Electric driving device

The integration of a heat insulation component with separate accommodation spaces and ventilation holes in electric drive devices addresses thermal influences, enhancing energy efficiency and protecting components, thus improving the performance and reliability of electric drive devices.

JP2025111296APending Publication Date: 2025-07-30HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024005633
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-01-17
Publication Date
2025-07-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing electric drive devices face thermal influences between components of rotating electrical machines and electronic components of the control device, as well as between electronic components of the control device, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential damage.

Method used

The integration of a heat insulation component that partitions the rotating electrical machine and control device components, including separate accommodation spaces for high-heat components like power modules and smoothing capacitors, and ventilation holes for cooling, along with a resin and metal layer configuration for enhanced insulation and electromagnetic shielding.

Benefits of technology

This configuration effectively suppresses thermal influences between components, improving energy efficiency and protecting vulnerable components from heat damage while maintaining electrical connectivity and cooling performance.

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Abstract

To provide a mechano-electronic electric integration type driving device which suppresses not only thermal influence between a component of a rotary electric machine and an electronic component of a control device but also thermal influence between electronic components of a control device.SOLUTION: An electric driving device includes a rotary electric machine and a control device 233 which is integrated with the rotary electric machine and controls driving of the rotary electric machine. The rotary electric machine has a plurality of components and a housing accommodating the plurality of components, the control device 233 has a plurality of electronic components 238 and 240, a casing 235 which is adjacent to the housing and accommodates the plurality of electronic components 238 and 240, and a heat-shielding component 245 partitioning the plurality of components and the plurality of electronic components 238 and 240. The heat-shielding component 245 has a partitioning part 263 partitioning the plurality of electronic components 238 and 240.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric drive device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, efforts to achieve a low-carbon society or a decarbonized society have been active, and research and development on electrification technologies have been carried out in vehicles, aircraft, etc. in order to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electromechanical integrated electric drive device (integrated control type motor) including a rotating electric machine (electromechanical machine) having a shaft and a control device (electronic control unit) for controlling the rotating electric machine. As shown in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1, a heat insulating member is provided between the rotating electric machine and the control device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, the control device of such an electric drive device has electronic components (for example, a power module including semiconductor elements and a smoothing capacitor for smoothing the current input to the power module). These electronic components have different amounts of heat generation, and there is concern about the thermal influence from the electronic component with a large amount of heat generation to the electronic component with a small amount of heat generation. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that suppresses not only the thermal influence between the components of the rotating electric machine and the electronic components of the control device but also the thermal influence between the electronic components of the control device.

[0006] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to suppress not only the thermal influence between the components of the rotating electrical machine and the electronic components of the control device but also the thermal influence between the electronic components of the control device in an electromechanical electric drive device. And it contributes to the improvement of energy efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is an electric drive device (16, 231) including a rotating electrical machine (31) and a control device (32, 233) integrated with the rotating electrical machine and controlling the drive of the rotating electrical machine. The rotating electrical machine has a plurality of components (39, 40) and a housing (36) that houses the plurality of components. The control device has a plurality of electronic components (77, 79, 238, 240) and a casing (74, 235) that is adjacent to the housing and houses the plurality of electronic components. A heat insulation component (89, 90, 245) that partitions the plurality of components and the plurality of electronic components is provided, and the heat insulation component has a partition portion (90, 263) that partitions between the plurality of electronic components.

[0008] According to this aspect, by partitioning the components of the rotating electrical machine and the electronic components of the control device with a heat insulation component, the thermal influence between the components of the rotating electrical machine and the electronic components of the control device can be suppressed. Further, by partitioning between the electronic components of the control device with the partition portion of the heat insulation component, the thermal influence between the electronic components of the control device can also be suppressed.

[0009] In the above aspect, the plurality of electronic components include a power module (77, 238) including semiconductor elements and smoothing capacitors (79, 240) that smooth the current input to the power module, and the heat insulation component may partition between the power module and the smoothing capacitor.

[0010] When comparing the heat generation amount of the power module and the heat generation amount of the smoothing capacitor, the heat generation amount of the power module is larger. Also, the smoothing capacitor is a member that is relatively vulnerable to heat. According to the above aspect, it is possible to suppress the heat influence from the power module with a large heat generation amount to the smoothing capacitor with a small heat generation amount, and protect the smoothing capacitor from heat damage.

[0011] In the above aspect, the power module may be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the casing.

[0012] According to this aspect, by bringing the power module into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the casing with high heat dissipation performance, it is possible to improve the heat dissipation performance of the power module with a large heat generation amount.

[0013] In the above aspect, the partition portion (263) includes a first circumferential plate (271) extending in the circumferential direction, a pair of first radial plates (at 272) extending radially outward from both circumferential ends of the first circumferential plate, a second circumferential plate (273) extending in the circumferential direction on the radially outer side of the first circumferential plate, and a pair of second radial plates (274) extending radially outward from both circumferential ends of the second circumferential plate. The first circumferential plate, one of the first radial plates, and one of the second radial plates, together with the casing, define a first accommodation space (S1) for accommodating the power module. The first circumferential plate, the other of the first radial plates, and the other of the second radial plates, together with the casing, may define a second accommodation space (S2) for accommodating the smoothing capacitor.

[0014] According to this aspect, by accommodating the power module and the smoothing capacitor in separate accommodation spaces, it is possible to enhance the heat insulation between the power module and the smoothing capacitor.

[0015] In the above aspect, the casing (235) has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion (247) extending in a predetermined axial direction and a bottom wall portion (248) closing an opening on the side of the casing opposite to the rotating electrical machine of the peripheral wall portion. A ventilation hole (253) penetrating in the axial direction is provided in the bottom wall portion, and a notch portion (260) may be provided in the heat insulating component at a position overlapping the ventilation hole when viewed in the axial direction.

[0016] According to this aspect, the internal space of the casing and the external space of the electric drive device can be communicated with each other through the ventilation hole without the heat insulating component blocking the ventilation hole. Therefore, the high-temperature air existing in the internal space of the casing can be discharged from the ventilation hole to the external space of the electric drive device, and the cooling performance for the control device can be enhanced.

[0017] In the above aspect, the plurality of components have a hollow rotor (39) and a stator (40) disposed on the outer periphery of the rotor, and the ventilation hole may communicate with the internal space (IS) of the rotor through the notch portion.

[0018] According to this aspect, not only the high-temperature air existing in the internal space of the casing but also the high-temperature air existing in the internal space of the housing can be discharged from the ventilation hole to the external space of the electric drive device. Therefore, not only the cooling performance for the control device but also the cooling performance for the rotating electrical machine can be enhanced.

[0019] In the above aspect, the control device (233) has an output terminal (255) connected to a terminal (70) on the rotating electrical machine side in the internal space of the casing, and the heat insulating component may be provided with a terminal opening (276) exposing the output terminal toward the rotating electrical machine side.

[0020] According to this aspect, by covering electronic components other than the output terminal of the control device with the heat insulating component, the heat influence between the components of the rotating electrical machine and the electronic components of the control device can be suppressed while ensuring the electrical connection between the rotating electrical machine and the control device.

[0021] In the above aspect, the heat insulation component has a resin layer (257) formed of a resin material and a metal layer (258) formed of a metal material and laminated on the resin layer, and the resin layer may be arranged toward the side with a larger heat generation amount among the rotating electric machine and the control device.

[0022] According to this aspect, by arranging the resin layer having a lower heat transfer coefficient than the metal layer toward the side with a larger heat generation amount, the heat influence from the side with a larger heat generation amount to the side with a smaller heat generation amount can be suppressed, and the side with a smaller heat generation amount can be protected from heat damage. Further, by laminating the metal layer on the resin layer, not only the heat insulation effect but also the electromagnetic noise shielding effect can be enhanced.

[0023] In the above aspect, the rotating electric machine further has a shaft (38) extending in a predetermined axial direction, the heat insulation component (245) further has a base portion (262) provided along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction, and the partition portion may extend along the axial direction from the base portion toward the side opposite to the rotating electric machine.

[0024] According to this aspect, the component parts of the rotating electric machine and the electronic components of the control device can be partitioned in the axial direction by the base portion, and the electronic components of the control device can be partitioned in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction by the partition portion. Thereby, the heat influence between the component parts of the rotating electric machine and the electronic components of the control device and the heat influence between the electronic components of the control device can be suppressed by the heat insulation component composed of a single part. Therefore, the configuration of the electric drive device can be simplified as compared with the case where the heat insulation component is composed of a plurality of parts.

Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the above aspect, in the electromechanical integrated electric drive device, not only the heat influence between the component parts of the rotating electric machine and the electronic components of the control device but also the heat influence between the electronic components of the control device can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0027] (First Embodiment) <Aircraft 1> Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13, an aircraft 1 (an example of a moving body) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, the aircraft 1 is an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) capable of taking off and landing vertically. The aircraft 1 includes a fuselage 2 extending in the front-rear direction, a front wing 3 extending in the left-right direction and connected to the front portion of the fuselage 2, a rear wing 4 extending in the left-right direction and connected to the rear portion of the fuselage 2, a left arm 5L extending in the front-rear direction and connecting the left end portion of the front wing 3 and the left side portion of the rear wing 4, and a right arm 5R extending in the front-rear direction and connecting the right end portion of the front wing 3 and the right side portion of the rear wing 4.

[0029] A cabin (not shown) for passengers to board is provided at the front portion of the fuselage 2. At the rear end portion of the fuselage 2, left and right propulsion units 7 (details will be described later) for generating a forward propulsion force for the aircraft 1 are provided.

[0030] A plurality (for example, four) of lifting units 10 for generating a lifting force and a descending force for the aircraft 1 are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction on the left arm 5L and the right arm 5R, respectively. Each lifting unit 10 includes a lifting drive device 12 and a lifting propeller 13 attached to the lifting drive device 12. The lifting drive device 12 has an electric motor (not shown), and is configured to rotate the lifting propeller 13 by the driving force of this electric motor.

[0031] <Propulsion unit 7> Referring to FIG. 2, each propulsion unit 7 includes a support 15, front and rear propulsion drive devices 16 (an example of an electric drive device) supported by the support 15, a rotating shaft 17 extending in the front-rear direction and rotatably supported by the front and rear propulsion drive devices 16, and a propulsion propeller 18 fixed to the rear portion of the rotating shaft 17.

[0032] The support body 15 is fixed to the rear end portion of the fuselage 2 (see FIG. 1). The support body 15 has a cylindrical nacelle 20 extending in the front-rear direction and front and rear mounting frames 21 fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the nacelle 20. Each mounting frame 21 has an annular hub 23 provided concentrically with the nacelle 20 and a plurality of spokes 24 extending radially from the outer peripheral surface of the hub 23 and connected to the inner peripheral surface of the nacelle 20.

[0033] The front and rear propulsion drive devices 16 are housed in the nacelle 20. The front and rear propulsion drive devices 16 are respectively fixed to the front surfaces of the hubs 23 of the front and rear mounting frames 21. Details of each propulsion drive device 16 will be described later.

[0034] The rotating shaft 17 is housed in the nacelle 20. The rotating shaft 17 passes through the hub 23 of each mounting frame 21. A conical front cover 26 that expands in diameter rearward is fixed to the front end portion of the rotating shaft 17. The front cover 26 is disposed in front of the front propulsion drive device 16. A conical rear cover 27 that expands in diameter forward is fixed to the rear end portion of the rotating shaft 17. The rear cover 27 is disposed behind the central portion of the propulsion propeller 18.

[0035] The propulsion propeller 18 is housed in the nacelle 20. The propulsion propeller 18 is configured to generate a forward propulsion force for the aircraft 1 by rotating integrally with the rotating shaft 17 as the rotating shaft 17 rotates.

[0036] <Propulsion drive device 16> Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each propulsion drive device 16 includes an electric motor 31 (an example of a rotating electric machine), a control device 32 disposed on the rear side of the electric motor 31, a fan 33 disposed on the front side of the electric motor 31, and a duct cover 34 that covers the outer peripheries of the electric motor 31, the control device 32, and the fan 33. In FIG. 4, the duct cover 34 is omitted from the display.

[0037] <Electric motor 31> Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the electric motor 31 is sandwiched between the control device 32 and the fan 33. For example, the electric motor 31 is an inner rotor type three-phase AC motor. The electric motor 31 includes a housing 36, a lid 37, a shaft 38, a rotor 39, and a stator 40.

[0038] The housing 36 is cylindrical and extends in the front-rear direction on the outer periphery of the shaft 38. The housing 36 is disposed on the outer periphery of the rotor 39 and the stator 40, and houses the rotor 39 and the stator 40 (an example of a component of the electric motor 31).

[0039] On the outer peripheral surface of the housing 36, a plurality of first cooling fins 42 protrude at intervals in the circumferential direction of the housing 36. The plurality of first cooling fins 42 are integrally formed with the housing 36. Each first cooling fin 42 is flat and extends along the front-rear direction. Each first cooling fin 42 extends continuously from the front end portion (one end portion in the front-rear direction) to the rear end portion (the other end portion in the front-rear direction) of the housing 36.

[0040] On the outer peripheral surface of the housing 36, a plurality of fastening protrusions 43 protrude at intervals in the circumferential direction of the housing 36. The plurality of fastening protrusions 43 are provided between adjacent first cooling fins 42. A cooling air flow path P that extends continuously from the front end portion to the rear end portion of the housing 36 is formed between adjacent first cooling fins 42 and each fastening protrusion 43. The plurality of fastening protrusions 43 are integrally formed with the housing 36.

[0041] Each fastening protrusion 43 has a rod shape with a rectangular cross section and extends along the front-rear direction. That is, each fastening protrusion 43 extends parallel to each first cooling fin 42. Each fastening protrusion 43 extends continuously from the front end portion (one end portion in the front-rear direction) to the rear end portion (the other end portion in the front-rear direction) of the housing 36. Each fastening protrusion 43 is integrally formed of the same material from the front end portion (one end portion in the front-rear direction) to the rear end portion (the other end portion in the front-rear direction).

[0042] At the front end of each fastening projection 43, a first bolt hole 44 for fastening the lid body 37 to the housing 36 is provided. At the rear end of each fastening projection 43, a second bolt hole 45 for fastening the casing 74 of the control device 32, which will be described later, to the housing 36 is provided. The first bolt hole 44 and the second bolt hole 45 extend along the front-rear direction.

[0043] The lid body 37 is adjacent to the housing 36 and closes the opening on the front side (opposite to the control device 32) of the housing 36. The lid body 37 has a disc shape and extends along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The lid body 37 is formed separately from the housing 36. In other embodiments, the lid body 37 may be integrally formed with the housing 36.

[0044] On the outer peripheral portion of the lid body 37, a plurality of first fastening pieces 47 project at intervals in the circumferential direction of the lid body 37. A first fastening hole 48 is provided in each first fastening piece 47 in the front-rear direction, and the lid body 37 is fastened to the housing 36 by engaging a first fastening bolt 49 passing through the first fastening hole 48 with the first bolt hole 44 of each fastening projection 43 of the housing 36. A circular first through hole 51 is provided in the central portion of the lid body 37 in the front-rear direction. A first bearing 52 is attached to the first through hole 51.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 2, the shaft 38 extends in the front-rear direction (an example of a predetermined axial direction). The shaft 38 constitutes a part of the rotation shaft 17 of the propulsion unit 7. Therefore, when the shaft 38 rotates, the entire rotation shaft 17 rotates, and the propulsion propeller 18 rotates integrally with the rotation shaft 17. As a result, a forward propulsion force is generated on the aircraft 1, and the aircraft 1 propels forward. The shaft 38 extends along the propulsion direction of the aircraft 1 (see the arrow X in FIG. 2).

[0046] Referring to FIG. 5, the shaft 38 is hollow. The shaft 38 has a main body portion 55 housed in the housing 36, an extension portion 56 extending rearward (toward the control device 32) from the main body portion 55, and a protruding portion 57 protruding forward (opposite to the control device 32) from the main body portion 55. The protruding portion 57 passes through the first through hole 51 of the lid body 37 and extends to the space on the front side of the electric motor 31. The protruding portion 57 is rotatably supported by the lid body 37 via a first bearing 52.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotor 39 is hollow. The rotor 39 is disposed on the outer periphery of the main body portion 55 of the shaft 38. The rotor 39 has a cylindrical rotor core 61 extending in the front-rear direction, a rotor plate 62 extending in the radial direction and connecting the main body portion 55 of the shaft 38 and the rotor core 61, and a plurality of permanent magnets 63 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor core 61. The rotor core 61 and the rotor plate 62 are integrally formed with the shaft 38. The rotor plate 62 is provided with a plurality of communication holes 65 penetrating in the front-rear direction.

[0048] The stator 40 is disposed on the outer periphery of the rotor 39 and faces the rotor 39 with a gap therebetween. The stator 40 has a cylindrical stator core 67 extending in the front-rear direction, a plurality of teeth 68 protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the stator core 67, a plurality of coils 69 wound around the plurality of teeth 68, and three motor-side terminals 70 (an example of terminals on the rotating electrical machine side) connected to the plurality of coils 69. The stator core 67 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 36. Among the components of the electric motor 31 and the control device 32, the plurality of coils 69 generate the largest amount of heat. Therefore, the amount of heat generated by the electric motor 31 is larger than the amount of heat generated by the control device 32. The three motor-side terminals 70 respectively correspond to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase of a three-phase alternating current.

[0049] <Control device 32> Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the control device 32 is integrated with the electric motor 31 and controls the drive of the electric motor 31. That is, the propulsion drive device 16 of the present embodiment is an electromechanical integrated drive device.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the control device 32 includes a casing 74, a resolver 75, a DC input connector 76, three power modules 77, three pressing members 78, a smoothing capacitor 79, three first connection members 80, three second connection members 81, first and second DC bus bars 82, 83, three AC bus bars 84, three current sensors 85, a communication connector 86, a drive board 87, a control board 88, and heat insulating components 89, 90 (see FIGS. 5 and 7). In FIG. 5, the electronic components E of the control device 32 (for example, three power modules 77, a smoothing capacitor 79, three current sensors 85, a drive board 87, and a control board 88) are omitted, and only the approximate positions of the electronic components E are shown.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 5, the casing 74 is adjacent to the housing 36 of the electric motor 31. The casing 74 is formed of metal and has a bottomed cylindrical shape. The casing 74 houses the electronic components E of the control device 32.

[0052] The casing 74 has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 93 that extends in the front-rear direction on the outer periphery of the extension portion 56 of the shaft 38, and a bottom wall portion 94 that closes the opening on the rear side (opposite side to the electric motor 31) of the peripheral wall portion 93. Hereinafter, when describing the "circumferential direction" in the description of the components of the control device 32, it indicates the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74 (in other words, the circumferential direction centered on the extension portion 56 of the shaft 38), and when describing the "radial direction" in the description of the components of the control device 32, it indicates the radial direction of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74 (in other words, the radial direction centered on the extension portion 56 of the shaft 38).

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74, a plurality of second cooling fins 96 project at intervals in the circumferential direction. The plurality of second cooling fins 96 are integrally formed with the peripheral wall portion 93. Each second cooling fin 96 is in a flat plate shape and extends along the front-rear direction. Each second cooling fin 96 continuously extends from the front end portion (one end portion in the front-rear direction) to the rear end portion (the other end portion in the front-rear direction) of the peripheral wall portion 93.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, on the front end portion (the end portion on the side of the electric motor 31) of the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74, a plurality of second fastening pieces 97 project at intervals in the circumferential direction. Each second fastening piece 97 is provided with a second fastening hole 98 in the front-rear direction. By engaging a second fastening bolt 99 passing through the second fastening hole 98 with the second bolt hole 45 of each fastening projection 43 of the housing 36, the casing 74 is fastened to the housing 36.

[0055] On the rear end portion (the end portion on the side opposite to the electric motor 31) of the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74, a plurality of third fastening pieces 101 project at intervals in the circumferential direction. Each third fastening piece 101 is provided with a third fastening hole 102 in the front-rear direction.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74, three pedestal portions 105 project at intervals in the circumferential direction. On both circumferential side portions of the inner surface (the radially inner surface) of each pedestal portion 105, a pair of fixing projections 106 project. At the circumferential center portion of the inner surface of each pedestal portion 105, an engaging recess 107 is provided between the pair of fixing projections 106. Two of the three pedestal portions 105 are arranged such that the circumferential position of one fixing projection 106 overlaps with the circumferential position of the plurality of second fastening pieces 97, and the other fixing projection 106 is arranged such that its circumferential position does not overlap with that between the plurality of second fastening pieces 97.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottom wall portion 94 of the casing 74 is disc-shaped and extends along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The bottom wall portion 94 is formed separately from the peripheral wall portion 93. In other embodiments, the bottom wall portion 94 may be integrally formed with the peripheral wall portion 93.

[0058] A plurality of fourth fastening pieces 109 project at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of the bottom wall portion 94 of the casing 74. Each fourth fastening piece 109 is provided with a fourth fastening hole 110 in the front-rear direction, and the bottom wall portion 94 is fastened to the peripheral wall portion 93 by engaging a third fastening bolt 111 passing through the fourth fastening hole 110 with the third fastening hole 102 of each third fastening piece 101 of the peripheral wall portion 93.

[0059] A circular second through hole 113 is provided in the central portion of the bottom wall portion 94 of the casing 74 in the front-rear direction. A second bearing 114 is attached to the second through hole 113. An extension portion 56 of the shaft 38 passes through the second through hole 113. The extension portion 56 of the shaft 38 is rotatably supported by the second bearing 114 via the second through hole 113. First fitting holes 116 and second fitting holes 117 are provided in the lower portion of the bottom wall portion 94 at intervals in the circumferential direction in the front-rear direction.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6, the resolver 75 is fixed to the central portion of the bottom wall portion 94 of the casing 74. A plurality of detection portions (not shown) for detecting the rotation of the extension portion 56 of the shaft 38 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the resolver 75.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 9, the DC input connector 76 is connected to a DC power supply device 125 provided outside the propulsion drive device 16. For example, the DC power supply device 125 is constituted by a battery or a generator.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the DC input connector 76 is fitted into the first fitting hole 116 of the bottom wall portion 94 of the casing 74 and penetrates the bottom wall portion 94 of the casing 74. A pair of DC input terminals 126 are provided on the front surface (the surface on the side of the electric motor 31) of the DC input connector 76.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 9, the three power modules 77 each include two switching elements 128. That is, the control device 32 includes a total of six switching elements 128. The six switching elements 128 constitute an inverter 130 (an example of a power conversion circuit) that converts DC power (DC current) input from a DC power supply device 125 via a pair of DC lines 129 into AC power (AC current). Each switching element 128 is composed of a semiconductor element such as an IGBT or a MOSFET. Each switching element 128 is arranged in parallel with a freewheel diode 131.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the three power modules 77 are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74 at intervals in the circumferential direction. The circumferential positions of the three power modules 77 do not overlap with the circumferential positions of the plurality of second fastening pieces 97 (i.e., the fastening points between the casing 74 and the housing 36), and overlap with the circumferential positions of the plurality of second cooling fins 96. The three power modules 77 are arranged avoiding the uppermost part of the casing 74. The arrow D1 appropriately attached to each figure indicates a direction parallel to the inner surface 77A of each power module 77 (hereinafter referred to as the "first direction D1"). The arrow D2 appropriately attached to each figure indicates a direction orthogonal to the first direction D1 and the inner surface 77A of the power module 77 (hereinafter referred to as the "second direction D2").

[0065] Each power module 77 includes a flat module body 133, an AC module bus bar 134 extending radially inward from the front end portion (one end portion in the front-rear direction) of the module body 133, and a first DC module bus bar 135 and a second DC module bus bar 136 extending radially inward from the rear end portion (the other end portion in the front-rear direction) of the module body 133.

[0066] The three pressing members 78 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Each pressing member 78 has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped engaging piece 138 and a plurality of protruding pieces 139 protruding from the engaging piece 138 to both sides in the circumferential direction. The engaging piece 138 is engaged with an engaging recess 107 of each pedestal portion 105 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74. The engaging piece 138 sandwiches the module body 133 of each power module 77 between it and the engaging recess 107 of each pedestal portion 105, and presses the module body 133 of each power module 77 against the engaging recess 107 of each pedestal portion 105. An AC insert nut 142 is embedded in the front surface (the surface on one side in the front-rear direction) of the engaging piece 138, and two DC insert nuts 143 are embedded in the rear surface (the surface on the other side in the front-rear direction) of the engaging piece 138. Each protruding piece 139 is fixed to each fixing projection 106 of each pedestal portion 105 by a fixing bolt 144.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 9, the smoothing capacitor 79 is connected in parallel with the inverter 130 to the DC power supply device 125. The smoothing capacitor 79 smoothes the DC current input from the DC power supply device 125 to the inverter 130. More specifically, the smoothing capacitor 79 protects the three power modules 77 by smoothing the pulse current (pulsed current caused by a surge voltage) generated in the DC current input from the DC power supply device 125 to the three power modules 77.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 7, the smoothing capacitor 79 is provided at a distance from the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74. The smoothing capacitor 79, together with the three power modules 77, is arranged in the left semi-circular portion (an example of one semi-circular portion) of the casing 74. The smoothing capacitor 79 is continuously provided along the inner surface 77A of the three power modules 77 (more specifically, the radially inner surface of the module body 133 of the three power modules 77). Therefore, when viewed from the front side (the side of the electric motor 31), between the second through hole 113 in the bottom wall portion 94 of the casing 74 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74, the smoothing capacitor 79 and each power module 77 are arranged in order from the radially inner side to the outer side.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 10, the smoothing capacitor 79 is arranged at a radial distance from each power module 77. The smoothing capacitor 79 and each power module 77 are arranged on the same plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. In other words, the position of the smoothing capacitor 79 in the front-rear direction overlaps with the position of each power module 77 in the front-rear direction.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 11, the smoothing capacitor 79 includes a plurality of capacitor elements 147 and a capacitor case 148 that houses the plurality of capacitor elements 147. That is, the smoothing capacitor 79 is configured as a capacitor unit in which a plurality of capacitor elements 147 are integrated. The smoothing capacitor 79 is bent so as to protrude toward each power module 77 side (radially outward) when viewed from the front side (the side of the electric motor 31), forming a substantially U shape.

[0071] The capacitor case 148 is filled with a potting agent (not shown). For example, the potting agent is made of an insulating resin. The capacitor case 148 includes a case body 153 and three closing members 154 attached to the case body 153.

[0072] The case body 153 of the capacitor case 148 is made of a metal such as aluminum. The case body 153 forms a box shape with its front surface (the surface on one side in the front-rear direction) open. A plurality of support protrusions 156 are provided at the front end portion (one end portion in the front-rear direction) of the case body 153. A plurality of mounting protrusions 157 are provided at the rear end portion (the other end portion in the front-rear direction) of the case body 153. Each mounting protrusion 157 is attached to the bottom wall portion 94 of the casing 74 by a mounting bolt 158.

[0073] The case body 153 of the capacitor case 148 has an inner wall portion 160 (a wall portion on the radially inner side) extending in the circumferential direction, an outer wall portion 161 (a wall portion on the radially outer side) extending in the circumferential direction on the radially outer side of the inner wall portion 160, a pair of side wall portions 162 extending in the radial direction and connecting both circumferential ends of the inner wall portion 160 and both circumferential ends of the outer wall portion 161, and a base wall portion 163 connecting the rear end portions (the ends on the side opposite to the electric motor 31) of the inner wall portion 160, the outer wall portion 161, and the pair of side wall portions 162. Three flat portions 165 are formed on the radially inner side of the plurality of capacitor elements 147 on the inner wall portion 160. When viewed from the front side (the side of the electric motor 31), each flat portion 165 extends along the second direction D2. Three case openings 166 are formed on the radially outer side of the plurality of capacitor elements 147 on the outer wall portion 161. The three case openings 166 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Each case opening 166 has a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction and the first direction D1. Three fitting recesses 167 (see FIG. 10) are formed at positions on the radially outer side of the base wall portion 163 that face the three case openings 166.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 10, the three closing members 154 of the capacitor case 148 respectively close the three case openings 166 of the case body 153. Each closing member 154 is made of an insulating resin. Each closing member 154 has a first closing piece 169 and a second closing piece 170 disposed on the front side (one side in the front-rear direction) of the first closing piece 169.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 12, the first closing piece 169 of each closing member 154 is fitted into each fitting recess 167 of the case body 153. On the front surface (the surface on one side in the front-rear direction) of the first closing piece 169, three partition ribs 172 extending in the second direction D2 and a connecting rib 173 extending in the first direction D1 and connecting the middle portions of the three partition ribs 172 are provided. Between the three partition ribs 172 and on the rear side (the other side in the front-rear direction) of the connecting rib 173, two mounting grooves 174 extending in the second direction D2 are provided.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the second closing piece 170 of each closing member 154 is formed separately from the first closing piece 169. The second closing piece 170 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front-rear direction and the first direction D1. On both side portions of the second closing piece 170 in the first direction D1, a pair of first engaging grooves 176 extending in the front-rear direction are formed. The pair of first engaging grooves 176 are engaged with the outer wall portion 161 of the case body 153 on both sides of each case opening 166 in the first direction D1. The front end portion (one end portion in the front-rear direction) of the second closing piece 170 is provided flush with the front surface (the surface on one side in the front-rear direction) of the outer wall portion 161 of the case body 153. A second engaging groove 177 extending in the first direction D1 is formed at the rear end portion (the other end portion in the front-rear direction) of the second closing piece 170. The second engaging groove 177 is engaged with the connecting rib 173 of the first closing piece 169.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 13, each first connecting member 80 connects each capacitor element 147 and each power module 77. The radially inner end portion of each first connecting member 80 is connected to the upper portion of the side surface (the radially outer surface) of each capacitor element 147. Each first connecting member 80 is engaged with one mounting groove 174 of the first closing piece 169 of each closing member 154. Each first connecting member 80 passes through the rear side of the second closing piece 170 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) of each closing member 154 and extends to the rear side of each power module 77. That is, each first connecting member 80 penetrates each closing member 154.

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 13, each second connecting member 81 connects each capacitor element 147 and each power module 77. The radially inner end of each second connecting member 81 is connected to the lower part of the side surface (radially outer surface) of each capacitor element 147. Each second connecting member 81 engages with the other mounting groove 174 of the first closing piece 169 of each closing member 154. Each second connecting member 81 passes through the rear side of the second closing piece 170 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) of each closing member 154 and extends to the rear side of each power module 77. That is, each second connecting member 81 penetrates each closing member 154.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 6, the first DC bus bar 82 has a first main body bus bar 199 extending in the circumferential direction and three first auxiliary bus bars 200 bent rearward from the outer peripheral portion of the first main body bus bar 199. One circumferential end of the first main body bus bar 199 is connected to one DC input terminal 126 of the DC input connector 76. Referring to FIG. 13, the tip of each first auxiliary bus bar 200 is bent radially outward and extends to the rear side of each pressing member 78. The tip of each first auxiliary bus bar 200, together with the first DC module bus bar 135 of each power module 77 and the radially outer end of each first connecting member 80, is fixed to one DC insert nut 143 of each pressing member 78 by a first fixing bolt 201. Thereby, the first DC bus bar 82, each power module 77, and each first connecting member 80 are connected to each other.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 6, the second DC bus bar 83 has a second main body bus bar 203 extending in the circumferential direction and three second auxiliary bus bars 204 bent rearward from the outer peripheral portion of the second main body bus bar 203. One circumferential end portion of the second main body bus bar 203 is connected to the other DC input terminal 126 of the DC input connector 76. Referring to FIG. 13, the tip end portion of each second auxiliary bus bar 204 is bent radially outward and extends to the rear side of each pressing member 78. The tip end portion of each second auxiliary bus bar 204, together with the second DC module bus bar 136 of each power module 77 and the radially outer end portion of each second connecting member 81, is fixed to the other DC insert nut 143 of each pressing member 78 by a second fixing bolt 205. Thereby, the second DC bus bar 83, each power module 77, and each second connecting member 81 are connected to each other.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 13, one longitudinal end portion of each AC bus bar 84, together with the AC module bus bar 134 of each power module 77, is fixed to the AC insert nut 142 of each pressing member 78 by a third fixing bolt 209. Thereby, each AC bus bar 84 and each power module 77 are connected to each other. An AC output terminal 211 is provided at the other longitudinal end portion of each AC bus bar 84. That is, the control device 32 is provided with three AC output terminals 211. The three AC output terminals 211, together with the pair of DC input terminals 126, are arranged in the right semi-circular portion (an example of the other semi-circular portion) of the casing 74. The three AC output terminals 211 are arranged at circumferential intervals from the pair of DC input terminals 126. Each AC output terminal 211 is connected to each motor side terminal 70 (see FIG. 4) of the stator 40 of the electric motor 31 in the internal space of the casing 74. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9, the alternating current output from the inverter 130 (three power modules 77) is output to each coil 69 of the electric motor 31 via each AC output terminal 211 and each motor side terminal 70.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 9, the three current sensors 85 are respectively arranged on three AC lines 207 (three-phase lines) leading from the inverter 130 (three power modules 77) to each coil 69 of the electric motor 31, and detect the values of the currents output from the three power modules 77.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 6, the three current sensors 85 are respectively arranged on three AC bus bars 84. The three current sensors 85 are arranged in the right semi-circular part of the casing 74. The three current sensors 85 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The three current sensors 85 are fixed to a sensor holder 214 fixed to the outer peripheral part of the bottom wall part 94 of the casing 74. The sensor holder 214 is formed separately from the resolver 75.

[0084] The communication connector 86 is arranged between a pair of DC input terminals 126 and three AC output terminals 211 in the circumferential direction. The communication connector 86 is fitted into the second fitting hole 117 of the bottom wall part 94 of the casing 74 and penetrates the bottom wall part 94 of the casing 74. The communication connector 86 is connected to an external device provided outside the propulsion drive device 16 (for example, a control device provided on the body 2).

[0085] The drive board 87 is a gate drive board for driving the switching elements 128 (semiconductor elements) of the three power modules 77. The drive board 87 is arranged on the front side (the side of the electric motor 31) of the smoothing capacitor 79. The drive board 87 is supported by a plurality of support protrusions 156 provided on the case body 153 of the capacitor case 148 of the smoothing capacitor 79.

[0086] The control board 88 is an ECU board that controls the drive of the inverter 130 (three power modules 77) via the drive board 87. The control board 88 is connected to the drive board 87 via a connector (not shown) and is also connected to the communication connector 86 via a cable (not shown). The control board 88 is held by a holding member (not shown) attached to the bottom wall part 94 of the casing 74.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the heat insulation components 89 and 90 include a partitioning member 89 and a capacitor cover 90 (an example of a partitioning portion). The partitioning member 89 and the capacitor cover 90 are formed separately. That is, the heat insulation components 89 and 90 are composed of two components. In other embodiments, the partitioning member 89 and the capacitor cover 90 may be integrally formed.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 5, the partitioning member 89 partitions the internal space of the housing 36 and the internal space of the casing 74. The partitioning member 89 partitions the rotor 39 and the stator 40 of the electric motor 31 and the electronic components E of the control device 32 (for example, three power modules 77, a smoothing capacitor 79, three current sensors 85, a drive board 87, and a control board 88). The partitioning member 89 is housed in the casing 74. In other embodiments, the partitioning member 89 may be housed in the housing 36 of the electric motor 31. The partitioning member 89 has a flat plate shape along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. A shaft hole 216 is provided at the center of the partitioning member 89. An extension 56 of the shaft 38 passes through the shaft hole 216.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 7, the capacitor cover 90 covers the front side (one side in the front-rear direction), the radially inner side, the radially outer side, and both circumferential sides of the smoothing capacitor 79. The capacitor cover 90 partitions between the three power modules 77 and the smoothing capacitor 79.

[0090] <Fan 33> Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the fan 33 is disposed on the front side (one side in the front-rear direction) of the electric motor 31. The fan 33 is disposed on the side opposite to the control device 32 with the electric motor 31 interposed therebetween. The fan 33 has a cylindrical hub portion 223 extending in the front-rear direction, a cylindrical rim portion 224 extending in the front-rear direction on the outer periphery of the hub portion 223, and a plurality of spoke portions 225 extending in the radial direction and connecting the hub portion 223 and the rim portion 224. The hub portion 223 is fixed to the protruding portion 57 of the shaft 38 of the electric motor 31. Thereby, the fan 33 can rotate integrally with the shaft 38. A plurality of air blowing ribs 226 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rim portion 224 at intervals in the circumferential direction of the rim portion 224. Each air blowing rib 226 is inclined forward (one side in the front-rear direction) toward the downstream side in the rotation direction R of the fan 33.

[0091] <Duct cover 34> Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the duct cover 34 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. A cooling air passage 229 is formed between the duct cover 34, the housing 36 of the electric motor 31, and the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74 of the control device 32. That is, the cooling air passage 229 is formed on the outer periphery of the housing 36 of the electric motor 31 and the casing 74 of the control device 32. The cooling air passage 229 has a cylindrical shape and extends in the front-rear direction.

[0092] <Cooling of the electric motor 31 and the control device 32> Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, when the electric motor 31 is driven and the shaft 38 rotates, the fan 33 fixed to the protruding portion 57 of the shaft 38 rotates integrally with the shaft 38. Thereby, the cooling air is sent toward the outer peripheral surface of the housing 36 and the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74 by the plurality of air blowing ribs 226 of the fan 33. That is, the cooling air is introduced into the cooling air passage 229 by the plurality of air blowing ribs 226 of the fan 33.

[0093] The cooling air introduced into the cooling air passage 229 flows from the front side to the rear side between the outer periphery of the housing 36 and the plurality of first cooling fins 42. Thereby, the electric motor 31 is cooled by the cooling air. Next, the cooling air flows from the front side to the rear side between the outer periphery of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74 and the plurality of second cooling fins 96. Thereby, the housing 36 of the control device 32 is cooled by the cooling air. The cooling air that has passed through the outer periphery of the peripheral wall portion 93 of the casing 74 is discharged from the rear end portion of the cooling air passage 229 to the space behind the control device 32.

[0094] <Effect> In the present embodiment, in the air-cooled propulsion drive device 16, the heat insulating components 89 and 90 partition the rotor 39 and the stator 40 of the electric motor 31 and the electronic components E of the control device 32 (for example, three power modules 77, a smoothing capacitor 79, three current sensors 85, a drive board 87, and a control board 88). Thereby, the heat influence from the plurality of coils 69 of the stator 40 of the electric motor 31 to the electronic components E of the control device 32 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is not necessary to greatly separate the plurality of coils 69 of the stator 40 of the electric motor 31 and the electronic components E of the control device 32 in order to suppress the above heat influence, and the propulsion drive device 16 can be downsized. Further, since it is not necessary to use a highly heat-resistant device as the electronic component E of the control device 32 in consideration of the above heat influence, the selection of the electronic component E of the control device 32 becomes easy. Furthermore, by partitioning between the three power modules 77 and the smoothing capacitor 79 of the control device 32 by the capacitor cover 90, the heat influence from the three power modules 77 with a large heat generation amount to the smoothing capacitor 79 with a small heat generation amount can be suppressed.

[0095] (Second Embodiment) Next, with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17, a propulsion drive device 231 (an example of an electric drive device) according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that since the components other than the control device 233 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. Also, for the components of the control device 233, the same content as in the first embodiment will be omitted from the description.

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, the control device 233 includes a casing 235, a resolver 236, a DC input connector 237, three power modules 238, a pressing member 239, a smoothing capacitor 240, a connecting member (not shown), first and second DC busbars 241, 242, three AC busbars 243, three current sensors 244, a communication connector (not shown), a drive board (not shown), a control board (not shown), and a heat insulating component 245. In FIG. 14, the electronic components E of the control device 233 (for example, the three power modules 238, the smoothing capacitor 240, the three current sensors 244, the drive board, and the control board) are omitted, and only the approximate positions of the electronic components E are shown. Components having the same names in the first and second embodiments (for example, the power module 77 and the power module 238) have the same functions even if their arrangements are different.

[0097] The casing 235 has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 247 extending in the front-rear direction on the outer periphery of the extension portion 56 of the shaft 38, and a bottom wall portion 248 closing the opening on the rear side (opposite to the electric motor 31) of the peripheral wall portion 247. Hereinafter, when describing "circumferential direction" in the description of the components of the control device 233, it indicates the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall portion 247 of the casing 235 (in other words, the circumferential direction centered on the extension portion 56 of the shaft 38), and when describing "radial direction" in the description of the components of the control device 233, it indicates the radial direction of the peripheral wall portion 247 of the casing 235 (in other words, the radial direction centered on the extension portion 56 of the shaft 38).

[0098] A circular through hole 251 is provided in the central portion of the bottom wall portion 248 of the casing 235 in the front-rear direction. A bearing 252 is attached to the through hole 251. The extension portion 56 of the shaft 38 passes through the through hole 251. The extension portion 56 of the shaft 38 is rotatably supported by the bearing 252 in the through hole 251. A ventilation hole 253 penetrating in the front-rear direction is provided below the bottom wall portion 248, radially outside the through hole 251.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 16, the three power modules 238 are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 247 of the casing 235 at circumferentially spaced intervals. The three power modules 238 are arranged in the left semi-circular portion (an example of one semi-circular portion) of the casing 235.

[0100] The smoothing capacitor 240 is arranged on the opposite side of the three power modules 238 with the through hole 251 therebetween. The smoothing capacitor 240 is arranged in the right semi-circular portion (an example of the other semi-circular portion) of the casing 235. The smoothing capacitor 240 is provided at a distance from the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 247 of the casing 235.

[0101] One longitudinal end portion of each AC bus bar 243 is connected to each power module 238. An AC output terminal 255 is provided at the other longitudinal end portion of each AC bus bar 243. That is, the control device 233 is provided with three AC output terminals 255.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 14, the heat insulating component 245 is housed in the casing 235. The heat insulating component 245 has a resin layer 257 formed of a resin material and a metal layer 258 formed of a metal material and laminated on the resin layer 257. The resin layer 257 is arranged toward the side of the electric motor 31 (the side with a larger heat generation amount between the electric motor 31 and the control device 233). The metal layer 258 is arranged toward the side of the control device 233 (the side with a smaller heat generation amount between the electric motor 31 and the control device 233).

[0103] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 17, the heat insulating component 245 is curved in an arc shape along the circumferential direction. A notch portion 260 (a portion where the heat insulating component 245 does not exist in the circumferential direction) is provided at the lower portion of the heat insulating component 245. The notch portion 260 is provided at a position overlapping the ventilation hole 253 of the bottom wall portion 248 when viewed in the front-rear direction, and the ventilation hole 253 of the bottom wall portion 248 communicates with the internal space IS of the rotor 39 (see FIG. 14) through the notch portion 260.

[0104] Referring to FIGS. 14, 15, and 17, the heat insulation component 245 includes a flat base portion 262 provided along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction, a partition portion 263 extending along the front-rear direction from the base portion 262 toward the rear side (opposite to the electric motor 31), and a guide portion 264 bent from the rear end portion of the partition portion 263 and provided along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The base portion 262, the partition portion 263, and the guide portion 264 are integrally provided with the same material. That is, the heat insulation component 245 is constituted by one component.

[0105] The base portion 262 of the heat insulation component 245 partitions the rotor 39 and the stator 40 (an example of a component of the electric motor 31) of the electric motor 31 and the electronic component E of the control device 233 (for example, three power modules 238, a smoothing capacitor 240, a drive substrate, and a control substrate) in the front-rear direction. The base portion 262 has a substantially fan-shaped first and second main body plates 266, 267 arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, and an arc-shaped connecting plate 268 connecting the first main body plate 266 and the second main body plate 267.

[0106] The partition portion 263 of the heat insulation component 245 partitions between the three power modules 238 and the smoothing capacitor 240 in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The partition portion 263 has a first circumferential direction plate 271 extending in the circumferential direction, a pair of first radial direction plates 272 extending radially outward from both circumferential ends of the first circumferential direction plate 271, a second circumferential direction plate 273 extending in the circumferential direction outside the first circumferential direction plate 271 in the radial direction, and a pair of second radial direction plates 274 extending radially outward from both circumferential ends of the second circumferential direction plate 273. The circumferential length of the second circumferential direction plate 273 is shorter than the circumferential length of the first circumferential direction plate 271.

[0107] The first circumferential-direction plate 271, one of the first radial-direction plates 272, and one of the second radial-direction plates 274 of the partition portion 263 of the heat shield component 245, together with the peripheral wall portion 247 and the bottom wall portion 248 of the casing 235, define a first accommodation space S1 for accommodating three power modules 238. The first circumferential-direction plate 271, the other first radial-direction plate 272, and the other second radial-direction plate 274 of the partition portion 263, together with the peripheral wall portion 247 and the bottom wall portion 248 of the casing 235, define a second accommodation space S2 for accommodating the smoothing capacitor 240. In addition to the smoothing capacitor 240, a control board (not shown) may be accommodated in the second accommodation space S2.

[0108] The guide portion 264 of the heat shield component 245 is provided parallel to the base portion 262. The guide portion 264 is provided with a terminal opening 276 for exposing three AC output terminals 255 toward the front side (the side of the electric motor 31).

[0109] <Effect> In the present embodiment, the heat shield component 245 includes a base portion 262 provided along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction, and a partition portion 263 extending along the front-rear direction from the base portion 262 toward the rear side (the side opposite to the electric motor 31). The base portion 262 partitions the rotor 39 and the stator 40 of the electric motor 31 and the electronic components E of the control device 233 in the front-rear direction, and the partition portion 263 partitions between the three power modules 238 and the smoothing capacitor 240 in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction. Thereby, the heat shield component 245 composed of a single component can suppress the heat influence between the rotor 39 and the stator 40 of the electric motor 31 and the electronic components E of the control device 233, and the heat influence between the three power modules 238 and the smoothing capacitor 240. Therefore, the configuration of the propulsion drive device 231 can be simplified as compared with the case where the heat shield component 245 is composed of a plurality of components.

[0110] In the above first and second embodiments, the inner rotor type electric motor 31 is an example of a rotating electric machine. In other embodiments, an outer rotor type electric motor may be an example of a rotating electric machine, or a generator may be an example of a rotating electric machine.

[0111] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the configuration of the present invention is applied to the propulsion drive devices 16 and 231. In other embodiments, the configuration of the present invention may be applied to the lifting drive device 12.

[0112] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the configuration of the present invention is applied to the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. In other embodiments, the configuration of the present invention may be applied to aircraft other than the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (i.e., general aircraft that cannot take off and land vertically), or the configuration of the present invention may be applied to moving bodies other than aircraft (for example, vehicles such as automobiles and motorcycles). Further, in other embodiments, the configuration of the present invention may be applied to a fixedly provided device.

[0113] With the above, the description of the specific embodiments is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications, and can be widely modified and implemented.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0114] 16: Propulsion drive device (an example of an electric drive device) 3l: Electric motor (an example of a rotating electric machine) 32: Control device 36: Housing 38: Shaft 39: Rotor (an example of a component) 40: Stator (an example of a component) 77: Power module (an example of an electronic component) 79: Smoothing capacitor (an example of an electronic component) 89: Partition member (an example of a heat insulation component) 90: Capacitor cover (an example of a heat insulation component and a partition part) 231: Propulsion drive device (an example of an electric drive device) 233: Control device 235: Casing 238: Power module (an example of an electronic component) 240: Smoothing capacitor (an example of an electronic component) 245: Heat insulation component 247: Peripheral wall part 248: Bottom wall part 253: Ventilation hole 255: AC output terminal 257: Resin layer 258: Metal layer 260: Notch part 262: Base part 263: Partition part 271: First circumferential direction plate 272: First radial direction plate 273: Second circumferential direction plate 274: Second radial direction plate 276: Terminal opening E: Electronic component S1: First accommodation space S2: Second accommodation space

Claims

1. An electric drive device comprising a rotating electrical machine and a control device integrated with the rotating electrical machine and controlling the drive of the rotating electrical machine, wherein the rotating electrical machine has a plurality of components, and a housing that houses the plurality of components, and the control device has a plurality of electronic components, and a casing that is adjacent to the housing and houses the plurality of electronic components, and a heat insulation component that partitions the plurality of components and the plurality of electronic components, the heat insulation component having a partition portion that partitions between the plurality of electronic components. An electric drive device.

2. The plurality of electronic components include a power module including semiconductor elements, and a smoothing capacitor that smooths the current input to the power module, and the heat insulation component partitions between the power module and the smoothing capacitor. The electric drive device according to claim 1.

3. The power module is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the casing. The electric drive device according to claim 2.

4. The partition portion has a first circumferential plate extending in the circumferential direction, a pair of first radial plates extending radially outward from both circumferential ends of the first circumferential plate, a second circumferential plate extending in the circumferential direction outside the first circumferential plate in the radial direction, and a pair of second radial plates extending radially outward from both circumferential ends of the second circumferential plate, and the first circumferential plate, one of the first radial plates, and one of the second radial plates, together with the casing, define a first accommodation space for accommodating the power module, and the first circumferential plate, the other of the first radial plates, and the other of the second radial plates, together with the casing, define a second accommodation space for accommodating the smoothing capacitor. The electric drive device according to claim 2.

5. The casing has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion extending in a predetermined axial direction, and a bottom wall portion that closes an opening on the side of the casing opposite to the rotating electrical machine, and the bottom wall portion is provided with a ventilation hole penetrating in the axial direction, and the heat insulation component is provided with a notch at a position overlapping the ventilation hole when viewed in the axial direction. The electric drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The plurality of components include a hollow rotor, and a stator disposed on the outer periphery of the rotor, and the ventilation hole communicates with the internal space of the rotor through the notch. The electric drive device according to claim 5.

7. The control device has output terminals connected to the terminals on the rotating electric machine side in the internal space of the casing. The heat insulation component is provided with a terminal opening for exposing the output terminal toward the rotating electric machine side. The electric drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. **Claim 8** The heat insulation component has a resin layer formed of a resin material, and a metal layer formed of a metal material and laminated on the resin layer. The resin layer is disposed toward the side with a larger heat generation amount among the rotating electric machine and the control device. The electric drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. **Claim 9** The rotating electric machine further has a shaft extending in a predetermined axial direction. The heat insulation component further has a base portion provided along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction. The partition portion extends along the axial direction from the base portion toward the side opposite to the rotating electric machine. The electric drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Motor with integrated control and electronic unit cooling

    WO2023057718A1