JP2015067221A - Vehicle driving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly cool an entire area of an inverter device and dispose the inverter device in a compact manner in a vehicle driving device including the inverter device.SOLUTION: The invention relates to a vehicle driving device 1 including an inverter device 3 fixed to a case 2 for housing a rotary member RM. The inverter device 3 includes a capacitor 36 and a plate-like conversion unit 31. The conversion unit 31 and the rotary member RM are disposed so as to overlap with each other when viewed in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction of the conversion unit 31. A passage formation member 25 for forming a coolant flow passage 60 is integrally provided with the case 2 in an area between the conversion unit 31 and the capacitor 36. The capacitor 36 is disposed between the conversion unit 31 and the rotary member RM.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle drive device including a rotating member, a case that accommodates the rotating member, and an inverter device fixed to the case.

  A device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-166803 (Patent Document 1) is known as such a vehicle drive device. The inverter device provided in the vehicle drive device includes a capacitor [capacitor C2] that smoothes DC power and a conversion unit [power control unit 21] that performs conversion between DC power and AC power. A coolant flow passage [water channel 122] is provided in the wall [partition wall 200] that divides the space in the case [case 102] into two along the conversion unit. Thereby, it is possible to cool the conversion unit which generates heat with the operation.

  However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the capacitors are arranged so as to be aligned with the conversion unit along the extending direction of the conversion unit formed in a flat plate shape (see FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1). . For this reason, the area occupied by the inverter device when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit is large, and the dimensions of the entire vehicle drive device may be increased. In addition, although the conversion unit can be cooled, the condenser may be insufficiently cooled because most of the coolant flow path and the condenser are separated from each other.

JP 2007-166803 A

  Therefore, in a vehicle drive device provided with an inverter device, it is desired that the entire inverter device is appropriately cooled and arranged compactly.

According to the present invention, a characteristic configuration of a vehicle drive device including a rotating member, a case that accommodates the rotating member, and an inverter device fixed to the case,
The inverter device includes a capacitor that smoothes DC power, and a conversion unit that converts between DC power and AC power,
The conversion unit is formed in a flat plate shape,
The conversion unit and the rotating member are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit,
A liquid path forming member for forming a coolant flow path is disposed between the conversion unit and the capacitor, and is formed integrally with the case.
The capacitor is arranged between the conversion unit and the rotating member.

In the present application, the “rotary electric machine” is a concept including a motor (electric motor), a generator (generator), and a motor / generator that functions as both a motor and a generator as necessary.
Further, regarding the arrangement of two members, “overlapping when viewed in a certain direction” means that the virtual straight line is 2 when the virtual straight line parallel to the line-of-sight direction is moved in each direction orthogonal to the virtual straight line. It means that a region that intersects both members is present at least in part.

  According to this characteristic configuration, the conversion unit and the rotating member are disposed so as to overlap each other when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit, and the capacitor is disposed in a space between them. For this reason, the installation space of a conversion unit and a capacitor | condenser can be restrained small, and the whole inverter apparatus can be arrange | positioned compactly. In addition, since the conversion unit and the capacitor are disposed on both sides of the liquid path forming member, both the conversion unit and the capacitor can be easily cooled appropriately.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  As one aspect, the case includes a capacitor housing chamber that houses the capacitor, and a conversion unit housing chamber that houses the conversion unit, and the cooling liquid flow passage is formed at the bottom of the conversion unit housing chamber. The conversion unit is arranged on the conversion unit accommodation chamber side with respect to the cooling liquid flow passage, and the capacitor accommodation chamber is arranged on the side opposite to the conversion unit accommodation chamber side with respect to the cooling liquid flow passage. The capacitor housing chamber opens along a direction parallel to the extending direction of the liquid path forming member, and the conversion unit housing chamber opens along a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the liquid path forming member. It is preferable to do so.

  According to this configuration, it becomes easy to effectively cool the conversion unit. In addition, since the capacitor and the conversion unit can be inserted into the respective storage chambers from different directions, the assembling property can be improved. Supplementally, when both the conversion unit and the capacitor are assembled along the opening direction of the conversion unit housing chamber, in the configuration in which the liquid path forming member is formed integrally with the case, the liquid path forming member is further on the back side. Capacitors cannot be inserted in the space where they are located. On the other hand, as described above, by inserting the capacitor and the conversion unit into the respective storage chambers from different directions, a case-integrated liquid path forming member is interposed between the conversion unit and the capacitor. Even if it exists, both can be assembled | attached appropriately.

  As one aspect, it includes a hydraulic control device that adjusts the hydraulic pressure of oil supplied to the drive element including the rotating member, and the case further includes a hydraulic control device housing chamber that houses the hydraulic control device, The hydraulic control device accommodation chamber opens toward the outside of the case, and the capacitor orientation chamber or the conversion unit accommodation chamber has an opening direction opposite to the opening direction of the hydraulic control device accommodation chamber. It is preferable that the storage chamber and the conversion unit storage chamber are formed.

  According to this configuration, one of the capacitor accommodation chamber and the conversion unit accommodation chamber opens in the opposite direction to the hydraulic control device accommodation chamber. Therefore, in the case of manufacturing the case by casting, it is possible to design the molds so that the molds are pulled out in directions opposite to each other, so that the configuration of the mold can be simplified.

  As one aspect, it is preferable that the case has an outer peripheral wall that covers an outer periphery of the rotating member, and the liquid path forming member is formed to protrude outward from the outer peripheral wall.

  According to this configuration, the liquid path forming member integral with the case can be easily formed. For example, when a case is manufactured by casting, a liquid path forming member can be easily formed by making a slight change to the shape of the mold outside the case (for example, providing a recess corresponding to the outer shape of the liquid path forming member). can do.

  As one aspect, it is preferable that the liquid path forming member and the conversion unit are bonded to each other, and the cooling liquid flow passage is formed in the bonded portion.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to stably fix the conversion unit, and it is possible to effectively cool the conversion unit in which the amount of heat generated by the operation is larger than that of the capacitor.

  As one aspect, a rotating electrical machine, a transmission, a counter gear mechanism, and a differential gear device that are sequentially provided along a power transmission path are provided, and a rotation axis common to the rotating electrical machine and the transmission, and the counter The rotation axis of the gear mechanism and the rotation axis of the differential gear device are arranged in parallel to each other, and the three rotation axes are located at the vertices of the triangle when viewed in the direction parallel to the rotation axes. The conversion unit is arranged such that the extending direction thereof intersects with the extending direction of a plane including the rotation axis of the counter gear mechanism and the rotation axis of the differential gear device. Of the differential gear device and the counter gear mechanism, the one arranged away from the conversion unit is the rotating member, and the one arranged close to the conversion unit is the proximity member, The capacitor is disposed so as to overlap with the proximity member as viewed in the extending direction of the conversion unit and to overlap with the rotating member as viewed in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit. Is preferred.

  According to this configuration, the entire vehicle drive device including the inverter device can be compactly arranged using the common outer region of the counter gear mechanism and the differential gear device.

Schematic diagram showing the schematic configuration of a vehicle drive device A view of the vehicle drive device in the axial direction View of the vehicle drive device as seen in the vertical direction Exploded perspective view of vehicle drive device Partial enlarged view of FIG. Schematic diagram showing another aspect of the arrangement relationship when each component is viewed in the axial direction

  An embodiment of a vehicle drive device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle drive device 1 according to the present embodiment is a vehicle drive device (hybrid vehicle drive) for driving a vehicle (hybrid vehicle) provided with both the internal combustion engine E and the rotating electrical machine MG as a driving force source for the wheels W. Device). Specifically, the vehicle drive device 1 is configured as a drive device for a 1-motor parallel type hybrid vehicle. In the following description, terms relating to the direction and position of each member are concepts including a state having a difference due to an error that can be allowed in manufacturing. Moreover, the direction about each member represents the direction in the state in which they were assembled | attached to the drive device 1 for vehicles.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle drive device 1 has a plurality of drive shafts connected to an input shaft I that is drivingly connected to the internal combustion engine E and a plurality of (two in this example) wheels W as driving elements. (In this example, two) output shafts O, a rotating electrical machine MG, a transmission TM, and a differential gear unit DF are provided. “Drive coupling” means a state where two rotating elements are coupled so as to be able to transmit a driving force (synonymous with torque). This concept includes a state in which the two rotating elements are connected so as to rotate integrally, and a state in which the driving force is transmitted through one or more transmission members. In the present embodiment, the vehicle drive device 1 further includes an engagement device CL and a counter gear mechanism C as drive elements. The engaging device CL, the rotating electrical machine MG, the transmission TM, the counter gear mechanism C, and the differential gear device DF are provided in a power transmission path that connects the input shaft I and the output shaft O. These driving elements are provided in the order described from the input shaft I side. Further, these drive elements are accommodated in a case (drive device case) 2.

  The rotating electrical machine MG is arranged coaxially with the input shaft I. The transmission TM is arranged side by side in the direction of the rotating electrical machine MG, the input shaft I, and the rotational axis of the rotating electrical machine MG. In the present embodiment, the transmission apparatus TM is disposed coaxially with the input shaft I and the rotating electrical machine MG. The input shaft I, the rotating electrical machine MG, and the transmission TM are arranged in the order described from the internal combustion engine E side. In the counter gear mechanism C, the input shaft I or the like and the rotational axis are parallel to each other and are arranged on different axes. Further, the differential gear device DF is arranged on a separate axis with the input shaft I and the like and the counter gear mechanism C parallel to the rotation axis. “Parallel” means a parallel state or a state that can be regarded as substantially parallel (for example, a state that intersects at an angle of 5 ° or less).

  In the present embodiment, the rotation axis common to the input shaft I, the rotating electrical machine MG, and the transmission TM is referred to as “first axis X1”. Further, the rotation axis of the counter gear mechanism C is referred to as “second axis X2”, and the rotation axis of the differential gear device DF is referred to as “third axis X3”. The first axis X1, the second axis X2, and the third axis X3 are arranged in parallel to each other. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the first axis X1, the second axis X2, and the third axis X3 are at the apexes of a triangle (in this example, an obtuse triangle) when viewed in the axial direction L. They are arranged so that they are located. Such a multi-axis configuration (three-axis configuration in this example) is suitable as a configuration of a driving device for, for example, an FF (Front Engine Front Drive) vehicle.

  In the present embodiment, the direction toward the internal combustion engine E side (the right side in FIG. 1) when viewed from the rotating electrical machine MG in the axial direction L is defined as the “first axial direction L1”. Further, a direction toward the transmission device TM side (left side in FIG. 1) when viewed from the rotating electrical machine MG is defined as “second axial direction L2”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an input shaft I as an input member is drivingly connected to an internal combustion engine E. The internal combustion engine E is a prime mover (such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine) that is driven by combustion of fuel inside the engine to extract power. In the present embodiment, the input shaft I is drivingly connected to the output shaft (crankshaft or the like) of the internal combustion engine E. The output shaft of the internal combustion engine E and the input shaft I may be drivingly connected via a damper or the like.

  The engagement device CL is provided in a power transmission path that connects the input shaft I and the rotating electrical machine MG. The engagement device CL selectively connects the input shaft I (internal combustion engine E) and the rotating electrical machine MG. The engagement device CL functions as an internal combustion engine separation engagement device that separates the internal combustion engine E from the wheel W. In the present embodiment, the engagement device CL is configured as a hydraulically driven friction engagement device. An electromagnetically driven friction engagement device, a meshing engagement device, or the like may be used.

  The rotating electrical machine MG includes a stator St fixed to the case 2 and a rotor Ro that is rotatably supported on the radial inner side of the stator St. The rotating electrical machine MG can perform a function as a motor (electric motor) that generates power upon receiving power supply and a function as a generator (generator) that generates power upon receiving power supply. . The rotating electrical machine MG is electrically connected to a power storage device B (battery, capacitor, or the like) as a DC power source via the inverter device 3. The rotating electrical machine MG receives power from the power storage device B and runs in power, or supplies power stored in the power storage device B with power generated by the torque of the internal combustion engine E or the inertial force of the vehicle. The rotor Ro of the rotating electrical machine MG is drivingly connected so as to rotate integrally with the intermediate shaft M. The intermediate shaft M is also an input shaft (transmission input shaft) of the transmission apparatus TM.

  In the present embodiment, the transmission TM is an automatic stepped transmission that includes a plurality of gear mechanisms and a plurality of shift engagement devices and that can switch between a plurality of shift stages having different gear ratios. As the transmission TM, an automatic continuously variable transmission capable of changing the gear ratio steplessly, a manual stepped transmission equipped with a plurality of gears with different gear ratios that can be manually switched by a driver, a fixed gear shift A constant transmission device or the like having a single gear ratio may be used. The transmission TM shifts the rotation and torque input to the intermediate shaft M in accordance with the gear ratio at each time and converts the torque, and a transmission output gear that is an output member (transmission output member) of the transmission TM. Communicate to Go.

  The transmission output gear Go is drivingly connected to the counter gear mechanism C. The counter gear mechanism C includes a first gear G1 and a second gear G2 that are respectively formed on a common shaft member. The first gear G1 meshes with the transmission output gear Go of the transmission apparatus TM. The second gear G2 meshes with the differential input gear Gi of the differential gear device DF. In the present embodiment, the second gear G2 is disposed on the first axial direction L1 side (internal combustion engine E side) with respect to the first gear G1. The second gear G2 is formed with a smaller diameter (less teeth) than the first gear G1.

  The differential gear device (output differential gear device) DF is drivingly connected to the wheel W via an output shaft O as an output member. The differential gear device DF includes a differential input gear Gi and a differential main body portion (a main body portion of the differential gear device DF) connected to the differential input gear Gi. The differential main body portion includes a plurality of bevel gears that mesh with each other and a differential case that accommodates them, and plays a central role in the differential mechanism. The differential gear unit DF transmits rotation and torque input from the rotating electrical machine MG side to the differential input gear Gi via the transmission unit TM and the counter gear mechanism C, and outputs the left and right output shafts O at the differential main body. (That is, distributed to the left and right wheels W) and transmitted. Accordingly, the vehicle drive device 1 can cause the vehicle to travel by transmitting the torque of at least one of the internal combustion engine E and the rotating electrical machine MG to the wheels W.

  The vehicle drive device 1 includes a mechanical oil pump (not shown) that is drivingly connected to the intermediate shaft M. The mechanical oil pump sucks and discharges oil with these torques while at least one of the internal combustion engine E and the rotating electrical machine MG is rotating. In the present embodiment, the vehicle drive device 1 is an electric oil pump that is driven by a pump rotary electric machine (not shown) provided independently from a power transmission path connecting the input shaft I and the output shaft O. 54 (see FIG. 2). The electric oil pump 54 sucks and discharges oil by its torque while the pump rotary electric machine is rotating. In this embodiment, the mechanical oil pump and the electric oil pump 54 are arranged coaxially. As shown in FIG. 2, a strainer 52 common to these pumps is disposed between the differential gear device DF and the electric oil pump 54 as viewed in the axial direction L below the transmission device TM.

  Oil discharged from at least one of the mechanical oil pump and the electric oil pump 54 is sent to a hydraulic control device 56 disposed on the opposite side of the strainer 52 with respect to these pumps. The hydraulic control device 56 controls the hydraulic pressure of oil supplied to driving elements such as the rotating electrical machine MG and the transmission TM. The oil adjusted to a predetermined hydraulic pressure by the hydraulic control device 56 is used for controlling the engagement state of the shift engagement device provided in the transmission TM, cooling the rotating electrical machine MG, lubricating each part, and the like. Is done. In the present embodiment, since the electric oil pump 54 is provided, even when the internal combustion engine E is stopped, oil can be supplied to the shifting engagement device to form the engaged state. The vehicle can be started. The vehicle drive device 1 according to the present embodiment can be suitably applied to a drive device for a hybrid vehicle having an idling stop function.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the case 2 includes a first case portion 21 and a second case portion 28 that are divided in the axial direction L. The first case portion 21 mainly forms an accommodation space for the transmission TM and the counter gear mechanism C. The second case portion 28 mainly forms a housing space for the rotating electrical machine MG and the engaging device CL. In the present embodiment, a housing space for the differential gear device DF is formed across the first case portion 21 and the second case portion 28 (see also FIG. 4). The second case portion 28 is joined to the first case portion 21 from the first axial direction L1 side. Further, in this example, the configuration in the case where the vehicle drive device 1 includes a damper is illustrated, and the third case portion 29 that forms the accommodation space of the damper is in the first axial direction L1 with respect to the second case portion 28. It is joined from the side. As described above, the third case portion 29, the second case portion 28, and the first case portion 21 are arranged such that the separation length along the axial direction L from the internal combustion engine E increases in the order described. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first case portion 21 has an outer peripheral wall 22 that covers the outer periphery of the transmission TM, the counter gear mechanism C, and the differential gear device DF. The outer peripheral wall 22 is formed in a modified cylindrical shape along the outer shapes of the transmission TM, the counter gear mechanism C, and the differential gear device DF. The first case portion 21 has a hydraulic control device accommodation chamber Q for accommodating the hydraulic control device 56. The hydraulic control device accommodation chamber Q is provided so as to open toward the outside of the first case portion 21 (outer peripheral wall 22). In the present embodiment, the hydraulic control device accommodation chamber Q is open toward a direction orthogonal to the axial direction L (in this example, a direction substantially along the horizontal direction). In the present embodiment, the hydraulic control device accommodation chamber Q opens in parallel with the extending direction of the isolation wall 25 described later. The first cover member 41 is joined so as to cover the opening of the hydraulic control device accommodation chamber Q. That is, the hydraulic control device accommodation chamber Q is formed between the outer peripheral wall 22 constituting the case 2 and the first cover member 41 joined to the outer peripheral wall 22. The hydraulic control device accommodation chamber Q is formed as a vertically long space having a length in the vertical direction that is substantially the same as the whole of the transmission TM, the counter gear mechanism C, and the differential gear device DF. The hydraulic control device 56 is disposed in the hydraulic control device accommodation chamber Q in a standing posture generally along the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the inverter device 3 that controls the rotating electrical machine MG is fixed to the case 2. The inverter device 3 is directly fixed to and integrated with the case 2 without using an inverter case or the like that houses the inverter device 3. That is, in the vehicle drive device 1 according to the present embodiment, an inverter caseless structure is employed. In such an inverter caseless structure, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated inverter case, and it is not necessary to provide a fixing seat for fixing the inverter case to the case 2 separately from the case 2. Therefore, cost reduction can be achieved by reducing the number of parts. In addition, the entire apparatus can be reduced in size.

  As shown well in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the inverter device 3 is fixed to the first case portion 21 that accommodates the transmission device TM and the like, not the second case portion 28 that accommodates the rotating electrical machine MG and the like. Has been. In the present embodiment, a large-diameter and thin rotary electric machine MG is used to keep the length of the entire apparatus in the axial direction L short. For this reason, the transmission TM has a smaller diameter than the rotating electrical machine MG, and an annular space caused by the difference between the outer diameter of the rotating electrical machine MG and the outer diameter of the transmission TM is formed on the radially outer side of the transmission TM. Is formed. Then, the whole vehicle drive device 1 including the inverter device 3 integrated is miniaturized by arrange | positioning the inverter device 3 effectively using at least one part of this annular space.

  Further, the inverter device 3 is fixed only to the first case portion 21 disposed on the side opposite to the internal combustion engine E with respect to the second case portion 28. In such a configuration, the inverter device 3 can be arranged farther away from the internal combustion engine E, and the inverter device 3 can be placed in a relatively generous space while avoiding auxiliary equipment arranged in the vicinity of the internal combustion engine E. Can be arranged. For this reason, even if the inverter device 3 slightly protrudes radially outward (upward in this example) from the transmission TM and the rotating electrical machine MG, there is almost no inconvenience on the vehicle. Further, the influence of the heat of the internal combustion engine E on the inverter device 3 can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first case portion 21 further includes a pair of projecting walls 23 formed so as to project outward from the outer peripheral wall 22. In the present embodiment, the pair of protruding walls 23 are disposed so as to face each other at different positions in the axial direction L. In the present embodiment, the space defined by the outer peripheral wall 22 and the pair of protruding walls 23 is an inverter accommodation chamber P. That is, the inverter accommodating chamber P is formed along the outer peripheral wall 22 of the case 2 (first case portion 21). The inverter device 3 is accommodated in the inverter accommodation chamber P. The inverter device 3 is integrally fixed to the case 2 (first case portion 21) in the inverter accommodating chamber P.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in the present embodiment, the first case portion 21 has a transition wall 24 that connects a pair of protruding walls 23. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the first case portion 21 has a plate-shaped isolation wall 25 extending from the outer peripheral wall 22 toward the crossover wall 24. The outer peripheral wall 22, the protruding wall 23, the transition wall 24, and the isolation wall 25 are integrally formed. The isolation wall 25 is formed so as to protrude outward (outside of the case 2) from the highest point position in the vicinity of the accommodating portion of the counter gear mechanism C on the outer peripheral wall 22. The isolation wall 25 has a predetermined thickness, and is formed in a plate shape extending along the horizontal direction in a vehicle-mounted state (a state mounted on a vehicle). The isolation wall 25 is formed so as to extend from the outer peripheral wall 22 to a position facing the crossing wall 24 with a predetermined gap. The isolation wall 25 is formed in a bowl shape. By this isolation wall 25, the inverter storage chamber P is partitioned into a first storage chamber P1 and a second storage chamber P2.

  At least a part of the first storage chamber P1 is disposed outside the second storage chamber P2. In the present embodiment, the second housing chamber P2 is disposed above the housing portion of the differential gear device DF in the first case portion 21 (outer peripheral wall 22), and the housing portion of the counter gear mechanism C and the second housing chamber P2 are arranged. 1st storage chamber P1 is arrange | positioned above them so that it may straddle. That is, the 2nd storage chamber P2, the isolation wall 25, and the 1st storage chamber P1 are arrange | positioned in order of description toward the outer side on the outer side of the 1st case part 21 (outer peripheral wall 22). The second storage chamber P2, the isolation wall 25, and the first storage chamber P1 are formed such that the length in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the axial direction L becomes longer in the order described. And the conversion unit 31 is accommodated in the 1st accommodating chamber P1, and the capacitor | condenser 36 is accommodated in the 2nd accommodating chamber P2. In the present embodiment, the first storage chamber P1 corresponds to the “conversion unit storage chamber” in the present invention, and the second storage chamber P2 corresponds to the “capacitor storage chamber” in the present invention.

  Inverter device 3 includes a conversion unit 31 and a capacitor 36. The conversion unit (DC / AC conversion unit) 31 performs conversion between DC power and AC power. As shown in FIG. 2, the conversion unit 31 includes a flat base plate 32 and a plurality of switching elements 33 fixed on the base plate 32. The base plate 32 is made of a material having high thermal conductivity (for example, a metal material such as copper or aluminum), and also functions as a heat sink. As the switching element 33, for example, an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) or a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) is used. The conversion unit 31 includes a rectifying element made of, for example, a diode, and the rectifying element is connected in parallel to the switching element 33. A control board 34 that controls the switching of the switching element 33 is fixed to the base plate 32.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the fin 32a is formed in the surface (anti-element arrangement | positioning surface) on the opposite side to the surface (element arrangement | positioning surface) in which the switching element 33 is arrange | positioned in the baseplate 32. As shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the fins 32 a are formed so as to stand along the normal direction of the base plate 32. Of course, the fins 32a may be formed so as to be inclined with respect to the normal direction of the base plate 32. As the fins 32a, various shapes such as a plate shape and a pin shape can be used. A control board 34 that controls the switching of the switching element 33 is fixed to the base plate 32. The control board 34 is arranged in parallel to the base plate 32 on the opposite side of the switching element 33 from the base plate 32 side. The conversion unit 31 is formed in a flat plate shape as a whole. In other words, the conversion unit 31 is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.

  The isolation wall 25 has a recess 25a formed to be recessed in a concave shape with respect to the surface on the first storage chamber P1 side. The conversion unit 31 (specifically, the base plate 32) is fixed to the isolation wall 25 in a state where the fins 32a are stored in the recesses 25a. The isolation wall 25 and the base plate 32 are joined via a seal member 71 in a state where liquid tightness is ensured. As the seal member 71, an O-ring, an X-ring, or the like made of a rubber material such as nitrile rubber, styrene rubber, silicone rubber, or fluorine rubber can be used. Alternatively, as the seal member 71, a liquid gasket such as FIPG (Formed In Place Gaskets), a cork gasket, foamed rubber, grommet, or the like may be used.

  A space defined by the recess 25a between the isolation wall 25 and the base plate 32 functions as a cooling water channel 60 through which cooling water (an example of a cooling liquid) flows. Thus, in the present embodiment, the cooling water channel 60 is formed at the joint between the isolation wall 25 and the conversion unit 31. Moreover, in this embodiment, the cooling water channel 60 is formed in the surface of the isolation wall 25 which divides the 1st storage chamber P1 and the 2nd storage chamber P2. In the present embodiment, the cooling water channel 60 corresponds to the “cooling liquid flow passage” in the present invention, and the isolation wall 25 corresponds to the “liquid channel forming member” in the present invention. The conversion unit 31 is disposed along the isolation wall 25 and the cooling water channel 60. That is, the conversion unit 31, the isolation wall 25, and the cooling water channel 60 are arranged in parallel (a parallel state or a state that can be regarded as being substantially parallel). The conversion unit 31 including the switching element 33 is disposed on the opposite side of the cooling water passage 60 from the drive element side such as the differential gear device DF. Thus, the cooling water channel 60 is formed at the bottom of the first storage chamber P1, and the conversion unit 31 is disposed on the first storage chamber P1 side (above the cooling water channel 60 in this example) with respect to the cooling water channel 60. . Further, a second storage chamber P2 is disposed on the opposite side of the cooling water channel 60 from the first storage chamber P1 side (in this example, below the cooling water channel 60).

  The cooling water passage 60 constitutes a part of the cooling water circulation passage. A pressure pump, a heat exchanger, and the like are interposed in the cooling water circulation path. The cooling water introduced into the cooling water passage 60 through the cooling water circulation passage circulates between the fins 32a. At that time, the switching element 33 is cooled by heat exchange via the base plate 32. Thereby, the switching element 33 which generates heat with the switching operation can be effectively cooled. In the structure of the present embodiment, the cooling water channel 60 is interposed between the conversion unit 31 and a driving element such as the differential gear device DF. For this reason, the cooling water channel 60 can also thermally shield the conversion unit 31 from drive elements that tend to be relatively hot. Therefore, the thermal protection of the conversion unit 31 (switching element 33) can be effectively achieved.

  Capacitor 36 smoothes (suppresses fluctuations) DC power transferred between power storage device B and conversion unit 31. As the capacitor 36, for example, a film capacitor made of a synthetic resin, a ceramic capacitor made of an inorganic material, or the like can be used. Such a capacitor 36 has a relatively large degree of design freedom regarding its size and shape, and can be adjusted according to the size and shape of the space in which it is arranged. In this example, the capacitor 36 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape (block shape) having a lower flatness than the conversion unit 31.

  As shown in FIG.2 and FIG.4, the 1st case part 21 has the some boss | hub part 26 which protrudes toward the outer side from the outer peripheral wall 22 in the 2nd storage chamber P2. The outer peripheral wall 22 and the boss portion 26 are integrally formed. The boss portion 26 is provided to connect the terminal of the capacitor 36. The boss portion 26 is formed in parallel with the isolation wall 25 in which the cooling water channel 60 is formed. The boss portion 26 is provided adjacent to the isolation wall 25 with a predetermined interval (in the present example, at a position directly below the isolation wall 25). For this reason, when the cooling water flows through the cooling water channel 60, the condenser 36 is also cooled by heat exchange via the isolation wall 25, the outer peripheral wall 22, and the boss portion 26 that are integrated with each other. Therefore, the overall thermal protection of the inverter device 3 including both the conversion unit 31 and the capacitor 36 can be effectively achieved.

  In the present embodiment, the inverter device 3 further includes a pump control unit 38. The pump control unit 38 controls a pump rotary electric machine for driving the electric oil pump 54. As with the conversion unit 31, the pump control unit 38 is configured with a switching element and a control board that controls the switching element as the core. As with the conversion unit 31, the pump control unit 38 is also formed flat as a whole. In the present embodiment, the pump control unit 38 is housed in the first housing chamber P <b> 1 together with the conversion unit 31.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the first storage chamber P1 and the second storage chamber P2 are opened in different directions. In the present embodiment, the first storage chamber P1 and the second storage chamber P2 are opened in directions different from each other by approximately 90 °. Specifically, the first storage chamber P1 opens along a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the isolation wall 25, and the second storage chamber P2 extends along a direction parallel to the extension direction of the isolation wall 25. It is open. As described above, the hydraulic control device accommodation chamber Q opens in parallel with the extending direction of the isolation wall 25. In the present embodiment, the second storage chamber P2 and the hydraulic control device storage chamber Q are both opened in parallel to the extending direction of the isolation wall 25 in the region opposite to the outer peripheral wall 22 when viewed in the axial direction L. doing. In other words, the opening direction of the second storage chamber P2 and the opening direction of the hydraulic control device storage chamber Q are opposite to each other. For example, in the in-vehicle state, the first storage chamber P1 is opened upward, and the second storage chamber P2 and the hydraulic control device storage chamber Q are opened sideways so as to be in an opposite relationship to each other. doing.

  Thereby, the conversion unit 31 and the pump control unit 38 can be inserted into the first storage chamber P <b> 1 from above along the vertical direction and fixed to the first case portion 21. Moreover, the capacitor | condenser 36 can be inserted in the 2nd storage chamber P2 from the side along a horizontal direction, and can be fixed to the 1st case part 21. FIG. The conversion unit 31, the pump control unit 38, and the capacitor 36 can be fixed to the first case portion 21 by processes independent of each other. Therefore, the assembling property of these parts constituting the inverter device 3 can be improved. Supplementally, when both the conversion unit 31 and the capacitor 36 are assembled along the opening direction of the first storage chamber P <b> 1, in the configuration including the isolation wall 25 integrated with the case 2, the position is further on the back side of the isolation wall 25. The capacitor 36 cannot be inserted into the space where In contrast, in this embodiment, the conversion unit 31 and the pump control unit 38 are inserted into the first storage chamber P1 and the capacitor 36 is inserted into the second storage chamber P2 from different directions. Therefore, even when the isolation wall 25 integrated with the case 2 is interposed between the conversion unit 31 and the capacitor 36, all of the conversion unit 31, the pump control unit 38, and the capacitor 36 can be assembled appropriately. it can. In this state, the first storage chamber P <b> 1 is covered with the second cover member 42, and the second storage chamber P <b> 2 is covered with the third cover member 43.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the opening direction of the second storage chamber P2 is set so as to be opposite to the opening direction of the hydraulic control device storage chamber Q. Thereby, when manufacturing case 2 by casting, since it can design so that a metal mold | die may be pulled out in the mutually opposite direction, the structure of a metal mold | die can be simplified. This also leads to an improvement in the manufacturability of the case 2, and as a result, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the second accommodation is further performed at a position where the opening of the hydraulic control device accommodation chamber Q overlaps the opening of the second accommodation chamber P2 when viewed in the opening direction of the hydraulic control device accommodation chamber Q. A chamber P2 is formed.

  In the present embodiment, a capacitor is disposed in a common region located radially outside the counter gear mechanism C with respect to the second axis X2 and outside the differential gear device DF with respect to the third axis X3. 36 is arranged. Thereby, effective use of the space inside the apparatus is achieved. In particular, since the capacitor 36 has a relatively high degree of freedom in shape, it is easy to adapt its outer shape to the three-dimensional shape of the common outer region of the counter gear mechanism C and the differential gear device DF. Therefore, the occurrence of dead space can be suppressed as much as possible, and the entire vehicle drive device 1 including the inverter device 3 can be downsized. In addition, a conversion unit 31 that is flat as a whole is disposed above the capacitor 36 and the counter gear mechanism C so as to straddle them. A pump control unit 38 that is also flat as a whole is disposed above the counter gear mechanism C. Thereby, the upward projection amount of the conversion unit 31 and the pump control unit 38 can be suppressed to be small, and the entire vehicle drive device 1 can be reduced in size from this point. In addition, the conversion unit 31 is arrange | positioned so that the extension direction may cross | intersect with respect to the extension direction of the plane containing the 2nd axial center X2 and the 3rd axial center X3. The pump control unit 38 is also arranged so that its extending direction intersects the extending direction of a plane including the second axis X2 and the third axis X3. The conversion unit 31 and the pump control unit 38 are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel.

  In the present embodiment, the capacitor 36 is arranged below the conversion unit 31 (on the differential gear device DF side). Further, the isolation wall 25 is disposed between the conversion unit 31 and the capacitor 36. The conversion unit 31 and the capacitor 36 are arranged separately above and below the separation wall 25. The conversion unit 31, the separation wall 25, and the capacitor 36 are disposed so as to overlap each other when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit 31 (base plate 32). Here, in particular, the capacitor 36 is not aligned with the conversion unit 31 and the isolation wall 25 along the extending direction of the conversion unit 31, but is viewed in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit 31. And it arrange | positions so that it may overlap with the isolation wall 25. FIG. More than half of the capacitor 36 is arranged so as to overlap the conversion unit 31 and the isolation wall 25. Further, the conversion unit 31, the separating wall 25, and the capacitor 36 are arranged above the differential gear device DF so as to overlap the differential gear device DF when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit 31. ing. Further, the capacitor 36 is disposed so as to overlap with the counter gear mechanism C when viewed in the extending direction of the conversion unit 31. The capacitor 36 is arranged so that most of it overlaps with the counter gear mechanism C. In the present embodiment, among the differential gear device DF and the counter gear mechanism C, the differential gear device DF (specifically, the differential input gear Gi or the like, which is a component arranged away from the conversion unit 31). A plurality of bevel gears) corresponds to the “rotating member RM” in the present invention. Of the differential gear unit DF and the counter gear mechanism C, the counter gear mechanism C (specifically, the first gear G1 and the second gear G2), which is a component disposed closer to the conversion unit 31. Corresponds to the “proximity member PM” in the present invention.

  By adopting such an arrangement configuration, the installation space of the inverter device 3 can be reduced. In other words, the area occupied by the inverter device 3 when viewed in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit 31 can be reduced. More specifically, the conversion unit 31 is joined to the separation wall 25 formed in a bowl shape from the outer peripheral wall 22, and the capacitor 36 is fixed at a position immediately below the bowl-shaped separation wall 25. 36 are arranged in an L shape as a whole when viewed in the axial direction L. Thereby, the area occupied by the inverter device 3 when viewed in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit 31 can be suppressed to the total of the entire conversion unit 31 and about half of the capacitor 36. Therefore, the whole inverter device 3 can be arranged compactly.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the strainer 52 and the electric oil pump 54 arranged in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction L (the horizontal direction in this example) are disposed below the transmission apparatus TM. Further, the hydraulic control device 56 is disposed on the side opposite to the differential gear device DF side as the rotating member RM with respect to the strainer 52, the electric oil pump 54, and the transmission device TM. The hydraulic control device 56 is arranged so as to straddle the arrangement region of the transmission TM and the arrangement region of the electric oil pump 54 in the vertical direction. The strainer 52, the electric oil pump 54, and the hydraulic control device 56 are arranged in an L shape as a whole when viewed in the axial direction L. The hydraulic pressure supply mechanism including the strainer 52, the electric oil pump 54, and the hydraulic pressure control device 56 is configured with respect to the three-axis components (the rotating electrical machine MG, the transmission device TM, the counter gear mechanism C, and the differential gear device DF). It arrange | positions on the opposite side to the inverter apparatus 3 side. The inverter device 3 and the hydraulic pressure supply mechanism, each of which is L-shaped as a whole when viewed in the axial direction L, are arranged so as to have a complementary positional relationship with respect to the three-axis components.

  The entire vehicle drive device 1 including the inverter device 3 (the conversion unit 31 and the capacitor 36) and the hydraulic pressure supply mechanism (the strainer 52, the electric oil pump 54, and the hydraulic pressure control device 56) is viewed in the axial direction L. It is configured in a horizontally long rectangular shape. These can be set to, for example, an aspect ratio of “5: 4” to “5: 3”, which is about “14:11” in the illustrated example. In the laterally long rectangular outer shape, the components are arranged densely without interfering with each other, and the entire vehicle drive device 1 including the inverter device 3 and the like is downsized.

[Other Embodiments]
Finally, other embodiments of the vehicle drive device according to the present invention will be described. Note that the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction arises.

(1) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the first storage chamber P1 and the second storage chamber P2 are opened so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. The first storage chamber P1 and the second storage chamber P2 may be formed so that the opening direction of the first storage chamber P1 and the opening direction of the second storage chamber P2 intersect at an angle different from 90 °.

(2) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which both the second storage chamber P2 and the hydraulic control device storage chamber Q are open in parallel to the extending direction of the isolation wall 25 has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first storage chamber P1 and the second storage chamber P2 are arranged such that the opening direction of the first storage chamber P1, the opening direction of the second storage chamber P2, and the opening direction of the hydraulic control device storage chamber Q are different from each other. It may be formed.

(3) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the cooling water channel 60 is formed at the joint between the isolation wall 25 and the conversion unit 31 that are joined to each other has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cooling water channel 60 may be formed inside the isolation wall 25. In this case, the base plate 32 that constitutes the conversion unit 31 may be formed without the fins 32a, and may be arranged so that the isolation wall 25 and the base plate 32 are in surface contact. Further, fins may be provided on the inner surface of the isolation wall 25 facing the cooling water channel 60.

(4) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the capacitor 36 fixed to the boss portion 26 protruding from the outer peripheral wall 22 is provided adjacent to the isolation wall 25 with a predetermined interval has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the capacitor 36 may be directly fixed to the isolation wall 25 so as to make surface contact with the isolation wall 25.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the differential gear unit DF is seen when the conversion unit 31, the isolation wall 25, and the capacitor 36 are seen above in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit 31 above the differential gear unit DF. The configuration arranged to overlap with the above has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the conversion unit 31, the separation wall 25, and the capacitor 36 overlap with the counter gear mechanism C when viewed in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit 31 on the side of the counter gear mechanism C. As such, they may be arranged in the order of description. In this case, the counter gear mechanism C corresponds to the “rotating member RM” in the present invention. Further, the differential gear device DF corresponds to the “proximity member PM” in the present invention. In this case, the first storage chamber P1 may be formed such that the opening direction of the first storage chamber P1 and the opening direction of the hydraulic control device storage chamber Q are opposite to each other.

(6) The above embodiment has been described with the single-shaft transmission TM having the intermediate shaft M as the transmission input shaft and the transmission output gear Go as the transmission output member arranged coaxially. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a multi-shaft transmission TM having a shift input shaft and a shift output member arranged on separate axes may be used. Even in this case, the rotational axis (first axial center X1) of the transmission TM is defined based on the rotational axis of the input shaft (transmission input shaft) of the transmission TM. In this case, “the transmission TM is arranged coaxially with the rotating electrical machine MG” means that the rotational axis of the transmission input shaft and the rotational axis of the rotating electrical machine MG (rotor Ro) coincide with each other. The rotation axis of the output member may not match the rotation axis of the rotating electrical machine MG (rotor Ro).

(7) In the above embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the drive device for a hybrid vehicle has been described. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a drive device for an electric vehicle that includes only the rotating electrical machine MG as a drive force source for the wheels W of the vehicle.

(8) Regarding other configurations, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, other embodiments modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention are naturally included in the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used for a drive device for a hybrid vehicle, for example.

1: Vehicle drive device 2: Case 3: Inverter device 22: Outer peripheral wall 25: Isolation wall (liquid channel forming member)
31: Conversion unit 36: Capacitor 56: Hydraulic control device 60: Cooling water passage (cooling liquid flow passage)
MG: Rotating electrical machine TM: Transmission C: Counter gear mechanism DF: Differential gear device RM: Rotating member PM: Proximity member X1: First shaft center (Rotating shaft common to the rotating electrical machine and the transmission)
X2: Second axis (counter gear mechanism rotation axis)
X3: Third axis (rotary axis of the differential gear unit)
L: Axial direction P1: First storage chamber (conversion unit storage chamber)
P2: Second accommodation room (capacitor accommodation room)
Q: Hydraulic control device accommodation room

Claims (6)

A vehicle drive device comprising: a rotating member; a case that accommodates the rotating member; and an inverter device fixed to the case.
The inverter device includes a capacitor that smoothes DC power, and a conversion unit that converts between DC power and AC power,
The conversion unit is formed in a flat plate shape,
The conversion unit and the rotating member are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit,
A liquid path forming member for forming a coolant flow path is disposed between the conversion unit and the capacitor, and is formed integrally with the case.
The vehicle drive device in which the capacitor is disposed between the conversion unit and the rotating member. The case has a capacitor storage chamber for storing the capacitor, and a conversion unit storage chamber for storing the conversion unit,
The cooling liquid flow passage is formed at the bottom of the conversion unit housing chamber, the conversion unit is disposed on the conversion unit housing chamber side with respect to the cooling liquid flow passage, and the conversion unit is disposed with respect to the cooling liquid flow passage. The capacitor storage chamber is disposed on the side opposite to the storage chamber side,
The capacitor housing chamber opens along a direction parallel to the extending direction of the liquid path forming member,
The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit accommodation chamber is opened along a direction orthogonal to an extending direction of the liquid path forming member. A hydraulic control device for adjusting the hydraulic pressure of oil supplied to the drive element including the rotating member;
The case further includes a hydraulic control device accommodation chamber for accommodating the hydraulic control device,
The hydraulic control device accommodation chamber opens toward the outside of the case,
The capacitor storage chamber and the conversion unit storage chamber are formed so that an opening direction of the capacitor storage chamber or the conversion unit storage chamber is opposite to an opening direction of the hydraulic control device storage chamber. The vehicle drive device as described. The case has an outer peripheral wall that covers an outer periphery of the rotating member;
4. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid passage forming member is formed to protrude outward from the outer peripheral wall. 5.   5. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid path forming member and the conversion unit are joined to each other, and the coolant flow passage is formed at a joint portion between the liquid passage forming member and the conversion unit. . A rotating electrical machine, a transmission, a counter gear mechanism, and a differential gear device, which are sequentially provided along the power transmission path,
A rotating shaft common to the rotating electrical machine and the transmission, a rotating shaft of the counter gear mechanism, and a rotating shaft of the differential gear device are arranged in parallel to each other, and three rotating shafts Placed so that the hearts are located at the vertices of the triangles when viewed in a direction parallel to these,
The conversion unit is arranged so that its extending direction intersects the extending direction of a plane including the rotation axis of the counter gear mechanism and the rotation axis of the differential gear device,
Of the differential gear device and the counter gear mechanism, the one arranged away from the conversion unit is the rotating member, and the one arranged close to the conversion unit is a proximity member,
The capacitor is disposed so as to overlap with the proximity member when viewed in the extending direction of the conversion unit and to overlap with the rotating member when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the conversion unit. Item 6. The vehicle drive device according to any one of Items 1 to 5.

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