Unit

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a breather structure that can ease layout restrictions.　[Solution] A unit has a housing for storing a power transmission mechanism, and a park lock device attached to the housing. A breather passage is formed in the park lock device.

Description

unit

[0001] The present invention relates to a unit.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a breather structure.

[0003] JP 2012-77898 A

[0004] The design of the housing (case) is not determined solely by breather performance requirements. It must be designed to meet vehicle and unit performance requirements. Therefore, if a breather passage (breather chamber) is formed using only the housing structure, layout restrictions arise due to various requirements. This increases the difficulty of designing a breather that ensures the required breather performance.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to provide a breather structure that can ease layout restrictions.

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, the unit has a housing that houses a power transmission mechanism, and a parking lock device attached to the housing, and a breather passage is formed within the parking lock device.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a breather structure that can ease layout restrictions.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the unit. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a power transmission mechanism. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a parking lock device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a parking lock device. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a parking lock device. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a breather passage. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a breather passage. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a breather passage.

[0009] First, definitions of terms used in this specification will be explained. A "unit" is also called a "motor unit," a "power transmission device," etc. A motor unit is a unit that has at least a motor. A power transmission device is a device that has at least a power transmission mechanism, and the power transmission mechanism is, for example, a gear mechanism and / or a differential gear mechanism. A unit that is a device that has a motor and a power transmission mechanism belongs to the concepts of both a motor unit and a power transmission device.

[0010] The "housing" contains the motor, gears, and inverter. The housing is made up of one or more cases.

[0011] The term "motor" refers to a rotating electric machine having a motor function and / or a generator function.

[0012] When it is stated that an element B (component, part, etc.) is connected to an element A (component, part, etc.), an element B (component, part, etc.) is connected downstream of an element A (component, part, etc.), or an element B (component, part, etc.) is connected upstream of an element A (component, part, etc.), it means that the elements A and B are connected so that power can be transmitted. The power input side is the upstream side, and the power output side is the downstream side. Furthermore, the elements A and B may be connected via another element (a clutch, another gear mechanism, etc.).

[0013] "Overlapping when viewed in a predetermined direction" means that multiple elements are lined up in a predetermined direction, and is synonymous with "overlapping in a predetermined direction." The "predetermined direction" is, for example, the axial direction, the radial direction, the direction of gravity, the vehicle traveling direction (the forward direction of the vehicle, the backward direction of the vehicle), etc. When a drawing shows that multiple elements (components, parts, etc.) are lined up in a predetermined direction, it may be assumed that the description in the specification contains a sentence explaining that they overlap when viewed in the predetermined direction.

[0014] "Not overlapping when viewed in a predetermined direction" and "offset when viewed in a predetermined direction" mean that multiple elements are not lined up in a predetermined direction, and are synonymous with "not overlapping in a predetermined direction" and "offset in a predetermined direction." Examples of the "predetermined direction" include the axial direction, radial direction, gravity direction, and vehicle travel direction (vehicle forward direction, vehicle backward direction). When a drawing shows that multiple elements (components, parts, etc.) are not lined up in a predetermined direction, it may be assumed that the description in the specification includes a sentence explaining that they are not overlapping when viewed in a predetermined direction.

[0015] The phrase "element A (component, part, etc.) is located between element B (component, part, etc.) and element C (component, part, etc.) when viewed from a predetermined direction" means that element A can be observed to be located between element B and element C when viewed from a predetermined direction. The "predetermined direction" is, for example, the axial direction, the radial direction, the direction of gravity, the vehicle traveling direction (the forward direction of the vehicle, the backward direction of the vehicle), etc. For example, when element B, element A, and element C are lined up in this order along the axial direction, it can be said that element A is located between element B and element C when viewed from a radial direction. When a drawing shows that element A is located between element B and element C when viewed from a predetermined direction, it can be considered that the description in the specification includes a sentence explaining that element A is located between element B and element C when viewed from the predetermined direction.

[0016] When two elements (parts, portions, etc.) overlap in an axial view, the two elements are coaxial.

[0017] "Axial direction" means the axial direction of the rotation axis of the component that constitutes the unit. "Radial direction" means the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the component that constitutes the unit. The component is, for example, a motor, a gear mechanism, a differential gear mechanism, etc.

[0018] The present embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, a unit 1 mounted on a vehicle will be described as an example. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the unit 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a power transmission mechanism 3. FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross section of the gear case 12 cut in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X. FIG. 2 also shows a state in which the intermediate shaft 5 and the input shaft 4 are meshed with each other behind a vertical line VL2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. FIG. 2 also shows a state in which the intermediate shaft 5 and the final gear 61 of the differential mechanism 6 are meshed with each other in front of the vertical line VL2. That is, FIG. 2 shows different cross sections in the rotation axis X direction (the direction toward the front and rear of the page) on the front and rear sides of the vertical line VL2. The vertical line VL2 is a vertical line that passes through the rotation axis X2 when the gear case 12 is viewed from the rotation axis X direction. FIGS. 3 to 5 are diagrams illustrating a parking lock device 9. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of area A in FIG. 2. Fig. 4 schematically shows a cross section taken along line A-A in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 schematically shows a cross section taken along line B-B in Fig. 3. Note that Fig. 5 does not show the spring Sp2 that is extrapolated to the park rod 92. Furthermore, the "vertical direction" in these drawings refers to the direction of the vertical line VL when the unit 1 is mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, when the term "upper side" is used, it means "upper side" in the direction of the vertical line VL, and when the term "lower side" is used, it means "lower side" in the direction of the vertical line VL.

[0019] 1, the unit 1 has a housing HS that houses a motor 2, a power transmission mechanism 3, and a parking lock device 9. The housing HS is composed of a motor case 11 that houses the motor 2, and a gear case 12 that houses the power transmission mechanism 3.

[0020] In the unit 1, the rotational driving force of the motor 2 is transmitted to a power transmission mechanism 3. The power transmission mechanism 3 has an input shaft 4 that rotates integrally with the motor 2, an intermediate shaft 5 that transmits the rotation of the input shaft 4 to a differential mechanism 6, and drive shafts 7 (7A, 7B) that output the rotation of the differential mechanism 6 to the left and right drive wheels WH, WH.

[0021] The input shaft 4 has a shaft portion 40 that is provided coaxially with the motor shaft 20 of the motor 2, and a gear portion 41 that is formed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 40. The shaft portion 40 is spline-fitted with the motor shaft 20, and rotates integrally with the motor shaft 20 around the rotation axis X1.

[0022] A park gear 90, which will be described later, is provided on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 40. The park gear 90 is spline-fitted to the shaft portion 40 and rotates integrally with the shaft portion 40 around the rotation axis X1 (see FIG. 4).

[0023] The intermediate shaft 5 has a shaft portion 50 that extends along a rotation axis X2 that is parallel to the rotation axis X1, and two gear portions (a large-diameter gear portion 51 and a small-diameter gear portion 52) that have different diameters and are provided on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 50. The large-diameter gear portion 51 and the small-diameter gear portion 52 rotate integrally with the shaft portion 50 around the rotation axis X2. The gear portion 41 of the input shaft 4 meshes with the large-diameter gear portion 51 of the intermediate shaft 5.

[0024] A final gear 61 of the differential mechanism 6 meshes with the small diameter gear portion 52 of the intermediate shaft 5. The final gear 61 is fixed to the outer periphery of the differential case 60 and rotates integrally with the differential case 60 around a rotation axis X3. The rotation axis X3 is parallel to the rotation axes X1 and X2. The differential case 60 is connected to the drive shafts 7 (7A, 7B) via bevel gears 62 and side gears 63. Therefore, the drive shafts 7 (7A, 7B) rotate together with the final gear 61 around the rotation axis X3.

[0025] In the unit 1, the rotation axis X1 of the motor shaft 20 and the input shaft 4, the rotation axis X2 of the intermediate shaft 5, and the rotation axis X3 of the drive shaft 7 are arranged in this order from the rear to the front in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0026] These rotation axes X1 to X3 are oriented in the vehicle width direction. Note that, hereinafter, these rotation axes X1 to X3 may also be collectively referred to as rotation axis X, as necessary.

[0027] The motor case 11 has a support wall 111 that surrounds the rotation axis X1. The support wall 111 is oriented along the rotation axis X1. The motor 2 is housed inside the support wall 111. The gear case 12 is connected to one end 111a of the support wall 111 with a bolt (not shown).

[0028] A wall portion 112 is provided on one end 111a of the support wall portion 111, extending radially inward between the motor 2 and the power transmission mechanism 3. The wall portion 112 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X1.

[0029] The space formed inside the motor case 11 and the gear case 12 is divided into two by a wall 112. The space on the motor 2 side from the wall 112 (on the right side in the drawing) is a motor chamber Sa that houses the motor 2. The space on the power transmission mechanism 3 side from the wall 112 (on the left side in the drawing) is a gear chamber Sb that houses the power transmission mechanism 3.

[0030] 4, an opening 112a is provided in the wall 112 in a region intersecting with the rotation axis X1. The motor shaft 20 passes through the opening 112a of the wall 112 in the direction of the rotation axis X1.

[0031] A cylindrical wall portion 113 surrounding the opening 112a is provided in the wall portion 112. The cylindrical wall portion 113 protrudes toward both the motor chamber Sa side (right side in the figure) and the gear chamber Sb side in the direction of the rotation axis X1.

[0032] A bearing Bm is provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical wall portion 113 on the motor chamber Sa side. One end 20a of the motor shaft 20 is supported by the cylindrical wall portion 113 via the bearing Bm. A bearing B4 is provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical wall portion 113 on the gear chamber Sb side. The other end 40b of the shaft portion 40 of the input shaft 4 is supported by the cylindrical wall portion 113 via the bearing B4. In this state, the outer periphery of the one end 20a of the motor shaft 20 is spline-fitted to the inner periphery of the other end 40b of the shaft portion 40.

[0033] 1, a cylindrical wall portion 114 is provided on the surface of the wall portion 112 facing the power transmission mechanism 3 (left side in the figure), forward of the rotation axis X1. The cylindrical wall portion 114 has a cylindrical shape that surrounds the rotation axis X2. A bearing B5 is provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical wall portion 114. The bearing B5 supports the shaft portion 50 of the intermediate shaft 5.

[0034] The motor case 11 has a bulging wall portion 15 on its side facing the front of the vehicle (upper side in the drawing) that bulges forward from the support wall portion 111. The bulging wall portion 15 is formed by enlarging a portion of the motor case 11 in order to accommodate the differential mechanism 6, which is located on the front side of the vehicle when viewed from the motor 2.

[0035] The bulging wall portion 15 has a wall portion 151 that protrudes from the outer periphery of the support wall portion 111 toward the front side of the vehicle, and a wall portion 152 that is provided at the front end of the wall portion 151. The wall portion 151 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X3. When viewed from the front side of the vehicle, the wall portion 151 is provided in a position that overlaps with the motor 2.

[0036] A cylindrical differential case support portion 151a is provided in a region where the wall portion 151 intersects with the rotation axis X3. A support cylinder 601 of the differential case 60 penetrates the differential case support portion 151a in the direction of the rotation axis X3.

[0037] A bearing B6 is supported on the inner periphery of the differential case support portion 151a. The support cylinder 601 of the differential case 60 is supported by the differential case support portion 151a via the bearing B6.

[0038] The wall portion 152 is provided in a direction along the rotation axis X3 (direction along the left-right direction in the figure). One end 152a of the wall portion 152 in the direction of the rotation axis X3 is flush with one end 111a of the support wall portion 111. The gear case 12 is connected to one end 152a of the wall portion 152 with a bolt (not shown).

[0039] The gear case 12 has a bottom wall portion 120 that is provided in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axes X1 to X3, and a peripheral wall portion 121 that completely surrounds the outer periphery of the bottom wall portion 120. A tip end surface 121a of the peripheral wall portion 121 has a rear region in the vehicle longitudinal direction (a lower region in FIG. 1 ) that is joined to one end 111a of the support wall portion 111, and a front region (an upper region in FIG. 1 ) that is joined to one end 152a of the wall portion 152 of the bulging wall portion 15.

[0040] A bearing B4 is provided in a region of the bottom wall 120 where the rotation axis X1 intersects the bottom wall 120. The bearing B4 supports one end 40a of the shaft portion 40 of the input shaft 4 (see FIG. 4). As a result, both ends of the input shaft 4 in the direction of the rotation axis X1 are supported by the motor case 11 and the gear case 12, and the input shaft 4 is rotatable about the rotation axis X1.

[0041] A bearing B5 is provided in a region of the bottom wall portion 120 where the rotation axis X2 intersects. The bearing B5 supports the shaft portion 50 of the intermediate shaft 5. As a result, both ends of the intermediate shaft 5 in the direction of the rotation axis X2 are supported by the motor case 11 side and the gear case 12 side, and the intermediate shaft 5 is provided rotatable around the rotation axis X2.

[0042] A differential case support portion 122 is provided in the bottom wall portion 120 in an area where the rotation axis X3 intersects. A support cylinder 602 of the differential case 60 penetrates the differential case support portion 122 in the direction of the rotation axis X3. A bearing B6 is supported on the inner periphery of the differential case support portion 122. The support cylinder 602 of the differential case 60 is supported by the differential case support portion 122 via the bearing B6. As a result, both ends of the differential case 60 in the direction of the rotation axis X3 are supported by the motor case 11 side and the gear case 12 side, and the differential case 60 is rotatable about the rotation axis X3.

[0043] Drive shafts 7A and 7B are inserted through the inner peripheries of support cylinders 601 and 602 of the differential case 60. The rotation of the differential case 60 is transmitted to the drive shafts 7A and 7B via a bevel gear 62 and a side gear 63. Therefore, in conjunction with the rotation of the differential case 60, the drive shafts 7A and 7B also rotate around the rotation axis X3.

[0044] The motor 2 has a motor shaft 20, a cylindrical rotor 21 fitted onto the motor shaft 20, and a stator 22 that surrounds the outer periphery of the rotor 21 with a gap therebetween. A bearing Bm is fitted onto the motor shaft 20. Although not shown, the bearings Bm are provided on both ends of the motor shaft 20 in the direction of the rotation axis X1. The motor shaft 20 is rotatably supported by the motor case 11 via the bearings Bm. The stator 22 is inserted into the inner periphery of the support wall portion 111.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2 , when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X, the peripheral wall portion 121 of the gear case 12 surrounding the gear chamber Sb has a ceiling wall portion 121t that crosses above the input shaft 4, the intermediate shaft 5, and the differential mechanism 6 in the front-to-rear direction, a bottom wall portion 121b that crosses below the input shaft 4, the intermediate shaft 5, and the differential mechanism 6 in the front-to-rear direction, and side wall portions 121c and 121d that connect the ends of the ceiling wall portion 121t and the bottom wall portion 121b.

[0046] In the peripheral wall portion 121, an actuator 97 of the parking lock device 9 is provided above the input shaft 4 on the ceiling wall portion 121t. The parking lock device 9 has a parking gear 90, a parking pole 91, a parking rod 92, a support 93, a detent spring 94, a manual plate 95, a manual shaft 96 (shaft), and the actuator 97.

[0047] The park gear 90 rotates around the rotation axis X1 integrally with the shaft portion 40 of the input shaft 4. The park gear 90 has teeth 901 and tooth grooves 902 alternately arranged in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X1.

[0048] A park pole 91, a park rod 92, a support 93, a detent spring 94, and a manual plate 95 are located below the park gear 90. A manual shaft 96 is provided behind the park gear 90. The manual shaft 96 is provided to cross the rotation axis X1 (park gear 90) in the vertical direction. An upper end 96a of the manual shaft 96 passes through the area of ​​the ceiling wall portion 121t and is located outside the gear case 12. An actuator 97 is connected to the upper end 96a of the manual shaft 96.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3, the park pole 91 has a long plate-shaped base 910 that is oriented along a straight line Lm. The straight line Lm is a straight line that extends in the front-to-rear direction. A support pin P penetrates the base 910. The support pin P is located rearward and downward from the input shaft 4.

[0050] The support pin P is provided in a direction along the axis Xa parallel to the rotation axis X1, and is fixed to the wall portion 112 of the motor case 11. As a result, the park pole 91 is supported by the support pin P so as to be rotatable around the axis Xa.

[0051] A claw portion 912 is provided on the base portion 910 at a position intersecting a vertical line VL1 passing through the rotation axis X1. The claw portion 912 protrudes from an upper surface 910a of the base portion 910 toward the park gear 90. The claw portion 912 is disposed at a position facing the tooth groove portion 902 of the park gear 90 in the direction of the vertical line VL1.

[0052] An operating portion 911 is provided on the base portion 910 in front of the claw portion 912 in the direction of the straight line Lm (on the left side in the drawing). The operating portion 911 protrudes downward from a lower surface 910b of the base portion 910 toward the support 93. A cam 920 that is inserted onto the park rod 92 is placed on the support 93. The operating portion 911 is placed on the cam 920 that is supported by the support 93.

[0053] Here, a torsion spring Sp1 is fitted onto the support pin P. One end Spa of the torsion spring Sp1 is in pressure contact with the upper surface 910a of the base 910 on the front side (left side in the drawing) as viewed from the support pin P. The other end Spb of the torsion spring Sp1 is engaged with an engaging groove 112c provided in the wall portion 112 on the rear side (right side in the drawing) as viewed from the support pin P.

[0054] In this state, the torsion spring Sp1 applies a biasing force to the park pole 91. The park pole 91 is constantly biased by the biasing force of the torsion spring Sp1 in a direction that moves the claw portion 912 away from the park gear 90 (downward in FIG. 3 : counterclockwise in the drawing).

[0055] As shown in Figure 3, the park rod 92 is oriented along a straight line Ln when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X1. The straight line Ln is a straight line that runs along the lower side of the park pole 91 in the front-to-rear direction. The park rod 92 is oriented such that the tip end, onto which the cam 920 is inserted, faces the park pole 91 (front side). The cam 920 is inserted between the support 93 and the operating portion 911 of the park pole 91.

[0056] 4, in a cross-sectional view, the support 93 has a base 930 on which the cam 920 is placed, and a side wall 931. In the direction of the rotation axis X1 (the left-right direction in FIG. 4), the side wall 931 is provided between the cam 920 and the wall 112 on the motor case 11 side.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3 , the support 93 is fixed to the wall 112 located at the back of the page in the figure by bolts B, B aligned vertically. As shown in FIG. 4 , a mounting portion 112b of the support 93 is provided on the wall 112 at a portion facing the support 93. The mounting portion 112b is a thickened portion of the wall 112. The surface of the mounting portion 112b facing the support 93 is a flat surface extending in the vertical direction. A detent spring 94 is sandwiched between the mounting portion 112b and the support 93. In this state, the detent spring 94, together with the support 93, is fixed to the mounting portion 112b of the wall 112 by bolts B, B that pass through the base 930 and the side wall 931.

[0058] Here, a rib 129 is provided on the bottom wall 120 of the gear case 12 in an area facing the mounting portion 112b. The rib 129, the cam 920 mounted on the base 930, and the side wall 931 overlap in the direction of the rotation axis X (left-right direction in the figure). The rib 129 is provided on the opposite side of the cam 920 from the side wall 931 in the direction of the rotation axis X1. The rib 129 protrudes from the bottom wall 120 toward the cam 920 in the direction of the rotation axis X1. As a result, when the gear case 12 and the motor case 11 are assembled in the direction of the rotation axis X, the cam 920 is positioned such that both sides in the direction of the rotation axis X1 are sandwiched between the side wall 931 and the rib 129. This prevents the cam 920 from falling off the base 930.

[0059] In this state, the parking lock device 9 is arranged such that the input shaft 4, the parking gear 90, the parking pole 91, the cam 920, and the support 93 are arranged in this order from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side of the rotation axis X1.

[0060] 3, a cam portion 935 that bulges upward is provided on the base 930 of the support 93 at a position that faces the operating portion 911 of the park pole 91 in the vertical direction. An upper surface 935a of the cam portion 935 is located on the front side of the vehicle and above the upper surface 930a of the base 930 in the vertical direction.

[0061] A cam 920 is fitted onto the tip 92a side of the park rod 92. The cam 920 is biased toward the tip 92a by the biasing force of the spring Sp2. When the park rod 92 is displaced leftward in FIG. 3, the cam 920 of the park rod 92 is inserted between the support 93 and the operating portion 911 of the park pole 91. As the cam 920 moves from the upper surface 930a of the base 930 to the upper surface 935a of the cam portion 935, the operating portion 911 on the park pole 91 side that comes into contact with the cam 920 is pushed up.

[0062] 3 around the axis Xa, and the claws 912 protruding from the park pole 91 (base 910) engage with the tooth grooves 902 of the park gear 90. This restricts the rotation of the park gear 90 and the input shaft 4, which rotates integrally with the park gear 90, about the rotation axis X1.

[0063] 3, the cam 920 of the park rod 92 is displaced in a direction in which it is pulled out from between the support 93 and the operating portion 911 of the park pole 91. During this process, the cam 920 descends the cam portion 935 and moves to the upper surface 930a of the base portion 930.

[0064] 3 around the axis Xa due to the biasing force of the torsion spring Sp1, and the pawl 912 is positioned at a position where it is disengaged from the tooth groove 902 of the park gear 90. This allows the park gear 90 and the input shaft 4, which rotates integrally with the park gear 90, to rotate about the rotation axis X1.

[0065] 5, a base end 92b of the parking rod 92 is supported by a manual plate 95. In this state, the parking rod 92 is prevented from falling off the manual plate 95 and is provided so as to be displaceable in the direction of a straight line Ln.

[0066] The manual plate 95 has a base 951 that is fitted onto the manual shaft 96, and an arm 952 and an engagement portion 953 that extend from the outer periphery of the base 951 in the radial direction of the rotation axis Y of the manual shaft 96. A base end 92b of the park rod 92 is supported by the arm 952 of the manual plate 95.

[0067] The engaging portion 953 has a plurality of recesses formed on its outer periphery, which are continuous in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis Y of the manual shaft 96. A roller 941 of the detent spring 94 is elastically engaged with one of these recesses.

[0068] 3, a manual shaft 96 penetrates the base 951 of the manual plate 95. The rotation axis Y of the manual shaft 96 is oriented in the vertical direction. The lower end 96b of the manual shaft 96 is inserted into a support tube 127 provided on the bottom wall 121b of the peripheral wall 121 of the gear case 12.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 2 , the manual shaft 96 extends vertically on the side opposite the final gear 61 from the input shaft 4. In the gear case 12, an insertion hole 125 is provided in a ceiling wall portion 121t of the peripheral wall portion 121. The insertion hole 125 penetrates the ceiling wall portion 121t in the vertical direction, and the manual shaft 96 is inserted through the insertion hole 125. The ceiling wall portion 121t is provided with a cylindrical portion 126 surrounding the insertion hole 125. The cylindrical portion 126 protrudes downward from the inner circumferential surface of the ceiling wall portion 121t. Furthermore, a protruding wall portion 123 is provided in the ceiling wall portion 121t on the rear side of the insertion hole 125 (on the right side in the figure). The protruding wall portion 123 protrudes upward from the outer circumferential surface of the ceiling wall portion 121t.

[0070] An upper end 96a of the manual shaft 96 passes through an insertion hole 125 in the ceiling wall portion 121t and is exposed to the outside of the gear case 12. An actuator 97 is connected to the upper end 96a of the manual shaft 96 from above the ceiling wall portion 121t.

[0071] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the breather passage 8. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a cross section of the area around the actuator 97 of the parking lock device 9 taken along the rotation axis Y of the manual shaft 96. FIG. 6 shows a case where the "driving range" is selected as the operating mode of the vehicle equipped with the unit 1. FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating the breather passage 8. FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an enlarged view of area A in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a cross section of the manual shaft 96 taken along line A-A in FIG. 7.

[0072] 6 , the actuator 97 transmits the rotational driving force of the drive motor 98 to the manual shaft 96 via a planetary gear mechanism 99. The actuator 97 has a case portion 970 that houses the drive motor 98 and the planetary gear mechanism 99, and a mount portion 973 that attaches the case portion 970 to the gear case 12.

[0073] The case 970 has a bottom wall 971 that is perpendicular to the rotation axis Y of the manual shaft 96, and a peripheral wall 972 that completely surrounds the outer periphery of the bottom wall 971. The case 970 is provided with the opening of the peripheral wall 972 facing downward. A drive motor 98 and a planetary gear mechanism 99 are housed inside the peripheral wall 972.

[0074] The actuator 97 also has a breather 976 for releasing the air in the internal space Sc of the case portion 970 to the atmosphere. The breather 976 is provided in a bottom wall portion 971 of the case portion 970. A through-hole 971a is provided in the bottom wall portion 971 in a region where the bottom wall portion 971 intersects with the rotation axis Y. The breather 976 has a breather pipe 977 inserted in the through-hole 971a and a filter 978 (ventilation filter) that closes the opening of the breather pipe 977. The internal space Sc of the case portion 970 is in communication with the outside via the breather 976. Note that the breather 976 may not include the breather pipe 977. For example, the filter 978 may be provided directly in the through-hole 971a of the bottom wall portion 971.

[0075] The mount portion 973 has a plate portion 974 that closes the lower opening of the case portion 970, and a cylindrical wall portion 975 that traverses the plate portion 974 in the thickness direction. A through hole 974a is provided in the plate portion 974 in a region where the rotation axis Y intersects. The cylindrical wall portion 975 is provided to surround the through hole 974a of the plate portion 974. The cylindrical wall portion 975 protrudes from the surface of the plate portion 974 opposite the case portion 970. The cylindrical wall portion 975 extends along the rotation axis Y in a direction away from the case portion 970. A seal ring S is fitted around the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall portion 975 at the lower end side of the cylindrical wall portion 975.

[0076] The actuator 97 is positioned by inserting the cylindrical wall portion 975 of the mount portion 973 into the insertion hole 125 of the gear case 12. As shown in FIG. 2 , in this state, the portion of the plate portion 974 of the mount portion 973 that abuts against the protruding wall portion 123 on the gear case 12 side is fixed to the protruding wall portion 123 with a bolt B. Furthermore, in this state, a seal ring S fitted onto the cylindrical wall portion 975 seals the gap between the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall portion 975 and the inner periphery of the insertion hole 125. This prevents oil and air from leaking out of the housing HS from the connection portion between the actuator 97 and the gear case 12.

[0077] The drive motor 98 has a motor shaft 980, a cylindrical rotor 981 fitted onto the motor shaft 980, and a stator 982 that surrounds, with a gap between them, the outer periphery of the rotor 981. The motor shaft 980 is provided coaxially with the rotation axis Y of the manual shaft 96 and has a cylindrical shape that surrounds the rotation axis Y. The stator 982 is inserted into the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 972 of the case portion 970.

[0078] The planetary gear mechanism 99 has a sun gear 990 , a pinion gear 991 meshing with the sun gear 990 , a carrier 994 supporting the pinion gear 991 , and a ring gear 993 meshing with the pinion gear 991 .

[0079] The motor shaft 980 of the drive motor 98 has a length that extends downward in the direction of the rotation axis Y beyond the rotor 981. A sun gear 990 of the planetary gear mechanism 99 is spline-fitted to the outer periphery of the motor shaft 980 in a region that protrudes downward beyond the rotor 981. This allows the sun gear 990 to rotate integrally with the motor shaft 980 around the rotation axis Y.

[0080] A pinion gear 991 meshes with the sun gear 990. A plurality of pinion gears 991 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis Y. The pinion gear 991 meshes with a ring gear 993 on the opposite side of the sun gear 990 in the radial direction of the rotation axis Y. The ring gear 993 has a ring shape that surrounds the rotation axis Y. The outer periphery of the ring gear 993 is spline-fitted to the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 972 of the case portion 970. Therefore, rotation of the ring gear 993 around the rotation axis Y is restricted.

[0081] The pinion gear 991 is fitted onto the pinion shaft 992. The pinion shaft 922 passes through the pinion gear 991. The pinion gear 991 is rotatably supported by the pinion shaft 992. The pinion shaft 992 is oriented in the up-down direction. The lower end of the pinion shaft 992 in the direction of the rotation axis Y is supported by a plate portion 995 of the carrier 994.

[0082] The plate portion 995 is provided in a range that intersects the sun gear 990 and the pinion gear 991 in the radial direction of the rotation axis Y. A thrust bearing Bs is provided between the plate portion 995 and the motor shaft 980 in the direction of the rotation axis Y. The thrust bearing Bs is provided across the motor shaft 980 and the sun gear 990 in the radial direction of the rotation axis Y. This allows the carrier 994 to rotate relatively around the rotation axis Y with respect to the motor shaft 980 and the sun gear 990.

[0083] A cylindrical connecting portion 996 that surrounds the rotation axis Y is provided at the end of the inner diameter side of the plate portion 995. The connecting portion 996 is provided on the opposite side of the plate portion 995 from the motor shaft 980 in the direction of the rotation axis Y (the lower side in the figure).

[0084] The connecting portion 996 is inserted into the cylindrical wall portion 975 of the mount portion 973. The upper end 96a of the manual shaft 96 is spline-fitted to the inner periphery of the connecting portion 996. A thrust bearing Bs is provided between the plate portion 995 and the cylindrical wall portion 975 in the direction of the rotation axis Y. As a result, the connecting portion 996 of the carrier 994 and the manual shaft 96 are provided to be rotatable about the rotation axis Y relative to the mount portion 973 fixed to the gear case 12.

[0085] In the actuator 97, the rotational driving force of the drive motor 98 is input from the motor shaft 980 to the sun gear 990 of the planetary gear mechanism 99. The rotation input to the sun gear 990 is decelerated and its torque is increased by the revolution of the pinion gear 991, and then output to the carrier 994. As a result, the manual shaft 96, which is spline-fitted to a connecting portion 996 of the carrier 994, rotates together with the carrier 994 around the rotation axis Y.

[0086] The actuator 97 drives the drive motor 98 in conjunction with switching of the vehicle's shift range, such as drive range, reverse range, or parking range, thereby rotating the manual shaft 96 to an angular position corresponding to each shift range.

[0087] 5, when the manual shaft 96 rotates, the manual plate 95 fixed to the manual shaft 96 also rotates around the rotation axis Y. As a result, the park rod 92 supported by the manual plate 95 is displaced in the direction of the straight line Ln in conjunction with the rotation of the manual plate 95.

[0088] The cam 920 rotates the park pole 91 in conjunction with the displacement of the park rod 92 in the direction of the straight line Ln (see FIG. 3). As a result, when the claw portion 912 of the park pole 91 engages with the tooth groove portion 902 of the park gear 90, rotation of the park gear 90 is restricted. When the claw portion 912 of the park pole 91 disengages from the tooth groove portion 902 of the park gear 90, rotation of the park gear 90 is permitted. That is, in the parking lock device 9 according to this embodiment, the actuator 97 controls the engagement and disengagement of the claw portion 912 of the park pole 91 with and from the tooth groove portion 902 of the park gear 90.

[0089] 2, a lip seal RS is provided inside the insertion hole 125. The lip seal RS seals the gap between the inner periphery of the insertion hole 125 and the outer periphery of the manual shaft 96 in the radial direction of the rotation axis Y. As a result, communication between the gear chamber Sb and the outside at the insertion hole 125 is blocked by the lip seal RS, and the gear chamber Sb is an airtight space.

[0090] Oil OL is stored in the lower part of the gear chamber Sb. When the vehicle equipped with the unit 1 is running, the rotation of the final gear 61 scoops up the oil OL in the gear chamber Sb and causes it to splash, which can increase the pressure in the gear chamber Sb.

[0091] In this case, in order to release the increased pressure to the atmosphere, it is conceivable to provide a breather passage in the housing HS that communicates with the gear chamber Sb. However, depending on layout constraints, it may be difficult to provide a breather passage in the housing HS, or even if provided, there is a risk that the volume will not be sufficient and the breather will not function properly. Note that the "breather passage" refers to the breather and the space connected to the breather. The "space connected to the breather" may be a breather chamber or a hole through which air flows. A combination of the breather chamber and a hole through which air flows may also be used.

[0092] Therefore, in this embodiment, an actuator 97 of the parking lock device 9 is used to release the increased pressure in the gear chamber Sb to the atmosphere. The actuator 97 is equipped with a breather 976, and in this embodiment, this breather 976 is used to provide a breather passage 8 that communicates with the gear chamber Sb.

[0093] The configuration of the breather passage 8 will be described below. As described above, in the gear case 12, the ceiling wall portion 121t of the peripheral wall portion 121 is provided with the insertion hole 125 (see FIG. 2). The ceiling wall portion 121t is provided with a cylindrical portion 126 surrounding the insertion hole 125 on the inner periphery thereof. The cylindrical portion 126 protrudes into the gear case 12 along the rotation axis Y of the manual shaft 96. The upper end 96a of the manual shaft 96 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 126.

[0094] 6 , the manual shaft 96 of the parking lock device 9 is provided with a communication hole 960 (ventilation passage) in an area surrounded by the cylindrical portion 126, the communication hole 960 connecting the upper end 96 a of the manual shaft 96 to the outer circumferential surface of the manual shaft 96. The communication hole 960 constitutes a part of the breather passage 8.

[0095] The communication hole 960 is composed of an axial hole 961 (vertical passage) along the rotation axis Y direction (gravity direction) and a radial hole 962 (horizontal passage) along the radial direction of the rotation axis Y (direction intersecting the gravity direction). The axial hole 961 is a blind hole formed along the rotation axis Y direction. The axial hole 961 opens at the upper end 96a of the manual shaft 96. The radial hole 962 is a through hole that penetrates the manual shaft 96 in the radial direction of the rotation axis Y. The radial hole 962 crosses the lower end of the axial hole 961 in the radial direction of the rotation axis Y. The radial hole 962 and the axial hole 961 intersect on the rotation axis Y and are in communication with each other.

[0096] A lip seal RS is provided inside the cylindrical portion 126. The lip seal RS is in contact with the outer periphery of the manual shaft 96 and seals the gap between the outer periphery of the manual shaft 96 and the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 126. An axial hole 961 of the manual shaft 96 is provided in a range that crosses the lip seal RS in the direction of the rotation axis Y (the up-down direction in the drawing).

[0097] 7, the radial hole 962 is oriented along a straight line Lp that intersects with the rotation axis Y. The straight line Lp is inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to a horizontal line HLa that is perpendicular to the rotation axis Y. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication hole 960 has a diameter such that the hole diameter r2 of the radial hole 962 and the hole diameter r1 of the axial hole 961 are approximately the same (r2≈r1).

[0098] 7 , one end 962a and the other end 962b of the radial hole 962 in the direction of the line Lp open to the outer peripheral surface of the manual shaft 96 below the lip seal RS and above the lower end surface 126a of the cylindrical portion 126. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis Y, the one end 962a and the other end 962b of the radial hole 962 are positioned so as to overlap with the cylindrical portion 126. The radial hole 962 communicates with the internal space of the gear chamber Sb via the internal space of the cylindrical portion 126.

[0099] When the vehicle equipped with the unit 1 is running, the final gear 61 (see FIG. 2) rotates about the rotation axis X3, scooping up the oil OL stored in the lower part of the housing HS. A portion of the scooped-up oil OL moves along the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 121 of the gear case 12 and reaches the ceiling wall 121t on which the cylindrical portion 126 is provided.

[0100] One end 962a and the other end 962b of the radial hole 962 are surrounded by the cylindrical portion 126, and therefore the cylindrical portion 126 functions as a shield (physical barrier) against the oil OL approaching the radial hole 962 from the radial direction of the rotation axis Y. Therefore, most of the oil OL scattered by the rotation of the final gear 61 collides with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 126, and is less likely to flow into the radial hole 962.

[0101] Furthermore, one end 962a and the other end 962b of the radial hole 962 are positioned offset in the up-down direction. Specifically, the one end 962a of the radial hole 962 is located lower than the other end 962b. Thus, the radial hole 962 is inclined downward from the other end 962b toward the one end 962a. Therefore, even if scattered oil OL flows into the radial hole 962, the oil OL flows along the inclination of the radial hole 962 due to its own weight and is quickly discharged. This prevents the oil OL from accumulating in the radial hole 962 and suppresses oil blowing from the breather 976.

[0102] In this embodiment, when a driving range (e.g., D range) is selected, the other end 962b of the radial hole 962 is set to face away from the final gear 61 (see FIG. 2) in the front-to-rear direction (rear side), and one end 962a is set to face the final gear 61 (see FIG. 2) side (front side). For example, when the vehicle moves forward in D range, the final gear 61 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2. Therefore, most of the oil OL stored in the gear chamber Sb splashes rearward along the tangential direction of the final gear 61 (direction of the arrow in the figure).

[0103] As shown in Figure 7, by setting one end 962a of the radial hole 962 to face the final gear 61, when oil OL flows into the radial hole 962 from the one end 962a, the flowing oil OL will rise inside the radial hole 962 toward the other end 962b.

[0104] This slows down the movement speed of the oil OL inside the radial hole 962. The oil OL that has stopped moving inside the radial hole 962 then moves toward the one end 962a due to its own weight and is discharged from the one end 962a. This more effectively prevents the oil OL from flowing into the axial hole 961. Note that the positional relationship between the one end 962a and the other end 962b of the radial hole 962 in the up-down direction is not limited to this. For example, the direction in which the oil OL will splash can be analyzed using a simulation or the like, and a positional relationship that makes it most difficult for the oil OL to flow into the axial hole 961 can be adopted.

[0105] On the other hand, the air that has flowed into the radial holes 962 moves from the radial holes 962 to the axial holes 961 and rises inside the axial holes 961. Note that this air contains mist-like oil as oil components.

[0106] 6 , a connecting portion 996 of a carrier 994 is spline-fitted to the outer periphery of the manual shaft 96. Therefore, air rising inside the axial hole 961 of the manual shaft 96 reaches a hollow space 996 b of the connecting portion 996 of the carrier 994.

[0107] In the actuator 97, the hollow space 996b of the connecting portion 996 of the carrier 994 and the hollow space 980a of the motor shaft 980 are aligned along the common rotation axis Y. Therefore, most of the air that flows into the hollow space 996b of the connecting portion 996 of the carrier 994 rises within the hollow space 980a of the motor shaft 980.

[0108] Here, a thrust bearing Bs is interposed between the carrier 994 and the motor shaft 980. Therefore, part of the air in the hollow space 996b of the connecting portion 996 passes through the thrust bearing Bs and diffuses between the carrier 994 and the motor shaft 980 in the radial direction of the rotation axis Y.

[0109] The air diffused in the radial direction of the rotation axis Y passes through gaps between the components of the planetary gear mechanism 99 and rises toward the drive motor 98 (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6 ). Examples of gaps between the components of the planetary gear mechanism 99 include: (a) the space between adjacent pinion gears 991 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis Y, (b) the gap around the meshing portion between the sun gear 990 and the motor shaft 980, (c) the gap around the meshing portion between the sun gear 990 and the pinion gear 991, (d) the gap around the meshing portion between the pinion gear 991 and the ring gear 993, and (e) the gap between the pinion gear 991 and the pinion shaft 992.

[0110] The air that rises toward the drive motor 98 from each gap in the planetary gear mechanism 99 further passes through the gap between the rotor 981 and stator 982 of the drive motor 98 and moves toward the breather 976 (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6). When passing through these gaps, the air that passes through the internal space Sc of the actuator 97 is restricted from rising if it contains a large amount of oil, and the air with less oil can move toward the breather 976.

[0111] In this way, by providing the drive motor 98 and the planetary gear mechanism 99 between the axial hole 961 and the filter 978 in the vertical direction, the components of the drive motor 98 and the planetary gear mechanism 99 function as a labyrinth structure within the internal space Sc. This limits the upward movement of oil-rich air within the internal space Sc, allowing less oily air to move toward the breather 976.

[0112] The air rising within the internal space Sc is eventually collected in the hollow space 977a of the breather pipe 977 (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6). The air within the hollow space 977a of the breather pipe 977 passes through a filter 978, where oil is further removed, before the air is released into the atmosphere. Any oil remaining within the internal space Sc is liquefied and stored within the internal space Sc. Therefore, the actuator 97 also functions as an oil catch tank. The oil OL stored in the internal space Sc can be drained by removing the drain bolt DB that passes through the plate portion 974.

[0113] As described above, in the actuator 97, the entire internal space Sc of the case portion 970 and the hollow space 977a of the breather pipe 977 form part of the breather passage 8. That is, in this embodiment, the communication hole 960 (axial hole 961, radial hole 962) of the manual shaft 96, the internal space Sc of the case portion 970 of the actuator 97, and the hollow space 977a of the breather pipe 977 form one breather passage 8. This alleviates layout restrictions compared to when a breather passage is provided in the gear case 12.

[0114] Here, in order to fully function as a breather, it is preferable to increase the volume of the breather passage. For example, when forming the breather passage using only the housing HS, ensuring a large volume may result in an increase in the size of the housing HS (unit 1) or restrictions on the layout of the power transmission mechanism 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, the internal space Sc of the actuator 97, which has a relatively large volume, is used as part of the breather passage 8. This increases the volume of the breather passage 8 to fully function as a breather, while reducing the increase in the size of the housing HS (unit 1) and restrictions on the layout of the power transmission mechanism 3.

[0115] Furthermore, by making the internal space Sc of the actuator 97 a part of the breather passage 8, the filter 978 of the breather 976 that is pre-installed in the actuator 97 can also be used as an air filter for the breather, thereby reducing the number of parts.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 7, air Air in the gear chamber Sb flows into the communication hole 960 from one end 962a and the other end 962b of the radial hole 962 in the direction of the straight line Lp, together with oil OL scooped up by the rotation of the final gear 61.

[0117] In this case, the light air (Air) rises along the axial hole 961, while the heavy oil (OL) does not flow into the axial hole 961 but flows through the radial hole 962. In this way, the air (Air) and oil (OL) that flow into the communication hole 960 move in different directions due to the difference in their weights.

[0118] For example, if the axial hole 961 and the radial holes 962 are configured as a single continuous ventilation path, the oil OL in the radial hole 962 may rise up the axial hole 961 due to being pushed by the air and oil OL that flow in sequentially. In this case, it is conceivable that the rising oil OL will blow out from a breather 976 (see FIG. 6 ) of the actuator 97. Therefore, the communication hole 960 is configured to include the axial hole 961 and the radial holes 962, and the axial hole 961 is shaped so as to branch off from the radial hole 962, through which the air and oil OL flow in. This allows most of the oil OL that flows into the radial hole 962 to pass the branch with the axial hole 961 and continue straight, and most of the air that flows into the radial hole 962 to flow into the axial hole 961. That is, by providing the communication hole 960 with a branched shape, the flow direction of the oil OL and the flow direction of the air Air can be separated, so that oil blowing from the breather 976 can be suppressed.

[0119] It is also possible to provide an air passage in the gear case 12 of the housing HS, instead of the communication hole 960 in the manual shaft 96, which communicates the gear chamber Sb with the internal space Sc of the actuator 97. However, in order to form an air passage having the same volume as the communication hole 960 in the gear case 12, it is necessary to significantly change the shape of the gear case 12. This would have the effect of restricting the layout of the power transmission mechanism 3 and the like housed in the gear case 12. In contrast, providing the communication hole 960 in the manual shaft 96 and using the communication hole 960 as an air passage communicating the gear chamber Sb with the internal space Sc of the actuator 97, as in the present embodiment, is advantageous in that it does not require changing the shape of the gear case 12 and can alleviate the effect of restricting the layout of the power transmission mechanism 3 and the like.

[0120] The following are examples of the unit 1 according to certain aspects of the present invention. (1) The unit 1 has a gear case 12 of a housing HS that houses a power transmission mechanism 3, and a parking lock device 9 attached to the gear case 12 of the housing HS. A breather passage 8 is formed within the parking lock device 9.

[0121] According to the embodiment, a breather function can be added to the existing parking lock device 9. This can ease layout restrictions compared to a case where a breather passage (breather chamber) is provided in the gear case 12.

[0122] (2) The breather passage 8 is configured to include the internal space Sc of the actuator 97 of the parking lock device 9 .

[0123] To fully function as a breather, it is preferable that the volume of the breather passage is large. For example, if a large volume is to be ensured when forming a breather passage (breather chamber) using only the housing HS, it is conceivable that the housing HS (unit 1) would become larger or the layout of the power transmission mechanism 3 would be restricted. Therefore, by configuring as described above, the internal space Sc of the actuator 97, which has a relatively large volume, can be used as part of the breather passage 8. This makes it possible to increase the volume of the breather passage 8 and fully function as a breather, while reducing the possibility of the housing HS becoming larger or the possibility of the layout of the power transmission mechanism 3 being restricted.

[0124] (3) The actuator 97 is provided with a filter 978 (ventilation filter).

[0125] The actuator 97 is already equipped with a breather 976 and a filter 978 that release the air in the internal space Sc to the atmosphere. Therefore, by making the internal space Sc of the actuator 97 part of the breather passage 8, the filter 978 of the existing breather 976 can also be used as a ventilation filter for the breather. Therefore, there is no need to provide a new ventilation filter on the breather passage 8, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0126] (4) The breather passage 8 includes a communication hole 960 (ventilation passage) formed in the manual shaft 96 (shaft) of the parking lock device 9 .

[0127] For example, instead of the communication hole 960, it is also possible to provide an air passage in the gear case 12 of the housing HS that communicates between the gear chamber Sb and the internal space Sc of the actuator 97. However, in order to form an air passage in the gear case 12 that has the same volume as the communication hole 960, it is necessary to significantly change the shape of the gear case 12. This would have the effect of restricting the layout of the power transmission mechanism 3 and the like housed in the gear case 12. Therefore, it is advantageous to use the above configuration, provide the communication hole 960 in the manual shaft 96, and use the communication hole 960 as an air passage that communicates between the gear chamber Sb and the internal space Sc of the actuator 97, because it is not necessary to change the shape of the gear case 12, thereby mitigating the effects of restricting the layout of the power transmission mechanism 3 and the like.

[0128] (5) The communication hole 960 includes a radial hole 962 (horizontal passage) extending in a direction intersecting the direction of gravity, and an axial hole 961 (vertical passage) extending in the direction of gravity and communicating with the radial hole 962.

[0129] Air in the gear chamber Sb flows into the communication hole 960 along with oil OL scooped up by the rotation of the final gear 61. For example, if the axial hole 961 and the radial holes 962 were configured as a single continuous air passage, the oil OL in the radial hole 962 would be pushed up the axial hole 961 by the air and oil OL that flow in sequentially. This could cause the rising oil OL to blow out from the breather 976 (see FIG. 6 ) of the actuator 97. Therefore, by configuring the communication hole 960 as described above and shaping the axial hole 961 so that the axial hole 961 branches off midway through the radial hole 962, the light air rises along the axial hole 961, while the heavy oil OL does not flow into the axial hole 961 but flows through the radial hole 962. In this way, the air and oil that flow into the communication hole 960 move in different directions due to their different weights. This makes it possible to suppress oil blowing from the breather 976 of the actuator 97 .

[0130] (6) One end 962a of the radial hole 962 is located lower than the other end 962b.

[0131] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the oil OL from accumulating in the radial holes 962 and to prevent oil from being blown out from the breather 976 .

[0132] (7) The gear case 12 of the housing HS has a cylindrical portion 126 into which the manual shaft 96 is inserted. The radial hole 962 opens into the cylindrical portion 126.

[0133] With this configuration, the cylindrical portion 126 acts as a shield, making it difficult for the oil OL scattered by the rotation of the final gear 61 to flow into the radial holes 962 .

[0134] (I) The actuator 97 has a drive motor 98 and a planetary gear mechanism 99. The drive motor 98 and the planetary gear mechanism 99 are provided between the axial hole 961 and the filter 978 in the up-down direction.

[0135] With this configuration, the components of the drive motor 98 and the planetary gear mechanism 99 function as a labyrinth structure in the internal space Sc of the actuator 97. This limits the upward movement of oil-rich air in the internal space Sc, and allows less oily air to move toward the breather 976.

[0136] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the aspects shown in these embodiments and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the invention.

[0137] 1: unit, 2: motor, 3: power transmission mechanism, 8: breather passage, 9: parking lock device, 11: motor case, 12: gear case, 61: final gear, 96: manual shaft, 97: actuator, 98: drive motor, 99: planetary gear mechanism, 121: peripheral wall portion, 121t: ceiling wall portion, 125: insertion hole, 126: cylindrical portion, 960: communication hole (ventilation path), 961: axial hole (vertical passage), 962: radial hole (horizontal passage), 962a: one end, 962b: other end, 970: case portion, 976: breather, 977: breather pipe, 977a: hollow space, 978: filter (ventilation filter), 980: motor shaft, 980a: hollow space, 996: connecting portion 996b: hollow space, Air: air, HS: housing, OL: oil, Sb: gear chamber, Sc: internal space, VL1: vertical line, X, X1, X2, X3: rotation axis, Y: rotation axis

Claims

1. A unit having a housing that houses a power transmission mechanism and a parking lock device attached to the housing, wherein a breather passage is formed within the parking lock device.

2. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the breather passage is configured to include the inside of the actuator of the parking lock device.

3. A unit according to claim 2, wherein the actuator is provided with a ventilation filter.

4. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the breather passage is configured to include an air passage formed in the shaft of the parking lock device.

5. A unit according to claim 4, wherein the ventilation passage includes a horizontal passage extending in a direction intersecting the direction of gravity, and a vertical passage extending in the direction of gravity and communicating with the horizontal passage.

6. A unit according to claim 5, wherein one end of the lateral passage is located lower than the other end of the lateral passage.

7. A unit according to claim 5, wherein the housing has a cylindrical portion into which the shaft is inserted, and the lateral passage opens within the cylindrical portion.

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