Drive unit

Abstract

To simultaneously perform cooling of a stator, and cooling and lubrication of a bearing by a lubricating liquid flowing in a lubricating liquid flow passage with a simpler configuration.SOLUTION: A driving device includes a first shaft, a gear portion, a lubricating liquid flow passage, and a housing. A gear portion having a second shaft is connected to an axial one end portion of the first shaft. A side plate portion of the housing defines a motor cylinder portion surrounding a motor housing portion housing a rotor and a stator, and a gear cylinder portion surrounding a gear housing portion housing the gear portion. First and second bearing holding portions disposed on the side plate portion rotatably support the first and second shafts through first and second bearings, respectively. A lubricating liquid supply portion disposed at a radial outer part with respect to the stator and supplying a lubricating liquid to the stator, has the lubricating liquid flow passage in which the lubricating liquid can be circulated. The lubricating liquid flow passage is connected to at least one of the first and second bearing holding portions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a motor drive device that supplies oil to a stator and a bearing to simultaneously cool both the stator and the bearing and lubricate the bearing (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-131175). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-131175 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned device, the bearings are lubricated by injecting oil from an oil passage formed by a tubular member onto the bearings. This makes the oil supply path for cooling the stator and lubricating the bearings complicated. Furthermore, the distance between the oil passage and the bearings is long, which may result in insufficient lubrication of the bearings.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a simpler configuration in which the lubricating liquid flowing through the lubricating liquid flow path can cool the stator and cool and lubricate the bearings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An exemplary drive device of the present invention includes a first shaft, a rotor, a stator, a gear unit, a lubricating liquid supply unit, and a housing. The first shaft extends along a first rotation axis extending in the axial direction and is rotatable about the first rotation axis. The rotor is supported by the first shaft and is rotatable together with the first shaft. The stator is disposed radially outward from the rotor. The gear unit is connected to one axial end of the first shaft. The lubricating liquid supply unit is disposed radially outward from the stator and supplies lubricating liquid to the stator. The housing accommodates the rotor, the stator, the lubricating liquid supply unit, and the gear unit. The gear unit has a second shaft extending along a second rotation axis extending in the axial direction. The housing includes a motor cylindrical portion, a gear cylindrical portion, a side plate portion, a motor accommodating portion, and a gear accommodating portion. The motor cylindrical portion extends in the axial direction. The gear cylinder portion is positioned axially to one side of the motor cylinder portion and extends in the axial direction. The side plate portion expands in a direction intersecting the axial direction to separate the motor cylinder portion from the gear cylinder portion. The motor accommodating portion is surrounded by the motor cylinder portion and the side plate portion and accommodates the rotor and the stator. The gear accommodating portion is surrounded by the gear cylinder portion and the side plate portion and accommodates the gear portion. The side plate portion has a first bearing retaining portion and a second bearing retaining portion. The first bearing retaining portion rotatably supports the first shaft via a first bearing. The second bearing retaining portion rotatably supports the second shaft via a second bearing. The lubricating liquid supply portion has a lubricating liquid flow path through which the lubricating liquid can flow. The lubricating liquid flow path is connected to at least one of the first bearing retaining portion and the second bearing retaining portion. The side plate portion further has a hole portion disposed inside the side plate portion. The hole portion includes a first communication passage, a second communication passage, and a third communication passage. The first communication passage is a space extending in one axial direction from the other axial end face of the side plate portion and is connected to the lubricating liquid flow path. The second communication passage is a space extending in the other axial direction from the one axial end face of the side plate portion and is connected to the second bearing holder.The third communication passage is a space extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction and connects one axial end of the first communication passage to the other axial end of the second communication passage. In the axial direction, a position where the third communication passage is disposed is different from a position where the second bearing is disposed.

[0007] Another exemplary drive device of the present invention includes a first shaft, a rotor, a stator, a gear unit, a lubricant supply unit, and a housing. The first shaft extends along a first rotation axis extending in the axial direction and is rotatable about the first rotation axis. The rotor is supported by the first shaft and is rotatable together with the first shaft. The stator is disposed radially outward from the rotor. The gear unit is connected to one axial end of the first shaft. The lubricant supply unit is disposed radially outward from the stator and supplies lubricant to the stator. The housing accommodates the rotor, the stator, the lubricant supply unit, and the gear unit. The gear unit has a second shaft extending along a second rotation axis extending in the axial direction. The housing includes a motor cylindrical portion, a gear cylindrical portion, a side plate portion, a motor accommodating portion, and a gear accommodating portion. The motor cylindrical portion extends in the axial direction. The gear cylinder portion is positioned axially to one side of the motor cylinder portion and extends in the axial direction. The side plate portion expands in a direction intersecting the axial direction to separate the motor cylinder portion from the gear cylinder portion. The motor accommodating portion is surrounded by the motor cylinder portion and the side plate portion and accommodates the rotor and the stator. The gear accommodating portion is surrounded by the gear cylinder portion and the side plate portion and accommodates the gear portion. The side plate portion has a first bearing retaining portion and a second bearing retaining portion. The first bearing retaining portion rotatably supports the first shaft via a first bearing. The second bearing retaining portion rotatably supports the second shaft via a second bearing. The lubricating liquid supply portion has a lubricating liquid flow path through which the lubricating liquid can flow. The lubricating liquid flow path is connected to at least one of the first bearing retaining portion and the second bearing retaining portion. The side plate portion further has a hole portion disposed inside the side plate portion. The hole portion includes a first communication passage, a second communication passage, and a third communication passage. The first communication passage is a space extending in one axial direction from the other axial end face of the side plate portion and is connected to the lubricating liquid flow path. The second communication passage is a space extending in the other axial direction from the one axial end face of the side plate portion and is connected to the second bearing holder.The third communication passage is a space extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction and connects one axial end of the first communication passage and the other axial end of the second communication passage. The second bearing is disposed on one axial side of the second communication passage. One axial end of the second communication passage opens toward the other axial end of the second bearing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the exemplary drive device of the present invention, the lubricating liquid flowing through the lubricating liquid passage can cool the stator and cool and lubricate the bearings with a simpler configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the drive device as viewed from the Z-axis direction. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the drive device as viewed from the X-axis direction. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the drive device as viewed from the Y-axis direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drive unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vehicle having a drive device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the housing. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an oil supply unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the configuration of the oil supply portion. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the configuration of the oil supply portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the end portion of the oil supply unit on the +Y direction side as viewed from the X-axis direction. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the end portion of the oil supply unit on the +Y direction side, viewed from the +Y direction to the −Y direction. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing another example of the configuration of the hole. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a driving device according to a modified example, as viewed from the X-axis direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] In the following description, the direction of gravity is defined based on the positional relationship when the drive unit 1 is mounted on a vehicle 200 positioned on a horizontal road surface. The drawings also appropriately illustrate an XYZ coordinate system as a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. In the XYZ coordinate system, the Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction (i.e., the up-down direction). The +Z direction is upward (vertically upward, facing the opposite direction to the direction of gravity), and the -Z direction is downward (vertically downward, facing the same direction as the direction of gravity). Note that the "Z-axis direction" in the following description is an example of the "second direction" of the present invention. For each component, the upper end is referred to as the "upper end," and the position of the upper end in the axial direction is referred to as the "upper end." Furthermore, the lower end is referred to as the "lower end," and the position of the lower end in the axial direction is referred to as the "lower end." Furthermore, for the surface of each component, the surface facing upward is referred to as the "upper surface," and the surface facing downward is referred to as the "lower surface."

[0012] The X-axis direction is perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and indicates the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 200 on which the drive unit 1 is mounted. Note that the "X-axis direction" in the following description is an example of the "first direction" of the present invention. The +X direction is the front of the vehicle 200, and the -X direction is the rear of the vehicle 200. However, it is also possible that the +X direction is the rear of the vehicle 200 and the -X direction is the front of the vehicle 200.

[0013] The Y-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and indicates the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle 200. The +Y direction is the left side of the vehicle 200, and the -Y direction is the right side of the vehicle 200. However, if the +X direction is the rear of the vehicle 200, the +Y direction may be the right side of the vehicle 200 and the -Y direction may be the left side of the vehicle 200. In other words, regardless of the X-axis direction, the +Y direction simply corresponds to one side of the left-right direction of the vehicle 200, and the -Y direction corresponds to the other side of the left-right direction of the vehicle 200. Furthermore, depending on how the drive unit 1 is mounted on the vehicle 200, the X-axis direction may correspond to the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle 200, and the Y-axis direction may correspond to the fore-aft direction of the vehicle 200. In the following embodiment, the Y-axis direction is parallel to, for example, the rotation axis J2 of the motor unit 2. Note that the "Y-axis direction" in the following description is an example of the "axial direction" in the present invention. Moreover, the "+Y direction" is an example of the "one axial direction" in the present invention, and the "-Y direction" is an example of the "other axial direction" in the present invention.

[0014] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction parallel to a predetermined axis, such as the rotation axis J2 of the motor unit 2 (Y-axis direction), may be simply referred to as the "axial direction." Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the predetermined axis is simply referred to as the "radial direction," and the circumferential direction centered on the predetermined axis is referred to as the "circumferential direction." Within the radial direction, the direction approaching the axis is referred to as the "radially inner direction," and the direction away from the axis is referred to as the "radially outer direction." The radially inner end of each component is referred to as the "radially inner end." Furthermore, the outer end is referred to as the "radially outer end." Furthermore, among the side surfaces of each component, the side surface facing radially inward is referred to as the "radially inner surface," and the side surface facing radially outward is referred to as the "radially outer surface."

[0015] In this specification, the term "annular" refers not only to a shape that is continuous and uninterrupted throughout the entire circumferential direction about the central axis CA, but also to a shape that has one or more interruptions in a portion of the entire area about the central axis CA. It also refers to a shape that describes a closed curve on a curved surface that intersects with the central axis CA.

[0016] Furthermore, in the positional relationship between one of a direction, a line, and a plane and another, "parallel" includes not only a state in which they do not intersect at all no matter how far they are extended, but also a state in which they are substantially parallel. Furthermore, "perpendicular" and "orthogonal" each include not only a state in which they intersect at 90 degrees, but also a state in which they are substantially perpendicular and a state in which they are substantially orthogonal. In other words, "parallel," "perpendicular," and "orthogonal" each include a state in which there is an angular deviation in the positional relationship between the two to an extent that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention.

[0017] It should be noted that these are names used merely for the purpose of explanation and are not intended to limit the actual positional relationships, directions, names, etc.

[0018] <1. Drive unit 1> A drive unit 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 3 are conceptual diagrams of the drive unit 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the drive unit 1 as viewed from the Z-axis direction. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the drive unit 1 as viewed from the X-axis direction. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the drive unit 1 as viewed from the Y-axis direction. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the drive unit 1. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vehicle 200 having the drive unit 1. Note that Figs. 1 to 5 are merely conceptual diagrams, and the arrangement and dimensions of each part may not be the same as those of the actual drive unit 1.

[0019] The drive unit 1 is mounted on a vehicle 200 that uses at least a motor as a power source, such as a hybrid vehicle (HV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), or an electric vehicle (EV) (see FIG. 5). The drive unit 1 is used as a power source for the vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 has the drive unit 1 and a battery 150. The battery 150 stores power to be supplied to the drive unit 1. In the example of the vehicle 200, the drive unit 1 drives the left and right front wheels. Note that the drive unit 1 only needs to drive at least one of the wheels.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the drive device 1 includes a motor unit 2. The motor unit 2 has an output shaft 20, a rotor 21, and a stator 25. In other words, the drive device 1 includes the output shaft 20, the rotor 21, and the stator 25. The output shaft 20 extends along a rotation axis J2 that extends in the Y-axis direction and is rotatable about the rotation axis J2. The output shaft 20 is an example of a "first shaft" in the present invention, and the rotation axis J2 is an example of a "first rotation axis" in the present invention. The rotor 21 is supported by the output shaft 20 and is rotatable together with the output shaft 20. The stator 25 is disposed radially outward of the rotor 21.

[0021] The drive device 1 also includes a gear unit 3, an oil supply unit 558, and a housing 5. The gear unit 3 is connected to an end of the motor shaft 22 in the +Y direction. The oil supply unit 558 is disposed radially outward of the stator 25 and supplies oil CL to the stator 25. The oil supply unit 558 is an example of a "lubricating liquid supply unit" in the present invention, and the oil CL is an example of a "lubricating liquid" in the present invention. The housing 5 accommodates the rotor 21, the stator 25, the oil supply unit 558, and the gear unit 3.

[0022] The drive unit 1 also includes a pump 4 and an oil cooler 8. The pump 4 supplies the oil CL housed in the housing 5 to the motor unit 2. As described above, the drive unit 1 includes the pump 4. The oil cooler 8 cools the oil CL. In this embodiment, the oil cooler 8 cools the oil CL supplied from the pump 4 to the motor unit 2.

[0023] The driving device 1 further includes an inverter unit 7. The inverter unit 7 supplies driving power to the motor section 2.

[0024] An accommodating space is provided inside the housing 5 to accommodate the motor section 2, the gear section 3, the pump 4, and the inverter unit 7. As will be described later, this accommodating space is partitioned into a motor accommodating section 61 that accommodates the motor section 2, a gear accommodating section 62 that accommodates the gear section 3, an inverter accommodating section 63 that accommodates the inverter unit 7, and a pump accommodating section 64 that accommodates the pump 4. The inverter unit 7 is fixed integrally to a fourth housing member 54 that will be described later.

[0025] <1-1. Motor section 2> The motor section 2 is accommodated in the motor accommodating section 61 of the housing 5. As described above, the motor section 2 has the output shaft 20, the rotor 21, and the stator 25.

[0026] <1-1-1. Output shaft 20> The output shaft 20 is cylindrical and extends in the Y-axis direction. The output shaft 20 includes a motor shaft 22 and a transmission shaft 310. The motor shaft 22 and the transmission shaft 310 extend along the rotation axis J2. The hollow transmission shaft 310, which will be described later, is inserted into and connected to the end of the motor shaft 22 on the +Y direction side. In this embodiment, the two are spline-fitted. Alternatively, the two may be joined by a fixing method such as welding. Details of the transmission shaft 310 will be described later.

[0027] The motor shaft 22 is rotatably supported by a first motor bearing 281 and a second motor bearing 282. The first motor bearing 281 is, for example, a ball bearing, and is held by a third housing member 53 (described later) of the housing 5. The second motor bearing 282 is, for example, a ball bearing, and is held by a side plate portion 512 (described later) of the housing 5.

[0028] The motor shaft 22 is a cylindrical hollow shaft. The motor shaft 22 has a hollow portion 220 and a shaft tube portion 221 extending in the Y-axis direction. The hollow portion 220 is surrounded by the inner surface of the shaft tube portion 221 and is connected to a third supply path 557 (described later). More specifically, the hollow portion 220 communicates with a first motor bearing holder 531 (described later) that houses a first motor bearing 281 at the end of the shaft tube portion 221 on the -Y direction side, and is connected to the third supply path 557. The hollow portion 220 communicates with a hollow portion 3101 (described later) of the transmission shaft 310 at the end of the shaft tube portion 221 on the +Y direction side. The motor shaft 22 further has a shaft hole 222. The shaft hole 222 penetrates the shaft tube portion 221 in the radial direction.

[0029] <1-1-2. Rotor 21> The rotor 21 rotates about a rotation axis J2 extending in the horizontal direction when power is supplied from a battery (not shown) to the stator 25. In addition to the motor shaft 22, the rotor 21 further includes a rotor core 23 and a rotor magnet 24.

[0030] The rotor core 23 is a cylindrical body extending along the Y-axis direction. The rotor core 23 is fixed to the radially outer surface of the motor shaft 22. As described above, the rotor 21 has the rotor core 23. In addition, a plurality of rotor magnets 24 are fixed to the rotor core 23. The plurality of rotor magnets 24 are arranged along the circumferential direction with their magnetic poles alternating.

[0031] The rotor core 23 has a rotor through hole 230. The rotor through hole 230 penetrates the rotor core 23 in the Y-axis direction and is connected to the shaft hole portion 222. The rotor through hole 230 is connected to the third supply passage 557 via the hollow portion 220. More specifically, the rotor core 23 has a rotor communication portion 231. The rotor communication portion 231 is a space that penetrates from the radial inner surface of the rotor core 23 to the rotor through hole 230 and connects the rotor through hole 230 and the shaft hole portion 222. The rotor through hole 230 is used as a flow path for oil CL that cools the rotor 21 from the inside. The oil CL flowing through the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 can flow into the rotor through hole 230 via the shaft hole portion 222 and the rotor communication portion 231, as described below. In this way, when the rotor 21 rotates, the oil CL flows out from the axial end of the rotor through hole 230. This oil CL is supplied to the axial end portions of the stator 25 by centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor 21, and is particularly supplied to the coil ends 271 (described below) that are arranged at the axial end portions of the stator 25. This oil CL can cool the axial end portions of the stator 25, and in particular the coil ends 271 of the stator 25.

[0032] <1-1-3. Stator 25> The stator 25 surrounds the rotor 21 from the radially outer side and drives the rotor 21 to rotate. As described above, the stator 25 is disposed radially outward of the rotor 21. That is, the motor section 2 is an inner rotor type motor in which the rotor 21 is rotatably disposed inside the stator 25. The stator 25 has a stator core 26, a coil 27, and an insulator (not shown) interposed between the stator core 26 and the coil 27. The stator 25 is held in the housing 5. The stator core 26 has a plurality of magnetic pole teeth (not shown) extending radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the annular yoke.

[0033] A coil wire is wound between the magnetic pole teeth. The coil wire wound around the magnetic pole teeth constitutes the coil 27. The coil wire is connected to the inverter unit 7 via a bus bar (not shown). The coil 27 has a coil end 271 that protrudes from the axial end face of the stator core 26. The coil end 271 protrudes in the axial direction beyond the end of the rotor core 23 of the rotor 21.

[0034] <1-2. Gear part 3> Next, the gear unit 3 transmits the driving force of the motor unit 2 to a drive shaft Ds that drives the wheels of the vehicle 200. Details of the gear unit 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1 etc., the gear unit 3 is housed in a gear housing portion 62 of the housing 5. The gear unit 3 has a reduction gear 31 and a differential gear 32.

[0035] <1-2-1. Reduction device 31> The reduction gear 31 is connected to the motor shaft 22. The reduction gear 31 reduces the rotational speed of the motor unit 2, increases the torque output from the motor unit 2 in accordance with the reduction ratio, and transmits the increased torque to the differential gear 32.

[0036] The reduction gear 31 includes a transmission shaft 310, a first gear (intermediate drive gear) 311, a second gear (intermediate gear) 312, a third gear (primary drive gear) 313, and an intermediate shaft 314. In other words, the gear unit 3 includes the first gear 311 fixed to the radially outer surface of the output shaft 20, and the second gear 312 and third gear 313 fixed to the radially outer surfaces of the intermediate shaft 314. The gear unit 3 also includes the transmission shaft 310 and the intermediate shaft 314. Torque output from the motor unit 2 is transmitted to a fourth gear 321 of the differential device 32 via the motor shaft 22, the transmission shaft 310, the first gear 311, the second gear 312, the intermediate shaft 314, and the third gear 313. The gear ratio of each gear, the number of gears, and the like can be changed in various ways depending on the required reduction ratio. The reduction gear 31 is a parallel shaft gear type reducer in which the axes of the gears are arranged in parallel. The motor shaft 22 and the transmission shaft 310 are spline-fitted.

[0037] The transmission shaft 310 extends in the Y-axis direction around the rotation axis J2 and rotates together with the motor shaft 22 around the rotation axis J2. The motor shaft 22 is rotatably supported by a first gear bearing 341 and a second gear bearing 342. The first gear bearing 341 is, for example, a ball bearing, and is held by a side plate portion 512 of the housing 5, as described below. The second gear bearing 342 is, for example, a ball bearing, and is held by a second housing member 52, as described below.

[0038] The transmission shaft 310 is a cylindrical hollow shaft. The transmission shaft 310 has a hollow portion 3101 and a cylindrical transmission shaft cylindrical portion 3102 extending in the Y-axis direction. The hollow portion 3101 is surrounded by the inner surface of the transmission shaft cylindrical portion 3102, and is connected to a gear-side oil passage 525 (described later) at the end of the transmission shaft cylindrical portion 3102 on the +Y direction side. The end of the transmission shaft cylindrical portion 3102 on the -Y direction side is connected to the end of the motor shaft 22 on the +Y direction side. In addition, the end of the transmission shaft cylindrical portion 3102 on the +Y direction side is rotatably held by a second gear bearing holding portion 521 via a second gear bearing 342.

[0039] Note that, without being limited to the example of this embodiment, the transmission shaft 310 may be the same member as the motor shaft 22, that is, they may be integral. In other words, the motor shaft 22 may be a hollow shaft extending across the motor accommodating portion 61 and the gear accommodating portion 62 of the housing 5. In this case, the end of the motor shaft 22 on the +Y direction side protrudes toward the gear accommodating portion 62 and is rotatably supported by the second gear bearing 342. In addition, the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 communicates with a first motor bearing holder 531 that houses the first motor bearing 281 and a second gear bearing holder 521 that houses the second gear bearing 342.

[0040] The first gear 311 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the transmission shaft 310. The first gear 311 may be the same member as the transmission shaft 310, or may be a different member. When the first gear 311 and the transmission shaft 310 are different members, the first gear 311 and the transmission shaft 310 are firmly fixed together by shrink fitting or the like. The first gear 311 is rotatable together with the transmission shaft 310 about the rotation axis J2.

[0041] The intermediate shaft 314 extends along an intermediate axis J4 that extends in the Y-axis direction. The intermediate shaft 314 is an example of the "second shaft" in the present invention, and the intermediate shaft J4 is an example of the "second rotating shaft" in the present invention. The gear unit 3 has the intermediate shaft 314. The intermediate shaft 314 is rotatably supported by the housing 5 around the intermediate axis J4 that is parallel to the rotating axis J2. Both ends of the intermediate shaft 314 are rotatably supported by a third gear bearing 343 and a fourth gear bearing 344. The third gear bearing 343 is, for example, a ball bearing, and is held by the side plate portion 512 of the housing 5. The fourth gear bearing 344 is, for example, a ball bearing, and is held by the second housing member 52.

[0042] As described above, the second gear 312 and the third gear 313 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate shaft 314. The second gear 312 and the third gear 313 may each be the same member as the intermediate shaft 314, or may be a different member. If the second gear 312 and the intermediate shaft 314 are different members, they are firmly fixed to each other by shrink fitting or the like. If the third gear 313 and the intermediate shaft 314 are different members, they are firmly fixed to each other by shrink fitting or the like. The third gear 313 is disposed closer to the side plate portion 512 than the second gear 312 (i.e., in the -Y direction).

[0043] The second gear 312 and the third gear 313 are connected via an intermediate shaft 314. The second gear 312 and the third gear 313 are rotatable around an intermediate shaft J4. The second gear 312 meshes with the first gear 311. The third gear 313 meshes with a fourth gear 321 of the differential device 32.

[0044] The intermediate shaft J4 is disposed in the +Z direction relative to the rotation shaft J2 and the differential shaft J5 (described later) (see, for example, FIG. 2). Because the intermediate shaft J4 of the intermediate shaft 314 is disposed in the +Z direction relative to both the rotation shaft J2 of the output shaft 20 and the differential shaft J5 of the fourth gear 321, the distance between the output shaft 20 and the fourth gear 321 can be made shorter in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the gear accommodating portion 62 that accommodates the gear unit 3 can be made more compact in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the drive device 1 can be made smaller.

[0045] The torque of the transmission shaft 310 is transmitted from the first gear 311 to the second gear 312. Then, the torque transmitted to the second gear 312 is transmitted to the third gear 313 via the intermediate shaft 314. Furthermore, the torque transmitted to the third gear 313 is transmitted to the fourth gear 321 of the differential device 32. In this way, the reduction gear 31 transmits the torque output from the motor unit 2 to the differential device 32.

[0046] <1-2-2. Differential device 32> The differential device 32 is attached to the drive shaft Ds. The differential device 32 transmits the output torque of the motor unit 2 to the drive shaft Ds. The drive shafts Ds are attached to the left and right sides of the differential device 32. The drive shafts Ds extend along a differential axis J5 that extends in the Y-axis direction and are rotatable about the differential axis J5. The differential device 32 has a function of transmitting the same torque to the left and right drive shafts Ds while absorbing the speed difference between the left and right wheels (drive shafts Ds) when the vehicle 200 turns, for example. The differential device 32 has, for example, a fourth gear (ring gear) 321, a gear housing (not shown), a pair of pinion gears (not shown), a pinion shaft (not shown), and a pair of side gears (not shown).

[0047] The fourth gear 321 can rotate around a differential shaft J5 extending in the Y-axis direction. The differential shaft J5 is an example of a "third rotation shaft" in the present invention and is parallel to the rotation shaft J2. The gear unit 3 has a fourth gear 321. Torque output from the motor unit 2 is transmitted to the fourth gear 321 via the reduction gear 31. The differential gear 32 transmits the torque of the fourth gear 321 to the drive shaft Ds. The lower part of the fourth gear 321 (i.e., the portion on the -Z direction side) is immersed in an oil reservoir P at the bottom of the gear accommodating portion 62. For example, when the fourth gear 321 of the differential gear 32 rotates, oil CL is scooped up by the tooth surface of the fourth gear 321. Some of the oil is supplied to the inside of the gear accommodating portion 62 and used to lubricate the gears and bearings of the reduction gear 31 and the differential gear 32 within the gear accommodating portion 62. In addition, another portion of the oil CL that has been scooped up is collected in the receiving tray portion 524 described later, and then supplied to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 through the gear side oil passage 525 described later and the hollow portion 3101 of the transmission shaft 310, and is used to cool the stator 25.

[0048] <1-3. Pump 4 and oil cooler 8> Next, the pump 4 is an electrically driven pump, and is connected to the inverter unit 7 via a harness cable (not shown). That is, the pump 4 is driven by the inverter unit 7. A trochoidal pump, a centrifugal pump, or the like can be used as the pump 4. The pump 4 is provided in a pump accommodating portion 64 formed in the housing 5. For example, the pump 4 is fixed to the housing 5 with bolts (not shown).

[0049] The suction port 41 of the pump 4 is inserted into the first oil passage 551 so as to block the first oil passage 551, which will be described later. The suction port 41 of the pump 4 is connected to the strainer 42 via the first oil passage 551, which will be described later. The strainer 42 is disposed in the gear accommodating portion 62 of the housing 5. The strainer 42 is disposed in an oil reservoir P (see FIG. 2, etc.), which will be described later, in the gear accommodating portion 62. The strainer 42 draws oil CL from an inlet (not shown) disposed on its underside when the pump 4 is driven, and supplies the oil to the suction port 41 of the pump 4. A filtering structure (not shown), such as a filter, is attached to the strainer 42. The attachment of the filtering structure can prevent foreign matter from entering the pump 4 and the motor section 2.

[0050] The discharge port 43 of the pump 4 opens into the pump housing portion 64. That is, the oil CL ejected from the pump 4 fills the pump housing portion 64. A second oil passage 552, which will be described later, is connected to the pump housing portion 64. The pump 4 discharges the oil CL sucked from the suction port 41 from the discharge port 43 and sends it to the oil cooler 8 via the second oil passage 552.

[0051] The oil cooler 8 exchanges heat between the oil CL delivered from the pump 4 via the second oil passage 552 and the refrigerant RE supplied via a system separate from the motor-side oil passage 55, which includes the second oil passage 552 and will be described later. In this way, the oil cooler 8 cools the oil CL delivered from the pump 4. The oil CL cooled by the oil cooler 8 is supplied to the motor section 2 via a third oil passage 553 and a fourth oil passage 554, which will be described later. The refrigerant RE is supplied to the oil cooler 8 after cooling IGBTs, SIC elements, and the like (not shown) of the inverter unit 7.

[0052] The pump accommodating section 64 is formed in the peripheral wall section 5142 that surrounds the inverter accommodating section 63 (see, for example, FIG. 3). For example, the pump accommodating section 64 can be arranged by utilizing dead space in the inverter accommodating section 63 other than the space occupied by the inverter unit 7. This allows the pump 4 to be arranged compactly, which contributes to the miniaturization of the drive device 1.

[0053] <1-4. Housing 5> Next, the configuration of the housing 5 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 and 6. Figure 6 is an exploded view of the housing 5. As shown in Figure 6, the housing 5 has a first housing member 51, a second housing member 52, and a third housing member 53.

[0054] The first housing member 51 has a cylindrical motor cylinder portion 511 that surrounds the stator 25, a side plate portion 512, and a gear cylinder portion 513. That is, the housing 5 has the motor cylinder portion 511, the side plate portion 512, and the gear cylinder portion 513. The motor cylinder portion 511 extends in the Y-axis direction. The gear cylinder portion 513 is positioned in the +Y direction relative to the motor cylinder portion 111 and extends in the Y-axis direction. The side plate portion 512 extends in a direction intersecting the Y-axis direction to separate the motor cylinder portion 511 and the gear cylinder portion 513. The side plate portion 512 covers the end of the motor cylinder portion 511 on the +Y direction side and also covers the end of the motor cylinder portion 511 on the -Y direction side. In this embodiment, the motor cylinder portion 511, the side plate portion 512, and the gear cylinder portion 513 are integral with each other. However, without being limited to this example, some of the motor cylinder portion 511, the side plate portion 512, and the gear cylinder portion 513 may be separate members from the other portions.

[0055] The side plate portion 512 has a second motor bearing retaining portion 516, a first gear bearing retaining portion 517, and a third gear bearing retaining portion 518. The second motor bearing retaining portion 516 and the first gear bearing retaining portion 517 are examples of the "first bearing retaining portion" in the present invention. The third gear bearing retaining portion 518 is an example of the "second bearing retaining portion" in the present invention. The second motor bearing retaining portion 516 and the first gear bearing retaining portion 517 rotatably support the output shaft 20 via the second motor bearing 282 and the first gear bearing 341. The second motor bearing 282 and the first gear bearing 341 are an example of the "first bearing" in the present invention. More specifically, the second motor bearing retaining portion 516 rotatably supports the motor shaft 22 via the second motor bearing 282. The first gear bearing retaining portion 517 rotatably supports the transmission shaft 310 via the first gear bearing 341. Furthermore, the third gear bearing holding portion 518 rotatably supports the intermediate shaft 314 via the third gear bearing 343. The third gear bearing 343 is an example of the "second bearing" in the present invention.

[0056] Moreover, the side plate portion 512 further has a hole portion 5121 (see, for example, FIG. 2). The hole portion 5121 penetrates the side plate portion 512 in the Y-axis direction and is connected to the third gear bearing holding portion 518. In detail, the hole portion 5121 is a space disposed inside the side plate portion 512, and communicates from the end face on the -Y direction side of the side plate portion 512 to the end face on the +Y direction side. In this embodiment, the hole portion 5121 extends in the Y-axis direction.

[0057] The second housing member 52 is attached to the end of the gear cylinder portion 513 on the +Y direction side. The second housing member 52 closes and blocks the end of the gear cylinder portion 513 on the +Y direction side. The second housing member 52, the side plate portion 512, and the gear cylinder portion 513 form a gear accommodating portion 62, which will be described later.

[0058] The third housing member 53 is attached to the end portion on the -Y direction side of the motor cylindrical portion 511. The third housing member 53 closes and blocks the end portion on the -Y direction side of the motor cylindrical portion 511. The third housing member 53, the motor cylindrical portion 511, and the side plate portion 512 form a motor accommodating portion 61, which will be described later.

[0059] The contact portion 530 where the third housing member 53 comes into contact with the motor cylindrical portion 511 is annular when viewed from the Y-axis direction as shown in Fig. 3. The housing 5 has a continuous contact portion 530 where the motor cylindrical portion 511 and the third housing member 53 come into contact. The third housing member 53 has a first motor bearing 281 that rotatably supports the shaft cylindrical portion 221. The third housing member 53 also has a first motor bearing holder 531 that holds the first motor bearing 281. The first motor bearing holder 531 rotatably supports the end of the motor shaft 22 on the -Y direction side via the first motor bearing 281.

[0060] The housing 5 further includes a fourth housing member 54. The fourth housing member 54 is disposed in the +Z direction further from the motor cylindrical portion 511. The fourth housing member 54 is attached to an upper portion of the first housing member 51.

[0061] The housing 5 further includes a motor accommodating portion 61 and a gear accommodating portion 62. The motor accommodating portion 61 is surrounded by the motor cylindrical portion 511 and the side plate portion 512 and accommodates the rotor 21 and the stator 25. The gear accommodating portion 62 is surrounded by the gear cylindrical portion 513 and the side plate portion 512 and accommodates the gear portion 3. In detail, the motor accommodating portion 61 is a space surrounded by the motor cylindrical portion 511, the side plate portion 512, and the third housing member 53. The gear accommodating portion 62 is a space surrounded by the side plate portion 512, the gear cylindrical portion 513, and the second housing member 52. An oil reservoir P in which oil CL accumulates is located vertically below the gear accommodating portion 62. The motor accommodating portion 61 and the gear accommodating portion 62 are partitioned by the side plate portion 512.

[0062] The housing 5 further has an inverter accommodating portion 63 that accommodates the inverter unit 7. The inverter accommodating portion 63 is a space surrounded by the motor cylindrical portion 511, a plate portion 5141 (described later), and a peripheral wall portion 5142 (described later). The inverter accommodating portion 63 opens in the +Z direction. This opening is covered by the fourth housing member 54. The inverter unit 7 is fixed integrally to the fourth housing member 54. That is, by fixing the inverter unit 7 integrally to the lower side of the fourth housing member 54, the inverter unit 7 is fixed facing downward in the inverter accommodating portion 63. The fourth housing member 54 may be provided with an inverter cooling passage (not shown).

[0063] The housing 5 also has a pump accommodating portion 64. The pump accommodating portion 64 accommodates the pump 4. The pump accommodating portion 64 is formed in the first housing member 51. That is, the first housing member 51 further has the pump accommodating portion 64.

[0064] Next, the first housing member 51 further has a plate portion 5141 and a peripheral wall portion 5142. That is, the housing 5 has the plate portion 5141 and the peripheral wall portion 5142. The plate portion 5141 extends from the motor cylindrical portion 511 in the X-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. The peripheral wall portion 5142 surrounds the inverter accommodating portion 63 when viewed from the Z-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the Y-axis and X-axis directions. More specifically, the plate portion 5141 extends in the -X direction from the outer surface of the motor cylindrical portion 511. The peripheral wall portion 5142 protrudes in the +Z direction from the upper end of the motor cylindrical portion 511 and the plate portion 5141, and surrounds the inverter accommodating portion 63 when viewed vertically (see FIG. 1).

[0065] The first housing member 51 further has an insertion hole 5120, a first drive shaft passage hole 515, a second motor bearing holding portion 516, a first gear bearing holding portion 517, a third gear bearing holding portion 518, and a side plate opening 519.

[0066] The insertion hole 5120 and the first drive shaft passing hole 515 are arranged in the side plate portion 512 and pass through the side plate portion 512 in the Y-axis direction. The center of the insertion hole 5120 coincides with the rotation axis J2. A second motor bearing holder 516 is arranged on the -Y direction side of the insertion hole 5120. A first gear bearing holder 517 is arranged on the +Y direction side of the insertion hole 5120. The second motor bearing holder 516 and the first gear bearing holder 517 are connected via the insertion hole 5120.

[0067] The drive shaft Ds rotatably passes through the first drive shaft passing hole 515. A second drive shaft passing hole 523 is disposed in the second housing member 52. The second drive shaft passing hole 523 is a hole that passes through the second housing member 52 in the Y-axis direction. The drive shaft Ds rotatably passes through the second drive shaft passing hole 523. The second drive shaft passing hole 523 overlaps with the first drive shaft passing hole 515 when viewed from the Y-axis direction. This allows the drive shafts Ds, which are disposed at both ends of the differential device 32 in the Y-axis direction, to rotate around the differential axis J5. Oil seals (not shown) are provided between the drive shaft Ds and the first drive shaft passing hole 515 and between the drive shaft Ds and the second drive shaft passing hole 523 to prevent leakage of oil CL. An axle (not shown) that rotates the wheels is connected to the end of the drive shaft Ds.

[0068] The second motor bearing holder 516 extends in the -Y direction from the edge of the insertion hole 5120. The outer ring of the second motor bearing 282 is fixed to the second motor bearing holder 516. The end of the motor shaft 22 on the +Y direction side is fixed to the inner ring of the second motor bearing 282. The first motor bearing holder 531 is disposed on the +Y direction side of the third housing member 53. The central axes of the first motor bearing holder 531 and the second motor bearing holder 516 each coincide with the rotation axis J2. The outer ring of the first motor bearing 281 is fixed to the first motor bearing holder 531. The end of the motor shaft 22 on the -Y direction side is fixed to the inner ring of the first motor bearing 281. As a result, both ends of the rotor 21 in the Y axis direction of the motor unit 2 are rotatably supported by the housing 5 via the first motor bearing 281 and the second motor bearing 282.

[0069] The first gear bearing retaining portion 517 extends in the +Y direction from the edge of the insertion hole 5120. The outer ring of the first gear bearing 341 is fixed to the first gear bearing retaining portion 517. The end of the transmission shaft 310 on the -Y direction side is fixed to the inner ring of the first gear bearing 341. The second gear bearing retaining portion 521 is disposed on the -Y direction side of the second housing member 52. The central axes of the second gear bearing retaining portion 521 and the first gear bearing retaining portion 517 coincide with the rotation axis J2. The outer ring of the second gear bearing 342 is fixed to the second gear bearing retaining portion 521. The transmission shaft 310 is fixed to the inner ring of the second gear bearing 342. As a result, the transmission shaft 310 is rotatably supported by the side plate portion 512 of the housing 5 and the second housing member 52 via the first gear bearing 341 and the second gear bearing 342.

[0070] Next, the third gear bearing retaining portion 518 is cylindrical and extends in the +Y direction from the side plate portion 512. The third gear bearing retaining portion 518 is disposed further in the -X direction and +Z direction than the first gear bearing retaining portion 517. The outer ring of the third gear bearing 343 is fixed to the third gear bearing retaining portion 518. The intermediate shaft 314 is fixed to the inner ring of the third gear bearing 343. The fourth gear bearing retaining portion 522 is disposed on the -Y direction side of the second housing member 52. The fourth gear bearing retaining portion 522 is cylindrical and extends in the -Y direction from the second housing member 52. The central axes of the third gear bearing retaining portion 518 and the fourth gear bearing retaining portion 522 coincide with the intermediate axis J4. The outer ring of the fourth gear bearing 344 is fixed to the fourth gear bearing retaining portion 522. Additionally, an end portion of the intermediate shaft 314 on the +Y direction side is fixed to the inner ring of the fourth gear bearing 344. As a result, the intermediate shaft 314 is rotatably supported by the side plate portion 512 of the housing 5 and the second housing member 52 via the third gear bearing 343 and the fourth gear bearing 344.

[0071] The side plate opening 519 is arranged in the side plate portion 512 that separates the motor accommodating portion 61 and the gear accommodating portion 62. The housing 5 includes the side plate opening 519. The side plate opening 519 penetrates the side plate portion 512 in the Y-axis direction and connects the motor accommodating portion 61 and the gear accommodating portion 62. The side plate opening 519, in particular, communicates the lower portion of the motor accommodating portion 61 with the lower portion of the gear accommodating portion 62. The side plate opening 519 allows the oil CL that has accumulated in the lower portion of the motor accommodating portion 61 to move to the gear accommodating portion 62. The oil CL that has moved to the gear accommodating portion 62 can flow into the oil reservoir P.

[0072] Next, the configuration of the second housing member 52 will be described. The second housing member 52 is attached to the +Y direction side of the gear cylinder portion 513 of the first housing member 51. The second housing member 52 has a concave shape that opens toward the side plate portion 512. As shown in FIG. 1 and other figures, the second housing member 52 has a second gear bearing holding portion 521, a fourth gear bearing holding portion 522, and a second drive shaft passing hole 523. Note that these have been described above and will not be described here.

[0073] The second housing member 52 has a receiving pan portion 524, a gear-side oil passage 525, and a gear-side restricting member 526. In other words, the housing 5 has the receiving pan portion 524, the gear-side oil passage 525, and the gear-side restricting member 526.

[0074] The receptacle portion 524 is disposed radially outward of the fourth gear 321 relative to the differential shaft J5, and opens in the +Z direction (i.e., vertically upward). The receptacle portion 524 stores the oil CL scooped up by the fourth gear 321. The receptacle portion 524 extends in the +Y direction from the side plate portion 512. An end of the receptacle portion 524 on the +Y direction side is connected to the inner surface of the second housing member 52 facing the -Y direction.

[0075] The gear-side oil passage 525 is formed inside the second housing member 52. The gear-side oil passage 525 is a flow path for the oil CL that connects the end of the receptacle portion 524 on the +Y direction side and the second gear bearing holder 521. One end of the gear-side oil passage 525 is connected to the end of the receptacle portion 524 on the +Y direction side and is connected to the receptacle portion 524. The other end of the gear-side oil passage 525 is connected to the second gear bearing holder 521. The oil CL stored in the receptacle portion 524 is supplied to the gear-side oil passage 525. As shown in FIG. 2 , a portion of the oil CL supplied to the gear-side oil passage 525 is supplied to the second gear bearing 342. In addition, another portion of the oil CL supplied to the gear-side oil passage 525 flows into the hollow portion 3101 from the end of the transmission shaft 310 on the +Y direction side, flows in the −Y direction, and flows into the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22.

[0076] The gear-side limiting member 526 limits the amount of oil CL supplied from the gear-side oil passage 525 to the second gear bearing 342. This limitation ensures that the oil CL is supplied from the gear-side oil passage 525 to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 through the hollow portion 3101 of the transmission shaft 310. The gear-side limiting member 526 has an annular portion (reference numeral omitted) that faces the second gear bearing 342 in the Y-axis direction, and a tubular portion (reference numeral omitted) that extends in the -Y direction from the radially inner end of the annular portion and is inserted into the interior of the transmission shaft 310. The annular portion has a through-hole (reference numeral omitted) that penetrates the annular portion in the Y-axis direction. The oil CL is supplied to the second gear bearing 342 through the through-hole and is also supplied to the interior of the transmission shaft 310 through the tubular portion.

[0077] <1-5. Motor side oil passage> 1 to 3, the housing 5 further has a motor-side oil passage 55 through which the oil CL flows. A portion of the motor-side oil passage 55 is disposed in the first housing member 51, and the remaining portion is disposed in the third housing member 53. The motor-side oil passage 55 is a flow path through which the oil CL, which has been sucked up by the pump 4 from the oil reservoir P in the gear accommodating portion 62 and cooled in the oil cooler 8, flows toward the motor portion 2.

[0078] The motor-side oil passage 55 includes a first oil passage 551, a second oil passage 552, a third oil passage 553, and a fourth oil passage 554. The first oil passage 551, the second oil passage 552, and the third oil passage 553 are formed in the first housing member 51.

[0079] As described above, the first oil passage 551 connects the gear accommodating portion 62 and the suction port 41 of the pump 4, and in particular connects the vertically lower portion of the gear accommodating portion 62 and the suction port 41 of the pump 4. In this embodiment, the first oil passage 551 is formed inside the side plate portion 512.

[0080] The oil CL discharged from the pump 4 flows through the second oil passage 552 and the third oil passage 553. As described above, the motor-side oil passage 55 has the second oil passage 552 and the third oil passage 553. The second oil passage 552 connects the discharge port 43 of the pump 4 to the oil cooler 8, and supplies the oil CL discharged from the pump 4 to the oil cooler 8. The third oil passage 553 is connected to the fourth oil passage 554 via a connecting flow passage 5531, which will be described later. The second oil passage 552 and the third oil passage 553 are arranged in either the plate portion 5141 or the peripheral wall portion 5142.

[0081] The fourth oil passage 554 connects the third oil passage 553 and the motor accommodating portion 61. The fourth oil passage 554 is disposed inside the third housing member 53. In other words, the fourth oil passage 554 is a through hole formed in the third housing member 53. In this way, the fourth oil passage 554 can be disposed without increasing the number of parts of the drive unit 1.

[0082] Moreover, the motor-side oil passage 55 further includes a connection passage 5531. The connection passage 5531 connects the second oil passage 552 and the third oil passage 553 to the fourth oil passage 554.

[0083] Next, fourth oil passage 554 has first supply passage 555, second supply passage 556, and third supply passage 557. First supply passage 555 is connected to third oil passage 553 via connecting passage 5531. Second supply passage 556 connects first supply passage 555 to oil supply section 558. Third supply passage 557 connects first supply passage 555 to hollow section 220 of motor shaft 22. In other words, one end of fourth oil passage 554 is first supply passage 555, and the other end of fourth oil passage 554 branches into second supply passage 556 and third supply passage 557.

[0084] In other words, the motor-side oil passage 55 has a first supply passage 555. The oil CL to be supplied to the motor section 2 flows through the first supply passage 555.

[0085] The motor-side oil passage 55 further includes a second supply passage 556 and a third supply passage 557. The second supply passage 556 is connected to an oil supply unit 558 and supplies a portion of the oil CL flowing through the first supply passage 555 to the outer surface of the stator 25. The third supply passage 557 supplies another portion of the oil CL flowing through the first supply passage 555 to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22. The third supply passage 557 also supplies the oil CL to the first motor bearing 281.

[0086] The first supply path 555, the second supply path 556, and the third supply path 557 are arranged in the third housing member 53. In this way, the first supply path 555, the second supply path 556, and the third supply path 557 can be arranged without increasing the number of parts of the drive device 1.

[0087] Furthermore, the second supply passage 556 and the third supply passage 557 extend in a direction intersecting the Y-axis direction, which makes it possible to suppress an increase in the size of the third housing member 53 in the Y-axis direction due to the arrangement of the second supply passage 556 and the third supply passage 557.

[0088] Preferably, the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​third supply path 557 is smaller than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​second supply path 556. In this way, oil CL flowing through first supply path 555 is more likely to flow to second supply path 556 than to third supply path 557. Therefore, even if the flow pressure of oil CL flowing through motor-side oil path 55 is not very strong, a sufficient amount of oil CL can be made to flow through second supply path 556 and supplied to the outer surface of stator 25.

[0089] Next, the third supply passage 557 is connected to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 via the first motor bearing retaining portion 531. As described above, the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 is connected to the rotor through-hole 230 of the rotor core 23. For example, the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22 is connected to the rotor through-hole 230 via the shaft hole portion 222 and the rotor communication portion 231 (see FIG. 5 ). In other words, the rotor through-hole 230 is connected to the third supply passage 557 via the first motor bearing retaining portion 531 and the hollow portion 220. Therefore, when the rotor 21 rotates, oil CL is supplied from the axial end of the rotor through-hole 230 to the axial end of the stator 25. Therefore, the oil CL supplied from the rotor through-hole 230 can cool the axial end of the stator 25, and in particular the coil ends 271 of the stator 25.

[0090] The oil CL that has cooled the motor unit 2 accumulates in the lower part of the motor accommodating portion 61 and then flows through the side plate opening 519 to the oil sump P in the lower part of the gear accommodating portion 62. In other words, the oil CL that is supplied from the second supply passage 556 via the oil supply portion 558 to the radially outer surface of the stator 25 and cools the stator 25 accumulates in the lower part of the motor accommodating portion 61 and then flows through the side plate opening 519 to the oil sump P in the lower part of the gear accommodating portion 62. In addition, the oil CL that is supplied from the third supply passage 557 via the rotor through-hole 230 to the coil end 271 and the like accumulates in the lower part of the motor accommodating portion 61 and then flows through the side plate opening 519 to the oil sump P in the lower part of the gear accommodating portion 62.

[0091] A supply limiting member 5571 that limits the amount of oil CL supplied to the hollow portion 220 is disposed in the third supply path 557 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In the first motor bearing holding portion 531, the supply limiting member 5571 is disposed at the end of the shaft cylindrical portion 221 on the −Y direction side. The drive device 1 is provided with the supply limiting member 5571.

[0092] In this embodiment, the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the supply limiting member 5571 is smaller than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second supply path 556. This makes it possible to adjust the flow pressure, amount, etc. of the oil CL supplied to the hollow portion 220 of the motor shaft 22.

[0093] <1-6. Oil supply unit 558> Next, the oil supply unit 558 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 9. The oil supply unit 558 is disposed radially outward of the stator 25 and in the +Z direction relative to the rotation axis J2. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the oil supply unit 558 according to this embodiment. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the configuration of the oil supply unit 558. FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the configuration of the oil supply unit 558. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the end of the oil supply unit 558 on the +Y direction side as viewed from the X-axis direction. FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the end of the oil supply unit 558 on the +Y direction side as viewed from the +Y direction to the -Y direction. Note that FIGS. 7A to 7C show the cross-sectional structure of the motor accommodating unit 61 when cut along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the Y-axis direction.

[0094] 7A, in this embodiment, oil supply unit 558 has a pipe shape extending in the Y-axis direction, and is housed in motor housing unit 61 together with motor unit 2. In this way, oil supply unit 558 can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0095] It should be noted that the oil supply unit 558 is not limited to the example of this embodiment, and may be a tray extending in the Y-axis direction and opening vertically upward (+Z direction in FIG. 7B) as shown in FIG. 7B. This tray is housed in the motor housing unit 61 together with the motor unit 2. In this way, the oil supply unit 558 can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0096] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7C , the oil supply portion 558 may be a part of the motor tubular portion 511. In this case, an oil flow path 5580, which will be described later, may be disposed in the motor tubular portion 511. For example, the oil flow path 5580 may be a through-hole formed inside the motor tubular portion 511 and extending in the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 7C ), or may be a groove formed on the inner surface of the motor tubular portion 511 and extending in the Y-axis direction. This makes it possible to eliminate or reduce the space occupied by the oil supply portion 558 within the motor accommodating portion 61. Therefore, the oil supply portion 558 can be realized with a simple configuration while saving space in the motor accommodating portion 61.

[0097] Next, the oil supply unit 558 has an oil flow path 5580 through which oil CL can flow. The oil flow path 5580 is an example of a "lubricant flow path" in the present invention. The -Y direction end of the oil flow path 5580 is connected to the second supply path 556. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the +Y direction end of the oil flow path 5580 is connected to the third gear bearing holder 518 and further to the insertion hole 5120 via the third gear bearing holder 518. In other words, the oil flow path 5580 is also connected to the second motor bearing holder 516 and the first gear bearing holder 517. Note that, without being limited to the example of the present embodiment, the oil flow path 5580 may be connected only to the third gear bearing holder 518, or may be directly connected to the second motor bearing holder 516 and the first gear bearing holder 517. In other words, the oil flow path 5580 only needs to be connected to the third gear bearing holder 518 and at least one of the second motor bearing holder 516 and the first gear bearing holder 517.

[0098] An oil flow path 5580, through which oil CL supplied to the stator 25 can flow, is connected to at least one of the third gear bearing holder 518 that holds the third gear bearing 343, the first gear bearing holder 517 that holds the first gear bearing 341, and the second motor bearing holder 516 that holds the second motor bearing 282. Therefore, a portion of the oil CL flowing through the oil flow path 5580 is supplied to the stator 25 and can cool the stator 25. Furthermore, another portion of this oil CL can cool and lubricate at least one of the third gear bearing 343, the first gear bearing 341, and the second motor bearing 282. Therefore, with a simpler configuration, the oil CL flowing through the oil flow path 5580 can both cool the stator 25 and cool and lubricate at least one of the above-mentioned bearings.

[0099] Preferably, the oil supply unit 558 includes a first oil supply unit 558a having a first oil flow path 5580a and a second oil supply unit 558b having a second oil flow path 5580b. The oil flow path 5580 includes a first oil flow path 5580a and a second oil flow path 5580b. The first oil flow path 5580a is positioned in the +Y direction relative to the second oil flow path 5580b and is positioned on the +Y direction side of the oil supply unit 558. An end of the second oil flow path 5580b on the -Y direction side is connected to the second supply path 556. An end of the second oil flow path 5580b on the +Y direction side is connected to the -Y direction side of the first oil flow path 5580a. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, an end of the first oil flow path 5580a on the +Y direction side is connected to the third gear bearing holder 518 and further connected to the insertion hole 5120 via the third gear bearing holder 518. The flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first oil flow path 5580a is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second oil flow path 5580b. By making the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first oil flow path 5580a, which is closer to the third gear bearing holder 518 than the second oil flow path 5580b, smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second oil flow path 5580b, it is possible to adjust the amount of oil CL supplied from the oil flow path 5580 to the third gear bearing holder 518. Therefore, the oil CL can be supplied from the oil flow path 5580 to the third gear bearing holder 518 while ensuring a sufficient amount of oil CL supplied from the oil flow path 5580 to the stator 25. Note that the above examples do not exclude a configuration in which the oil supply unit 558 does not have the first oil supply unit 558a and the second oil supply unit 558b, and particularly a configuration in which the oil flow path 5580 does not have the first oil flow path 5580a and the second oil flow path 5580b.

[0100] Moreover, the oil supply unit 558 further has a diffusion hole 5581. The diffusion hole 5581 is an example of the "first supply hole" of the present invention. The diffusion hole 5581 extends from the oil flow path 5580 and opens toward the stator 25. Specifically, the diffusion hole 5581 penetrates the oil supply unit 558 in the radial direction. The diffusion hole 5581 penetrates from the oil flow path 5580 to the outside of the oil supply unit 558 and opens toward the outer surface of the stator 25. This allows the oil CL flowing through the oil flow path 5580 to flow out from the diffusion hole 5581 toward the stator 25. Therefore, the stator 25 can be cooled more reliably by the oil CL.

[0101] The oil flow passage 5580 and the intermediate shaft J4 are disposed in the +Z direction relative to the rotation axis J2. When viewed from the Y-axis direction, the end of the oil flow passage 5580 on the +Y direction side overlaps with the third gear bearing holder 518. In this way, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the oil flow passage 5580 can be disposed at a position closer to the third gear bearing holder 518, which rotatably supports the intermediate shaft 314 along the intermediate shaft J4.

[0102] In the present embodiment, the oil supply unit 558 further includes a supply hole 5582. The supply hole 5582 is an example of the "second supply hole" of the present invention. The supply hole 5582 is disposed at the end of the oil supply unit 558 on the +Y direction side and penetrates the oil supply unit 558. In the present embodiment, the hole 5121 extends in the Y-axis direction, and the end of the oil supply unit 558 on the +Y direction side is inserted into the hole 5121 extending in the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 1 , etc.). The end of the oil supply unit 558 on the +Y direction side is disposed further in the +Y direction than the end of the supply hole 5582 on the +Y direction side. The oil flow path 5580 is connected to the third gear bearing holder 518 through the supply hole 5582. This allows the oil flow path 5580 to be connected to the third gear bearing holder 518 with a simple configuration.

[0103] However, without being limited to the above example, the end portion on the +Y side of the oil supply portion 558 may be at the same position in the Y axis direction as the end portion on the +Y side of the supply hole 5582 (i.e., flush with the same), or may be positioned in the -Y direction further than the end portion on the +Y side of the supply hole 5582.

[0104] Furthermore, hole 5121 does not have to be a through-hole extending in the Y-axis direction. Fig. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing another configuration example of hole 5121. For example, in Fig. 10, hole 5121 is disposed inside side plate portion 512. Hole 5121 includes a first communication passage 5122, a second communication passage 5123, and a third communication passage 5124. First communication passage 5122 is a space extending in the +Y direction from the end face on the -Y direction side of side plate portion 512, and is connected to oil flow path 5580. Second communication passage 5123 is a space extending in the -Y direction from the end face on the +Y direction side of side plate portion 512, and is connected to third gear bearing holder 518. Third communication passage 5124 is a space extending in a direction intersecting the Y-axis direction, and connects the +Y-direction side end of first communication passage 5122 and the -Y-direction side end of second communication passage 5123. In this way, even if the +Y-direction side end of oil flow path 5580 is separated from third gear bearing holder 518 in the direction intersecting the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the two can be connected via hole 5121. This configuration is particularly effective for a configuration in which oil flow path 5580 is directly connected to insertion hole 5120.

[0105] Preferably, the +Y direction side of oil supply portion 558 is fitted into hole portion 5121. That is, the +Y direction side of oil supply portion 558 is fitted into at least the −Y direction side of hole portion 5121. For example, in the case of FIG. 8, the +Y direction side end of oil supply portion 558 is inserted into hole portion 5121 and protrudes from hole portion 5121 in the +Y direction. Alternatively, the +Y direction side end of oil supply portion 558 may be located further in the −Y direction than the +Y direction side end of hole portion 5121. Furthermore, in the case of FIG. 10, the +Y direction side end of oil supply portion 558 is fitted into first communication passage 5122. At the fitted portion between the two, the radially outer surface of oil supply portion 558 contacts the inner surface of hole portion 5121. In this manner, the fitted portion between the two fixes the −Y direction side of oil supply portion 558 to side plate portion 512. However, this example does not exclude a configuration in which the +Y direction side of the oil supply portion 558 is not fitted into the hole portion 5121. For example, it is sufficient that the oil flow path 5580 is connected to the hole portion 5121.

[0106] Preferably, side plate portion 512 further includes protrusion 5125 extending in the -Y direction. Specifically, protrusion 5125 extends in the -Y direction on the end surface of side plate portion 512 on the -Y direction side. Hole 5121 penetrates protrusion 5125 in the Y-axis direction. Protrusion 5125 is connected to oil supply portion 558. For example, oil supply portion 558 may be inserted into and fitted to hole 5121 at the -Y direction end of protrusion 5125, or may be fixed to the -Y direction end of protrusion 5125 by means of welding, brazing, or the like. This facilitates connection of the +Y direction side portion of oil supply portion 558 to hole 5121. Furthermore, when the +Y direction side portion of oil supply portion 558 is inserted into or fitted into hole 5121, the insertion or fitting becomes easier.

[0107] <1-7. Third gear bearing holding portion 518> Next, the configuration of the third gear bearing holding portion 518 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0108] The third gear bearing holder 518 has an annular outer wall surface 5181 and an inner wall surface 5182. The outer wall surface 5181 and the inner wall surface 5182 face in the +Y direction. An end of the third gear bearing 343 on the −Y direction side is in contact with the outer wall surface 5181. The inner wall surface 5182 is disposed inside the outer wall surface 5181 as viewed from the Y axis direction and is disposed in the −Y direction relative to the outer wall surface 5181. As viewed from the Y axis direction, at least a portion of the end of the oil flow path 5580 on the +Y direction side overlaps with the inner wall surface 5182. In this way, by disposing the inner wall surface 5182 inside the outer wall surface 5181, a gap can be formed between the end of the third gear bearing 343 on the −Y direction side and the inner wall surface 5182. Therefore, this gap allows the oil CL flowing out from the oil flow path 5580 to the third gear bearing holding portion 518 to be supplied to the end on the −Y direction side of the third gear bearing 343. Therefore, it becomes easier to lubricate the third gear bearing 343 well.

[0109] The third gear bearing holder 518 further includes a peripheral wall 5183. The peripheral wall 5183 is annular and surrounds the intermediate shaft J4. The outer surface of the third gear bearing 343 is in contact with the peripheral wall 5183. One end of a passage 5126 is connected to the peripheral wall 5183. That is, the passage 5126 penetrates the peripheral wall 5183 in the radial direction relative to the rotation axis J2. More specifically, the side plate 512 includes the passage 5126. The passage 5126 connects the third gear bearing holder 518 to the first gear bearing holder 517 and the second motor bearing holder 516. This allows a portion of the oil CL supplied to the third gear bearing holder 518 to be supplied to the first gear bearing holder 517 and the second motor bearing holder 516 through the passage 5126. Therefore, the first gear bearing 341 and the second motor bearing 282 can be cooled and lubricated by the supplied oil CL.

[0110] The third gear bearing holder 518 further includes a guide portion 5184. The guide portion 5184 guides a portion of the oil CL supplied to the third gear bearing holder 518 to the passage 5126. The guide portion 5184 is a step disposed on the inner wall surface 5182 of the third gear bearing holder 518. The guide portion 5184 includes a first surface 51841, a second surface 51842, and a first guide surface 51843. The first surface 51841 and the second surface 51842 are each part of the inner wall surface 5182 and face in the +Y direction. The first surface 51841 is positioned further in the -Y direction than the second surface 51842, and is positioned further in the +X direction than the second surface 51842. The +X direction is an example of a "one direction" in the present invention, and is a direction from the intermediate axis J4 toward the rotation axis J2 in a direction perpendicular to the Y-axis and Z-axis directions (i.e., the X-axis direction). The first guide surface 51843 connects an end of the first surface 51841 on the second surface 51842 side to an end of the second surface 51842 on the first surface 51841 side, and the first guide surface 51843 is connected to the passage 5126. In this embodiment, a vertically lower end of the first guide surface 51843 (i.e., an end on the -Z direction side) is connected to the inner surface of the passage 5126. The first guide surface 51843 faces at least one of the +X direction and the +Z direction. By arranging the guide portion 5184 on the inner wall surface 5182, a portion of the oil CL supplied to the third gear bearing holder 518 is guided by the first guide surface 51843 to the passage 5126, and can be further supplied to the first gear bearing holder 517 and the second motor bearing holder 516 through the passage 5126. Therefore, this oil CL can be efficiently supplied to the first gear bearing 341 and the second motor bearing 282.

[0111] At least a portion of the end of the hole 5121 on the +Y direction side is disposed on the first surface 51841. In the present embodiment, a portion of the end of the hole 5121 on the +Y direction side is disposed on the first surface 51841, and another portion is disposed on the outer wall surface 5181. Preferably, the other portion of the end of the hole 5121 on the +Y direction side is not disposed on the second surface 51842. More preferably, the entire end of the hole 5121 on the +Y direction side is disposed on the first surface 51841. This makes it easier to guide a portion of the oil CL supplied to the third gear bearing holder 518 to the first guide surface 51843.

[0112] On the other hand, the other end of the passage 5126 is connected to the insertion hole 5120, and in this embodiment, connected to the first gear bearing holder 517. The first gear bearing holder 517 has a peripheral wall 5173. The peripheral wall 5173 is annular and surrounds the rotation axis J2. The outer surface of the first gear bearing 341 contacts the peripheral wall 5173. The passage 5126 penetrates the peripheral wall 5173 in the radial direction relative to the rotation axis J2.

[0113] The first gear bearing holder 517 further includes an outer annular surface 5171 and an inner annular surface 5172. The outer annular surface 5171 and the inner annular surface 5172 each face in the +Y direction and are annular and surround the rotation axis J2. An end of the first gear bearing 341 on the −Y direction side contacts the outer annular surface 5171. The inner annular surface 5172 is positioned inward of the outer annular surface 5171 when viewed from the Y axis direction and is positioned in the −Y direction relative to the outer annular surface 5171. By positioning the inner annular surface 5172 in the −Y direction relative to the outer annular surface 5171, a gap is formed between the end of the first gear bearing 341 on the −Y direction side and the inner annular surface 5172. This gap allows oil CL supplied to the first gear bearing holder 517 to be supplied to the end of the first gear bearing 341 on the −Y direction side. Therefore, the first gear bearing 341 can be easily lubricated well.

[0114] Preferably, the passage 5126 also has a second guide surface 51261. The second guide surface 51261 is part of the inner surface of the passage 5126. In other words, the inner surface of the passage 5126 includes the second guide surface 51261. The second guide surface 51261 is disposed in the -Y direction relative to the third gear bearing holder 518, for example, relative to the first surface 51841 of the inner wall surface 5182. More specifically, the second guide surface 51261 is the inner surface of a groove 51262 recessed in the -Y direction. The groove 51262 is disposed on at least the inner surface of the passage 5126. In the present embodiment, one end of the groove 51262 is further disposed on the inner wall surface 5182 of the third gear bearing holder 518. The other end of the groove 51262 is disposed on at least the outer annular surface 5171 of the first gear bearing holder 517. The other end of groove portion 51262 may be further disposed on inner wall surface 5182. Second guide surface 51261 allows oil CL to be efficiently guided from first guide surface 51843 to the inner surface of passage 5126. However, this example does not exclude a configuration in which passage 5126 does not have second guide surface 51261.

[0115] Preferably, the passage 5126 extends in a direction from one of the rotation shaft J2 and the intermediate shaft J4 to the other when viewed from the Y-axis direction. For example, the passage 5126 extends linearly in the above direction. This shortens the length of the passage 5126, thereby enabling efficient supply of oil CL from the third gear bearing holder 518 to the first gear bearing holder 517 through the passage 5126.

[0116] <2. Modifications of the embodiment> Next, a modified example of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of the drive device 1 according to the modified example, viewed from the X-axis direction. Note that Fig. 11 is merely a conceptual diagram, and the arrangement and dimensions of each part may not be the same as those of the actual drive device 1. Below, configurations that differ from the above-described embodiment will be described. Also, components that are the same as those in the above-described embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted.

[0117] In this modified example, the drive shaft Ds is inserted into a cylindrical output shaft 20 extending in the Y-axis direction and extends along the rotation axis J2. Specifically, a portion of the drive shaft Ds (i.e., the central portion in the Y-axis direction) is disposed inside the output shaft 20. The end of the drive shaft Ds on the -Y direction side is disposed in the -Y direction relative to the output shaft 20. The end of the drive shaft Ds on the +Y direction side and the differential device 32 are disposed in the +Y direction relative to the output shaft 20. The drive shaft Ds is rotatable around the rotation axis J2. In other words, the differential axis J5 coincides with the rotation axis J2. The drive unit 1 is equipped with the drive shaft Ds. When viewed from the Y-axis direction, the drive shaft Ds is disposed concentrically with the output shaft 20.

[0118] Specifically, the -Y direction side portion of the drive shaft Ds is inserted inside the motor shaft 22 and is arranged concentrically with the shaft tube portion 221 when viewed from the Y axis direction. The first drive shaft passing hole 515 is arranged in the third housing member 53. The third housing member 53 further has a first output bearing holder 532 and a first output bearing 5321. The first output bearing holder 532 is arranged in the first drive shaft passing hole 515 and rotatably supports the -Y direction side of the drive shaft Ds via the first output bearing 5321. The first output bearing holder 532 is connected to the third supply passage 557. Therefore, the first output bearing 5321 is lubricated and cooled by the oil CL flowing through the third supply passage 557. An oil seal (not shown) is arranged on the -Y direction side of the first output bearing holder 532.

[0119] The +Y direction side portion of the drive shaft Ds is inserted into the inside of the transmission shaft 310 and is arranged concentrically with the transmission shaft cylindrical portion 3102 when viewed from the Y axis direction. The differential device 32 is arranged further in the +Y direction than the transmission shaft 310. The second housing member 52 further has a second output bearing holder 5231 and a second output bearing 5232. The second output bearing holder 5231 is arranged in the second drive shaft passing hole 523 and rotatably supports the +Y direction side of the drive shaft Ds via the second output bearing 5232. An oil seal (not shown) is arranged on the +Y direction side of the second output bearing holder 5231.

[0120] In addition, the second gear bearing holding portion 521, which rotatably holds the end portion of the output shaft 20 on the +Y direction side, is positioned on the -Y direction side of the differential device 32 and is supported by the side plate portion 512 or the gear cylinder portion 513.

[0121] In the modified example described above, the drive unit 1 further includes a drive shaft Ds. The drive shaft Ds extends along a differential axis J5 extending in the Y-axis direction and is rotatable about the differential axis J5. The gear unit 3 further includes a differential device 32. The differential device 32 is attached to the drive shaft Ds and transmits torque of the fourth gear 321 to the drive shaft Ds. The output shaft 20 is cylindrical and extends in the Y-axis direction. A portion of the drive shaft Ds is disposed inside the output shaft 20. The end of the drive shaft Ds on the -Y direction side is disposed further in the -Y direction than the output shaft 20. The end of the drive shaft Ds on the +Y direction side and the differential device 32 are disposed further in the +Y direction than the output shaft 20.

[0122] This eliminates the need to secure space for disposing the drive shaft Ds and the differential device 32 radially outward from the output shaft 20. This allows the size of the drive unit 1 to be further reduced in the direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction, thereby enabling the drive unit 1 to be made more compact.

[0123] Furthermore, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the drive shaft Ds is disposed concentrically with the output shaft 20. This allows a gap to be obtained between the drive shaft Ds and the output shaft 20 in the radial direction relative to the rotation axis J2. This gap can therefore be used as a flow path for the oil CL.

[0124] Furthermore, the differential axis J5 coincides with the rotation axis J2. By aligning the rotation centers of the drive shaft Ds and the output shaft 20, the radial gap between them, relative to the rotation axis J2, can be kept constant. Therefore, oil CL can flow through this gap without varying the flow rate or flow resistance.

[0125] <3.Other> The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The present invention can be implemented by adding various modifications to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the matters described in the above-described embodiments can be combined in any appropriate manner as long as no contradiction occurs. [Industrial Applicability]

[0126] The present invention is useful for drive motors for vehicles such as hybrid vehicles (HVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs), and electric vehicles (EVs). [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1 Drive unit, 2 Motor section, 20 Output shaft, 21 Rotor, 22 Motor shaft, 220 Hollow section, 221 Shaft cylinder section, 222 Shaft hole section, 23 Rotor core, 230 Rotor through hole, 231 Rotor communication section, 24 Rotor magnet, 25 Stator, 26 Stator core, 27 Coil, 271 Coil end, 281 First motor bearing, 282 Second motor bearing, 3 Gear section, 31 Reduction gear, 310 Transmission shaft, 3 101... hollow portion, 3102... cylindrical portion, 311... first gear, 312... second gear, 313... third gear, 314... intermediate shaft, 32... differential device, 321... fourth gear, 341... first gear bearing, 342... second gear bearing, 343... third gear bearing, 344... fourth gear bearing, 4... pump, 41... suction port, 42... strainer, 43... discharge port, 5... housing, 51... first housing member, 511... motor cylindrical portion, 512... side plate portion, 5120... insertion hole, 51 21...hole portion, 5122...first communication passage, 5123...second communication passage, 5124...third communication passage, 5125...projection portion, 5126...passage, 51261...second guide surface, 51262...groove portion, 513...gear barrel portion, 5141...plate portion, 5142...circumferential wall portion, 515...first drive shaft passing hole, 516...second motor bearing retaining portion, 517...first gear bearing retaining portion, 5171...outer annular surface, 5172...inner annular surface, 5173...circumferential wall portion, 518...third gear bearing retaining portion, 5181...outer Wall surface, 5182...inner wall surface, 5183...peripheral wall portion, 5184...guide portion, 51841...first surface, 51842...second surface, 51843...first guide surface, 519...side plate opening, 52...second housing member, 521...second gear bearing retaining portion, 522...fourth gear bearing retaining portion, 523...second drive shaft passing hole, 5231...second output bearing retaining portion, 5232...second output bearing, 524...receiver portion, 525...gear side oil passage, 526...gear side limiting member, 53...third housing member,530...contact portion, 531...first motor bearing retaining portion, 532...first output bearing retaining portion, 5321...first output bearing, 54...fourth housing member, 55...motor side oil passage, 551...first oil passage, 552...second oil passage, 553...third oil passage, 5530...connecting pipe, 5531...connecting flow passage, 5532...cylindrical portion, 554...fourth oil passage, 555...first supply passage, 556...second supply passage, 557...third supply passage, 5571...supply limiting member, 558...oil supply portion, 558a...first oil supply part, 558b...second oil supply part, 5580...oil flow path, 5580a...first oil flow path, 5580b...second oil flow path, 5581...spray hole, 5582...supply hole, 61...motor housing part, 62...gear housing part, 63...inverter housing part, 64...pump housing part, 7...inverter unit, 8...oil cooler, CL...oil, Ds...drive shaft, J2...rotating shaft, J4...intermediate shaft, J5...differential shaft, P...oil reservoir, RE...refrigerant, 200...vehicle, 150...battery,

Claims

1. a first shaft extending along a first rotation axis extending in the axial direction and rotatable about the first rotation axis; a rotor supported by the first shaft and rotatable together with the first shaft; a stator disposed radially outward of the rotor; a gear portion connected to one axial end of the first shaft; a lubricating liquid supply unit disposed radially outward of the stator and supplying lubricating liquid to the stator; a housing that accommodates the rotor, the stator, the lubricating liquid supply unit, and the gear unit; Equipped with the gear portion has a second shaft extending along a second rotation axis extending in the axial direction, The housing includes: a motor cylinder portion extending in the axial direction; a gear cylinder portion disposed axially to one side of the motor cylinder portion and extending in the axial direction; a side plate portion that extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction and separates the motor cylindrical portion from the gear cylindrical portion; a motor housing portion that is surrounded by the motor cylindrical portion and the side plate portion and that houses the rotor and the stator; a gear accommodating portion that is surrounded by the gear cylindrical portion and the side plate portion and accommodates the gear portion; and the side plate portion has a first bearing holding portion and a second bearing holding portion, the first bearing holder rotatably supports the first shaft via a first bearing, the second bearing holder rotatably supports the second shaft via a second bearing, the lubricating liquid supply unit has a lubricating liquid flow path through which the lubricating liquid can flow, the lubricating liquid flow path is connected to at least one of the first bearing holder and the second bearing holder, the side plate portion further includes a hole portion disposed inside the side plate portion, the hole portion includes a first communication passage, a second communication passage, and a third communication passage, the first communication passage is a space extending in one axial direction from the other axial end surface of the side plate portion and connected to the lubricating liquid flow path; the second communication passage is a space extending from one axial end face of the side plate portion to the other axial end face, and is connected to the second bearing holder portion; the third communication passage is a space extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and connects one axial end of the first communication passage and the other axial end of the second communication passage; a position in the axial direction where the third communication passage is disposed differs from a position where the second bearing is disposed;

2. a first shaft extending along a first rotation axis extending in the axial direction and rotatable about the first rotation axis; a rotor supported by the first shaft and rotatable together with the first shaft; a stator disposed radially outward of the rotor; a gear portion connected to one axial end of the first shaft; a lubricating liquid supply unit disposed radially outward of the stator and supplying lubricating liquid to the stator; a housing that accommodates the rotor, the stator, the lubricating liquid supply unit, and the gear unit; Equipped with the gear portion has a second shaft extending along a second rotation axis extending in the axial direction, The housing includes: a motor cylinder portion extending in the axial direction; a gear cylinder portion disposed axially to one side of the motor cylinder portion and extending in the axial direction; a side plate portion that extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction and separates the motor cylindrical portion from the gear cylindrical portion; a motor housing portion that is surrounded by the motor cylindrical portion and the side plate portion and that houses the rotor and the stator; a gear accommodating portion that is surrounded by the gear cylindrical portion and the side plate portion and accommodates the gear portion; and the side plate portion has a first bearing holding portion and a second bearing holding portion, the first bearing holder rotatably supports the first shaft via a first bearing, the second bearing holder rotatably supports the second shaft via a second bearing, the lubricating liquid supply unit has a lubricating liquid flow path through which the lubricating liquid can flow, the lubricating liquid flow path is connected to at least one of the first bearing holder and the second bearing holder, the side plate portion further includes a hole portion disposed inside the side plate portion, the hole portion includes a first communication passage, a second communication passage, and a third communication passage, the first communication passage is a space extending in one axial direction from the other axial end surface of the side plate portion and connected to the lubricating liquid flow path; the second communication passage is a space extending from one axial end face of the side plate portion to the other axial end face, and is connected to the second bearing holder portion; the third communication passage is a space extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and connects one axial end of the first communication passage and the other axial end of the second communication passage; the second bearing is disposed axially to one side of the second communication passage, a drive device, wherein one axial end of the second communication passage opens to face the other axial end of the second bearing.

3. 3. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein one axial side of the lubricating liquid supply portion is fitted into the hole portion.

4. the side plate portion further includes a protrusion extending in the other axial direction, the hole penetrates the protrusion in the axial direction, The drive unit according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is connected to the lubricating liquid supply unit.

5. the second bearing retaining portion has an annular outer wall surface and an annular inner wall surface, The outer wall surface and the inner wall surface are surfaces facing one axial direction, the other axial end of the second bearing contacts the outer wall surface, the inner wall surface is disposed more inward than the outer wall surface when viewed in the axial direction, and is disposed in the other axial direction than the outer wall surface, The drive unit according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of one axial end of the lubricating liquid flow path overlaps with the inner wall surface when viewed from the axial direction.

6. The drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the side plate portion further includes a passage that connects the second bearing holding portion to the first bearing holding portion.

7. the side plate portion further includes a passage connecting the second bearing retaining portion to the first bearing retaining portion, the second bearing holder further includes a guide portion that guides a portion of the lubricating liquid supplied to the second bearing holder to the passage, The guide portion has a first surface, a second surface, and a first guide surface, the first surface and the second surface are each a part of the inner wall surface; the first surface is disposed on the other side of the second surface in the axial direction and on the one side of the second surface, the one direction is a direction from the second rotation axis toward the first rotation axis in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the vertical direction, The drive device according to claim 5 , wherein the first guide surface connects an end of the first surface on the second surface side to an end of the second surface on the first surface side, and is connected to the passage.

8. The drive unit according to claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of one axial end of the hole is disposed on the first surface.

9. the first bearing retainer has an annular outer annular surface and an annular inner annular surface; the outer annular surface and the inner annular surface are surfaces facing in one axial direction, the other axial end of the first bearing contacts the outer annular surface, The drive device according to claim 6 , wherein the inner annular surface is positioned more inward than the outer annular surface, which is annular when viewed in the axial direction, and is positioned on the other side of the outer annular surface in the axial direction.

10. The drive device according to claim 6 , wherein an inner surface of the passage includes a second guide surface that is disposed on the other side of the second bearing holder in the axial direction.

11. The drive device according to claim 6 , wherein the passage extends in a direction from one of the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft to the other when viewed in the axial direction.

12. the lubricating liquid flow path includes a first lubricating liquid flow path and a second lubricating liquid flow path; the first lubricating liquid flow path is disposed on one side of the second lubricating liquid flow path in the axial direction and on one side of the lubricating liquid supply portion in the axial direction, 12. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein a flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first lubricating liquid flow path is smaller than a flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second lubricating liquid flow path.

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