Vehicle drive unit

Abstract

A technology is realized that makes it possible to provide a connector for electrically connecting a cable and an inverter device while suppressing an increase in the size of a vehicle drive device. [Solution] A rotating electric machine (1) and a pair of output members (6) are arranged on two separate axes parallel to each other. A transmission mechanism includes an output gear (30) drivingly connected to at least one of the pair of output members (6), and the output gear (30) is arranged coaxially with the pair of output members (6). An inverter device (90) includes an overlapping portion (95) arranged so as to overlap with the output gear (30) in an axial view along the axial direction. A connector (80) for electrically connecting a cable arranged outside the case (2) to the inverter device (90) is arranged on the case (2) above the overlapping portion (95) when mounted on the vehicle, in an area overlapping with the inverter device (90) in an axial view.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle drive system including a rotating electric machine, a transmission mechanism that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine and an output member, and an inverter device that drives and controls the rotating electric machine. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of such a vehicle drive device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2021-10269 (Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, in the description of the background art, the reference numerals in parentheses refer to those in Patent Document 1. The drive unit (30) in Patent Document 1 includes an electric motor (MOT), a power transmission mechanism (TM) that transmits driving force between the electric motor (MOT) and output shafts (50L, 50R), and a power conversion unit (PDU) that controls the drive of the electric motor (MOT). In this drive unit (30), the output shaft (50R) is disposed between the electric motor (MOT) and the power conversion unit (PDU). According to Patent Document 1, employing such an arrangement can suppress the transfer of heat from the electric motor (MOT) to the power conversion unit (PDU). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-10269 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, a vehicle drive device equipped with an inverter device (referred to as a power conversion device in Patent Document 1) needs to be provided with connectors to which cables such as power cables and signal cables are connected, and depending on the location of the connectors, the vehicle drive device may become large. However, Patent Document 1 does not mention this point.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to realize a technology that allows a connector for electrically connecting a cable and an inverter device to be provided while suppressing an increase in the size of the vehicle drive device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle drive device of the present disclosure comprises a rotating electric machine, a pair of output members each drivingly connected to a pair of wheels, a transmission mechanism for transmitting driving force between the rotating electric machine and the pair of output members, an inverter device for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine, and a case for accommodating the inverter device, wherein the rotating electric machine and the pair of output members are arranged on two parallel axes, the transmission mechanism comprises an output gear which is drivingly connected to at least one of the pair of output members and is coaxial with the pair of output members, the inverter device has an overlapping portion which is arranged so as to overlap with the output gear when viewed in the axial direction along the axial direction, and a connector for electrically connecting a cable arranged outside the case to the inverter device is arranged in a region of the case above the overlapping portion when mounted on the vehicle and which overlaps with the inverter device when viewed in the axial direction.

[0007] In this configuration, the inverter device has an overlapping portion that is arranged so as to overlap with the output gear in an axial view, so the space that overlaps with the output gear in an axial view can be effectively used as an arrangement space for the inverter device, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the vehicle drive device. Since the output gear has a circular shape in an axial view, when the inverter device is arranged in this manner, the area outside the overlapping portion in an axial view of the case that houses the inverter device (the area radially outward from the outer edge of the output gear) is likely to become dead space. According to this configuration, the connector is Since the connector is disposed in an area above the overlapping portion of the case when the case is mounted on the vehicle and overlaps with the inverter device in an axial view, the connector can be disposed by utilizing an area that tends to become dead space as described above. This makes it possible to provide the connector while preventing the vehicle drive device from becoming larger. Note that, with this configuration, the connector is disposed in an area above the overlapping portion of the case when the case is mounted on the vehicle, so the connector can be disposed in a relatively upper area of ​​the case. Therefore, this configuration also has the advantage of making it easier to dispose the connector in a position that facilitates the operation of connecting the cable to the connector.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the vehicle drive system will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments, which is given with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle drive device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle drive device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle drive device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of components of a vehicle drive device according to an embodiment when viewed in an axial direction; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of components of a vehicle drive device according to an embodiment when viewed in an axial direction; [Figure 6] 1 is a plan view of a vehicle drive device according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle drive device according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of components of a vehicle drive device according to another embodiment, as viewed in the axial direction; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of components of a vehicle drive device according to another embodiment, as viewed in the axial direction; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of components of a vehicle drive device according to another embodiment, as viewed in the axial direction; [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of components of a vehicle drive device according to another embodiment, as viewed in the axial direction; [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle drive device according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a skeleton diagram of a vehicle drive device according to another embodiment; [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of components of a vehicle drive device according to another embodiment, as viewed in the axial direction; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the vehicle drive device will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the up-down direction V (see FIG. 4, etc.) refers to the direction along the vertical direction when the vehicle drive device 100 is in use, that is, the direction along the vertical direction when the vehicle drive device 100 is oriented in its use state. Since the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on a vehicle 200 (see FIG. 1) for use, the up-down direction V refers to the direction along the vertical direction when the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 200 (hereinafter referred to as the "vehicle-mounted state"), more specifically, the direction along the vertical direction when the vehicle 200 is stopped on a flat road (a road along a horizontal surface) in the vehicle-mounted state. The upper side V1 and the lower side V2 refer to the upper side and the lower side in the up-down direction V. Furthermore, the directions of the components in the following description refer to the directions when the components are assembled to the vehicle drive device 100. Furthermore, terms relating to the dimensions, arrangement direction, arrangement position, etc. of each component are concepts that include differences due to errors (errors to the extent that are acceptable in manufacturing).

[0011] In this specification, the term "driving connection" refers to a state in which two rotating elements are connected so as to be able to transmit a driving force (synonymous with torque), and includes a state in which the two rotating elements are connected so as to rotate integrally, or a state in which the two rotating elements are connected so as to be able to transmit a driving force via one or more transmission members. Such a power transmission member includes various members (e.g., shafts, gear mechanisms, belts, chains, etc.) that transmit rotation at a constant speed or at variable speeds. Note that the power transmission member may also include an engagement device (e.g., friction engagement device, meshing engagement device, etc.) that selectively transmits rotation and driving force.

[0012] In this specification, the term "rotating electric machine" is used to refer to a motor (electric motor), a generator (electric generator), and a motor-generator that functions as both a motor and a generator as needed. Furthermore, in this specification, with respect to the arrangement of two components, "overlapping when viewed in a specific direction" means that when an imaginary line parallel to the line of sight is moved in each direction perpendicular to the imaginary line, there is at least a portion of an area where the imaginary line intersects with both of the two components. Furthermore, in this specification, with respect to the arrangement of two components, "their arrangement areas in a specific direction overlap" means that the arrangement area of ​​one component in a specific direction includes at least a portion of the arrangement area of ​​the other component in a specific direction.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle drive device 100 includes a rotating electric machine 1, a pair of output members 6 drivingly connected to a pair of wheels W (see FIG. 1), a transmission mechanism 3 that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine 1 and the pair of output members 6, and an inverter device 90 that drives and controls the rotating electric machine 1. The vehicle drive device 100 further includes a case 2. The case 2 houses one or both of the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 (here, both). The case 2 also houses the pair of output members 6 and the transmission mechanism 3.

[0014] The first output member 61, which is one of the pair of output members 6, is drivingly connected to the first wheel W1, which is one of the pair of wheels W, and the second output member 62, which is the other of the pair of output members 6, is drivingly connected to the second wheel W2, which is the other of the pair of wheels W. As shown in FIG. 1 , a vehicle 200 on which the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted includes a first drive shaft 63 that rotates integrally with the first wheel W1 and a second drive shaft 64 that rotates integrally with the second wheel W2. The first drive shaft 63 is connected to the first wheel W1 via a constant velocity joint, for example, and the second drive shaft 64 is connected to the second wheel W2 via a constant velocity joint, for example. The first output member 61 is connected to the first drive shaft 63 so as to rotate integrally therewith, and the second output member 62 is connected to the second drive shaft 64 so as to rotate integrally therewith.

[0015] The vehicle drive device 100 transmits the output torque of the rotating electric machine 1 to a pair of wheels W via a pair of output members 6, thereby driving a vehicle 200 equipped with the vehicle drive device 100. That is, the rotating electric machine 1 is a driving force source for the pair of wheels W. The pair of wheels W is a pair of left and right wheels of the vehicle 200 (for example, a pair of left and right front wheels or a pair of left and right rear wheels). In this embodiment, the rotating electric machine 1 is an AC rotating electric machine driven by three-phase AC (an example of polyphase AC). The rotating electric machine 1 is electrically connected to an electricity storage device such as a battery or a capacitor via an inverter device 90 that performs power conversion between DC power and AC power, and is powered by receiving power from the electricity storage device, or supplies power generated by the inertial force of the vehicle 200 to the electricity storage device for storage.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the rotating electric machine 1 and the pair of output members 6 are arranged on two parallel axes (specifically, a first axis C1 and a second axis C2). Specifically, the rotating electric machine 1 is arranged on the first axis C1, and the pair of output members 6 are arranged on a second axis C2 different from the first axis C1. The first axis C1 and the second axis C2 are axes (virtual axes) arranged parallel to each other. The transmission mechanism 3 includes an output gear 30 drivingly connected to at least one of the pair of output members 6, coaxially with the pair of output members 6 (i.e., on the second axis C2). In this embodiment, the second axis C2 corresponds to the "rotational axis of the output gear."

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 200 with the axial direction A oriented along the left-right direction of the vehicle. The axial direction A is a direction parallel to the first axis C1 and the second axis C2, in other words, an axial direction common to the first axis C1 and the second axis C2. That is, the axial direction A is the direction in which the rotational axis of the rotary electric machine 1 extends and also the direction in which the rotational axis of the pair of output members 6 extends. Here, one side of the axial direction A is defined as the first axial side A1, and the other side of the axial direction A (the side opposite to the first axial side A1 in the axial direction A) is defined as the second axial side A2. The first axial side A1 is the side on which the rotary electric machine 1 is disposed with respect to the transmission mechanism 3 in the axial direction A. As shown in FIG. 3, the first output member 61 is the output member 6 of the pair of output members 6 that is disposed on the first axial side A1, and the second output member 62 is the output member 6 of the pair of output members 6 that is disposed on the second axial side A2.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 200 with the first axial side A1 facing the right side of the vehicle and the second axial side A2 facing the left side of the vehicle. Therefore, the first wheel W1 to which the first output member 61 is drivingly connected is the right wheel, and the second wheel W2 to which the second output member 62 is drivingly connected is the left wheel. FIG. 1 assumes that the vehicle drive device 100 is a front-wheel drive drive device that drives a pair of left and right front wheels. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the first wheel W1 is the right front wheel, and the second wheel W2 is the left front wheel.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 3, the rotating electric machine 1 includes a rotor 10 and a stator 11. The stator 11 is fixed to a case 2, and the rotor 10 is supported by the case 2 so as to be rotatable relative to the stator 11. In this embodiment, the stator 11 is fixed to the case 2 using a fastening member 14 such as a fastening bolt. Also, in this embodiment, the rotating electric machine 1 is an inner rotor type rotating electric machine, and the rotor 10 is disposed radially inside the stator 11 so as to overlap with the stator 11 as viewed in the radial direction. The radial direction here is a radial direction based on the first axis C1, in other words, a radial direction based on the rotational axis of the rotating electric machine 1.

[0020] The stator 11 includes a stator core 12 and coil end portions 13 that protrude from the stator core 12 in the axial direction A. A coil is wound around the stator core 12, and the portions of the coil that protrude from the stator core 12 in the axial direction A form the coil end portions 13. The coil end portions 13 are formed on both sides of the stator core 12 in the axial direction A. As shown in FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, the stator core 12 includes a main body portion 12a formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction A, and protruding portions 12b formed to protrude outward in the radial direction (radial direction based on the first axis C1) from the main body portion 12a. An insertion hole is formed in the protruding portion 12b, through which a fastening member 14 for fixing the stator core 12 to the case 2 is inserted.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission mechanism 3 includes an input member 16 that is drivingly connected to the rotating electric machine 1 and is coaxial with the rotating electric machine 1 (i.e., on the first axis C1). In this embodiment, the input member 16 is connected to the rotor 10 so as to rotate integrally with the rotor 10. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle drive device 100 includes a rotor shaft 15 to which the rotor 10 is fixed, and the input member 16 is connected to the rotor shaft 15 so as to rotate integrally with the rotor shaft 15. Specifically, a portion of the input member 16 on the first axial side A1 is connected (here, spline-connected) to a portion of the rotor shaft 15 on the second axial side A2. Alternatively, the vehicle drive device 100 may not include the rotor shaft 15, and the rotor 10 may be fixed to the input member 16 (specifically, the portion of the input member 16 on the first axial side A1).

[0022] As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 3 includes a differential gear mechanism 5. The differential gear mechanism 5 distributes the driving force transmitted from the rotating electric machine 1 to a pair of output members 6. In this embodiment, the differential gear mechanism 5 is disposed coaxially with the pair of output members 6 (i.e., on the second axis C2), and distributes the driving force transmitted from the rotating electric machine 1 to the output gear 30 to the pair of output members 6. That is, in this embodiment, the output gear 30 is drivingly connected to both of the pair of output members 6 via the differential gear mechanism 5. In this embodiment, the differential gear mechanism 5 is a bevel gear type differential gear mechanism, and the output gear 30 is connected to a differential case portion 50 provided in the differential gear mechanism 5 so as to rotate integrally with the differential case portion 50. The differential case portion 50 houses a first side gear 51 and a second side gear 52. The differential gear mechanism 5 distributes the rotation of the output gear 30 to the first side gear 51 and the second side gear 52. The differential gear mechanism 5 is disposed on a second axial side A2 with respect to the rotating electric machine 1.

[0023] The first side gear 51 rotates integrally with the first output member 61, and the second side gear 52 rotates integrally with the second output member 62. In this embodiment, the first side gear 51 is formed on a member (here, a shaft member) separate from the member constituting the first output member 61 and is coupled (here, spline-coupled) to the first output member 61 so as to rotate integrally with the first output member 61. At least a portion of the first axial side A1 of the first output member 61 is formed in a tubular shape (specifically, a cylindrical shape) extending in the axial direction A, and the first drive shaft 63 (see FIG. 1 ) is inserted into the interior of the first output member 61 (the space surrounded by the inner peripheral surface) from the first axial side A1. In this embodiment, the second side gear 52 is formed on a member (here, a shaft member) constituting the second output member 62. Specifically, the second side gear 52 is formed on an end of the second output member 62 on the first axial side A1. At least the portion of the second axial side A2 of the second output member 62 is formed in a tubular shape (specifically, a cylindrical shape) extending in the axial direction A, and the second drive shaft 64 (see Figure 1) is inserted into the interior of the second output member 62 (the space surrounded by the inner surface) from the second axial side A2.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 3 includes a counter gear mechanism 4, which is disposed on a separate axis from the rotating electric machine 1 and the output gear 30, in a power transmission path between the rotating electric machine 1 and the output gear 30. The counter gear mechanism 4 is disposed on a third axis C3, which is different from the first axis C1 and the second axis C2. The third axis C3 is an axis (virtual axis) parallel to the first axis C1 and the second axis C2. In this embodiment, the counter gear mechanism 4 includes a counter input gear 40a that meshes with an input gear 17 that rotates integrally with the input member 16, a counter output gear 40b that meshes with the output gear 30, and a counter shaft 40 that connects the counter input gear 40a and the counter output gear 40b. The input gear 17 is disposed on a second axial side A2 relative to the rotating electric machine 1, and the counter gear mechanism 4 is disposed on the second axial side A2 relative to the rotating electric machine 1. In this embodiment, the counter input gear 40a is disposed on the second axial side A2 relative to the counter output gear 40b. In this embodiment, the counter gear mechanism 4 corresponds to the "gear mechanism".

[0025] In this embodiment, the counter input gear 40a is formed to have a larger diameter than the input gear 17, and the counter output gear 40b is formed to have a smaller diameter than the output gear 30. Therefore, the rotation of the input member 16 is decelerated in accordance with the gear ratio between the input gear 17 and the counter input gear 40a, and is further decelerated in accordance with the gear ratio between the counter output gear 40b and the output gear 30 (i.e., is decelerated in two stages) before being transmitted to the output gear 30.

[0026] 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the case 2 includes a first case portion 21, a second case portion 22, and a third case portion 23. The second case portion 22 is joined to the second axial side A2 of the first case portion 21, and the third case portion 23 is joined to the first axial side A1 of the first case portion 21. The rotating electric machine 1 is accommodated in the space surrounded by the first case portion 21 and the third case portion 23, and the transmission mechanism 3 is accommodated in the space surrounded by the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 22. In this way, the case 2 defines a first accommodation chamber S in which the rotating electric machine 1 is accommodated. The rotating electrical machine 1 includes a first housing chamber S1 and a third housing chamber S3 that houses the transmission mechanism 3. The housing chamber forms a housing space in which an object to be housed is housed. In this embodiment, the first output member 61 is housed in the first housing chamber S1. Specifically, at least a portion of the first output member 61 that overlaps with the rotating electrical machine 1 in the axial direction A (a portion where their arrangement areas in the axial direction A overlap) is housed in the first housing chamber S1. In this way, in this embodiment, the rotating electrical machine 1 and the first output member 61 are housed in a common housing chamber (specifically, the first housing chamber S1) provided in the case 2.

[0027] In this embodiment, the case 2 further includes a second housing chamber S2 that houses the inverter device 90. Specifically, the case 2 includes a fourth case portion 24 joined to the first case portion 21, and the inverter device 90 is housed in a space (second housing chamber S2) surrounded by the first case portion 21 and the fourth case portion 24. The inverter device 90 is housed in the second housing chamber S2 while being fixed to the case 2 with bolts or the like. In this embodiment, the second housing chamber S2 is formed in the first case portion 21 so as to open to a second side X2 in a first direction (see FIG. 2) that will be described later, and the fourth case portion 24 is joined to the first case portion 21 so as to close the opening. Although details are omitted, the inverter device 90 includes a switching element unit (power module) having a plurality of switching elements that constitute an inverter circuit, a control board on which a control device that controls the inverter circuit is mounted, and a smoothing capacitor that smoothes the voltage between the positive and negative poles on the DC side of the inverter circuit, and these switching element unit, control board, and smoothing capacitor are housed in the second housing chamber S2. In this way, in this embodiment, the first housing chamber S1 and the second housing chamber S2 are integrally formed in one case 2.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the case 2 includes a partition wall 25 (compartment wall) that separates the first storage chamber S1 and the second storage chamber S2. In this embodiment, the first storage chamber S1 and the second storage chamber S2 are integrally formed in the case 2 (here, the first case portion 21). Specifically, the first storage chamber S1 and the second storage chamber S2 are formed in a single member (for example, a single member made of a common material formed by die-casting). In this embodiment, the first storage chamber S1 and the second storage chamber S2 are separated by a single partition wall 25.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the case 2 is provided with a connector 80 for electrically connecting a cable 7 (see FIG. 6) arranged outside the case 2 to the inverter device 90. Note that FIG. 6 shows a simplified view of the cable 7. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the connector 80 includes a low-voltage connector 80L and a high-voltage connector 80H that relays power at a voltage higher than that of the low-voltage connector 80L. A power line (an example of the low-voltage cable 7L) for supplying power to a control board included in the inverter device 90 and a signal line (an example of the low-voltage cable 7L) for transmitting control signals to the control board are connected to the low-voltage connector 80L. In addition, a power line (an example of the high-voltage cable 7H) for supplying power to an inverter circuit included in the inverter device 90 is connected to the high-voltage connector 80H.

[0030] 4, the direction in which the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 are aligned as viewed in the axial direction A is defined as a first direction X, and the direction perpendicular to both the axial direction A and the first direction X is defined as a second direction Y. One side of the first direction X is defined as a first direction first side X1, the other side of the first direction X (the side opposite to the first direction first side X1 in the first direction X) is defined as a first direction second side X2, one side of the second direction Y is defined as a second direction first side Y1, and the other side of the second direction Y (the side opposite to the second direction first side Y1 in the second direction Y) is defined as a second direction second side Y2. The first direction first side X1 is the side on which the rotating electric machine 1 is arranged with respect to the inverter device 90 in the first direction X. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 to be referred to later, the outer peripheral surface of the stator core 12 (specifically, the above-mentioned main body portion 12a) is indicated by a dashed line, the root circle and the tip circle of each gear are indicated by a dotted line, and the outer peripheral surface of the first output member 61 (specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the first output member 61 that is sandwiched between the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 in the first direction X) is indicated by a solid line.

[0031] In this embodiment, the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 200 with the second direction first side Y1 being the upper side V1 and the second direction second side Y2 being the lower side V2. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 200 with the first direction first side X1 being the front side L1 (the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction L) and the first direction second side X2 being the rear side L2 (the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction L). As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on the front side L1 of the vehicle 200 relative to the center of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction L. Therefore, the first direction second side X2, which is the side on which the inverter device 90 is disposed relative to the rotating electric machine 1 in the first direction X and which is the rear side L2 in this embodiment, is located closer to the center in the vehicle longitudinal direction L. Therefore, in this embodiment, when mounted on the vehicle, the inverter device 90 is disposed closer to the center in the vehicle longitudinal direction L than the rotating electric machine 1. When the vehicle driving device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 200 on the rear side L2 of the center of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction L, the vehicle driving device 100 can be mounted on the vehicle 200 with the first direction first side X1 being the rear side L2 and the first direction second side X2 being the front side L1, so that the inverter device 90 is positioned closer to the center of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction L than the rotating electric machine 1. When the vehicle driving device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 200 on the rear side L2 of the center of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction L in this way, the pair of wheels W driven by the vehicle driving device 100 are, for example, a pair of left and right rear wheels.

[0032] When the vehicle 200 has a pair of left and right front wheels and a pair of left and right rear wheels, one of the pair of left and right front wheels or the pair of left and right rear wheels that is not driven by the vehicle drive device 100 (the pair of left and right rear wheels in the example shown in FIG. 1 ) may be configured to be driven by a drive device other than the vehicle drive device 100. The drive device other than the vehicle drive device 100 may be, for example, a drive device configured to transmit the output torque of an internal combustion engine (an example of a driving force source other than a rotating electric machine) to a pair of wheels to be driven, a drive device configured to transmit the output torque of a rotating electric machine (a rotating electric machine different from the rotating electric machine 1 provided in the vehicle drive device 100) to a pair of wheels to be driven, or a drive device configured to transmit the output torque of both an internal combustion engine and a rotating electric machine (a rotating electric machine different from the rotating electric machine 1 provided in the vehicle drive device 100) to a pair of wheels to be driven. The drive device other than the vehicle drive device 100 may also be a drive device with the same configuration as the vehicle drive device 100.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 are arranged so that their arrangement areas in the up-down direction V overlap. Therefore, as an example, a horizontal direction H perpendicular to the axial direction A (in other words, a direction perpendicular to the axial direction A and the up-down direction V) can be defined as a first direction X. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the second direction Y is a direction parallel to the up-down direction V. As another example, a direction along a virtual straight line E passing through the first axis C1 and a center 90a of the inverter device 90 as viewed in the axial direction can also be defined as the first direction X. Here, the center 90a of the inverter device 90 as viewed in the axial direction can be set as the center of gravity of a figure forming the outer shape (outer edge) of the inverter device 90 as viewed in the axial direction. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the shape of the inverter device 90 as viewed in the axial direction is a rectangle (here, a rectangle that is longer in the second direction Y, in other words, a rectangle that is longer in the up-down direction V), and the center of gravity of this rectangle (specifically, the intersection of the diagonals) can be defined as the center 90a of the inverter device 90 as viewed in the axial direction. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal direction H that is perpendicular to the axial direction A and the direction along the virtual line E as viewed in the axial direction are parallel to each other. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the first direction X is defined in the same direction by either of the above two definitions. Here, one side of the horizontal direction H (which coincides with the first direction first side X1 in this embodiment) is defined as the horizontal direction first side H1, and the side opposite to the horizontal direction first side H1 (which coincides with the first direction second side X2 in this embodiment) is defined as the horizontal direction second side H2.

[0034] 4, in this embodiment, the first output member 61 is disposed between the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 in the first direction X at a position in the second direction Y where both the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 are disposed. and the inverter device 90 in the first direction X are arranged so that their arrangement regions in the axial direction A overlap with those of the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 4, the output gear 30 is arranged so as to overlap with both the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 in the axial direction. Specifically, the output gear 30 is arranged so that a portion of the output gear 30 on a first side X1 in the first direction overlaps with the rotating electric machine 1 in the axial direction, and a portion of the output gear 30 on a second side X2 in the first direction overlaps with the inverter device 90 in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the output gear 30 is arranged on one side in the axial direction A (specifically, on a second side A2 in the axial direction) of the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90. The rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 are arranged so that their arrangement regions in the axial direction A overlap with each other. In this embodiment, when mounted on a vehicle, at least a portion of the inverter device 90 (only a portion in the example shown in FIG. 4) is disposed below the second axis C2 on the side V2. Note that when mounted on a vehicle, the inverter device 90 may be configured such that the entire inverter device 90 is disposed above the second axis C2 on the side V1.

[0035] As described above, in this embodiment, the output gear 30 is arranged to overlap with both the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 in an axial view. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the inverter device 90 has an overlapping portion 95 arranged to overlap with the output gear 30 in an axial view. The connectors 80 (specifically, the low-voltage connector 80L and the high-voltage connector 80H) are arranged on the upper side V1 of the case 2 above the overlapping portion 95 (in other words, the portion of the case 2 that overlaps with the overlapping portion 95 in an axial view), in an area (hereinafter referred to as the "target area") that overlaps with the inverter device 90 in an axial view. As shown in FIG. 2 , the connectors 80 are arranged on an end face of the case 2 in the axial direction A.

[0036] 4, in this embodiment, as an example, the inverter device 90 is disposed over a range in the vertical direction V from a side V2 below the second shaft C2 to a side V1 above the upper end of the output gear 30. Because the inverter device 90 is disposed in this manner, the portion V1 above the overlapping portion 95 in the area overlapping with the inverter device 90 in case 2 as viewed in the axial direction is likely to become dead space. In this vehicle drive device 100, the connector 80 is disposed in the target area, so it is possible to arrange the connector 80 by effectively utilizing the area that is likely to become dead space.

[0037] 4 to 6, in this embodiment, for example, the low-voltage connector 80L and the high-voltage connector 80H are arranged on opposite sides of the inverter device 90 in the axial direction A. Specifically, the low-voltage connector 80L is arranged on an end face of the second axial side A2 of the case 2 (see FIG. 2), and the high-voltage connector 80H is arranged on an end face of the first axial side A1 of the case 2. In contrast to this configuration, if the low-voltage connector 80L and the high-voltage connector 80H are arranged on the same side of the inverter device 90 in the axial direction A, the distance between the low-voltage connector 80L and the high-voltage connector 80H is likely to be short, and the voltage relayed by the high-voltage connector 80H may have an effect such that noise is introduced into the voltage relayed by the low-voltage connector 80L (e.g., a control signal). In contrast, by arranging the low-voltage connector 80L and the high-voltage connector 80H on opposite sides of the inverter device 90 in the axial direction A as described above, the distance between the low-voltage connector 80L and the high-voltage connector 80H can be kept long, making it less likely that the above-mentioned noise problem will occur.

[0038] In this embodiment, the connector 80 is disposed on an end face of the case 2 in the axial direction A, and the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 200 with the axial direction A oriented along the left-right direction of the vehicle. In this way, by disposing the connector 80 on an end face of the case 2 in the left-right direction of the vehicle (left side or right side) rather than on an end face of the case 2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction L (front side L1 or rear side L2) or on an end face on the lower side V2 of the case 2, the connector 80 can be disposed in a position that is less susceptible to the impact of a collision load when the vehicle 200 collides. Also, for example, when the vehicle drive device 100 is When mounted at the rear of the vehicle 200, mounting restrictions in the vertical direction V tend to be strict, but by arranging the connector 80 on the end face of the case 2 in the vehicle's left-right direction (left or right side) rather than on the end face of the upper side V1 of the case 2, the dimensions of the vehicle driving device 100 in the vertical direction V can be kept small, making it easier to ensure that the vehicle driving device 100 can be mounted on the vehicle 200.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the first axis C1, which is the rotational axis of the rotating electric machine 1, the second axis C2, which is the rotational axis of the output gear 30, and the third axis C3, which is the rotational axis of the counter gear mechanism 4, are arranged within an arrangement region of the inverter device 90 in the up-down direction V. In this embodiment, the third axis C3 is arranged on the opposite side of the second axis C2 from the inverter device 90 in the first direction X (i.e., the first side X1 in the first direction) when viewed in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the third axis C3 is also arranged on the first side X1 in the first direction with respect to the first axis C1 when viewed in the axial direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second axis C2 and the third axis C3 are arranged on the same side in the second direction Y with respect to the first axis C1 (here, the second side Y2 in the second direction) when viewed in the axial direction. In other words, the second axis C2 is arranged on the second side Y2 in the second direction with respect to the first axis C1 when viewed in the axial direction. Here, the second axis C2 is disposed on the lower side V2 of the imaginary line E when viewed in the axial direction while the vehicle is mounted. Also, the third axis C3 is disposed on the second side Y2 in the second direction with respect to the first axis C1 when viewed in the axial direction. Here, the third axis C3 is disposed on the lower side V2 of the imaginary line E when viewed in the axial direction while the vehicle is mounted. Also, in this embodiment, the third axis C3 is disposed on the opposite side of the center 90a of the inverter device 90 with respect to the imaginary line that passes through the first axis C1 and the second axis C2 when viewed in the axial direction.

[0040] In the example shown in FIG. 4 , in the region in the vertical direction V where both the second axis C2 and the inverter device 90 are arranged, the second axis C2 is arranged on the horizontal first side H1 with respect to the inverter device 90. Furthermore, an end of the rotating electric machine 1 on the horizontal first side H1 is arranged closer to the horizontal first side H1 than the second axis C2. Furthermore, the third axis C3 is arranged closer to the horizontal second side H2 than the end of the rotating electric machine 1 (for example, the stator core 12 or the main body 12a) on the horizontal first side H1. Since the second axis C2 and the third axis C3 are arranged in this manner, the output gear 30 and the counter gear mechanism 4 can be arranged so that the whole or most of them are contained between the end of the horizontal first side H1 of the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 in the horizontal direction H. This allows the vehicle drive device 100 to be reduced in size in the horizontal direction H. In the example shown in Figure 4, the entire output gear 30 and the entire counter gear mechanism 4 are arranged in the horizontal direction H between the end of the horizontal first side H1 of the rotating electric machine 1 and the end of the horizontal second side H2 of the inverter device 90.

[0041] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the third axis C3 is disposed closer to the horizontal first side H1 than the second axis C2. The rotating electric machine 1 (specifically, the stator core 12) has a larger diameter than the counter gear mechanism 4, and the first axis C1 is disposed closer to the horizontal second side H2 than the third axis C3. The entire counter gear mechanism 4 is disposed closer to the horizontal second side H2 than the end of the rotating electric machine 1 (for example, the stator core 12 or the main body 12a) on the horizontal first side H1. By disposing the rotating electric machine 1 and the counter gear mechanism 4 in this manner, the rotating electric machine 1 can be disposed closer to the inverter device 90 in the horizontal direction H, within a range where the counter gear mechanism 4 does not protrude toward the horizontal first side H1 relative to the rotating electric machine 1. This allows the vehicle drive device 100 to be reduced in size in the horizontal direction H. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the first axis C1 is disposed closer to the horizontal first side H1 than the second axis C2.

[0042] 4, the second shaft C2 and the third shaft C3 are arranged on the lower side V2 of the first shaft C1. By arranging the second shaft C2 and the third shaft C3 in this manner, when oil for lubrication or cooling is stored in the lower part of the case 2, the oil stored in the lower part of the case 2 is transferred to the output gear 30 arranged on the second shaft C2 and the gear (counter gear) arranged on the third shaft C3 in this example. 4, the lower end of the output gear 30 is disposed on a side V2 below both the lower end of the rotating electrical machine 1 and the lower end of the counter gear mechanism 4. This allows the output gear 30 to efficiently scoop up oil.

[0043] 4, the inverter device 90 is disposed over a range in the vertical direction V from a side V2 below the second axis C2 to a side V1 above the upper end of the rotating electric machine 1 (for example, the stator core 12 or the main body 12a). When the inverter device 90 is disposed in this manner, the rotating electric machine 1 can be disposed so that the entirety or most of it is contained within the arrangement area of ​​the inverter device 90 in the vertical direction V. This allows the vehicle drive device 100 to be reduced in size in the vertical direction V.

[0044] In the example shown in FIG. 5 , an oil pump OP is provided in the first housing chamber S1. For example, an electric oil pump driven by an electric motor can be used as the oil pump OP. The oil pump OP draws oil stored in the lower part of the case 2. The oil discharged from the oil pump OP is supplied to, for example, a cooling target part of the rotating electric machine 1 for cooling. The oil pump OP is arranged in the first housing chamber S1 so as to overlap with the output gear 30 in the axial direction. By arranging the oil pump OP in this manner, the space in the first housing chamber S1 that overlaps with the output gear 30 in the axial direction can be effectively used as an arrangement space for the oil pump OP, thereby enabling the vehicle drive device 100 to be reduced in size. The oil pump OP is arranged so as not to overlap with the rotating electric machine 1 in the axial direction.

[0045] 5, the oil pump OP is disposed between the first axis C1 and the second axis C2 in the horizontal direction H, on a side V2 below the first axis C1 and the second axis C2. By disposing the oil pump OP between the first axis C1 and the second axis C2 in the horizontal direction H in this way, it becomes easier to dispose the oil pump OP and a strainer (not shown) connected to it in or near the center of the horizontal direction H, where it is easier to suppress the occurrence of air suction. Furthermore, by disposing the oil pump OP on a side V2 below the first axis C1 and the second axis C2, it becomes easier to dispose the oil pump OP near an oil reservoir formed in the lower part of the case 2, and to keep the oil suction resistance low.

[0046] In the example shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, oil discharged from the oil pump OP passes through an oil cooler 9 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) and is then supplied to the rotating electrical machine 1. The oil cooler 9 cools the oil by heat exchange between the oil and a refrigerant. In this example, the oil cooler 9 is a water-cooled oil cooler that uses cooling water as the refrigerant, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the oil cooler 9 is provided with a first connection port P1 for introducing cooling water into the oil cooler 9 and a first connection port P1 for discharging cooling water from the oil cooler 9.

[0047] In this example, the first connection port P1 is disposed on the outer surface of the upper side V1 of the case 2. Also, in this example, the inverter device 90 is provided with a cooling water passage for cooling the inverter device 90. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a second connection port P2 for introducing cooling water into this cooling water passage and a second connection port P2 for discharging cooling water from this cooling water passage are disposed on the outer surface of the upper side V1 of the case 2. In this way, by disposing the first connection port P1 and the second connection port P2 on the same outer surface (outer surface on the same side) of the case 2, the work of connecting piping members (hoses, etc.) to these first connection port P1 and second connection port P2 is facilitated. Also, it is possible to reduce the length of the piping members and thereby reduce costs.

[0048] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the oil cooler 9 is disposed so as to straddle the boundary between the first housing chamber S1 and the third housing chamber S3 in a plan view (viewed in the direction along the vertical direction V). In this example, a recess is formed on the outer surface of the upper side V1 of the case 2, recessed toward the lower side V2. The oil cooler 9 is formed by utilizing an empty space in the internal space of the case 2, and the oil cooler 9 is disposed in this recess (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the oil cooler 9 is disposed between the first housing chamber S1 (specifically, a portion of the first housing chamber S1 on the first axial side A1 with respect to the recess) and the third housing chamber S3 (specifically, a portion of the third housing chamber S3 on the second axial side A2 with respect to the recess). By disposing the oil cooler 9 by utilizing the empty space in this manner, it is possible to prevent the vehicle drive device 100 from becoming larger. Furthermore, in consideration of the tilt of the oil level in the oil reservoir formed in the lower part of the case 2 while the vehicle 200 is traveling, the oil pump OP and the strainer (not shown) are often disposed in or near the center in the axial direction A. However, by disposing the oil cooler 9 between the first housing chamber S1 and the third housing chamber S3 in the axial direction A as described above, the oil cooler 9, the oil pump OP, and the strainer can be disposed in the same or similar positions in the axial direction A. This prevents the oil passage from becoming complicated. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the oil cooler 9 is disposed between the first shaft C1 and the inverter device 90 in the horizontal direction H.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4 , in this embodiment, the first output member 61 is disposed so as to overlap with the rotating electric machine 1 when viewed in the second direction Y. That is, the first output member 61 is disposed so that the arrangement areas of the first output member 61 and the rotating electric machine 1 overlap with each other in the first direction X. Here, the first output member 61 is disposed so that a portion of the first output member 61 on the first side X1 in the first direction overlaps with the rotating electric machine 1 when viewed in the second direction Y. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the first output member 61 is disposed so as not to overlap with the inverter device 90 when viewed in the second direction Y. Note that the arrangement of the components shown in FIG. 4 when viewed in the axial direction is only an example, and this arrangement can be modified as appropriate. For example, the arrangement of FIG. 4 may be inverted in the first direction X, the arrangement of FIG. 4 may be inverted in the second direction Y, or the arrangement of FIG. 4 may be inverted in both the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, a through-hole 26 through which a wiring 91 connecting the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 is inserted is formed penetrating the partition wall 25. Note that FIG. 4 shows the positional relationship of each component of the vehicle drive device 100 as viewed in the axial direction when the vehicle drive device 100 is viewed from the second axial side A2, whereas FIG. 5 shows the positional relationship of each component of the vehicle drive device 100 as viewed in the axial direction when the vehicle drive device 100 is viewed from the first axial side A1. A terminal block having a terminal 93 is attached to the through-hole 26, and a power line 92 drawn out from the coil end portion 13 is electrically connected to a power line (not shown) connected to the inverter device 90 via the terminal 93. The power line, the terminal 93, and the power line 92 constitute wiring 91 for transmitting power (power for driving the rotating electric machine 1 and power generated by the rotating electric machine 1) between the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90. In this embodiment, three power lines 92 are provided and three through holes 26 are formed in the partition wall 25 in accordance with the fact that the number of phases of the AC power that drives the rotary electric machine 1 is "3".

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, in a state in which the motor is mounted on a vehicle, the through holes 26 (here, all three through holes 26) are disposed between the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 in the first direction X as viewed in the axial direction, at a height (position in the up-down direction V) above the second axis C2 and at which both the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 are disposed. Note that the height at which the rotating electric machine 1 is disposed includes the height at which the above-mentioned protruding portion of the stator core 12 is disposed. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , in a state in which the motor is mounted on a vehicle, the through holes 26 (here, all three through holes 26) are disposed between the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 in the first direction X as viewed in the axial direction, at a height V1 above the first axis C1 and at which both the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 are disposed.

[0052] 5, the breather chamber 8 is formed at a position overlapping with the wiring 91 (specifically, the portion of the wiring 91 that is disposed in the first housing chamber S1) as viewed in the axial direction. constitutes a breather device that connects the inside and outside of the case 2. The breather chamber 8 is formed to open to the first housing chamber S1, which is less susceptible to oil scattering than the third housing chamber S3. The wire 91 is arranged on the upper side V1 of the first housing chamber S1 to minimize immersion in the oil surface. However, inside the first housing chamber S1, an empty space corresponding to the length of the axial direction A of the stator core 12 is generally formed on one side of the wire 91 in the axial direction A. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the wire 91 is arranged at or near the end of the stator core 12 on the first axial side A1 (the front side of the paper in FIG. 5), and therefore an empty space corresponding to the length of the axial direction A of the stator core 12 is formed on the second axial side A2 (the back side of the paper in FIG. 5) of the wire 91. By locating the breather chamber 8 at a position that overlaps with the wiring 91 when viewed in the axial direction, this free space can be effectively utilized to form the breather chamber 8 at a relatively upper position V1 where oil is less likely to splash, without requiring any additional space or while minimizing the additional space.

[0053] However, if the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 are to be displaced in mutually different directions, a load (e.g., a tensile load) may act on the wiring 91, causing stress to be generated in components (such as bus bars) constituting the wiring 91, or a load may be applied to a connection 94 between different components in the wiring 91 (in the example shown in FIG. 5 , a fastening portion between the power line 92 and the terminal 93 by a bolt). Displacement of the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 in mutually different directions may occur when the first axis C1 and the second axis C2 are displaced in mutually different directions when a driving force is transmitted by the transmission mechanism 3. In this regard, in the example shown in FIG. 5 , the rotating electric machine 1 is fixed to the case 2 such that the protrusion 12b of the stator core 12 fixed to the case 2 by the fastening member 14 is disposed between the wiring 91 (specifically, the connection 94) and the output member 6 (specifically, the first output member 61) when viewed in the axial direction. In other words, the rotating electric machine 1 is fixed to the case 2 so that the connection portion 94, the protrusion 12b, and the first output member 61 are aligned in a straight line when viewed in the axial direction. By fixing the rotating electric machine 1 to the case 2 in this manner, it becomes difficult for the first axis C1 and the second axis C2 to be displaced in different directions when the driving force is transmitted by the transmission mechanism 3, and it becomes possible to make it difficult for a large load to act on the wiring 91.

[0054] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the stator core 12 includes two protrusions 12b in addition to the protrusion 12b arranged between the wiring 91 and the output member 6 when viewed in the axial direction. That is, the stator core 12 includes three protrusions 12b. These three protrusions 12b are distributed in the circumferential direction (the circumferential direction based on the first axis C1), and in the example shown in FIG. 5, these three protrusions 12b are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the rotating electric machine 1 is fixed to the case 2 so that the end of the stator core 12 on the horizontal first side H1 is the end of the main body portion 12a on the horizontal first side H1 (in other words, so that all of the protrusions 12b are arranged on the horizontal second side H2 with respect to the end of the main body portion 12a on the horizontal first side H1). This makes it possible to arrange the rotating electric machine 1 while suppressing an increase in the size of the vehicle drive device 100 in the horizontal direction H.

[0055] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the vehicle drive device will be described.

[0056] (1) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a configuration in which the counter input gear 40a is disposed on the second axial side A2 relative to the counter output gear 40b has been described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the counter input gear 40a is disposed on the first axial side A1 relative to the counter output gear 40b is also possible, as in the example shown in FIG. 7. In the example shown in FIG. 7, by disposing the counter gear mechanism 4 in this manner, as is clear when compared with FIG. 3, the output gear 30 can be disposed closer to the second axial side A2. As a result, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the inverter device 90 is disposed so that the disposition area of ​​the counter input gear 40a in the axial direction A overlaps with that of the inverter device 90. In this case, for example, the inverter device 90 However, the inverter device 90 may be configured to be arranged so as to overlap with the counter input gear 40a when viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction L. By configuring the inverter device 90 so that at least a portion of the inverter device 90 overlaps with the transmission mechanism 3 in the axial direction A, it is easier to ensure a large installation space for the inverter device 90.

[0057] In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the output gear 30, which has a larger diameter than the differential case portion 50, is positioned closer to the second axial side A2. This makes it easier to expand the second accommodation chamber S2, which accommodates the inverter device 90, toward the second axial side A2 to the extent that its arrangement area in the axial direction A overlaps with that of the differential case portion 50. The output member 6 is formed with a smaller diameter than the differential case portion 50. Therefore, the space occupied by the output member 6, the differential case portion 50, and the output gear 30, which are arranged on the second shaft C2, increases in the radial direction (the radial direction based on the second shaft C2) toward the second axial side A2. Accordingly, in the example shown in FIG. 7 , the second accommodation chamber S2 is formed so that it decreases overall toward the second axial side A2. By forming the second accommodation chamber S2 to match the peripheral shape of the differential gear mechanism 5 in this manner, it is possible to ensure a large second accommodation chamber S2 while preventing the vehicle drive device 100 from becoming larger.

[0058] 7, the second accommodation chamber S2 is formed so as to become smaller toward the second axial side A2, as described above. Therefore, by arranging in the second accommodation chamber S2, in order from the second axial side A2, a smoothing capacitor, which has a relatively high degree of freedom in shape, a switching element unit, and a connection portion with a terminal 93 (see FIG. 5) of the inverter device 90 (i.e., a portion where a terminal block is provided and which requires a relatively large arrangement space), the inverter device 90 can be appropriately arranged in accordance with the shape of the second accommodation chamber S2.

[0059] (2) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which the first output member 61 is arranged to overlap with the rotating electric machine 1 when viewed in the second direction Y. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration may also be used in which the first output member 61 is arranged not to overlap with the rotating electric machine 1 when viewed in the second direction Y, as in the example shown in FIG. 8. In the example shown in FIG. 8, unlike the example shown in FIG. 4, the first axis C1 is arranged on the first horizontal side H1 with respect to the third axis C3.

[0060] (3) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which the first output member 61 is arranged so as not to overlap with the inverter device 90 when viewed in the second direction Y. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and as shown in the example in FIG. 9 , the first output member 61 may be arranged so as to overlap with the inverter device 90 when viewed in the second direction Y. Furthermore, the first output member 61 may be arranged so as to overlap with both the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 when viewed in the second direction Y.

[0061] (4) In the above embodiment, the second axis C2 and the third axis C3 are arranged on the same side in the second direction Y with respect to the first axis C1 in the axial direction (the second-direction second side Y2 in the example shown in FIG. 4 ) as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the second axis C2 and the third axis C3 may be arranged on opposite sides in the second direction Y with respect to the first axis C1 in the axial direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , the second axis C2 may be arranged on the second-direction second side Y2 with respect to the first axis C1 and the third axis C3 may be arranged on the second-direction first side Y1 with respect to the first axis C1 in the axial direction. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , the third axis C3 is arranged between the first axis C1 and the second axis C2 in the first direction X as seen in the axial direction. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the third axis C3 is disposed on the same side as the center 90a of the inverter device 90 with respect to an imaginary line passing through the first axis C1 and the second axis C2 when viewed in the axial direction.

[0062] (5) In the above embodiment, the transmission mechanism 3 includes the counter gear mechanism 4 in the power transmission path between the rotating electric machine 1 and the output gear 30. However, the present disclosure does not include such a configuration. The transmission mechanism 3 is not limited to such a configuration, and may be configured to include, for example, an idler gear that meshes with both the input gear 17 and the output gear 30 as the "gear mechanism" instead of the counter gear mechanism 4.

[0063] (6) In the above embodiment, the transmission mechanism 3 includes one counter gear mechanism 4. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. The transmission mechanism 3 may include two counter gear mechanisms 4, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. In the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the transmission mechanism 3 includes two counter gear mechanisms 4: a first counter gear mechanism 4a and a second counter gear mechanism 4b. The first counter gear mechanism 4a is disposed on the third axis C3, and the second counter gear mechanism 4b is disposed on the fourth axis C4, which is different from the first axis C1, the second axis C2, and the third axis C3. The fourth axis C4 is a virtual axis parallel to the first axis C1, the second axis C2, and the third axis C3. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the first axis C1, the second axis C2, the third axis C3, and the fourth axis C4 are disposed within the arrangement area of ​​the inverter device 90 in the vertical direction V. In the examples shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the third axis C3 and the fourth axis C4 each correspond to the "rotation axis of the gear mechanism."

[0064] The first counter gear mechanism 4a includes a first counter input gear 41a meshing with the input gear 17, a first counter output gear 41b, and a first counter shaft 41 connecting the first counter input gear 41a and the first counter output gear 41b, and the second counter gear mechanism 4b includes a second counter input gear 42a meshing with the first counter output gear 41b, a second counter output gear 42b meshing with the output gear 30, and a second counter shaft 42 connecting the second counter input gear 42a and the second counter output gear 42b. The examples shown in Figures 11 and 12 assume that the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 200 with the second axial side A2 on the right side of the vehicle and the first axial side A1 on the left side of the vehicle.

[0065] 11, the third axis C3 and the fourth axis C4 are arranged on the opposite side of the inverter device 90 in the first direction X with respect to the second axis C2 (i.e., the first side X1 in the first direction) when viewed in the axial direction. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the second axis C2, the third axis C3, and the fourth axis C4 are arranged on the same side in the second direction Y with respect to the first axis C1 (here, the second side Y2 in the second direction) when viewed in the axial direction. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the third axis C3 and the fourth axis C4 are arranged on the opposite side of the center 90a of the inverter device 90 with respect to a virtual line passing through the first axis C1 and the second axis C2 when viewed in the axial direction.

[0066] (7) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the differential gear mechanism 5 is arranged coaxially with the pair of output members 6 (i.e., on the second axis C2). However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the differential gear mechanism 5 is arranged on the third axis C3 instead of the counter gear mechanism 4, as in the example shown in FIG. 13, is also possible. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the differential gear mechanism 5 is a planetary gear type differential gear mechanism. Specifically, the differential gear mechanism 5 is a double-pinion planetary gear mechanism that distributes the rotation of a ring gear 55 to a sun gear 53 and a carrier 54. The transmission mechanism 3 includes a first output gear 31 that is an output gear 30 that rotates integrally with the first output member 61, and a second output gear 32 that is an output gear 30 that rotates integrally with the second output member 62. A first gear 71, which rotates integrally with the carrier 54, meshes with the first output gear 31, a second gear 72, which rotates integrally with the sun gear 53, meshes with the second output gear 32, and a third gear 73, which rotates integrally with the ring gear 55, meshes with the input gear 17. In the example shown in Figure 13, the differential gear mechanism 5 corresponds to the "gear mechanism."

[0067] (8) In the above embodiment, the transmission mechanism 3 is described as having a differential gear mechanism 5 that distributes the driving force transmitted from the rotating electric machine 1 to the pair of output members 6. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the transmission mechanism 3 may be configured not to have a differential gear mechanism 5. In this case, differential motion of the pair of output members 6 is not permitted, and the pair of output members 6 is always The configuration rotates at the same speed.

[0068] (9) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which, in a state in which the motor is mounted on a vehicle, the through-hole 26 is disposed between the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 in the first direction X as viewed in the axial direction, at a height V1 above the second axis C2 where both the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90 are disposed. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and, for example, the motor may be configured such that, in a state in which the motor is mounted on a vehicle, the through-hole 26 is disposed on the V1 above at least one of the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90.

[0069] (10) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which, when mounted on a vehicle, the inverter device 90 is disposed closer to the center of the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction L than the rotating electric machine 1. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and, for example, the rotating electric machine 1 may be disposed closer to the center of the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction L than the inverter device 90.

[0070] (11) In the above embodiment, the transmission mechanism 3 includes a gear mechanism (specifically, the counter gear mechanism 4) disposed on a separate axis from the rotating electric machine 1 and the output gear 30 in the power transmission path between the rotating electric machine 1 and the output gear 30, and the first axis C1, which is the rotational axis of the rotating electric machine 1, the second axis C2, which is the rotational axis of the output gear 30, and the third axis C3, which is the rotational axis of the counter gear mechanism 4, are disposed within the arrangement area of ​​the inverter device 90 in the vertical direction V. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration may be adopted in which at least one of the first axis C1, the second axis C2, and the third axis C3 is not disposed within the arrangement area of ​​the inverter device 90 in the vertical direction V. Furthermore, the transmission mechanism 3 may not include a gear mechanism such as the counter gear mechanism 4, and the input gear 17 may mesh with the output gear 30, as in the example shown in FIG. 14 .

[0071] (12) Note that the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments (including combinations of embodiments described as other embodiments) as long as no contradictions arise. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1: rotating electric machine, 2: case, 3: transmission mechanism, 6: output member, 7: cable, 30: output gear, 80: connector, 80H: high voltage connector, 80L: low voltage connector, 90: inverter device, 95: overlapping portion, 100: vehicle drive device, A: axial direction, C2: second shaft (rotational axis of output gear), V: vertical direction, V1: upper side, V2: lower side, W: wheel

Claims

1. A rotating electric machine, a pair of output members drivingly connected to the pair of wheels, respectively; a transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force between the rotary electric machine and the pair of output members; an inverter device that drives and controls the rotating electric machine; a case that houses the rotating electric machine, the inverter device, and the transmission mechanism, The rotating electric machine and the pair of output members are arranged on two parallel shafts, the transmission mechanism includes a differential gear mechanism that distributes a driving force transmitted from the rotary electric machine to the pair of output members, and includes output gears that are drivingly connected to the pair of output members and are coaxial with the pair of output members; the output gear is coupled to a differential case portion of the differential gear mechanism so as to rotate integrally with the differential case portion, the inverter device includes an overlapping portion that is arranged to overlap with the output gear as viewed in the axial direction, the inverter device is arranged so as to overlap with the rotating electric machine and the differential gear mechanism in the axial direction, A vehicle drive device in which a connector for electrically connecting a cable arranged outside the case to the inverter device is arranged above the overlapping portion in the case when mounted on the vehicle, in an area that overlaps with the inverter device when viewed in the axial direction.

2. A rotating electric machine, a pair of output members drivingly connected to the pair of wheels, respectively; a transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force between the rotary electric machine and the pair of output members; an inverter device that drives and controls the rotating electric machine; a case that houses the rotating electric machine, the inverter device, and the transmission mechanism, The rotating electric machine and the pair of output members are arranged on two parallel shafts, the transmission mechanism includes a differential gear mechanism that distributes a driving force transmitted from the rotary electric machine to the pair of output members, and includes output gears that are drivingly connected to the pair of output members and are coaxial with the pair of output members; the output gear is coupled to a differential case portion of the differential gear mechanism so as to rotate integrally with the differential case portion, the inverter device is disposed so as to overlap with the output gear as viewed in the axial direction, the inverter device is arranged so as to overlap with the rotating electric machine and the differential gear mechanism in the axial direction, the case includes a first housing chamber that houses the rotating electric machine, a second housing chamber that houses the inverter device, and a third housing chamber that houses the transmission mechanism, a side on which the rotating electric machine is disposed relative to the transmission mechanism in the axial direction is defined as a first axial side, and an opposite side is defined as a second axial side; and a direction in which the rotating electric machine and the inverter device are aligned as viewed in the axial direction is defined as a first direction, a space occupied by a first output member, which is one of the pair of output members, the differential case portion, and the output gear becomes smaller in the radial direction from the output gear toward the first axial side, and in a corresponding portion, the second accommodating chamber is formed so that the dimension in the first direction as a whole becomes larger toward the first axial side.

3. The inverter device includes a switching element unit including a plurality of switching elements that constitute an inverter circuit, and a smoothing capacitor that smoothes a voltage between positive and negative electrodes on a DC side of the inverter circuit, The vehicle drive device according to claim 2 , wherein the smoothing capacitor and the switching element unit are arranged in the second housing chamber in this order from the second axial side.

4. A rotating electric machine, a pair of output members drivingly connected to the pair of wheels, respectively; a transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force between the rotary electric machine and the pair of output members; an inverter device that drives and controls the rotating electric machine; a case that houses the rotating electric machine, the inverter device, and the transmission mechanism, The rotating electric machine and the pair of output members are arranged on two parallel shafts, the transmission mechanism includes a differential gear mechanism that distributes a driving force transmitted from the rotary electric machine to the pair of output members, and includes output gears that are drivingly connected to the pair of output members and are coaxial with the pair of output members; the output gear is coupled to a differential case portion of the differential gear mechanism so as to rotate integrally with the differential case portion, the inverter device is disposed so as to overlap with the output gear as viewed in the axial direction, the inverter device is arranged so as to overlap with the rotating electric machine and the differential gear mechanism in the axial direction, a first output member that is one of the pair of output members has a smaller diameter than the differential case portion, a first direction being a horizontal direction in which the rotating electric machine and the inverter device are aligned as viewed in the axial direction and perpendicular to the axial direction when the rotating electric machine is mounted on a vehicle; The vehicle drive device, wherein the first output member is disposed between the rotating electric machine and the inverter device in the first direction.

5. the transmission mechanism includes an input member that is disposed coaxially with the rotating electric machine and drivingly connected to the rotating electric machine, and a counter gear mechanism that is disposed on a separate axis from the rotating electric machine and the output gear in a power transmission path between the rotating electric machine and the output gear, the counter gear mechanism includes a counter input gear that meshes with an input gear that rotates integrally with the input member, a counter output gear that meshes with the output gear, and a counter shaft that connects the counter input gear and the counter output gear, a side on which the rotating electric machine is disposed with respect to the transmission mechanism in the axial direction is defined as a first axial side, and an opposite side thereto is defined as a second axial side, the counter input gear is disposed on the first axial side with respect to the counter output gear, The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the inverter device and the counter input gear are arranged in an axially overlapping area.

6. the output gear has a diameter larger than that of the differential case portion, The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the inverter device and the output gear are arranged in an area that does not overlap with each other in the axial direction.

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