unit

Abstract

[Problem] To realize a park lock mechanism that contributes to miniaturization of a unit in which a motor and a drive shaft are disposed on separate axes. [Solution] This unit has a motor, a link shaft connected downstream of the motor, and a park lock mechanism which includes a park gear provided on a shaft that rotates integrally with a rotor of the motor, a park pawl that engages with the park gear, and a park actuator that rotates the park pawl. The link shaft is positioned on the outer periphery of the motor. When viewed from a first orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to an axial direction of the link shaft, the link shaft and the park actuator have portions that overlap with the motor. When viewed from a second orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the axial direction and the first orthogonal direction, the park actuator has a portion that overlaps with the link shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a unit.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that in a unit in which a motor and a drive shaft are coaxially arranged, the motor is arranged between a park lock mechanism and a gear.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is desired that the unit be compact.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to realize a park lock mechanism that contributes to miniaturization in a unit in which a motor and a drive shaft are arranged on different axes.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A unit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a motor, a link shaft connected downstream of the motor, a park gear provided on a shaft that rotates integrally with the rotor of the motor, a park pole that engages with the park gear, and a park actuator that rotates the park pole, comprising a park lock mechanism. The link shaft is located on the outer circumference of the motor. When viewed from a first orthogonal direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the link shaft, the link shaft and the park actuator have portions that overlap with the motor. When viewed from a second orthogonal direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the first orthogonal direction, the park actuator has portions that overlap with the link shaft. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this embodiment, in a unit where the motor and drive shaft (link shaft) are arranged on separate axes rather than coaxially, a park lock mechanism that contributes to miniaturization of the unit can be realized. That is, since the park actuator is positioned in a stepped area formed by the motor and drive shaft, the overall size of the unit can be made more compact. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the main part of the unit. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view of the main part of the unit. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows other key parts of the unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] Regarding the term "unit," a unit can also be referred to as, for example, a motor unit (a unit having at least a motor) or a power transmission device (a device having at least a power transmission mechanism). A motor is a rotating electric machine having an electric motor function and / or a generator function (at least one of the electric motor function and / or a generator function). A power transmission mechanism is, for example, a gear mechanism and / or a differential gear mechanism. A device (unit) having both a motor and a power transmission mechanism is included in both the concepts of a motor unit and a power transmission device.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of Unit 1. Figure 1 is an unfolded cross-sectional view of Unit 1, where the first axis AX1, second axis AX2, third axis AX3, and fourth axis AX4 of Unit 1 are contained in the same plane.

[0012] Unit 1 is mounted on a vehicle, which is an electric vehicle. Unit 1 comprises a housing 10, a rotating electric motor 20, a reduction mechanism 30, and a differential gear 40. The rotating electric motor 20, the reduction mechanism 30, and the differential gear 40 are housed in the housing 10. The housing 10 has a first case 11, a second case 12, and a third case 13. Here, "housing" is a component that houses the motor, gears, and inverter, and is composed of one or more cases.

[0013] The second case 12 closes the opening of the cylindrical first case 11 from one axial side (left side in Figure 1), and the third case 13 closes the opening of the first case 11 from the other axial side. The rotating electric machine 20 is housed in the first case 11, and the differential gear 40 is housed in the third case 13.

[0014] The rotating electric machine 20 comprises a rotor 21, a stator 22, and a rotating shaft 23. The rotor 21 is mounted on the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 23. The stator 22 is mounted in the first case 11 and houses the rotor 21. The rotating shaft 23 is a shaft that protrudes from the rotor 21 in both axial directions. The rotating shaft 23 is connected downstream of the rotor 21.

[0015] Here, "element B (part, part, etc.) connected to element A (part, part, etc.)", "element B (part, part, etc.) connected downstream of element A (part, part, etc.)", and "element B (part, part, etc.) connected upstream of element A (part, part, etc.)" mean that element A and element B are connected in a way that allows power transmission, with the power input side being upstream and the power output side being downstream. Element A and element B may also be connected via other parts, parts, etc. (for example, other clutches, other gear mechanisms, etc.).

[0016] The rotating shaft 23 protrudes from the rotor 21 in the other axial direction, thus protruding downstream, and connects to the downstream side of the rotor 21 at the protruding portion. The rotating shaft 23 is connected downstream of the rotor 21 in a way that allows power transmission and rotates integrally with the rotor 21.

[0017] The rotating shaft 23 passes through the second case 12 on one axial side and through the first case 11 on the other axial side. A bearing 51 is provided in the portion of the second case 12 through which the rotating shaft 23 passes, and a bearing 52 is provided in the portion of the first case 11 through which the rotating shaft 23 passes. The rotating shaft 23 is supported by the bearings 51 and 52. A resolver 80 is provided on the portion of the rotating shaft 23 that protrudes from the second case 12. The resolver 80 detects the rotation of the rotating electric machine 20.

[0018] A park gear 71 is provided on the rotating shaft 23 in the portion between the bearing 51 and the rotor 21. The park gear 71 is integrated with the rotating shaft 23 and rotates together with the rotating shaft 23.

[0019] The speed reduction mechanism 30 is a gear mechanism, and includes a first gear 31, a second gear 32, a third gear 33, a fourth gear 34, a fifth gear 35, a sixth gear 36, a shaft 37, and a shaft 38. The first gear 31 is arranged on the first axis AX1 together with the rotary electric machine 20. In other words, the rotary electric machine 20 and the first gear 31 are coaxially arranged with respect to the first axis AX1. That is, the fact that a plurality of elements (parts, portions, etc.) are arranged on the Nth axis (N is a natural number) is synonymous with the fact that the plurality of elements are coaxially arranged with respect to the Nth axis. Similarly, the second gear 32 and the third gear 33 are arranged on the second axis AX2, and the fourth gear 34 and the fifth gear 35 are arranged on the third axis AX3. The sixth gear 36 and the differential gear 40 are arranged on the fourth axis.

[0020] The first axis AX1, the second axis AX2, the third axis AX3, and the fourth axis AX4 all constitute the axes of the unit 1 and extend along the same direction. Therefore, the extending directions of the first axis AX1, the second axis AX2, the third axis AX3, and the fourth axis AX4 all correspond to the axial direction of the unit 1. That is, the axial direction means the axial direction of the rotating shafts of the components (such as motors, gear mechanisms, and differential gear mechanisms) constituting the unit. The radial direction of the unit 1 is defined as the direction orthogonal to any of the first axis AX1, the second axis AX2, the third axis AX3, and the fourth axis AX4. The first axis AX1 constitutes the axis of the rotating shaft 23, the second axis AX2 constitutes the axis of the shaft 37, the third axis AX3 constitutes the axis of the shaft 38, and the fourth axis AX4 constitutes the axis of the differential gear 40.

[0021] The first gear 31 is connected downstream of the rotating shaft 23. The first gear 31 is provided on the rotating shaft 23 on the other axial side than the rotor 21, so as to be connected downstream of the rotating shaft 23. The first gear 31 is connected to the downstream of the rotating shaft 23 so as to be capable of power transmission. The first gear 31 is provided on the rotating shaft 23 of the portion protruding from the first case 11. The first gear 31 is press-fitted into the rotating shaft 23 to be integrated with the rotating shaft 23 and rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 23. The first gear 31 may be connected to the rotating shaft 23 by spline coupling, for example. The same applies to the second gear 32 and the like.

[0022] The second gear 32 meshes with the first gear 31. The second gear 32 is set to have more teeth than the first gear 31, and together with the first gear 31, they form the first reduction gear stage. The second gear 32 is provided on the shaft 37 and arranged on the second shaft AX2. The second gear 32 is integrally formed with the shaft 37. The shaft 37 extends along the rotating shaft 23. The shaft 37 is supported by a bearing 53 provided in the first case 11 and a bearing 54 provided in the third case 13. The bearing 53 and the bearing 54 are arranged at both ends with respect to the shaft 37.

[0023] The third gear 33 is connected downstream of the second gear 32. The third gear 33 is provided on the shaft 37 and arranged on the second shaft AX2. The third gear 33 is provided on the shaft 37 at a portion extending in a direction away from the rotating electric machine 20, that is, on the other side in the axial direction with respect to the second gear 32. The third gear 33 is integrally formed with the shaft 37. The second gear 32 and the third gear 33 are arranged between the bearing 53 and the bearing 54 in the axial direction.

[0024] The fourth gear 34 meshes with the third gear 33. The fourth gear 34 is set to have more teeth than the third gear 33, and together with the third gear 33, they form the second reduction gear stage. The fourth gear 34 is provided on the shaft 38 and arranged on the third shaft AX3. The fourth gear 34 is integrally formed with the shaft 38. The shaft 38 extends along the rotating shaft 23. The shaft 38 is supported by a bearing 55 provided in the first case 11 and a bearing 56 provided in the third case 13. The bearing 55 and the bearing 56 are arranged at both ends with respect to the shaft 38.

[0025] The fifth gear 35 is connected downstream of the fourth gear 34. The fifth gear 35 is provided on the shaft 38 and arranged on the third shaft AX3. The fifth gear 35 is provided on the shaft 38 at a portion extending in a direction approaching the rotating electric machine 20, that is, on one side in the axial direction with respect to the fourth gear 34. Therefore, in the shaft 38, the power transmission direction is folded back to the opposite side in the axial direction with respect to the shaft 37. The fifth gear 35 is integrally formed with the shaft 38. The fourth gear 34 and the fifth gear 35 are arranged between the bearing 55 and the bearing 56 in the axial direction.

[0026] The sixth gear 36 meshes with the fifth gear 35. The sixth gear 36 is the final gear and is located on the differential gear 40. The sixth gear 36 is positioned on the fourth shaft AX4 together with the differential gear 40. Power from the rotating electric machine 20 is transmitted from the sixth gear 36 to the differential gear 40. Therefore, the differential gear 40 is connected downstream of the sixth gear 36.

[0027] The sixth gear 36 overlaps with the first gear 31 in a radial view. In other words, the first gear 31 has a portion that overlaps with the sixth gear 36 in a radial view. This portion overlaps with the sixth gear 36 in a radial view along a plane including the first axis AX1 and the fourth axis AX4. Overlapping in a predetermined direction, including a radial view or an axial view, means overlapping in a predetermined direction (for example, axial direction, radial direction, direction of gravity, vehicle travel direction such as the vehicle forward direction or vehicle reverse direction), and means that multiple elements are aligned in a predetermined direction. Therefore, if a drawing shows multiple elements aligned in a predetermined direction, it can be assumed that the specification contains a sentence explaining that multiple elements overlap in a predetermined direction.

[0028] The sixth gear 36 has more teeth than the fifth gear 35 and together with the fifth gear 35 constitutes the third reduction gear stage. Therefore, the reduction mechanism 30 performs three stages of reduction using the first gear 31 and the second gear 32, the third gear 33 and the fourth gear 34, and the fifth gear 35 and the sixth gear 36.

[0029] In the reduction mechanism 30, the third gear 33 and the fourth gear 34 are positioned further away from the stator 22 than the first gear 31, the second gear 32, the fifth gear 35, and the sixth gear 36. In other words, the four gears, the first gear 31, the second gear 32, the fifth gear 35, and the sixth gear 36, are positioned closer to the stator 22, while the remaining two gears, the third gear 33 and the fourth gear 34, are positioned further away from the stator 22.

[0030] The differential gear 40 is a differential gear mechanism and has a differential case 41 and a differential unit 42. The differential case 41 is supported by a bearing 57 provided on the first case 11 and a bearing 58 provided on the third case 13, and rotates integrally with the sixth gear 36. The sixth gear 36 is fixed coaxially to the outer wall of the differential case 41, and the differential case 41 houses the differential unit 42. The differential unit 42 distributes the power input to the differential case 41 via the sixth gear 36 to the left and right drive wheels of the vehicle and outputs the power.

[0031] The differential gear 40 protrudes away from the stator 22 relative to the sixth gear 36. The portion of the differential gear 40 that protrudes more axially from the sixth gear 36 is thus the protruding part. In other words, the differential gear 40 protrudes more away from the stator 22 than towards the sixth gear 36, and is positioned closer to the direction away from the stator 22 relative to the sixth gear 36.

[0032] Bearings 57 and 58 are positioned on both sides of the differential gear 40 in the axial direction. As a result, bearings 53, 55, and 57 are positioned on one side of the axial direction relative to each gear of the reduction mechanism 30 and the differential gear 40, while bearings 54, 56, and 58 are positioned together on the other side of the axial direction.

[0033] A link shaft 61 is inserted into the differential gear 40 from one axial side of unit 1 and spline-coupled to it. The link shaft 61 is interposed between the differential gear 40 and the drive wheels, and is responsible for connecting them; it is connected downstream of the rotating electric machine 20. The rotating electric machine 20 is connected to the link shaft 61 via the differential gear 40.

[0034] The link shaft 61 is spline-coupled to the side gear of the differential unit 42 from one axial side, and the first drive shaft 62 is spline-coupled to the link shaft 61 from one axial side. Therefore, the link shaft 61 is, so to speak, an extension shaft of the first drive shaft 62 and corresponds to the drive shaft. The differential gear 40 may also be connected directly to the first drive shaft 62 as an extension, that is, without going through the link shaft 61. In this case, the first drive shaft 62 corresponds to the link shaft.

[0035] A second drive shaft 63 is assembled to the differential unit 42 from the other axial side. Power from the rotating electric machine 20 is transmitted from the differential unit 42 to one drive wheel via the link shaft 61 and the first drive shaft 62, and to the other drive wheel via the second drive shaft 63. The first drive shaft 62 is supported by a bearing 59 provided in the second case 12.

[0036] The sixth gear 36 also serves as part of the differential gear 40. In other words, the sixth gear 36 can be understood as a component of the differential gear 40. Even in this case, the differential gear 40 can be understood as being connected downstream of the sixth gear 36, with a portion of the differential gear 40, including the differential unit 42 that outputs power from the rotating electric machine 20, connected downstream of the sixth gear 36.

[0037] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the main part of Unit 1. Figure 3 is a front view of the main part of Unit 1. Figure 3 shows the main part of Unit 1 as seen along the axial direction of the link shaft 61. The axial direction of the link shaft 61 corresponds to the axial direction of Unit 1.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the link shaft 61 is located on the outer circumference (outside) of the rotating electric machine 20. Therefore, the rotating electric machine 20 and the link shaft 61 are not coaxial but are arranged on separate axes. The rotating electric machine 20 and the link shaft 61 are separately located on two axes, the first axis AX1 and the fourth axis AX4, which are arranged parallel to each other.

[0039] Unit 1 further includes a park lock mechanism 70. The park lock mechanism 70 is fixed to a second case 12 located at one end (one side) of the first case 11 in the axial direction, and is provided in the first case 11 together with the second case 12. Figure 2 shows the park lock mechanism 70 in a front view in the same configuration as when it is fixed to the second case 12 in Unit 1.

[0040] The park lock mechanism 70 includes a park gear 71 provided on the rotating shaft 23, a park pole 72 that engages with the park gear 71, and a park actuator 73 that rotates the park pole 72. The park actuator 73 has an actuator drive motor that generates power in the park actuator 73 and rotates it.

[0041] In the park lock mechanism 70, power from the park actuator 73 is transmitted to the park pole 72 via a link mechanism 74, a park rod 75, and a wedge 76. The link mechanism 74 connects the park actuator 73 to the rear end of the park rod 75, and the park rod 75 moves in response to the power from the park actuator 73 input via the link mechanism 74. The wedge 76 is attached to the front end of the park rod 75.

[0042] The wedge 76 is biased toward the park pole 72 by a wedge spring 77 provided on the park rod 75, and the park pole 72 is biased toward away from the park gear 71 by a return spring 78. In response to the movement of the park rod 75, the wedge 76 swings the park pole 72, thereby performing park lock and park lock release (engagement and release of the park gear 71 and the park pole 72). Figures 2 and 3 show the park pole 72 and other components in both the park lock position and the park lock release position.

[0043] The park lock mechanism 70 is installed on the opposite side of the reduction mechanism 30 from the rotating electric machine 20 in the axial direction. In other words, the rotating electric machine 20 is installed between the park lock mechanism 70 and the reduction mechanism 30. By installing the park lock mechanism 70 in this way, it is possible to install the park lock mechanism 70 without considering interference with the reduction mechanism 30.

[0044] A stator 22 of the rotating electric machine 20 is provided on the outer circumference of the rotor 21, and coil ends 22a of the stator 22 are formed at both ends of the stator 22. The coil ends 22a extend along the axial direction of the unit 1 to the vicinity of the opening at one end of the first case 11. The link shaft 61 has a portion provided inside the first case 11 and also protrudes to the outside from one end of the first case 11.

[0045] Therefore, a step-like region R is formed within the first case 11 by the rotating electric machine 20 and the link shaft 61. Region R is formed within the first case 11 adjacent to the rotating electric machine 20 and the link shaft 61, and has a depth that extends axially inward from the opening at one end of the first case 11.

[0046] Region R includes the space below the link shaft 61 (the space directly below the link shaft 61), and the park actuator 73 has a portion positioned in region R, inserted into region R from an opening on one end of the first case 11. The park actuator 73 is inserted into region R to the extent that it extends in the axial direction of the link shaft 61 to the position where the inverter housing chamber S1 is provided.

[0047] The inverter housing chamber S1 is formed in the first case 11. The inverter housing chamber S1 opens to the top surface of the first case 11 and is covered by the cover C. Therefore, the inverter housing chamber S1, indicated by the dashed arrow at its tip, is hidden beneath the cover C, and the inverter 90 (see Figure 4) housed in the inverter housing chamber S1 is located on the back surface of the cover C.

[0048] The walls surrounding the inverter housing chamber S1 are connected to the mating surface around the opening formed on the upper surface of the first case 11, and the cover C is bolted to this mating surface. Therefore, the inverter housing chamber S1 has an area roughly the same size as the cover C.

[0049] The link shaft 61 and the park actuator 73 have portions that overlap with the rotating electric machine 20 when viewed from a first orthogonal direction D1 (left-right direction in Figure 3) perpendicular to the axial direction of the link shaft 61. The first orthogonal direction D1 is the lateral direction of the first case 11 (lateral direction of the housing 10) perpendicular to the axial direction of the link shaft 61. The first orthogonal direction D1 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the link shaft 61 along the upper surface of the first case 11 (upper surface of the housing 10) on which the cover C is provided.

[0050] Furthermore, the park actuator 73 has a portion that overlaps with the link shaft 61 when viewed from the axial direction of the link shaft 61 and from a second orthogonal direction D2 (up and down direction in Figure 3) that is perpendicular to the first orthogonal direction D1. The second orthogonal direction D2 is the vertical direction of the first case 11 (the vertical direction of the housing 10). The second orthogonal direction D2 is perpendicular to the upper surface of the first case 11 (the upper surface of the housing 10) on which the cover C is provided.

[0051] By configuring unit 1 in this way, the park actuator 73 is positioned in a stepped region R formed by the rotating electric machine 20 and the link shaft 61. This makes it possible to realize a park lock mechanism 70 that contributes to the miniaturization of unit 1, and the overall size of unit 1 can be made more compact.

[0052] The housing 10 has an inverter housing chamber S1, indicated by a dashed arrow at its tip in Figures 2 and 3. When viewed from the second orthogonal direction D2, the inverter housing chamber S1 has a portion that overlaps with the link shaft 61 and the park actuator 73.

[0053] As a result, when viewed from a predetermined direction (second orthogonal direction D2), the link shaft 61 and the park actuator 73 are positioned so as to be hidden in a location that overlaps with the inverter housing chamber S1, making the entire unit 1 compact.

[0054] The link shaft 61 has a portion that is positioned between the park actuator 73 and the inverter housing chamber S1. This is for the following reasons.

[0055] Here, the park actuator 73 can also be placed between the inverter housing S1 and the link shaft 61. However, in this case, since the space above the link shaft 61 is narrow (see Figure 2), the park actuator 73 will be placed in a direction that increases the distance between the axis of the rotating electric machine 20 and the axis of the link shaft 61 (the distance along the vertical direction in Figure 3) when viewed from the first orthogonal direction D1.

[0056] On the other hand, the space below the link shaft 61 in region R, coupled with the formation of an oil reservoir P (described later), is unlikely to be used for any particular purpose in terms of its overall placement within unit 1. This makes it easy to secure space for installing the park actuator 73 without significantly shifting the position of the link shaft 61.

[0057] Therefore, when the park actuator 73 is placed in the lower space of the link shaft 61, the distance between the axis of the rotating electric machine 20 and the axis of the link shaft 61, as viewed from the first orthogonal direction D1, can be reduced compared to when the park actuator 73 is placed in the upper space of the link shaft 61.

[0058] By reducing the distance between the axis of the rotating electric machine 20 and the axis of the link shaft 61, it is possible to prevent the highest or lowest part of the rotating electric machine 20 from protruding too far from the vehicle in the vehicle height direction relative to the center of the drive wheel. Therefore, the vehicle mountability of unit 1 can be improved.

[0059] The housing 10 further has a motor housing chamber S2 for housing the rotating electric machine 20. The motor housing chamber S2 is formed in the first case 11, and the inverter housing chamber S1 and the motor housing chamber S2 are integrally formed in the first case 11.

[0060] This makes the entire unit 1 more compact compared to a case where the motor housing chamber S2 is formed in a separate housing from the inverter housing chamber S1 in the housing 10.

[0061] In other words, the housing 10 can also be configured as a housing having a motor housing chamber S2 (first housing) and a housing having an inverter housing chamber S1 (second housing), with the inverter housing chamber S1 and motor housing chamber S2 formed separately. However, compared to this case, the entire unit 1 can be made more compact.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3, unit 1 further includes an oil reservoir P in which oil used for lubrication and cooling is stored. The oil reservoir P is formed in the lower space within the housing 10, and the oil reservoirs P formed in the first case 11, second case 12, and third case 13 are in communication with each other. Therefore, the oil level LV of the oil reservoir P is the same oil level height as the oil reservoirs P in the first case 11, second case 12, and third case 13 in a steady-state circulation state.

[0063] A steady-state circulation is a state in which the circulation of oil is constant. For example, if oil circulation is performed using a pump, this state is defined as the state in which the oil level LV is stable during pump operation. Oil circulation may also be performed by stirring up oil with rotating members such as gears within the housing 10. In this case, a steady-state circulation is defined as the state in which the oil level LV is stable while the rotating members are rotating.

[0064] The oil level LV is set to a height that, in a steady-state circulation state, immerses the stator 22 in oil, and prevents oil from entering the gap (air gap) between the rotor 21 and the stator 22. This is because if oil enters the air gap, the rotational resistance of the rotating electric machine 20 increases sharply, while the stator 22 needs to be cooled. Therefore, by setting the oil level LV as described above, the oil is set to contact the coil end 22a of the stator 22.

[0065] The park actuator 73 is located below the link shaft 61 (in the lower space of the link shaft 61 within region R), and at least a portion of it is below the oil level LV. In other words, at least a portion of the park actuator 73 is submerged in the oil reservoir P. This allows the easily overheating actuator drive motor (the drive motor of the actuator) of the park actuator 73 to be cooled.

[0066] Figure 4 shows other key parts of Unit 1. In Figure 4, the rotating electric machine 20, reduction mechanism 30, and park lock mechanism 70 are shown together with the housing 10 and cover C in a front view from the second case 12 side (i.e., a front view from the same orientation as in Figure 3). In Figure 4, the park lock mechanism 70 is shown in the same arrangement as when it is fixed to the second case 12 in Unit 1. Note that the link shaft 61 is omitted from the illustration in Figure 4.

[0067] The sixth gear 36 corresponds to a ring gear and has a portion that overlaps with the rotating electric machine 20 when viewed from the axial direction of unit 1 (the axial direction of the link shaft 61). In addition, the sixth gear 36 has a portion that does not overlap with the rotating electric machine 20 but overlaps with the park actuator 73 when viewed from the axial direction of unit 1.

[0068] This allows for miniaturization of the sixth gear 36 by overlapping it with the rotating electric machine 20, while also providing space for the park actuator 73 by leaving a portion that does not overlap with the rotating electric machine 20, thereby contributing to the overall miniaturization of the unit 1.

[0069] Furthermore, in unit 1, when viewed from the axial direction of unit 1, the differential case 41 has a portion that overlaps with the rotating electric machine 20, as well as a portion that does not overlap with the rotating electric machine 20 but overlaps with the park actuator 73, thus enabling further miniaturization of the entire unit 1.

[0070] The differential gear 40 may have a planetary gear mechanism as a reduction mechanism. In this case, the ring gear of the planetary gear mechanism housed in the differential case 41 can be configured to have a portion that overlaps with the rotating electric machine 20 when viewed from the axial direction of the unit 1, as well as a portion that does not overlap with the rotating electric machine 20 but overlaps with the park actuator 73, thereby further miniaturization of the entire unit 1.

[0071] Next, we will explain the main effects and benefits of Unit 1.

[0072] (1) Unit 1 comprises a rotating electric machine 20, a link shaft 61 connected downstream of the rotating electric machine 20, a park gear 71 provided on a rotating shaft 23 that rotates integrally with the rotor 21 of the rotating electric machine 20, a park pole 72 that engages with the park gear 71, and a park actuator 73 that rotates the park pole 72, and a park lock mechanism 70. The link shaft 61 is located on the outer circumference of the rotating electric machine 20. When viewed from a first orthogonal direction D1 perpendicular to the axial direction of the link shaft 61, the link shaft 61 and the park actuator 73 have portions that overlap with the rotating electric machine 20. When viewed from the axial direction and a second orthogonal direction D2 perpendicular to the first orthogonal direction D1, the park actuator 73 has portions that overlap with the link shaft 61.

[0073] With this configuration, in a unit 1 where the rotating electric machine 20 and the link shaft 61 are arranged on separate axes rather than coaxially, a park lock mechanism 70 that contributes to miniaturization of unit 1 can be realized. That is, since the park actuator 73 is positioned in a stepped region R formed by the rotating electric machine 20 and the link shaft 61, the overall size of unit 1 can be made more compact.

[0074] (2) Unit 1 has a housing 10 which has an inverter housing chamber S1 that houses the inverter 90. When viewed from the second orthogonal direction D2, the inverter housing chamber S1 has a portion that overlaps with the link shaft 61 and the park actuator 73.

[0075] With this configuration, the link shaft 61 and the park actuator 73 are positioned so that they are hidden when viewed from a predetermined direction (second orthogonal direction D2) and overlap with the inverter housing chamber S1, making the entire unit 1 compact.

[0076] (3) The link shaft 61 has a portion that is positioned between the park actuator 73 and the inverter housing chamber S1.

[0077] With this configuration, the distance between the axis of the rotating electric machine 20 and the axis of the link shaft 61 can be reduced when viewed from the first orthogonal direction D1. By reducing the distance between the axis of the rotating electric machine 20 and the axis of the link shaft 61, it is possible to suppress the highest or lowest part of the rotating electric machine 20 from protruding significantly from the vehicle in the vehicle height direction relative to the center of the drive wheels. Therefore, the vehicle mountability of unit 1 can be improved.

[0078] (4) The housing 10 has a motor housing chamber S2 for housing the rotating electric machine 20.

[0079] With this configuration, the inverter housing chamber S1 and the motor housing chamber S2 are integrally formed in the housing 10, making the entire unit 1 compact.

[0080] (5) The park actuator 73 is located below the link shaft 61. The park actuator 73 is at least partially submerged in oil.

[0081] With this configuration, the park actuator 73 can be placed below the link shaft 61 and submerged in oil, which allows the easily overheating actuator drive motor of the park actuator 73 to be cooled.

[0082] (6) The rotating electric machine 20 is connected to the link shaft 61 via a differential gear 40. The differential gear 40 has a sixth gear 36. When viewed from the axial direction of the link shaft 61, the sixth gear 36 has a portion that overlaps with the rotating electric machine 20. When viewed from the axial direction of the link shaft 61, the sixth gear 36 has a portion that does not overlap with the rotating electric machine 20 but overlaps with the park actuator 73.

[0083] With this configuration, the sixth gear 36 can be miniaturized by overlapping it with the rotating electric machine 20, while also providing space for the park actuator 73 by leaving a portion that does not overlap with the rotating electric machine 20, thereby contributing to the overall miniaturization of the unit 1.

[0084] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments only represent a part of the application examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 1: Unit 20: Rotating electric machines (motors) 36: Sixth Gear (Ring Gear) 40: Differential Gear 63: Link shaft 70: Park Lock Mechanism 71: Park Gear 72: Park Pole 73: Park Actuator 90: Inverter D1: First orthogonal direction D2: Second orthogonal direction LV: Oil Level P: Oil puddle S1: Inverter housing room S2: Motor housing room

Claims

1. Motor and, A link shaft connected downstream of the motor, A park lock mechanism comprising: a park gear provided on a shaft that rotates integrally with the rotor of the motor; a park pole that engages with the park gear; and a park actuator that rotates the park pole; It has, The link shaft is located on the outer circumference of the motor. When viewed from a first orthogonal direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the link shaft, the link shaft and the park actuator have portions that overlap with the motor. When viewed from the axial direction and a second orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first orthogonal direction, the park actuator has a portion that overlaps with the link shaft. unit.

2. The unit according to claim 1, It has a housing that has an inverter housing chamber for housing the inverter, When viewed from the second orthogonal direction, the inverter housing has a portion that overlaps with the link shaft and the park actuator. unit.

3. The unit according to claim 2, The link shaft has a portion that is positioned between the park actuator and the inverter housing chamber. unit.

4. The unit according to claim 2, The housing has a motor housing chamber for housing the motor. unit.

5. The unit according to claim 1, The park actuator is located at the lower part of the link shaft. The aforementioned park actuator is at least partially submerged in oil. unit.

6. A unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The motor is connected to the link shaft via a differential gear. The differential gear has a ring gear, When viewed from the axial direction, the ring gear has a portion that overlaps with the motor. When viewed from the axial direction, the ring gear has a portion that does not overlap with the motor but overlaps with the park actuator. unit.

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