JP2020018143A - Vehicle driving device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle driving device which can inhibit enlargement even if a passage which connects a refrigerant passage for cooling a heating part of an inverter device with another cooling object is provided.SOLUTION: A vehicle driving device 100 includes: a rotary electric machine serving as a driving power source of a wheel; an inverter device 1 which controls the rotary electric machine; a bracket 2 to which the inverter device 1 is attached; and a case 3 which houses the rotary electric machine and to which the bracket 2 is attached. The bracket 2 has a first refrigerant passage 54 which is a passage for supplying a refrigerant to a heating part of the inverter device 1. A cooling object other than the inverter device 1 is attached to the case 3. Connection passages 55, 56 which connect the first refrigerant passage 54 with a second refrigerant passage which is a refrigerant passage provided at the cooling object are provided at an interior of the case 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular drive device provided with a rotating electric machine that serves as a driving force source for wheels and an inverter device that controls the rotating electric machine.

  In a vehicle drive device including a rotating electric machine and an inverter device, it is usually necessary to cool the heat generating portion of the inverter device. In addition, such a vehicle drive device includes a coil or a rotor of a rotating electric machine, or an oil cooler for lowering the temperature of oil for cooling these components, such as an oil cooler that requires cooling by a refrigerant other than the inverter device. There is an object.

  Patent Literature 1 listed below discloses an example of an inverter device including a cooling module provided with a refrigerant path for cooling a switching element as a heat generating unit. Hereinafter, in the description of the background art, the member names and reference numerals in Patent Document 1 are quoted in parentheses.

  The refrigerant passage provided in the cooling module (cooling module 50) provided in the inverter device (inverter 100) of Patent Document 1 has a port (inflow port 55) into which the refrigerant flows and a port (outflow port 57) through which the refrigerant flows (outflow port 57). Have. These ports are provided on a tubular portion formed so as to protrude outside the side wall of the case (the case 20) accommodating the inverter device. Therefore, when a flow path connected to an object to be cooled other than the inverter device is connected to these ports, the flow path is disposed outside the case, and there is a problem that the vehicle drive device is easily increased in size.

JP 2013-39017 A (FIGS. 2 and 5)

  Therefore, it is desired that the vehicle drive device can be prevented from being increased in size even when a flow path that connects a refrigerant path for cooling the heat generating portion of the inverter device and another object to be cooled is provided.

In view of the above, the characteristic configuration of the vehicle drive device is as follows:
A rotating electric machine serving as a driving force source for wheels;
An inverter device for controlling the rotating electric machine;
A bracket to which the inverter device is attached;
A case in which the rotating electric machine is housed, and the bracket is mounted,
The bracket has a first refrigerant path that is a flow path for supplying a refrigerant to a heat generating portion of the inverter device,
An object to be cooled other than the inverter device is attached to the case,
A connection flow path for connecting the first refrigerant path and a second refrigerant path, which is a flow path of the refrigerant provided in the object to be cooled, is provided inside the case.

  According to this characteristic configuration, the connection flow path that connects the first refrigerant path provided on the bracket to which the inverter device is attached and the second refrigerant path provided on the object to be cooled other than the inverter device has a bracket. It is provided inside the case to be attached. Therefore, there is no need to secure a space for disposing the connection flow path outside the case. Therefore, even in the case of providing a connection flow path for connecting a refrigerant path for cooling the heat generating portion of the inverter device and another object to be cooled, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the vehicle drive device.

Skeleton diagram of the vehicle drive device according to the embodiment FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle drive device according to the embodiment. III-III sectional view in FIG. IV-IV sectional view in FIG. VV sectional view in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the vehicle drive device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle drive device 100 according to the embodiment is a drive device mounted on a vehicle that uses the rotary electric machine MG as a driving force source for a pair of wheels W.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle driving device 100 includes a rotating electric machine MG serving as a driving force source for a pair of wheels W, an input shaft I drivingly connected to the rotating electric machine MG, a counter gear mechanism CG, and an input shaft. And a differential gear unit DF for distributing the driving force transmitted from the rotary electric machine MG transmitted via the I and the counter gear mechanism CG to each of the pair of wheels W.

  Here, “drive connection” refers to a state in which two rotating elements are connected to be able to transmit a driving force, and a state in which the two rotating elements are connected so as to rotate integrally, or This includes a state in which the rotating element is connected so as to be able to transmit a driving force via one or more transmission members. Such transmission members include various members that transmit rotation at the same speed or at a variable speed, such as a shaft, a gear mechanism, a belt, and a chain. Note that the transmission member may include an engagement device that selectively transmits rotation and driving force, for example, a friction engagement device, a meshing engagement device, or the like.

  The rotating electric machine MG functions as a driving force source for the pair of wheels W. The rotating electrical machine MG has a function as a motor (electric motor) that receives power and generates power, and a function as a generator (generator) that receives power and generates power. The rotating electric machine MG includes a stator fixed to a non-rotating member (for example, a case 3 described later), and a rotor rotatably supported by the stator.

  The input shaft I is drivingly connected to the rotary electric machine MG. Specifically, input shaft I is connected to a rotor of rotating electrical machine MG. Input shaft I is arranged coaxially with rotating electrical machine MG. The input shaft I is drivingly connected to a drive gear DG. The drive gear DG is a gear that transmits a driving force from the rotating electric machine MG to the counter gear mechanism CG.

  The counter gear mechanism CG has a first gear G1, a second gear G2, and a counter shaft CS. The first gear G1 is an input element of the counter gear mechanism CG. The first gear G1 meshes with the drive gear DG. The second gear G2 is an output element of the counter gear mechanism CG. The second gear G2 meshes with a differential input gear IG that is an input element of the differential gear device DF. In the present embodiment, the second gear G2 has a smaller diameter than the first gear G1. The counter shaft CS supports the first gear G1 and the second gear G2 so as to rotate integrally therewith. Counter shaft CS is arranged on a separate axis from rotating electrical machine MG.

  The differential gear unit DF is drivingly connected to wheels W via an axle DS. The differential gear device DF is arranged on a different shaft from the rotating electric machine MG. Further, the differential gear device DF is arranged on a separate shaft from the counter gear mechanism CG. The differential gear device DF is configured to include, for example, a plurality of bevel gears that mesh with each other. The differential gear device DF distributes and transmits rotation and torque input to the differential input gear IG to the pair of wheels W. Accordingly, vehicle drive device 100 can cause the vehicle to travel by transmitting the torque of rotating electrical machine MG to the pair of wheels W.

  As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the vehicle drive device 100 accommodates the inverter device 1 that controls the rotating electric machine MG, the bracket 2 to which the inverter device 1 is attached, and the rotating electric machine MG, and the bracket 2 is attached. And a case 3. In FIG. 5, the external shapes of the rotating electrical machine MG, the input shaft I, the counter shaft CS of the counter gear mechanism CG, and the differential gear device DF are represented by two-dot chain lines.

  In the following description, the axial direction of the rotary electric machine MG is referred to as “axial direction L”, and the direction orthogonal to the axial direction L when viewed in the vertical direction is referred to as “front-back direction D”. In the axial direction L, the rotary electric machine MG side with respect to the counter gear mechanism CG is referred to as “first axial side L1”, and the opposite side is referred to as “second axial side L2”. Further, in the front-rear direction D, the side of the differential gear device DF with respect to the counter gear mechanism CG is referred to as “front side D1”, and the side of the rotary electric machine MG with respect to the counter gear mechanism CG is referred to as “rear side D2”. Further, the vertical direction is defined as “vertical direction V”, and the upper and lower sides of the vertical direction V are defined as “upper side V1” and “lower side V2”, respectively. In addition, the direction about each member represents the direction in the state where they were assembled to the vehicle drive device 100. In addition, the terms related to the direction, position, and the like of each member are concepts including a state in which there is a difference due to an allowable error in manufacturing.

  The inverter device 1 includes a power module 11 having a plurality of switching elements forming an inverter circuit, a control board 12 on which a control device for controlling the inverter circuit is mounted, and a voltage between positive and negative electrodes on the DC side of the inverter circuit. And a smoothing capacitor 13 to be formed. In the present embodiment, the power module 11 and the smoothing capacitor 13 are arranged on the upper side V1 of the bracket 2 and are fixed to the bracket 2. Then, the control board 12 is arranged on the upper side V1 of the power module 11 and is fixed to the power module 11.

  The bracket 2 is configured so that the inverter device 1 is attached and the case 3 is attached. In the present embodiment, the bracket 2 is formed in a plate shape extending in the axial direction L and the front-back direction D. In the present embodiment, the bracket 2 is fixed to the case 3 by a fixing member (not shown) such as a bolt.

  The case 3 includes a first housing portion 31 that houses the inverter device 1, a second housing portion 32 that houses the rotating electric machine MG, and a third housing that houses a gear mechanism G disposed on a shaft separate from the rotating electric machine MG. A part 33. In the present embodiment, the counter gear mechanism CG and the differential gear device DF correspond to the gear mechanism G.

  The first housing section 31 is a space for housing the inverter device 1. In the illustrated example, the upper part of the first storage part 31 is open. The opening is closed by a cover (not shown) with the inverter device 1 housed in the first housing 31. The second housing part 32 is a space for housing the rotating electrical machine MG. The second accommodating portion 32 is located on the lower side V2 with respect to the first accommodating portion 31 and is located closer to the rear side D2 than the center portion of the case 3 in the front-rear direction D. The third housing part 33 is a space for housing the gear mechanism G. The third housing portion 33 is disposed on the lower side V2 with respect to the first housing portion 31 and on the second axial side L2 with respect to the second housing portion 32.

  The case 3 has an outer wall 34 that forms an outline of the case 3 and an inner wall 35 that is arranged inside the outer wall 34.

  The outer wall 34 includes a first outer wall portion 341 forming the first housing portion 31, a second outer wall portion 342 forming the second housing portion 32, and a third outer wall portion 343 forming the third housing portion 33. Including. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, in the present embodiment, an oil cooler 4 for cooling the lubricating oil of the vehicle drive device 100 is attached to the third outer wall 343. The oil cooler 4 corresponds to a “cooling target” other than the inverter device 1.

  The inner wall 35 is formed so as to partition the first housing part 31, the second housing part 32, and the third housing part 33. The inner wall 35 includes a first inner wall 351 and a second inner wall 352.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first inner wall 351 is disposed on the lower side V <b> 2 with respect to the bracket 2 housed in the first housing 31. In the present embodiment, the first inner wall portion 351 extends along the axial direction L and the front-back direction D. The end of the first inner wall 351 on the first side in the axial direction is connected to the first outer wall 341. On the upper surface of the first inner wall portion 351, a first seating surface 351a for supporting the bracket 2 is formed. Specifically, the bracket 2 is formed with a first protruding portion 21 protruding from the lower side V <b> 2, and a first contact surface 21 a is formed on a lower end surface of the first protruding portion 21. Then, when the bracket 2 is attached to the case 3, the first contact surface 21a of the bracket 2 contacts the first seat surface 351a of the first inner wall portion 351. In the present embodiment, the first seat surface 351a and the first contact surface 21a are formed as flat surfaces along the axial direction L and the front-rear direction D.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second inner wall portion 352 is disposed on the lower side V <b> 2 with respect to the bracket 2 and on the first axial side L <b> 1 with respect to the third housing portion 33. The second inner wall portion 352 extends in the up-down direction V and the front-back direction D so as to cover the first side L1 in the axial direction with respect to the third housing portion 33. On the upper surface of the second inner wall portion 352, a second seating surface 352a that supports the bracket 2 is formed. Specifically, in addition to the first projecting portion 21, the bracket 2 is formed with a second projecting portion 22 projecting to the lower side V <b> 2, and a lower end surface of the second projecting portion 22 has a second contact surface 22 a. Are formed. Then, when the bracket 2 is attached to the case 3, the second contact surface 22a of the bracket 2 contacts the second seat surface 352a of the second inner wall portion 352. In the present embodiment, the second seat surface 352a and the second contact surface 22a are formed as flat surfaces along the axial direction L and the front-back direction D. As shown in FIG. 5, a first support portion 354 and a second support portion 355 are formed on the second inner wall portion 352. The first support portion 354 is formed to support the input shaft I via a bearing. The second support portion 355 is formed to support the counter shaft CS of the counter gear mechanism CG via a bearing.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the vehicle drive device 100 includes a refrigerant path 5 through which a refrigerant such as cooling water flows. In the present embodiment, the refrigerant path 5 includes a first flow path 51, a second flow path 52, a third flow path 53, a fourth flow path 54, a fifth flow path 55, and a sixth flow path 56. And a seventh flow path 57.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first flow path 51 is formed on the first inner wall 351 along the axial direction L. The first flow path 51 has a supply port 511 that is an opening for flowing the refrigerant into the first flow path 51, a first inner wall port 512 that is an opening for flowing the refrigerant from the first flow path 51, have.

  The supply port 511 is formed in the first outer wall portion 341 at the first axial side L1 and opens toward the first axial side L1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the supply port 511 is opened on the wall surface of the first outer wall portion 341 on the first axial side L1. The supply port 511 is arranged at the end of the front side D1 on the wall surface. The supply member 6 is connected to the supply port 511.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the supply member 6 has a first supply unit 61 and a second supply unit 62. Each of the first supply unit 61 and the second supply unit 62 is formed in a tubular shape. One end of the first supply unit 61 is fitted to the supply port 511. In the present embodiment, the first supply unit 61 is bent such that the other end faces the upper side V1. The second supply unit 62 is fitted to the other end of the first supply unit 61 such that the outer peripheral surface of the first supply unit 61 and the inner peripheral surface of the second supply unit 62 are in contact with each other.

  The first inner wall port 512 opens to the first seating surface 351a of the first inner wall 351 and is formed so that the opening faces the upper side V1.

  The second flow path 52 is formed in the first protrusion 21 of the bracket 2 along the vertical direction V. The second flow path 52 has a first lower port 521 that is an opening through which the refrigerant flows into the second flow path 52, and a first upper port that is an opening through which the refrigerant flows out of the second flow path 52. 522.

  The first lower port 521 opens to the first contact surface 21a of the first protrusion 21 and is formed so that the opening faces the lower side V2. The first lower port 521 is formed at a position where the first lower port 521 communicates with the first inner wall port 512 when the bracket 2 is attached to the case 3. The first upper port 522 opens to the upper surface of the bracket 2 and is formed such that the opening faces the upper side V1. The first upper fitting portion 111 provided on the lower surface of the power module 11 is fitted to the first upper port 522 in a state where the inverter device 1 is mounted on the bracket 2. The first fitting portion 111 is provided on the lower surface of the power module 11 so that its internal space communicates with the upstream side of the third flow path 53.

  The third flow path 53 is a flow path for cooling the heat generating portion of the inverter device 1, that is, the plurality of switching elements of the power module 11. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the third flow path 53 is formed in the power module 11 of the inverter device 1. Specifically, the power module 11 is provided with a heat sink 113 for promoting cooling of a plurality of switching elements, and a third heat sink 113 is provided so that the refrigerant flows between the plurality of fins constituting the heat sink 113. A channel 53 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fourth flow path 54 is formed on the second protrusion 22 of the bracket 2 along the axial direction L. The fourth flow path 54 has a second upper port 541 that is an opening through which the refrigerant flows into the fourth flow path 54 and a second lower port that is an opening through which the refrigerant flows out of the fourth flow path 54. 542.

  The second upper port 541 opens to the upper surface of the bracket 2 and is formed so that the opening faces the upper side V1. The cylindrical second fitting portion 112 provided on the lower surface of the power module 11 is fitted to the second upper port 541 with the inverter device 1 attached to the bracket 2. The second fitting portion 112 is provided on the lower surface of the power module 11 so that its internal space communicates with the downstream side of the third flow path 53. The second lower port 542 opens to the second contact surface 22a of the second protruding portion 22, and is formed such that the opening faces the lower side V2.

  The fifth flow path 55 is formed on the second inner wall portion 352 along the vertical direction V. As shown in FIG. 5, the fifth flow path 55 is disposed so as to pass between the rotary electric machine MG and the differential gear device DF when viewed in an axial direction along the axial direction L of the rotary electric machine MG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fifth flow path 55 has a second inner wall port 551 that is an opening through which the refrigerant flows into the fifth flow path 55. The second inner wall port 551 opens to the second seating surface 352a of the second inner wall 352, and is formed such that the opening faces the upper side V1. The second inner wall port 551 is formed at a position communicating with the second lower port 542 in a state where the bracket 2 is attached to the case 3. The refrigerant flowing out of the fifth flow path 55 flows into the sixth flow path 56. That is, the downstream side of the fifth flow path 55 communicates with the upstream side of the sixth flow path 56.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sixth flow path 56 is formed on the second inner wall portion 352 along the front-rear direction D. The sixth flow path 56 has a discharge port 561 that is an opening through which the refrigerant flows out from the sixth flow path 56. The discharge port 561 is formed at the rear side D2 portion of the third outer wall portion 343, and opens toward the rear side D2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the discharge port 561 is opened in the wall surface of the third outer wall portion 343 on the rear side D2. The discharge port 561 is disposed on the second axial side L2 with respect to the center of the wall surface in the axial direction L. The outlet 561 communicates with the seventh flow path 57.

  The seventh flow path 57 is provided inside the oil cooler 4. The refrigerant flowing through the seventh flow path 57 is discharged to the outside of the vehicle drive device 100 through a cylindrical discharge portion 41 provided so as to protrude to the rear side D2 with respect to the oil cooler 4. The oil cooler 4 includes, in addition to the seventh flow path 57, an oil path through which the lubricating oil of the vehicle drive device 100 flows, an oil flowing through the oil path, and a refrigerant flowing through the seventh flow path 57. And a heat exchanger for exchanging heat.

  In the present embodiment, the second flow path 52 and the fourth flow path 54 correspond to a “first refrigerant path” that is a flow path for supplying a refrigerant to the heat generating portion of the inverter device 1. The seventh flow path 57 corresponds to a “second refrigerant path” that is a flow path of the refrigerant provided in the object to be cooled. Further, the fifth flow path 55 and the sixth flow path 56 are provided inside the case 3 and correspond to “connection flow paths” that connect the first refrigerant path and the second refrigerant path. The first flow path 51 corresponds to a “third refrigerant path” that is a flow path for supplying a refrigerant from outside the case 3 to the first refrigerant path. In the present embodiment, the fifth flow path 55, which is a part of the connection flow path, passes between the rotary electric machine MG and the differential gear device DF, which is a part of the gear mechanism G, in an axial direction. , An arrangement configuration is realized in which “the connection flow path is arranged so as to pass between the rotary electric machine MG and the gear mechanism G when viewed in the axial direction”.

  In the present embodiment, the second lower port 542 opens toward the opposite side (lower side V2) of the bracket 2 from the side where the inverter device 1 is mounted, and the fifth flow path as a connection flow path 55. Therefore, the second lower port 542 corresponds to the “first port”. The first lower port 521 opens toward the opposite side (lower side V2) of the bracket 2 to the side on which the inverter device 1 is mounted, and is connected to the first flow path 51 as a third refrigerant path. ing. Therefore, the first lower port 521 corresponds to a “second port”. Further, the second inner wall port 551 opens to the second seating surface 352a of the second inner wall portion 352, and is connected to the fourth flow passage 54 as a first refrigerant passage. Therefore, the second inner wall port 551 corresponds to a “connection port”.

[Other embodiments]
(1) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the oil cooler 4 is a cooling target other than the inverter device 1 has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such a configuration, for example, the rotating electrical machine MG may be an object to be cooled. Alternatively, the rotating member of the gear mechanism G, a bearing that supports the rotating member, or the like may be the object to be cooled.

(2) In the above embodiment, the first port (the second lower port 542) is open toward the side (lower side V2) of the bracket 2 opposite to the side on which the inverter device 1 is mounted. This has been described as an example. However, the direction in which the first port opens is not limited. The first port is preferably opened toward the inside of the case 3 (for example, the second housing portion 32), regardless of the mounting position of the inverter device 1 with respect to the bracket 2. The same applies to the second port (the first lower port 521).

(3) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the fifth flow path 55 and the sixth flow path 56 are formed on the inner wall 35 of the case 3 has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such a configuration, for example, the fifth flow path 55 and the sixth flow path 56 may be configured by pipes arranged inside the case 3. The same applies to the first flow path 51.

(4) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the second inner wall port 551 is opened in the second seating surface 352a supporting the bracket 2 has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such a configuration, for example, the second inner wall port 551 may be opened in a portion of the second inner wall portion 352 that does not support the bracket 2.

(5) In the above embodiment, the fifth flow path 55 is arranged so as to pass between the rotary electric machine MG and the differential gear device DF when viewed in the axial direction along the axial direction L of the rotary electric machine MG. Has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the fifth flow path 55 is drivingly connected to the rotating electrical machine MG and a gear mechanism G other than the differential gear device DF (for example, a counter gear mechanism CG or a wheel W) when viewed in an axial direction along the axial direction L of the rotating electrical machine MG. (A driven gear or the like). In any case, the fifth flow path 55 and the sixth flow path 56 as connection flow paths may be arranged by using an extra space in the case.

(6) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the first flow path 51 is provided inside the case 3 has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such a configuration, for example, a configuration in which the first flow path 51 is not provided and the second flow path 52 communicates with the outside of the case 3 may be employed.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the rotating electric machine MG is a driving force source of the pair of wheels W has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such a configuration, for example, the rotary electric machine MG may be configured to be a driving force source of one wheel W, or the rotary electric machine MG may include three or more (for example, four) wheels. It may be configured to be a driving force source of W.

(8) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the counter gear mechanism CG and the differential gear device DF are provided as the gear mechanism G in the power transmission path between the rotary electric machine MG and the wheels W has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such a configuration, for example, a configuration in which a stepped or stepless automatic transmission is provided as the gear mechanism G may be used. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the rotating electric machine MG and one wheel W are drivingly connected by a gear mechanism having a fixed speed ratio without the differential gear device DF.

(9) The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be appropriately made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[Overview of the above embodiment]
Hereinafter, the outline of the vehicle drive device (100) described above will be described.

The vehicle drive device (100) includes:
A rotating electric machine (MG) serving as a driving force source for the wheels (W);
An inverter device (1) for controlling the rotating electric machine (MG);
A bracket (2) to which the inverter device (1) is attached;
A case (3) that accommodates the rotating electric machine (MG) and to which the bracket (2) is attached;
The bracket (2) has a first refrigerant path (52, 54) that is a flow path for supplying a refrigerant to a heat generating portion of the inverter device (1),
A cooling object (4) other than the inverter device (1) is attached to the case (3).
A connection flow path (55, 56) connecting the first refrigerant path (52, 54) and a second refrigerant path (57) that is a flow path of the refrigerant provided in the object to be cooled (4). Are provided inside the case (3).

  According to this configuration, the first refrigerant passages (52, 54) provided in the bracket (2) to which the inverter device (1) is attached, and the cooling object (4) other than the inverter device (1) are provided. Connection flow paths (55, 56) connecting the second refrigerant path (57) to the second refrigerant path (57) are provided inside the case (3) to which the bracket (2) is attached. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a space for disposing the connection flow paths (55, 56) outside the case (3). Therefore, even when the connection flow paths (55, 56) for connecting the refrigerant path for cooling the heat generating portion of the inverter device (1) and the other object to be cooled (4) are provided, the vehicle drive device is provided. (100) can be suppressed from increasing in size.

Here, the first refrigerant path (52, 54) has a first port (542) connected to the connection flow path (55, 56),
It is preferable that the first port (542) is open toward the side (V2) of the bracket (2) opposite to the side on which the inverter device (1) is mounted.

  Generally, the bracket (2) is often attached to the case (3) by using a portion (V2) opposite to the side to which the inverter device (1) is attached. Thereby, when attaching the bracket (2) to the case (3), the inverter device (1) can be made hard to interfere with the case (3). According to this configuration, the first port (55, 56) connected to the connection flow path (55, 56) is directed toward the side (V 2) of the bracket (2) opposite to the side on which the inverter device (1) is mounted. 542) is open. Therefore, both the attachment of the bracket (2) to the case (3) and the connection of the connection flow paths (55, 56) to the first port (542) can be easily performed appropriately.

  Further, it is preferable that the connection flow path (55, 56) is formed on an inner wall (35) of the case (3).

  According to this configuration, it is not necessary to form the connection flow paths (55, 56) using a flow path forming member such as a pipe. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the vehicle drive device (100) due to the arrangement of the flow path forming member.

The case (3) has a seat surface (352a) for supporting the bracket (2),
The connection flow path (55, 56) has a connection port (551) connected to the first refrigerant path (52, 54),
It is preferable that the connection port (551) is open to the seat surface (352a).

  According to this configuration, the bracket (2) can be appropriately supported by the seat surface (352a) provided on the case (3). Further, since the connection port (551) connected to the first refrigerant path (52, 54) is open in the seat surface (352a), the first refrigerant path (52, 54) is formed in the seat surface (352a). And the connection flow path (55, 56) can also be performed. Therefore, according to the present configuration, both the attachment of the bracket (2) to the case (3) and the connection of the first refrigerant path (52, 54) to the connection port (551) can be appropriately performed. It will be easier.

The case (3) further accommodates a gear mechanism (G) arranged on a separate shaft from the rotating electric machine (MG),
The connection flow path (55, 56) passes between the rotating electric machine (MG) and the gear mechanism (G) when viewed in an axial direction along the axial direction (L) of the rotating electric machine (MG). Preferably, they are arranged.

  When viewed in the axial direction (L) of the rotating electric machine (MG), an extra space is formed between the rotating electric machine (MG) and the gear mechanism (G) in the internal space of the case (3). There is. According to this configuration, the connection flow paths (55, 56) can be appropriately arranged by utilizing the extra space in the internal space of the case (3). Therefore, it is possible to further suppress an increase in the size of the vehicle drive device (100) due to the arrangement of the connection flow paths (55, 56).

  The inside of the case (3) communicates with the first refrigerant path (52, 54), and supplies the refrigerant to the first refrigerant path (52, 54) from outside the case (3). It is preferable that a third refrigerant path (51), which is a flow path for this, is further provided.

  According to this configuration, the refrigerant can be appropriately supplied to the first refrigerant passages (52, 54) from outside the case (3).

In the configuration in which the third refrigerant path (51) is provided,
The first refrigerant path (52, 54) has a second port (521) connected to the third refrigerant path (51),
The second port (521) is preferably open toward the side (V2) of the bracket (2) opposite to the side on which the inverter device (1) is mounted.

  According to this configuration, the second port (521) connected to the third refrigerant path (51) is directed toward the side (V2) of the bracket (2) opposite to the side on which the inverter device (1) is mounted. It is open. Therefore, it is easy to appropriately perform both the attachment of the bracket (2) to the case (3) and the connection of the third refrigerant path (51) to the second port (521).

  Further, it is preferable that the third refrigerant passage (51) is formed on an inner wall (35) of the case (3).

  According to this configuration, it is not necessary to form the third refrigerant path (51) using a flow path forming member such as a pipe. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the vehicle drive device (100) due to the arrangement of the flow path forming member.

  The technology according to the present disclosure can be used for a vehicle drive device that includes a rotating electric machine that serves as a driving force source for wheels and an inverter device that controls the rotating electric machine.

100: Vehicle drive device 1: Inverter device 2: Bracket 3: Case 35: Inner wall 4: Oil cooler (cooling target)
5: Refrigerant path 51: First flow path (third refrigerant path)
512: first inner wall port 52: second flow path (first refrigerant path)
521: 1st lower port (2nd port)
522: first upper port 53: third flow path 54: fourth flow path (first refrigerant path)
541: second upper port 542: second lower port (first port)
55: Fifth flow path (connection flow path)
551: 2nd inner wall port (connection port)
56: 6th flow path (connection flow path)
57: Seventh flow path (second refrigerant path)
MG: rotating electric machine W: wheel

Claims (8)

A rotating electric machine serving as a driving force source for wheels;
An inverter device for controlling the rotating electric machine;
A bracket to which the inverter device is attached;
A case in which the rotating electric machine is housed, and the bracket is mounted,
The bracket has a first refrigerant path that is a flow path for supplying a refrigerant to a heat generating portion of the inverter device,
An object to be cooled other than the inverter device is attached to the case,
A vehicle drive device, wherein a connection flow path that connects the first refrigerant path and a second refrigerant path that is a flow path of the refrigerant provided in the object to be cooled is provided inside the case. . The first refrigerant path has a first port connected to the connection flow path,
The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein the first port is open toward a side of the bracket opposite to a side where the inverter device is mounted.   The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein the connection flow path is formed on an inner wall of the case. The case has a seat surface that supports the bracket,
The connection flow path has a connection port connected to the first refrigerant path,
The vehicle drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection port is open to the seat surface. The case further accommodates a gear mechanism arranged on a separate shaft from the rotating electric machine,
The said connection flow path is arrange | positioned so that it may pass between the said rotary electric machine and the said gear mechanism, when it sees in the axial direction along the axial direction of the said rotary electric machine, The one of Claims 1-4. Vehicle drive system.   A third refrigerant passage, which is in communication with the first refrigerant passage and is a flow passage for supplying the refrigerant from the outside of the case to the first refrigerant passage, is further provided inside the case. Item 6. The vehicle drive device according to any one of Items 1 to 5. The first refrigerant path has a second port connected to the third refrigerant path,
The vehicle drive device according to claim 6, wherein the second port is open toward a side of the bracket opposite to a side where the inverter device is mounted.   The vehicle drive device according to claim 6, wherein the third refrigerant path is formed on an inner wall of the case.

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