ELECTRIC WHEEL DRIVE UNIT FOR DRIVING A WHEEL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

An electric wheel drive unit (1) for driving a wheel of a motor vehicle is provided having a brake device (2) for braking the electric wheel drive unit (1) during operation, and a housing (3) which accommodates the brake device (2) in its interior (I). The brake device (2) is designed to convert kinetic energy into heat in order to perform braking, and to suck in a fluid in the axial direction (A) and to feed it in the radial direction (R) in order to cool the brake device (2) by a flow of fluid which is for the most part oriented radially and flows through the brake device (2).

Claims

1. An electric wheel drive unit for driving a wheel of a motor vehicle, the electric wheel drive unit comprising: a brake assembly configured for braking the electric wheel drive unit during operation; a housing which accommodates the brake assembly in an interior thereof; the brake assembly is configured to convert kinetic energy into heat in order to perform braking, and to suck in a fluid in an axial direction and to convey the fluid in a radial direction in order to cool the brake assembly by a flow of the fluid which is for the most part oriented radially and flows through the brake assembly.

2. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the brake assembly is further configured to convey the fluid in the axial direction in order to cool the brake assembly by a further flow of the fluid which flows along an outside of the brake assembly, and wherein the housing is configured to guide the axial flow of the fluid along the outside of the brake assembly.

3. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the brake assembly comprises a first braking element configured for converting kinetic energy into heat, the first braking element is attached on an outside to a third braking element, the first braking element is rotatable relative to the housing, and the first braking element is a brake disk.

4. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 3, wherein the first braking element has at least one aperture in the radial direction, and the at least one aperture of the first braking element comprises a fluid inlet opening and a fluid outlet opening, between which the fluid flows when the brake assembly is in operation.

5. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 4, wherein the at least one aperture is conical, or the at least one aperture a truncated cone from radially outside to radially inside, which tapers radially inward toward a theoretical cone apex.

6. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 4, wherein the brake assembly comprises a second braking element, the second braking element comprises at least one first passageway in the radial direction, and the at least one first passageway comprises an area for the fluid to flow through which is adapted to lead to a fluid inlet opening of the first braking element.

7. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 4, the brake assembly comprises a second braking element, the second braking element comprises at least one first axial passage in the axial direction, and the second braking element is not rotatable relative to the housing.

8. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 4, the third braking element comprises at least one second passageway in the radial direction, and the at least one second passageway comprises an area for the fluid to flow through which is adapted to lead to a fluid outlet opening of the first braking element.

9. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 4, the third braking element comprises at least one second axial passage in the axial direction, and the third braking element is rotatable relative to the housing.

10. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 6, wherein the brake assembly has a pressure element which is configured to be brought into operative connection with the first braking element to activate the brake assembly, a friction lining is arranged between the pressure element and a disk carrier of the first braking element, and the first braking element is configured to be brought into contact with the second braking element and with the third braking element and of being released therefrom by moving the pressure element in the axial direction (A) by a slave device.

11. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 3, wherein the third braking element comprises an outer disk carrier.

12. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 3, wherein the first braking element is an impeller of a centrifugal pump.

13. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 4, wherein the fluid inlet opening is arranged radially on an inside compared to the fluid outlet opening.

14. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 4, wherein an area of the fluid inlet opening is smaller than an area of the fluid outlet opening.

15. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 5, wherein the at least one aperture is inclined in an axial direction, and the at least one aperture encloses an angle of between 5 and 25 degrees to a perpendicular which is oriented perpendicular to a straight line which extends in the axial direction.

16. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 6, wherein the at least one first passageway and a fluid inlet opening of the first braking element are aligned in one state.

17. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 7, wherein the second braking element has an inner disk carrier.

18. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 8, wherein the first braking element and the third braking element are attached to one another such that the at least one second passageway and the fluid outlet opening are aligned, in order to ensure that the fluid can flow through.

19. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 9, wherein the third braking element is an outer disk carrier.

20. The electric wheel drive unit according to claim 10, wherein the pressure element is arranged indirectly and in a sealing manner on the first braking element, so that when the pressure element is moved in the axial direction and in a direction of the first braking element in an interior space between the pressure element and the first braking element, exit opportunities for a flowing fluid which is conveyed from inside to radially outside through the first braking element is limited, and an interior space is formed between the pressure element, the first braking element and the second braking element, an imperviousness of which is increased by moving the pressure element so that exit opportunities for the flowing fluid are limited.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0088] The disclosure will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with associated drawings. In the drawings:

[0089] FIG. 1 schematically shows a sectional view of an electric wheel drive unit according to the disclosure;

[0090] FIG. 2 schematically shows a three-dimensional view of the wheel drive unit from FIG. 1, with arrows to illustrate the fluid flow; and

[0091] FIG. 3 schematically shows the same view as in FIG. 1, but without reference signs, with arrows to illustrate the fluid flow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] In the description below, the same reference signs will be used for the same components.

[0093] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an electric wheel drive unit 1 according to the disclosure, and FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the wheel drive unit 1 from FIG. 1, with arrows to illustrate the fluid flow.

[0094] Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows the same view as in FIG. 1, but without reference signs, with arrows to illustrate the fluid flow.

[0095] For the sake of simplicity, all three drawings will be described concurrently below.

[0096] As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, an electric wheel drive unit 1 for driving a wheel of a motor vehicle comprises a brake device 2 for braking the electric wheel drive unit 1 during operation.

[0097] The wheel drive unit 1 has a housing 3 which accommodates the brake device 2 in the interior I thereof.

[0098] The brake device 2 is designed to convert kinetic energy into heat in order to perform braking, and to suck in a fluid in the axial direction A and to convey it in the radial direction R in order to cool the brake device 2 by means of a flow of fluid which is for the most part oriented radially and flows through the brake device 2 (cf. FIG. 3).

[0099] Furthermore, the brake device 2 is designed to convey a fluid in the axial direction A in order to cool the brake device 2 by means of a further flow of fluid which flows along the outside of the brake device 2 (cf. FIG. 3). The housing 3 is designed to guide the axial flow of fluid along the outside of the brake device 2.

[0100] The brake device 2 has a first braking element 4, a second braking element 5 and a third braking element 6.

[0101] The first braking element 4 is used to convert kinetic energy into heat, wherein it is attached radially on the outside to the third braking element 6, designed as an outer disk carrier.

[0102] To be precise, the first braking element 4 is designed as a brake disk and as an impeller of a centrifugal pump, and therefore the brake device 2 has a suction side and a pressure side.

[0103] The suction side is arranged radially on the inside and, in comparison, the pressure side is arranged radially on the outside (cf. FIG. 3).

[0104] As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the first braking element 4 has various apertures 7 in the radial direction R, which are spaced at regular intervals from one another in the circumferential direction U.

[0105] Each aperture 7 has a fluid inlet opening 8 and a fluid outlet opening 9, between which a fluid flows when the brake device 2 is in operation. This is because by rotating the first braking element 4, a fluid within the apertures 7 experiences a centrifugal force, as a result of which the fluid is conveyed or flows from the inside to the outside.

[0106] Furthermore, the drawings show that the fluid inlet opening 8 is arranged radially on the inside compared to the fluid outlet opening 9, wherein the area of the fluid inlet opening 8 is designed to be smaller than the area of the fluid outlet opening 9. The suction effect can thus be improved to an extent.

[0107] Each fluid outlet opening 9 is geometrically adapted, i.e. in terms of size and shape, to second passageways 15 of the third braking element 6 and each fluid inlet opening 8 is adapted to first passageways 10 of the second braking element 5.

[0108] Furthermore, it is shown in particular in FIG. 1 that one aperture or each aperture 7 is conical and is designed from radially outside to radially inside as a truncated cone, which tapers radially inward toward a theoretical cone apex.

[0109] The aperture 7 shown as an example is also inclined in the axial direction A, wherein the aperture 7 encloses an angle of 15 degrees to a perpendicular, which is oriented perpendicular to a straight line which extends in the axial direction A.

[0110] In addition, FIG. 1 shows that the aperture 7 is designed to be L-shaped in cross section in the axial direction A, wherein the short side of the L-shaped design forms a fluid outlet opening 9 and the tip of the long side of the L-shaped design forms a fluid inlet opening 8 on the side facing away from the short side of the L-shaped design.

[0111] The short side of the L-shaped design extends away in the direction of the long side of the L-shaped design, which corresponds to the conveying direction of a fluid to be conveyed (cf., in particular, FIG. 3 with an exemplary illustration of a fluid flow through the electric wheel drive unit 1).

[0112] As already mentioned and as shown in the drawings, the brake device 2 has a second braking element 5, which comprises various first passageways 10 which are spaced at regular intervals from one another in the circumferential direction U.

[0113] Each passageway 10 has an area for a fluid to flow through, which area is geometrically adapted to the fluid inlet opening 8 of the first braking element 4.

[0114] In one state, a first passageway 10 and a fluid inlet opening 8 of the first braking element 4 are aligned. In this way, a flow of fluid can flow from the first passageway 10 to the fluid inlet opening 8.

[0115] As can also be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the second braking element 5 has various first axial passages 11 which are spaced at regular intervals from one another in the circumferential direction U.

[0116] In the present exemplary embodiment, the second braking element 5 is composed of an inner disk carrier 12 and a counter-pressure element 13, wherein the disk carrier 12 is attached to the counter-pressure element 13. The counter-pressure element 13 is used to provide a stop against which the disks can be displaced.

[0117] The first axial passage 11 extends in the axial direction A through the disk carrier 12 and through the counter-pressure element 13.

[0118] A friction lining 14 is arranged between the disks of the disk carrier 12 and the counter-pressure element 13, with which the friction or the friction coefficient between the aforementioned elements can be adjusted in a targeted manner.

[0119] It can also be seen in particular in FIG. 2 that the first axial passage 11 is geometrically adapted, i.e. in terms of size and shape, to a second axial passage 16 of the third braking element 6.

[0120] Furthermore, all of the drawings show—as already mentioned—that the brake device 2 has a third braking element 6, which comprises various second passageways 15 which are spaced at regular intervals from one another in the circumferential direction U.

[0121] Each second passageway 15 has an area for a fluid to flow through which is geometrically adapted, i.e. adapted in terms of shape and size, to the fluid outlet opening 10 of the first braking element 4.

[0122] FIG. 2 shows that the first braking element 4 and the third braking element 6 are attached to one another in such a way that each second passageway 15 and each fluid outlet opening 9 are aligned in order to ensure that fluid can flow through.

[0123] Furthermore, the third braking element 6 has various second axial passages 16, which are spaced at regular intervals from one another in the circumferential direction U.

[0124] Each second axial passage 16 is also geometrically adapted in terms of size and shape to each first axial passage 11 of the second braking element 5, in order to optimally ensure a continuous flow of fluid.

[0125] In this case, there is a state in which the second axial passages 16 and the first axial passages 11 are aligned, as a result of which a flow of fluid through both axial passages 16, 11 is facilitated.

[0126] It can also be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3 that the third braking element 6 is designed as an outer disk carrier.

[0127] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the electric wheel drive unit 1 has a wheel carrier element 19 to which the brake device 2 is partly connected, wherein the inner disk carrier 12 and the counter-pressure element 13 are connected to the wheel carrier element 19 in a form-fitting manner.

[0128] While the first and third braking elements 4, 6 are rotatable relative to the housing 3, the second braking element 5 and the wheel carrier element 19 are not rotatable relative to the housing 3, wherein the second braking element 5 is directly connected to the wheel carrier element 19.

[0129] FIGS. 1 and 3 also show that the first, second and third braking elements 4, 5, 6 are aligned with one another in such a way that forces can be transmitted between the braking elements 4, 5, 6.

[0130] Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows that the brake device 2 has a pressure element 17 which can be brought into operative connection with the second braking element 5, wherein a friction lining 18 is arranged between the pressure element 17 and the disk carrier 12 of the second braking element 5. With the friction lining, the friction between the aforementioned elements can be adjusted in a targeted manner.

[0131] The pressure element 17 is also arranged and designed in such a way that a force can be exerted on the disks of the second and third braking elements 5, 6, so that a relative rotation of the third braking element 6, which is designed as a disk carrier, with respect to the disk carrier 12 of the second braking element 5 can be prevented.

[0132] Thus, the first braking element 4 is designed to be capable of being brought into contact with the second braking element 5 and with the third braking element 6 and of being released therefrom by moving the pressure element 17 in the axial direction A by means of a slave device 20, in particular a slave cylinder 20.

[0133] The pressure element 17 is thus arranged indirectly and in a sealing manner on the first braking element 4, so that when the pressure element 17 is moved in the axial direction A and in the direction of the first braking element 4 in an interior space between the pressure element 17 and the first braking element 4, the exit opportunities for a flowing fluid or for air conveyed from the inside to radially outside through the first braking element are limited. In this way, the suction effect of the rotating first braking element 4 with its apertures 7 can be increased.

[0134] In other words, the sealing contact of the pressure element 17 makes it possible to achieve a more stable negative pressure between the first braking element 4 and the pressure element 17, as a result of which an air flow with a high cooling effect can be generated.

[0135] The sealing contact of the pressure element 4 with the first braking element 4, wherein the friction lining 18 is also arranged therebetween (cf. FIG. 1), is preferably only ensured or realized when a braking force is generated.

[0136] To be more precise, an interior space is formed between the pressure element 17, the first braking element 4 and the second braking element 5, the imperviousness of which can be increased by moving the pressure element 4, in particular in the direction of the first braking element 4, so that exit opportunities for a flowing fluid or for air are limited.

[0137] It is thus possible to increase the suction effect of the rotating first braking element 4 with its apertures 7 in order to ensure a more stable negative pressure between the first braking element 4, the pressure element 17 and the second braking element 5.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 2, in order to suck in fluid the housing 3 has various axial openings 21, and in order to discharge fluid the housing 3 has various radial openings 22, wherein the radial openings 22 are offset axially relative to the brake device 2, so that fluid that has been sucked in has to flow past the brake device 2 in the axial direction A (cf. FIG. 3).

[0139] Furthermore, the drawings show that the wheel drive unit 1 comprises a shaft 23 to which the brake device 2 is partly connected, wherein the third braking element 6 of the brake device 2 is connected to the shaft 22 in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner.

[0140] Here, the shaft 23 is rotatable relative to the housing 3 and to the second braking element 5, wherein a drive unit, in particular an electric motor (not shown), is attachable to the shaft 23.

[0141] FIGS. 1 and 3 also show that a bearing unit 24 is arranged between the shaft 23 and the housing 3, so that these two can be rotated relative to one another.

[0142] Lastly, it should be noted that the housing 3 can be fixedly attached to a vehicle frame.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0143] 1 Wheel drive unit [0144] 2 Brake device [0145] 3 Housing [0146] 4 First braking element [0147] 5 Second braking element [0148] 6 Third braking element [0149] 7 Aperture [0150] 8 Fluid inlet opening [0151] 9 Fluid outlet opening [0152] 10 First passageway [0153] 11 First axial passage [0154] 12 Inner disk carrier [0155] 13 Counter-pressure element [0156] 14 Friction lining [0157] 15 Second passageway [0158] 16 Second axial passage [0159] 17 Pressure element [0160] 18 Friction lining [0161] 19 Wheel carrier element [0162] 20 Slave device [0163] 21 Axial opening [0164] 22 Radial opening [0165] 23 Shaft [0166] 24 Bearing unit [0167] A Axial direction [0168] R Radial direction [0169] U Circumferential direction [0170] I Interior of the housing