Drive unit

Abstract

To suck oil normally with a first oil pump and a second oil pump when an acceleration is applied to a vehicle in a lateral direction.SOLUTION: A drive device comprises: a first electric motor that drives a left wheel; a second electric motor that drives a right wheel; an oil storage tank; a partition wall provided on a bottom surface of the oil storage tank, and dividing the oil storage tank into a left oil storage tank and a right oil storage tank; a first oil pump for sucking oil through a suction port opening on a bottom surface of the left oil storage tank, and supplying the sucked oil to the first electric motor; and a second oil pump for sucking oil through a suction port opening on a bottom surface of the right oil storage tank and supplying the sucked oil to the second electric motor. The partition wall has a through hole extending from the left oil storage tank to the right oil storage tank. The drive device has a blocking device that blocks the through hole when an acceleration is applied in a lateral direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electric vehicle that drives a left wheel and a right wheel with separate electric motors. The driving device of this electric vehicle has a first electric motor and a second electric motor. The driving force of the first electric motor is transmitted to the left wheel, and the driving force of the second electric motor is transmitted to the right wheel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An oil pump for supplying oil to an electric motor is provided in an electric vehicle. By supplying oil to the electric motor, the electric motor is cooled. In a driving device having a first electric motor and a second electric motor, a first oil pump for supplying oil to the first electric motor and a second oil pump for supplying oil to the second electric motor can be provided independently. When the first oil pump and the second oil pump are provided in this way, the flow rate of the oil supplied to the first electric motor and the flow rate of the oil supplied to the second electric motor can be controlled individually. Therefore, the temperature of the first electric motor and the temperature of the second electric motor can be appropriately controlled.

[0005] When the drive system has a first oil pump and a second oil pump, the bottom of the oil reservoir has inlets for both the first and second oil pumps. When the electric vehicle is subjected to lateral acceleration, the oil in the reservoir becomes unevenly distributed to either the left or right side. When the oil in the reservoir is unevenly distributed in this way, the oil level drops above either the inlet of the first or second oil pump, making it impossible for either oil pump to draw in oil. In this case, cooling of the first or second electric motor becomes difficult. This specification proposes a drive system that allows both the first and second oil pumps to draw oil normally even when the vehicle is subjected to lateral acceleration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The drive system disclosed herein includes a first electric motor for driving the left wheel of a vehicle, a second electric motor for driving the right wheel of the vehicle, an oil storage tank, a partition wall provided on the bottom surface of the oil storage tank and dividing the oil storage tank into a left oil storage tank and a right oil storage tank, a first oil pump that draws in oil from an intake port opening on the bottom surface of the left oil storage tank and supplies the drawn-in oil to the first electric motor, and a second oil pump that draws in oil from an intake port opening on the bottom surface of the right oil storage tank and supplies the drawn-in oil to the second electric motor. The partition wall is provided with a through hole extending from the left oil storage tank to the right oil storage tank. The system includes a blocker that closes the through hole when the vehicle is subjected to lateral acceleration.

[0007] In this drive system, the oil storage tank is divided into a left oil storage tank and a right oil storage tank by a bulkhead. Since the bulkhead has through-holes, oil can normally flow between the left and right oil storage tanks. Therefore, under normal conditions, oil is distributed almost evenly between the left and right oil storage tanks, allowing both the first and second oil pumps to properly draw in oil. Furthermore, when the vehicle is subjected to lateral acceleration, the through-holes are blocked by a blocker. This prevents oil from flowing between the left and right oil storage tanks. This suppresses uneven distribution of oil between the two tanks. Therefore, even when the vehicle is subjected to lateral acceleration, a sufficient amount of oil can be stored in both the left and right oil storage tanks. As a result, both the first and second oil pumps can properly draw in oil. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Cross-sectional view of the drive mechanism along the left-right and front-back directions. [Figure 2] A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive mechanism along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the partition wall 60 running along the left-right direction and its surroundings. [Figure 4] A diagram showing modified examples of the partition wall 60 and the occluding device. [Figure 5] A diagram showing modified examples of the partition wall 60 and the occluding device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following are additional features of the drive system disclosed herein.

[0010] The drive unit may further include a first gear immersed in oil in the left oil reservoir and transmitting the driving force of the first electric motor to the left wheel, and a second gear immersed in oil in the right oil reservoir and transmitting the driving force of the second electric motor to the right wheel.

[0011] In this configuration, the first gear sprays oil into the left oil reservoir, and the second gear sprays oil into the right oil reservoir. Each gear is lubricated by the sprayed oil. As described above, when the vehicle is subjected to lateral acceleration, the through-holes are closed, so the oil levels in the left and right oil reservoirs do not easily drop. Therefore, each gear can spray oil even when the vehicle is subjected to lateral acceleration.

[0012] The blocker may close the through-hole when acceleration is applied to the vehicle in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. In this case, the left side of the bulkhead may be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, and the right side of the bulkhead may be inclined in the opposite direction to the inclination of the left side with respect to the longitudinal direction.

[0013] This configuration allows the through-hole to be closed when the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating while going around a corner.

[0014] The bulkhead may be located in the center of the oil reservoir in the lateral direction. Alternatively, the bulkhead may extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0015] The blocker may have a blocking member positioned opposite the through hole. The blocking member may be a plate or a ball. The blocking member may be suspended. The plate or ball may be provided in both the right oil reservoir and the left oil reservoir. [Examples]

[0016] The drive unit 10 in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is mounted on an electric vehicle. In Figure 1, arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle, and arrow RH indicates the right direction of the vehicle. The drive unit 10 drives the left rear wheel 90 and the right rear wheel 92 of the electric vehicle.

[0017] The drive unit 10 has a case 12. Inside the case 12 are a left motor room 13, a right motor room 15, and a gear room 17. The gear room 17 also functions as an oil reservoir for storing oil. The gear room 17 is divided into a left gear room 14 and a right gear room 16 by a partition wall 60. The partition wall 60 extends along the front-rear direction and is located in the lateral center of the gear room 17. The left gear room 14 is located behind the left motor room 13. The right motor room 15 is located to the right of the left motor room 13. The right gear room 16 is located behind the right motor room 15. The left motor room 13 houses the left motor 20. The left gear room 14 houses the gear set that transmits the driving force of the left motor 20 to the left rear wheel 90. The right motor room 15 houses the right motor 40. The right gear chamber 16 houses a gear set that transmits the driving force of the right electric motor 40 to the right rear wheel 92.

[0018] The left motor 20 has a rotor 20a and a stator 20b. The rotor 20a has a shaft 20c. The rotor 20a is housed in the left motor chamber 13 with the shaft 20c extending along the longitudinal direction of the electric vehicle. The rotor 20a is rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) provided in the case 12. The shaft 20c penetrates the partition wall between the left motor chamber 13 and the left gear chamber 14 and extends from the left motor chamber 13 to the left gear chamber 14. The stator 20b is arranged around the rotor 20a. By passing current through the stator 20b, the rotor 20a rotates.

[0019] The gear set provided in the left gear chamber 14 has gears 22, 23, 24, and 25. Also, in the left gear chamber 14, a countershaft 26 and a drive shaft 27 are arranged. The countershaft 26 is arranged parallel to the shaft 20c of the rotor 20a. The countershaft 26 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in the case 12. The drive shaft 27 extends along the left - right direction of the electric vehicle. The drive shaft 27 penetrates the left side wall of the case 12 from the left gear chamber 14 and extends to the outside of the case 12. A left rear wheel 90 is connected to the left - hand end of the drive shaft 27. The drive shaft 27 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in the case 12. The gear 22 is a cylindrical gear and is fixed to the shaft 20c of the rotor 20a. The gear 23 is a cylindrical gear and is fixed to the countershaft 26. The gear 23 is engaged with the gear 22. The gear 24 is a frustum - shaped gear and is fixed to the countershaft 26. The gear 25 is a frustum - shaped gear and is fixed to the drive shaft 27. The gear 25 is engaged with the gear 24. The gear 24 and the gear 25 constitute a hypoid gear.

[0020] When the shaft 20c of the rotor 20a rotates due to the driving of the left electric motor 20, the gear 22 rotates, and the driving force is transmitted from the gear 22 to the gear 23. Therefore, the gear 23, the countershaft 26, and the gear 24 rotate. When the gear 24 rotates, the driving force is transmitted from the gear 24 to the gear 25. Therefore, the gear 25 and the drive shaft 27 rotate. As a result, the left rear wheel 90 rotates. Thus, each gear in the left gear chamber 14 transmits the driving force of the left electric motor 20 to the left rear wheel 90.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface of the left gear chamber 14 is disposed below the bottom surface of the left motor chamber 13. In the left gear chamber 14, oil 80 is stored at a liquid level such that the lower part of the gear 25 is immersed. Therefore, when the gear 25 rotates by the drive of the left motor 20, the oil 80 stored in the left gear chamber 14 is splashed up by the gear 25. As a result, the oil is scattered in the left gear chamber 14. Each gear is lubricated by the oil scattered in the left gear chamber 14.

[0022] The drive device 10 has a left oil circulation path for circulating oil between the left motor chamber 13 and the left gear chamber 14. The left oil circulation path has an oil pump 30, an oil supply path 31, a shaft flow path 32, an oil flow path 33, an oil suction port 34, and an oil suction path 35. The oil supply path 31 is constituted by a pipe outside the case 12 and a flow path provided in the outer wall of the case 12. The shaft 20c of the rotor 20a has a cylindrical shape, and the shaft flow path 32 is constituted by the central hole thereof. The shaft flow path 32 extends from the front end to the rear end of the shaft 20c. The oil supply path 31 connects the discharge port of the oil pump 30 and the front end of the shaft flow path 32. A plurality of oil scattering flow paths 32a are provided on the outer peripheral wall of the shaft 20c. The oil flow path 33 penetrates the partition wall between the left motor chamber 13 and the left gear chamber 14. The oil suction port 34 opens on the bottom surface of the left gear chamber 14. The oil suction path 35 is constituted by a pipe outside the case 12. The oil suction path 35 connects the oil suction port 34 and the suction port of the oil pump 30.

[0023] When the oil pump 30 operates, the oil 80 stored in the left gear chamber 14 is drawn into the oil suction port 34. The oil drawn into the oil suction port 34 is supplied to the shaft passage 32 through the oil suction passage 35, the oil pump 30, and the oil supply passage 31. Within the shaft passage 32, the oil flows from the front end to the rear end. The oil that has flowed through the shaft passage 32 to the rear end is discharged into the left gear chamber 14. In addition, a portion of the oil flowing through the shaft passage 32 is sprayed into the left motor chamber 13 from the oil spray passage 32a. The left motor 20 is cooled by the oil flowing through the shaft passage 32 and the oil sprayed into the left motor chamber 13. The rotor 20a is also lubricated by the oil sprayed into the left motor chamber 13. The oil sprayed into the left motor chamber 13 flows to the left gear chamber 14 through the oil passage 33. In this way, when the oil pump 30 operates, oil circulates in the left oil circulation path, and the left electric motor 20 is cooled.

[0024] The structure inside the right motor chamber 15 and the right gear chamber 16 is the same as the structure inside the left motor chamber 13 and the left gear chamber 14, but reversed left and right. The right motor 40 has a rotor 40a and a stator 40b. The rotor 40a has a shaft 40c. The rotor 40a is housed in the right motor chamber 15 with the shaft 40c extending along the longitudinal direction of the electric vehicle. The rotor 40a is rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) provided in the case 12. The shaft 40c penetrates the partition wall between the right motor chamber 15 and the right gear chamber 16 and extends from the right motor chamber 15 to the right gear chamber 16. The stator 40b is arranged around the rotor 40a. By passing current through the stator 40b, the rotor 40a rotates.

[0025] The gear set located in the right gear chamber 16 includes gears 42, 43, 44, and 45. Also located in the right gear chamber 16 are a countershaft 46 and a drive shaft 47. The countershaft 46 is positioned parallel to the shaft 40c of the rotor 40a. The countershaft 46 is rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) provided in the case 12. The drive shaft 47 extends along the left-right direction of the electric vehicle. The drive shaft 47 extends from the right gear chamber 16, through the right side wall of the case 12, to the outside of the case 12. The right rear wheel 92 is connected to the right end of the drive shaft 47. The drive shaft 47 is rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) provided in the case 12. Gear 42 is a cylindrical gear fixed to the shaft 40c of the rotor 40a. Gear 43 is a cylindrical gear fixed to the countershaft 46. Gear 43 engages with gear 42. Gear 44 is a conical gear fixed to the countershaft 46. Gear 45 is a conical gear fixed to the drive shaft 47. Gear 45 engages with gear 44. Gears 44 and 45 constitute a hypoid gear.

[0026] When the right electric motor 40 is driven, the shaft 40c rotates, and the driving force is transmitted from the shaft 40c to the drive shaft 47 via the gears 42, 43, 44, and 45. As a result, the drive shaft 47 rotates, and the right rear wheel 92 rotates. In this way, each gear in the right gear chamber 16 transmits the driving force of the right electric motor 40 to the right rear wheel 92.

[0027] Similar to Figure 2, the bottom surface of the right gear chamber 16 is positioned lower than the bottom surface of the right motor chamber 15. Oil is stored in the right gear chamber 16 at a level sufficient to submerge the lower part of the gear 45. Therefore, when the gear 45 rotates due to the drive of the right motor 40, the oil stored in the right gear chamber 16 is splashed up by the gear 45. This causes oil to be sprayed into the right gear chamber 16. Each gear is lubricated by the oil sprayed into the right gear chamber 16.

[0028] The drive unit 10 has a right oil circulation path that circulates oil to the right motor chamber 15 and the right gear chamber 16. The right oil circulation path includes an oil pump 50, an oil supply path 51, a shaft passage 52, an oil passage 53, an oil suction port 54, and an oil suction path 55. The oil supply path 51 is composed of piping on the outside of the case 12 and a passage provided inside the outer wall of the case 12. The shaft 40c of the rotor 40a has a cylindrical shape, and the shaft passage 52 is formed by its central hole. The shaft passage 52 extends from the front end to the rear end of the shaft 40c. The oil supply path 51 connects the discharge port of the oil pump 50 to the front end of the shaft passage 52. Multiple oil spray passages 52a are provided on the outer circumferential wall of the shaft 40c. The oil passage 53 penetrates the partition wall between the right motor chamber 15 and the right gear chamber 16. The oil suction port 54 opens to the bottom surface of the right gear chamber 16. The oil suction passage 55 is formed by piping outside the case 12. The oil suction passage 55 connects the oil suction port 54 to the suction port of the oil pump 50.

[0029] When the oil pump 50 operates, oil stored in the right gear chamber 16 is supplied to the shaft passage 52 through the oil suction port 54, oil suction passage 55, oil pump 50, and oil supply passage 51. The oil that flows through the shaft passage 52 from the front to the rear is discharged into the right gear chamber 16. In addition, a portion of the oil flowing through the shaft passage 52 is sprayed into the right motor chamber 15 from the oil spray passage 52a. The right motor 40 is cooled by the oil flowing through the shaft passage 52 and the oil sprayed into the right motor chamber 15. The rotor 40a is also lubricated by the oil sprayed into the right motor chamber 15. The oil sprayed into the right motor chamber 15 flows to the right gear chamber 16 through the oil passage 53. In this way, when the oil pump 50 operates, oil circulates in the right oil circulation passage, and the right motor 40 is cooled.

[0030] The partition wall 60 is provided with a through hole 62. The through hole 62 extends from the left gear chamber 14 to the right gear chamber 16. Therefore, oil can flow between the left gear chamber 14 and the right gear chamber 16 through the through hole 62.

[0031] Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the partition wall 60. As shown in Figure 3, the partition wall 60 is erected on the bottom surface of the gear chamber 17. There is a gap between the partition wall 60 and the ceiling surface of the gear chamber 17. Therefore, the left gear chamber 14 and the right gear chamber 16 are connected at the top of the partition wall 60. However, the partition wall 60 may extend to the ceiling surface of the gear chamber 17. The partition wall 60 is composed of a left plate 60a and a right plate 60b. The upper ends of the left plate 60a and the upper ends of the right plate 60b are connected to each other. A space 64 is provided between the left plate 60a and the right plate 60b (i.e., inside the partition wall 60). A through hole 62a is provided in the left plate 60a and a through hole 62b is provided in the right plate 60b. The through holes 62a and 62b constitute a through hole 62 that penetrates the partition wall 60 from left to right. A baffle plate 66 is placed in the space 64 inside the partition wall 60. The baffle plate 66 is suspended from the upper end of the bulkhead 60. The baffle plate 66 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The baffle plate 66 is positioned between the through holes 62a and 62b. That is, the baffle plate 66 is positioned opposite the through holes 62a and 62b. Under normal conditions (i.e., when the vehicle is not being accelerated), the baffle plate 66 does not block the through holes 62a and 62b. The baffle plate 66 can swing from side to side around the upper end of the bulkhead 60.

[0032] Line L1 in Figure 3 indicates the position of the oil level under normal conditions (i.e., when the vehicle is not being accelerated). The oil level is located above the through holes 62a and 62b. In Figure 3, the oil level is located below the upper end of the bulkhead 60, but the oil level may also be located above the upper end of the bulkhead 60. Under normal conditions, the baffle plate 66 does not block the through holes 62a and 62b, so the oil level is equal between the left gear chamber 14 and the right gear chamber 16.

[0033] When a vehicle is traveling on a curve, it experiences lateral acceleration. When the oil is subjected to lateral acceleration, the distribution of oil in the gear chamber 17 changes. Lines L2 and L3 in Figure 3 show the oil level when the vehicle is subjected to rightward acceleration. Line L2 shows the case without the baffle plate 66 as a comparative example, while line L3 shows the case with the baffle plate 66.

[0034] If the baffle plate 66 is not present, the through-hole 62 is not blocked. Therefore, when acceleration is applied to the oil in the right direction, oil flows from the left gear chamber 14 to the right gear chamber 16 through the through-hole 62. Consequently, as shown by line L2 in Figure 3, the oil level in the right gear chamber 16 rises and the oil level in the left gear chamber 14 falls. As a result, in Figure 3, the oil suction port 34 is exposed from the oil. When the oil suction port 34 is exposed in this way, the oil pump 30 cannot supply oil to the left motor 20, making it difficult to cool the left motor 20. Also, when the oil level in the left gear chamber 14 falls, the entire gear 25 is exposed from the oil, and the gear 25 is unable to spray oil. This reduces the lubricity of the gear in the left gear chamber 14. Similarly, when acceleration is applied to the oil in the left direction, it becomes difficult to cool the right motor 40, and the lubricity of the gear in the right gear chamber 16 decreases.

[0035] In contrast, when the baffle plate 66 is present (i.e., in the embodiment), if acceleration is applied to the vehicle in the rightward direction, the baffle plate 66 swings to the right and blocks the through hole 62b. This prevents oil from flowing from the left gear chamber 14 to the right gear chamber 16. This prevents a decrease in the oil level in the left gear chamber 14. As a result, as shown by line L3 in Figure 3, the oil suction port 34 is prevented from being exposed to the oil. Therefore, the oil pump 30 can supply oil to the left motor 20, and the left motor 20 can be cooled appropriately. Also, since a decrease in the oil level in the left gear chamber is prevented, the gear 25 can spray oil into the left gear chamber 14. In other words, there is no decrease in the lubricity of the gears in the left gear chamber 14. Similarly, if acceleration is applied to the oil in the leftward direction, the baffle plate 66 swings to the left and blocks the through hole 62a. Therefore, the oil pump 50 can supply oil to the right electric motor 40, allowing the right electric motor 40 to be cooled effectively. In addition, there is no decrease in the lubricity of the gears in the right gear chamber 16.

[0036] As described above, according to the drive unit 10 of the embodiment, even when the vehicle is subjected to lateral acceleration, both the oil pump 30 and the oil pump 50 can properly draw in oil, and the left electric motor 20 and the right electric motor 40 can be properly cooled.

[0037] The baffle plate 66 is an example of a blocker that closes the through-hole 62 when lateral acceleration is applied. Any configuration of blocker is acceptable as long as it can close the through-hole 62 when lateral acceleration is applied. Figure 4 shows a modified example of the partition wall 60 and blocker.

[0038] In Figure 4(a), the partition wall 60 is made of a single plate. A baffle plate 66a is positioned to the left of the through-hole 62 that penetrates the partition wall 60, and a baffle plate 66b is positioned to the right of the through-hole 62. When acceleration is applied to the right, baffle plate 66a swings to the right and blocks the through-hole 62, and when acceleration is applied to the left, baffle plate 66b swings to the left and blocks the through-hole 62.

[0039] In Figure 4(b), two baffle plates 66a and 66b are positioned in the space 64 inside the bulkhead 60. When acceleration is applied to the right, baffle plate 66b swings to the right and blocks the through-hole 62b, and when acceleration is applied to the left, baffle plate 66a swings to the left and blocks the through-hole 62a.

[0040] In Figure 4(c), the bulkhead 60 is made of a single plate. A ball 66c is positioned to the left of a through-hole 62 that penetrates the bulkhead 60, and a ball 66d is positioned to the right of the through-hole 62. Each ball 66c and 66d is movable left and right by a guide rail. Under normal conditions, each ball 66c and 66d is positioned away from the bulkhead 60 and does not block the through-hole 62. When acceleration is applied to the right, ball 66c moves to the right and blocks the through-hole 62, and when acceleration is applied to the left, ball 66d moves to the left and blocks the through-hole 62.

[0041] Figure 5 shows a modified example of the partition wall 60 and the blocker. In Figure 5, the left plate 60a is positioned so that it is displaced further to the left as it approaches the front, and the right plate 60b is positioned so that it is displaced further to the right as it approaches the front. Two baffle plates 66a and 66b are positioned in the internal space 64 of the partition wall 60. Baffle plate 66a faces the through hole 62a, and baffle plate 66b faces the through hole 62b. The center of baffle plate 66a is located in front of the center of the through hole 62a, and the center of baffle plate 66b is located in front of the center of the through hole 62b. Baffle plate 66b blocks the through hole 62b when acceleration is applied diagonally to the right and rear (i.e., when acceleration is applied in both the right and rear directions), and baffle plate 66a blocks the through hole 62a when acceleration is applied diagonally to the left and rear (i.e., when acceleration is applied in both the left and rear directions). As shown above, in the configuration of Figure 5, the through-hole 62 is closed when acceleration is applied simultaneously in the lateral and rear directions. When the oil suction ports 34 and 54 are located close to the front end of the gear chamber 17, the oil suction ports 34 and 54 are more likely to be exposed from the oil when acceleration is applied to the oil in the rear direction (i.e., when the vehicle is accelerating). In such cases, the configuration of Figure 5 may be adopted so that the through-hole 62 is closed when acceleration is applied simultaneously in the lateral and rear directions. Alternatively, by reversing the front-to-back configuration of Figure 5, the through-hole 62 can be closed when acceleration is applied to the oil in the lateral and forward directions simultaneously.

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, the gear chamber 17 functioned as an oil storage tank for storing oil supplied to the oil pumps 30 and 50. However, an oil storage tank separate from the gear chamber 17 may also be provided.

[0043] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the electric motor was cooled by the oil discharged by the oil pump flowing inside the rotor shaft. However, the oil may be supplied to the electric motor from the oil pump in any form as long as the electric motor can be cooled. For example, the oil may be discharged from the oil supply passage toward the outer surface of the rotor.

[0044] Although embodiments have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technologies described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10: Drive unit, 17: Gear chamber, 20: Left motor, 30: Oil pump, 34: Oil suction port, 40: Right motor, 50: Oil pump, 54: Oil suction port, 60: Bulkhead, 62: Through hole, 66: Baffle plate

Claims

1. A drive device, The first electric motor drives the left wheel of the vehicle, A second electric motor that drives the right wheel of the aforementioned vehicle, Oil storage tank and A partition wall is provided on the bottom surface of the oil storage tank, dividing the oil storage tank into a left oil storage tank and a right oil storage tank, A first oil pump draws oil from an intake port opening at the bottom of the left oil storage tank and supplies the drawn-in oil to the first electric motor, A second oil pump draws oil from an intake port opening at the bottom of the right oil storage tank and supplies the drawn-in oil to the second electric motor. It has, A gap is provided between the upper end of the partition wall and the ceiling surface of the oil storage tank. The partition wall is provided with a through hole extending from the left oil storage tank to the right oil storage tank. It is suspended from the upper end of the bulkhead and has a closure device that closes the through-hole when the vehicle is subjected to lateral acceleration, Drive unit.

2. A space is provided inside the partition wall, The partition wall has a right-side plate located on the right side of the space and a left-side plate located on the left side of the space. The through hole penetrates the right plate and the left plate. The aforementioned blocker is located within the space. The drive device according to claim 1.

3. A drive device, The first electric motor drives the left wheel of the vehicle, A second electric motor that drives the right wheel of the aforementioned vehicle, Oil storage tank and A partition wall is provided on the bottom surface of the oil storage tank, dividing the oil storage tank into a left oil storage tank and a right oil storage tank, A first oil pump draws oil from an intake port opening at the bottom of the left oil storage tank and supplies the drawn-in oil to the first electric motor, A second oil pump draws oil from an intake port opening at the bottom of the right oil storage tank and supplies the drawn-in oil to the second electric motor. It has, The partition wall is provided with a through hole extending from the left oil storage tank to the right oil storage tank. A drive device further comprising a blocker that closes the through-hole when acceleration is applied to the vehicle simultaneously in both the lateral and longitudinal directions, and does not close the through-hole when acceleration is not applied to the vehicle simultaneously in both the lateral and longitudinal directions.

4. A first gear, which is immersed in the oil in the left oil storage tank and transmits the driving force of the first electric motor to the left wheel, The second gear, which is immersed in the oil in the right oil storage tank and transmits the driving force of the second electric motor to the right wheel, The drive device according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising the above.

5. The drive device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the partition wall is located in the center of the oil storage tank in the lateral direction.

6. The drive device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the bulkhead extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

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