 86. The housing main body 88, the motor cover 87, the gear cover 85, and the inverter cover 86 are each separate members. The motor cover 87 is disposed on the other axial side (-Y side) of the housing main body 88. The gear cover 85 is disposed on one axial side (+Y side) of the housing main body 88. The inverter cover 86 is disposed on the upper side of the housing main body 88.

[0029] The first housing section 81, the second housing section 82, and the third housing section 83 are each composed of a housing main body 88, a motor cover 87, a gear cover 85, and an inverter cover 86. The first housing section 81 is composed of a part of the housing main body 88 and the motor cover 87. The motor 2 is disposed in a space surrounded by the housing main body 88 and the motor cover 87. The second housing section 82 is composed of a part of the housing main body 88 and the gear cover 85. The transmission mechanism 3 is disposed in a space surrounded by the housing main body 88 and the gear cover. The third housing section 83 is composed of a part of the housing main body 88 and the inverter cover 86. The inverter 7 is disposed in a space surrounded by the housing main body 88 and the inverter cover 86. Note that this embodiment is merely an example of which member of the housing 6 constitutes which housing section, and may be configured by other combinations.

[0030] The housing 6 has a first side wall portion 81w, a partition portion 84, and a second side wall portion 82w extending along a plane perpendicular to the second axis J2, and a first peripheral wall portion 81a and a second peripheral wall portion 82a extending cylindrically along the axial direction.

[0031] The first side wall portion 81w is located on the other axial side (-Y side) of the motor 2. The second side wall portion 82w is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the transmission mechanism 3. The partition portion 84 is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the motor 2 and on the other axial side (-Y side) of the transmission mechanism 3. A part of the partition portion 84 divides the internal space of the first accommodating portion 81 and the internal space of the second accommodating portion 82. The partition portion 84 is provided with an insertion hole 84a and a partition opening 84k. The insertion hole 84a and the partition opening 84k communicate the internal spaces of the first accommodating portion 81 and the second accommodating portion 82. A connecting portion between the motor shaft 21 and the first shaft 44 is arranged in the insertion hole 84a.

[0032] The first peripheral wall portion 81a connects the first side wall portion 81w and the partition wall portion 84. The first peripheral wall portion 81a surrounds the motor 2 from the radial outside of the first axis line J1.

[0033] The second peripheral wall portion 82a connects the second side wall portion 82w and the partition wall portion 84. As shown in Fig. 2, the second peripheral wall portion 82a surrounds the transmission mechanism 3 from the radial outside of the first axis J1, the second axis J2, the fourth axis J4, and the third axis J3.

[0034] A first protrusion 82b and a second protrusion 82c are provided at a portion where the inner surface of the second circumferential wall portion 82a and the partition wall portion 84 are connected. That is, the first protrusion 82b and the second protrusion 82c are provided at the inner surface of the second housing portion 82, located at a portion where the second circumferential wall portion 82a and the partition wall portion 84 are connected. The first protrusion 82b and the second protrusion 82c protrude radially inward from the inner surface of the second circumferential wall portion 82a. The first protrusion 82b and the second protrusion 82c protrude toward one axial side (+Y side) from the partition wall portion 84. Note that, on the inner surface of the second housing portion 82, the "portion where the second circumferential wall portion 82a and the partition wall portion 84 are connected" means a corner portion formed by a surface of the second circumferential wall portion 82a facing radially inward and a surface of the partition wall portion 84 facing one axial side (+Y side).

[0035] The first protrusion 82b is located above the transmission mechanism 3 and protrudes downward from the inner surface of the second peripheral wall portion 82a. On the other hand, the second protrusion 82c is located below the transmission mechanism 3 and protrudes upward from the inner surface of the second peripheral wall portion 82a. By providing the first protrusion 82b and the second protrusion 82c on the inner surface of the second peripheral wall portion 82a, the internal space of the second accommodating portion 82 is narrowed by the volume of each of the protrusions 82b, 82c.

[0036] The protrusions 82b and 82c are portions of the wall constituting the second housing portion 82 that protrude in a direction narrowing the internal space of the second housing portion 82. Therefore, the protrusions 82b and 82c narrow the internal space of the second housing portion 82 radially inward and to one axial side (+Y side), and widen the outer space of the second housing portion 82 radially inward and to one axial side (+Y side). In this embodiment, a part of the first protrusion 82b is located below the third housing portion 83. Therefore, the first protrusion 82b is provided inside the second housing portion 82 to narrow the internal space of the second housing portion 82 radially inward (lower), and widen the internal space of the third housing portion 83 downward. This allows the third housing portion 83 to be disposed closer to the lower side, and the drive device 1 to be downsized in the vertical direction.

[0037] By providing the second protruding portion 82c, the surfaces (a fourth opposing surface 82i, a fifth opposing surface 82j, and a sixth opposing surface 82k described below) of the inner surface of the second circumferential wall portion 82a that are disposed directly below the transmission mechanism 3 can be brought closer to each gear of the transmission mechanism 3. This makes it easier for each gear of the transmission mechanism 3 to be immersed in the fluid O that accumulates in the second accommodating portion 82, thereby improving the lubrication of each gear of the transmission mechanism 3.

[0038] The surfaces of the first protruding portion 82b and the second protruding portion 82c facing radially inward are curved along the outer shapes of the gears 41, 42, 43, and 51 of the transmission mechanism 3. The first protruding portion 82b has a first opposing surface 82f curved in an arc shape about the second axis J2, a second opposing surface 82g curved in an arc shape about the fourth axis J4, and a third opposing surface 82h curved in an arc shape about the third axis J3, as viewed in the axial direction. Similarly, the second protruding portion 82c has a fourth opposing surface 82i curved in an arc shape about the second axis J2, a fifth opposing surface 82j curved in an arc shape about the fourth axis J4, and a sixth opposing surface 82k curved in an arc shape about the third axis J3, as viewed in the axial direction. That is, the second accommodating portion 82 has a first opposed surface 82f, a second opposed surface 82g, a third opposed surface 82h, a fourth opposed surface 82i, a fifth opposed surface 82j, and a sixth opposed surface 82k.

[0039] The first opposing surface 82f and the fourth opposing surface 82i face the first gear 41 in the radial direction of the second axis J2. The second opposing surface 82g and the fifth opposing surface 82j face the second gear 42 and the third gear 43 in the radial direction of the fourth axis J4. The third opposing surface 82h and the sixth opposing surface 82k face the ring gear 51 in the radial direction of the third axis J3.

[0040] (Flow path) The flow path 90 is a circulation path that supplies the fluid O from the fluid pool P to the motor 2 and returns it to the fluid pool P. In this embodiment, the fluid O is oil, and is used not only for cooling the motor 2 but also for lubricating the transmission mechanism 3. As the fluid O, it is preferable to use an oil equivalent to an automatic transmission lubricating oil (ATF: Automatic Transmission Fluid) with a relatively low viscosity in order to function as a lubricating oil and a cooling oil.

[0041] The flow path 90 is provided with a pump 8a, a cooler 8b, and a pipe 9. The pump 8a and the cooler 8b are each fixed to the outer surface of the housing 6. The pipe 9 is disposed inside the first housing portion 81 and above the motor 2.

[0042] The pump 8a in this embodiment is an electric pump that is driven by electricity. The pump 8a may be a mechanical pump that operates in conjunction with the driving of the transmission mechanism 3. The pump 8a pumps the fluid O in the flow path 90. The pump 8a is fixed to a surface facing the other axial side (-Y side) of the second housing portion 82. The pump 8a may be disposed inside the second housing portion or on one axial side (+Y side) of the second housing portion, or may be disposed in the first housing portion 81.

[0043] The cooler 8b cools the fluid O in the flow path 90. An internal flow path (not shown) through which the fluid O flows and an internal flow path (not shown) through which cooling water flows are provided inside the cooler 8b. The cooler 8b is a heat exchanger that cools the fluid O by transferring heat of the fluid O to the cooling water. In this embodiment, the cooler 8b is fixed to a surface facing radially outward of the first housing section 81. The cooler 8b may be disposed on a surface on the other axial side (−Y side) of the first housing section or in the second housing section.

[0044] The flow path 90 of this embodiment has connection flow path portions 91, 92, 93, an internal rotor flow path portion 94, a first flow path portion 95, and a second flow path portion 96. The connection flow path portions 91, 92, 93 and the second flow path portion 96 are holes provided in the wall portion of the housing 6, and are formed by, for example, drilling a hole in the wall portion of the housing 6. The internal rotor flow path portion 94 is provided inside the rotor 20. The first flow path portion 95 has a portion (first portion 95e) formed by the pipe 9, and portions (second portion 95f and third portion 95d) formed by holes provided in the wall portion of the housing 6.

[0045] The connection flow passage portions 91, 92, and 93 are flow passages that send the fluid O from the fluid reservoir P to the rotor internal flow passage portion 94 and the first flow passage portion 95. The configuration of the connection flow passage portions 91, 92, and 93 in this embodiment is an example and can be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the housing 6.

[0046] The connection flow passage portions 91, 92, 93 of this embodiment include a first connection flow passage portion 91, a second connection flow passage portion 92, and a third connection flow passage portion 93. The first connection flow passage portion 91 connects the fluid reservoir P and the suction port of the pump 8a. The second connection flow passage portion 92 connects the discharge port of the pump 8a and the cooler 8b. The third connection flow passage portion 93 connects the cooler 8b with the rotor internal flow passage portion 94 and the first flow passage portion 95.

[0047] The third connection flow passage portion 93 has an upstream portion 93a provided in the first peripheral wall portion 81a and a downstream portion 93b provided in the first side wall portion 81w. The upstream portion 93a extends from the outlet of the cooler 8b to the other axial direction side (-Y side) inside the wall of the first peripheral wall portion 81a. The downstream portion 93b extends along a plane perpendicular to the first axis J1 inside the wall of the first side wall portion 81w. One end of the downstream portion 93b is connected to an end portion of the upstream portion 93a on the other axial direction side (-Y side). The other end of the downstream portion 93b is connected to an end portion of the first flow passage portion 95 on the other axial direction side (-Y side). Furthermore, the downstream portion 93b branches midway through the path and is connected to the rotor internal flow passage portion 94.

[0048] The rotor internal flow path 94 is a flow path that passes through the hollow portion 22 of the motor shaft 21 and the inside of the rotor core 24. The fluid O supplied to the hollow portion 22 passes through the inside of the rotor core 24 by the centrifugal force of the rotor 20, and is then scattered toward the stator 30. The fluid O cools the rotor 20 while flowing through the rotor internal flow path 94. Furthermore, the stator 30 can be cooled by applying the fluid O to the stator 30. The fluid O applied to the stator 30 drips from the stator 30 and reaches the lower region of the first housing portion 81, and then returns to the fluid pool P via the partition opening 84k.

[0049] The first flow passage portion 95 is located on the upper side of the motor 2. The first flow passage portion 95 extends linearly in the axial direction. The first flow passage portion 95 has a first portion 95e provided inside the pipe 9, a second portion 95f connected to one axial side (+Y side) of the first portion 95e, and a third portion 95d connected to the other axial side (-Y side) of the first portion 95e. In this embodiment, the first portion 95e and the third portion 95d are provided in the first housing portion 81, and the second portion 95f is provided in the second housing portion 82. Therefore, at least a portion of the first flow passage portion 95 is provided in the first housing portion 81. The first flow passage portion 95 may be entirely provided in the first housing portion 81. The first flow passage portion 95 is not limited to extending linearly in the axial direction. The first flow passage portion 95 may have a shape that is bent midway.

[0050] The pipe 9 is provided with a plurality of injection holes 9h that open to the motor 2 side. A portion of the fluid O in the first portion 95e is injected to the stator 30 through the injection holes 9h. The first flow path portion 95 supplies the fluid O to the stator 30 from the radial outside in the first portion 95e. The fluid O removes heat from the stator 30 while flowing along the surface of the stator 30, thereby cooling the stator 30. Furthermore, the fluid O drips from the stator 30 and reaches the lower region of the first housing portion 81, and then returns to the fluid pool P through the partition wall opening 84k.

[0051] The pipe 9 is supported by the housing 6. A first hole 81h is provided in a surface of the first side wall portion 81w facing one axial side (+Y side). A second hole 84h is provided in a surface of the partition portion 84 facing the other axial side (-Y side). An end of the pipe 9 on the other axial side (-Y side) is inserted into the first hole 81h, and an end of the pipe 9 on one axial side (+Y side) is inserted into the second hole 84h.

[0052] The first hole portion 81h constitutes a third portion 95d of the first flow passage portion 95. Therefore, the third portion 95d is connected to the other axial side (-Y side) of the first portion 95e and extends linearly on an extension line of the first portion 95e. A downstream portion 93b of the third connection flow passage portion 93 is connected to the first hole portion 81h.

[0053] The second hole portion 84h constitutes a second portion 95f of the first flow passage portion 95. Therefore, the second portion 95f is connected to one axial side (+Y side) of the first portion 95e and extends linearly on an extension line of the first portion 95e. In this manner, the housing 6 of this embodiment has the pipe 9 arranged radially outside the motor 2, and at least a part of the pipe 9 is arranged in the second hole portion 84h provided on the surface facing the other axial side (-Y side) of the first accommodating portion 81. In addition, at least a part of the first flow passage portion 95 is constituted by the pipe 9 and the second hole portion 84h. In addition, the end portion 95a on one axial side (+Y side) of the first flow passage portion 95 is located in the second portion 95f.

[0054] At least a portion of the second hole portion 84h is located radially outside the internal space of the second accommodating portion 82. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, at least a portion of the second hole portion 84h is located inside the first protruding portion 82b of the second accommodating portion 82.

[0055] 1, the second flow path portion 96 is provided in the second circumferential wall portion 82a. That is, the second flow path portion 96 in this embodiment is provided in the second accommodating portion 82. The second flow path portion 96 extends from an end portion 95a on one axial side (+Y side) of the first flow path portion 95 to an inner surface of the second accommodating portion 82. The second flow path portion 96 supplies a portion of the fluid O flowing through the first flow path portion 95 to the inside of the second accommodating portion 82. The fluid O supplied to the inside of the second accommodating portion 82 is supplied to the tooth surface of the gear of the transmission mechanism 3 and then returns to the fluid pool P.

[0056] In this embodiment, "the end 95a on one axial side (+Y side) of the first flow path portion 95" does not mean only the structural end. For example, even if the first flow path portion 95 has a portion extending to one axial side from the portion connected to the second flow path portion 96, if that portion does not connect to another flow path or open to the internal space of the second storage portion 82, the portion connected to the second flow path portion 96 is considered to be the end 95a on one axial side (+Y side) of the first flow path portion 95.

[0057] 2, the second flow path portion 96 opens toward the inside in the radial direction of the second axis J2 at the first opposing surface 82f of the second accommodating portion 82. As a result, the fluid O discharged from the opening of the second flow path portion 96 is supplied to the first gear 41.

[0058] When the second accommodating section 82 is made smaller, the internal space of the second accommodating section 82 is narrowed. In this case, it may be difficult to arrange a structure for supplying the fluid O to the transmission mechanism 3, such as a pipe or a reservoir, in the internal space. Furthermore, narrowing the internal space of the second accommodating section 82 brings the inner surface of the second accommodating section 82 into close proximity with each gear of the transmission mechanism 3. For this reason, even if the ring gear 51 scoops up the fluid O in the fluid pool P, the scooped up fluid O may hit the inner surface of the second accommodating section 82, making it difficult for the fluid O to reach other gears away from the ring gear 51.

[0059] In contrast, according to this embodiment, the second flow path portion 96 opens to the first opposing surface 82f to supply the fluid O to the first gear 41. Since the second flow path portion 96 extends from the end portion 95a of the first flow path portion 95, at least a portion of which is provided in the first accommodating portion 81, to the first opposing surface 82f, the first gear can be lubricated without providing a separate member for supplying the fluid O to the first gear 41 in the internal space of the second accommodating portion 82, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the second accommodating portion 82. That is, according to this embodiment, the fluid O can be supplied to the first gear 41 while reducing the size of the second accommodating portion.

[0060] In this embodiment, the first opposing surface 82f extends in an arc shape centered on the second axis J2 when viewed in the axial direction. According to this embodiment, the entire first opposing surface 82f can be easily brought close to the first gear 41, and the second accommodating portion 82 can be further reduced in size. In addition, by making it easier for the first opposing surface 82f to be brought close to the first gear 41, it is possible to bring the opening of the second flow path portion 96 close to the first gear 41, and the fluid O discharged from the opening of the second flow path portion 96 is easily applied to the first gear 41.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first gear 41 to which the fluid O of the second flow path portion 96 is supplied is a pinion gear that rotates coaxially with the rotor 20 together with the rotor 20. As described above, the transmission mechanism 3 of this embodiment has the ring gear 51, and the diameter of the ring gear 51 is larger than the diameter of the first gear 41. The lower end of the ring gear 51 is located lower than the lower end of the first gear 41. For this reason, the ring gear 51 is easily immersed in the fluid O of the fluid pool P, whereas the first gear 41 is less likely to be immersed in the fluid O of the fluid pool P. Furthermore, when the power transmission between the first gear 41 and the ring gear is via other gears (the second gear 42 and the third gear 43) as in this embodiment, the ring gear 51 and the first gear 41 are separated from each other. For this reason, when the ring gear 51 scoops up the fluid O in the fluid pool P, the fluid O scooped up by the ring gear 51 is less likely to reach the first gear 41. According to this embodiment, the first gear 41, which is the supply target of the second flow path portion 96, is a pinion gear to which the fluid O scooped up by the rotation of the ring gear 51 is less likely to be supplied, so that by supplying the fluid O to the first gear 41 via the first flow path portion 95 and the second flow path portion 96, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of seizure of the gears when the first gear 41 and the second gear 42 mesh with each other.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the first gear 41 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the first shaft 44 connected to the motor shaft 21. However, the first gear 41 may be directly fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the motor shaft 21. Also, the motor shaft 21 and the first shaft 44 may be connected via another member, and the first gear 41 may be directly fixed to the other member. That is, the first gear 41 may be a gear fixed to at least one of the motor shaft 21 and a shaft (the first shaft 44 in this embodiment) directly or indirectly connected to the motor shaft 21. The motor shaft 21 and the first shaft 44 may be integrally formed as a single member.

[0063] As described above, the first flow path section 95 of the present embodiment has the injection hole 9h that opens toward the motor 2. Therefore, the first flow path section 95 of the present embodiment supplies the fluid O to the transmission mechanism 3 via the second flow path section 96, and also supplies the fluid O to the motor 2 via the injection hole 9h. According to the present embodiment, since the first flow path section 95 is a path for the fluid O to multiple supply destinations (the motor 2 and the transmission mechanism 3), the structure of the flow path 90 can be simplified compared to a case in which flow paths for supplying the fluid O to multiple supply destinations are provided separately.

[0064] Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the drive device 1 of this embodiment. Note that in Fig. 3 and the following partial cross-sectional views corresponding to Fig. 3, some members are omitted and some members are simplified for ease of understanding.

[0065] In this embodiment, the tooth surface of the first gear 41 is disposed at the point where the opening of the second flow path section 96 is directed. This makes it easier for the second flow path section 96 to supply the fluid O to the tooth surface of the first gear 41. Note that "the first gear 41 is disposed at the point where the opening is directed" here means that the first gear 41 is disposed on an extension line EL in the direction in which the opening extends.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 3, the second flow passage portion 96 of this embodiment extends in a direction toward one axial side (+Y side) toward the radial inside of the second axis J2. That is, the second flow passage portion 96 extends at an incline in the axial direction with respect to a plane (XZ plane) perpendicular to the axial direction. According to this embodiment, it is easy to arrange the end portion 95a of the first flow passage portion 95 on one axial side (+Y side) on the other axial side (-Y side) with respect to the first gear 41. That is, it is not necessary to extend the first flow passage portion 95 to the radial outside of the first gear 41, and the wall portion of the second housing portion 82 can be made thin in the radial outside region of the first gear 41. Therefore, the second housing portion 82 can be made smaller and lighter.

[0067] The second flow path section 96 in this embodiment is linear over its entire length. However, the second flow path section 96 may have a shape that is bent halfway, or may be curved as a whole. Even in such a case, the above-mentioned effect can be obtained as long as the second flow path section 96 has at least a portion that extends at an incline toward one axial side (+Y side) as it moves radially inward from the second axis J2.

[0068] Here, the angle between the extension direction of the second flow passage portion 96 at the opening in the first opposing surface 82f and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is defined as the discharge angle α. In this embodiment, the discharge angle α is preferably 45° or less. When the discharge angle α is large, the trajectory of the fluid O discharged from the opening of the second flow passage portion 96 changes significantly depending on the momentum of the fluid O flowing through the second flow passage portion 96. For this reason, depending on the momentum of the fluid O flowing through the second flow passage portion, it may be difficult to supply the fluid O to the first gear 41. In this embodiment, by setting the discharge angle α to 45° or less, it is possible to keep the trajectory of the fluid O discharged from the opening of the second flow passage portion 96 approximately constant regardless of the strength of the momentum of the fluid O flowing through the second flow passage portion 96. Therefore, it becomes easier for the fluid O discharged from the second flow passage portion 96 to hit the tooth surface of the first gear 41, and the supply of the fluid O to the first gear 41 can be stabilized.

[0069] According to this embodiment, the second flow passage portion 96 opens to the second hole portion 84h. Moreover, the second hole portion 84h constitutes the second portion 95f of the first flow passage portion 95. Therefore, the second flow passage portion 96 is connected to the second portion 95f. As described above, the second portion 95f is disposed in the second housing portion 82, and the end portion 95a of the first flow passage portion 95 is provided therein. According to this embodiment, the end portion 95a of the first flow passage portion 95 to which the second flow passage portion 96 is connected is provided in the second housing portion 82. By providing the end portion 95a of the first flow passage portion 95 in the second housing portion 82, the end portion 95a of the first flow passage portion 95 can be brought closer to the first gear 41 in the axial direction. This allows the path length of the second flow passage portion 96 to be shortened, and the flow passage resistance in the second flow passage portion 96 can be reduced. In addition, the discharge angle α described above can be easily reduced, and the fluid O discharged from the second flow path portion 96 can be easily and stably struck against the first gear 41 regardless of the force of the fluid O.

[0070] In the present embodiment, the flow path 90 has one each of the first flow path portion 95 and the second flow path portion 96. However, the flow path 90 may have a plurality of sets of the first flow path portion 95 and the second flow path portion 96. In this case, the plurality of first flow path portions 95 are each connected to the third connection flow path portion 93 at an end portion on the other axial side (-Y side), and each connected to a different second flow path portion 96 at an end portion on one axial side (+Y side). Also, the plurality of second flow path portions 96 each open in the first opposing surface 82f, and supply the fluid O to the tooth surface of the first gear 41.

[0071] In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which at least a portion of the first flow path portion 95 is configured by the pipe 9. However, the configuration of the first flow path portion 95 is not limited to this embodiment. At least a portion of the first flow path portion 95 may be configured by a hole provided inside the wall of the housing 6 (see Modification 4), or may be configured by a gutter-shaped member.

[0072] (Modification) Modifications of the flow path that can be employed in the above-described drive device will be described below. In the description of each modification below, the same components as those in the embodiment or modification already described will be given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] (Variation 1) 4 is a front view of the drive unit 101 of Modification 1. As in the above-described embodiment, a flow path 190 is provided in the housing 106 of this modification. Moreover, the flow path 190 of this modification has a third flow path portion 197 in addition to the first flow path portion 95 and the second flow path portion 96 similar to those of the above-described embodiment.

[0074] The third flow path portion 197 extends from an end portion 95a on one axial side (+Y side) of the first flow path portion 95, and opens toward the radial inside of the fourth axis J4 at the second opposing surface 82g. The tooth surface of the second gear 42 is disposed in the direction toward which the opening of the third flow path portion 197 is directed. This allows the third flow path portion 197 to supply the fluid O to the tooth surface of the second gear 42.

[0075] The second opposing surface 82g is a part of the inner surface of the second accommodating portion 82, and is a surface that faces the second gear 42 in the radial direction of the fourth axis J4. According to this modification, even when the second accommodating portion 82 is made smaller by bringing the inner surface of the second accommodating portion 82 closer to the second gear 42, the fluid O can be supplied to the second gear 42. Moreover, the second opposing surface 82g is curved in an arc shape about the fourth axis J4 as viewed in the axial direction, so that the entire surface of the second opposing surface 82g can be easily brought closer to the second gear 42. For this reason, the opening of the third flow path portion 197 can be brought closer to the second gear 42, and the fluid O discharged from the opening of the third flow path portion 197 is easily applied to the second gear 42.

[0076] In this modification, the third flow path portion 197 supplies the fluid O to the second gear 42, but the third flow path portion 197 may supply the fluid O to the third gear 43. In addition to the third flow path portion 197, or instead of the third flow path portion 197, a flow path portion that extends from the end portion 95a of the first flow path portion 95 and opens toward the radial inside of the third axis J3 at the third opposing surface 82h may be provided. In this case, the fluid O can be supplied to the ring gear 51 by arranging the tip of the tooth of the ring gear 51 in the direction of the opening of the flow path portion.

[0077] (Variation 2) 5 is a front view of a drive device 201 of Modification 2. As in the above-described embodiment, a flow path 290 is provided in a housing 206 of this modification. Furthermore, the flow path 290 of this modification has a fourth flow path portion 298 and a fifth flow path portion 299 in addition to the first flow path portion 95 and the second flow path portion 96 similar to those of the above-described embodiment.

[0078] The fourth flow path section 298 is disposed on the radially outer side of the motor 2 together with the first flow path section 95. The first flow path section 95 and the fourth flow path section 298 are disposed side by side in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the motor 2. The fourth flow path section 298 has a configuration substantially similar to that of the first flow path section 95. That is, at least a portion of the fourth flow path section 298 is provided in the second housing section 82. A portion of the fourth flow path section 298 is formed by, for example, a pipe extending in the axial direction. In addition, the fourth flow path section 298 is provided with an injection hole that opens toward the motor 2. The fluid O flows toward one axial side (+Y side) in the fourth flow path section 298. In addition, a portion of the fluid O is injected from the injection hole toward the motor 2.

[0079] The fifth flow path portion 299 connects an end portion 298a on one axial side of the fourth flow path portion 298 and the second flow path portion 96. Therefore, the fluid O that reaches the end portion 298a of the fourth flow path portion 298 flows into the second flow path portion 96 via the fifth flow path portion 299, and is supplied to the tooth surface of the first gear 41 from the opening of the second flow path portion 96. According to this modification, it is possible to supply a larger amount of fluid O to the first gear 41 via the second flow path portion 96.

[0080] The configuration of the fourth flow path section 298 described in this modified example is just an example, and the fourth flow path section 298 may have another configuration. The fourth flow path section 298 may be, for example, a hole provided inside the wall of the first storage section 81, or may be a gutter-shaped member disposed in the internal space of the first storage section 81.

[0081] (Variation 3) 6 is a front view of a drive unit 301 of Modification 3. As in the above-described embodiment, a flow path 390 is provided in a housing 306 of this modification. Also, the flow path 390 of this modification differs from the above-described embodiment mainly in that it has a plurality of second flow path portions 396A, 396B.

[0082] The second flow passage parts 396A, 396B each extend from an end 95a on one axial side (+Y side) of the first flow passage part 95, and open toward the radial inside of the second axis J2 at the first opposing surface 82f. The openings of the second flow passage parts 396A, 396B are arranged at different positions in the axial direction, for example. The openings of the second flow passage parts 396A, 396B are each directed toward the tooth surface of the first gear 41. According to this modification, the flow passage 390 has the second flow passage parts 396A, 396B, so that the fluid O can be supplied to a wide range of the first gear 41. The openings of the second flow passage parts 396A, 396B may be arranged at the same position in the axial direction. The openings of the second flow passage parts 396A, 396B may be arranged at positions shifted from each other in the circumferential direction. Different gears may be disposed at the destinations of the openings of the second flow passage portions 396A and 396B. Alternatively, the first gear 41 may be disposed at the destination of one opening, and a bearing may be disposed at the destination of the other opening.

[0083] (Variation 4) Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a driving device 401 of Modification 4. Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the driving device 401 of Modification 4. As in the above-described embodiment, a flow path 490 is provided in a housing 406 of this modification. The flow path 490 of this modification differs from that of the above-described embodiment mainly in the configurations of a first flow path portion 495 and a second flow path portion 496.

[0084] The housing 406 of this modification has a first peripheral wall portion 81a that surrounds the motor 2 from the radial outside, similarly to the above-described embodiment. In addition, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a hole portion 481b extending along the axial direction is provided inside the first peripheral wall portion 81a of this modification that overlaps with the motor 2 in the radial direction. At least a part of the first flow path portion 495 is constituted by the hole portion 481b. The first flow path portion 495 is provided with an injection hole 495h that opens to the motor 2 side. The fluid O of the first flow path portion 495 is injected through the injection hole 495h to the stator 30 to cool the motor 2.

[0085] According to this modification, the entire length of first flow path portion 495 is formed by hole portion 481b. Therefore, first accommodating portion 81 can be made smaller in size than when a separate member such as a pipe or a gutter is disposed inside first accommodating portion 81. Also, since there is no need to dispose a separate member such as a pipe or a gutter inside first accommodating portion 81, the assembly process of drive device 401 can be simplified.

[0086] The second flow path portion 496 extends from an end portion 495a on one axial side (+Y side) of the first flow path portion 495 to an inner side surface of the second accommodating portion 82. The second flow path portion 496 opens toward the radially inner side of the second axis J2 at the first opposing surface 82f of the second accommodating portion 82. As a result, the fluid O discharged from the opening of the second flow path portion 496 is supplied to the first gear 41.

[0087] 8, in this modification, an end 495a on one axial side (+Y side) of the first flow path portion 495 is provided in the first accommodating portion 81. That is, the end 495a of the first flow path portion 495 is located on the other axial side (-Y side) of the second accommodating portion 82. According to this modification, since the first flow path portion 495 is not provided in the second accommodating portion 82, it is possible to prevent the second accommodating portion 82 from becoming large in the radial direction.

[0088] As in the above-described embodiment, the second flow passage portion 496 of this embodiment extends at an incline toward one axial side (+Y side) toward the radial inside of the second axis J2. This makes it easier to arrange the end portion 495a of the first flow passage portion 495 on the other axial side (-Y side) with respect to the first gear 41. Particularly in this modified example, the end portion 495a of the first flow passage portion 495 is located on the other axial side (-Y side) than the end portion on the other axial side (-Y side) of the first gear 41. That is, the first flow passage portion 495 of this modified example is not arranged on the radial outside of the first gear 41, and the second housing portion 82 can be made smaller in size in the radial direction of the first gear 41.

[0089] Although various embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the configurations and combinations thereof in each embodiment and modification are merely examples, and addition, omission, substitution, and other modifications of the configurations are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[0090] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a structure for supplying the fluid O to the transmission mechanism, such as a pipe or a reservoir that temporarily stores the fluid by stirring up the gears or supplying the fluid from a pump, is not provided inside the second housing. However, these structures may be provided in the above-described embodiment.

[0091] The present technology can be configured as follows. (1) A drive device comprising: a motor having a rotor rotatable about a first axis; a transmission mechanism located on one axial side of the motor and transmitting rotation of the rotor; and a housing having a first accommodating portion that accommodates the motor and a second accommodating portion that accommodates the transmission mechanism, wherein the transmission mechanism has a first gear rotatable about the second axis, the second accommodating portion has a first opposing surface that faces the first gear in a radial direction of the second axis, and the housing is provided with a flow path, the flow path having a first flow path portion, at least a portion of which is provided in the first accommodating portion, and a second flow path portion that extends from an end portion on one axial side of the first flow path portion and opens toward the radial inside of the second axis at the first opposing surface. (2) The drive device described in (1), wherein the first flow path portion has a first portion provided in the first accommodating portion and extending linearly in the axial direction, and a second portion provided in the second accommodating portion and connected to one axial side of the first portion and extending linearly on an extension line of the first portion, and the second flow path portion is connected to the second portion. (3) The drive device according to (1), wherein one axial end of the first flow passage portion is provided in the first housing portion. (4) The drive device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the tooth surface of the first gear is arranged in a direction toward which the opening of the second flow path portion is directed. (5) The drive device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first opposing surface extends in an arc shape centered on the second axis when viewed in the axial direction. (6) A drive device described in (1) to (5), wherein the second accommodating portion has a peripheral wall portion surrounding the transmission mechanism from the radial outside and a wall portion located on the other axial side of the transmission mechanism, the inner surface of the second accommodating portion has a protrusion portion provided at a portion where the peripheral wall portion and the wall portion are connected, the protrusion portion protruding radially inward from the peripheral wall portion and protruding axially to one side from the wall portion, and the first opposing surface is provided on the protrusion portion. (7) The drive device described in any one of (1) to (6), wherein the rotor has a motor shaft centered on the first axis, the second axis is arranged collinear with the first axis, the first gear is a pinion gear fixed to at least one of the motor shaft and a shaft directly or indirectly connected to the motor shaft, the transmission mechanism has a ring gear rotatable about a third axis extending parallel to the second axis, the diameter of the ring gear is larger than the diameter of the first gear, and a lower end of the ring gear is located lower than the lower end of the first gear. (8) The drive device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the second flow path portion extends in a direction toward one side in the axial direction while moving radially inward of the second axis. (9) The drive device according to (8), wherein an end portion on one axial direction side of the first flow passage portion is positioned on the other axial direction side of an end portion on the other axial direction side of the first gear. (10) The drive device according to (8) or (9), wherein an angle between a direction in which the second flow path portion extends and a vertical direction at the opening in the first opposing surface is 45° or less. (11) A drive device described in any one of (1) to (10), wherein the transmission mechanism has a second gear rotatable around a fourth axis parallel to the second axis, the second accommodating portion has a second opposing surface that faces the second gear in a radial direction of the fourth axis, and the flow path has a third flow path portion that extends from an end portion on one axial side of the first flow path portion and opens toward the radial inside of the fourth axis at the second opposing surface. (12) The drive device according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the flow path includes a plurality of the second flow paths. (13) The drive device according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the flow path has a fourth flow path section, at least a portion of which is provided in the first accommodating section, and a fifth flow path section connecting one axial end of the fourth flow path section and the second flow path section. (14) The drive device according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the first flow path portion has an injection hole that opens toward the motor. (15) A drive device described in any one of (1) to (14), wherein the housing has a pipe arranged radially outside the motor, at least a portion of the pipe is arranged in a hole provided in a surface facing the other axial side of the first accommodating portion, at least a portion of the first flow path portion is formed by the pipe and the hole portion, and the second flow path portion opens into the hole portion. (16) A drive device described in any one of (1) to (14), wherein the first accommodating portion has a peripheral wall portion surrounding the motor from the radial outside, and a hole portion extending along the axial direction is provided inside a wall of the peripheral wall portion that radially overlaps with the motor, and at least a portion of the first flow path portion is constituted by the hole portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1,101,201,301,401...Drive device, 2...Motor, 3...Transmission mechanism, 6,106,206,306,406...Housing, 9...Pipe, 9h,495h...Injection hole, 20...Rotor, 21...Motor shaft, 41...First gear, 42...Second gear, 43...Third gear, 51...Ring gear, 81...First accommodating portion, 81a...First circumferential wall portion (circumferential wall portion), 81b...First protruding portion (protruding portion), 82...Second accommodating portion, 82a...Second circumferential wall portion (circumferential wall portion), 82f...First opposing surface, 82g...second opposing surface, 84...partition wall portion (wall portion), 84h...second hole portion (hole portion), 90, 190, 290, 390, 490...flow path, 95, 495...first flow path portion, 95a, 298a, 495a...end portion, 95e...first portion, 95f...second portion, 96, 396A, 396B, 496...second flow path portion, 197...third flow path portion, 298...fourth flow path portion, 299...fifth flow path portion, 481b...hole portion, EL...extension line, J1...first axis line, J2...second axis line, J3...third axis line, J4...fourth axis line

Claims

1. a motor having a rotor rotatable about a first axis; a transmission mechanism located on one axial side of the motor and configured to transmit rotation of the rotor; a housing having a first housing portion that houses the motor and a second housing portion that houses the transmission mechanism, the transmission mechanism has a first gear rotatable about a second axis; The second accommodating portion has a first opposing surface that faces the first gear in a radial direction of the second axis, The housing is provided with a flow path, The flow path is A first flow path portion, at least a portion of which is provided in the first storage portion; a second flow path portion extending from an end portion on one side in the axial direction of the first flow path portion and opening toward a radially inner side of the second axis at the first opposing surface, Drive unit.

2. The first flow path portion is a first portion provided in the first housing portion and extending linearly in an axial direction; a second portion that is provided in the second housing portion and is connected to one axial side of the first portion and extends linearly along an extension line of the first portion, The second flow path portion is connected to the second portion. The drive device according to claim 1 .

3. An end portion on one axial side of the first flow path portion is provided in the first housing portion. The drive device according to claim 1 .

4. The tooth surface of the first gear is disposed in a direction toward which the opening of the second flow path portion is directed. The drive device according to claim 1 .

5. The first opposing surface extends in an arc shape about the second axis when viewed in the axial direction. The drive device according to claim 1 .

6. The second storage section is a peripheral wall portion surrounding the transmission mechanism from a radially outer side; a wall portion located on the other axial side of the transmission mechanism, A protrusion is provided on an inner surface of the second housing portion at a portion where the peripheral wall portion and the wall portion are connected, The protruding portion protrudes radially inward from the peripheral wall portion and protrudes axially to one side from the wall portion, The first opposing surface is provided on the protruding portion. The drive device according to claim 1 .

7. The rotor has a motor shaft centered on the first axis, The second axis is disposed on the same line as the first axis, the first gear is a pinion gear fixed to at least one of the motor shaft and a shaft directly or indirectly connected to the motor shaft; the transmission mechanism has a ring gear rotatable about a third axis extending parallel to the second axis, The diameter of the ring gear is larger than the diameter of the first gear, A lower end of the ring gear is located lower than a lower end of the first gear. The drive device according to claim 1 .

8. The second flow path portion extends in a direction toward one side in the axial direction as it moves radially inwardly of the second axis. The drive device according to claim 1 .

9. an end portion on one axial direction side of the first flow path portion is located on the other axial direction side of an end portion on the other axial direction side of the first gear; 9. The drive arrangement according to claim 8.

10. An angle between a direction in which the second flow path portion extends and a vertical direction at an opening in the first opposing surface is 45° or less.

9. The drive arrangement according to claim 8.

11. the transmission mechanism has a second gear rotatable about a fourth axis parallel to the second axis, The second accommodating portion has a second opposing surface that faces the second gear in a radial direction of the fourth axis, The flow path includes a third flow path portion that extends from an end portion on one axial side of the first flow path portion and opens toward a radial inside of the fourth axis at the second opposing surface. The drive device according to claim 1 .

12. The flow path has a plurality of the second flow path portions. The drive device according to claim 1 .

13. The flow path is A fourth flow path portion, at least a portion of which is provided in the first storage portion; A fifth flow path portion connecting an end portion on one axial side of the fourth flow path portion and the second flow path portion, The drive device according to claim 1 .

14. The first flow path portion has an injection hole that opens toward the motor. The drive device according to claim 1 .

15. The housing has a pipe disposed radially outside the motor, At least a portion of the pipe is disposed in a hole provided in a surface of the first housing portion facing the other axial direction, At least a portion of the first flow path portion is formed by the pipe and the hole portion, The second flow path portion opens into the hole portion. A drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The first housing portion has a peripheral wall portion that surrounds the motor from a radially outer side, a hole extending along an axial direction is provided inside the peripheral wall portion, the hole being radially overlapping with the motor; At least a portion of the first flow path portion is constituted by the hole portion. A drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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