JP2023125606A - Vehicle drive device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle drive device which facilitates downsizing while securing a large inverter chamber.SOLUTION: A power transmission mechanism 2 which transmits drive force between a rotating electric machine 1 and a pair of wheels comprises a differential gear mechanism 5 distributing the drive force transmitted from the rotating electric machine 1 to the pair of wheels. The differential gear mechanism 5 is coaxially arranged with the rotating electric machine 1. A case 9 has a first case section 91 which forms at least a portion of a rotating electric machine chamber C1 storing the rotating electric machine 1 and a second case section 92 which forms at least a portion of a gear chamber C2 storing the power transmission mechanism 2. The first case section 91 and the second case section 92 are connected to each other in an axial direction L. An inverter chamber C3 storing an inverter unit 3 is formed throughout the first case section 91 and the second case section 92 so that the same overlaps with both the rotating electric machine chamber C1 and the gear chamber C2 when viewed in a radial direction R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention includes a rotating electrical machine, a power transmission mechanism that transmits driving force between the rotating electrical machine and a pair of wheels, an inverter unit that controls the rotating electrical machine, and a case that houses them. The present invention relates to a vehicle drive device.

An example of such a vehicle drive device is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. Hereinafter, in the description of the background art, the reference numerals in Patent Document 1 will be cited in parentheses.

In the vehicle drive device (100) of Patent Document 1, the inverter unit (7) overlaps the power transmission mechanism (3, 4) in a radial direction (R) view, and the rotating electric machine (2) They are arranged so as to overlap with each other when viewed in the axial direction along the axial direction (L). In this way, the size of the vehicle drive system (100) is reduced by arranging the inverter unit (7), and the mountability of the vehicle drive system (100) on the vehicle is ensured.

JP2019-193440A

In the vehicle drive device (100) of Patent Document 1, the case (1) includes a first case portion (11) forming at least a part of a rotating electrical machine room in which a rotating electrical machine (2) is housed, and a power transmission mechanism. (3, 4) and a second case part (12) forming at least a part of a gear chamber in which the gears (3, 4) are accommodated. An inverter chamber that accommodates the inverter unit (7) is formed in the second case portion (12).

The inverter chamber needs to be formed in a size that can appropriately accommodate the inverter unit (7). However, in the above configuration, the dimension in the axial direction (L) of the inverter chamber formed in the second case part (12) must be ensured larger than the dimension in the axial direction (L) of the entire case (1). is difficult. Therefore, in the above configuration, when the dimension of the inverter unit (7) in the axial direction (L) is relatively large, there is a problem that it is difficult to sufficiently downsize the vehicle drive device (100).

Therefore, it is desired to realize a vehicle drive device that can easily be downsized while ensuring a large inverter chamber.

In view of the above, the characteristic configuration of the vehicle drive device is as follows:
A rotating electrical machine with a rotor,
a power transmission mechanism that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine and the pair of wheels;
an inverter unit that controls the rotating electrical machine;
a case comprising a rotating electrical machine room in which the rotating electrical machine is housed, a gear room in which the power transmission mechanism is housed, and an inverter room in which the inverter unit is housed;
The power transmission mechanism includes a differential gear mechanism that distributes the driving force transmitted from the rotating electric machine to the pair of wheels,
The differential gear mechanism is arranged coaxially with the rotating electric machine,
The case includes a first case part that forms at least a part of the rotating electrical machine room, and a second case part that forms at least a part of the gear room,
The direction along the rotational axis of the rotor is defined as an axial direction, and the direction orthogonal to the rotational axis of the rotor is defined as a radial direction,
The first case part and the second case part are joined to each other in the axial direction,
The inverter chamber is formed across the first case portion and the second case portion so as to overlap with both the rotating electrical machine chamber and the gear chamber when viewed in a radial direction along the radial direction. At the point.

According to this characteristic configuration, the inverter chamber is formed so as to overlap both the rotating electrical machine chamber and the gear chamber when viewed in the radial direction. Thereby, compared to a configuration in which the inverter chamber does not overlap with at least one of the rotating electrical machine chamber and the gear chamber when viewed in the radial direction, the axial dimension of the vehicle drive device can be kept small.
Further, according to this characteristic configuration, the inverter chamber is formed across the first case part and the second case part when viewed in the radial direction. Thereby, the axial dimension of the inverter chamber can be ensured to be larger than the axial dimension of the entire case.
As described above, according to this characteristic configuration, it is possible to easily downsize the vehicle drive device while ensuring a large inverter chamber.

A cross-sectional view along the axial direction of a vehicle drive device according to an embodiment. Skeleton diagram of a vehicle drive device according to an embodiment A partially enlarged view of a cross-sectional view along the axial direction of the vehicle drive device according to the embodiment A perspective view of a vehicle drive device according to an embodiment A cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction of the vehicle drive device according to the embodiment

Below, a vehicle drive device 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle drive device 100 includes a rotating electric machine 1 including a stator 11 and a rotor 12, and a drive between the rotating electric machine 1 and a pair of wheels W (see FIG. 2). It includes a power transmission mechanism 2 that transmits force, an inverter unit 3 that controls the rotating electric machine 1, and a case 9 that houses them.

In the following description, the direction along the rotational axis of the rotor 12 will be referred to as the "axial direction L." One side in the axial direction L is defined as the "first axial side L1", and the other side in the axial direction L is defined as the "second axial side L2". Further, the direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotor 12 is referred to as the "radial direction R." In the radial direction R, the rotation axis side of the rotor 12 is defined as the "radially inner side R1", and the opposite side is defined as the "radially outer side R2".

The rotating electric machine 1 functions as a driving force source for a pair of wheels W (see FIG. 2). The rotating electric machine 1 has a function as a motor (electric motor) that receives power supply and generates power, and a function as a generator (generator) that receives power supply and generates power. Specifically, the rotating electrical machine 1 is electrically connected to a power storage device (not shown) such as a battery or a capacitor. Then, the rotating electric machine 1 performs power running using the electric power stored in the power storage device to generate driving force. Further, the rotating electric machine 1 generates power using the driving force transmitted from the pair of wheels W to charge the power storage device.

The stator 11 of the rotating electric machine 1 includes a cylindrical stator core 11a. Stator core 11a is fixed to a non-rotating member (here case 9). The rotor 12 of the rotating electrical machine 1 includes a cylindrical rotor core 12a. Rotor core 12a is rotatably supported relative to stator core 11a. In this embodiment, the rotor 12 further includes a rotor shaft 12b connected to rotate integrally with the rotor core 12a. The rotor shaft 12b is formed into a cylindrical shape coaxial with the rotor core 12a.

In this embodiment, the rotating electrical machine 1 is an inner rotor type rotating electrical machine. Therefore, the rotor core 12a is arranged on the radially inner side R1 with respect to the stator core 11a. Further, the rotor shaft 12b is arranged on the radially inner side R1 with respect to the rotor core 12a.

Further, in this embodiment, the rotating electrical machine 1 is a rotating field type rotating electrical machine. Therefore, the stator 11 further includes a stator coil 11b. In the present embodiment, the stator coil 11b includes a first coil end portion 11c that protrudes toward the first axial side L1 with respect to the stator core 11a, and a second coil end portion 11c that protrudes toward the second axial side L2 with respect to the stator core 11a. It is wound around the stator core 11a so that a portion 11d is formed. Although not shown, the rotor core 12a is provided with a permanent magnet.

The power transmission mechanism 2 includes a differential gear mechanism 5 that distributes the driving force transmitted from the rotating electric machine 1 to the pair of wheels W. In this embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 2 further includes a reducer 4 that reduces the rotation of the rotor 12 and transmits the reduced rotation to the differential gear mechanism 5.

In this embodiment, the speed reducer 4 is a planetary gear mechanism including a first rotating element E1, a second rotating element E2, a third rotating element E3, and a fourth rotating element E4. The speed reducer 4 is configured such that the rotational speeds of the first rotating element E1, the second rotating element E2, the third rotating element E3, and the fourth rotating element E4 are in the stated order. Here, the "order of rotational speed" refers to the order of rotational speed in the rotational state of each rotating element. Although the rotational speed of each rotating element changes depending on the rotational state of the planetary gear mechanism, the order in which the rotational speeds of each rotating element are arranged is constant because it is determined by the structure of the planetary gear mechanism.

The first rotating element E1 is connected to the rotor 12 so as to rotate integrally with the rotor 12. In this embodiment, the first rotating element E1 is a sun gear SG. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the sun gear SG is connected to the rotor shaft 12b by welding or the like so as to rotate integrally with the rotor shaft 12b.

The third rotating element E3 is connected to a non-rotating member (here, the case 9). The fourth rotating element E4 is connected to the input element of the differential gear mechanism 5 so as to rotate integrally therewith. In this embodiment, each of the third rotating element E3 and the fourth rotating element E4 is a ring gear. Specifically, the third rotating element E3 is the first ring gear RG1. The fourth rotating element E4 is the second ring gear RG2.

In this embodiment, the second rotating element E2 is the carrier CR. The carrier CR rotatably supports a first pinion gear PG1 and a second pinion gear PG2 that rotate integrally with each other. First pinion gear PG1 meshes with sun gear SG and first ring gear RG1. The second pinion gear PG2 meshes with the second ring gear RG2. Further, the second pinion gear PG2 has a smaller diameter than the first pinion gear PG1.

The differential gear mechanism 5 is arranged coaxially with the rotating electric machine 1. In this embodiment, the speed reducer 4 is also arranged coaxially with the rotating electric machine 1. The rotating electric machine 1, the speed reducer 4, and the differential gear mechanism 5 are arranged in the order described from the first axial side L1 to the second axial side L2.

In this embodiment, the differential gear mechanism 5 includes a differential case 51, a shaft member 52, a pinion gear 53, a first side gear 54, and a second side gear 55. Here, the pinion gear 53, the first side gear 54, and the second side gear 55 are all bevel gears.

The differential case 51 is formed to accommodate a pinion gear 53, a first side gear 54, and a second side gear 55. In this embodiment, the differential case 51 is connected to the fourth rotating element E4 of the reducer 4 so as to rotate integrally therewith. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the differential case 51 is connected by welding to the second ring gear RG2 as the fourth rotating element E4 so as to rotate integrally with the second ring gear RG2.

The shaft member 52 is arranged to extend along the radial direction R. The shaft member 52 is supported by the differential case 51 so as to rotate integrally with the differential case 51. In this embodiment, a plurality of shaft members 52 are arranged in a distributed manner in the circumferential direction along the radial direction R (for example, four shaft members 52 are arranged in a cross shape when viewed in the axial direction along the axial direction L). (configuration).

The pinion gear 53 is rotatably supported by the shaft member 52. The pinion gear 53 is configured to freely rotate (rotate) about the shaft member 52 and to freely rotate (revolution) about the rotation axis of the differential case 51 . In this embodiment, a pinion gear 53 is attached to each of the plurality of shaft members 52.

The first side gear 54 and the second side gear 55 mesh with the pinion gear 53. The first side gear 54 and the second side gear 55 are arranged to rotate about the rotation axis of the differential case 51. The first side gear 54 is arranged on the first axial side L1 with respect to the shaft member 52. The second side gear 55 is arranged on the second axial side L2 with respect to the shaft member 52.

In the present embodiment, the first side gear 54 is integrally connected to the first drive shaft DS1 which is drivingly connected to the wheel W on the first axial side L1 via the output shaft member 10 extending along the axial direction L. It is connected so that it can rotate. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the output shaft member 10 is inserted into the radially inner side R1 of the first side gear 54 from the axial first side L1, and they are connected to each other by spline engagement.

The output shaft member 10 is arranged so as to penetrate in the axial direction L through the radially inner side R1 of the reducer 4 and the rotating electric machine 1. In this embodiment, the output shaft member 10 is arranged so as to penetrate in the axial direction L through the radially inner side R1 with respect to the sun gear SG of the reducer 4 and the rotor shaft 12b of the rotating electric machine 1.

In this embodiment, the second side gear 55 is connected to rotate integrally with a second drive shaft DS2 that is drivingly connected to the wheel W on the second axial side L2. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the second drive shaft DS2 is inserted into the radially inner side R1 of the second side gear 55 from the second axial side L2, and they are connected to each other by spline engagement.

As shown in FIG. 1, the case 9 includes a rotating electrical machine chamber C1 in which the rotating electrical machine 1 is housed, a gear chamber C2 in which the power transmission mechanism 2 is housed, and an inverter chamber C3 in which the inverter unit 3 is housed. It is formed. The case 9 includes a first case portion 91 that forms at least a portion of the rotating electrical machine chamber C1, and a second case portion 92 that forms at least a portion of the gear chamber C2. In this embodiment, the case 9 further includes a cover portion 93.

The first case part 91 and the second case part 92 are joined to each other in the axial direction L. In this embodiment, the first case part 91 is joined to the second case part 92 from the first axial side L1. That is, in the axial direction L, the side where the first case part 91 is located with respect to the second case part 92 is the first axial side L1.

The inverter chamber C3 is formed across the first case portion 91 and the second case portion 92 so as to overlap with both the rotating electrical equipment chamber C1 and the gear chamber C2 when viewed in the radial direction along the radial direction R. . The inverter unit 3 is housed in the inverter chamber C3 so as to overlap both the rotating electrical machine chamber C1 and the gear chamber C2 when viewed in the radial direction R. Note that the "radial direction R" in defining the position of the inverter chamber C3 is not an arbitrary radial direction R, but, for example, the vertical direction of the vehicle drive device 100 mounted on a vehicle (the vertical direction in FIG. 1). The specific radial direction R is as follows. Here, regarding the arrangement of two elements, "overlapping when viewed in a specific direction" means that when a virtual straight line parallel to the line of sight is moved in each direction orthogonal to the virtual straight line, the virtual straight line becomes two Refers to the existence of at least a part of the area that intersects both of the two elements.

As described above, the vehicle drive device 100 is
A rotating electric machine 1 including a rotor 12,
a power transmission mechanism 2 that transmits driving force between the rotating electrical machine 1 and the pair of wheels W;
an inverter unit 3 that controls the rotating electric machine 1;
A case 9 includes a rotating electrical machine chamber C1 in which the rotating electrical machine 1 is housed, a gear chamber C2 in which the power transmission mechanism 2 is housed, and an inverter chamber C3 in which the inverter unit 3 is housed,
The power transmission mechanism 2 includes a differential gear mechanism 5 that distributes the driving force transmitted from the rotating electric machine 1 to the pair of wheels W,
The differential gear mechanism 5 is arranged coaxially with the rotating electric machine 1,
The case 9 includes a first case part 91 that forms at least a part of the rotating electrical machine room C1, and a second case part 92 that forms at least a part of the gear room C2,
The first case part 91 and the second case part 92 are joined to each other in the axial direction L,
The inverter chamber C3 is formed across the first case portion 91 and the second case portion 92 so as to overlap with both the rotating electrical equipment chamber C1 and the gear chamber C2 when viewed in the radial direction along the radial direction R. .

According to this configuration, the inverter chamber C3 is formed so as to overlap both the rotating electrical machine chamber C1 and the gear chamber C2 when viewed in the radial direction along the radial direction R. Thereby, the dimension of the vehicle drive device 100 in the axial direction L can be kept small compared to a configuration in which the inverter chamber C3 does not overlap with at least one of the rotating electrical machine chamber C1 and the gear chamber C2 when viewed in the radial direction.
Further, according to this configuration, the inverter chamber C3 is formed across the first case portion 91 and the second case portion 92 when viewed in the radial direction along the radial direction R. Thereby, the dimension of the inverter chamber C3 in the axial direction L can be ensured larger than the dimension of the entire case 9 in the axial direction L.
As described above, according to this configuration, it is possible to easily reduce the size of the vehicle drive device 100 while ensuring a large inverter chamber C3.

In this embodiment, the first case portion 91 includes a first peripheral wall portion 911. The first peripheral wall portion 911 is formed to surround the rotating electrical machine room C1. In this embodiment, the first peripheral wall portion 911 is formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the radially outer side R2 of the stator 11 of the rotating electrical machine 1. The stator 11 of the rotating electric machine 1 is fixed to the first peripheral wall portion 911. Note that in this embodiment, the first peripheral wall portion 911 does not cover the radially outer side R2 of the first coil end portion 11c and the second coil end portion 11d of the rotating electrical machine 1. That is, in this embodiment, the first case portion 91 is configured to form a part of the rotating electrical machine room C1.

In this embodiment, the second case portion 92 includes a second peripheral wall portion 921, a first side wall portion 922, and a partition wall portion 923.

The second peripheral wall portion 921 is formed to surround the gear chamber C2. In this embodiment, the second peripheral wall portion 921 is formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the radially outer side R2 of the reducer 4 and the differential gear mechanism 5. Further, in the present embodiment, the second peripheral wall portion 921 is formed so as to also cover the radially outer side R2 of the second coil end portion 11d of the rotating electrical machine 1. That is, in the present embodiment, the second case portion 92 is configured to form a part of the rotating electrical machine chamber C1 in addition to the gear chamber C2. Further, in the present embodiment, the end face of the second peripheral wall portion 921 on the first axial side L1 and the end face of the first peripheral wall portion 911 on the second axial side L2 are connected to each other via a sealing material (not shown). are joined to each other. As this sealing material, for example, a liquid gasket, a solid gasket, a seal ring, etc. can be adopted.

The first side wall portion 922 is formed to cover the second axial side L2 of the gear chamber C2. In this embodiment, the first side wall part 922 is integrally formed with the second peripheral wall part 921 so as to close the opening on the second axial side L2 of the second peripheral wall part 921. A through hole through which the second drive shaft DS2 is inserted is formed in the first side wall portion 922 so as to penetrate in the axial direction L.

The partition wall portion 923 is formed to partition the rotating electrical machine room C1 and the gear room C2. In this embodiment, the partition wall portion 923 is disposed between the rotating electric machine 1 and the reduction gear 4 in the axial direction L. The partition wall portion 923 is fixed to the second peripheral wall portion 921. Further, in the present embodiment, a through hole through which the rotor shaft 12b is inserted is formed in the partition wall portion 923 so as to penetrate in the axial direction L. The partition wall portion 923 rotatably supports a portion of the rotor shaft 12b that protrudes from the rotor core 12a toward the second axial side L2 via the first bearing B1. Further, in this embodiment, the first ring gear RG1 as the third rotating element E3 of the reduction gear 4 is fixed to the partition wall portion 923.

In this embodiment, the cover portion 93 includes a third peripheral wall portion 931 and a second side wall portion 932.

The third peripheral wall portion 931 is formed to surround the rotating electrical machine room C1. In this embodiment, the third peripheral wall portion 931 is formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the radially outer side R2 of the first coil end portion 11c of the rotating electrical machine 1. That is, in this embodiment, the cover part 93 is configured to form a part of the rotating electrical machine room C1. Further, in the present embodiment, the end face of the third peripheral wall portion 931 on the second axial side L2 and the end face of the first peripheral wall portion 911 on the first axial side L1 are connected to each other via a sealing material (not shown). are joined to each other. As this sealing material, for example, a liquid gasket, a solid gasket, a seal ring, etc. can be adopted.

The second side wall portion 932 is formed to cover the first axial side L1 of the rotating electrical machine room C1. In this embodiment, the second side wall part 932 is integrally formed with the third peripheral wall part 931 so as to close the opening on the first axial side L1 of the third peripheral wall part 931. The second side wall portion 932 rotatably supports a portion of the rotor shaft 12b that protrudes from the rotor core 12a toward the first axial side L1 via the second bearing B2. Further, in the present embodiment, a through hole through which the output shaft member 10 and the first drive shaft DS1 are inserted is formed in the second side wall portion 932 so as to penetrate in the axial direction L. The second side wall portion 932 rotatably supports a portion of the output shaft member 10 that protrudes from the rotor shaft 12b toward the first axial side L1 through the third bearing B3.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the first case part 91 further includes a first protruding wall part 912. The second case portion 92 further includes a second protruding wall portion 924 . The first protruding wall portion 912 is formed to protrude from the first peripheral wall portion 911 toward the outside R2 in the radial direction. The second protruding wall portion 924 is formed to protrude from the second peripheral wall portion 921 toward the radially outer side R2. Note that the "radial direction R" in defining the shapes of the first protruding wall portion 912 and the second protruding wall portion 924 is not an arbitrary radial direction R, but, for example, the vehicular drive device 100 mounted on a vehicle. This is a specific radial direction R such as the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1). Further, "projecting toward the radially outer side R2" means that the protruding direction has a component toward the radially outer side R2.

The first protruding wall portion 912 and the second protruding wall portion 924 are formed to surround the inverter chamber C3. In this embodiment, the first protruding wall part 912 and the second protruding wall part 924 are formed in a cylindrical shape with a specific radially outer side R2 (upper side in FIG. 1) opening. The lid member 96 is joined to the first protruding wall 912 and the second protruding wall 924 so that this opening is closed.

The end face of the first protruding wall portion 912 on the second axial side L2 and the end face of the second protruding wall portion 924 on the first axial side L1 are joined to each other via a sealing material S. As the sealing material S, for example, a liquid gasket, a solid gasket, a seal ring, etc. can be adopted. In this embodiment, the end face of the first protruding wall portion 912 on the second axial side L2 is formed to be continuous with the end face of the first peripheral wall portion 911 on the second axial side L2. The end face of the second protruding wall portion 924 on the first axial side L1 is formed to be continuous with the end face of the second peripheral wall portion 921 on the first axial side L1. Therefore, by making the sealing material S the same as the sealing material interposed between the second peripheral wall part 921 and the first peripheral wall part 911, the sealing structure between the first case part 91 and the second case part 92 can be improved. , and the process of arranging the sealing material S can be simplified.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first case portion 91 includes the first peripheral wall portion 911 formed to surround the rotating electrical equipment chamber C1, and the first case portion 91 that protrudes from the first peripheral wall portion 911 toward the outside R2 in the radial direction. a first protruding wall portion 912 formed as shown in FIG.
The second case portion 92 includes a second peripheral wall portion 921 formed to surround the gear chamber C2, and a second protruding wall portion formed to protrude from the second peripheral wall portion 921 toward the outside R2 in the radial direction. 924 and,
A first protruding wall portion 912 and a second protruding wall portion 924 are formed to surround the inverter chamber C3,
The end face of the first protruding wall portion 912 on the second axial side L2 and the end face of the second protruding wall portion 924 on the first axial side L1 are joined to each other via a sealing material S.

According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately prevent water or the like from entering the inverter chamber C3 from the joint between the first protruding wall part 912 of the first case part 91 and the second protruding wall part 924 of the second case part 92. It can be avoided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, a first fitting portion 94 is provided at the end of the first peripheral wall portion 911 on the second axial side L2. A second fitting portion 95 is provided at the end of the second peripheral wall portion 921 on the first axial side L1. The first fitting portion 94 is formed with a first pressure contact surface 94a facing one side in the radial direction R (here, the radially outer side R2). The second fitting portion 95 is formed with a second pressure contact surface 95a facing the other side in the radial direction R (here, the radially inner side R1). The first fitting portion 94 and the second fitting portion 95 are fitted such that the first pressure contact surface 94a and the second pressure contact surface 95a are pressed against each other.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first case portion 91 includes the first peripheral wall portion 911 formed so as to surround the rotating electrical equipment chamber C1,
The second case portion 92 includes a second peripheral wall portion 921 formed to surround the gear chamber C2,
A first fitting portion 94 having a first pressure contact surface 94a facing one side in the radial direction R is provided at the end of the second axial side L2 of the first peripheral wall portion 911,
A second fitting portion 95 is provided at the end of the second peripheral wall portion 921 on the first axial side L1, and includes a second pressure contact surface 95a facing the other side in the radial direction R.
The first fitting portion 94 and the second fitting portion 95 are fitted such that the first pressure contact surface 94a and the second pressure contact surface 95a are pressed against each other.

According to this configuration, the first fitting part 94 provided on the first peripheral wall part 911 of the first case part 91 and the second fitting part 95 provided in the second peripheral wall part 921 of the second case part 92 The first pressure contact surface 94a and the second pressure contact surface 95a are fitted together so that they are in pressure contact with each other in the radial direction R. Thereby, the airtightness of the rotating electrical machine chamber C1 surrounded by the first peripheral wall part 911 and the gear chamber C2 surrounded by the second peripheral wall part 921 can be easily improved. Therefore, oil or the like present in at least one of the rotating electrical machine room C1 and the gear room C2 can be appropriately prevented from entering the inverter room C3.

Further, in the present embodiment, a third fitting portion 96 is provided at the end of the first peripheral wall portion 911 on the first axial side L1. A fourth fitting portion 97 is provided at the end of the third peripheral wall portion 931 on the second axial side L2. The third fitting portion 96 is formed with a third pressure contact surface 96a facing toward one side in the radial direction R (here, the radially outer side R2). The fourth fitting portion 97 is formed with a fourth pressure contact surface 97a facing the other side in the radial direction R (here, the radially inner side R1). The third fitting part 96 and the fourth fitting part 97 are fitted so that the third pressure contact surface 96a and the fourth pressure contact surface 97a are pressed against each other.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the vehicle drive device 100 further includes a terminal block 6. The terminal block 6 has a first power line P1 connected to the rotating electric machine 1 (specifically, the first coil end portion 11c or the second coil end portion 11d of the stator coil 11b) and a second power line P1 connected to the inverter unit 3. It is configured to be connected to power line P2. In this embodiment, each of the first power line P1 and the second power line P2 is formed of a plate-shaped conductor. In this embodiment, the first power line P1 is arranged in the rotating electrical machine room C1. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the second power line P2 passes through the through hole 91a formed in the first peripheral wall part 911 of the first case part 91 so as to communicate the rotating electrical machine room C1 and the inverter room C3. It is arranged across the electrical equipment room C1 and the inverter room C3. In this example, since the rotating electric machine 1 is driven by three-phase alternating current (U phase, V phase, W phase), three first power lines P1 and three second power lines P2 are provided.

The terminal block 6 includes a connecting member 61 and an insulating member 62. The connecting member 61 is a member that connects the first power line P1 and the second power line P2. In the present embodiment, the connection member 61 includes an end portion of the first power line P1 opposite to the connection portion with the rotating electric machine 1, and an end portion of the second power line P2 opposite to the connection portion with the inverter unit 3. It is made up of bolts etc. that connect the two together. The insulating member 62 is a member having electrical insulation properties. In this embodiment, the insulating member 62 is formed to hold the second power line P2. The insulating member 62 is arranged so as to close the through hole 91a of the first case portion 91. That is, in this embodiment, the terminal block 6 is attached so as to close the through hole 91a.

In this way, in this embodiment, the vehicle drive device 100 is
It further includes a terminal block 6 for connecting the first power line P1 connected to the rotating electric machine 1 and the second power line P2 connected to the inverter unit 3,
A through hole 91a is formed in the first case portion 91 so as to communicate the rotating electrical machine chamber C1 and the inverter chamber C3,
The terminal block 6 is attached so as to close the through hole 91a.

According to this configuration, the terminal block 6 is attached so as to close the through hole 91a that communicates the rotating electrical equipment room C1 and the inverter room C3. Thereby, the rotating electric machine 1 housed in the rotating electric machine room C1 and the inverter unit 3 housed in the inverter room C3 can be appropriately connected via the terminal block 6. Further, the length of the first power line P1 connecting the rotating electric machine 1 and the terminal block 6 and the length of the second power line P2 connecting the inverter unit 3 and the terminal block 6 can be easily kept short.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in this embodiment, the cover portion 93 is arranged to cover the connection portion between the first power line P1 and the terminal block 6 from the first axial side L1. Further, the cover portion 93 is arranged so as to overlap both the rotating electrical equipment chamber C1 and the inverter chamber C3 when viewed in the axial direction along the axial direction L.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the case 9 further includes the cover part 93 joined to the first case part 91 from the first axial side L1,
The cover portion 93 covers the connecting portion between the first power line P1 and the terminal block 6 from the first axial side L1, and overlaps with both the rotating electrical equipment room C1 and the inverter room C3 when viewed in the axial direction along the axial direction L. It is arranged like this.

According to this configuration, when the cover part 93 is not joined to the first case part 91, the work of connecting the first power line P1 and the terminal block 6 can be easily performed. Further, in a state where the cover part 93 is joined to the first case part 91, the connection part between the first power line P1 and the terminal block 6 can be appropriately accommodated inside the rotating electrical machine room C1.

[Other embodiments]
(1) In the above embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 2 has been described as an example in which the power transmission mechanism 2 includes the speed reducer 4 that reduces the rotation of the rotor 12 and transmits the speed to the differential gear mechanism 5. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and, for example, the power transmission mechanism 2 may be configured to include a transmission capable of switching to a plurality of gears, a counter gear mechanism, etc. instead of the reduction gear 4. Also good. Alternatively, the power transmission mechanism 2 may not include the reducer 4 (for example, include a transmission shaft in place of the reducer 4), and the rotation of the rotor 12 may be directly transmitted to the differential gear mechanism 5. .

(2) In the above embodiment, the reduction gear 4 and the differential gear mechanism 5 constituting the power transmission mechanism 2 are both arranged coaxially with the rotating electric machine 1. The components of the power transmission mechanism 2 except the gear mechanism 5 may be arranged on a separate axis from the rotating electric machine 1. Such a configuration includes, for example, a configuration in which the power transmission mechanism 2 includes a counter gear mechanism instead of the reduction gear 4.

(3) In the above embodiment, the case 9 has been described as an example in which the case 9 includes the cover part 93 in addition to the first case part 91 and the second case part 92. However, without being limited to such a configuration, for example, the case 9 may have a configuration in which the cover portion 93 is not provided. In this case, for example, the first case portion 91 includes a wall portion corresponding to the cover portion 93 (specifically, the third peripheral wall portion 931 and the second side wall portion 932). Further, the case 9 may be configured to include another member in addition to the first case part 91, the second case part 92, and the cover part 93.

(4) In the above embodiment, the inverter chamber C3 is formed across the first case part 91 and the second case part 92. However, without being limited to such a configuration, for example, the inverter chamber C3 may be formed spanning the first case portion 91, the second case portion 92, and the cover portion 93.

(5) In the above embodiment, the rotating electrical machine room C1 and the gear room C2 are partitioned by the partition wall 923. However, without being limited to such a configuration, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which members such as the partition wall portion 923 that partition the rotating electrical machine room C1 and the gear chamber C2 are not provided.

(6) In the above embodiment, the first circumferential wall portion 911 and the second circumferential wall portion 921 are provided with a first fitting portion 94 and a second fitting portion 95 that fit into each other. . However, without being limited to such a configuration, for example, the first circumferential wall 911 and the second circumferential wall 921 are not provided with the first fitting part 94 and the second fitting part 95, and the first circumferential wall The portion 911 and the second peripheral wall portion 921 may be joined to each other by a fastening member such as a bolt. Similarly, the third fitting part 96 and the fourth fitting part 97 are not provided in the first circumferential wall part 911 and the third circumferential wall part 931, and the first circumferential wall part 911 and the third circumferential wall part 931 are connected by bolts, etc. They may be joined to each other by a fastening member.

(7) Note that the configurations disclosed in each of the embodiments described above can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs. Regarding 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.

The technology according to the present disclosure includes a rotating electrical machine, a power transmission mechanism that transmits driving force between the rotating electrical machine and a pair of wheels, an inverter unit that controls the rotating electrical machine, and a case that houses them. It can be used in a vehicle drive device equipped with.

100: Vehicle drive device, W: Wheel, 1: Rotating electric machine, 12: Rotor, 2: Power transmission mechanism, 3: Inverter unit, 5: Differential gear mechanism, 9: Case, 91: First case part, 92 : Second case part, C1: Rotating electrical equipment room, C2: Gear room, C3: Inverter room, L: Axial direction, R: Radial direction

Claims (5)

A rotating electrical machine with a rotor,
a power transmission mechanism that transmits driving force between the rotating electric machine and the pair of wheels;
an inverter unit that controls the rotating electrical machine;
a case comprising a rotating electrical machine room in which the rotating electrical machine is housed, a gear room in which the power transmission mechanism is housed, and an inverter room in which the inverter unit is housed;
The power transmission mechanism includes a differential gear mechanism that distributes the driving force transmitted from the rotating electric machine to the pair of wheels,
The differential gear mechanism is arranged coaxially with the rotating electric machine,
The case includes a first case part that forms at least a part of the rotating electrical machine room, and a second case part that forms at least a part of the gear room,
The direction along the rotational axis of the rotor is defined as an axial direction, and the direction orthogonal to the rotational axis of the rotor is defined as a radial direction,
The first case part and the second case part are joined to each other in the axial direction,
The inverter chamber is formed across the first case portion and the second case portion so as to overlap with both the rotating electrical machine chamber and the gear chamber when viewed in a radial direction along the radial direction. , vehicle drive system. The first case portion includes a first peripheral wall portion formed to surround the rotating electrical machine room, and a first protruding wall portion formed to protrude outward in the radial direction from the first peripheral wall portion. and,
The second case portion includes a second peripheral wall portion formed to surround the gear chamber, and a second protruding wall portion formed to protrude outward in the radial direction from the second peripheral wall portion. , comprising;
The first protruding wall portion and the second protruding wall portion are formed to surround the inverter chamber,
A side on which the first case part is located with respect to the second case part in the axial direction is defined as a first axial side, and a side opposite to the first axial side is defined as a second axial side,
According to claim 1, the end face of the first protruding wall portion on the second axial side and the end face of the second protruding wall portion on the first axial side are joined to each other via a sealing material. The vehicle drive device described above. The first case portion includes a first peripheral wall portion formed to surround the rotating electrical machine room,
The second case portion includes a second peripheral wall portion formed to surround the gear chamber,
A side on which the first case part is located with respect to the second case part in the axial direction is defined as a first axial side, and a side opposite to the first axial side is defined as a second axial side,
A first fitting portion including a first pressure contact surface facing one side in the radial direction is provided at an end on the second axial side of the first peripheral wall portion,
A second fitting portion including a second pressure contact surface facing the other side in the radial direction is provided at the end of the second circumferential wall portion on the first side in the axial direction,
The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fitting part and the second fitting part are fitted so that the first pressure contact surface and the second pressure contact surface are in pressure contact with each other. Drive device. further comprising a terminal block for connecting a first power line connected to the rotating electric machine and a second power line connected to the inverter unit,
A through hole is formed in the first case part so as to communicate the rotating electrical machine room and the inverter room,
The vehicle drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminal block is attached so as to close the through hole. A side on which the first case part is located with respect to the second case part in the axial direction is defined as a first axial side, and a side opposite to the first axial side is defined as a second axial side,
The case further includes a cover part joined to the first case part from the first axial side,
The cover part covers the connection part between the first power line and the terminal block from the first axial side, and overlaps with both the rotating electrical machine room and the inverter room when viewed in the axial direction along the axial direction. The vehicle drive device according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle drive device is arranged as follows.

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