Rotating electric machine unit, and electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a rotating electric machine unit capable of cooling electrical circuits. [Solution] The electric motor unit 10 comprises a motor section 20, an electrical circuit section 30, and a housing 40. The electrical circuit section 30 has a circuit board 31 on which electronic components related to the drive control of the motor section 20 are mounted, and is provided on one side of the motor section 20 in the axial direction. The housing 40 houses the motor section 20 and the electrical circuit section 30. The end of the housing 40 on the side of the electrical circuit section 30 in the motor axial direction is provided with a heat dissipation fin 51 which is formed so that at least a part of it is inclined with respect to the direction of the cooling air received when it is attached to the electric vehicle 90, which is the device to be mounted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotating electrical machine unit and an electric vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a cooling structure for cooling electrical components by air cooling is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a duct is provided as a cooling structure for cooling a generator and a sensor, which are electrical components housed in an accommodation space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, it is a structure for cooling by inducing wind inside a cover. However, since the duct is a separate member attached to the electric rotating machine, the number of component parts increases

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a rotating electrical machine unit capable of cooling an electric circuit and an electric vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The rotating electric machine unit of the present invention comprises a rotating electric machine (20), an electrical circuit section (30), and a housing (40). The electrical circuit section has a circuit board (31) on which electronic components related to the drive control of the rotating electric machine are mounted, and is provided on one side in the axial direction of the rotating electric machine. The housing accommodates the rotating electric machine and the circuit board. The end of the housing on the side of the electrical circuit section in the axial direction of the rotating electric machine is provided with heat dissipation fins (51-59) formed so that at least a portion of them is inclined with respect to the direction of the cooling air received when the housing is attached to a mounting device (90). This allows the electrical circuit section to be cooled by the cooling air. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a view from the direction of arrow II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of an electric motor unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of the electric motor unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged view of section V in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a plan view showing a cover according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged view of section VIII in Figure 7. [Figure 9] This is a plan view illustrating the flange portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a plan view showing a cover according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a plan view showing a cover according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a plan view showing a cover according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a plan view showing a cover according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a plan view showing a cover according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view showing a heat radiation fin according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 16] It is a cross-sectional view showing a heat radiation fin according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a cross-sectional view showing a heat radiation fin according to the ninth embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a reference view showing an example in which the heat radiation fin is provided horizontally. [Figure 19] It is a reference view showing an example in which the heat radiation fin is provided vertically.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, a rotating electrical machine unit and an electric vehicle according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Hereinafter, in a plurality of embodiments, substantially the same configurations will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0009] [[ID=

[26] ](First Embodiment) The first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 to 9. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a motor unit 10 as a rotating electrical machine unit is applied to, for example, an electric vehicle 90. The electric vehicle 90 is an electric two-wheeler having front wheels 91 and rear wheels 92, and is configured such that a driver D can ride on it. Further, the electric vehicle 90 is equipped with a battery (not shown).

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the motor unit 10 includes a motor section 20, an electric circuit section 30, a housing 40, and the like. The motor unit 10 is a so-called "integrated motor and electronics type" in which the electric circuit section 30 is provided on one axial side of the motor section 20. FIG. [3] is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-section taken along line III-III of FIG. [4].

[0011] The motor section 20 constitutes, for example, a three-phase brushless motor, and the driving force is transmitted to the rear wheel 92, which is a driving wheel, via a gear (not shown). The driving wheel may be the front wheel 91. The electric vehicle 90 runs by the driving force of the motor section 20, and the motor section 20 is a running motor (so-called main motor).

[0012] The motor unit 20 includes a stator 22 around which a motor winding 21 is wound, a rotor 23, a shaft 25, etc., and constitutes a magnetic circuit. The stator 22 is fixed to the housing 40. The rotor 23 is provided radially inside the stator 22 and is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the stator 22.

[0013] The shaft 25 is fitted into the rotor 23 and rotates integrally with the rotor 23. The shaft 25 is rotatably supported by the housing 40 by bearings 251 and 252. One end of the shaft 25 is exposed from the housing 40 toward the electric circuit unit 30 side, and a magnet (not shown) is provided and used for rotation detection. The other end of the shaft 25 is an output end 258, which is exposed from the housing 40 on the side opposite to the electric circuit unit 30. The output end 258 is connected to the rear wheel 92 via a speed reducer (not shown) or the like. Thereby, the rear wheel 92 is driven by the driving force of the motor unit 20.

[0014] The electric circuit unit 30 has a circuit board 31. The circuit board 31 is fixed to the housing 40 by fixing members such as screws (not shown). Various electronic components related to motor control are mounted on the circuit board 31. The electric circuit unit 30 is provided with a connector (not shown), which is used for power supply and signal transmission and reception.

[0015] The housing 40 has a housing body 41, a frame member 45, and a cover 50. The housing body 41 has a cylindrical portion 411, a substrate holding portion 412, a standing wall 415, etc. The stator 22 is fixed inside the cylindrical portion 411 by press-fitting or the like.

[0016] <00001The substrate holder portion 412 is provided to close the electrical circuit portion 30 side of the cylindrical portion 411. A through hole 413 is formed in the substrate holder portion 412 through which one end of the shaft 25 is inserted. A bearing 251 is provided in the through hole 413. The circuit board 31 is fixed to the surface of the substrate holder portion 412 opposite to the motor portion 20 with screws or the like (not shown). The substrate holder portion 412 may be provided to dissipate heat from the elements mounted on the surface of the circuit board 31 on the substrate holder portion 412 side. In this case, the substrate holder portion 412 also functions as a heat sink.

[0017] The vertical wall 415 is erected along the outer edge of the substrate holding section 412 on the side opposite to the motor section 20. The space enclosed by the vertical wall 415 houses the circuit board 31 and the electronic components mounted on the circuit board 31.

[0018] The frame member 45 is provided to close the end of the cylindrical portion 411 opposite to the electrical circuit portion 30, and has a through hole 455 through which one end of the shaft 25 is inserted. A bearing 252 is provided in the through hole 455. The frame member 45 is provided with a flange portion 451, which will be described later (see Figure 9).

[0019] As shown in Figures 3 to 8, the cover 50 is provided at the end opposite the motor section 20 so as to close the housing space for the circuit board 31. The cover 50 is liquid-tightly fixed to the vertical wall 415 with screws or the like (not shown). Heat dissipation fins 51 are formed on the outer surface 501 of the cover 50. In this embodiment, multiple heat dissipation fins 51 are formed in a linear row substantially parallel to the diameter. The fin spacing and the number of fins can be designed arbitrarily. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the heat dissipation fins 51 are erected substantially perpendicular to the outer surface 501 of the cover 50.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted between the front wheels 91 and rear wheels 92 of the electric vehicle 90 so that the motor axis is perpendicular to the vehicle centerline LV, and the cover 50 is positioned on the right side of the vehicle with respect to the direction of travel of the electric vehicle 90. The cover 50 may also be mounted on the left side of the vehicle. This allows the electrical circuit section 30 to be cooled by the opposing airflow during travel.

[0021] Incidentally, as shown in the reference example in Figure 18, when the motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 so that the heat dissipation fins 51 are horizontal, the direction of the heat dissipation fins 51 and the opposing wind are approximately the same, so the airflow is not disturbed and only a portion of the fluid comes into contact with the heat dissipation fins 51. On the other hand, as shown in the reference example in Figure 19, when the motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 so that the heat dissipation fins 51 are perpendicular to the ground, the opposing wind hits only the fin at the very front in the direction of travel, making heat dissipation difficult.

[0022] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 such that the heat dissipation fins 51 are at an angle to the opposing wind. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, the airflow entering between the fins collides with the fins, causing turbulence Tr to be generated, and a large amount of fluid comes into contact with the heat dissipation fins 51. This allows the electrical circuit section 30 to be cooled with high efficiency.

[0023] If we define the angle with the horizontal direction as 0° and the front of the vehicle rising in the direction of upward movement (counterclockwise in Figure 4), the heat dissipation fins 51 are positioned at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90°. In other words, the heat dissipation fins 51 are inclined such that the front of the vehicle is diagonally upward and the rear of the vehicle is diagonally downward. To put it another way, the front of the heat dissipation fins 51 is relatively vertically upward, and the rear of the vehicle is vertically downward. As a result, even if foreign matter gets into the slits between the fins of the heat dissipation fins 51, it can be removed by being pushed towards the rear of the vehicle by the airflow.

[0024] As shown in Figure 9, the frame member 45 is provided with a plurality of flange portions 451 that protrude radially. Note that the flange portions 451 are not shown in figures other than Figure 9. In this embodiment, three flange portions 451 are provided, but the number and position of the flange portions 451 can be designed arbitrarily. Holes 452 are formed in the flange portions 451. Mounting members 459, such as bolts for fixing the motor unit 10 to the electric vehicle 90, are inserted into the holes 452.

[0025] The hole 452 is formed in an elongated shape that extends in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the hole 452 is formed in a substantially U-shape in plan view, opening towards the center. By making the hole 452 an elongated hole that extends in the circumferential direction, the mounting angle of the electric motor unit 10 can be adjusted. Note that a shape that is curved relative to the circumferential direction, such as the hole 452 in this embodiment, is also included in the concept of "extending in the circumferential direction." This makes it possible to adjust the mounting angle so that the inclination angle of the heat dissipation fin 51 is optimal according to the electric vehicle 90 on which it is mounted.

[0026] As described above, the motor unit 10 comprises a motor section 20, an electrical circuit section 30, and a housing 40. The electrical circuit section 30 has a circuit board 31 on which electronic components related to the drive control of the motor section 20 are mounted, and is integrally provided on one side of the motor section 20 in the axial direction. The housing 40 houses the motor section 20 and the electrical circuit section 30.

[0027] The end of the housing 40 on the side of the electrical circuit section 30 in the motor axis direction is provided with heat dissipation fins 51 that are formed so as to be inclined at least partially with respect to the direction of the cooling air received when the housing is attached to the device to be mounted. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation fins 51 are provided on the cover 50 and are provided at an angle so that the entire fin is inclined with respect to the cooling air. As a result, turbulence is generated when the cooling air hits the fins, allowing the electrical circuit section 30 to be cooled with high efficiency without increasing the number of parts.

[0028] The mounting device in this embodiment is an electric vehicle 90, and the motor unit 10 is mounted so that the heat dissipation fins 51 face the side of the vehicle. The heat dissipation fins 51 are positioned so that the front side of the vehicle faces diagonally upward and the rear side faces diagonally downward. Furthermore, the motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 with the heat dissipation fins 51 in an inclined state. As a result, the opposing airflow generated by driving becomes a cooling airflow, which can cool the electrical circuit section 30. In addition, foreign matter that gets mixed between the fins can be removed towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0029] The housing 40 has a hole 452 through which a mounting member 495, which is attached to the electric vehicle 90, is inserted. In this embodiment, the hole 452 is formed in the flange portion 451 of the frame member 45. The hole 452 is formed in an elongated shape that extends in the circumferential direction of the motor portion 20 beyond the diameter of the mounting member 495. This allows the electric motor unit 10 to be mounted at the optimal mounting angle depending on the mounting target.

[0030] (Second Embodiment) In the second to ninth embodiments, the shape of the heat dissipation fins is the main difference, so this point will be explained in detail, and other points will be omitted as appropriate. Figures 10 to 14 are schematic diagrams corresponding to Figure 6, where the right side of the paper is the forward direction of travel, and the opposing wind flows from the right side to the left side of the paper. Also, the upper side of the paper is the vertically upper side when mounted on the electric vehicle 90, and the lower side of the paper is the vertically lower side.

[0031] In the first embodiment, as schematically shown in Figure 6, the heat dissipation fins 51 are formed in a linear shape and are substantially parallel to each other. In the second embodiment shown in Figure 10, the heat dissipation fins 52 are formed in an arc shape in plan view. The heat dissipation fins 52 have their center point diagonally downward on the front side of the vehicle and are in an arc shape with a diameter larger than the motor diameter. Even with this configuration, the heat dissipation fins 52 are inclined with respect to the opposing wind, enabling highly efficient cooling of the electrical circuit section 30 and enabling the discharge of foreign matter to the rear side of the vehicle. Furthermore, it achieves the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0032] (Third embodiment) In the third embodiment shown in Figure 11, the heat dissipation fins 53 are formed by bending at the bent portion 531. In this embodiment, the bent portions 531 of the heat dissipation fins 53 are arranged in a substantially straight line from the upper rear side of the vehicle to the lower front side of the vehicle. The heat dissipation fins 53 are formed by extending from the bent portion 531 diagonally upward on the front side of the vehicle and diagonally downward on the rear side of the vehicle. The number of bent portions 531 and the bending angle can be arbitrarily designed. Depending on the bending angle and mounting condition, one of the bent portions 531 may be horizontal or vertical to the opposing airflow, and if the other bent portion 531 is inclined to the opposing airflow, it is included in the concept of "at least a part of it being inclined to the cooling airflow". Even with this configuration, turbulence can be generated in the opposing airflow flowing between the heat dissipation fins 53, enabling highly efficient cooling of the electrical circuit section 30. It also provides the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0033] (Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 12, slits 541 are formed in the heat dissipation fin 54. The slits 541 are arranged in a straight line from the upper to the lower side in the vertical direction. Although Figure 12 shows an example in which slits 541 are formed in a straight line heat dissipation fin 54 as in the first embodiment, the shape of the fin in which the slits 541 are provided is not limited to, for example, the arc shape in the second embodiment, the bent shape in the third embodiment, or the embodiments described later.

[0034] In this embodiment, slits 541 are formed in the heat dissipation fins 54. More specifically, in multiple rows of heat dissipation fins 54, the slits 541 are arranged linearly from the upper to the lower side in the vertical direction. The slits 541 may be arranged on a straight line inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, or they may not be arranged on a straight line. This makes it easier to expel foreign matter that has entered between the fins. It also provides the same effects as in the above embodiment.

[0035] (Fifth embodiment) In the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 13, the heat dissipation fins 55 are formed in a straight and non-parallel shape. In this embodiment, the front side of the vehicle is formed diagonally upward, and the rear side is formed diagonally downward, and the fin spacing on the rear side is narrower than on the front side. Narrowing the fin spacing on the rear side of the vehicle increases the air pressure and allows air to flow in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper, making heat dissipation easier. This also provides the same effects as in the above embodiment.

[0036] (Sixth Embodiment) In the sixth embodiment shown in Figure 14, the heat dissipation fins 56 are formed with uneven spacing. Although Figure 14 illustrates the case where the heat dissipation fins 56 are formed in a straight line as in the first embodiment, the spacing between fins may be uneven in the shapes of the second embodiment and subsequent embodiments. Even with this configuration, the same effects as in the above embodiments can be achieved.

[0037] (Seventh Embodiment) The seventh to ninth embodiments are variations in the rising angle of the heat dissipation fins and may be combined with any of the above embodiments. Figure 15 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 7, and in the seventh embodiment shown in Figure 15, the heat dissipation fin 57 is installed at an overall inclination such that its tip is angled downwards. This allows foreign matter to be discharged from the tip side of the heat dissipation fin 57. It also provides the same effects as the above embodiments.

[0038] (Eighth embodiment, ninth embodiment) Figures 16 and 17 correspond to Figure 8. In the eighth embodiment shown in Figure 16, the lower surface 581 of the heat dissipation fin 58, which is vertically downward, is formed substantially perpendicular to the outer surface 501 of the cover 50. The upper surface 582 of the heat dissipation fin 58, which is vertically upward, is formed not perpendicular to the outer surface 501 such that the tip is narrower. In other words, the heat dissipation fin 58 is formed in a trapezoidal shape when viewed in cross-section.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 17, the lower surface 591 and upper surface 592 may both be formed non-perpendicular to the outer surface 501, such that the tip is narrower, as is the case with the heat dissipation fin 59 of the ninth embodiment. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation fin 59 is formed in an isosceles trapezoidal shape in cross-section. As in the eighth and ninth embodiments, inclining the cross-sectional shape of the fin makes it easier to discharge foreign matter that has entered between the fins. This also provides the same effects as in the above embodiments.

[0040] In this embodiment, the electric motor unit 10 corresponds to the "rotating electric machine unit," the motor section 20 corresponds to the "rotating electric machine," and the electric vehicle 90 corresponds to the "device to be mounted." Furthermore, the motor axis direction corresponds to the "rotating electric machine axis direction."

[0041] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, the heat dissipation fins are formed in a motor region that is approximately circular in plan view when the motor section is projected in the axial direction. In other embodiments, if the electrical circuit section extends beyond the motor region, the heat dissipation fins are formed in a region corresponding to the shape of the electrical circuit section that requires cooling.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the hole through which the mounting member is inserted is formed in a U-shape. In other embodiments, the shape of the hole can be formed into any shape that allows for adjustment of the mounting angle, and may be a substantially straight or arc-shaped elongated hole extending along the circumferential direction. Furthermore, if adjustment of the mounting angle is not required, the shape of the hole does not have to be an elongated hole.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the rotating electric machine unit is an electric motor unit. In other embodiments, the rotating electric machine may be a generator, or a so-called motor-generator that combines the functions of both an electric motor and a generator. In the above embodiment, the electric vehicle is an electric motorcycle. In other embodiments, the electric vehicle may be a small mobility device other than an electric motorcycle.

[0044] (Disclosure of technical ideas) This specification discloses several technical concepts, as listed in the following paragraphs. Some paragraphs are written in a multiple dependent form, where subsequent paragraphs optionally refer to preceding paragraphs. Furthermore, some paragraphs are written in a multiple dependent form, referring to other multiple dependent forms. These paragraphs written in multiple dependent forms define several technical concepts.

[0045] (Technical thought 1) Rotating electric machine (20) and, The rotating electric machine has a circuit board (31) on which electronic components related to drive control are mounted, and an electrical circuit section (30) provided on one side in the axial direction of the rotating electric machine, A housing (40) that houses the rotating electric machine and the circuit board, Equipped with, A rotating electric machine unit, wherein the end of the housing on the side of the electrical circuit in the axial direction of the rotating electric machine is provided with heat dissipation fins (51-59) that are at least partially inclined with respect to the direction of the cooling air received when mounted on the device to be mounted (90). (Technical thought 2) The aforementioned mounting target device is an electric vehicle, and is mounted such that the heat dissipation fins are on the side of the vehicle. The rotating electric machine unit according to technical concept 1, wherein the heat dissipation fins are provided such that the front side of the vehicle faces diagonally upward and the rear side faces diagonally downward. (Technical Thought 3) The rotating electric machine unit according to technical concept 1 or 2, wherein a slit (541) is formed in the heat dissipation fin (54). (Technical Thought 4) The housing has a hole (452) through which a mounting member (495) to be attached to the device to be mounted is inserted. The rotating electric machine unit according to any one of the technical concepts 1 to 3, wherein the hole is formed in the shape of an elongated hole extending in the circumferential direction of the rotating electric machine. (Technical Thought 5) An electric vehicle equipped with a rotating electric unit (10) as described in any one of the technical concepts 1 to 4.

[0046] The present invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10. Electric motor unit (rotating electric motor unit) 20. Motor section (rotating electric machine) 30. Electrical Circuit Section 31...Circuit board 40... Housing 50...cover 51-59... Heat dissipation fins 90...Electric vehicles (devices to be installed)

Claims

1. Rotating electric machine (20) and The rotating electric machine has a circuit board (31) on which electronic components related to drive control are mounted, and an electrical circuit section (30) is provided on one side in the axial direction of the rotating electric machine, A housing (40) that houses the rotating electric machine and the circuit board, Equipped with, A rotating electric machine unit, wherein the end of the housing on the side of the electrical circuit in the axial direction of the rotating electric machine is provided with heat dissipation fins (51-59) that are at least partially inclined with respect to the direction of the cooling air received when mounted on the device to be mounted (90).

2. The aforementioned mounting target device is an electric vehicle, and is mounted such that the heat dissipation fins are on the side of the vehicle. The rotating electric machine unit according to claim 1, wherein the heat dissipation fins are provided such that the front side of the vehicle faces diagonally upward and the rear side faces diagonally downward.

3. The rotating electric machine unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a slit (541) is formed in the heat dissipation fin (54).

4. The housing has a hole (452) through which a mounting member (495) to be attached to the device to be mounted is inserted. The rotating electric machine unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hole is formed in the shape of an elongated hole extending in the circumferential direction of the rotating electric machine.

5. An electric vehicle equipped with the rotating electric unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2.

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