Vehicle drive unit

Abstract

Disclosed is a vehicular drive device comprising a rotating electrical machine, a differential transmission device, a power transmission device, a power module, a wiring part, and a case. The case forms a first accommodating portion, a second accommodating portion, and a third accommodating portion above a plane that includes the axis of an output shaft and the axis of a rotary shaft of the rotating electrical machine. The first accommodating portion overlaps the rotating electrical machine when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating electrical machine, and overlaps the power transmission device when viewed in the vertical direction. The second accommodating portion overlaps the rotating electrical machine when viewed in a direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the axial direction of the rotating electrical machine, and overlaps the output shaft when viewed in the vertical direction. The third accommodating portion is adjacent to the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion, and overlaps the output shaft when viewed in the vertical direction. At least a portion of the power module is disposed in the second accommodating portion or the third accommodating portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART In a vehicle drive device that includes a power module and a rotating electric machine in a case, a technique is known in which a three-phase wiring section from the rotating electric machine is established using only the space above an output member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Patent Publication No. 2021 / 172328 Brochure Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-described conventional technology, the three-phase wiring section and the power module are arranged in a vertically overlapping manner, which tends to lead to an increase in the vertical size. As such, in a vehicle drive device that includes a power module and a rotating electric machine in a case, it is difficult to reduce the vertical and horizontal size while ensuring the mounting space for the power module, wiring section, etc.

[0005] Therefore, in one aspect, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the vertical and horizontal sizes of a vehicle drive device that includes a power module and a rotating electric machine in a case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect, a rotating electric machine disposed on a first axis; a differential transmission device disposed on a second shaft parallel to the first shaft and drivingly connected to wheels; a power transmission device disposed on the first shaft and drivingly connected between the differential transmission device and the rotating electric machine; a power module having a power semiconductor element and converting power to be supplied to the rotating electric machine; a smoothing capacitor electrically connected between the power module and a power source; a wiring section that electrically connects the rotating electric machine and the power module; a case that houses the rotating electric machine, the differential transmission device, the power transmission device, the power module, the smoothing capacitor, and the wiring portion, the case forms a housing portion above a plane including the first shaft and the second shaft, the housing section includes a first housing section that houses the wiring section, a second housing section that houses the smoothing capacitor, and a third housing section that houses the power module, The vehicle drive device is provided, wherein the first housing portion, the second housing portion, and the third housing portion form an L-shape as a whole when viewed in the up-down direction and overlap the first shaft and the second shaft. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect, the present disclosure makes it possible to reduce the vertical and horizontal sizes of a vehicle drive device that includes a power module and a rotating electric machine in a case. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic top view showing a state in which a vehicle drive device is mounted in a vehicle. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a vehicle drive device. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a skeleton diagram showing a vehicle drive device. [Figure 3] 1 is a top view schematically showing a vehicle drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a side view schematically showing a vehicle drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 3 is a perspective view of a second terminal portion of the bus bar structure of the vehicle drive device of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a top view of a vehicle drive device according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second terminal portion of the bus bar structure of the vehicle drive device according to the first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a top view of a vehicle drive device according to a second modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a top view of a vehicle drive device according to a third modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view of a vehicle drive device according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a top view schematically showing a vehicle drive device according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a vehicle drive device according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing various components arranged in an inverter housing chamber together with a case. [Figure 15] 1 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining an assembly structure of various components of the inverter device described above that are arranged in the inverter accommodating chamber, together with an assembly procedure. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the assembly structure of the various components of the inverter device described above that are arranged in the inverter accommodating chamber, together with the assembly procedure. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a diagram (part 3) for explaining the assembly structure of the various components of the inverter device described above that are arranged in the inverter accommodating chamber, together with the assembly procedure. FIG. [Figure 18] 10 is a diagram (part 4) for explaining the assembly structure of the various components of the inverter device described above that are arranged in the inverter accommodating chamber, together with the assembly procedure. FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is a diagram (part 5) for explaining the assembly structure of the various components of the inverter device described above that are arranged in the inverter accommodating chamber, together with the assembly procedure. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a vehicle drive device having a three-axis configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Each embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In addition, shapes and the like in the drawings may be partially exaggerated for the sake of explanation.

[0010] In the following description, the vertical direction V (see FIG. 4, etc.) refers to the vertical direction when the vehicle drive device 100 is in use, i.e., the vertical direction when the vehicle drive device 100 is oriented in its use state. Because the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on a vehicle VC (see FIG. 1) for use, the vertical direction V corresponds to the vertical direction when the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on the vehicle VC (hereinafter referred to as the "vehicle-mounted state"), more specifically, the vertical direction when the vehicle VC 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 this vertical direction V. In the following description, the directions of each component refer to the directions when the component is assembled in the vehicle drive device 100. Terms related to the dimensions, arrangement direction, arrangement position, etc. of each component are concepts that include differences due to errors (errors that are acceptable in manufacturing).

[0011] In this specification, "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 transmission members include various members (e.g., shafts, gear mechanisms, belts, chains, etc.) that transmit rotation at a constant speed or at variable speeds. Note that the transmission members may also include engagement devices (e.g., friction engagement devices, meshing engagement devices, etc.) that selectively transmit 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 region 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 regions in a specific direction overlap" means that the arrangement region of one component in a specific direction includes at least a portion of the arrangement region of the other component in a specific direction.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing a state in which a vehicle drive device 100 is mounted in a vehicle VC. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the vehicle drive device 100. FIG. 2A is a skeleton diagram showing the vehicle drive device 100. FIG. 3 is a top view schematically showing the vehicle drive device 100 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the vehicle drive device 100 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 3, the inverter cover member 203 on the top of the inverter case 24 is omitted so that the elements arranged inside the inverter case 24 can be seen.

[0014] As shown schematically in Fig. 1, 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 that houses the rotating electric machine 1 and the inverter device 90. The case 2 also houses the pair of output members 6 and the transmission mechanism 3.

[0015] 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 VC 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, for example, a constant velocity joint, and the second drive shaft 64 is connected to the second wheel W2 via, for example, a constant velocity joint. 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.

[0016] 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 the vehicle VC on which the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted. In other words, 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 VC (for example, a pair of left and right front wheels or a pair of left and right rear wheels). The rotating electric machine 1 may be, for example, an AC rotating electric machine driven by three-phase AC (an example of polyphase AC). The rotating electric machine 1 is electrically connected to a battery BA (including a power storage device such as 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 battery BA, or supplies power generated by the inertial force of the vehicle VC to the power storage device for storage.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, 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 (ring 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).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on the vehicle VC with the axial direction A oriented along the vehicle left-right direction. The axial direction A is 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 axial first side A1, and the other side of the axial direction A (the side opposite to the axial first side A1 in the axial direction A) is defined as the axial second side A2. The axial first 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. 2, the first output member 61 is the output member 6 of the pair of output members 6 that is disposed on the axial first side A1. The second output member 62 is the output member 6 of the pair of output members 6 that is disposed on the axial second side A2.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle drive system 100 may be mounted on the vehicle VC 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. In this case, 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 system 100 is a front-wheel drive system 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.

[0020] 2, 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. The rotating electric machine 1 may be an inner rotor type rotating electric machine, in which case the rotor 10 may be 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The transmission mechanism 3 includes a reduction gear mechanism 34 in a power transmission path between the rotating electric machine 1 and the output gear 30. The reduction gear mechanism 34 is optional and may include a reduction gear mechanism using a counter gear, a reduction gear mechanism using a planetary gear, or the like. In this embodiment, as an example, the reduction gear mechanism 34 includes a planetary gear mechanism, and is disposed coaxially with the rotating electric machine 1. A transmission gear 3421 from the reduction gear mechanism 34 radially meshes with the output gear 30 of the differential gear mechanism 5. Such a vehicle drive device 100 can have a compact configuration consisting of two shafts (a first shaft C1 and a second shaft C2). In a modified example, the vehicle drive device 100 may have three or more shafts (described later with reference to FIG. 20).

[0023] In this embodiment, the reduction mechanism 34 is arranged coaxially with the rotating electric machine 1 (i.e., on the first axis C1) in a manner that the reduction mechanism 34 is drivingly connected to the rotating electric machine 1. The input member 16, which meshes with the sun gear 341 of the reduction mechanism 34, is connected to the rotor 10 so as to rotate integrally with the rotor 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, 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 may be 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 have a configuration in which the rotor shaft 15 and the input member 16 are integrally formed as a single piece.

[0024] In this embodiment, the carrier 342 may rotatably support a first pinion gear 3431 and a second pinion gear 3432 that rotate integrally with each other. The first pinion gear 3431 may mesh with the ring gear 344. The second pinion gear 3432 meshes with the sun gear 341. The second pinion gear 3432 may have an axial length shorter than that of the first pinion gear 3431.

[0025] In this embodiment, the first pinion gear 3431 may be disposed on the first axial side A1 of the second pinion gear 3432. Each of the second pinion gear 3432 and the first pinion gear 3431 rotates (spins) around its own axis and also rotates (revolves) together with the carrier 342 around the sun gear 341. A plurality of the second pinion gears 3432 and a plurality of the first pinion gears 3431 may be provided at intervals along their own orbital loci. The carrier 342 may be coupled to a transmission gear 3421 that meshes with the output gear 30 so as to rotate integrally with the transmission gear 3421. The ring gear 344 may be fixed to the case 2.

[0026] The transmission mechanism 3 further includes a differential gear mechanism 5. The differential gear mechanism 5 distributes the driving force transmitted from the rotating electric machine 1 side to the pair of output members 6. The differential gear mechanism 5 may be arranged coaxially with the pair of output members 6 (i.e., on the second axis C2). The differential gear mechanism 5 distributes the driving force transmitted from the rotating electric machine 1 side to the output gear 30 to the pair of output members 6. In other words, the output gear 30 is drivingly connected to both of the pair of output members 6 via the differential gear mechanism 5. The differential gear mechanism 5 may be a bevel gear type differential gear mechanism, and the output gear 30 may be connected to a differential case portion 50 included in the differential gear mechanism 5 so as to rotate integrally therewith.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the differential gear mechanism 5 distributes the rotation of the output gear 30 to a first side gear 51 and a second side gear 52. The first side gear 51 rotates integrally with a first output member 61, and the second side gear 52 rotates integrally with a second output member 62. The first side gear 51 may be formed on a member separate from a member (here, a shaft member) constituting the first output member 61, and may be coupled (here, spline-coupled) to the first output member 61 so as to rotate integrally therewith. 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 ) may be inserted into the interior of the first output member 61 (a space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface) from the first axial side A1. The second output member 62 may be coupled to the second side gear 52. The second output member 62 may be realized by a second drive shaft 64.

[0028] In this embodiment, the output gear 30 of the differential gear mechanism 5 is preferably disposed near the end of the case 2 on the second axial side A2. In this case, a gear (not shown) of the reduction mechanism 34 that meshes with the output gear 30 may be disposed closest to the second axial side A2 of the reduction mechanism 34. In this case, the output gear 30 can be disposed closer to the second axial side A2 of the entire vehicle drive device 100.

[0029] In this embodiment, the case 2 includes an integrated motor case 21, a transmission mechanism case 22, an output shaft case 23, and an inverter case 24. Here, "integrated" includes an integrated configuration using fastening members such as bolts, and an integrated configuration using integral molding (for example, casting or pouring using aluminizing).

[0030] The motor case 21 forms a motor accommodating chamber S1 that accommodates the rotating electric machine 1, the transmission mechanism case 22 forms a transmission mechanism accommodating chamber S2 that accommodates the transmission mechanism 3, the output shaft case 23 forms an output shaft accommodating chamber S3 that accommodates the first output member 61, and the inverter case 24 forms an inverter accommodating chamber S4 that accommodates the inverter device 90. Note that "the motor case 21 forms the motor accommodating chamber S1" means that the wall portions that bound the motor accommodating chamber S1 form the motor case 21. The same applies to the transmission mechanism accommodating chamber S2, the output shaft case 23, and the inverter case 24.

[0031] The motor case 21 has a cylindrical shape corresponding to the outer shape of the rotating electric machine 1. However, the motor case 21 does not need to have the entire cylindrical outer periphery closed. For example, the motor accommodating chamber S1 and the output shaft accommodating chamber S3 may be in communication with each other, in which case the side of the motor case 21 facing the output shaft accommodating chamber S3 does not need to have a wall (partition).

[0032] The transmission mechanism case portion 22 is provided on the second axial side A2 relative to the motor case portion 21 and the output shaft case portion 23. The output shaft case portion 23 is provided on the second axial side X2 relative to the motor case portion 21. The inverter case portion 24 is provided above the transmission mechanism case portion 22 and the output shaft case portion 23. Details of the inverter case portion 24 will be described later.

[0033] In this embodiment, since the output shaft case portion 23 is provided, the first output member 61 can be more effectively protected from the external environment (for example, flying stones) than when the first output member 61 is provided outside the case 2. In addition, the clearance that must be ensured between the first output member 61 and peripheral components can be reduced. However, in a modified example, the first output member 61 may be provided outside the case 2.

[0034] The case 2 may be formed by joining multiple members (case members and cover members). Therefore, one case member forming the case 2 may form two or more case members among the motor case 21, the transmission mechanism case 22, the output shaft case 23, and the inverter case 24.

[0035] Furthermore, the motor accommodating chamber S1, the transmission mechanism accommodating chamber S2, the output shaft accommodating chamber S3, and the inverter accommodating chamber S4 formed by the case 2 may be completely isolated from one another, may be partially in communication with one another, or may be shared without any boundary. For example, the motor accommodating chamber S1 and the output shaft accommodating chamber S3 may be shared without any partition separating them. In this case, the rotating electric machine 1 and the first output member 61 are accommodated in a common accommodation chamber (specifically, the motor accommodating chamber S1 and the output shaft accommodating chamber S3) formed by the case 2. Furthermore, if the rotating electric machine 1 is oil-cooled, the motor accommodating chamber S1 and the inverter accommodating chamber S4 may be separated from one another, but if the rotating electric machine 1 is water-cooled, the motor accommodating chamber S1 and the inverter accommodating chamber S4 do not need to be separated from one another.

[0036] In the following description, as an example, the case 2 is formed by joining a case member 200, a motor cover member 201, a differential cover member 202, and an inverter cover member 203. The joining method may be fastening with bolts or the like.

[0037] The case member 200 may be formed as a one-piece member (for example, a single member made of a common material formed by die casting). In this case, the motor accommodating chamber S1 and the transmission mechanism accommodating chamber S2 may be separated by a single partition wall 26.

[0038] The case member 200 is open in the axial direction A on a first axial side A1 and is also open in the axial direction A on a second axial side A2.

[0039] The motor cover member 201 is provided so as to cover the opening on the first axial side A1 of the case member 200 (i.e., the opening on the first axial side A1 of the motor accommodating chamber S1). The motor cover member 201 may be formed as a one-piece member. The motor cover member 201 may be joined to an end face (joint surface) on the first axial side A1 of the case member 200. In this case, the joint surface (mating surface) 221 between the motor cover member 201 and the case member 200 may extend in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A.

[0040] The differential cover member 202 is provided so as to cover the opening on the second axial side A2 of the case member 200 (i.e., the opening on the second axial side A2 of the transmission mechanism accommodating chamber S2). The differential cover member 202 may be formed as a one-piece member. The differential cover member 202 may be joined to an end face (joint surface) of the case member 200 on the second axial side A2. In this case, the joint surface (mating surface) 222 between the differential cover member 202 and the case member 200 may extend in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A.

[0041] The inverter cover member 203 is provided so as to cover the opening of the inverter accommodating chamber S4 in the case member 200. The inverter cover member 203 may be formed as a one-piece member.

[0042] The inverter device 90 may be in the form of a module and may be fixed to a wall portion forming the inverter case 24 with bolts or the like. The inverter device 90 includes a power module PM (described later) including a plurality of switching elements (power semiconductor elements, not shown) that constitute an inverter circuit, a control board 900 (see FIG. 14) on which a control device that controls the inverter circuit is mounted, a smoothing capacitor CM (described later) that smoothes the voltage between the positive and negative poles on the DC side of the inverter circuit, and a bus bar structure 70. The inverter device 90 may further include various sensors such as a current sensor, a filter such as a Y capacitor 906 (see FIG. 14), various wirings (including connectors, etc.) (see FIG. 14), etc. The inverter device 90 may also include a cooling water channel for cooling the power module PM. The smoothing capacitor CM may be in the form of a module formed by molding a plurality of capacitor elements and terminals with resin.

[0043] The busbar structure 70 is a wiring portion that electrically connects the rotating electric machine 1 and the power module PM. The busbar structure 70 includes, for each phase of the rotating electric machine 1, a first terminal portion 71 connected to a power line (not shown) of the rotating electric machine 1, a second terminal portion 72 electrically connected to the power module PM, and a busbar 73 extending between the first terminal portion 71 and the second terminal portion 72. Further details of the busbar structure 70 will be described later.

[0044] 3, the direction in which the inverter device 90 is arranged 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.

[0045] In the following description, the second direction is assumed to have a vertical component. In this case, the second direction may be parallel to the direction of gravity (vertical direction) or may be inclined with respect to the direction of gravity (vertical direction) when the vehicle drive device 100 is mounted on the vehicle VC. For example, the vehicle drive device 100 may be mounted on the vehicle VC 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, the vehicle drive device 100 may be mounted on the vehicle VC 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, the vehicle drive device 100 may be mounted on the vehicle VC on the front side L1 of the center of the vehicle VC in the vehicle longitudinal direction L. When the vehicle driving device 100 is mounted on the vehicle VC 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 VC 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 VC 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 may be, for example, a pair of left and right rear wheels.

[0046] When the vehicle VC 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.

[0047] Incidentally, the rotating electric machine 1 of the vehicle drive device 100 may have the largest physical size in the second direction Y as viewed in the axial direction. The physical size of the rotating electric machine 1 is determined depending on the required output, etc. Therefore, in order to reduce the physical size of the vehicle drive device 100 as a whole in the second direction, it is useful to arrange the main components of the vehicle drive device 100 (main components other than the rotating electric machine 1) so that they overlap the rotating electric machine 1 as viewed in the first direction X. In particular, when the vehicle drive device 100 includes an output gear 30 having a relatively large outer diameter, the positional relationship between the output gear 30 and the rotating electric machine 1 can significantly affect the physical size of the vehicle drive device 100 as a whole in the second direction.

[0048] In consideration of this point, the pair of output members 6 concentric with the central axis of the output gear 30 are preferably arranged so as to overlap the rotor shaft 15 of the vehicle drive device 100 when viewed in the first direction. In this case, the output gear 30 and the rotating electric machine 1 may be positioned relative to each other so that the outer shape (e.g., a circular outer shape portion) of the output member 6 overlaps the outer shape (e.g., a circular outer shape portion) of the rotor shaft 15 when viewed in the first direction. By arranging the output gear 30 and the rotating electric machine 1 in such a positional relationship, the influence of the output gear 30 on the overall size of the vehicle drive device 100 in the second direction Y can be reduced or eliminated. In other words, the overall size of the vehicle drive device 100 in the second direction Y is substantially determined by the size of the rotating electric machine 1 (and therefore the size of the motor case 21). Therefore, under the same size of the rotating electric machine 1, the overall size of the vehicle drive device 100 in the second direction Y can be minimized.

[0049] Next, with further reference to FIG. 3 and subsequent figures, a description will be given of the characteristic configuration regarding the layout and wiring structure (three-phase wiring structure) of the inverter device 90 according to this embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second terminal portion 72 of the bus bar structure 70 of the vehicle drive device 100 of this embodiment.

[0051] As described above, the inverter device 90 is accommodated in the inverter accommodating chamber S4 of the inverter case portion 24. The inverter device 90 mainly includes a power module PM, a smoothing capacitor CM, and a bus bar structure 70. In Fig. 3, the arrangement area of ​​the power module PM and the smoothing capacitor CM is indicated by an area 300 enclosed by a dashed line.

[0052] In this embodiment, the inverter case 24 is disposed so as to overlap the first axis C1 and the second axis C2 in a top view (a view seen in the second direction Y, the same applies below).

[0053] The inverter accommodating chamber S4 includes a first accommodating section S41, a second accommodating section S42, and a third accommodating section S43. In the following description of the arrangement of the first accommodating section S41, the second accommodating section S42, and the third accommodating section S43, part or all of the space between lines P1 and P2 in the vertical direction, in which no components other than the inverter case section 24 are arranged, will also be referred to as "dead space."

[0054] 3, the inverter accommodating chamber S4 has an L-shape in top view. Specifically, if the X-direction center is defined as the space between the first axis C1 and the second axis C2, the inverter accommodating chamber S4 extends on both sides of the X-direction center in a manner straddling the X-direction center. Furthermore, if the A-direction center is defined as the space between the rotating electric machine 1 and the reduction mechanism 34 in the A-direction, the inverter accommodating chamber S4 extends on both sides of the A-direction center in a manner straddling the A-direction center on the first-direction second side X2. On the other hand, the inverter accommodating chamber S4 extends only toward the axial second side A2 from the A-direction center on the first-direction first side X1.

[0055] More specifically, the first accommodating portion S41, the second accommodating portion S42, and the third accommodating portion S43 are arranged in an L-shape as a whole in a top view, as shown in Fig. 3. In this case, the first accommodating portion S41 overlaps the first axis C1 (i.e., the reduction gear mechanism 34) on the second axial side A2 in a top view, and overlaps the rotating electric machine 1 in a top view in the axial direction A. Furthermore, the second accommodating portion S42 overlaps the second axis C2 in a top view, and overlaps the rotating electric machine 1 in a top view in the first direction X. The third accommodating portion S43 is adjacent to the first accommodating portion S41 and the second accommodating portion S42, and overlaps the second axis C2 in a top view. Note that the third accommodating portion S43 may be integrally connected to the first accommodating portion S41 and the second accommodating portion S42.

[0056] The first housing portion S41, the second housing portion S42, and the third housing portion S43 are disposed above a plane PL10 (see FIG. 4) that includes the first axis C1 and the second axis C2. In this embodiment, as described above, the offset amount in the second direction Y between the central axis of the output gear 30 (i.e., the second axis C2) and the central axis of the rotating electrical machine 1 (i.e., the first axis C1) is set to be relatively small, so that the plane PL10 is close to a horizontal plane.

[0057] The first housing portion S41, the second housing portion S42, and the third housing portion S43 are preferably formed so as not to affect the size of the case 2 as a whole in the second direction Y, in order to prevent an increase in the size of the case 2 as a whole. In this embodiment, the size of the case 2 as a whole in the second direction Y is determined by the size of the rotating electric machine 1 in the second direction Y (see lines P0 and P2 in FIG. 4), and more specifically, by the size of the motor case portion 21 in the second direction Y. Therefore, the first housing portion S41, the second housing portion S42, and the third housing portion S43 are disposed on the second side Y2 in the second direction relative to the position of the motor case portion 21 closest to the first side Y1 in the second direction (see line P2 in FIG. 4). Specifically, the case 2 includes a sidewall 240 that separates the inverter accommodating chamber S4 (the first accommodating section S41, the second accommodating section S42, and the third accommodating section S43) from the motor accommodating chamber S1 in a direction perpendicular to the Y direction, and the sidewall 240 extends toward the second side Y2 in the second direction from the highest position (line P2) of the motor case 21. In this case, the overall size of the case 2 in the second direction Y can be reduced. Note that the end surface of the sidewall 240 on the first side Y1 in the second direction may extend in the same plane perpendicular to the second direction Y and may form a mating surface to which the inverter cover member 203 is attached. In this case, the inverter cover member 203 may also be disposed toward the second side Y2 in the second direction from the highest position (line P2) of the motor case 21. Furthermore, with regard to the sidewall portion 240, "bounding the inverter accommodating chamber S4 from the motor accommodating chamber S1 in a direction perpendicular to the Y direction" means that a boundary between the inverter accommodating chamber S4 and the motor accommodating chamber S1 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the Y direction (the X direction, the A direction, or any combination thereof). In this case, the boundary position (the boundary position in the X direction, the boundary position in the A direction, or any combination thereof) does not need to be constant at each position along the Y direction. For example, the X-direction position of the sidewall portion of the sidewall portion 240 that bounds the second accommodating chamber S42 from the motor accommodating chamber S1 may be positioned closer to the X1 side as it moves toward the Y1 side along the Y direction, in accordance with the outer shape of the rotating electric machine 1.

[0058] Moreover, the first accommodating portion S41, the second accommodating portion S42, and the third accommodating portion S43 are preferably disposed between both end surfaces of the case member 200 in the axial direction A. That is, the first accommodating portion S41, the second accommodating portion S42, and the third accommodating portion S43 are preferably disposed so as to be substantially entirely contained between a joint surface (mating surface) 221 between the motor cover member 201 and the case member 200 and a joint surface (mating surface) 222 between the differential cover member 202 and the case member 200 in the axial direction A. In this case, it becomes easy to dispose the first accommodating portion S41, the second accommodating portion S42, and the third accommodating portion S43 in a manner that does not affect the physical size in the axial direction A.

[0059] Moreover, the first housing portion S41, the second housing portion S42, and the third housing portion S43 are preferably formed so as not to affect the size of the entire case 2 in the first direction X, in order to prevent an increase in the size of the entire case 2. In this embodiment, the boundary (outline) of the first direction second side X2 of the size of the entire case 2 in the first direction X is determined by the size of the differential gear mechanism 5, and more specifically, by the size of the transmission mechanism case 22 in the first direction X. Moreover, the boundary (outline) of the first direction first side X1 of the size of the entire case 2 in the first direction X is determined by the size of the rotating electric machine 1.

[0060] In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size of the vehicle drive device 100 as a whole in the first direction X and the second direction Y, that is, to reduce the dimensions as viewed in the axial direction of the vehicle drive device 100. This makes it possible to improve the mountability of the vehicle drive device 100 in the vehicle VC.

[0061] The Y-direction dimensions of the first housing portion S41 and the third housing portion S43 may be arbitrary or the same as long as the first housing portion S41 and the third housing portion S43 are disposed closer to the second side Y2 in the second direction than the line P2. For example, the first housing portion S41 and the third housing portion S43 may be determined in different ways depending on the components (described later) of the inverter device 90 that they accommodate. In this embodiment, as an example, since the size of the rotating electric machine 1 as viewed in the axial direction is larger than the size of the output gear 30, a dead space (a space on the second side Y2 in the second direction than the line P2) is more likely to be formed around the first axis C1 and on the axial second side A2 with respect to the center in the A direction than around the second axis C2 and on the axial second side A2 with respect to the center in the A direction. Therefore, the dimension (e.g., maximum dimension or average dimension) of the third housing portion S43 in the second direction Y may preferably be set larger than the same dimension of the motor housing chamber S1. The second housing portion S42 and the third housing portion S43 can be formed by efficiently utilizing the space around the second axis C2 and on the second side Y2 in the second direction relative to the line P2.

[0062] Here, the Y-direction dimensions of the first housing portion S41, the second housing portion S42, and the third housing portion S43 are arbitrary and may be the same, as long as the first housing portion S41, the second housing portion S42, and the third housing portion S43 are located on the second side Y2 in the second direction relative to the highest position (line P2) of the motor case portion 21. However, the Y-direction dimensions of the first housing portion S41, the second housing portion S42, and the third housing portion S43 may be determined in different ways depending on the components (described below) of the inverter device 90 to be accommodated therein. In other words, the components to be disposed in the first housing portion S41, the second housing portion S42, and the third housing portion S43 may be determined depending on the maximum Y-direction dimension that can be secured in each of the first housing portion S41, the second housing portion S42, and the third housing portion S43.

[0063] In this regard, in the present embodiment, of the components of the inverter device 90, the busbar structure 70 is disposed in the first housing portion S41, the smoothing capacitor CM is disposed in the second housing portion S42, and the power module PM is disposed in the third housing portion S43. In this case, the busbar structure 70 and the power module PM are adjacent to each other in the first direction X, and the power module PM and the smoothing capacitor CM are adjacent to each other in the axial direction A. Note that the boundaries between the first housing portion S41, the second housing portion S42, and the third housing portion S43 do not need to be precise. For example, a portion of the axial first side A1 of the power module PM may be disposed in the second housing portion S42, or a portion of the first direction first side X1 of the power module PM may be disposed in the first housing portion S41.

[0064] In this embodiment, the reduction gear mechanism 34 disposed on the second side Y2 in the second direction of the first housing portion S41 includes a planetary gear mechanism, and the mounting space around the first axis C1 (mounting space for the reduction gear mechanism 34) is relatively large. For example, if we limit the mounting space to the first axial side A1 of the output gear 30 of the differential gear mechanism 5, the mounting space for the differential gear mechanism 5 is likely to be smaller than the mounting space for the planetary gear mechanism.

[0065] Taking this into consideration, in this embodiment, a busbar structure 70 that requires a relatively small mounting space (dimension) in the second direction Y is disposed in the first housing portion S41. In this embodiment, the busbar structure 70 is disposed such that the first terminal portions 71 of the three phases are aligned in the first direction X, and the busbars 73 of the three phases extend in the axial direction A without overlapping with each other (aligned in the first direction X) when viewed in the up-down direction. The end portions of the busbars 73 of the three phases on the first axial side A1 are joined to the first terminal portions 71. This allows the busbars 73 of the three phases to be easily disposed even when the dimension of the dead space in the second direction Y in the mounting area is relatively small. As a result, the case 2 can be made smaller.

[0066] In this embodiment, the first terminal portion 71 is formed so as to penetrate a portion of the side wall portion 240 that separates the motor accommodating chamber S1 from the first accommodating chamber S41 in the axial direction A (see the first terminal portion 71, etc., represented by dotted lines in FIG. 4). This allows the power lines (three-phase wiring) of the rotating electric machine 1 to be routed from the motor accommodating chamber S1 to the inverter accommodating chamber S4 over a relatively short distance. This reduces the wiring space required compared to when the power lines are routed to the inverter accommodating chamber S4 via the output shaft accommodating chamber S3 or the like. As a result, the case 2 can be made more compact. As shown in FIG. 4, the first terminal portion 71 overlaps the rotating electric machine 1 together with the bus bar 73 in the axial direction (i.e., they are disposed in the dead space described above). Furthermore, the first terminal portion 71 and the bus bar 73 do not overlap the output member 6 in the second direction Y. In FIG. 4, the position of the first terminal portion 71 in the axial direction is schematically indicated by dotted lines.

[0067] In addition, in this embodiment, as an example, the size (radial size) of the output gear 30 when viewed in the axial direction is significantly larger than the size of the output member 6, and therefore, around the second axis C2, a dead space (a space on the second direction side Y2 from the line P2) is more likely to be formed on the first axial side A1 than on the second axial side A2. Therefore, the dimension in the second direction Y of the second housing portion S42 (for example, a maximum dimension or an average dimension) can be set larger than the same dimension of the third housing portion S43.

[0068] Taking this into consideration, in this embodiment, as described above, the smoothing capacitor CM is disposed in the second housing portion S42, and the power module PM is disposed in the third housing portion S43. This makes it easy to accommodate the smoothing capacitor CM in the second housing portion S42, which can have a relatively large dimension in the second direction Y, even if the smoothing capacitor CM is larger in dimension in the axial direction A than the power module PM. In this way, according to this embodiment, the dead space around the second axis C2 and on the second side Y2 in the second direction of the line P2 can be efficiently utilized, allowing the smoothing capacitor CM and the power module PM to be efficiently disposed.

[0069] In this embodiment, the connector CN1 for high-voltage wiring (power supply wiring) through which the inverter device 90 receives power from the high-voltage battery BA (see FIG. 1) may be provided on the first axial side A1 of the second housing portion S42, as shown in FIG. 3 . That is, the connector CN1 may be provided on a portion of the side wall portion 240 that bounds the first axial side A1 of the second housing portion S42. In this case, a current path from the high-voltage battery BA to the rotating electric machine 1 via the smoothing capacitor CM, the power module PM, and the busbar structure 70 can be efficiently established. That is, the current path from the high-voltage battery BA to the rotating electric machine 1 is a C-shaped path (a path in the axial direction A on the first direction second side X2, a path in the first direction X on the axial second side A2, and a path in the axial direction A on the first direction first side X1) when viewed in the second direction Y. This allows for an efficient path that is substantially free of unnecessary paths, such as turns. In a modified example, the connector CN1 may be disposed in a portion of the side wall 240 that bounds the second side X2 in the first direction of the second accommodating portion S42 (i.e., the second side X2 in the first direction and the first side A1 in the axial direction of the inverter case 24). In this case, too, an efficient path can be realized that is substantially free of unnecessary paths such as folding back.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the dead space around the second axis C2 gradually increases from the second axial side A2 toward the first axial side A1. Therefore, the dimension in the second direction Y of the inverter case 24 (particularly the second housing section S42 and the third housing section S43) of the inverter device 90 can also gradually increase from the second axial side A2 toward the first axial side A1 without changing the position of the inverter case 24 closest to the first axial side Y1. In this case, various components of the inverter device 90 may be arranged in the second housing section S42 and the third housing section S43 of the inverter case 24 in such a manner that the components located on the first axial side A1 have a larger dimension in the second direction Y than the components located on the second axial side A2. In this embodiment, since the dimension in the second direction Y of the smoothing capacitor CM is larger than that of the power module PM, the smoothing capacitor CM is arranged in the second housing section S42, and the power module PM is arranged in the third housing section S43.

[0071] Incidentally, in the differential gear mechanism 5, the output gear 30 tends to be the largest in terms of size around the second axis C2 among the components of the differential gear mechanism 5. Therefore, when the output gear 30 of the differential gear mechanism 5 is disposed closer to the second axial side A2, the space around the second axis C2 on the first axial side A1 than the output gear 30 can be secured to be relatively wide in the radial direction and continuous in the axial direction A, allowing the other components to be disposed efficiently.

[0072] In this regard, in this embodiment, the second terminal portion 72 is disposed on the first axial side A1 of the output gear 30, and is connected to the power module PM on the second axial side A2 of the power module PM. This allows the second terminal portion 72 to be disposed efficiently by utilizing dead space that is easier to secure on the first axial side A1 of the output gear 30. As a result, the case 2 can be made smaller.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 5 , the second terminal portion 72 may have a configuration in which terminal-side bus bars 721 for each of the three phases are provided inside the resin portion 722. The terminal-side bus bar 721 extends in the first direction X, with an end portion on the first direction first side X1 joined to each of the three-phase bus bars 73 and an end portion on the first direction second side X2 joined to a terminal portion on the power module PM side. Note that the terminal-side bus bar 721 may extend in the first direction X within the resin portion 722 such that the direction perpendicular to the flat plate faces the axial direction A. In this case, the second terminal portion 72 can be arranged even if the space in the axial direction A is relatively small. Note that when the portion of the second terminal portion 72 on the first direction second side X2 (the portion within the resin portion 722 described below) faces the direction perpendicular to the flat plate faces the axial direction A, only a relatively small space in the axial direction A (a space corresponding to the thickness of the flat plate) is required, but a relatively large space in the second direction Y (the dimension in the width direction of the flat plate) is required.

[0074] However, in this embodiment, the portions of the second terminal portions 72 on the first direction second side X2 (portions within the resin portion 722) can be efficiently arranged by utilizing a relatively large dead space in the second direction Y that is more easily secured on the axial first side A1 than the output gear 30. For example, the portions of the second terminal portions 72 on the first direction second side X2 (portions within the resin portion 722 described below) may be arranged closer to the axial first side A1 than the output gear 30 and near the axial position of the joint surface (mating surface) 222 between the differential cover member 202 and the case member 200 (for example, closer to the axial second side A2 or the axial first side A1 than the mating surface 222). In this case, the portions of the second terminal portions 72 on the first direction second side X2 can be efficiently arranged. As a result, the ends of the three bus bars 73 on the axial second side A2, which are extended in the axial direction A, can be efficiently connected to the power module PM by utilizing the second terminal portions 72, as described above.

[0075] Next, several modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 10. The following description will focus on components that are different from the above-described embodiment, and other components may be the same as the above-described embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, components that may be the same as the above-described embodiment (including components that are only different in arrangement) may be assigned the same reference numerals and their description may be omitted.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a top view of the vehicle drive device 100A according to the first modified example, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second terminal portion 72A of the bus bar structure 70A of the vehicle drive device 100A according to the first modified example.

[0077] The vehicle drive device 100A according to the first modified example is different from the vehicle drive device 100 according to the above-described embodiment mainly in that the busbar structure 70 is replaced with a busbar structure 70A.

[0078] The busbar structure 70A according to the first modified example differs from the busbar structure 70A according to the embodiment described above mainly in that the second terminal portion 72 is replaced with a second terminal portion 72A.

[0079] Specifically, the busbar structure 70A according to the first modification includes three-phase terminal busbars 721A housed within a resin portion 722A, each of which includes an L-shaped portion that does not overlap with one another when viewed in the vertical direction. Specifically, the terminal busbar 721A of the second terminal portion 72A extends in the first direction X, is connected to or continues from an end of each of the three-phase busbars 73 on the axial second side A2 on the first direction second side X2, and is connected to the power module PM on the first direction first side X1. The terminal busbar 721A of the second terminal portion 72A and each of the three-phase busbars 73 form an L-shape as a whole when viewed from above. In this case, the terminal busbar 721A of the second terminal portion 72A and each of the three-phase busbars 73 may extend substantially in the same plane perpendicular to the second direction Y. This allows the busbar structure 70A to be efficiently arranged by utilizing the relatively small dead space in the second direction Y in the first housing portion S41. As a result, the size of the case 2 can be reduced. The busbar structure 70A (as well as the busbar structure 70) may include a current sensor 77A. That is, the current sensor 77A that detects the current of each phase may be arranged by utilizing the first housing portion S41.

[0080] In the first modified example, the busbar structure 70A is substantially disposed only in the first housing portion S41. In the above-described embodiment, the second terminal portion 72, which is a part of the busbar structure 70, is disposed in the third housing portion S43. In this manner, the busbar structure 70 may be disposed not only in the first housing portion S41 but also in the third housing portion S43 as appropriate.

[0081] The first modified example also provides the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0082] FIG. 8 is a top view of a vehicle driving device 100B according to a second modified example.

[0083] The vehicle drive device 100B according to the second modified example differs from the vehicle drive device 100 according to the above-described embodiment in that case 2 is replaced with case 2B. Case 2B differs from the above-described case 2 in that the inverter case unit 24 is replaced with an inverter case unit 24B. The shape and arrangement of the inverter case unit 24B are substantially rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from above in FIG. 8 relative to the inverter case unit 24 according to the above-described embodiment.

[0084] Accordingly, the second modified example differs from the above-described embodiment mainly in the arrangement of the power module PM, smoothing capacitor CM, and bus bar structure 70 in the inverter accommodating chamber S4. That is, in the second modified example, the arrangement of the power module PM, smoothing capacitor CM, and bus bar structure 70 in the inverter accommodating chamber S4 is essentially rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from above in FIG. 8 relative to the arrangement according to the above-described embodiment.

[0085] Specifically, in the second modified example, the first housing portion S41 according to the above-described embodiment is located at the same position as the third housing portion S43 according to the above-described embodiment, and the third housing portion S43 according to the above-described embodiment is located at the same position as the second housing portion S42 according to the above-described embodiment. The second housing portion S42 overlaps with the rotating electric machine 1 in a top view. In the second modified example, the first housing portion S41, the second housing portion S42, and the third housing portion S43 are also arranged in an L-shape as a whole in a top view, as shown in FIG. 8. In this case, the first housing portion S41 overlaps with the second shaft C2 (differential gear mechanism 5) on the second axial side A2 in a top view, the second housing portion S42 overlaps with the first shaft C1 (rotating electric machine 1) on the first axial side A1 in a top view, and the third housing portion S43 overlaps with the second shaft C2 (output member 6) on the first axial side A1 in a top view.

[0086] The second modified example is suitable when the radial size of the reduction mechanism 34 is relatively large. In this case, the second accommodating portion S42 (and further the first accommodating portion S41 and the third accommodating portion S43) may overlap with the reduction mechanism 34 when viewed in the axial direction A. That is, the vertical extension range of the inverter accommodating chamber S4 may overlap with the vertical extension range of the reduction mechanism 34.

[0087] The second modified example can also achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiment. Also in the second modified example, the side wall 240 of the inverter case 24B can extend further toward the second side Y2 in the second direction (see FIG. 4 ) than the highest position of the transmission mechanism case 22 in a region of the case 2B where the inverter case 24B is not disposed in a top view (a region on the first side X1 in the first direction and the second side A2 in the axial direction). In this case, the overall size of the case 2B in the second direction Y can be reduced.

[0088] In the second modified example, as in the above-described embodiment, the first housing portion S41 mainly accommodates the busbar structure 70, the second housing portion S42 mainly accommodates the smoothing capacitor CM, and the third housing portion S43 mainly accommodates the power module PM, but this is not limited to this. For example, the first housing portion S41 may mainly accommodate the smoothing capacitor CM, the second housing portion S42 may mainly accommodate the busbar structure 70, and the third housing portion S43 may mainly accommodate the power module PM. In this case, the connector CN1 may be disposed relative to the first housing portion S41.

[0089] FIG. 9 is a top view of a vehicle driving device 100C according to a third modified example.

[0090] The vehicle drive device 100C according to the third modified example differs from the vehicle drive device 100 according to the above-described embodiment in that case 2 is replaced with case 2C. Case 2C differs from the above-described case 2 in that the inverter case section 24 is replaced with an inverter case section 24C. The shape and arrangement of the inverter case section 24C are substantially rotated 180 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from above in FIG. 9 relative to the inverter case section 24 according to the above-described embodiment.

[0091] Accordingly, the vehicle drive device 100C according to the third modified example differs from the vehicle drive device 100 according to the above-described embodiment mainly in the arrangement of the power module PM, smoothing capacitor CM, and bus bar structure 70 in the inverter accommodating chamber S4. That is, in the third modified example, the arrangement of the power module PM, smoothing capacitor CM, and bus bar structure 70 in the inverter accommodating chamber S4 is essentially rotated 180 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from above in FIG. 9 relative to the arrangement according to the above-described embodiment.

[0092] Specifically, in the third modified example, the first accommodating portion S41 according to the above-described embodiment is located at the same position as the second accommodating portion S42 according to the above-described embodiment, and the second accommodating portion S42 according to the above-described embodiment is located at the same position as the first accommodating portion S41 according to the above-described embodiment. The third accommodating portion S43 overlaps with the rotating electric machine 1 in a top view. In the third modified example, the first accommodating portion S41, the second accommodating portion S42, and the third accommodating portion S43 are also arranged in an L-shape as a whole in a top view, as shown in FIG. 9 . In this case, the first accommodating portion S41 overlaps with the second shaft C2 (output member 6) on the first axial side A1 in a top view, the second accommodating portion S42 overlaps with the first shaft C1 (reduction mechanism 34) on the second axial side A2 in a top view, and the third accommodating portion S43 overlaps with the first shaft C1 (rotating electric machine 1) on the first axial side A1 in a top view.

[0093] The third modified example is suitable when the radial size of the differential gear mechanism 5 is relatively large. In this case, the third accommodating portion S43 (and further the first accommodating portion S41 and the second accommodating portion S42) may overlap with the differential gear mechanism 5 when viewed in the axial direction A. In other words, the vertical extension range of the inverter accommodating chamber S4 may overlap with the vertical extension range of the differential gear mechanism 5.

[0094] The third modified example can also achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiment. Also in the third modified example, the side wall 240 of the inverter case 24C can extend further toward the second direction Y2 (see FIG. 4 ) than the highest position of the transmission mechanism case 22 in a region of the case 2C where the inverter case 24C is not disposed in a top view (a region on the second side X2 in the first direction and the second side A2 in the axial direction). In this case, the overall size of the case 2C in the second direction Y can be reduced.

[0095] In the third modified example, as in the above-described embodiment, the first housing portion S41 mainly accommodates the busbar structure 70, the second housing portion S42 mainly accommodates the smoothing capacitor CM, and the third housing portion S43 mainly accommodates the power module PM, but this is not limited to this. For example, the first housing portion S41 may mainly accommodate the smoothing capacitor CM, the second housing portion S42 may mainly accommodate the busbar structure 70, and the third housing portion S43 may mainly accommodate the power module PM. In this case, the connector CN1 may be disposed relative to the first housing portion S41.

[0096] FIG. 10 is a top view of a vehicle driving device 100D according to a fourth modified example.

[0097] A vehicle drive device 100D according to the fourth modified example differs from the vehicle drive device 100 according to the above-described embodiment in that case 2 is replaced with case 2D. Case 2D differs from the above-described case 2 in that the inverter case unit 24 is replaced with an inverter case unit 24D. The shape and arrangement of the inverter case unit 24D are substantially rotated 270 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from above in FIG. 10 relative to the inverter case unit 24 according to the above-described embodiment.

[0098] Accordingly, the vehicle drive device 100D according to the fourth modified example differs from the vehicle drive device 100 according to the above-described embodiment mainly in the arrangement of the power module PM, smoothing capacitor CM, and bus bar structure 70 in the inverter accommodating chamber S4. That is, in the fourth modified example, the arrangement of the power module PM, smoothing capacitor CM, and bus bar structure 70 in the inverter accommodating chamber S4 is essentially rotated 270 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from above in FIG. 10 , relative to the arrangement according to the above-described embodiment.

[0099] Specifically, in the fourth modified example, the second accommodating portion S42 according to the above-described embodiment is located at the same position as the third accommodating portion S43 according to the above-described embodiment, and the third accommodating portion S43 according to the above-described embodiment is located at the same position as the first accommodating portion S41 according to the above-described embodiment. The first accommodating portion S41 overlaps the rotating electric machine 1 in a top view. In the fourth modified example, the first accommodating portion S41, the second accommodating portion S42, and the third accommodating portion S43 are also arranged in an L-shape as a whole in a top view, as shown in FIG. 10 . In this case, the first accommodating portion S41 overlaps the first axis C1 (the rotating electric machine 1) on the first axial side A1 in a top view, the second accommodating portion S42 overlaps the second axis C2 (the differential gear mechanism 5) on the second axial side A2 in a top view, and the third accommodating portion S43 overlaps the first axis C1 (the reduction gear mechanism 34) on the second axial side A2 in a top view.

[0100] Furthermore, in the fourth modified example, a vehicle driving device 100D according to the fourth modified example differs from the vehicle driving device 100 according to the above-described embodiment in that the first output member 61 in the form of an intermediate shaft is eliminated. In this case, a drive shaft (not shown) may be directly drivingly connected to the vehicle driving device 100D. Accordingly, in the fourth modified example, a case 2D also differs from the above-described case 2 in that the output shaft case portion 23 is eliminated.

[0101] The fourth modification is suitable when the radial size of the output member 6 (including, for example, an intermediate shaft or a drive shaft attached to the vehicle drive device 100D) is relatively large. In this case, the vertical extension range of the inverter accommodating chamber S4 may overlap with the vertical extension range of the output member 6.

[0102] The fourth modification can also achieve the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment. That is, the power module PM, the smoothing capacitor CM, and the busbar structure 70 can be arranged in the inverter accommodating chamber S4, which is L-shaped in top view, without overlapping with each other in the vertical direction. This allows the vertical size of the vehicle drive device 100D to be reduced. Furthermore, like the inverter case 24 of the above-described embodiment, the inverter case 24D can be arranged in a manner that does not protrude from other parts of the case 2 (parts other than the inverter case 24D) in top view, preventing an increase in the horizontal size of the vehicle drive device 100D due to the inverter case 24D.

[0103] In the fourth modification, as in the above-described embodiment, the first housing portion S41 mainly accommodates the busbar structure 70, the second housing portion S42 mainly accommodates the smoothing capacitor CM, and the third housing portion S43 mainly accommodates the power module PM, but this is not limited to this. For example, the first housing portion S41 may mainly accommodate the smoothing capacitor CM, the second housing portion S42 may mainly accommodate the busbar structure 70, and the third housing portion S43 may mainly accommodate the power module PM. In this case, the connector CN1 may be disposed relative to the first housing portion S41.

[0104] Fig. 11 is a top view that schematically shows a vehicle drive device 100E according to a fifth modified example, and Fig. 12 is a side view that schematically shows the vehicle drive device 100E according to the fifth modified example. Note that Fig. 11 omits the illustration of the inverter cover member 203 (see Fig. 12) that covers the top of the inverter case unit 24 so that the elements arranged inside the inverter case unit 24 can be seen. Also, Fig. 12 omits the illustration of the motor cover member 201 and the rotor of the rotating electric machine 1 so that the state inside the motor accommodating chamber S1 can be seen. Fig. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 11.

[0105] The vehicle drive device 100E according to the fifth modified example differs from the vehicle drive device 100 according to the above-described embodiment mainly in that the first terminal portion 71 of the busbar structure 70 is replaced with a terminal device 71E of the busbar structure 70E.

[0106] Terminal device 71E is in the form of a terminal block that connects bus bar 73 and power line bus bar 89. Bus bar 73 is in the form of three plates corresponding to the three phases and may include a portion that extends linearly in the axial direction. Bus bar 73 may be disposed inside inverter case 24. The end of bus bar 73 on the A-direction A1 side is fastened to terminal device 71E with bolt BT1. In FIG. 11, terminal device 71E has leg portion 942 of fixing portion 94, and fixing portion 94 is fastened to case 2 with bolt BT3.

[0107] The power line bus bar 89 may have three wires corresponding to the three phases. The power line bus bar 89 is drawn out from the coil end portion 13 (see FIG. 13) on the A2 side of the rotating electric machine 1 in the A direction. The power line bus bar 89 may extend further in the A2 direction than the A2 side end face of the stator core 12 of the rotating electric machine 1. One end of the power line bus bar 89 is joined to the stator coil 130 (see FIG. 13) of the rotating electric machine 1, and the other end is fastened to the terminal device 71E with a bolt BT2. The power line bus bar 89 may be realized as a component of the rotating electric machine 1.

[0108] Terminal device 71E is attached to case 2 on the A2 side of rotating electrical machine 1 in the A direction. Terminal device 71E electrically connects bus bar 73 and power line bus bar 89 extending from rotating electrical machine 1.

[0109] As described above, according to the fifth modified example, the fastening points of the bolts BT1, BT2 are set on the upper surface and the side surface of the lower end 920B of each linear conductor portion 92. As a result, according to the fifth modified example, the physical size of the vehicle drive device 100E can be reduced in the direction intersecting the up-down direction, compared to a comparative configuration (not shown) in which the fastening points of the bolts BT1, BT2 are offset in that direction.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 12 , the power busbar 89 has a fastening portion 892 extending radially inward at the coil end portion 13 on the A2 side of the rotating electric machine 1. The fastening portion 892 is plate-shaped and has a bolt insertion hole 8920. The fastening portion 892 of the power busbar 89 for each phase abuts in the axial direction against a side surface (the side surface facing the A1 side) of the lower end portion 920B of each conductor portion 92 in a one-to-one relationship and is fastened in the axial direction by a bolt BT2. In this case, the bolt insertion hole 8920 (see FIG. 13 ) may have an inner diameter that is relatively large compared to the outer diameter of the shaft of the bolt BT2. This fastening arrangement increases the tolerance for misalignment between each power busbar 89 and the lower end portion 920B of each conductor portion 92. Therefore, even if the power busbar 89 has relatively loose tolerances, such as allowable dimensional tolerances, the fastening of the bolt BT2 is unlikely to cause significant stress.

[0111] In the fifth modified example, when viewed in the axial direction, a lower end 920B of each conductor portion 92 is disposed radially inward of the stator core 12 of the rotating electric machine 1. That is, a coupling portion (fastening portion 892) between each conductor portion 92 and the power line bus bar 89 from the rotating electric machine 1 is disposed radially inward of the stator core 12 of the rotating electric machine 1. This allows the fastening operation between each conductor portion 92 and the power line bus bar 89 from the rotating electric machine 1 to be performed with good workability by utilizing the space radially inward of the stator core 12.

[0112] Next, the structure inside the inverter accommodating chamber S4 and the assembly method will be further described with reference to Figures 14 to 19. Note that the following description substantially corresponds to the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or the fifth modified example described above with reference to Figures 11 to 13, but is also similarly applicable to the other modified examples described above with reference to Figures 6 to 10.

[0113] 14 is an exploded perspective view showing various components (hereinafter also referred to as "various components of the inverter device 90") arranged in the inverter accommodating chamber S4, together with the case 2. Note that in FIG. 14, for the case 2, only the inverter cover member 203 is shown in a state disassembled from the other case members (case member 200, motor cover member 201, and differential cover member 202).

[0114] In this embodiment, the various components of the inverter device 90 arranged in the inverter accommodating chamber S4 include a control board 900, a shield plate 902, a fixing plate 904, a current sensor module 905, a power module PM, a smoothing capacitor CM, a Y capacitor 906, a terminal block 908, and a harness with connector 909, as shown in FIG. 14.

[0115] The shield plate 902 is disposed between the power module PM and the control board 900. The shield plate 902 has the function of stabilizing the operation of the control board 900 by blocking noise (such as harmonics) generated from the power module PM. The fixing plate 904 forms a seat (base) for fixing the control board 900. The current sensor module 905 is in the form of a module that integrates the second terminal portion 72 of the bus bar structure 70, the bus bar 73, and the current sensor 77A. The terminal block 908 corresponds to the terminal device 71E of the fifth modified example described above with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. The connector-equipped harness 909 includes a bundle of wires for connecting low-voltage system components (for example, an angle sensor, a temperature sensor, etc. disposed in the motor accommodating chamber S1) to the control board 900.

[0116] 15 to 19 are diagrams illustrating the assembly structure of the various components of the inverter device 90 disposed in the inverter housing chamber S4, along with the assembly procedure. Figures 15 to 19 are top views showing each state, with the figure numbers increasing in order of the assembly procedure.

[0117] Fig. 15 shows the case 2 in a state before the inverter cover member 203 is attached. In the state shown in Fig. 15, the inverter accommodating chamber S4 is empty, and the various components of the inverter device 90 described above are not arranged therein.

[0118] The bottom surface 27 of the inverter accommodating chamber S4 in the case 2 is formed with holes 270 and 271 that penetrate into the motor accommodating chamber S1, a water channel forming portion 273, knock pins 2741 to 2747, knock pin holes 2752 to 2755, and fastening holes 276. The bottom surface 27 of the inverter accommodating chamber S4 in the case 2 is in the form of a partition wall that separates the motor accommodating chamber S1, the transmission mechanism accommodating chamber S2, and the output shaft accommodating chamber S3 from the inverter accommodating chamber S4. The water channel forming portion 273 is in the form of a recess recessed toward the second side Y2 in the second direction and forms a part of the bottom surface 27.

[0119] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14, in the inverter accommodating chamber S4, the various components of the inverter device 90 are stacked in order from the first layer onwards, with the bottom surface portion 27 side being the first layer, in a manner that essentially forms three layers in the Y direction.

[0120] Figure 16 shows the arrangement of the various components of the inverter device 90, including the first layer components, namely, a current sensor module 905, a power module PM, a smoothing capacitor CM, a Y capacitor 906, a terminal block 908, and a harness with connector 909.

[0121] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the terminal block 908 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 27 of the case 2 with a bolt BT3.

[0122] The power module PM has four corners fixed to the bottom surface portion 27 of the case 2 with fasteners BT11. At this time, the power module PM is positioned relative to the case 2 via knock pins 2742 and 2743. The power module PM is provided so as to cover the water channel forming portion 273. A seal member (not shown) for ensuring watertightness may be provided at the bottom of the power module PM.

[0123] Furthermore, Y capacitor 906 is fixed to bottom surface portion 27 of case 2 with fasteners BT14. At this time, Y capacitor 906 is positioned relative to case 2 via knock pins (not shown) that fit into knock pin holes 2754 and 2755.

[0124] The smoothing capacitor CM is positioned relative to the case 2 via knock pins (not shown) that fit into the knock pin holes 2752 and 2753, and is fixed to the power module PM and the Y capacitor 906 with fasteners BT13 and BT15, respectively. The fasteners BT13 and BT15 have the function of fixing the terminals together while electrically connecting them to each other.

[0125] The current sensor module 905 is fixed to the bottom surface 27 of the case 2 with fasteners BT10. The current sensor module 905 is also fixed to a terminal block 908 with bolts BT1, and is also fixed to the power module PM with fasteners BT12. At this time, the current sensor module 905 is positioned relative to the case 2 via knock pins 2741 and 2745. The connector-equipped harness 909 has connectors CN4 and CN5 at its ends, and the connector CN4 is fitted into a hole 270 in the bottom surface portion 27 of the case 2. The connector-equipped harness 909 is further fixed at the connector CN4 to the bottom surface portion 27 of the case 2 with a fastener BT5. The connector-equipped harness 909 is electrically connected to low-voltage wiring (not shown) in the motor housing chamber S1 via the connector CN4.

[0126] 16 shows the water temperature sensor harness 910. One end of the water temperature sensor harness 910 may be fixed to the bottom surface portion 27 of the case 2 (near the water channel forming portion 273) with a fastener BT7.

[0127] FIG. 17 shows a state in which a shield plate 902 and a fixing plate 904, which are components of the second layer among the various components of the inverter device 90, are arranged.

[0128] The shield plate 902 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 27 of the case 2 by fasteners BT21. At this time, the shield plate 902 is positioned in the case 2 via knock pins 2746.

[0129] The fixing plate 904 is fixed to the bottom surface 27 of the case 2 together with the smoothing capacitor CM (i.e., they are fastened together) by fasteners BT23. The fixing plate 904 has fastening holes 9042 that function as a seat for the control board 900. The fixing plate 904 is provided so as to cover the first side Y1 in the second direction of the smoothing capacitor CM so as to provide a seat for the control board 900. As shown in FIG. 17 , the fixing plate 904 has a triangular shape when viewed from above, and may be fixed by fasteners BT23 near the three vertices. In this embodiment, the fastening holes 9042 are provided in two locations near the center of the triangle when viewed from above.

[0130] FIG. 18 shows the state in which a control board 900, which is a component on the third layer among the various components of the inverter device 90, is arranged.

[0131] The control board 900 is relatively large and is provided so as to cover the power module PM and the smoothing capacitor CM. The control board 900 is fixed to the bottom surface 27 of the case 2 by fasteners BT33 at four of six locations on the outer periphery, and is fixed to the case 2 together with the shield plate 902 by fasteners BT34 at the remaining two locations (i.e., fastened together). At this time, the control board 900 is positioned in the case 2 together with the shield plate 902 via knock pins 2744, and is also positioned in the case 2 via knock pins 2747. The control board 900 is also fixed at two central locations to fastening holes 9042 of a fixing plate 904 by fasteners BT32. By using the fixing plate 904, the control board 900 can be stably fixed to the case 2 even if it is a relatively large control board 900.

[0132] Connectors CN5, CN6, and CN7 are also connected to the control board 900. The connector CN5 is an end of a connector-equipped harness 909, and may also be electrically connected to a water temperature sensor harness 910. The connectors CN6 and CN7 may be the respective ends of a harness for detecting high voltage and a harness for the control system / low voltage power supply.

[0133] Furthermore, a terminal TM3 from the current sensor 77A of the current sensor module 905 and a terminal TM5 (gate drive terminal, etc.) from the power module PM are connected to the control board 900 by soldering.

[0134] 18, in addition to fastening the control board 900 described above, the Y capacitor 906 is fixed to the connector CN1 by a fastener BT31. The fastener BT31 has the function of fixing the terminals together while electrically connecting them together.

[0135] 19 shows a state in which the various components of the inverter device 90 in the inverter accommodating chamber S4 are covered by the inverter cover member 203. The inverter cover member 203 is fixed to the end face (the end face on the first side Y1 in the second direction) of the side wall portion 240 of the inverter case portion 24 by a fastener BT40.

[0136] In this way, according to this embodiment, the various components of the inverter device 90 can be arranged in multiple layers inside the inverter accommodating chamber S4. By arranging the various components of the inverter device 90 in multiple layers, the size of the inverter accommodating chamber S4 in the second direction Y can be reduced, and as a result, the size of the case 2 (and the vehicle drive device 100) in the second direction Y can be reduced.

[0137] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the fasteners (bolt BT1 and fasteners BT5 to BT34) used in the inverter accommodating chamber S4 do not overlap when viewed in the second direction Y, which improves assembly efficiency.

[0138] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the various components of the inverter device 90 are directly fastened to the bottom surface 27 of the case 2, thereby enabling stable fixation. In addition, it is possible to remove only some of the components, which improves maintainability.

[0139] As described above, in this embodiment, the reduction gear mechanism 34 disposed on the second side Y2 in the second direction of the first housing portion S41 includes a planetary gear mechanism, and the mounting space around the first axis C1 (mounting space for the reduction gear mechanism 34) is relatively large. For example, if limited to the area on the first axial side A1 relative to the output gear 30 of the differential gear mechanism 5, the mounting space for the planetary gear mechanism is likely to be larger than the mounting space for the differential gear mechanism 5. In other words, when the boundary positions of the first housing portion S41, the second housing portion S42, and the third housing portion S43 on the first side Y1 in the second direction are substantially the same (i.e., when the inverter cover member 203 is planar), the dimension of the first housing portion S41 in the second direction Y is likely to be smallest.

[0140] Taking this into consideration, in this embodiment, the relatively large control board 900 is accommodated in the second accommodation section S42 and the third accommodation section S43, avoiding the first accommodation section S41. In particular, because the current sensor 77A of the current sensor module 905 has a relatively large dimension in the second direction Y, the control board 900 is arranged in a range that does not overlap with the current sensor 77A of the current sensor module 905 in a top view. Note that the control board 900 may overlap with the current sensor 77A when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the second direction Y. This makes it possible to accommodate the relatively large control board 900 and the inverter device 90 including the current sensor 77A having a relatively large dimension in the second direction Y in the inverter accommodation chamber S4, while reducing the size of the case 2 (and the vehicle drive device 100) in the second direction Y.

[0141] Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, it is not limited to a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims. It is also possible to combine all or a plurality of components of the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, among the effects of each embodiment, the effects related to the dependent claims are additional effects that are distinct from the generic concept (independent claim).

[0142] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the smoothing capacitor CM is arranged in the second housing portion S42 and the power module PM is arranged in the third housing portion S43, taking into consideration that the dead space around the second axis C2 gradually increases from the second axial side A2 toward the first axial side A1. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the smoothing capacitor CM may be arranged in the third housing portion S43, and the power module PM may be arranged in the second housing portion S42. In this case, structures such as the control board 900 and cooling water channels may be arranged in a stacked manner on the second direction first side Y1 and / or the second direction second side Y2 of the power module PM. This configuration is suitable when the dimension in the second direction Y of the stacked structure including the power module PM is significantly larger than the dimension in the second direction Y of the smoothing capacitor CM.

[0143] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle drive device 100 (as well as the vehicle drive device 100A, etc.) has a two-shaft configuration including a first shaft C1 and a second shaft C2. However, as described above, this is not limited to this. For example, as in a vehicle drive device 100F shown in FIG. 20 , a counter gear mechanism 4 may be used instead of the reduction mechanism 34. In this case, the counter gear mechanism 4 includes a first counter gear 42 that meshes with the gear 17 of the input member 16 from the rotating electric machine 1 and a second counter gear 43 that meshes with the output gear 30 of the differential gear mechanism 5, and the first counter gear 42 and the second counter gear 43 are provided so as to rotate integrally with the counter shaft 41. The second counter gear 43 may have a smaller diameter than the first counter gear 42. In this case, a three-shaft configuration is achieved, including a third shaft C3 in addition to the first shaft C1 and the second shaft C2. The configuration of the case 2 according to the above-described embodiment can be similarly applied to such a three-shaft configuration.

[0144] In the above-described embodiment, the smoothing capacitor CM is disposed at approximately the same position as the power module PM in the first direction X, but this is not limiting. For example, part or all of the smoothing capacitor CM may be disposed on the second side X2 in the first direction relative to the power module PM. In this case, the smoothing capacitor CM may be disposed on a side surface of the case 2 on the second side X2 in the first direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Rotating electric machine, 2 Case, 21 Motor case portion (fourth housing portion), 240 Side wall portion, 34 Reduction mechanism (power transmission device), 30 Output gear (ring gear), 5 Differential gear mechanism (differential transmission device), 70, 70A Bus bar structure (wiring portion), 71 First terminal portion, 72 Second terminal portion, 73 Bus bar, 721 Terminal side bus bar (bus bar) , BA···Battery (power source), A···Axial direction, Y···Up and down direction, PM···Power module, CM···Smoothing capacitor, S1···Motor housing (fourth housing), S4···Inverter housing (housing), S41···First housing section, S42···Second housing section, S43···Third housing section, P2···Line (highest position of fourth housing section), C1···First axis, C2···Second axis

Claims

1. a rotating electric machine disposed on a first axis; a differential transmission device disposed on a second axis parallel to the first axis and drivingly connected to wheels; a power transmission device disposed on the first shaft and drivingly coupled between the differential transmission device and the rotating electric machine; a power module having a power semiconductor element and converting power to be supplied to the rotating electric machine; a smoothing capacitor electrically connected between the power module and a power source; a wiring section that electrically connects the rotating electric machine and the power module; a case that houses the rotating electric machine, the differential transmission device, the power transmission device, the power module, the smoothing capacitor, and the wiring portion, the case forms a housing portion above a plane including the first axis and the second axis, the housing portion includes a first housing portion that houses the wiring portion, a second housing portion that houses the smoothing capacitor, and a third housing portion that houses the power module, The vehicle drive device, wherein the first housing portion, the second housing portion, and the third housing portion are L-shaped as a whole when viewed in the up-down direction and overlap the first shaft and the second shaft.

2. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the wiring portion, the smoothing capacitor, and the power module overlap with the rotating electric machine when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

3. the case further defines a fourth housing portion that houses the rotating electric machine, and includes a sidewall portion that bounds the housing portion in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the side wall portion is located below a highest position of the fourth housing portion.

4. the first housing portion overlaps with the rotating electric machine when viewed in the axial direction and overlaps with the power transmission device when viewed in the up-down direction, the second housing portion overlaps the rotating electric machine when viewed in a direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the up-down direction, and overlaps the second shaft when viewed in the up-down direction; The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the third housing portion is adjacent to the first housing portion and the second housing portion and overlaps with the second shaft when viewed in the up-down direction.

5. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein an end of the wiring portion on the rotating electric machine side passes through a wall portion that forms a lower portion of the housing portion of the case in a vertical direction.

6. the wiring unit includes, for each phase of the rotating electric machine, a first terminal unit connected to a power line of the rotating electric machine, a second terminal unit electrically connected to the power module, and a bus bar between the first terminal unit and the second terminal unit; The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the first terminal portions for each phase are arranged in a line perpendicular to both the axial direction and the up-down direction.

7. 7. The vehicle drive device according to claim 6, wherein the second terminal portion for each phase is connected on one of four sides around the power module, as viewed in the up-down direction, on a side farther from the smoothing capacitor in the axial direction or on a side facing the bus bar in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

8. The vehicle drive device according to claim 6 , wherein the bus bars are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed in the up-down direction.

9. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the smoothing capacitor and the power module are adjacent to each other in the axial direction or in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction when viewed in the up-down direction.

10. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the wiring portion, the smoothing capacitor, and the power module overlap with the differential transmission device when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

11. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the wiring portion, the smoothing capacitor, and the power module overlap with the power transmission device when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

12. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the wiring portion, the smoothing capacitor, and the power module overlap with an output member disposed on the second shaft when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

Images