Vehicle drive device

Abstract

A second case part (22) can be fixed to a first case part (21) at a plurality of mutually different relative fixing angles. At the plurality of relative fixing angles, a first joining surface (21b), which is a joining surface with the second case part (22) in the first case part (21), and a second joining surface (22b), which is a joining surface with the first case part (21) in the second case part (22), are joined.

Description

Vehicle drive unit

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle drive device equipped with a rotating electric machine.

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2023-0048736 (Patent Document 1) discloses a vehicle drive device (1) including a rotating electric machine (2) and an inverter (9). This vehicle drive device (1) is for four-wheel drive, and two vehicle drive devices (1) having substantially the same configuration are arranged at the front and rear of the vehicle so that they are on opposite sides of the front-to-rear direction (X). Furthermore, a case (10) of the vehicle drive device (1) includes an equipment housing chamber (E1) that houses the rotating electric machine (2) and a gear mechanism (6), and an inverter housing chamber (E2) that houses a rotating electric machine control device (9).

[0003] JP 2023-048736 A

[0004] The requirements for inverter placement may differ for each vehicle, depending on the shape of the vehicle's installation space and the layout of vehicle components electrically connected to the inverter. However, because the position of the output shaft of the vehicle drive system is determined by the vehicle's requirements, changing the layout of the inverter requires changing the layout of each component in the entire vehicle drive system and significantly changing the shape of the case. This requires a different vehicle drive system for each vehicle, which poses a problem of increased development and manufacturing costs.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to realize a vehicle drive device in which the arrangement of the inverter can be easily changed according to the requirements of the vehicle.

[0006] A first vehicle drive device according to the present disclosure includes a rotating electric machine, an output member drivingly connected to a wheel, a gear mechanism that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine and the output member, and a case that houses the rotating electric machine and the gear mechanism, the case including a first case portion that forms a first housing chamber in which one of the gear mechanism and the rotating electric machine is housed, and a second case portion that forms a second housing chamber in which the other of the gear mechanism and the rotating electric machine is housed, the direction along the rotation axis of the rotating electric machine being defined as an axial direction, and the direction circumferentially around the rotation axis being defined as a circumferential direction, and the second case portion is disposed on one side of the first case portion in the axial direction. The second case part is fixed to the first case part in a joined state, and an inverter for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine is arranged in a partial circumferential area of ​​the second case part, and the second case part can be fixed to the first case part at a plurality of relative fixed angles that are different from each other, with the relative angle of the second case part around an axis parallel to the axial direction with respect to the first case part being defined as a relative fixed angle, and a first joint surface that is the joint surface of the first case part with the second case part and a second joint surface that is the joint surface of the second case part with the first case part are joined at the plurality of relative fixed angles.

[0007] According to this configuration, the fixing angle of the second case portion relative to the first case portion can be changed without changing the orientation of the first case portion when the vehicle is mounted. Therefore, the inverter position can be changed together with the second case portion in accordance with the inverter positioning requirements of the vehicle. Furthermore, according to this configuration, even when the vehicle drive device is mounted in multiple vehicles with different inverter positioning requirements, the first case portion and the second case portion can be used as common components for each vehicle. Therefore, the inverter positioning can be easily changed to meet the vehicle's requirements.

[0008] A second vehicle drive device according to the present disclosure includes a rotating electric machine, an output member drivingly connected to a wheel, a gear mechanism that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine and the output member, and a case that houses the rotating electric machine and the gear mechanism, the case including a first case portion that forms a first housing chamber in which one of the gear mechanism and the rotating electric machine is housed, and a second case portion that forms a second housing chamber in which the other of the gear mechanism and the rotating electric machine is housed, the second case portion being joined to the first case portion from one side in the axial direction, with a direction along a rotation axis of the rotating electric machine being defined as an axial direction and a direction circumferentially around the rotation axis being defined as a circumferential direction, and the second case portion being fixed to the first case portion, An inverter for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine is arranged in a portion of the circumferential region of the case, and the case is attached to a vehicle via a first mount member and a second mount member, the first case portion is provided with a first mount fixing portion to which the first mount member is fixed, and the second case portion is provided with a plurality of second mount fixing portions to which the second mount member is fixed, and the plurality of second mount fixing portions are arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction, and when the case is attached to the vehicle, the second mount member is fixed to one of the plurality of second mount fixing portions, and the second mount member is not fixed to the remaining second mount fixing portions.

[0009] According to this configuration, the multiple second mount fixing portions are arranged in a distributed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction. By fixing the second mount member to any of the multiple second mount fixing portions, the second case portion can be attached to the vehicle in an orientation that meets the vehicle's requirements. Therefore, for example, the orientation of the second case portion can be easily changed without changing the orientation of the first case portion while the vehicle is mounted. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the inverter's position can be easily changed along with the second case portion in accordance with the vehicle's requirements. Furthermore, according to this configuration, even when the vehicle drive device is installed in multiple vehicles with different inverter positioning requirements, the first case portion and the second case portion can be used as common components for each vehicle. Therefore, the inverter's position can be easily changed to meet the vehicle's requirements.

[0010] A third vehicle drive device according to the present disclosure includes a rotating electric machine, an output member drivingly connected to a wheel, a gear mechanism that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine and the output member, and a case that houses the rotating electric machine and the gear mechanism, wherein the case includes a first case portion that forms a first housing chamber in which one of the gear mechanism and the rotating electric machine is housed, and a second case portion that forms a second housing chamber in which the other of the gear mechanism and the rotating electric machine is housed, with the direction along the rotation axis of the rotating electric machine being defined as an axial direction and the direction circumferentially around the rotation axis being defined as a circumferential direction, and the second case portion is fixed to the first case portion while being joined to the first case portion from one side in the axial direction, and the second case portion is fixed to the first case portion while being joined to the second case portion from one side in the axial direction, An inverter for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine is arranged in a portion of the circumferential region of the case, and the case is attached to a vehicle via a first mount member and a second mount member, the first case portion is provided with a plurality of first mount fixing portions to which the first mount member is fixed, and the second case portion is provided with a second mount fixing portion to which the second mount member is fixed, and the plurality of first mount fixing portions are arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction, and when the case is attached to the vehicle, the first mount member is fixed to one of the plurality of first mount fixing portions, and the first mount member is not fixed to the remaining first mount fixing portions.

[0011] With this configuration, the multiple first mount fixing portions are arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction, and by fixing the first mount member to any of the multiple first mount fixing portions, the first case portion can be attached to the vehicle in an orientation that meets the requirements of the vehicle. Therefore, for example, it is easy to change the orientation of the first case portion without changing the orientation of the second case portion while the vehicle is mounted.

[0012] 2 is a perspective view of the second case portion of FIG. 2 as viewed from the first axial side; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the second case portion of FIG. 2 as viewed from the second axial side; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating cooling of the rotating electric machine of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating fixing of the case to the first mount member of FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating fixing of the case to the second mount member of FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of fixing of the first case portion of FIG. 2 to the second mount member; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of fixing of the first case portion of FIG. 2 to the second case portion of FIG. 2; FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second mount fixing portion of FIG. 3; FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first mount fixing portion of FIG. 4;

[0013] First Embodiment A vehicle drive device 10 according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle 8 equipped with a vehicle drive device 10. The vehicle drive device 10 includes a rotating electric machine MG, an output member drivingly connected to wheels (W1, W2), and a gear mechanism GT that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine MG and the output member. The vehicle drive device 10 includes a case 20 that houses the rotating electric machine MG and the gear mechanism GT. Here, a direction parallel to a rotation axis X1 of a rotor 12 included in the rotating electric machine MG is defined as an axial direction L. The rotor 12 of the rotating electric machine MG is disposed on a first axial side L1, which is one side of the axial direction L, relative to the gear mechanism GT. The rotating electric machine MG is a driving force source for the vehicle 8. The gear mechanism GT includes a reducer 16 and a differential gear mechanism 15. Examples of the "output member" include the first side gear 15a, the second side gear 15b, their spline engagement portion 15d, the first drive shaft DS1, the second drive shaft DS2, the connecting shaft 17, and the like, which will be described later.

[0015] In this specification, the term "driving connection" refers to a state in which two rotating elements are connected to each other so as to transmit a driving force, and includes a state in which the two rotating elements are connected to rotate integrally, or a state in which the two rotating elements are connected to each other so as to transmit a driving force via one or more transmission members. Such transmission members include various members that transmit rotation at the same speed or at variable speeds, such as shafts, gear mechanisms, belts, and chains. The transmission members may also include engagement devices that selectively transmit rotation and driving force, such as friction engagement devices and meshing engagement devices. However, when referring to rotating elements of a planetary gear mechanism, the term "driving connection" refers to a state in which the rotating elements are connected to each other without passing through other rotating elements of the planetary gear mechanism. Furthermore, in this specification, the term "rotating integrally" refers to rotating integrally regardless of whether the elements are separable or inseparable. In other words, multiple elements that rotate integrally may be integrally formed from the same member, or may be made of separate members and integrated by welding, spline connection, or the like. Furthermore, in this specification, with regard to the arrangement of two elements, "overlapping when viewed in a specific direction" means that when a virtual line parallel to the viewing direction is moved in each direction perpendicular to the virtual line, there is at least a partial area where the virtual line intersects with both of the two elements.

[0016] The output member is drivingly connected to a pair of wheels (W1, W2). The pair of wheels includes a first wheel W1 and a second wheel W2. The first wheel W1 is drivingly connected to a first drive shaft DS1, and the second wheel W2 is drivingly connected to a second drive shaft DS2. In this embodiment, the pair of side gears (15a, 15b) that serve as output gears of the differential gear mechanism 15 include a first side gear 15a and a second side gear 15b. The first side gear 15a is drivingly connected to the first drive shaft DS1 via a connecting shaft 17, and the second side gear 15b is drivingly connected to the second drive shaft DS2. For example, the first side gear 15a and the connecting shaft 17 are connected by a spline connection, and the second side gear 15b and the second drive shaft DS2 are also connected by a spline connection. These connections are spline engagement portions 15d.

[0017] In the following description, as described above, the direction parallel to the rotation axis X1 of the rotor 12 is referred to as the "axial direction L." One side of the axial direction L is referred to as the "first axial side L1," and the other side of the axial direction L is referred to as the "second axial side L2." In this embodiment, the rotating electric machine MG, the speed reducer 16, and the differential gear mechanism 15 are arranged coaxially in the order listed from the first axial side L1 to the second axial side L2. The vehicle drive device 10 of this embodiment has a single-shaft configuration, and the shaft on which the rotating electric machine MG, the speed reducer 16, and the differential gear mechanism 15 are arranged, with the rotation axis X1 as its axis, is the rotation axis of the vehicle drive device 10 as well as the rotation axis of the rotating electric machine MG, the speed reducer 16, and the differential gear mechanism 15. The direction going around the rotation axis X1 is referred to as the circumferential direction. The direction perpendicular to the axial direction L is referred to as the "radial direction Z." When the vehicle drive device 10 is mounted on the vehicle 8 so that the rotation axis X1 of the rotor 12 is horizontal, one of the radial directions Z coincides with the up-down direction. When the vehicle drive device 10 is mounted on the vehicle 8, the direction along the vertical direction is referred to as the "up-down direction," with the upper side being referred to as the "upper side in the up-down direction" and the lower side being referred to as the "lower side in the up-down direction." A direction perpendicular to the axial direction L and the up-down direction is referred to as the "front-rear direction H," with one side of the front-rear direction H being referred to as the "first front-rear direction side H1" and the other side being referred to as the "second front-rear direction side H2." In this embodiment, the first front-rear direction side H1 is the front side of the vehicle 8, and the second front-rear direction side H2 is the rear side. A direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction H of the vehicle body 90 when viewed in the up-down direction is referred to as the width direction. In this embodiment, the "width direction" of the vehicle 8 and the axial direction L are parallel, but they do not have to be parallel.

[0018] The rotating electric machine MG functions as a driving force source for the wheels (W1, W2). As shown in FIG. 1 , the rotating electric machine MG includes a stator 11 and a rotor 12 connected to the rotor shaft 13 so as to rotate integrally with the rotor shaft 13. The rotating electric machine MG is an inner rotor type rotating electric machine. The rotating electric machine MG includes a rotor 12 rotatably disposed inside the stator 11 in the radial direction Z. The rotor 12 includes a rotor core 12a and a permanent magnet (not shown) fixed to the rotor core 12a. The rotor shaft 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the rotor core 12a. A sun gear SG of a planetary gear mechanism constituting a reducer 16 is disposed on the outer circumferential side of the rotor shaft 13 on a second axial side L2 so as to rotate integrally with the rotor shaft 13. As described below, the sun gear SG is an input element of the reducer 16. In the illustrated example, the rotating electric machine MG is a rotating field type rotating electric machine.

[0019] The stator 11 includes a cylindrical stator core 11a and a coil wound around the stator core 11a. The coil includes a coil end portion 11b that protrudes outward in the axial direction L from the stator core 11a. The axis of the stator core 11a is the same as the rotation axis X1 of the rotor 12 described above. In this embodiment, the axis of the stator core 11a is the same as the rotation axis X1 of a differential case 15c described below. In this embodiment, the stator 11 is fixed to a case 20.

[0020] 1, the reducer 16 is configured as a planetary gear mechanism including an input element that rotates integrally with the rotor shaft 13, a fixed element fixed to the case 20, an output element that rotates integrally with the differential input element (differential case 15c), and planetary gears. This planetary gear mechanism is a compound planetary gear mechanism that includes one sun gear SG, two ring gears (first ring gear RG1 and second ring gear RG2), two planetary gears that rotate integrally (first planetary gear PG1 and second planetary gear PG2), and a carrier CR that rotatably supports the two planetary gears. In this embodiment, the first planetary gear PG1 has a smaller diameter than the second planetary gear PG2.

[0021] The sun gear SG rotates integrally with the rotor 12 and rotor shaft 13. The second ring gear RG2 is fixed to the case 20. The first ring gear RG1 is disposed on the second axial side L2 relative to the second ring gear RG2 and is connected to the differential case 15c so as to rotate integrally with the differential case 15c. The second planetary gear PG2 meshes with the sun gear SG and the second ring gear RG2, and the first planetary gear PG1 rotates integrally with the second planetary gear PG2 and meshes with the first ring gear RG1. In this embodiment, the sun gear SG is the input element, the second ring gear RG2 is the fixed element, and the first ring gear RG1 is the output element. The carrier CR is not connected to any rotating element or fixed element.

[0022] The differential gear mechanism 15 is a bevel gear type differential gear mechanism and includes a bevel gear pinion 15p and side gears (15a, 15b). The pinion 15p is rotatably supported by a pinion shaft 15s that is supported by a differential gear case 15c and arranged to extend along the radial direction Z. The pinion shaft 15s rotates integrally with the differential gear case 15c, and the pinion 15p is configured to be rotatable (spin) about the pinion shaft 15s and rotatable (revolve) about the rotation axis X1 of the differential gear case 15c. The multiple pinion shafts 15s are arranged radially (e.g., in a cross shape) about the rotation axis X1 of the differential gear case 15c, and a pinion 15p is attached to each of the multiple pinion shafts 15s. The differential case 15c accommodates therein the pinion 15p, the side gears (15a, 15b), and the pinion shaft 15s.

[0023] The side gears (15a, 15b) are a pair of first and second side gears 15a and 15b, spaced apart in the axial direction L. The first and second side gears 15a and 15b mesh with the pinions 15p, respectively, and are arranged to rotate about the rotation axis X1 of the differential case 15c. As shown in FIG. 1 , the first side gear 15a is connected to a connecting shaft 17 that extends along the axial direction L, passing through the reducer 16 and the inside of the hollow cylindrical rotor shaft 13 in the radial direction Z. The connecting shaft 17 is connected to rotate integrally with a first drive shaft DS1, which is drivingly connected to a first wheel W1, which is a wheel on the first axial side L1. Therefore, the first side gear 15a is drivingly connected to the first wheel W1 via the connecting shaft 17. The second side gear 15b is connected to rotate integrally with a second drive shaft DS2 that is drivingly connected to a second wheel W2 that is a wheel on the second axial side L2.

[0024] The first drive shaft DS1, the second drive shaft DS2, the connecting shaft 17, the first side gear 15a, and the second side gear 15b, which are drivingly connected to the wheels (W1, W2) and rotate integrally with the wheels, can all be considered rotating members corresponding to output members. The first side gear 15a and the second side gear 15b can also be considered output members as well as the differential gear mechanism 15. The first side gear 15a and the second side gear 15b each include a gear portion that meshes with the pinion 15p and a spline engagement portion 15d that is connected to the connecting shaft 17 or the second drive shaft DS2. When considered functionally, the gear portion corresponds to the rotating member included in the differential gear mechanism 15, and the spline engagement portion 15d corresponds to the output member.

[0025] 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the vehicle drive device 10. The case 20 includes a first case portion 21 that forms a first accommodation chamber E1 that accommodates one of the gear mechanism GT and the rotating electric machine MG. The case 20 includes a second case portion 22 that forms a second accommodation chamber E2 that accommodates the other of the gear mechanism GT and the rotating electric machine MG. In this embodiment, the case 20 includes an inverter case portion 23 that forms an inverter accommodation chamber E3 that accommodates an inverter 36 that drives and controls the rotating electric machine MG. The second accommodation chamber E2 and the inverter accommodation chamber E3 are arranged side by side in one direction in the radial direction Z. The second accommodation chamber E2 and the inverter accommodation chamber E3 are partitioned by a partition wall (not shown).

[0026] Here, the inverter accommodating chamber E3 side in the radial direction Z is referred to as the first radial side Z1, and the second accommodating chamber E2 side is referred to as the second radial side Z2. The inverter case portion 23 has an opening 23a that opens to the first radial side Z1 and a cover portion 25 that covers the opening 23a. The first case portion 21 has an opening 21a that opens to the first axial side L1. The second case portion 22 has an opening 22a that opens to the second axial side L2. The first case portion 21 has a hole 21d formed on the second axial side L2. The second case portion 22 has a hole 22d formed on the first axial side L1 (see FIG. 5 ).

[0027] The inverter 36 is configured with multiple switching elements. The inverter 36 has multiple sets (three sets in this example) of arms for one AC phase, each configured as a series circuit of an upper-stage switching element on the positive side of DC and a lower-stage switching element on the negative side. Each switching element is provided with a freewheel diode, with the forward direction being from the negative electrode to the positive electrode (from the lower side to the upper side). Power semiconductor elements such as IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors), power MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors), SiC-MOSFETs (Silicon Carbide-Metal Oxide Semiconductor FETs), SiC-SITs (SiC-Static Induction Transistors), and GaN-MOSFETs (Gallium Nitride-MOSFETs) are preferably used as the switching elements. In this embodiment, the inverter 36 is configured as a power module in which switching elements and freewheel diodes are integrated.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of joining between the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 22, and FIG. 4 shows another example of joining between the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 22. Here, the relative angle of the second case portion 22 with respect to the first case portion 21 around an axis parallel to the axial direction L is defined as a relative fixed angle. The second case portion 22 is fixed to the first case portion 21 in a state where it is joined to the first case portion 21 from a first axial side L1, which is one side of the axial direction L, with respect to the first case portion 21. The second case portion 22 can be fixed to the first case portion 21 at a plurality of relative fixed angles that are different from one another, and a first joint surface 21b, which is the joint surface of the first case portion 21 with the second case portion 22, and a second joint surface 22b, which is the joint surface of the second case portion 22 with the first case portion 21, are joined at a plurality of relative fixed angles.

[0029] 4 shows a state in which the first joint surface 21b and the second joint surface 22b are joined together with the relative fixing angle changed by 90 degrees from that shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the second case portion 22 can be fixed to the first case portion 21 by rotating it relative to the first case portion 21 around the rotation axis X1 of the rotating electric machine MG. That is, the rotation axis X1 of the rotating electric machine MG is the relative rotation axis of the second case portion 22 with respect to the first case portion 21, and the relative fixing angle is the relative angle of the second case portion 22 with respect to the first case portion 21 around the rotation axis X1. The first joint surface 21b and the second joint surface 22b are joined together such that no gap communicating between the inside and outside of the case 20 is formed, such as in an airtight or oiltight state.

[0030] Examples of the above-mentioned multiple relative fixed angles include, for example, all angles in a range from −180 degrees to +180 degrees, eight angles at 45-degree intervals, four angles at 90-degree intervals, etc., assuming that the relative fixed angle in an arrangement in which the radial direction Z is the same direction as the vertical direction and the radial direction first side Z1 is on the upper side is 0 degrees. Note that the multiple relative fixed angles may be all angles, angles at 45-degree intervals, or angles at 90-degree intervals in a range from −135 degrees to +135 degrees, a range from −90 degrees to +90 degrees, etc. The multiple relative fixed angles are determined, for example, by the first bonding surface 21b, the second bonding surface 22b, the fixing mechanism 85 described below, etc.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the first joint surface 21b and the second joint surface 22b have a circular or regular polygonal ring shape when viewed in the axial direction L. Here, a mechanism for fixing the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 22 together is referred to as a fixing mechanism 85. Examples of the fixing mechanism 85 include mechanisms such as bolt fastening, riveting, welding, caulking, and brazing. In the present embodiment, the fixing mechanism 85 for fixing the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 22 includes a plurality of bolts 80, a plurality of female threaded holes 82 provided in one of the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 22 and into which the bolts 80 are threaded, and a plurality of through holes 81 provided in the other of the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 22 and through which the bolts 80 pass. In the illustrated example, a plurality of through holes 81 are formed in the first case portion 21, and a plurality of female threaded holes 82 are formed in the second case portion 22.

[0032] In this embodiment, the circumferential positions of the multiple through holes 81 and the multiple female threaded holes 82 coincide at each of the multiple relative fixing angles. In the illustrated example, the number of bolts 80, the number of through holes 81, and the number of female threaded holes 82 are the same, but these numbers may be different. The number of through holes 81 and female threaded holes 82 actually used for fixing may be fewer than the number of through holes 81 and female threaded holes 82 provided in the first case part 21 or the second case part 22.

[0033] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the second case portion 22 as viewed from the first axial side L1. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the second case portion 22 as viewed from the second axial side L2. A connection portion 22h for connecting the inverter 36 and the rotating electric machine MG is provided in a partial circumferential region of the second case portion 22. Examples of the connection portion 22h include a connection portion between the second case portion 22 and the inverter case portion 23 when they are integrally formed, a fixing portion of a connector that electrically connects the inverter 36 and the rotating electric machine MG, an outlet for wiring that electrically connects the inverter 36 and the rotating electric machine MG when the second case portion 22 and the inverter case portion 23 are separate and disposed apart, and an outlet for extracting three-phase power lines of the rotating electric machine MG when a three-phase terminal connector of the rotating electric machine MG is attached to the outer surface of the case.

[0034] In this embodiment, the second case portion 22 and the inverter case portion 23 are integrally fixed to each other by, for example, bolting, riveting, welding, caulking, brazing, etc. In the illustrated example, the second case portion 22 and the inverter case portion 23 are integrally molded.

[0035] In this embodiment, the gear mechanism GT is accommodated in the first accommodation chamber E1 of the first case portion 21, and the rotating electric machine MG is accommodated in the second accommodation chamber E2 of the second case portion 22. The rotating electric machine MG is fixed to the second case portion 22 (fastened with four bolts in the illustrated example). In this manner, the connection portion 22h is provided on the second case portion 22 on the side accommodating the rotating electric machine MG, and therefore, even if the relative fixing angle is changed, it is easy to electrically connect the rotating electric machine MG and the inverter 36.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the inverter case portion 23 is fixed integrally to the second case portion 22 and is disposed so as to protrude radially outward from the second case portion 22 in a partial circumferential region of the second case portion 22, and the connection portion 22h is a connection portion of the second case portion 22 with the inverter case portion 23. In the illustrated example, the radially outward side from the second case portion 22 in the radial direction Z is the side away from the above-mentioned relative rotation axis.

[0037] In the present embodiment, an inverter 36 for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine MG is disposed in a partial circumferential region of the second case portion 22. The inverter 36 may be located either radially inside or radially outside the outer circumferential surface of the second case portion 22.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating cooling of the rotating electric machine MG. The vehicle drive device 10 includes an oil pump OP that draws in and discharges oil OL. The oil pump OP includes a suction section 63 that draws in the oil OL. The oil pump OP includes a discharge section 64 that discharges the oil OL. In this embodiment, the rotating electric machine MG is lubricated or cooled by the oil OL. The gear mechanism GT is lubricated or cooled by the oil OL. For example, the oil OL accumulated in an oil sump formed on the lower side of the case 20 is scooped up by the oil pump OP or the gears of the gear mechanism GT and supplied to parts to be lubricated, such as bearings of each gear, bearings of the rotor shaft 13, and parts to be cooled, such as the coil end portion 11b.

[0039] Examples of the oil OL path include a flow path formed in the wall of the case 20 or the rotating shaft of the rotating member, a flow path formed by a pipe or the like arranged inside the case 20, etc. The oil OL path may include a first storage chamber E1 and a second storage chamber E2. The oil OL path may include a path through which the oil OL supplied to the rotating electric machine MG is supplied to the gear mechanism GT. The oil OL path may include a path through which the oil OL supplied to the gear mechanism GT is supplied to the rotating electric machine MG. Examples of "oil OL" include automatic transmission fluid (ATF), gear oil, etc.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 7, oil OL discharged from a discharge port 64 of the oil pump OP is sent to an oil cooler 61 provided in the vehicle 8. In the oil cooler 61, heat exchange occurs between the oil OL and a coolant. The coolant is cooled by a radiator 67 (see Fig. 8) provided in the vehicle 8.

[0041] In this embodiment, oil OL is accommodated inside the case 20, and the position of the suction portion 63 of the oil OL inside the case 20 by the oil pump OP is fixed relative to the first case portion 21. Here, a state in which the vehicle drive device 10 is mounted on the vehicle 8 is referred to as an "on-vehicle state." Examples of the oil OL being sucked by the suction portion 63 from inside the case 20 include suction from an oil pan provided in the case 20, suction from an oil reservoir formed above or below the first housing chamber E1 in the on-vehicle state, and suction from an oil reservoir formed above or below the second housing chamber E2 in the on-vehicle state. In this embodiment, a specific location of the first case portion 21 in the on-vehicle state is positioned above the suction portion 63. Examples of the specific location include the center of the hole portion 21d and the first mount fixing portion 21c described below.

[0042] In this embodiment, an annular oil passage member 70 is fixed to the second case portion 22. The oil passage member 70 has, for example, a circular or regular polygonal ring shape when viewed in the axial direction L. The oil passage member 70 has an annular first oil passage 71 and a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) first oil passage connections 71a formed therein. The first oil passage connections 71a are formed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. At least one of the first oil passage connections 71a formed in the oil passage member 70 is connected to the discharge portion 64 of the oil pump OP. At least one of the other first oil passage connections 71a formed in the oil passage member 70 is connected to the oil cooler 61. The first oil passage 71 is included in the above-described oil OL path. The first oil passage connections 71a not connected to the oil OL path are sealed during formation of the oil passage member 70 or by a seal member (not shown) or the like to prevent the oil OL from entering or exiting.

[0043] The oil passage member 70 is formed with a circular second oil passage 72 and a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) second oil passage connections 72a. The circular second oil passage 72 is formed so as to be aligned with the circular first oil passage 71 in the axial direction L. The second oil passage connections 72a are formed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. The second oil passage connections 72a are formed so as to be aligned with the first oil passage connections 71a in the axial direction L. At least one of the second oil passage connections 72a formed in the oil passage member 70 is connected to the oil cooler 61. At least one of the other second oil passage connections 72a formed in the oil passage member 70 is connected to a path that supplies oil OL to the parts to be lubricated. The second oil passage 72 is included in the above-mentioned oil OL path. The second oil passage connections 72a that are not connected to the oil OL path are sealed when the oil passage member 70 is formed or by a seal member (not shown) or the like to prevent the oil OL from entering or leaving.

[0044] In this embodiment, drip members 75 are arranged at multiple locations (four locations in the illustrated example) in the circumferential direction of the oil passage member 70. In the illustrated example, the drip members 75 are formed integrally with the oil passage member 70. A second oil passage connection portion 72a is formed in each of the multiple drip members 75. A drip port 75a is formed in each of the multiple drip members 75.

[0045] The second case portion 22 has a plurality of drip ports 75a arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction, through which the oil OL is dripped from above onto the rotating electric machine MG. In this embodiment, the drip ports 75a, through which the oil OL is dripped from above onto the rotating electric machine MG, are fixed at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction on the second case portion 22. The circumferential positions of the plurality of drip ports 75a are set so that, at each of a plurality of relative fixed angles, one of the plurality of drip ports 75a is positioned above the rotating electric machine MG.

[0046] The drip port 75 a only needs to be located above the rotating electric machine MG, and does not have to be located directly above the rotation axis X1. In this embodiment, the drip port 75 a is provided above the coil end portion 11 b and is positioned so as to drip the oil OL onto the coil end portion 11 b.

[0047] In this embodiment, when the case 20 is attached to the vehicle 8, some of the multiple drip ports 75a are arranged above the rotating electric machine MG, and at least some of the remaining drip ports 75a are arranged below the rotating electric machine MG. Here, the drip ports 75a that are below the rotating electric machine MG when the case 20 is mounted on the vehicle may be sealed when the oil passage member 70 is formed or by a sealing member (not shown) or the like to prevent the oil OL from dripping.

[0048] The dripping member 75 disposed above the rotating electric machine MG when mounted on the vehicle may have a drip port 75a that drips oil OL onto the rotating electric machine MG and a sealed second oil passage connection portion 72a. The dripping member 75 disposed below the rotating electric machine MG when mounted on the vehicle may have a drip port 75a that is connected to the oil cooler 61 and a sealed second oil passage connection portion 72a.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a first mount member 91 fixed to the case 20. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a second mount member 92 fixed to the case 20. The case 20 is attached to the vehicle 8 via the first mount member 91 and the second mount member 92. The first mount member 91 and the second mount member 92 are connected to the vehicle body 90. In this embodiment, the first mount member 91 and the second mount member 92 each include a mount bush and a mount bracket (not shown). Examples of the structure of the vehicle body 90 include a ladder frame structure and a monocoque structure in which a frame member and a body are integrally configured. In this embodiment, the vehicle body 90 is a frame that supports each part of the vehicle 8, but it may also be a monocoque body, a ladder frame, a subframe, or the like.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first case portion 21 is provided with a first mount fixing portion 21c that can fix the first mount member 91. The second case portion 22 is provided with second mount fixing portions 22c that can fix the second mount member 92 at multiple locations corresponding to each of multiple relative fixing angles. Examples of the first mount fixing portion 21c and the second mount fixing portion 22c include bolt fastening portions, rivet holes, welded portions, brazed portions, joints, bosses, and base portions that can form any of these.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first mount fixing portion 21c is a plurality of pedestals arranged in three or more separate locations. The first mount fixing portion 21c is provided on the first case portion 21 so as to be oriented in a predetermined direction in the circumferential direction with respect to the relative rotation axis (rotation axis X1 in the illustrated example) of the second case portion 22 with respect to the first case portion 21 when the vehicle is mounted. In this manner, the up-down orientation of the first case portion 21 when mounted on the vehicle is constant. The first mount fixing portion 21c is provided with two or more or three or more fixing locations (female threaded holes, welded portions, etc.).

[0052] In this embodiment, the second mount fixing portion 22c is an annular pedestal portion formed continuously along the circumferential direction. The second mount fixing portion 22c may be formed intermittently along the circumferential direction. The number of second mount fixing portions 22c may be the same as the number of relative fixing angles at which the second case portion 22 can be fixed to the first case portion 21. In the illustrated example, the plurality of second mount fixing portions 22c are arranged continuously to form an annular pedestal portion. For example, this annular pedestal portion may have two or more or three or more fixing points (female screw holes, welded portions, etc.) for one relative fixing angle.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first case portion 21 is provided with a first mount fixing portion 21c for fixing the first mount member 91, and the second case portion 22 is provided with a plurality of second mount fixing portions 22c for fixing the second mount member 92. In this embodiment, the plurality of second mount fixing portions 22c are arranged continuously around an axis parallel to the axial direction L, but may also be arranged dispersedly around an axis parallel to the axial direction L.

[0054] In this embodiment, when the case 20 is attached to the vehicle 8, the second mount member 92 is fixed to one of the multiple second mount fixing portions 22c, and the second mount member 92 is not fixed to the remaining second mount fixing portions 22c.

[0055] As described above, in the vehicle drive device 10 of this embodiment, by changing the fixed angle of the second case portion 22 relative to the first case portion 21, the orientation of the connection portion 22h in the second case portion 22 can be changed without changing the orientation of the first case portion 21 when mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, the orientation of the connection portion 22h for connecting the rotating electric machine MG provided in the case 20 to the inverter 36 can be changed depending on the arrangement of the inverter 36. For example, when the inverter accommodation chamber E3 in which the inverter 36 is accommodated is integrated with the second case portion 22, the arrangement of the inverter accommodation chamber E3 can be changed together with the orientation of the connection portion 22h provided in the second case portion 22 depending on the arrangement of the inverter 36 that meets the requirements of the vehicle 8. For example, even when the inverter accommodation chamber E3 is separate from the second case portion 22, the orientation of the connection portion 22h provided in the second case portion 22 can be changed depending on the arrangement of the inverter 36 that meets the requirements of the vehicle 8.

[0056] The vehicle drive device 10 of this embodiment comprises a first case portion 21 in which a case 20 forms a first storage chamber E1 in which one of the gear mechanism GT and the rotating electric machine MG is housed, and a second case portion 22 in which a second storage chamber E2 in which the other of the gear mechanism GT and the rotating electric machine MG is housed, the second case portion 22 is fixed to the first case portion 21 in a state in which it is joined to one side (first axial side L1) of the axial direction L of the first case portion 21, an inverter 36 for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine MG is arranged in a partial circumferential area of ​​the second case portion 22, the second case portion 22 can be fixed to the first case portion 21 at a plurality of different relative fixed angles, and a first joint surface 21b which is the joint surface of the first case portion 21 with the second case portion 22 and a second joint surface 22b which is the joint surface of the second case portion 22 with the first case portion 21 are joined at a plurality of relative fixed angles.

[0057] According to the vehicle drive device 10 described above, the fixing angle of the second case portion 22 relative to the first case portion 21 can be changed without changing the orientation of the first case portion 21 when the vehicle is mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, the arrangement of the inverter 36 can be changed together with the second case portion 22 in accordance with the arrangement of the inverter 36 that meets the requirements of the vehicle. According to this configuration, even when the vehicle drive device 10 is mounted on multiple vehicles 8 that have different requirements for the arrangement of the inverter 36, the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 22 can be used as common components for each vehicle 8. Therefore, the arrangement of the inverter 36 can be easily changed to meet the requirements of the vehicle.

[0058] The vehicle drive device 10 of this embodiment includes a case 20 including a first case portion 21 that forms a first accommodation chamber E1 in which one of the gear mechanism GT and the rotating electric machine MG is accommodated, and a second case portion 22 that forms a second accommodation chamber E2 in which the other of the gear mechanism GT and the rotating electric machine MG is accommodated. The second case portion 22 is fixed to the first case portion 21 in a state where it is joined to the first case portion 21 from one side in the axial direction L (first axial side L1). An inverter 36 for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine MG is arranged in a partial region in the circumferential direction of the second case portion 22. The case 20 is connected to a first mount member 91 and a second mount member 92. The case 20 is attached to the vehicle 8 via a first mount fixing portion 21c to which the first mount member 91 is fixed, and the second case portion 22 is provided with a plurality of second mount fixing portions 22c to which the second mount member 92 is fixed, and the plurality of second mount fixing portions 22c are arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction L, and when the case 20 is attached to the vehicle 8, the second mount member 92 is fixed to one of the plurality of second mount fixing portions 22c, and the second mount member 92 is not fixed to the remaining second mount fixing portions 22c.

[0059] According to this configuration, the multiple second mount fixing portions 22c are arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction L. Therefore, by fixing the second mount member 92 to any of the multiple second mount fixing portions 22c, the second case portion 22 can be attached to the vehicle 8 in an orientation that meets the vehicle's requirements. Therefore, for example, the orientation of the second case portion 22 can be easily changed without changing the orientation of the first case portion 21 while the vehicle is mounted. Furthermore, the position of the inverter 36 can be easily changed together with the second case portion 22 in accordance with the inverter 36's positioning requirements. According to this configuration, even when the vehicle drive device 10 is mounted on multiple vehicles 8 with different inverter 36 positioning requirements, the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 22 can be used as common components for each vehicle 8. Therefore, the position of the inverter 36 can be easily changed to meet the vehicle's requirements.

[0060] In the vehicle drive device 10 of this embodiment, drip ports 75a for dripping oil OL from above onto the rotating electric machine MG are fixed at multiple locations around the circumference of the second case portion 22, and when the case 20 is attached to the vehicle 8, some of the multiple drip ports 75a are positioned above the rotating electric machine MG, and at least some of the remaining drip ports 75a are positioned below the rotating electric machine MG.

[0061] According to the vehicle drive device 10 described above, even if the orientation of the second case portion 22 changes depending on which of the multiple second mount fixing portions 22 c the second mount member 92 is fixed to, at least some of the multiple drip ports 75 a are positioned above the rotating electric machine MG. Therefore, regardless of the orientation of the second case portion 22, the oil OL can be appropriately dripped onto the rotating electric machine MG.

[0062] The vehicle drive device 10 of this embodiment further includes an oil pump OP that sucks in and discharges oil OL, and the oil OL is stored inside the case 20, and the oil OL suction portion 63 inside the case 20 by the oil pump OP is fixed in position relative to the first case portion 21.

[0063] According to the vehicle drive device 10 described above, the position of the suction portion 63 is fixed relative to the first case portion 21, and therefore the position of the suction portion 63 does not change depending on the relative fixed angle at which the second case portion 22 is fixed. Therefore, no matter how the relative fixed angle is changed, it is possible to facilitate appropriate suction of the oil OL that accumulates in the lower part of the interior of the case 20.

[0064] In the vehicle drive device 10 of this embodiment, drip ports 75a for dripping oil OL from above onto the rotating electric machine MG are fixed at multiple locations around the circumference of the second case portion 22, and the circumferential positions of the multiple drip ports 75a are set so that at each of multiple relative fixed angles, one of the multiple drip ports 75a is positioned above the rotating electric machine MG.

[0065] According to the above-mentioned vehicle drive device 10, by using one of the multiple drip ports 75a depending on the relative fixed angle of the second case portion 22 to the first case portion 21, oil OL can be appropriately dripped onto the rotating electric machine MG regardless of the relative fixed angle of the second case portion 22 to the first case portion 21.

[0066] In the vehicle drive device 10 of this embodiment, the first joint surface 21b and the second joint surface 22b are circular or regular polygonal ring-shaped when viewed in the axial direction along the axial direction L, and the fixing mechanism 85 that fixes the first case part 21 and the second case part 22 includes a plurality of bolts 80, a plurality of female threaded holes 82 provided on one of the first case part 21 and the second case part 22 and into which the bolts 80 are threaded, and a plurality of through holes 81 provided on the other of the first case part 21 and the second case part 22 and through which the bolts 80 pass, and at each of a plurality of relative fixing angles, the circumferential positions of the plurality of female threaded holes 82 and the plurality of through holes 81 coincide.

[0067] According to the above-mentioned vehicle drive device 10, the first case part 21 and the second case part 22 can be released from the fixation by removing the bolt 80, and the second case part 22 can be fixed to the first case part 21 at a plurality of relative fixed angles by fastening the bolt 80, and a configuration can be appropriately realized in which the first joint surface 21b of the first case part 21 and the second joint surface 22b of the second case part 22 are joined at a plurality of relative fixed angles.

[0068] In the vehicle driving device 10 of this embodiment, the case 20 is attached to the vehicle 8 via a first mount member 91 and a second mount member 92, and the first case portion 21 is provided with a first mount fixing portion 21c that can fix the first mount member 91, and the second case portion 22 is provided with a second mount fixing portion 22c that can fix the second mount member 92 at multiple locations corresponding to each of multiple relative fixing angles.

[0069] According to the above-mentioned vehicle drive device 10, regardless of the relative fixed angle between the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 22, the case 20 can be properly attached to the vehicle 8 via the first mounting member 91 and the second mounting member 92.

[0070] In the vehicle drive device 10 of this embodiment, the case 20 further includes an inverter case portion 23 that forms an inverter accommodating chamber E3 in which the inverter 36 is accommodated, and the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X1 is the radial direction Z. The inverter case portion 23 is fixed integrally to the second case portion 22 and is arranged so as to protrude outward in the radial direction Z relative to the second case portion 22 in a portion of the circumferential region of the second case portion 22, and a connection portion 22h for connecting the inverter 36 and the rotating electric machine MG is provided in a portion of the circumferential region of the second case portion 22, and the connection portion 22h is the connection portion of the second case portion 22 with the inverter case portion 23.

[0071] According to the vehicle drive device 10 described above, by changing the relative fixed angle of the second case portion 22 with respect to the first case portion 21, it is possible to change the direction in which the inverter case portion 23 protrudes with respect to the second case portion 22 without changing the orientation of the first case portion 21 when the vehicle is mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, while using common members for the first case portion 21, the second case portion 22, and the inverter case portion 23 that constitute the case 20, it is possible to easily change the external shape of the vehicle drive device 10 in accordance with the shape and arrangement of the mounting space on the vehicle 8 side.

[0072] Second Embodiment A vehicle drive device 10 according to a second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the gear mechanism GT is accommodated in the second accommodation chamber E2 and the gear mechanism GT has a multi-shaft configuration. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that aspects not specifically described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0073] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of joining between the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 22 in this embodiment. Fig. 11 shows a state in which the first joining surface 21b and the second joining surface 22b are joined together with the relative fixation angle changed by 90 degrees from that in Fig. 10. In this embodiment, the rotating electric machine MG is accommodated in the first accommodation chamber E1 of the first case portion 21, and the gear mechanism GT is accommodated in the second accommodation chamber E2 of the second case portion 22. Although not shown, the first case portion 21 in this embodiment is provided with a first mount fixing portion 21c to which the first mount member 91 can be fixed, and the second case portion 22 is provided with second mount fixing portions 22c to which the second mount member 92 can be fixed at multiple locations corresponding to each of multiple relative fixation angles.

[0074] [Third Embodiment] A vehicle drive device 10 according to a third embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the second mount fixing portion 22c is not an annular pedestal portion but is composed of four oval pedestals. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points not specifically described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0075] 12 is a diagram showing the second mount fixing portion 22c of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the multiple second mount fixing portions 22c are arranged dispersed around an axis parallel to the axial direction L. The second mount member 92 is fixed to the multiple second mount fixing portions 22c (see FIG. 9). In this embodiment, the relative fixing angles can be set to four angles every 90 degrees or eight angles every 45 degrees.

[0076] For example, when mounted on a vehicle, the second mount member 92 (see FIG. 9 ) is fixed at a total of four locations: two locations on the uppermost second mount fixing portion 22 c, one location at the top of the second mount fixing portion 22 c on the first side H1 in the longitudinal direction, and one location at the top of the second mount fixing portion 22 c on the second side H2 in the longitudinal direction, and the second mount member 92 is not fixed to the lowermost second mount fixing portion 22 c. For example, the second mount member 92 is fixed at two locations on each of two adjacent second mount fixing portions 22 c, i.e., a total of four locations, and the second mount member 92 is not fixed to the remaining two adjacent second mount fixing portions 22 c.

[0077] Fourth Embodiment A vehicle drive device 10 according to a fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first mount fixing portion 21c is not a base portion arranged in three separate parts, but is a base portion arranged in four oval shapes. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not specifically described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0078] 13 is a diagram showing the first mount fixing portion 21c of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the multiple first mount fixing portions 21c are arranged dispersed around an axis parallel to the axial direction L. The first mount member 91 (see FIG. 8) is fixed to the multiple first mount fixing portions 21c. In this embodiment, the relative fixing angles can be set to four angles every 90 degrees or eight angles every 45 degrees.

[0079] For example, when mounted on a vehicle, the first mount member 91 (see FIG. 8 ) is fixed at a total of four locations: two locations on the uppermost first mount fixing portion 21 c, one location at the top of the first mount fixing portion 21 c on the first side H1 in the longitudinal direction, and one location at the top of the first mount fixing portion 21 c on the second side H2 in the longitudinal direction, and the first mount member 91 is not fixed to the lowermost first mount fixing portion 21 c. For example, the first mount member 91 is fixed at two locations on each of two adjacent first mount fixing portions 21 c, that is, at a total of four locations, and the first mount member 91 is not fixed to the remaining two adjacent first mount fixing portions 21 c.

[0080] Fifth Embodiment A vehicle drive device 10 according to a fifth embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first mount fixing portion 21c is not a base portion in which three first mount fixing portions 21c are arranged, but rather a ring-shaped base portion in which multiple first mount fixing portions 21c are arranged continuously. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0081] 14 is a diagram showing the first mount fixing portion 21c of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the first mount fixing portion 21c is an annular pedestal portion formed continuously along the circumferential direction. Note that the first mount fixing portion 21c may also be formed intermittently along the circumferential direction. The number of first mount fixing portions 21c may be the same as the number of relative fixing angles at which the first case portion 21 can be fixed to the second case portion 22. In the illustrated example, multiple first mount fixing portions 21c are arranged continuously to form an annular pedestal portion. This annular pedestal portion may have, for example, two or more or three or more fixing locations (female threaded holes, welded portions, etc.) for one relative fixing angle.

[0082] In this embodiment, the first case portion 21 is provided with a plurality of first mount fixing portions 21c for fixing the first mount member 91 (see FIG. 8), and the second case portion 22 is provided with a second mount fixing portion 22c for fixing the second mount member 92 (see FIG. 9). In this embodiment, the plurality of first mount fixing portions 21c are arranged continuously around an axis parallel to the axial direction L.

[0083] In this embodiment, when the case 20 is attached to the vehicle 8, the first mount member 91 (see Figure 8) is fixed to one of the multiple first mount fixing portions 21c, and the first mount member 91 is not fixed to the remaining first mount fixing portions 21c.

[0084] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the vehicle drive device 10 will be described.

[0085] (1) In the above embodiment, the gear mechanism GT is described as including the reduction gear 16 and the differential gear mechanism 15. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the gear mechanism GT may include only the differential gear mechanism 15 without including the reduction gear 16. For example, the gear mechanism GT may include only the reduction gear 16 without including the differential gear mechanism 15, and may transmit power from one rotating electric machine MG to one wheel. For example, the reduction gear 16 does not have to be a planetary gear mechanism with a fixed gear ratio, and the reduction gear 16 may be a reduction mechanism with multiple gear ratios. For example, the gear mechanism GT does not have to be a single-shaft configuration, but may be a multi-shaft configuration such as two-shaft or three-shaft configuration.

[0086] (2) In the above embodiment, the vehicle drive device 10 includes the oil pump OP, and the oil OL suction portion 63 is fixed in position relative to the first case portion 21. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the oil OL suction portion 63 may be fixed in position relative to the second case portion 22. For example, the vehicle drive device 10 does not need to include the oil pump OP. For example, the oil OL does not need to be stored inside the case 20.

[0087] (3) In the above embodiment, the annular oil passage member 70 is fixed to the second case portion 22, and the drip ports 75a provided on the oil passage member 70 are fixed at multiple locations in the circumferential direction. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the drip ports 75a may be provided on the case 20, thereby fixing the oil passage member 70 to the second case portion 22. For example, one or more drip ports 75a may be formed on the annular oil passage member 70, and the circumferential fixing position of the oil passage member 70 relative to the second case portion 22 may be changed depending on the relative fixing angle, thereby dripping oil OL from above onto the rotating electric machine MG. For example, the oil passage member 70, the first oil passage 71, or the second oil passage 72 may be semicircular rather than annular.

[0088] (4) In the above embodiment, the first joint surface 21b and the second joint surface 22b have a circular or regular polygonal ring shape when viewed in the axial direction L, and the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 22 are fastened together by the bolts 80. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the first joint surface 21b and the second joint surface 22b may have a diamond-shaped or rectangular ring shape, for example.

[0089] (5) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first case portion 21 is provided with the first mount fixing portion 21c, which is an annular pedestal portion that can fix the first mount member 91 at multiple locations corresponding to each of multiple relative fixation angles, or the second case portion 22 is provided with the second mount fixing portion 22c, which is an annular pedestal portion that can fix the second mount member 92 at multiple locations corresponding to each of multiple relative fixation angles. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the first case portion 21 and the mount bracket of the first mount member 91, or the second case portion 22 and the mount bracket of the second mount member 92, may be integrally molded. For example, the first mount fixing portion 21c may be a pedestal that has a regular polygonal ring, a rectangular ring, or a diamond-shaped ring when viewed in the axial direction L. For example, the second mount fixing portion 22c may be a pedestal that has a regular polygonal ring, a rectangular ring, or a diamond-shaped ring when viewed in the axial direction L.

[0090] (6) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the inverter case portion 23 is fixed integrally to the second case portion 22 and is disposed so as to protrude radially outward from the second case portion 22 in a partial circumferential region of the second case portion 22. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the inverter case portion 23 may be disposed so as not to protrude radially outward from the second case portion 22 in a partial circumferential region of the second case portion 22. For example, the case 20 may not include the inverter case portion 23. For example, the inverter 36 may not be disposed in a partial circumferential region of the second case portion 22.

[0091] (8) In the above embodiment, the multiple first mount fixing portions 21c are arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction L, and when the case 20 is attached to the vehicle 8, the first mount member 91 is fixed to one of the multiple first mount fixing portions 21c, but not to the remaining first mount fixing portions 21c. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the first mount member 91 may be fixed to all of the multiple first mount fixing portions 21c. For example, the multiple first mount fixing portions 21c do not have to be arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction L. For example, there may be only one first mount member 91. For example, there may be only one first mount fixing portion 21c.

[0092] (7) In the above embodiment, the multiple second mount fixing portions 22c are arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction L, and when the case 20 is attached to the vehicle 8, the second mount member 92 is fixed to one of the multiple second mount fixing portions 22c, but not to the remaining second mount fixing portions 22c. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the second mount member 92 may be fixed to all of the multiple second mount fixing portions 22c. For example, the multiple second mount fixing portions 22c do not have to be arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction L. For example, there may be only one second mount member 92. For example, there may be only one second mount fixing portion 22c.

[0093] (9) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which, when the case 20 is attached to the vehicle 8, some of the multiple drip ports 75a are disposed above the rotating electric machine MG and at least some of the remaining drip ports 75a are disposed below the rotating electric machine MG. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, when the case 20 is attached to the vehicle 8, all of the multiple drip ports 75a may be disposed above the rotating electric machine MG. For example, the drip ports 75a do not have to be fixed at multiple locations in the circumferential direction.

[0094] (10) In the above embodiment, the gear mechanism GT is accommodated in the first accommodation chamber E1 of the first case portion 21, the rotating electric machine MG is accommodated in the second accommodation chamber E2 of the second case portion 22, and the rotation axis X1 of the rotating electric machine MG is the relative rotation axis of the second case portion 22 with respect to the first case portion 21. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the rotating electric machine MG may be accommodated in the first accommodation chamber E1 of the first case portion 21, and the gear mechanism GT may be accommodated in the second accommodation chamber E2 of the second case portion 22. For example, the gear mechanism GT may have a multi-shaft configuration, such as two or three shafts, and the relative rotation axis of the second case portion 22 with respect to the first case portion 21 may be an axis parallel to one of the multiple shafts of the gear mechanism GT.

[0095] (11) In the above embodiment, the power supply module PWR has been described as including the converter 31 and the charging and power supply circuit 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the power supply module PWR may not include the converter 31 or the charging and power supply circuit 32.

[0096] (12) In the above embodiment, the second oil passage connection portion 72a is formed on the dripping member 75 that is integrally formed with the oil passage member 70. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the second oil passage connection portion 72a may be formed at a location on the oil passage member 70 other than the dripping member 75. For example, the oil passage member 70 and the dripping member 75 may be separate members.

[0097] (13) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradictions arise. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0098] Summary of the above embodiment A vehicle drive device according to the present disclosure will be described below.

[0099] In one aspect, a vehicle drive device (10) includes a rotating electric machine (MG), an output member drivingly connected to wheels (a first wheel W1, a second wheel W2), a gear mechanism (GT) that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine (MG) and the output member, and a case (20) that houses the rotating electric machine (MG) and the gear mechanism (GT), wherein the case (20) includes a first case portion (21) that forms a first housing chamber (E1) that houses one of the gear mechanism (GT) and the rotating electric machine (MG), and a second case portion (22) that forms a second housing chamber (E2) that houses the other of the gear mechanism (GT) and the rotating electric machine (MG), and the direction along the rotation axis of the rotating electric machine (MG) is defined as an axial direction (L), and the direction going around the rotation axis (X1) is defined as a circumferential direction. In the direction (X), the second case portion (22) is fixed to the first case portion (21) in a state where it is joined to one side (first axial side L1) in the axial direction (L) relative to the first case portion (21), and an inverter (36) for driving and controlling a rotating electric machine (MG) is arranged in a partial circumferential area of ​​the second case portion (22), and the second case portion (22) can be fixed to the first case portion (21) at a plurality of relative fixed angles that are different from each other, and a first joint surface (21b) which is the joint surface of the first case portion (21) with the second case portion (22) and a second joint surface (22b) which is the joint surface of the second case portion (22) with the first case portion (21) are joined at a plurality of relative fixed angles.

[0100] According to this configuration, the fixing angle of the second case portion (22) relative to the first case portion (21) can be changed without changing the orientation of the first case portion (21) when the vehicle is mounted. Therefore, the arrangement of the inverter (36) can be changed together with the second case portion (22) in accordance with the inverter (36) arrangement required by the vehicle. According to this configuration, even when the vehicle drive device (10) is mounted on multiple vehicles (8) with different inverter (36) arrangement requirements, the first case portion (21) and the second case portion (22) can be used as common components for each vehicle (8). Therefore, the arrangement of the inverter (36) can be easily changed in accordance with the vehicle's requirements.

[0101] In one aspect, a vehicle drive device (10) includes a rotating electric machine (MG), an output member drivingly connected to wheels (a first wheel W1, a second wheel W2), a gear mechanism (GT) that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine (MG) and the output member, and a case (20) that houses the rotating electric machine (MG) and the gear mechanism (GT), and the case (20) includes a first housing (E1) that forms a first housing chamber (E1) that houses one of the gear mechanism (GT) and the rotating electric machine (MG). The gear mechanism (GT) and the rotating electric machine (MG) are accommodated in a second housing chamber (E2) having a case portion (21) and a second case portion (22) that forms a second housing chamber (E2) that accommodates the other of the gear mechanism (GT) and the rotating electric machine (MG). The direction along the rotation axis (X1) of the rotating electric machine (MG) is defined as an axial direction (L), and the direction going around the rotation axis (X1) is defined as a circumferential direction (X). The second case portion (22) is joined to the first case portion (21) from one side (axial first side L1) of the axial direction (L), and the first case The case (20) is fixed to a first case portion (21), and an inverter (36) for driving and controlling a rotating electric machine (MG) is arranged in a partial circumferential region of the second case portion (22). The case (20) is attached to a vehicle (8) via a first mount member (91) and a second mount member (92). The first case portion (21) is provided with a first mount fixing portion (21c) to which the first mount member (91) is fixed, and the second case portion (22) is provided with a plurality of second mount fixing portions (22c) to which the second mount member (92) is fixed. The plurality of second mount fixing portions (22c) are arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction L. When the case (20) is attached to the vehicle (8), the second mount member (92) is fixed to one of the plurality of second mount fixing portions (22c), and the second mount member (92) is not fixed to the remaining second mount fixing portions (22c).

[0102] According to this configuration, the multiple second mount fixing portions (22c) are arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction L. Therefore, by fixing the second mount member (92) to any of the multiple second mount fixing portions (22c), the second case portion (22) can be attached to the vehicle (8) in an orientation that meets the vehicle's requirements. Therefore, for example, the orientation of the second case portion (22) can be easily changed without changing the orientation of the first case portion (21) while the vehicle is mounted. According to this configuration, the arrangement of the inverter (36) can be easily changed together with the second case portion (22) in accordance with the inverter's arrangement that meets the vehicle's requirements. According to this configuration, even when the vehicle drive device (10) is installed in multiple vehicles (8) with different inverter arrangement requirements, the first case portion (21) and the second case portion (22) can be used as common components for each vehicle 8. Therefore, the arrangement of the inverter (36) can be easily changed to meet the vehicle's requirements.

[0103] In one aspect, a vehicle drive device (10) includes a rotating electric machine (MG), an output member drivingly connected to wheels (a first wheel W1, a second wheel W2), a gear mechanism (GT) that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine (MG) and the output member, and a case (20) that houses the rotating electric machine (MG) and the gear mechanism (GT), and the case (20) has a first housing chamber (E1) that forms a housing chamber (E1) that houses one of the gear mechanism (GT) and the rotating electric machine (MG). The gear mechanism (GT) and the rotating electric machine (MG) are accommodated in a first case portion (21) and a second case portion (22) that forms a second accommodation chamber (E2) that accommodates the other of the gear mechanism (GT) and the rotating electric machine (MG). The direction along the rotation axis (X1) of the rotating electric machine (MG) is defined as an axial direction (L), and the direction going around the rotation axis (X1) is defined as a circumferential direction (X). The second case portion (22) is joined to the first case portion 21 from one side in the axial direction L (a first axial side L1), and is arranged to be in contact with the first case portion ( The case (20) is fixed to a first case portion (21), and an inverter (36) for driving and controlling a rotating electric machine (MG) is arranged in a partial circumferential region of the second case portion (22). The case (20) is attached to a vehicle (8) via a first mount member (91) and a second mount member (92). The first case portion (21) is provided with a plurality of first mount fixing portions (21c) to which the first mount members (91) are fixed, and the second case portion (22) is provided with a second mount fixing portion (22c) to which the second mount member (92) is fixed. The plurality of first mount fixing portions (21c) are disposed in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction L. When the case (20) is attached to the vehicle (8), the first mount member (91) is fixed to one of the plurality of first mount fixing portions (21c), and the first mount member (91) is not fixed to the remaining first mount fixing portions (21c).

[0104] According to this configuration, the multiple first mount fixing portions (21c) are arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction L, and therefore, by fixing the first mount member (91) to any of the multiple first mount fixing portions (21c), the first case portion (21) can be attached to the vehicle (8) in an orientation that meets the requirements of the vehicle. Therefore, for example, it is easy to change the orientation of the first case portion (21) without changing the orientation of the second case portion (22) when mounted on the vehicle.

[0105] In one aspect, the vehicle drive device (10) further includes an oil pump (OP) that sucks in and discharges oil (OL), the oil (OL) is stored inside the case (20), the oil (OL) suction portion (63) inside the case (20) by the oil pump (OP) is fixed in position relative to the first case portion (21), the second case portion (22) has drip ports (75a) that drip the oil (OL) from above onto the rotating electric machine MG fixed at multiple locations in the circumferential direction, and when the case (20) is attached to the vehicle (8), some of the multiple drip ports (75a) are arranged above the rotating electric machine (MG), and at least some of the remaining drip ports (75a) are arranged below the rotating electric machine (MG).

[0106] According to the vehicle drive device (10), even if the orientation of the second case portion (22) changes depending on which of the plurality of second mount fixing portions (22c) the second mount member (92) is fixed to, at least some of the plurality of drip ports (75a) are positioned above the rotating electric machine (MG). Therefore, oil (OL) can be appropriately dripped onto the rotating electric machine (MG) regardless of the orientation of the second case portion (22).

[0107] In one aspect, the vehicle drive device (10) further includes an oil pump (OP) that sucks in and discharges oil (OL), the oil (OL) is accommodated inside the case (20), and the oil (OL) suction portion (63) inside the case (20) by the oil pump (OP) is fixed in position relative to the first case portion (21).

[0108] According to the vehicle drive device (10), the position of the suction portion (63) relative to the first case portion (21) is fixed, so the position of the suction portion (63) does not change depending on the relative fixed angle at which the second case portion (22) is fixed. Therefore, no matter how the relative fixed angle is changed, it is possible to facilitate appropriate suction of oil (OL) that accumulates in the lower part inside the case (20).

[0109] In one aspect, drip ports (75a) for dripping oil (OL) from above onto the rotating electric machine (MG) are fixed at multiple locations in the circumferential direction of the second case portion (22), and the circumferential positions of the multiple drip ports (75a) are set so that, at each of the multiple relative fixed angles, a relative angle around an axis parallel to the axial direction (L) of the second case portion (22) relative to the first case portion (21) is defined as a relative fixed angle, any one of the multiple drip ports (75a) is positioned above the rotating electric machine (MG).

[0110] According to the above-mentioned vehicle drive device (10), by using one of the plurality of drip ports (75a) depending on the relative fixed angle of the second case part (22) to the first case part (21), oil (OL) can be appropriately dripped onto the rotating electric machine (MG) regardless of the relative fixed angle of the second case part (22) to the first case part (21).

[0111] In one aspect, a first joint surface (21b) which is a joint surface of the first case portion (21) with the second case portion (22) and a second joint surface (22b) which is a joint surface of the second case portion (22) with the first case portion (21) are joined together, and the first joint surface (21b) and the second joint surface (22b) are annular or regular polygonal annular when viewed in the axial direction (L), and a fixing mechanism (85) which fixes the first case portion (21) and the second case portion (22) includes a plurality of bolts (80), a bolt for fastening the first case portion (21) and the second case portion (22) to each other, and a bolt for fastening the first case portion (21) and the second case portion (22) to each other. The case includes a plurality of female threaded holes (82) provided on one side of the first case part (21) and the second case part (22) and into which bolts (80) are screwed, and a plurality of through holes (81) provided on the other side of the first case part (21) and the second case part (22) and through which the bolts (80) pass, and the relative angle around an axis parallel to the axial direction L of the second case part (22) with respect to the first case part (21) is defined as a relative fixed angle, and at each of the plurality of relative fixed angles, the circumferential positions of the plurality of female threaded holes (82) and the plurality of through holes (81) coincide.

[0112] According to the above-mentioned vehicle drive device 10, the first case part (21) and the second case part (22) can be released from the fixation by removing the bolt (80), and the second case part (22) can be fixed to the first case part (21) at a plurality of relative fixed angles by fastening the bolt (80), and a configuration can be appropriately realized in which the first joint surface (21b) of the first case part (21) and the second joint surface (22b) of the second case part (22) are joined at a plurality of relative fixed angles.

[0113] In one aspect, the case (20) further includes an inverter case portion (23) that forms an inverter accommodating chamber (E3) that accommodates an inverter (36), and the inverter case portion (23) is fixed integrally to the second case portion (22) with a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (X1) being the radial direction (Z), and is arranged so as to protrude outward in the radial direction (Z) relative to the second case portion (22) in a partial circumferential region of the second case portion (22), and a connection portion (22h) for connecting the inverter (36) and the rotating electric machine (MG) is provided in a partial circumferential region of the second case portion (22), and the connection portion (22h) is a connection portion of the second case portion (22) with the inverter case portion (23).

[0114] According to the vehicle drive device (10), by changing the relative fixing angle of the second case portion (22) with respect to the first case portion (21), it is possible to change the direction in which the inverter case portion (23) protrudes with respect to the second case portion (22) without changing the orientation of the first case portion (21) when mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, while using common members for the first case portion (21), the second case portion (22), and the inverter case portion (23) that constitute the case (20), it is possible to easily change the external shape of the vehicle drive device (10) in accordance with the shape and arrangement of the mounting space on the vehicle (8).

[0115] In one aspect, the case 20 is attached to the vehicle (8) via a first mount member (91) and a second mount member (92), the first case portion (21) is provided with a first mount fixing portion (21c) capable of fixing the first mount member (91), the second case portion (22) is provided with a second mount fixing portion (22c) capable of fixing the second mount member (92), and the first mount fixing portion (21c) can fix the first mount member (91) to the first case portion (21) at multiple locations corresponding to each of multiple relative fixation angles, or the second mount fixing portion (22c) can fix the second mount member (92) to multiple locations corresponding to each of multiple relative fixation angles.

[0116] According to the above-mentioned vehicle drive device (10), regardless of the relative fixed angle between the first case part (21) and the second case part (22), the case (20) can be properly attached to the vehicle (8) via the first mount member (91) and the second mount member (92).

[0117] In one aspect, the relative angle around an axis parallel to the axial direction (L) of the second case part (22) relative to the first case part (21) is defined as a relative fixing angle, and the first mount fixing parts (21c) are provided in the first case part (21) in a distributed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction so that the first mount member (91) can be fixed at a plurality of locations corresponding to each of the plurality of relative fixing angles, or the second mount fixing parts (22c) are provided in the second case part (22) in a distributed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction so that the second mount member (92) can be fixed at a plurality of locations corresponding to each of the plurality of relative fixing angles.

[0118] According to the above-mentioned vehicle drive device (10), regardless of the relative fixed angle between the first case part (21) and the second case part (22), the case (20) can be properly attached to the vehicle (8) via the first mount member (91) and the second mount member (92).

[0119] It is sufficient for the vehicle drive device according to the present disclosure to achieve at least one of the above-described effects.

[0120] 8: vehicle, 10: vehicle drive device, 20: case, 21: first case portion, 21b: first joint surface, 21c: first mount fixing portion, 22: second case portion, 22b: second joint surface, 22c: second mount fixing portion, 22h: connection portion, 23: inverter case portion, 36: inverter, 63: suction portion, 75a: drip port, 80: bolt, 81: through hole, 82: female thread hole, 85: fixing mechanism, 91: first mount member, 92: second mount member, E1: first housing chamber, E2: second housing chamber, E3: inverter housing chamber, GT: gear mechanism, MG: rotating electric machine, OL: oil, OP: oil pump, X1: rotation axis

Claims

1. A rotating electric machine comprising: a rotating electric machine; an output member drivingly connected to a wheel; a gear mechanism for transmitting driving force between the rotating electric machine and the output member; and a case accommodating the rotating electric machine and the gear mechanism, wherein the case comprises a first case portion forming a first accommodation chamber in which one of the gear mechanism and the rotating electric machine is accommodated, and a second case portion forming a second accommodation chamber in which the other of the gear mechanism and the rotating electric machine is accommodated, wherein a direction along the rotation axis of the rotating electric machine is defined as an axial direction, and a direction going around the rotation axis is defined as a circumferential direction, the second case portion is fixed to the first case portion while being joined to the first case portion from one side in the axial direction, an inverter for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine is disposed in a partial area of ​​the second case portion in the circumferential direction, and a relative fixed angle is defined as a relative angle of the second case portion with respect to the first case portion about an axis parallel to the axial direction, A vehicle drive device, wherein the second case portion can be fixed to the first case portion at a plurality of relative fixed angles that are different from one another, and a first joint surface that is a joint surface of the first case portion with the second case portion and a second joint surface that is a joint surface of the second case portion with the first case portion are joined at the plurality of relative fixed angles.

2. A rotating electric machine comprising: a rotating electric machine; an output member drivingly connected to wheels; a gear mechanism for transmitting driving force between the rotating electric machine and the output member; and a case accommodating the rotating electric machine and the gear mechanism, wherein the case comprises a first case portion forming a first accommodation chamber in which one of the gear mechanism and the rotating electric machine is accommodated, and a second case portion forming a second accommodation chamber in which the other of the gear mechanism and the rotating electric machine is accommodated, wherein a direction along the rotation axis of the rotating electric machine is defined as an axial direction, and a direction going around the rotation axis is defined as a circumferential direction, the second case portion is fixed to the first case portion while being joined to the first case portion from one side in the axial direction, an inverter for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine is disposed in a partial area of ​​the second case portion in the circumferential direction, the case is attached to a vehicle via a first mount member and a second mount member, and the first case portion is provided with a first mount fixing portion to which the first mount member is fixed, a vehicle drive device, wherein the second case portion is provided with a plurality of second mount fixing portions to which the second mount member is fixed, the plurality of second mount fixing portions being disposed in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction, and when the case is attached to a vehicle, the second mount member is fixed to any of the plurality of second mount fixing portions, and the second mount member is not fixed to the remaining second mount fixing portions.

3. A rotating electric machine comprising: a rotating electric machine; an output member drivingly connected to wheels; a gear mechanism for transmitting driving force between the rotating electric machine and the output member; and a case accommodating the rotating electric machine and the gear mechanism, wherein the case comprises a first case portion forming a first accommodation chamber in which one of the gear mechanism and the rotating electric machine is accommodated, and a second case portion forming a second accommodation chamber in which the other of the gear mechanism and the rotating electric machine is accommodated, wherein a direction along the rotation axis of the rotating electric machine is defined as an axial direction, and a direction going around the rotation axis is defined as a circumferential direction, and the second case portion is fixed to the first case portion while being joined to the first case portion from one side in the axial direction, and an inverter for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine is disposed in a partial area of ​​the second case portion in the circumferential direction, the case is attached to a vehicle via a first mount member and a second mount member, and the first case portion is provided with a plurality of first mount fixing portions to which the first mount member is fixed, a second mount fixing portion to which the second mount member is fixed is provided on the second case portion, and the multiple first mount fixing portions are arranged in a dispersed manner around an axis parallel to the axial direction, and when the case is attached to a vehicle, the first mount member is fixed to any one of the multiple first mount fixing portions, and the first mount member is not fixed to the remaining first mount fixing portions.

4. A vehicle drive device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an oil pump that sucks in and discharges oil, oil is stored inside the case, the oil suction portion of the oil pump inside the case is fixed in position relative to the first case portion, and the second case portion has drip ports fixed at multiple points in the circumferential direction for dripping oil from above onto the rotating electric machine, and when the case is attached to a vehicle, some of the multiple drip ports are positioned above the rotating electric machine and at least some of the remaining drip ports are positioned below the rotating electric machine.

5. A vehicle drive device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an oil pump that draws in and discharges oil, oil is stored inside the case, and the oil suction portion of the oil pump inside the case is fixed in position relative to the first case portion.

6. A vehicle drive device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second case portion has drip ports fixed at multiple locations in the circumferential direction for dripping oil from above onto the rotating electric machine, and the circumferential positions of the multiple drip ports are set so that, at each of the multiple relative fixed angles, a relative angle of the second case portion to the first case portion around an axis parallel to the axial direction of the second case portion is defined as a relative fixed angle, any one of the multiple drip ports is positioned above the rotating electric machine.

7. A vehicle drive device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a first joint surface which is a joint surface of the first case part with the second case part and a second joint surface which is a joint surface of the second case part with the first case part are joined, the first joint surface and the second joint surface are in the form of a ring or a regular polygonal ring when viewed in the axial direction along the axial direction, a fixing mechanism fixing the first case part and the second case part comprises a plurality of bolts, a plurality of female threaded holes provided in one of the first case part and the second case part and into which the bolts are screwed, and a plurality of through holes provided in the other of the first case part and the second case part and through which the bolts pass, a relative angle of the second case part with respect to the first case part about an axis parallel to the axial direction is defined as a relative fixed angle, and at each of the plurality of relative fixed angles, the circumferential positions of the plurality of female threaded holes and the plurality of through holes coincide.

8. A vehicle drive device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the case further comprises an inverter case portion forming an inverter accommodating chamber in which the inverter is accommodated, the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis being a radial direction, the inverter case portion being fixed integrally to the second case portion and arranged so as to protrude radially outward relative to the second case portion in a partial circumferential region of the second case portion, and a connection portion for connecting the inverter and the rotating electric machine is provided in the partial circumferential region of the second case portion, and the connection portion is a connection portion between the inverter case portion and the second case portion.

9. A vehicle drive device as described in claim 1, wherein the case is attached to a vehicle via a first mount member and a second mount member, the first case portion is provided with a first mount fixing portion capable of fixing the first mount member, and the second case portion is provided with a second mount fixing portion capable of fixing the second mount member, and the first mount fixing portion is capable of fixing the first mount member at a plurality of locations corresponding to each of the plurality of relative fixing angles, or the second mount fixing portion is capable of fixing the second mount member at a plurality of locations corresponding to each of the plurality of relative fixing angles.

10. A vehicle drive device as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the relative angle of the second case part with respect to the first case part about an axis parallel to the axial direction is defined as a relative fixing angle, and the first mount fixing part is provided in plurality on the first case part so as to be distributed about an axis parallel to the axial direction so that the first mount member can be fixed at a plurality of locations corresponding to each of the plurality of relative fixing angles, or the second mount fixing part is provided in plurality on the second case part so as to be distributed about an axis parallel to the axial direction so that the second mount member can be fixed at a plurality of locations corresponding to each of the plurality of relative fixing angles.

Images