Drive arrangement, vehicle comprising a drive arrangement and a method for operating a drive arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive arrangement (10) having the features of claim 1, to a vehicle comprising such a drive arrangement (10), and to a method for operating such a drive arrangement (10).

Description

[0001] R.415363

[0002] Description

[0003] title

[0004] Drive arrangement, vehicle with a drive arrangement and a method for operating a drive arrangement

[0005] State of the art

[0006] The invention relates to a drive arrangement with features of claim 1, a vehicle with such a drive arrangement and a method for operating such a drive arrangement.

[0007] In drive systems with an electric motor, heat is generated during operation. To prevent overheating of the drive system, and especially the electric motor, this heat can be dissipated. A cooling circuit can be provided for this purpose, in which a coolant is pumped and circulated through the electric motor. The coolant can be directed to the individual components of the cooling circuit via valves.

[0008] The disadvantage is that the large number of valves and components increases the complexity, cost and susceptibility to failure of the cooling circuit and thus of the drive arrangement.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention

[0010] According to the invention, a drive arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is proposed. The drive arrangement comprises a cooling circuit in which a coolant is or can be conveyed. The cooling circuit comprises an electric machine. The electric machine has a stator and a rotor. The electric machine, the stator and / or R.415363

[0011] - 2 -

[0012] The rotor can be supplied with coolant. The cooling circuit includes a gearbox for transmitting torque. The cooling circuit includes a proportional valve. The drive arrangement, in particular the cooling circuit, is designed such that the coolant flow through the rotor and the gearbox can be directly controlled by means of the proportional valve.

[0013] This allows the coolant flow within the cooling circuit, particularly through the electric motor, rotor, stator, and / or gearbox, to be controlled using simple means and only a single proportional valve. The complexity and cost of the cooling circuit, and therefore the drive system, can be reduced.

[0014] According to a further development of the drive arrangement, the drive arrangement, in particular the cooling circuit, can be set up in such a way that the coolant flow through the stator can be controlled indirectly by means of the proportional valve.

[0015] This allows the coolant flow through the stator to be controlled or regulated using simple means. An additional valve is not required.

[0016] In this context, "direct" means that the directly controlled coolant flow passes through the proportional valve, and the proportional valve directly influences or regulates the coolant flow at its position. Similarly, "indirect" means that the indirectly controlled coolant flow does not pass through the proportional valve, and the proportional valve indirectly influences or regulates the coolant flow at a position other than its own.

[0017] According to a further development of the drive arrangement, the cooling circuit can comprise a first coolant path, a second coolant path, and a third coolant path. The gearbox and the proportional valve can be located within the first coolant path. The rotor and the proportional valve can be located within the second coolant path. The stator can be located within the third coolant path. The proportional valve can be located outside the third coolant path. R.415363

[0018] - 3 -

[0019] This allows the direct or indirect control of the coolant flow using the proportional valve to be implemented with simple means.

[0020] According to a further development of the drive arrangement, the cooling circuit can include a coolant reservoir for storing the coolant. The coolant reservoir can be designed as a tank and / or as a coolant sump. The cooling circuit can include a coolant pump for circulating the coolant within the cooling circuit. The cooling circuit can include at least one filter for filtering the coolant. The cooling circuit can include a heat exchanger.

[0021] This allows the cooling circuit and thus the drive arrangement to be further optimized.

[0022] According to a further development of the drive arrangement, the proportional valve can include a piston. The piston can be movably positioned between a first position and a second position within the proportional valve. An intermediate position can be arranged between the first and second positions. The proportional valve can be configured such that the coolant flow through the transmission is kept constant during the piston's movement from the first position to the intermediate position. Alternatively, the proportional valve can be configured such that the coolant flow through the rotor decreases, particularly linearly, during the piston's movement from the first position to the intermediate position. The coolant flow through the rotor can be blocked in the piston's intermediate position.The proportional valve can be designed such that during the movement of the piston from the first position to the intermediate position, the coolant flow through the stator increases, in particular linearly.

[0023] This allows the control of the coolant flow through the rotor, stator and / or gearbox to be implemented using simple means.

[0024] According to a further development of the drive arrangement, the proportional valve can be configured such that, during the movement of the piston from the intermediate position to the second position, the coolant flow through the transmission decreases, particularly abruptly. The coolant flow through the R.415363

[0025] - 4 -

[0026] The gearbox is blocked in the second position of the piston. The proportional valve can be configured such that, during the piston's movement from the intermediate position to the second position, the coolant flow through the rotor is (further) blocked. Alternatively, the proportional valve can be configured such that, during the piston's movement from the intermediate position to the second position, the coolant flow through the stator increases (further), particularly linearly. The coolant flow through the stator in the second position of the piston can correspond to the total coolant flow.

[0027] In the second position of the piston, all the coolant can be directed through the stator. Specifically, the coolant is not routed through the rotor and gearbox, but is blocked by the proportional valve. This means the coolant is not divided between the first, second, and third coolant paths, but flows entirely through the third coolant path (the first and second coolant paths are blocked by the proportional valve).

[0028] This allows the control of the coolant flow through the rotor, stator and / or gearbox to be implemented using simple means.

[0029] According to a further development of the drive arrangement, the proportional valve can comprise a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port can be configured to introduce coolant into the proportional valve. The second port can be configured to discharge coolant from the proportional valve and direct it to and / or through the rotor. The third port can be configured to discharge coolant from the proportional valve and direct it to and / or through the gearbox. The proportional valve can include a bypass. The first port and the third port can be fluidically coupled to each other via the bypass.

[0030] This allows the proportional valve to be implemented using simple means.

[0031] In this context, a fluidic connection or fluidic coupling means that a fluid is present between two fluidically coupled R.415363

[0032] - 5 -

[0033] fluid can flow between elements (e.g. connections) or between two elements (e.g. connections) that are in fluidic connection.

[0034] According to the invention, a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a drive arrangement as described above is proposed.

[0035] Regarding the advantages achievable with the vehicle, reference is made to the relevant explanations concerning the drive arrangement. The measures described in connection with the drive arrangement and / or those explained below can be used for further vehicle development.

[0036] According to the invention, a method for operating a drive arrangement as described above is proposed. The method comprises the following steps:

[0037] Pumping the coolant within the cooling circuit.

[0038] Direct control of the coolant flow through the rotor and gearbox by means of the proportional valve.

[0039] Indirect control of the coolant flow through the stator using the proportional valve.

[0040] Regarding the advantages achievable with this method, reference is made to the relevant explanations concerning the drive arrangement. The measures described in connection with the drive arrangement and / or those explained below can be used to further develop the method.

[0041] According to a further development of the procedure, the process can include the following steps:

[0042] Maintaining a constant coolant flow through the gearbox.

[0043] Reducing the coolant flow through the rotor, wherein the reduction is carried out linearly. R.415363

[0044] - 6 -

[0045] Increasing the coolant flow through the stator, wherein the increase is carried out in a particularly linear manner.

[0046] The steps described above (maintaining, reducing and increasing the coolant flow through the gearbox, rotor or stator) can be carried out simultaneously.

[0047] This allows the coolant flow through the gearbox to be switched on or off using simple means, especially to a constant level, whereby the coolant flow between the rotor and the stator can be divided as desired (e.g. a driving condition of a vehicle with the drive arrangement).

[0048] The following are an explanation of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. These schematically show:

[0049] Figure 1 shows a representation of a drive arrangement with a cooling circuit,

[0050] Figure 2 shows a coolant flow diagram of the cooling circuit of the drive arrangement according to Figure 1.

[0051] Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a proportional valve of the cooling circuit of the drive arrangement according to Figure 1 according to a first embodiment.

[0052] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the proportional valve of the cooling circuit of the drive arrangement according to Figure 1 according to a second embodiment and

[0053] Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the proportional valve of the cooling circuit of the drive arrangement according to Figure 1 according to a third

[0054] Example of implementation.R.415363

[0055] - 7 -

[0056] The drive assembly is designated by reference numeral 10 in Figure 1. The drive assembly 10 is designed for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The drive assembly 10 comprises a cooling circuit 12 in which a coolant is or can be conveyed.

[0057] The drive arrangement 10, in particular the cooling circuit 12, comprises an electric machine 14, a gearbox 20, and a proportional valve 22. The electric machine 14 has a stator 16 and a rotor 18. The gearbox 20 is configured to transmit torque. The drive arrangement 10, in particular the cooling circuit 12, is configured such that the flow of coolant through the rotor 18 and the gearbox 20 can be directly controlled by means of the proportional valve 22.

[0058] The drive arrangement 10, in particular the cooling circuit 12, can be arranged such that the coolant flow through the stator 16 can be indirectly controlled by means of the proportional valve 22.

[0059] The cooling circuit 12 can comprise a first coolant path 24, a second coolant path 26, and a third coolant path 28. The gearbox 20 and the proportional valve 22 can be located within the first coolant path 24. The rotor 18 and the proportional valve 22 can be located within the second coolant path 26. The stator 16 can be located within the third coolant path 28. The proportional valve 22 can be located outside the third coolant path 28. The proportional valve 22 can be positioned upstream of the gearbox 20 and the rotor 18, respectively, in the direction of coolant flow.

[0060] The cooling circuit 12 can comprise a coolant reservoir 30, a coolant pump 32, and at least one filter 34. The coolant reservoir 30 can be configured to store the coolant. The coolant pump 32 can be configured to circulate the coolant within the cooling circuit 12. The filter 34 can be configured to filter the coolant.

[0061] The cooling circuit 12 has two filters 34. A first filter 34 is located upstream of the coolant pump 32 in the direction of coolant flow. A second filter 34 is located downstream of the coolant pump 32R.415363

[0062] - 8 -

[0063] downstream. The coolant pump 32 is located between the two filters 34.

[0064] The cooling circuit 12 can include a heat exchanger 36. The heat exchanger 36 can be configured to remove heat (from the cooling circuit 12). The heat exchanger 36 can be thermally coupled to an external cooling circuit 37. The external cooling circuit 37 can be configured to remove heat to an external location.

[0065] The proportional valve 22 can include a piston 38 which is movably arranged within the proportional valve 22 between a first position 40 and a second position 44. An intermediate position 42 is arranged between the first position 40 and the second position 44.

[0066] Figure 2 schematically shows a coolant flow diagram 39 of the cooling circuit 12 of the drive arrangement 10 according to Figure 1. It plots the volume flow rate of the coolant or the coolant flow (Y-axis) over a position of the piston 38 or travel distance of the piston 38 (X-axis), each in arbitrary units.

[0067] Three volume flows 41, 43, 45 are shown as a function of the position of the piston 38. The first volume flow 41 represents the coolant flow through the gearbox 20 or through the first coolant path 24. The second volume flow 43 represents the coolant flow through the rotor 18 or through the second coolant path 26. The third volume flow 45 represents the coolant flow through the stator 16 or through the third coolant path 28.

[0068] The first and second volume flows 41, 43 are directly controlled by the proportional valve 22. This is illustrated in the coolant flow diagram 39 by a dashed area around the first and second volume flows 41, 43. The third volume flow 45 is indirectly controlled by the proportional valve 22.

[0069] The proportional valve 22 is arranged in such a way that during the movement of the piston 38 from the first position 40 to the intermediate position 42, the coolant flow through the gearbox 20 and thus the first volume flow 41R.415363

[0070] - 9 -

[0071] The proportional valve 22 is configured such that, during the movement of the piston 38 from the first position 40 to the intermediate position 42, the coolant flow through the rotor 18, and thus the second volume flow 43, decreases. The second volume flow 43 decreases linearly until it is blocked by the proportional valve 22 in the intermediate position 42 of the piston 38. The proportional valve 22 is configured such that, during the movement of the piston 38 from the first position 40 to the intermediate position 42, the coolant flow through the stator 16, and thus the third volume flow 45, increases. The third volume flow 45 also increases linearly. The decrease in the second volume flow 43 and the increase in the third volume flow 45 can be proportional to each other.

[0072] The proportional valve 22 is configured such that during the movement of the piston 38 from the intermediate position 42 to the second position 44, the coolant flow through the gearbox 20, and thus the first volume flow 41, decreases. In this case, the first volume flow 41 decreases abruptly until it is blocked by the proportional valve 22 in the second position 44 of the piston 38. The proportional valve 22 is configured such that during the movement of the piston 38 from the intermediate position 42 to the second position 44, the coolant flow through the rotor 18, and thus the second volume flow 43, is (further) blocked by the proportional valve 22. The proportional valve 22 is arranged in such a way that during the movement of the piston 38 from the intermediate position 42 to the second position 44 of the piston 38, the coolant flow through the stator 16 and thus the third volume flow 45 increases (further).The third volume flow 45 increases linearly until, in the second position 44 of the piston 38, the coolant flow through the stator 16 corresponds to a total coolant flow. Thus, in the second position 44 of the piston 38, all the coolant flows through the stator 16 (or through the third coolant path 28) and no longer through the gearbox 20 (or the first coolant path 24) and the rotor 18 (or the second coolant path 26).

[0073] Figure 3 schematically shows a sectional view of the proportional valve 22 of the cooling circuit 12 of the drive assembly 10 according to Figure 1, according to a first embodiment. R.415363

[0074] - 10 -

[0075] The proportional valve 22 can include an electromagnetic coil 47 for generating a magnetic force. The proportional valve 22 can include an armature 49 arranged within the coil 47 and movable by means of the magnetic force of the coil 47. The armature 49 can interact with the piston 38, in particular by driving the piston 38. The piston 38 can be arranged on or connected to the armature 49. It is also conceivable that the piston 38 and the armature 49 can be designed as two separate parts that are not connected to each other. The proportional valve 22 can include a valve disc 51. The valve disc 51 can be arranged on the piston 38. The armature 49, the piston 38, and / or the valve disc 51 can be movable.

[0076] The proportional valve 22 can comprise a first port 46, a second port 48, a third port 50, and a bypass 52. The first port 46 can be configured to introduce coolant into the proportional valve 22. The second port 48 can be configured to discharge coolant from the proportional valve 22 and direct it to and / or through the rotor 18. The third port 50 can be configured to discharge coolant from the proportional valve 22 and direct it to and / or through the gearbox 20. The inlet and outlet of coolant into and out of the proportional valve are indicated by arrows in Figure 3. The bypass 52 can fluidly connect the second port 48 and the third port 50. In this case, the bypass 52 is implemented by means of at least one (axial) through-hole in the valve disc 51.

[0077] If the piston 38 is moved to the right from the first position 40 shown in Figure 3, the second port 48 is increasingly closed by the piston 38, thus reducing the coolant flow through the second port 48 (and therefore through the rotor 18) until the coolant flow is blocked by the piston 38 (e.g., in the intermediate position 42 and the second position 44) (see the second flow 43 in Figure 2). The coolant flow through the third port 50 remains (essentially) constant due to the bypass 52 between the first port 46 and the third port 50 (and thus through the gearbox 20) until the coolant flow is blocked by the R.415363

[0078] - 11 -

[0079] The piston 38 or the valve disc 51 (in the second position 44) is blocked (see the first volume flow 41 in Figure 2).

[0080] Figure 4 schematically shows a sectional view of the proportional valve 22 of the cooling circuit 12 of the drive assembly 10 according to Figure 1, according to a second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in Figure 3 in the following ways:

[0081] The bypass 52 is implemented by means of several bores in the piston 38. In this case, the bores are arranged outside the valve disc 51.

[0082] Figure 5 schematically shows a sectional view of the proportional valve 22 of the cooling circuit 12 of the drive assembly 10 according to Figure 1, according to a third embodiment. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in Figure 3 in the following ways:

[0083] The bypass 52 is implemented outside the proportional valve 22. The bypass 52 can be implemented, for example, by means of an (external) line that fluidically couples the first port 46 to the third port 50. This is only indicated schematically in Figure 5 by means of a curved arrow.

[0084] The following describes a method for operating a drive arrangement 10 according to the above descriptions, with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The drive arrangement 10 can be the one shown in Figure 1. The method comprises the following steps:

[0085] Pumping the coolant within the cooling circuit 12.

[0086] Direct control of the coolant flow through the rotor 18 and the gearbox 20 by means of the proportional valve 22.

[0087] Indirect control of the coolant flow through the stator 16 by means of the proportional valve 22.

[0088] The procedure may include the following steps: R.415363

[0089] - 12 -

[0090] Maintaining a constant coolant flow through the gearbox 20.

[0091] Reducing the coolant flow through the rotor. This reduction can be carried out linearly.

[0092] Increasing the coolant flow through the stator. This increase can be carried out linearly.

[0093] The above steps (maintaining, reducing, and increasing the coolant flow) can be performed simultaneously. Reducing and increasing the coolant flow through the rotor 18 and the stator 16, respectively, can be carried out proportionally to each other.

Claims

R.415363 - 13 - Claims 1. Drive arrangement (10) for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a cooling circuit (12) in which a coolant is conveyed, comprising: an electric machine (14) with a stator (16) and a rotor (18), a gearbox (20) for transmitting a torque, a proportional valve (22), wherein the drive arrangement (10), in particular the cooling circuit (12), is arranged such that a coolant flow through the rotor (18) and the gearbox (20) can be controlled directly by means of the proportional valve (22).

2. Drive arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive arrangement (10), in particular the cooling circuit (12), is arranged such that the coolant flow through the stator (16) can be indirectly controlled by means of the proportional valve (22).

3. Drive arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cooling circuit (12) comprises a first coolant path (24), a second coolant path (26) and a third coolant path (28), wherein the transmission (20) and the proportional valve (22) are arranged within the first coolant path (24), the rotor (18) and the proportional valve (22) are arranged within the second coolant path (26) and / or the stator (16) is arranged inside the third coolant path (28), with the proportional valve (22) being arranged outside the third coolant path (28).

4. Drive arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling circuit (12) comprises: R.415363 - 14 - a coolant reservoir (30) for storing the coolant, a coolant pump (32) for circulating the coolant within the cooling circuit (12), at least one filter (34) for filtering the coolant and / or a heat exchanger (36).

5. Drive arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the proportional valve (22) comprises a piston (38) which is movably configured to move between a first position (40) and a second position (44) within the proportional valve (22), wherein an intermediate position (42) is arranged between the first position (40) and the second position (44), wherein the proportional valve (22) is configured such that during the movement of the piston (38) from the first position (40) to the intermediate position (42) the coolant flow through the gearbox (20) is kept constant, the coolant flow through the rotor (18) decreases, in particular linearly, in particular wherein the coolant flow through the rotor (18) is blocked in the intermediate position (42) of the piston (38), and / or the coolant flow through the stator (16) increases, in particular linearly.

6. Drive arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the proportional valve (22) is configured such that during the movement of the piston (38) from the intermediate position (42) to the second position (44) the coolant flow through the transmission (20) decreases, in particular abruptly, especially where the coolant flow through the transmission (20) is blocked in the second position (44) of the piston (38), the coolant flow through the rotor (18) is blocked and / or the coolant flow through the stator (16) increases, in particular linearly, especially wherein in the second position (44) of the piston (38) the coolant flow through the stator (16) corresponds to a total coolant flow.

7. Drive arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the proportional valve (22) comprises: a first connection (46) for introducing the coolant into the R.415363 - 15 - Proportional valve (22), a second connection (48) for draining the coolant from the proportional valve (22) and directing the coolant to and / or through the rotor (18), a third connection (50) for draining the coolant from the proportional valve (22) and directing the coolant to and / or through the transmission (20), wherein the first port (46) and the third port (50) are fluidically coupled to each other by means of a bypass (52).

8. Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, comprising a drive arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Method for operating a drive arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising the steps: Pumping the coolant within the cooling circuit (12); Direct control of the coolant flow through the rotor (18) and the gearbox (20) by means of the proportional valve (22); Indirect control of the coolant flow through the stator (16) by means of the proportional valve (22).

10. The method of claim 9, characterized by the steps of: Maintaining a constant coolant flow through the gearbox (20); Reducing the coolant flow through the rotor, wherein the reduction is carried out particularly linearly, Increasing the coolant flow through the stator, wherein the increase is carried out in a particularly linear manner, the above steps are carried out simultaneously.

Images