Geared motor with improved distribution of a coolant flow

Abstract

A geared motor (1) is disclosed, which comprises an electric motor (2) and a gear- box (3) coupled to the electric motor (2), wherein the geared motor (1) additionally comprises a cooling system (23, 23a.23e), which contains a water based first coolant and an oil based second coolant. The cooling system (23, 23a.23e) com- prises a stator cooling system (24), a rotor cooling system (25), a gearbox cooling system (26), and a heat exchanger (27) for the first and the second coolant. More- over, the geared motor (1) comprises a temperature management unit (14, 14a.14h) with a first inlet (19, 19a.19d) for the first coolant and / or a sec- ond inlet (20) for the second coolant, which is designed to distribute a coolant flow (F, F') to the stator cooling system (24), the rotor cooling system (25), the gearbox cooling system (26) and the heat exchanger (27). Moreover, a vehi- cle (41) with such a geared motor (1) and a method of operating such a geared motor (1) are disclosed.

Description

[0001] Geared motor with improved distribution of a coolant flow

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a geared motor, which comprises an electric motor with a stator and a rotor rotatably arranged relative to the stator, and a gearbox coupled to the electric motor. The geared motor additionally comprises a cooling system, which contains a water based first coolant and an oil based second coolant, wherein the cooling system comprises a stator cooling system for cooling the stator, a rotor cooling system for cooling the rotor, a gearbox cooling system for cooling the gearbox, and a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the first and the second coolant. Moreover, the invention relates to a vehicle with such a geared motor, wherein the geared motor is provided to propel the vehicle, and to a method of operating a geared motor.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] A geared motor, a vehicle and an operating method of the above kinds are each generally known. In prior art, the stator cooling system, the rotor cooling system, the gearbox cooling system and the heat exchanger are flown through by the first or second coolant in a more or less uncontrolled manner. Because a cooling power has to be chosen for the highest demand, this means that units with a lower demand of cooling power are cooled more than actually is necessary. Accordingly, the power consumption of such a cooling system is comparably high and its efficiency is comparably low. This is a very bad situation for battery powered vehicles because the low efficiency of the cooling system reduces an already low range of the vehicle even more. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an improved geared motor, an improved vehicle and an improved operating method. In particular, the efficiency of the cooling system shall be improved.

[0007] The object of the invention is solved by a geared motor as disclosed in the opening paragraph, with an additional temperature management unit, which comprises a first inlet for the first coolant and / or a second inlet for the second coolant, and which is designed to distribute a coolant flow to the stator cooling system, the rotor cooling system, the gearbox cooling system and the heat exchanger.

[0008] Moreover, the object of the invention is solved by a vehicle as disclosed in the opening paragraph, wherein the vehicle comprises a geared motor of said kind and wherein the geared motor is provided to propel the vehicle.

[0009] Finally, the object of the invention is solved by a method of operating a geared motor of the aforementioned kind, wherein the temperature management unit distributes a coolant flow to the stator cooling system, the rotor cooling system, the gearbox cooling system and the heat exchanger.

[0010] By use of the proposed measures, the stator cooling system, the rotor cooling system, the gearbox cooling system and the heat exchanger can be flown through by the first or second coolant in controlled manner. Accordingly, each of the above units can be cooled with a well-chosen cooling power. Hence, excessive cooling is avoided and the overall power consumption of such a cooling system is comparably low and its efficiency is comparably good. This also supports a long range of battery powered vehicles.

[0011] Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the claims and in the description as well as in the figures. In one embodiment, the temperature management unit is hydraulically connected to the stator cooling system and / or to the heat exchanger. In this way, the temperature management unit directly controls the stator cooling system and indirectly also units, which are connected to the heat exchanger. Accordingly, a temperature of the stator quickly responds to a changing coolant flow controlled by the temperature management unit.

[0012] The formulation that the temperature management unit is (hydraulically) connected to a component (stator cooling system, rotor cooling system, gearbox cooling system, inverter cooling system, heat exchanger) can be understood as a direct hydraulic connection between the temperature management unit and the component, without another of the components in between. Similarly, the formulation that the heat exchanger is (hydraulically) connected to a component (stator cooling system, rotor cooling system, gearbox cooling system, inverter cooling system) can be understood as a direct hydraulic connection between the heat exchanger and the component, without any other of the components in between.

[0013] Beneficially, the geared motor additionally can comprise an inverter, which is electrically connected to the electric motor and which is designed to power and to control the electric motor, the cooling system additionally can comprise an inverter cooling system for cooling the inverter and the temperature management unit can be designed to distribute a coolant flow additionally to the inverter cooling system.

[0014] Accordingly, the temperature of the inverter can be controlled by the temperature management unit as well.

[0015] In the above context it is advantageous if the temperature management unit is hydraulically connected to the inverter cooling system. In this way, the temperature management unit directly controls the inverter cooling system. Accordingly, a temperature of the inverter quickly responds to a changing coolant flow controlled by the temperature management unit.

[0016] A couple of possibilities for connecting the temperature management unit are proposed. For example, a) the temperature management unit can be hydraulically connected to the stator cooling system, the heat exchanger and the inverter cooling system, and provided to distribute a coolant flow of the water based first coolant to the stator cooling system, the heat exchanger and the inverter cooling system, wherein the heat exchanger is hydraulically connected to the rotor cooling system and the gearbox cooling system, and designed to provide a coolant flow of the oil based second coolant to the rotor cooling system and the gearbox cooling system, b) the temperature management unit can be hydraulically connected to the stator cooling system, the rotor cooling system, the gearbox cooling system, the heat exchanger and the inverter cooling system, and provided to distribute a coolant flow of the oil based second coolant to the stator cooling system, the rotor cooling system, the gearbox cooling system, the heat exchanger and the inverter cooling system, wherein the heat exchanger is hydraulically connected to an external cooling system, and designed to provide a coolant flow of the water based first coolant to the external cooling system, or c) the temperature management unit can be hydraulically connected to the heat exchanger and the inverter cooling system, and provided to distribute a coolant flow of the water based first coolant to the heat exchanger and the inverter cooling system, wherein the temperature management unit is hydraulically connected to the stator cooling system, the rotor cooling system and the gearbox cooling system and designed to provide a coolant flow of the oil based second coolant to the stator cooling system, the rotor cooling system and the gearbox cooling system.

[0017] In case a), the temperature management unit only distributes the water based first coolant and not the oil based second coolant. The temperature of the oil based second coolant however can be controlled via the coolant flow of the water based first coolant to the heat exchanger. In case b), the relationships are the other way around. In detail, in case b), the temperature management unit only distributes the oil based second coolant and not the water based first coolant. The temperature of the water based first coolant however can be controlled via the coolant flow of the oil based second coolant to the heat exchanger. Finally, in case c), the temperature management unit distributes both the water based first coolant and the oil based second coolant. Accordingly, in the given context, the temperature management unit in case a) can comprise the first inlet, in case b) can comprise the second inlet and in case c) can comprise the first inlet and the second inlet.

[0018] Further on, it is advantageous in the above context if the temperature management unit in case c) additionally is provided to distribute a coolant flow of the oil based second coolant to the heat exchanger. In this way, the temperature management unit controls both the coolant flow of the water based first coolant and the oil based second coolant to the heat exchanger. Hence, the heat exchanger can be controlled by the temperature management unit in a very sophisticated way.

[0019] Further on, the temperature management unit can comprise valves for distributing the coolant flow. The valves can be proportional valves or can be valves only with an open and a closed position. Moreover, the valves can be operated electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically.

[0020] In one embodiment, the temperature management unit can comprise temperature sensors to determine a cooling demand of the stator cooling system, the rotor cooling system, the gearbox cooling system and the heat exchanger based on a temperature of the first coolant entering the temperature management unit at the first inlet and / or based on a temperature of the second coolant entering the temperature management unit at the second inlet. In another embodiment, the temperature management unit can comprise electric input lines for temperature sensors, wherein the temperature sensors are installed in and provided to determine a cooling demand of the stator cooling system, the rotor cooling system the gearbox cooling system and the heat exchanger. In other words this means that in the first case, the temperature sensors are built into the temperature management unit and measure the coolant temperature in a return line coming from a cooling system or the heat exchanger. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the temperature sensors are external temperature sensors, which can directly be built into a cooling system or a heat exchanger. For example, the temperature sensor can be arranged in or on the stator or the rotor of the electric motor and so forth.

[0021] In one further embodiment, the temperature sensors can directly be connected to the valves. In an alternative embodiment, the temperature sensors can be connected to a valve control, which is connected to the valves. Accordingly, in the first embodiment, the temperature sensors and / or the valves have a control functionality, whereas in the second embodiment, the temperature sensors can be limited to measure a temperature and the valves can be limited to control a coolant flow based on an input control command.

[0022] Generally, the geared motor can comprise a first coolant pump for the water based first coolant and / or a second coolant pump for the oil based second coolant. In this way, a coolant flow can be provided.

[0023] Finally, a first coolant return line and / or a second coolant return line from the stator cooling system, the rotor cooling system, the gearbox cooling system and / or the heat exchanger can run

[0024] I) via the temperature management unit or

[0025] II) off the temperature management unit.

[0026] In case I), laying the pipes from and to the temperature management unit is comparably easy, whereas in case II) the design of the temperature management unit is easier. It should be noted that in case I) it is sufficient to control either the outgoing or the incoming coolant.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention now is described in more detail hereinafter with reference to particular embodiments, which the invention however is not limited to.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a half sectional view of an exemplary geared motor;

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a functional representation of a first example of a cooling circuit;

[0031] Fig. 3 like Fig. 2 but with first coolant return lines running off the temperature management unit;

[0032] Fig. 4 like Fig. 2 but with the first coolant pump and the second coolant pump being part of the cooling circuit;

[0033] Fig. 5 shows a temperature management unit in detail;

[0034] Fig. 6 shows a temperature management unit with a valve control;

[0035] Fig. 7 shows a temperature management unit with electric input lines for the temperature sensors;

[0036] Fig. 8 shows a cooling circuit, which is mainly based on the oil based second coolant;

[0037] Fig. 9 shows a cooling circuit, which is based both on the water based first coolant and the oil based second coolant and

[0038] Fig. 10 shows a schematic view of an electric vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Generally, same parts or similar parts are denoted with the same / similar names and reference signs. The features disclosed in the description apply to parts with the same / similar names respectively reference signs. Indicating the orientation and relative position is related to the associated figure.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a half sectional view of an exemplary geared motor 1 , which comprises an electric motor 2 and a gearbox 3 coupled to the electric motor 2, which are accommodated in a common housing 4. The housing 4 has three parts in this example, however, it could also be designed in another way. The electric motor 2 comprises a stator 5 and a rotor 6 rotatably arranged relative to the stator 5 around a rotor axis or stator axis RA. The geared motor 1 comprises a rotor shaft 7, an intermediate shaft 8 and an output shaft 9. Further on, the gearbox 3 comprises a couple of gear wheels 10a..10d, which are mounted to the rotor shaft 7, the intermediate shaft 8 and the output shaft 9, wherein the gear wheels 10a, 10b and the gear wheels 10c, 10d each are engaged. By means of the rotor shaft 7, the rotor 6 and the gearbox 3 are (torsionally) coupled. The rotor shaft 7, the intermediate shaft 8 and the output shaft 9 are rotatably supported in the housing 4 by means of a couple of (roller) bearings 1 1 a..1 1 e. The electric motor 2 and the gearbox 3 are just exemplary and also could be designed in another way. Further on, the coupling between the electric motor 2 and the gearbox 3 could be designed differently.

[0041] In the given example, the geared motor 1 additionally comprises an optional inverter 12, which is electrically connected to the electric motor 2 and which is designed to power and to control the electric motor 2. The inverter 12 is mounted to the housing 4, however, it could also be arranged at another place.

[0042] The geared motor 1 also comprises a cooling unit 13, which is just symbolically shown in Fig. 1 . The cooling unit 13 comprises a temperature management unit 14, which is connected to a first coolant feed line 15, a second coolant feed line 16, a first coolant return line 17 and a second coolant return line 18. Concretely, the first coolant return line 17 is connected to a first inlet 19 of the temperature management unit 14, the second coolant return line 18 is connected to a second inlet 20 of the temperature management unit 14, the first coolant feed line 15 is connected to a first outlet 21 of the temperature management unit 14, and the second coolant feed line 16 is connected to a second outlet 22 of the temperature management unit 14.

[0043] Generally, the geared motor 1 comprises a cooling system 23, which contains a water based first coolant and an oil based second coolant, wherein the cooling system 23 comprises a stator cooling system 24 for cooling the stator 5, a rotor cooling system 25 for cooling the rotor 6, a gearbox cooling system 26 for cooling the gearbox 3, and a heat exchanger 27 for exchanging heat between the first and the second coolant. In addition, the cooling system 23 comprises an optional inverter cooling system 28 for cooling the inverter 12. The temperature management unit 14 is designed to distribute a coolant flow F, F’ to the stator cooling system 24, the rotor cooling system 25, the gearbox cooling system 26, the heat exchanger 27 and to the optional inverter cooling system 28. The cooling systems 23..25 and 28 in principle are known in prior art and hence just symbolically shown in Fig. 1 . The skilled in the art easily understands, that the cooling systems 23..25 and 28 can comprise channels, bores, nozzles and the like, through which the coolants flow. To provide the coolant flows F, F’, generally pumps are required, which however are not shown in Fig. 1 but depicted in the following Figs. 2 to 10.

[0044] It is to be noted at this point that the functions of cooling and lubrication cannot fully be separated in case of the oil based second coolant. Accordingly, in this example, the rotor cooling system 25 and the gearbox cooling system 26 have a cooling function and a lubrication function. For example the gear wheels 10a..10d and the bearings 11 a..11 e can be lubricated as depicted in Fig. 1 . However, the cooling function is in the focus in the rotor cooling system 25 and the lubrication function is in the focus in the gearbox cooling system 26 in this example. Generally, the oil based second coolant may be collected in oil sumps of the electric motor 2 and / or the gearbox 3.

[0045] Because the first coolant is water based and the second coolant is oil based, the first coolant feed line 15 may also be termed “water feed line”, the second coolant feed line 16 may also be termed “oil feed line”, the first coolant return line 17 may also be termed “water return line” and a second coolant return line 18 may also be termed “oil return line”. Further on, the first inlet 19 may also be termed “water inlet”, the second inlet 20 may also be termed “oil inlet”, the first outlet 21 may also be termed “water outlet”, and the second outlet 22 may also be termed “oil outlet”.

[0046] Fig. 2 now shows a more functional representation of a first example of a cooling circuit 29a. The cooling circuit 29a comprises a cooling system 23a with a temperature management unit 14a, a stator cooling system 24, a rotor cooling system 25, a gearbox cooling system 26, a heat exchanger 27 and an optional inverter cooling system 28. In addition, the cooling circuit 29a comprises an external first coolant system (external water system) 30 with a heat exchanger (air / water) 31 for cooling the water based first coolant and a first coolant pump (water pump) 32 for the water based first coolant. Further on, the cooling circuit 29a comprises an external second coolant system (external oil system) 33 with a second coolant pump (oil pump) 34 for the oil based second coolant. It should be noted that the external first coolant system 30 and the external second coolant system 33 are not part of the cooling system 23a of the geared motor 1 in this example and may be part of a superordinate arrangement (e.g. in a vehicle, which the geared motor 1 and the external first coolant system 30 and the external second coolant system 33 are built into - see also Fig. 10 in this context). However, the first coolant system 30 and the second coolant system 33 or parts thereof may also be part of the geared motor 1 as the case may be (see Fig. 4 in this context). In this example, the temperature management unit 14a is hydraulically connected to the stator cooling system 24, to the heat exchanger 27 and to the optional inverter cooling system 28. In more detail, the temperature management unit 14a is hydraulically connected to and provided to distribute a coolant flow F of the water based first coolant to the stator cooling system 24, the heat exchanger 27 and the inverter cooling system 28. Further on, the heat exchanger 27 is hydraulically connected to and provided to provide a coolant flow F’ of the oil based second coolant to the rotor cooling system 25 and the gearbox cooling system 26. Accordingly, the rotor cooling system 25 and the gearbox cooling system 26 are indirectly controlled by the temperature management unit 14a via the heat exchanger 27. Accordingly, the temperature management unit 14a comprises (only) first inlets 19 for the water based first coolant.

[0047] In the example of Fig. 2, the first coolant return lines 17 from the stator cooling system 24, the heat exchanger 27 and the optional inverter cooling system 28 run via the temperature management unit 14a. However, this is not the only possibility, and the first coolant return lines 17 may also run off the temperature management unit 14a. Fig. 3 in this context shows a cooling circuit 29b, which is similar to the cooling circuit 29a of Fig. 2 and for which the technical teaching disclosed in the context of the cooling circuit 29a is equally applicable. The only difference in view of the cooling circuit 29a are the first coolant return lines 17, which run off the temperature management unit 14b in the cooling circuit 29b.

[0048] As already noted, the first coolant system 30 and the second coolant system 33 or parts thereof may also be part of the geared motor 1 . Fig. 4 in this context shows a cooling circuit 29c, which is similar to the cooling circuit 29a of Fig. 2 and for which the technical teaching disclosed in the context of the cooling circuit 29a is equally applicable. The only difference in view of the cooling circuit 29a is that the first coolant pump 32 and the second coolant pump 34 are part of the cooling circuit 29c and not of the external first coolant system 30 and the external second coolant system 33. Fig. 5 now shows a more detailed example of a temperature management unit 14d, which comprises a couple of first inlets (water inlets) 19a..19d and first outlets (water outlet) 21 a..21 d for connecting parts of the cooling systems 23a..23c or of the cooling circuits 29a..29c to the temperature management unit 14d. Concretely, a first coolant pump (water pump) 32 is connected to the first inlet 19a. Further on, the stator cooling system 24, the rotor cooling system 25, the gearbox cooling system 26, the heat exchanger 27 and the optional inverter cooling system 28 may be connected to the temperature management unit 14d by means of the first inlets 19b..19d and the first outlets 21 b..21 d.

[0049] The temperature management unit 14d comprises valves 35a..35c for distributing the coolant flow F, F’ and temperature sensors 36a..36c to determine a cooling demand of the units connected to the first inlets 19b..19d and the first outlets 21 b..21 d based on a temperature of the first coolant entering the temperature management unit 14d at the first inlets 19b..19d (i.e. coming via the first coolant return lines 17). In this example, the temperature sensors 36a..36c are directly connected to the valves 35a..35c, wherein a rising temperature measured by the temperature sensors 36a..36c causes an opening or a wider opening of the associated valve 35a..35c and vice versa.

[0050] It should be noted that generally also the second coolant pump (oil pump) 24 may be connected to the temperature management unit 14d instead of the first coolant pump (water pump) 32. If so, the second inlets 20 are provided instead the first inlets 19a..19d.

[0051] Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a temperature management unit 14e, which is similar to the temperature management unit 14d of Fig. 5 and for which the technical teaching disclosed in the context of the temperature management unit 14d is equally applicable. The only difference in view of the temperature management unit 14d is that the temperature management unit 14e comprises a valve control 37, to which the temperature sensors 36a..36c and the valves 35a..35c are connected. The function of the temperature management unit 14e is similar to that of the temperature management unit 14d. Again, a rising temperature measured by the temperature sensors 36a..36c causes an opening or a wider opening of the associated valve 35a..35c and vice versa.

[0052] Fig. 7 shows yet another alternative embodiment of a temperature management unit 14f, which is similar to the temperature management unit 14e of Fig. 6 and for which the technical teaching disclosed in the context of the temperature management units 14d and 14e is equally applicable. The only difference in view of the temperature management unit 14e is that the temperature management unit 14f comprises electric input lines 38a..38c for temperature sensors 35a..35c and that the temperature sensors 36a..36c are arranged out of the temperature management unit 14f. In detail, the temperature sensors 36a..36c are installed in and provided to determine a cooling demand of the stator cooling system 24, the rotor cooling system 25 the gearbox cooling system 26, the heat exchanger 27 and the optional inverter cooling system 28. For example, the temperature sensors 36a..36c can be installed in or on the stator 5, in or on the rotor 6, in or on the gearbox 3, in or on the heat exchanger 27 and in or on the inverter 12. The function of the temperature management unit 14f is similar to that of the temperature management unit 14e. Again, a rising temperature measured by the temperature sensors 36a..36c causes an opening or a wider opening of the associated valve 35a..35c and vice versa. It should also be noted that electric input lines 38a..38c and external temperature sensors 36a..36c may also be used in the context of the embodiment of Fig. 5.

[0053] Fig. 8 shows a cooling circuit 29d, which is similar to the cooling circuits 29a of Fig. 2 and 29c of Fig. 4 but which is mainly based on and contains the oil based second coolant. Concretely, the temperature management unit 14g is hydraulically connected to and provided to distribute a coolant flow F’ of the oil based second coolant to the stator cooling system 24, the rotor cooling system 25, the gearbox cooling system 26, the heat exchanger 27 and the optional inverter cooling system 28. Moreover, the heat exchanger 27 is hydraulically connected to and provided to provide a coolant flow F of the water based first coolant to an external cooling system (not shown in Fig. 8). Accordingly, the temperature management unit 14g comprises the second inlet (oil inlets) 20 and can comprise second outlets (oil outlets) 22. Moreover, the cooling circuit 29d comprises an air / oil heat exchanger 39 instead of the air / water heat exchanger 31 .

[0054] Fig. 9 shows a cooling circuit 29e, which is similar to the cooling circuits 29a..29d but which is based both on the water based first coolant and the oil based second coolant and contains both the water based first coolant and the oil based second coolant. Concretely, the temperature management unit 14h is hydraulically connected to and provided to distribute a coolant flow F of the water based first coolant to the heat exchanger 27 and the optional inverter cooling system 28, and the temperature management unit 14h is hydraulically connected to and provided to provide a coolant flow F’ of the oil based second coolant to the stator cooling system 24, the rotor cooling system 25 and the gearbox cooling system 26. Accordingly, the temperature management unit 14h comprises the first inlets (water inlets) 19, 19a..19d and the second inlets (oil inlets) 20 and can comprise first outlets (water outlets) 21 , 21 a..21 d and second outlets (oil outlets) 22. The temperature management unit 14h particularly may additionally be provided to distribute a coolant flow F’ of the oil based second coolant to the heat exchanger 27 as is depicted by means of a dashed line in Fig. 9. Accordingly, the temperature management unit 14h can control the heat exchanger 27 in a very sophisticated way.

[0055] Moreover, the cooling circuit 29e comprises an external combined coolant system (external water and oil system) 40.

[0056] Fig. 10 finally shows an electric vehicle 41 with a geared motor 1 as defined hereinbefore, which is provided to propel the electric vehicle 41 . In detail, the geared motor 1 is coupled to side shafts 42 and finally to the wheels 43. The electric motor 1 may be provided for powering the electric vehicle 41 permanently in a pure electric car or intermittently, e.g. in combination with a combustion engine in a hybrid car. The electric vehicle 41 additionally comprises an external cooling system 44 with an air / water heat exchanger 31 and a first coolant pump 32. However, it should be noted that any of the aforementioned cooling systems 23, 23a..23e and / or cooling circuits 29a..29e may be part of the electric vehicle 41 as well.

[0057] It is noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed hereinbe- fore, but combinations of the different variants are possible. In reality, the geared motor 1 , the temperature management units 14, 14a..14h, the cooling systems 23, 23a..23e, the cooling circuits 29a..29e and the electric vehicle 41 may have more or less parts than shown in the figures. It is also noted that the geared motor 1 , the temperature management units 14, 14a..14h, the cooling sys- terns 23, 23a..23e, the cooling circuits 29a..29e or parts thereof are not necessarily drawn to scale in the Figs. Moreover, the description may comprise subject matter of further independent inventions.

[0058] It should also be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements and the use of articles "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0059] List of References

[0060] 1 geared motor

[0061] 2 electric motor

[0062] 3 gearbox

[0063] 4 housing

[0064] 5 stator

[0065] 6 rotor

[0066] 7 rotor shaft

[0067] 8 intermediate shaft

[0068] 9 output shaft

[0069] 10a..10d gear wheel

[0070] 11 a..11e (roller) bearing

[0071] 12 inverter

[0072] 13 cooling unit

[0073] 14, 14a..14h temperature management unit

[0074] 15 first coolant feed line (water feed line)

[0075] 16 second coolant feed line (oil feed line)

[0076] 17 first coolant return line (water return line)

[0077] 18 second coolant return line (oil return line)

[0078] 19, 19a..19d first inlet (water inlet)

[0079] 20 second inlet (oil inlet)

[0080] 21 , 21a..21d first outlet (water outlet)

[0081] 22 second outlet (oil outlet)

[0082] 23, 23a..23e cooling system

[0083] 24 stator cooling system

[0084] 25 rotor cooling system 26 gearbox cooling system

[0085] 27 heat exchanger (water / oil)

[0086] 28 inverter cooling system

[0087] 29a..29e cooling circuit

[0088] 30 external first coolant system (external water system)

[0089] 31 heat exchanger (air / water)

[0090] 32 first coolant pump (water pump)

[0091] 33 external second coolant system (external oil system)

[0092] 34 second coolant pump (oil pump)

[0093] 35a..35c valve

[0094] 36a..36c temperature sensor

[0095] 37 valve control

[0096] 38a..38c electric input line

[0097] 39 heat exchanger (air / oil)

[0098] 40 external combined coolant system (external water and oil system)

[0099] 41 vehicle

[0100] 42 side shaft

[0101] 43 wheel

[0102] 44 external cooling system

[0103] RA rotor axis I stator axis

[0104] F, F‘ coolant flow

Claims

Claims1 . Geared motor (1 ), comprising an electric motor (2) with a stator (5) and a rotor (6) rotatably arranged relative to the stator (5), and a gearbox (3) coupled to the electric motor (2), wherein the geared motor (1 ) additionally comprises a cooling system (23, 23a..23e), which contains a water based first coolant and an oil based second coolant, wherein the cooling system (23, 23a..23e) comprises a stator cooling system (24) for cooling the stator (5), a rotor cooling system (25) for cooling the rotor (6), a gearbox cooling system (26) for cooling the gearbox (3), and a heat exchanger (27) for exchanging heat between the first and the second coolant, characterized in a temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h), which comprises a first inlet (19, 19a..19d) for the first coolant and / or a second inlet (20) for the second coolant, and which is designed to distribute a coolant flow (F, F’) to the stator cooling system (24), the rotor cooling system (25), the gearbox cooling system (26) and the heat exchanger (27).

2. Geared motor (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) is hydraulically connected to the stator cooling system (24) and / or to the heat exchanger (27).

3. Geared motor (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the geared motor (1 ) additionally comprises an inverter (12), which is electrically connected to the electric motor (2) and which is designed to power and to control the electric motor (2), the cooling system (23, 23a..23e) additionally comprises an inverter cooling system (28) for cooling the inverter (12) and the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) is designed to distribute a coolant flow (F, F’) additionally to the inverter cooling system (28).

4. Geared motor (1 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) is hydraulically connected to the inverter cooling system (28).

5. Geared motor (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a) the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) is hydraulically connected to the stator cooling system (24), the heat exchanger (27) and the inverter cooling system (28), and provided to distribute a coolant flow (F) of the water based first coolant to the stator cooling system (24), the heat exchanger (27) and the inverter cooling system (28), and the heat exchanger (27) is hydraulically connected to the rotor cooling system (25) and the gearbox cooling system (26), and designed to provide a coolant flow (F’) of the oil based second coolant to the rotor cooling system (25) and the gearbox cooling system (26), b) the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) is hydraulically connected to the stator cooling system (24), the rotor cooling system (25), the gearbox cooling system (26), the heat exchanger (27) and the inverter cooling system (28), and provided to distribute a coolant flow (F’) of the oil based second coolant to the stator cooling system (24), the rotor cooling system (25), the gearbox cooling system (26), the heat exchanger (27) and the inverter cooling system (28), and the heat exchanger (27) is hydraulically connected to an external cooling system and designed to provide a coolant flow (F) of the water based first coolant to the external cooling system, or c) the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) is hydraulically connected to the heat exchanger (27) and the inverter cooling system (28), and provided to distribute a coolant flow (F) of the water based first coolant to the heat exchanger (27) and the inverter cooling system (28), and the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) is hydraulically connected to the stator cooling system (24), the rotor cooling system (25) and the gearbox cooling system (26), and designed to provide a coolant flow (F’) of the oil based second coolant to the stator cooling system (24), the rotor cooling system (25) and the gearbox cooling system (26).

6. Geared motor (1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) in case a) comprises the first inlet (19, 19a..19d), in case b) comprises the second inlet (20) and in case c) comprises the first inlet (19, 19a..19d) and the second inlet (20).

7. Geared motor (1 ) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) in case c) additionally is provided to distribute a coolant flow (F’) of the oil based second coolant to the heat exchanger (27).

8. Geared motor (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) comprises valves (35a..35c) for distributing the coolant flow (F, F’).

9. Geared motor (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) i) comprises temperature sensors (36a..36c) to determine a cooling demand of the stator cooling system (24), the rotor cooling system (25), the gearbox cooling system (26) and the heat exchanger (27) based on a temperature of the first coolant entering the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) at the first inlet (19, 19a..19d) and / or based on a temperature of the second coolant entering the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) at the second inlet (20) or ii) comprises electric input lines (38a..38c) for temperature sensors (35a..35c), wherein the temperature sensors (36a..36c) are installed in and provided to determine a cooling demand of the stator cooling system (24), the rotor cooling system (25) the gearbox cooling system (26) and the heat exchanger (27).

10. Geared motor (1 ) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the temperature sensors (36a..36c) are directly connected to the valves (35a..35c) or are connected to a valve control (37), which is connected to the valves (35a..35c).11 . Geared motor (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in a first coolant pump (32) for the water based first coolant and / or a second coolant pump (33) for the oil based second coolant.

12. Geared motor (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that a first coolant return line (17) and / or a second coolant return line (18) from the stator cooling system (24), the rotor cooling system (25), the gearbox cooling system (26) and / or the heat exchanger (27) runsI) via the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) orII) off the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h).

13. Vehicle (41 ) with a geared motor (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the geared motor (1 ) is provided to propel the vehicle (41 ).

14. Method of operating a geared motor (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the temperature management unit (14, 14a..14h) distributes a coolant flow (F, F’) to the stator cooling system (24), the rotor cooling system (25), the gearbox cooling system (26) and the heat exchanger (27).

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