Vehicle drive unit

The vehicle drive device simplifies the manufacturing process by using a partitioned housing with coaxial oil passages for the motor and reducer, ensuring efficient oil supply and cooling, addressing the complexity of separate branch passages in conventional designs.

JP7775699B2Active Publication Date: 2025-11-26MAZDA MOTOR CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021207834
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-12-22
Publication Date
2025-11-26
Estimated Expiration
2041-12-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The conventional drive device for vehicles has separate branch passages for supplying oil to the electric motor and reducer, which complicates the manufacturing process.

Method used

A vehicle drive device with a housing that includes a partition wall between the motor and reducer, featuring a supply passage perpendicular to the motor shaft, with coaxial branch passages for oil supply to both components, simplifying the formation of oil passages.

Benefits of technology

This configuration allows for easy formation of oil passages with high accuracy, minimizing machining and ensuring efficient oil supply to critical components like the rotor and reducer meshing points.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a driving device for a vehicle having a structure easy in configuring an oil passage.SOLUTION: A driving device for a vehicle includes: a motor (driving motor 11); a decelerator 12; a motor; and a housing 100 for housing the decelerator. The housing has a partitioning wall 111 positioned between the motor and the decelerator. In the partitioning wall, a supply passage 68 extending in a direction orthogonal to a first direction for supplying an oil to each of the motor and the decelerator, a first branch passage 682 branched from the supply passage toward the motor, and a second branch passage 683 branched from the supply passage toward the decelerator are formed. The first branch passage and the second branch passage are coaxial to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a vehicle drive device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a drive device for a vehicle. The drive device includes an electric motor and a reducer. The electric motor outputs a driving force for running the vehicle. The reducer reduces the output of the electric motor. The reducer is located to the side of the electric motor in the direction of the motor shaft.

[0003] The electric motor and the reducer are accommodated in a housing. An oil passage is formed in the housing. The oil passage extends in the direction of the motor shaft. A first branch passage and a second branch passage branch off from the oil passage. The first branch passage supplies oil to the electric motor. The second branch passage supplies oil to the reducer. The first branch passage and the second branch passage branch off from the oil passage at different positions in the direction of the motor shaft. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-157683 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the conventional drive device described in Patent Document 1, a first branch passage that supplies oil to the electric motor and a second branch passage that supplies oil to the reducer are independent of each other. The first branch passage and the second branch passage are aligned in the direction of the motor shaft. When manufacturing the drive device, these branch passages are formed separately. This may complicate the manufacturing process of the drive device.

[0006] The technology disclosed herein provides a vehicle drive device having a structure that makes it easy to form an oil passage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The technology disclosed herein relates to a vehicle drive device. a motor for driving a vehicle, the motor shaft extending in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; a reducer located to the side of the motor in the first direction, connected to the motor shaft, and reducing the output of the motor; a housing that accommodates the motor and the reducer, the housing has a partition wall located between the motor and the reducer, Within the partition wall, a supply passage extending in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and configured to supply oil to the motor and the reducer; a first branch passage branching from the supply passage toward the motor; a second branch passage branching from the supply passage toward the reducer is formed, The first branch passage and the second branch passage are coaxial with each other.

[0008] According to this configuration, the housing accommodates the motor and the reducer, and the partition wall in the housing is located between the motor and the reducer.

[0009] A supply passage, a first branch passage, and a second branch passage are formed within the partition wall. The supply passage extends in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. A motor is located on one side of the supply passage in the first direction, and a reducer is located on the other side.

[0010] The first branch passage and the second branch passage are connected to the supply passage. The first branch passage branches off from the supply passage to supply oil to the motor. The second branch passage branches off from the supply passage to supply oil to the reducer.

[0011] The first branch passage and the second branch passage are formed coaxially with each other. The process of forming the two coaxial passages is simple. The vehicle drive device has a structure that makes it easy to form an oil passage.

[0012] the supply passage extends in the vertical direction and is composed of a core hole portion formed during casting and a machined hole portion drilled at a tip of the core hole portion after casting, at least one of the first branch passage and the second branch passage is a cast hole formed during casting, The machined hole portion communicates with a cast hole that constitutes the first branch passage or the second branch passage. do.

[0013] In this way, the supply passage, the first branch passage, and the second branch passage are formed while minimizing machining of the cast hole, and the process of forming these passages is simple.

[0014] Generally, high forming accuracy is ensured for the surfaces of the cast holes. The machined holes drilled after casting simply connect the cast holes to each other. In the above configuration, the surfaces of the cast holes are not substantially machined. Therefore, high forming accuracy can be maintained for the supply passage, the first branch passage, and the second branch passage.

[0015] The vehicle drive device a first nozzle attached to the first branch passage and configured to inject oil toward the motor; The oil supply device may further include a second nozzle attached to the second branch passage and configured to inject oil toward the reducer.

[0016] The passage for supplying oil to the motor and the reducer is formed by a combination of a passage formed in the housing and a first nozzle and a second nozzle attached to the housing, making it easy to form a passage for supplying oil to the motor and the reducer.

[0017] the first nozzle injects oil in a direction along the axis of the first branch passage, The first nozzle may have a base end formed with a threaded portion that is threadably engaged with the opening of the first branch passage.

[0018] The first nozzle sprays oil in a direction along the axis of the first branch passage, and therefore does not have a circumferential direction centered on the axis of the first branch passage. By threading the threaded portion of the first nozzle into the opening of the first branch passage, the first nozzle can be properly attached to the first branch passage. In addition, the first nozzle can be easily attached. The threaded portion is suitable for the attachment structure of the first nozzle.

[0019] The first nozzle may be configured to inject oil toward a rotor of the motor, relative to a position of a magnet on the rotor.

[0020] In this way, the portion of the rotor that generates the most heat is efficiently cooled.

[0021] the reducer is a parallel shaft gear reducer that meshes with the motor shaft, the second nozzle injects oil toward a meshing portion between the motor shaft and the reducer in a direction intersecting the axis of the second branch passage, the second nozzle has a flange fixed to a boss formed on the partition wall, The flange may have a fastening portion that is fastened to a fastening hole formed at a specific position in the circumferential direction of the boss.

[0022] The second nozzle injects oil in a direction intersecting the axis of the second branch passage, and therefore has directionality in the circumferential direction centered on the axis of the second branch passage. The second nozzle must be attached to the second branch passage so that the nozzle opening faces a specific circumferential direction.

[0023] The flange of the second nozzle has a fastening portion. The fastening portion is fastened to a fastening hole formed at a specific position on the boss. Because the position of the fastening portion is fixed, the nozzle opening of the second nozzle is oriented in a specific direction in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the nozzle opening faces the meshing point between the motor shaft and the parallel-shaft gear reducer. Oil is appropriately supplied to the meshing point between the motor shaft and the reducer.

[0024] the supply passage is located above the motor shaft; the reducer is positioned on one side of the motor shaft in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the vertical direction, and engages with the motor shaft; The second nozzle may spray oil in a direction inclined toward the second direction with respect to a vertically downward direction when viewed in a direction along the first direction.

[0025] The parallel shaft gear reducer is offset in the second direction with respect to the motor shaft. When the supply passage is located above the motor shaft, the position of the supply passage and the meshing position of the motor shaft and the reducer are offset in the second direction.

[0026] According to the above configuration, the second nozzle sprays oil in a direction tilted toward the second direction relative to a vertical downward direction when viewed in a direction along the first direction, so that the second nozzle can spray oil toward the point where the gears of the reducer mesh. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] The vehicle drive device has a structure that makes it easy to form branched oil passages. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a vehicle drive device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the front of the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the vehicle drive device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a cross section taken along line VV of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of the supply passage. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows the jetting direction of the second nozzle. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a part of the cross section taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows the mounting structure of the first and second nozzles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle drive device will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle drive device described here is an example.

[0030] (Overall configuration of a vehicle drive system) Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle drive device. Fig. 1 only shows a schematic representation of each element constituting a drive device P mounted on a vehicle 1. The position of each element in Fig. 1 does not limit the actual position of each element.

[0031] The vehicle 1 is a series hybrid vehicle and is equipped with a drive system P including an electric drive unit 10 for propelling the vehicle 1 using electric power and an engine E for generating electricity.

[0032] The electric drive unit 10 has a drive motor 11, a reducer 12, and a generator 13. The drive motor 11 is driven by electric power. The reducer 12 reduces the speed of the drive motor 11. The generator 13 generates electricity to be supplied to the drive motor 11.

[0033] The engine E is connected to a generator 13. The engine E drives the generator 13 so that the generator 13 generates electricity. Power for propelling the vehicle 1 is generated by a drive motor 11. The power generated by the drive motor 11 is changed in speed by a reducer 12 and then transmitted to drive wheels 92 (front wheels in this case) via a differential device 91.

[0034] The vehicle 1 includes a high-voltage battery B1 and a low-voltage battery B2. The high-voltage battery B1 is charged with electricity generated by a generator 13. A power generation inverter 22 is provided between the generator 13 and the high-voltage battery B1. The power generation inverter 22 is electrically connected to the generator 13 and the high-voltage battery B1. Electricity generated by the generator 13 is supplied to the high-voltage battery B1 via the power generation inverter 22. A motor inverter 21 is provided between the drive motor 11 and the high-voltage battery B1. The motor inverter 21 is electrically connected to the drive motor 11 and the high-voltage battery B1. The motor inverter 21 converts electricity from the high-voltage battery B1 into power for driving the drive motor 11 and outputs the power to the drive motor 11. A DC-DC converter 23 is provided between the high-voltage battery B1 and the low-voltage battery B2. The DC-DC converter 23 is electrically connected to the high-voltage battery B1 and the low-voltage battery B2. Electricity from the high-voltage battery B1 is supplied to the low-voltage battery B2 via the DC-DC converter 23. The electricity generated by the generator 13 is supplied to the low-voltage battery B2 via a power generation inverter 22 and a DC-DC converter 23. The motor inverter 21, the power generation inverter 22, and the DC-DC converter 23 constitute a control unit 20 that controls the electric drive unit 10.

[0035] (Drive unit mounting structure on vehicle) 2 shows a plan view of the front of the vehicle 1 as seen from above. In the following description, the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the vehicle will be simply referred to as front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. When looking from the rear to the front, the left side is referred to as left, and the right side is referred to as right. The left and right directions are also the vehicle width directions.

[0036] The drive unit P is disposed in a power unit room 2 formed in the front of the vehicle 1. More specifically, the vehicle 1 has a pair of left and right front side frames 31 extending in the longitudinal direction, and the power unit room 2 for disposing the drive unit P is formed between the left and right front side frames 31. The drive unit P is supported by the left and right front side frames 31 via support members 32.

[0037] 3, the electric drive unit 10 and the control unit 20 are arranged next to each other in the vertical direction. Specifically, the control unit 20 is located above the electric drive unit 10.

[0038] 4 and 5, the drive motor 11, the reducer 12, and the generator 13 are housed in a housing 100. The housing 100 is configured by integrating multiple members. The housing 100 has a first housing 110, a second housing 120, a right end cover 130, and a left end cover 140.

[0039] The first housing 110 and the second housing 120 each have a cylindrical shape with both left and right ends open. The right end cover 130 and the left end cover 140 each have a lid shape with the right or left end closed. The second housing 120 is disposed on the left side of the first housing 110, and the left end cover 140 is disposed on the left side of the second housing 120. The right end cover 130 is disposed on the right side of the first housing 110. The right end cover 130, first housing 110, second housing 120, and left end cover 140 are arranged in this order from right to left. The first housing 110, second housing 120, left end cover 140, and right end cover 130 are integrated by bolting together flanges provided on the left and right ends.

[0040] The first housing 110, the second housing 120, the left end cover 140, and the right end cover 130 are each made of, for example, an aluminum alloy and are formed by casting.

[0041] The engine E is disposed on the left side of the left end cover 140. In other words, the engine E is located on the left side of the electric drive unit 10.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the first housing 110 has partition walls 111 for dividing the interior of the housing 100 into multiple compartments. The partition walls 111 extend in a direction intersecting the left-right direction at a central position in the left-right direction of the first housing 110. More specifically, the partition walls 111 extend in both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, which are orthogonal to the left-right direction (see also FIG. 4). The second housing 120 has partition walls 121. The partition walls 121 also extend in a direction intersecting the left-right direction, more specifically, in both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, which are orthogonal to the left-right direction, at a central position in the left-right direction of the second housing 120.

[0043] The drive motor 11 is housed in a first chamber 101 separated by the right end cover 130 and the partition wall 111 of the first housing 110. The generator 13 is housed in a third chamber 103 separated by the partition wall 121 of the second housing 120 and the left end cover 140. The reducer 12 is housed in a second chamber 102 separated by the partition wall 111 and the partition wall 121.

[0044] (Each element of the electric drive unit) (Drive motor) The drive motor 11 includes a rotor 11a, a stator 11b, and a motor shaft 11c. A rotating magnetic field is generated when a three-phase alternating current is supplied to the stator 11b, and the rotor 11a and the motor shaft 11c are rotated by the rotating magnetic field.

[0045] The rotor 11a is located in the first chamber 101. The rotor 11a has a magnet and a magnetic body. The rotor 11a is fixed to a motor shaft 11c. The rotor 11a and the motor shaft 11c rotate together.

[0046] The motor shaft 11c extends in the left-right direction. The first bearing 11d rotatably supports the right end of the motor shaft 11c. The right end cover 130 holds the first bearing 11d. The left end of the motor shaft 11c passes through the partition wall 111 of the first housing 110 and extends to the second chamber 102. The second bearing 11e rotatably supports the left end of the motor shaft 11c. A first boss 122 formed integrally with the partition wall 121 holds the second bearing 11e. The first boss 122 protrudes rightward from the partition wall 121 into the second chamber 102.

[0047] The stator 11b surrounds the rotor 11a, has a coil, and is held by the first housing 110 and the right end cover 130.

[0048] (generator) The generator 13 includes a rotor 13a, a stator 13b, and a generator shaft 13c. When the generator shaft 13c and the rotor 13a are rotated by the power of the engine E, the stator 13b generates electricity by electromagnetic induction.

[0049] The rotor 13a is located in the third chamber 103. The rotor 13a has a magnet and a magnetic body. The rotor 13a is fixed to a generator shaft 13c. The rotor 13a and the generator shaft 13c rotate together.

[0050] The generator shaft 13c extends in the left-right direction. In this configuration example, the generator shaft 13c and the motor shaft 11c are positioned coaxially. However, the generator shaft 13c and the motor shaft 11c may be misaligned. The third bearing 13d rotatably supports the right end of the generator shaft 13c. A second boss portion 123 formed integrally with the partition wall 121 holds the third bearing 13d. The second boss portion 123 protrudes leftward from the partition wall 121 into the third chamber 103. The right end of the generator shaft 13c and the left end of the motor shaft 11c face each other with a gap in between at a position corresponding to the partition wall 121.

[0051] The left end of the generator shaft 13c passes through the left end cover 140 and extends leftward. The left end of the generator shaft 13c is connected to the output shaft of the engine E. The fourth bearing 13e rotatably supports the left end of the generator shaft 13c. The left end cover 140 holds the fourth bearing 13e.

[0052] The stator 13b surrounds the rotor 13a. The stator 13b has a coil. The stator 13b is held by the second housing 120 and the left end cover 140.

[0053] The outer diameter of the drive motor 11 is the same as the outer diameter of the generator 13. More specifically, the outer diameter of the rotor 11a of the drive motor 11 is the same as the outer diameter of the rotor 13a of the generator 13, and the outer diameter of the stator 11b of the drive motor 11 is the same as the outer diameter of the stator 13b of the generator 13. The motor shaft 11c and the generator shaft 13c are positioned coaxially. The outer peripheral shapes of the front sides of the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 are arc-shaped and of the same size so that the drive motor 11 and the generator 13, which have the same outer diameter, can be accommodated (see FIG. 4).

[0054] (reducer) As described above, the reducer 12 is located between the drive motor 11 and the generator 13. The reducer 12 is located to the left of the drive motor 11 in the left-right direction. The reducer 12 is also located behind the motor shaft 11c in the front-rear direction.

[0055] The reducer 12 is connected to the motor shaft 11c. The reducer 12 is a parallel-axis gear reducer. As shown in FIG. 4, the reducer 12 has a first gear 12a, a second gear 12b, and a third gear 12c. The first gear 12a meshes with an output gear 11f fixed to the motor shaft 11c. The output gear 11f is located between the partition wall 111 and the second bearing 11e. The first gear 12a has a larger diameter than the output gear 11f.

[0056] The first gear 12a rotates integrally with the first shaft 12d. The first shaft 12d is parallel to the motor shaft 11c. More specifically, the first shaft 12d extends in the left-right direction at a position rearward of the motor shaft 11c. The housing 100 rotatably supports the first shaft 12d.

[0057] The second gear 12b is located to the left of the first gear 12a. The second gear 12b rotates integrally with the first shaft 12d and the first gear 12a. The second gear 12b has a smaller diameter than the first gear 12a.

[0058] The third gear 12c meshes with the second gear 12b. The third gear 12c has a larger diameter than the second gear 12b. The third gear 12c rotates integrally with the second shaft 12e. The second shaft 12e is parallel to the motor shaft 11c and the first shaft 12d. More specifically, the second shaft 12e extends in the left-right direction at a position behind and below the first shaft 12d. The housing 100 rotatably supports the second shaft 12e.

[0059] The second shaft 12e is connected to a drive shaft 93 via a differential device 91. As shown in FIG. 2, the drive shaft 93 extends to the left and right at a position rearward of the drive device P. The reducer 12 reduces the output of the drive motor 11 at a predetermined reduction ratio and outputs the reduced output to the differential device 91.

[0060] (Outline of the drive oil supply system) The drive device P includes a supply system 5 that supplies lubricating and / or cooling oil to each of the drive motor 11, the reducer 12, and the generator 13. The supply system 5 includes an oil pump 51, an oil cooler 52, an oil passage 6, and an oil pipe 7. The oil pipe 7 is divided into a first oil pipe 71 and a second oil pipe 72.

[0061] An oil reservoir 105 is formed in the lower part of the second chamber 102 inside the housing 100. As will be described later, oil supplied to each of the drive motor 11, the reducer 12, and the generator 13 falls downward due to gravity. The oil that falls downward flows in the left-right direction toward the center of the housing 100 and collects in the lower part of the second chamber 102. The oil circulates within the housing 100.

[0062] A strainer 53 is installed in the oil reservoir 105. The strainer 53 separates the oil from foreign matter. An oil temperature sensor 54 is also installed in the oil reservoir 105. The oil temperature sensor 54 measures the temperature of the oil stored in the oil reservoir 105.

[0063] The oil pump 51 is attached to the outside of the housing 100. The oil pump 51 is attached to the bottom of the housing 100. The oil pump 51 sucks oil from the oil reservoir 105 through a strainer 53 and discharges it from a discharge port. The oil pump 51 is electrically driven.

[0064] A first oil pipe 71 is connected to the discharge port of the oil pump 51. The first oil pipe 71 is disposed inside the second chamber 102. The first oil pipe 71 connects the oil pump 51 and the oil cooler 52.

[0065] The oil cooler 52 is a water-cooled heat exchanger that exchanges heat between cooling water and oil. In addition to cooling the oil, the cooling water also cools the electric drive unit 10 and the control unit 20 of the drive device P. The oil cooler 52 has an inlet 521 and an outlet 522 for the cooling water.

[0066] The oil cooler 52 is disposed downstream of the oil pump 51 in the oil supply system 5. The oil cooler 52 is located at the front of the lower part of the first housing 110. The oil pump 51 and the oil cooler 52 are located at approximately the same height in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 4, this position corresponds to a position below the drive motor 11. The oil cooler 52 is disposed so as not to protrude forward beyond the front end of the housing 100. This arrangement is advantageous in terms of improving the collision safety of the vehicle 1.

[0067] A first through hole 112 and a second through hole 113 are formed in the partition wall 111 of the first housing 110 (see FIG. 4). The first through hole 112 and the second through hole 113 each extend substantially radially to provide communication between the inside and outside of the housing 100. The first through hole 112 and the second through hole 113 are, for example, cast holes formed during casting. An oil inlet of the oil cooler 52 is connected to the first through hole 112, and an oil outlet is connected to the second through hole 113.

[0068] The first oil pipe 71 is connected to the first through hole 112. The second oil pipe 72 is connected to the second through hole 113. The second oil pipe 72 connects the oil cooler 52 and the oil passage 6.

[0069] The oil passage 6 is made up of a main passage 60, a plurality of distribution passages 61 to 67, and a supply passage 68. These passages 60 to 68 are, for example, cast holes formed during casting.

[0070] The main passage 60 is located at the upper end of the housing 100. The main passage 60 extends in the left-right direction. The main passage 60 spans the right end cover 130, the first housing 110, the second housing 120, and the left end cover 140.

[0071] The distribution passages 61 to 67 branch off from the main passage 60. The first distribution passage 61 is formed at the right end of the right end cover 130. The first distribution passage 61 mainly supplies oil to the stator 11b of the drive motor 11 and the first bearing 11d.

[0072] The second distribution passage 62 is formed at the left end of the right end cover 130. The second distribution passage 62 mainly supplies oil to the stator 11b of the drive motor 11.

[0073] The third distribution passage 63 is formed on the right side of the partition wall 111 of the first housing 110. The third distribution passage 63 mainly supplies oil to the stator 11b of the drive motor 11.

[0074] The fourth distribution passage 64 is formed in the partition wall 121 of the second housing 120. The fourth distribution passage 64 extends downward from the main passage 60 to near the positions of the motor shaft 11c and the generator shaft 13c. The fourth distribution passage 64 supplies oil to the rotor 11a of the drive motor 11, the second bearing 11e, the third bearing 13d, and the rotor 13a of the generator 13 via the motor shaft 11c and the generator shaft 13c.

[0075] The fifth distribution passage 65 is formed on the left side of the partition wall 121 of the second housing 120. The fifth distribution passage 65 mainly supplies oil to the stator 13b of the generator 13.

[0076] The sixth distribution passage 66 is formed in the middle between the left and right sides of the second housing 120. The sixth distribution passage 66 mainly supplies oil to the stator 13b of the generator 13.

[0077] The seventh distribution passage 67 is formed in the left end cover 140. The seventh distribution passage 67 mainly supplies oil to the stator 13b of the generator 13 and the fourth bearing 13e.

[0078] The supply passage 68 is formed in the partition wall 111 of the first housing 110. As shown in FIG. 4, the supply passage 68 is formed directly above the motor shaft 11c. The supply passage 68 supplies oil to the main passage 60. The upper end of the supply passage 68 is connected to the main passage 60. The supply passage 68 also extends downward from the main passage 60. The lower end of the supply passage 68 is located above the motor shaft 11c and near the outer periphery of the rotor 11a of the drive motor 11. The supply passage 68 supplies oil to the rotor 11a of the drive motor 11 and also supplies oil to the reducer 12.

[0079] A communication hole 681 is formed in the middle of the supply passage 68. The communication hole 681 opens leftward on the left surface of the partition wall 111. The second oil pipe 72 is connected to the communication hole 681.

[0080] The oil discharged from the oil pump 51 flows through the first oil pipe 71, the oil cooler 52, and the second oil pipe 72 in this order, and then into the supply passage 68. The oil flows from the supply passage 68 to the main passage 60, and is supplied to the drive motor 11, the reducer 12, and the generator 13 via each of the distribution passages 61 to 67 or from the supply passage 68.

[0081] (Detailed structure of supply passage) As described above, the supply passage 68 supplies oil to both the drive motor 11 and the reducer 12. Because the supply passage 68 is formed inside the partition wall 111, the supply passage 68 is located between the drive motor 11 and the reducer 12 in the left-right direction.

[0082] 6, a first branch passage 682 and a second branch passage 683 are connected to the lower end of the supply passage 68. The first branch passage 682 and the second branch passage 683 are in communication with each other.

[0083] The first branch passage 682 extends to the right from the supply passage 68. The first branch passage 682 and the supply passage 68 are perpendicular to each other. The first branch passage 682 opens to the right on the right side surface of the partition wall 111. The first branch passage 682 supplies oil to the drive motor 11. The second branch passage 683 extends to the left from the supply passage 68. The second branch passage 683 is perpendicular to the supply passage 68. The second branch passage 683 opens to the left on the left side surface of the partition wall 111. The second branch passage 683 supplies oil to the reducer 12.

[0084] The first branch passage 682 and the second branch passage 683 are coaxial passages that extend in the left-right direction. Because the two coaxial branch passages 682, 683 each branch off from a single supply passage 68, the process of forming these two branch passages 682, 683 is simplified. The drive unit P has a structure that makes it easy to form oil passages.

[0085] The molding of the supply passage 68, the first branch passage 682, and the second branch passage 683 will be described in more detail. The supply passage 68, which extends in the vertical direction, is composed of an upper cast hole portion 68a and a lower machined hole portion 68b (see also FIG. 9). The cast hole portion 68a is a hole formed by a mold during casting. The upper end of the cast hole portion 68a opens to the upper surface of the first housing 110. The opening is closed by a sealing plug. The molding precision of the surface of the cast hole portion 68a is relatively high. The machined hole portion 68b is a hole that is drilled using a tool after casting. The machined hole portion 68b is formed so as to extend downward from the tip of the cast hole portion 68a.

[0086] The first branch passage 682 has a smaller diameter than the second branch passage 683. The first branch passage 682 is drilled using a tool after the first housing 101 is cast. The large-diameter second branch passage 683 is basically a cast hole. However, machining required to attach the second nozzle 42 (described later) to the opening of the second branch passage 683 is performed on the second branch passage 683. The diameters of the first branch passage 682 and the second branch passage 683 may be appropriately determined depending on the ratio between the amount of oil supplied to the drive motor 11 and the amount of oil supplied to the reducer 12. Depending on the diameters of the first branch passage 682 and the second branch passage 683, the first branch passage 682 may be a cast hole and the second branch passage 683 may be drilled using a tool.

[0087] The machined hole 68b of the supply passage 68 connects the tip of the cast hole 68a to the second branch passage 683. The machined hole 68b connects the cast holes to each other. Because little machining is performed on the surface of the cast hole, high precision is maintained on the surfaces of the cast hole 68a and the second branch passage 683. When forming the supply passage 68, the first branch passage 682, and the second branch passage 683, machining of the cast holes is kept to a minimum.

[0088] (1st nozzle, 2nd nozzle) A first nozzle 41 is attached to the first branch passage 682. As shown in an enlarged view in Figure 9, the first nozzle 41 is attached to an opening of the first branch passage 682 facing right. The first nozzle 41 protrudes from the partition wall 111 to the right.

[0089] The first nozzle 41 has a nozzle hole 411 and a screw portion 412. The nozzle hole 411 extends rightward from the base end of the first nozzle 41. The diameter of the nozzle hole 411 is relatively small.

[0090] The nozzle holes 411 are open at both the base end and the tip end of the first nozzle 41. The tip end of the nozzle hole 411 is open to the right, facing the drive motor 11. The nozzle hole 411 of the first nozzle 41 does not have any directionality with respect to the circumferential direction centered on the axis of the first branch passage 682.

[0091] The threaded portion 412 is located at the base end of the first nozzle 41. A male thread is formed on the threaded portion 412. A female thread is formed on the opening of the first branch passage 682. The threaded portion 412 threadably engages with the female thread of the first branch passage 682. When manufacturing the drive unit P, an operator can attach the first nozzle 41 to the first branch passage 682 by threading the first nozzle 41 into the first branch passage 682 (see the two-dot chain arrow in Figure 9). The threaded portion 412 on which the male thread is formed makes it easy to attach the first nozzle 41.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 6 or 8, the first nozzle 41 attached to the first branch passage 682 faces the rotor 11a of the drive motor 11 in the left-right direction. The first nozzle 41 sprays oil horizontally toward the side surface of the rotor 11a. As described above, oil is supplied to the rotor 11a through the motor shaft 11c, and also through the first nozzle 41. The oil supplied from multiple locations sufficiently cools the drive motor 11.

[0093] The first nozzle 41 faces a portion of the rotor 11a that is radially closer to the outer periphery. This radial position corresponds to the position of the magnet 11g on the rotor 11a, as shown in FIG. 8. The oil cools the area around the magnet 11g. The position of the magnet 11g on the rotor 11a is the position that generates the most heat. Because the oil is injected at this position, the rotor 11a is efficiently cooled.

[0094] A second nozzle 42 is attached to the second branch passage 683. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second nozzle 42 is located above the output gear 11f in both the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. The second nozzle 42 has a main body 421, a flange 422, and an insertion portion 423. The insertion portion 423 is inserted into the opening of the second branch passage 683.

[0095] The main body 421 and the insertion portion 423 are continuous in the left-right direction. The main body 421 and the insertion portion 423 have a circular cross section, and an oil flow path 424 is formed therein. The oil flow path 424 extends leftward from the base end of the second nozzle 42. The oil flow path 424 is coaxial with the second branch passage 683. The oil flow path 424 opens only at the right end of the insertion portion 423.

[0096] A nozzle hole 425 is connected to the tip end of the oil flow path 424, i.e., the left end of the oil flow path 424. As shown in FIG. 7 or 9, the nozzle hole 425 intersects with the oil flow path 424. More specifically, the nozzle hole 425 is perpendicular to the oil flow path 424. Note that the nozzle hole 425 and the oil flow path 743 do not have to be perpendicular to each other. The nozzle hole 425 opens to the outer peripheral surface of the main body 421. The nozzle hole 425 is tilted rearward by an angle θ with respect to the downward vertical direction, with respect to the circumferential direction centered on the axis of the second branch passage 683. An extension line of the axis of the nozzle hole 425 intersects near the meshing point between the output gear 11f of the motor shaft 11c and the first gear 12a of the reducer 12. The second nozzle 42 injects oil toward the meshing point, thereby effectively supplying oil to the reducer 12.

[0097] The nozzle hole 425 of the second nozzle 42 has a directionality relative to the circumferential direction centered on the axis of the second branch passage 683. When the drive device P is manufactured, the second nozzle 42 is attached to the second branch passage 683 so that it is oriented in a predetermined direction.

[0098] 7, flange 422 is shaped like an eight when viewed from the front. Flange 422 is made up of a joint portion 426 and a fastening portion 427. Joint portion 426 is welded to main body 421, and fastening portion 427 is radially offset from joint portion 426 and has a hole through which bolt 43 passes.

[0099] An eight-shaped boss 114 is formed at the opening of the second branch passage 683 of the first housing 110. The lower diagram 901 in Figure 9 shows the boss 114 when viewed from left to right. The boss 114 is formed with an opening of the second branch passage 683 and a bolt hole 115 formed at a predetermined circumferential position around the axis of the second branch passage 683. The opening of the second branch passage 683 and the bolt hole 115 are misaligned in the radial direction with the opening of the second branch passage 683 as the center.

[0100] During manufacturing of the drive unit P, an operator inserts the insertion portion 423 into the opening of the second branch passage 683 in the boss 114, passes the bolt 43 through the hole in the fastening portion 427 of the flange 422, and fastens the bolt 43 into the bolt hole 115. In this manner, the second nozzle 42 is attached to the second branch passage 683. At this time, the fastening portion 427 of the flange 422 is positioned at a specific position in the circumferential direction about the axis of the second branch passage 683, so that the nozzle hole 425 of the second nozzle 42 is tilted rearward relative to the vertically downward direction. The flange 422 enables the nozzle hole 425 of the second nozzle 42 to be positioned in a specific direction.

[0101] By attaching a first nozzle 41 and a second nozzle 42 to the first branch passage 682 and the second branch passage 683 formed in the first housing 101, respectively, passages for supplying oil to the drive motor 11 and the reducer 12, respectively, can be easily created. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1 vehicle 11 Drive motor 11a rotor 11c Motor shaft 11g magnet 12 Reducer 13 Generator 100 Housing 111 Partition wall 114 Boss 41 No. 1 nozzle 412 Threaded joint 42 Second nozzle 422 flange 427 Fastening part 51 Oil pump 52 Oil cooler 6 Oil passage 68 Supply passage 68a Cast-out hole 68b Machining hole 682 First Branch Passage 683 Second Branch Passage P drive unit

Claims

1. a motor for driving a vehicle, the motor shaft extending in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; a reducer located to the side of the motor in the first direction, connected to the motor shaft, and reducing the output of the motor; a housing that accommodates the motor and the reducer, the housing has a partition wall located between the motor and the reducer, Within the partition wall, a supply passage extending in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and configured to supply oil to the motor and the reducer; a first branch passage branching from the supply passage toward the motor; a second branch passage branching from the supply passage toward the reducer is formed, the first branch passage and the second branch passage are coaxial with each other, the supply passage extends in the vertical direction and is composed of a core hole portion formed during casting and a machined hole portion drilled at a tip of the core hole portion after casting, at least one of the first branch passage and the second branch passage is a cast hole formed during casting, The machined hole portion communicates with a cast hole that forms the first branch passage or the second branch passage.

2. 2. The vehicle drive system according to claim 1, a first nozzle attached to the first branch passage and configured to inject oil toward the motor; a second nozzle attached to the second branch passage and configured to inject oil toward the reducer.

3. 3. The vehicle drive system according to claim 2, the first nozzle injects oil in a direction along the axis of the first branch passage, A base end of the first nozzle is formed with a threaded portion that is threadably engaged with an opening of the first branch passage.

4. 4. The vehicle drive system according to claim 2, The first nozzle is positioned relative to a position of a magnet on a rotor of the motor and injects oil toward the rotor.

5. The vehicle drive device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, the reducer is a parallel shaft gear reducer that meshes with the motor shaft, the second nozzle injects oil toward a meshing portion between the motor shaft and the reducer in a direction intersecting the axis of the second branch passage, the second nozzle has a flange fixed to a boss formed on the partition wall, The flange is located at a specific position in the circumferential direction of the boss and has a fastening portion that is fastened to the boss.

6. 6. The vehicle drive system according to claim 5, the supply passage is located above the motor shaft; the reducer is positioned on the other side of the motor shaft in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the up-down direction, and is engaged with the motor shaft; The second nozzle injects oil in a direction inclined toward the second direction with respect to a vertically downward direction when viewed in a direction along the first direction.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Wheel drive unit

    JP2016176501A

  • In-wheel motor drive device

    JP2018157683A