WO2023202841A1

WO2023202841A1 - Electric drive device for a motor vehicle, in particular for a passenger vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2023202841A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/057724
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rainer Pauls; Philip Gansloser
Original assignee: Mercedes-Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2022-04-20
Filing date: 2023-03-24
Publication date: 2023-10-26
Also published as: DE102022001354B3

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric drive device (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a main housing (12), said main housing delimiting a receiving region (18) which is divided by wall regions (20, 22) of the main housing (12) into a first sub-region (24) and a second sub-region (26) that is at least partly separated from the first sub-region (24) and is at least partly surrounded by the first sub-region (24); an electric machine (32) which is arranged in the first sub-region (24) for driving the motor vehicle; a transmission device (40) which is arranged adjacently to the electric machine (32) in the axial direction of the electric machine (32) and in the second sub-region (26) and via which the motor vehicle can be driven by the electric machine (32); and at least one overflow opening (76) which is formed in one of the wall regions (20, 22) and via which the sub-regions (24, 26) are fluidically connected together.

Description

Electric drive device for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle

The invention relates to an electric drive device for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle.

The WO 2019/175074 A1 discloses a dual clutch transmission as known, with a transmission housing and a clutch housing as well as a dual clutch arranged within the clutch housing, the rotating body of which is enclosed by an outer disk carrier of the outer clutch.

The object of the present invention is to create an electric drive device for a motor vehicle, so that a particularly advantageous lubrication and/or cooling of the electric drive device can be realized.

This task is achieved by an electric drive device with the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with useful developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

The invention relates to an electric drive device for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle which is preferably designed as a passenger car. This means that the motor vehicle in its fully manufactured state has the electric drive device and can be driven electrically, in particular purely, electrically by means of the electric drive device. The electric drive device has a main housing, also referred to simply as a housing, which is designed or executed, for example, as a cast part, and is therefore preferably produced by casting. The main housing delimits a receiving area, in particular directly, the receiving area being divided into a first subarea and a second subarea by wall areas of the main housing. The second subregion is at least partially separated from the first subregion, in particular fluidly, and is therefore encapsulated. The second part is at least partially surrounded by the first section. Because the subregions are at least partially, in particular fluidly, separated from one another by the wall regions of the main housing and are therefore encapsulated from one another, the wall regions are arranged between the subregions.

The electric drive device has an electrical machine arranged in the first partial area, which is also referred to as an electric machine or electric machine. By means of the electric machine, the motor vehicle can be driven, in particular purely electrically. The electric drive device also has a transmission device which is arranged next to the electric machine in the axial direction of the electric machine. The transmission device is arranged in the second partial area. The electric machine has, for example, a stator and a rotor, which can be driven by the stator and can therefore be rotated about a machine axis of rotation relative to the stator and relative to the main housing. The axial direction of the electrical machine coincides with the machine axis of rotation. In particular, the subregions are at least partially, in particular fluidly, separated from one another in the axial direction of the electrical machine. Since the first subregion at least partially surrounds the second subregion, for example the subregions are also at least partially, in particular fluidly, separated from one another in the radial direction of the electrical machine by the wall regions. It is therefore provided in particular that the first subregion adjoins the second subregion in the axial direction of the electrical machine, and the first subregion also adjoins the second subregion in the radial direction of the electrical machine, in particular towards the outside. Thus, for example, one of the wall regions is arranged in the axial direction of the electrical machine between the partial regions, and for example, another of the wall regions is arranged in the radial direction of the electrical machine between the partial regions. The motor vehicle can be driven by the electric machine, in particular by the rotor, via the transmission device. The transmission device can therefore be driven by the electric machine, in particular by the rotor. This is to be understood in particular as meaning that the electric machine can provide drive torques via its rotor, which can be transferred from the electric machine, in particular from the rotor, to the transmission device and thus in particular can be introduced into the transmission device.

An overflow opening is formed in at least one of the wall regions, via which the partial regions are fluidly connected to one another. So that's it Overflow opening, for example, a first through opening, which penetrates the at least one wall region, in particular completely, and thus opens, for example, at one end into the first subregion and at the other end into the second subregion.

The electric drive device also includes at least one centrifugal ring, which can be rotated relative to the main housing with a gear element of the gear device. In particular, for example, the centrifugal ring is connected, in particular permanently, to the gear element in a rotationally fixed manner. For example, if the transmission device is driven by the electric machine, in particular in that the electric machine provides the respective drive torque via its rotor, which is transmitted from the rotor to the transmission device and thus introduced into the transmission device, the transmission element and with the transmission element are thereby the centrifugal ring, in particular about a gear axis of rotation, is rotated relative to the main housing. Preferably, the transmission device is arranged coaxially with the electric machine, so that the transmission axis of rotation preferably coincides with the machine axis of rotation.

By means of the centrifugal ring, by rotating the centrifugal ring in particular around the gear axis of rotation and relative to the housing, a fluid intended or designed for cooling and/or lubricating the electric drive device and preferably designed as a liquid can be absorbed from a second sump of the fluid which forms in the second partial region and can then be thrown outwards from the centrifugal ring in the radial direction of the centrifugal ring and thereby conveyed through the overflow opening, whereby the fluid is conveyed from the second partial region into the first partial region. The radial direction of the centrifugal ring runs in the radial direction of the gear element, and therefore coincides with the radial direction of the gear element, with the radial direction of the centrifugal ring or the gear element running perpendicular to the gear axis of rotation. In other words, if the gear device and thus the gear element are driven by the electric machine, so that the gear element is rotated relative to the housing via the gear axis of rotation, the centrifugal ring is thereby rotated with the gear element and thus rotated about the gear axis of rotation relative to the housing. This takes place in particular during operation of the electric drive device. During operation or during operation, the fluid, which is in particular in the form of a liquid, collects in the second partial area, also known as the collecting area, by means of which at least a partial area of the electric drive device is cooled and/or is lubricated. In particular, the electrical machine and/or the transmission device is cooled and/or lubricated by means of the fluid, so that the fluid is also referred to as a coolant and/or lubricant. The fluid that collects in the second subregion during operation forms the second sump in the second subregion, the centrifugal ring being driven by the gear element and with it the centrifugal ring and thus rotated about the gear axis of rotation relative to the housing Sump, therefore moved through the fluid forming the second sump, that is, rotated through it. In other words, the centrifugal ring is immersed in the second sump, and because the centrifugal ring is rotated about the gear axis of rotation relative to the main housing, which is also simply referred to as the housing, at least the centrifugal ring is rotated through the second sump. Again, in other words, the sling ring splashes in the second sump. As a result, the centrifugal ring absorbs the fluid from the second sump, in particular in that the fluid from the second sump adheres to the centrifugal ring at least temporarily when the centrifugal ring is moved through the second sump. For example, the fluid is an oil, so that the slinger ring is also referred to as an oil slinger ring, for example.

Because the centrifugal ring is rotated, centrifugal forces act on the centrifugal ring and on the fluid which was absorbed by the centrifugal ring from the second sump, which act outwards in particular in the radial direction of the centrifugal ring. As a result, by rotating the centrifugal ring, the fluid that was absorbed by the centrifugal ring is thrown outwards in the radial direction of the centrifugal ring. The overflow opening is positioned in such a way that the fluid which is thrown off by the centrifugal ring is thrown towards and in particular into the overflow opening and can subsequently flow through the overflow opening, so that the fluid which is thrown off by the centrifugal ring passes through the overflow opening is conveyed through. As a result, the fluid is conveyed from the second subarea (collection area) into the first subarea. In other words, because the fluid is thrown off the centrifugal ring and thrown towards and in particular into the overflow opening, the overflow opening is, so to speak, charged with the fluid. The fluid with which the overflow opening is charged flows through the overflow opening and thereby from the second subregion into the first subregion, in which, for example, the fluid can collect, in particular to form a further, in particular first, sump. The invention is based in particular on the following findings and considerations: In fluid-cooled and/or fluid-lubricated electric drive systems, particularly in a coaxial arrangement, the draining and collecting lubricating and/or cooling fluid can vary depending on the driving condition of the vehicle and in particular depending on the longitudinal and lateral inclination or longitudinal and lateral acceleration and design of the sump come into contact with rotating components, in particular the transmission device, beyond the technically necessary extent. This can lead to an undesirably high level of friction and heat release and, as a result, to an undesirably reduced mechanical efficiency of the electric drive system.

The principle of actively transferring, in particular conveying, running cooling and/or lubricating fluid from an enclosed space occupied by moving components into a separate fluid space is known in vehicle drive technology under the term “dry sump” or “dry sump lubrication”. Electrically or mechanically driven pumps are generally used as fluid-conveying, in particular active, devices. These take up a relatively large amount of space and require a complex drive. In contrast, fluid centrifugal rings as elements for transporting fluids have a significantly smaller installation space requirement, and additional, separate and space-consuming drives can be avoided. Thus, in the invention, at least one centrifugal ring, also referred to as a fluid centrifugal ring, or several centrifugal rings are used to remove the fluid that runs off from the transmission device in particular in the second partial region and collects in the second partial region, in particular to form the second sump referred to as a transmission part, to convey the second sub-area into the first sub-area, which is, for example, an interior of the main housing that is largely separated from the second sub-area. The overflow opening is a fluid transfer between the subregions that can be charged or charged with the fluid by the centrifugal ring, although it is of course conceivable that more than one overflow opening can be used. Preferably, the overflow opening (fluid transfer) is arranged, in particular in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle, above a fluid level of the second sump, that is to say of the fluid forming the second sump, which is to be expected in ferry operation and is also simply referred to as a mirror. No additional drive is provided for driving and thus rotating the centrifugal ring, but rather the centrifugal ring is driven by the gear element as a suitable, already existing, rotating component within the second partial area. Thus, at least the following advantages can be realized by the invention: Avoidance of unnecessary contact of moving parts of the transmission device with draining fluid, especially in driving states outside of a normal position and/or when longitudinal and/or transverse acceleration is acting, thereby reducing friction and unwanted heat release in the drive device

Overall, an improvement in mechanical efficiency and an increase in the electric vehicle range

In addition, the conventional sump can be made flatter, from which advantages can be realized with regard to an arrangement of components of the drive device, also known as a package.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the gear element is a ring gear of a planetary gear of the gear device.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one length region of the second partial region running in the axial direction of the electrical machine is directly delimited to the outside in the radial direction of the electrical machine by a cylindrical, inner circumferential lateral surface of the main housing, with the centrifugal ring in the radial direction of the electrical machine is covered on the outside by the cylindrical, inner circumferential surface.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a radial bearing for supporting the electrical machine is attached to at least one of the wall regions.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one of the wall regions has a through opening provided in addition to the overflow opening, which is penetrated by a shaft that can be driven by the electric machine via the transmission device for driving a vehicle wheel of the motor vehicle.

The main housing thus preferably forms an at least substantially closed, in particular inner circumferential, hollow cylinder in the second partial region. One of the wall regions is formed, for example, by a fluid-tight partition wall, that is to say a partition wall that is impermeable to the fluid, which is arranged between the subregions in particular in the axial direction of the electrical machine. Thus, for example, the partial areas in the axial direction of the electrical machine are at least partially through the Partition wall separated from each other. Since the fluid is picked up from the second sump by means of the centrifugal ring and conveyed from the second subregion into the first subregion via the overflow opening, the centrifugal ring is, so to speak, a scooping element or a scooping device. For example, the centrifugal ring is formed from or by a cylindrical, outer peripheral surface which extends over an axial length and is also referred to as the outer surface. For example, the centrifugal ring, in particular its outer peripheral surface, forms a narrow annular gap with the corresponding inner peripheral surface, which is also referred to as the inner surface, with the inner peripheral surface in particular forming or, in particular directly, delimiting the said hollow cylinder.

For example, the centrifugal ring is designed separately from the gear element and, in particular permanently, is connected to the gear element in a rotationally fixed manner. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the gear element and the slinger ring are formed in one piece with one another, that is to say are formed from a single piece, so that the gear element and the slinger ring are not formed from parts designed separately from one another and connected to one another, but preferably the gear element and the Slingshot ring made from a single piece and thus formed by a monoblock. As a result, the centrifugal ring can rotate with the gear element.

The overflow opening is an outlet opening designed, for example, as an oil outlet opening, which is adjoined in particular by a balcony which collects the fluid or is designed to collect the fluid, which is also referred to as an oil balcony, particularly when the fluid is an oil. Viewed in the circumferential direction running around the transmission axis of rotation, for example, the overflow opening is arranged approximately in a one o'clock position to a two o'clock position, in particular on a circumference of the main housing.

The aforementioned fluid-tight partition is provided, for example, in a main housing base area of the main housing. In particular, it is conceivable that the main housing, in particular in the first subregion and/or in the main housing base region, has an opening, in particular in addition to the overflow opening, for a fluidic connection of the first subregion with the second subregion. For example, the first subregion is at least partially formed or delimited by a trough, also referred to as an oil pan, which is fastened, for example, to the main housing base region. Thus, for example at least part of the first subregion is a further collecting region in which the fluid brought from the second subregion into the first subregion, in particular via the overflow opening, can collect and in particular can form a first sump. In particular, the collection area is at least partially limited by the tub, in particular directly. Thus, for example, the fluid flowing through the overflow opening can flow into the first subarea, in particular into the collection area, and collect in particular in the first subarea, in particular in the collection area.

In one embodiment of the invention, the oil pan for a first sump forming in the first subregion extends in the axial direction of the electrical machine over the first subregion and at least partially, in particular almost completely, over the second subregion. This embodiment of the invention advantageously increases the amount of oil with which the electric drive device can be filled.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the oil pan is arranged in a second partial area radially outside the second sump. In other words, the second sump of the second subregion is arranged radially within the oil pan in the second subregion and can advantageously be made particularly flat, thereby supporting the formation of a dry sump.

For example, the radial bearing mentioned is attached to, in particular in, the partition wall mentioned. Alternatively or additionally, said through opening can be formed in the partition, so that the partition has the through opening. In particular, the through opening can be designed as a bore. Since the shaft penetrates the through-opening, the through-opening is therefore provided or designed for a shaft passage, that is, for the shaft to pass through the through-opening.

The invention is also based in particular on the following considerations, findings and starting points: In a fluid-cooled and/or fluid-lubricated electric drive train (eATS), particularly with a high power density, the thermally and mechanically highly stressed components are generally actively supplied with fluid, in particular oil. As a result, a sufficient amount of fluid is kept inside the eATS and actively conveyed to consumers of the fluid during operation, whereby the Consumers are cooled and/or lubricated by means of the fluid. A quantity of fluid that is not directly in circulation collects in low-lying areas of the eATS, such as the second subarea. Frictional losses occur in the area of contact between this fluid and moving components. In the transmission device, which is also simply referred to as a transmission, churning losses occur, for example, due to the immersion of individual gears, wheel sets or circuit components in accumulations of fluid. The fluid can in particular be designed as an oil, so that in particular when an oil or the oil is mentioned below, the fluid is to be understood as meaning the fluid, unless otherwise stated.

To avoid this, for example, a sump that is sufficiently extended downwards could be used. However, this measure would increase the overall height of the overall unit, which can be unfavorable for vehicle installation.

If, for example, the gear is designed as a planetary gear, its radial expansion can determine a required overall height of the overall unit depending on a gear ratio to be realized and a torque to be transmitted. In order to be able to maintain the amount of fluid required for long-term operation of the unit in the unit itself, without increasing the overall height of the entire unit due to a downwardly expanding sump, the transmission can be largely closed off from the rest of the interior (first section) of the eATS Room (second section) can be arranged. In principle, it is conceivable that, with the help of a suitable conveying device, the fluid supplied to the transmission from the transmission compartment (second sub-area) is actively conveyed back into the eATS interior (first sub-area) during operation. The overflow opening, also known as the transfer opening, between the transmission compartment (second sub-area) and the rest of the interior (first sub-area) of the eATS is preferably located above the level of the fluid in the overall unit, also known as the oil level. This means that the fluid level in the transmission compartment is lower than in the rest of the unit. In the transmission compartment, contact of the fluid with moving parts during operation is limited to the technically intended and necessary extent. Friction losses caused by fluid splashing and fluid friction can be reduced and the mechanical efficiency of the entire system can be improved. The installation space requirement of the complete unit is favorably influenced; the unit can be made flatter while maintaining the same function. In the invention, the centrifugal ring is used as the conveying device, which is rotated with the gear element that is already provided.

Thus, in the invention, the fluid supplied to the transmission is reclaimed by means of the slinger, also known as a fluid slinger. When using a planetary gear, it can be coupled to concentrically rotating gear components and is an advantageous solution in terms of drive complexity and space requirements.

An outer diameter, in particular the largest outer diameter, of the centrifugal ring is chosen to be so large, for example, that the level of the fluid in the second subregion, also referred to as the fluid level, that is to say the level of the second sump, can be kept sufficiently low. When used in planetary gears, the outer diameter of the centrifugal ring, also known as the outer diameter, should therefore correspond to at least one diameter, in particular an outer diameter and in particular the largest outer diameter, of the ring gear.

The gear room (second sub-area) is formed, for example, from a cylindrical lateral surface, that is in particular the aforementioned cylindrical inner circumferential lateral surface, and, for example, two circular side surfaces, so that, for example, the second partial region has the shape of a straight circular cylinder or a straight, in particular hollow circular cylinder. The cylindrical lateral surface, that is to say the cylindrical, inner circumferential lateral surface, in its upper half, for example, simultaneously represents a housing outer surface of the main housing. The lower half of the cylindrical lateral surface forms, for example, a radial separation of the second partial area from or to the first partial area (interior). The cylindrical lateral surface is, for example, circular, at least in the area of the centrifugal ring, in order to represent a suitable outer surface for a fluid delivery gap, which is arranged between the fluid centrifugal ring and the cylindrical, inner circumferential lateral surface, in particular when viewed in the radial direction of the transmission device or the electrical machine, and thereby, for example, in the radial direction of the transmission device or the electrical machine is limited outwardly by the cylindrical, inner circumferential lateral surface and in the radial direction of the transmission device inwardly by the fluid centrifugal ring, in particular by its, preferably cylindrical, outer circumferential lateral surface. The For example, when using a planetary gear, depending on the application, the outer surface can also serve as a holder and guide for the ring gear or a planet carrier of the planetary gear. The circular, inner side surface in the direction of the electrical machine forms, for example, a partition or the partition wall in the direction of the interior. A shaft end of the electric machine, for example designed as a gear, protrudes through the inner side surface into the transmission chamber and drives further gears of the transmission device there during operation. The opening in the inner side surface to be provided for the shaft end of the electrical machine can also be designed in such a way that the electrical machine can be accommodated and centered via a correspondingly designed fitting hole. In this case, the housing of the electrical machine at least partially forms the inner side surface. The inner side surface is designed as a partition in the main housing. The outer side surface opposite the inner side surface in the direction of the electric machine forms an outer surface of the electric drive device. A shaft end of the shaft mentioned, for example designed as a wheel drive shaft, projects through the outer side surface into the transmission space. The outer side surface of the transmission compartment can also be designed as a cover to enable assembly of the transmission parts. The entire cylindrical outer surface of the gear room and the inner side surface of the gear room are part of the main housing of the drive device. This is usually made as a casting from an aluminum or magnesium alloy.

The outer side surface of the transmission compartment is part of a cover that closes off the side of the main housing. This lid is also made from an aluminum or magnesium alloy, alternatively from plastic. The main housing is closed at the bottom, for example, by the particularly screwed-on trough. This can be made of metal or plastic.

The centrifugal ring is in particular a rotating, concentric, cylindrical element whose outer radial surface is immersed in the fluid. The outer radial lateral surface of the centrifugal ring, together with the cylindrical inner wall of the housing part enclosing the gearbox chamber, which is designed concentrically to the fluid centrifugal ring, defines a circumferential gap. Within this space, referred to as the fluid delivery gap, the fluid to be delivered from the gear room is conveyed by the shear forces imposed by the rotating fluid centrifugal ring to a fluid transfer arranged on the circumference of the fluid delivery gap, in particular in the form of the overflow opening. The fluid transfer is designed, for example, in such a way that the fluid delivery gap expands radially in this area and the fluid expands as a result acting centrifugal force detaches from the fluid centrifugal ring and can be thrown through the overflow opening into the interior. The centrifugal ring is driven, for example, via a torque-locking connection of the centrifugal ring to the gear element as a rotating component of the drive device. A favorable conveying effect of the centrifugal ring is achieved, for example, if the diameter of the centrifugal ring is in the range of approximately 150 to 300 millimeters. For the delivery of oiling or fluid quantities of 0.1 to 4 liters per minute, which are usually provided in the transmission, it is advantageous if the outer, radial surface area of the centrifugal ring is 2,000 to 4,000 square millimeters. A favorable height of the fluid delivery gap depends within limits on the viscosity of the fluid to be delivered. For conventional gear oils, the gap height, that is to say a height or width of the gap running in the radial direction of the gear device, should, for example, be in a range from 1 millimeter to 3 millimeters inclusive. The overflow opening fed by the centrifugal ring between the interior and the gear room, that is, between the first sub-area and the second sub-area, should be positioned in an area above the level of the fluid to be expected during ferry operation.

Particularly due to the centrifugal forces acting, it is advantageous if the centrifugal ring is made of metal, that is to say of a metallic material or of a fiber-reinforced plastic, that is to say is made. Furthermore, it is conceivable that an outer lateral surface of a rotating gear component of the gear device, that is, in particular of the gear element, is designed as the slinger ring. In particular, the transmission element can be the ring gear mentioned, the planet carrier mentioned or a parking lock wheel. If the centrifugal ring is a separate component, it is advantageous if it is connected in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner to the gear element designed as a rotating gear component. This can be achieved, for example, by pressing on, welding, gluing and/or screwing.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment and from the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone are not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in others Can be used in combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention.

The drawing shows in:

1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an electric drive device for a motor vehicle;

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drive device;

3 shows a further schematic cross-sectional view of the drive device; and

Fig. 4 shows a further schematic cross-sectional view of the drive device.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an electric drive device 10 for a motor vehicle, also simply referred to as a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle. This means that the motor vehicle, for example designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car, has the electric drive device 10 in its fully manufactured state and can be driven, in particular purely electrically, by means of the electric drive device 10. The electric drive device 10 has a main housing 12, which is designed, for example, as a casting, and is therefore produced by casting. The main housing 12 can be designed in several parts and thus have several housing parts that are designed separately from one another and connected to one another. For example, a first of the housing parts is designated 14, with a second of the housing parts being designated 16, for example. For example, the housing part 16 is a tub or a tub lid, whereby the tub can also be referred to, for example, as an oil pan or the tub lid can also be referred to as an oil pan lid. The main housing 12 delimits a receiving area 18, which is divided into a first partial area 24 and a second partial area 26 by wall areas 20 and 22 of the main housing 12. Through the wall regions 20 and 22, the subregions 24 and 26 are at least partially, in particular fluidly, from each other separated. The wall regions 20 and 22 are formed by respective walls of the main housing 12, in particular designed as solid bodies. A first of the walls is a partition 28, through which the wall area 20 is formed. The partial areas 24 and 26 are at least partially separated from one another in the axial direction of the drive device 10 by the partition 28. A second of the walls is designated 30, the wall 30 forming the wall area 22. The partial areas 24 and 26 are at least partially separated from one another in the radial direction of the drive device 10 by the wall 30. From Fig. 1 it can be seen that the first portion 24 at least partially surrounds the second portion 26, in the present case such that the first portion 24 adjoins the partition 28 and the second portion 26 in the axial direction of the electrical machine 32, and that the first subregion 24 adjoins the wall 30 and the second subregion 26 in the radial direction of the electric drive device 10. Furthermore, it can be seen that the partition 28 delimits the second partial area 26 in the axial direction of the drive device 10 and towards the partial area 24, in particular directly, and the wall 30 delimits the partial area 26 in the radial direction of the drive device 10 and thereby towards the Section 24.

The electric drive device 10 also has an electric machine 32, which is arranged in the first subregion 24. The first subarea 24 is therefore also referred to as the interior or engine room. By means of the electric machine 32, the motor vehicle can be driven, in particular purely electrically. The electrical machine 32 has a stator 34 and a rotor 36, which can be driven by the stator 34 and is therefore rotatable about a machine axis of rotation 38 relative to the stator 34 and relative to the main housing 12. The electric drive device 10 also includes a transmission device 40, also simply referred to as a gearbox, which is arranged in the axial direction of the electric machine 32 and thus in the axial direction of the electric drive device 10 next to the electric machine 32 and thereby in the second partial region 26. The second subarea 26 is therefore also referred to as the transmission room. The motor vehicle can be driven by the electric machine 32 via the transmission. The transmission can thus be driven by the electric machine 32, in particular in that the electric machine 32 can provide respective drive torques for driving the motor vehicle via its rotor 36. The respective drive torque can be transmitted from the rotor 36 to the transmission device 40 and introduced into the transmission device 40, whereby the transmission device 40 can be driven. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the transmission device 40 comprises a planetary gear 42, which has a sun gear 44 and a ring gear 46 and, for example, a planet carrier that cannot be seen in the figures. In addition, the planetary gear 42 includes planet gears 48, which are rotatably mounted, for example, on the planet carrier. The respective planetary gear 48 meshes simultaneously with the ring gear 46 and with the sun gear 44. The transmission device 40 also includes a differential gear 47 arranged in the partial area 26, via which output shafts 49 and 50 from the electrical machine, also referred to simply as shafts and designed, for example, as cardan shafts 32 can be driven. The respective output shaft 49, 50 is also simply referred to as a shaft or side shaft and can drive a respective vehicle wheel of the motor vehicle, whereby the motor vehicle as a whole can be driven. It can be seen that the output shaft 49 penetrates a first through opening 52 of the main housing 12, and the output shaft 49 penetrates the rotor 36. The output shaft 50 penetrates a second through opening 54 of the main housing 12. In addition, the rotor 36 and the output shaft 49 penetrate a through opening 56 the partition 28. The sun gear 44, the ring gear 46 and the planet gears 48 as well as, for example, the planet carrier are, for example, components of a first planetary gear stage of the planetary gear 42. A second planetary gear stage is provided in the present case, which, for example, has a second ring gear 58 and second planet gears 60 and, for example, a second one Planet carrier has. For example, the respective second planet gear 60 is rotatably mounted on the second planet carrier. Furthermore, the second planetary gear stage can have a second sun gear, which is connected to the rotor 36 in a rotationally fixed manner, for example. For example, the respective planet gear 60 meshes simultaneously with the second sun gear and with the second ring gear 58. For example, the second ring gear 58 is connected to the sun gear 44 in a rotationally fixed manner.

Since the vehicle wheels can be driven by means of the output shafts 49 and 50, the output shafts 49 and 50 are also referred to as wheel drive shafts. In particular, the rotor 36 includes a rotor shaft 62, which can, for example, be permanently connected to the second sun gear in a rotationally fixed manner.

In order to lubricate and/or cool the drive device 10, a fluid 64, preferably in the form of a liquid, is used. In particular, the fluid 64 can be an oil. It can be seen that the fluid 64 can collect in the transmission compartment to form a second sump 66 and in the interior to form a first sump 68. A second mirror, also referred to as a level, of the sump 66, that is to say of the fluid 64 forming the sump 66, is designated 70, and also a first Level designated, first level of the sump 68, that is to say the fluid 64 forming the sump 68, is designated 72.

It can be seen particularly well from Fig. 2 that the wall 30 delimits the second partial region 26 in the circumferential direction extending around the axial direction of the electric machine 32 and thus the transmission device 40 and the drive device 10 as a whole, in particular directly, in particular in such a way that an inner circumferential side Lateral surface 74 of the wall 30, therefore of the wall region 22, delimits the partial region 26 in the circumferential direction of the electrical machine 32 at least partially circumferentially, in particular directly. From Fig. 2 it can be seen that in the wall region 22 and thus in the wall 30 at least one overflow opening 76, which is provided in addition to the through openings 52, 54 and 56 and is designed as a through opening, is formed, via which the partial regions 24 and 26 are fluidly connected to one another .

In order to be able to realize a particularly advantageous lubrication and/or cooling of the drive device 10, the electric drive device 10 has at least one slinger ring 78, which can rotate with a gear element of the gear device 40 relative to the main housing 12 and is also referred to as a fluid slinger ring. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the gear element is the ring gear 46, so that the ring gear 46 and with it the slinger 78 can be rotated about a gear axis of rotation 80 relative to the main housing 12 or are rotated when the electric machine 32 Gear device 40 drives, that is, when the respective drive torque is introduced into the gear device 40. In Fig. 2, an arrow 82 shows a first rotation of the centrifugal ring 78 and thus of the ring gear 46 about the gear axis of rotation 80 relative to the main housing 12. The first rotation is a clockwise rotation in relation to the image plane of FIG. 2. An arrow 84 illustrates that by rotating the centrifugal ring 78, the fluid 64 provided for cooling and/or lubricating the electric drive device 10 is picked up from the sump 66 forming in the second partial region 26 by means of the centrifugal ring 78 and then in the radial direction of the centrifugal ring 78 is thrown outward and thereby conveyed through the overflow opening 76, whereby the fluid 64 is conveyed from the subregion 26 into the first subregion 24. This is done in such a way that when the centrifugal ring 78 is driven and thus rotated about the gear axis of rotation 80 relative to the main housing 12, it splashes in the sump 66. From Fig. 2 it can be seen that the inner peripheral surface 74 of the wall region 22 and the wall 30 is at least essentially cylindrical and thus has the shape of a circular cylinder. Correspondingly, the centrifugal ring 78 has an outer circumferential surface 86, which is, for example, cylindrical and thus has the shape of a straight circular cylinder. Between the lateral surfaces 74 and 86, that is to say in the radial direction of the centrifugal ring 78 and thus the gear device 40 and the electrical machine 32, a fluid conveying gap 88, also simply referred to as a conveying gap or gap, is arranged between the lateral surfaces 74 and 86, which is in the radial direction of the Centrifugal ring 78 is limited outwards by the lateral surface 74 and in the radial direction of the centrifugal ring 78 inwards by the lateral surface 86, in particular directly. The lateral surface 86 is an active surface of the slinger ring 78, also known as an oil slinger ring, and is a radially outer surface of a rotating cylinder or hollow cylinder. The lateral surface 74 opposite the active surface of the centrifugal ring 78 is formed by the wall 30, which is designed, for example, as an inner wall of the housing, or by the wall region 22 and is thereby a radial inner lateral surface of a hollow cylinder. The cylinder or hollow cylinder formed by the lateral surface 86 and the hollow cylinder formed by the lateral surface 74 are arranged concentrically to one another, in particular with respect to the gear axis of rotation 80. The circumferential and in particular concentric gap of the same height is thus created between the lateral surfaces 74 and 86. If the centrifugal ring 78 rotates and the mirror 70 is higher than the height or width of the gap, also referred to as a further gap width, in the radial direction of the centrifugal ring 78, the fluid 64 is conveyed into the gap due to shear forces, in particular drawn, and rotated. or direction of rotation of the centrifugal ring 78 is conveyed along the gap. In the area of the overflow opening 76, which acts as a transfer or oil overflow, the gap widens outwards, in particular in the radial direction of the centrifugal ring 78, and in particular in the direction of the overflow opening 76 and towards the interior. The fluid conveyed in the gap is released in this area or at this point as a result of an acting centrifugal force from the gap and thereby from the centrifugal ring 78 and is conveyed or ejected from the overflow opening 76 to or into the interior.

Fig. 3 shows the drive device 10 in a further, schematic cross-sectional view with a clockwise rotating centrifugal ring 78. Fig. 4 shows it Drive device 10 in a further, schematic cross-sectional view, but in the present case when the centrifugal ring 78 and thus the gear element rotate in a second direction of rotation about the gear axis of rotation 80 relative to the main housing 12, which is opposite to the first direction of rotation, the second direction of rotation being a left-hand rotation.

Reference symbol list

10 drive device

12 main body

14 housing part

16 housing part

18 recording area

20 wall area

22 wall area

24 first section

26 second section

28 partition

30 wall

32 electric machine

34 stator

36 rotors

38 machine rotation axis

40 gear device

42 planetary gears

44 sun gear

46 ring gear

47 differential gears

48 planetary gear

49 output shaft

50 output shaft

52 passage opening

54 passage opening

56 passage opening

58 second ring gear

60 second planetary gear

62 rotor shaft

64 Fluid

66 Swamp

68 Swamp

70 mirrors

72 mirrors

74 inner circumferential surface Overflow opening, centrifugal ring, gearbox rotation axis, arrow, outer circumferential surface, fluid delivery gap

Claims

Claims Electric drive device (10) for a motor vehicle, with a main housing (12), which delimits a receiving area (18), which is divided by wall areas (20, 22) of the main housing (12) into a first partial area (24) and at least partially separated from the first sub-area (24) and at least partially surrounded by the first sub-area (24), with an electric machine (32) arranged in the first sub-area (24) for driving the motor vehicle, with a transmission device (40) arranged in the axial direction of the electric machine (32) next to the electric machine (32) and in the second partial region (26), via which the motor vehicle can be driven by the electric machine (32), with at least one in one the overflow opening (76) formed in the wall regions (20, 22), via which the partial regions (24, 26) are fluidly connected to one another, and with at least one which can be rotated relative to the main housing (12) with a gear element (46) of the gear device (40). Centrifugal ring (78), by means of which, by rotating the centrifugal ring (78), a fluid (64) provided for cooling and/or lubricating the electric drive device is extracted from a second sump (66) of the fluid (64) which forms in the second partial region (26). receivable and can then be thrown outwards by the centrifugal ring (78) in the radial direction of the centrifugal ring (78) and can therefore be conveyed through the overflow opening (76), whereby the fluid (64) from the second subregion (26) into the first subregion (24 ) can be conveyed, the centrifugal ring being immersed in the second sump, and an oil pan (16) being provided for a first sump (68) which forms in the first partial region (24), which is located in the axial direction of the electrical machine (32). extends over the first portion (24) and at least partially over the second portion (26), and the oil pan (16) is arranged in the second portion (26) radially outside the second sump (66). Electric drive device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gear element (46) is a ring gear (46) of a planetary gear (42) of the gear device (40). Electrical drive device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one length region of the second partial region (26) running in the axial direction of the electrical machine (32) extends radially through a cylindrical, inner circumferential lateral surface (74) of the main housing (12). Direction of the electrical machine (32) is directly limited to the outside, the centrifugal ring (78) being covered in the radial direction of the electrical machine (32) to the outside by the cylindrical, inner circumferential lateral surface (74). Electric drive device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the centrifugal ring (78) forms an annular gap with the inner peripheral surface (74) of the main housing (12) that covers it. Electrical drive device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a radial bearing for supporting the electrical machine (32) is attached to at least one of the wall regions (20, 22). Electric drive device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the wall regions (20, 22) has a through opening (56) provided in addition to the overflow opening (76), which is provided by a transmission device (40) from the Electric machine (32) drivable shaft (49) for driving a vehicle wheel of the motor vehicle is penetrated.