Drive unit

Abstract

To reliably supply a refrigerant to an outer surface of a stator in a motor portion.SOLUTION: A housing 5 of a drive device 1 includes a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flow path includes a first flow path, a second flow path 55c, a third flow path, and a fourth flow path 55d. The refrigerant to be sent from a pump flows through the first flow path. The refrigerant to be supplied to a motor portion 2 flows in the second flow path 55c. The third flow path supplies a part of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 55c to an outer surface of a stator. The fourth flow path 55d supplies another part of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 55c to a hollow portion 220 of a shaft 22. A minimum flow-path cross-sectional area in the fourth flow path 55d is smaller than a minimum flow-path cross-sectional area in the third flow path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a drive device in which a branched oil flow path is formed is known. For example, the flow path is branched into a flow path connected to the inside of a rotor shaft and a cooling pipe. (See, for example, JP 2019-129608 A.) [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-129608 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned drive unit, an orifice is formed at the oil inlet of the cooling pipe, so if the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow passage inside the rotor shaft is large, pressure is released and oil cannot be supplied to the cooling pipe.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for reliably supplying a coolant to the outer surface of a stator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An exemplary drive device of the present invention includes a motor unit and a housing that accommodates the motor unit. The motor unit includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a shaft. The shaft is rotatable about a rotation axis extending along the axial direction. The stator is disposed radially outward from the rotor. The shaft includes a shaft tube and a hollow portion. The shaft tube extends in the axial direction. The hollow portion is surrounded by an inner surface of the shaft tube. The housing includes a motor tube, a motor accommodating space, and a refrigerant flow path. The motor tube extends in the axial direction and surrounds the stator. The motor accommodating space is surrounded by the motor tube and accommodates the motor. A refrigerant flows through the refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant flow path includes a first flow path, a second flow path, a third flow path, and a fourth flow path. The refrigerant delivered from a pump flows through the first flow path. The refrigerant to be supplied to the motor unit flows through the second flow path. The third flow passage supplies a portion of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow passage to an outer surface of the stator. The fourth flow passage supplies another portion of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow passage to the hollow portion of the shaft. A minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the fourth flow passage is smaller than a minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the third flow passage. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the exemplary drive device of the present invention, a technique can be provided that can reliably supply the coolant to the outer surface of the stator. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the drive device as viewed from the Z-axis direction. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the drive device as viewed from the X-axis direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the drive device as viewed from the Y-axis direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drive unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vehicle having a drive device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the housing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the motor-side oil passage. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another configuration example of the driving device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the supply limiting member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a modified example of the third supply passage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In the following description, the direction of gravity is defined based on the positional relationship when the drive unit 1 is mounted on a vehicle 200 located on a horizontal road surface. In addition, in the drawings, an XYZ coordinate system is appropriately shown as a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. In the XYZ coordinate system, the Z axis direction indicates the vertical direction (i.e., the up-down direction). The +Z direction is upward (vertically upward in the opposite direction to the direction of gravity), and the -Z direction is downward (vertically downward in the same direction as the direction of gravity). Note that the "Z axis direction" in the following description is an example of the "second direction" of the present invention. In each component, the end portion at the upper side is called the "upper end portion", and the position of the upper end portion in the axial direction is called the "upper end". Furthermore, the end portion at the lower side is called the "lower end portion", and the position of the lower end portion in the axial direction is called the "lower end". In addition, in the surface of each component, the surface facing upward is called the "upper surface", and the surface facing downward is called the "lower surface".

[0011] The X-axis direction is perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and indicates the front-rear direction of the vehicle 200 on which the drive unit 1 is mounted. In the following description, the "X-axis direction" is an example of the "first direction" of the present invention. The +X direction is the front of the vehicle 200, and the -X direction is the rear of the vehicle 200. However, the +X direction may be the rear of the vehicle 200, and the -X direction may be the front of the vehicle 200.

[0012] The Y-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and indicates the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle 200. The +Y direction is the left side of the vehicle 200, and the -Y direction is the right side of the vehicle 200. However, when the +X direction is the rear of the vehicle 200, the +Y direction may be the right side of the vehicle 200 and the -Y direction may be the left side of the vehicle 200. That is, regardless of the X-axis direction, the +Y direction is simply one side of the left-right direction of the vehicle 200, and the -Y direction is the other side of the left-right direction of the vehicle 200. Also, depending on the method of mounting the drive unit 1 on the vehicle 200, the X-axis direction may be the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle 200, and the Y-axis direction may be the front-rear direction of the vehicle 200. In the following embodiment, the Y-axis direction is parallel to, for example, the rotation axis J2 of the motor unit 2. The "Y-axis direction" in the following description is an example of the "axial direction" in the present invention. Moreover, the "+Y direction" is an example of the "one axial direction" in the present invention, and the "-Y direction" is an example of the "other axial direction" in the present invention.

[0013] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, a direction parallel to a specific axis such as the rotation axis J2 of the motor unit 2 (Y-axis direction) may be simply referred to as the "axial direction". A direction perpendicular to the specific axis is simply referred to as the "radial direction", and a circumferential direction centered on the specific axis is referred to as the "circumferential direction". Within the radial direction, a direction approaching the axis is referred to as the "radial inner direction", and a direction away from the axis is referred to as the "radial outer direction". The end portion on the radial inner side of each component is referred to as the "radial inner end portion". Furthermore, the end portion on the outer side is referred to as the "radial outer end portion". Furthermore, among the side surfaces of each component, a side surface facing radially inward is referred to as the "radial inner side surface", and a side surface facing radially outward is referred to as the "radial outer side surface".

[0014] In this specification, "annular" refers not only to a shape that is continuous and uninterrupted throughout the entire circumferential area centered on the central axis CA, but also to a shape that has one or more interruptions in a portion of the entire area centered on the central axis CA. It also refers to a shape that describes a closed curve on a curved surface that intersects with the central axis CA.

[0015] In addition, in the positional relationship between any one of a direction, a line, and a plane and any other, "parallel" includes not only a state in which the two do not intersect at all no matter how far they are extended, but also a state in which they are substantially parallel. Furthermore, "perpendicular" and "orthogonal" each include not only a state in which the two intersect at 90 degrees, but also a state in which they are substantially perpendicular and a state in which they are substantially orthogonal, respectively. In other words, "parallel," "perpendicular," and "orthogonal" each include a state in which there is an angle deviation in the positional relationship between the two to an extent that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0016] Note that these are names used merely for the purpose of explanation, and are not intended to limit the actual positional relationships, directions, names, and the like.

[0017] <1. Drive unit 1> Hereinafter, a drive device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 3 are conceptual diagrams of the drive device 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the drive device 1 as viewed from the Z-axis direction. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the drive device 1 as viewed from the X-axis direction. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the drive device 1 as viewed from the Y-axis direction. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the drive device 1. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vehicle 200 having the drive device 1. Note that Figs. 1 to 5 are merely conceptual diagrams, and the arrangement and dimensions of each part are not necessarily the same as those of the actual drive device 1.

[0018] The drive unit 1 is mounted on a vehicle 200 that uses at least a motor as a power source, such as a hybrid vehicle (HV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), or an electric vehicle (EV). The drive unit 1 is used as a power source for the vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 has the drive unit 1 and a battery 150. The battery 150 stores power to be supplied to the drive unit 1. In the case of the vehicle 200, the drive unit 1 drives the left and right front wheels. It is sufficient that the drive unit 1 drives at least one of the wheels.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the drive device 1 includes a motor unit 2, a gear unit 3, a pump 4, a housing 5, and an oil cooler 8. The motor unit 2 includes a rotor 21 having a motor shaft 22, and a stator 25 located radially outward from the rotor 21. The motor shaft 22 can rotate about a rotation axis J2 extending along the Y-axis direction. The motor shaft 22 is an example of a "shaft" in the present invention, and the Y-axis direction is an example of an "axial direction" in the present invention as described above. The gear unit 3 is connected to an end of the motor shaft 22 in the +Y direction. The housing 5 accommodates the motor unit 2 and the gear unit 3. The pump 4 supplies the oil CL accommodated in the housing 5 to the motor unit 2. As described above, the drive device 1 includes the pump 4. The oil cooler 8 cools the oil CL. In this embodiment, the oil cooler 8 cools the oil CL supplied from the pump 4 to the motor unit 2.

[0020] Moreover, the drive device 1 further includes an inverter unit 7. The inverter unit 7 supplies the motor section 2 with driving power.

[0021] An accommodating space is provided inside the housing 5 to accommodate the motor section 2, the gear section 3, the pump 4, and the inverter unit 7. As described below, this accommodating space is partitioned into a motor accommodating section 61 that accommodates the motor section 2, a gear accommodating section 62 that accommodates the gear section 3, an inverter accommodating section 63 that accommodates the inverter unit 7, and a pump accommodating section 64 that accommodates the pump 4. The inverter unit 7 is fixed integrally to a fourth housing member 54 that will be described below.

[0022] <1-1.Motor section 2> The motor section 2 is accommodated in a motor accommodating section 61 of the housing 5. The motor section 2 has a rotor 21 and a stator 25.

[0023] <1-1-1.Rotor 21> The rotor 21 rotates about a rotation axis J2 extending in the horizontal direction as a result of power being supplied from a battery (not shown) to the stator 25. In addition to the motor shaft 22, the rotor 21 further includes a rotor core 23 and a rotor magnet 24.

[0024] The motor shaft 22 extends along the rotation axis J2. The motor shaft 22 rotates about the rotation axis J2. The motor shaft 22 is rotatably supported by a first motor bearing 281 and a second motor bearing 282. The first motor bearing 281 is, for example, a ball bearing, and is held by a third housing member 53 of the housing 5, which will be described later. The second motor bearing 282 is, for example, a ball bearing, and is held by a side plate portion 512 of the housing 5, which will be described later.

[0025] The motor shaft 22 is a cylindrical hollow shaft. The motor shaft 22 has a hollow portion 220 and a shaft tube portion 221 extending in the Y-axis direction. The hollow portion 220 is surrounded by the inner surface of the shaft tube portion and is connected to a third supply path 557 (fourth flow path 55d) described later. In detail, the hollow portion 220 is connected to the third supply path 557 (fourth flow path 55d) at an end portion on the -Y direction side of the shaft tube portion. The motor shaft 22 further has a shaft hole portion 222. The shaft hole portion 222 penetrates the shaft tube portion 221 in the radial direction.

[0026] A hollow transmission shaft 310 (described later) of the gear unit 3 is inserted and connected to the end of the motor shaft 22 on the +Y direction side. In this embodiment, the two are spline-fitted. Alternatively, the two may be joined by a fixing method such as welding. The hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 communicates with a hollow portion 3101 (described later) of the transmission shaft 310 and a first motor bearing holder 531 that houses the first motor bearing 281.

[0027] The rotor core 23 is a cylindrical body extending along the Y-axis direction. The rotor core 23 is fixed to the radially outer surface of the motor shaft 22. As described above, the rotor 21 has the rotor core 23. In addition, a plurality of rotor magnets 24 are fixed to the rotor core 23. The plurality of rotor magnets 24 are arranged along the circumferential direction with their magnetic poles alternating.

[0028] The rotor core 23 has a rotor through hole 230. The rotor through hole 230 penetrates the rotor core 23 in the Y-axis direction and is connected to the shaft hole portion 222. The rotor through hole 230 is connected to the third supply passage 557 (fourth flow passage 55d) via the hollow portion 220. In detail, the rotor core 23 has a rotor communication portion 231. The rotor communication portion 231 is a space that penetrates from the radial inner surface of the rotor core 23 to the rotor through hole 230 and connects the rotor through hole 230 and the shaft hole portion 222. The rotor through hole 230 is used as a flow path for oil CL that cools the rotor 21 from the inside. The oil CL flowing through the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 can flow into the rotor through hole 230 via the shaft hole portion 222 and the rotor communication portion 231, as described later. In this way, when rotor 21 rotates, oil CL flows out from the end of rotor through hole 230 in the Y axis direction. This oil CL is supplied to the end of stator 25 in the Y axis direction by centrifugal force caused by the rotation of rotor 21, and is particularly supplied to coil ends 271 (described below) that are arranged at the end of stator 25 in the Y axis direction. This oil CL can cool the end of stator 25 in the Y axis direction, and in particular the coil ends 271 of stator 25.

[0029] <1-1-2. Stator 25> The stator 25 surrounds the rotor 21 from the radially outward side and drives the rotor 21 to rotate. As described above, the stator 25 is disposed radially outward from the rotor 21. That is, the motor section 2 is an inner rotor type motor in which the rotor 21 is rotatably disposed inside the stator 25. The stator 25 has a stator core 26, a coil 27, and an insulator (not shown) interposed between the stator core 26 and the coil 27. The stator 25 is held in the housing 5. The stator core 26 has a plurality of magnetic pole teeth (not shown) radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the annular yoke.

[0030] A coil wire is wound between the magnetic pole teeth. The coil wire wound around the magnetic pole teeth constitutes the coil 27. The coil wire is connected to the inverter unit 7 via a bus bar (not shown). The coil 27 has a coil end 271 that protrudes from the axial end face of the stator core 26. The coil end 271 protrudes in the axial direction beyond the end of the rotor core 23 of the rotor 21.

[0031] <1-2. Gear section 3> Next, the gear unit 3 transmits the driving force of the motor unit 2 to a drive shaft Ds that drives the wheels of the vehicle 200. The details of the gear unit 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1 etc., the gear unit 3 is accommodated in a gear accommodating portion 62 of the housing 5. The gear unit 3 has a reduction gear 31 and a differential gear 32.

[0032] <1-2-1. Reduction device 31> The reduction gear 31 is connected to the motor shaft 22. The reduction gear 31 reduces the rotational speed of the motor unit 2, increases the torque output from the motor unit 2 in accordance with a reduction ratio, and transmits the increased torque to the differential gear 32.

[0033] The reduction gear 31 has a transmission shaft 310, a first gear (intermediate drive gear) 311, a second gear (intermediate gear) 312, a third gear (primary drive gear) 313, and an intermediate shaft 314. The torque output from the motor unit 2 is transmitted to a fourth gear 321 of the differential gear 32 via the motor shaft 22, the transmission shaft 310, the first gear 311, the second gear 312, the intermediate shaft 314, and the third gear 313. The gear ratio of each gear and the number of gears can be changed according to the required reduction ratio. The reduction gear 31 is a parallel shaft gear type reducer in which the shaft cores of each gear are arranged in parallel. The motor shaft 22 and the transmission shaft 310 are spline-fitted.

[0034] The transmission shaft 310 extends in the Y-axis direction around the rotation axis J2, and rotates around the rotation axis J2 together with the motor shaft 22. The motor shaft 22 is rotatably supported by a first gear bearing 341 and a second gear bearing 342. The first gear bearing 341 is, for example, a ball bearing, and is held by a side plate portion 512 of the housing 5, as described later. The second gear bearing 342 is, for example, a ball bearing, and is held by a second housing member 52, which will be described later.

[0035] The transmission shaft 310 is a cylindrical hollow shaft. The transmission shaft 310 has a hollow portion 3101 and a cylindrical transmission shaft tubular portion 3102 extending in the Y-axis direction. The hollow portion 3101 is surrounded by the inner surface of the transmission shaft tubular portion 3102, and is connected to a gear-side oil passage 525 described later at an end portion on the +Y direction side of the transmission shaft tubular portion 3102. An end portion on the -Y direction side of the transmission shaft tubular portion 3102 is connected to an end portion on the +Y direction side of the motor shaft 22. In addition, an end portion on the +Y direction side of the transmission shaft tubular portion 3102 is rotatably held by a second gear bearing holding portion 521 via a second gear bearing 342.

[0036] It should be noted that, without being limited to the example of this embodiment, the transmission shaft 310 may be the same member as the motor shaft 22, that is, may be integral with it. In other words, the motor shaft 22 may be a hollow shaft extending across the motor accommodating portion 61 and the gear accommodating portion 62 of the housing 5. In this case, the end of the motor shaft 22 on the +Y direction side protrudes toward the gear accommodating portion 62 and is rotatably supported by the second gear bearing 342. In addition, the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 communicates with a first motor bearing holding portion 531 that houses the first motor bearing 281 and a second gear bearing holding portion 521 that houses the second gear bearing 342.

[0037] The first gear 311 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the transmission shaft 310. The first gear 311 may be the same member as the transmission shaft 310, or may be a different member. When the first gear 311 and the transmission shaft 310 are different members, the first gear 311 and the transmission shaft 310 are firmly fixed to each other by shrink fitting or the like. The first gear 311 is rotatable together with the transmission shaft 310 about the rotation axis J2.

[0038] The intermediate shaft 314 extends along an intermediate axis J4 parallel to the rotation axis J2, and is supported by the housing 5 for rotation around the intermediate axis J4. Both ends of the intermediate shaft 314 are supported by a third gear bearing 343 and a fourth gear bearing 344 for rotation. The third gear bearing 343 is, for example, a ball bearing, and is held by the side plate portion 512 of the housing 5. The fourth gear bearing 344 is, for example, a ball bearing, and is held by the second housing member 52.

[0039] The second gear 312 and the third gear 313 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate shaft 314. The second gear 312 and the third gear 313 may be the same member as the intermediate shaft 314, or may be different members. When the second gear 312 and the intermediate shaft 314 are different members, they are firmly fixed to each other by shrink fitting or the like. When the third gear 313 and the intermediate shaft 314 are different members, they are firmly fixed to each other by shrink fitting or the like. The third gear 313 is disposed closer to the side plate portion 512 side (i.e., in the -Y direction) than the second gear 312. The second gear 312 and the third gear 313 are connected via the intermediate shaft 314. The second gear 312 and the third gear 313 are rotatable about the intermediate shaft J4. The second gear 312 meshes with the first gear 311. The third gear 313 meshes with a fourth gear 321 of the differential device 32 .

[0040] The torque of the transmission shaft 310 is transmitted from the first gear 311 to the second gear 312. Then, the torque transmitted to the second gear 312 is transmitted to the third gear 313 via the intermediate shaft 314. Furthermore, the torque transmitted to the third gear 313 is transmitted to the fourth gear 321 of the differential device 32. In this manner, the reduction gear 31 transmits the torque output from the motor unit 2 to the differential device 32.

[0041] <1-2-2. Differential device 32> The differential gear 32 is attached to the drive shaft Ds. The differential gear 32 transmits the output torque of the motor unit 2 to the drive shaft Ds. The drive shafts Ds are attached to the left and right sides of the differential gear 32. For example, when the vehicle 200 turns, the differential gear 32 has a function of transmitting the same torque to the left and right drive shafts Ds while absorbing the speed difference between the left and right wheels (drive shafts Ds). The differential gear 32 has, for example, a fourth gear (ring gear) 321, a gear housing (not shown), a pair of pinion gears (not shown), a pinion shaft (not shown), and a pair of side gears (not shown).

[0042] The fourth gear 321 can rotate about a differential shaft J5 parallel to the rotation shaft J2. The torque output from the motor unit 2 is transmitted to the fourth gear 321 through the reduction gear 31. A portion of the fourth gear 321 on the -Z direction side is immersed in an oil reservoir P at the bottom of the gear housing 62. For example, the oil CL is scooped up by the tooth surface of the fourth gear 321 when the fourth gear 321 of the differential gear 32 rotates. A part of the oil is supplied to the inside of the gear housing 62 and used to lubricate the gears and bearings of the reduction gear 31 and the differential gear 32 in the gear housing 62. Another part of the scooped up oil CL is collected in a receiver 524 described later, and then supplied to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 through a gear side oil passage 525 described later and a hollow portion 3101 of the transmission shaft 310, and used to cool the stator 25.

[0043] <1-3. Pump 4 and oil cooler 8> Next, the pump 4 is an electric pump that is driven by electricity, and is connected to the inverter unit 7 via a harness cable (not shown). That is, the pump 4 is driven by the inverter unit 7. A trochoidal pump, a centrifugal pump, or the like can be adopted as the pump 4. The pump 4 is provided in a pump accommodating portion 64 formed in the housing 5. For example, the pump 4 is fixed to the housing 5 with bolts (not shown).

[0044] The suction port 41 of the pump 4 is inserted into the first oil passage 551 so as to block the first oil passage 551 described later. The suction port 41 of the pump 4 is connected to the strainer 42 via the first oil passage 551 described later. The strainer 42 is disposed in the gear accommodating portion 62 of the housing 5. The strainer 42 is disposed in an oil reservoir P (see FIG. 2, etc.) described later in the gear accommodating portion 62. The strainer 42 sucks oil CL from an inlet (not shown) disposed on its lower surface by the driving of the pump 4, and supplies the oil to the suction port 41 of the pump 4. A filtering structure (not shown) such as a filter is attached to the strainer 42. The attachment of the filtering structure can suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the pump 4 and the intrusion of foreign matter into the motor portion 2.

[0045] The discharge port 43 of the pump 4 opens into the pump housing portion 64. That is, the oil CL protruded from the pump 4 fills the pump housing portion 64. A second oil passage 552, which will be described later, is connected to the pump housing portion 64. The pump 4 discharges the oil CL sucked from the suction port 41 from the discharge port 43, and sends it to the oil cooler 8 via the second oil passage 552.

[0046] The oil cooler 8 exchanges heat between the oil CL discharged from the pump 4 via the second oil passage 552 and the refrigerant RE supplied via a system separate from the motor-side oil passage 55, which includes the second oil passage 552 and will be described later. In this way, the oil cooler 8 cools the oil CL discharged from the pump 4. The oil CL cooled by the oil cooler 8 is supplied to the motor section 2 via a third oil passage 553 and a fourth oil passage 554, which will be described later. The refrigerant RE is supplied to the oil cooler 8 after cooling IGBTs, SIC elements, and the like (not shown) of the inverter unit 7.

[0047] The pump accommodating portion 64 is formed in the peripheral wall portion 514 that surrounds the inverter accommodating portion 63 (see FIG. 3). For example, the pump accommodating portion 64 can be arranged by utilizing dead space in the inverter accommodating portion 63 other than the space occupied by the inverter unit 7. In this way, the pump 4 can be arranged compactly, which contributes to the miniaturization of the drive device 1.

[0048] <1-4. Housing 5> Next, the configuration of the housing 5 will be described. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the housing 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the housing 5 has a first housing member 51. The first housing member 51 has a cylindrical tube portion 511. That is, the housing 5 has the tube portion 511. The tube portion 511 extends in the Y-axis direction and surrounds the stator 25. The tube portion 511 is an example of the "motor tube portion" of the present invention. The first housing member 51 further has a side plate portion 512. That is, the housing 5 has the side plate portion 512. The side plate portion 512 covers the end of the tube portion 511 on the +Y direction side. In this embodiment, the tube portion 511 and the side plate portion 512 are the same member. However, this is not limited to this example, and the tube portion 511 and the side plate portion 512 may be different members.

[0049] The housing 5 further includes a second housing member 52. The second housing member 52 is attached to an end portion on the +Y direction side of the side plate portion 512. The second housing member 52 and the side plate portion 512 form a gear accommodating portion 62, which will be described later.

[0050] The housing 5 further includes a third housing member 53. The third housing member 53 is an example of the "motor lid" of the present invention. The third housing member 53 is attached to the end of the -Y direction of the tubular portion 511. The end of the -Y direction corresponds to the "one axial end" of the present invention. The third housing member 53 closes and blocks the end of the tubular portion 511 on the -Y direction side.

[0051] The contact portion 530 where the third housing member 53 comes into contact with the tubular portion 511 is annular when viewed from the Y-axis direction as shown in FIG. 3. The housing 5 has a continuous contact portion 530 where the tubular portion 511 and the third housing member 53 come into contact. The third housing member 53 has a first motor bearing 281 that rotatably supports the shaft tubular portion 221. The first motor bearing 281 is an example of a "bearing" in the present invention. The third housing member 53 also has a first motor bearing holder 531 that holds the first motor bearing 281. The first motor bearing holder 531 is an example of a "bearing holder" in the present invention. The first motor bearing holder 531 rotatably supports the end of the motor shaft 22 on the -Y direction side via the first motor bearing 281.

[0052] The housing 5 further includes a fourth housing member 54. The fourth housing member 54 is disposed vertically above the cylindrical portion 511. The vertically above is perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. The fourth housing member 54 is attached to an upper portion of the first housing member 51.

[0053] The housing 5 further has a motor accommodating portion 61. The motor accommodating portion 61 is surrounded by the cylindrical portion 511 and accommodates the motor section 2. The motor accommodating portion 61 is an example of a "motor accommodating space" in the present invention. In detail, the motor accommodating portion 61 is a space surrounded by the cylindrical portion 511, the side plate portion 512, and the third housing member 53, and accommodates the motor section 2.

[0054] The housing 5 further has a gear accommodating portion 62. The gear accommodating portion 62 is a space surrounded by the side plate portion 512 and the second housing member 52, and accommodates the gear portion 3. An oil reservoir P in which oil CL accumulates is provided in a vertically lower portion of the gear accommodating portion 62. The motor accommodating portion 61 and the gear accommodating portion 62 are partitioned by the side plate portion 512.

[0055] The housing 5 further has an inverter accommodating portion 63 that accommodates the inverter unit 7. The inverter accommodating portion 63 is a space surrounded by the tube portion 511, a plate portion 513 described later, and a peripheral wall portion 514 described later. The inverter accommodating portion 63 opens in the +Z direction. This opening is covered by the fourth housing member 54. The inverter unit 7 is fixed integrally to the fourth housing member 54. That is, the inverter unit 7 is fixed downward to the inverter accommodating portion 63 by fixing the inverter unit 7 integrally to the lower side of the fourth housing member 54. The fourth housing member 54 may be provided with an inverter cooling passage (not shown).

[0056] Furthermore, the housing 5 has a pump accommodating portion 64. The pump accommodating portion 64 accommodates the pump 4. The pump accommodating portion 64 is formed in the first housing member 51. That is, the first housing member 51 further has the pump accommodating portion 64.

[0057] Next, the first housing member 51 further has a plate portion 513 and a peripheral wall portion 514. That is, the housing 5 has the plate portion 513 and the peripheral wall portion 514. The plate portion 513 spreads out from the tube portion 511 in the X-axis direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. The peripheral wall portion 514 surrounds the inverter accommodating portion 63 when viewed from the Z-axis direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction. In detail, the plate portion 513 spreads out in the -X direction from the outer surface of the tube portion 511. The peripheral wall portion 514 protrudes in the +Z direction from the upper end portion of the tube portion 511 and the plate portion 513, and surrounds the inverter accommodating portion 63 when viewed from the vertical direction (see FIG. 1).

[0058] The first housing member 51 further has an insertion hole 5120, a first drive shaft passing hole 515, a second motor bearing retaining portion 516, a first gear bearing retaining portion 517, a third gear bearing retaining portion 518, and a side plate opening 519.

[0059] The insertion hole 5120 and the first drive shaft passing hole 515 are disposed in the side plate portion 512 and penetrate the side plate portion 512 in the Y-axis direction. The center of the insertion hole 5120 coincides with the rotation axis J2. A second motor bearing holder 516 is disposed on the -Y direction side of the insertion hole 5120. A first gear bearing holder 517 is disposed on the +Y direction side of the insertion hole 5120.

[0060] The drive shaft Ds passes through the first drive shaft passing hole 515 in a rotatable state. The second housing member 52 is provided with a second drive shaft passing hole 523. The second drive shaft passing hole 523 is a hole that passes through the second housing member 52 in the axial direction. The drive shaft Ds passes through the second drive shaft passing hole 523 in a rotatable state. The second drive shaft passing hole 523 overlaps with the first drive shaft passing hole 515 when viewed from the axial direction. As a result, the drive shafts Ds disposed at both ends of the differential device 32 in the axial direction (Y direction) rotate around the differential axis J5. Between the drive shaft Ds and the first drive shaft passing hole 515, and between the drive shaft Ds and the second drive shaft passing hole 523, oil seals (not shown) are provided to suppress leakage of oil CL. An axle (not shown) that rotates the wheels is connected to the tip of the drive shaft Ds.

[0061] The second motor bearing holder 516 extends in the -Y direction from the edge of the insertion hole 5120. The outer ring of the second motor bearing 282 is fixed to the second motor bearing holder 516. The end of the motor shaft 22 on the +Y direction side is fixed to the inner ring of the second motor bearing 282. The first motor bearing holder 531 is disposed on the +Y direction side of the third housing member 53. The central axes of the first motor bearing holder 531 and the second motor bearing holder 516 respectively coincide with the rotation axis J2. The outer ring of the first motor bearing 281 is fixed to the first motor bearing holder 531. The end of the motor shaft 22 on the -Y direction side is fixed to the inner ring of the first motor bearing 281. As a result, the motor unit 2 is rotatably supported by the housing 5 via the first motor bearing 281 and the second motor bearing 282 at both ends of the rotor 21 in the Y axis direction.

[0062] The first gear bearing holding portion 517 extends in the +Y direction from the edge of the insertion hole 5120. The outer ring of the first gear bearing 341 is fixed to the first gear bearing holding portion 517. The end of the transmission shaft 310 on the -Y direction side is fixed to the inner ring of the first gear bearing 341. The second gear bearing holding portion 521 is disposed on the -Y direction side of the second housing member 52. The central axes of the second gear bearing holding portion 521 and the first gear bearing holding portion 517 coincide with the rotation axis J2. The outer ring of the second gear bearing 342 is fixed to the second gear bearing holding portion 521. The transmission shaft 310 is fixed to the inner ring of the second gear bearing 342. As a result, the transmission shaft 310 is rotatably supported by the side plate portion 512 of the housing 5 and the second housing member 52 via the first gear bearing 341 and the second gear bearing 342.

[0063] Next, the third gear bearing holding portion 518 is cylindrical and extends in the +Y direction from the side plate portion 512. The third gear bearing holding portion 518 is disposed in the -X direction and the +Z direction from the first gear bearing holding portion 517. The outer ring of the third gear bearing 343 is fixed to the third gear bearing holding portion 518. The intermediate shaft 314 is fixed to the inner ring of the third gear bearing 343. The fourth gear bearing holding portion 522 is disposed on the -Y direction side of the second housing member 52. The fourth gear bearing holding portion 522 is cylindrical and extends in the -Y direction from the second housing member 52. The central axes of the third gear bearing holding portion 518 and the fourth gear bearing holding portion 522 coincide with the intermediate axis J4. The outer ring of the fourth gear bearing 344 is fixed to the fourth gear bearing holding portion 522. Further, an end portion of the intermediate shaft 314 on the +Y direction side is fixed to the inner ring of the fourth gear bearing 344. As a result, the intermediate shaft 314 is rotatably supported by the side plate portion 512 of the housing 5 and the second housing member 52 via the third gear bearing 343 and the fourth gear bearing 344.

[0064] The side plate opening 519 is disposed in the side plate portion 512 that separates the motor accommodating portion 61 and the gear accommodating portion 62. The housing 5 includes the side plate opening 519. The side plate opening 519 axially penetrates the side plate portion 512 and connects the motor accommodating portion 61 and the gear accommodating portion 62. The side plate opening 519 in particular communicates between the lower portion of the motor accommodating portion 61 and the lower portion of the gear accommodating portion 62. The side plate opening 519 allows the oil CL accumulated in the lower portion of the motor accommodating portion 61 to move to the gear accommodating portion 62. The oil CL that has moved to the gear accommodating portion 62 can flow into the oil reservoir P.

[0065] Next, the configuration of the second housing member 52 will be described. The second housing member 52 is attached to the +Y direction side of the side plate portion 512 of the first housing member 51. The second housing member 52 has a concave shape that opens toward the side plate portion 512. The opening of the second housing member 52 is covered by the side plate portion 512. As shown in FIG. 1 etc., the second housing member 52 has a second gear bearing holding portion 521, a fourth gear bearing holding portion 522, and a second drive shaft passing hole 523. Note that these have been described above and will not be described here.

[0066] The second housing member 52 has a receiving tray portion 524, a gear side oil passage 525, and a gear side limiting member 526. In other words, the housing 5 has the receiving tray portion 524, the gear side oil passage 525, and the gear side limiting member 526.

[0067] The receiver portion 524 is disposed radially outward from the fourth gear 321 with respect to the differential shaft J5, and opens in the +Z direction (i.e., vertically upward). The receiver portion 524 stores the oil CL scooped up by the fourth gear 321. The receiver portion 524 extends in the +Y direction from the side plate portion 512. An end portion of the receiver portion 524 on the +Y direction side is connected to an inner surface of the second housing member 52 facing the -Y direction.

[0068] The gear-side oil passage 525 is formed inside the second housing member 52. The gear-side oil passage 525 is a passage for the oil CL that connects the end of the saucer portion 524 on the +Y direction side and the second gear bearing holding portion 521. One end of the oil passage 627 is connected to the end of the saucer portion 524 on the +Y direction side and connected to the saucer portion 524. The other end of the gear-side oil passage 525 is connected to the second gear bearing holding portion 521. The oil CL stored in the saucer portion 524 is supplied to the gear-side oil passage 525. As shown in FIG. 2, a part of the oil CL supplied to the gear-side oil passage 525 is supplied to the second gear bearing 342. Another part of the oil CL supplied to the gear-side oil passage 525 flows into the hollow portion 3101 from the end of the transmission shaft 310 on the +Y direction side, flows in the -Y direction, and flows into the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22.

[0069] The gear side limiting member 526 limits the amount of oil CL supplied from the gear side oil passage 525 to the second gear bearing 342. This limiting ensures that the oil CL is supplied from the gear side oil passage 525 to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 through the hollow portion 3101 of the transmission shaft 310. The gear side limiting member 526 has an annular portion (reference numeral omitted) facing the second gear bearing 342 in the Y-axis direction, and a tubular portion (reference numeral omitted) extending from a radial inner end of the annular portion in the -Y direction and inserted into the inside of the transmission shaft 310. The annular portion has a through hole (reference numeral omitted) penetrating the annular portion in the Y-axis direction. The oil CL is supplied to the second gear bearing 342 through the through hole, and is also supplied to the inside of the transmission shaft 310 through the tubular portion.

[0070] <1-5. Motor side oil passage 55> Next, motor-side oil passage 55 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and 7. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of motor-side oil passage 55. Note that Figure 7 is viewed from the +Z direction to the -Z direction.

[0071] For example, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the housing 5 further has a motor-side oil passage 55 through which the oil CL flows. The motor-side oil passage 55 is an example of a "coolant passage" of the present invention. The oil CL is a lubricating liquid and is an example of a "coolant" of the present invention. A part of the motor-side oil passage 55 is disposed in the first housing member 51, and the remaining part is disposed in the third housing member 53. The motor-side oil passage 55 is a passage through which the oil CL, which has been sucked up by the pump 4 from the oil reservoir P of the gear accommodating portion 62 and cooled by the oil cooler 8, flows toward the motor portion 2.

[0072] The motor-side oil passage 55 includes a first oil passage 551, a second oil passage 552, a third oil passage 553, and a fourth oil passage 554. The first oil passage 551, the second oil passage 552, and the third oil passage 553 are formed in the first housing member 51.

[0073] As described above, the first oil passage 551 connects the gear accommodating portion 62 and the suction port 41 of the pump 4, and in particular connects the vertical lower portion of the gear accommodating portion 62 and the suction port 41 of the pump 4. In this embodiment, the first oil passage 551 is formed inside the side plate portion 512.

[0074] The second oil passage 552 connects the discharge port 43 of the pump 4 and the oil cooler 8, and supplies the oil CL discharged from the pump 4 to the oil cooler 8. The third oil passage 553 is connected to a fourth oil passage 554 via a connection passage 5531 described later. The second oil passage 552 and the third oil passage 553 configure a first passage 55a. The motor-side oil passage 55 has the first passage 55a through which the oil CL delivered from the pump 4 flows. The first passage 55a is arranged in the first housing member 51.

[0075] The second oil passage 552 and the third oil passage 553 (first flow passage 55a) are arranged in either the plate portion 513 or the peripheral wall portion 514. For example, in the embodiment, the second oil passage 552 and the third oil passage 553 are formed inside the peripheral wall portion 514. However, without being limited to this example, at least one of the second oil passage 552 and the third oil passage 553 (first flow passage 55a) may be formed inside the plate portion 513. In this way, for example, the second oil passage 552 and the third oil passage 553 (first flow passage 55a) can be arranged by utilizing a dead space other than the space occupied by the inverter unit 7 in the inverter accommodating portion 63. Therefore, the motor side oil passage 55 can be arranged compactly, which contributes to the miniaturization of the drive device 1.

[0076] The fourth oil passage 554 connects the third oil passage 553 and the motor accommodating portion 61. The fourth oil passage 554 is disposed within the third housing member 53. In other words, the fourth oil passage 554 is a through hole formed in the third housing member 53. In this manner, the fourth oil passage 554 can be disposed without increasing the number of parts of the drive device 1.

[0077] Moreover, the motor-side oil passage 55 further has a connection passage 5531. The connection passage 5531 connects the third oil passage 553 (first passage 55a) and the fourth oil passage 554 (second passage 55b) in the motor accommodating portion 61. Moreover, when viewed from the axial direction, the connection passage 5531 is disposed inside the contact portion 530 between the first housing member 51 and the third housing member 53 (see, for example, FIG. 3). This ensures that a portion of the connection passage 5531 is disposed inside the motor accommodating portion 61.

[0078] In this embodiment, an end of the third oil passage 553 (first passage 55a) and an end of the fourth oil passage 554 (second passage 55b) connected by the connection passage 5531 face each other with a gap therebetween. This allows the connection passage 5531 to have a simple configuration.

[0079] The connection flow passage 5531 is a space surrounded by the inner surface of the connection pipe 5530. The housing 5 has a cylindrical connection pipe 5530 that connects the third oil passage 553 (first flow passage 55a) and the fourth oil passage 554 (second flow passage 55b). The connection pipe 5530 extends in the Y-axis direction.

[0080] Next, the fourth oil passage 554 has a first supply passage 555, a second supply passage 556, and a third supply passage 557. The first supply passage 555 is connected to the third oil passage 553 via a connection passage 5531. The second supply passage 556 connects the first supply passage 555 and an oil supply section 558. The third supply passage 557 connects the first supply passage 555 and the hollow section 220 of the motor shaft 22. That is, one end of the fourth oil passage 554 is the first supply passage 555, and the other end of the fourth oil passage 554 branches into the second supply passage 556 and the third supply passage 557.

[0081] In other words, the motor-side oil passage 55 has a first supply passage 555. The first supply passage 555 constitutes a second passage 55b. The motor-side oil passage 55 has a second passage 55b. The oil CL to be supplied to the motor section 2 flows through the first supply passage 555 (second passage 55b).

[0082] The motor-side oil passage 55 further includes a second supply passage 556 and a third supply passage 557. The second supply passage 556 constitutes the third passage 55c, and the third supply passage 557 constitutes the fourth passage 55d. The motor-side oil passage 55 includes the third passage 55c and the fourth passage 55d. The second supply passage 556 (third passage 55c) supplies a part of the oil CL flowing through the first supply passage 555 (second passage 55b) to the outer surface of the stator 25. The third supply passage 557 (fourth passage 55d) supplies another part of the oil CL flowing through the first supply passage 555 (second passage 55b) to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22. The third supply passage 557 also supplies the oil CL to the first motor bearing 281.

[0083] The first supply path 555 (second flow path 55b), the second supply path 556 (third flow path 55c), and the third supply path 557 (fourth flow path 55d) are disposed in the third housing member 53. In this manner, the first supply path 555 (second flow path 55b), the second supply path 556 (third flow path 55c), and the third supply path 557 (fourth flow path 55d) can be disposed without increasing the number of components of the drive device 1.

[0084] Further, the second supply passage 556 (the third flow passage 55c) and the third supply passage 557 (the fourth flow passage 55d) extend in a direction intersecting the Y-axis direction. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the size of the third housing member 53 in the Y-axis direction due to the arrangement of the second supply passage 556 (the third flow passage 55c) and the third supply passage 557 (the fourth flow passage 55d).

[0085] The minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the third supply passage 557 (fourth flow passage 55d) is smaller than the minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55c). Since the minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the third supply passage 557 (fourth flow passage 55d) that supplies the oil CL to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 is smaller than the minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55c) that supplies the oil CL to the outside of the stator 25, the oil CL flowing through the first supply passage 555 (second flow passage 55b) flows more easily into the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55c) than into the third supply passage 557 (fourth flow passage 55d). Therefore, even if the flow pressure of the oil CL flowing through the motor-side oil passage 55 is not too strong, a sufficient amount of oil CL can be made to flow through the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55c) and supplied to the outer surface of the stator 25.

[0086] The third supply passage 557 (fourth flow passage 55d) includes a hole 5570. The hole 5570 extends from the first supply passage 555 (second flow passage 55b) and is disposed inside the third housing member 53. The hole 5570 communicates from the first supply passage 555 (second flow passage 55b) to the first motor bearing holder 531. One end of the hole 5570 is connected to the first supply passage 555 (second flow passage 55b). The other end of the hole 5570 is connected to the inside of the first motor bearing holder 531. Preferably, the minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the hole 5570 is smaller than the minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55c). In this way, the amount of oil CL supplied to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 can be adjusted by adjusting the minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the hole 5570. However, this example does not exclude a configuration in which the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the hole 5570 is equal to or greater than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second supply path 556 (third flow path 55c).

[0087] Next, the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55c) is connected to the oil supply unit 558. The oil supply unit 558 is accommodated in the motor accommodating unit 61 together with the motor unit 2. The drive device 1 further includes the oil supply unit 558. The oil supply unit 558 is a cylindrical member extending in the Y-axis direction, and is disposed radially outward from the stator 25 and vertically upward from the rotation axis J2 (i.e., in the +Z direction). The inside of the oil supply unit 558 is connected to the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55c). In addition, the inside of the oil supply unit 558 is connected to the third gear bearing holding unit 518 via a hole 5121 penetrating the side plate unit 512 in the Y-axis direction.

[0088] The oil supply unit 558 has a diffusion hole 5581. The diffusion hole 5581 penetrates from the inner side surface to the outer side surface of the oil supply unit 558, and opens toward the outer side surface of the stator 25. In this way, the oil supply unit 558 can diffuse the oil CL flowing through the third supply passage 557 (fourth flow passage 55d) from the diffusion hole 5581 toward the outer side surface of the stator 25, and the stator 25 can be cooled from its radially outer side surface.

[0089] The means for supplying the oil CL supplied from the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55c) to the outer surface of the stator is not limited to the above-mentioned example. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another configuration example of the drive device 1. FIG. 8 shows the drive device 1 viewed from the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55c) may be connected to a motor oil reservoir 559 instead of the oil supply unit 558. The motor oil reservoir 559 is a tray that is disposed in the upper part of the motor housing portion 61 and opens vertically upward (i.e., in the +Z direction). The motor oil reservoir 74 is disposed vertically above the stator 25 in the motor housing portion 61. A drip hole 5590 is formed in the bottom of the motor oil reservoir 74. The oil CL is dripped from the drip hole 5590 to cool the motor portion 2. The drip hole 5590 is formed, for example, in an upper portion of the coil end 271 of the stator 25. The coil end 271 is cooled by the oil CL dripped from the drip hole 5590.

[0090] Next, the third supply passage 557 (fourth flow passage 55d) is connected to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 via the first motor bearing holding portion 531. As described above, the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 is connected to the rotor through hole 230 of the rotor core 23. For example, the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 is connected to the rotor through hole 230 via the recess 223, the shaft hole portion 222, and the rotor communication portion 231 (see FIG. 5). That is, the rotor through hole 230 is connected to the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55c) via the first motor bearing holding portion 531 and the hollow portion 220. Therefore, when the rotor 21 rotates, the oil CL is supplied from the end portion in the Y-axis direction of the rotor through hole 230 to the end portion in the Y-axis direction of the stator 25. Therefore, the oil CL supplied from the rotor through-hole 230 can cool the ends of the stator 25 in the Y-axis direction, and in particular the coil ends 271 of the stator 25.

[0091] The oil CL that has cooled the motor unit 2 accumulates in the lower part of the motor accommodating unit 61, and then flows through the side plate opening 519 to the oil pool P in the lower part of the gear accommodating unit 62. That is, the oil CL that has been supplied from the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55c) through the oil supply portion 558 to the radial outer surface of the stator 25 and has cooled the stator 25 accumulates in the lower part of the motor accommodating unit 61, and then flows through the side plate opening 519 to the oil pool P in the lower part of the gear accommodating unit 62. The oil CL that has been supplied from the third supply passage 557 (fourth flow passage 55d) through the rotor through-hole 230 to the coil end 271, etc. accumulates in the lower part of the motor accommodating unit 61, and then flows through the side plate opening 519 to the oil pool P in the lower part of the gear accommodating unit 62.

[0092] A supply limiting member 5571 that limits the amount of oil CL supplied to the hollow portion 220 is disposed in the third supply passage 557 (fourth flow passage 55d). As shown in FIG. 7, in the first motor bearing retaining portion 531, the supply limiting member 5571 is disposed at the end portion on the -Y direction side of the shaft cylindrical portion 221. The drive device 1 is provided with the supply limiting member 5571. The end portion on the -Y direction side is an example of the "one axial end portion" in the present invention.

[0093] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the supply limiting member 5571. The supply limiting member 5571 has an annular portion 5572 that expands in a direction intersecting the rotation axis J2, and a cylindrical limiting portion 5573 that extends in the +Y direction from the radial inner end of the annular portion 5572. The +Y direction is an example of the "other axial direction" of the present invention. The space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the limiting portion 5573 is a part of the third supply path 557 (fourth flow path 55d). The minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the limiting portion 5573 is smaller than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second supply path 556 (third flow path 55c). In this way, by arranging the supply limiting member 5571 in the -Y direction of the shaft cylindrical portion 221, the amount of oil CL supplied to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 can be limited, and the oil CL can be stored on the -Y direction side of the annular portion 5572. Furthermore, by adjusting the flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the restrictor 5573, the length in the Y-axis direction, and the like, it is possible to adjust the flow pressure and amount of the oil CL supplied to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22. Therefore, by making these adjustments, the oil CL can be supplied to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 without interruption.

[0094] For example, in this embodiment, the ratio of the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second supply path 556 (third flow path 55c) to the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the restricting portion 5573 is 3:1. By setting the flow path cross-sectional areas of both of them in this manner, the oil CL can be supplied to the supply restricting member 5571 and the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 in a well-balanced manner.

[0095] Preferably, the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first supply path 555 (second flow path 55b) is larger than the sum of the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second supply path 556 (third flow path 55c) and the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the third supply path 557 (fourth flow path 55d). In this way, a sufficient amount of oil CL can be supplied from the first supply path 555 (second flow path 55b) to the second supply path 556 (third flow path 55c) and the third supply path 557 (fourth flow path 55d) without interruption. Therefore, in the first supply path 555 (second flow path 55b), the second supply path 556 (third flow path 55c), and the third supply path 557 (fourth flow path 55d), a decrease in the flow pressure of the oil CL can be prevented and the flow pressure can be increased. However, this example does not exclude a configuration in which the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first supply path 555 (second flow path 55b) is less than the sum of the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second supply path 556 (third flow path 55c) and the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the third supply path 557 (fourth flow path 55d).

[0096] In this embodiment, the annular portion 5572 expands in a radial direction based on the rotation axis J2. For example, as viewed from the Y-axis direction, a radially inner end of the annular portion 5572 is disposed radially inward from a radially inner end of the end of the shaft tube portion 221 on the -Y-direction side. On the other hand, a radially outer end of the annular portion 5572 is disposed radially outward from the shaft tube portion 221. The annular portion 5572 faces the first motor bearing 281 in the Y-axis direction. In this way, the amount of oil CL supplied from the third supply passage 557 (fourth flow passage 55d) to the first motor bearing 281 can be limited by the annular portion 5572.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 9, the annular portion 5572 preferably has a through hole 5574 penetrating in the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, four through holes 5574 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis J2. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the number of through holes 5574 may be one or more than four. By arranging the through hole 5574 in the annular portion 5572, the amount of oil CL supplied from the third supply passage 557 (fourth flow passage 55d) to the first motor bearing 281 can be adjusted by the diameter, number, etc. of the through hole 5574. Note that this example does not exclude a configuration in which the through hole 5574 is not arranged in the annular portion 5572.

[0098] The limiting portion 5573 is inserted into the end portion on the -Y direction side of the shaft tube portion 221 and disposed in the hollow portion 220. The limiting portion 5573 has a large diameter tube portion 5575 and a small diameter tube portion 5576 (see FIG. 9). The large diameter tube portion 5575 is tubular with a bottom and extends in the +Y direction from the radial inner end portion of the annular portion 5572. An opening 5577 is disposed at the bottom portion of the large diameter tube portion 5575 that expands in a direction intersecting the Y axis direction. The small diameter tube portion 5576 is tubular and extends in the +Y direction from the outer edge portion of the opening 5577. When viewed from the Y axis direction, the aperture of the small diameter tube portion 5576 is smaller than the aperture of the large diameter tube portion 5575.

[0099] In this embodiment, the minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the small diameter cylindrical portion 5576 is smaller than the minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55d). In this way, by adjusting the flow passage cross-sectional area, length in the Y-axis direction, etc. of the small diameter cylindrical portion 5576, the flow pressure, amount, etc. of the oil CL supplied to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 can be adjusted.

[0100] <1-6. Modified Example of the Third Supply Channel> In the above embodiment, the supply limiting member 5571 is arranged in the third supply path 557 (fourth flow path 55d). However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the supply limiting member 5571 does not have to be arranged in the third supply path 557 (fourth flow path 55d). Fig. 10 shows a modified example of the third supply path 557 (fourth flow path 55d).

[0101] 10, the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the hole 5570 is smaller than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second supply path 556 (third flow path 55c). By adjusting the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the hole 5570 and the length from one end to the other end of the hole 5570, the amount of CL supplied to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22, etc. can be adjusted.

[0102] Moreover, the ratio of the minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the second supply passage 556 (third flow passage 55c) to the minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the hole 5570 is, for example, 3:1. By setting the flow passage cross-sectional areas of both in this manner, oil CL can be supplied to the outer surface of the stator 25 and the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 in a well-balanced manner.

[0103] <2.Other> The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. Note that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The present invention can be implemented by adding various modifications to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the matters described in the above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined in any manner as long as no contradiction occurs. [Industrial Applicability]

[0104] The present invention is useful for drive motors for vehicles such as hybrid vehicles (HVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs), and electric vehicles (EVs). [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 Drive device, 2 Motor section, 21 Rotor, 22 Motor shaft, 220 Hollow section, 221 Shaft cylinder section, 222 Shaft hole section, 223 Recess section, 23 Rotor core, 230 Rotor through hole, 231 Rotor core communication section, 24 Rotor magnet, 25 Stator, 26 Stator core, 27 Coil, 271 Coil end, 281 First motor bearing, 282 Second motor bearing, 3 Gear section, 31 Reduction gear, 310 Transmission shaft, 31 Description of the Related Art 01... hollow portion, 3102... transmission shaft cylindrical portion, 311... first gear, 312... second gear, 313... third gear, 314... intermediate shaft, 32... differential device, 321... fourth gear, 341... first gear bearing, 342... second gear bearing, 343... third gear bearing, 344... fourth gear bearing, 4... pump, 41... suction port, 42... strainer, 43... discharge port, 5... housing, 51... first housing member, 511... cylindrical portion, 512... side plate portion, 5120... insertion hole, Description of the drawings: 5121...hole portion, 513...plate portion, 514...peripheral wall portion, 515...first drive shaft passing hole, 516...second motor bearing retaining portion, 517...first gear bearing retaining portion, 518...third gear bearing retaining portion, 519...side plate opening, 52...second housing member, 521...second gear bearing retaining portion, 522...fourth gear bearing retaining portion, 523...second drive shaft passing hole, 524...receiver portion, 525...gear side oil passage, 526...gear side limiting member, 53...third housing member, 530...contact portion , 531...first motor bearing retaining portion, 54...fourth housing member, 55...motor side oil passage, 55a...first passage, 55b...third passage, 55c...second passage, 55d...fourth passage, 551...first oil passage, 552...second oil passage, 553...third oil passage, 5530...connecting pipe, 5531...connecting passage, 554...fourth oil passage, 555...first supply passage, 556...second supply passage, 557...third supply passage, 5570...hole portion, 5571...supply limiting member, 5572...annular portion, 5573...limiting portion, 5574...through hole,5575···Large diameter cylinder section, 5576···Small diameter cylinder section, 5577···Opening, 558···Oil supply section, 5581···Spray hole, 559···Motor oil reservoir, 5590···Drip hole, 61···Motor housing section, 62···Gear housing section, 63···Inverter housing section, 64···Pump housing section, 7···Inverter unit, 8···Oil cooler, CL···Oil, Ds···Drive shaft, J2···Rotary shaft, J4···Intermediate shaft, J5···Differential shaft, P···Oil reservoir, RE···Refrigerant, 200···Vehicle, 150···Battery,

Claims

1. a motor section including a rotor having a shaft rotatable about a rotation axis extending along an axial direction, and a stator disposed radially outward from the rotor; a housing that accommodates the motor unit; A supply limiting member; Equipped with The shaft is a cylindrical shaft portion extending in an axial direction; a hollow portion surrounded by an inner surface of the shaft cylindrical portion; having The housing includes: a motor cylinder portion extending in an axial direction and surrounding the stator; a motor cover attached to an axial end of the motor cylinder; a motor accommodating space that is surrounded by the motor cylinder portion and accommodates the motor portion; a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant flows; having The refrigerant flow path is a first flow path through which the coolant discharged from the pump flows; a second flow path through which the coolant supplied to the motor portion flows; a third flow passage that supplies a portion of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow passage to an outer surface of the stator; a fourth flow passage that supplies another portion of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow passage to the hollow portion of the shaft; having a minimum flow path cross-sectional area in the fourth flow path is smaller than a minimum flow path cross-sectional area in the third flow path; the supply limiting member is disposed at one axial end of the cylindrical shaft portion, The supply limiting member is an annular portion extending in a direction intersecting the rotation axis; a cylindrical limiting portion extending in the other axial direction from a radially inner end portion of the annular portion; having a space surrounded by an inner circumferential surface of the limiting portion is a part of the fourth flow path, A drive device, wherein a minimum flow path cross-sectional area in the restriction portion is smaller than a minimum flow path cross-sectional area in the third flow path.

2. 2. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a minimum flow cross-sectional area of ​​the third flow passage to a minimum flow cross-sectional area of ​​the restriction portion is 3:

1.

3. The motor cover portion is a bearing that rotatably supports the cylindrical shaft portion; A bearing holder that holds the bearing; having The drive device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the annular portion faces the bearing in the axial direction.

4. The drive unit according to claim 3 , wherein the annular portion has a through hole passing therethrough in the axial direction.

5. the fourth flow passage includes a hole extending from the second flow passage and disposed inside the motor lid portion, The drive unit according to claim 1 , wherein a minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the hole is smaller than a minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the third flow passage.

6. A motor section having a rotor having a shaft rotatable about a rotation axis extending along an axial direction, and a stator disposed radially outward from the rotor; a housing that accommodates the motor unit; Equipped with The shaft is a cylindrical shaft portion extending in an axial direction; a hollow portion surrounded by an inner surface of the shaft cylindrical portion; having The housing includes: a motor cylinder portion extending in an axial direction and surrounding the stator; a motor cover attached to an axial end of the motor cylinder; a motor accommodating space that is surrounded by the motor cylinder portion and accommodates the motor portion; a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant flows; having The refrigerant flow path is a first flow path through which the coolant discharged from the pump flows; a second flow path through which the coolant supplied to the motor portion flows; a third flow passage that supplies a portion of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow passage to an outer surface of the stator; a fourth flow passage that supplies another portion of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow passage to the hollow portion of the shaft; having a minimum flow path cross-sectional area in the fourth flow path is smaller than a minimum flow path cross-sectional area in the third flow path; the fourth flow passage includes a hole extending from the second flow passage and disposed inside the motor lid portion, A drive device, wherein a minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the hole is smaller than a minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the third flow path.

7. 7. The drive device according to claim 5, wherein a ratio of a minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the third flow passage to a minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the hole is 3:

1.

8. 8. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein a minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second flow path is greater than a sum of a minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the third flow path and a minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the fourth flow path.

9. A motor section including a rotor having a shaft rotatable about a rotation axis extending along an axial direction, and a stator disposed radially outward from the rotor; a housing that accommodates the motor unit; Equipped with The shaft is a cylindrical shaft portion extending in an axial direction; a hollow portion surrounded by an inner surface of the shaft cylindrical portion; having The housing includes: a motor cylinder portion extending in an axial direction and surrounding the stator; a motor cover attached to an axial end of the motor cylinder; a motor accommodating space that is surrounded by the motor cylinder portion and accommodates the motor portion; a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant flows; having The refrigerant flow path is a first flow path through which the coolant discharged from the pump flows; a second flow path through which the coolant supplied to the motor portion flows; a third flow passage that supplies a portion of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow passage to an outer surface of the stator; a fourth flow passage that supplies another portion of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow passage to the hollow portion of the shaft; having a minimum flow path cross-sectional area in the fourth flow path is smaller than a minimum flow path cross-sectional area in the third flow path; A drive device, wherein a minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second flow path is greater than a sum of a minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the third flow path and a minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the fourth flow path.

10. the motor cover is attached to one axial end of the motor cylinder, The drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path are disposed in the motor lid portion.

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