US 8,783,135 B2 · Electro-mechanical drive-unit

Abstract

An electro-mechanical drive-unit includes an input member, an output member, a drive-unit housing, and a gearing arrangement operatively connected to each of the output and input members. The drive-unit also includes a pump for circulating pressurized fluid and an electric motor. The electric motor includes a rotor connected to the gearing arrangement, a stator fixed relative to the drive-unit housing and having wire windings, and a motor housing configured to retain the rotor and the stator. The drive-unit also includes a fluid cavity between the drive-unit housing and the motor housing configured to receive the pressurized fluid. The drive-unit housing defines a passage in fluid communication with the fluid cavity. The drive-unit also includes a fastener having a head and a shank. The fastener is secured within the passage to facilitate discharging the fluid from under the fastener head onto the wire windings for cooling and/or lubrication thereof.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An electro-mechanical drive-unit connectable with at least one power source for launching and propelling a vehicle, comprising:

an input member and an output member;
a drive-unit housing;
a gearing arrangement operatively connected to each of the output and input members;
a pump configured to circulate pressurized fluid inside the drive-unit;
and
an electric motor including:
a rotor operatively connected to the gearing arrangement;
a stator fixed with respect to the drive-unit housing and having wire windings;
a motor housing configured to retain the rotor and the stator;
and
a fluid cavity generated between the drive-unit housing and the motor housing and configured to receive the pressurized fluid;
wherein:
the drive-unit housing defines a passage that is in fluid communication with the fluid cavity;
and
a fastener having a fastener head and a fastener shank is secured within the passage such that the passage discharges the pressurized fluid from under the fastener head onto the wire windings for cooling and/or lubrication thereof.

12 more elements

A hybrid vehicle comprising:

an engine;
a drive wheel;
and
an electro-mechanical drive-unit operatively connected with the engine for launching and propelling the vehicle, the drive-unit including:
an input member operatively connected to the engine;
an output member operatively connected to the drive wheel;
a drive-unit housing;
a gearing arrangement operatively connected to each of the output and input members;
a pump configured to circulate pressurized fluid inside the drive-unit;
and
an electric motor including:
a rotor operatively connected to the gearing arrangement;
a stator fixed with respect to the drive-unit housing and having wire windings;
a motor housing configured to retain the rotor and the stator;
and
a fluid cavity generated between the drive-unit housing and the motor housing and configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the pump;
wherein:
the drive-unit housing defines a passage that is in fluid communication with the fluid cavity;
and
a fastener having a fastener head and a fastener shank is secured within the passage such that the passage discharges the pressurized fluid from under the fastener head onto the wire windings for cooling and/or lubrication thereof

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electro-mechanical drive-unit

Life of this patent

Electro-mechanical drive-unit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20