Vehicle Drive Oil Pump Layout Within the Motor Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle drive devices with an oil pump fixed to the lower outer peripheral surface of the case require additional protective structures, leading to increased size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The oil pump is positioned inside the case's oil storage space, overlapping with output gears in the axial view, allowing for reduced dimensions and eliminating the need for separate protective structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the oil pump is fixed to the lower outer peripheral surface of the case, then the oil pump can be easily accessed and installed, but additional protective structures are required leading to increased device size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The oil pump is nested within the case's internal space, specifically positioned in the lower portion where it can be surrounded and protected by the case structure. This nesting approach eliminates the need for external protective housings while maintaining ease of installation through standardized mounting interfaces on the case's inner surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The oil pump is repositioned from an external lower mounting to an internal positioning within the case's three-dimensional space. By utilizing the vertical dimension and internal volume of the case, the design achieves both protection and compactness without compromising installation ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of repair

If the oil pump is positioned outside the case, then maintenance and replacement are easier, but the device requires larger dimensions to accommodate protective structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The oil pump is nested within the case's internal space, allowing it to be protected while maintaining accessibility through strategically positioned access ports or removable case sections. This approach enables maintenance without requiring external positioning while keeping the overall device compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The case is segmented into removable sections or access panels that provide direct access to the oil pump for maintenance and replacement. This segmentation allows the oil pump to be positioned internally for protection while maintaining ease of maintenance through modular access points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If protective structures are added to shield the oil pump from external objects, then the oil pump is protected from damage, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from damageVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The case itself serves as the protective structure by nesting the oil pump within its internal space. This eliminates the need for separate protective housings or shields, reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable protection from external objects like stone chippings and protruding objects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The case is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural housing, protects internal components, and acts as the mounting surface for the oil pump. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated protective structures, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Volume of stationary object

If the oil pump is positioned to overlap output gears in axial view, then space utilization is optimized and device dimensions are reduced, but the positioning becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidpositioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The oil pump is positioned in the axial dimension to overlap with output gears when viewed from the radial direction. This three-dimensional arrangement optimizes space utilization by using vertical clearance rather than radial space, reducing device dimensions while maintaining manufacturability through standardized positioning features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The case is designed with localized mounting features and positioning structures specifically at the regions where the oil pump interfaces with the case and transmission components. This localized quality approach simplifies the complex positioning by providing precise reference surfaces and mounting points only where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4299348B1Drive device for vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 AISIN CORP
  • EP4299348B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4299348B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4299348B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A case (2) includes a rotary electric machine housing chamber (S 1) that houses a rotary electric machine (1), and an oil storage space (OR) provided in a lower part of the rotary electric machine housing chamber (S1). At least one of a pair of output members (6) is disposed in a space that communicates with the rotary electric machine housing chamber (S 1). An oil pump (OP) is disposed in the oil storage space (OR) at a position on a lower side (V2) of a first axis (C1) that is a rotation axis of the rotary electric machine (1) and a second axis (C2) that is a rotation axis of the pair of output members (6) so as to overlap an output gear (30) in an axial view along the second axis (C2).