Electric drive system

Abstract

This technology reduces the possibility of thermal effects on the operation of each component when an electric drive system is equipped with both a standard charging module and a fast charging module. [Solution] The electric drive unit 100 comprises an electric motor 30 equipped with a rotating electric machine 31 and a power transmission device 35, an inverter module 40, a normal charging module 20, a rapid charging module 10, and a case 60. The first charging module, which is one of the normal charging module 20 and the rapid charging module 10, is positioned between the electric motor 30 and the inverter module 40, and the second charging module, which is the other of the normal charging module 20 and the rapid charging module 10, is positioned on the side opposite to the electric motor 30 relative to the inverter module 40.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric drive device including a rotating electric machine, an inverter module that converts DC power stored in a power storage device into AC power and supplies the AC power to the rotating electric machine, and a charging module including a circuit for charging the power storage device with power from a charger.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of the electric drive device as described above, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-83178 (Patent Document 1) discloses an in-vehicle electric device mounted on a vehicle. Hereinafter, the reference numerals shown in parentheses in the description of the background art are those of Patent Document 1. The in-vehicle electric device (1) of Patent Document 1 includes a drive motor (10) that drives a vehicle, an inverter device (30) that converts DC power supplied from an in-vehicle battery (AE) into AC power and supplies the AC power to the drive motor (10), and a charging device (20) that charges the in-vehicle battery (AE) using power supplied from outside the vehicle. And in the in-vehicle electric device (1) of Patent Document 1, by disposing the charging device (20) between the drive motor (10) and the inverter device (30), heat interference between adjacent devices is suppressed. As shown in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1, this charging device (20) is configured to convert AC power supplied from outside the vehicle into DC power and charge the in-vehicle battery (AE).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, the electric drive device in Patent Document 1 includes a standard charging module (charging device in Patent Document 1) equipped with a circuit for converting power from a charger that supplies AC power (hereinafter referred to as a "standard charger") into DC power to charge the energy storage device. It is also conceivable that the electric drive device may further include a rapid charging module equipped with a circuit for charging the energy storage device with power from a charger that supplies DC power at a higher voltage than the standard charger (hereinafter referred to as a "rapid charger"). Even in this case, it is naturally desirable to reduce the possibility of thermal effects on the operation of each component. However, the electric drive device in Patent Document 1 does not include both a standard charging module and a rapid charging module, and therefore the thermal effects of the standard charging module and the rapid charging module were not considered.

[0005] Therefore, when an electric drive system is equipped with both a standard charging module and a fast charging module, it is desirable to realize a technology that can reduce the possibility of thermal effects on the operation of each component. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electric drive system according to this disclosure comprises an electric motor equipped with a rotating electric machine and a power transmission device for transmitting the driving force of the rotating electric machine to an output member; an inverter module for converting DC power stored in a power storage device into AC power and supplying it to the rotating electric machine; a normal charging module equipped with a circuit for converting power from a normal charger that supplies AC power into DC power and charging the power storage device; a rapid charging module equipped with a circuit for charging the power storage device with power from a rapid charger that supplies DC power at a higher voltage than the normal charger; and a case housing the electric motor, the inverter module, the normal charging module, and the rapid charging module, wherein the first charging module, which is one of the normal charging module and the rapid charging module, is arranged between the electric motor and the inverter module, and the second charging module, which is the other of the normal charging module and the rapid charging module, is arranged on the side opposite to the electric motor with respect to the inverter module.

[0007] For example, while a rotating electric machine is in operation, the electric motor and inverter module generate heat, but the normal charging module and rapid charging module do not need to operate, or if they do operate, the amount of heat generated is usually small. On the other hand, while a power storage device is being charged using power supplied from a charger, at least one of the normal charging module and rapid charging module generates heat, but the rotating electric machine is often not driven, and the amount of heat generated by the electric motor and inverter module is usually small.

[0008] In this configuration, the electric motor, inverter module, normal charging module, and rapid charging module are arranged as described above. Therefore, in both operating states, such as when the rotating electric machine is being driven and when the energy storage device is being charged, components that can generate heat and components that typically generate little heat are arranged alternately. This suppresses localized temperature increases in the electric drive unit and reduces the possibility that such temperature increases will affect the operation of each component.

[0009] As described above, this configuration makes it possible to reduce the possibility of thermal effects on the operation of each component when the electric drive system is equipped with both a normal charging module and a fast charging module.

[0010] Further features and advantages of the electric drive system will become clear from the following description of the embodiments described with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing an example of a vehicle equipped with an electric drive system. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the arrangement of each element of the electric drive device according to the embodiment in a view in the width direction. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the arrangement of each element of the electric drive device according to the embodiment in an axial view. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] An embodiment of the electric drive system will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the rapid charger 1 corresponds to the "first charger," the rapid charging module 10 corresponds to the "first charging module," the relay 12 corresponds to a "switch that switches between connecting and disconnecting the first charger and the energy storage device," the normal charging module 20 corresponds to the "second charging module," the first energy storage device 71 corresponds to the "energy storage device," the first center C1 corresponds to the "center of the electric motor," the second center C2 corresponds to the "center of the second charging module," the first housing chamber S1 corresponds to the "room in which the electric motor is housed," and the second housing chamber S2 corresponds to the "room in which the inverter module, normal charging module, and rapid charging module are housed."

[0013] In this specification, "rotating electric machine" is used as a concept that includes motors, generators, and motor-generators that perform both motor and generator functions as needed. Furthermore, in this specification, with regard to the arrangement of two elements, "overlapping in a specific viewing direction" means that when a virtual line parallel to the line of sight is moved in each direction perpendicular to that virtual line, there exists at least a portion of the region where the virtual line intersects both elements. Furthermore, in this specification, with regard to the arrangement of two elements, "overlapping arrangement regions in a specific direction" means that at least a portion of the arrangement region of one element in a specific direction is contained within the arrangement region of the other element in a specific direction.

[0014] The electric drive unit 100 comprises an electric motor 30, an inverter module 40, a normal charging module 20, a rapid charging module 10, and a case 60. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the case 60 houses the electric motor 30, the inverter module 40, the normal charging module 20, and the rapid charging module 10. Figures 2 and 3 schematically show the areas in which each device is arranged within the case 60. In this embodiment, the electric drive unit 100 further comprises a cooling module 50 and a power supply module 23 (see Figure 1). The cooling module 50 and the power supply module 23 are also housed in the case 60.

[0015] The electric motor 30 comprises a rotating electric machine 31 and a power transmission device 35 that transmits the driving force of the rotating electric machine 31 to an output member 36. As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the electric drive unit 100 is an electric drive unit for a vehicle mounted on a vehicle 90, and the rotating electric machine 31 is the drive source for the vehicle 90. That is, the rotating electric machine 31 is a traction motor that serves as the drive source for the vehicle 90 in an electric vehicle such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Note that the vehicle 90 on which the electric drive unit 100 is mounted may also be provided with a drive source other than the rotating electric machine 31 (for example, an internal combustion engine).

[0016] The rotating electric machine 31 comprises a rotor 32 (see Figure 3) and a stator (not shown). The rotor 32 is rotatably supported by the case 60 relative to the stator. The rotating electric machine 31 may be a synchronous rotating electric machine such as a permanent magnet type or a wound field type, or it may be an induction rotating electric machine. As shown in Figure 1, the device on which the electric drive unit 100 is mounted (in this embodiment, the vehicle 90) is provided with a first energy storage device 71, which is a rechargeable energy storage device (DC power supply) such as a battery or capacitor, and the rotating electric machine 31 is electrically connected to the first energy storage device 71 via an inverter module 40 (specifically, an inverter circuit 41 described later). The rotating electric machine 31 generates driving force by powering itself with the electricity stored in the first energy storage device 71. The rotating electric machine 31 also generates electricity using the driving force transmitted to it (for example, the driving force transmitted from the wheel 93) to charge the first energy storage device 71.

[0017] The output member 36 is a member for outputting the driving force of the rotating electric machine 31. In this embodiment, since the rotating electric machine 31 is the drive source of the vehicle 90, the output member 36 is drive-connected (connected in a way that allows the driving force to be transmitted) to the wheel 93 of the vehicle 90. In the example shown in Figure 1, the drive shaft connecting the power transmission device 35 and the wheel 93 is used as the output member 36, but a member provided in the power transmission device 35 (for example, a member connected to the drive shaft) may also be used as the output member 36.

[0018] The power transmission device 35 includes at least a rotor shaft (not shown) that rotates integrally with the rotor 32 of the rotating electric machine 31. The power transmission device 35 may also include other transmission shafts and gears. Furthermore, the power transmission device 35 may include engagement devices such as clutches and brakes, and transmissions such as reduction gears. In the example shown in Figure 1, the power transmission device 35 is configured to transmit the driving force of the rotating electric machine 31 to a pair of output members 36. Therefore, the power transmission device 35 includes a differential gear mechanism that distributes the rotation transmitted from the rotating electric machine 31 to the pair of output members 36. The power transmission device 35 may also be configured to transmit the driving force of the rotating electric machine 31 to a single output member 36.

[0019] The inverter module 40 converts the DC power stored in the first energy storage device 71 into AC power and supplies it to the rotating electric machine 31. The inverter module 40 also converts the AC power generated by the rotating electric machine 31 into DC power and supplies it to the first energy storage device 71. In this embodiment, the rotating electric machine 31 is a rotating electric machine driven by three-phase AC power, and the inverter module 40 converts power between DC power and three-phase AC power.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the inverter module 40 includes an inverter circuit 41 and a capacitor 42 that smooths the voltage between the positive and negative poles on the DC side of the inverter circuit 41. The inverter circuit 41 is composed of multiple switching elements. The inverter circuit 41 is, for example, a power module in which multiple switching elements are modularized. Power transistors such as IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors), power MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors), and HEMTs (High Electron Mobility Transistors) are used as switching elements.

[0021] Although illustration is omitted, the inverter module 40 may further include a control device (control board) that controls the inverter circuit 41. The control device performs switching control on a plurality of switching elements that constitute the inverter circuit 41 to cause the inverter circuit 41 to convert power between DC power and AC power.

[0022] The cooling module 50 is provided with a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant (for example, cooling water) flows. In the cooling module 50, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and a device to be cooled (for example, the inverter module 40). The refrigerant whose temperature has risen due to heat exchange with the device to be cooled is cooled by, for example, a radiator provided in the vehicle 90.

[0023] The normal charging module 20 includes a circuit (hereinafter referred to as a "normal charging circuit") for converting the power (AC power) from the normal charger 2 into DC power and charging the first power storage device 71. The normal charger 2 is a charger that supplies AC power. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 90 is provided with a second charging port 92 electrically connected to the normal charging module 20. Charging of the first power storage device 71 by the normal charging module 20 is performed with the normal charger 2 connected to the second charging port 92 via a charging cable or the like from outside the vehicle 90. Charging of the first power storage device 71 by the normal charging module 20 is performed while the vehicle 90 is stopped.

[0024] The normal charging circuit included in the normal charging module 20 includes at least an AC / DC converter that converts the AC power supplied from the normal charger 2 into DC power. The normal charging circuit included in the normal charging module 20 may further include a DC / DC converter (for example, a boost-type DC / DC converter) that converts the DC power after conversion by the AC / DC converter into DC power having a voltage suitable for charging the first power storage device 71.

[0025] A switch located in the power path between the second charging port 92 and the first energy storage device 71 may be included in the normal charging circuit of the normal charging module 20. This switch is composed of a mechanical relay or a semiconductor switch, and switches the connection between the normal charger 2 and the first energy storage device 71 by switching the connection between the second charging port 92 and the first energy storage device 71. This switch is closed when the normal charging module 20 is charging the first energy storage device 71 and opened when the normal charging module 20 is not charging the first energy storage device 71.

[0026] The rapid charging module 10 is equipped with a circuit (hereinafter referred to as the "rapid charging circuit") for charging the first energy storage device 71 with power (DC power) from the rapid charger 1. The rapid charger 1 is a charger that supplies DC power at a higher voltage than the normal charger 2. For example, the charging voltage of the normal charger 2 is 100V or 200V, while the charging voltage of the rapid charger 1 is 400V or 800V. Here, the terms "normal" and "rapid" are used to mean that charging can be done in a shorter time when using power from the rapid charger 1 compared to charging with power from the normal charger 2. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 90 is provided with a first charging port 91 that is electrically connected to the rapid charging module 10. With the rapid charger 1 connected to the first charging port 91 from outside the vehicle 90 via a charging cable or the like, the rapid charging module 10 charges the first energy storage device 71. Charging of the first energy storage device 71 by the rapid charging module 10 is performed when the vehicle 90 is stopped.

[0027] The rapid charging circuit of the rapid charging module 10 includes at least a wiring member that forms a power path between the first charging port 91 and the first energy storage device 71. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, a busbar 11 is provided as this wiring member. The rapid charging circuit of the rapid charging module 10 may also include a DC / DC converter (for example, a boost DC / DC converter).

[0028] A switch positioned in the power path between the first charging port 91 and the first energy storage device 71 may be included in the rapid charging circuit of the rapid charging module 10. This switch is composed of a mechanical relay or a semiconductor switch, and switches the connection between the rapid charger 1 and the first energy storage device 71 by switching the connection between the first charging port 91 and the first energy storage device 71. This switch is closed when the rapid charging module 10 is charging the first energy storage device 71 and opened when the rapid charging module 10 is not charging the first energy storage device 71. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the relay 12 (mechanical relay) acting as this switch is included in the rapid charging circuit of the rapid charging module 10.

[0029] The power module 23 (see Figure 1) supplies power to the electrical equipment 3 of the vehicle 90. For example, the electrical equipment 3 includes so-called auxiliary equipment such as the vehicle 90's headlights, power windows, power steering, onboard air conditioner, and electric oil pump. The power module 23 generates DC power at a lower voltage than the DC power used to charge the first energy storage device 71 and supplies it to the electrical equipment 3. The power module 23 includes, for example, a step-down DC / DC converter. The power module 23 is supplied with DC power from, for example, the first energy storage device 71 or the normal charging module 20 (normal charging circuit), and the power module 23 steps down the supplied DC power and supplies it to the electrical equipment 3.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the vehicle 90 is equipped with a second energy storage device 72, which is a rechargeable energy storage device (DC power source) such as a lead-acid battery, in addition to the first energy storage device 71. The electrical equipment 3 operates by receiving power from the second energy storage device 72. The rated voltage of the second energy storage device 72 is lower than the rated voltage of the first energy storage device 71. For example, the rated voltage of the first energy storage device 71 is about 200 to 800V, and the rated voltage of the second energy storage device 72 is about 12 to 24V. The second energy storage device 72 is charged by DC power supplied from the power module 23. Therefore, the power module 23 supplies power to the electrical equipment 3 that operates using the second energy storage device 72 as a power source by charging the second energy storage device 72.

[0031] Note that Figure 1 conceptually illustrates each device and power path, and does not necessarily accurately represent the actual placement of each device and power path. For example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the electric motor 30, inverter module 40, normal charging module 20, and rapid charging module 10 are housed in a single case 60, but in Figure 1, these devices and modules are shown dispersed for ease of understanding. Also, multiple power paths may be aggregated in a relay component called a junction box, but in Figure 1, each power path is shown dispersed for ease of understanding.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first charging module, which is one of the normal charging module 20 and the rapid charging module 10, is positioned between the electric motor 30 and the inverter module 40, while the second charging module, which is the other of the normal charging module 20 and the rapid charging module 10, is positioned on the opposite side of the inverter module 40 from the electric motor 30. In this embodiment, the rapid charging module 10 is the first charging module, and the normal charging module 20 is the second charging module. Therefore, the rapid charging module 10 is positioned between the electric motor 30 and the inverter module 40, and the normal charging module 20 is positioned on the opposite side of the inverter module 40 from the electric motor 30.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the power supply module 23 is included in the second charging module (normal charging module 20). That is, the normal charging module 20 includes a normal charging circuit as well as a circuit that constitutes the power supply module 23 (hereinafter referred to as the "power supply circuit"). These normal charging circuit and power supply circuit are configured, for example, using a common circuit board. Alternatively, the DC / DC converter included in the normal charging circuit and the DC / DC converter included in the power supply circuit may be integrally formed using a multiport transformer. In this case, the DC / DC converter is configured to have a primary circuit connected to the normal charger 2, a first secondary circuit connected to the first energy storage device 71, and a second secondary circuit connected to the second energy storage device 72.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the cooling module 50 is positioned between the inverter module 40 and the second charging module (normal charging module 20), which includes the power supply module 23. The cooling module 50 is positioned between the inverter module 40 and the second charging module (normal charging module 20) so that both the inverter module 40 and the second charging module (normal charging module 20) can be cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant channels formed in the cooling module 50.

[0035] Here, the direction along the rotor axis A (see Figure 3), which is the rotation axis of the rotor 32, is defined as the axial direction L. One side of the axial direction L is defined as the first axial direction L1, and the other side of the axial direction L is defined as the second axial direction L2. The direction perpendicular to the axial direction L and connecting the first center C1 and the second center C2 is defined as the stacking direction V. One side of the stacking direction V is defined as the first stacking direction V1, and the other side of the stacking direction V is defined as the second stacking direction V2. The first center C1 and the second center C2 will be described later. The direction perpendicular to the axial direction L when viewed from the stacking direction V along the stacking direction V is defined as the width direction H. One side of the width direction H is defined as the first width direction H1, and the other side of the width direction H is defined as the second width direction H2. Here, the width direction H is perpendicular to both the axial direction L and the stacking direction V.

[0036] In this embodiment, the electric drive unit 100 is used in an orientation where the axial direction L is aligned with the horizontal direction and the stacking direction V is aligned with the vertical direction (here, the first stacking direction side V1 is vertically upward). That is, the electric drive unit 100 is mounted on the vehicle 90 in this orientation. As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, when the electric drive unit 100 is in use, the first axial direction side L1 is on the right side of the vehicle, the second axial direction side L2 is on the left side of the vehicle, the first width direction side H1 is on the front side of the vehicle, and the second width direction side H2 is on the rear side of the vehicle. In contrast to this configuration, for example, the electric drive unit 100 can also be configured to be used in an orientation where the axial direction L is aligned with the horizontal direction and the width direction H is aligned with the vertical direction.

[0037] The first center C1 is the center of the electric motor 30, and the second center C2 is the center of the second charging module (normal charging module 20). Specifically, the first center C1 is the centroid (the centroid of the figure forming the outer shape, the geometric centroid) of the outer shape of the electric motor 30, and the second center C2 is the centroid of the outer shape of the second charging module (normal charging module 20). Here, the centroid (the intersection of the diagonals) of the rectangle forming the outer shape of the electric motor 30 is defined as the first center C1, and the centroid of the rectangle forming the outer shape of the second charging module (normal charging module 20) is defined as the second center C2.

[0038] Note that the external shape of the electric motor 30 and the external shape of the second charging module (normal charging module 20) may be the external shape (outer edge) as viewed from any direction. Here, as shown in Figure 2, the external shape of the electric motor 30 and the external shape of the second charging module (normal charging module 20) are defined as the external shape as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction L. Alternatively, for example, the external shape of the electric motor 30 and the external shape of the second charging module (normal charging module 20) may be defined as the external shape as viewed in a direction along the axial direction L (see Figure 3).

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the electric motor 30, the first charging module (rapid charging module 10), the inverter module 40, the cooling module 50, and the second charging module (normal charging module 20) are arranged from the second stacking direction V2 toward the first stacking direction V1. Specifically, the inverter module 40 is positioned on the first stacking direction V1 relative to the electric motor 30, and the first charging module (rapid charging module 10) is positioned between the electric motor 30 and the inverter module 40 in the stacking direction V. The second charging module (normal charging module 20) is positioned on the first stacking direction V1 relative to the inverter module 40, with the cooling module 50 in between. The electric motor 30, the first charging module (rapid charging module 10), the inverter module 40, the cooling module 50, and the second charging module (normal charging module 20) are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the stacking direction V along the stacking direction V.

[0040] In the example shown in Figure 2, the inverter module 40 has a first protrusion 43 that protrudes toward the electric motor 30 (second side V2 in the stacking direction) in a portion of the area that overlaps with the electric motor 30 in a view in the stacking direction V. The first charging module (rapid charging module 10) is arranged so as not to overlap with the first protrusion 43 in a view in the stacking direction V. The first charging module (rapid charging module 10) is arranged so as to overlap with the portion of the inverter module 40 other than the first protrusion 43 (in this case, the portion where the inverter circuit 41 is located) in a view in the stacking direction V. In the example shown in Figure 2, the capacitor 42 of the inverter module 40 is located on the first protrusion 43. Here, the portion of the capacitor 42 toward the second side V2 in the stacking direction is located on the first protrusion 43.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 2, the end of the first charging module (rapid charging module 10) on the first side V1 in the stacking direction is positioned further to the first side V1 in the stacking direction than the end of the first protrusion 43 on the second side V2 in the stacking direction. That is, the first charging module (rapid charging module 10) is positioned so that its positioning area in the stacking direction V overlaps with that of the first protrusion 43. Also, in the example shown in Figure 2, the first protrusion 43 is formed on the first side L1 in the axial direction of the inverter module 40, and the rotating electric machine 31 is positioned on the second side L2 in the axial direction relative to the power transmission device 35. The first charging module (rapid charging module 10) is positioned so that it overlaps with the rotating electric machine 31 in the stacking direction V in the second side L2 in the axial direction relative to the first protrusion 43.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the case 60 comprises a first storage chamber S1, a second storage chamber S2, and a partition wall 61 separating the first storage chamber S1 and the second storage chamber S2. Here, the second storage chamber S2 is located on the first side V1 in the stacking direction relative to the first storage chamber S1. The first storage chamber S1 houses the electric motor 30, and the second storage chamber S2 houses the inverter module 40, the normal charging module 20, and the rapid charging module 10. In this embodiment, the second storage chamber S2 also houses a cooling module 50 and a power supply module 23 (omitted in Figures 2 and 3). Note that one or both of the first storage chamber S1 and the second storage chamber S2 may be further partitioned into a plurality of storage chambers.

[0043] In the example shown in Figure 3, the partition wall 61 has a protruding region 62 located on the side of the electric motor 30 (second side V2 in the stacking direction) than the portion that overlaps with the rotor axis A in the stacking direction V, at a position offset in the width direction H from the rotor axis A in the stacking direction V. That is, the partition wall 61 has a non-protruding region 63 that overlaps with the rotor axis A in the stacking direction V, and a protruding region 62 that is located on the second side V2 in the stacking direction than the non-protruding region 63. Here, the protruding region 62 is located on the first side H1 in the width direction than the non-protruding region 63. Also, the protruding region 62 is located on the second side V2 in the stacking direction than the end of the first side V1 in the stacking direction of the rotating electric machine 31.

[0044] In the example shown in Figure 3, the first charging module (rapid charging module 10) is provided with a second protrusion 13 that protrudes toward the electric motor 30 (second side V2 in the stacking direction) in a region facing the protruding region 62 (facing the stacking direction V). Here, the end of the second protrusion 13 toward the second side V2 in the stacking direction is positioned toward the second side V2 in the stacking direction more than the non-protruding region 63 of the partition wall 61. In the example shown in Figure 3, the end of the second protrusion 13 toward the second side V2 in the stacking direction is positioned at the same position in the stacking direction V as the end of the first side V1 in the stacking direction of the rotating electric machine 31. However, the end of the second protrusion 13 toward the second side V2 in the stacking direction may be positioned toward the second side V2 in the stacking direction more than the end of the first side V1 in the stacking direction of the rotating electric machine 31. That is, the second protrusion 13 may be positioned so that its positioning region in the stacking direction V overlaps with that of the rotating electric machine 31.

[0045] In the example shown in Figure 3, a relay 12 that switches between connecting and disconnecting the rapid charger 1 and the first energy storage device 71 is located on the second protrusion 13. Here, the portion of the relay 12 on the second side V2 in the stacking direction is located on the second protrusion 13. Here, the one of the normal charger 2 and the rapid charger 1 that corresponds to the first charging module is referred to as the first charger, and a switch that switches between connecting and disconnecting the first charger and the first energy storage device 71 is located on the second protrusion 13. In this embodiment, since the rapid charging module 10 is the first charging module, the rapid charger 1 becomes the first charger. Therefore, the relay 12, which is a switch that switches between connecting and disconnecting the rapid charger 1 and the first energy storage device 71, is located on the second protrusion 13. Note that in the example shown in Figure 3, a busbar 11 is located on the portion of the first charging module (rapid charging module 10) other than the second protrusion 13.

[0046] [Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the rapid charging module 10 is the first charging module and the normal charging module 20 is the second charging module was described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the normal charging module 20 is the first charging module and the rapid charging module 10 is the second charging module is also possible. In this case, the power supply module 23 is included in the rapid charging module 10, which is the second charging module. Note that the power supply module 23 can also be included in the first charging module instead of the second charging module.

[0047] (2) In the above embodiment, the configuration described as an example in which the electric drive unit 100 is an electric drive unit for a vehicle mounted on a vehicle 90, and the rotating electric machine 31 is the drive source for the vehicle 90. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the electric drive unit 100 can also be mounted on a device other than the vehicle 90 (for example, a moving body other than the vehicle 90), and the rotating electric machine 31 is the drive source for that device.

[0048] (3) The configurations disclosed in each of the embodiments described above can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments (including combinations of embodiments described as other embodiments), as long as no inconsistencies arise. With regard to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0049] [Summary of this embodiment] The following is a summary of the embodiments of the electric drive system described above.

[0050] The electric drive unit (100) includes an electric motor (30) equipped with a rotating electric machine (31) and a power transmission device (35) that transmits the driving force of the rotating electric machine (31) to an output member (36), an inverter module (40) that converts DC power stored in a power storage device (71) into AC power and supplies it to the rotating electric machine (31), a normal charging module (20) equipped with a circuit for converting power from a normal charger (2) that supplies AC power into DC power and charging the power storage device (71), and a rapid charger (1) equipped with a circuit for charging the power storage device (71) with power from a rapid charger (1) that supplies DC power at a higher voltage than the normal charger (2). The system comprises a fast-charging module (10), an electric motor (30), an inverter module (40), a normal charging module (20), and a case (60) housing the rapid charging module (10). The first charging module, which is one of the normal charging module (20) and the rapid charging module (10), is positioned between the electric motor (30) and the inverter module (40), and the second charging module, which is the other of the normal charging module (20) and the rapid charging module (10), is positioned on the side opposite to the electric motor (30) relative to the inverter module (40).

[0051] For example, while the rotating electric machine (31) is in operation, the electric motor (30) and inverter module (40) generate heat, but the normal charging module (20) and rapid charging module (10) do not need to operate, or if they do operate, the amount of heat generated is usually small. On the other hand, while the energy storage device (71) is being charged by the power supplied from the chargers (1,2), at least one of the normal charging module (20) and rapid charging module (10) generates heat, but the rotating electric machine (31) is often not driven, and the amount of heat generated by the electric motor (30) and inverter module (40) is usually small.

[0052] With this configuration, the electric motor (30), inverter module (40), normal charging module (20), and rapid charging module (10) are arranged as described above. Therefore, in both operating states, such as when the rotating electric machine (31) is being driven and when the energy storage device (71) is being charged, components that can generate heat and components that normally generate little heat are arranged alternately. This makes it possible to suppress localized temperature rises in the electric drive unit (100) and reduce the possibility that such temperature rises will affect the operation of each component.

[0053] As described above, this configuration makes it possible to reduce the possibility of thermal effects on the operation of each component when the electric drive unit (100) is equipped with both a normal charging module (20) and a rapid charging module (10).

[0054] Here, the electric drive unit (100) includes a cooling module (50) provided with a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant flows, the rotating electric machine (31) is the drive source for the vehicle (90), the second charging module includes a power supply module (23) for supplying power to the electrical equipment (3) of the vehicle (90), and it is preferable that the cooling module (50) is located between the inverter module (40) and the second charging module.

[0055] In this configuration, if the second charging module includes a power supply module (23) for supplying power to the electrical equipment (3) of the vehicle (90), the second charging module may generate heat due to the operation of the power supply module (23) even when the vehicle (90) is running and the energy storage device (71) is not being charged by the second charging module. With this configuration, since the cooling module (50) is located between the inverter module (40) and the second charging module, both the inverter module (40) and the second charging module, which may generate heat while the vehicle (90) is running, can be appropriately cooled by the cooling module (50). Furthermore, with this configuration, since the power supply module (23) is provided in the second charging module, which is located on the opposite side of the electric device (30) from the inverter module (40), there is also the advantage that the heat generated by the operation of the power supply module (23) can be more easily dissipated to the outside air, etc., compared to the case where the power supply module (23) is provided in the first charging module, which is located between the electric device (30) and the inverter module (40).

[0056] Furthermore, the direction along the rotor axis (A), which is the rotation axis of the rotor (32) of the rotating electric machine (31), is defined as the axial direction (L), and the direction perpendicular to the axial direction (L) and connecting the center (C2) of the second charging module and the center (C1) of the electric motor (30) is defined as the stacking direction (V). The inverter module (40) is provided with a first protrusion (43) that protrudes toward the electric motor (30) in a part of the area that overlaps with the electric motor (30) when viewed in the stacking direction (V), and the first charging module is preferably arranged so as not to overlap with the first protrusion (43) when viewed in the stacking direction (V).

[0057] According to this configuration, by utilizing the uneven shape of the portion of the inverter module (40) on the side of the electric device (30), the inverter module (40) and the electric device (30) arranged on both sides in the stacking direction (V) relative to the first charging module can be placed in close proximity. Therefore, it is easier to miniaturize the electric drive device (100) in the stacking direction (V). Furthermore, according to the technology of this disclosure, as described above, the possibility of localized temperature rises in the electric drive device (100) affecting the operation of each component can be reduced, so problems caused by placing the inverter module (40) and the electric device (30) in close proximity are less likely to occur.

[0058] Furthermore, the case (60) is provided with a partition wall (61) that separates a chamber (S1) housing the electric motor (30) from a chamber (S2) housing the inverter module (40), the normal charging module (20), and the rapid charging module (10), and the direction along the rotor axis (A), which is the rotation axis of the rotor (32) of the rotating electric machine (31), is defined as the axial direction (L), and the direction perpendicular to the axial direction (L) and connecting the center (C2) of the second charging module and the center (C1) of the electric motor (30) is defined as the stacking direction (V). Furthermore, with respect to the stacking direction (V) and the width direction (H) being the direction perpendicular to the axial direction (L) in a view along the stacking direction (V), the partition wall (61) has a protruding region (62) located on the side of the electric motor (30) than the portion that overlaps with the rotor axis (A) in a view along the stacking direction (V), at a position offset in the width direction (H) with respect to the rotor axis (A) in a view along the stacking direction (V), and the first charging module preferably has a second protruding portion (13) in a region opposite to the protruding region (62) that protrudes toward the electric motor (30).

[0059] This configuration allows the first charging module and the electric motor (30), which are located on both sides of the partition wall (61) in the stacking direction (V), to be positioned in close proximity to the partition wall (61) by utilizing the uneven shape of the partition wall (61). Therefore, it is easier to miniaturize the electric drive unit (100) in the stacking direction (V). Furthermore, this configuration has the advantage that, for example, if the rotating electric machine (31) is cooled by oil, the partition wall (61) can easily prevent the oil from entering the chamber (S2) where the inverter module (40) and the like are housed.

[0060] In the configuration described above, where the first charging module is equipped with the second protrusion (13), it is preferable that the charger corresponding to the first charging module among the normal charger (2) and the rapid charger (1) is designated as the first charger, and that a switch (12) for switching between connecting and disconnecting the first charger and the energy storage device (71) is provided on the second protrusion (13).

[0061] According to this configuration, the switch (12), which is a component of the first charging module that tends to be large, can be appropriately positioned while suppressing the increase in size of the electric drive unit (100) in the stacking direction (V).

[0062] The electric drive device relating to this disclosure only needs to be able to achieve at least one of the effects described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1: Rapid charger (first charger), 2: Standard charger, 3: Electrical equipment, 10: Rapid charging module (first charging module), 12: Relay (switch), 13: Second protrusion, 20: Standard charging module (second charging module), 23: Power module, 30: Electric motor, 31: Rotating electric machine, 32: Rotor, 35: Power transmission device, 36: Output component, 40: Inverter module, 43: First protrusion, 50: Cooling module, 60: Case, 61: Compartment wall, 62: Protruding region, 71: First energy storage device (energy storage device), 90: Vehicle, 100: Electric drive device, A: Rotor axis, C1: First center (center of the electric device), C2: Second center (center of the second charging module), H: Width direction, L: Axial direction, S1: First housing chamber (chamber housing the electric device), S2: Second housing chamber (chamber housing the inverter module, normal charging module, and rapid charging module), V: Stacking direction

Claims

1. An electric motor comprising a rotating electric machine and a power transmission device that transmits the driving force of the rotating electric machine to an output member, An inverter module that converts DC power stored in a power storage device into AC power and supplies it to the rotating electric machine, A standard charging module equipped with a circuit for converting power from a standard charger that supplies AC power into DC power to charge the energy storage device, A fast charging module equipped with a circuit for charging the energy storage device with power from a fast charger that supplies DC power at a higher voltage than the standard charger, The system comprises the electric motor, the inverter module, the normal charging module, and a case housing the rapid charging module, A first charging module, which is either the standard charging module or the rapid charging module, is positioned between the electric motor and the inverter module. An electric drive system in which a second charging module, which is the other of the normal charging module and the rapid charging module, is arranged on the side opposite to the side of the electric motor relative to the inverter module.

2. It is equipped with a cooling module that has a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant flows, The aforementioned rotating electric machine is the power source for the vehicle. The second charging module includes a power supply module for supplying power to the vehicle's electrical equipment, The electric drive device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling module is disposed between the inverter module and the second charging module.

3. The direction along the rotor axis, which is the rotation axis of the rotor of the rotating electric machine, is defined as the axial direction, and the direction perpendicular to the axial direction, which connects the center of the second charging module and the center of the electric motor, is defined as the stacking direction. The inverter module is provided with a first projection that protrudes toward the electric motor in a portion of the region that overlaps with the electric motor in a view along the stacking direction, The electric drive device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first charging module is arranged so as not to overlap with the first protrusion when viewed in the stacking direction.

4. The case comprises a partition wall that separates a room containing the electric motor from a room containing the inverter module, the normal charging module, and the rapid charging module. The direction along the rotor axis, which is the rotation axis of the rotor of the rotating electric machine, is defined as the axial direction, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction and connecting the center of the second charging module and the center of the electric motor is defined as the stacking direction, and the direction perpendicular to the axial direction in a stacking direction view along the stacking direction is defined as the width direction. The partition wall has a protruding region located on the side of the electric motor that is offset in the width direction with respect to the rotor axis in the stacking direction view, and is located on the side of the electric motor that is closer to the rotor axis than the portion that overlaps with the rotor axis in the stacking direction view. The electric drive device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first charging module is provided with a second protrusion that protrudes toward the electric device in a region opposite to the protruding region.

5. The standard charger and the rapid charger, whichever corresponds to the first charging module, are designated as the first charger. The electric drive device according to claim 4, wherein a switch for switching between connecting and disconnecting the first charger and the energy storage device is arranged on the second protrusion.

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