Transmission Assembly for a Motor Vehicle and Method for Installing a Transmission Assembly

Abstract

A transmission arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a first housing part, a second housing part, an electric machine at least partially within the first housing part, an internal combustion engine having a component at least partially within the second housing part, and a transmission. The electric machine and the component of the internal combustion engine being connectable to an output shaft of the transmission to transmit torque to the output shaft. The transmission arrangement further includes an intermediate shaft connected to the output shaft to transmit the torque to a drive axle of the motor vehicle, and an intermediate wall. The first and second housing parts are connectable to each other to together define a common interior space, the transmission and at least part of the intermediate shaft being within the common interior space. The intermediate wall delimits a subspace of the common interior space from remaining space of the common interior space, with the electric machine being within the subspace. The intermediate shaft is supported on the intermediate wall at a side of the electric machine.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A transmission arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a first housing part (12); a second housing part (16); an electric machine (14), the electric machine (14) being at least partially within the first housing part (12); an internal combustion engine having a component (18) at least partially within the second housing part (16); a transmission (20), the electric machine (14) and the component (18) of the internal combustion engine being connectable to an output shaft of the transmission (20) to transmit torque to the output shaft; an intermediate shaft (22) connected to the output shaft to transmit the torque to a drive axle (25) of the motor vehicle; and an intermediate wall (34), wherein the first and second housing parts (12, 16) are connectable to each other to together define a common interior space (30), the transmission (20) and at least part of the intermediate shaft (22) being within the common interior space (30), wherein the intermediate wall (34) delimits a subspace (36) of the common interior space (30) from remaining space of the common interior space (30), the electric machine (14) being within the subspace (36), and wherein the intermediate shaft (22) is supported on the intermediate wall (34) at a side of the electric machine (14).

17. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein the intermediate shaft (22) is supported on a wall (42) of the second housing part (16), the wall (42) of the second housing part (16) being proximate a side of the internal combustion engine.

18. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 17, wherein the wall (42) of the second housing part (16) delimits a further subspace (44) of the common interior space (30) for accommodating the component (18) of the internal combustion engine.

19. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein the transmission arrangement (10) is arranged in the motor vehicle in a transverse direction with the electric machine (14) on a wheel-side.

20. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein an axis of rotation of the intermediate shaft (22) is supported at a radial location at least partially within a radially outer diameter of a stator of the electric machine (14).

21. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein the first housing part (12) has an assembly opening, through which the electric machine (14) is insertable into and removable from the first housing part, the opening being at least partially enclosable by the intermediate wall (34).

22. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein the intermediate wall (34) seals with one or both of the first housing part (12) and the second housing part (16).

23. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein the intermediate wall (34) is attachable to one or both of the first housing part (12) and the second housing part (16).

24. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein the intermediate wall (34) is in a parting plane (26) between the first housing part (12) and the second housing part (16).

25. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein the common interior space (30) of the transmission arrangement (10) is defined only by the first housing part (12) and the second housing part (16).

26. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein the transmission (20) includes at least one planetary gear set, wherein at least one element of the at least one planetary gear set is supported at the intermediate wall (34).

27. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 26, wherein the element of the planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to the intermediate wall.

28. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 26, wherein the at least one planetary gear set includes two planetary gear sets, the at least one element supported at the intermediate wall being at least one element of a first planetary gear set of the two planetary gear sets, where the first planetary gear set is on a side of the electric machine (14).

29. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein the component (18) of the internal combustion engine is a clutch, an oil supply device, a dual-mass flywheel, a torsional vibration mass damper, a torsional vibration damper, an all-wheel distributor, or a converter transmission.

30. A method for assembling a transmission arrangement (10), comprising: inserting an electric machine (14) into a first housing part (12) through an assembly opening of the first housing part (12), the first housing part (12) only having one assembly opening, the assembly opening being the one assembly opening of the first housing part (12); arranging an intermediate wall (34) at the first housing part (12) to at least partially close the assembly opening after inserting the electric machine (14); supporting an intermediate shaft (22) at the intermediate wall (34) axially adjacent the electric machine (14) after arranging the intermediate wall (34) at the first housing part (12); attaching a second housing part (16) at one or both of the first housing part (12) and the intermediate wall (34) such that the first and second housing parts (16) together define a common interior space (30), the intermediate shaft (22) being supported at a wall (42) of the second housing part (16), the wall (42) of the second housing part (16) being proximate a side of an internal combustion engine, a component (18) of the internal combustion engine being within the second housing part (16); and arranging a transmission (20) in the common interior space (30) such that at least one element of a planetary gear set of the transmission (20) is supported at the intermediate wall (34) and such that the transmission (20) is supported at the wall (42) of the second housing part (16).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0041] The FIGURE shows schematic section view of a transmission arrangement in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the drawings. Each embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be combined with another embodiment to yield still another embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations to the embodiments described herein.

[0043] The FIGURE shows a transmission arrangement 10 for a motor vehicle, which includes an electric machine or motor 14 arranged in a first housing part 12. In addition, the transmission arrangement 10 includes a second housing part 16, in which a component 18 of an internal combustion engine is accommodated. In the present case, the component 18 is, for example, a clutch, an oil supply device, a system for ensuring uniformity of rotation, such as dual-mass flywheels, a torsional vibration mass damper and/or a torsional vibration damper.

[0044] In addition, the transmission arrangement 10 includes a transmission 20, by which the electric machine 14 and the internal combustion engine, in particular its component 18, are connectable to an output shaft of the transmission 20 for transmitting torque with differently settable transmission ratios and/or gear stages. Selectively engageable gear stages are also referred to as gears. The transmission 20 is also referred to as a main transmission. The transmission 20 includes, for example, two planetary gear sets, by which the electric machine 14 and the internal combustion engine are connected to the drive train with transmission ratios that are settable largely independently of one another, in order to transmit torque. Therefore, multiple electric gears and internal combustion engine-gears are available for a particularly efficient power coupling. For this purpose, the transmission 20 includes particular shift elements in order to couple different elements of the planetary gear sets in each case to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. For example, a planet carrier of one of the two planetary gear sets adjacent to the component 18 functions as the output shaft. A sun gear or a ring gear alternatively functions as the output shaft, however. In addition, the transmission 20 also includes particular clutches in order to interrupt the torque transmission of the electric machine 14 and/or of the internal combustion engine or the component 18.

[0045] In addition, the transmission arrangement includes an intermediate shaft 22, which is connected to the output shaft of the transmission 20 in order to transmit torque to a differential 24 of the motor vehicle. The differential 24 is connected to a drive axle 25 of the motor vehicle, and so particular torques generated by the internal combustion engine and/or the electric machine are utilized for driving the motor vehicle.

[0046] The two housing parts 12, 16 are connected to each other at a separation point 26, in the present case by particular bolted connections 28. The separation point 26 is understood to be a circumferential separation. The two housing parts 12, 16 therefore form two halves of a two-shelled housing. As is apparent, the two shells or two housing parts 12, 16 form a parting plane, which is essentially orthogonal with respect to particular axes of rotation of the transmission 20 and also of the intermediate shaft 22. In this way, the interior space 30 is particularly easily sealed, particularly in comparison to a housing having more housing parts and/or assembly openings and covers. The axes of rotation correspond to an axial extension of the transmission arrangement 10 and of the transmission 20. The radial extension is orthogonal relative to the axial extension or direction.

[0047] The two housing parts 12, 16 together form an interior space 30. The transmission 20 and the electric machine 14 are arranged in the interior space 30. The intermediate shaft 22, at least with its axis of rotation, is also arranged radially within the interior space 30, as the result of which the transmission arrangement 10 is particularly compact. The radial position of the axis of rotation of the intermediate shaft 22 is therefore also located radially within the outer diameter of a stator 32 of the electric machine 14.

[0048] In addition, the transmission arrangement also includes an intermediate wall 34 which delimits a first subspace 36, in which the electric machine 14 in the interior space 30 is arranged, from the remaining interior space 30. As a result, despite a shared oil supply, a separate adjustment of the amount of oil for the transmission 20 and for the electric machine 14 is possible. A portion of the transmission 20 is also arranged in the first subspace 36, however, and supplied oil together with the electric machine 14. A nearly complete separation is also possible, however.

[0049] In addition, the first housing part 12 forms a cup-like structure, which, in the FIGURE, delimits the interior space 30 or the first subspace 36 toward the right. The first subspace 36 is also be referred to as an area or subarea of the interior space 30. Toward the right is a side facing away from the internal combustion engine and facing a wheel of the motor vehicle in the case of a transverse installation. A transverse installation is an installation position of the transmission arrangement 10, in which the transmission arrangement 10 extends with its main axis essentially parallel to the transverse direction and/or an axle 25 of the motor vehicle. As a result, due to the intermediate wall 34 and due to the position of the intermediate shaft 22, the electric machine 14 (i.e., stator 32 of the electric machine 14) is installed from the side of the internal combustion engine and an additional assembly opening is not necessary on the side of the wheel. The intermediate wall 34 is preferably arranged between the internal combustion engine and a wheel of the motor vehicle.

[0050] Due to the arrangement of the intermediate wall 34 essentially in the parting plane of the housing, the intermediate wall 34 is quickly and easily installed, for example, by being bolted together with the first housing part 12. After the insertion of the electric machine 14, the intermediate wall 34 is also inserted into the assembly opening of the first housing part 12 and, thereby, fix the electric machine in the first housing part 12. As a result, the assembly is particularly simple.

[0051] Finally, the intermediate shaft 22 and the transmission 20 are inserted into the interior space 30. The intermediate shaft 22 is supported at the intermediate wall 34 on the side of the electric machine 14. The supporting point 38 is formed by two projections, at which an angular tapered roller bearing is arranged. As a result, the intermediate shaft 22 is supported axially as well as radially. Due to the mounting of the intermediate shaft 22 at the intermediate wall 34 on the side of the electric machine 14, the transmission arrangement 10 is particularly well nested and, thereby, axially compact. Simultaneously, additional housing parts for support are dispensed with.

[0052] An element of the transmission 20 is also supported at the intermediate wall 34 on the side of the electric machine 14. The supporting point 40 for the transmission 20 forms a recess in the intermediate wall 34, which alternatively, for example, is a passage opening for connecting the transmission 20 to a rotor of the electric machine 14. In the present case, a planet carrier of a planetary gear set facing the electric machine 14 is rotationally fixed to the intermediate wall 34. As a result, the transmission 20 is supported axially as well as radially. Alternatively, the transmission 20 is only radially supported at the supporting point 40 and the transmission 20 itself absorbs axial loads. Alternatively, or additionally, particular other elements, such as a sun gear or a ring gear of the transmission 20, could also be supported at the intermediate wall 34. In the present case, the planet carrier is supported, since the planet carrier, in the case of the transmission 20, is fixedly coupled to the housing and is not rotatable. Therefore, the support is particularly simple. In addition, the non-rotating planet carrier easily seals a passage opening in the intermediate wall 34 at least to the extent that the first subspace 36 is supplied with a different amount of oil than the rest of the interior space 30. Additionally, due to the support of the element of the transmission 20 at the intermediate wall 34 on the side of the electric machine 14, the transmission arrangement 10 is particularly well nested and, thereby, axially compact. Simultaneously, additional housing parts for supporting the transmission arrangement 10 are dispensed with.

[0053] On the side of the internal combustion engine, i.e., the side on the left in the FIGURE facing away from or opposite the electric machine 14 and the wheel side, the second housing part 16 has a wall 42, which, similarly to the intermediate wall 34, protrudes into the interior space 30. The wall 42 further subdivides the interior space 30, namely into a separate subspace 44 for the component 18. As a result, another amount of oil is also set with respect to this component 18. The wall 42 is also understood, however, to be the part of the housing part 16 that delimits the interior space 30. In this case, the component 18 is therefore not arranged in the interior space 30.

[0054] The wall 42 is utilized for supporting the component 18. In addition, the wall 42, similarly to the intermediate wall 34, also supports the intermediate shaft and the transmission at their particular side facing the internal combustion engine and the component 18. As shown, the intermediate shaft 22 is also supported on the side of the internal combustion engine with an angular tapered roller bearing at particular projections of the wall 42. The transmission 20 is alternatively, or additionally, supported at the wall 42 with a shaft that protrudes through the wall 42.

[0055] As a result thereof, the number of necessary housing parts is very low. In addition, the assembly is simplified in this way. Due to the separate intermediate wall 34, the electric machine 14 is installed on the side of the internal combustion engine in the first housing part 12 and fixed there with the separate intermediate wall 34. The intermediate wall 34 is preferably detachably attached. Finally, the transmission 20 and the intermediate shaft 22 are arranged at the intermediate wall 34 and then automatically fixed in the interior space 30 between the two housing parts 12, 16 by connecting the second housing part 16 with the first housing part 12. An additional fixing or further assembly, apart from particular supports, is therefore not necessary. The transmission 20 and the intermediate shaft 22 are therefore clamped, for all intents and purposes, between the two housing parts 12, 16.

[0056] Modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments illustrated or described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. In the claims, reference characters corresponding to elements recited in the detailed description and the drawings may be recited. Such reference characters are enclosed within parentheses and are provided as an aid for reference to example embodiments described in the detailed description and the drawings. Such reference characters are provided for convenience only and have no effect on the scope of the claims. In particular, such reference characters are not intended to limit the claims to the particular example embodiments described in the detailed description and the drawings.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0057] 10 transmission arrangement

[0058] 12 first housing part

[0059] 14 electric machine

[0060] 16 second housing part

[0061] 18 component of an internal combustion engine

[0062] 20 transmission

[0063] 22 intermediate shaft

[0064] 24 differential

[0065] 25 drive axle

[0066] 26 separation point

[0067] 28 threaded connection

[0068] 30 interior space

[0069] 32 stator

[0070] 34 intermediate wall

[0071] 36 subspace

[0072] 38 supporting point of the intermediate shaft

[0073] 40 supporting point of the transmission

[0074] 42 wall

[0075] 44 subspace