Rotor Support Member Integration for Compact Vehicle Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
The vehicle drive device faces challenges in reducing manufacturing costs and minimizing axial and radial dimensions due to the increased number of components and necessary clearances, particularly with the rotation sensor's support structure and engagement devices.
Innovation Solution
The configuration includes a rotor support member with a tubular portion and a flange portion that supports the rotor and houses the first engagement device, allowing the rotation sensor to be integrated with the rotor support member's outer surface, eliminating the need for additional support members and reducing the need for radial clearance, thereby minimizing the device's dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate rotating body support member is provided to support the rotating body of the rotation sensor, then the rotation sensor can be properly supported, but the number of components increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating body support function is merged into the flange portion of the rotor support member. The flange portion includes a rotating body support surface that directly supports the rotating body of the rotation sensor, eliminating the need for a separate rotating body support member. This integration reduces the number of components while maintaining proper support functionality.
2Reliability
If clearance is provided in the radial direction between the fixed body and the cylinder forming portion to avoid interference, then interference is avoided, but the radial dimension of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation sensor is repositioned from a radial arrangement to an axial arrangement. The fixed body is disposed on the axial side rather than radially outward, allowing the cylinder forming portion and fixed body to overlap in the radial direction without interference. This dimensional repositioning eliminates the need for radial clearance while avoiding interference through proper spatial arrangement.
3Reliability
If the rotation sensor is disposed radially outward from the cylinder forming portion, then the rotation sensor can be installed, but the axial dimension of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation sensor is repositioned from a radial arrangement to an axial arrangement. The fixed body is disposed on the axial side of the rotating body, and the rotating body is supported by the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder forming portion. This allows the rotation sensor to be installed while the components overlap in the radial direction, suppressing the axial dimension of the device.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotor support member (2) includes: a tubular portion (21) having a tubular shape extending along an axial direction (L) and supporting a rotor (Ro) of a rotary electric machine (MG); and a flange portion (22) provided to extend along a radial direction (R) on an inner side (R1) in the radial direction (R) with respect to the tubular portion (21) at a position adjacent to a first engagement device (CL1) on a first side (L1) in the axial direction, and connected to the tubular portion (21). The flange portion (22) includes a cylinder forming portion (23) protruding to the first side (L1) in the axial direction so as to form a cylinder portion (C2) on which a first piston portion (52) of the first engagement device (CL1) slides. A rotation sensor (3) includes a rotating body (31) supported by an outer peripheral surface of the cylinder forming portion (23) on an outer side (R2) in the radial direction, and a fixed body (32) disposed on the outer side (R2) in the radial direction with respect to the rotating body (31).