JP2019094933A - Drive unit for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To obtain a drive unit for a vehicle whose case is easily reducible in a size.SOLUTION: A drive unit for a vehicle comprises: a rotating electric machine 1; an input member 2; a counter gear mechanism 3; a differential gear device 4; a case 5 for accommodating these items; an oil storage part 54 which is arranged in a lower part in the case 5, and in which oil is stored; and a first cover member. The rotating electric machine 1 and the input member 2 are arranged on a first axis A1, the counter gear mechanism 3 is arranged on a second axis A2 which is different from the first axis A1, the differential gear mechanism 4 is arranged on a third axis A3 which is different from the first axis A1 and the second axis A2, the second axis A2 is arranged at the same side as the oil storage part 54 with respect to a virtual plane F including the first axis A1 and the third axis A3, and the first cover member is arranged so as to partition the counter gear mechanism 3 and the oil in the oil storage part 54.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a drive device for a vehicle including a rotating electrical machine, an input member, a counter gear mechanism, a differential gear device, and a case for housing these.

  As a technique of the drive device for vehicles, what was described, for example in the international publication 2012/127668 (patent document 1) is known. In the vehicle drive device of Patent Document 1, the rotating electrical machine (motor MG) is disposed on the first shaft (first axis RCa), the counter gear mechanism is disposed on the second shaft, and a differential gear device The (differential gear device 22) is disposed on the third axis (the second axis RCb). A third axis is disposed on the opposite side of the oil reservoir with respect to a virtual plane including the first axis and the second axis. By arranging the third shaft in this manner and arranging the counter gear mechanism on the upper side with respect to the virtual plane, the oil stored in the storage section is not easily stirred by the counter gear mechanism, and the vehicle drive device Of the energy efficiency of the

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the counter gear mechanism is disposed on the opposite side to the oil reservoir with respect to the virtual plane, so there is little space in the upper part of the vehicle drive device. There is a problem that it is difficult to secure an arrangement space even when it is desired to arrange another member such as an inverter or the like for driving the vehicle above the vehicle drive device.

International Publication No. 2012/127668

  Therefore, it is desirable to realize a vehicle drive device that can easily secure a spatial margin above the vehicle drive device and can also suppress a decrease in energy efficiency.

  In view of the above, the characteristic configuration of the vehicle drive device includes a rotating electrical machine serving as a driving force source of a plurality of wheels, an input member drivingly connected to the rotating electrical machine, a counter gear mechanism, the input member and the counter A differential gear device that distributes the driving force from the rotating electrical machine transmitted through a gear mechanism to the plurality of wheels; the rotating electrical machine; the input member; the counter gear mechanism; and the differential gear device A case for housing, an oil storage portion provided at a lower portion in the case and storing oil, and a first cover member, wherein the rotating electrical machine and the input member are disposed on a first shaft, The counter gear mechanism is disposed on a second shaft different from the first shaft, and the differential gear device is disposed on a third shaft different from the first shaft and the second shaft. Two axes include the first axis and the third axis. Are located on the same side as the oil reservoir to the virtual plane, the first cover member is an oil of the oil reservoir and the counter gear mechanism in that it is arranged so as to define.

  According to this configuration, the counter gear mechanism can be disposed relatively below the same side as the oil storage portion. As a result, it is easier to secure a spatial margin in the upper part of the vehicle drive device, as compared to the case where the counter gear mechanism is disposed on the opposite side to the oil reservoir with respect to the virtual plane. On the other hand, by arranging the second shaft on the same side as the oil storage portion with respect to the virtual plane, the counter gear mechanism is easily immersed in the oil stored in the oil storage portion. However, according to this configuration, by providing the first cover member for partitioning the counter gear mechanism and the oil stored in the oil storage portion, the counter gear mechanism was immersed in the oil stored in the oil storage portion. It can be made hard to produce the situation which keeps rotating in a state. Therefore, the fall of the energy efficiency by stirring the oil stored by the oil storage part by a counter gear mechanism can be suppressed.

The figure which shows the drive device for vehicles in an embodiment The figure which shows the 1st axis in the embodiment, the 2nd axis, and the 3rd axis Perspective view showing the first cover

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the vehicle drive device 100 will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle drive device 100 is, for example, a drive device mounted on a hybrid car using an internal combustion engine and a rotating electric machine as a driving force source for a plurality of wheels, or an electric car using a rotating electric machine as a driving force source for a plurality of wheels . In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle drive device 100 includes only the rotary electric machine 1 as a driving force source of the first wheel and the second wheel. In the case of a two-wheel drive four-wheeled vehicle, this makes it possible to realize an electric vehicle. Further, in the case of a four-wheel drive four-wheeled vehicle, a hybrid vehicle can be realized by driving the other two wheels by the driving force of the internal combustion engine. As a matter of course, in the case of a four-wheel drive four-wheeled vehicle, a four-wheel drive electric vehicle can also be realized by applying the vehicle drive device 100 of this embodiment to the other two wheels.

  In the present application, “rotary electric machine” is used as a concept including any of a motor (electric motor), a generator (generator), and a motor generator that functions as both a motor and a generator as required. Further, in the present application, “drive connection” refers to a state in which two rotating elements are connected so as to be able to transmit a driving force, and a state in which the two rotating elements are connected to rotate integrally or It includes a state in which the two rotating elements are communicablely connected with one another via one or more transmission members. Such transmission members include various members that transmit rotation at the same speed or at different speeds, such as a shaft, a gear mechanism, a belt, a chain, and the like. Note that, as the transmission member, an engagement device that selectively transmits the rotation and the driving force, for example, a friction engagement device, a meshing engagement device, or the like may be included.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle drive device 100 includes a rotating electrical machine 1 serving as a driving force source for the first and second wheels, an input member 2 drivingly connected to the rotating electrical machine 1, and a counter gear mechanism 3. A differential gear device 4 for distributing the driving force from the rotary electric machine 1 transmitted through the input member 2 and the counter gear mechanism 3 to each of the first wheel and the second wheel; a rotary electric machine 1; an input member 2; A counter gear mechanism 3 and a case 5 for housing the differential gear device 4 are provided.

The rotary electric machine 1 and the input member 2 are disposed on a first axis A1 as their rotational axis, and the counter gear mechanism 3 is disposed on a second axis A2 as its rotational axis, and a differential gear unit 4 is disposed on a third axis A3 as its rotational axis. The first axis A1, the second axis A2, and the third axis A3 are virtual axes different from each other, and are arranged in parallel to each other.
In the following description, the direction parallel to the above-described axes A1 to A3 is taken as the “axial direction L” of the vehicle drive device 100. Then, in the axial direction L, the side where the input member 2 is disposed with respect to the rotary electric machine 1 is referred to as “axial first side L 1”, and the side where the rotary electric machine 1 is disposed with respect to the input member 2 is referred to as “axial direction It is referred to as “second side L2”. Moreover, let the direction orthogonal to each of said 1st axis A1, 2nd axis A2, and 3rd axis A3 be "radial direction R" on the basis of each axis. In the case where it is not necessary to distinguish which axis is the reference, or when it is clear that the axis is the reference, it may be simply described as “radial direction R”. FIG. 1 shows a radial direction R based on the first axis A1. Here, the directions of the respective members represent the directions in the state where they are assembled to the vehicle drive device 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the case 5 accommodates therein the rotating electrical machine 1, the input member 2, the counter gear mechanism 3, and the differential gear device 4. The case 5 has a peripheral wall 51 surrounding the outer side in these radial directions R. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the case 5 has a first side wall 52 and a second side wall 53 extending along the radial direction R. The first side wall 52 is disposed on the first axial side L1 with respect to the peripheral wall 51, the input member 2, and the counter gear mechanism 3. The second side wall 53 is disposed on the second side L2 in the axial direction with respect to the peripheral wall 51 and the rotary electric machine 1. In addition to the case 5, the vehicle drive device 100 further includes a support member 7 separate from the case 5. The support member 7 is disposed between the first side wall 52 and the second side wall 53 in the axial direction L. The support member 7 is disposed inside the case 5 and fixed to the case 5. In the present embodiment, the support member 7 is formed in a plate shape extending along the radial direction R. The internal space of the case 5 formed between the first side wall 52 and the second side wall 53 is partitioned by the support member 7. In the space between the first side wall 52 and the support member 7, the main part of the input member 2, the counter gear mechanism 3, and the main part of the differential gear device 4 are disposed. On the other hand, the rotary electric machine 1 is disposed in the space between the second side wall 53 and the support member 7. In FIG. 1, only the cross sections of the case 5 and the support member 7 are hatched.

  The rotating electrical machine 1 is a driving force source of the first wheel and the second wheel. The rotary electric machine 1 includes a stator 11 and a rotor 12. The stator 11 has a cylindrical stator core 111 fixed to the case 5. The rotor 12 has a cylindrical rotor core 121 rotatable with respect to the stator 11. In the present embodiment, since the rotary electric machine 1 is a rotary field type rotary electric machine, the coil 112 is wound around the stator core 111, and the rotor core 121 is provided with a permanent magnet. Further, in the present embodiment, since the rotary electric machine 1 is an inner rotor type rotary electric machine, the rotor core 121 is disposed on the inner side of the stator core 111 in the radial direction R. Further, a cylindrical rotor shaft 13 extending along the axial direction L is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the rotor core 121. Here, "cylindrical" means that the general shape of the whole as a whole is a cylinder even if it has some odd-shaped parts (hereinafter, "other" is used with a "shape" with respect to the shape etc. The same applies to the expression of

  The rotor shaft 13 rotates around the first axis A1 integrally with the rotor 12. The rotor shaft 13 extends along the axial direction L so as to protrude from both end surfaces of the rotor core 121 in the axial direction L. An end portion of the first axial side L1 of the rotor shaft 13 is rotatably supported by the support member 7 via a first rotor bearing 91. The end of the second axial side L 2 of the rotor shaft 13 is rotatably supported by the second side wall 53 of the case 5 via the second rotor bearing 92. The input member 2 is connected to the rotor shaft 13, and the rotor shaft 13 and the input member 2 rotate integrally. The rotor 12 and the rotor shaft 13 correspond to the rotary member 14 of the rotary electric machine 1, and the end of the first axial side L1 of the rotary member 14 can be rotated by the support member 7 via the first rotor bearing 91. It is supported by

  The input member 2 is drivingly connected to the rotary electric machine 1. Then, the input member 2 rotates around the first axis A1 integrally with the rotor shaft 13 of the rotary electric machine 1. That is, the rotary electric machine 1 and the input member 2 are disposed on the first axis A1. The input member 2 also has a shaft 21 and a drive gear 22.

  The shaft portion 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends along the axial direction L. The end of the axial second side L 2 of the shaft portion 21 is connected to the end of the axial first side L 1 of the rotor shaft 13. In the present embodiment, the end of the second axial side L2 of the axial portion 21 is the end of the first axial side L1 of the rotor shaft 13 so that the axial portion 21 is positioned inside the radial direction R of the rotor shaft 13 The ends are connected by spline engagement. An end portion of the axial first side L1 of the shaft portion 21 is rotatably supported by the first side wall portion 52 of the case 5 via the first input bearing 93. Further, a portion of the shaft portion 21 on the first axial side L1 relative to the connection portion with the rotor shaft 13 is rotatably supported by the support member 7 via the second input bearing 94. Thus, the axial portion 21 is rotatably supported by the first side wall portion 52 and the support member 7, whereby the end portion of the first side L 1 in the axial direction of the input member 2 is rotatably supported by the first side wall portion 52. The end of the second axial side L2 of the input member 2 is rotatably supported by the support member 7.

  The driving gear 22 is a gear for transmitting the driving force from the rotating electrical machine 1 to the counter gear mechanism 3. The drive gear 22 is provided on the shaft portion 21. The drive gear 22 is disposed between the first input bearing 93 and the second input bearing 94. In the present embodiment, the drive gear 22 is disposed adjacent to the second input side 93 with respect to the first input bearing 93. Further, in the present embodiment, the drive gear 22 is integrally formed with the shaft portion 21.

  The counter gear mechanism 3 is disposed between the input member 2 and the differential gear device 4 in the drive force transmission path. The counter gear mechanism 3 rotates around a second axis A2 different from the first axis A1 which is the rotational axis of the rotary electric machine 1 and the input member 2. That is, the counter gear mechanism 3 is disposed on the second axis A2 different from the first axis A1. The counter gear mechanism 3 has a counter shaft 31, a first gear 32 meshing with a drive gear 22 provided on the input member 2, and a second gear 33 meshing with a differential input gear 41 of the differential gear device 4. ing.

  The countershaft 31 extends along the axial direction L. The end of the first axial side L 1 of the counter shaft 31 is rotatably supported by the first side wall 52 of the case 5 via a first counter bearing 95. The end of the second axial side L 2 of the counter shaft 31 is rotatably supported by the support member 7 via a second counter bearing 96. As described above, the counter shaft 31 is rotatably supported by the first side wall 52 and the support member 7 so that the end of the first axial side L1 of the counter gear mechanism 3 can be rotated by the first side wall 52. The end of the second axial side L2 of the counter gear mechanism 3 is rotatably supported by the support member 7.

  The first gear 32 is an input element of the counter gear mechanism 3. The first gear 32 meshes with the drive gear 22 of the input member 2. The first gear 32 is provided on the counter shaft 31 so as to rotate integrally with the counter shaft 31. In the present embodiment, the first gear 32 is coupled to the counter shaft 31 by spline engagement so as to rotate integrally with the counter shaft 31. The first gear 32 is disposed between the first counter bearing 95 and the second counter bearing 96, and on the second axial side L2 in the axial direction with respect to the second gear 33. In the present embodiment, the first gear 32 is disposed adjacent to the second counter bearing 96 in the axial direction first side L1.

  The second gear 33 is an output element of the counter gear mechanism 3. The second gear 33 meshes with a differential input gear 41 of the differential gear device 4 described later. In the present embodiment, the second gear 33 is formed smaller in diameter than the first gear 32. The second gear 33 is provided on the counter shaft 31 so as to rotate integrally with the counter shaft 31. In the present embodiment, the second gear 33 is integrally formed with the countershaft 31. The second gear 33 is arranged to be coaxial with the first gear 32. Furthermore, the second gear 33 is disposed between the first counter bearing 95 and the second counter bearing 96, and on the first axial side L1 with respect to the first gear 32 in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the second gear 33 is disposed to be adjacent to the second counter side 95 in the axial direction with respect to the first counter bearing 95.

  The differential gear device 4 transmits the driving force from the rotating electrical machine 1 transmitted through the input member 2 and the counter gear mechanism 3 to the first wheel via the first drive shaft DS1 and the second drive shaft DS2, respectively. And the second wheel. The differential gear device 4 has a differential input gear 41, a differential case 42, a pinion shaft 43, a pair of pinion gears 44, and a first side gear 45 and a second side gear 46. In the present embodiment, the pair of pinion gears 44 and the first side gear 45 and the second side gear 46 are all bevel gears. That is, the differential gear device 4 is a bevel gear type differential gear device.

  The differential input gear 41 is an input element of the differential gear device 4. The differential input gear 41 meshes with the second gear 33 of the counter gear mechanism 3. The differential input gear 41 rotates about a third axis A3 different from the first axis A1 which is the rotational axis of the rotary electric machine 1 and the input member 2 and the second axis A2 which is the rotational axis of the counter gear mechanism 3 Do. The differential input gear 41 is coupled to the differential case 42 so as to rotate integrally with the differential case 42. The differential input gear 41 is disposed at the outermost side in the radial direction R of the differential gear device 4.

  The differential case 42 rotates around the third axis A3 integrally with the differential input gear 41. The differential case 42 is a hollow member, and the pinion shaft 43, the pair of pinion gears 44, and the first side gear 45 and the second side gear 46 are accommodated therein. The differential case 42 is disposed at a position overlapping the first gear 32 in the axial direction L view. The first side gear 45 is connected to a first drive shaft DS1 drivingly connected to the first wheel, and the second side gear 46 is connected to a second drive shaft DS2 drivingly connected to the second wheel. A gear mechanism 47 is configured by the pair of pinion gears 44, the first side gear 45, and the second side gear 46, and the differential case 42 accommodates the gear mechanism 47.

  In the present embodiment, with regard to the arrangement of the two members, “overlap in a specific direction view” refers to the case where a virtual straight line parallel to the viewing direction is moved in each direction orthogonal to the virtual straight line. It indicates that there is a region where the virtual straight line intersects both of the two members.

  An end of the first axial side L 1 of the differential case 42 is rotatably supported by the first side wall 52 of the case 5 via a first differential bearing 97. An end of the second axial side L2 of the differential case 42 is rotatably supported by the support member 7 via a second differential bearing 98. Thus, the differential case 42 is rotatably supported by the first side wall 52 and the support member 7, whereby the end of the first axial side L 1 of the differential gear device 4 is rotated to the first side wall 52. The end portion of the second axial side L2 of the differential gear unit 4 is rotatably supported by the support member 7 so as to be supported. In the present embodiment, the differential case 42 is a closed case in which oil holes for introducing oil into the differential case 42 from the outside in the radial direction R with respect to the third axis A3 are not formed. It has become. Therefore, the thickness of the differential case 42 is smaller than that of a general open case having oil holes in the radial direction R, and the outer shape is smaller.

  The end of the second side L2 in the axial direction of the first drive shaft DS1 is connected to the first side gear 45. The first drive shaft DS1 is disposed on the third axis A3. The first drive shaft DS1 extends from the differential gear device 4 to the first axial side L1 and extends through the first side wall 52 to the outside of the case 5.

An end of the first axial side L1 of the intermediate member 8 is connected to the second side gear 46. The intermediate member 8 is disposed on the third axis A3. An end of the second axial side L2 of the intermediate member 8 is rotatably supported by the second side wall 53 via an intermediate bearing 99. The intermediate member 8 extends in the axial direction L through the through hole 71 formed in the support member 7 and the end of the first axial side L1 of the intermediate member 8 is connected to the differential gear device 4 There is. Then, at least a part of the intermediate member 8 is accommodated inside the case 5.
Further, an end of the second axial side L2 of the intermediate member 8 is connected to the second drive shaft DS2. In the present embodiment, the intermediate member 8 and the second drive shaft DS2 are integrally formed. The second drive shaft DS2 extends through the second side wall 53 to the outside of the case 5.

  In the differential gear device 4 configured as described above, as described above, the differential input gear 41 and the differential case 42 rotate around the third axis A3. That is, the differential gear device 4 is disposed on the third axis A3 different from the first axis A1 and the second axis A2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the case 5 has a peripheral wall 51, a first side wall 52, and a second side wall 53. The peripheral wall 51 surrounds the outer side in the radial direction R of the rotary electric machine 1, the input member 2, the counter gear mechanism 3, and the differential gear device 4. The peripheral wall portion 51 is formed in a tubular shape extending in the axial direction L. The first side wall portion 52 surrounds the axial direction first side L 1 of the input member 2, the counter gear mechanism 3, and the differential gear device 4, and is provided on the axial first side L 1 with respect to the peripheral wall portion 51 There is. The first side wall portion 52 is formed in a plate shape extending in the radial direction R. The second side wall 53 surrounds the second axial side L2 of the rotary electric machine 1 and is provided on the second axial side L2 with respect to the peripheral wall 51. The second side wall portion 53 is formed in a plate shape extending in the radial direction R.

  The circumferential wall portion 51 is configured of a first circumferential wall portion 511 and a second circumferential wall portion 512 joined to the first circumferential wall portion 511 from the axial second side L2. In the present embodiment, the first peripheral wall 511 and the first side wall 52 are integrally formed, and the second peripheral wall 512 and the second side wall 53 are integrally formed. That is, the case 5 includes a first case portion including the first peripheral wall portion 511 and the first side wall portion 52, and a second case portion including the second peripheral wall portion 512 and the second side wall portion 53, And consists of two case parts.

  At an end portion of the second peripheral wall portion 511 in the axial direction second side L2, a first boss portion B1 that protrudes outward in the radial direction R from the main body portion of the first peripheral wall portion 511 is formed. At an end of the first peripheral side L1 of the second peripheral wall 512, a second boss B2 is formed which protrudes outward in the radial direction R from the main body of the second peripheral wall 512. The first peripheral wall portion 511 and the second peripheral wall portion 512 are joined in a state in which the first boss portion B1 and the second boss portion B2 are fastened using a fastening member such as a bolt. Further, between the first boss B1 of the first peripheral wall 511 and the second boss B2 of the second peripheral wall 512, oil leaks from the inside of the first peripheral wall 511 and the second peripheral wall 512. A sealing material (not shown) is provided to prevent As this sealing material, for example, a liquid gasket or the like is suitably used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle drive device 100 is provided with an oil reservoir 54 in which oil is stored. The oil reservoir 54 is formed in the lower space in the case 5. The height of the oil level of the oil reservoir 54 changes depending on the amount of oil present in each part including each oil passage provided in the vehicle drive device 100. In the present embodiment, the height of the oil surface of the oil storage portion 54 in the vehicle stop state where the rotation of the plurality of wheels is stopped (the steady state after a certain period of time has elapsed while the vehicle is stopped) The height of the oil surface of the oil storage portion 54 in the vehicle traveling state in which a plurality of wheels are rotating (the state in which the vehicle is traveling) is set to the second height H2. Further, in the present embodiment, the first height H1 is the height of the oil surface of the oil storage portion 54 when the vehicle is stopped on the flat road, and the second height H2 is the vehicle based on the flat road The height of the oil surface of the oil storage portion 54 in a state in which the vehicle moves straight at a speed (for example, 50 km / h) (that is, a state in which no inertia force is applied to the oil storage portion 54) is used.

  The oil reservoir 54 is on the lower side with respect to the imaginary plane F including the first axis A1 and the third axis A3. In the vehicle drive device 100, the second axis A2 is disposed on the same lower side as the oil storage portion 54 with respect to the virtual plane F. In the present embodiment, not only the second axis A2 but the entire counter gear mechanism 3 is disposed below the virtual plane F. Further, in the present embodiment, the vertical direction X is the vertical direction when the vehicle is stopped on a flat road.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle drive device 100 includes a first cover member 61 and a second cover member 62. The first cover member 61 and the second cover member 62 are fixed to the case 5. The first cover member 61 is arranged to separate the counter gear mechanism 3 and the oil of the oil reservoir 54. The second cover member 62 is arranged to separate the differential gear device 4 and the oil of the oil reservoir 54.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first cover member 61 divides a first portion 611 that divides the first gear 32 from the oil of the oil reservoir 54, and a second that divides the second gear 33 and the oil reservoir 54. And a portion 612. The first portion 611 has a cylindrical portion surrounding the outer side in the radial direction R of the first gear 32 and a portion surrounding both sides in the axial direction L of the first gear 32. The second portion 612 has a cylindrical portion surrounding the outer side in the radial direction R of the second gear 33. In the present embodiment, the space inside the second portion 612 communicates with the space inside the first portion 611 on the second axial side L2, and the first portion 611 and the second portion 612 are integrated. It is formed. Further, since the first axial side L1 of the second gear 33 is surrounded by the first side wall portion 52, the second portion 612 is opened to the first axial side L1, and the shaft of the second gear 33 is opened. There is no part surrounding the direction first side L1.

  The first cover member 61 is formed with a first opening 613 and a second opening 614. The first opening 613 is formed in the first portion 611. The second opening 614 is formed in the second portion 612. The first gear 32 meshes with the drive gear 22 through the first opening 613. The second gear 33 meshes with the differential input gear 41 through the second opening 614. The first opening 613 and the second opening 614 are formed to open above the second height H2. In the present embodiment, both the first opening 613 and the second opening 614 are formed to open above the first height H1. That is, the first opening 613 and the second opening 614 are formed at a position higher than the oil level of the oil reservoir 54 in the vehicle traveling state. In the present embodiment, the first opening 613 and the second opening 614 are connected to form one opening.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first cover member 61 is provided with an oil introducing hole 615 for introducing the oil of the oil reservoir 54 to the counter gear mechanism 3 side. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the oil introduction hole 615 is formed in a portion of the first cover member 61 surrounding the second side L 2 in the axial direction of the first gear 32. It is preferable that the oil introduction hole 615 is disposed below the second height H2 which is the height of the oil surface of the oil reservoir 54 in the vehicle traveling state. Thus, oil is always introduced into the inside of the first cover member 61 from the oil introduction hole 615 even when the vehicle is traveling. Therefore, it is possible to properly lubricate the counter gear mechanism 3 in the vehicle traveling state. In the present embodiment, the oil introduction hole 615 is the outer side of the radial direction R with respect to the second axis A2 with respect to the end of the second gear 33 on the outer side of the radial direction R, and the axial direction L It is provided in the position which overlaps with the 1st gear 32 visually.

  Then, the oil stored in the oil storage portion 54 is introduced into the first cover member 61 through the oil introduction hole 615, and the introduced oil lubricates the counter gear mechanism 3. Here, in the stopped state where the counter gear mechanism 3 is not rotating, the height of the oil surface in the first cover member 61 matches the height of the oil surface of the oil reservoir 54. On the other hand, when the counter gear mechanism 3 is rotating, the oil in the first cover member 61 is transmitted through the first opening 613 and the second opening 614 by the rotation of the first gear 32 and the second gear 33. It is discharged to the outside of the member 61. Therefore, the amount of oil present around the counter gear mechanism 3 inside the first cover member 61 corresponds to the amount of oil introduced inside the first cover member 61 through the oil introduction hole 615 It is determined by the balance with the amount of oil scraped out of the first cover member 61 by the rotation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the size (flow passage cross-sectional area) of the oil introduction hole 615 is set so that the minimum amount of oil necessary for the lubrication of the counter gear mechanism 3 is introduced through the oil introduction hole 615. ing. Thereby, while appropriately lubricating the counter gear mechanism 3, the decrease in energy efficiency due to the stirring of the oil by the counter gear mechanism 3 is minimized. The method of setting the size of the oil introduction hole 615 may be other than this.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an oil passage 81 for supplying oil to the differential gear device 4 is formed in the intermediate member 8. In the present embodiment, the intermediate member 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction L, and an oil passage 81 is formed inside the intermediate member 8. The oil passage 81 is formed along the axial direction L, and the end of the first axial side L1 communicates with the inside of the differential case 42. In the vicinity of the end of the second axial side L2 of the oil passage 81, a supply passage 82 to which oil pressure from a hydraulic pump (not shown) is supplied is communicated. Thus, lubricating oil is supplied to the gear mechanism of the differential gear device 4 in the differential case 42 via the oil passage 81 of the intermediate member 8.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a gap 625 is formed between the lower portion of the second cover member 62 and the inner surface of the case 5. The oil stored in the oil storage portion 54 is introduced into the second cover member 62 through the gap 625, and the introduced oil lubricates the differential input gear 41 of the differential gear device 4. Here, in the stopped state in which the differential gear device 4 is not rotating, the height of the oil surface in the second cover member 62 matches the height of the oil surface of the oil reservoir 54. On the other hand, when the differential gear device 4 is rotating, the oil in the second cover member 62 is transferred to the meshing portion between the second cover member 62 and the second gear 33 by the rotation of the differential input gear 41. The second cover member 62 is discharged to the outside through the formed opening. Therefore, the amount of oil present around the differential gear device 4 inside the second cover member 62 corresponds to the amount of oil introduced inside the second cover member 62 through the gap 625 and the amount of the differential input gear 41. It is determined by the balance with the amount of oil scraped out of the second cover member 62 by the rotation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the size (flow passage cross-sectional area) of the gap 625 is set such that the minimum amount of oil necessary for the lubrication of the differential input gear 41 is introduced through the gap 625. Thereby, while appropriately lubricating the differential input gear 41, the decrease in energy efficiency due to the stirring of the oil by the differential input gear 41 is minimized. In addition, the setting method of the magnitude | size of the clearance gap 625 may be methods other than this.

3. Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the vehicle drive device will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, the configuration including the second cover member 62 that divides the differential gear device 4 and the oil of the oil reservoir 54 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. May not be provided.

(2) In the above embodiment, the first cover member 61 has been described by way of example as having the oil introducing hole 615 for introducing the oil of the oil reservoir 54 to the counter gear mechanism 3 side. The configuration without the 615 may be employed. In this case, an oil passage for supplying oil to the counter gear mechanism 3 may be formed on the counter shaft 31.

(3) In the above embodiment, the sealed case in which the differential case 42 of the differential gear device 4 has no oil hole for introducing oil into the differential case 42 from the outside in the radial direction R. Although the configuration is described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. The differential case 42 may be an open case having an oil hole in the radial direction R. In this case, the intermediate member 8 may not be provided with the oil passage 81 for supplying the oil to the differential gear device 4.

(4) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in the other embodiments as long as no contradiction arises. As for the other configurations, the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

4. Outline of the Embodiment Hereinafter, an outline of the vehicle drive device described above will be described.

  The vehicle drive device includes a rotating electric machine (1) serving as a driving force source for a plurality of wheels, an input member (2) drivingly connected to the rotating electric machine (1), a counter gear mechanism (3), and the input A differential gear device (4) for distributing the driving force from the rotating electric machine (1) transmitted through the member (2) and the counter gear mechanism (3) to the plurality of wheels; 1) A case (5) for housing the input member (2), the counter gear mechanism (3), and the differential gear device (4), and an oil provided at a lower portion in the case (5) The rotary electric machine (1) and the input member (2) are disposed on the first shaft (A1), and are provided with an oil reservoir (54) to be stored and a first cover member (61). The counter gear mechanism (3) is disposed on a second shaft (A2) different from the first shaft (A1). The differential gear device (4) is disposed on a third axis (A3) different from the first axis (A1) and the second axis (A2), and the second axis (A2) is the first axis. The first cover member (61) is disposed on the same side as the oil reservoir (54) with respect to an imaginary plane (F) including one axis (A1) and the third axis (A3), and the first gear (61) It arrange | positions so that the mechanism (3) and the oil of the said oil storage part (54) may be divided.

  According to this configuration, the counter gear mechanism (3) can be disposed relatively below the same side as the oil reservoir (54). As a result, as compared with the case where the counter gear mechanism (3) is disposed on the opposite side to the oil storage portion (54) with respect to the virtual plane (F), a spatial margin is secured at the top of the vehicle drive device. easy. On the other hand, by arranging the second shaft (A2) on the same side as the oil storage portion (54) with respect to the virtual plane (F), the oil stored in the oil storage portion (54) is the counter gear mechanism (3) It becomes easy to get soaked. However, according to this configuration, by providing the first cover member (61) that divides the counter gear mechanism (3) and the oil stored in the oil reservoir (54), the counter gear mechanism (3) Thus, it is possible to make it difficult to cause the situation where it keeps rotating in the state of being immersed in the oil stored in the oil storage portion (54). Therefore, the fall of the energy efficiency by stirring the oil stored by the oil storage part (54) by a counter gear mechanism (3) can be suppressed.

  Here, a second cover member (62) is further provided, and the second cover member (62) is disposed so as to separate the differential gear device (4) and the oil of the oil reservoir (54). Is preferable.

  According to this configuration, by providing the second cover member (62) that divides the differential gear device (4) and the oil stored in the oil storage portion (54), the differential gear device (4) Thus, it is possible to make it difficult to cause the situation where it keeps rotating in the state of being immersed in the oil stored in the oil storage portion (54). Therefore, the fall of the energy efficiency by stirring the oil stored by the oil storage part (54) by a differential gear (4) can be suppressed.

  An intermediate member (8) disposed on the third shaft (A3) and connected to the differential gear device (4) is further provided, wherein the intermediate member (8) includes the differential gear device. It is preferable that an oil passage (81) for supplying oil to (4) is formed.

  According to this configuration, lubricating oil can be supplied to the differential gear (4) through the intermediate member (8). Therefore, even when the amount of oil supplied from the periphery to the differential gear device (4) is small, the differential gear device (4) can be prevented from becoming insufficient in lubrication.

  In addition, the differential gear device (4) includes a differential case (42) that accommodates a gear mechanism (47), and the difference from the outer side in the radial direction (R) with respect to the third axis (A3) It is preferable that an oil hole for introducing oil into the moving case (42) is not formed in the differential case (42).

  According to this configuration, compared to the case where the oil hole is formed in the differential case (42), sufficient strength is ensured for the differential case (42) while the thickness of the differential case (42) is reduced. easy. Therefore, it is easy to miniaturize and lighten the differential case (42), and it is also easy to miniaturize the vehicle drive device.

  Preferably, the first cover member (61) includes an introduction oil hole (615) for introducing the oil of the oil reservoir (54) to the counter gear mechanism (3) side.

  According to this configuration, since the oil of the oil storage portion (54) can be introduced inside the first cover member (61) through the oil introduction hole (615), the counter gear mechanism (3) is unlikely to be in a state of insufficient lubrication. You can do so. Also, the amount of oil present around the counter gear mechanism (3) inside the first cover member (61) is the same as that of the oil introduced into the inside of the first cover member (61) through the oil introduction hole (615). It is determined by the balance between the amount and the amount of oil scraped out of the first cover member (61) by the rotation of the counter gear mechanism (3). Therefore, by appropriately setting the size of the oil introduction hole (615), appropriate lubrication of the counter gear mechanism (3) and suppression of a decrease in energy efficiency due to agitation of oil by the counter gear mechanism (3) It is possible to make the balance with

  The technique according to the present disclosure can be used for a vehicle drive device provided with a rotating electrical machine, an input member, a counter gear mechanism, a differential gear device, and a case that accommodates these.

1: Rotating electric machine 2: Input member 3: Counter gear mechanism 4: Differential gear device 42: Differential case 47: Gear mechanism 5: Case 54: Oil reservoir 61: First cover member 615: Oil introduction hole 62: No. 2 cover member 8: intermediate member 81: oil passage A1: first axis A2: second axis A3: third axis F: imaginary plane R: radial direction

Claims (5)

A rotating electrical machine that is a driving force source for multiple wheels,
An input member drivingly connected to the rotating electrical machine;
A counter gear mechanism,
A differential gear device that distributes the driving force from the rotating electrical machine transmitted through the input member and the counter gear mechanism to the plurality of wheels;
A case for housing the rotary electric machine, the input member, the counter gear mechanism, and the differential gear device;
An oil storage portion provided at a lower portion in the case and storing oil;
A first cover member,
The rotating electrical machine and the input member are disposed on a first axis,
The counter gear mechanism is disposed on a second shaft different from the first shaft,
The differential gear device is disposed on a third axis different from the first axis and the second axis,
The second axis is disposed on the same side as the oil reservoir with respect to a virtual plane including the first axis and the third axis,
The first cover member is disposed to divide the counter gear mechanism and the oil of the oil reservoir. It further comprises a second cover member,
The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein the second cover member is arranged to separate the differential gear device and the oil of the oil reservoir. An intermediate member disposed on the third shaft and coupled to the differential gear device,
The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein an oil passage for supplying oil to the differential gear device is formed in the intermediate member. The differential gear mechanism includes a differential case that accommodates the gear mechanism,
The oil hole for introduce | transducing oil in the said differential case from the outer side in the radial direction on the basis of the said 3rd axis | shaft is not formed in the said 2nd cover member in any one of Claim 1 to 3 The vehicle drive device according to claim 1. The vehicle drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first cover member includes an introduction oil hole for introducing the oil of the oil storage portion to the counter gear mechanism side.

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