Drive unit

Abstract

To provide a novel technique for attaching an electric unit to a casing.SOLUTION: The driving device disclosed in the present specification includes: an electric motor; a gear mechanically connected to the electric motor; a power control unit electrically connected to the electric motor; and a casing for storing the electric motor, the gear, and the power control unit. The casing includes: a fixation unit to which an electric unit for a functional expansion is removably fixed; and a connection unit for electrically connecting the electric unit fixed to the fixation unit to the power control unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a drive device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electromechanical integrated power conversion device that includes an electric motor, a power drive unit that controls the operation of the electric motor, and a transmission that is interlocked and connected to a rotating shaft of the electric motor. In the electromechanical integrated power conversion device, a casing that houses the electric motor and the power drive unit and a transmission case that houses the transmission are connected to each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-048748 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An electric unit for expanding functionality may be attached to this type of electromechanical integrated power conversion device. This specification provides a novel technique for attaching the electric unit to the casing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The drive device disclosed in this specification includes an electric motor, a gear mechanically connected to the electric motor, a power control unit electrically connected to the electric motor, and a casing that houses the electric motor, the gear, and the power control unit. The casing has a fixing portion to which an electric unit for expanding functionality is detachably attached, and a connecting portion for electrically connecting the electric unit fixed to the fixing portion to the power control unit.

[0006] In the drive device described above, the casing that houses the electric motor, gears, and power control unit has a fixing portion and a connecting portion. The electric unit for function expansion fixed to the fixing portion can be electrically connected to the power control unit by the connecting portion of the casing. In addition, the electric unit is detachably attached to the fixing portion. Therefore, in the drive device, the electric unit can be easily attached to the casing via the fixing portion and the connecting portion. Furthermore, To, The electric unit can be easily removed, which can improve the versatility of the drive unit, for example.

[0007] Details and further improvements of the technology disclosed in this specification are described in the following "Description of Embodiments of the Invention." [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 shows a plan view of an electric vehicle 100 equipped with drive units 10F, 10R of a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows a perspective view of an exploded drive unit 10F. [Figure 3] 1 shows a perspective view of a driving device 10R. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B show a front view and a side view of a drive device 10F according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B show a front view and a side view of a driving device 10F according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B show a front view and a side view of a drive device 10F according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In one embodiment of the present technology, the electric unit comprises a DC converter circuit However, in another embodiment, the electric unit may include a DC converter, an AC charging circuit, and a high voltage branch circuit. circuit In yet another embodiment, the electric unit may have only an AC charging circuit or only a high voltage branch circuit.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present technology, the power control unit may be arranged along a first surface of the casing. In this case, the electric unit may be attached to a second surface of the casing adjacent to the first surface by the fixing portion. However, in another embodiment, the electric unit may be attached to the first surface of the casing.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present technology, the drive device may further include the electric unit attached to the casing, however, in another embodiment, the drive device may not include the electric unit.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present technology, the drive device may be mounted on a vehicle having a battery. In this case, one of the power control unit and the electric unit may be directly connected to the battery, and the other of the power control unit and the electric unit may be connected to the battery via the one unit. With this configuration, it is possible to connect both the power control unit and the electric unit to the battery with a simpler structure than, for example, a configuration in which the power control unit and the electric unit are directly connected to the battery.

[0013] (First Example) FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an electric vehicle 100 equipped with drive units 10F, 10R of the first embodiment. In addition to drive units 10F, 10R, the electric vehicle 100 includes a vehicle body 2, a front drive shaft 5F, a pair of front wheels 4F, a rear drive shaft 5R, a pair of rear wheels 4R, and a battery pack 6. For ease of understanding, the vehicle body 2 of the electric vehicle 100 is shown by a dashed line in FIG. 1. In this specification, the electric vehicle 100 includes not only electric vehicles but also fuel cell vehicles. In the coordinate system in the figure, FR indicates the front of the electric vehicle 100, UP indicates the top of the electric vehicle 100, and LH indicates the left of the electric vehicle 100. Below, "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" are described based on the coordinate system in the figure.

[0014] The pair of front wheels 4F are provided at both ends of a front drive shaft 5F, and the pair of rear wheels 4R are provided at both ends of a rear drive shaft 5R.

[0015] The battery pack 6 is disposed below the body 2 of the electric vehicle 100. The battery pack 6 supplies power to the drive units 10F, 10R. The battery pack 6 incorporates a plurality of secondary battery cells (not shown), such as lithium ion cells, and is configured to be capable of repeated charging and discharging. The drive units 10F, 10R can also function as generators to perform regenerative braking on the electric vehicle 100. The power generated by the drive units 10F, 10R is supplied to the battery pack 6 to charge it.

[0016] The drive unit 10F is located in the front compartment 3 of the electric vehicle 100. The drive unit 10F drives a pair of front wheels 4F via a front drive shaft 5F of the electric vehicle 100. The drive unit 10F includes a power control unit 30, a motor 40, a link gear 50, a differential gear 52, a casing 20 that houses the devices 30, 40, 50, and 52, and an electric unit 60. The link gear 50 and the differential gear 52 are an example of a "gear" in the present disclosure. The motor 40 is an example of an "electric motor" in the present disclosure.

[0017] The power control unit 30 includes a multi-phase voltage converter circuit, an inverter circuit, and a controller. The power control unit 30 may also be referred to as a power control unit (PCU). The power control unit 30 is electrically connected to the motor 40.

[0018] Motor 40 is a motor for propelling electric vehicle 100 and includes a motor shaft 42 and a bus bar 44. Motor shaft 42 is the rotation axis of motor 40, extends to the right and is connected to link gear 50. The stator coil of motor 40 is electrically connected to power control unit 30 via three bus bars 44.

[0019] The link gear 50 and the differential gear 52 mesh with each other. The differential gear 52 is connected to the front drive shaft 5F. As a result, the rotational motion of the motor 40 is transmitted to the front drive shaft 5F via the motor shaft 42, the link gear 50, and the differential gear 52.

[0020] Within the casing 20, the devices 30, 40, 50, 52 are arranged in the order of, from left to right, the power control unit 30, the motor 40, and the link gear 50 along the direction in which the motor shaft 42 extends.

[0021] The electric unit 60 is attached above the casing 20. The electric unit 60 is a device for expanding the functions of the drive unit 10F. The electric unit 60 has a function expansion circuit 70. As will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2, the function expansion circuit 70 of the electric unit 60 is connected to the battery pack 6 via a PN connector 80 and a power cable 7F.

[0022] The drive unit 10R is located below the rear seat (not shown) of the electric vehicle 100 and above the rear suspension member (not shown). In a modified example, the drive unit 10R may be located below a board that forms the bottom of the luggage space of the electric vehicle 100. The drive unit 10R drives the pair of rear wheels 4R via a rear drive shaft 5R of the electric vehicle 100. The drive unit 10R does not include an electric unit 60. However, apart from this, the drive unit 10R has the same configuration as the drive unit 10F. The drive unit 10R is connected to the battery pack 6 via a PN connector 80 and a power cable 7R.

[0023] The structure of the drive unit 10F will be described with reference to FIG. 2. In particular, the structure for mounting the electric unit 60 to the casing 20 will be described. The electric unit 60 has a box-shaped electric casing 61. The electric casing 61 has four mounting portions 62 extending downward from four corners of the lower surface of the electric casing 61. Through holes are provided at the lower ends of the mounting portions 62. Furthermore, a first communication hole 66 is provided in the lower surface of the electric casing 61, connecting the inside and outside of the electric casing 61. A positive bus bar 72P and a negative bus bar 72N extending downward from the function expansion circuit 70 are inserted into the first communication hole 66. Each bus bar 72P, 72N passes through the first communication hole 66 and extends downward toward the casing 20.

[0024] The electric casing 61 houses the function expansion circuit 70. The function expansion circuit 70 is a circuit for expanding the functions of the drive device 10F. Specifically, the function expansion circuit 70 includes a DC converter circuit 70D, an AC charging circuit 70A, and a high-voltage branch circuit 70P. The DC converter circuit 70D is a device that steps down the voltage of the battery pack 6 and supplies it to an auxiliary battery (not shown). The AC charging circuit 70A is a device that converts AC power input from an external AC power supply into DC power and supplies it to the battery pack 6. The high-voltage branch circuit 70P is a device that distributes and supplies power to components that require high-voltage power, such as the motor 40. Here, "high voltage" refers to an operating voltage that is greater than 60 V DC and equal to or less than 1500 V, or greater than 30 V AC (effective value) and equal to or less than 1000 V AC (effective value).

[0025] A first service hole 64 is provided on the left side surface of the electric casing 61. The first service hole 64 connects the inside and outside of the electric casing 61. The first service hole 64 faces the first positive terminal 74P and the first negative terminal 74N of the function expansion circuit 70.

[0026] The first service hole 64 is covered from the outside by a PN connector 80. The PN connector 80 has a positive cable 87P, a connector positive terminal 82P, a negative cable 87N, and a connector negative terminal 82N. The positive cable 87P is a cable that connects the connector positive terminal 82P to the positive electrode of the battery pack 6. The negative cable 87N is a cable that connects the connector negative terminal 82N to the negative electrode of the battery pack 6.

[0027] The connector positive terminal 82P of the PN connector 80 is attached to the first positive terminal 74P of the function expansion circuit 70 by a bolt B1. Similarly, the connector negative terminal 82N of the PN connector 80 is attached to the first negative terminal 74N of the function expansion circuit 70 by a bolt B1. After the terminals 82P, 82N of the PN connector 80 are attached to the terminals 74P, 74N of the function expansion circuit 70, respectively, the opening 84 of the PN connector 80 is covered with a connector cover 88. In this way, the function expansion circuit 70 is electrically connected to the battery pack 6 by the PN connector 80.

[0028] The casing 20 has a box shape that extends in the left-right direction. Four fixing portions 22 that extend upward are provided at the four corners of the upper side surface 23 of the casing 20. Each of the four fixing portions 22 has the same structure. The following description will mainly focus on the fixing portion 22 located on the front right side.

[0029] Openings are provided on the upper and front surfaces of the fixing portion 22. The mounting portion 62 of the electric casing 61 is inserted from above into the opening on the upper surface of the fixing portion 22. The mounting portion 62 inserted into the fixing portion 22 is fixed to the casing 20 by a bolt B2 that passes through the opening on the front surface of the fixing portion 22. In the drive unit 10F, the corresponding mounting portions 62 are fixed to the four fixing portions 22. Furthermore, by removing the bolt B2 from the four fixing portions 22, the electric unit 60 can be easily removed from the casing 20. In this way, the fixing portion 22 of the casing 20 detachably mounts the electric unit 60.

[0030] A second communication hole 26 that communicates the outside and inside of the casing 20 is provided in the upper side surface 23 of the casing 20. The second communication hole 26 faces the first communication hole 66 of the electric casing 61. Therefore, the positive electrode bus bar 72P and the negative electrode bus bar 72N that pass through the first communication hole 66 and extend downward pass through the second communication hole 26. The lower end of the positive electrode bus bar 72P that passes through the second communication hole 26 is attached to the second positive electrode terminal 32P of the power control unit 30 with a bolt B1 inside the casing 20. The lower end of the negative electrode bus bar 72N that passes through the second communication hole 26 is attached to the second negative electrode terminal 32N of the power control unit 30 with a bolt B1 inside the casing 20. A second service hole 24 that faces the second positive electrode terminal 32P and the second negative electrode terminal 32N is provided in the left side surface 21 of the casing 20. After the bus bars 72P, 72N of the function expansion circuit 70 are attached to the terminals 32P, 32N of the power control unit 30, the second service hole 24 of the casing 20 is covered with the service cover 28. In this manner, the second communication hole 26 of the casing 20 electrically connects the function expansion circuit 70 of the electric unit 60 fixed to the fixing portion 22 to the power control unit 30.

[0031] 2, in the drive device 10F, the power control unit 30 is disposed along the left side surface 21, i.e., along the vertical direction. Furthermore, the electric unit 60 is attached to the upper side surface 23 adjacent to the left side surface 21.

[0032] In the drive device 10F of this embodiment, the electric unit 60 is directly connected to the battery pack 6 via the PN connector 80, and the power control unit 30 is connected to the battery pack 6 via the electric unit 60. This makes it possible to connect both the electric unit 60 and the power control unit 30 to the battery pack 6 with a simpler structure than a configuration in which the PN connector 80 is connected to each of the electric unit 60 and the power control unit 30 and the battery pack 6 are directly connected to each of the electric unit 60 and the power control unit 30.

[0033] The structure of the drive unit 10R will be described with reference to Figure 3. The drive unit 10R does not include an electric unit 60. Therefore, the second communication hole 26 of the casing 20 of the drive unit 10R is covered by a communication hole cover 27. Furthermore, in the drive unit 10R, a PN connector 80 is attached to the power control unit 30 via the second service hole 24. This electrically connects the drive unit 10R to the battery pack 6.

[0034] As described above, in this embodiment, the same drive unit can be used for the drive unit 10F that includes the electric unit 60 and the drive unit 10R that does not include the electric unit 60. This increases the versatility of the drive unit, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, because the electric unit 60 is directly attached to the upper surface 23 of the casing 20, the size of the drive unit 10F can be reduced compared to conventional techniques that require a separate structure for attaching the electric unit 60 to the vehicle body 2.

[0035] In this embodiment, the second communication hole 26 of the casing 20 is an example of a "connection portion." The left side surface 21 is an example of a "first surface," and the upper surface 23 is an example of a "second surface."

[0036] A drive device 10F of another embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 6. In the drive device 10F of the following embodiment, the position of the power control unit 30 within the casing 20 is different from that of the drive device 10F of the first embodiment described above. However, in other respects, the drive device 10F of the following embodiment has the same configuration as the drive device 10F of the first embodiment.

[0037] (Second Example) The structure of a drive device 10F of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the drive device 10F of the second embodiment, the power control unit 30 is located in front of the motor 40. In the second embodiment, the power control unit 30 is arranged along the front side surface 21S of the casing 20. Therefore, in the casing 20 of the second embodiment, the second service hole 24 is provided on the front side surface 21S. Furthermore, an electric unit 60 is attached to the upper side surface 23S of the casing 20. In the drive device 10F of the second embodiment, a positive electrode bus bar 33P and a negative electrode bus bar 33N provided on the power control unit 30 extend upward through the second communication hole 26 and the first communication hole 66. Within the electric casing 61, the positive electrode bus bar 33P is connected to the positive terminal of the function expansion circuit 70, and the negative electrode bus bar 33N is connected to the negative terminal of the function expansion circuit 70. This electrically connects the power control unit 30 and the function expansion circuit 70. Although not shown, in this embodiment, the PN connector 80 is attached to the second service hole 24 of the casing 20. This connects the power control unit 30 directly to the battery pack 6, and the function expansion circuit 70 of the electric unit 60 is electrically connected to the battery pack 6 via the power control unit 30. In this embodiment, the front side surface 21S is an example of the "first surface," and the upper side surface 23S is an example of the "second surface."

[0038] (Third Example) The structure of a drive device 10F of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In the drive device 10F of the third embodiment, the power control unit 30 is located to the left of the motor 40, as in the first embodiment. However, the electric unit 60 is attached to the front side surface 23T of the casing 20. Therefore, in the casing 20 of the third embodiment, the second communication hole 26 is provided on the front side surface 23T. In this embodiment, the positive electrode bus bar 33P and the negative electrode bus bar 33N of the power control unit 30 pass through the second communication hole 26 and the first communication hole 66 and extend forward to electrically connect the power control unit 30 and the function expansion circuit 70. In this embodiment, the left side surface 21T is an example of the "first surface," and the front side surface 23T is an example of the "second surface."

[0039] (Fourth Example) A drive device 10F of a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In the drive device 10F of the fourth embodiment, the power control unit 30 is located above the motor 40. The power control unit 30 is arranged horizontally along the upper side surface 21F of the casing 20. Therefore, in the casing 20 of the fourth embodiment, the second service hole 24 is provided on the upper side surface 21F. Furthermore, in the drive device 10F of the fourth embodiment, the electric unit 60 is attached to the front side surface 23F of the casing 20. In this embodiment, the positive bus bar 33P and the negative bus bar 33N of the power control unit 30 pass through the second communication hole 26 and the first communication hole 66 and extend forward to electrically connect the power control unit 30 and the function expansion circuit 70. In this embodiment, the upper side surface 21F is an example of a "first surface," and the front side surface 23F is an example of a "second surface."

[0040] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above examples are listed below.

[0041] (Variation 1) The function expansion circuit 70 of the electric unit 60 does not have to have the DC converter circuit 70D, the AC charging circuit 70A, and the high-voltage branch circuit 70P. In a further variation, the function expansion circuit 70 may have any one or any two of the circuits 70D, 70A, and 70P.

[0042] (Modification 2) The power control unit 30 of the first embodiment may be disposed along the upper side surface 23 of the casing 20.

[0043] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings may achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives alone is technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 2: Body, 3: Front compartment, 4F: Front wheels, 4R: Rear wheels, 5F: Front drive shaft, 5R: Rear drive shaft, 6: Battery pack, 7F: Power cable, 7R: Power cable, 10F, 10R: Drive unit, 20: Casing, 21, 21T: Left side, 21F, 23, 23S: Upper side, 21S, 23S, 23T: Front side, 22: Fixing part, 24: Second service hole, 26: Second communication hole, 27: Communication hole cover, 28: Service cover, 30: Power control unit, 32N: Second negative terminal, 32P: Second positive terminal, 33N, 72N: Negative bus bar, 33P, 72P: positive bus bar, 40: motor, 42: motor shaft, 44: bus bar, 50: link gear, 52: differential gear, 60: electric unit, 61: electric casing, 62: mounting portion, 64: first service hole, 66: first communication hole, 70: function expansion circuit, 70A: AC charging circuit, 70D: DC converter circuit, 70P: high-voltage branch circuit, 74N: first negative terminal, 74P: first positive terminal, 80: PN connector, 82N: connector negative terminal, 82P: connector positive terminal, 84: opening, 87N: negative cable, 87P: positive cable, 88: connector cover, 100: electric vehicle

Claims

1. An electric motor; a gear mechanically connected to the electric motor; a power control unit electrically connected to the electric motor; a casing that houses the electric motor, the gear, and the power control unit; Equipped with The casing has a fixing portion to which an electric unit for function expansion is detachably attached, a connection portion having a communication hole that communicates the outside and the inside of the casing to electrically connect the electric unit fixed to the fixing portion to the power control unit, and service holes that face the positive terminal and negative terminal of the power control unit. Drive unit.

2. The drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the electric unit comprises a DC converter circuit, an AC charging circuit, and a high-voltage branch circuit.

3. the power control unit is disposed along a first surface of the casing; The drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the electric unit is attached to a second surface of the casing adjacent to the first surface by the fixing portion.

4. A drive device as described in Claim 3, wherein the communication hole is provided on the second surface of the casing.

5. A drive device as described in Claim 4, wherein the service hole is provided on the first surface of the casing.

6. The drive arrangement according to claim 1 , further comprising an electric unit mounted on the casing.

7. the drive device is mounted on a vehicle having a battery, one of the power control unit and the electric unit is directly connected to the battery; the other of the power control unit and the electric unit is connected to the battery via the other of the power control unit and the electric unit; The drive device according to claim 6.

8. The drive device according to claim 7 , wherein the power control unit is disposed on the left side of the electric motor when viewed in the forward direction of the vehicle.

9. The drive device according to claim 7 , wherein the power control unit is disposed in front of the electric motor as viewed in the forward direction of the vehicle.

10. The drive device according to claim 7 , wherein the power control unit is disposed above the electric motor inside the vehicle.

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