Driving device, driving method, and program

Abstract

To further improve warm-up efficiency when driving a vehicle or the like that has been stopped in a low-temperature environment.SOLUTION: Provided is a drive device which includes an electric motor, a power control device, an oil circuit for cooling the electric motor with oil, a water circuit for cooling the power control device with water, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the oil circuit and the water circuit, and a control device. When the temperature of the oil is a first threshold or lower, the control device drives the power control device to generate heat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drive device, a drive method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a drive device for a vehicle or the like, a technique is known in which oil that lubricates gears of a motor is cooled or warmed up by a water-cooled oil cooler (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-059407 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, for example, when a vehicle that has been stopped is driven in a situation where the temperature of the surrounding environment is lower than a threshold value, the viscosity of the oil increases, which increases the stirring loss, drag loss (no-load loss), etc. that occur in parts that require lubrication, such as gears, and may lead to increased vibration and reduced fuel efficiency.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for further improving the efficiency of warming up when a vehicle or the like that has been stopped in a low-temperature environment is driven. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a drive device is provided that includes an electric motor, a power control device, an oil circuit for cooling the electric motor with oil, a water circuit for cooling the power control device with water, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the oil circuit and the water circuit, and a control device, wherein the control device drives the power control device to generate heat when the temperature of the oil is equal to or lower than a first threshold value.

[0007] In addition, in a second aspect of the present disclosure, a driving method is provided in which a control device for a drive device having an electric motor, a power control device, an oil circuit for cooling the electric motor with oil, a water circuit for cooling the power control device with water, and a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the oil circuit and the water circuit drives the power control device for heat generation when a temperature related to the oil is equal to or lower than a first threshold value.

[0008] In addition, in a third aspect of the present disclosure, a program is provided that causes a computer of a drive device having an electric motor, a power control device, an oil circuit for cooling the electric motor with oil, a water circuit for cooling the power control device with water, and a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the oil circuit and the water circuit to execute a process of driving the power control device to generate heat when a temperature related to the oil is equal to or lower than a first threshold value. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect, it is possible to further improve the efficiency of warming up a vehicle or the like that has been stopped in a low-temperature environment when the vehicle is driven. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a drive device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a startup process of the control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a transition of a temperature (thermistor temperature) measured by a thermistor according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a transition of an oil temperature measured by an oil temperature sensor according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a transition of a water temperature measured by a water temperature sensor according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The principles of the present disclosure are described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are set forth for illustrative purposes only, to aid those skilled in the art in understanding and practicing the present disclosure, without implying any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in various ways other than those described below. In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <System configuration> The configuration of a drive device 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the drive device 1 according to an embodiment. The drive device 1 of the present disclosure may be mounted on various devices, such as vehicles, construction machines, and airplanes. Examples of vehicles may include electric vehicles (EVs) that do not use engines, automobiles with two or more power sources (HVs, hybrid vehicles), and engine vehicles.

[0013] 1, the drive unit 1 includes a control device 10, a water circuit 20, a water pump 21, a water temperature sensor 22, a power control device 23, a heat exchanger 24, a switching valve 25, a radiator 26, a reserve tank 27, an oil circuit 30, an oil pump 31, a shower pipe 32, a thermistor 33, an electric motor 34, a shaft 35, a rotor 36, an oil temperature sensor 37, and a gear / case / oil pan 38. Note that the number and arrangement of each device are not limited to the example in FIG. 1, unless there is a contradiction.

[0014] The control device 10 is a device that controls each part of the drive device 1. The control device 10 may be called, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0015] <<About the water circuit 20>> The water circuit 20 is, for example, a circuit (flow path) through which water flows to cool the power control device 23 etc. In the example of Fig. 1, the water circuit 20 has a flow path 251 (first flow path) through which water circulates in the order of the water pump 21, the water temperature sensor 22, the power control device 23, the heat exchanger 24, the switching valve 25, the radiator 26, and the reserve tank 27, and a flow path 252 (second flow path) which circulates without passing through the radiator 26 compared to the flow path 251.

[0016] The water pump 21 is an electric pump for circulating water through the water circuit 20. In the example of Fig. 1, the water pump 21 draws water that has been air-cooled by the radiator 26 from an inlet and discharges it from a discharge outlet. The water discharged from the water pump 21 cools the power control device 23. In this case, the inverter and the like included in the power control device 23 are cooled by the water.

[0017] The water temperature sensor 22 is a sensor (thermometer) that measures the temperature of the water in the water circuit 20. In the example of Fig. 1, the water temperature sensor 22 measures the water temperature at a position between when the water is discharged from the water pump 21 and when the water is supplied to the power control device 23. Note that the position of the water temperature sensor 22 is not limited to the example of Fig. 1.

[0018] The power control device 23 is a power control unit (PCU) for controlling the power of a specific device. The power control device 23 may have, for example, an inverter (power conversion circuit) electrically connected to the specific device. The power control device 23 may be, for example, a PCU that controls the driving of the electric motor 34.

[0019] The heat exchanger 24 is a device that exchanges heat between the water in the water circuit 20 and the oil (oil, lubricating oil) in the oil circuit 30. The heat exchanger 24 may be called, for example, a water-cooled oil cooler.

[0020] The switching valve 25 is an electrically operated switching valve (split type three-way valve) that switches the flow path of water in the water circuit 20 between a flow path 251 (an example of a "first flow path") that passes through the radiator 26 and a flow path 252 (an example of a "second flow path") that does not pass through the radiator 26. The radiator 26 is a device that exchanges heat (dissipates heat) between the water in the water circuit 20 and the outside air. The reserve tank 27 is a tank for adjusting the amount of water in the water circuit 20.

[0021] <<About the oil circuit 30>> The oil circuit 30 is, for example, a circuit (flow path) through which oil flows to cool the electric motor 34 and lubricate each part requiring lubrication. In the example of Fig. 1, the oil circuit 30 has a flow path 301 that circulates through the oil pump 31, the heat exchanger 24, the shower pipe 32, the electric motor 34, and the gear / case / oil pan 38 in this order, and a flow path 302 that, unlike the flow path 301, passes through the shaft 35 and the rotor 36 in this order instead of the shower pipe 32. The flow paths 301 and 302 may be separated by, for example, a mixed three-way valve or the like.

[0022] The oil pump 31 is an electric pump for circulating oil in the oil circuit 30. In the example of Fig. 1, the oil pump 31 draws oil heated in the gear / case / oil pan 38 from an intake port and discharges it from a discharge port. The oil discharged from the oil pump 31 is cooled or heated in, for example, the heat exchanger 24, and cools or heats the electric motor 34.

[0023] The shower pipe 32 is a device that supplies oil to the electric motor 34. The thermistor 33 is a sensor (thermometer) that measures the temperature in the vicinity of the electric motor 34.

[0024] The electric motor 34 is an electric power device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. In the case of a drive device 1 mounted on an HV, the electric motor 34 may have multiple electric motors (MG (motor generator) 1 / MG2). The shaft 35 is, for example, a component that transmits the power of the electric motor 34. The rotor 36 is a component located at the center of the electric motor 34 and rotates around its own axis as the rotation axis.

[0025] The oil temperature sensor 37 is a sensor (thermometer) that measures the temperature of the oil in the oil circuit 30. In the example of Fig. 1, the oil temperature sensor 37 measures the oil temperature at a position between when the oil passes through the electric motor 34 and when the oil is supplied to the gear / case / oil pan 38. Note that the position of the oil temperature sensor 37 is not limited to the example of Fig. 1.

[0026] The gear / case / oil pan 38 is a device including a gear (transmission, gearbox), a case, and an oil pan. The gear, case, and oil pan may be formed as an integrated part, or may be formed as a combination of separate parts. The oil pan may be, for example, an enclosure (dam) that has the function of preventing oil from leaking and damming up a certain amount of oil.

[0027] <Configuration of the control device 10> The configuration of the control device 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device 10 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 2, the control device 10 has an acquisition unit 11 and a control unit 12. Each of these units may be realized by cooperation between one or more programs installed in the control device 10 and hardware such as a processor and memory of the control device 10.

[0028] The acquisition unit 11 acquires various types of information from a storage unit within the control device 10 or an external device (e.g., another ECU). The acquisition unit 11 acquires, for example, information on temperatures measured by each of the sensors, the water temperature sensor 22, the thermistor 33, and the oil temperature sensor 37. The control unit 12 controls each part of the drive device 1 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 11.

[0029] <Processing> Next, an example of the startup process of the control device 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the startup process of the control device 10 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of the temperature (thermistor temperature) measured by the thermistor 33 according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of the oil temperature measured by the oil temperature sensor 37 according to the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of the water temperature measured by the water temperature sensor 22 according to the embodiment.

[0030] The following process may be executed, for example, when the power supply of a device (e.g., a vehicle, etc.) in which the drive device 1 is mounted is started (turned on) by a user. The order of the following processes may be changed as appropriate as long as there is no contradiction. For example, the order of the processes from step S2 to step S6 is one example, and the processes may be executed in a different order or simultaneously (in parallel).

[0031] In step S1, the control device 10 determines whether the temperature of the oil in the oil circuit 30 is equal to or lower than a first threshold value. Here, the control device 10 may determine, for example, whether the temperature of the oil temperature sensor 37 is equal to or lower than a threshold value. The control device 10 may also determine, for example, whether the temperature measured by the water temperature sensor 22 or a sensor that measures the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a threshold value. This is because, for example, when a vehicle equipped with the drive unit 1 is parked in a cold region, if the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a specific temperature, it is considered that the temperature of the oil in the oil circuit 30 is also likely to be equal to or lower than a threshold value.

[0032] If the temperature of the oil in the oil circuit 30 is not equal to or lower than the first threshold value (NO in step S1), the process proceeds to step S10, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the temperature of the oil in the oil circuit 30 is equal to or lower than the first threshold value (YES in step S1), the control device 10 controls the switching valve 25 to set the water circuit 20 to a flow path 252 that does not pass through the radiator 26 (step S2). This makes it possible to prevent heat from being dissipated into the atmosphere from the radiator 26 when water is circulated through the water circuit 20, thereby enabling more appropriate warm-up.

[0033] Next, the control device 10 drives (forces) the power control device 23 for heat generation (step S3). Here, the control device 10 controls the power control device 23 to generate heat by passing a current through the internal circuit. The control device 10 may determine the magnitude (amperes) of the current to be passed through the internal circuit of the power control device 23 based on at least one of the water temperature of the water circuit 20 and the remaining battery charge of the drive device 1. In this case, the control device 10 may determine the magnitude of the current to be larger as the water temperature of the water circuit 20 is lower. This allows, for example, the water temperature to be raised more quickly while saving power. Also, the control device 10 may determine the magnitude of the current to be larger as the remaining battery charge of the drive device 1 is larger. This allows, for example, to save more power when the remaining battery charge is low.

[0034] Next, the control device 10 causes the water pump 21 to circulate the water in the water circuit 20 (step S4). As a result, heat is supplied from the water circuit 20 to the oil circuit 30 via the heat exchanger 24.

[0035] Next, the control device 10 drives the oil pump 31 (step S5). As a result, if the oil is not solidified due to low temperature, the oil in the oil circuit 30 is circulated. In addition, since heat is supplied from the water circuit 20 to the oil circuit 30 via the heat exchanger 24, the oil pump 31 can gradually discharge the oil even if the oil is solidified due to low temperature.

[0036] Next, the control device 10 drives (forcefully drives) the electric motor 34 to generate heat (step S6). Here, the control device 10 may, for example, control the power control device 23 to drive the electric motor 34. In this case, the oil around the electric motor 34 melts and becomes liquid, but if some of the oil in the oil circuit 30 is solidified due to low temperature, the oil will not circulate. Therefore, in order to prevent the electric motor 34 from becoming too hot, the control device 10 may determine (adjust, change) the power value for driving the electric motor 34 according to the temperature measured at each point in time by the thermistor 33. In addition, the control device 10 may determine (adjust, change) the power value for driving the electric motor 34 so that the rotation speed is set to a predetermined value that brings the degree of vibration of the vehicle or the like into a predetermined allowable range.

[0037] Next, the control device 10 detects that the circulation of the oil in the oil circuit 30 has started (step S7). Here, the control device 10 may detect that the circulation of the oil in the oil circuit 30 has started, for example, based on the degree of change in temperature measured at each time by the thermistor 33. In this case, the control device 10 may determine that the circulation of the oil in the oil circuit 30 has started, for example, when the rate of increase in the temperature measured at each time by the thermistor 33 drops by a threshold value or more within a predetermined time. This is because while the oil is not circulating, the temperature measured by the thermistor 33 continues to rise due to the drive for preliminary heat generation of the electric motor 34. After that, when the oil pump 31 becomes able to discharge oil due to the heat supplied from the water circuit 20 to the oil circuit 30 via the heat exchanger 24, the rate of increase in the temperature measured by the thermistor 33 suddenly drops due to the circulation of the oil.

[0038] Next, the control device 10 drives (forcefully drives) each device serving as a heat source of the oil circuit 30 to generate heat (step S8). Each device serving as a heat source of the oil circuit 30 may include, for example, the electric motor 34 and the gears of the gear / case / oil pan 38. As a result, the oil in the oil circuit 30 is circulated, so that heat can be collected from each heat source.

[0039] The control device 10 may also stop the heat generation drive of the power control device 23 that was started in step S3. This is because the heat generation efficiency (amount of heat generated per unit power consumption) of the electric motor 34, gears, etc. is higher than that of the power control device 23. This allows for power saving.

[0040] Next, the control device 10 detects that the temperature of the oil in the oil circuit 30 is equal to or higher than a second threshold value that is higher than the first threshold value (step S9). Here, the control device 10 may determine, for example, whether the temperature of the oil temperature sensor 37 is equal to or higher than the second threshold value.

[0041] Next, the control device 10 ends the warm-up mode and sets each part of the drive device 1 to the normal mode (step S10). Here, the control device 10 stops the driving of each device that serves as a heat source for the oil circuit 30 for heat generation. The control device 10 may also control the switching valve 25 to set the water circuit 20 in the flow path 251 that passes through the radiator 26.

[0042] Figures 4 to 6 respectively show examples of the case where the processes from step S2 to step S6 in Figure 3 are executed in parallel. Figure 4 shows an example of a transition 401 of the temperature measured by the thermistor 33. Figure 5 shows an example of a transition 402 of the temperature measured by the oil temperature sensor 37. Figure 6 shows an example of a transition 403 of the temperature measured by the water temperature sensor 22.

[0043] In the examples of Figures 4 to 6, the power supply of the vehicle or the like is turned on by the user at time t0. After that, at time t1, the processes from step S2 to step S6 in Figure 3 are started in parallel. As a result, the temperature measured by the thermistor 33 (thermistor temperature), the oil temperature measured by the oil temperature sensor 37, and the water temperature measured by the water temperature sensor 22 start to rise.

[0044] After that, at time t2, the oil pump 31 successfully discharges oil, starting circulation of oil in the oil circuit 30. Therefore, the rate of increase in the thermistor temperature drops sharply.

[0045] Then, at time t3, the process of step S8 in Fig. 3 is started. Therefore, the rate of increase in the oil temperature is increased compared to the period from time t1 to t3. Also, since the driving for heat generation of the power control device 23 is stopped, the rate of increase in the water temperature is decreased compared to the period from time t1 to t3. Then, at time t4, the process of step S10 in Fig. 3 is started.

[0046] (An example of a case where the accelerator is operated before the oil in the oil circuit 30 starts circulating.) When the user operates the accelerator (movement operation, driving start operation) before the oil circulation in the oil circuit 30 starts, if the electric motor 34 is driven at a rotation speed corresponding to the accelerator operation amount, vibration of the vehicle, etc. may occur. Therefore, the control device 10 may drive the electric motor 34 at a predetermined rotation speed that brings the degree of vibration into a predetermined allowable range when the accelerator is operated before the oil circulation starts.

[0047] In this case, when the accelerator is operated before the start of oil circulation in the oil circuit 30 is detected by the process of step S7 in Fig. 3, the control device 10 may drive the electric motor 34 in the same manner as the drive process for preliminary heat generation in step S6 in Fig. 3. In this case, the control device 10 may determine (adjust, change) the power value for driving the electric motor 34 so that the predetermined rotation speed is set so that the degree of vibration of the vehicle or the like is within a predetermined allowable range. In addition, the control device 10 may determine (adjust, change) the power value for driving the electric motor 34 according to the temperature measured by the thermistor 33 at each point in time, for example, so that the electric motor 34 does not become too hot.

[0048] In this case, the control device 10 may drive the electric motor 34 only when the accelerator operation amount is equal to or less than a threshold value, similar to the drive process for preliminary heat generation in step S6 in Fig. 3. This can reduce vibrations while the user is driving the vehicle at a low speed, for example. Also, when the accelerator operation amount exceeds a threshold value because the user depresses the accelerator to avoid a collision, for example, the electric motor 34 can be driven at a rotation speed according to the accelerator operation amount.

[0049] <Other> For example, as the number of electric vehicles increases, it is necessary to develop vehicles that can be used in a variety of applications. In this regard, electric motors need to meet not only the thermal reliability requirements but also the ability to be used appropriately in low-temperature environments.

[0050] The viscosity of lubricating oil for vehicles and the like increases as the temperature decreases. Therefore, in a low-temperature environment, it is desirable to warm up the oil when starting the vehicle after stopping for a while. In this case, it may be possible to use the heat of the engine or the cold climate heater to perform initial warm-up of the electric motor (when starting the vehicle after stopping for a while). However, it is desirable to be able to properly initially warm up the electric motor even in a vehicle that does not have an engine or a cold climate heater, or in a vehicle that has an electric motor located away from the engine and the cold climate heater. Vehicles that do not have an engine include, for example, EVs. Vehicles that have an electric motor located away from the engine include, for example, front-engine vehicles in which an electric motor is provided at the rear to improve driving performance.

[0051] According to the present disclosure, the present invention is not limited to vehicles that do not have an engine or a cold climate heater, but can also warm up faster in vehicles that have an engine and a cold climate heater, for example.

[0052] <Hardware configuration of the control device 10> Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the control device 10 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 7, the control device 10 (computer 100) includes a processor 101, a memory 102, and a communication interface 103. These units may be connected by a bus or the like. The memory 102 stores at least a part of a program 104. The communication interface 103 includes an interface required for communication with other network elements.

[0053] When the program 104 is executed by the processor 101, memory 102, etc. in cooperation, the computer 100 performs at least some processing of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The memory 102 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network. The memory 102 may be, as a non-limiting example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The memory 102 may also be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. Although only one memory 102 is shown in the computer 100, several physically different memory modules may be present in the computer 100. The processor 101 may be of any type. The processor 101 may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture, as a non-limiting example. The computer 100 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-slaved to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

[0054] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device.

[0055] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in program modules, that execute on a target real or virtual processor device to perform the processes or methods of the present disclosure. Program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. The machine-executable instructions of the program modules may be executed in local or distributed devices. In a distributed device, the program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0056] The program codes for carrying out the methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes are provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus. When the program codes are executed by the processor or controller, the functions / operations in the flowcharts and / or the block diagrams they implement are performed. The program codes are executed entirely on the machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0057] The program can be stored and provided to the computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. The non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible recording media. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media, magneto-optical recording media, optical disk media, semiconductor memories, and the like. The magnetic recording media include, for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives, and the like. The magneto-optical recording media include, for example, magneto-optical disks, and the like. The optical disk media include, for example, Blu-ray disks, CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R (Recordable), CD-RW (ReWritable), and the like. The semiconductor memory includes, for example, solid-state drives, mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, RAMs (random access memories), and the like. The program may also be provided to the computer by various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of the temporary computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.

[0058] <Modification> The control device 10 may be a device contained in a single housing, but the control device 10 of the present disclosure is not limited to this. Each part of the control device 10 may be realized by cloud computing configured with one or more computers, for example. At least a part of the processing of the control device 10 may be executed by the power control device 23 or the like. The control device 10 may be a device integrated with the power control device 23 or the like. Such control devices are also included as examples of the "control device" of the present disclosure.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Drive unit 10 Control device 11 Acquisition Department 12 Control section 20 water circuit 21 Water Pump 22 Water temperature sensor 23 Power control unit 24 Heat exchanger (oil cooler) 25 Switching valve 26 Radiator 27 Reserve Tank 30 Oil circuit 31 Oil Pump 32 Shower Pipe 33 Thermistor 34 Electric motor 35 Shaft 36 Rotor 37 Oil temperature sensor 38 Gear / Case / Oil Pan

Claims

1. An electric motor; A power control device; an oil circuit for cooling the electric motor with oil; a water circuit for cooling the power control device with water; a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the oil circuit and the water circuit; an oil pump that circulates oil through the oil circuit; A control device, the water circuit is capable of switching between a first flow path passing through a radiator that dissipates heat from the water in the water circuit and a second flow path that does not pass through the radiator by a switching valve; The control device includes: When the temperature related to the oil is equal to or lower than a first threshold value, the water circuit is set to the second flow path by the switching valve, and the power control device is driven for heating the oil circuit and the oil pump is driven. Drive unit.

2. The control device includes: When the temperature of the oil is equal to or higher than a second threshold value that is higher than the first threshold value, the driving of the electric motor for heat generation is stopped, and the water circuit is switched to the first flow path by the switching valve. The drive device according to claim 1 .

3. The control device includes: When oil is circulating in the oil circuit, the electric motor is driven to generate heat. The drive device according to claim 1 .

4. The control device includes: When oil is circulating in the oil circuit, the power control device stops driving for heating. The drive device according to claim 3.

5. The control device includes: When an accelerator pedal is operated before oil starts circulating in the oil circuit, the electric motor is driven at a predetermined rotation speed. The drive device according to claim 1 .

6. An electric motor; A power control device; an oil circuit for cooling the electric motor with oil; a water circuit for cooling the power control device with water; a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the oil circuit and the water circuit; an oil pump that circulates oil through the oil circuit; a control device for a drive device, the water circuit being capable of switching between a first flow path passing through a radiator that dissipates heat from the water in the water circuit and a second flow path that does not pass through the radiator by a switching valve; When the temperature related to the oil is equal to or lower than a first threshold value, the water circuit is set to the second flow path by the switching valve, and the power control device is driven for heating the oil circuit and the oil pump is driven. Drive method.

7. An electric motor; A power control device; an oil circuit for cooling the electric motor with oil; a water circuit for cooling the power control device with water; a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the oil circuit and the water circuit; an oil pump that circulates oil through the oil circuit; The water circuit is capable of switching between a first flow path passing through a radiator that dissipates heat from the water in the water circuit and a second flow path that does not pass through the radiator by a switching valve. When the temperature related to the oil is equal to or lower than a first threshold value, the water circuit is set to the second flow path by the switching valve, and the power control device is driven for heating the oil circuit and the oil pump is driven. A program that executes a process.

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