Rotary electric machine unit and electric vehicle

The rotating electric machine unit integrates the electric circuit section on one axial side of the motor with a protruding connector for efficient wiring and airflow-based cooling, addressing the challenges of battery connection and cooling in electric vehicles.

WO2026053923A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-03-12DENSO CORP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-09-02
Publication Date
2026-03-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing electric vehicle designs do not provide an optimal structure for connecting a battery to a rotating electric machine, particularly in terms of wiring length and routing for large current flow, and do not adequately address cooling and airflow considerations.

Method used

A rotating electric machine unit with an integrated electric circuit section and housing, where the circuit board is positioned on one axial side of the motor, and a connector protrudes from the circuit housing to facilitate efficient wiring and cooling, with the electric circuit unit located to maximize airflow for effective cooling based on driving direction.

Benefits of technology

This configuration minimizes wiring length, enhances cooling efficiency, and optimizes airflow for effective heat dissipation, improving the performance and reliability of the electric vehicle's power system.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A rotary electric machine unit (10-12) comprises a rotary electric machine (20), electric circuit parts (30, 40), and a housing (15). The electric circuit parts (30, 40) have a circuit board (32) on which electronic components related to drive control of the rotary electric machine (20) are mounted, and a battery connection part (35) connected to the battery (50), the electric circuit parts (30, 40) being provided on one axial-direction side of the rotary electric machine (20). The housing (15) has a rotary electric machine housing (16) that accommodates the rotary electric machine (20), and a circuit housing (17) that accommodates the circuit board (32). The area of the circuit board is greater than a projected area obtained by projecting a cylindrical portion of the rotary electric machine housing (16) in the axial direction. The battery connection part (35) is provided so as to protrude outward from an outer peripheral wall (171) of the circuit housing (17).
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Description

Rotating electric machine unit and electric vehicle CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Patent Application No. 2024-153198, filed September 5, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a rotating electric machine unit and an electric vehicle.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art Electric vehicles that use electric motors for propulsion are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an electric vehicle that includes, as a power system, a battery power source, a motor, and a control device that controls the rotation of the motor.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-235115

[0005] In an electric vehicle, a structure that is advantageous in terms of the length and routing of wiring that carries a large current is desirable. However, Patent Document 1 does not mention details of the placement of the battery and motor. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a rotating electric machine unit that can be appropriately connected to a battery, and an electric vehicle.

[0006] The rotating electric machine unit of the present disclosure includes a rotating electric machine, an electric circuit section, and a housing. The electric circuit section has a circuit board on which electronic components related to drive control of the rotating electric machine are mounted, and a battery connection section connected to a battery, and is provided on one axial side of the rotating electric machine. The housing includes a rotating electric machine housing that houses the rotating electric machine, and a circuit housing that houses the circuit board. The area of ​​the circuit board is larger than the projected area of ​​the cylindrical portion of the rotating electric machine housing projected in the axial direction. The battery connection section is provided to protrude outward from the outer peripheral wall of the circuit housing. This allows for appropriate connection between the battery connection section and the battery.

[0007] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the front of an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow II in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow III in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the rear of an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the first embodiment, Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the electric motor unit according to the first embodiment, Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the electric motor unit according to the first embodiment, Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing the electric motor unit according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing the electric motor unit according to the first embodiment. 10B is a diagram showing the state in which an electric motor unit is mounted on an electric vehicle used in right-hand traffic in the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the third embodiment; FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the fourth embodiment; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the fifth embodiment; FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the sixth embodiment; 18 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the tenth embodiment, FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the eleventh embodiment, FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the twelfth embodiment, FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the thirteenth embodiment, FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the fourteenth embodiment, and FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the fourteenth embodiment.FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 16th embodiment, FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 17th embodiment, FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 18th embodiment, FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 19th embodiment, and FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 20th embodiment. 29 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 21st embodiment, FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 22nd embodiment, FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 23rd embodiment, FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 24th embodiment, FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 25th embodiment, and FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 26th embodiment. 35 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 27th embodiment, FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 28th embodiment, FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 29th embodiment, FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 30th embodiment, FIG. 39 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 31st embodiment, and FIG. 40 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the 32nd embodiment. 41 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the thirty-third embodiment, FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram showing an electric motor unit according to the thirty-fourth embodiment, FIG. 43 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the thirty-fourth embodiment, FIG. 44 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the thirty-fifth embodiment, FIG. 45 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the thirty-sixth embodiment, and FIG. 46 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor unit according to the thirty-seventh embodiment.

[0008] A rotating electrical machine unit according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, substantially identical components in a plurality of embodiments will be designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0009] (First embodiment) A first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 to 9. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, an electric motor unit 10 as a rotating electric machine unit is applied to, for example, an electric vehicle 90. The electric vehicle 90 is an electric two-wheeled vehicle having a front wheel 91 and a rear wheel 92, and is configured so that a driver D can ride on it. The electric vehicle 90 is also equipped with a battery 50.

[0010] The electric motor unit 10 includes a housing 15, a motor section 20, and an electric circuit section 30. The electric motor unit 10 of this embodiment is a so-called "electromechanical integrated type" in which the electric circuit section 30 is provided on one axial side of the motor section 20. The electric motor unit 10 is mounted between the front wheels 91 and the rear wheels 92 so that the motor axis LA is approximately perpendicular to the vehicle center line LV.

[0011] 5 to 7, the housing 15 has a motor housing 16 and a circuit housing 17. The motor housing 16 and the circuit housing 17 are integrally formed from, for example, aluminum.

[0012] The motor housing 16 has a cylindrical portion 161 and heat dissipation fins 165. The heat dissipation fins 165 are formed in an annular shape that protrudes radially outward from the cylindrical portion 161. The heat dissipation fins 165 are formed in multiple stages in the axial direction. The number and shape of the heat dissipation fins 165 can be designed as desired depending on the axial length of the motor unit 20, etc. A frame member 18 is fixed to the end of the motor housing 16 opposite the circuit housing 17 with screws or the like.

[0013] The circuit housing 17 is provided on one axial side of the motor housing 16. A cover member 19 is fixed to the opposite side of the circuit housing 17 from the motor housing 16 with screws or the like (not shown). To avoid complication, the reference numerals for the housing 15, frame member 18, and cover member 19, as well as the reference numerals for the motor region Rm and extension region Re (described below), have been omitted from the schematic diagram showing the entire electric vehicle 90 in FIG. 1 and other figures. Furthermore, in FIG. 7, the illustrations of the heat dissipation fins 165, frame member 18, and connector 35 (described below) have been omitted. The same applies to FIG. 40 (described below).

[0014] The motor unit 20 is, for example, a three-phase brushless motor and has motor windings, a stator, a rotor, a shaft, etc. (not shown), which are housed in the motor housing 16. An output shaft 25, which is one end of the shaft, protrudes from the frame member 18. The output shaft 25 is connected to rear wheels 92, which are drive wheels, via a reduction mechanism, etc. (not shown). The drive wheels may also be front wheels 91. The electric vehicle 90 runs using the driving force of the motor unit 20, which is a drive motor (so-called main motor).

[0015] The electric circuit unit 30 is provided on one axial side of the motor unit 20. In this embodiment, the electric circuit unit 30 is provided on the opposite side of the output shaft 25, and is arranged in the order of the electric circuit unit 30, the motor unit 20, and the output shaft 25 from one axial side.

[0016] The electric circuit unit 30 extends from a projection area of ​​the cylindrical portion 161 of the motor housing 21 projected in the axial direction in a direction substantially perpendicular to the motor axis LA. The extension direction may be inclined with respect to the motor axis LA. Hereinafter, the projection area of ​​the cylindrical portion 161 of the motor housing 21 projected in the axial direction will be referred to as the motor region Rm, and the region extending outward from the motor region Rm will be referred to as the extension region Re (see FIG. 7 ).

[0017] In this embodiment, the extension region Re is formed to extend in a generally rectangular shape in a plan view, and the electric circuit unit 30 has a shape that combines a semicircle and a rectangle when viewed from the motor axial direction. Hereinafter, a virtual line that passes through the motor axis LA and divides the electric circuit unit 30 in half along the extension direction will be referred to as the control unit center line LC. Furthermore, both outer sides of the control unit center line LC will be referred to as the sides of the electric circuit unit 30.

[0018] 5 and 6, the circular portion of the electric circuit unit 30 has a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion of the motor housing 16 and is provided inside the motor region Rm. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 7, the circular portion of the electric circuit unit 30 may have a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion of the motor housing 16 and protrude outward from the motor region Rm.

[0019] 7, the electric circuit section 30 is provided with a circuit board 32 on which various electronic components related to motor drive control are mounted. The circuit board 32 extends from the motor region Rm to the extension region Re, and is housed in an accommodation space formed by the circuit housing 17 and the cover member 19. The electronic components mounted on the circuit board 32 include switching elements that are driven at a relatively high voltage, and a microcomputer that is driven at a relatively low voltage and controls the on / off operation of the switching elements.

[0020] In this embodiment, a low-voltage region RL, in which electronic components driven by a relatively low voltage, such as a microcomputer, are mounted, is provided in the motor region Rm. The low-voltage region RL is formed in a substantially T-shape. Outside the low-voltage region RL is a high-voltage region RH, in which electronic components driven by a relatively high voltage, such as switching elements, are mounted (see FIG. 2).

[0021] The connector 35 is provided in the electric circuit unit 30. More specifically, the connector 35 protrudes from the outer peripheral wall 171 of the circuit housing 17, which surrounds the outer edge of the circuit board 32. In this embodiment, the connector 35 is provided at the tip end of the extension region Re, with its opening facing away from the motor region Rm. By providing the connector 35 facing outward from the circuit housing 17, the mounting area of ​​the circuit board 32 can be used efficiently. This is also advantageous for air-cooling the electronic components mounted on the circuit board 32. A harness (not shown) or the like is connected to the opening of the connector 35, and the battery 50 is connected to the connector 35. Note that a power cable may be provided instead of the connector 35, and connected to the battery 50.

[0022] In Fig. 5 and other figures, the opening is provided so that the harness and the like can be inserted and removed in a direction perpendicular to the motor axis LA, but the shape of the connector body 35 and the orientation of the opening can be designed as desired depending on the relative positioning of the battery 50 and the installation space. The same applies to the embodiments described below. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the connector 35 may be provided at an angle, with the motor unit 20 side on the lower side and the electric circuit unit 30 side on the upper side, so that the harness and the like can be inserted and removed from the diagonally upper side.

[0023] 2, the battery 50 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is provided with a power feed port 51 on one side in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the battery 50 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 so that the power feed port 51 faces vertically upward.

[0024] The electric motor unit 10 is a drive source for the electric vehicle 90, and a large current flows through the electric motor unit 10 in order to output a driving force for driving the electric vehicle 90. Therefore, a structure advantageous in terms of wiring length and routing is desired for the connection between the battery 50, through which a large current flows, and the electric motor unit 10.

[0025] Therefore, in this embodiment, the motor unit 10 is configured and mounted so that the connector 35 is as close as possible to the power supply port 51 of the battery 50, thereby shortening the wiring between the connector 35 and the battery 50 and making routing easier.

[0026] In this embodiment, the battery 50 is mounted on the front side of the vehicle with the power feed port 51 facing vertically upward, and the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 on the rear side of the battery 50 with the extension region Re facing the battery 50, with the extension region Re on the diagonally upper side and the motor region Rm on the diagonally lower side. When the electric circuit unit 30 extends beyond the motor region Rm due to the miniaturization of the motor unit 20 as in this embodiment, the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 can be brought closer to each other by providing the extension region Re facing the battery 50 side.

[0027] Furthermore, by mounting the electric motor unit 10 on the electric vehicle 90 at an angle so that the extension region Re faces diagonally upward, it is possible to avoid lowering the minimum ground clearance of the electric motor unit 10 and to avoid interference with the feet of the driver D. Also, from the viewpoint of waterproofing, it is preferable that the connector 35 be provided above the horizontal.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4 and other figures, the electric motor unit 10 is an air-cooled electric unit that cools the electric circuit unit 30 using airflow from the vehicle, and is disposed so that the output shaft 25 is on the left side of the vehicle and the electric circuit unit 30 is on the right side of the vehicle, with the motor axis LA perpendicular to the vehicle center line LV. For example, in countries where vehicles drive on the left side of the vehicle, such as Japan, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Australia, and Thailand, the turning radius is larger when turning right than when turning left. By disposing the electric circuit unit 30 on the side of the vehicle where the turning radius is larger with respect to the center of the vehicle more frequently, i.e., on the right side of the vehicle under left-hand traffic conditions, the speed of the airflow from the vehicle increases, which is advantageous for cooling.

[0029] In countries such as the United States where vehicles drive on the right side of the road, the turning radius is larger when turning left than when turning right. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9, by arranging the electric circuit unit 30 on the side of the vehicle where the turning radius is more likely to be large relative to the center of the vehicle, that is, on the left side of the vehicle under conditions where vehicles drive on the right side of the road, the wind speed of the vehicle while traveling is more likely to be high, which is advantageous for cooling.

[0030] As described above, the electric motor unit 10 of this embodiment includes the motor section 20, the electric circuit section 30, and the housing 15. The electric circuit section 30 has a circuit board 32 on which electronic components related to drive control of the motor section 20 are mounted, and a connector 35 connected to the battery 50, and is provided on one axial side of the motor section 20. The housing 15 has a motor housing 16 that houses the motor section 20, and a circuit housing 17 that houses the circuit board 32.

[0031] The area of ​​the circuit board 32 is larger than the projected area of ​​the cylindrical portion of the motor housing 16 projected in the axial direction. The connector 35 is provided to protrude outward from the outer peripheral wall 171 of the circuit housing 17, which facilitates wiring between the connector 35 and the battery 50. Furthermore, by providing the connector 35 to protrude from the circuit housing 17, the mounting area of ​​the circuit board 32 can be effectively utilized and is also advantageous for cooling.

[0032] The connector 35 is provided facing the battery 50. This shortens the length of the wiring and makes routing easier. Note that even if the connector 35 and the battery 50 are provided on different planes, for example, when the connector 35 is located on the side of the vehicle and the battery 50 is provided on the vehicle center line LV, as long as the connector 35 faces the battery 50 when viewed from the side of the vehicle, this is considered to be included in the concept of "the connector being provided facing the battery." The same applies to the positional relationship between the connector 35 and the battery 50 including the power supply port 51 in the embodiments described below, such as "facing" or "orthogonal."

[0033] The electric circuit unit 30 is provided so as to extend outward from a motor region Rm, which is an axial projection of the cylindrical portion of the motor housing 16. The connector 35 is provided in an extension region Re that extends from the motor region Rm, which facilitates wiring.

[0034] The extension region Re is rectangular in plan view and faces the battery 50. Note that "rectangular in plan view" means that the region protruding from the motor region Rm is surrounded by three straight lines in plan view. In this embodiment, the extension region Re is surrounded by two parallel tangent lines and a straight line perpendicular to the tangent lines in plan view. The concept of "rectangular in plan view" also includes rounded corners and areas with partial irregularities. The connector 35 is provided at the end of the extension region Re opposite the motor region Rm. This shortens the wiring and facilitates routing.

[0035] An electric vehicle 90 is equipped with an electric motor unit 10. An electric circuit unit 30 is provided on the side of the vehicle. In particular, by locating the electric circuit unit 30 on the side where the turning radius is frequently large, such as the right side of the vehicle when driving on the left side of the road, or the left side of the vehicle when driving on the right side of the road, the wind speed of the traveling wind is frequently high, which is advantageous for cooling the electric circuit unit 30.

[0036] Second Embodiment A second embodiment is shown in Figures 10A and 10B. In the electric motor unit 11 of this embodiment, the electric circuit section 30 is provided on the output shaft 25 side of the motor section 20, and the motor section 20, the electric circuit section 30, and the output shaft 25 are arranged in this order from one side in the axial direction. In this configuration, a through hole through which a shaft is inserted is formed in the circuit board 32 (not shown in Figures 10A and 10B).

[0037] As shown in Fig. 10A, in a configuration in which the output shaft 25 is disposed on the right side of the vehicle, the electric circuit unit 30 can be disposed on the right side of the vehicle, which is advantageous for cooling by the traveling wind when the vehicle is traveling on the left side. Note that, as shown in Fig. 10B, in a configuration in which the output shaft 25 is disposed on the left side of the vehicle when the vehicle is traveling on the right side, the electric motor unit 11 can be disposed by reversing the left and right sides. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0038] The third to thirty-third embodiments are variations in the arrangement of the electric motor unit 10 and the battery 50. By orienting the connector 35 in a direction approaching the power supply port 51, the wiring connecting the electric motor unit 10 and the battery 50 can be shortened, making wiring easier. In each embodiment, an example will be described in which the electric motor unit 10 and the battery 50 are mounted on the right side of the vehicle, but they may also be arranged on the left side. Furthermore, as in the second embodiment, the electric circuit unit 30 may be provided on the output shaft 25 side.

[0039] Hereinafter, the state in which the motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 so that the control unit center line LC is substantially horizontal will be referred to as "lateral arrangement," the state in which the motor unit 10 is mounted so that the control unit center line LC is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal will be referred to as "longitudinal arrangement," and the state in which the motor unit 10 is mounted at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90° to the horizontal will be referred to as "diagonal arrangement." That is, for example, in the first embodiment, the motor unit 10 can be said to be diagonally arranged. Furthermore, in each drawing, for the sake of explanation, the motor unit 10 and the battery 50 are depicted on the front side of the page, regardless of their positional relationship with the driver D.

[0040] Third to Eighth Embodiments The third to eighth embodiments are variations of the arrangement in which the connector 35 is provided at the end of the extension region Re opposite the motor region Rm, similar to the first embodiment.

[0041] 11 , the electric motor unit 10 is disposed obliquely with the motor region Rm facing vertically downward and rearward of the vehicle, and the extension region Re facing vertically upward and forward of the vehicle, as in the first embodiment. The battery 50 is provided on the vehicle front side of the electric motor unit 10, with the power supply port 51 facing rearward of the vehicle and vertically above the connector 35.

[0042] 12 , the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in a longitudinal orientation such that the motor region Rm is on the vertically lower side, the extension region Re is on the vertically upper side, and the connector 35 faces vertically upward. As in the first embodiment, the battery 50 is provided on the vehicle front side of the electric motor unit 10, with the power supply port 51 facing vertically upward.

[0043] 13 , similarly to the fourth embodiment, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in a longitudinal orientation such that the motor region Rm is on the vertically lower side, the extension region Re is on the vertically upper side, and the connector 35 faces vertically upward. The battery 50 is also provided on the vehicle front side of the electric motor unit 10 such that the power feed port 51 faces the rear of the vehicle and is vertically above the connector 35.

[0044] In this embodiment, the opening of the connector 35 is oriented perpendicular to the power feed port 51 of the battery 50. Here, "orthogonal orientation" means that an imaginary plane extending from the connector opening is perpendicular to an imaginary plane extending from the power feed port 51. Note that misalignment due to manufacturing tolerances is permitted and is considered to be "orthogonal orientation." Arranging the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 adjacent to each other with their openings approximately perpendicular to each other facilitates routing and allows the wiring to be as short as possible. This also applies to the sixth and seventh embodiments.

[0045] 14 , the electric motor unit 10 is mounted laterally on the electric vehicle 90 with the motor region Rm facing the rear of the vehicle, the extension region Re facing the front of the vehicle, and the connector 35 facing the front of the vehicle. The battery 50 has a power supply port 51 facing downward in the vertical direction and is provided forward of the electric motor unit 10 and vertically above it.

[0046] 15 , electric motor unit 10 is mounted laterally on electric vehicle 90 with motor region Rm facing the front of the vehicle, extension region Re facing the rear of the vehicle, and connector 35 facing the rear of the vehicle. Battery 50 is provided such that power feed port 51 faces downward in the vertical direction and is vertically above electric motor unit 10 and is further rearward of connector 35.

[0047] 16 , the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in an oblique arrangement such that the motor region Rm is located vertically downward and forward of the vehicle, and the extension region Re is located vertically upward and rearward of the vehicle. The battery 50 is located vertically above the electric motor unit 10, with the power feed port 51 located rearward of the vehicle than the connector 35. This arrangement allows the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 to face each other, thereby shortening the wiring and facilitating routing.

[0048] (Ninth to nineteenth embodiments) In the ninth to nineteenth embodiments, the connector 35 in the motor unit 10 is provided on the side of the extension region Re, and is a variation in which the opening is provided approximately parallel to the control unit center line LC (see Figure 7).

[0049] 17 , the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 at an angle such that the motor region Rm is located vertically upward and rearward of the vehicle, and the extension region Re is located vertically downward and frontward of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided with its opening facing diagonally upward. The battery 50 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 at a position forward of the electric motor unit 10, with its power supply port 51 facing rearward and vertically above the connector 35.

[0050] In the tenth embodiment shown in Figure 18, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted laterally on the electric vehicle 90 so that the motor region Rm is located rearward of the vehicle and the extension region Re is located frontward of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided with its opening facing vertically upward. The battery 50 is provided forward of and vertically above the electric motor unit 10, with its power feed port 51 facing rearward of the vehicle. This arrangement allows the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 to be adjacently arranged with their openings substantially perpendicular to each other, making routing easier and shortening the wiring as much as possible.

[0051] 19, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted in a horizontal arrangement as in the ninth embodiment. The battery 50 is located further forward in the vehicle than the electric motor unit 10, with the power supply port 51 located vertically upward and toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0052] In the twelfth embodiment shown in Figure 20, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted in a horizontal arrangement, as in the ninth embodiment. The battery 50 is provided vertically above the electric motor unit 10 and further rearward in the vehicle than the connector 35. The power feed port 51 is provided vertically below the battery 50 and closer to the front of the vehicle, and is located above the motor region Rm of the electric motor unit 10. This allows the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 to be disposed close to each other.

[0053] In the thirteenth embodiment shown in Figure 21, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted laterally on the electric vehicle 90 so that the motor region Rm is located on the front side of the vehicle and the extension region Re is located on the rear side of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided so that its opening faces vertically upward. The battery 50 is provided vertically above the electric motor unit 10, and the power feed port 51 faces vertically downward so that the openings of the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 face each other.

[0054] In this embodiment, the opening of the connector 35 is disposed opposite the power supply port 51 of the battery 50. By arranging the openings of the connector 35 and the power supply port 51 opposite each other, the wiring can be made as short as possible.

[0055] In the fourteenth embodiment shown in Fig. 22, the motor unit 10 is mounted in a horizontal arrangement similar to the thirteenth embodiment. The battery 50 is mounted in the same manner as the ninth embodiment. By arranging them in this manner, the connector 35 and the power supply port 51 are approximately perpendicular to each other, making wiring easy.

[0056] In the fifteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 23 , the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in a vertical orientation with the motor region Rm on the upper side in the vertical direction and the extension region Re on the lower side in the vertical direction. The connector 35 is provided with its front opening facing the front of the vehicle. The battery 50 is provided on the front side of the electric motor unit 10, vertically above the extension region Re of the electric motor unit 10. The power feed port 51 is provided with its front opening facing the lower side in the vertical direction. This arrangement allows the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 to be adjacently arranged with their front openings substantially perpendicular to each other, making routing easier and shortening the wiring as much as possible.

[0057] In the sixteenth embodiment shown in Figure 24, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in a vertical orientation with the motor region Rm on the vertically upper side and the extension region Re on the vertically lower side. The connector 35 is provided with its front opening facing the rear of the vehicle. The battery 50 is mounted vertically above the electric motor unit 10 and on the rear side of the vehicle, with its power supply port 51 facing vertically downward and positioned closer to the front of the vehicle.

[0058] 25 , the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in a diagonal arrangement such that the motor region Rm is vertically lower and toward the rear of the vehicle, and the extension region Re is vertically upper and toward the front of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided with its opening facing diagonally upward. The battery 50 is mounted vertically above the electric motor unit 10 and toward the rear of the vehicle, with its power supply port 51 facing toward the front of the vehicle.

[0059] In the eighteenth embodiment shown in Fig. 26, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted in the same manner as in the seventeenth embodiment, and the battery 50 is mounted in the same manner as in the sixteenth embodiment.

[0060] In the 19th embodiment shown in Figure 27, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in an oblique arrangement such that the motor region Rm is vertically upper and toward the front of the vehicle, and the extension region Re is vertically lower and toward the rear of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided with its opening facing obliquely upward. The battery 50 is mounted in the same manner as in the 16th embodiment.

[0061] (Twentieth to Twenty-Fourth Embodiments) The twentieth to twenty-fourth embodiments are variations in which the connector 35 is provided on the motor region Rm side. In the twentieth embodiment shown in FIG. 28 , the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in a horizontal arrangement such that the motor region Rm is on the front side of the vehicle and the extension region Re is on the rear side of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided facing in the normal direction so that its opening faces diagonally upward. The battery 50 is mounted vertically above the electric motor unit 10 and on the front side of the vehicle, and the power supply port 51 is provided facing vertically downward.

[0062] In the 21st embodiment shown in Figure 29, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on an electric vehicle 90 in a horizontal arrangement with the motor region Rm facing the front of the vehicle and the extension region Re facing the rear of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided at the tip of the motor region Rm with its front facing the front of the vehicle. The battery 50 is provided in the same manner as in the 20th embodiment. This arrangement allows the connector 35 and the power supply port 51 to be adjacently arranged with their fronts substantially perpendicular to each other, making routing easier and allowing the wiring to be as short as possible.

[0063] In the 22nd embodiment shown in Figure 30, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in a horizontal arrangement with the motor region Rm facing forward and the extension region Re facing rearward. The connector 35 is provided to the side of the motor region Rm so that its opening faces vertically upward. The battery 50 is mounted further forward than the electric motor unit 10, with its power feed port 51 facing rearward and vertically above the connector 35. This arrangement facilitates wiring because the openings of the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 are arranged approximately perpendicular to each other. The same applies to the 23rd embodiment.

[0064] In the 23rd embodiment shown in Figure 31, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in an oblique arrangement such that the motor region Rm is vertically upper and toward the front of the vehicle, and the extension region Re is vertically lower and toward the rear of the vehicle. As in the 20th embodiment, the connector 35 is provided facing the normal direction, with its front opening facing vertically upward. The battery 50 is provided in the same manner as in the 22nd embodiment.

[0065] In the twenty-fourth embodiment shown in Figure 32, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in a horizontal arrangement with the motor region Rm facing rearward and the extension region Re facing forward. The connector 35 is provided to the side of the motor region Rm with its opening facing vertically upward. The battery 50 is provided vertically above the electric motor unit 10, with the power feed port 51 facing vertically downward so that the openings of the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 face each other. This allows the wiring to be as short as possible.

[0066] Twenty-fifth to Thirty-third Embodiments In the twenty-fifth to thirty-third embodiments, the connector 35 is provided to protrude obliquely from the outer edge of the electric circuit unit 30, and are variations in which the outer peripheral wall 171 (see FIG. 5, etc.) of the circuit housing 17 on which the base end of the connector 35 is provided is not parallel to the opening of the connector 35. By protruding the connector 35 obliquely, the connector 35 and the power supply port 51 can be brought closer together.

[0067] In the 25th embodiment shown in Figure 33, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in a horizontal arrangement with the motor region Rm facing rearward and the extension region Re facing forward. The connector 35 is provided to protrude obliquely from the tip of the extension region Re so that its opening faces obliquely upward. The battery 50 is mounted vertically above the electric motor unit 10 and on the front side of the vehicle, with the power supply port 51 facing vertically downward.

[0068] In the 26th embodiment shown in Figure 34, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in an oblique arrangement with the motor region Rm vertically lower and toward the rear of the vehicle and the extension region Re vertically upper and toward the front of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided so as to protrude obliquely from the tip of the extension region Re with its opening facing vertically upward. The battery 50 is provided on the vehicle front side of the electric motor unit 10, with the power supply port 51 facing vertically upward and positioned toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0069] 35 , the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in a diagonal arrangement, as in the 26th embodiment, with the motor region Rm positioned vertically downward and toward the rear of the vehicle and the extension region Re positioned vertically upward, and the opening of the connector 35 facing vertically upward. The battery 50 is provided on the vehicle front side of the electric motor unit 10, with the power feed port 51 facing toward the rear of the vehicle and positioned closer to the vertical upper side. This arrangement allows the openings of the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 to be substantially perpendicular to each other, facilitating wiring.

[0070] 36 , the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in a diagonal arrangement with the motor region Rm positioned vertically downward and toward the rear of the vehicle, and the extension region Re positioned vertically upward and toward the front of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided so as to protrude diagonally from the side of the extension region Re with its opening positioned vertically upward. The battery 50 is provided on the vehicle front side of the electric motor unit 10, with its power supply port 51 facing toward the rear of the vehicle and positioned vertically upward.

[0071] In the twenty-ninth embodiment shown in FIG. 37 , the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on an electric vehicle 90 in an oblique arrangement such that the motor region Rm is vertically lower and toward the rear of the vehicle, and the extension region Re is vertically upper and toward the front of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided to protrude obliquely from the side of the extension region Re so that its opening is toward the front of the vehicle. The battery 50 is mounted vertically above the electric motor unit 10 and toward the front of the vehicle. The power feed port 51 is provided vertically lower and toward the rear of the vehicle. This arrangement allows the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 to be adjacently arranged with their openings substantially perpendicular to each other, making routing easier and shortening the wiring as much as possible.

[0072] In the 30th embodiment shown in Figure 38, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in an oblique arrangement with the motor region Rm positioned vertically upward and toward the front of the vehicle, and the extension region Re positioned vertically downward and toward the rear of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided to protrude obliquely from the side of the extension region Re so that its opening is vertically upward. As in the ninth embodiment, the battery 50 is provided on the front side of the electric motor unit 10, with the power feed port 51 facing toward the rear of the vehicle and positioned vertically upward. This arrangement allows the openings of the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 to be substantially perpendicular to each other, facilitating wiring.

[0073] In the thirty-first embodiment shown in Figure 39, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 in an oblique arrangement with the motor region Rm positioned vertically upward and toward the front of the vehicle, and the extension region Re positioned vertically downward and toward the rear of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided to protrude obliquely from the side of the extension region Re so that its opening is toward the front of the vehicle. The battery 50 is provided on the front side of the electric motor unit 10, with the power supply port 51 facing toward the rear of the vehicle and positioned vertically upward.

[0074] In the thirty-second embodiment shown in Figure 40, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on an electric vehicle 90 in a horizontal arrangement with the motor region Rm at the rear of the vehicle and the extension region Re at the front of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided to protrude obliquely from the side of the extension region Re so that its opening faces diagonally upward toward the front of the vehicle. The battery 50 is provided on the front side of the electric motor unit 10, with the power supply port 51 facing toward the rear of the vehicle and positioned vertically upward.

[0075] In the thirty-third embodiment shown in Figure 41, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on an electric vehicle 90 in a horizontal arrangement with the motor region Rm facing the front of the vehicle and the extension region Re facing the rear of the vehicle. The connector 35 is provided to protrude obliquely from the side of the extension region Re so that its opening faces diagonally upward toward the front of the vehicle. The battery 50 is provided on the front side of the electric motor unit 10, with the power supply port 51 facing the rear of the vehicle and positioned vertically upward.

[0076] 42, in the 34th embodiment, the electric circuit section 40 of the electric motor unit 12 has a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion of the motor housing 21 and is formed in a generally circular shape in a plan view. That is, the electric circuit section 40 does not have an extension region Re (see FIG. 7) extending to one side. The 34th to 37th embodiments are variations in which the extension region Re is not provided.

[0077] In the thirty-fourth embodiment shown in Figure 43, the electric motor unit 12 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 so that the connector 35 faces vertically upward. The battery 50 is provided on the vehicle front side of the electric motor unit 12, and the power feed port 51 faces the rear side of the vehicle and is provided close to the vertically upper side. With this arrangement, the openings of the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 are approximately perpendicular to each other, making wiring easier.

[0078] Furthermore, as in a thirty-fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 44, the electric motor unit 12 may be mounted on an electric vehicle 90 so that the connector 35 faces obliquely upward and forward of the vehicle.

[0079] In the thirty-sixth embodiment shown in Figure 45, the electric motor unit 12 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 with the connector 35 facing the front of the vehicle. The battery 50 is provided in front of the electric motor unit 12 with the power feed port 51 facing vertically downward. This arrangement results in the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 being adjacently arranged with their openings substantially perpendicular to each other, making routing easier and enabling the wiring to be as short as possible.

[0080] 46 , the electric motor unit 12 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 so that the connector 35 faces diagonally upward toward the rear of the vehicle. The battery 50 is provided vertically above the electric motor unit 12 and toward the rear of the vehicle, and the power feed port 51 faces vertically downward so that the connector 35 and the power feed port 51 face each other. This allows the wiring to be as short as possible.

[0081] In the embodiment, the electric motor units 10 to 12 correspond to the "rotating electric machine unit," the motor housing 16 corresponds to the "rotating electric machine housing," the motor section 20 corresponds to the "rotating electric machine," and the connector 35 corresponds to the "battery connection section." Also, the motor region Rm corresponds to the "rotating electric machine region."

[0082] (Other Embodiments) In the above embodiment, the power supply connection portion is the connector 35. In other embodiments, a power supply cable may be provided instead of the connector. In this case, the power supply cable corresponds to the "battery connection portion." In the above embodiment, the extension region is formed in a generally rectangular shape in a plan view. In other embodiments, the extension region may have a shape other than a rectangle, such as a polygonal shape or an oval shape.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the rotating electric machine unit is an electric motor unit. In other embodiments, the rotating electric machine may be a generator, or may be a so-called motor generator that combines the functions of an electric motor and a generator. In the above embodiment, the electric vehicle is an electric motorcycle. In other embodiments, the electric vehicle may be a small mobility vehicle other than an electric motorcycle, etc.

[0084] (Disclosure of Technical Ideas) This specification discloses multiple technical ideas described in the following multiple clauses. Some clauses may be described in a multiple dependent form, with the subsequent clause alternatively referring to the preceding clause. Furthermore, some clauses may be described in a multiple dependent form, with the subsequent clause referring to another multiple dependent clause. These multiple dependent clauses define multiple technical ideas.

[0085] (Technical Idea 1) A rotating electric machine unit comprising: a rotating electric machine (20); an electric circuit section (30, 40) having a circuit board (32) on which electronic components related to drive control of the rotating electric machine are mounted and a battery connection section (35) connected to a battery (50), the electric circuit section (30, 40) being provided on one axial side of the rotating electric machine; and a rotating electric machine housing (16) that accommodates the rotating electric machine, and a housing (15) having a circuit housing (17) that accommodates the circuit board, wherein the area of ​​the circuit board is larger than the projected area of ​​a cylindrical section (161) of the rotating electric machine housing when projected in the axial direction, and the battery connection section is provided so as to protrude outward from an outer peripheral wall (171) of the circuit housing. (Technical Idea 2) A rotating electric machine unit according to Technical Idea 1, wherein the battery connection section is provided facing the battery. (Technical Idea 3) A rotating electric machine unit according to Technical Idea 2, wherein the battery connection section is a connector, the opening of which is provided so as to face the power supply port section (51) of the battery. (Technical Idea 4) The rotating electric machine unit according to Technical Idea 1, wherein the battery connection portion is a connector and has an opening oriented perpendicular to the battery power feed port portion (51). (Technical Idea 5) The rotating electric machine unit according to any one of Technical Ideas 2 to 4, wherein the electric circuit portion (30) is provided extending outward from a rotating electric machine area, which is an area obtained by projecting a cylindrical portion of the rotating electric machine housing in the axial direction, and the battery connection portion is provided in an extension area extending from the rotating electric machine area. (Technical Idea 6) The rotating electric machine unit according to Technical Idea 5, wherein the extension area is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view from the rotating electric machine area, and the battery connection portion is provided at an end of the extension area on the opposite side to the rotating electric machine area. (Technical Idea 7) An electric vehicle equipped with the rotating electric machine unit according to any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 6, wherein the electric circuit portion is provided on a side of the vehicle.

[0086] As described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0087] The present disclosure has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and structures. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and variations within the scope of equivalents. Furthermore, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A rotating electric machine unit comprising: a rotating electric machine (20); an electric circuit section (30, 40) provided on one axial side of the rotating electric machine, the electric circuit section having a circuit board (32) on which electronic components related to the drive control of the rotating electric machine are mounted and a battery connection section (35) connected to a battery (50); a rotating electric machine housing (16) that accommodates the rotating electric machine, and a housing (15) having a circuit housing (17) that accommodates the circuit board, wherein the area of ​​the circuit board is larger than the projected area of ​​a cylindrical section (161) of the rotating electric machine housing projected in the axial direction, and the battery connection section is provided so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral wall (171) of the circuit housing.

2. The rotating electrical unit according to claim 1, wherein the battery connection portion is provided facing the battery.

3. The rotating electrical unit according to claim 2, wherein the battery connection portion is a connector, the opening of which is provided so as to face the power supply port portion (51) of the battery.

4. The rotating electrical unit according to claim 1, wherein the battery connection portion is a connector, the opening of which is provided in a direction perpendicular to the power supply port portion (51) of the battery.

5. A rotating electric machine unit as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the electrical circuit section (30) is provided extending outward from a rotating electric machine area, which is an area obtained by projecting the cylindrical portion of the rotating electric machine housing in the axial direction, and the battery connection section is provided in an extension area extending from the rotating electric machine area.

6. A rotating electric unit as described in claim 5, wherein the extension area is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view from the rotating electric area, and the battery connection portion is provided at the end of the extension area opposite the rotating electric area.

7. An electric vehicle equipped with the rotating electric machine unit according to claim 1, wherein the electric circuit section is provided on the side of the vehicle.

Citation Information

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