JP2018035824A - Drive unit for electric automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drive unit for an electric automobile which can secure ventilation between the inside and the outside of a case, and can prevent oil leakage to the outside of the case from a breather device at the application of lateral acceleration.SOLUTION: A drive unit 10 comprises: a right-side opening/closing mechanism 56R having a right-side breather device 40R at a right-side end part of a case 16 in a vehicle traveling direction, and a left-side breather device 40L at a left-side end part, closing a right-side ventilation hole 42R by moving a right-side ball 60R to a closing position when lateral acceleration Gl in a right direction at a left turn of a vehicle 8 is not lower than a prescribed value, and releasing the right-side ventilation hole 42R at the application or the like of lateral acceleration Gr in a left direction to the vehicle 8; and a left-side opening/closing mechanism 56L for closing a left-side ventilation hole 42L by moving a left-side ball 60R to a closing position when lateral acceleration Gr in the left direction at a right turn of the vehicle 8 is not lower than the prescribed value, and releasing the left-side ventilation hole 42L at the application or the like of the lateral acceleration Gl in the right direction to the vehicle 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for ensuring the ventilation between the inside and outside of a case in an electric vehicle drive unit and preventing oil leakage from a breather device to the outside of the case at the time of lateral acceleration action.

  2. Description of the Related Art An electric vehicle drive unit is known that includes a case that houses a drive motor and is mounted on a vehicle so that the longitudinal direction of the case is in the vehicle width direction. For example, the drive unit for electric vehicles of patent document 1 is it. The electric vehicle drive unit of Patent Document 1 is provided between a drive motor, a differential gear device, and a drive motor and a differential gear device, and reduces the power from the rotor shaft of the drive motor. A reduction gear that transmits to the differential gear device and a case that accommodates a drive motor, a differential gear device, a reduction gear, and the like are provided. Moreover, the drive unit for electric vehicles of patent document 1 is equipped with the breather apparatus in the center part of the longitudinal direction of a case, and the upper part of the perpendicular direction. The breather device allows the inside of the case to communicate with the outside while preventing the entry of foreign matter and water from the outside, for example, in order to suppress an increase in internal pressure due to the expansion of air inside the case.

JP 2012-82930 A

  Since the drive unit for electric vehicles is motor-driven, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the drive motor and the drive shaft have a common rotation axis, or the drive arranged horizontally with the rotation axis of the drive motor. In some cases, space efficiency and transmission efficiency may be improved by mounting on the vehicle so that the rotation axis of the shaft is parallel. In this case, as in Patent Document 1, the electric vehicle drive unit is mounted on the vehicle such that the longitudinal direction of the case is the vehicle width direction.

  By the way, if the breather device cannot be installed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the case due to the convenience of peripheral parts or the flow of oil inside the case, the position away from the center of the case, for example, the case It is conceivable to provide a breather device at the right end or the left end with respect to the vehicle traveling direction of the case such as both ends in the longitudinal direction. However, the oil stored inside the case for lubricating lubricating parts such as gears, for example, when subjected to lateral acceleration due to turning of the vehicle, is applied to one of the end portions in the longitudinal direction of the case. Since the oil level rises due to a large amount of movement, there is a possibility that the oil leaks out of the case through the breather device provided at the right end or left end of the case.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to ensure ventilation between the inside and outside of the case and to leak oil from the breather device to the outside of the case during lateral acceleration action. An object of the present invention is to provide a drive unit for an electric vehicle that can prevent the above.

  The gist of the present invention is a drive unit for an electric vehicle that includes a case that accommodates a drive motor and is mounted on a vehicle such that the longitudinal direction of the case is in the vehicle width direction. A right breather device and a left breather device are respectively installed at the right end and the left end with respect to the traveling direction, and air holes provided in the right breather device are arranged in the right direction with respect to the vehicle traveling direction. A right opening / closing mechanism that closes in response to lateral acceleration is provided, and a left opening / closing mechanism that closes an air hole provided in the left breather device in response to lateral acceleration in the left direction with respect to the vehicle traveling direction is provided. There is in being.

  According to the present invention, a right breather device and a left breather device are respectively installed at a right end portion and a left end portion with respect to the vehicle traveling direction of the case, and air holes provided in the right breather device are provided in the air breather device. A right opening / closing mechanism is provided that closes in response to a lateral acceleration in the right direction with respect to the vehicle traveling direction, and an air hole provided in the left breather device is used for a lateral acceleration in the left direction with respect to the vehicle traveling direction. A left-side opening / closing mechanism that is responsively closed is provided. For this reason, oil that has moved to the right side end of the case due to lateral acceleration in the right direction of the vehicle is prevented from leaking to the outside of the case through the right side breather device, and inside and outside of the case through the left side breather device. Ventilation is ensured. In addition, oil that has moved to the left side of the case due to lateral acceleration in the left direction of the vehicle is prevented from leaking out of the case through the left side breather device, and between the inside and outside of the case through the right side breather device. Ventilation is ensured.

It is the schematic which shows the drive unit for electric vehicles of this invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a right breather device and a right opening / closing mechanism provided at a right end portion of a case of the drive unit of FIG. 1 and a left breather device and a left opening mechanism provided at a left end portion, respectively; is there. It is a figure explaining the operation state switched according to turning of the vehicle of the right side breather apparatus of FIG. 2, and a left side breather apparatus. The right side breather device and right opening / closing mechanism provided at the right end of the case of the drive unit of another embodiment, and the enlarged cross section showing the left breather device and left opening / closing mechanism provided at the left end, respectively. FIG. The right side breather device and right opening / closing mechanism provided at the right end of the case of the drive unit of another embodiment, and the enlarged cross section showing the left breather device and left opening / closing mechanism provided at the left end, respectively. FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a drive unit for an electric vehicle according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an electric vehicle drive unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as “drive unit 10”) of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a vehicle 8 that is an electric vehicle includes a drive unit 10 and a power storage device, an inverter, etc. (not shown). The drive unit 10 includes an electric motor 12 as a driving force source for traveling, and a power transmission device 14 for an electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as “power transmission device 14”) for transmitting the power of the motor 12 to a pair of left and right drive wheels (not shown). And the driving wheels are driven by the electric motor 12. The power transmission device 14 is jointed to each of the first rotating shaft 20, the second rotating shaft 22, the differential gear device 24, a pair of output shafts (not shown) connected to the side gears of the differential gear device 24, and the pair of output shafts. A pair of drive shafts (drive shafts) (not shown) that are connected to each other are provided. Drive wheels are connected to the pair of drive shafts. Note that FIG. 1 does not show a bearing or the like disposed between each rotating member and the case. The drive unit 10 also includes a case 16 as a non-rotating member that houses the power transmission device 14 excluding the electric motor 12 and a pair of drive shafts. The electric motor 12 and the first rotation shaft 20 are disposed so as to be rotatable around a common first rotation axis C1. The second rotation shaft 22 is disposed so as to be rotatable around a second rotation axis C2 parallel to the first rotation axis C1. The differential gear device 24 and the pair of drive shafts are rotatably arranged around a third rotation axis C3 parallel to the first rotation axis C1 and the second rotation axis C2.

  The electric motor 12 is, for example, a permanent magnet type three-phase AC synchronous motor, and operates when a three-phase AC voltage is applied to a stator coil by an inverter, and outputs power from a rotor shaft 18 that supports the rotor. The electric motor 12 corresponds to the drive motor of the present invention.

  The first rotating shaft 20 is connected to the rotor shaft 18 so that power can be transmitted by spline fitting between one end of the first rotating shaft 20 and the other end of the rotor shaft 18 of the electric motor 12. The first rotating shaft 20 includes an input gear 26 in a gear case 38.

  The second rotating shaft 22 includes a counter driven gear 28 having a larger diameter than the input gear 26 of the first rotating shaft 20 and meshing with the input gear 26, and a counter drive gear 30 having a smaller diameter.

  The differential gear device 24 includes a ring gear 32 that is larger in diameter than the counter drive gear 30 of the second rotating shaft 22 and meshes with the counter drive gear 30.

  In the drive unit 10 configured as described above, the power of the electric motor 12 is transmitted to the counter driven gear 28 via the input gear 26, and is transmitted to the ring gear 32 of the differential gear device 24 via the counter drive gear 30, It is transmitted from the differential gear unit 24 to the drive wheels via a drive shaft or the like.

  The case 16 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy formed from aluminum for casting with low aluminum purity, and has high strength. The case 16 includes an end plate 34, a cylindrical main body case 36, and a gear case 38. The case 16 is configured such that end faces (mating surfaces) of the end plate 34 and the main body case 36, and the main body case 36 and the gear case 38 in the first rotation axis C1 direction are liquid-tightly connected by bolts or the like (not shown), for example. Yes. The electric motor 12 is accommodated in a space formed by the end plate 34 and the main body case 36. The power transmission device 14 is accommodated in a space formed by the main body case 36 and the gear case 38. Oil for lubricating and cooling the gears and the bearings of the power transmission device 14 is stored at the bottom of the liquid-tight case 16.

  In the drive unit 10, in order to improve space efficiency and transmission efficiency, the first rotation axis C1, the second rotation axis C2, and the third rotation axis C3 are arranged horizontally, and the rotation center of the motor 12 is the drive shaft. It is arranged in parallel with. For this reason, the drive unit 10 is mounted on the vehicle 8 so that the longitudinal direction of the case 16 is the vehicle width direction. The left and right in FIG. 1 correspond to the left and right in the traveling direction when the vehicle 8 travels forward in the vehicle width direction.

  In FIG. 1, the upper part of the case 16 above the rotation axis C <b> 1 is shown as a cross section cut along a vertical plane passing through the rotation axis C <b> 1 and viewed in the traveling direction when the vehicle 8 travels forward. As shown in FIG. 1, a right breather device 40R and a left breather device 40L (hereinafter, unless otherwise distinguished) are provided on the right end and the left end in the traveling direction of the case 8 when the vehicle 8 is traveling forward. Each of them is called a breather device 40). The right breather device 40R is provided vertically above the right shaft end of the rotor shaft 18 of the end plate 34. The left breather device 40L is provided above the first rotating shaft 20 of the gear case 38 in the vertical direction.

  By the way, when the lateral acceleration G (lateral G) due to turning of the vehicle 8 acts on the oil stored in the case 16, for example, either one of both end portions in the longitudinal direction (vehicle width direction) of the case 16 is applied. Moving to the end side, the oil level is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In FIG. 1, an example of the oil surface of the oil when the left lateral acceleration Gr due to the right turn of the vehicle 8 acts is the right turning oil surface Sr, and the right lateral acceleration Gl due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 is An example of the oil surface of the oil when acted is schematically shown as a left-turn oil surface Sl. Thus, the right turning oil surface Sr inclined with respect to the horizontal plane when the vehicle 8 turns right reaches the left breather device 40L, and the left turning oil surface inclined with respect to the horizontal surface when the vehicle 8 turns left. There is a possibility that Sl reaches the right breather device 40R.

  2 shows a right breather device 40R and a right opening / closing mechanism 56R provided at the right end portion of the case 16 of the drive unit 10 in FIG. 1, and a left breather device 40L and a left opening / closing mechanism 56L provided at the left end portion. FIG. The right breather device 40R includes a right vent hole 42R provided in the end plate 34 and a breather plug 44. The right vent hole 42R is provided through the end plate 34 in the vertical direction above the right axis end of the rotor shaft 18 of the end plate 34 in the vertical direction. The left breather device 40L includes a left vent hole 42L provided in the gear case 38 and a breather plug 44. The left vent 42L is provided through the gear case 38 in the vertical direction above the first rotating shaft 20 of the gear case 38 in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, the right vent hole 42R and the left vent hole 42L are referred to as the vent holes 42 unless otherwise distinguished.

  The breather plug 44 has a male screw portion 48a that is oil-tightly engaged with a female screw formed on the inner peripheral surface of the vent hole 42, and a cylindrical air hole 48b that penetrates so that the inside and outside of the case 16 communicate with each other. The breather main body 48 having a substantially long cylindrical shape attached to a female screw formed on the inner peripheral surface of the vent hole 42, and the opening 48c on the outside of the case 16 of the air hole 48b of the breather main body 48 are closed. A disc-shaped valve element 50 seated on the periphery of 48c, and the valve element 50 and a bottom surface 52a of the cap 52 attached to the outer end of the case 16 of the breather main body 48 are interposed in a preload state. The coiled spring 54 is provided. For this reason, in the breather device 40, when the pressure in the case 16 increases to a predetermined value or more with temperature change, the compressed air is pressed by the spring 54 from the vent hole 42 and the air hole 48b. Through, the pressure is increased in the case 16.

  Further, the drive unit 10 includes a right opening / closing mechanism 56R that closes the right vent hole 42R formed in the end plate 34 of the right breather device 40R in response to the lateral acceleration Gl in the right direction of the vehicle 8, and the left breather device 40L. A left opening / closing mechanism 56L that closes the left vent hole 42L formed in the gear case 38 in response to the lateral acceleration Gr in the left direction of the vehicle 8 is provided.

  The right opening / closing mechanism 56R includes a right inclined hole 58R, a right ball 60R disposed in the right inclined hole 58R, a right recess 62R, and a ball stopper 64, and is provided on the end plate 34. The right inclined hole 58R is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so as to go downward in the vertical direction as it goes away from the opening side of the right vent hole 42R, that is, toward the opening on the inner side of the end plate 34. The right ball 60R can move in the right inclined hole 58R and can close the right vent hole 42R, that is, the air hole 48b. The right ball 60R is smaller in diameter than the right inclined hole 58R and larger in diameter than the right vent hole 42R. It is disposed in the hole 58R. When the lateral acceleration Gl in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 acting on the right ball 60R is applied to the right ball 60R, the vehicle 8 is seated on the opening edge on the right recess 62R side of the right vent hole 42R. The inclination angle of the right inclined hole 58R and the like are set so that the right vent hole 42R and the air hole 48b are closed by the right ball 60R. Here, the predetermined value of the lateral acceleration Gl due to the left turn is a lower limit value of the range of the lateral acceleration Gl in which the left turning oil surface Sl may reach the right breather device 40R, and is set in advance. The ball stopper 64 includes an annular portion having an inner diameter smaller than that of the right ball 60R and having an external thread on the outer peripheral surface, and is screwed to the peripheral portion of the opening on the inner side of the end plate 34 of the right inclined hole 58R via the annular portion. ing. The right opening / closing mechanism 56R is operated by the ball stopper 64 when the right lateral acceleration Gl is not acting on the right ball 60R, for example, when the left lateral acceleration Gr by turning right is acting on the right ball 60R. The right ball 60R is held at the lowest position in the right inclined hole 58R. Further, the right opening / closing mechanism 56R does not close the right vent hole 42R without causing the right ball 60R to reach the closing position when the lateral acceleration Gl of the right direction less than the predetermined value due to the left turn acts on the right ball 60R. As a result, the right breather device 40R has a closed state in which the right vent hole 42R and the air hole 48b are closed when the lateral acceleration Gl of the predetermined value or more due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 is applied to the right ball 60R. The right opening / closing mechanism 56R switches to a released state in which the air inside the end plate 34 can be released to the outside when the lateral acceleration Gl of the predetermined value or more due to the left turn does not act on the right ball 60R. In FIG. 2, the released state of the right side breather device 40R is shown.

  Similarly to the right opening / closing mechanism 56R, the left opening / closing mechanism 56L includes a left inclined hole 58L, a left ball 60L disposed in the left inclined hole 58L, a left recess 62L, and a ball stopper 64, and the right opening / closing mechanism 56R. Has the same effect. FIG. 2 shows the released state of the left breather device 40L. Further, the right opening / closing mechanism 56R and the left opening / closing mechanism 56L, the right inclined hole 58R and the left inclined hole 58L, the right ball 60R and the left ball 60L, and the right recessed part 62R and the left recessed part 62L are respectively the opening and closing mechanisms unless otherwise distinguished. 56, inclined holes 58, balls 60, and recesses 62.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operating state that is switched according to turning of the vehicle 8 by the right breather device 40R and the left breather device 40L. When a lateral acceleration Gl of the predetermined value or more in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the drive unit 10, the right ball 60R in the right opening / closing mechanism 56R as shown in FIG. The right breather device 40R is switched to the closed state by being moved toward the closed position shown, and the left ball 60L is directed to the lowermost position in the left inclined hole 58L in the direction of arrow B in FIG. The left breather device 40L is switched to the released state. Further, when a lateral acceleration Gr of the predetermined value or more in the left direction due to the right turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the drive unit 10, the right ball 60R is directed to the lowermost position of the right inclined hole 58R in the right opening / closing mechanism 56R. The right breather device 40R is switched to the released state by being moved, and the left breather device 40L is switched to the closed state by moving the left ball 60L toward the closed position in the left opening / closing mechanism 56L. Further, when the lateral acceleration G due to the turning of the vehicle 8 does not act on the drive unit 10, or when the lateral acceleration Gl less than a predetermined value in the right direction due to the left turning of the vehicle 8 acts, or when the vehicle 8 turns right When a lateral acceleration Gr less than a predetermined value in the left direction is applied, the right breather device 40R is switched to the released state by the right opening / closing mechanism 56R, and the left breather device 40L is switched to the released state by the left opening / closing mechanism 56L. .

  As described above, according to the drive unit 10 of the present embodiment, the right breather device 40R and the left breather device 40L are respectively installed on the right end portion and the left end portion in the traveling direction of the case 16 when the vehicle moves forward. When the right lateral acceleration Gl acting on the right ball 60R when the vehicle 8 turns to the left is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the right ball 60R is moved to the closed position and the right vent hole 42R provided in the right breather device 40R. When the lateral acceleration Gr in the left direction due to the right turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the right ball 60R, for example, the right ball 60R is moved to the lowest position in the right inclined hole 58R and the right side The right opening / closing mechanism 56R for releasing the air holes 42R and the left lateral acceleration Gr acting on the left ball 60L when the vehicle 8 turns right are equal to or greater than the predetermined value. In some cases, the left ball 60L is moved to the closing position to close the left vent hole 42L and the air hole 48b provided in the left breather device 40L. For example, the right lateral acceleration Gl due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 is caused by the left ball 60L. A left opening / closing mechanism 56L for releasing the left vent hole 42L by moving the left ball 60L to the lowest position in the left inclined hole 58L. Therefore, when the vehicle 8 turns left, oil leakage from the right breather device 40R to the outside of the case 16 due to the left turning oil surface Sl reaching the right breather device 40R is suppressed, and the vehicle 8 turns clockwise. During rotation, oil leakage from the left breather device 40L to the outside of the case 16 due to the right turning oil surface Sr reaching the left breather device 40L is suppressed. Further, regardless of the lateral acceleration G caused by the turning of the vehicle 8, at least one of the right breather device 40R and the left breather device 40L is switched to the released state, so that ventilation between the inside and the outside of the case 16 is ensured. .

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, parts that are substantially the same in function as those of the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The electric vehicle drive unit 66 (hereinafter referred to as the drive unit 66) of the present embodiment is different except that the right opening / closing mechanism 68R provided on the end plate 34 and the left opening / closing mechanism 68L provided on the gear case 38 are different. It is substantially common in function with the drive unit 10 described above. The different points will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows a right breather device 40R and a right opening / closing mechanism 68R provided at the right end portion of the case 16 of the drive unit 66 of the present embodiment, and a left breather device 40L and a left opening / closing mechanism 68L provided at the left end portion. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows each. The right opening / closing mechanism 68R includes a right horizontal hole 70R, a right ball 72R disposed in the right horizontal hole 70R, a right recess 74R, a right spring 76R, and a spring mounting member 78. The right horizontal hole 70 </ b> R is a cylindrical through hole in which the end plate 34 is penetrated in the horizontal direction so as to communicate the right vent hole 42 </ b> R of the right breather device 40 </ b> R with the inside of the end plate 34. The right ball 72R has a smaller diameter than the right horizontal hole 70R and a larger diameter than the right vent hole 42R so as to be movable in the right horizontal hole 70R and close the right vent hole 42R. Has been placed. The spring mounting member 78 is fixed to the opening peripheral edge portion on the inner side of the end plate 34 of the right horizontal hole 70R. The right spring 76R is fixed to the end plate 34 with one end fixed to the spring mounting member 78. The other end of the right spring 76R is connected to the right ball 72R, for example, by welding. The right spring 76R urges the right ball 72R toward the center side of the case 16, that is, the side opposite to the right recess 74R, when the lateral acceleration Gl in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the right ball 72R. When the vehicle 8 turns left, the right ball 72R is moved in a substantially horizontal direction to a position where the rightward lateral acceleration Gl caused by the left turn and the urging force of the right spring 76R are balanced. The right concave portion 74R is formed so that the inner peripheral surface of the right vent hole 42R that is substantially opposed to the opening of the right horizontal hole 70R on the right vent hole 42R side across the right vent hole 42R is slightly opposite to the longitudinal center of the case 16. It is a dent formed in a dent. Here, when a lateral acceleration Gl greater than or equal to a predetermined value in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the right ball 72R, the right vent hole 42R is blocked by the right ball 72R, and a lateral acceleration Gl that is less than the predetermined value in the right direction. The spring force and the like of the right spring 76R is set so that the right vent hole 42R is not closed when the ball acts on the right ball 72R. For this reason, the right opening / closing mechanism 68R seats the right ball 72R in the right recess 74R when the lateral acceleration Gl of a predetermined value or more in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the right ball 72R, and the right vent hole 42R. The right ball 72R is positioned at a closing position that closes the air hole 48b. Further, the right opening / closing mechanism 68R is rotated clockwise when a lateral acceleration Gl less than a predetermined value in the right direction due to a left turn is applied to the right ball 72R, when no lateral acceleration G is applied to the right ball 72R, or to the right ball 72R. When the lateral acceleration Gr in the left direction due to rotation is acting, the right vent hole 42R and the air hole 48b are not blocked without the right ball 72R reaching the closing position. Thereby, the right breather device 40R has a closed state in which the right vent hole 42R and the air hole 48b are closed when a lateral acceleration Gl of a predetermined value or more in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the right ball 72R. The right opening / closing mechanism 68R switches to a released state in which the air inside the end plate 34 can be released to the outside when a lateral acceleration Gl of a predetermined value or more in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 does not act on the right ball 72R. In FIG. 4, the released state of the right breather device 40R is shown.

  Similarly to the right opening / closing mechanism 68R, the left opening / closing mechanism 68L includes a left horizontal hole 70L, a left ball 72L disposed in the left horizontal hole 70L, a left recess 74L, a left spring 76L, and a spring mounting member 78. And has the same function as that of the right opening / closing mechanism 68R. FIG. 4 shows the released state of the left breather device 40L.

  When the lateral acceleration Gl of a predetermined value or more in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the drive unit 66, the right breather device 40R is switched to the closed state by the right opening / closing mechanism 68R, and the left breather device 40L is opened / closed to the left side. The mechanism 68L switches to the released state. Further, when a lateral acceleration Gr greater than a predetermined value in the left direction due to the right turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the drive unit 66, the right breather device 40R is switched to the released state by the right opening / closing mechanism 68R, and the left breather device 40L. Is switched to the closed state by the left opening / closing mechanism 68L. Further, when the lateral acceleration G due to the turning of the vehicle 8 does not act on the drive unit 10, or when the lateral acceleration Gl less than a predetermined value in the right direction due to the left turning of the vehicle 8 acts, or when the vehicle 8 turns right When a lateral acceleration Gr less than a predetermined value in the left direction is applied, the right breather device 40R is switched to the released state by the right opening / closing mechanism 68R, and the left breather device 40L is switched to the released state by the left opening / closing mechanism 68L. .

  Thereby, according to the drive unit 66 of the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the drive unit 10 of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  5 shows a right breather device 40R and a right opening / closing mechanism 82R provided at the right end portion of the case 16 of the electric vehicle drive unit 80 (hereinafter referred to as drive unit 80) of the present embodiment, and the left end portion of the case 16. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows each left breather device 40L and left opening / closing mechanism 82L provided. The right opening / closing mechanism 82R includes a right horizontal hole 84R, a right rotating plate 86R disposed in the right horizontal hole 84R, and a right step portion 88R. The right horizontal hole 84R is a quadrangular prism-shaped through hole in which the end plate 34 is horizontally penetrated so as to communicate the right vent hole 42R of the right breather device 40R with the inside of the end plate 34. The right rotation plate 86R is a rectangular plate, and a pivot 90R is formed at the upper end thereof. The right rotating plate 86R is provided at the peripheral edge of the right vent hole 42R side opening of the right horizontal hole 84R of the end plate 34 so as to be rotatable around the pivot 90R. The right rotating plate 86R is on a vertical plane passing through the pivot 90R when the vehicle 8 is not subjected to the lateral acceleration G due to turning, and is indicated by a broken arrow when the lateral acceleration Gl due to the left turning of the vehicle 8 acts. It is rotated counterclockwise which is the rotation direction. The right side step portion 88R has a rectangular surface formed by increasing the width of the hole cross-sectional shape passing through the center line of the right side vent hole 42R toward the lower side in the vertical direction at a predetermined position. The rectangular surface of the right step 88R is a lower end of the right rotating plate 86R that is rotated counterclockwise when a lateral acceleration Gl in the right direction that is greater than or equal to the predetermined value due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the drive unit 80. It is provided in the position which contacts a part. As a result, the right opening / closing mechanism 82R causes the lower end of the right rotation plate 86R to move to the right step 88R when the lateral acceleration Gl of the predetermined value or more in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the right rotation plate 86R. The right air hole 42R and the air hole 48b are closed by being seated on the rectangular surface. Further, the right opening / closing mechanism 82R is used when the lateral acceleration Gl in the right direction by the left turn is less than the predetermined value acts on the right rotation plate 86R, or when the lateral acceleration G does not act on the right rotation plate 86R, or on the right rotation plate. When the lateral acceleration Gr in the left direction due to the right turn is acting on 86R, the right vent hole 42R and the air hole 48b are formed without causing the lower end portion of the right rotation plate 86R to reach the rectangular surface of the right step portion 88R. Do not block. As a result, the right breather device 40R is in a closed state in which the right vent hole 42R and the air hole 48b are closed when a lateral acceleration Gl greater than a predetermined value in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the right rotation plate 86R. The right opening / closing mechanism 82R switches to a released state in which the air inside the end plate 34 can be released to the outside when a lateral acceleration Gl of a predetermined value or more in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 does not act on the right rotating plate 86R. It is done. In FIG. 5, the released state of the right breather device 40R is shown.

  Similarly to the right opening / closing mechanism 82R, the left opening / closing mechanism 82L includes a left horizontal hole 84L, a left rotating plate 86L disposed in the left horizontal hole 84L, and a left step 88L, and is similar to the right opening / closing mechanism 82R. Has an effect. In FIG. 5, the released state of the left breather device 40L is shown.

  When the lateral acceleration Gl of the predetermined value or more in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 acts on the drive unit 80, the right breather device 40R is switched to the closed state by the right opening / closing mechanism 82R, and the left breather device 40L is It is switched to the released state by the opening / closing mechanism 82L. Further, when the lateral acceleration Gr of the predetermined value or more in the left direction due to the right turn of the vehicle 8 is applied to the drive unit 80, the right breather device 40R is switched to the released state by the right opening / closing mechanism 82R, and the left breather device. 40L is switched to the closed state by the left opening / closing mechanism 82L. Further, when the lateral acceleration G due to the turning of the vehicle 8 does not act on the drive unit 80, or when the lateral acceleration Gl of the right direction less than the predetermined value due to the left turning of the vehicle 8 acts, or the right turning of the vehicle 8 When a lateral acceleration Gr of less than the predetermined value due to rotation is applied, the right breather device 40R is switched to the released state by the right opening / closing mechanism 82R and the left breather device 40L is released to the released state by the left opening / closing mechanism 82L. Can be switched.

  Thereby, according to the drive unit 80 of the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the drive unit 10 and the drive unit 66 described above can be obtained.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated in detail with reference to the table | surface and drawing, this invention can be implemented in another aspect, and can be variously changed in the range which does not deviate from the main point.

  For example, according to the drive unit 10 of Example 1 described above, the right opening / closing mechanism 56R is provided in the end plate 34 to close the right ventilation hole 42R and the air hole 48b, and the left opening / closing mechanism 56L is provided in the gear case 38. The left vent hole 42L and the air hole 48b are closed, but the present invention is not limited to this. A right opening / closing mechanism 56R is provided on the breather plug 44 of the right breather device 40R, and closes the air hole 48b of the breather plug 44 by the lateral acceleration Gl of the predetermined value or more in the right direction due to the left turn of the vehicle 8 to open and close the left side. A mechanism 56L is provided in the breather plug 44 of the left breather device 40L, and the drive unit is configured to close the air hole 48b of the breather plug 44 by the lateral acceleration Gr in the leftward direction when the vehicle 8 turns to the right. May be configured.

  Further, the balls 60R, 60L, 72L, 72R used in the above-described embodiments are configured to obtain a predetermined specific gravity or weight by metal, resin, or a composite of metal and resin. Preferably, the balls 60R and 60L are configured to have a specific gravity equal to or lower than that of oil.

  Further, the closed state of the vent hole 42 and the air hole 48b by the right side opening / closing mechanisms 56R, 68R, 82R and the left side opening / closing mechanisms 56L, 68L, 82L of the above-described embodiment does not necessarily indicate a completely closed state. This means a closed state that can contribute to suppression of oil leakage at the time of temporary lateral acceleration G action.

  It should be noted that the above description is merely an embodiment, and other examples are not illustrated. However, the present invention should be implemented in variously modified and improved modes based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention. Can do.

8: Vehicle 10, 66, 80: Drive unit 12: Electric motor (drive motor)
16: Case 40R: Right breather device 40L: Left breather device 42R: Right vent hole 42L: Left vent hole 48b: Air holes 56R, 68R, 82R: Right open / close mechanisms 56L, 68L, 82L: Left open / close mechanism Gl: When turning left Lateral acceleration Gr: Lateral acceleration when turning right

Claims (1)

A drive unit for an electric vehicle that includes a case that accommodates a drive motor and is mounted on a vehicle such that the longitudinal direction of the case is in the vehicle width direction,
A right breather device and a left breather device are respectively installed on the right end and the left end with respect to the vehicle traveling direction of the case,
A right opening / closing mechanism is provided for closing an air hole provided in the right breather device in response to a lateral acceleration in the right direction with respect to the vehicle traveling direction, and the air hole provided in the left breather device is provided in the vehicle. A drive unit for an electric vehicle, characterized in that a left-side opening / closing mechanism that closes in response to lateral acceleration in the left direction with respect to the traveling direction is provided.

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