JP2008189062A - In-wheel motor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-wheel motor capable of maintaining prescribed performance by preventing deformation of a knuckle. <P>SOLUTION: This in-wheel motor 1 is furnished with a wheel and a supporting member 9 to support the wheel free to rotate and with rotary electrical equipment and a speed reducing mechanism on the wheel inner peripheral side. The supporting member 9 is furnished with a rotary electrical equipment external envelope part 9a to externally envelop the rotary electrical equipment and a speed reducing mechanism external envelope part 9b to externally envelop the speed reducing mechanism, and it is furnished with a reinforcing member 9e on the rotary electrical equipment external envelope part 9a or on the speed reducing mechanism external envelope part 9b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-wheel motor suitable for being applied to automobiles such as passenger cars, buses, and trucks.

Conventionally, the motor that is the drive source inside the vehicle is rearranged from the inside of the vehicle to the inner peripheral side of the wheel constituting the wheel, effective use of the space inside the vehicle, effective use of the extra space on the inner peripheral side of the wheel, As described in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of lowering the floor of a vehicle, omitting a driving force transmission device such as a drive shaft and a differential gear, fine control of the number of rotations and torque for each wheel, or control of a vehicle posture, etc. An in-wheel motor provided with a motor for each wheel and a speed reduction mechanism has been proposed.
JP 2004-90822 A

  However, in such an in-wheel motor, the housing of the in-wheel motor corresponds to a knuckle that rotatably supports a wheel that constitutes a normal suspension device, and against a spring and a shock absorber that constitute the suspension device. Located on the wheel side. For this reason, when the vehicle is running, the force input from the ground during driving, braking, turning, or overcoming road surface irregularities is transmitted to the tires that make up the wheels without going through a spring or shock absorber. Therefore, the force acting on the housing, that is, the knuckle is as large as that of the knuckle constituting the normal suspension device.

  For this reason, a large force acts on the knuckle constituting the in-wheel motor, and its deformation cannot be ignored. By the way, in an in-wheel motor, since this knuckle encloses the motor and the speed reduction mechanism, when the knuckle is deformed, the gap between the rotor and the stator constituting the motor, that is, the gap changes, and the motor There arises a problem that the predetermined performance cannot be exhibited. At the same time, in the speed reduction mechanism, the distance between the gears is not a predetermined distance, and abnormal vibration occurs due to a decrease in fuel consumption and wear due to a decrease in transmission efficiency of the gears, etc., which can also exhibit the predetermined performance. The problem of disappearing arises.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an in-wheel motor capable of preventing knuckle deformation and maintaining a predetermined performance.

In order to solve the above problem, the in-wheel motor according to the present invention is:
An in-wheel motor that includes a wheel and a support member that rotatably supports the wheel, and includes a rotating electrical machine and a speed reduction mechanism on the inner peripheral side of the wheel,
The support member includes a rotating electrical machine outer packaging part that encloses the rotating electrical machine, and a speed reduction mechanism outer packaging part that encloses the speed reduction mechanism,
The support member includes a reinforcing member in the rotating electrical machine outer packaging portion or the speed reduction mechanism outer packaging portion.

  In addition, if a rotary electric machine is provided with a rotor and a stator, it is a concept containing not only a motor but a generator and a speed generator. The rotor is a rotor, and the stator is a stator. The support member is typically a knuckle, the rotating electric machine outer packaging portion typically refers to a so-called motor housing, and the speed reduction mechanism outer packaging portion typically refers to a so-called gear housing.

Here, in the in-wheel motor,
The reinforcing member may be disposed so as to protrude from the inner peripheral side of the outer portion of the rotating electrical machine.

  According to this, when there is a margin of electrical performance of the stator that constitutes the rotating electrical machine, the reinforcing member is disposed so as to protrude from the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral portion of the rotating electrical machine, and As a form in which the portion is cut out, the degree of freedom in arrangement of the reinforcing member can be increased.

Also,
In the in-wheel motor,
While disposing the rotary electric machine outer packet part offset with respect to the speed reduction mechanism outer packet part,
When viewed from above, the reinforcing member is offset from the outside in the vehicle width direction of the portion where the rotating electrical machine outer envelope portion protrudes with respect to the deceleration mechanism outer envelope portion, and the speed reduction mechanism outer envelope portion is offset relative to the rotating electrical machinery outer portion. It is preferable that the projection portion is disposed on both the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the protruding portion.

  That is, when viewed from above, the two reinforcing members are disposed at point-symmetrical positions around the boundary portion between the rotating electrical machine outer packaging portion and the speed reduction mechanism outer packaging portion.

  According to this, when a large external force is applied, the rotating electrical machine outer envelope portion of the in-wheel motor configured to be easily deformed and configured to be offset with respect to the speed reduction mechanism outer envelope portion and the It can suppress that external force is directly input into each cylindrical outer surface with a deceleration mechanism outer packet part. Thereby, the rigidity of the whole support member can be kept high, the deformation can be suppressed, the predetermined performance of the rotating electrical machine can be maintained, and the predetermined performance of the speed reduction mechanism can be maintained.

  The significance of positioning the rotary electric machine outer packaging portion offset with respect to the speed reduction mechanism outer packaging portion is as follows. That is, in connecting the lower arm for connecting the in-wheel motor to the vehicle body side to the support member, it is the first significance that it is advantageous in terms of load support. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of reducing the steering force during steering, it is preferable that the connection point between the support member and the lower arm is located directly below the center of the wheel of the in-wheel motor. On the other hand, it is the second significance to avoid it in the outfitting arrangement.

Furthermore, in the in-wheel motor,
It is preferable that an upper arm is connected to an upper end portion of the reinforcing member, and a lower arm is connected to a lower end portion of the reinforcing member.

  According to this, the connection point between the upper arm to which a larger external force acts and the support member is the upper end portion of the reinforcing member, and the connection point between the lower arm to which a larger external force acts and the support member is the same. It can be the lower end of the reinforcing member.

  This avoids connecting the upper arm and the lower arm to the rotating electrical machine outer packaging portion that cannot secure a very large thickness when enclosing the rotating electrical machine, and can secure higher rigidity among the support members. The upper arm and the lower arm can be connected to a reinforcing member to suppress deformation of the support member.

Here, in the in-wheel motor,
Preferably, the support member includes an extension portion extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end portion of the reinforcing member, and the upper arm is connected to the extension portion.

  According to this, the king pin axis defined by the straight line connecting the connection point between the upper arm and the support member and the connection point between the lower arm and the support member can be inclined in the negative camber direction. Thereby, when a wheel is steered, it is possible to prevent the upper part of the wheel from coming out of the vehicle and the turning angle and camber angle to be optimized, thereby reducing the steering stability.

Alternatively, in the in-wheel motor,
It is preferable that two upper arms are provided, and the upper arms are crossed when viewed from above.

  According to this, in a normal configuration in which the upper arms do not cross each other, a straight line connecting a connection point between the upper arm and the support member and a connection point between the lower arm and the support member is a line of the support member. By forming the kingpin axis by crossing the two upper arms, the kingpin axis can be a straight line connecting the intersection, the lower arm, and the connecting point of the support member. It can be inclined in the negative camber direction. Thereby, when a wheel is steered, it is possible to prevent the upper part of the wheel from coming out of the vehicle, the turning angle and the camber angle being optimized, and the steering stability from being lowered.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the in-wheel motor which can prevent a deformation | transformation of a knuckle and can maintain predetermined | prescribed performance can be provided.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an in-wheel motor according to the present invention in a cross section including a central axis of a wheel.

  The in-wheel motor 1 includes a motor 2, a planetary gear mechanism 3, an output shaft 4, a hub 5, a wheel 6, a brake disk rotor 7, an upper arm (not shown), a lower arm 8, and a knuckle 9. The The motor 2 and the planetary gear mechanism 3 are provided so as to be located on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical wheel 6.

  The motor 2 is a synchronous motor, that is, a rotating electric machine composed of a cylindrical motor housing 9a that forms a part of the knuckle 9, a stator 10, and a rotor 11, and is driven by an inverter not shown here. . The motor housing 9a is made of an aluminum alloy, holds the outer peripheral surface of the stator 10, and encloses the stator 10 and the rotor 11.

  The motor 2 is offset forward and upward with respect to the central axis of the wheel in order to avoid a ball joint that connects the lower arm 8 and the knuckle 9, but in the schematic diagram shown in FIG. For the sake of convenience, the central axis of the motor 2 is drawn as being within the cross section including the central axis of the wheel.

  The upper arm is an A link extending in the vehicle width direction, and the outer side in the vehicle width direction is connected to the upper part of the knuckle 9 via an upper ball joint (not shown here), and the inner side in the vehicle width direction is shown here. Not connected to the suspension member on the vehicle body side.

  The lower arm 8 is an I link extending in the vehicle width direction, and the outer side in the vehicle width direction is connected to the lower part of the knuckle 9 via the lower ball joint LB. The suspension member is connected.

  A lower end portion of a cylinder of a shock absorber (not shown) is connected to an intermediate portion of the lower arm 8 in the vehicle width direction, and a rod of the shock absorber is connected to the vehicle body side via a bush. A coil spring (not shown) is provided on the outer peripheral side of the shock absorber rod.

  The stator 10 is a stator core in which coils are wound around a plurality of teeth formed on the inner peripheral side of a stator core formed by laminating electromagnetic steel plates, and a stator 11 is formed. A rotor core is configured by embedding permanent magnets (not shown) in a rotor core formed by stacking.

  In the motor 2 configured as described above, when a three-phase alternating current is supplied to the coil provided in the stator 10 by the inverter, a rotating magnetic field is formed, and the rotor 11 having a permanent magnet is attracted to the rotating magnetic field and rotated. It is what is done.

  The planetary gear mechanism 3 constitutes a well-known speed reduction mechanism including a sun gear 12, a carrier 13, a pinion 14, and a ring gear 15, and a large-diameter gear 12a is formed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the sun gear 12, The gear 12 a is meshed with a gear 16 that is drivingly coupled to the outer side of the rotor 11 in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the outer side of the carrier 13 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the output shaft 4. The ring gear 15 is formed on the inner peripheral side of a gear housing 9b that forms part of the knuckle 9.

  The outer portion of the output shaft 4 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the hub 5, and the hub 5 is rotatably supported by a bearing 17 on the outer peripheral side of the gear housing 9 b of the knuckle 9. A disk portion is formed on the outer peripheral side of the hub 5, and a hub bolt hole is formed in this disk portion. The hub bolt hole provided on the inner peripheral side of the brake disk rotor 7 and the inner periphery of the disk portion of the wheel 6 are formed. By inserting a hub bolt (not shown) from the inner side in the vehicle width direction with the hub bolt hole provided on the side being matched, and screwing a nut (not shown) from the outer side in the vehicle width direction to the hub bolt, The hub 5, the brake disc rotor 7, and the wheel 6 are drivingly coupled to each other.

  The bead seat portion of the rim portion of the wheel 6 is fitted with a tire bead portion (not shown), and a space defined by the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 6 and the inner peripheral surface of the tire is filled with air of a predetermined air pressure. The wheel 6 and the tire constitute a wheel, and the wheel is drivingly coupled to the hub 5 and is rotatably supported by the knuckle 9.

  Here, the caliper brake (not shown) is of a well-known floating caliper type, and its base is fixed to the knuckle 9, and the brake pad is disposed so as to face both surfaces of the brake disc rotor 7. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to a piston (not shown) based on a brake command from a brake ECU (not shown), brake pads are pressed against both surfaces of the brake disc rotor 7 to act on the brake.

  For these reasons, when the motor 2 is driven by an inverter (not shown), the driving force generated by the motor 2 is applied to the rotor 11, the gear 16, the gear 12a, the sun gear 12, The pinion 14, the carrier 13, the output shaft 4, the hub 5, and the wheel 6 are transmitted in this order, and the driving force is transmitted to the ground by a tire (not shown) to drive the vehicle.

  Hereinafter, the form of the knuckle 9 of the in-wheel motor 1 according to the present invention will be described in comparison with the form of the conventional knuckle. 2-7 is a schematic diagram which shows the form of the knuckle of the conventional in-wheel motor.

  2-7 shows the knuckle of the in-wheel motor arrange | positioned on the right side of the front side of a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the knuckle as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction and obliquely downward from the rear of the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the knuckle as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the knuckle as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the knuckle as seen from the rear of the vehicle. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the knuckle as viewed from the front of the vehicle, and FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the knuckle as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction and obliquely downward from the front of the vehicle. 2 to 7, IN indicates the inner side in the vehicle width direction, UP indicates the upper side, and FR indicates the front side of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, a conventional knuckle 59 includes a cylindrical motor housing 59a protruding inward in the vehicle width direction and a cylindrical gear housing 59b protruding outward in the vehicle width direction. The gear housing 59b is configured to be combined in a state where it is offset forward and upward of the vehicle.

  In addition, the upper end of the motor housing 59a is provided with an upper arm connecting portion 59c for providing an upper ball joint UB for connecting an upper arm (not shown), at the lower end of the boundary portion between the motor housing 59a and the gear housing 59b. Is provided with a lower arm connecting portion 59d for providing a lower ball joint LB for connecting a lower arm (not shown).

  The upper ball joint UB and the lower ball joint LB are shown only for convenience of explanation, and the straight line connecting the upper ball joint UB and the lower ball joint LB is the kingpin axis KA of the knuckle 59 of the in-wheel motor. Constitute.

  The conventional knuckle 59 configured as described above corresponds to a knuckle that rotatably supports a wheel, which constitutes a normal suspension device. The knuckle 59 is located on the wheel side with respect to a spring and a shock absorber constituting a suspension device (not shown here), so that the tire constituting the wheel can be driven, braked, turning, or road surface. Since the force input from the ground at the time of overcoming the unevenness is transmitted without going through the spring or the shock absorber, a large force acts directly.

  For this reason, a large force acts on the knuckle 59 and the deformation thereof cannot be ignored. In an in-wheel motor, the knuckle 59 constitutes a motor housing 59a that encloses the motor and a gear housing 59b that encloses the speed reduction mechanism. Therefore, when the knuckle 59 is deformed, the motor housing 59a is also largely deformed, and the gap between the rotor and the stator constituting the motor, that is, the gap is changed, so that the predetermined performance of the motor can be exhibited. The problem of disappearing arises.

  Further, in the speed reduction mechanism, with the deformation of the gear housing 59b, the distance between the gears is not a predetermined distance, the gear ratio changes, the contact surface pressure between the gears changes, and the transmission force changes. This also causes a problem that the predetermined performance cannot be exhibited. Such a problem becomes more conspicuous in the knuckle 59 in which the motor housing 59a and the gear housing 59b are offset.

  For this reason, the knuckle 9 in the present Example 1 is set as the following forms. Below, the form of the knuckle 9 in the present Example 1 is demonstrated using figures. 8 to 10 are schematic views showing an embodiment of an in-wheel motor knuckle according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the knuckle as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction, and FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the knuckle as seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction and obliquely upward from the rear of the vehicle. 10 is a schematic view showing the knuckle when viewed inward in the vehicle width direction and obliquely downward. 8 to 10, IN indicates the inner side in the vehicle width direction, UP indicates the upper side, and FR indicates the front side of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the knuckle 9 of the first embodiment includes a cylindrical motor housing 9 a that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction and a cylindrical gear housing 9 b that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction. The housing 9a is combined with the gear housing 9b in a state where it is offset forward and upward of the vehicle. The motor housing 9a constitutes a rotating electrical machine outer part, the gear housing 9b constitutes a speed reduction mechanism outer part, and the knuckle 9 constitutes a support member that rotatably supports the wheel.

  In addition, the upper end of the motor housing 9a is provided with an upper arm connecting portion 9c for providing an upper ball joint UB for connecting an upper arm (not shown), at the lower end of the boundary portion between the motor housing 9a and the gear housing 9b. Is provided with a lower arm connecting portion 9d for providing a lower ball joint LB for connecting a lower arm (not shown).

  Further, a reinforcing portion 9e is provided on the vehicle rear side of the motor housing 9a so as to be arranged in a protruding manner on the inner peripheral side of the motor housing 9a and extend in the vertical direction. The reinforcing portion 9e constitutes a reinforcing member.

  The upper ball joint UB and the lower ball joint LB are shown only for convenience of explanation, and the straight line connecting the upper ball joint UB and the lower ball joint LB is the kingpin axis KA of the knuckle 9 of the in-wheel motor 1. Configure.

  According to the knuckle 9 of the first embodiment, when there is a margin of electrical performance of the stator 10 constituting the motor 2, the reinforcing portion 9e is disposed so as to protrude from the inner peripheral side of the motor housing 9a. As a form in which a part of the reinforcing portion 9e is cut out, the degree of freedom in arrangement of the reinforcing portion 9e can be increased.

  In addition, the motor housing 9a of the knuckle 9 is reinforced intensively, the knuckle 9 is held at a high rigidity, the deformation of the knuckle 9 due to the external force acting is suppressed, and the predetermined performance of the motor 2 is maintained. In addition, the predetermined performance of the planetary gear mechanism 3 can be maintained.

  Moreover, by providing the motor housing 9a with the reinforcing portion 9e, the upper arm connecting portion 9c can also be reinforced, which is sufficient for a large force acting on the upper arm connecting portion 9c from the upper ball joint UB when the vehicle is traveling. Rigidity can be imparted, and this also suppresses deformation of the motor housing 9a and ensures the predetermined performance of the motor 2.

  In Example 1 mentioned above, although the reinforcement part 9e was provided in the motor housing 9a of the knuckle 9 in the form protruded to the inner peripheral side, it can also be set as the following forms other than this. The second embodiment will be described below.

  Since the basic configuration of the in-wheel motor 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 except for the knuckle 9, the redundant description is omitted.

  FIGS. 11-15 is a schematic diagram which shows other embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the knuckle when viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction and obliquely downward from the rear of the vehicle. Further, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the knuckle as viewed from the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the knuckle as viewed from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the knuckle as viewed from the vehicle width direction inside and obliquely downward from the front of the vehicle. FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the knuckle as viewed from the front of the vehicle. 11 to 15, IN indicates the inner side in the vehicle width direction, UP indicates the upper side, and FR indicates the front side of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the knuckle 19 according to the second embodiment includes a cylindrical motor housing 19 a that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction and a cylindrical gear housing 19 b that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction. The housing 19a is combined with the gear housing 19b in a state of being offset forward and upward of the vehicle.

  Here, the motor housing 19a constitutes a rotating electrical machine outer packaging portion, the gear housing 19b constitutes a speed reduction mechanism outer packaging portion, and the knuckle 19 constitutes a support member that rotatably supports the wheel.

  In addition to this, the reinforcing portion 19c is provided so as to extend in the vertical direction at the corner portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the portion where the motor housing 19a protrudes offset with respect to the gear housing 19b when viewed from above. The portion 19d is provided so as to extend in the vertical direction at the corner portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the portion where the gear housing 19b protrudes offset with respect to the motor housing 19a. The reinforcing part 19c and the reinforcing part 19d together constitute a reinforcing member.

  An upper ball joint UB1 for connecting the upper arm 18a is provided at the upper end portion of the reinforcing portion 19c, and an upper ball joint UB2 for connecting the upper arm 18b is provided at the upper end portion of the reinforcing portion 19d. The reinforcing portion 19c and the reinforcing portion 19d are integrally formed with their upper ends, and their lower ends are joined by welding via a connecting portion 19e. A lower ball joint LB for connecting the lower arm 8 is provided above the connecting portion 19e. In addition, the reinforcement part 19c and the reinforcement part 19e may be joined by welding.

  The upper arm 18a is positioned in front of the vehicle with respect to the upper arm 18b. The upper arm 18a extends from the upper ball joint UB1 inward in the vehicle width direction so as to be directed forward of the vehicle. The upper arm 18b It extends from the joint UB2 toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction so as to be directed toward the rear of the vehicle.

  That is, the extension line of the upper arm 18a and the extension line of the upper arm 18b intersect each other in the vehicle width direction outside, and a straight line connecting the intersection and the lower ball joint LB forms the kingpin axis KA of the knuckle 19. To do.

  For the sake of convenience of explanation, only the upper ball joints UB1 and UB2 and the lower ball joint LB are illustrated.

  According to the knuckle 19 of the second embodiment, the reinforcing portion 19c and the reinforcing portion 19d do not allow external force to be directly input to the outer cylindrical surfaces of the motor housing 19a and the gear housing 19b of the knuckle 19, and reinforce the boundary portion with emphasis. The knuckle 19 as a whole is kept high in rigidity, the deformation of the knuckle 19 due to the external force acting is suppressed, the predetermined performance of the motor 2 is maintained, and the predetermined performance of the planetary gear mechanism 3 is maintained. it can.

  Further, by providing the upper ball joint UB1 at the upper end portion of the reinforcing portion 19c and by providing the upper ball joint UB2 at the upper end portion of the reinforcing portion 19d, the force acting on the knuckle 19 from the upper ball joints UB1 and UB2 when the vehicle travels, It can be supported by the reinforcing portions 19c and 19d having higher rigidity, and this also suppresses the deformation of the knuckle 19 to maintain the predetermined performance of the motor 2 and the predetermined performance of the planetary gear mechanism 3. can do.

  Similarly, by providing the lower ball joint LB at the lower end portion of the reinforcing portion 19c and the lower end portion of the reinforcing portion 19d via the connecting portion 19e, the force acting on the knuckle 19 from the lower ball joint LB when the vehicle travels is further increased. It can be supported by the reinforcing portions 19c and 19d having high rigidity. This also suppresses the deformation of the knuckle 19, maintains the predetermined performance of the motor 2, and maintains the predetermined performance of the planetary gear mechanism 3. be able to.

  In the second embodiment described above, the reinforcing portions 19c and 19d are provided at the boundary between the motor housing 19a and the gear housing 19b of the knuckle 19. However, the following configurations can also be employed. The third embodiment will be described below.

  Since the basic configuration of the in-wheel motor 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 except for the knuckle 9, the redundant description is omitted. Furthermore, since the elements constituting the knuckle 19 are the same as those described in the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given, and the description of the overlapping parts is omitted, and only the differences are described.

  16-20 is a schematic diagram which shows other embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing the knuckle as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction and obliquely downward from the rear of the vehicle. Further, FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing the knuckle as seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction, and FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing the knuckle as seen from the outside in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing the knuckle as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction and obliquely downward from the front of the vehicle. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the knuckle as viewed from the front of the vehicle and obliquely downward from the outside in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing the knuckle as viewed from above. 16 to 20, IN indicates the inner side in the vehicle width direction, UP indicates the upper side, and FR indicates the front side of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 to 21, the knuckle 19 of the third embodiment has an upper ball joint UB1 that connects the upper arm 18a at the upper end of the reinforcing portion 19c, as in the second embodiment. An upper ball joint UB2 for connecting the upper arm 18b is provided at the upper end of the reinforcing portion 19d. The upper ends of the reinforcing portion 19c and the reinforcing portion 19d are integrally formed. At the same time, their lower end portions are joined by welding via a connecting portion 19e. A lower ball joint LB for connecting the lower arm 8 is provided above the connecting portion 19e. In addition, the reinforcement part 19c and the reinforcement part 19d may be joined by welding.

  The upper ball joint UB1 that is a connection point of the upper arm 18a to the knuckle 19 is located in front of the vehicle with respect to the upper ball joint UB2 that is a connection point of the upper arm 18b to the knuckle 19. Further, the upper arm 18a extends from the upper ball joint UB1 toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction so as to be directed toward the rear of the vehicle, and the upper arm 18b is directed from the upper ball joint UB2 toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle. So as to extend.

  That is, the upper arm 18a and the upper arm 18b intersect at the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the upper ball joints UB1 and UB2, and a straight line connecting the intersection and the lower ball joint LB forms the kingpin axis KA of the knuckle 19. . Also here, for convenience of explanation, only the balls are illustrated for the upper ball joints UB1 and UB2 and the lower ball joint LB.

  That is, according to the arrangement and configuration of the knuckle 19, the upper arm 18a, and the upper arm 18b of the third embodiment, the kingpin axis KA is inclined in the negative camber direction as mainly shown in FIGS. Can be made.

  In other words, in the configuration of the second embodiment in which the upper arms 18a and 18b are not intersected, a straight line connecting the connection point between the upper arm 18a and the knuckle 19 and the connection point between the lower arm 8 and the knuckle 19 is By making the upper arms 18a and 18b intersect with each other to form the kingpin axis, the kingpin axis can be made a straight line connecting the intersection, the lower arm 8 and the knuckle 19, and the kingpin axis is inclined in the negative camber direction. be able to. Thereby, when a wheel is steered, it is possible to prevent the upper part of the wheel from coming out of the vehicle and the turning angle and camber angle to be optimized, thereby reducing the steering stability.

  In addition, the second embodiment shows the effect of increasing the rigidity of the knuckle 19 by the reinforcing portion 19c and the reinforcing portion 19d, suppressing deformation during vehicle travel, and ensuring the predetermined performance of the motor 2 and the planetary gear mechanism 3. The detailed description is omitted because it is the same as the configuration described above.

  In the above-described third embodiment, the kingpin axis is set in the negative camber direction due to the arrangement of the upper arm 18a and the upper arm 18b. However, in addition to this, the inclination angle of the kingpin axis can be adjusted in the following manner. . The fourth embodiment will be described below.

  Since the basic configuration of the in-wheel motor 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 except for the knuckle 9, the redundant description is omitted.

  22 to 25 are schematic views showing other embodiments of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor according to the present invention. FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing the knuckle as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction and obliquely downward from the rear of the vehicle. Further, FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing the knuckle as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction, and FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing the knuckle as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 25 is a schematic view showing the knuckle when viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction and obliquely downward from the front of the vehicle. 22 to 25, IN indicates the inner side in the vehicle width direction, UP indicates the upper side, and FR indicates the front side of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 to 25, the knuckle 29 according to the third embodiment includes a cylindrical motor housing 29a protruding inward in the vehicle width direction and a cylindrical gear housing 29b protruding outward in the vehicle width direction. The housing 29a is combined with the gear housing 29b in a state where it is offset forward and upward of the vehicle.

  Here, the motor housing 29a constitutes a rotating electric machine outer envelope portion, the gear housing 29b constitutes a speed reduction mechanism outer envelope portion, and the knuckle 29 constitutes a support member that rotatably supports the wheel.

  In addition to this, the reinforcing portion 29c is provided so as to extend in the vertical direction at a corner portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the portion where the motor housing 29a protrudes offset with respect to the gear housing 29b when viewed from above. The portion 29d is provided so as to extend in the vertical direction at a corner portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the portion where the gear housing 29b protrudes offset with respect to the motor housing 29a. The reinforcing part 29c and the reinforcing part 29d together constitute a reinforcing member.

  Further, the knuckle 29 includes a reinforcing portion 29c and an extending portion 29e extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end portion of the reinforcing portion 29d. The extending portion 29e has a U-shaped cross section and an opening portion of the motor housing 29a. It has a form that encloses the upper side. The extension part 29e constitutes an extension part. Further, an upper ball joint UB for connecting the upper arm 18 is provided at the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the upper end portion of the extended portion 29e, and a lower ball for connecting the lower arm 8 to the lower end portion of the reinforcing portion 29c. A joint LB is provided.

  That is, a straight line connecting the upper ball joint UB and the lower ball joint LB constitutes the kingpin axis KA of the knuckle 29. For the sake of convenience, only the balls are illustrated for the upper ball joint UB and the lower ball joint LB.

  According to the knuckle 29 of the fourth embodiment, the boundary portion between the motor housing 29a and the gear housing 29b of the knuckle 29 is reinforced by the reinforcing portion 29c and the reinforcing portion 29d so that the rigidity of the entire knuckle 29 is kept high. Thus, the deformation of the knuckle 29 due to the external force acting can be suppressed, the predetermined performance of the motor 2 can be maintained, and the predetermined performance of the planetary gear mechanism 3 can be maintained.

  Further, by providing the upper ball joint UB to the extension 29e extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the reinforcing portion 29c, the force acting on the knuckle 29 from the upper ball joint UB during vehicle traveling has a higher rigidity. It can be supported by the portions 29c and 29d, and also by this, the deformation of the knuckle 29 can be suppressed, the predetermined performance of the motor 2 can be maintained, and the predetermined performance of the planetary gear mechanism 3 can be maintained.

  Similarly, by providing the lower ball joint LB at the lower end of the reinforcing portion 29c, the force acting on the knuckle 29 from the lower ball joint LB during vehicle travel can be supported by the reinforcing portion 29c having higher rigidity. Also by this, the deformation of the knuckle 29 can be suppressed, the predetermined performance of the motor 2 can be maintained, and the predetermined performance of the planetary gear mechanism 3 can be maintained.

  Further, according to the arrangement and configuration of the knuckle 29 and the extension portion 29e, the upper ball joint UB, and the lower ball joint LB of the fourth embodiment, the kingpin axis KA is set to be a negative camber as mainly shown in FIGS. Can be tilted in the direction. This also prevents the steering stability from deteriorating due to the upper part of the wheel coming out of the vehicle when the wheel is steered.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions are made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. be able to.

  The present invention relates to a rotating electrical machine that is suitable for application to an in-wheel motor including a motor for each wheel and a speed reduction mechanism, and can prevent the knuckle from being deformed and maintain the predetermined performance of the motor and the speed reduction mechanism. It is useful when applied to various vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks, buses, etc. using in-wheel motors.

It is a mimetic diagram showing one embodiment of an in-wheel motor concerning the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the form of the knuckle of the conventional in-wheel motor. It is a schematic diagram which shows the form of the knuckle of the conventional in-wheel motor. It is a schematic diagram which shows the form of the knuckle of the conventional in-wheel motor. It is a schematic diagram which shows the form of the knuckle of the conventional in-wheel motor. It is a schematic diagram which shows the form of the knuckle of the conventional in-wheel motor. It is a schematic diagram which shows the form of the knuckle of the conventional in-wheel motor. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the knuckle of the in-wheel motor concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 In-wheel motor 2 Motor 3 Planetary gear mechanism 4 Output shaft 5 Hub 6 Wheel 7 Brake disk rotor 8 Lower arm 9 Knuckle 9a Motor housing 9b Gear housing 9c Upper arm connection part 9d Lower arm connection part 9e Reinforcement part 10 Stator 11 Rotor 12 Sun gear 12a Gear 13 Carrier 14 Pinion 15 Ring gear 16 Gear 17 Bearing 18 Upper arm 18a Upper arm 18b Upper arm 19 Knuckle 19a Motor housing 19b Gear housing 19c Reinforcement part 19d Reinforcement part 29 Knuckle 29a Motor housing 29b Gear housing 29c Reinforcement part 29d Reinforcement part 29e Extension Part

Claims (6)

An in-wheel motor that includes a wheel and a support member that rotatably supports the wheel, and includes a rotating electrical machine and a speed reduction mechanism on the inner peripheral side of the wheel,
The support member includes a rotating electrical machine outer packaging part that encloses the rotating electrical machine, and a speed reduction mechanism outer packaging part that encloses the speed reduction mechanism,
The in-wheel motor, wherein the support member includes a reinforcing member in the rotating electrical machine outer packaging portion or the speed reduction mechanism outer packaging portion.   The in-wheel motor according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is disposed so as to protrude from an inner peripheral side of the outer portion of the rotating electrical machine. While disposing the rotary electric machine outer packet part offset with respect to the speed reduction mechanism outer packet part,
When viewed from above, the reinforcing member is offset from the outside in the vehicle width direction of the portion where the rotating electrical machine outer envelope portion protrudes with respect to the deceleration mechanism outer envelope portion, and the speed reduction mechanism outer envelope portion is offset relative to the rotating electrical machinery outer portion. The in-wheel motor according to claim 1, wherein the in-wheel motor is disposed on both the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the protruding portion.   The in-wheel motor according to claim 1, wherein an upper arm is connected to an upper end portion of the reinforcing member, and a lower arm is connected to a lower end portion of the reinforcing member.   5. The in-wheel motor according to claim 4, wherein the support member includes an extension portion extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end portion of the reinforcing member, and connects the upper arm to the extension portion.   5. The in-wheel motor according to claim 4, comprising two upper arms and intersecting the upper arms when viewed from above.

Images