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

Abstract

A transmission arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle includes an electric machine (14) arranged in a first housing part (12). A second housing part (16) is configured for accommodating a component (18) of an internal combustion engine. The electric machine (14) and the internal combustion engine are connectable to an output shaft by a transmission (20). The first and second housing parts (12, 16) are connected to each other and form a common interior space (30). An intermediate wall (34) delimits a subspace (36) from the remaining interior space (30). The electric machine (14) is arranged in the subspace (36). At least one planetary gear set includes at least one element supported at the intermediate wall (34).

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A transmission arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a first housing part; an electric machine (14) arranged in the first housing part (12); a second housing part (16) configured for accommodating a component (18) of an internal combustion engine; a transmission (20), the electric machine (14) and the component (18) of the internal combustion engine connectable to an output shaft of the transmission (20) in order to transmit torque, the first and second housing parts (12, 16) connected to each other and forming a common interior space (30) in which the transmission (20) is arranged; and an intermediate wall (34) delimiting a subspace (36) from the remaining interior space (30), the electric machine (14) arranged in the subspace (36), wherein the transmission (20) comprises a planetary gear set, at least one element of the planetary gear set supported at the intermediate wall (34).

17. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein another element of the planetary gear set is supported at a wall (42) of the second housing part (16) on a side of the internal combustion engine.

18. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 17, wherein: the wall (42) delimits another subspace of the interior space (30) for accommodating the component (18) of the internal combustion engine with respect to the interior space (30); or the wall (42) delimits the interior space (30) having the electric machine (14) and the transmission (20), and the second housing part (16) at least partially forms a second interior space for accommodating the component (18) of the internal combustion engine.

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

20. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, further comprising an intermediate shaft (22) connected to the output shaft in order to transmit torque and configured for transmitting a torque to one or both of a differential (24) and a drive axle of the motor vehicle, wherein the intermediate shaft (22) is at least partially arranged in the common interior space (30), and the intermediate shaft (22) is supported at the intermediate wall (34) on a side of the electric machine (14).

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

22. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein the first housing part (12) defines an assembly opening, the electric machine (14) insertable into and/or removable from the first housing part through the assembly opening, and the assembly opening is essentially closed by the intermediate wall (34).

23. 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).

24. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, wherein the intermediate wall (34) is removably attached at one or both of the first housing part (12) and the second housing part (16).

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

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

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

28. The transmission arrangement (10) of claim 26, further comprising another planetary gear set such that the transmission arrangement (10) comprises two planetary gear sets, wherein an element of the one of the two planetary gear set on a side of the electric machine (14) is the element that is supported at the intermediate wall.

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

30. A method for assembling the transmission arrangement (10) of claim 16, comprising: providing the first housing part (12) with only one assembly opening; inserting the electric machine (14) into the first housing part (12) through the assembly opening; arranging the intermediate wall (34) at the first housing part (12) after inserting the electric machine (14) and the assembly opening is closed; supporting the element of a planetary gear set of the transmission at the intermediate wall (34) on a side of the electric machine (14) after arranging the intermediate wall (34) at the first housing part (12); and attaching the second housing part (16), which is configured for accommodating the component (18) of the internal combustion engine, at one or both of the first housing part (12) and the intermediate wall (34) while forming the interior space (30) with the transmission (20) at least partially accommodated within the interior space (30).

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the element of the planetary gear set is supported at a wall (42) of the second housing part (16) on a side of the internal combustion engine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a transmission arrangement according to an example embodiment in a diagrammatic sectional view.

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] FIG. 1 shows a transmission arrangement 10 for a motor vehicle, which includes an electric machine 14 arranged in a first housing part 12, wherein the electric machine 14 can also be referred to as an electric motor 14. 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 can be, 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 the 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 can also be referred to as gears. The transmission 20 can also be referred to as a main transmission. The transmission 20 can include, 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 can include particular shift elements in order to couple, in each case, different elements of the planetary gear sets 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 can function as the output shaft. A sun gear or a ring gear can also function as the output shaft, however. In addition, the transmission 20 can also include 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 and is designed for transmitting a torque to a differential 24 of the motor vehicle. The differential 24 is connected to a drive axle of the motor vehicle, and so particular torques generated by the internal combustion engine and/or the electric machine can be 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 to be 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 can be particularly easily sealed, in particular 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 in relation thereto.

[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 an axis of rotation of the intermediate shaft 22, 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 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 subspace 36, in which the electric machine 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 can also be arranged in the subspace 36, however, and supplied with oil there 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 FIG. 1, delimits the interior space 30 or the subspace 36 toward the right. 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 a main axis of the transmission arrangement 10 essentially parallel to the transverse direction and/or an axle 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, in particular a stator 32 of the electric machine 14, can be installed from the side of the internal combustion engine and an additional assembly opening is not necessary on the side of the wheel.

[0050] Due to the arrangement of the intermediate wall 34 essentially in the parting plane of the housing, the intermediate wall 34 can be 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 can also be 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 can be 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 can be supported there 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 can be particularly well nested and, thereby, axially compact. Simultaneously, additional housing parts for support can be 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, here, a recess in the intermediate wall 34, which can also be designed as 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, an axial as well as radial support is provided. Alternatively, the transmission 20 can also be only radially supported at the supporting point 40 and, for the rest, designed in such a way that 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 to be fixedly coupled to the housing and is not rotatable. Therefore, the support can be particularly simple. In addition, the non-rotating planet carrier can easily seal a passage opening in the intermediate wall 34 at least to the extent that the subspace 36 can be supplied with a different amount of oil than the rest of the interior space 30. Due, as well, 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 can be particularly well nested and, thereby, axially compact. Simultaneously, additional housing parts for support can be dispensed with.

[0053] On the side of the internal combustion engine, i.e., facing away from 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. This is the side on the left in FIG. 1. This wall 42 can further subdivide the interior space 30, namely into a separate subspace for the component 18. As a result, another amount of oil can also be set with respect to this component 18. The wall 42 can also be 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 can be utilized for supporting the component 18. In addition, the wall 42, similarly to the intermediate wall 34, can also provide the support of the intermediate shaft and the transmission at the 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 can also be supported at the wall 42 with a shaft that protrudes through the wall 42.

[0055] As a result thereof as well, the number of necessary housing parts can be very low. In addition, the assembly is simplified in this way. Due to the separate intermediate wall 34, the electric machine 14 can be installed from 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 can be 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] 26 separation point [0066] 28 threaded connection [0067] 30 interior space [0068] 32 stator [0069] 34 intermediate wall [0070] 36 subspace [0071] 38 supporting point of the intermediate shaft [0072] 40 supporting point of the transmission [0073] 42 wall