Rotating electrical machine

Abstract

A rotor core (300) is provided with an axial refrigerant flow path (320a) which extends in the axial direction and through which a refrigerant flows. The refrigerant that is to flow through the axial refrigerant flow path (320a) is introduced into the axial refrigerant flow path (320a) via a refrigerant introduction port (510a) provided at an axial end part of a rotor (30). The cross-sectional area of a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant introduction port (510a) is smaller than the cross-sectional area of a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the axial refrigerant flow path (320a). A flat inlet plate (500a) is provided at an axial end part of the rotor core (300). The refrigerant introduction port (510a) is provided in the inlet plate (500a), and the inlet plate (500a) is provided to block part of the outer circumferential side of the axial refrigerant flow path (320a).

Description

rotating electrical machines

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a rotating electric machine.

[0002] For rotating electrical machines, rotor cooling structures have been disclosed as a countermeasure against demagnetization due to a rise in the temperature of the rotor magnets. For example, a conventional technique describes a method including a rotor core formed by stacking multiple thin electromagnetic steel plates and having at least one through-hole through which a coolant can flow, and a coolant inlet end plate provided at one end of the rotor core, the inlet end plate having at least one coolant inlet for passing the coolant toward the rotor core, and the coolant passing through the coolant inlet being led into the rotor core to cool the rotor core or the magnets (see Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-191363

[0004] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is necessary to use an end plate with a relatively complex structure equipped with a cooling medium inlet port in order to introduce the cooling medium into the through hole of the rotor core, which poses the problem of increased labor, costs, and weight due to the complexity of the component design.

[0005] The present disclosure discloses technology for solving the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a rotating electric machine in which the refrigerant inlet can be constructed using an inlet plate with a simple structure, thereby reducing costs while efficiently cooling the rotor core and magnets.

[0006] The rotating electric machine of the present disclosure is a rotating electric machine comprising: a stator core, a stator with a coil wound around the stator core, a rotor core constructed by laminating electromagnetic steel plates, and a rotor having magnets in the rotor core, wherein an axial refrigerant flow path extending in the axial direction is provided within the rotor core of the rotating electric machine, through which a refrigerant flows, the refrigerant flowing in the axial refrigerant flow path is introduced into the axial refrigerant flow path from a space outside the rotor through a refrigerant inlet provided at an axial end of the rotor, the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant inlet in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the axial refrigerant flow path in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, and a flat inlet plate is provided at the axial end of the rotor core, the refrigerant inlet is provided in the inlet plate, the periphery of the refrigerant inlet of the inlet plate abuts the axial end face of the rotor core, and the inlet plate is arranged to block a portion of the outer circumferential side of the axial refrigerant flow path. The rotating electric machine of the present disclosure is a rotating electric machine including: a stator core, a stator having a coil wound around the stator core, a rotor core formed by laminating electromagnetic steel sheets, and a rotor having magnets in the rotor core, wherein an axial refrigerant flow path extending in the axial direction is provided within the rotor core of the rotating electric machine, and a refrigerant flowing in the axial refrigerant flow path is introduced into the axial refrigerant flow path from a space outside the rotor core through a refrigerant inlet provided at an axial end of the rotor, the refrigerant inlet being provided on the inner peripheral side of the axial refrigerant flow path, and a flat inlet plate is provided at the axial end of the rotor, and the refrigerant inlet is provided in the inlet plate, and a radial refrigerant flow path communicating with the refrigerant inlet and the axial refrigerant flow path is provided between the rotor core and the inlet plate, and the radial refrigerant flow path has a larger cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction than the axial refrigerant flow path and the refrigerant inlet, and the radial refrigerant flow path is formed by electromagnetic steel sheets having a shape different from that of the electromagnetic steel sheets forming the axial refrigerant flow path.

[0007] According to the rotating electric machine of the present disclosure, the coolant inlet can be configured using an inlet plate with a simple structure, which has the effect of reducing costs while efficiently cooling the rotor core and magnets.

[0008] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a plane horizontal in the axial direction of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 12 is a front view of an inlet plate of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 13 is a front view of an outlet plate of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 14 is a front view of an inlet plate of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 2. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a plane horizontal in the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 3. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 3. FIG. 17 is a front view of an inlet plate of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 3. FIG. 18 is a front view of an electromagnetic steel plate of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 4. FIG. 19 is a front view of an electromagnetic steel plate of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 4. FIG. 19 is a front view of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 4, as viewed from the refrigerant inlet port side. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a plane horizontal in the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 5. FIG. 19 is a front view of an electromagnetic steel plate on the inlet side of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 5. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a plane horizontal in the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 6. FIG. 19 is a front view of an outlet plate of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 6. FIG. 19 is a front view of an outlet plate of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 7. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane horizontal to the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 8. Fig. 15 is a front view of an electromagnetic steel sheet of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 8. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane vertical to the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 9. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane vertical to the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 10. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane horizontal to the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 11. Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane horizontal to the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 12.

[0009] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a plane horizontal to the axial direction of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 1, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of a rotor according to embodiment 1, Figure 3 is a front view of an inlet plate according to embodiment 1, and Figure 4 is a front view of an outlet plate according to embodiment 1.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1 , a rotating electric machine 100 includes a housing 10 having an annular inner wall, and a stator 20 fixed therein. The stator 20 is cylindrical and includes a stator core 21 and a coil 22, with the coil 22 wound around the stator core 21. A cylindrical rotor 30 is located inside the stator 20. As shown in FIG. 2 , the rotor 30 includes a rotor core 300 formed by laminating electromagnetic steel sheets 310a, each having an axial refrigerant flow passage 320a extending in the axial direction and a magnet insertion hole 330a, magnets 40 inserted into the magnet insertion hole 330a, and a shaft 50 that secures the rotor core 300. The magnets 40 are inserted into the magnet insertion hole 330a of the rotor core 300 and secured by a securing means such as an adhesive. The shaft 50 is rotatably supported by a load side bracket 10A and a counter-load side bracket 10B, which are secured to the ends of the housing 10, via a load side bearing 50A and a counter-load side bearing 50B, respectively. The thick line R indicates the flow of the refrigerant.

[0011] Rotor core 300 is constructed by stacking electromagnetic steel plates 310a in the axial direction, and an axial refrigerant flow path 320a extending in the axial direction is provided inside rotor core 300. A flat, non-magnetic inlet plate 500a having a refrigerant inlet port 510a is provided at one end of rotor core 300 so as to abut against the end of the rotor core. Inlet plate 500a also serves as an end plate that closes magnet insertion holes 330a in electromagnetic steel plates 310a.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant inlet 510a has a side surface 510aa that blocks a portion of the outer circumferential side of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant inlet 510a is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the axial refrigerant flow path 320a.

[0013] The rotor core 300 has an inlet plate 500a at one end and a flat, non-magnetic outlet plate 600a having a refrigerant outlet 610a at the opposite end. As shown in Figure 4, the refrigerant outlet 610a has the same shape as the axial refrigerant flow path 320a or is larger than the axial refrigerant flow path 320a so as not to block the axial refrigerant flow path 320a. The outlet plate 600a also blocks the magnet insertion holes 330a in the electromagnetic steel sheets 310a.

[0014] A refrigerant inlet 700a and a refrigerant supply channel 710a are provided at a position facing the refrigerant inlet 510a of the anti-load side bracket 10B. Note that, although Fig. 1 shows the refrigerant inlet 510a provided on the anti-load side and the refrigerant inlet 700a and the refrigerant supply channel 710a provided on the anti-load side bracket 10B, the refrigerant inlet 510a may be provided on the load side and the refrigerant inlet 700a and the refrigerant supply channel 710a may be provided on the load side bracket 10A. Alternatively, the refrigerant inlet 700a may be provided in the housing 10, and the refrigerant supply channel 710a may extend from the housing to a position facing the refrigerant inlet 510a.

[0015] The lower part of the housing 10 is provided with a refrigerant outlet 800, and between the piping (not shown) connecting the refrigerant outlet 800 and the refrigerant inlet 700a, there is provided a pump (not shown) for circulating the refrigerant and a heat exchanger (not shown) for cooling the refrigerant.

[0016] Here, the flow of refrigerant in the rotating electric machine of embodiment 1 and the effects achieved will be described. The refrigerant that flows into the rotating electric machine through the refrigerant inlet 700a is sprayed toward the inlet plate 500a within the space within the rotating electric machine through the refrigerant supply passage 710a and flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a of the rotor 30 through the refrigerant inlet 510a. The refrigerant that flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a moves toward the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a due to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor 30. Furthermore, because the refrigerant inlet 510a blocks a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a, the amount of refrigerant that flows in and moves toward the outer periphery and then flows out of the refrigerant inlet 510a can be reduced. The refrigerant flows from the refrigerant inlet 510a of the axial refrigerant passage 320a along the axial direction to the refrigerant outlet 610a and flows out of the refrigerant outlet 610a.

[0017] The refrigerant flowing out from the refrigerant outlet 610a is released into the space within the rotating electrical machine, moves downward in the housing 10 by gravity, and flows out of the rotating electrical machine from the refrigerant outlet 800 provided at the bottom of the housing 10. The flowing out refrigerant flows through piping (not shown) by a pump (not shown), is cooled in a heat exchanger (not shown), and flows back into the rotating electrical machine from the refrigerant inlet 700a.

[0018] Heat generated in rotor core 300 or magnets 40 is transferred to the refrigerant flowing through axial refrigerant flow path 320a, thereby enabling cooling of rotor core 300 or magnets 40. Furthermore, because refrigerant can be supplied to axial refrigerant flow path 320a from the space inside the rotating electric machine, there is no need to provide a flow path for refrigerant to flow from shaft 50 to rotor core 300, which simplifies shaft 50 or the structure for fixing shaft 50, enabling cost and weight reduction.

[0019] The inlet plate 500a is a flat plate with a simple structure that has a hole for the refrigerant inlet 510a that closes a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a, thereby enabling cost and weight reduction. Furthermore, the inlet plate 500a and the outlet plate 600a also function as end plates that restrict the position of the magnets 40 by closing the magnet insertion holes 330a.

[0020] In the first embodiment, the axial refrigerant flow passage 320a has a circular shape as shown in Fig. 2, but may have other shapes. Also, the axial refrigerant flow passage 320a may also serve as a stress relief hole or a hole for another purpose, such as a flux barrier, in the rotor core 300.

[0021] As described above, according to the first embodiment, there is provided a rotating electric machine including a stator core, a stator having a coil wound around the stator core, a rotor core formed by laminating electromagnetic steel sheets, and a rotor having magnets in the rotor core, wherein an axial refrigerant flow path extending in the axial direction and through which a refrigerant flows is provided within the rotor core of the rotating electric machine, the refrigerant flowing in the axial refrigerant flow path is introduced into the axial refrigerant flow path from a space outside the rotor through a refrigerant inlet port provided at an axial end of the rotor, the cross-sectional area of ​​a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant inlet port is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the axial refrigerant flow path, and a flat inlet plate is provided at the axial end of the rotor core, the refrigerant inlet port is provided in the inlet plate, the periphery of the refrigerant inlet port of the inlet plate abuts the axial end face of the rotor core, and the inlet plate is arranged to block a portion of the outer circumferential side of the axial refrigerant flow path, thereby achieving the following effects. The rotor core and magnets can be cooled efficiently by using a simple flat plate for the coolant inlet, which allows for a simplified design and reduces costs and weight.

[0022] Embodiment 2. Figure 5 is a front view of an inlet plate of a rotary electric machine according to embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 5, the coolant inlet 510b of the inlet plate 500b has a side surface 510aa that closes a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a and side surfaces 510bb that close portions of both side surfaces in the rotor circumferential direction C, so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the coolant inlet 510b is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the axial refrigerant flow path 320a. The rest of the structure is the same as in embodiment 1.

[0023] Here, the flow of refrigerant in the rotating electric machine of the second embodiment and the effects obtained will be described. The refrigerant that flows into the rotating electric machine through the refrigerant inlet 700a is sprayed toward the inlet plate 500b within the space within the rotating electric machine through the refrigerant supply passage 710a and flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a of the rotor through the refrigerant inlet 510b. The refrigerant that flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a moves toward the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a due to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor 30. Because the refrigerant inlet 510b blocks a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a, the amount of refrigerant that flows in and moves toward the outer periphery can be reduced by flowing out from the refrigerant inlet 510b. Furthermore, because the refrigerant inlet 510b also blocks a portion of both side surfaces of the axial refrigerant passage 320a in the rotor rotation direction, the amount of refrigerant that moves downstream in the rotation direction of the rotor 30 and flows out from the refrigerant inlet 510b can also be reduced. This increases the flow rate of refrigerant passing through the axial refrigerant passage 320a, improving cooling performance.

[0024] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the refrigerant inlet of the inlet plate is arranged to block a portion of the side surface of the axial refrigerant flow path in the rotor circumferential direction. Therefore, the refrigerant that has flowed in flows downstream in the rotational direction of the axial refrigerant flow path and flows out from the end on the opposite side of the refrigerant inlet, thereby cooling the rotor core and magnets.

[0025] Embodiment 3. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane horizontal to the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 3, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of a radial refrigerant flow path of the rotor of the rotating electric machine according to embodiment 3, and Fig. 8 is a front view of an inlet plate of the rotating electric machine according to embodiment 3.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, rotor core 300 is provided with axial refrigerant flow paths 320a extending in the axial direction and configured by stacking electromagnetic steel sheets 310a, and radial refrigerant flow paths 550 configured by stacking electromagnetic steel sheets 310b having a different shape from electromagnetic steel sheets 310a. Note that more electromagnetic steel sheets 310a are stacked than electromagnetic steel sheets 310b. Furthermore, a flat inlet plate 500c having a refrigerant inlet port 510c is provided at the end of rotor core 300 facing electromagnetic steel sheet 310b so as to abut against the end of the rotor core. Furthermore, inlet plate 500c closes magnet insertion holes 330a in electromagnetic steel sheets 310b.

[0027] 7, the radial refrigerant flow paths 550 of the electromagnetic steel sheet 310b have a larger cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axial direction than the axial refrigerant flow paths 320a of the electromagnetic steel sheet 310a. The axial refrigerant flow paths 320a are connected to the outer periphery of the radial refrigerant flow paths 550.

[0028] 8, the refrigerant inlet port 510c of the inlet plate 500c closes a part of the outer circumferential side of the radial refrigerant flow path 550 so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the face perpendicular to the axial direction is smaller than that of the radial refrigerant flow path 550 of the electromagnetic steel sheet 310b. The rest of the structure is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0029] Here, the flow of refrigerant in the rotating electric machine of the third embodiment and the effects obtained will be described. The refrigerant flowing into the rotating electric machine through the refrigerant inlet 700a is sprayed toward the inlet plate 500c through the refrigerant supply passage 710a within the space within the rotating electric machine, flows into the radial refrigerant passage 550 through the refrigerant inlet 510c, and flows outward due to centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotor 30, moves toward the outer periphery of the radial refrigerant passage 550, and then flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a. Because the refrigerant inlet 510c blocks a portion of the outer periphery of the radial refrigerant passage 550, the refrigerant that has flowed in and moved to the outer periphery of the radial refrigerant passage 550 does not flow out through the refrigerant inlet 510c but instead flows through the axial refrigerant passage 320a. Furthermore, because the radial refrigerant passage 550 has a larger cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axial direction than the axial refrigerant passage 320a, the opening area of ​​the refrigerant inlet 510c can be increased, increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing in through the refrigerant inlet 510c and improving cooling performance.

[0030] As described above, according to the third embodiment, there is provided a rotating electric machine including a stator core, a stator having a coil wound around the stator core, a rotor core formed by laminating electromagnetic steel sheets, and a rotor having magnets in the rotor core, wherein an axial refrigerant flow path extending in the axial direction is provided within the rotor core of the rotating electric machine, and a refrigerant flowing in the axial refrigerant flow path is introduced into the axial refrigerant flow path from a space outside the rotor core through a refrigerant inlet port provided at an axial end of the rotor, the refrigerant inlet port being provided on the inner peripheral side of the axial refrigerant flow path, and a flat inlet plate is provided at the axial end of the rotor, and the refrigerant inlet port is provided in the inlet plate, and a radial refrigerant flow path communicating with the refrigerant inlet port and the axial refrigerant flow path is provided between the rotor core and the inlet plate, and the radial refrigerant flow path has a larger cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction than the axial refrigerant flow path and the refrigerant inlet port, and the radial refrigerant flow path is formed by electromagnetic steel sheets having a shape different from that of the electromagnetic steel sheets forming the axial refrigerant flow path, and therefore the following effects can be achieved. In other words, by introducing a radial refrigerant flow path, it is possible to increase the area of ​​the refrigerant inlet, which increases the amount of refrigerant introduced from the outside and the flow rate through the refrigerant flow path, thereby improving cooling efficiency.

[0031] Embodiment 4. FIG. 9 is a front view of an electromagnetic steel sheet for a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 4, FIG. 10 is a back view of the same electromagnetic steel sheet as FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a front view of the rotor of the rotating electric machine according to embodiment 4, as seen from the refrigerant inlet side. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, electromagnetic steel sheets 310c constituting rotor core 300 of embodiment 4 are provided with common hole 900, which connects a hole corresponding to axial refrigerant flow path 320b with a hole corresponding to refrigerant inlet 510d, and magnet insertion holes 330a. The hole corresponding to axial refrigerant flow path 320b has an asymmetric shape with respect to center line O-Pa, which bisects common hole 900 in the circumferential direction, and opens at different positions when electromagnetic steel sheet 310c is viewed from the front and back sides. Rotor core 300 is formed by stacking multiple front electromagnetic steel sheets 310c shown in FIG. 9, and one or fewer back electromagnetic steel sheets 310c shown in FIG. 10 are stacked at the end where refrigerant supply flow path 710a is located.

[0032] FIG. 11 shows a front view of the rotor 30 as seen from the refrigerant inlet 510d, with the visible portions of the front-side electromagnetic steel sheets 310c indicated by diagonal lines and the visible portions of the back-side electromagnetic steel sheets 310c indicated by solid dots. The rotor core 300 is provided with an axial refrigerant flow path 320b extending in the axial direction by stacking the front-side electromagnetic steel sheets 310c shown in FIG. 9. When the electromagnetic steel sheets 310c are flipped over to the back side at one end of the rotor core 300 so that the magnet insertion holes 330a are aligned, part of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant flow path 320b is blocked by the back-side electromagnetic steel sheets 310c. The opening formed when the front-side electromagnetic steel sheets 310c shown in FIG. 9 and the back-side electromagnetic steel sheets 310c shown in FIG. 10 are stacked together forms the refrigerant inlet 510d. The remaining structure is the same as in embodiment 1.

[0033] Here, the flow of refrigerant in the rotating electric machine of the third embodiment and the effects obtained will be described. The refrigerant flowing into the rotating electric machine from the refrigerant inlet 700a is sprayed through the refrigerant supply passage 710a toward the backside electromagnetic steel sheet 310c, which serves as an inlet plate, within the space within the rotating electric machine. The refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant inlet 510d moves toward the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant flow passage 320b due to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor 30. Furthermore, because the refrigerant inlet 510d blocks a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant flow passage 320b, the amount of refrigerant that flows in and moves toward the outer periphery can be reduced by flowing out from the refrigerant inlet 510d. The refrigerant flows from the refrigerant inlet 510d of the axial refrigerant flow passage 320b to the opposite end in the axial direction before flowing out.

[0034] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, by using electromagnetic steel sheets 310c of the same structure and changing the stacking direction between the front surface and the back surface, it is possible to form refrigerant inlet 510d that closes part of the outer periphery of axial refrigerant flow path 320b. Therefore, the flow path can be formed using only one type of electromagnetic steel sheets 310c, and end plates at the rotor ends are not required, which enables cost reduction and weight reduction.

[0035] Embodiment 5. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a plane horizontal to the axial direction of the rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 5, and FIG. 13 is a front view of an inlet-side electromagnetic steel plate of the rotating electric machine according to embodiment 5. As shown in FIG. 12 , rotor core 300 is provided with axial refrigerant flow passage 320a extending in the axial direction and configured by stacking electromagnetic steel plates 310a. One end of rotor core 300 is provided with one or fewer electromagnetic steel plates 310d having a different shape than electromagnetic steel plate 310a. Electromagnetic steel plate 310d is provided with a refrigerant inlet 510e. As shown in FIG. 13 , refrigerant inlet 510e blocks a portion of the outer circumferential side of axial refrigerant flow passage 320a so that the cross-sectional area of ​​refrigerant inlet 510e is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​axial refrigerant flow passage 320a. The rest of the structure is the same as embodiment 1 or 3.

[0036] Here, the flow of refrigerant in the rotating electric machine of the fifth embodiment and the effects obtained will be described. The refrigerant that flows into the rotating electric machine through the refrigerant inlet 700a is sprayed toward the electromagnetic steel sheet 310d within the space within the rotating electric machine through the refrigerant supply passage 710a and flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a of the rotor 30 through the refrigerant inlet 510e. The refrigerant that flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a moves toward the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a due to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor 30. Furthermore, because the refrigerant inlet 510e blocks a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a, the amount of refrigerant that flows in and moves toward the outer periphery and then flows out of the refrigerant inlet 510e is reduced. The refrigerant flows from the refrigerant inlet 510e of the axial refrigerant passage 320a to the opposite end in the axial direction before flowing out. By configuring the refrigerant inlet 510e using electromagnetic steel sheet 310d, which has a shape that is partially different from that of the electromagnetic steel sheet 310a, end plates at the rotor ends are not required, thereby reducing cost and weight.

[0037] Sixth Embodiment. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a plane horizontal to the axial direction of the rotor of a rotating electric machine according to a sixth embodiment, and Figure 15 is a front view of an outlet plate of the rotating electric machine according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in Figure 14, the rotor core 300 is provided with an axial refrigerant flow path 320a extending in the axial direction and configured by stacking electromagnetic steel plates 310a. A flat inlet plate 500a having a refrigerant inlet port 510a is provided at one end of the rotor core 300 so as to abut against the end of the rotor core. The inlet plate 500a also closes the magnet insertion holes 330a of the electromagnetic steel plate 310a and serves as an end plate. The refrigerant inlet port 510a closes a portion of the outer circumferential side of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant inlet port 510a is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the axial refrigerant flow path 320a. The rotor core 300 is provided with an outlet plate 600b having a refrigerant outlet port 610b at the end opposite the inlet plate 500a. 15 , the refrigerant outlet 610b has a side surface 610bb that closes a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant outlet 610b is smaller than that of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a and larger than that of the refrigerant inlet 510a. The outlet plate 600b also closes the magnet insertion hole 330a in the electromagnetic steel plate 310a and serves as an end plate. The remaining structure is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0038] Here, the flow of refrigerant in the rotating electric machine of the sixth embodiment and the effects obtained will be described. The refrigerant that flows into the rotating electric machine from the refrigerant inlet 700 is sprayed toward the inlet plate 500a in the space inside the rotating electric machine by the refrigerant supply passage 710a and flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a of the rotor 30 from the refrigerant inlet 510a. The refrigerant that flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a moves toward the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a due to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor 30. In addition, because the refrigerant inlet 510a blocks a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a, the amount of refrigerant that flows in and moves toward the outer periphery that flows out of the refrigerant inlet 510a can be reduced. Furthermore, because the refrigerant outlet 610b blocks a portion of the outer circumferential side of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a, the refrigerant that flows in and moves toward the outer circumferential side accumulates up to the height of the refrigerant outlet 610b, flows axially from the refrigerant inlet 510a of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a to the refrigerant outlet 610b, and then flows out from the refrigerant outlet 610b. By making the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant outlet 610b smaller than that of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a, the refrigerant flows in an accumulated state, increasing the cooling area where the refrigerant and the axial refrigerant flow path 320a come into contact, thereby improving cooling performance. Furthermore, because the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant outlet 610b is larger than that of the refrigerant inlet 510a, the amount of refrigerant that flows out from the refrigerant inlet 510a is small, and most of the refrigerant that flows in flows out from the refrigerant outlet 610b. Furthermore, the inlet plate 500a and the outlet plate 600b are flat plates with a simple structure, simply drilled with holes, which enables cost and weight reduction. Furthermore, the entrance plate 500a and the exit plate 600a also function as end plates that restrict the magnet positions by closing the magnet insertion holes 330a.

[0039] Seventh Embodiment Fig. 16 is a front view of an outlet plate of a rotary electric machine according to a seventh embodiment. As shown in Fig. 16, the refrigerant outlet 610c of the outlet plate 600c has a side surface 610ca that closes a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a and a side surface 610cc that closes a portion of both side surfaces in the rotor rotation direction, so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant outlet 610c is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the axial refrigerant flow path 320a and larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant inlet 510b. The rest of the structure is the same as in the second embodiment.

[0040] Here, the flow of refrigerant in the rotating electric machine of the seventh embodiment and the effects obtained will be described. The refrigerant that flows into the rotating electric machine from the refrigerant inlet 700a is sprayed toward the inlet plate 500b through the refrigerant supply passage 710a within the space inside the rotating electric machine, and then flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a of the rotor from the refrigerant inlet 510b. The refrigerant that flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a moves toward the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a due to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor 30. Because the refrigerant inlet 510b blocks a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a, the amount of refrigerant that flows in and moves toward the outer periphery can be reduced by flowing out from the refrigerant inlet 510b. Furthermore, because the refrigerant inlet 510b also blocks a portion of both side surfaces of the axial refrigerant passage 320a in the rotor rotation direction, the amount of refrigerant that moves downstream in the rotation direction of the rotor 30 by flowing out from the refrigerant inlet 510b can be further reduced.

[0041] Furthermore, since the refrigerant outlet 610c blocks a portion of the outer circumferential side of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a, the refrigerant that has flowed in and moved toward the outer circumferential side accumulates up to the height of the refrigerant outlet 610c and flows in the axial direction from the refrigerant inlet 510b of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a to the refrigerant outlet 610c. Furthermore, since the refrigerant outlet 610c also blocks a portion of both side surfaces of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a in the rotor rotation direction, the refrigerant that has moved to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotor 30 also flows in an accumulated state. This increases the cooling area where the refrigerant comes into contact with the axial refrigerant flow path 320a, thereby improving cooling performance.

[0042] Embodiment 8. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a surface horizontal to the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 8, Fig. 18 is a front view of an electromagnetic steel sheet of the rotating electric machine according to embodiment 8, and Fig. 19 is a front view of an electromagnetic steel sheet of the rotating electric machine according to embodiment 8.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 17 , the rotor core 300 is configured by stacking electromagnetic steel sheets 310a in the axial direction, and an axial refrigerant flow path 320a extending in the axial direction is provided inside the rotor core 300. One end of the rotor core 300 is provided with one or fewer electromagnetic steel sheets 310e having a different shape than the electromagnetic steel sheets 310a. The electromagnetic steel sheets 310e are provided with a refrigerant inlet 510f. As shown in FIG. 18 , the refrigerant inlet 510f has a side surface 510ff that blocks a portion of the outer circumferential side of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant inlet 510f is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the axial refrigerant flow path 320a. The electromagnetic steel sheets 310e also have magnetic flux leakage reduction holes 311e that partially block the magnet insertion holes 330a of the electromagnetic steel sheets 310a.

[0044] One or fewer electromagnetic steel sheets 310f having a different shape than electromagnetic steel sheet 310a are provided at the end opposite electromagnetic steel sheet 310e. Electromagnetic steel sheet 310f has a refrigerant outlet 610d. As shown in FIG. 19 , refrigerant outlet 610d has a side surface 610dd that blocks a portion of the outer periphery of axial refrigerant flow path 320a so that the cross-sectional area of ​​refrigerant outlet 610d is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​axial refrigerant flow path 320a but larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​refrigerant inlet 510f. Furthermore, electromagnetic steel sheet 310f has magnetic flux leakage reduction holes 311f that partially block magnet insertion holes 330a of electromagnetic steel sheet 310a. The rest of the structure is the same as in embodiment 1.

[0045] Here, the flow of refrigerant in the rotating electric machine of the eighth embodiment and the effects obtained will be described. The refrigerant that flows into the rotating electric machine from the refrigerant inlet 700 is sprayed toward the electromagnetic steel sheets 310e in the space within the rotating electric machine by the refrigerant supply passage 710a, and flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a of the rotor from the refrigerant inlet 510f. The refrigerant that flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a moves toward the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a due to the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor 30. In addition, because the refrigerant inlet 510f blocks a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a, the amount of refrigerant that flows in and moves toward the outer periphery that flows out of the refrigerant inlet 510f can be reduced. Furthermore, since the refrigerant outlet 610d blocks a portion of the outer circumferential side of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a, the refrigerant that flows in and moves toward the outer circumferential side accumulates up to the height of the refrigerant outlet 610d, flows axially from the refrigerant inlet 510f of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a to the refrigerant outlet 610d, and then flows out from the refrigerant outlet 610b.

[0046] By making the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant outlet 610d smaller than that of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a, the refrigerant flows in a pooled state, increasing the cooling area where the refrigerant and the axial refrigerant flow path 320a come into contact, thereby improving cooling performance. Furthermore, because the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant outlet 610d is larger than that of the refrigerant inlet 510f, the amount of refrigerant flowing out of the refrigerant inlet 510f is small, and most of the refrigerant that flows in flows out of the refrigerant outlet 610d. Furthermore, by providing the magnetic flux leakage reduction holes 311e and 311f in the electromagnetic steel sheets 310e and 310f that partially cover the magnet insertion holes 330a, end plates are not required because they also function to regulate the magnet position. Furthermore, by providing the overlap between the electromagnetic steel sheets 310e and 310f and the magnet 40 as the partial overlap required for position regulation, magnetic flux leakage through the electromagnetic steel sheets 310e and 310f, which occurs at the overlapping portion, can be reduced.

[0047] Ninth Embodiment. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to a ninth embodiment. As shown in Figure 20, the rotor 30 includes a rotor core 300 formed by laminating electromagnetic steel sheets 310g, each having a hole for an axial refrigerant flow path 320c and a magnet insertion hole 330b, a magnet 40 inserted into the magnet insertion hole 330b, and a shaft 50. The axial refrigerant flow path 320c and the magnet insertion hole 330b are connected to form a single hole, and the magnet insertion hole 330b is provided on the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant flow path 320c. The magnet 40 is inserted into the magnet insertion hole 330b of the rotor core 300 and fixed therein by a fixing means such as an adhesive. The outer periphery of the axial refrigerant flow path 320c, which is formed by laminating electromagnetic steel sheets 310g and extends axially, is formed by the surface of the magnet 40 with a portion inserted. The rest of the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0048] Here, the flow of refrigerant in the rotating electric machine of the ninth embodiment and the effects obtained will be described. The refrigerant that flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320c of the rotor 30 moves to the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320c due to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor 30. The refrigerant flows axially through the axial refrigerant passage 320c and then flows out. Heat generated in the rotor core 300 and the magnets 40 is transferred to the refrigerant flowing through the axial refrigerant passage 320c, thereby enabling cooling of the rotor core 300 and the magnets 40. Furthermore, because the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320c is partially formed by the surfaces of the inserted magnets 40, the refrigerant that flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320c flows along the outer periphery, allowing the surfaces of the magnets 40 to be directly cooled, improving the cooling efficiency of the magnets 40.

[0049] Tenth Embodiment. Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of a rotor of a rotating electric machine according to a tenth embodiment. As shown in Figure 21, the rotor 30 includes a rotor core 300 formed by laminating electromagnetic steel sheets 310h, each having a hole for an axial refrigerant flow path 320d and a magnet insertion hole 330c, magnets 40 inserted into the magnet insertion hole 330c, and a shaft 50. The axial refrigerant flow path 320d is located closer to the outer periphery of the rotor 30 than the magnet insertion hole 330c. The magnets 40 are inserted into the magnet insertion hole 330c of the rotor core 300 and fixed to the outer periphery of the magnet insertion hole 330c, close to the axial refrigerant flow path 320d, by a fixing means such as adhesive 41. The axial refrigerant flow path 320d, which is formed by laminating electromagnetic steel sheets 310h and extends in the axial direction, is located closer to the outer periphery than the inserted magnets 40. The rest of the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0050] Here, the flow of refrigerant in the rotating electric machine of the tenth embodiment and the effects obtained will be described. The refrigerant that flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320d of the rotor 30 moves toward the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320d due to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor 30. The refrigerant flows axially through the axial refrigerant passage 320d and then exits. Heat generated in the rotor core 300 and the magnets 40 is transferred to the refrigerant flowing through the axial refrigerant passage 320d, thereby enabling cooling of the rotor core 300 and the magnets 40. Furthermore, because the axial refrigerant passage 320d is provided on the bonding surface side of the magnets 40, the magnets 40 can be efficiently cooled. Furthermore, because iron loss generated in the rotor core 300 is generally greater on the outer periphery side of the rotor core 300, arranging the axial refrigerant passage 320d on the outer periphery side of the rotor core 300 allows for efficient cooling of the iron loss that occurs more on the outer periphery side, reducing the heat flowing from the rotor core 300 to the magnets 40 and suppressing the rise in magnet temperature.

[0051] 21 , the magnet 40 is inserted into the magnet insertion hole 330c of the rotor core 300 and fixed to the outer periphery of the magnet insertion hole 330c near the axial refrigerant flow path 320d with a fixing means such as adhesive 41. Alternatively, although not shown, the axial refrigerant flow path may be disposed on the inner periphery of the magnet insertion hole, and the magnet may be fixed to the inner periphery of the magnet insertion hole near the axial refrigerant flow path with a fixing means such as adhesive. In this case, too, the heat generated by the magnet can be efficiently cooled by cooling the area near the bonding surface of the magnet with a refrigerant. In other words, by providing the axial refrigerant flow path of the rotor core on the bonding surface side of the magnet, the heat generated by the magnet can be efficiently cooled.

[0052] Embodiment 11. Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of a surface horizontal to the axial direction of the rotor of a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 11. In Figure 22, a refrigerant inlet 700b and a refrigerant supply channel 710b are provided on the side of the housing 10 that has a refrigerant inlet 510a. Note that in Figure 22, the refrigerant inlet 510a is provided on the anti-load side, and the refrigerant inlet 700b and the refrigerant supply channel 710b are provided on the anti-load side of the housing 10, but the refrigerant inlet 700b and the refrigerant supply channel 710b may alternatively be provided on the anti-load side bracket 10B, or the refrigerant inlet 510a may be provided on the load side, and the refrigerant inlet 700b and the refrigerant supply channel 710b may be provided on the load side bracket 10A or the load side of the housing 10.

[0053] Coolant supply passage 710b is provided with two or more holes so that the coolant can be sprayed at least toward coil 22 of stator 20 and coolant inlet 510a of rotor 30. The other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0054] Here, the flow of refrigerant in the rotating electrical machine of this embodiment 11 and the effects obtained will be described. The refrigerant that flows into the rotating electrical machine from refrigerant inlet 700b is sprayed through refrigerant supply passage 710b toward coil 22 of stator 20 and refrigerant inlet 510a of inlet plate 500a in the space within the rotating electrical machine. The refrigerant sprayed toward coil 22 of stator 20 cools coil 22 on the anti-load side, moves downward in housing 10 due to gravity, and flows out of the rotating electrical machine from refrigerant outlet 800.

[0055] The refrigerant ejected onto the rotor 30 flows from the refrigerant inlet 510a into the axial refrigerant flow path 320a of the rotor 30. The refrigerant that flows into the axial refrigerant flow path 320a moves toward the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a due to centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotor 30. Furthermore, because the refrigerant inlet 510a blocks a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a, the amount of refrigerant that flows in and moves toward the outer periphery and flows out of the refrigerant inlet 510a can be reduced. The refrigerant flows axially from the refrigerant inlet 510a of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a to the refrigerant outlet 610a and flows out from the refrigerant outlet 610a.

[0056] Because the refrigerant flows out from the refrigerant outlet 610a while the rotor 30 is rotating, it is blown outward toward the periphery, reaches the surface of the coils 22 of the load-side stator 20, flows over the surface of the load-side coils, cooling the coils 22 and the stator core 21, and moves downward in the housing 10 by gravity before flowing out of the rotating electric machine from the refrigerant outlet 800. Heat generated in the rotor core 300 and magnets 40 is transferred to the refrigerant flowing through the axial refrigerant flow path 320a, thereby enabling cooling of the rotor core 300 and magnets 40. Furthermore, the coils 22 on the anti-load side are cooled by the refrigerant sprayed from the refrigerant supply flow path 710b, and the coils 22 on the load side are cooled by the refrigerant flowing outward from the refrigerant outlet 610a of the rotor, thereby enabling efficient cooling of the coils 22 at both ends of the stator 20.

[0057] Embodiment 12. Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of a plane horizontal to the axial direction of the rotor of a rotating electric machine according to embodiment 12. A refrigerant inlet 700c and a refrigerant supply channel 710c are provided on the housing 10 on the side including the refrigerant inlet 510a. While Figure 23 shows the refrigerant inlet 510a on the anti-load side and the refrigerant inlet 700c and the refrigerant supply channel 710c on the anti-load side of the housing 10, the refrigerant inlet 700c and the refrigerant supply channel 710c may alternatively be provided on the anti-load side bracket 10B, or the refrigerant inlet 510a may be provided on the load side and the refrigerant inlet 700c and the refrigerant supply channel 710c may alternatively be provided on the load side and the refrigerant supply channel 710c on the load side bracket 10A. The refrigerant supply channel 710c is positioned so that refrigerant can be sprayed toward the coils 22 of the stator 20. The refrigerant guide channel 720 is provided below the coils 22 to which refrigerant is supplied from the refrigerant supply channel 710c and above the refrigerant inlet 510a of the rotor 30. The refrigerant guide passage 720 collects a portion of the refrigerant that has fallen from the coil 22 and causes the collected refrigerant to flow out toward the refrigerant inlet 510a. The other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0058] The flow of refrigerant in the rotating electric machine of the twelfth embodiment and the effects achieved will now be described. The refrigerant flowing into the rotating electric machine from the refrigerant inlet 700c is sprayed toward the coils 22 of the stator 20 through the refrigerant supply passage 710c within the space within the rotating electric machine. The refrigerant sprayed toward the coils 22 cools the coils 22 on the non-load side and moves downward due to gravity. Some of the refrigerant is recovered in the refrigerant guide passage 720, and some flows out of the rotating electric machine through the refrigerant outlet 800 below the housing 10. The refrigerant recovered in the refrigerant guide passage 720 flows out toward the refrigerant inlet 510a and into the axial refrigerant passage 320a of the rotor 30. The refrigerant that flows into the axial refrigerant passage 320a moves toward the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a due to centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotor 30. Furthermore, because the refrigerant inlet 510a blocks a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant passage 320a, the amount of refrigerant that flows in and moves toward the outer periphery that flows out of the refrigerant inlet 510a can be reduced. The refrigerant flows axially from the refrigerant inlet 510a of the axial refrigerant flow path 320a to the refrigerant outlet 610a and then flows out from the refrigerant outlet 610a. Because the refrigerant flows out from the refrigerant outlet 610a while the rotor 30 is rotating, it is blown outward toward the periphery and reaches the surface of the load-side coil 22. It flows over the surface of the load-side coil, cooling the coil 22, before moving downward in the housing 10 by gravity and flowing out from the refrigerant outlet 800 to the outside of the rotating electric machine. Heat generated in the rotor core 300 and magnets 40 is transferred to the refrigerant flowing through the axial refrigerant flow path 320a, thereby enabling the rotor core 300 and magnets 40 to be cooled. Furthermore, the non-load-side coil 22 is cooled by the refrigerant sprayed from the refrigerant supply path 710c, and the load-side coil 22 is cooled by the refrigerant flowing outward from the refrigerant outlet 610a of the rotor 30 in the periphery direction, thereby enabling the coils 22 at both ends of the stator 20 to be efficiently cooled. Furthermore, since the refrigerant used to cool the coil 22 is recovered by the refrigerant guide passage 720 and used to cool the rotor 30, it is possible to reduce the overall refrigerant flow rate.

[0059] Other Embodiments The housing described in each of the above embodiments has been described using an example in which the housing 10 of the rotating electric machine 100 is assumed, but for example, in a drive device for an electric vehicle, a configuration may be adopted that includes a housing that collectively houses the stator and rotor of the rotating electric machine and a control device (such as an inverter) for the rotating electric machine, or a housing that further collectively houses a gear mechanism connected to a shaft, etc.

[0060] The coolant supply passages 710a, 710b, 710c provided in the housing 10 or the space within the housing 10 may have the same configuration as those provided in the housing of the drive device for a vehicle.

[0061] Furthermore, the refrigerant supply flow paths 710a, 710b, and 710c provided in the housing 10 or the space within the housing 10 have been described as being configured to have a conduit for spraying the refrigerant toward the rotor 30, as described in each embodiment, and the refrigerant guide flow path 720 has been described as being configured to have a storage section for recovering the refrigerant and a conduit for spraying the refrigerant recovered from the storage section toward the rotor 30, with a configuration in which the refrigerant is actively guided to the refrigerant inlet 510a of the rotor 30 being a preferred example.

[0062] However, the refrigerant supply flow path used in the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, and may also be configured to use the coil end portion (part of the stator coil that protrudes in the axial direction of the stator core, particularly) that constitutes part of the rotating electric machine, the insulator (coil bobbin) or insulating sheet for insulating the coil that constitutes the stator, or the protrusion provided on the housing of the rotating electric machine or the drive device for a vehicle as a guide portion that guides the refrigerant that has fallen on these components toward the rotor, and to have a flow path that indirectly leads to the refrigerant inlet via the guide portion.

[0063] In particular, when adopting a configuration that includes a guide portion that is a part of such a rotating electric machine, the cooling by the refrigerant introduced from the refrigerant inlet port does not have to be the main cooling means for cooling the rotor and magnets. For example, a separate refrigerant flow path can be provided inside the shaft of the rotor, and refrigerant can be introduced from this flow path into an axial refrigerant flow path inside the rotor, and the cooling means via the refrigerant flow path inside the shaft can be used as the main cooling means for cooling the rotor and magnets, and the cooling by the refrigerant introduced from the refrigerant inlet port can be used as an auxiliary cooling means that supplements the cooling by this main cooling means.

[0064] Furthermore, while specific types or detailed configurations of the stator coils described in each embodiment have not been described, they are basically assumed to be distributed winding coils, as can be seen from the fact that the coil end portions that protrude outward from the stator ends are illustrated as being relatively large. While distributed winding coils may be used in each embodiment, it is desirable to use distributed winding coils, particularly when the coil end portions of the coil are used as guide portions that guide the refrigerant toward the rotor, as in the example above, or when a configuration is adopted in which the refrigerant used to cool the coil is recovered in a refrigerant guide channel and guided toward the rotor, as in embodiment 12.

[0065] In particular, the large coil end portions of the distributed winding coil are advantageous in that they function as guides that guide the refrigerant toward the rotor or in that the refrigerant is collected in the refrigerant guide passage. Furthermore, in the distributed winding coil, the inclined portions of the coil wire that make up the coil end portions (regions that are inclined with respect to both the axial and radial directions of the rotating electrical machine) can be used to provide the inclined portions with the function of guides. For example, if a configuration is adopted in which the refrigerant is applied to at least the inclined portions of the coil end portions (above the rotating shaft) of the distributed winding coil, a passage is provided that uses the inclined portions of the coil end portions as a guide, thereby forming a refrigerant passage that is introduced into the rotor from the refrigerant outlet of each embodiment.

[0066] Furthermore, even when a configuration is adopted in which the refrigerant that passes through the coil is recovered in a refrigerant guide passage, as in embodiment 12, the coil end portions of the distributed winding coil, which protrude outward from the end of the stator, are larger than those of the concentrated winding coil, and the inclined portions of the coil end portions described above function as guide portions, which are advantageous in that they guide the refrigerant radially inward, allowing the refrigerant to be efficiently supplied to the refrigerant guide passage, increasing the efficiency with which the refrigerant is recovered by the refrigerant guide passage, and making it possible to efficiently cool both the rotor and stator coil.

[0067] Although various exemplary embodiments and examples are described in this disclosure, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to the application of a particular embodiment, but may be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations. Therefore, countless variations not illustrated are anticipated within the scope of the technology disclosed in this specification. For example, this includes cases where at least one component is modified, added, or omitted, or where at least one component is extracted and combined with components of another embodiment.

[0068] 10 Housing, 20 Stator, 21 Stator core, 22 Coil, 30 Rotor, 40 Magnet, 41 Adhesive, 50 Shaft, 100 Rotating electric machine, 300 Rotor core, 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d, 310e, 310f, 310g, 310h Electromagnetic steel plate, 311e, 311f Magnetic flux leakage reduction hole, 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d Axial refrigerant flow path, 330a, 330b, 330c Magnet insertion hole, 500a, 500b, 500c Inlet plate, 510a, 510b, 510c, 510d, 510e, 510f Refrigerant inlet, 550 Radial refrigerant flow path, 600a, 600b, 600c Outlet plate, 610a, 610b, 610c, 610d: refrigerant outlet, 700a, 700b, 700c: refrigerant inlet, 710a, 710b, 710c: refrigerant supply channel, 720: refrigerant induction channel, 800: refrigerant outlet, 900: common hole.

Claims

1. A rotating electric machine comprising a stator core, a stator with a coil wound around the stator core, a rotor core formed by laminating electromagnetic steel sheets, and a rotor having magnets in the rotor core, wherein an axial refrigerant flow path extending in the axial direction is provided within the rotor core of the rotating electric machine and through which a refrigerant flows, the refrigerant flowing in the axial refrigerant flow path is introduced into the axial refrigerant flow path from a space outside the rotor through a refrigerant inlet provided at an axial end of the rotor, the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant inlet in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the axial refrigerant flow path in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, and a flat inlet plate is provided at the axial end of the rotor core, the refrigerant inlet is provided in the inlet plate, the periphery of the refrigerant inlet of the inlet plate abuts the axial end face of the rotor core, and the inlet plate is arranged to block a portion of the outer circumferential side of the axial refrigerant flow path.

2. A rotating electric machine as described in claim 1, wherein the rotor core is constructed by laminating electromagnetic steel plates each having a common hole that connects a hole corresponding to the axial refrigerant flow path and a hole corresponding to the refrigerant inlet, and the inlet plate is constructed by flipping an electromagnetic steel plate of the same shape as the rotor core over, and when viewed from the refrigerant inlet side, the hole corresponding to the axial refrigerant flow path is closed and the hole corresponding to the refrigerant inlet is open.

3. A rotating electric machine according to claim 1, wherein the coolant inlet port of the inlet plate is provided so as to close a part of the side surface of the axial coolant flow path in the rotor circumferential direction.

4. A rotating electric machine comprising a stator core, a stator with a coil wound around the stator core, a rotor core formed by laminating electromagnetic steel plates, and a rotor having magnets in the rotor core, wherein an axial refrigerant flow path extending in the axial direction is provided within the rotor core of the rotating electric machine, and refrigerant flowing in the axial refrigerant flow path is introduced into the axial refrigerant flow path from a space outside the rotor core through a refrigerant inlet port provided at an axial end of the rotor, the refrigerant inlet port being provided on the inner peripheral side of the axial refrigerant flow path, and a flat inlet plate is provided at the axial end of the rotor, the inlet plate is provided with the refrigerant inlet port, and a radial refrigerant flow path communicating with the refrigerant inlet port and the axial refrigerant flow path is provided between the rotor core and the inlet plate, and the radial refrigerant flow path has a larger cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction than the axial refrigerant flow path and the refrigerant inlet port, and the radial refrigerant flow path is formed from electromagnetic steel plates having a shape different from that of the electromagnetic steel plates forming the axial refrigerant flow path.

5. A rotating electric machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inlet plate is an end plate that regulates the axial position of the magnet.

6. A rotating electric machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inlet plate is made of an electromagnetic steel plate provided with the refrigerant inlet port that closes a portion of the outer periphery of the axial refrigerant flow path.

7. A rotating electric machine according to claim 6, wherein said inlet plate has magnetic flux leakage reducing holes so as to overlap partially with said magnets in the axial direction.

8. A rotating electric machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a flat outlet plate at the end of the rotor opposite to the refrigerant inlet, the outlet plate being provided with a refrigerant outlet, the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant outlet in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction being smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the axial refrigerant flow path in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction and larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant inlet in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, and the refrigerant outlet is arranged to abut against the surface of the rotor core around the refrigerant outlet and block a portion of the outer circumferential side of the axial refrigerant flow path.

9. A rotating electric machine according to claim 8, wherein the refrigerant outlet of the outlet plate is provided so as to close a part of the side surface of the axial refrigerant flow path in the rotor circumferential direction.

10. A rotating electric machine according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the outlet plate is an end plate that regulates the axial position of the magnet.

11. A rotating electric machine according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the outlet plate is made of an electromagnetic steel plate provided with the refrigerant outlet that closes a portion of the outer circumferential side of the axial refrigerant flow path.

12. A rotating electric machine according to claim 11, wherein the outlet plate has magnetic flux leakage reducing holes that are provided so as to partially overlap the magnets in the axial direction.

13. A rotating electric machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the magnet insertion holes for inserting the magnets into the rotor are connected to the axial refrigerant flow paths.

14. A rotating electric machine according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the axial refrigerant flow passage of the rotor core is provided on the outer circumferential side of the magnets of the rotor core.

15. A rotating electric machine according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the axial refrigerant flow passage of the rotor core is provided on the side of the magnet on which the rotor core is bonded.

16. A rotating electric machine according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a coolant supply passage is provided inside the rotating electric machine for supplying coolant to the coolant inlet of the rotor.

17. A rotating electric machine according to claim 16, wherein the coolant supply passage is provided so as to supply the coolant to the coolant inlet port of the rotor and to the stator.

18. A rotating electric machine according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a refrigerant supply passage is provided inside the rotating electric machine to supply refrigerant to the stator, and a refrigerant guide passage is provided to recover the refrigerant used to cool the stator and guide the refrigerant to the refrigerant inlet of the rotor.

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