Electric motor

Abstract

To provide an electric motor capable of improving the cooling efficiency of an actuator for causing the electric motor to operate.SOLUTION: An electric motor unit 100 with a speed reducer includes a cooling channel 106 inside a housing 104 of an electric motor 101, and has an outer accommodating portion 130 on the outer surface thereof. A cooling channel 106 is formed as a pipe line that allows cooling water to flow through a tubular body 105 constituting the housing 104. An outer accommodation portion 130 is formed by covering a heat exchange portion 107 adjacent to the cooling channel 106 with an outer accommodation portion forming cover 131, and is configured by a first region 132 and second regions 133a and 133b. The first region 132 is formed to face the heat exchange portion 107. The second regions 133a and 133b are formed in a groove shape at both end portions of the first region 132 in a width direction orthogonal to the axial direction of a body 105. A circuit board 142b and a bus bar 144 are arranged in the second regions 133a and 133b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric motor including a housing that forms an accommodation space for accommodating a rotatable rotor.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electric motor has been proposed in which an electrical device such as an inverter is attached to the housing of the electric motor. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an electric drive system in which a housing for accommodating an inverter is attached to the main shell of an electric motor in which a channel through which a coolant flows is formed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

[0004] However, in the electric drive system described in Patent Document 1 above, since the housing of the inverter is attached to the support platform formed on the main shell of the electric motor, there is a problem that the cooling efficiency of the inverter in the housing is low.

[0005] The present invention has been made to address the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electric motor capable of improving the cooling efficiency of an operating device that operates the electric motor.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized by an electric motor including a housing that forms an accommodation space for accommodating a rotatable rotor, the housing including a cooling flow path through which a cooling fluid for cooling the accommodation space flows, an outer accommodation portion forming cover that covers a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the housing adjacent to the cooling flow path and forms an outer accommodation portion between the portion and the cover, and an operating device that is disposed in the outer accommodation portion and is used for operating the electric motor, and the outer accommodation portion formed between the outer peripheral portion of the housing and the outer accommodation portion forming coverAxial direction of the rotor and in the coaxial direction In the width direction orthogonal to respectively Extend and formed with a shorter length in the width direction from both end portions in the width direction toward the center portion in the width direction from the outer peripheral portion side of the housing toward the outer accommodation portion forming cover side It has a first region and a second region formed by extending toward the cooling flow path at at least one end of both ends in the width direction in the first region. from the outer peripheral portion of the housing There is.

[0007] According to the characteristics of the present invention configured in this way, in the electric motor, the portion adjacent to the cooling flow path on the outer peripheral portion of the housing is covered with the outer housing forming cover to form the outer housing, and in this outer housing, a first region extending in the width direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotor and a second region formed by extending toward the cooling flow path at at least one end of both ends in the width direction in the first region are provided. Thereby, the electric motor according to the present invention can be efficiently cooled by the second region formed close to the cooling flow path in addition to the first region in the outer housing, and the cooling efficiency of the operating device disposed in the outer housing can be improved. Further, according to the electric motor of the present invention, by providing the second region in the outer housing, the support platform protruding from the main shell of the conventional electric motor described above becomes unnecessary, and the electric motor itself can be miniaturized.

[0008] Another feature of the present invention is that in the electric motor, the operating device is disposed in the second region.

[0009] According to another feature of the present invention configured in this way, in the electric motor, since the operating device is disposed in the second region, the operating device disposed in the second region can be cooled quickly and stably, and by disposing the operating device in the second region, the number or size of the operating devices that can be accommodated in the outer housing can be increased.

[0010] Another feature of the present invention is that in the electric motor, the operating device is a circuit board that controls the operation of the electric motor.

[0011] According to another feature of the present invention configured as described above, since the operating device is a circuit board that controls the operation of the electric motor, the circuit board can be effectively cooled and the operation of the electric motor can be stabilized.

[0012] Another feature of the present invention is that, in the electric motor, the circuit board is arranged in an inclined state on the central side of the first region.

[0013] According to another feature of the present invention configured as described above, since the circuit board is arranged in an inclined state on the central side of the first region in the electric motor, a long circuit board can be efficiently accommodated in the outer accommodating portion, and the enlargement of the outer accommodating portion can be suppressed.

[0014] To achieve the above object, a feature of the present invention is an electric motor including a housing that forms an accommodation space for accommodating a rotator that is rotationally driven, the housing including a cooling flow path through which a cooling fluid for cooling the accommodation space flows, an outer accommodation portion forming cover that covers a portion adjacent to the cooling flow path on the outer peripheral portion of the housing and forms an outer accommodation portion between the portion and the cover, and an operating device that is arranged in the outer accommodation portion and is used for the operation of the electric motor. The outer accommodation portion has formed between the outer peripheral portion of the housing and the outer accommodation portion forming cover a first region extending in the width direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotor and in the coaxial direction and a second region formed by extending toward the cooling flow path at at least one end of both ends in the width direction in the first region. respectively from the outer peripheral portion of the housing The operating device is composed of a circuit board that controls the operation of the electric motor and is arranged in an inclined state on the center side of the first region within the second region

[0015] According to the features of the present invention configured as described above, in the motor, the portion adjacent to the cooling flow path on the outer peripheral portion of the housing is covered with the outer accommodation portion forming cover to form the outer accommodation portion, and in this outer accommodation portion, there are a first region extending in the width direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotor and a second region formed to extend toward the cooling flow path at at least one end of both ends in the width direction of the first region. Thereby, the motor according to the present invention can be efficiently cooled by the second region formed adjacent to the cooling flow path in addition to the first region in the outer accommodation portion, and the cooling efficiency of the operating device arranged in the outer accommodation portion can be improved. Further, according to the motor of the present invention, by providing the second region in the outer accommodation portion, the support platform protruding from the main shell of the conventional motor described above becomes unnecessary, and the motor itself can be miniaturized. Moreover, according to the features of the present invention configured in this way Since the operating device is arranged in the second region in the motor, the operating device arranged in the second region can be cooled quickly and stably, and by arranging the operating device in the second region, the number or size of the operating devices that can be accommodated in the outer accommodation portion can be increased. Moreover, according to the features of the present invention configured in this way Since the operating device is a circuit board that controls the operation of the motor in the motor, the circuit board can be effectively cooled and the operation of the motor can be stabilized. Moreover, according to the features of the present invention configured in this way Since the circuit board is arranged in an inclined state on the central side of the first region in the motor, a long circuit board can be efficiently accommodated in the outer accommodation portion, and the enlargement of the outer accommodation portion can be suppressed.

[0016] Another feature of the present invention is that in the motor, the second region is formed by a second region forming portion that is recessed in a groove shape in the housing. According to another feature of the present invention configured as described above, in the motor, since the second region is formed by the second region forming portion that is recessed in a groove shape in the housing, the escape of the cold air in the second region to the outside can be effectively suppressed.

[0017] Further, another feature of the present invention is that in the electric motor, the second region is formed over the entire axial direction of the rotor in the first region. According to another feature of the present invention configured in this way, since the second region is formed over the entire axial direction of the rotor in the first region, the surface area inside the outer housing portion can be increased and the cooling capacity can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the motor according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of the overall configuration of a motor unit 100 with a speed reducer including a motor 101 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of the internal configuration of the motor unit 100 with a speed reducer shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the internal configuration of the motor unit 100 with a speed reducer as seen from the 3-3 line shown in FIG. 2. This motor 101 is a drive source for a self-propelled vehicle such as a vehicle (including a cart or a buggy) that travels on two wheels, three wheels, four wheels, or an endless track.

[0020] (Configuration of Motor 101) The motor unit 100 with a speed reducer includes a motor 101. The motor 101 is a drive source that generates a rotational driving force for rotating the drive wheels of a self-propelled vehicle. In this embodiment, the motor 101 is composed of a synchronous motor that drives a self-propelled two-wheeler.

[0021] The motor 101 mainly includes a stator 102, a rotor 103, and a housing 104. The stator 102 is a component for generating a rotating magnetic field by three-phase alternating current, and a winding is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the iron core and formed in a cylindrical shape. This stator 102 is fixedly attached inside the body 105 that constitutes the housing 104.

[0022] The rotor 103 is a component that rotates by the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator 102, and is configured by attaching permanent magnets to the outer peripheral portion of a shaft that extends in a rod shape. This rotor 103 is disposed inside the body portion in a state of passing through the stator 102. In this case, one end side of the rotor 103 is rotatably supported in a state of passing through the output side cover 110. In this case, the portion of the rotor 103 that is exposed through the output side cover 110 becomes the output shaft of the motor 101. Also, the other end of the rotor 103 is rotatably supported by the rear side cover 111. In FIG. 3, the illustrations of the stator 102 and the rotor 103 are omitted respectively (the same applies to FIG. 6).

[0023] The housing 104 is a component that forms a housing space 104a for accommodating the stator 102 and the rotor 103, and is mainly configured to include a body 105, an output side cover 110, and a rear side cover 111 respectively. The body 105 is a component that accommodates the main parts of the stator 102 and the rotor 103, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a non-ferrous metal such as aluminum or a non-magnetic material such as a resin material. This body 105 supports the stator 102 in the housing space 104a which is an internal space formed in a cylindrical shape, and is arranged in a state where the rotor 103 rotatably supported by the output side cover 110 and the rear side cover 111 penetrates through. Further, a cooling flow path 106 is formed inside the cylindrical portion that forms the housing space 104a of the body 105.

[0024] The cooling flow path 106 is a pipe for allowing a cooling fluid for cooling the housing space 104a and the outer housing portion 130 of the housing 104 to flow in a liquid-tight and air-tight manner, and is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion respectively. This cooling flow path 106 is formed so as to externally cover the housing space 104a of the housing 104. That is, the cooling flow path 106 is formed substantially evenly over the entire cylindrical portion.

[0025] This cooling flow path 106 is connected to a tubular introduction portion 106a and a discharge portion 106b for introducing or discharging the cooling fluid to the outer peripheral surface of the body 105 respectively. In this case, the introduction portion 106a and the discharge portion 106b are connected to a liquid feed pump (not shown) for circulating the cooling fluid in the cooling flow path 106. Further, the cooling flow path 106 penetrates the body 105 in the axial direction and faces the wall surfaces of the output side cover 110 and the rear side cover 111. Note that the cooling flow path 106 can also be formed so as not to penetrate the body 105 in the axial direction.

[0026] The cooling fluid is a substance for heat exchange between the accommodation space 104a of the housing 104 and the outer accommodation part 130 through the cylindrical part, and is constituted by a liquid. In this case, the cooling fluid can be constituted by a fluid such as water or oil. In the present embodiment, the cooling fluid is constituted by water.

[0027] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively, a heat exchange part 107 is formed on a part of the outer surface of the body 105. The heat exchange part 107 forms a part of the outer accommodation part 130 and is a part for heat exchange between the cooling flow path 106 and the outer accommodation part 130, and is formed to face the cooling flow path 106 at a position adjacent to the cooling flow path 106. In the present embodiment, the heat exchange part 107 is constituted by a flat surface having a rectangular shape in a plan view extending in the axial direction of the body 105. In this case, the heat exchange part 107 is formed with the thinnest thickness such that the central part in the width direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the body 105 is closest to the cooling flow path 106. Second region forming parts 108a and 108b are respectively formed at both ends in the width direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the body 105.

[0028] The second region forming parts 108a and 108b are parts for respectively forming the second regions 133a and 133b and performing efficient heat exchange with the cooling flow path 106, and are formed to extend in a bottomed groove shape from the heat exchange part 107 toward the cooling flow path 106. In this case, the bottom of the second region forming parts 108a and 108b can be formed as a flat surface, but in the present embodiment, it is formed in a pointed shape with the groove width gradually narrowed so as to extend adjacent along the cooling flow path 106.

[0029] The output side cover 110 is a component attached to one end of the cylindrically formed body 105, and is formed of a non-ferrous metal such as aluminum or a non-magnetic material such as a resin material into a plate-like body with an upright peripheral edge. This output side cover 110 closes one end of the cylindrically formed body 105 and rotatably supports one end of the rotor 103. In this case, the output side cover 110 also closes the cooling flow path 106. Further, the output side cover 110 rotatably supports one end of the output shaft 123 of the speed reducer 120. Also, the output side cover 110 faces the outer accommodation portion 130 and also forms a part of the outer accommodation portion 130. This output side cover 110 is attached to the body 105 by bolts (not shown).

[0030] The rear side cover 111 is a component attached to the other end of the cylindrically formed body 105, and is formed of a non-ferrous metal such as aluminum or a non-magnetic material such as a resin material into a plate shape. This rear side cover 111 closes the other end of the cylindrically formed body 105 and rotatably supports the other end of the rotor 103. In this case, the rear side cover 111 also closes the cooling flow path 106. This rear side cover 111 is attached to the body 105 by bolts (not shown). Also, the outer surface of the rear side cover 111 is covered by a rear side cover 112 via a space, and a detection device (not shown) for detecting the rotation angle of the rotor 103 is provided in this space.

[0031] The speed reducer 120 is a mechanical device that reduces and outputs the rotational speed of the electric motor 101, and mainly includes a first gear 121, a second gear 122, and a speed reducer case 124. The first gear 121 meshes with the second gear 122 to reduce the rotational speed of the rotor 103 of the electric motor 101. In other words, it is a component for increasing the torque of the rotor 103, and is composed of a spur gear that rotates integrally with the rotor 103. In this case, the first gear 121 is formed with a smaller outer shape and fewer teeth than the second gear 122.

[0032] The second gear 122 meshes with the first gear 121 and is a component for reducing the rotational speed of the rotor 103 of the electric motor 101. In other words, it is a component for increasing the torque of the rotor 103. It is composed of a spur gear that rotates integrally with an output shaft 123 extending in a round bar shape. In this case, the second gear 122 is formed with a larger outer shape and more teeth than the first gear 121. Also, the output shaft 123 is a shaft-shaped part that outputs a rotational driving force, and a spline (not shown) for connecting to the output destination is formed at the tip end portion.

[0033] The speed reducer case 124 is a component for forming a speed reducer accommodation space 125 that accommodates the first gear 121 and the second gear 122 together with the output side cover 110. It is formed of a non-ferrous metal such as aluminum or a non-magnetic material such as a resin material into a plate-like body with an upright peripheral edge. This speed reducer case 124 is attached to the output side cover 110 via bolts in a state of covering the first gear 121 and the second gear 122 respectively, thereby forming the speed reducer accommodation space 125 in the internal space. That is, the speed reducer case 124 forms the speed reducer accommodation space 125 by partially covering the outer surface of the electric motor 101. In this case, the speed reducer case 124 rotatably supports the output shaft 123 in a state of penetrating it.

[0034] The speed reducer accommodation space 125 is a space that accommodates the first gear 121 and the second gear 122 respectively. In this case, the speed reducer accommodation space 125 is formed so that at least a part thereof is adjacent to the outer accommodation part 130.

[0035] The outer accommodation part 130 is a space part for accommodating the operating device 140, and is formed adjacent to the cooling flow path 106. This outer accommodation part 130 is formed by covering the heat exchange part 107 with the outer accommodation part forming cover 131.

[0036] The outer accommodation part forming cover 131 is a component for forming the outer accommodation part 130, and is formed by bending a metal plate such as a ferrous metal like carbon steel or a non-ferrous metal like aluminum into a semi-circular dome shape extending in the axial direction of the body 105. This outer accommodation part forming cover 131 is detachably attached onto the heat exchange part 107 via bolts. Thereby, the outer accommodation part 130 is formed airtightly. That is, the outer accommodation part forming cover 131 forms the outer accommodation part 130 by partially covering the outer surface of the electric motor 101.

[0037] Here, the gas accommodated in the outer accommodation part 130 is a gas capable of heat exchange with the cooling fluid respectively, and is composed of a gas such as air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen, helium or argon). In the present embodiment, the gas accommodated in the outer accommodation part 130 is composed of air. In this case, the air is preferably adjusted so that the humidity is 50% or less, preferably 20% or less.

[0038] This outer accommodation part 130 is mainly formed by integrally connecting a first region 132 and second regions 133a, 133b. The first region 132 is a portion formed between the heat exchange part 107 and the outer accommodation part forming cover 131, and is composed of a semi-circular dome-shaped space. This first region 132 is formed across the entire area of the heat exchange part 107.

[0039] The second regions 133a, 133b are respectively formed by being recessed in a concave shape at both end portions in the width direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the body 105 in the first region 132. These second regions 133a, 133b are formed to extend in a bottomed groove shape from the heat exchange part 107 toward the cooling flow path 106. Also, each of the second regions 133a, 133b is formed to continuously extend across the entire axial direction of the body 105 in the first region 132.

[0040] The actuating device 140 is an electrical device for actuating the electric motor 101, and is mainly configured to include a support base 141, a control device 142, and a power supply unit 143 respectively. The support base 141 is a component for supporting the control device 142 and the power supply unit 143, and is formed of a non-conductive material such as a resin material into a rectangular parallelepiped frame. This support base 141 is attached to the heat exchange part 107 via bolts.

[0041] The control device 142 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and is configured to include a power control unit (PCU) composed of an inverter, a boost converter, a DC-DC converter, etc. for controlling the operation of the electric motor 101. Also, the control device 142 controls the operations of the power supply unit 143 and a liquid delivery pump (water pump) for circulating a cooling fluid in the cooling flow path 106 respectively. In this embodiment, the control device 142 is configured to include two circuit boards 142a, 142b and an interface terminal 142c.

[0042] The circuit board 142a is attached in a posture parallel to the heat exchange part 107 outside the support base 141 within the first region 132. The circuit board 142b is attached to the support base 141 in a state where a part is located within the first region 132 and another part is located within the second region 133a. In this case, the circuit board 142b is arranged in an inclined posture on the central part side in the width direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the body 105 in the first region 132.

[0043] The interface terminal 142c is a component for electrically connecting the control device 142 to an external device, and is attached in a state of being exposed on the outer housing part forming cover 131 in a state of passing through the outer housing part forming cover 131. These two circuit boards 142a, 142b and the interface terminal 142c are electrically connected to each other.

[0044] The power supply unit 143 is an electrical device for generating three-phase alternating current to be supplied to the electric motor 101, and is configured to include a plurality of capacitors on a substrate. This power supply unit 143 is attached to the internal space of the support base 141 via bolts. In this case, the power supply unit 143 has a power connection portion 143a exposed to the outside in a state of penetrating the outer housing portion forming cover 131, and receives power supply from a battery (not shown) of the self-propelled vehicle.

[0045] This power supply unit 143 is electrically connected to the stator 102 of the electric motor 101 via a bus bar 144. The bus bar 144 is a component for supplying three-phase alternating current power to the stator 102 of the electric motor 101, and is composed of a copper plate. This bus bar 144 extends and is arranged within the second region 133b in the outer housing portion 130, and is connected to the stator 102 by penetrating the bottom of the second region forming portion 108b.

[0046] (Operation of the electric motor 101) Next, the operation of the electric motor unit 100 with a speed reducer including the electric motor 101 configured as described above will be described. This electric motor unit 100 with a speed reducer is mounted in the self-propelled vehicle as a drive source for driving the drive wheels of the self-propelled vehicle. In this case, the electric motor unit 100 with a speed reducer can be arranged in the self-propelled vehicle such that the outer housing portion 130 is positioned above, below, or laterally with respect to the electric motor 101. And the operation of this electric motor unit 100 with a speed reducer is controlled by a vehicle control device (not shown) that comprehensively controls the operation of the self-propelled vehicle.

[0047] The vehicle control device drives the electric motor 101 by an activation operation by the driver of the self-propelled vehicle. In this case, the control device 142 causes a cooling fluid to flow in the cooling flow path 106 of the electric motor 101 by activating the liquid feed pump. Thereby, the air in the accommodation space 104a of the housing 104 of the electric motor 101 is cooled, and the temperature rise in the housing 104 is suppressed. Further, since the outer housing portion 130 is adjacent to the cooling flow path 106 via the heat exchange portion 107, the air in the outer housing portion 130 is cooled and the temperature rise is suppressed.

[0048] In this case, in the outer housing portion 130, the first region 132 is mainly cooled by the heat exchanger 107, and the second regions 133a and 133b are mainly cooled through the second region forming portions 108a and 108b, respectively. As a result, for the operating device 140, the circuit board 142a, a part of the circuit board 142b (the part located in the first region 132), and the power supply unit 143 are mainly cooled by the first region 132. Also, for the operating device 140, another part of the circuit board 142b (the part located in the second region 133a) and the bus bar 144 of the power supply unit 143 are mainly cooled by the second regions 133a and 133b.

[0049] As can be understood from the above operation description, according to the above embodiment, in the motor 101, a portion adjacent to the cooling channel 106 on the outer peripheral portion of the housing 104 is covered with the outer housing portion forming cover 131 to form the outer housing portion 130, and in this outer housing portion 130, there are a first region 132 extending in the width direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotor 103 and second regions 133a and 133b formed to extend toward the cooling channel 106 at both ends in the width direction of the first region 132, respectively. Thereby, the motor 101 according to the present invention can be efficiently cooled by the second regions 133a and 133b formed adjacent to the cooling channel 106 in addition to the first region 132 in the outer housing portion 130, and the cooling efficiency of the operating device 140 disposed in the outer housing portion 130 can be improved. Also, according to the motor 101 of the present invention, by providing the second regions 133a and 133b in the outer housing portion 130, the support platform protruding from the main shell of the conventional motor described above becomes unnecessary, and the motor 101 itself can be miniaturized.

[0050] Furthermore, in the implementation of the present invention, it is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the object of the present invention. In each of the following modification examples, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the speed reduction motor unit 100 in the above embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0051] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the outer housing portion 130 is configured to include two second regions 133a and 133b. However, the outer housing portion 130 may be configured to include the second region 133a (or the second region 133b) at at least one of both end portions in the width direction of the first region 132.

[0052] Further, the second regions 133a and 133b are formed to continuously extend over the entire axial direction of the body 105 in the first region 132. However, at least one of the second regions 133a and 133b may be formed to intermittently extend over the entire axial direction of the body 105 in the first region 132. Also, at least one of the second regions 133a and 133b may be formed only in a part of the axial direction of the body 105 in the first region 132. In this case, the second regions 133a and 133b may be formed to have the same length as the circuit board 142a at a position facing the circuit board 142a disposed in the first region 132, or may be formed to have a size corresponding to the size of the circuit board 142b.

[0053] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the second regions 133a and 133b respectively house the circuit board 142b and the bus bar 144. That is, the second regions 133a and 133b house the operating device 140. However, the second regions 133a and 133b may house devices other than the circuit board 142b and the bus bar 144, for example, the power supply unit 143, or may be used as a hollow space without housing any devices such as the operating device 140. Note that the operating device 140 may be disposed only in the second region without being disposed in the first region 132 in the outer housing portion 130.

[0054] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the operating device 140 provided in the outer housing portion 130 is configured by the support base 141, the control device 142, and the power supply unit 143. However, the operating device 140 may be any device used for the operation of the electric motor 101. Therefore, the operating device 140 may also be configured by at least one of the control device 142 and the power supply unit 143.

[0055] Also, in the above embodiment, the circuit board 142b is disposed in an inclined state on the central portion side in the width direction of the first region 132. Thereby, the electric motor 101 can efficiently accommodate the long circuit board 142b in the outer accommodation portion 130, and the enlargement of the outer accommodation portion 130 can be suppressed. However, the circuit board 142b can also be disposed in a posture orthogonal to the width direction of the first region 132 (a posture standing upright upward in FIG. 3), or in a posture inclined to the side opposite to the central portion side in the width direction of the first region 132.

[0056] Also, the circuit board 142b can be disposed in the second region 133a so as to be in a posture other than the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction when the electric motor 101 is installed in the self-propelled vehicle, and to be inclined at an angle less than the horizontal direction (less than 90°) with respect to the vertical direction or the vertical direction. According to this, in the electric motor 101, the heat generated on the cooling channel 106 side of the circuit board 142b escapes upward without being trapped by the circuit board 142b itself, so that the circuit board 142b can be prevented from overheating.

[0057] Also, in the above embodiment, the second regions 133a and 133b are respectively formed by second region forming portions 108a and 108b that are formed to be recessed in a groove shape in the housing 104. Thereby, the electric motor 101 can effectively suppress the escape of the cold air in the second regions 133a and 133b to the outside. However, at least one of the second regions 133a and 133b can also be formed by the notch-shaped second region forming portions 108a and 108b on the outer peripheral portion of the housing 104 as shown in FIG. 6, and the space between them can be formed by these second region forming portions 108a and 108b and the outer accommodation portion forming cover 131.

[0058] In addition, the motor unit 100 with a speed reducer is configured such that the speed reducer 120 reduces the rotational speed of the motor 101. However, the speed reducer 120 may be any mechanical device that changes the rotational speed of the motor 101. Therefore, the speed reducer 120 may be configured not only as a transmission that changes the rotational speed of the motor 101 while switching between a plurality of speed change steps with different speed ratios, but also as a speed increaser that increases the rotational speed of the motor 101. That is, the speed reducer in the present application includes a transmission and a speed increaser. Further, the motor 101 may be configured by omitting the speed reducer 120.

[0059] In addition, in the above embodiment, the speed reducer 120 is configured with a speed reduction mechanism using the first gear 121 and the second gear 122. However, it goes without saying that the speed reducer 120 may be configured with a speed reduction mechanism by other structural examples, for example, a structure using a planetary gear.

[0060] In addition, in the above embodiment, the motor 101 is configured as a synchronous motor. However, the motor 101 may be configured with a motor other than a synchronous motor, for example, other AC motors such as an induction motor, or various DC motors.

[0061] In addition, in the above embodiment, the heat exchange part 107 is formed with the thinnest wall thickness such that the central part in the width direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the body 105 is closest to the cooling flow path 106. However, the heat exchange part 107 may also be formed at equal intervals with respect to the cooling flow path 106 in the axial direction of the body 105 and / or in the width direction orthogonal to the coaxial direction.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the motor unit 100 with a speed reducer is configured such that the outer housing forming cover 131 is detachable from the housing 104. As a result, the motor unit 100 with a speed reducer can facilitate maintenance inside the outer housing 130 because the outer housing forming cover 131 is detachably provided with respect to the housing 104. However, the motor unit 100 with a speed reducer can also be fixedly attached to the housing 104. In this case, the outer housing forming cover 131 can also be integrally formed with the housing 104.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the cooling channel 106 is formed over the entire circumference of the cylindrical body 105. However, the cooling channel 106 may be at least partially formed in at least one of the body 105, the output side cover 110, and the rear side cover 111 that constitute the housing 104. Also, the cooling channel 106 does not necessarily need to have a circulating cooling fluid and may be configured as a closed region and simply store the fluid.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the outer housing 130 is configured to be airtight. However, the outer housing 130 can also be configured to include a ventilation portion that communicates with the outside air. In this case, the ventilation portion may be configured by a through hole provided in the outer housing forming cover 131, or may be configured by a gap between the outer housing forming cover 131 and the heat exchange portion 107. According to this, since the motor unit 100 with a speed reducer includes a ventilation portion in which the outer housing 130 communicates with the outside air, the pressure can be kept constant by following the volume change of the gas due to the rise or fall of the temperature inside the outer housing 130, thereby suppressing damage to the outer housing 130 and suppressing the burden of ensuring the rigidity of the outer housing 130 and simplifying the configuration.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0065] 100… Electric motor unit with a speed reducer, 101… Electric motor, 102… Stator, 103… Rotor, 104… Housing, 104a… Accommodation space, 105… Body, 106… Cooling flow path, 106a… Introduction part, 106b… Discharge part, 107… Heat exchange part, 108a, 108b… Second region forming part 110… Output side cover, 111… Rear side cover, 112… Rear side cover 120… Speed reducer, 121… First gear, 122… Second gear, 123… Output shaft, 124… Speed reducer case, 125… Speed reducer accommodation space 130… Outer accommodation part, 131… Outer accommodation part forming cover, 132… First region, 133a, 133b… Second region 140… Actuating device, 141… Support base, 142… Control device, 142a, 142b… Circuit board, 142c… Interface terminal, 143… Power supply part, 143a… Power supply connection part, 144… Bus bar

Claims

1. An electric motor comprising a housing that forms a housing space for accommodating a rotatable rotor, wherein the housing, a cooling flow path for circulating a cooling fluid for cooling the housing space, an outer housing portion forming cover that covers a portion adjacent to the cooling flow path on the outer peripheral portion of the housing and forms an outer housing portion therebetween, and an operating device disposed in the outer housing portion and used for operating the electric motor, wherein the outer housing portion, is formed between the outer peripheral portion of the housing and the outer housing portion forming cover and extends in the axial direction of the rotor and in the width direction orthogonal to the coaxial direction, respectively, and the length in the width direction is formed to be short from the outer peripheral portion side of the housing toward the outer housing portion forming cover side and from both end portions in the width direction to the central portion in the width direction. A first region, and a second region formed by extending from the outer peripheral portion of the housing toward the cooling flow path at at least one end of both ends in the width direction in the first region. An electric motor characterized by having.

2. In the electric motor according to claim 1, the operating device is disposed in the second region. An electric motor characterized by this.

3. In the electric motor according to claim 2, the operating device, is a circuit board for controlling the operation of the electric motor. An electric motor characterized by this.

4. In the electric motor according to claim 3, the circuit board, is disposed in an inclined state on the central side of the first region. An electric motor characterized by this.

5. An electric motor comprising a housing that forms a housing space for accommodating a rotatable rotor, wherein the housing, a cooling flow path for circulating a cooling fluid for cooling the housing space, an outer housing portion forming cover that covers a portion adjacent to the cooling flow path on the outer peripheral portion of the housing and forms an outer housing portion therebetween, and an operating device disposed in the outer housing portion and used for operating the electric motor, wherein the outer housing portion, is formed between the outer peripheral portion of the housing and the outer housing portion forming cover and extends in the axial direction of the rotor and in the width direction orthogonal to the coaxial direction, respectively, a first region, and a second region formed by extending from the outer peripheral portion of the housing toward the cooling flow path at at least one end of both ends in the width direction in the first region, the operating device, An electric motor, characterized in that it is composed of a circuit board for controlling the operation of the electric motor and is disposed in an inclined state on the center side of the first region within the second region.

6. In the electric motor according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, The second region is An electric motor, characterized in that it is formed by a second region forming portion that is formed by being recessed in a groove shape in the housing.

7. In the electric motor according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, The second region is An electric motor, characterized in that it is formed over the entire axial direction of the rotor in the first region.

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