transaxle

Abstract

The present invention provides a transaxle that utilizes lubricating oil supplied to a rotating machine to suppress insufficient lubrication in the bearing section of the transaxle. [Solution] The transaxle 10 comprises a rotating machine, gears, multiple rotating shafts, and a partition wall 16 that separates a motor chamber where the rotating machine is housed and lubricating oil is supplied from a gear chamber where the gears are housed. The partition wall 16 has multiple bearing sections that support the rotating shafts, and reinforcing ribs 17 that connect the sides of the bearing sections. The reinforcing ribs 17 connect the side of the S2 bearing section 72, which is one of the multiple bearing sections, to the side of the S4 bearing section 74, which is located below the S2 bearing section 72 in the vertical direction of the partition wall 16. The upper rib 17A is provided such that a part of the upper rib 17A overlaps with the area where the partition wall 16 also serves as part of the wall of the motor chamber. An oil passage 25 is provided inside the upper rib 17A that communicates from the motor chamber to the space between both ends of the S4 bearing section 74.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a transaxle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lubrication structure in a power transmission device having a plurality of rotating shafts. This lubrication structure of the power transmission device has a defringing gear that scrapes up the stored lubricating oil and scatters it into the power transmission device, and two oil pumps. The gears, bearings, and shafts of this power transmission device are lubricated by the lubricating oil scattered by the rotation of the defringing gear and the lubricating oil supplied through the two oil pumps.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above power transmission device, when the supply amount of lubricating oil through an oil pump mechanically driven by the driving force of a drive source is small, such as during low-speed driving or driving in EV mode, the lubrication amount tends to be insufficient.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A transaxle for solving the above problems comprises a rotating machine, gears, and a plurality of rotating shafts. This transaxle has a partition wall separating a motor chamber, which houses the rotating machine and to which lubricating oil is supplied, from a gear chamber, which houses the gears. The partition wall of this transaxle has a plurality of bearing portions that support the rotating shafts, and reinforcing ribs that connect the sides of the bearing portions. The reinforcing ribs of this transaxle connect the side of a first bearing portion, which is one of the plurality of bearing portions, and the side of a second bearing portion, which is a bearing portion located below the first bearing portion in the vertical direction of the partition wall. The reinforcing ribs of this transaxle are provided such that a part of the reinforcing rib overlaps with a region in which the partition wall also serves as part of the wall of the motor chamber. Inside the reinforcing rib of this transaxle, there is an oil passage that communicates from the motor chamber to the space between both ends of the second bearing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the transaxle described above, the lubricating oil supplied to the rotating machine is used to suppress insufficient lubrication in the bearing section of the transaxle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing one embodiment of a transaxle, specifically a transaxle for a front-wheel-drive vehicle. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the 2-2 section shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the reinforcing ribs of the first embodiment in the transaxle of Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the 4-4 section shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the reinforcing ribs of the second embodiment in the transaxle of Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the 6-6 section shown in Figure 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the transaxle 10, which is one embodiment of the transaxle, will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0009] <Transaxle 10 Configuration> Figure 1 is a side view of the inside of the transaxle 10, seen from the right. The transaxle 10 is installed, for example, in a front-wheel-drive hybrid vehicle.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the transaxle 10 comprises two rotating machines: a first motor generator 34 and a second motor generator 40. The transaxle 10 comprises six gears or gear units: a planetary gear mechanism 32, a first reduction gear 36, a second reduction gear 37, a motor gear 39, a differential ring gear 42, and a differential 43. The transaxle 10 comprises six rotating shafts: an output shaft 31, an input shaft 33, a reduction shaft 35, a rotor shaft 38, and two drive shafts 41: a right drive shaft 41R and a left drive shaft 41L. The rotating machines, gears, and rotating shafts (excluding the drive shafts 41) are housed within the case 11.

[0011] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transaxle 10, taken from the rear side, along the 2-2 cross-sectional line shown by the dashed line in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the longitudinal direction of the transaxle 10 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis in the horizontal plane when the transaxle 10 is mounted on the vehicle. The forward direction is the direction from the center of the transaxle 10 in the longitudinal direction toward the first motor generator 34. The rear direction is the direction from the center of the transaxle 10 in the longitudinal direction toward the second motor generator 40.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, case 11 comprises a first case 12, a second case 13, and a third case 14. Case 11 is constructed by fitting the first case 12, the second case 13, and the third case 14 in that order from the right side of the transaxle 10. The left-right direction in the transaxle 10 is the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction in the horizontal plane. In the transaxle 10, when facing forward, the direction on the right side is the right direction, and the direction on the left side is the left direction.

[0013] In other words, Figure 1 is a side view of the second case 13 of the transaxle 10, viewed from the right side of the transaxle 10. The second case 13 is provided with a PCU chamber and a partition wall 16. The PCU chamber is provided so as to extend upward from the top of the second case 13 to the transaxle 10. The vertical direction of the transaxle 10 is perpendicular to both the front-rear and left-right directions. From the center of the transaxle 10 in the vertical direction, the direction facing the differential 43 is downward, and the opposite direction is upward.

[0014] The partition wall 16 separates the motor room, which houses the rotating machine described above, from the gear room, which houses the gears described above. As shown in Figure 1, the partition wall 16 is provided with a first protrusion 16A and a second protrusion 16B. Both the first protrusion 16A and the second protrusion 16B protrude in an approximately cylindrical shape so as to be convex toward the first case 12. In other words, in Figure 1, the first protrusion 16A and the second protrusion 16B have a shape that is convex toward the front of the paper. On the other hand, when viewed from the motor room side, the partition wall 16 has a shape that is recessed toward the gear room side. The first motor generator 34 is housed in the recess of the first protrusion 16A toward the motor room side. The second motor generator 40 is housed in the recess of the second protrusion 16B toward the motor room side.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, axes S1 to S4 are shown. The above-mentioned rotating shaft and the above-mentioned gear or gear unit are respectively arranged on any one of the four axes S1 to S4 shown in Fig. 1.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in the gear chamber formed by the first case 12 and the second case 13, a planetary gear mechanism 32, a first reduction gear 36, a second reduction gear 37, a motor gear 39, a differential ring gear 42, and a differential device 43 are accommodated.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, the axis S1 is the rotation axis of the output shaft 31 of the engine, the sun gear 32A, the planetary carrier 32B, and the ring 32D that constitute the planetary gear mechanism 32, and the input shaft 33 that is the rotor shaft of the first motor generator 34.

[0018] The planetary gear mechanism 32 includes a sun gear 32A, three pinion gears 32C, a planetary carrier 32B, and a ring 32D. The sun gear 32A is located at the center of the planetary gear mechanism 32. The sun gear 32A is fixed to the input shaft 33. The sun gear 32A is connected to the first motor generator 34 via the input shaft 33. The planetary carrier 32B is connected to the output shaft 31. The planetary carrier 32B is connected to the engine via the output shaft 31. The three pinion gears 32C are arranged around the sun gear 32A while being supported by the planetary carrier 32B. The ring 32D has a ring gear 32E on its inner peripheral surface and an output gear 32F on its outer peripheral surface.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the axis S2 is the rotation axis of the first reduction gear 36, the second reduction gear 37, and the reduction shaft 35 to which the first reduction gear 36 and the second reduction gear 37 are fixed. As shown in Fig. 1, the axis S3 is the rotation axis of the rotor shaft 38 that is the rotor shaft of the second motor generator 40 and the motor gear 39. The motor gear 39 is connected to the second motor generator 40 via the rotor shaft 38.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the axis S4 is the rotation axis of the differential gear 42, the side gear of the differential device 43, and the drive shaft 41. The output gear 32F on the axis S1 receives the driving force of the engine and the first motor generator 34. The motor gear 39 on the axis S3 receives the driving force of the second motor generator 40. The first reduction gear 36 integrates the driving force of the output gear 32F and the driving force of the motor gear 39, and outputs it to the differential gear 42 via the second reduction gear 37. This output driving force is transmitted to the left and right drive shafts 41 via the differential gear 42 and the differential device 43 to drive the front wheels and make the vehicle run.

[0021] The first motor generator 34 and the second motor generator 40 shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1 are housed in the motor chamber formed by the second case 13 and the third case 14. That is, in FIG. 1, the above components are located on the back side of the paper surface with respect to the partition wall 16.

[0022] <The bearing portion and the reinforcing rib 17 in the partition wall 16> FIG. 3 is a side view of the second case 13 as viewed from the right side of the transaxle 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the partition wall 16 has a plurality of bearing portions for supporting the above rotation axis. The bearing portion has a hollow cylindrical shape, and is provided such that the axial direction of the cylinder is orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the front-rear direction of the transaxle 10.

[0023] The S1 bearing section 71 is a bearing section that supports the input shaft 33 located on axis S1. In other words, the S1 bearing section 71 is a bearing section that supports the input shaft, which is the rotating shaft to which the sun gear 32A of the planetary gear mechanism 32 is fixed. The S2 bearing section 72 is a bearing section that supports the reduction shaft 35 located on axis S2. The S3 bearing section 73 is a bearing section that supports the rotor shaft 38 located on axis S3. The S4 bearing section 74 is a bearing section that supports the left drive shaft 41L located on axis S4. More specifically, the S4 bearing section 74 supports the left drive shaft 41L by supporting the differential case of the differential 43, which covers the bore portion in which the left drive shaft 41L slides with the differential 43.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the four bearing sections are arranged in the vertical direction of the transaxle 10 in the order of S3 bearing section 73, S2 bearing section 72, S1 bearing section 71, and S4 bearing section 74 from top to bottom.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the partition wall 16 has two reinforcing ribs 17 that connect the sides of the bearing sections. Of the two reinforcing ribs 17, the one located above in the vertical direction is the upper rib 17A. Of the two reinforcing ribs 17, the one located below in the vertical direction is the lower rib 17B. In the first embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 17 connect the side of the S2 bearing section 72 and the side of the S4 bearing section 74. As described above, the S4 bearing section 74 is located below the S2 bearing section 72.

[0026] In other words, the reinforcing rib 17 connects the side surface of a first bearing portion, which is one of a plurality of bearing portions, to the side surface of a second bearing portion, which is a bearing portion located below the first bearing portion in the vertical direction of the partition wall 16. In the first embodiment, the first bearing portion is the S2 bearing portion 72. In the first embodiment, the second bearing portion is the S4 bearing portion 74. The reinforcing rib 17 maintains the distance between the S2 bearing portion 72 and the S4 bearing portion 74 by connecting the side surface of the S2 bearing portion 72 and the side surface of the S4 bearing portion 74, and also increases the rigidity of the partition wall 16 between the S2 bearing portion 72 and the S4 bearing portion 74.

[0027] <Lubrication of the motor chamber in the transaxle 10> Figure 3 illustrates the oil level of lubricating oil in the gear chamber and motor chamber. In the gear chamber formed by the first case 12 and the second case 13, the lubricating oil is stored at the bottom of the gear chamber as shown by the liquid level 51 in Figure 3. An oil intake port 21, which communicates with an oil pump (not shown), is provided at the bottom of the gear chamber. The lubricating oil drawn in from the oil intake port 21 is supplied via the oil pump to the motor chamber, which houses the first motor generator 34 and the second motor generator 40. The lubricating oil supplied by the oil pump is discharged into the motor chamber through the first discharge port 22 and the second discharge port 23 provided in the second case 13.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the motor chamber has an approximately two-tiered structure in which the section housing the first motor generator 34 and the section housing the second motor generator 40 are connected diagonally. The first motor generator 34 is housed in the lower section of the motor chamber. The second motor generator 40 is housed in the upper section of the motor chamber.

[0029] The first discharge port 22 is located in the second case 13, above the second motor generator 40 in the upper part of the motor chamber. The lubricating oil discharged from the first discharge port 22 mainly cools and lubricates the second motor generator 40. The second discharge port 23 is located in the second case 13, above the first motor generator 34 in the lower part of the motor chamber. The lubricating oil discharged from the second discharge port 23 mainly cools and lubricates the first motor generator 34. After the lubricating oil discharged from the two discharge ports cools and lubricates the first motor generator 34 and the second motor generator 40, it flows down and is stored at the bottom of the motor chamber.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the motor chamber is provided with a weir 24 for storing lubricating oil. The weir 24 is located on the bottom surface of the upper part of the motor chamber and blocks the lubricating oil from falling from the upper part of the motor chamber to the lower part. Specifically, the lubricating oil that falls to the bottom of the upper part of the motor chamber is stored in the area enclosed by the partition wall 16 of the second case 13, the third case 14, and the weir 24, as shown by the liquid level 52.

[0031] Lubricating oil that falls to the bottom of the lower section of the motor room is stored in the area enclosed by the partition wall 16 of the second case 13 and the third case 14, at a liquid level of 53. If the amount of lubricating oil stored in the upper section of the motor room increases and the liquid level 52 exceeds the height of the weir 24, the lubricating oil that overflows from the weir 24 spills down to the lower section of the motor room and is stored there.

[0032] <Configuration of reinforcing rib 17 and oil passage 25> As shown by the dashed line in Figure 3, an oil passage 25 is provided inside the upper rib 17A. The oil passage 25 can be manufactured by casting, for example, using a casting pin. The oil passage 25 can also be manufactured by machining, for example, using a drill.

[0033] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the upper rib 17A, taken from above, along the 4-4 cross-sectional line shown by the dashed line in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4, the upper rib 17A is provided such that a portion of the upper rib 17A overlaps with the area where the second protrusion 16B, which is part of the partition wall 16, also serves as part of the right-hand wall of the motor room, which is part of the wall of the motor room. As shown in Figure 4, the upper rib 17A is provided on the gear room side of the partition wall 16.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, the oil passage 25 communicates from the motor chamber to the S4 bearing section 74. The opening of the oil passage 25 in the motor chamber opens to the bottom surface of the motor chamber. The opening of the oil passage 25 in the S4 bearing section 74 opens to the space between the ends of the S4 bearing section 74. In other words, the transaxle 10 is provided with an oil passage 25 inside the upper rib 17A that communicates from the motor chamber to the space between the ends of the S4 bearing section 74.

[0035] The S4 bearing section 74 is equipped with a first bearing 27 at its right end. The first bearing 27 is, for example, a tapered roller bearing. The first bearing 27 supports the differential 43 by supporting the differential case of the differential 43, and supports the left drive shaft 41L which is inserted inside the differential 43.

[0036] The S4 bearing section 74 is equipped with a sealing component 26 at its left end. The sealing component 26 is, for example, an oil seal. The sealing component 26 slides against the left drive shaft 41L, thereby suppressing the outflow of lubricating oil from the S4 bearing section 74.

[0037] <Operation of the First Embodiment> An oil passage 25 is provided in the upper rib 17A that connects the side surface of the S2 bearing section 72 and the side surface of the S4 bearing section 74 in the transaxle 10. The S4 bearing section 74 is a bearing located below the S2 bearing section 72. In other words, the opening of the oil passage 25 in the motor chamber provided in the upper rib 17A is located above the opening of the oil passage 25 in the S4 bearing section 74.

[0038] The second motor generator 40 is supplied with lubricating oil for cooling and lubricating it, and the lubricating oil supplied to the second motor generator 40 is stored in the upper part of the motor chamber. This stored lubricating oil flows from an opening in the motor chamber above into the oil passage 25 and flows out into the S4 bearing section 74 from an opening in the S4 bearing section 74 below. The transaxle 10 lubricates the left drive shaft 41L, which is supported by the S4 bearing section 74, with the lubricating oil supplied to the second motor generator 40. The transaxle 10 can also lubricate the first bearing 27 and the seal component 26, which are fitted into the end of the S4 bearing section 74, with the lubricating oil supplied to the second motor generator 40.

[0039] In the above configuration, the transaxle 10 utilizes the lubricating oil supplied to the second motor generator 40 for lubricating the first bearing 27 and seal component 26 related to the S4 bearing section 74 by providing an oil passage 25 in the upper rib 17A. In other words, the transaxle 10 achieves lubrication of the first bearing 27 and seal component 26 without adding any new parts to supply lubricating oil to the S4 bearing section 74.

[0040] <Effects of the First Embodiment> (1-1) The transaxle 10 utilizes the lubricating oil supplied to the second motor generator 40 to suppress insufficient lubrication in the bearing portion of the transaxle 10.

[0041] (1-2) The second bearing portion of the transaxle 10 is the S4 bearing portion 74 that supports the left drive shaft 41L. In the transaxle 10, lubricating oil that flows out from the motor chamber through the oil passage 25 lubricates the left drive shaft 41L and the first bearing 27 and the seal component 26 in the S4 bearing section 74 that supports the left drive shaft 41L.

[0042] The transaxle 10 suppresses insufficient lubrication in the S4 bearing section 74 that supports the left drive shaft 41L. (1-3) The motor chamber of the transaxle 10 is provided with a weir 24 for storing lubricating oil in the motor chamber.

[0043] The transaxle 10 facilitates the storage of lubricating oil in the motor chamber by a weir 24 provided in the motor chamber. The stored lubricating oil is supplied to the S4 bearing section 74 through an oil passage 25 provided in the upper rib 17A. The transaxle 10 increases the amount of lubricating oil stored in the motor chamber by the weir 24, thereby increasing the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the S4 bearing section 74 through the oil passage 25.

[0044] According to the transaxle 10, the S4 bearing section 74 can be efficiently lubricated using the lubricating oil supplied to the second motor generator 40. (1-4) The opening of the oil passage 25 in the motor chamber of the transaxle 10 is located on the bottom surface of the motor chamber.

[0045] In the transaxle 10, an opening for the oil passage 25 is provided at the bottom of the motor chamber. When the opening for the oil passage 25 is at the bottom of the motor chamber, the opening is easily immersed in the lubricating oil even when the level of lubricating oil 52 stored in the motor chamber is low. In other words, even when the supply of lubricating oil to the second motor generator 40 is low and there is little lubricating oil stored in the motor chamber, lubricating oil can be supplied to the S4 bearing section 74 via the oil passage 25.

[0046] The transaxle 10 allows for lubrication of the components related to the S4 bearing section 74 regardless of the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the second motor generator 40. <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the transaxle 10 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The following description will mainly focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Detailed descriptions of components that overlap with those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0047] In the second embodiment, the second bearing section, to which lubricating oil is supplied through the oil passage, differs from the second bearing section in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the second bearing section is the S1 bearing section 71. The first bearing section is the S2 bearing section 72, as in the first embodiment.

[0048] <Configuration of lower rib 18B and oil passage 29> Figure 5 is a side view of the same part as in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 5, the partition wall 16 has two reinforcing ribs 18 that connect the side surface of the S1 bearing section 71 and the side surface of the S2 bearing section 72. Of the two reinforcing ribs 18, the reinforcing rib 18 located above in the vertical direction is the upper rib 18A. Of the two reinforcing ribs 18, the reinforcing rib 18 located below in the vertical direction is the lower rib 18B. As described above, the S1 bearing section 71 is located below the S2 bearing section 72. An oil passage 29, shown by a dashed line in Figure 5, is provided inside the lower rib 18B.

[0049] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view from above of a section along the 6-6 section line shown by the dashed line in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6, the lower rib 18B is provided such that a portion of the lower rib 18B overlaps with the area where the partition wall 16 and the first protrusion 16A, which is part of the partition wall 16, also serve as part of the right-side wall of the motor room, which is part of the wall of the motor room.

[0050] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the partition wall 16 has a first protrusion 16A and a second protrusion 16B that protrude toward the gear chamber side. As shown in Figure 6, the lower ribs 18B are provided on both sides of the partition wall 16 so as to straddle it. The lower rib 18B on the gear chamber side is located on the gear chamber side of the partition wall 16 and is provided between the S2 bearing portion 72 and the first protrusion 16A. The lower rib 18B on the motor chamber side is located on the motor chamber side of the partition wall 16 and is provided between the partition wall 16 and the S1 bearing portion 71, that is, exactly in the recessed portion of the first protrusion 16A on the motor chamber side.

[0051] The oil passage 29 located inside the lower rib 18B communicates from the motor chamber to the S1 bearing section 71. The opening of the oil passage 29 in the motor chamber opens to the bottom surface of the motor chamber. The opening of the oil passage 29 in the S1 bearing section 71 opens to the space between the ends of the S1 bearing section 71. In other words, the transaxle 10 is provided with an oil passage 29 inside the lower rib 18B that communicates from the motor chamber to the space between the ends of the S1 bearing section 71.

[0052] In the second embodiment, the oil passage 29 passes through the lower rib 18B on the gear chamber side, through the partition wall 16, and through the lower rib 18B on the motor chamber side midway through the oil passage 29. As described above, the oil passage may pass through both the reinforcing ribs provided on the gear chamber side and the motor chamber side so as to straddle the partition wall 16.

[0053] The S1 bearing section 71 is equipped with a second bearing 28 at its left end. The second bearing 28 is, for example, a ball bearing. The second bearing 28 supports the input shaft 33 in the S1 bearing section 71.

[0054] <Operation of the second embodiment> In the transaxle 10, an oil passage 29 is provided in the lower rib 18B that connects the side surface of the S2 bearing portion 72 to the side surface of the S1 bearing portion 71, which is located below the S2 bearing portion 72. The opening of the oil passage 29 in the motor chamber, which is provided in the lower rib 18B, is located above the opening of the oil passage 29 in the S1 bearing portion 71.

[0055] Lubricating oil supplied to cool and lubricate the second motor generator 40 is stored in the upper part of the motor chamber. This stored lubricating oil flows from an opening in the motor chamber into the oil passage 29 and out into the S1 bearing section 71 through an opening in the S1 bearing section 71. In the transaxle 10, the lubricating oil that flows out from the motor chamber through the oil passage 29 lubricates the input shaft 33 and the second bearing 28 in the S1 bearing section 71 that supports the input shaft 33. In other words, the transaxle 10 lubricates the input shaft 33, which is supported by the S1 bearing section 71, with the lubricating oil supplied to the second motor generator 40. The transaxle 10 can lubricate the second bearing 28, which is fitted into the end of the S1 bearing section 71, with the lubricating oil supplied to the second motor generator 40.

[0056] <Effects of the second embodiment> The second embodiment has the following effects in addition to the effects of (1-1), (1-3), and (1-4) of the first embodiment.

[0057] (2-1) The second bearing section of the transaxle 10 is the S1 bearing section 71 that supports the input shaft 33, which is the input shaft to which the sun gear 32A of the planetary gear mechanism 32 is fixed.

[0058] The transaxle 10 suppresses insufficient lubrication in the S1 bearing section 71 that supports the input shaft 33. <Example of changes> The following are some elements that can be modified in common with each of the above embodiments. The following examples of modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0059] In the transaxle 10, the first bearing section is not limited to the S2 bearing section 72. The first bearing section may also be the S1 bearing section 71 that supports the input shaft 33 or the S3 bearing section 73 that supports the rotor shaft 38. In each of the above bearing sections, a bearing section located below the bearing section can be designated as a second bearing section, and an oil passage can be provided from the motor chamber inside the reinforcing rib.

[0060] In the transaxle 10, the second bearing section is not limited to the S4 bearing section 74 or the S1 bearing section 71. Any bearing section located below the first bearing section and connected to the first bearing section by a reinforcing rib may be a bearing section other than those described above. In this case, the reinforcing rib is provided such that a part of the reinforcing rib overlaps with the area where the partition wall 16 also serves as part of the motor room wall.

[0061] The opening provided in the motor chamber of the transaxle 10 may be located in the lower section of the motor chamber, rather than in the upper section. The opening may also be located on the bottom surface of the lower section of the motor chamber.

[0062] The weir 24 provided in the motor chamber of the transaxle 10 may be located in a place other than the bottom surface of the upper part of the motor chamber. The weir 24 may be provided, for example, around the S1 bearing portion 71 in the lower part of the motor chamber.

[0063] The transaxle 10 may use lubricating oil supplied mainly to the first motor generator 34 for lubrication of the second bearing section, rather than lubricating oil supplied mainly to the second motor generator 40. In the transaxle 10, for example, lubricating oil supplied to the first motor generator 34 and stored in the lower part of the motor chamber may be used.

[0064] The transaxle 10 does not necessarily have a weir 24 in the motor chamber. Instead of the weir 24, the shape of the motor chamber itself may be changed to create a region in the motor chamber where lubricating oil can easily accumulate. By placing the opening of the oil passage in the motor chamber in this region where lubricating oil can easily accumulate, the amount of lubricating oil supplied through the oil passage may be increased.

[0065] The openings for the oil passages in the motor chamber of the transaxle 10 do not necessarily have to be located on the bottom surface of the motor chamber. For example, the openings for the oil passages in the motor chamber may be located away from the bottom surface, around the S1 bearing portion 71 or the S3 bearing portion 73. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 10…Transaxle, 12…First case, 13…Second case, 14…Third case, 16…Bulkhead, 16A…First protrusion, 16B…Second protrusion, 17…Reinforcement rib, 17A…Upper rib, 18…Reinforcement rib, 18B…Lower rib, 24…Weir, 25…Oil passage, 26…Seal component, 27…First bearing, 28…Second bearing, 29…Oil passage, 32…Planetary gear mechanism, 32A…Sun gear, 33…Input shaft, 35…Reduction shaft, 40…Second motor generator, 41L…Left drive shaft, 71…S1 bearing section, 72…S2 bearing section, 73…S3 bearing section, 74…S4 bearing section

Claims

1. A transaxle comprising a rotating machine, gears, and multiple rotating shafts, having a partition wall separating a motor chamber in which the rotating machine is housed and lubricating oil is supplied, and a gear chamber in which the gears are housed, The partition wall has a plurality of bearing portions that support the rotating shaft, and reinforcing ribs that connect the side surfaces of the bearing portions. The reinforcing rib connecting the side surface of the first bearing portion, which is one of the plurality of bearing portions, and the side surface of the second bearing portion, which is a bearing portion located below the first bearing portion in the vertical direction of the partition wall, is provided such that a part of the reinforcing rib overlaps with the region in which the partition wall also serves as part of the wall of the motor room. An oil passage is provided inside the reinforcing rib, which communicates from the motor chamber to the space between the ends of the second bearing portion. Transaxle.

2. The second bearing portion is the bearing portion that supports the drive shaft. The transaxle according to claim 1.

3. The second bearing portion is the bearing portion that supports the input shaft, which is the rotating shaft to which the sun gear of the planetary gear mechanism is fixed. The transaxle according to claim 1.

4. The motor chamber is provided with a weir for storing lubricating oil. A transaxle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The opening of the oil passage in the motor chamber is open to the bottom surface of the motor chamber. The transaxle according to claim 4.

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