Driving device

Abstract

To provide a driving device capable of effectively utilizing heat generated from the driving device if necessary.SOLUTION: A driving device includes a storage case 19, a rotary electrical machinery 18a provided in the storage case 19, a gear 18b rotatably provided in the storage case 19, and a refrigerant for cooling the rotary electrical machinery 18a, wherein the storage case 19 has a storage chamber 19b for storing the rotary electrical machinery 18a and the gear 18b formed therein, the storage case 19 includes a plate 40 provided in the storage chamber 19b, and a displacement member 45 for displacing the plate 40, the plate 40 is displaced between a position to be brought into contact with an inner surface 30 of the storage case 19 regulating the storage chamber 19b, and a position forming a gap g between itself and the inner surface 30, and the refrigerant passes through the plate 40 in a state where the plate 40 is in a position to be brought into contact with the inner surface 30 regulating the storage chamber 19b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2020-091001 (Patent Document 1) discloses a drive unit equipped with a lubricating oil circuit formed by an oil tank, a pump, an oil cooler, a motor, and gears. The lubricating oil cools the gears and motor. The heat absorbed by the lubricating oil while cooling the gears and motor is cooled by the oil cooler and used again to cool the motor and gears. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-091001 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The drive unit disclosed in JP 2020-091001 A is mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle. Because electric vehicles do not have a major heat generating element such as an engine, it is known that heat generated by the drive unit is used to heat up devices such as the battery.

[0005] However, in the drive device of JP 2020-091001 A, the heat absorbed by the lubricating oil from the gears and motor is dissipated from the case of the drive device, so effective use of heat is not taken into consideration.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a drive device that can effectively utilize heat generated by the drive device as needed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A drive device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing case, a rotating electric machine provided within the housing case, a gear rotatably provided within the housing case, and a refrigerant that cools the rotating electric machine. The housing case has a housing chamber that houses the rotating electric machine and the gear. The housing case includes a plate provided within the housing chamber and a displacement member that displaces the plate. The plate displaces between a position where it contacts an inner surface of the housing case that defines the housing chamber and a position where a gap is formed between the plate and the inner surface. When the plate is in the position where it contacts the inner surface that defines the housing chamber, the refrigerant passes through the plate.

[0008] In the drive device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, when a gap is formed between the plate and the inner surface, the coolant passes through the gap.

[0009] In a drive device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the accommodation chamber includes a first accommodation chamber that accommodates a rotating electric machine and a second accommodation chamber that accommodates a gear. The accommodation case includes a partition wall that separates the first accommodation chamber and the second accommodation chamber. The partition wall is formed with a first opening and a second opening located below the first opening. The plate is provided on the bottom side of the second accommodation chamber. When the plate is in contact with the inner surface, the second opening is blocked by the plate, and the refrigerant flows into the second accommodation chamber through the first opening and over the upper surface of the plate located within the second accommodation chamber. When a gap is formed between the inner surface and the plate, the second opening is in communication with the gap, and the refrigerant passes through the gap via the second opening.

[0010] The displacement member of the drive device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure displaces the plate to contact the inner surface of the casing when the temperature of the refrigerant increases, and the temperature of the refrigerant when the plate is in contact with the inner surface of the casing that defines the accommodation chamber is higher than the temperature of the refrigerant when a gap is formed between the plate and the inner surface of the casing that defines the accommodation chamber.

[0011] A drive device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing case, a rotating electric machine provided within the housing case, a gear rotatably provided within the housing case, a refrigerant that cools the rotating electric machine, and a switching device. The housing case has a housing chamber formed therein that houses the rotating electric machine and the gear. The housing case includes a plate provided within the housing chamber. The plate is disposed within the housing chamber and forms a gap between the plate and an inner surface of the housing case. The switching device switches between a state in which the refrigerant passes through the gap and a state in which the refrigerant does not pass through the gap. The temperature of the refrigerant in the state in which the refrigerant passes through the gap is higher than the temperature of the refrigerant in a state in which the refrigerant does not pass through the gap. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a drive device that can effectively utilize heat generated by the drive device as needed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a heat management device mounted on a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drive device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a plate. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which the plate position is displaced around the rotation axis. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a drive device according to a modified example of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a thermal management device mounted on a vehicle according to this embodiment. The vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle (xEV). The vehicle 1 is a BEV (electric vehicle). However, the vehicle 1 may also be, for example, an industrial vehicle or another electric vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The vehicle 1 is equipped with a thermal management device 2.

[0015] The thermal management device 2 has a circuit 3. A heat medium circulates within the thermal management device 2. The circuit 3 includes a first circuit 3a, a second circuit 3b, a third circuit 3c, and a fourth circuit 3d.

[0016] The first circuit 3a includes a first flow path 4a, a third flow path 4c, a reservoir tank 5, a pump 7, an oil cooler (O / C) 8, a four-way valve 6, a battery heater 13, and a battery 14.

[0017] The first flow path 4a sequentially connects the reservoir tank 5, the pump 7, the oil cooler 8, and the four-way valve 6. The third flow path 4c sequentially connects the four-way valve 6, the battery heater 13, the battery 14, and the reservoir tank 5.

[0018] In the first circuit 3a, the heat medium flows through the reservoir tank 5, the pump 7, the oil cooler 8, the four-way valve 6, the battery heater 13, and the battery 14 in this order.

[0019] The second circuit 3b includes a second flow path 4b, a third flow path 4c, a reservoir tank 5, a pump 10, a radiator 12, a four-way valve 6, a battery heater 13, and a battery 14.

[0020] The second flow path 4b connects the reservoir tank 5, the pump 10, the radiator 12, and the four-way valve 6 in this order.

[0021] In the second circuit 3b, the heat medium flows through the reservoir tank 5, the pump 10, the radiator 12, the four-way valve 6, the battery heater 13, and the battery 14 in this order.

[0022] The third circuit 3c includes a first flow path 4a, a fourth flow path 4d, a reservoir tank 5, a pump 7, an oil cooler 8, and a four-way valve 6.

[0023] The fourth flow path 4d connects the four-way valve 6 and the reservoir tank 5 in sequence. In the third circuit 3c, the heat medium flows through the reservoir tank 5, the pump 7, the oil cooler (O / C) 8, and the four-way valve 6 in this order.

[0024] The fourth circuit 3d includes a second flow path 4b, a fourth flow path 4d, a pump 10, a radiator 12, and a four-way valve 6.

[0025] In the fourth flow path 4d, the heat medium flows through the reservoir tank 5, the pump 10, the radiator 12, and the four-way valve 6 in this order.

[0026] The four-way valve 6 switches the path of the heat medium. The four-way valve 6 has four ports P1 to P4. Port P1, port P2, port P3, and port P4 are connected to a first flow path 4a, a second flow path 4b, a third flow path 4c, and a fourth flow path 4d, respectively. The ports are formed so as to be connectable to one another.

[0027] The radiator 12 is configured to be able to cool the heat medium that has become hot by heat exchange with the outside air.

[0028] The thermal management device 2 further includes a fifth circuit 3e. The fifth circuit 3e includes a fifth flow path 4e, a reservoir tank 15, an electric oil pump (EOP) 16, an oil cooler 8, and a drive unit 18. The drive unit 18 includes a motor 18a and a gear 18b. The motor 18a is an example of a "rotating electric machine" in the present disclosure.

[0029] The fifth flow path 4e sequentially connects the reservoir tank 15, the electric oil pump 16, the oil cooler 8, the motor 18a, and the gear 18b.

[0030] In the fifth circuit 3e, the cooling oil flows sequentially through the reservoir tank 15, the electric oil pump 16, the oil cooler 8, the motor 18a, and the gear 18b. The cooling oil is an example of the "refrigerant" in the present disclosure.

[0031] The oil cooler 8 is formed to allow heat exchange between the heat medium flowing inside the oil cooler 8 and the cooling oil. In the first circuit 3a, the heat medium heated by the battery heater 13 increases the temperature of the battery 14. In the oil cooler 8, the cooling oil warms the heat medium, thereby reducing the amount of energy consumed by the battery heater 13.

[0032] Details of the drive unit 18 are described below. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the drive unit according to this embodiment. The width direction W, length direction L, and height direction H in the figure indicate the width direction, length direction, and height direction of the drive unit, respectively.

[0033] The outer shape of the housing 19 forming the drive unit 18 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and the housing 19 can take various shapes.

[0034] The drive device 18 further includes a storage case 19. The storage case 19 includes a bottom plate 20, side walls 21a and 21b, a partition wall 22, and a peripheral wall .

[0035] The side walls 21a and 21b are arranged in the width direction W. The side walls 21a and 21b are formed to rise upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 20. The peripheral wall 23 is formed to connect the outer peripheral edges of the side walls 21a and 21b.

[0036] A space is formed inside the housing case 19, and the space is divided into a first housing chamber 19a and a second housing chamber 19b by a partition wall 22. The second housing chamber 19b is an example of the "housing chamber" in the present disclosure.

[0037] The first housing chamber 19a and the second housing chamber 19b are formed so as to be aligned in the width direction W. The motor 18a is housed in the first housing chamber 19a, and the gear 18b is housed in the second housing chamber 19b.

[0038] Motor 18a includes a stator and a rotor, and the rotor is rotatable about a rotation center line O. Gear 18b is connected to the rotor of motor 18a, and gear 18b is configured to rotate about the rotation center line O. The rotor and gear 18b of motor 18a rotate in a rotation direction R.

[0039] The container case 19 has an inlet 24 and communication ports 25 and 26 formed therein. The communication port 25 is an example of a "first opening" in the present disclosure, and the communication port 26 is an example of a "second opening" in the present disclosure.

[0040] The inlet 24 is formed in the side wall 21a. The inlet 24 connects the fifth flow path 4e shown in FIG. 1 with the first storage chamber 19a. As a result, the cooling oil circulating through the fifth circuit 3e flows into the first storage chamber 19a through the inlet 24.

[0041] The communication openings 25 and 26 are formed in the partition wall 22. The communication openings 25 and 26 respectively communicate with the first storage chamber 19a and the second storage chamber 19b. The communication openings 25 and 26 are formed to be aligned in the height direction H. The communication opening 25 is located above the communication opening 26.

[0042] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2. The second storage chamber 19b is formed by an inner circumferential surface 30. The inner circumferential surface is an example of the "inner surface" in the present disclosure.

[0043] The inner peripheral surface 30 includes a bottom surface 31, an arcuate surface 32, a connecting surface 33, and a seat surface 34. The bottom surface 31 is an arcuate surface having the rotation center line O as its center.

[0044] The bottom surface 31 is located at the bottom of the inner circumferential surface 30, and is located below the gear 18b. A plate 40, which will be described later, is disposed on the bottom surface 31.

[0045] Arc surface 32 is located forward in the rotation direction R with respect to bottom surface 31. Arc surface 32 is also formed in an arc shape with its center at rotation center line O. Arc surface 32 includes a portion adjacent to gear 18b in the width direction W, an upper portion located above gear 18b, and a portion located forward in the rotation direction R from the upper portion and adjacent to gear 18b in the width direction W.

[0046] The connecting surface 33 is located on the front side of the arc surface 32 in the rotation direction R, and is formed in a substantially straight line.

[0047] The seat surface 34 is located rearward of the bottom surface 31 in the rotation direction R. If the lowest part of the bottom surface 31 is defined as the bottom, the seat surface 34 is located above the bottom. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the seat surface 34 is located above the lower end of the gear 18b.

[0048] The housing case 19 further has an outlet 27. The outlet 27 is formed in a portion of the partition wall 22 that is located at the lowest position of the base surface 34. The outlet 27 connects the second housing chamber 19b with the fifth flow path 4e shown in FIG. 1. As a result, the cooling oil circulating through the fifth flow path 4e absorbs heat generated by driving the motor 18a and the gear 18b, and is discharged from the outlet 27.

[0049] The housing case 19 further includes a plate 40 and a displacement member 45 in the second housing chamber 19b.

[0050] The displacement member 45 is provided on the bottom, which is the lowest portion of the plate 40 when the plate 40 is in contact with the bottom surface 31. The displacement member 45 is fixed to the plate 40. The displacement member 45 is a known thermoelement formed, for example, from an elastic body such as a spring and a thermal expansion material such as paraffin wax. The displacement member 45 is formed from a temperature sensing portion 46 and an output portion 47.

[0051] The temperature sensing unit 46 is disposed so as to be exposed from the upper surface of the plate 40. The output unit 47 is formed so as to extend downward from the temperature sensing unit 46. The output unit 47 is formed so as to be expandable and contractible in the height direction H. The lower end of the output unit 47 is in contact with the bottom surface 31.

[0052] When the temperature sensing portion 46 is heated by the high-temperature cooling oil, heat is transferred from the temperature sensing portion 46 to the output portion 47, causing the output portion 47 to deform and extend. Due to this expansion and contraction of the displacement member 45, the plate 40 performs a rotational movement around the rotation axis 44.

[0053] 4 is a perspective view showing a plate 40. The plate 40 is formed of a bottom plate 41, a side wall 42, and a side wall 43.

[0054] The bottom plate 41 is a plate-like member formed to cover the bottom surface 31 of the inner circumferential surface 30 and the base surface 34. A displacement member 45 shown in Fig. 3 is provided at the lowest position of the bottom plate 41 when the plate 40 is in contact with the bottom surface 31. A notch 41a is formed in the area of ​​the bottom plate 41 facing the outlet 27.

[0055] The side walls 42 and 43 are arranged at intervals in the width direction W, and are formed to rise from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 41 and extend along the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 41.

[0056] The side wall 42 is disposed along the partition wall 22 shown in Fig. 2. An opening 42a and a notch 42b are formed in the side wall 42. The side wall 43 is disposed along the side wall 21b shown in Fig. 2.

[0057] When the plate 40 is in a position where it contacts the bottom surface 31, the opening 42a is formed in an area facing the communication port 25 of the partition wall 22. The notch 42b is formed in an area facing the outlet 27 of the partition wall 22.

[0058] A rotation shaft 44 is formed on the plate 40 near the notch 42b at one end in the length direction L. The plate 40 is formed to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 44.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the drive unit 18 has a first storage chamber 19a and a second storage chamber 19b formed in the storage case 19. A partition wall 22 separates the first storage chamber 19a from the second storage chamber 19b. The partition wall 22 has a communication opening 25 and a communication opening 26 that connect the first storage chamber 19a and the second storage chamber 19b. The communication opening 26 is formed below the communication opening 25. A plate 40 is disposed in the second storage chamber 19b. When the plate 40 is in contact with the bottom surface 31, the communication opening 26 is closed by the plate 40.

[0060] In this configuration, the amount of heat dissipated by the cooling oil in the second housing chamber 19b can be adjusted by displacing the plate 40 through deformation of the displacement member 45. This makes it possible to provide a drive unit 18 that can effectively utilize the heat generated by the drive unit 18. Details will be described below.

[0061] Referring again to Figure 3, Figure 3 shows a state in which plate 40 is in contact with bottom surface 31. When plate 40 is in contact with bottom surface 31, cooling oil that has flowed into second housing chamber 19b through communication port 25 passes over the top surface of the plate and is discharged to the outside of drive unit 18 through outlet 27. During this time, the heat of the cooling oil inside second housing chamber 19b is transferred through plate 40 and housing case 19 and dissipated to the outside.

[0062] Next, refer to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a state in which a gap g is formed between the bottom surface 31 and the plate 40. Cooling oil above a predetermined temperature heats the displacement member 45 provided at the bottom of the plate 40. The heating causes the output portion 47 to extend in the vertical direction. As a result, the plate 40 is displaced by rotation about the rotation axis 44. This forms a gap g between the bottom surface 31 and the plate 40. At the same time, the communication port 26, which was previously blocked by the plate 40, connects the first housing chamber 19a and the second housing chamber 19b shown in FIG. 2, allowing the cooling oil to flow into the gap g. The cooling oil then flows along the bottom surface 31 in the gap g and is discharged to the outside of the drive unit 18 through the notches 41a, 42b, and the outlet 27 shown in FIG. 4. During this process, the heat of the cooling oil in the second housing chamber 19b is dissipated to the outside via the housing case 19.

[0063] The predetermined temperature is, for example, a temperature at which a gap begins to form between the bottom surface 31 and the plate 40 as a result of the output portion 57 expanding due to heating of the displacement member 45.

[0064] In terms of heat dissipation from the cooling oil in second housing chamber 19b, the state in which gap g is formed has lower thermal resistance than the state in which plate 40 is in contact with bottom surface 31. This is because the heat conduction path is different in each state. Thus, by switching between the state in which gap g is formed and the state in which plate 40 is in contact with bottom surface 31 by expanding and contracting displacement member 45, it is possible to adjust the amount of heat dissipation from the cooling oil in second housing chamber 19b.

[0065] More specifically, by positioning the plate 40 in contact with the bottom surface 31, heat dissipation from the cooling oil can be suppressed. As a result, the amount of heat exchanged between the cooling oil and the heat medium in the oil cooler 8 can be increased, and energy consumption in the battery heater 13 can be suppressed. Consequently, a drive unit 18 that can effectively utilize the heat generated by the drive unit 18 can be provided.

[0066] Alternatively, by forming the gap g, heat dissipation of the cooling oil can be promoted. As a result, the amount of heat that the cooling oil gives to the heat medium in the oil cooler 8 can be reduced. This reduces the amount of heat dissipation required for the heat medium in the radiator 12, and prevents the radiator 12 from increasing in size.

[0067] Furthermore, by forming the gap g, the amount of cooling oil flowing on the upper surface of the plate 40 is reduced, so that energy loss due to the agitation of the cooling oil by the gear 18b can be suppressed.

[0068] Note that using a plate 40 made of a material with lower thermal conductivity can further suppress heat dissipation from the cooling oil. This is because when the plate 40 is in contact with the bottom surface 31, the thermal resistance increases when the cooling oil in the second housing chamber 19b dissipates heat to the outside. A material with low thermal conductivity is, for example, a material with lower thermal conductivity than the material from which the housing case 19 is made. When the housing case 19 is made of a metal material, a resin material or the like can be used as the material for the plate 40.

[0069] Similarly, by increasing the thickness of the plate 40, the heat radiation of the cooling oil can be further suppressed.

[0070] The opening area of ​​communication port 25 may be larger than that of communication port 26. With this configuration, the flow rate of cooling oil flowing on the upper surface of bottom plate 41 can be made larger than the flow rate of cooling oil flowing through gap g. As a result, the temperature of gear 18b can be prevented from rising.

[0071] In the above embodiment, an opening 42a is formed in the side wall 42 of the plate 40. When the plate 40 is in a position where it contacts the bottom surface 31, the opening 42a is formed in an area facing the communication opening 25 formed in the partition wall 22. Furthermore, when the plate 40 is in a position where it contacts the bottom surface 31, the communication opening 26 is closed by the plate 40.

[0072] 5, this configuration makes it possible to adjust the area of ​​overlapping portion 48 between communication port 25 and opening 42a in accordance with the displacement of plate 40 about rotation axis 44. At the same time, it is also possible to adjust the opening area of ​​communication port 26 that was previously blocked by plate 40. As a result, it is possible to adjust the amount of cooling oil passing through communication port 26 and the amount of cooling oil passing through communication port 25 and opening 42a in accordance with the displacement of plate 40.

[0073] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the plate 40 is displaced around the rotation axis 44, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the position of the plate 40 may be fixed with the gap g formed. In this case, a flow path switching valve is provided at the bottom of the bottom plate 41 of the plate 40.

[0074] The flow path switching valve is a valve that opens and closes depending on the temperature of the cooling oil. By opening and closing the flow path switching valve, it is possible to switch whether or not the cooling oil flowing on the upper surface of the bottom plate 41 flows into the gap g. The flow path switching valve is a known thermoelement formed, for example, from an elastic body such as a spring and a thermal expansion material such as paraffin wax. The flow path switching valve is an example of a "switching device" in the present disclosure.

[0075] In this configuration, when the flow path switching valve is closed, the cooling oil that flows into the second storage chamber 19b from the communication port 25 flows over the upper surface of the bottom plate 41 and is discharged from the outlet 27. In other words, the cooling oil does not pass through the gap g. During this time, the heat of the cooling oil inside the second storage chamber 19b is dissipated to the outside via the plate 40, the gap of the gap g, and the storage case 19. If cooling oil remains in the gap g, the heat of the cooling oil is dissipated to the outside via the cooling oil instead of the gap.

[0076] The flow path switching valve, heated by cooling oil above a predetermined temperature, opens. This causes the cooling oil to flow into gap g. The cooling oil then flows through gap g and on bottom surface 31, and is discharged to the outside of drive unit 18 through notch 41 a, notch 42 b, and outlet 27 shown in FIG. 4. During this time, the heat of the cooling oil inside second housing chamber 19b is dissipated to the outside via housing case 19.

[0077] The predetermined temperature is, for example, a temperature at which the flow path switching valve begins to open when heated.

[0078] In the heat dissipation of the cooling oil in the second housing chamber 19b, the state in which the flow path switching valve is closed and the cooling oil does not pass through the gap g has a higher thermal resistance than the state in which the flow path switching valve is open and the cooling oil passes through the gap g. This is because the heat conduction path is different in each state. Therefore, by switching the flow path switching valve between open and closed depending on the temperature of the cooling oil, the amount of heat dissipation of the cooling oil in the second housing chamber 19b can be adjusted.

[0079] More specifically, when the flow path switching valve is closed and the cooling oil does not pass through the gap g, heat dissipation from the cooling oil can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to provide a drive unit 18 that can effectively utilize the heat generated by the drive unit 18.

[0080] Alternatively, by opening the flow path switching valve and allowing the cooling oil to pass through the gap g, heat dissipation from the cooling oil can be promoted, thereby reducing the amount of heat dissipation required from the heat medium in the radiator 12.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the cooling oil flows into the gap g to promote heat dissipation from the cooling oil in the second housing chamber 19b to the outside, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the cooling oil may not flow into the gap g, thereby promoting heat dissipation from the cooling oil that has flowed into the second housing chamber 19b.

[0082] 6 is a cross-sectional view of a drive device according to a modified example of this embodiment. Unless otherwise specified below, the drive device 50 has the same configuration as the drive device 18 according to this embodiment.

[0083] The drive unit 50 has a plate 51 in the second housing chamber 19b. The plate 51 has a bottom plate 52. A rotation shaft 53 is formed at one end of the bottom plate 52 in the length direction L, on the rear side in the rotation direction R with respect to the bottom surface 31. A support member 54 and a displacement member 55 are provided in the second housing chamber 19b.

[0084] The support member 54 is formed to extend in the width direction W. The displacement member 55 is provided below the support member 54. The displacement member 55 is a known thermo-element formed, for example, from an elastic body such as a spring and a thermal expansion material such as paraffin wax. The displacement member 55 has a temperature sensing unit 56 and an output unit 57. The temperature sensing unit 56 is provided on the output unit 57. The output unit 57 is formed to extend in the height direction H. One end and the other end of the output unit 57 in the height direction are connected to the support member 54 and the bottom plate 52, respectively. The plate 51 is held by the displacement member 55, so that a gap g is formed between the plate 51 and the bottom surface 31.

[0085] In this configuration, when the cooling oil reaches a predetermined temperature or higher, it heats the temperature sensing unit 56, causing the output unit 57 to deform and extend in the height direction H. As the output unit 57 extends, the plate 51 is displaced and comes into contact with the bottom surface 31. In this way, the plate 51 rotates about the rotation axis 53 due to the extension and contraction of the output unit 57. In other words, the displacement member 55 can displace the plate 51 between a position where a gap g is formed between the plate 51 and the bottom surface 31 and a position where the plate 51 contacts the bottom surface 31.

[0086] The predetermined temperature is, for example, a temperature at which the output portion 57 expands due to heating of the displacement member 55, and the bottom surface 31 and the plate 51 come into contact with each other.

[0087] The temperature of the cooling oil when the plate 51 is in contact with the bottom surface 31 is higher than the temperature of the cooling oil when a gap g is formed between the plate 51 and the bottom surface 31.

[0088] In the drive device 50, the cooling oil that flows into the second housing chamber 19b through the communication port 25 passes over the upper surface of the plate 51 and is discharged to the outside of the drive device 18 through the outlet 27.

[0089] When the plate 51 is in a position that forms the gap g, the heat of the cooling oil inside the second housing chamber 19b is dissipated to the outside through the plate 51, the gap of the gap g, and the housing case 19. When the plate 51 is in a position that contacts the bottom surface 31, the heat of the cooling oil inside the second housing chamber 19b is dissipated to the outside through the plate 51 and the housing case 19.

[0090] In this way, the heat dissipation path of the cooling oil inside the second housing chamber 19b differs depending on the position of the plate 51. Note that the heat dissipation path of the cooling oil when the plate 51 is in contact with the bottom surface 31 has lower thermal resistance than when the plate 51 is in a position that forms the gap g. Therefore, by positioning the plate 51 in contact with the bottom surface 31, heat dissipation of the cooling oil can be promoted. Consequently, by displacing the plate 51 in accordance with the temperature of the cooling oil, it is possible to provide a drive unit 50 that can effectively utilize the heat generated by the motor 18a and the gear 18b.

[0091] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 vehicle, 2 thermal management device, 3 circuit, 3a first circuit, 3b second circuit, 3c third circuit, 3d fourth circuit, 3e fifth circuit, 4a first flow path, 4b second flow path, 4c third flow path, 4d fourth flow path, 4e fifth flow path, 5 reservoir tank, 6 four-way valve, 7 pump, 8 oil cooler, 9 thermometer, 10 pump, 11 thermometer, 12 radiator, 13 battery heater, 14 battery, 15 reservoir tank, 16 electric oil pump (EOP), 18 drive unit, 18a motor, 18b gear, 19 housing case, 19a first housing chamber, 19b second housing chamber, 20 bottom plate, 21a, 21b side wall, 21a side wall, 21b side wall, 22 partition wall, 23 surrounding wall, 24 inlet, 25, 26 Communication port, 25 communication port, 26 communication port, 27 outlet, 30 inner surface, 31 bottom surface, 32 arc surface, 33 connection surface, 34 base surface, 40 plate, 41 bottom plate, 41a cutout portion, 42 side wall, 42a opening, 42b cutout portion, 43 side wall, 44 rotating shaft, 45 displacement member, 46 temperature sensing portion, 47 output portion, 48 overlapping portion, 50 drive unit, 51 plate, 52 bottom plate, 53 rotating shaft, 54 support member, 55 displacement member, 56 temperature sensing portion, 57 output portion, g gap, O rotation center line, P1 port, P2 port, P3 port, P4 port.

Claims

1. A storage case and a rotating electric machine provided in the housing case; a gear rotatably provided in the housing case; a refrigerant that cools the rotating electrical machine; Equipped with The housing case has a housing chamber formed therein for housing the rotating electric machine and the gear, the housing case includes a plate provided in the housing chamber and a displacement member that displaces the plate, The plate is The housing is displaced between a position where it contacts an inner surface of the housing case that defines the housing chamber and a position where it forms a gap with the inner surface, The coolant passes through the plate while the plate is in contact with the inner surface defining the chamber.

2. The drive unit according to claim 1 , wherein a gap is formed between the plate and the inner surface, and the coolant passes through the gap.

3. the accommodation chamber includes a first accommodation chamber in which the rotating electric machine is accommodated and a second accommodation chamber in which the gear is accommodated, the storage case includes a partition wall that separates the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber, The partition wall is formed with a first opening and a second opening located below the first opening, the plate is provided on a bottom surface side of the second storage chamber, When the plate is in contact with the inner surface, the second opening is closed by the plate, and the refrigerant flows into the second chamber through the first opening and also flows over an upper surface of the plate located within the second chamber, 3. The drive unit according to claim 2, wherein when a gap is formed between the inner surface and the plate, the second opening communicates with the gap, and the coolant passes through the gap via the second opening.

4. the displacement member displaces the plate to contact the inner surface of the casing when the temperature of the refrigerant increases, 2. The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein a temperature of the refrigerant when the plate is in contact with an inner surface of the accommodating case that defines the accommodating chamber is higher than a temperature of the refrigerant when a gap is formed between the plate and the inner surface of the accommodating case that defines the accommodating chamber.

5. A storage case and a rotating electric machine provided in the housing case; a gear rotatably provided in the housing case; a refrigerant that cools the rotating electrical machine; A switching device; Equipped with The housing case has a housing chamber formed therein for housing the rotating electric machine and the gear, the housing case includes a plate provided in the housing chamber, the plate is disposed in the chamber, A gap is formed between the plate and the inner surface of the housing case, the switching device switches between a state in which the refrigerant passes through the gap and a state in which the refrigerant does not pass through the gap, A drive device, wherein the temperature of the refrigerant when the refrigerant passes through the gap is higher than the temperature of the refrigerant when the refrigerant does not pass through the gap.

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