HYBRID DRIVE MODULE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A hybrid drive module for a motor vehicle having a housing, an electric machine with a rotatable rotor and a stator fixed with respect to rotation relative to the housing, and a clutch. A first half of the clutch is connected to a hub, and a second half of the clutch is connected to the rotor. The rotor is rotatably mounted at the hub via a first rolling element bearing. The hub is rotatably mounted via a second rolling element bearing at a bearing shield connected to the housing. A supporting of axial forces on both sides is carried out between the rotor and hub via the first rolling element bearing and between the hub and bearing shield via the second rolling element bearing. Also disclosed is a motor vehicle powertrain with a hybrid drive module.

Claims

1.-21. (canceled)

22. A hybrid drive module for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing; a bearing shield connected to the housing; a hub; a first rolling element bearing; an electric machine, comprising: a rotatable rotor rotatably mounted at the hub via the first rolling element bearing; and a stator which is fixed with respect to rotation relative to the housing; and a clutch, comprising: a first half of the clutch is connected to the hub so as to be fixed with respect to rotation or elastic with respect to rotation relative to the hub; and a second half of the clutch is connected to the rotor so as to be fixed with respect to rotation or elastic with respect to rotation relative to the rotor; and a second rolling element bearing via which the hub is rotatably mounted at the bearing shield, which is connected to the housing; wherein a supporting of axial forces on both sides is carried out between the rotor and hub via the first rolling element bearing and between the hub and bearing shield via the second rolling element bearing.

23. The hybrid drive module according to claim 22, wherein an inner race of the first rolling element bearing is associated with the rotor, and an outer race of the first rolling element bearing is associated with the hub.

24. The hybrid drive module according to claim 23, wherein a transmission of axial force from the rotor to the inner race of the first rolling element bearing is carried out in a first axial force direction via an axial stop or a first snap ring and in a second axial force direction via a second snap ring or via a retaining ring.

25. The hybrid drive module according to claim 24, wherein at least one aperture is provided in the hub, which enables access to the second snap ring or to the retaining ring through the hub.

26. The hybrid drive module according to claim 24, wherein the axial stop is formed by an element of an actuation device of the clutch that is connected to the rotor so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to the rotor.

27. The hybrid drive module according to claim 23, wherein a transmission of axial force from the outer race of the first rolling element bearing to the hub is carried out in a first axial force direction via a contact surface between the hub and outer race of the first rolling element bearing and in a second axial force direction via a third snap ring.

28. The hybrid drive module according to claim 27, wherein the contact surface is arranged axially between the outer race of the first rolling element bearing and the third snap ring.

29. The hybrid drive module according to claim 27, wherein axially protruding projections are arranged at the outer race of the first rolling element bearing, which projections extend through apertures arranged in the hub, wherein the third snap ring cooperates with the projections.

30. The hybrid drive module according to claim 27, wherein a sleeve is provided that surrounds the outer race of the first rolling element bearing and projects through apertures provided in the hub, wherein the third snap ring cooperates with the sleeve.

31. The hybrid drive module according to claim 23, wherein the outer race of the first rolling element bearing is axially secured relative to the hub by at least one pin element which is arranged in a radial bore hole of the hub and engages in a groove of the outer race.

32. The hybrid drive module according to claim 31, wherein the at least one pin element comprises an elastic element arranged between two pin portions of the at least one pin element.

33. The hybrid drive module according to claim 23, wherein the outer race of the first rolling element bearing is axially secured relative to the hub by at least one ball arranged in a radial bore hole of the hub and cooperates in positive engagement with the outer race.

34. The hybrid drive module according to claim 33, wherein the at least one ball is secured against radially falling out by an O-ring.

35. The hybrid drive module according to claim 33, wherein a further ball is provided in addition to the at least one ball, which further ball is arranged in a radial bore hole radially outside of the at least one ball.

36. The hybrid drive module according to claim 22, wherein an inner race of the second rolling element bearing is associated with the hub, and an outer race of the second rolling element bearing is associated with the bearing shield.

37. The hybrid drive module according to claim 36, wherein a transmission of axial force from the hub to the inner race of the second rolling element bearing in a first axial force direction is carried out via a stop at the hub or via a fourth snap ring, and the transmission of axial force is carried out in a second axial force direction via a fifth snap ring.

38. The hybrid drive module according to claim 37, wherein the transmission of axial force from the outer race of the second rolling element bearing to the bearing shield is carried out in a first axial force direction via a stop at the bearing shield and in a second axial force direction via a sixth snap ring.

39. The hybrid drive module according claim 22, wherein a radial shaft sealing ring is provided between the bearing shield and the hub for sealing a radial gap.

40. The hybrid drive module according to claim 22, wherein the clutch is formed as a multiple plate clutch, wherein the first half of the clutch is associated with an inner plate carrier of the clutch.

41. The hybrid drive module according to claim 22, wherein the hybrid drive module is either an integral component part of a motor vehicle transmission or is formed as an independent unit with at least one interface to a motor vehicle transmission.

42. A powertrain for a motor vehicle, comprising: a hybrid drive module, comprising: a housing; a bearing shield connected to the housing; a hub; a first rolling element bearing; an electric machine, comprising: a rotatable rotor rotatably mounted at the hub via the first rolling element bearing; and a stator which is fixed with respect to rotation relative to the housing; and a clutch, comprising: a first half of the clutch is connected to the hub so as to be fixed with respect to rotation or elastic with respect to rotation relative to the hub; and a second half of the clutch is connected to the rotor so as to be fixed with respect to rotation or elastic with respect to rotation relative to the rotor; and a second rolling element bearing via which the hub is rotatably mounted at the bearing shield, which is connected to the housing; wherein a supporting of axial forces on both sides is carried out between the rotor and hub via the first rolling element bearing and between the hub and bearing shield via the second rolling element bearing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Embodiment examples of the invention are described in detail in the following referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment example of a hybrid drive module according to the invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 to FIG. 10 are detailed views of a bearing arrangement of the hybrid drive module;

[0028] FIG. 11 is a retaining ring; and

[0029] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are a motor vehicle powertrain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment example of the hybrid drive module 1 for a motor vehicle powertrain. The hybrid drive module 1 has a housing GG, an electric machine with a stator S which is fixed with respect to relative rotation, a rotatable rotor R and a clutch K0 formed as a hydraulically actuated multiple plate clutch. An inner plate carrier of the clutch K0 is a component part of a first half K0an of clutch K0 and is connected to a hub N so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. An outer plate carrier of the clutch K0 is a component part of a second half K0ab of the clutch K0. The rotor R is connected to the outer plate carrier and to a rotor hub RN so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to the latter.

[0031] The rotor hub RN serves to rotatably support the rotor R at the hub N. A first rolling element bearing L1 is arranged between the rotor hub RN and the hub N. Hub N is rotatably supported at a bearing shield LS via a second rolling element bearing L2, and the bearing shield LS is fixedly connected to the housing GG. The bearing shield LS separates a wet zone of the hybrid drive module 1 from a dry zone of the hybrid drive module 1. The electric machine, the clutch K0 and the two rolling element bearings L1, L2 are arranged in the wet zone. A portion of the hub N and a torsional vibration damper are arranged in the dry zone. A sealing between the wet zone and dry zone is made possible by a radial shaft sealing ring DR, which seals a radial gap between the bearing shield LS and the hub N.

[0032] The two rolling element bearings L1, L2 are constructed, for example, as single-row deep-groove ball bearings and are accordingly configured to support radially acting and axially acting forces. The first rolling element bearing L1 has an inner race L11 and an outer race L12, and a plurality of spherical rolling elements are arranged between the inner race L11 and the outer race L12. The inner race L11 is at a circumferential surface of the rotor hub RN, while the outer race L12 is at an inner surface of hub N. The second rolling element bearing L2 has an inner race L21 and an outer race L22, and a plurality of spherical rolling elements are arranged between inner race L21 and outer race L22. The inner race L21 resides at a circumferential surface of hub N, while the outer race L22 resides at an inner surface of the bearing shield LS. If an axially acting force is to be transmitted via one of the rolling element bearings L1, L2, a corresponding axial support must be ensured between the participating bearing races L11, L12, L21, L22 and the corresponding component parts RN, N, LS. This is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 5 for the sake of clarity.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the bearing arrangement of the hybrid drive module 1 according to a second embodiment example. A transmission of axial force from the rotor hub RN to the inner race L11 is effected in a first axial force direction via a first snap ring SR1. The first axial force direction is effective toward the left in the drawing. This embodiment example differs from the arrangement of the hybrid drive module in FIG. 1, where an axial stop B is provided instead of the snap ring. The axial stop B is formed by an orifice plate of the hydraulic actuation device of clutch K0.

[0034] In a second axial force direction opposite the first axial force direction, the transmission of axial force from the rotor hub RN to the inner race L11 is effective via a second snap ring SR2. To improve the accessibility of the second snap ring SR2 for assembly and disassembly of the hybrid drive module 1, at least one aperture NA is provided in the hub N. Through the aperture NA, the second snap ring SR2 can be spread apart proceeding from the dry zone provided the radial shaft sealing ring DR has not been assembled.

[0035] A transmission of axial force from the outer race L12 to the hub N is effected in the first axial force direction via a contact surface NK between hub N and outer race L12. In the second axial force direction, the transmission of axial force from the outer race L12 to the hub N is effected via a third snap ring SR3. A transmission of axial force from hub N to inner race L21 is effected in the first axial force direction via a stop at hub N or via a fourth snap ring (not shown) and in the second axial force direction via a fifth snap ring SRS. A transmission of axial force from the outer race L22 to the bearing shield LS is effected in the first axial force direction through a stop at the bearing shield LS and in the second axial force direction through a sixth snap ring SR6.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the bearing arrangement of the hybrid drive module 1 according to a third embodiment example. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 2, an added element X is now provided that holds the sixth snap ring SR6 in its spread apart position. The added element X is formed, for example, as a washer. During the assembly process, the added element X is displaced through the outer race L22 so that the sixth snap ring SR6 locks into the groove provided for it.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the bearing arrangement of the hybrid drive module 1 according to the first embodiment example. In contrast to the embodiments according to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the arrangement of the third snap ring SR3 has been modified such that it is now arranged on the other side of the hub N than the first rolling element bearing L1. For the transmission of force between the outer race L12 and the hub N, a plurality of projections F which extend through apertures arranged in the hub N are provided at the outer race L12. The projections F can be an integral component part of the outer race L12 or can be connected thereto in a suitable manner. Accordingly, the third snap ring SR3 is accessible proceeding from the dry zone of the hybrid drive module 1 insofar as the radial shaft sealing ring DR has not been assembled.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the bearing arrangement of the hybrid drive module 1 according to a fourth embodiment example which substantially corresponds to the arrangement according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. A sleeve H which surrounds the outer race L12 and extends through the apertures arranged in the hub N is now provided instead of projections F. The sleeve H cooperates with the third snap ring SR3 for transmitting axial force between the hub N and the outer race L12. Also as a result of this solution, the third snap ring SR3 is accessible proceeding from the dry zone of the hybrid drive module 1.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the bearing arrangement of the hybrid drive module 1 according to a fifth embodiment example which substantially corresponds to that in FIG. 4. The transmission of axial force from the outer race L22 of the second rolling element bearing L2 to the bearing shield LS is now effected toward the right-hand side referring to the drawing via the sixth snap ring SR6 and toward the left-hand side referring to the drawing via a stop at the bearing shield LS. This facilitates the accessibility of the sixth snap ring S6.

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the bearing arrangement of a hybrid drive module 1 according to a sixth embodiment example. In the present embodiment example, the outer race L12 is axially secured via a plurality of pin elements ST. To this end, three radial bore holes are preferably distributed along the circumference of the hub N. A pin element ST is arranged in each of these radial bore holes. The pin element ST has an elastic element EL arranged between two pin portions ST1, ST2. The radially inner pin portion ST1 cooperates in a positive engagement with a groove in the outer circumference of the outer race L12 to define the position of the second rolling element bearing L2 relative to the hub N. An arrangement with only one pin element ST is also conceivable.

[0041] FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the bearing arrangement of the hybrid drive module 1 according to a seventh embodiment example. The outer race L12 is now axially secured via a plurality of balls KU distributed along the circumference instead of with pin elements ST. The balls are arranged in corresponding radial bore holes of the hub N. The diameter of the balls KU is of a magnitude such that they cooperate with a notch at the outer circumference of the outer race L12 so that the position of the second rolling element bearing L2 is defined relative to the hub N. The balls KU are clamped in radial direction between the outer race L12 and the inner race L21. An O-ring prevents loss of the balls KU when the second rolling element bearing L2 has not yet been assembled. To this end, a groove which intersects the radial bore holes is provided at the outer circumference of the hub N. The O-ring can be inserted in this groove and accordingly reduces the outer opening cross section of the radial bore holes.

[0042] FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of the bearing arrangement of the hybrid drive module 1 according to an eighth embodiment example, which substantially corresponds to the embodiment example shown in FIG. 8. In order to improve the positive engagement between the balls KU and the outer race L12, two balls KU, KU2 are now provided in each radial bore hole. Elements for preventing the loss of balls KU, KU2 are carried out by a slit ring arranged at the radially outer opening of the radial bore hole. The ring can be made of steel or plastic. Alternatively, the balls KU, KU2 could be pressed into the radial bore hole so that separate loss prevention means could be dispensed with.

[0043] FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of the bearing arrangement of the hybrid drive module 1 according to a ninth embodiment form. The inner race L11 of the first rolling element bearing L1 is clamped relative to the rotor hub RN between the collar B and a retaining ring SRX. FIG. 11 shows the retaining ring SRX in cross section. The retaining ring SRX can be spread apart for assembly and disassembly through the aperture NA in the hub N.

[0044] It will be appreciated that individual embodiment examples can be combined. For example, the support of the outer race L22 of the second rolling element bearing referring to FIG. 6 could be used in all of the other embodiment examples.

[0045] FIG. 12 shows a powertrain of a motor vehicle. The powertrain has an internal combustion engine VM, the hybrid drive module 1 and a transmission AT. Hybrid drive module 1 and transmission AT are units which are separate from one another and have at least one interface via which the hybrid drive module 1 and the transmission AT are connectable to one another. A hydraulic supply of the hybrid drive module 1 is preferably carried out via hydraulics of the transmission AT. On the output side, the transmission AT is connected to a differential AG, for example, via a universal joint shaft. The power applied to an output shaft of the transmission AT is distributed to drive wheels DW of the motor vehicle by the differential AG.

[0046] FIG. 13 shows a powertrain of a motor vehicle which substantially corresponds to the powertrain shown in FIG. 12. The hybrid drive module 1 and the transmission AT now form a common constructional unit. In other words, the hybrid drive module 1 is an integral component part of the transmission AT.

[0047] The powertrains shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are considered merely exemplary. Instead of the depicted construction with powertrain oriented longitudinal to the driving direction of the motor vehicle, a use of the invention in a powertrain oriented transverse to the driving direction is also conceivable. The differential AG can be integrated in the transmission G. The powertrain with the hybrid drive module 1 is also suitable for an all-wheel drive application.

[0048] Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.