Multifunctional housing and electric final drive train

Abstract

The invention relates to a multifunctional housing (10) for accommodating components of an electric final drive train for a motor vehicle. In order to simplify provision of different fluids in the electric final drive train for the motor vehicle, the multifunctional housing (10) has a central housing body (1) into which fluid ducts (65, 66) for different fluids are integrated.

Description

[0001] Multifunctional housing and electric axle drive train

[0002] The invention relates to a multifunctional housing for accommodating components of an electric axle drive train for a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to an electric axle drive train for a motor vehicle with such a multifunctional housing.

[0003] A detailed description of an electric drive can be found in an article in the magazine ATZ 113th year, 05 / 2011, pages 360-365 by Erik Schneider, Frank Fickl, Bernd Cebulski and Jens Liebold with the title: Highly integrated and flexible electric drive unit for electric vehicles. This article describes a drive unit for one axle of a vehicle which comprises an electric motor which is arranged concentrically and coaxially to a bevel gear differential, with a switchable 2-speed planetary gear set being arranged in the power train between the electric motor and bevel gear differential, which is also positioned coaxially to the electric motor or the bevel gear differential or spur gear differential. The drive unit is very compact and, thanks to the switchable 2-speed planetary gear set, allows a good compromise between climbing ability, acceleration and energy consumption.Such drive units are also referred to as electric axles or electrically operated axle drive trains. German patent application DE 10 2018 124 220 A1 discloses an electric pump actuator, in particular for actuating a clutch, particularly in the drive train of a motor vehicle, comprising a pump and an electric motor. The pump and the electric motor are formed in a one-piece housing that has a closable mounting opening on at least one end face.German patent application DE 10 2021 129 917 A1 discloses an exhaust manifold for an engine, comprising: a plurality of exhaust manifold pipes coupling a plurality of cylinder exhaust outlet openings to an exhaust outlet opening, wherein the plurality of exhaust manifold pipes form at least a first exhaust passage and a second exhaust passage at the exhaust outlet opening; an upper cooling jacket positioned vertically above the first exhaust passage; a lower cooling jacket positioned vertically below the one central cooling jacket, vertically below the first exhaust passage and vertically above the second exhaust passage.

[0004] The object of the invention is to simplify the provision of different fluids in an electric axle drive train for a motor vehicle.

[0005] The object is achieved in a multifunctional housing for accommodating components of an electric axle drive train for a motor vehicle in that the multifunctional housing comprises a central housing body into which fluid channels for different fluids are integrated. The electric axle drive train comprises at least one traction motor, power electronics, and a transmission. The central housing body with the fluid channels considerably simplifies the implementation of different fluid circuits for supplying the components of the electric axle drive train with different fluids. Bores and labyrinths for representing the fluid circuits are preferably designed as cast geometries. Depending on the required accuracy, for example in the area of ​​valve seats, mechanical, in particular machining, post-processing may be necessary.According to a further aspect, filters required in the fluid circuits are integrated into the fluid channels. The filters are advantageously arranged in the fluid channels in such a way that they can be easily replaced after disassembly of peripheral components. The claimed multifunctional housing can be used to implement an electric axle drive train that, in addition to the traction motor, transmission, and power electronics, also includes cooling and air conditioning components. The various fluids comprise at least one cooling and / or lubricating medium and another medium that is compressible, at least in certain states.

[0006] A preferred embodiment of the multifunctional housing is characterized in that the central housing body comprises bearing receptacles for at least two transmission shafts. The central housing body preferably serves to represent a transmission housing body. This transmission housing body has a transmission side with which the central housing body can be attached to a transmission housing with a transmission. Furthermore, the central housing body advantageously has a traction machine side facing away from the transmission side, to which the traction machine is attached to the central housing body. The bearing receptacles for the at least two transmission shafts are advantageously supplied with a suitable cooling and / or lubricating medium via the fluid channels.

[0007] A further preferred embodiment of the multifunctional housing is characterized in that the central housing body comprises fluid channels for a cooling and / or lubricating medium. The cooling and / or lubricating medium is, for example, an oil, which is suitable for both lubrication and cooling, particularly of transmission components such as bearing components. However, the fluid can also be water, which is used primarily for cooling. The cooling and / or lubricating medium is preferably an incompressible medium.

[0008] A further preferred embodiment of the multifunctional housing is characterized in that the central housing body comprises fluid channels for a refrigerant. The refrigerant is preferably a medium that is compressible, i.e., in particular, gaseous, at least in certain states. The fluid channels for the refrigerant preferably serve to form a refrigerant circuit, for example, for an air conditioning system, in the central housing body.

[0009] A further preferred embodiment of the multifunctional housing is characterized in that the central housing body has an attachment interface for an accumulator and / or a filter device. The accumulator is preferably assigned to the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning system. The attachment interface for the accumulator is preferably provided on the traction machine side of the central housing body. This simplifies the connection of the accumulator. The attachment interface for the optional filter device is preferably a recess, which is provided, for example, for this purpose in a fluid channel or at the end of a fluid channel. The filter device is preferably a line-integrated filter. For this purpose, a seat for this line-integrated filter is advantageously provided in a line to be equipped with the filter.

[0010] A further preferred embodiment of the multifunctional housing is characterized in that the central housing body has attachment surfaces for at least two valve plates, which, in combination with the fluid channels in the central housing body, represent fluidically separated fluid circuits for different fluids. One of the valve plates, in combination with corresponding fluid channels in the central housing body, preferably serves to represent a lubrication and / or cooling circuit in the multifunctional housing. The other valve plate, in combination with corresponding fluid channels in the central housing body, preferably serves to represent a refrigerant circuit in the multifunctional housing. The valve plates are attached to the central housing body in a manner that is at least fluid-pressure-tight, preferably with the interposition of suitable sealing devices.Various joining techniques, such as screwing, gluing, welding, or soldering, can be used to attach the valve plates. The fluid channels preferably extend in one main direction, which is referred to, for example, as the longitudinal direction. Transverse bores to represent functional circuits are preferably short. All bore openings are preferably part of the respective fluid circuit. The fluid circuit is closed or covered by the aforementioned sealing devices or valve plates. This offers the advantage that separate closure elements and correspondingly precise connection geometries can be eliminated.

[0011] A further preferred embodiment of the multifunctional housing is characterized in that the valve plates have mounting surfaces for a leadframe. With the help of the leadframe, connections on the multifunctional housing can advantageously be made in just a single assembly step. The connections advantageously comprise a large portion of the required electrical and / or fluidic connections. The connections include supply interfaces, sensor interfaces, and line interfaces. All connections are advantageously designed as plug-in connections. The plug-in connections are particularly advantageously aligned in one direction. In this way, all required electrical contacts and all required fluid connections can be made with and / or on the claimed leadframe in a single assembly step.

[0012] A further preferred embodiment of the multifunctional housing is characterized in that the valve plates and the central housing body have mounting interfaces for valve devices. The valve devices comprise various components. These components are, for example, so-called cartridge valves, holding magnets, or other valves or valve elements, in particular check valves. Furthermore, the valve plates and the central housing body advantageously comprise connection interfaces or mounting interfaces for pumps or compressors. The valve devices are preferably integrated into the valve plates. However, it is also possible to connect individual valve devices to the central housing body via a separate interface.

[0013] A further preferred embodiment of the multifunctional housing is characterized in that the valve plates and the central housing body have connection interfaces for fluid lines. These connection interfaces are preferably standardized. Furthermore, the connection interfaces on the valve plates and the central housing body are advantageously arranged and aligned in such a way that connection is particularly advantageously enabled in a single assembly step.

[0014] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by an electric axle drive train for a motor vehicle with a multifunctional housing as described above. The electric axle drive train preferably comprises at least one electric traction motor, which is or can be connected to at least one wheel of the motor vehicle via a transmission. The transmission and the electric traction motor are integrated, at least for cooling and / or lubrication, into a fluid system that is implemented using the multifunctional housing as described above. The claimed electric axle drive train advantageously comprises, in addition to the electric traction motor, the transmission, and the power electronics, cooling and air conditioning components with fluid circuits that are integrated into the multifunctional housing.

[0015] The invention may also relate to at least one separately tradable individual part for a multifunctional housing described above.

[0016] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which various embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a central housing body of a multifunctional housing, viewed from a traction machine side;

[0018] Figure 2 shows the central housing body from Figure 1 with a view of one side of the gearbox;

[0019] Figure 3 is the same view as in Figure 1, with two valve plates and a lead frame mounted on the central housing body;

[0020] Figure 4 shows the same view as in Figure 2, with the two valve plates and the lead frame also attached to the central housing body;

[0021] Figure 5 shows an enlarged section of Figure 3 without the lead frame;

[0022] Figure 6 shows a section through one of the valve plates in Figure 4; and

[0023] Figure 7 is an enlarged top view of a mounting surface for one of the valve plates on the central housing body. Figures 1 to 6 show a multifunctional housing 10 with a central housing body 1 in various perspectives and views. The multifunctional housing 10 serves to accommodate components of an electric axle drive train 40.

[0024] The multifunctional housing 10 with the central housing body 1 comprises a traction machine side 29 facing a traction machine, which can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, and a transmission side 30 facing a transmission, which can be seen in Figures 2 and 4.

[0025] The multifunctional housing 10 is constructed in several parts and, in addition to the central housing body 1, comprises two valve plates 2, 3, a lead frame 4, and an accumulator 5. The valve plate 2, together with the central housing body 1 and the lead frame 4, serves to represent a labyrinthine fluid circuit for a hydraulic medium, which is also referred to as oil for short. Therefore, the corresponding fluid circuit is also referred to as the oil circuit.

[0026] The valve plate 3, together with the central housing body 1 and the lead frame 4, serves to create a fluid circuit for a refrigerant that is independent of the oil circuit. Therefore, this fluid circuit is also referred to as the refrigerant circuit. The oil circuit is fluidically separated from the refrigerant circuit in the central housing body 1.

[0027] The central housing body 1 has, as can be seen in Figure 1, among other things, on its traction machine side 29, an attachment interface 20 for the accumulator 5, which in turn is shown in Figure 3. In addition, the central housing body 1 has, on its traction machine side 29, four attachment elements 6, 7, 8, 9 for the traction machine, arranged on a pitch circle. The attachment elements 6 to 9 serve in particular to center the traction machine in the installed state and to support it during the transmission of torque. The central housing body 1 has a mounting surface 11 at the top for the valve plate 2. The mounting surface 11 for the valve plate 2 comprises a labyrinth of fluid channels 66, which, together with corresponding fluid channels in the central housing body 1, serve to represent the oil circuit.

[0028] The oil circuit comprises line connections 12 and 13 on the traction machine side 29 of the central housing body 1. Line connection 12 is, for example, a cooling oil return. Line connection 13 is, for example, a cooling oil supply. The cooling oil is provided, for example, by a suitable pump. The cooling oil is then fed, for example, to a heat exchanger via line connection 12.

[0029] In addition, the central housing body 1 has a mounting surface 15 for the valve plate 3. The mounting surface 15 comprises a labyrinth of fluid channels 65, which, together with corresponding fluid channels in the central housing body 1, serve to represent the refrigerant circuit.

[0030] The central housing body 1 has a power connection 16 at the top in Figure 1. Furthermore, the refrigerant circuit has connection interfaces 21, 22, and 23 on the gear side 30, as can be seen in Figure 2. Between the connection interfaces 21 and 23, a sensor connection 25 is also provided on the gear side 30 of the central housing body 1.

[0031] In addition, the central housing body 1 is equipped with valve seats 17, 18, 19 of valve devices for the refrigerant circuit. Two gear interfaces 27, 28 in the central housing body 1 serve to pass through gear shafts, of which a gear shaft 31 is shown in Figure 3. The gear shaft 31 is preferably a gear input shaft. The gear input shaft serves to represent a drive connection with a rotor of the traction machine. The lead frame 4 comprises a central connection 32. The valve plates 2 and 3 are attached to the central housing body 1 by means of screw connections 34. For sealing, sealing devices are provided between the valve plates 2, 3 and the central housing body 1, of which a sealing device 60 is shown in section in Figure 6.The sealing device 60 preferably comprises a sealing plate combined with a suitable seal.

[0032] The refrigerant circuit includes valve devices 35 with holding magnets 36, which are mounted on the valve plate 3 and, in the area of ​​the valve seats 18, 19, on the central housing body 1, as shown in Figure 3. Figures 3 and 4 show that bearings 37, 38, and 39 are installed in the central housing body 1. Bearings 37 and 38 support two transmission shafts. Bearing 39 supports an intermediate shaft.

[0033] Figure 5 shows that the valve devices 35 and the holding magnets 36 are all contacted in one mounting direction, from above in Figure 5. Connection elements 51 to 54 are, as shown in Figure 5, mounted in the same mounting direction, i.e., from above in Figure 5. A switching magnet 45 with a contact 47 is contacted in the same mounting direction, from above in Figure 5. This alignment significantly simplifies assembly, especially connection.

[0034] Figure 6 shows that fluid channels in the valve plate 3 and in the central housing body 1 are represented by bores 61 to 63. Bores 62 and 63 are also referred to as longitudinal bores. Similarly, bore 61 is referred to as a transverse bore. Transverse bores in the multifunctional housing 10 are generally significantly shorter than longitudinal bores.

[0035] Figure 6 shows how the valve device 35, designed as a switching valve, is combined with a check valve 68 in the multifunctional housing 10. The valve device 35 is arranged in the valve plate 3. The check valve 68 is arranged in the central housing body 1. Figure 7 shows the mounting surface 11 for the valve plate 2 on the central housing body 1 alone in a plan view. The enlarged view shows that the mounting surface 11 has a total of nine holes 72 on the outside for a screw connection. The holes 72 for the screw connection are arranged outside a sealing groove 73. Within the sealing groove 73, several bores 69, an optional blind line 70, and a leakage return line 71 are provided in a gear chamber. Furthermore, an optional seat 74 for a filter device is provided within the sealing groove 73. The filter device is a line-integrated filter.

[0036] List of reference symbols central housing body valve plate valve plate ladder frame accumulator add-on element add-on element add-on element multifunctional housing mounting surface line connection line connection mounting surface line connection valve seat valve seat valve seat mounting interface connection interface connection interface connection interface sensor connection gearbox interface gearbox interface traction machine side gearbox side gearbox shaft central connection screw connection valve device holding magnet bearing bearing bearing electric axle drive train line connection line connection switching magnet contact connecting element connecting element connecting element connecting element sealing device bore bore bore fluid channels fluid channels check valve bores optional blind line leakage return holes for a screw connection sealing groove optional seat of a filter device

Claims

Patent claims 1. Multifunctional housing (10) for accommodating components of an electric axle drive train (40) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that the multifunctional housing (10) comprises a central housing body (1) into which fluid channels (65, 66) for different fluids are integrated.

2. Multifunctional housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the central housing body (1) comprises bearing receptacles for at least two gear shafts (31).

3. Multifunctional housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central housing body (1) comprises fluid channels (66) for a cooling and / or lubricating medium.

4. Multifunctional housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central housing body (1) comprises fluid channels (65) for a coolant.

5. Multifunctional housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central housing body (1) has an attachment interface (20) for an accumulator (5) and / or a filter device.

6. Multifunctional housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central housing body (1) has mounting surfaces (11, 15) for at least two valve plates (2, 3), which in combination with the fluid channels (66, 65) in the central housing body (1) represent fluidically separated fluid circuits for different fluids.

7. Multifunctional housing according to claim 6, characterized in that the valve plates (2, 3) have mounting surfaces for a lead frame (4).

8. Multifunctional housing according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the valve plates (2, 3) and the central housing body (1) have mounting interfaces for valve devices (35).

9. Multifunctional housing according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the valve plates (2, 3) and the central housing body (1) have connection interfaces (21 to 23) for fluid lines.

10. Electric axle drive train (40) for a motor vehicle with a multifunctional housing (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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