JP2015228795A - In-wheel motor drive device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-wheel motor drive device which improves the durability of power cables to foreign objects such as pebbles or muddy water.SOLUTION: An in-wheel motor drive device 21 includes: a motor; a wheel hub (32) driven by the motor; a casing (22d) which stores the motor; a terminal box (61) which is provided at the casing and encloses a metal terminal of the motor; a lock part (66) which locks mid parts of power cables (62, 62b) extending from the terminal box to an exterior part of the casing; and a foreign object shield member (65) facing the casing. The foreign object shield member faces the power cables which are disposed between the foreign object shield member and the casing and exposed to an exterior part of the casing.

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-wheel motor drive device disposed in a road wheel of a wheel, and more particularly to protection of a power cable extending from a terminal box.

  The in-wheel motor drive device is disposed in the road wheel of the wheel and directly drives the wheel. Therefore, the in-wheel motor drive device is not directly attached to the vehicle body, but is connected to the vehicle body via the suspension device. When the suspension device absorbs the uneven surface of the road surface while the vehicle is traveling, the in-wheel motor drive device is displaced up and down as viewed from the vehicle body.

  The in-wheel motor drive device is connected to an inverter or a power source disposed on the vehicle body via a flexible power cable. As described above, since the in-wheel motor drive device is displaced up and down, external forces such as bending, pulling, and compression are repeatedly applied to the connection portion between the in-wheel motor drive device and the power cable, and vibrations are applied. Therefore, for the purpose of protection against such external force and vibration, a structure as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-219271 (Patent Document 1) is known. The structure described in Patent Document 1 is such that a casing that holds a motor unit is provided with a terminal box that is connected to the tip portion of the power cable and a locking portion that locks the middle portion of the power cable.

JP 2009-219271 A

  However, the present inventor has found that there is a further improvement in the conventional in-wheel motor drive device. In other words, since the in-wheel motor drive device is disposed under the floor of the vehicle body, the in-wheel motor drive device is exposed to the outside of the vehicle at a position close to the road surface, and pebbles fly from the road surface or receive mud and water.

  Also, the power cable extending from the terminal box to the vehicle body is exposed to the outside of the in-wheel motor drive device, so that pebbles fly from the road surface or get mud and water. However, the exposed portion of the power cable between the terminal box and the locking portion is vulnerable to the impact of foreign matter such as pebbles because the bending is restricted by the locking portion. Further, the frequency of collision of foreign objects such as pebbles and water with a long power cable is higher on the terminal box side than on the vehicle body side.

  An object of this invention is to provide the technique which raises the durability of the power cable with respect to foreign materials, such as a pebble and muddy water, in view of the above-mentioned situation.

  For this purpose, an in-wheel motor drive device according to the present invention includes a motor, a wheel hub driven by the motor, a casing that houses the motor, a terminal box that is provided in the casing and surrounds the metal terminal of the motor, and a terminal A locking part for locking the power cable extending from the box to the outside of the casing in the middle and a foreign matter shielding member facing the casing are provided. The foreign matter shielding member is disposed between the foreign matter shielding member and the casing and faces a power cable exposed to the outside of the casing.

  According to the present invention, since the foreign matter shielding member that protects against the collision of the foreign matter flying on the exposed portion of the power cable is provided, foreign matters such as pebbles, mud, water, etc. are present at the connection point between the terminal box and the power cable. It becomes difficult to collide. Therefore, durability of the power cable exposed to the outside of the casing can be enhanced. There may be one power cable or a plurality of power cables.

  The attachment method and installation location of the foreign matter shielding member are not particularly limited. The foreign matter shielding member may be attached to the terminal box, may be attached to the casing, or may be attached to the locking portion. Moreover, the latching | locking part should just fix the middle part of an electric power cable with respect to a casing, or hold | maintain so that it cannot move easily, The attachment method and installation place of a latching | locking part are not specifically limited. The locking portion may be attached to the casing or may be attached to the foreign matter shielding member. Preferably, the foreign matter shielding member has a root portion and a tip portion, is fixed to the terminal box at the root portion, and supports the locking portion at the tip portion. According to this embodiment, the locking portion is attached to the foreign matter shielding member at a position separated from the casing, and the foreign matter shielding member extends along the exposed portion of the power cable. It can shield suitably so that it may not collide.

  As a preferred embodiment, with respect to the axis of the wheel hub, the wheel hub is disposed at one end in the axial direction of the casing, and the terminal box is disposed at the other end surface in the axial direction of the casing. According to this embodiment, since the terminal box is disposed at a position away from the wheel, foreign matter such as pebbles and muddy water is less likely to collide with the connection portion between the terminal box and the power cable. As another embodiment, a terminal box may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the casing surrounding the axis. Or you may arrange | position a terminal box in the site | part of the casing near a deceleration mechanism.

  As one embodiment of the present invention, the end surface on the other side in the axial direction of the casing has a front region that is forward when the wheel hub rotates forward, with a virtual straight line that intersects the horizontally extending axis and extends in the vertical direction, and the rear And has a rear region. The terminal box is disposed in the rear region. Further, the foreign matter shielding member is a plate member that extends forward from the terminal box and faces the other end surface in the axial direction of the casing, and an exposed portion of the power cable is between the other end surface in the axial direction of the casing and the foreign matter shielding member. Be placed. According to this embodiment, since the exposed portion of the power cable is disposed between the other end surface in the axial direction of the casing and the foreign matter shielding member, foreign matters such as pebbles and muddy water are less likely to collide with the exposed portion of the power cable. Become. In addition, since the power cable extends forward from the terminal box disposed in the rear area, it prevents foreign objects such as pebbles and muddy water flying from the rear to the front from colliding with the exposed portion of the power cable. Can do.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the foreign matter shielding member further has a front surface and a rear surface extending from the engaging portion so as to protrude toward the other end surface in the axial direction of the casing, and the foreign matter faces the exposed portion of the power cable on the rear surface. The shielding member extending wall portion is included. According to this embodiment, it is difficult for foreign objects such as pebbles and muddy water flying from the front to the rear to collide with the exposed portion of the power cable.

  As another embodiment of the present invention, the end surface on the other side in the axial direction of the casing has a front region that is forward when the wheel hub rotates forward, with a virtual straight line that intersects the horizontally extending axis and extends in the vertical direction, It has a rear region that is the rear. The terminal box is disposed in the front region. The power cable extends from the terminal box to the other side in the axial direction, and the foreign matter shielding member is a plate member that extends from the terminal box to the other side in the axial direction and has a front surface and a rear surface, and faces the exposed portion of the power cable on the rear surface. According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent foreign objects such as pebbles and muddy water flying from the front to the rear from colliding with the exposed portion of the power cable. Further, since the terminal box is disposed in the front region, it is possible to reduce the collision of foreign objects such as pebbles and muddy water flying from the rear to the front against the exposed portion of the power cable.

  Alternatively, as still another embodiment, the foreign matter shielding member may have a shape other than the plate material, for example, a shape such as a half tube, a square tube, or another tube.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the foreign matter shielding member is formed integrally with a terminal box lid portion that closes the terminal box. According to this embodiment, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced. Or as another embodiment, you may form a terminal box cover part and a foreign material shielding member separately, and you may connect both with connection tools, such as a volt | bolt.

  As other embodiment of this invention, a latching | locking part may latch a power cable on the way through an elastic member. According to this embodiment, it can suppress that a vibration transmits to a power cable from a foreign material shielding member. Even if an external force such as a bending force, a tensile force, or a compressive force acts on a portion of the power cable that is locked to the locking portion, the elastic member can absorb the external force.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the foreign matter shielding member prevents the foreign matter from colliding with a signal line extending from the casing. According to this embodiment, the signal line can also be protected from flying pebbles and muddy water.

  The exposed portion of the power cable may extend substantially linearly between the terminal box and the locking portion. Alternatively, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power cable bends and extends between the terminal box and the locking portion. According to this embodiment, even if an external force such as a bending force or a tensile force acts on the power cable, the external force can be absorbed at the bent portion. Moreover, even if the flying pebbles collide with the power cable, the impact can be absorbed at the bent portion.

  As one embodiment of the present invention, the foreign matter shielding member may be made of resin. According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the cost by using an inexpensive resin. Alternatively, as another embodiment, the foreign matter shielding member may be made of the same light metal as the casing, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

  Thus, the present invention does not collide foreign objects such as pebbles or muddy water with the exposed portion of the power cable, and even if it collides, the probability is small and the flying speed of the foreign object is reduced. Protection can be achieved. Therefore, durability as a vehicle is improved.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the in-wheel motor drive device which becomes one Example of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view of the deceleration part of the Example. It is a top view which shows the in-wheel motor drive device which becomes one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which looked at the motor part of FIG. 3 from the axial direction. It is a top view which shows the in-wheel motor drive device used as the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which looked at the motor part of FIG. 5 from the axial direction. It is a top view which shows the in-wheel motor drive device which becomes the other Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which looked at the motor part of FIG. 7 from the axial direction. It is a top view which shows the outline of the electric vehicle which has the in-wheel motor drive device which becomes one Example of this invention. It is the schematic sectional drawing which looked at the electric vehicle of Drawing 9 from back. It is a perspective view which shows a suspension apparatus and an in-wheel motor drive device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on examples shown in the drawings. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an electric vehicle employing an in-wheel motor drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electric vehicle as viewed from the rear. The electric vehicle 11 includes a chassis 12 constituting a vehicle body, a front wheel 13 as a steering wheel, a rear wheel 14 as a drive wheel, and an in-wheel motor drive device 21 that transmits driving force to each of the left and right rear wheels 14. Prepare. The rear wheel 14 is accommodated in the wheel housing 12a of the chassis 12, and is attached to the lower portion of the chassis 12 via a suspension device (suspension) 12b.

  An inverter and a battery (not shown) are mounted on the chassis 12. These inverter and battery are connected to an in-wheel motor drive device 21 disposed below the chassis 12 via a bendable power cable 62. The power cable 62 extends from the terminal box 61 provided in the casing of the in-wheel motor drive device 21 to the chassis 12.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the suspension device 12 b and the in-wheel motor drive device 21. The suspension device 12b includes an independent suspension type including an upper arm 81, a toe control rod 82, a lower arm 83, and a shock absorber (not shown). The upper arm 81, the toe control rod 82, and the lower arm 83 extend in the vehicle width direction of the electric vehicle 11, and have a vehicle width inner end as a base end and a vehicle width outer end as a free end. Each base end is connected to the chassis 12, and each free end is made swingable, and is connected to the speed reduction portion casing 22 b of the in-wheel motor drive device 21.

  The free end of the upper arm 81 is connected to the upper side of the one side surface of the speed reduction unit casing 22b via the upper arm bracket 84. The free end of the toe control rod 82 is connected to the upper side of the other side surface of the speed reduction unit casing 22b via a toe control rod bracket 85. The free end of the lower arm 83 is connected to the lower surface of the speed reduction unit casing 22b via the lower arm bracket 86.

  In the space between the upper arm 81 and the lower arm 83, a shock absorber (not shown) extending in the vertical direction is disposed. The upper end of the shock absorber is connected to the chassis 12, and the lower end of the shock absorber is connected to the center portion of the lower arm 83. The shock absorber attenuates the swing of the suspension device 12b and absorbs vibration input to the rear wheel 14 from the road surface.

  A brake caliper 87 is further attached to the speed reduction unit casing 22b. A brake disc is attached and fixed to the wheel hub 32 of the in-wheel motor drive device 21 by a method described later. The brake caliper 87 brakes the brake disc. Three power cables 62 are connected to the motor section casing 22 a of the in-wheel motor drive device 21.

  As viewed in the axial direction of the wheel hub 32, the wheel hub 32 is disposed on one axial direction with respect to the speed reduction portion casing 22 b, and the motor portion casing 22 a is disposed on the other axial direction with respect to the speed reduction portion casing 22 b. Therefore, hereinafter, the inner side in the vehicle width direction may be referred to as the other in the axial direction. Further, the outer side in the vehicle width direction may be referred to as one axial direction.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the electric vehicle 11 includes a motor, a drive shaft, and a differential on the chassis 12 by providing an in-wheel motor drive device 21 that drives the left and right rear wheels 14 inside the wheel housing 12 a. Since there is no need to provide a gear mechanism or the like, there is an advantage that a large cabin space can be secured and the rotation of the left and right drive wheels can be controlled.

  On the other hand, in order to improve the running stability of the electric vehicle 11, it is necessary to suppress the unsprung weight. In addition, in-wheel motor drive device 21 is required to be downsized in order to secure a wider cabin space. Therefore, an in-wheel motor drive device 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 is employed.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an in-wheel motor drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a speed reduction portion of the same embodiment. The in-wheel motor drive device 21 transmits the output from the motor unit A that generates a driving force, the deceleration unit B that decelerates and outputs the rotation of the motor unit A, and the output from the deceleration unit B to the drive wheels (rear wheels 14). A wheel hub bearing portion C. And the motor part A, the deceleration part B, and the wheel hub bearing part C are arranged in series and coaxially in this order.

  The motor unit A includes a motor unit casing 22a that forms an outer shell, a stator 23 that is fixed to the motor unit casing 22a, and a rotor 24 that is disposed at a position facing the inner side of the stator 23 via a gap that is radially open. And a radial gap motor having a motor rotating shaft 35 that is fixedly connected to the inside of the rotor 24 and rotates integrally with the rotor 24. As shown in FIG. 1, the stator 23 and the rotor 24 of the motor part A are accommodated in the motor part casing 22a.

  The motor part casing 22a which becomes a part of the casing of the motor part A has a cylindrical shape and is coupled to the other end of the speed reduction part casing 22b on one side in the axis O direction (left side in FIG. 1). The inner periphery of the motor casing 22a supports the stator 23. The motor rotating shaft 35 is supported at both ends of the motor part A by rolling bearings 36a and 36b. A disc-shaped end surface casing 22d is attached and fixed to the other side in the axis O direction of the motor unit casing 22a, and the other end of the motor unit casing 22a is closed.

  A terminal box 61 is formed on the end surface casing 22d which is a part of the casing of the motor part A. The terminal box 61 is box-shaped and has a wall formed so as to protrude from the end face casing 22d. This wall is formed like a square cylinder when viewed in the direction of the axis O, and surrounds the four sides. Among these, three holes 63 for inserting the power cable are formed in one wall. The terminal box 61 further includes a lid portion 64 that closes the end opening of the wall formed in a square tube shape.

  Three metal terminals extending from the three-phase winding wound around the stator 23 are held in the internal space of the terminal box 61 surrounded by the rectangular cylindrical wall. Further, the terminal box 61 is pulled with the tip portions of the three power cables 62 extending from the outside of the in-wheel motor drive device, and the conductive wires of the power cable 62 are connected and fixed to the respective metal terminals. The power cable 62 itself is entirely covered with a protective material such as resin, but the lead wire protrudes from the protective material at the tip. However, the lead wire at the tip is protected by the terminal box 61 together with the metal terminal.

  The speed reduction part B has a speed reduction part casing 22b that forms an outer shell, an input shaft 25 to which rotation of the motor rotation shaft 35 is input, and an output shaft 28 that reduces and outputs the rotation of the motor rotation shaft 35, The motor unit A is disposed on one side in the axis O direction. Specifically, the deceleration unit B is a cycloid deceleration mechanism. The input shaft 25 of the deceleration unit B extends along the axis O, protrudes toward the motor unit A, and the protruding end is connected and fixed to one end in the axial direction of the motor rotating shaft 35. Since the motor rotation shaft 35 of the motor part A and the input shaft 25 of the speed reduction part B rotate integrally, they are also referred to as motor-side rotation members. One end of the input shaft 25 located on the side opposite to the motor part A is supported in the speed reduction part B by a rolling bearing 36c.

  Two disc-shaped eccentric members 25 a and 25 b are fixed to the outer periphery of the input shaft 25. The motor rotation shaft 35 and the input shaft 25 extend in line with the axis O of the in-wheel motor drive device 21, but the centers of the eccentric members 25 a and 25 b do not match the axis O. Further, the two eccentric members 25a and 25b are provided with a 180 ° phase shift so as to cancel out vibrations generated by the centrifugal force due to the eccentric motion.

  Curve plates 26a and 26b as revolving members are rotatably held on the outer circumferences of the eccentric members 25a and 25b, respectively. The outer peripheral portions of the curved plates 26a and 26b that are bent in a wave shape engage with a plurality of outer pins 27 as outer peripheral engaging members. The outer pin 27 is attached to the inner periphery of the speed reducer casing 22b. A center collar 29 for preventing the inclination of the curved plates 26a and 26b is provided in the gap between the curved plates 26a and 26b. Further, the speed reduction part B is further provided with a motion conversion mechanism that extracts the rotational motion of the curved plates 26a and 26b and transmits it to the output shaft, and a speed reduction part lubrication mechanism that supplies lubricating oil to the speed reduction part B.

  The speed reduction unit casing 22b has a cylindrical shape having a smaller diameter than the motor unit casing 22a, and is coupled to one end of the motor unit casing 22a on the other side in the axis O direction (right side in FIG. 1), and on one side in the axis O direction (in FIG. 1). The other end of the wheel hub bearing outer ring 22c is coupled to the left side). These casings 22 a, 22 b, 22 d and the wheel hub bearing outer ring 22 c constitute one casing 22. The casing 22 rotatably supports a rotating element inside the casing 22 through various bearings such as the above-described rolling bearing 36a and a wheel hub bearing 33 described later. Therefore, the inner periphery of the speed reduction part casing 22b is separated from rotating elements such as curved plates 26a and 26b described later, and does not contact the rotating elements.

  The output shaft 28 of the speed reduction part B coincides with the axis O, protrudes from the speed reduction part B in the direction of the axis O and extends to the wheel hub bearing part C, and has a flange part 28a and a shaft part 28b. Holes for fixing the inner pins 31 at equal intervals on the circumference centering on the axis O are formed in the end face of the flange portion 28a disposed in the speed reduction portion B. A wheel hub 32 is connected and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 28b disposed in the wheel hub bearing portion C. Since the output shaft 28 of the deceleration part B and the wheel hub 32 of the wheel hub bearing part C rotate together, they are also referred to as wheel-side rotating members. The inner pin 31 implanted in the flange portion 28a projects toward the other side in the axis O direction, and the tip end portion engages with the radial center region of the curved plates 26a and 26b. The center hole 28c of the flange portion 28a receives one end portion of the input shaft 25 and supports one end of the input shaft 25 via the rolling bearing 36c so as to be relatively rotatable.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the curved plate 26 a has a plurality of corrugations composed of trochoidal curves such as epitrochoids on the outer peripheral portion, and a plurality of through holes 30 a and 30 b that penetrate from one end face to the other end face. Have A plurality of through-holes 30a are provided at equal intervals on the circumference centering on the rotation axis of the curved plate 26a, and are formed in a radial central region between the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge of the curved plate 26a. Then, an inner pin 31 described later is received. Further, the through hole 30b is provided at the center (rotation axis) of the curved plate 26a and becomes the inner periphery of the curved plate 26a. The curved plate 26a is attached to the outer periphery of the eccentric member 25a so as to be relatively rotatable.

  That is, the curved plate 26a is supported by the rolling bearing 41 so as to be rotatable with respect to the eccentric member 25a. The rolling bearing 41 is formed directly on the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring member 42 having the inner peripheral surface fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric member 25a and having the inner raceway surface 42a on the outer peripheral surface, and the through hole 30b of the curved plate 26a. An outer raceway surface 43, a plurality of cylindrical rollers 44 disposed between the inner raceway surface 42a and the outer raceway surface 43, and a retainer (not shown) that holds the interval between the cylindrical rollers 44 adjacent in the circumferential direction. It is a cylindrical roller bearing provided. Alternatively, it may be a deep groove ball bearing. The inner ring member 42 further includes a pair of flange portions facing each other with the inner raceway surface 42a of the inner ring member 42 on which the cylindrical rollers 44 roll in the axial direction, and holds the cylindrical rollers 44 between the pair of flange portions. . The same applies to the curved plate 26b.

  The outer pins 27 are provided at equal intervals on a circumferential track centering on the axis O of the input shaft 25. The outer pin 27 extends parallel to the axis O, and both ends of the outer pin 27 are fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the speed reduction portion casing 22b that houses the speed reduction portion B of the casing 22 (FIG. 1). Is held in. More specifically, both end portions of the outer pin 27 in the direction of the axis O are rotatably supported by needle roller bearings 27a (FIG. 1) attached to the outer pin holding portion 45.

  When the curved plates 26a and 26b revolve around the rotation axis O of the input shaft 25, the curved waveform and the outer pin 27 engage with each other, causing the curved plates 26a and 26b to rotate. Further, the needle roller bearings 27a provided at both ends of the outer pin 27 reduce the frictional resistance with the curved plates 26a and 26b when the outer pin 27 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the curved plates 26a and 26b.

  The motion conversion mechanism includes a plurality of inner pins 31 as inner engagement members implanted in the flange portion 28a of the output shaft 28, and through holes 30a provided in the curved plates 26a and 26b. The inner pins 31 are provided at equal intervals on a circumferential track centering on the rotation axis O of the output shaft 28, extend parallel to the axis of the output shaft 28, and the proximal end of the inner pin 31 is connected to the output shaft 28. It is fixed. A needle roller bearing 31 a made up of a hollow cylindrical body and needle rollers is provided on the outer periphery of the inner pin 31. The needle roller bearing 31a reduces the frictional resistance with the curved plates 26a and 26b when the inner pin 31 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 30a of the curved plates 26a and 26b.

  An inner pin reinforcing member 31b that reinforces the inner pin 31 is connected and fixed to the tip of the inner pin 31 by press fitting. The inner pin reinforcing member 31b is an annular flange portion 31c that connects the tips of the plurality of inner pins 31, and a cylindrical tube that is coupled to the inner diameter portion of the flange portion 31c and extends in the axial direction so as to be away from the inner pin 31. Part 31d. The inner pin reinforcing member 31 b that reinforces the plurality of inner pins 31 uniformly distributes the load applied to some of the inner pins 31 from the curved plates 26 a and 26 b to all the inner pins 31.

  The inner pin 31 passes through a through hole 30 a provided in a radial direction portion between the corrugated outer periphery of the curved plates 26 a and 26 b and the axis of the input shaft 25. The through hole 30 a is provided at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of inner pins 31. The inner diameter dimension of the through hole 30a is set to be larger than the outer diameter dimension of the inner pin 31 (referred to as “maximum outer diameter including the needle roller bearing 31a”; the same applies hereinafter). Therefore, the inner pins 31 extending through the through holes 30a provided in the curved plates 26a and 26b become inner engagement members that respectively engage with the through holes 30a.

  The other end of the cylindrical portion 31 d extends to the lubricating oil pump 51. When the plurality of inner pins 31 rotate together with the output shaft 28, the cylindrical portion 31 d that is rotated by the inner pins 31 drives the lubricating oil pump 51. The lubricating oil pump 51 provided inside the casing 22 is driven by the output of the motor unit A, and circulates lubricating oil inside the in-wheel motor driving device 21.

  The speed reduction part lubrication mechanism will be briefly described. The lubricating oil is sucked up by the lubricating oil pump 51 from the lubricating oil storage part 25f formed in the lower part of the speed reduction part B, and is formed in the motor rotation shaft 35. It is supplied to the rotor 24 via 35p. Thereby, the rotor 24 of the motor part A is lubricated. Similarly, the lubricating oil is supplied to the eccentric members 25a and 25b and the curved plates 26a and 26b via an oil passage 25p formed inside the input shaft 25. As a result, the eccentric members 25a and 25b and the curved plates 26a and 26b of the deceleration portion B are lubricated. Thereafter, the lubricating oil flows down and accumulates in the lubricating oil reservoir 25f formed in the lower part of the speed reduction unit B. The lubricating oil is again sucked up from the lubricating oil reservoir 25 f by the lubricating oil pump 51. In this way, the lubricating oil recirculates inside the in-wheel motor drive device 21.

  The wheel hub bearing portion C includes a wheel hub 32 fixedly connected to the output shaft 28, and a wheel hub bearing 33 that holds the wheel hub 32 rotatably with respect to the speed reduction portion casing 22b. Further, the wheel hub bearing portion C is disposed on one side of the speed reduction portion B in the axial direction. Thereby, the motor part A, the speed reduction part B, and the wheel hub bearing part C are sequentially arranged coaxially and in series along the axis O.

  The wheel hub bearing 33 is a double-row angular ball bearing, and includes a plurality of balls (rolling elements), a cage, and a wheel hub bearing outer ring 22c. The plurality of balls are fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the wheel hub 32 serving as the inner raceway surface. The outer raceway surface of the wheel hub bearing 33 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical wheel hub bearing outer ring 22c. The wheel hub 32 includes a cylindrical hollow portion 32 a that is coupled to the outer periphery of the shaft portion 28 b at one end of the output shaft 28, and a flange portion 32 b that is formed at an end portion far from the speed reduction portion B. The brake disc 15 and the load wheel of the rear wheel 14 are fixedly connected to the flange portion 32b by bolts 32c.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the in-wheel motor drive device 21. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state where the motor unit A is viewed from the direction of the axis O, and illustrates a state where the in-wheel motor driving device 21 is viewed from the inner side in the width direction of the electric vehicle 11. When the rear wheel 14 is attached and fixed to the wheel hub 32 and the wheel hub 32 rotates forward, the in-wheel motor drive device 21 (that is, the electric vehicle 11) moves forward to the right as shown by an arrow in FIG. For this reason, hereinafter, the forward direction is referred to as the front, and the reverse direction in the opposite direction is referred to as the rear. The end surface casing 22d is divided into a forward region F that is a forward side and a rear region G that is a backward side, with a virtual straight line X that intersects with the horizontally extending axis O and extends vertically. While the electric vehicle 11 is traveling forward, pebbles, mud, water and the like fly to the terminal box 61 and the end surface casing 22d. The flight direction is not determined, but there is a tendency to fly from diagonally forward.

  The terminal box 61 is formed so as to protrude from the end casing 22d in the region G behind the axis O. The power cable 62 extends horizontally from the terminal box 61 at a right angle to the axis O, and extends parallel to the axis O by changing the direction to a right angle in the vicinity of the latching portion 66 that is an intermediate portion. A foreign substance shielding member 65 is attached and fixed to the terminal box 61 with eight bolts. The foreign substance shielding member 65 is a rectangular plate member that protrudes from the terminal box 61 and extends along the power cable 62 that is formed of three pieces, ie, an upper stage, a middle stage, and a lower stage, and is aligned substantially in parallel with each other. Further, the width of the foreign substance shielding member 65 is larger than the distance from the upper power cable 62 to the lower power cable 62.

  Therefore, the foreign substance shielding member 65 and the three power cables 62 face each other, and as shown by a broken line in FIG. 4, all the exposed portions 62s of the three power cables 62 can be covered as viewed from the other side in the axis O direction. As a result, the exposed portion 62s is shielded by the foreign matter shielding member 65 when viewed from the other side in the axis O direction, and the power cable 62 can be protected so that the flying foreign matter does not collide with the three exposed portions 62s.

  The base portion of the foreign matter shielding member 65 also serves as the lid portion 64 (FIG. 1) of the terminal box 61. The foreign matter shielding member 65 protrudes from the terminal box 61 and extends forward in a direction perpendicular to the axis O. One surface of the foreign matter shielding member 65 faces the end surface casing 22d, and the other surface of the foreign matter shielding member 65 faces toward the inner side in the width direction of the electric vehicle 11 (the other side in the axis O direction).

  A locking portion 66 is provided at the tip of the foreign matter shielding member 65. The locking portion 66 includes three grooves 66g having a semicircular cross section formed at the tip of the foreign matter shielding member 65, and a locking member 67 attached and fixed to the tip of the foreign matter shielding member 65 with four bolts. Is done. In the locking member 67, three grooves 67g having a semicircular cross section are formed at positions corresponding to the grooves 66g. The grooves 66g and 67g face each other to form a common round hole. An intermediate portion of the power cable 62 is locked in each round hole. As a result, the power cable 62 is attached and fixed to the locking portion 66. As shown in FIG. 4, the foreign matter shielding member 65 is located between the terminal box 61 and the locking portion 66 of the power cable 62 and is exposed to the outside of the casing 22 when viewed from the other side in the axis O direction. Cover 62s securely.

  By the way, according to the present embodiment, the casing 22 is positioned between the terminal box 61 and the locking portion 66 of the power cable 62 and foreign matter collides with the exposed portion 62 s of the power cable 62 exposed to the outside of the casing 22. Since the foreign matter shielding member 65 is provided to prevent the foreign matter such as stones and muddy water flying from the road surface from colliding with the exposed portion 62 s during the traveling of the electric vehicle 11, the durability of the power cable 62 is improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the foreign matter shielding member 65 has a root portion and a tip portion, is fixed to the terminal box 61 at the root portion, and supports the locking portion 66 at the tip portion, thereby exposing the power cable. The portion 62 s naturally extends along the foreign matter shielding member 65. Therefore, the exposed portion 62s is suitably protected from foreign matters that fly while traveling.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the terminal box 61 is disposed on the end surface casing 22d located on the other end surface in the axis O direction of the motor portion A, so that the power cable 62 can be separated from the rear wheel 14. Further, it is possible to reduce a possibility that foreign matters such as stones and muddy water collide with the exposed portion 62s from the tire of the rear wheel 14.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the end casing 22d has a front region F that is forward when the wheel hub 32 rotates forward, with a virtual straight line X that intersects the horizontally extending axis O and extends in the vertical direction as a boundary, and the rear. And a rear region G. The terminal box 61 is disposed in the rear region G, the foreign matter shielding member 65 is a plate facing the end surface casing 22d of the casing 22, and the exposed portion 62s of the power cable 62 is separated from the end surface casing 22d of the casing 22 and foreign matter. It arrange | positions between the shielding members 65, and is extended toward the front from the terminal box 61. FIG. Therefore, while the electric vehicle 11 is traveling, foreign matters such as stones and muddy water flying from the road surface are less likely to collide with the exposed portion 62s, and the durability of the power cable 62 is improved.

  Further, since the power cable 62 is locked by the locking portion 66, when the in-wheel motor drive device 21 suspended on the suspension device 12 b is displaced up and down, bending, tension, or compression force is applied to the power cable 62. It does not act on the exposed portion 62s.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the foreign matter shielding member 65 is formed integrally with the lid portion 64 of the terminal box 61, so that the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced.

  Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a modification of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the motor part A is viewed from the direction of the axis O. With respect to this modification, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to the above-described embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations will be described below. In this modification, the foreign matter shielding member extending wall portion 67w that protrudes from the locking portion 66 toward the end surface casing 22d of the motor portion A is further provided. The foreign matter shielding member extending wall portion 67 w is a part of the locking member 67 and is a plate material extending with the same width as the foreign matter shielding member 65. The front surface of the foreign matter shielding member extending wall portion 67w faces the forward direction of the electric vehicle 11, and the rear surface of the foreign matter shielding member extending wall portion 67w is a locking portion that is a portion near the locking portion 66 in the exposed portion 62s. It faces the vicinity 62e. As shown in FIG. 5, the foreign matter shielding member extending wall portion 67 w covers the engaging portion vicinity portion 62 e of the exposed portion 62 s as viewed from the front.

  According to this modification, the foreign matter shielding member extending wall portion that further extends from the locking portion 66 so as to protrude toward the end surface casing 22d of the motor portion A, has a front surface and a rear surface, and the rear surface and the exposed portion 62s face each other. 67w is further provided, thereby making it difficult for foreign matters such as stones and muddy water flying from the front to collide with the engaging portion vicinity portion 62e. Therefore, the foreign matter shielding member 65 and the foreign matter shielding member extending wall portion 67w combine to reliably protect the exposed portion 62s from the flying foreign matter.

  Next, another embodiment of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a plan view of an in-wheel motor drive device 21 according to another embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the motor unit A is viewed from the direction of the axis O. Regarding the other embodiments, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations will be described below. In another embodiment, the terminal box 61 is disposed in the front region F. The power cable 62 extends from the terminal box 61 in parallel with the axis O. The foreign matter shielding member 65 extends parallel to the axis O, and covers the front side of the exposed portion 62s of the power cable 62 as seen from the front as shown in FIG. In another embodiment, a signal line 68 extending from the end surface casing 22d to the outside of the in-wheel motor drive device 21 is further provided.

  Other embodiments will be described in detail. In the terminal box 61, the power cable 62 is inserted into the surface 61a farthest from the end casing 22d. Further, a lid portion 64 is attached and fixed to the front side surface of the terminal box 61 orthogonal to the end surface casing 22d. As shown in FIG. 7, the lid portion 64 is integrally coupled to the foreign matter shielding member 65.

  The foreign matter shielding member 65 is located in front of the exposed portion 62 s of the power cable 62. The foreign matter shielding member 65 is attached and fixed to the terminal box 61 at its root portion and extends along the axis O. The rear surface of the foreign matter shielding member 65 faces rearward and covers the front side of the exposed portion 62s. Further, the front surface of the foreign matter shielding member 65 is directed in the forward direction of the electric vehicle 11. And the front-end | tip part of the foreign material shielding member 65 changes the direction at right angle, and extends back. Then, the locking member 67 is attached. As described above, the locking portion 66 can hold the power cable 62 in parallel with the axis O. The locking portion 66 further locks the signal line 68.

  One end of the signal line 68 is connected to a plug 69 inserted into the front region F of the end surface casing 22d behind the terminal box 61 in the end surface casing 22d. The other end of the signal line 68 reaches the chassis 12. Then, the middle portion of the signal line 68 is locked to the locking portion 66. In the locking portion 66, three power cables 62 and one signal line 68 are arranged in parallel. The signal line 68 bends between the plug 69 and the locking portion 66 as shown in FIG. For example, the plug 69 is connected to a sensor (not shown) that detects the angle of the motor rotation shaft 35 in the motor unit A.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the foreign matter shielding member 65 covers the three power cables 62 arranged in parallel to the upper, middle, and lower stages and the signal line 68 arranged in the lowermost stage as viewed from the front. The width of the foreign matter shielding member 65 is larger than the distance from the upper power cable 62 to the lowermost signal line 68.

  According to another embodiment, the terminal box 61 is disposed in the front region F, the power cable 62 extends from the terminal box 61 to the other side in the axis O direction, and the foreign matter shielding member 65 extends from the terminal box 61 to the axis O. The plate member has a front surface and a rear surface extending to the other side in the direction, and the rear surface of the foreign matter shielding member 65 and the exposed portion 62s of the power cable 62 face each other. Thus, the power cable 62 extends from the terminal box 61 along the rear surface of the foreign matter shielding member 65, and the foreign matter shielding member 65 covers the front side of the exposed portion 62s. Accordingly, foreign matters such as stones and muddy water flying from the front do not collide with the exposed portion 62s.

  According to another embodiment, the foreign matter shielding member 65 further covers the signal line 68 extending from the end surface casing 22d of the motor part A when viewed from the front, so that the signal line 68 can also be protected from flying foreign matter. Moreover, since the terminal box 61 covers the front side of the plug 69, the plug 69 can also be protected from flying foreign matter.

  Although not shown in the drawing, an elastic member such as rubber may be interposed between the round hole of the locking portion 66 constituted by the grooves 66g and 67g and the power cable 62 passed through the round hole. . Thereby, even if a foreign object collides with the exposed portion 62s, the impact can be absorbed by the elastic member. Further, the external force input to the power cable 62 when the in-wheel motor drive device 21 is displaced up and down by the suspension device 12b can be relaxed to protect the power cable 62.

  Although not shown in the drawing, the exposed portion 62 s of the power cable 62 may be bent and extend between the terminal box 61 and the locking portion 66. Thereby, even if the power cable 62 is pulled out from the locking portion 66 toward the chassis 12 due to the tensile force input to the power cable 62, the power cable 62 can be prevented from being pulled out from the terminal box 61. Further, even if a foreign object collides with the exposed portion 62s, the impact can be absorbed at the bent portion.

  The foreign matter shielding member 65 is formed of the same material as the terminal box 61, the end surface casing 22d, the motor unit casing 22a, and the casing 22. Specifically, the foreign matter shielding member 65 is made of light metal such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. In addition, the foreign matter shielding member 65 may be formed of a material different from that of the casing 22. For example, by using a resin such as FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics) or a hard vinyl chloride resin, the cost can be reduced.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

  The in-wheel motor drive device according to the present invention is advantageously used in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.

11 electric vehicle, 12 chassis, 12a wheel housing,
12b Suspension device, 13 Front wheel, 14 Rear wheel,
15 brake disc, 22 casing,
22a motor casing, 22b reduction gear casing,
22c wheel hub bearing outer ring, 23 stator, 24 rotor,
25 input shaft, 25a, 25b eccentric member, 26a, 26b curved plate,
27 outer pin, 28 output shaft, 31 inner pin, 32 wheel hub,
33 wheel hub bearing, 35 motor rotating shaft, 61 terminal box,
62 power cable, 62s exposed part, 62e locking part vicinity part,
65 foreign matter shielding member, 66 locking portion, 67 locking member,
67w Foreign matter shielding member extending wall, 68 signal line, 81 upper arm,
82 Toe control rod, 83 Lower arm,
87 Brake caliper.

Claims (11)

A motor; a wheel hub driven by the motor; a casing that houses the motor; a terminal box that is provided in the casing and surrounds a metal terminal of the motor; and electric power that extends from the terminal box to the outside of the casing A locking portion for locking the cable halfway, and a foreign matter shielding member facing the casing,
The in-wheel motor drive device, wherein the foreign matter shielding member is disposed between the foreign matter shielding member and the casing and faces the power cable exposed to the outside of the casing.   The in-wheel motor drive device according to claim 1, wherein the foreign matter shielding member has a root portion and a tip portion, is fixed to the terminal box at the root portion, and supports the locking portion at the tip portion. With respect to the axis of the wheel hub, the wheel hub is disposed at one end in the axial direction of the casing,
The in-wheel motor drive device according to claim 2, wherein the terminal box is disposed on the other end surface in the axial direction of the casing. The other end surface in the axial direction of the casing has a front area that is forward and a rear area that is rear when the wheel hub rotates forward, with a virtual straight line that intersects with the horizontally extending axis and extends in the vertical direction as a boundary. Have
The terminal box is disposed in the rear region;
The foreign matter shielding member is a plate that extends forward from the terminal box and faces the other end surface in the axial direction of the casing, and the electric power between the other end surface in the axial direction of the casing and the foreign matter shielding member. The in-wheel motor drive device of Claim 3 with which the exposed part of a cable is arrange | positioned.   The foreign matter shielding member extends further from the locking portion so as to protrude toward the other end surface in the axial direction of the casing, and has a front surface and a rear surface. The in-wheel motor drive device of Claim 4 containing an installation wall part. The other end surface in the axial direction of the casing has a front area that is forward and a rear area that is rear when the wheel hub rotates forward, with a virtual straight line that intersects with the horizontally extending axis and extends in the vertical direction as a boundary. Have
The terminal box is disposed in the front region;
The in-wheel motor drive device according to claim 3, wherein the foreign matter shielding member is a plate member that extends from the terminal box to the other side in the axial direction and has a front surface and a rear surface, and faces the exposed portion of the power cable on the rear surface. .   The in-wheel motor drive device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the foreign matter shielding member is formed integrally with a terminal box lid portion that closes the terminal box.   The in-wheel motor drive device according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion locks the power cable halfway through an elastic member.   The in-wheel motor drive device according to claim 1, wherein the foreign matter shielding member prevents foreign matter from colliding with a signal line extending from the casing.   The in-wheel motor drive device according to claim 1, wherein an exposed portion of the power cable is bent and extends between the terminal box and the locking portion.   The in-wheel motor drive device according to claim 1, wherein the foreign matter shielding member is made of resin.

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