JP6389374B2 - In-wheel motor drive device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-wheel motor drive device that drives a wheel, and more particularly to an internal structure of a terminal box that draws and connects an electrical lead such as a signal cable to the in-wheel motor drive device.

  The in-wheel motor drive device is not only less burdensome on the environment because it is electrically driven, but also installed in the wheel of an automobile to drive the wheel, so that it has a larger cabin than an engine automobile. Space can be secured, which is advantageous. By the way, it is necessary to connect a power line for supplying electric power to the in-wheel motor drive device. The present applicant has already proposed Patent Document 1 as a connection structure between an in-wheel motor drive device and a power line. The technique described in Patent Document 1 includes a terminal box attached to a casing of an in-wheel motor driving device, and three power lines are drawn into the terminal box from the outside of the in-wheel motor driving device. It connects with the lead of the internal coil. Such a terminal box is provided on the surface of the in-wheel motor drive device, and protects a connection portion between a lead wire outside the in-wheel motor drive device and a lead wire inside the in-wheel motor drive device.

JP 2009-219271 A

  Although not described in detail in Patent Document 1, a sensor for monitoring conditions such as temperature and rotation speed is provided inside the in-wheel motor drive device. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a signal cable for taking out a detection signal transmitted from the sensor to the outside of the in-wheel motor drive device and a terminal box for drawing the tip of the signal cable into the in-wheel motor drive device.

  The signal cable extends from the vehicle body to the in-wheel motor drive. And the front-end | tip of a signal cable is drawn in the terminal box of an in-wheel motor drive device. This signal cable includes a plurality of electric conducting wires (hereinafter simply referred to as conducting wires) insulated from each other. The number of conducting wires increases in proportion to the number of sensors. On the other hand, a plurality of conducting wires extending from the sensor to the terminal box are provided inside the in-wheel motor driving device, and the end of the conducting wire is connected to the tip of the signal cable at the terminal box.

  Since the sensor is disposed in the internal space of the in-wheel motor driving device in an oil atmosphere, there is a possibility that the oil may ooze out from the terminal box along the conductive wire. In particular, the concern increases as the number of conductors increases.

  In addition, the structure of the connection point for drawing the signal cable into the terminal box must not be complicated in proportion to the number of conductors, and can be easily connected and disconnected in consideration of maintenance and the like, regardless of the number of conductors. Is desirable.

  Further, since the in-wheel motor drive device is disposed in the space area inside the road wheel of the wheel that contacts the road surface and drives the wheel, various vibrations and forces are input to the in-wheel motor drive device from the road surface side. . Further, since the in-wheel motor driving device is attached to the vehicle body via the suspension device, various vibrations and forces are also input to the in-wheel motor driving device from the vehicle body side. Furthermore, since the in-wheel motor drive device is disposed near the road surface, foreign matters such as sand and muddy water fly. Therefore, even under severe conditions subject to vibrations, foreign substances such as sand and muddy water should not enter the in-wheel motor drive device via the connection point between the in-wheel motor drive device and the signal cable. In order to prevent the oil that lubricates the inside of the in-wheel motor drive device from seeping out through the connection point, and also to prevent disconnection at the connection point with the signal cable, it has exceptional sealing performance compared to a normal motor. And connectivity is required.

  In view of the above circumstances, a first object of the present invention is to provide exceptional sealing performance so that oil does not ooze out at a connection portion between an in-wheel motor drive device and a signal cable. It is a second object of the present invention to provide a terminal box that can easily connect or disconnect a signal cable including a plurality of conductive wires to an in-wheel motor drive device.

For this purpose, an in-wheel motor drive device according to the present invention includes a casing that forms an outer shell of the in-wheel motor drive device, an oil compartment that is inside the casing and is in an oil atmosphere, and is provided in the casing and adjacent to the oil compartment. An air chamber, a partition wall partitioning the oil compartment and the air chamber, a first connector extending through the partition wall, and a second connector disposed in the air chamber. Then, by connecting the second connector and the first connector on the air chamber side, the connector housing of the second connector and the connector housing of the first connector define a connector closed space. first annular sealing member is brought into close contact both between the connector of the connector housing is provided, and an external conductor of a signal cable connected to the second connector extends from the outside of the in-wheel motor drive device to the air chamber, in An internal conductor that extends from a sensor disposed inside the wheel motor driving device and connects to the oil compartment side of the first connector is electrically connected within the connector closed space.

  According to the present invention, since the partition wall is provided, oil does not ooze out from the oil compartment into the air chamber. Since the paired first and second connectors are connected to form a closed space inside the connector, the connector closed space inside the connector is cut off from the oil compartment and from the air chamber. . Therefore, oil does not ooze out from the oil compartment into the connector, nor does it ooze out from the connector inside. According to the present invention, oil does not ooze out along the conducting wire for transmitting a signal, the connection portion can have a special sealing property, and oil leakage in the terminal box is prevented. Further, since the connector closed space is provided, it is possible to prevent foreign matters such as sand and muddy water from entering the connecting portion, and to keep the inside of the connector clean.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the first and second connectors are connected to each other, the signal cable can be connected in-wheel regardless of the number of conductors that transmit signals regardless of the number of conductors. It can be easily connected to or disconnected from the motor drive device. The current flowing through the conductors such as the external conductor and the internal conductor of the present invention may be a minute current such as a signal transmitted from the sensor, or may be a large current for driving the motor. One or a plurality of external conductors (or internal conductors) are connected to the connector.

  As an embodiment of the present invention, an annular connector sealing material is further provided that surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the first connector and seals the annular gap between the first connector and the partition wall. According to this embodiment, the sealing performance of the partition wall is improved. As another embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the first connector may be surrounded only by the partition wall.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector sealing material is a mold resin filled between the inner peripheral surface of the partition wall and the outer peripheral surface of the first connector. According to this embodiment, even if the cross-sectional shape of the central hole of the partition wall is different from the cross-sectional shape of the first connector passed through the central hole, the sealing performance of the partition wall is improved. Further, the first connector can be securely supported by the partition wall. As another embodiment, the connector seal material may be an off-the-shelf O-ring or the like.

  As one embodiment of the present invention, the first connector is formed in a casing and is provided in a passage connecting the oil compartment and the air chamber, and the partition wall is provided in the passage and the passage is provided inside the in-wheel motor drive device. It is an annular wall that is blocked between the outer peripheral surface of the passage and the inner peripheral surface of the first connector. As another embodiment, the partition wall may be integrally formed with the casing.

  Although this invention is not limited to one Embodiment, You may further provide the cyclic | annular partition wall sealing material which seals the cyclic | annular clearance gap between the internal peripheral surface of a channel | path, and the outer peripheral surface of a partition wall. Moreover, in the passage opened from the air chamber of the in-wheel motor drive device to the outside of the in-wheel motor drive device, a bracket for sealing the opening of the passage may be further provided. According to this embodiment, the sealing performance of the partition wall is improved. In addition, the air chamber can be kept clean.

  Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide exceptional sealing performance at the connection point between the signal cable and the in-wheel motor drive device. Further, since the in-wheel motor drive device is close to the road surface, foreign matters such as water, mud, sand, and dust frequently fly. However, by providing the present invention, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the connector and the partition wall. Further, by connecting the second connector to the first connector or separating the second connector from the first connector, the plurality of external conductors can be easily connected to or separated from the in-wheel motor drive device.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the in-wheel motor drive device which becomes one Embodiment of this invention, and is seen from the vehicle width direction inner side. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the basic composition of the embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the terminal box of the embodiment. It is typical sectional drawing which expands and shows the terminal box represented by FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the connected connector typically. It is sectional drawing which shows the separated connector typically.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an in-wheel motor drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the inner side in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a basic configuration of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the embodiment, and shows a state in which the motor rear cover is removed from FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the terminal box shown in FIG. 3 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 1 shows the in-wheel motor drive device as viewed from the axial direction. Moreover, FIG. 2 shows the cross section cut | disconnected by the virtual plane containing the axis line of an in-wheel motor drive device. Moreover, FIGS. 3-5 shows the cross section cut | disconnected by the virtual plane orthogonal to the axis line of an in-wheel motor drive device. The in-wheel motor drive device 11 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and as shown in FIG. 2, a motor unit 11A, a reduction unit 11B, and a hub that are sequentially arranged in series and coaxially in the direction of the axis O of the in-wheel motor drive device 11 A portion 11C is provided. The speed reduction part 11B adjacent to the hub part 11C is made larger in diameter than the hub part 11C. The motor part 11A adjacent to the speed reducing part 11B has a larger diameter than the speed reducing part 11B.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the casing 21 a that forms the outline of the motor unit 11 </ b> A has a substantially cylindrical shape when viewed from the axial direction of the in-wheel motor drive device 11, and is a non-rotating fixing member. The same applies to the casing 21b that forms the outline of the speed reducing portion 11B. On the other hand, the hub portion 11C has an inner ring-side rotating member (hub wheel 77) and an outer ring-side fixing member (outer ring member 80), and a wheel (not shown) is attached and fixed to the rotating member (hub wheel 77). Thus, the rotational driving force of the motor unit 11A is transmitted to the wheels and the vehicle weight is transmitted to the wheels. At this time, the hub portion 11C and the speed reduction portion 11B are located in the inner space region of the wheel, but the motor portion 11A protrudes from the inner space region of the wheel. Terminal boxes 22s and 22t are formed on the casing 21a of the motor unit 11A so as to protrude outward (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the motor unit 11A accommodates a rotor 12, a stator 13, and a motor shaft 14a of a rotating electrical machine in a motor chamber L in a casing 21a. The motor unit 11A rotationally drives the hub unit 11C (wheel) through the speed reduction unit 11B, or performs power regeneration using the rotation of the hub unit 11C (wheel) during braking or the like. The axial end of the substantially cylindrical casing 21a is closed by a disk-shaped motor rear cover 21r. The stator 13 is attached and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the casing 21a at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction. The rotor 12 is disposed on the inner diameter side of the stator 13, and the rotor 12 is attached and fixed to a motor shaft 14 a extending along the axis O. The coil 17 of the stator 13 is electrically connected to three power lines 101 (see FIG. 1). 11 A of motor parts receive the electromagnetic force produced by supplying an alternating current to the coil 17 of the stator 13, and the rotor 12 comprised with a permanent magnet or a magnetic body rotates. Each power line 101 extends from an inverter (not shown) and is covered with an insulating material.

  The end of the motor shaft 14a is supported by the motor rear cover 21r via the rolling bearing 16. The motor rear cover 21r supports the rotation angle sensor 49. The rotation angle sensor 49 faces the outer periphery of the motor shaft 14a and detects the rotation angle of the motor shaft 14a. The rotation angle sensor 49 is connected to a pair of internal conductors 42. The plurality of internal conductors 42 are arranged in the motor chamber L along the inner wall surface of the motor rear cover 21r, extend in the outer diameter direction, and are drawn into the terminal box 22t. An intermediate portion of the internal conductor 42 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the motor rear cover 21r by a pressing plate 45. The presser plate 45 is a hard plate extending in a band shape, one end of which is attached and fixed to the casing 21a, the other end extends in the inner diameter direction, and is arranged in the motor chamber L so as to face the inner wall surface of the motor rear cover 21r. Is done.

  The substantially cylindrical casing 21b defines a deceleration chamber N, and the deceleration chamber of the deceleration portion 11B is accommodated in the deceleration chamber N. This speed reduction mechanism is a cycloid speed reduction mechanism, and includes an input shaft 14b, two pairs of eccentric members 71, two rolling bearings 72, two curved plates 73 whose outer peripheral portions are corrugated, and an inner pin 74. And an outer pin 75 and an output shaft 76. The input shaft 14b of the deceleration unit 11B is connected and fixed to the motor shaft 14a of the motor unit 11A. Since the input shaft 14b and the motor shaft 14a extend along the axis O and rotate together, they are also referred to as motor-side rotating members. Each eccentric member 71 is eccentrically provided from the axis O and provided on the input shaft 14b. The two curved plates 73 have a central hole, and the inner peripheral surface of the central hole is rotatably supported on the outer peripheral surface of each eccentric member 71 via a rolling bearing 72. The outer pin 75 is fixed to the outer pin housing 79 elastically supported by the casing 21b, engages with the outer peripheral portion formed in the waveform of the curved plate 73, and slightly moves the curved plate 73 revolving around the axis O at high speed. Rotate. The inner pin 74 is fixedly attached to the output shaft 76 and is passed through a plurality of through holes formed in the curved plate 73 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and only the rotational motion of the curved plate 73 is taken out and transmitted to the output shaft 76. As a result, the rotation of the input shaft 14b is decelerated by the decelerating portion 11B and output from the output shaft 76.

  A hub wheel 77 is connected and fixed to the output shaft 76. The hub ring 77 is rotatably supported by the outer ring member 80 via a rolling bearing 78. Further, a road wheel (not shown) is attached and fixed to the hub wheel 77 via a bolt 81.

  The in-wheel motor drive device 11 includes a lubricating oil circuit of an axial oil supply system, and lubricates the motor unit 11A and the speed reduction unit 11B. Specifically, a lubricating oil tank 53 is attached to the lower part of the casing 21b. A lubricating oil pump 51 is provided in a partition wall 21e of the casing that serves as a boundary between the motor chamber L that houses the motor unit 11A and the deceleration chamber N that houses the deceleration unit 11B. The lubricating oil pump 51 is arranged coaxially with the axis O and is driven by an inner pin reinforcing member 74 b fixed to the inner pin 74. That is, the lubricating oil pump 51 is driven by the output rotation of the speed reducing unit 11B. A suction oil passage 52 formed in the wall of the partition wall 21e extends in the vertical direction, and an upper end thereof is connected to the suction port of the lubricant pump 51, and a lower end thereof is provided in the lower portion of the speed reduction unit 11B. 53. A discharge oil passage 54 formed in the wall of the partition wall 21e extends in the vertical direction, is connected to a discharge port of the lubricating oil pump 51 at the lower end, and a casing oil passage 55 formed in the casing 21a at the upper end (see FIG. 3)).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the casing oil passage 55 is formed inside the wall of the casing 21a which becomes a hollow cylindrical wall, and extends in the direction of the axis O between the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface of the casing 21a. Although not shown, the end on the partition wall 21e side of both ends of the casing oil passage 55 is connected to the outer diameter side end of the discharge oil passage 54, and the end on the motor rear cover 21r side of both ends of the casing oil passage 55 is connected. It connects with the outer diameter side end of the connecting oil passage 56. Although not shown, the communication oil passage 56 is formed in the wall of the motor rear cover 21r which is a disk-shaped wall, and extends between the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface of the motor rear cover 21r in the radial direction. The inner diameter side end of the communication oil passage 56 is connected to a motor shaft oil passage 58a provided in the motor shaft 14a as shown in FIG.

  The motor shaft oil passage 58a is provided inside the motor shaft 14a and extends along the axis O. Then, one end of the motor shaft oil passage 58a closer to the speed reduction portion 11B is connected to a speed reduction portion input shaft oil passage 58b provided on the input shaft 14b and extending along the axis O. Further, one end of the motor shaft oil passage 58a on the side far from the speed reduction portion 11B is connected to the communication oil passage 56 described above. Further, the motor shaft oil passage 58a is connected to the inner diameter side end of the rotor oil passage 64 formed in the rotor flange portion at the axial center portion.

  The speed reducer input shaft oil passage 58b is provided inside the input shaft 14b and extends along the axis O between both ends of the input shaft 14b. A lubricating oil hole 60 is provided at one end of the speed reducer input shaft oil passage 58 b facing the output shaft 76. The lubricating oil hole 60 injects lubricating oil toward the deceleration chamber N.

  The speed reducer input shaft oil passage 58 b branches into a lubricating oil passage 59 extending radially outward in the eccentric member 71. The outer diameter side end of the lubricating oil passage 59 is connected to a rolling bearing 72 provided between the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric member 71 and the inner peripheral surface of the curved plate 73.

  A deceleration part return hole 61 is provided at the bottom of the deceleration chamber N. The speed reduction part return hole 61 passes through the casing 21 b and connects the speed reduction chamber N and the lubricating oil tank 53. A motor part return hole 66 is provided at the bottom of the motor chamber L. The motor part return hole 66 penetrates the partition wall 21 e and communicates the motor chamber L and the lubricating oil tank 53.

  The operation of the lubricating oil circuit will be described. The lubricating oil pump 51 driven by the output shaft 76 via the inner pin reinforcing member 74b is connected to the lubricating oil via the suction oil passage 52 as indicated by a white arrow in FIG. The lubricating oil stored in the tank 53 is sucked and the lubricating oil is discharged to the discharge oil passage 54. The lubricating oil is pressurized by the lubricating oil pump 51 and flows sequentially from the discharge oil passage 54 to the casing oil passage 55, the communication oil passage 56, and the motor shaft oil passage 58a. Part of the lubricating oil flowing through the motor shaft oil passage 58 a flows into the rotor oil passage 64 and is injected from the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 12 into the motor chamber L. Next, the lubricating oil goes to the bottom of the motor chamber L and returns to the lubricating oil tank 53 through the motor part return hole 66. In this way, the motor portion 11A is lubricated by the axial center oil supply system. Further, the motor chamber L is filled with the injected lubricating oil to make an oil atmosphere.

  Lubricating oil flowing from the motor shaft oil passage 58a to the speed reducing portion input shaft oil passage 58b branches, flows through the lubricating oil passage 59 and the lubricating oil hole 60, and is injected into the speed reducing chamber N. The rolling bearing 72 of the speed reducing portion 11B, the curve It adheres to the plate 73, the inner pin 74, and the outer pin 75. Next, the lubricating oil goes to the bottom of the deceleration chamber N and returns to the lubricating oil tank 53 through the deceleration unit return hole 61. In this way, the speed reducing portion 11B is lubricated by the axial center oil supply system. Further, the deceleration chamber N is filled with the injected lubricating oil to make an oil atmosphere.

  As shown in FIG. 1, two terminal boxes 22s and 22t are formed on the outer periphery of the casing 21a of the motor unit 11A on the vehicle rear side. The terminal box 22 s is provided for drawing the three power lines 101 extending from the inverter (not shown) into the in-wheel motor drive device 11. The terminal box 22t is provided for drawing one signal cable 105 extending from the inverter into the in-wheel motor drive device 11. The terminal boxes 22s and 22t are disposed near the motor rear cover 21r of the casing 21a to avoid interference with wheels (not shown). Further, the terminal box 22s is arranged on the upper portion of the motor unit 11A, the terminal box 22t is arranged adjacent to the upper side of the terminal box 22s, and these terminal boxes 22s and 22t protrude toward the front of the vehicle. The terminal boxes 22s and 22t are formed integrally with the casing 21a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal box 22t is formed in a rectangular tube shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the protruding end side thereof is an opening 23 that leads to the outside of the in-wheel motor drive device, and the root side is the motor. A passage 24 leading to the chamber L is formed. A connector 30 and a partition wall 41 are provided in the passage 24.

  The partition wall 41 is disposed inside the terminal box 22t, partitions the internal space of the terminal box 22t into the outer side and the motor chamber L side, and blocks the passage 24. The outer space partitioned by the partition wall 41 is filled with air, and the lubricating oil does not enter from the motor chamber L, so is referred to as an air chamber M. In contrast, the motor chamber L and the deceleration chamber N are referred to as oil compartments because they are in an oil atmosphere. The partition wall 41 is formed of a non-conductive material, for example, a resin having oil resistance such as rubber or plastic. The connector 30 penetrates the partition wall 41.

  The internal structure of the terminal box 22t is shown enlarged in FIG. The opening 23 (opening of the passage 24) at the protruding end of the terminal box 22t is sealed with a plate-like bracket 25. A cylindrical collar 106 is erected in a through hole 25 h formed in the center of the bracket 25. The collar 106 surrounds the outer sheath of the signal cable 105 without a gap. The signal cable 105 is a bundle of a plurality of individually coated external conductors 107 and is covered with an outer skin made of an insulating material. The outer skin extends only from the outside to the collar 106, but the plurality of external conductors 107 penetrate the bracket 25 and are drawn into the air chamber M in a loosened state. The opening 23 at the protruding end of the terminal box 22t is provided with an annular groove extending over the entire circumference of the opening 23 and a sealing material 26 accommodated in the annular groove. The sealing material 26 closes the annular gap between the bracket 25 and the opening 23. Thus, the bracket 25 supports and fixes the signal cable 105 via the collar 106, closes the opening 23 at the protruding end of the terminal box 22t, and passes through the opening 23 from the outside of the in-wheel motor drive device 11 to the air chamber. Prevents foreign matter such as water, mud and sand from entering M.

  The connector 30 is a pair of two connectors, and includes a first connector 31 and a second connector 32 that are arranged in the extending direction of the terminal box 22t and are connected to each other. The connector 30 is not a mere connector for fitting the female mold and the male mold to each other, but is a waterproof that constitutes a closed space (connector closed space) that prevents water from entering in order to protect the metal terminals from water or the like. It is a connector.

  The second connector 32 has an end portion 32p and a tip portion 32g, and the end portion 32p of the second connector 32 is connected to the plurality of external conductors 107. The width dimension of the second connector 32 is smaller than the width dimension of the first connector 31, and the distal end portion 32 g of the second connector 32 is inserted into the air chamber side end 31 g of the first connector 31, enter in. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the second connector 32 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first connector 31 so that there is no gap, and the first connector 31 and the second connector 32 constitute a connector closed space.

  The first connector 31 extends in the extending direction of the passage 24 through the central hole of the partition wall 41. The air chamber side end 31g of the first connector 31 is open, and a metal terminal described later appears. The oil compartment side end 31p of the first connector 31 is connected to the end of the internal conductor 42 arranged in the motor chamber L. The cross-sectional shape of the first connector 31 is, for example, an ellipse or a circle, but is not particularly limited as long as it can pass through the central hole of the partition wall 41.

  A pair of connectors is removed and shown in FIGS. 5 shows a state where a pair of connectors are connected, and FIG. 6 shows a state where a pair of connectors are separated. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the first connector 31 and the second connector 32 has connector housings 33 and 34 with open ends, metal terminals 35 and 36 respectively accommodated in the connector housings 33 and 34, and a connector. The inner conductor 42 and the outer conductor 107 that penetrate the ends of the housings 33 and 34 and connect to the metal terminals 35 and 36, respectively, and the outer peripheries of the inner conductor 42 and the outer conductor 107 are surrounded by the end gaps of the connector housings 33 and 34, respectively. Tubular waterproof plugs 37 and 38 are respectively provided. The metal terminals 35, 36, the internal conductor 42, and the external conductor 107 are mainly composed of a highly conductive metal having a low electrical resistance, such as copper or aluminum.

  The internal conductor 42 disposed in the motor chamber L extends from the rotation angle sensor 49 (see FIG. 2) to the terminal box 22t. Although not shown, another sensor (a temperature sensor or the like) is disposed in the motor chamber L, and another internal conductor 42 extends from the sensor to the terminal box 22t. In the present embodiment, six internal conductors 42 extend to the terminal box 22t.

  Each internal conductor 42 is covered with a rubber tubular waterproof plug 37 as shown in FIG. 5 in the terminal box 22t, and penetrates the end wall portion of the connector housing 33 together with the waterproof plug 37. Then, it is pulled into the connector housing 33. And the front-end | tip part of the internal conducting wire 42 extends beyond the waterproof plug 37, and connects with the terminal of the metal terminal 35. FIG.

  The plurality of external conductors 107 arranged in the air chamber M are unraveled and loosened at the tip of the signal cable 105, and extend from the protruding end side of the terminal box 22t toward the root side. Each external conductor 107 extends through the air chamber M in a covered state, but the end of each external conductor 107 is peeled off and covered with a rubber tubular waterproof plug 38, and the end of the second connector 32. It is drawn into the part 32p. The waterproof plug 38 surrounds the metal wire portion of the external conductor 107 and penetrates the end wall portion of the connector housing 34 to close the annular gap between the connector housing 34 and the external conductor 107. The metal wire portion of the external conductor 107 extends beyond the waterproof plug 38 and is connected to the end of the metal terminal 36.

  When the distal end portion 32 g of the second connector 32 is inserted into the air chamber side end 31 g serving as the distal end of the first connector 31 located in the air chamber M, the distal end of the connector housing 34 enters the connector housing 33. An annular sealing material 39 extending over the entire circumference is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the connector housing 33, and the outer circumferential surface of the connector housing 34 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the connector housing 33 so that there is no gap. The first connector 31 and the second connector 32 are combined with each other to form a connector closed space P. In the connector closed space P, the metal terminals 35 and 36 are fitted and electrically connected.

  For the sake of easy understanding, only two pairs of metal terminals 35 and 36 are shown in FIG. 5, but actually, a plurality of metal terminals are arranged in an order perpendicular to the plane of FIG. As long as the first connector 31 and the second connector 32 are connected, a plurality of pairs of metal terminals are simultaneously fitted.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the first connector 31 is supported by the partition wall 41 on the outer periphery of the connector housing 33. As understood from this, the partition wall 41 is an annular wall that fills the annular space between the passage 24 and the first connector 31. The first connector 31 is passed through the central hole of the partition wall 41, and the distal end side of the first connector 31 protrudes from the wall surface of the partition wall 41 and extends to the air chamber M. The second connector 32 is inserted into the front end (air chamber side end 31g) of the first connector 31.

  An annular partition wall sealing material 43 is interposed between the inner periphery of the passage 24 and the outer periphery of the partition wall 41. The partition wall sealing material 43 closes the gap between the passage 24 and the partition wall 41. In addition, liquid resin is filled between the inner periphery of the partition wall 41 and the outer periphery of the first connector 31, and the mold resin 44 formed by curing the liquid resin closes the gap between the partition wall 41 and the first connector 31. . Thus, the outer periphery of the first connector 31 is not only securely fixed to the partition wall 41, but the air chamber M and the motor chamber L are completely blocked within the terminal box 22t.

  According to the present embodiment, the motor chamber L that is in the casing 21a and has an oil atmosphere, the air chamber M that is provided in the casing 21a and is adjacent to the motor chamber L, and the motor chamber L and the air chamber M. A partition wall 41 for partitioning, a first connector 31 extending through the partition wall 41, and a second connector 32 connected to the distal end portion of the external conductor 107 inserted into the air chamber M from the outside of the in-wheel motor drive device 11 The external conductor 107 is connected to the internal conductor 42 in the connector closed space P defined by the second connector 32 being connected to the air chamber side end 31g which is the tip of the first connector 31 on the air chamber M side. A connector 30 is provided for electrical connection. As a result, the lubricating oil in the motor chamber L does not ooze into the air chamber M beyond the partition wall 41 and the first connector 31. Further, since the air chamber M of the terminal box 22t is blocked from the outside by the plate-like bracket 25, foreign matters such as sand and muddy water do not enter the air chamber M from the outside.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the partition wall 41 is further provided with the annular mold resin 44 that surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the first connector 31 and seals the annular gap between the first connector 31 and the partition wall 41. The hermeticity of the seal becomes higher. Even if the cross-sectional shape of the first connector 31 does not correspond to the shape of the central hole of the partition wall 41, the liquid resin is cured by the mold resin 44, so that the annular gap between the two is closed. Can do.

  Further, the first connector 31 of the present embodiment is provided in the passage 24 formed in the casing 21 a and connecting the motor chamber L and the air chamber M, and the partition wall 41 is provided in the passage 24, The in-wheel motor drive device 11 is cut off on the inner side and the outer side, and is an annular wall interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the passage 24 and the outer peripheral surface of the first connector 31.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, since the annular partition wall sealing material 43 that seals the annular clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the passage 24 and the outer peripheral surface of the partition wall 41 is further provided, the sealing performance of the partition wall 41 is increased. Get higher.

  In the present embodiment, a radial gap motor including a stator 13 fixed to the casing 21b of the motor unit 11A and a rotor 12 disposed at a position facing the inner side of the stator 13 with a radial gap therebetween is employed. Although an example has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and a motor having an arbitrary configuration can be applied. For example, an axial gap motor in which the stator and the rotor are arranged to face each other via a gap opened in the axial direction may be used. The motor employed in the motor unit 11A is preferably an embedded magnet type synchronous motor (that is, an IPM motor).

  Furthermore, in the in-wheel motor drive device 11 which concerns on this invention, although the example which employ | adopted the cycloid type reduction gear was shown, not only this but a planetary reduction gear, a 2 axis | shaft parallel reduction gear, and other reduction gears are shown. It may be applicable and may be a so-called direct motor type that does not employ a reduction gear.

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

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

11 In-wheel motor drive device, 11A motor part,
11B Deceleration part, 11C Hub part, 12 Rotor, 13 Stator,
14a motor shaft, 14b input shaft, 21a, 21b casing,
21e partition, 21r motor rear cover,
22s, 22t terminal box, 23 openings, 24 passages,
25 bracket, 26 sealing material, 30 connector,
31 1st connector, 32 2nd connector,
33, 34 connector housing, 35, 36 metal terminal,
37,38 waterproof plug, 39 sealing material, 41 partition wall,
42 internal conducting wire, 43 partition wall sealing material, 44 mold resin,
45 holding plate, 49 rotation angle sensor, 51 lubricating oil pump,
52 suction oil passage, 53 lubricating oil tank, 54 discharge oil passage,
55 casing oil passage, 56 communication oil passage, 58a motor shaft oil passage,
58b Deceleration unit input shaft oil passage, 59 Lubricating oil passage, 60 Lubricating oil hole,
61 Speed reduction part return hole, 64 Rotor oil passage, 66 Motor part return hole,
71 Eccentric member, 73 Curved plate, 74 Inner pin,
74b inner pin reinforcing member, 75 outer pin, 76 output shaft,
77 hub wheel, 101 power line, 105 signal cable,
106 color, 107 external conductor, L motor chamber (oil compartment),
M air chamber, N deceleration chamber, O in-wheel motor drive axis,
P Connector closed space.

Claims (5)

A casing that forms the outline of the in-wheel motor drive device;
An oil compartment inside the casing and having an oil atmosphere;
An air chamber provided in the casing and adjacent to the oil compartment;
A partition wall that partitions the oil compartment and the air chamber;
A first connector extending through the partition wall, and a second connector disposed in the air chamber,
By connecting the second connector and the first connector on the air chamber side, the connector housing of the second connector and the connector housing of the first connector define a connector closed space,
An annular sealing material is provided between the connector housing of the second connector and the connector housing of the first connector so that they are in close contact with each other.
An external conductor of a signal cable extending from the outside of the in-wheel motor driving device to the air chamber and connected to the second connector, and an oil of the first connector extending from a sensor disposed inside the in-wheel motor driving device. An in-wheel motor drive device characterized in that an internal conductor connected to the compartment side is electrically connected within the connector closed space.   2. The in-wheel motor drive device according to claim 1, further comprising an annular connector seal member that surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the first connector and seals an annular gap between the first connector and the partition wall.   The in-wheel motor drive device according to claim 2, wherein the connector seal material is a mold resin filled between an inner peripheral surface of the partition wall and an outer peripheral surface of the first connector. The first connector is provided in a passage formed in the casing and connecting the oil compartment and the air chamber;
The partition wall is provided in the passage and blocks the passage to the inner side and the outer side of the in-wheel motor drive device, and includes an inner peripheral surface of the passage and an outer peripheral surface of the first connector. The in-wheel motor drive device in any one of Claims 1-3 which is a cyclic | annular wall interposed between these.   5. The in-wheel according to claim 4, further comprising: an annular partition wall sealing material that seals an annular gap between the inner peripheral surface of the passage and the outer peripheral surface of the partition wall; and a bracket that seals the opening of the passage. Motor drive device.

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