Driving device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a driving device for a vehicle capable of forming a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant for cooling a stator core flows, while preventing a case from becoming large and a case structure from becoming complicated.SOLUTION: This driving device 100 for a vehicle includes: a rotary electric machine RE including a stator 20 having a stator core 21; a resin tube member 30 covering at least an outer peripheral surface 21c of the stator core 21; and a case 40 accommodating the rotary electric machine RE and the tube member 30, in which a cooling water flow path 70 (refrigerant flow path) through which cooling water (refrigerant) for cooling the stator core 21 flows is formed between the tube member 30 and the case 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a rotating electric machine is known in which a coolant passage is formed through which a coolant for cooling a stator core flows (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a rotating electric machine in which a coolant flow path (coolant flow path) is formed, through which a coolant (refrigerant) for cooling a stator core flows. In the rotating electric machine described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a rotor and a stator including a stator core are accommodated in a housing (case). The housing has a double-wall structure consisting of an inner housing and an outer housing, so that a coolant flow path through which a coolant for cooling the stator core flows is formed inside the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 213052 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the rotating electric machine described in the above Patent Document 1, the housing (case) has a double-wall structure consisting of an inner housing and an outer housing to form a coolant flow path (refrigerant flow path), so the housing becomes relatively large and the structure of the housing becomes relatively complex. Therefore, a configuration is desired that can form a coolant flow path (refrigerant flow path) through which a coolant (refrigerant) for cooling a stator core flows while preventing the housing (case) from becoming large and preventing the housing structure from becoming complex.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the problems described above, and one object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle drive device that is capable of forming a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant for cooling a stator core flows, while preventing the case from becoming large and preventing the case structure from becoming complicated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a vehicle drive device in one aspect of the present invention includes a rotor, a stator arranged opposite the outer peripheral surface of the rotor and having a stator core, and is equipped with a rotating electric machine that functions as a driving force source for a wheel, a resin tube member that covers at least the outer peripheral surface of the stator core, and a case that houses the rotating electric machine and the tube member, and a refrigerant flow path is formed between the tube member and the case through which a refrigerant for cooling the stator core flows.

[0008] As described above, the vehicle drive device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a rotating electric machine including a stator having a stator core, a resin tube member covering at least an outer circumferential surface of the stator core, and a case housing the rotating electric machine and the tube member, and a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant for cooling the stator core flows is formed between the tube member and the case. As a result, the outer circumferential surface of the stator core and the refrigerant flow path are adjacent to each other via the resin tube member, so that the refrigerant flow path can be formed without making the case have a double-wall structure. As a result, the refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant for cooling the stator core flows can be formed while preventing the case from becoming large and preventing the structure of the case from becoming complicated. Note that, in general, even if the resin tube member has a very thin thickness (for example, on the order of μm), it does not allow liquid to pass through. Therefore, even if the tube member is made of a resin having a very low thermal conductivity compared to metals, the stator core can be sufficiently cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path by using a resin tube member having a very thin thickness (for example, on the order of μm).

[0009] In the vehicle drive device according to the aforementioned aspect, the tube member preferably covers at least one of an end face on one side and an end face on the other side in the axial direction of the stator core, in addition to the outer circumferential surface of the stator core.

[0010] With this configuration, the sealing performance between the stator core and the refrigerant flow path provided by the tube member can be improved compared to a case where the tube member covers only the outer peripheral surface of the stator core.

[0011] In the configuration in which the above-mentioned tube member covers the outer peripheral surface of the stator core as well as the end faces on one and the other axial sides of the stator core, it is preferable to further include a sealing member that seals between the case and a one-side covering portion of the tube member that covers the end face on one axial side of the stator core.

[0012] With this configuration, the sealing member seals between the case and the one-side covering portion of the tube member that covers one axial end face of the stator core, thereby further improving the sealing performance between the stator core and the refrigerant flow path provided by the tube member.

[0013] In the vehicle drive device according to the aforementioned aspect, the tube member is preferably a heat-shrinkable tube member.

[0014] With this configuration, the tube member can be heated to shrink it, and thereby the tube member can be brought into close contact with at least the outer circumferential surface of the stator core, which improves the cooling performance of the refrigerant passing through the tube member that covers the outer circumferential surface of the stator core, compared to a case in which the tube member does not have heat shrinkability.

[0015] In the present application, the vehicle drive device according to the above aspect may also have the following configuration.

[0016] (Additional note 1) In the vehicle drive device according to the above aspect, preferably, the stator core includes a fastening protruding portion protruding toward the outer periphery and having a core through hole through which a fastening member for fixing the stator core to the case passes, and the tube member covers the outer periphery of the stator core including the outer periphery of the fastening protruding portion.

[0017] By configuring in this manner, it is possible to form a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant flows to cool the stator core including the fastening protrusion portion, while preventing the case from becoming larger and preventing the case structure from becoming complicated.

[0018] (Additional note 2) In a configuration including a sealing member that seals between the case and one side covering portion of the tube member, a first sealing member groove for positioning the sealing member is preferably formed in a portion of the case facing the one side covering portion of the tube member, and an O-ring as a sealing member is positioned in the first sealing member groove.

[0019] With this configuration, the gap between the case and one side covering portion of the tube member can be easily sealed by the O-ring as the seal member disposed in the first seal member groove.

[0020] (Additional note 3) In a configuration including a sealing member that seals between the case and one side covering portion of the tube member, preferably, in a portion of the space including the refrigerant flow path between the case and the tube member that faces the other side covering portion of the tube member that covers one end face in the axial direction of the stator core, a lip seal member formed by vulcanization welding a resin member having a tongue-shaped tip to a metal plate-like member is disposed as the sealing member.

[0021] With this configuration, the lip seal member, which is a seal member disposed in a portion facing the one side cover portion of the tube member in the space including the refrigerant flow path between the case and the tube member, can easily seal between the case and the one side cover portion of the tube member. In this case, since there is no need to form a groove for the seal member in the case, the manufacturing process of the case can be simplified.

[0022] (Additional note 4) In a configuration including a sealing member that seals between the case and one side covering portion of the tube member, preferably, the configuration further includes an annular plate-shaped member that is arranged on the other axial end face side of the stator core and forms a refrigerant flow path together with the tube member and the case, and a second sealing member groove for arranging the sealing member is formed in a portion of the plate-shaped member facing the other axial covering portion that covers the other axial end face of the tube member, and a third sealing member groove for arranging the sealing member is formed in a portion of the plate-shaped member facing the case, and a second O-ring and a third O-ring are arranged as sealing members in the second sealing member groove and the third sealing member groove, respectively.

[0023] With this configuration, the second O-ring as a seal member disposed in the second seal member groove can easily seal between the plate member and the other side covering portion of the tube member, and the third O-ring as a seal member disposed in the third seal member groove can easily seal between the plate member and the case.

[0024] (Additional note 5) In the vehicle drive device according to the above-mentioned aspect, preferably, the stator core further includes an annular plate-shaped member arranged on the other axial end face side of the stator core, having a fastening through hole through which a fastening member for fixing the stator core to the case passes, and forming a refrigerant flow path together with the tube member and the case, and the stator core is fixed to the case by fastening it to the case with the fastening member, with the plate-shaped member arranged on the other axial end face side of the stator core so as to form a refrigerant flow path.

[0025] With this configuration, the stator core can be easily fixed to the case by the annular plate member arranged on the other axial end face side of the stator core, while forming a refrigerant flow path together with the tube member and the case. Also, since the stator core is fixed to the case by being fastened to the case by the fastening member, compressive stress is not applied to the stator core compared to when the stator core is fixed to the case by shrink fitting. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in iron loss (energy loss) caused by compressive stress applied to the stator core during rotation of the rotor, and therefore it is possible to suppress a decrease in electric power consumption. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide a vehicle drive device that is capable of forming a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant for cooling a stator core flows, while preventing the case from becoming large and the case structure from becoming complicated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a vehicle drive device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 920-920 in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of a cooling water flow passage in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 930-930 in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of a coolant flow path of a vehicle drive device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of a cooling water passage of a vehicle drive device according to a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] [First embodiment] The configuration of a vehicle drive device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The vehicle drive device 100 is a drive device used in, for example, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and the like.

[0030] (Overall configuration of vehicle drive device) 1, the vehicle drive device 100 includes a rotating electric machine RE including a rotor 10 and a stator 20, a tube member 30, a case 40, and a plate-shaped member 50. The rotating electric machine RE is, for example, a motor, a generator, or a motor / generator. The rotating electric machine RE functions as a driving force source for the wheels.

[0031] In the following description, the axial, radial, and circumferential directions of the rotor 10 (see FIG. 1) and the stator 20 (see FIG. 1) of the rotating electric machine RE are respectively referred to as the Z direction, the R direction, and the C direction. One side and the other side in the axial direction (Z direction) are respectively referred to as the Z1 side and the Z2 side. The inside (inner peripheral side) and the outside (outer peripheral side) in the radial direction (R direction) are respectively referred to as the R1 side and the R2 side.

[0032] <Rotor configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, rotor 10 has rotor core 11 and rotor shaft 12. Rotor core 11 is formed in an annular shape. Rotor core 11 is formed by laminating a plurality of electromagnetic steel plates. When viewed from the Z direction, a shaft insertion hole 11a extending in the Z direction is formed in the center of rotor core 11. Rotor shaft 12 is fixed to rotor core 11 in a state where it is inserted into shaft insertion hole 11a. Rotor 10 and rotor shaft 12 are configured to be rotatable about a central axis 910 along the Z direction.

[0033] <Stator configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, the stator 20 is disposed on the R2 side of the rotor 10 (rotor core 11) so as to face the outer peripheral surface 10a of the rotor 10. That is, the rotating electric machine RE is an inner rotor type rotating electric machine. The stator 20 has a stator core 21 and a coil (not shown). The stator core 21 is formed in an annular shape. The stator core 21 is formed by laminating a plurality of electromagnetic steel plates. The coil (not shown) is wound around the stator core 21.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2, the stator core 21 includes a fastening protruding portion 21a that protrudes toward the outer periphery (R2 side). A core through hole 21b is formed in the fastening protruding portion 21a. As shown in Fig. 1, a fastening member 60 for fixing the stator core 21 to the case 40 passes through the core through hole 21b. Note that Fig. 1 shows an example in which the fastening member 60 is a bolt.

[0035] <Tube component configuration> 3, the tube member 30 covers the end face 21d on one side (Z1 side) and the end face 21e on the other side (Z2 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21 in addition to the outer peripheral surface 21c of the stator core 21. Specifically, the tube member 30 covers the entire outer peripheral surface 21c of the stator core 21, including the outer peripheral surface of the fastening protruding portion 21a. The tube member 30 also covers a portion of the R2 side of the end face 21d on the Z1 side of the stator core 21. The tube member 30 also covers a portion of the R2 side of the end face 21e on the Z2 side of the stator core 21.

[0036] The tube member 30 is made of resin. The tube member 30 is a tube member having heat shrinkability. The tube member 30 preferably has a continuous use temperature (long-term heat resistance temperature) of 200°C or higher. The tube member 30 has a thickness of at least less than 1000 μm, and preferably has a thickness of 20 μm or more and 500 μm or less. The tube member 30 is, for example, a fluororesin such as PFA (Per Fluoro Alkoxy Polymer) or FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene).

[0037] <Case configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, the case 40 houses the rotating electric machine RE and the tube member 30. The case 40 is made of a metal such as aluminum. A cooling water flow path 70 is formed between the tube member 30 and the case 40. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the cooling water flow path 70 is formed between an outer peripheral surface covering portion 31 of the tube member 30 that covers the outer peripheral surface 21c of the stator core 21 and a tube member facing portion 41 of the case 40 that faces the outer peripheral surface covering portion 31 of the tube member 30 in the R direction. Cooling water for cooling the stator core 21 flows through the cooling water flow path 70. The cooling water is, for example, a liquid containing a component having an antifreeze effect. The cooling water flow path 70 and the cooling water are examples of a "refrigerant flow path" and a "refrigerant" in the claims, respectively.

[0038] 2, the cooling water flow passage 70 is formed in an annular shape. In the C direction, a width W1 of a portion of the cooling water flow passage 70 where the fastening protruding portion 21a of the stator core 21 is present is smaller than a width W2 of a portion of the cooling water flow passage 70 where the fastening protruding portion 21a of the stator core 21 is not present.

[0039] <Configuration of plate-like member> As shown in FIG. 1, the plate-shaped member 50 is disposed on the end face 21e side on the other side (Z2 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the plate-shaped member 50 is formed in an annular shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the plate-shaped member 50 forms a cooling water flow path 70 together with the tube member 30 and the case 40. Specifically, the plate-shaped member 50 contacts the other-side cover portion 32 of the tube member 30 that covers the end face 21e on the Z2 side of the stator core 21, and the portion of the end face 21e on the Z2 side of the stator core 21 that is not covered by the tube member 30. The plate-shaped member 50 is formed to extend in the R direction. An end portion 51 on the R2 side of the plate-shaped member 50 contacts the case 40. That is, the Z2 side end portion of the cooling water flow path 70 formed by the outer peripheral surface cover portion 31 of the tube member 30 and the tube member facing portion 41 of the case 40 is blocked by the plate-shaped member 50. The Z1 side end of the cooling water flow path 70 formed by the outer peripheral surface covering portion 31 of the tube member 30 and the tube member opposing portion 41 of the case 40 is blocked by a one-side covering portion 33 of the tube member 30 that covers the Z1 side end face 21d of the stator core 21 and comes into contact with a surface 42 of the case 40 that extends along the RC plane.

[0040] The plate-shaped member 50 has a fastening through hole 52 through which a fastening member 60 for fixing the stator core 21 to the case 40 penetrates. The stator core 21 is fixed to the case 40 by fastening it to the case 40 with the fastening member 60 in a state where the plate-shaped member 50 is arranged on the end face 21e side on the other side (Z2 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21 so as to form a cooling water flow path 70. Specifically, a fastening hole portion 44 into which a tip end portion of the fastening member 60 is inserted is formed in a portion 43 arranged on the Z1 side of the stator core 21 having a surface 42 of the case 40 extending along the RC plane. A female thread is formed in the fastening hole portion 44 to engage with a male thread formed in the tip end portion of the fastening member 60. Then, the portion 43 of the case 40, the stator core 21, and the plate-shaped member 50 are arranged in this order from the Z1 side toward the Z2 side so that the fastening hole portion 44 of the case 40, the core through hole 21b of the stator core 21, and the fastening through hole 52 of the plate-shaped member 50 overlap when viewed from the Z direction. Then, the fastening member 60 is passed through the fastening through hole 52 of the plate-shaped member 50 and the core through hole 21b of the stator core 21 from the Z2 side of the plate-shaped member 50. Then, the male thread formed at the tip of the fastening member 60 is engaged with the female thread formed in the fastening hole portion 44 of the case 40.

[0041] (Sealing structure of cooling water flow path) 3, the vehicle drive device 100 includes a seal member that seals between the case 40 and the one-side cover portion 33 of the tube member 30. Specifically, a first seal member groove 45 for arranging the seal member is formed in a portion of the case 40 that faces the one-side cover portion 33. A first O-ring 81 serving as a seal member is arranged in the first seal member groove 45.

[0042] The vehicle drive device 100 includes a seal member that seals between the plate member 50 and the other-side covering portion 32 of the tube member 30. Specifically, a second seal member groove 53 for arranging the seal member is formed in a portion of the plate member 50 that faces the other-side covering portion 32 of the tube member 30. A second O-ring 82 serving as a seal member is arranged in the second seal member groove 53.

[0043] The vehicle drive device 100 includes a seal member that provides a seal between the plate-shaped member 50 and the case 40. Specifically, a third seal member groove 54 for arranging the seal member is formed in a portion of the plate-shaped member 50 that faces the case 40 (a portion of the plate-shaped member 50 that contacts the case 40). A third O-ring 83 serving as a seal member is arranged in the third seal member groove 54.

[0044] (Effects of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0045] In the first embodiment, the vehicle drive device 100 includes a rotating electric machine RE including a stator 20 having a stator core 21, a resin tube member 30 covering at least an outer circumferential surface 21c of the stator core 21, and a case 40 accommodating the rotating electric machine RE and the tube member 30. A cooling water flow path 70 through which cooling water for cooling the stator core 21 flows is formed between the tube member 30 and the case 40. As a result, the outer circumferential surface 21c of the stator core 21 and the cooling water flow path 70 are adjacent to each other via the resin tube member 30, so that the cooling water flow path 70 can be formed without making the case 40 a double-wall structure. As a result, the cooling water flow path 70 through which cooling water for cooling the stator core 21 flows can be formed while preventing the case 40 from becoming large and preventing the structure of the case 40 from becoming complicated. Note that the resin tube member 30 generally does not allow liquid to pass through even when it has a very thin thickness (for example, on the order of μm). Therefore, even if the tube member 30 is made of resin, which has a very low thermal conductivity compared to metal, etc., by using a resin tube member 30 having a very thin thickness (for example, on the order of μm), the stator core 21 can be sufficiently cooled by the cooling water flowing through the cooling water flow path 70.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the tube member 30 covers, in addition to the outer circumferential surface 21c of the stator core 21, an end face 21d on one side (Z1 side) and an end face 21e on the other side (Z2 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21. This improves the sealing performance between the stator core 21 and the coolant flow path 70 by the tube member 30 compared to a case in which the tube member 30 covers only the outer circumferential surface 21c of the stator core 21.

[0047] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the vehicle drive device 100 includes a seal member (first O-ring 81) that seals between the case 40 and one-side cover portion 33 of the tube member 30 that covers the end face 21d on one side (Z1 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21. This allows the seal member (first O-ring 81) to seal between the case 40 and the one-side cover portion 33 of the tube member 30 that covers the end face 21d on one side (Z1 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21, thereby further improving the sealing performance between the stator core 21 and the coolant flow path 70 by the tube member 30.

[0048] In the first embodiment, the tube member 30 is a heat-shrinkable tube member. Thus, by applying heat to the tube member 30 to shrink the tube member 30, the tube member 30 can be brought into close contact with at least the outer circumferential surface 21c of the stator core 21. As a result, the cooling performance of the cooling water passing through the tube member 30 covering the outer circumferential surface 21c of the stator core 21 can be improved compared to when the tube member 30 is a tube member that does not have heat-shrinkability.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the stator core 21 includes a fastening protruding portion 21a protruding to the outer periphery side (R2 side) and having a core through hole 21b through which a fastening member 60 for fixing the stator core 21 to the case 40 passes. The tube member 30 covers the outer periphery 21c of the stator core 21 including the outer periphery of the fastening protruding portion 21a. This makes it possible to form a cooling water flow path 70 through which cooling water for cooling the stator core 21 including the fastening protruding portion 21a flows while preventing the case 40 from becoming large and preventing the structure of the case 40 from becoming complicated.

[0050] In the first embodiment, a first seal member groove 45 for arranging a seal member is formed in a portion of the case 40 facing the one side covering portion 33 of the tube member 30. A first O-ring 81 serving as a seal member is arranged in the first seal member groove 45. This allows the first O-ring 81 serving as a seal member arranged in the first seal member groove 45 to easily seal between the case 40 and the one side covering portion 33 of the tube member 30.

[0051] In the first embodiment, the vehicle drive device 100 includes an annular plate member 50 that is disposed on the end face 21e side (Z2 side) of the other side in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21 and forms a coolant flow path 70 together with the tube member 30 and the case 40. A second seal member groove 53 for arranging a seal member is formed in a portion of the plate member 50 that faces the other side cover portion 32 that covers the end face 21e of the other side (Z2 side) of the tube member 30 in the axial direction (Z direction). A third seal member groove 54 for arranging a seal member is formed in a portion of the plate member 50 that faces the case 40. A second O-ring 82 and a third O-ring 83 as seal members are disposed in the second seal member groove 53 and the third seal member groove 54, respectively. This allows the second O-ring 82 as a seal member disposed in the second seal member groove 53 to easily seal between the plate member 50 and the other side cover portion 32 of the tube member 30. Furthermore, the gap between the plate-like member 50 and the case 40 can be easily sealed by the third O-ring 83 as a seal member disposed in the third seal member groove 54.

[0052] In the first embodiment, the vehicle drive device 100 includes an annular plate-shaped member 50 that is disposed on the end face 21e side of the stator core 21 on the other side (Z2 side) in the axial direction (Z direction), has a fastening through hole 52 through which a fastening member 60 for fixing the stator core 21 to the case 40 penetrates, and forms a coolant flow path 70 together with the tube member 30 and the case 40. The stator core 21 is fixed to the case 40 by being fastened to the case 40 by the fastening member 60 in a state in which the plate-shaped member 50 is disposed on the end face 21e side of the stator core 21 on the other side (Z2 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) so as to form the coolant flow path 70. As a result, the annular plate-shaped member 50 disposed on the end face 21e side of the stator core 21 on the other side (Z2 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) can easily fix the stator core 21 to the case 40 while forming the coolant flow path 70 together with the tube member 30 and the case 40. Furthermore, because stator core 21 is fixed to case 40 by being fastened to case 40 with fastening members 60, compressive stress is not applied to stator core 21, as compared to a case in which stator core 21 is fixed to case 40 by being shrink-fitted to case 40. Therefore, an increase in iron loss (energy loss) caused by compressive stress applied to stator core 21 during rotation of rotor 10 can be suppressed, and a decrease in electricity consumption can be suppressed.

[0053] [Second embodiment] The configuration of a vehicle drive device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In the figure, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0054] (Overall configuration of vehicle drive device) As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle drive device 200 includes a rotating electric machine RE including a rotor 10 and a stator 20, a tube member 30, a case 240, and a plate-shaped member 50.

[0055] As in the first embodiment described above, the tube member 30 covers not only the outer peripheral surface 21c of the stator core 21, but also the end face 21d on one side (Z1 side) and the end face 21e on the other side (Z2 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21.

[0056] As in the first embodiment, the case 240 houses the rotor 10 and the stator 20. As in the first embodiment, the cooling water passage 70 is formed between the tube member 30 and the case 240. Cooling water for cooling the stator core 21 flows through the cooling water passage 70.

[0057] (Sealing structure of cooling water flow path) In the space including the cooling water flow path 70 between the case 240 and the tube member 30, a lip seal member 280 is disposed in a portion facing the one-side cover portion 33 covering the end face 21d on one side (Z1 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21 of the tube member 30. The lip seal member 280 is formed by vulcanization welding a resin member having a tongue-shaped tip to a metal plate-like member. Since a space is required for disposing the lip seal member 280 in the portion facing the one-side cover portion 33 of the tube member 30, the end face 242 on the Z1 side of the space including the cooling water flow path 70 between the case 240 and the tube member 30 is separated from the end face 21d on the Z1 side of the stator core 21.

[0058] The other configurations of the vehicle drive device 200 of the second embodiment are similar to those of the vehicle drive device 100 of the first embodiment.

[0059] (Effects of the second embodiment) In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0060] In the second embodiment, the vehicle drive device 200 includes a rotating electric machine RE including a stator 20 having a stator core 21, a resin tube member 30 covering at least an outer circumferential surface 21c of the stator core 21, and a case 240 accommodating the rotating electric machine RE and the tube member 30. A cooling water flow path 70 through which cooling water for cooling the stator core 21 flows is formed between the tube member 30 and the case 240. As a result, as in the first embodiment, the outer circumferential surface 21c of the stator core 21 and the cooling water flow path 70 are adjacent to each other via the resin tube member 30, so that the cooling water flow path 70 can be formed without making the case 240 a double-wall structure. As a result, as in the first embodiment, the cooling water flow path 70 through which cooling water for cooling the stator core 21 flows can be formed while preventing the case 240 from becoming large and preventing the structure of the case 240 from becoming complicated.

[0061] In the second embodiment, as described above, a lip seal member 280 formed by vulcanization welding a resin member having a tongue-shaped tip to a metal plate-like member is disposed in a portion of the tube member 30 that faces the one-side cover portion 33 that covers the end face 21d on one side (Z1 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21 in the space including the cooling water flow path 70 between the case 240 and the tube member 30. This allows the lip seal member 280, which serves as a seal member disposed in a portion that faces the one-side cover portion 33 of the tube member 30 in the space including the cooling water flow path 70 between the case 240 and the tube member 30, to easily seal between the case 240 and the one-side cover portion 33 of the tube member 30. In this case, it is not necessary to form a groove for a seal member for disposing a seal member in the case 240, and therefore the manufacturing process of the case 240 can be simplified.

[0062] Other effects of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0063] [Variations] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments above, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0064] For example, in the above first and second embodiments, an example was shown in which the vehicle driving device 100 (200) is arranged on the end face 21e side (Z2 side) of the stator core 21 in the axial direction (Z direction), has a fastening through hole 52 through which a fastening member 60 for fixing the stator core 21 to the case 40 (240), and includes an annular plate-shaped member 50 which forms a cooling water flow path 70 together with the tube member 30 and the case 40 (240), and the stator core 21 is fixed to the case 40 (240) by being fastened to the case 40 (240) by the fastening member 60 with the plate-shaped member 50 arranged on the end face 21e side (Z2 side) of the stator core 21 in the axial direction (Z direction) so that the cooling water flow path 70 is formed, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in a modified example shown in Fig. 6, the vehicle drive device 300 does not include an annular plate-like member 50 like the vehicle drive device 100 (200), and the stator core 21 may be fixed to the case 240 without being fastened to the case 240 by a fastening member 60. As shown in Fig. 6, the vehicle drive device 300 includes a seal member 381 arranged near the Z1 side end of the coolant flow path 70 formed by the outer circumferential surface covering portion 31 of the tube member 30 and the tube member facing portion 41 of the case 240, and a seal member 382 arranged at the Z2 side end of the coolant flow path 70 formed by the outer circumferential surface covering portion 31 of the tube member 30 and the tube member facing portion 41 of the case 240.

[0065] In addition, in the above first and second embodiments, an example has been shown in which the vehicle drive device 100 (200) is arranged on the end face 21e side (Z2 side) of the stator core 21 in the axial direction (Z direction) and includes an annular plate-shaped member 50 that forms a coolant flow path 70 together with the tube member 30 and the case 40 (240), and a second seal member groove 53 for arranging a seal member is formed in a portion of the plate member 50 facing the other side cover portion 32 that covers the end face 21e of the other side (Z2 side) of the tube member 30 in the axial direction (Z direction), and a third seal member groove 54 for arranging a seal member is formed in a portion of the plate member 50 facing the case 40 (240), and a second O-ring 82 and a third O-ring 83 are arranged as seal members in the second seal member groove 53 and the third seal member groove 54, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in the modified example shown in FIG. 6, the vehicle drive device 300 does not have to include the annular plate-shaped member 50 as in the vehicle drive device 100 (200).

[0066] In the above first and second embodiments, the stator core 21 includes the fastening protruding portion 21a protruding to the outer periphery side (R2 side) and having the core through hole 21b through which the fastening member 60 for fixing the stator core 21 to the case 40 (240) penetrates, and the tube member 30 covers the outer periphery surface 21c of the stator core 21 including the outer periphery surface of the fastening protruding portion 21a, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the stator core 21 may not include the fastening protruding portion 21a, and the tube member 30 may cover the outer periphery surface 21c of the stator core 21 not including the fastening protruding portion 21a.

[0067] In the above first and second embodiments, the tube member 30 is a tube member having heat shrinkability, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the tube member 30 may be a tube member that does not have heat shrinkability.

[0068] In the above first and second embodiments, an example has been shown in which the vehicle drive device 100 (200) includes a seal member (first O-ring 81) that seals between the case 40 (240) and the one-side cover portion 33 of the tube member 30 that covers the end face 21d on one side (Z1 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the vehicle drive device 100 (200) does not have to include a seal member (first O-ring 81) that seals between the case 40 (240) and the one-side cover portion 33 of the tube member 30 that covers the end face 21d on one side (Z1 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21.

[0069] In the above first and second embodiments, the tube member 30 covers the end face 21d on one side (Z1 side) and the end face 21e on the other side (Z2 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21 in addition to the outer peripheral surface 21c of the stator core 21, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the tube member 30 may cover only one of the end face 21d on one side (Z1 side) and the end face 21e on the other side (Z2 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21 in addition to the outer peripheral surface 21c of the stator core 21. Also, the tube member 30 may cover the outer peripheral surface 21c of the stator core 21, but may not cover the end face 21d on one side (Z1 side) and the end face 21e on the other side (Z2 side) in the axial direction (Z direction) of the stator core 21.

[0070] In the above first and second embodiments, the "refrigerant" in the claims is cooling water, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the "refrigerant" in the claims may be a refrigerant other than cooling water (for example, a refrigerant used in a heating and cooling device). [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10... rotor, 10a... outer peripheral surface of rotor, 20... stator, 21... stator core, 21c... outer peripheral surface of stator core, 21d... one end face of stator core in the axial direction, 30... tube member, 33... one side cover portion, 40, 240... case, 70... cooling water flow path (refrigerant flow path), 100, 200, 300... vehicle drive device, rotating electric machine... RE

Claims

1. a rotating electric machine including a rotor and a stator having a stator core arranged to face an outer circumferential surface of the rotor, the rotating electric machine functioning as a driving force source for a wheel; a resin tube member covering at least an outer circumferential surface of the stator core; a case that houses the rotating electric machine and the tube member, A refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant for cooling the stator core flows is formed between the tube member and the case.

2. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the tube member covers at least one of an end face on one side and an end face on the other side in the axial direction of the stator core in addition to the outer circumferential surface of the stator core.

3. The vehicle drive device according to claim 2 , further comprising a seal member that seals between the case and a one-side cover portion of the tube member that covers one end face of the stator core in the axial direction.

4. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the tube member is a heat-shrinkable tube member.

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