Hybrid module

A hybrid module includes a housing with a multiple clutch accommodated therein having a first, a second and a third clutch device and a support in an axial end position, and an electric machine which is arranged in an axially parallel manner on the housing and is coupled to the multiple clutch via a gear connection which transmits a torque. The housing is closed axially either by a housing cover portion axially and radially adjoining the support or by a transmission wall, axially adjoining the support, of a transmission connected downstream. A lubricant to be delivered to the multiple clutch can be delivered to the support either radially via at least one feed conduit or axially via at least one feed conduit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Phase of PCT Appln. No. PCT/DE2020/100050 filed Jan. 27, 2020, which claims priority to DE 102019111171.4 filed Apr. 30, 2019, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a hybrid module comprising a housing with a multiple clutch accommodated therein having a first, a second and a third clutch device and support in an axial end position, and an electric machine.

BACKGROUND

In modern motor vehicles, hybrid modules are increasingly being used, which offer the possibility of being able to operate the vehicle either by means of an internal combustion engine or by means of an electric machine. The multiple clutch, comprising three separate clutch devices, usually referred to as K0, K1 and K2, enables a corresponding coupling operation to the downstream transmission. The K0 clutch enables the internal combustion engine to be coupled and uncoupled from the drive train. This means that the transfer of torque can be controlled either from the internal combustion engine to the transmission or from the electric machine to the transmission. The basic structure of such a hybrid module is known.

There is always the requirement to design such a hybrid module as compactly as possible in order to make the best possible use of the often small space available or to be able to integrate the hybrid module, wherein the operation of the hybrid module and in particular the lubricant supply must of course be ensured at the same time.

SUMMARY

The disclosure is therefore based on the problem of specifying a hybrid module that is improved in comparison.

To solve this problem, a hybrid module is provided according to the disclosure, comprising a housing with a multiple clutch accommodated therein having a first, a second and a third clutch device and a support in an axial end position, and an electric machine which is arranged in an axially parallel manner on the hybrid motor housing and is coupled to the multiple clutch via a gear connection which transmits a torque, wherein the housing is closed axially either by means of a housing cover portion axially and radially adjoining the support or by means of a transmission wall, axially adjoining the support, of a transmission connected downstream, wherein a lubricant to be delivered to the multiple clutch can be delivered to the support either radially via at least one feed conduit or axially via at least one feed conduit.

On the one hand, the hybrid module according to the disclosure is extremely compact, so that, due to its compactness, it can be integrated even with little installation space. At the same time, however, it also offers the possibility of being able to transmit the required torque, as well as ensuring a corresponding supply of lubricant for the multiple clutch. The electric machine is arranged axially parallel and offset radially outward with respect to the clutch-side output shaft on the housing, i.e., is fastened directly to it. In order to be able to transmit the torque from the electric machine to the output shaft, a gear connection is provided via which the electric machine is coupled to the multiple clutch. This gear connection comprises a first gearwheel which is driven via the electric machine and which meshes with a second gearwheel provided on the clutch side. This means that there are two specific interfaces between the housing and the axially parallel electric machine, namely, on the one hand, the gear connection via which the required torque can be transmitted, and, on the other hand, the housing-side connection of the electric machine directly to the hybrid module housing, where it is screwed on accordingly.

Another interface is provided within the hybrid module housing, namely in relation to the axial termination of the housing, which can be designed differently. According to a first variant, the housing can be closed axially via a housing cover portion of the hybrid module housing itself, for which purpose this housing cover portion is axially and radially connected to a support of the multiple clutch, which is arranged coaxially to the output shaft axis. The housing cover portion is firmly screwed to the support via a series of connecting screws. This forms a closed, compact system, resulting from the axial and radial nesting of the support and the housing cover portion and their direct connection. In this case, the lubricant is supplied radially to the support of the multiple clutch, usually a steel support, after the transmission is flanged on and coupled to the clutch output shaft when viewed axially.

Alternatively to this, the housing closure of the hybrid module housing can also take place through a transmission wall of the downstream transmission itself, i.e., the transmission wall is virtually integrated on the hybrid module side. This transmission wall is axially directly downstream of the support or steel support, so that the transmission wall can be screwed directly to the support and an internal screw connection between the housing and the steel support is not required. This configuration is particularly expedient with regard to shortening the axial installation space, since ultimately the wall thickness of the housing cover portion can be dispensed with, as this is not required for the housing closure. However, this also means that the housing of the hybrid module can be designed in a significantly reduced and simpler manner, also in terms of weight. The supply of lubricant in this case can either take place radially to the support, as already described in the first variant, but it can also, preferably in this case, take place axially, namely via the transmission wall itself, which will be discussed below.

Overall, the hybrid module according to the disclosure is characterized by a high degree of compactness, although all functions are ensured and a corresponding lubricant supply is also provided.

Starting from the first variant of the disclosure with the housing cover portion axially closing the housing, a radial bore forming the feed conduit can be provided in a further development of the disclosure on the housing cover portion axially closing the housing and opening into a radial bore provided on the support. In this case, the lubricant supply to the support is ensured via a radial bore, from where the lubricant is further distributed in order to be supplied to the three individual clutch devices. The radial bore opens on the outside of the housing cover portion, so that a corresponding lubricant feed conduit can be connected to it.

A radial supply of lubricant is also conceivable within the scope of the second variant of the disclosure with the housing closure via the transmission wall. In this case, a corresponding housing wall portion of the housing, which is positioned axially adjacent to the transmission wall, would be provided with a corresponding radial bore through which the lubricant can flow.

Alternatively to the formation of the lubricant supply line via a radial bore formed on the housing cover portion, it is also conceivable to provide a supply pipe which forms the supply line and opens into a radial bore provided on the support. This embodiment is expedient if the housing wall portion is designed to be as reduced as possible, in particular to save weight, and it is possible to supply the lubricant via such a feed pipe, which is significantly lighter than a corresponding housing section. This feed pipe opens into a corresponding radial bore on the support side, i.e., again directly on the support itself.

It is conceivable that a radial portion of the support engages in a recess of the housing cover portion delimited radially outward via a cover edge portion, wherein the feed pipe extends through the recess and passes through a bore in the cover edge portion. The cover is therefore correspondingly reduced, in particular to save weight, and is provided with a recess through which the feed pipe extends. With one end it opens into the corresponding radial bore of the support, and with the other end it passes through a bore in a cover edge portion, which closes the recess radially on the outside, wherein the connection of the supply pipe to a corresponding supply line also takes place in this area.

If a transmission wall is provided, via which the axial housing closure takes place, then there is preferably an axial supply of lubricant to the support, to which the transmission wall is screwed accordingly. For this purpose, the transmission wall is provided with a suitable axial bore which opens into an axial bore provided on the support, wherein the axial bore on the support side can also merge into a radial bore opening into an output shaft of the multiple clutch, depending on how specifically the lubricant supply or the downstream lubricant path is designed. In this case, an axial lubricant supply takes place directly out of the transmission, which is particularly simple since the support and the transmission wall are in any case axially flat against one another, so that the lubricant supply from the transmission can be ensured by means of two simple, mutually merging axial bores.

Furthermore, a damping device can be provided in the housing itself, which is used to dampen corresponding torque fluctuations, wherein such a damping device can operate either dry or wet. It is also possible to integrate a centrifugal pendulum in the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows a hybrid module1according to the disclosure with an electric machine2. The hybrid module1comprises a housing3in which a multiple clutch4comprising a first clutch device5, usually also referred to as K0 clutch, a second clutch device6, usually referred to as K1 clutch, and a third clutch device7, usually referred to as K2 clutch, is provided. The basic structure of such a multiple clutch and its function is well known. The K0 clutch is used to couple and uncouple the internal combustion engine, which is connected to the left side of the hybrid module1, and to connect the electric machine2. The respective torque can be provided via the multiple clutch4to an output shaft arrangement8, only partially shown here, from where the torque is delivered to the transmission on the right.

AsFIG.1shows, the electric machine2is arranged offset radially outward, but is screwed directly onto the housing3of the hybrid module1. In order to be able to transmit the torque, a gear connection9is provided, comprising a gearwheel10connected directly to the output of the electric machine2, which meshes with a hybrid module-side gearwheel11rotatably mounted by means of a corresponding rolling bearing12on a support13, usually a steel support.

The housing3has, see in particular alsoFIG.3, a housing cover portion14which, see the sectional view according toFIG.1, adjoins the support13both radially and axially, i.e., both are nested axially and radially. The housing cover portion14is firmly connected to the support13via various connecting screws15, wherein, seeFIG.3, the axial closure of the housing3is provided both by the internal support13and by the housing cover portion14that encompasses it radially.

In this embodiment, the lubricant, which is used to supply the clutch devices5,6,7, is supplied from radially outside the housing3. In the example shown, seeFIG.3, a feed pipe16is provided which opens into a radial bore17of a radial portion18of the support13. The radial portion18engages to some extent in a recess19in the housing cover portion14, which recess19is closed radially outward via a cover edge portion20. The feed pipe16extends through this cover edge portion20, so that a feed conduit can be connected to a radially outer connection21.

By means of the radial bore in the radial portion18of the support13, the lubricant gets into the interior of the housing and thus into the area of the multiple clutch4, where it can be guided directly into the required coupling areas via suitable channel portions.

Instead of the design shown inFIG.3with the feed tube16, however, it is also conceivable, in the case of a closed housing cover portion14, to implement the feed line via a radial bore which opens radially on the outside of the housing cover portion14and communicates radially on the inside with a corresponding radial bore17of the support13.

Finally,FIG.4shows a perspective view of the housing3, with the housing cover portion14and a dome-like receiving space22formed thereon (see alsoFIG.1), in which the gear connection or the gearwheel10is received, from where the torque is transmitted.

The first embodiment variant of the hybrid module according to the disclosure shown inFIGS.1to4is characterized by a high degree of compactness, although the required torque can be transferred, as well as a lubricant supply is ensured. It is particularly distinguished by two interfaces between the electric machine2and the housing3of the hybrid module1, wherein one interface is implemented via the gear connection9, by means of which the required torque can be transferred. The second interface is necessary for the connection of the electric machine2to the hybrid module housing3, wherein the electric machine2is screwed directly to the housing3. Seen locally, the electric machine2is located above the multiple clutch4, i.e., here the triple clutch

Another interface is located within the hybrid module housing, namely the interface of the screw connection of the housing3or the housing cover portion14via the screws15to the support13of the multiple clutch4. This interface enables the construction of a self-contained, compact system. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the necessary lubricant supply takes place via the supply pipe16, but can alternatively also be implemented via a direct radial bore in the housing cover portion14. Finally, the integration of a damper operating dry or wet is possible, as well as the integration of a centrifugal pendulum.

A second variant of the disclosure is shown inFIGS.5-8. In this embodiment of the disclosure, which enables the installation space to be shortened in the axial direction, the housing3is axially closed by means of a transmission wall23, which, see the schematic diagram according toFIG.4is screwed directly to the support13by means of various screw connections24, which are only indicated in principle inFIG.7. The basic structure of the hybrid module1according toFIGS.5-7is comparable to that ofFIG.1, i.e., an electric machine2is also directly attached to the housing3, wherein a multiple clutch4with the three individual clutch devices5,6,7is again provided in the housing3. The transfer of torque from the electric machine2to the multiple clutch4takes place here again via a gear connection9with the gearwheels10,11, wherein the gearwheel11in turn is mounted on the support13via a rolling bearing12.

However, compared to the design according toFIG.2in the first variant, the support13is axially shorter, since in this variant the housing is closed via the transmission wall23.

The lubricant is supplied axially here, for which purpose, seeFIG.7, an axial bore25provided in the transmission wall23, indicated inFIG.7, merges into an axial bore26in the support13, wherein the axial bore26optionally merges into a radial bore27in the example shown. This means that the lubricant is supplied here directly from the transmission and not, as in variant1, radially from the outside, although this would in principle also be possible in this variant according toFIGS.5-8.

Here, the electric machine2is fastened directly to the housing3, as indicated inFIG.7by means of the screw connections28. In this embodiment, the housing3itself is not screwed to the support13; rather, it is screwed to the transmission wall23by means of the screw connection25alone.

Since the housing3according to this second variant does not have a housing cover portion, the housing3can, seeFIG.8, be of a much simpler and reduced design. As can be seen, the housing3according toFIG.8does not have a cover portion that is drawn radially inward, like the housing3of the first variant, seeFIG.4in this regard.

In the embodiment according toFIGS.5-8, a direct connection or integration of the transmission wall23to the support13takes place. As a result of this direct connection, there is no need to screw the housing3to the support13internally in the hybrid module1, which offers potential savings in terms of the axial installation space. By using the transmission wall23of the downstream transmission, it is also possible to optimize the housing3itself as well as the support13in terms of weight and dimensioning and thus ultimately also the costs, since there is no corresponding cover portion to be provided on the housing side, as the support13can also be made shorter. The lubricant is preferably supplied directly axially from the transmission wall, but could also be done radially if necessary.

Here, too, it is conceivable to integrate a dry or wet damping device or a centrifugal pendulum.

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