Patent Publication Number: US-2023139180-A1

Title: Drive apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-177846 filed on Oct. 29, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a drive apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the related art, a drive apparatus is mounted on an electric vehicle or the like. A cooling structure for cooling a rotary electric machine is mounted on such a drive apparatus. Conventionally, a structure is known in which a refrigerant is cooled by a cooling device (cooler) provided outside a motor (rotary electric machine), and is supplied to the motor by a pump provided outside the motor. 
     An inverter, a reduction gear, and the like are attached to the drive apparatus described above. Such a drive apparatus has a problem that a dead space is likely to be generated when the drive apparatus is mounted on a vehicle, because of a complex outer shape thereof. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of an exemplary drive apparatus of the present invention includes a motor that includes a rotor rotating about a motor axis and a stator surrounding the rotor, a transmission mechanism that includes a plurality of gears and transmits a power of the motor, an inverter that controls a current to be supplied to the motor, a housing that houses the motor, the transmission mechanism, and the inverter, a fluid that is housed within the housing, a flow path through which the fluid flows, a refrigerant that cools at least the inverter, a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant flows, a pump that pumps the fluid within the flow path, and a cooler that exchanges heat between the fluid and the refrigerant. The housing includes a motor housing portion that houses the motor, a transmission mechanism housing portion that is located on one side of the motor housing portion in an axial direction to house the transmission mechanism, an inverter housing portion that houses the inverter, and a support portion that is located radially outside the motor housing portion and one side of the inverter housing portion in a circumferential direction when viewed from the axial direction, and is connected to an outer peripheral portion of the motor housing portion and a bottom portion of the inverter housing portion. The support portion supports the pump and the cooler. Any one of the pump and the cooler is disposed on one side in the circumferential direction with respect to the support portion when viewed from the axial direction, and the other thereof is disposed radially outside with respect to the support portion. 
     The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a conceptual view illustrating a drive apparatus according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view illustrating the drive apparatus according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is a front view of the drive apparatus according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    is a side view of the drive apparatus according to the embodiment; and 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view illustrating a part of the drive apparatus according to the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the scope of the present invention is not limited to an embodiment to be described below, but includes any modification thereof within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. 
     The following description will be made with the direction of gravity being specified based on a positional relationship in a case where a drive apparatus  1  is mounted in a vehicle located on a horizontal road surface. In addition, in the drawings, an xyz coordinate system is shown appropriately as a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. In the xyz coordinate system, a Z-axis direction indicates a vertical direction. In the following description, a +Z direction side is referred to as an “upper side”, and a −Z direction side is referred to as a “lower side”. In addition, an X-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction and shows a front-rear direction of the vehicle in which the drive apparatus  1  is mounted. In the following description, a +X direction side is referred to as a “vehicle rear side”, and a −X direction side is referred to as a “vehicle front side”. A Y-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and is a width direction of the vehicle. 
     Unless otherwise specified in the following description, a direction (Y-axis direction) parallel to a motor axis J 1  of a motor  2  is simply referred to as an “axial direction”. In the axial direction, a side (+Y side) which an arrow of a Y axis faces is referred to as “one side in the axial direction”. In the axial direction, a side (−Y side) opposite to the side which the arrow of the Y axis faces is referred to as the “other side in the axial direction”. A radial direction about the motor axis J 1  is simply referred to as a “radial direction”, and a circumferential direction about the motor axis J 1 , that is, a direction around an axis of the motor axis J 1  is simply referred to as a “circumferential direction”. The circumferential direction is indicated by an arrow θ in each drawing. In the circumferential direction, a side which the arrow θ faces is referred to as “one side in the circumferential direction”. In the circumferential direction, a side opposite to the side which the arrow θ faces is referred to as the “other side in the circumferential direction”. The one side in the circumferential direction is a side that advances clockwise around the motor axis J 1  when viewed from one side in the axial direction. The other side in the circumferential direction is a side that advances counterclockwise around the motor axis J 1  when viewed from one side in the axial direction. However, the “parallel direction” also includes a substantially parallel direction. Note that an upper side, a lower side, a vehicle front side, and a vehicle rear side are names for simply describing an arrangement relationship or the like of each part, and the actual arrangement relationship or the like may be an arrangement relationship or the like other than the arrangement relationship or the like indicated by these names. 
     The drive apparatus  1  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.  FIG.  1    is a conceptual diagram of the drive apparatus  1  according to the embodiment.  FIG.  1    is merely a conceptual diagram, and the arrangement and dimensions of units may differ from the actual arrangement and dimensions. 
     The drive apparatus  1  is mounted on a vehicle using a motor as a power source, such as a hybrid vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), or an electric vehicle (EV), and is used as the power source. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the drive apparatus  1  includes the motor  2 , a transmission mechanism  3 , a housing  6 , an inverter  7 , a pump  8 , a cooler  9 , and oil O which is a fluid housed within the housing  6 , and a refrigerant L. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the motor  2  is housed inside a motor housing portion  81  of the housing  6 . The motor  2  includes a rotor  20  and a stator  30  located radially outside the rotor  20 . The motor  2  is an inner rotor motor including the rotor  20  disposed inside the stator  30  in a rotatable manner about the motor axis J 1 . 
     A current is supplied from a battery (not illustrated) to the stator  30  via an inverter or the like, and thus, the rotor  20  rotates. The rotor  20  includes a shaft  21 , a rotor core  24 , and a rotor magnet (not illustrated). The rotor  20  rotates about the motor axis J 1 . A torque of the rotor  20  is transmitted to the transmission mechanism  3 . 
     The shaft  21  has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction about the motor axis J 1  facing a horizontal direction and the width direction of the vehicle. The shaft  21  rotates about the motor axis J 1 . The shaft  21  is a hollow shaft including a hollow portion defined therein. The shaft  21  extends in a direction of the motor axis J 1  across the inside of the motor housing portion  81  and the inside of a transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . The shaft  21  includes a first shaft  21 A and a second shaft  21 B that are coaxially disposed and coupled to each other. 
     Each of the first shaft  21 A and the second shaft  21 B has a substantially hollow cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. The first shaft  21 A is disposed inside the motor housing portion  81 . The second shaft  21 B is disposed inside the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . The first shaft  21 A and the second shaft  21 B are coupled to each other inside a partition wall  61   c  to be described later. The first shaft  21 A and the second shaft  21 B rotate synchronously about the motor axis J 1 . In the present embodiment, an inner diameter of an end portion on one side of the first shaft  21 A in the axial direction is greater than an outer diameter of an end portion on the other side of the second shaft  21 B in the axial direction. Splines meshing with each other are provided on an inner peripheral surface of the end portion on one side of the first shaft  21 A in the axial direction and an outer peripheral surface of the end portion on the other side of the second shaft  21 B in the axial direction. The end portion on one side of the first shaft  21 A in the axial direction and the end portion on the other side of the second shaft  21 B in the axial direction are fitted to each other, and thus, the first shaft  21 A and the second shaft  21 B are coupled to each other. Note that a configuration in which the end portion of the first shaft  21 A is inserted into a hollow portion of the end portion of the second shaft  21 B to be coupled may be adopted. In this case, splines meshing with each other are provided on an outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the first shaft  21 A and the inner peripheral surface of the end portion of the second shaft  21 B. 
     The rotor core  24  is formed by a plurality of laminated silicon steel sheets. The rotor core  24  has a substantially pillar shape extending in the axial direction. The plurality of rotor magnets (not illustrated) are fixed to the rotor core  24 . In the rotor  20 , magnetic poles formed by a plurality of rotor magnets are alternately disposed along the circumferential direction. 
     The stator  30  encloses the rotor  20  from radially outside. The stator  30  has a stator core  32 , a coil  31 , and an insulator (not illustrated) interposed between the stator core  32  and the coil  31 . The stator  30  is held by the housing  6 . 
     The stator core  32  includes a plurality of magnetic pole teeth (not illustrated) extending radially inward from an inner peripheral surface of an annular yoke. A coil wire is disposed between the magnetic pole teeth. The coil wire disposed between the magnetic pole teeth constitutes the coil  31 . The coil wire is connected to the inverter  7  via a bus bar (not illustrated). The coil  31  includes coil ends  31   a  that project from axial end faces of the stator core  32 . The coil end  31   a  projects from both sides in the axial direction relative to the rotor core  24  of the rotor  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the transmission mechanism  3  transmits a power of the motor  2  to output shafts  55 . The transmission mechanism  3  is housed inside the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  of the housing  6 . The transmission mechanism  3  is connected to the shaft  21  inside the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . The transmission mechanism  3  is connected to the output shafts  55  inside the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . The transmission mechanism  3  includes a reduction gear  4  and a differential gear  5 . The transmission mechanism  3  includes a plurality of gears. A torque output from the motor  2  is transmitted to the differential gear  5  through a plurality of gears of the reduction gear  4 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the reduction gear  4  is connected to the shaft  21 . More specifically, the reduction gear  4  is connected to the second shaft  21 B. The reduction gear  4  has a function of increasing the torque output from the motor  2  in accordance with a reduction ratio by reducing a rotation speed of the motor  2 . The reduction gear  4  transmits the torque output from the motor  2  to the differential gear  5 . The reduction gear  4  has a first gear  41 , a second gear  42 , a third gear  43 , and an intermediate shaft  45 . The torque output from the motor  2  is transmitted to a ring gear  51  of the differential gear  5  via the shaft  21 , the first gear  41 , the second gear  42 , the intermediate shaft  45 , and the third gear  43 . The number of gears, the gear ratios of the gears, and so on can be modified in various manners in accordance with a desired reduction ratio. In the present embodiment, the reduction gear  4  is a speed reducer of a parallel-axis gearing type, in which center axes of gears are disposed in parallel with the motor axis J 1 . Note that the reduction gear  4  may be another type of speed reducer. 
     The first gear  41  is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft  21 . The first gear  41  rotates about the motor axis J 1  together with the shaft  21 . The intermediate shaft  45  extends along an intermediate axis J 2  parallel to the motor axis J 1 . The intermediate shaft  45  rotates about the intermediate axis J 2 . The intermediate shaft  45  has a hollow cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. The second gear  42  and the third gear  43  are provided on an outer peripheral surface of the intermediate shaft  45 . The second gear  42  and the third gear  43  are connected to each other with the intermediate shaft  45  interposed therebetween. The second gear  42  and the third gear  43  rotate about the intermediate axis J 2 . The second gear  42  meshes with the first gear  41 . The third gear  43  meshes with the ring gear  51  of the differential gear  5 . The third gear  43  is located closer to the partition wall  61   c  than the second gear  42 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the differential gear  5  is connected to the motor  2  with the reduction gear  4  interposed therebetween. The differential gear  5  is a device for transmitting the torque output from the motor  2  to wheels of the vehicle. The differential gear  5  has a function of transmitting the same torque to axles of left and right wheels while absorbing a difference in speed between the left and right wheels when the vehicle is turning. The differential gear  5  includes the ring gear  51 , a differential case  50 , and a differential mechanism  50   c  disposed inside the differential case  50 . 
     The ring gear  51  rotates about an output axis J 3  parallel to the motor axis J 1 . The torque output from the motor  2  is transmitted to the ring gear  51  through the reduction gear  4 . The ring gear  51  meshes with the third gear  43 . The ring gear  51  is fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the differential case  50 . 
     The differential case  50  includes a case portion  50   b  that houses the differential mechanism  50   c  therein, and a shaft portion  50   a  that projects to one side and the other side in the axial direction with respect to the case portion  50   b.  The shaft portion  50   a  has a tubular shape extending along the axial direction about the output axis J 3 . The shaft portion  50   a  rotates about the output axis J 3  together with the ring gear  51 . 
     A pair of output shafts  55  is connected to the differential gear  5 . The pair of output shafts  55  projects from the differential case  50  of the differential gear  5  to one side and the other side in the axial direction. The pair of output shafts  55  is disposed inside the shaft portion  50   a.  The pair of output shafts  55  is rotatably supported on an inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion  50   a  with a bearing (not illustrated) interposed therebetween. The output shaft  55  rotates about the output axis J 3 . That is, the transmission mechanism  3  includes the output shaft  55  about the output axis J 3  parallel to the motor axis J 1 . 
     The torque output from the motor  2  is transmitted to the ring gear  51  of the differential gear  5  via the shaft  21 , the first gear  41 , the second gear  42 , the intermediate shaft  45 , and the third gear  43 , and is output to the output shaft  55  via the differential gear  5 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the motor  2 , the transmission mechanism  3 , and the inverter  7  are housed in a space inside the housing  6 . The housing  6  includes the motor housing portion  81 , the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 , an inverter housing portion  84 , a support portion  83 , and a pump holding portion  85 . The motor  2  is housed inside the motor housing portion  81 . The transmission mechanism  3  is housed inside the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . The inverter  7  is housed in the inverter housing portion  84 . The support portion  83  supports the pump  8  and the cooler  9 . The pump holding portion  85  constitutes a part of the pump  8 . The pump holding portion  85  houses a mechanism of the pump  8 . The support portion  83  according to the present embodiment supports the pump  8  by being coupled to the pump holding portion  85 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the housing  6  includes a housing body  61 , a gear cover  62 , a motor cover  63 , an inverter cover  64 , and an upper lid member  65 . The gear cover  62  is located on one side of the housing body  61  in the axial direction. The motor cover  63  is located on the other side in the axial direction of the housing body  61 . The inverter cover  64  is located on the upper side of the housing body  61 . The upper lid member  65  is located on the upper side of the inverter cover  64 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the motor housing portion  81  includes the housing body  61  and the motor cover  63 . The transmission mechanism housing portion  82  includes the housing body  61  and the gear cover  62 . The inverter housing portion  84  includes the inverter cover  64  and the upper lid member  65 . As described above, the housing  6  includes the motor housing portion  81 , the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 , and the inverter housing portion  84 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the housing body  61  includes a cylindrical peripheral wall portion  61   a,  a side plate portion  61   b  located on one side of the peripheral wall portion  61   a  in the axial direction, the support portion  83 , the pump holding portion  85 , and an output shaft support portion  61   j.  The motor  2  is housed inside the peripheral wall portion  61   a.  In the present embodiment, the peripheral wall portion  61   a  is a part of the motor housing portion  81 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the side plate portion  61   b  includes a partition wall  61   c.  The partition wall  61   c  covers an opening on one side of the peripheral wall portion  61   a  in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the partition wall  61   c  is a part of the motor housing portion  81 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the support portion  83  supports the pump  8  and the cooler  9 . The support portion  83  projects radially outside from the peripheral wall portion  61   a.  The support portion  83  is located on the other side in the axial direction with respect to the side plate portion  61   b.  The support portion  83  is located on the lower side of the inverter cover  64  to be described later. The support portion  83  is connected to the peripheral wall portion  61   a,  the side plate portion  61   b,  and the inverter cover  64 . The support portion  83  includes a cooler support portion  61   g.  The output shaft  55  penetrates the support portion  83  in the axial direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the cooler support portion  61   g  is provided on a surface facing the vehicle rear side (+X direction side) of the outer peripheral surface of the support portion  83 . In the present embodiment, four openings (not illustrated) are provided in the cooler support portion  61   g.  Four openings are connected to an inflow port  9   a,  an outflow port  9   b,  a refrigerant inflow port  9   c,  and a refrigerant outflow port  9   d  of the cooler  9  to be described later. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the pump holding portion  85  is located on the lower side of the support portion  83  and is coupled to an end portion on the lower side of the support portion  83 . That is, the support portion  83  supports the pump  8  from the upper side. The pump holding portion  85  is located radially outside with respect to the peripheral wall portion  61   a.  That is, the pump  8  is located radially outside with respect to the peripheral wall portion  61   a.  A pump mechanism housing hole  61   i  is provided in the pump holding portion  85 . The pump mechanism housing hole  61   i  is a hole that houses a mechanism of the pump  8 . The pump mechanism housing hole  61   i  is a hole extending in the axial direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the output shaft support portion  61   j  projects radially outside from an end portion on the other side of the peripheral wall portion  61   a  in the axial direction. The output shaft support portion  61   j  supports the output shaft  55  via a bearing (not illustrated). An output shaft passing hole  61   k  that is opened in the axial direction is provided in the output shaft support portion  61   j.  The output shaft  55  passes through the output shaft passing hole  61   k  in the axial direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the motor cover  63  is fixed to the peripheral wall portion  61   a  of the housing body  61 . The motor cover  63  closes an opening on the other side of the housing body  61  in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the motor cover  63  is a part of the motor housing portion  81 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the gear cover  62  is fixed to one side of the housing body  61  in the axial direction. As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the gear cover  62  has a recessed shape that is opened toward the housing body  61  (that is, the other side in the axial direction). The opening of the gear cover  62  is covered with the side plate portion  61   b.  The transmission mechanism  3  is housed in a space between the gear cover  62  and the side plate portion  61   b.  In the present embodiment, the gear cover  62  is a part of the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the inverter cover  64  is fixed to the upper side of the housing body  61 . The inverter cover  64  is disposed across the upper side of the peripheral wall portion  61   a  and the upper side of the support portion  83 . The inverter cover  64  houses the inverter  7  therein. The inverter cover  64  includes a bottom plate portion  64   a  and a box-shaped portion  64   b.    
     The bottom plate portion  64   a  is a portion on the lower side of the inverter cover  64 . The bottom plate portion  64   a  is fixed to the upper side of the housing body  61 . The bottom plate portion  64   a  has a substantially rectangular plate shape when viewed from the upper side. The bottom plate portion  64   a  is located on the lower side from the vehicle front side (−X direction side) toward the vehicle rear side (+X direction side). An end portion of the bottom plate portion  64   a  on the vehicle front side (−X direction side) is located on the vehicle rear side (+X direction side) with respect to an end portion of the housing body  61  on the vehicle front side (−X direction side). An end portion of the bottom plate portion  64   a  on the vehicle rear side (+X direction side) is located on the vehicle rear side (+X direction side) with respect to an end portion of the support portion  83  on the vehicle rear side (+X direction side). The box-shaped portion  64   b  is connected to the upper side of the bottom plate portion  64   a.  In the present embodiment, the bottom plate portion  64   a  is a part of the inverter housing portion  84 . 
     The box-shaped portion  64   b  extends to the upper side from the bottom plate portion  64   a.  When viewed from the upper side, an outer shape of the box-shaped portion  64   b  is substantially rectangular. The box-shaped portion  64   b  houses the inverter  7  therein. As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the outer shape of the box-shaped portion  64   b  is substantially trapezoidal when viewed in the axial direction. The bottom portion  64   c  of the box-shaped portion  64   b  is located on the lower side from the vehicle front side (−X direction side) toward the vehicle rear side (+X direction side). An end portion on the upper side of the box-shaped portion  64   b  extends substantially in a vehicle front-rear direction (X-axis direction) from the vehicle front side (−X direction side) to the vehicle rear side (+X direction side). Thus, a dimension of the box-shaped portion  64   b  in the vertical direction increases from the vehicle front side (−X direction side) toward the vehicle rear side (+X direction side). That is, a dimension of an end portion of the box-shaped portion  64   b  in the vertical direction on the vehicle rear side (+X direction side) is greater than a dimension of an end portion in the vertical direction on the vehicle front side (−X direction side). A first region  64   d  and a second region  64   e  are provided inside the box-shaped portion  64   b.    
     The first region  64   d  is a portion of the inside of the box-shaped portion  64   b  on the vehicle front side (−X direction side). The first region  64   d  is located on the upper side of the peripheral wall portion  61   a.  The first region  64   d  overlaps the peripheral wall portion  61   a  when viewed from the vertical direction. That is, the first region  64   d  is located on the upper side of the motor housing portion  81 . That is, the first region  64   d  is located radially outside the motor housing portion  81 . The second region  64   e  is a portion of the inside of the box-shaped portion  64   b  on the vehicle rear side (+X direction side). The second region  64   e  is located on the upper side of the support portion  83 . That is, the second region  64   e  is located between the first region  64   d  and the other side of the support portion  83  in the circumferential direction in the circumferential direction. The second region  64   e  is a region that does not overlap the peripheral wall portion  61   a  when viewed from the vertical direction and is provided at a position different from the peripheral wall portion  61   a  when viewed from the vertical direction. A dimension of the second region  64   e  in the vertical direction is greater than a dimension of the first region  64   d  in the vertical direction. That is, a dimension of the second region  64   e  in the circumferential direction is greater than a dimension of the first region  64   d  in the circumferential direction. 
     The upper lid member  65  is fixed to the upper side of the inverter cover  64 . The upper lid member  65  closes an opening on the upper side of the box-shaped portion  64   b.  The upper lid member  65  has a substantially rectangular plate shape. In the present embodiment, the upper lid member  65  is a part of the inverter housing portion  84 . 
     An oil pool P in which the oil O to be described later is gathered is provided in a lower region inside the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . In the present embodiment, the bottom portion  81   a  of the motor housing portion  81  is located on the upper side with respect to the bottom portion  82   a  of the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . In addition, a partition wall hole (not illustrated) is provided in the partition wall  61   c.  The partition wall hole allows the inside of the motor housing portion  81  and the inside of the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  to communicate with each other. The oil O gathered in a lower region inside the motor housing portion  81  moves to the oil pool P inside the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  through the partition wall hole. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  is located on one side of the motor housing portion  81  in the axial direction. The inverter housing portion  84  is located on the upper side of the motor housing portion  81 . That is, the inverter housing portion  84  is located radially outside the motor housing portion  81 . In addition, the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  projects to the vehicle rear side (+X direction side) with respect to the motor housing portion  81 . That is, the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  projects radially outside with respect to the motor housing portion  81 . The inverter housing portion  84  projects to the vehicle rear side (+X direction side) with respect to the motor housing portion  81 . That is, the inverter housing portion  84  projects radially outside with respect to the motor housing portion  81 . Therefore, a space is formed on the vehicle rear side (+X direction side) of the motor housing portion  81 , the other side of the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  in the axial direction, and the lower side of the inverter housing portion  84 . Hereinafter, such a space is referred to as a dead space. 
     In the present embodiment, as described above, the support portion  83  is located radially outside the motor housing portion  81  and on the lower side of the inverter housing portion  84 . In addition, the support portion  83  is located on the other side of the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  in the axial direction. That is, the support portion  83  is disposed in the dead space. 
     In addition, as described above, the support portion  83  is connected to the peripheral wall portion  61   a.  That is, the support portion  83  is connected to an outer peripheral portion of the motor housing portion  81 . As described above, the support portion  83  is connected to an end portion on the lower side of the inverter cover  64 . That is, the support portion  83  is connected to a bottom portion of the inverter housing portion  84 . As described above, the support portion  83  is connected to the side plate portion  61   b.  That is, the support portion  83  is connected to the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . That is, the support portion  83  is connected to the motor housing portion  81 , the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 , and the inverter housing portion  84 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the oil O is circulated in an oil passage  90  provided in the housing  6  when the drive apparatus  1  is driven. The oil passage  90  is a route of the oil O through which the oil O flows from the oil pool P to the motor  2  and the transmission mechanism  3 . The oil O is used for cooling the motor  2 . In addition, the oil O is used to lubricate the reduction gear  4  and the differential gear  5 . Note that the oil O may be used to lubricate at least one bearing disposed inside the drive apparatus  1 . An oil equivalent to a lubricating oil (ATF: Automatic Transmission Fluid) for an automatic transmission having a low viscosity is preferably used as the oil O so that the oil O can perform functions of a lubricating oil and a cooling oil. Note that, in the present embodiment, the fluid is the oil O. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the oil passage  90  is a flow path through which the oil O flows. That is, the drive apparatus  1  includes a flow path through which the fluid (oil O) flows. The oil passage  90  is formed across the motor housing portion  81 , the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 , and the support portion  83 . The oil passage  90  is a route of the oil O that guides the oil O from the oil pool P to the oil pool P again via the motor  2  and the transmission mechanism  3 . 
     Note that, in the present specification, the “oil passage” refers to a route of the oil O circulated inside the drive apparatus  1 . Therefore, the “oil passage” is a concept that includes not only a “flow path”, in which a steady flow of the oil O steadily traveling in one direction is formed, but also a route (for example, oil pool P) in which the oil O is allowed to temporarily stay, and a route along which the oil O drips. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , in the oil passage  90 , the oil O flows from the oil pool P through the motor housing portion  81  and the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 , and is supplied to the motor  2  and the transmission mechanism  3 . The oil O supplied to the motor  2  cools the motor  2  by removing heat from the rotor  20  and the stator  30  while flowing along the outer peripheral surface of the stator  30  and the rotor  20 . The oil O having flowed along the outer peripheral surface of the stator  30  and the rotor  20  drops downward and is gathered in the lower region inside the motor housing portion  81 . The oil O gathered in the lower region inside the motor housing portion  81  returns to the oil pool P through a partition wall hole (not illustrated). The oil O scraped up by the ring gear  51  to be described later or supplied to the transmission mechanism  3  through the flow paths to be described later or the like is supplied to tooth surfaces of gears of the transmission mechanism  3  to lubricate the tooth surfaces of the gears. The oil O having flowed along the tooth surfaces of the gears drops downward and returns to the oil pool P. Note that a volume of the oil O in the oil pool P is, for example, such that a part of the bearing of the differential gear  5  is immersed in the oil O when the drive apparatus  1  is stopped. 
     The oil passage  90  includes a first flow path  91   a,  a second flow path  91   b,  an intra-cooler flow path  91   c,  a connection flow path  92   a,  an intra-relay pipe flow path  92   b,  an intra-motor housing portion flow path  93 , a third flow path  94 , a fourth flow path  95 , a fifth flow path  96 A, a sixth flow path  96 B, a seventh flow path  97 , a first intra-shaft flow path  98 A, a second intra-shaft flow path  98 B, and an intra-intermediate shaft flow path  99 . The pump  8  and the cooler  9  are provided in the route of the oil passage  90 . The pump  8  pumps the oil O. The cooler  9  cools the oil O flowing through the intra-cooler flow path  91   c.    
     In the present embodiment, the first flow path  91   a,  the second flow path  91   b,  the connection flow path  92   a,  the intra-motor housing portion flow path  93 , the fourth flow path  95 , and the seventh flow path  97  are provided inside a wall portion of the housing  6 . In addition, the first intra-shaft flow path  98 A and the second intra-shaft flow path  98 B are provided inside the shaft  21 , and the intra-intermediate shaft flow path  99  is provided inside the intermediate shaft  45 . Therefore, it is not necessary to separately prepare a pipe material in order to provide these flow paths, and a decrease in the number of components can be achieved. 
     The first flow path  91   a  is connected to the oil pool P and the pump  8  to each other. In the present embodiment, the first flow path  91   a  is provided inside the wall portion of the housing  6 . More specifically, the first flow path  91   a  is a flow path extending at least toward the other side in the axial direction inside the support portion  83 . In the present embodiment, the first flow path  91   a  is a linear flow path. 
     In the present embodiment, the pump  8  is an electric pump driven by electricity. The pump  8  sucks up the oil O from the oil pool P through the first flow path  91   a,  pumps the oil O, and supplies the oil O to the motor  2  and the transmission mechanism  3  through the second flow path  91   b,  the cooler  9 , the connection flow path  92   a,  and the like. That is, the drive apparatus  1  includes the pump  8  that pumps the oil O within the oil passage  90 . As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , in the present embodiment, the pump  8  is disposed on the lower side of the support portion  83 . That is, the pump  8  is disposed on one side in the circumferential direction with respect to the support portion  83  when viewed from the axial direction. A position of a lower end of the pump  8  is located on the upper side with respect to positions of lower ends of the motor housing portion  81  and the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . That is, a position of an end portion on one side of the pump  8  in the circumferential direction is located on the other side in the circumferential direction with respect to positions of end portions on one side of the motor housing portion  81  and the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  in the circumferential direction. An end portion on the other side of the pump  8  in the axial direction is located on one side in the axial direction with respect to an end portion on the other side of the motor housing portion  81  in the axial direction. When viewed from the lower side (−Z direction side), the pump  8  overlaps the inverter housing portion  84 . That is, the pump  8  is hidden on the lower side of the inverter housing portion  84  when viewed from the upper side. In addition, an imaginary arc C 1  passing through an end portion of the pump  8  radially outside about the motor axis J 1  overlaps the inverter housing portion  84 . That is, the pump  8  overlaps the inverter housing portion  84  in the circumferential direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pump  8  is disposed in the dead space. 
     The pump  8  is housed in a pump mechanism housing hole  61   i  extending in the axial direction of the housing  6 . The pump  8  is supported by the support portion  83  by coupling the pump holding portion  85  to the support portion  83 . As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the pump  8  includes a pump mechanism  8   a,  a pump motor  8   b,  a suction port  8   c,  an ejection port  8   d,  and a pump holding portion  85  (see  FIG.  2   , omitted in  FIG.  5   ) that houses these components. The suction port  8   c  of the pump  8  is located on one side in the axial direction. The pump motor  8   b  is located on the other side in the axial direction. 
     The pump mechanism  8   a  is located on one side in the axial direction with respect to the pump motor  8   b.  The suction port  8   c  is disposed at an end portion on one side of the pump mechanism  8   a  in the axial direction. The ejection port  8   d  is disposed on the upper side of the pump mechanism  8   a.  In the present embodiment, the pump  8  is a trochoidal pump in which outer and inner gears (not illustrated) rotate while being meshed with each other. The inner gear of the pump mechanism  8   a  is rotated by the pump motor  8   b.  The gap between the inner gear and the outer gear of the pump mechanism  8   a  is connected to the suction port  8   c  and the ejection port  8   d.  The suction port  8   c  is connected to the first flow path  91   a,  and the ejection port  8   d  is connected to the second flow path  91   b.  The pump  8  sucks up the oil O from the oil pool P through the first flow path  91   a  and supplies the oil O to the second flow path  91   b.    
     The pump motor  8   b  rotates about a rotation axis J 4 . The rotation axis J 4  is parallel to the motor axis J 1 . The rotation axis J 4  is located on the lower side with respect to the axes J 1 , J 2 , and J 3  of the shafts included in the motor  2  and the transmission mechanism  3 . A dimension of the pump  8  having the pump motor  8   b  is likely to be longer in a direction of the rotation axis J 4  than in the radial direction of the rotation axis J 4 . Thus, for example, when the pump  8  is disposed such that the rotation axis J 4  faces a direction orthogonal to the motor axis J 1 , the pump  8  projects in the radial direction from the dead space, and there is a concern that a size of the drive apparatus  1  increases in the radial direction. However, according to the present embodiment, the pump  8  is disposed such that the rotation axis J 4  is parallel to the motor axis J 1 . Thus, the entire pump  8  can be disposed in the dead space. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in a projection area of the drive apparatus  1  in the radial direction and the axial direction, and it is possible to downsize the entire drive apparatus  1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the second flow path  91   b  is connected to the pump  8  and the cooler  9 . More specifically, the second flow path  91   b  is connected to the ejection port  8   d  of the pump  8  and the inflow port  9   a  of the cooler  9 . In the present embodiment, the second flow path  91   b  is provided inside the housing  6 . More specifically, the second flow path  91   b  is a flow path extending in the substantially X-axis direction through the inside of the support portion  83 . In the present embodiment, the second flow path  91   b  is linear. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the cooler  9  is fixed to the cooler support portion  61   g  of the support portion  83 . The cooler  9  is supported by the support portion  83 . The cooler  9  is disposed on the vehicle rear side (+X direction side) with respect to the support portion  83 . That is, the cooler  9  is disposed radially outside with respect to the support portion  83 . In addition, the cooler  9  is disposed radially outside the output shaft  55 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , a position of a lower end of the cooler  9  is located on the upper side with respect to the positions of the lower ends of the motor housing portion  81  and the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . That is, a position of an end portion on one side of the cooler  9  in the circumferential direction is located on the other side in the circumferential direction with respect to the positions of the end portions on one side of the motor housing portion  81  and the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  in the circumferential direction. An end portion on the other side of the cooler  9  in the axial direction is located on one side in the axial direction with respect to the end portion on the other side of the motor housing portion  81  in the axial direction. The cooler  9  overlaps the inverter housing portion  84  when viewed from the lower side (−Z direction side). That is, the cooler  9  is hidden on the lower side of the inverter housing portion  84  when viewed from the upper side. In addition, an imaginary arc C 2  passing through an end portion of the cooler  9  radially outside about the motor axis J 1  overlaps the inverter housing portion  84 . That is, the cooler  9  overlaps the inverter housing portion  84  in the circumferential direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cooler  9  is disposed in the dead space. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the second flow path  91   b  and the connection flow path  92   a  are connected to the cooler  9 . The intra-cooler flow path  91   c  through which the oil O flows is provided in the cooler  9 . As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the intra-cooler flow path  91   c  and the second flow path  91   b  are connected through the inflow port  9   a  of the cooler. The intra-cooler flow path  91   c  and the connection flow path  92   a  are connected through the outflow port  9   b  of the cooler. The intra-cooler flow path  91   c  connects the inflow port  9   a  and the outflow port  9   b  inside the cooler  9 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the inflow port  9   a  is located on the lower side with respect to the output axis J 3 . The outflow port  9   b  is located on the upper side with respect to the output axis J 3 . The intra-cooler flow path  91   c  is disposed to overlap the output axis J 3  in the radial direction of the motor axis J 1 . As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the intra-cooler flow path  91   c  extends in the circumferential direction of the output axis J 3  when viewed in the axial direction. 
     As will be described later, an intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74  is provided inside the cooler  9 . The refrigerant L cooled by a radiator (not illustrated) flows within the intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74 . Thus, the oil O passing through the intra-cooler flow path  91   c  is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant L passing through the intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74 . 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, the pump  8  and the cooler  9  are disposed in the dead space. Thus, as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the pump  8  and the cooler  9  overlap the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  when viewed from the axial direction. Since the transmission mechanism  3  is housed inside the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 , a projection area of the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  in the axial direction is determined depending on the size of each gear of the transmission mechanism  3  or the like. The size of each gear constituting the transmission mechanism  3  is set to satisfy a desired gear ratio. Thus, it is difficult to reduce the projection area of the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  in the axial direction without changing the size of each gear. However, according to the present embodiment, the pump  8  and the cooler  9  overlap the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  in the axial direction. Thus, it is possible to suppress the projection area of the drive apparatus  1  in the axial direction from being increased by the cooler  9  and the pump  8  as compared with the projection area of the drive apparatus  1  in the axial direction when the pump  8  and the cooler  9  do not overlap the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  in the axial direction. 
     In the present embodiment, the pump  8  and the cooler  9  are disposed in the dead space. Thus, as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the pump  8  and the cooler  9  overlap the motor housing portion  81  when viewed from the vehicle rear side (+X direction side). That is, the pump  8  and the cooler  9  overlap the motor housing portion  81  when viewed from the radial direction. The motor  2  is housed inside the motor housing portion  81 . The projected area of the motor housing portion  81  in the radial direction is determined depending on, for example, sizes of the rotor  20  and the stator  30 . The sizes of the rotor  20  and the stator  30  are set to satisfy a desired output torque. Thus, it is difficult to reduce the projected area of the motor housing portion  81  in the radial direction without changing the desired output torque. However, according to the present embodiment, the pump  8  and the cooler  9  overlap the motor housing portion  81  in the radial direction. It is possible to suppress the projected area of the drive apparatus  1  in the radial direction from being increased by the pump  8  and the cooler  9  as compared with the projected area of the drive apparatus  1  in the radial direction when the pump  8  and the cooler  9  do not overlap the motor housing portion  81  in the radial direction. 
     In the present embodiment, the pump  8  and the cooler  9  are disposed in the dead space. Thus, as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the pump  8  and the cooler  9  overlap the inverter housing portion  84  when viewed from the lower side (−Z direction side). That is, the pump  8  and the cooler  9  overlap the inverter housing portion  84  in the vertical direction. In addition, as described above, the pump  8  and the cooler  9  overlap the inverter housing portion  84  in the circumferential direction. The inverter  7  is housed in the inverter housing portion  84 . The projection areas of the inverter housing portion  84  in the vertical direction and the circumferential direction are determined depending on a size of the inverter  7 . The size of the inverter  7  is determined depending on, for example, the number and size of electronic components. Thus, it is difficult to reduce the projection areas of the inverter housing portion  84  in the vertical direction and the circumferential direction without changing the electronic components and the like. However, in the present embodiment, the pump  8  and the cooler  9  overlap the inverter housing portion  84  in the vertical direction and the circumferential direction. Thus, it is possible to suppress the projection areas of the drive apparatus  1  in the vertical direction and the circumferential direction from being increased by the pump  8  and the cooler  9  as compared with the projection areas of the drive apparatus  1  in the vertical direction and the circumferential direction when the pump  8  and the cooler  9  do not overlap the inverter housing portion  84  in the vertical direction and the circumferential direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the connection flow path  92   a  is connected to the cooler  9  and the intra-relay pipe flow path  92   b.  More specifically, one end of the connection flow path  92   a  is connected to the outflow port  9   b  of the cooler  9 . The other end of the connection flow path  92   a  is connected to the intra-motor housing portion flow path  93  to be described later through the intra-relay pipe flow path  92   b.  That is, the oil passage  90  has the connection flow path  92   a  connected to the intra-motor housing portion flow path  93  and the cooler  9 . In the present embodiment, the connection flow path  92   a  extends linearly inside the support portion  83  toward the vehicle front side (−X direction side). 
     The intra-relay pipe flow path  92   b  is connected to the connection flow path  92   a  and the intra-motor housing portion flow path  93 . The intra-relay pipe flow path  92   b  is provided inside the relay pipe  67 . The relay pipe  67  has a hollow tubular shape extending substantially in the axial direction. The relay pipe  67  is connected to the inside of the support portion  83  and the inside of the motor cover  63 . The oil O is supplied from the support portion  83  to the motor housing portion  81  through the intra-relay pipe flow path  92   b.    
     The intra-motor housing portion flow path  93  is connected to the intra-relay pipe flow path  92   b,  the third flow path  94 , and the first intra-shaft flow path  98 A. The intra-motor housing portion flow path  93  is provided inside the motor cover  63 . That is, the oil passage  90  includes the intra-motor housing portion flow path  93  provided in the motor housing portion  81 . In the present embodiment, the intra-motor housing portion flow path  93  extends linearly from a connection portion with the intra-relay pipe flow path  92   b  toward a connection portion with the first intra-shaft flow path  98 A. The intra-motor housing portion flow path  93  branches off to the third flow path  94  in the route. As a result, the oil O is supplied to the first intra-shaft flow path  98 A and the third flow path  94 . 
     The third flow path  94  is connected to the intra-motor housing portion flow path  93  and the fourth flow path  95 . The third flow path  94  is provided inside a first supply pipe  68 A. The first supply pipe  68 A has a hollow tubular shape extending substantially in the axial direction. The first supply pipe  68 A is connected to the inside of the motor cover  63  and the inside of the partition wall  61   c.  The first supply pipe  68 A is disposed on substantially the upper side of the motor  2  inside the motor housing portion  81 . In the third flow path  94 , the oil O flows through substantially the upper side of the motor  2  along the axial direction. 
     An injection hole (not illustrated) opened to the motor  2  side is provided in the first supply pipe  68 A. Thus, in the third flow path  94 , a part of the oil O is injected to the motor  2  through the injection hole. That is, the third flow path  94  supplies the oil O to the motor  2  from radially outside. The oil O supplied to the motor  2  cools the entire motor  2  by removing heat from the rotor  20  and the stator  30  when flowing along surfaces of the rotor  20  and the stator  30 . Furthermore, the oil O drops from the motor  2 , is gathered in the bottom portion  81   a  of the motor housing portion  81 , and returns to the oil pool P through a partition wall hole (not illustrated). A part of the oil O supplied to the third flow path  94  reaches the fourth flow path  95 . 
     In addition, a jet hole through which the oil O is jetted to the bearing within the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  through an opening  61   m  provided in the partition wall  61   c  is provided in the first supply pipe  68 A. That is, in the third flow path  94 , a part of the oil O is supplied to the bearing through the jet hole and the opening  61   m.    
     The fourth flow path  95  is connected to the third flow path  94 , the fifth flow path  96 A, the sixth flow path  96 B, and the intra-intermediate shaft flow path  99 . The fourth flow path  95  extends inside the partition wall  61   c.  That is, the oil passage  90  extends to the motor housing portion  81 . In the present embodiment, the fourth flow path  95  extends linearly from a connection portion with the third flow path  94  toward a connection portion with the fifth flow path  96 A and the sixth flow path  96 B. One end of the fourth flow path  95  branches off to the fifth flow path  96 A and the sixth flow path  96 B. In addition, the fourth flow path  95  branches off to the intra-intermediate shaft flow path  99  in the route. As a result, the oil O is supplied to the fifth flow path  96 A, the sixth flow path  96 B, and the intra-intermediate shaft flow path  99 . 
     The oil O passing through the fifth flow path  96 A passes through the inside of a second supply pipe  68 B. The second supply pipe  68 B has a hollow tubular shape extending substantially in the axial direction. The second supply pipe  68 B is connected to the inside of the partition wall  61   c  and the motor cover  63 . The second supply pipe  68 B is disposed on substantially the upper side of the motor  2  inside the motor housing portion  81 . In the fifth flow path  96 A, the oil O flows through substantially the upper side of the motor  2  along the axial direction. 
     An injection hole (not illustrated) opened to the motor  2  side is provided in the second supply pipe  68 B. Thus, in the fifth flow path  96 A, the oil O is injected to the motor  2  through the injection hole, and similarly to the oil O injected to the motor  2  in the above-described third flow path  94 , the oil O cools the entire motor  2 , then is gathered in the bottom portion  81   a  of the motor housing portion  81 , and returns to the oil pool P through a partition wall hole (not illustrated). 
     The sixth flow path  96 B is connected to the fourth flow path  95  and the seventh flow path  97 . The oil O flowing through the sixth flow path  96 B passes through the inside of a third supply pipe  68 C. The third supply pipe  68 C has a hollow tubular shape extending substantially in the axial direction. The third supply pipe  68 C is connected to the inside of the partition wall  61   c  and the inside of the gear cover  62 . The third supply pipe  68 C is disposed on substantially the upper side of the transmission mechanism  3  inside the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . The oil O supplied to the sixth flow path  96 B flows through substantially the upper side of the transmission mechanism  3  along the axial direction. 
     An injection hole (not illustrated) opened to the transmission mechanism  3  side is provided in the third supply pipe  68 C. Thus, in the sixth flow path  96 B, a part of the oil O is diffused into the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  through the injection hole. The oil O diffused into the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  is supplied to the tooth surfaces of the gears of the transmission mechanism  3  to lubricate the gears. Furthermore, the oil O drops from the transmission mechanism  3  and returns to the oil pool P. A part of the oil O supplied to the sixth flow path  96 B reaches the seventh flow path  97 . 
     The seventh flow path  97  is connected to the sixth flow path  96 B, the second intra-shaft flow path  98 B, and the intra-intermediate shaft flow path  99 . The oil O flowing through the seventh flow path  97  passes through the inside of the gear cover  62 . That is, the oil O flowing through the oil passage  90  passes through the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . One end of the seventh flow path  97  is connected to the second intra-shaft flow path  98 B. The seventh flow path  97  branches off to the intra-intermediate shaft flow path  99  in the route. As a result, the oil O is supplied to the second intra-shaft flow path  98 B and the intra-intermediate shaft flow path  99 . 
     The second intra-shaft flow path  98 B is connected to the seventh flow path  97  and the first intra-shaft flow path  98 A. The oil O flowing through the second intra-shaft flow path  98 B passes through the inside of the second shaft  21 B. As described above, the second shaft  21 B has a hollow cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. The second shaft  21 B is connected to the inside of the gear cover  62  and the first shaft  21 A inside the partition wall  61   c.  The second intra-shaft flow path  98 B is a flow path extending in the axial direction through the inside of the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . The oil O is supplied to the first intra-shaft flow path  98 A. 
     The first intra-shaft flow path  98 A is connected to the intra-motor housing portion flow path  93  and the second intra-shaft flow path  98 B. The oil O flowing through the first intra-shaft flow path  98 A passes through the inside of the first shaft  21 A. As described above, the first shaft  21 A has a hollow cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. The first shaft  21 A is connected to the inside of the motor cover  63  and the second shaft  21 B. The first intra-shaft flow path  98 A is a flow path extending in the axial direction through the inside of the motor housing portion  81 . The oil O is supplied to the first intra-shaft flow path  98 A from the intra-motor housing portion flow path  93  and the second intra-shaft flow path  98 B. 
     A communication hole (not illustrated) opened radially outside is provided in the first shaft  21 A. In the first intra-shaft flow path  98 A, a centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the first shaft  21 A is applied to the oil O. As a result, the oil O is scattered radially outside from the first shaft  21 A through the communication hole. Similarly to the oil O injected to the motor  2 , in the above-described third flow path  94 , the oil O scattered from the first shaft  21 A cools the entire motor  2 , then is gathered in the bottom portion  81   a  of the motor housing portion  81 , and returns to the oil pool P through a partition wall hole (not illustrated). In addition, since the first intra-shaft flow path  98 A has a negative pressure with the scattering of the oil O, the oil O in the intra-motor housing portion flow path  93  and the second intra-shaft flow path  98 B is sucked into the first shaft  21 A, and the oil O flows into the first intra-shaft flow path  98 A. 
     The intra-intermediate shaft flow path  99  is connected to the seventh flow path  97  and the fourth flow path  95 . The oil O flowing through the intra-intermediate shaft flow path  99  passes through the inside of the intermediate shaft  45 . As described above, the intermediate shaft  45  has a hollow cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. The intermediate shaft  45  is connected to the inside of the gear cover  62  and the inside of the partition wall  61   c  via a bearing. The intra-intermediate shaft flow path  99  is a flow path extending in the axial direction through the inside of the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , a part of the ring gear  51  is immersed in the oil pool P. Thus, when the drive apparatus  1  is driven, the oil O gathered in the oil pool P is scraped up by the ring gear  51  by the operation of the transmission mechanism  3  and is diffused into the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . The oil O diffused into the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  is supplied to the gears of the transmission mechanism  3  and spreads the oil O on the tooth surfaces of the gears. The oil O supplied to the transmission mechanism  3  drops into the oil pool P. 
     The inverter  7  is electrically connected to the motor  2 . The inverter  7  controls a current to be supplied to the motor  2 . As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the inverter  7  is housed in the inverter housing portion  84 . The inverter  7  includes at least one control board (not illustrated), a first electronic component  7   a,  and a second electronic component  7   b.  The control board has a plate shape. For example, the control board is fixed to the bottom portion  64   c  of the box-shaped portion  64   b.  The control board is disposed substantially parallel to the bottom portion  64   c.  The control board holds the first electronic component  7   a  and the second electronic component  7   b.    
     The first electronic component  7   a  is an electronic component such as a transistor. The second electronic component  7   b  is an electronic component such as a capacitor. In the present embodiment, the second electronic component  7   b  has a dimension in the vertical direction larger than the first electronic component  7   a.  That is, the second electronic component  7   b  has a dimension in the circumferential direction larger than the first electronic component  7   a.  The first electronic component  7   a  is disposed in the first region  64   d,  and the second electronic component  7   b  is disposed in the second region  64   e.  As described above, a dimension of the second region  64   e  in the circumferential direction is larger than a dimension of the first region  64   d  in the circumferential direction. That is, the first electronic component  7   a  having a small dimension in the circumferential direction is disposed in the first region  64   d  having a small dimension in the circumferential direction, and the second electronic component  7   b  having a large dimension in the circumferential direction is disposed in the second region  64   e  having a large dimension in the circumferential direction. As a result, a position of an end portion on the upper side of the first electronic component  7   a  and a position of an end portion on the upper side of the second electronic component  7   b  can be set to be substantially the same. Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the inverter housing portion  84  from becoming large in the circumferential direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in the projection area of the drive apparatus  1  in the axial direction, and it is possible to downsize the entire drive apparatus  1 . 
     In addition, the second electronic component  7   b  is disposed on the upper side of the output axis J 3  and the pump  8 . That is, the second electronic component  7   b,  the output axis J 3 , and the pump  8  are disposed in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the second electronic component  7   b,  the output axis J 3 , and the pump  8  are disposed in the vertical direction. A position of an end portion on the upper side of the output shaft  55  is located on the lower side with respect to a position of an end portion on the upper side of the motor housing portion  81 . A position of an end portion on the lower side of the output shaft  55  is located on the upper side with respect to a position of an end portion on the lower side of the motor housing portion  81 . Thus, according to the present embodiment, the inverter  7 , the output shaft  55 , and the pump  8  can be compactly disposed in the vertical direction by disposing the second electronic component  7   b  having a large dimension in the vertical direction on the upper side of the output shaft  55  and disposing the pump  8  on the lower side of the output shaft  55 . As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in a projection area of the drive apparatus  1  in the radial direction and the axial direction, and it is possible to downsize the entire drive apparatus  1 . 
     Note that, in the present embodiment, it has been described that one first electronic component  7   a  is disposed in the first region  64   d  and one second electronic component  7   b  is disposed in the second region  64   e.  However, in addition to the first electronic component  7   a,  another electronic component having a smaller dimension in the circumferential direction than the first electronic component may be disposed in the first region  64   d.  Similarly, in addition to the second electronic component  7   b,  another electronic component having a smaller dimension in the circumferential direction than the second electronic component  7   b  may be disposed in the second region  64   e.  That is, the first electronic component  7   a  may be a component having a largest dimension in the circumferential direction (dimension in the vertical direction in the present embodiment) among the electronic components provided in the first region  64   d.  Similarly, the second electronic component may be a component having a largest dimension in the circumferential direction (dimension in the vertical direction in the present embodiment) among the electronic components provided in the second region  64   e.    
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , a refrigerant flow path  70  is provided in the housing  6 . The refrigerant flow path  70  is formed across the motor housing portion  81 , the support portion  83 , and the inverter housing portion  84 . The refrigerant flow path  70  is a route through which the refrigerant L cooled by a radiator (not illustrated) flows. The refrigerant L flows from the radiator to the radiator again via the inverter housing portion  84 , the motor housing portion  81 , the support portion  83 , and the cooler  9 . That is, the drive apparatus  1  includes the refrigerant flow path  70  through which the refrigerant L flows. The refrigerant L flowing through the refrigerant flow path  70  cools the inverter  7  in the inverter housing portion  84 . In addition, as described above, the refrigerant L flowing through the refrigerant flow path  70  exchanges heat with the oil O inside the cooler  9  to cool the oil O. Note that, in the present embodiment, the refrigerant L is water. 
     The refrigerant flow path  70  includes an intra-inverter housing portion refrigerant flow path  71 , a first refrigerant flow path  72 , a connection refrigerant flow path  73 , the intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74 , an outflow side refrigerant flow path  75 , a pipe (not illustrated), and an external pipe  69 . In the present embodiment, the intra-inverter housing portion refrigerant flow path  71 , the first refrigerant flow path  72 , the connection refrigerant flow path  73 , and the outflow side refrigerant flow path  75  are provided inside the wall portion of the housing  6 . Therefore, it is not necessary to separately prepare a pipe material in order to provide these flow paths, and a decrease in the number of components can be achieved. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the intra-inverter housing portion refrigerant flow path  71  is connected to a pipe (not illustrated) and the first refrigerant flow path  72 . The refrigerant L flowing through the intra-inverter housing portion refrigerant flow path  71  passes through the inside of the inverter cover  64 . That is, the refrigerant L flowing through the intra-inverter housing portion refrigerant flow path  71  passes through the inverter housing portion  84 . As a result, the refrigerant L flowing through the intra-inverter housing portion refrigerant flow path  71  cools the inverter  7  via the inverter cover  64 . The intra-inverter housing portion refrigerant flow path  71  extends to one side in the axial direction. As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , an opening  64   f  is provided at one end of the intra-inverter housing portion refrigerant flow path  71 . A pipe (not illustrated) is connected to the opening  64   f.  The intra-inverter housing portion refrigerant flow path  71  is connected to a radiator (not illustrated) via a pipe. As a result, the refrigerant L cooled by the radiator is supplied to the intra-inverter housing portion refrigerant flow path  71 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the first refrigerant flow path  72  is connected to the intra-inverter housing portion refrigerant flow path  71  and the connection refrigerant flow path  73 . The refrigerant L flowing through the first refrigerant flow path  72  passes through the inside of the inverter housing portion  84  and the support portion  83 . The first refrigerant flow path  72  extends substantially in the vertical direction. 
     The connection refrigerant flow path  73  is connected to the first refrigerant flow path  72  and the intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74 . The refrigerant L flowing through the connection refrigerant flow path  73  passes through the inside of the support portion  83 . One end of the connection refrigerant flow path  73  is connected to the refrigerant inflow port  9   c  of the cooler  9 . As a result, the connection refrigerant flow path  73  and the intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74  are connected. The connection refrigerant flow path  73  extends toward the vehicle rear side (+X direction side) inside the support portion  83 . In the present embodiment, the connection refrigerant flow path  73  extends linearly. The connection refrigerant flow path  73  and the connection flow path  92   a  extend in parallel within the wall of the housing  6 . That is, the connection refrigerant flow path  73  and the connection flow path  92   a  extending inside the support portion  83  of the housing  6  are parallel to each other and extend in the same direction. Thus, according to the present embodiment, for example, when the connection refrigerant flow path  73  and the connection flow path  92   a  are provided in the housing  6  by machining such as drilling, after one of the connection refrigerant flow path  73  and the connection flow path  92   a  is provided, the other thereof can be provided by being moved in parallel without changing a posture of a drill. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of processing steps of the housing  6 . That is, it is possible to suppress the number of manufacturing steps of the drive apparatus  1 . 
     The intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74  is connected to the connection refrigerant flow path  73  and the outflow side refrigerant flow path  75 . The intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74  is provided within the cooler  9 . That is, the intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74  through which the refrigerant L passes is provided within the cooler  9 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  4   , the intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74  and the connection refrigerant flow path  73  are connected via the refrigerant inflow port  9   c  of the cooler  9 . The intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74  and the outflow side refrigerant flow path  75  are connected via the refrigerant outflow port  9   d  of the cooler  9 . The intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74  is connected to the refrigerant inflow port  9   c  and the refrigerant outflow port  9   d.  That is, the cooler  9  has the refrigerant inflow port  9   c  into which the refrigerant L flows and the refrigerant outflow port  9   d  from which the refrigerant L flows out. As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74  extends in the circumferential direction of the output axis J 3  when viewed in the axial direction. In addition, as described above, the intra-cooler flow path  91   c  extends in the circumferential direction of the output axis J 3  when viewed in the axial direction. The intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74  is disposed to overlap the intra-cooler flow path  91   c  and the output axis J 3  in the radial direction of the motor axis J 1 . Thus, according to the present embodiment, the intra-cooler flow path  91   c,  the intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74 , and the output shaft  55  hardly interfere with each other, and the cooler  9  can be disposed close to the output shaft  55 . Thus, the cooler  9  can be disposed close to the output shaft  55  in the radial direction. Therefore, it is possible to downsize the entire drive apparatus  1  in the radial direction. 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the refrigerant inflow port  9   c  is located on the upper side with respect to the output axis J 3 . The refrigerant outflow port  9   d  is located on the lower side with respect to the output axis J 3 . The output axis J 3  is disposed between the refrigerant inflow port  9   c  and the refrigerant outflow port  9   d  in the vertical direction. That is, the output axis J 3  is disposed between the refrigerant inflow port  9   c  and the refrigerant outflow port  9   d  in the circumferential direction. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the cooler  9  is disposed radially outside with respect to the output shaft  55 . Thus, a position of an end portion on the lower side of the cooler  9  can be disposed on the upper side with respect to a position of an end portion of the lower side of the motor housing portion  81  and a position of an end portion on the lower side of the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . Therefore, it is possible to downsize the drive apparatus  1  in the vertical direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the outflow side refrigerant flow path  75  is connected to the intra-cooler refrigerant flow path  74  and the external pipe  69 . The outflow side refrigerant flow path  75  is a flow path extending in the axial direction through the support portion  83 . In the present embodiment, the outflow side refrigerant flow path  75  is linear. That is, the refrigerant flow path  70  has the outflow side refrigerant flow path  75  extending from the refrigerant outflow port  9   d  on the inside of the wall of the housing  6 . An opening  75   a  is provided at one end of the outflow side refrigerant flow path  75 . One end of the external pipe  69  is connected to the opening  75   a.  The other end of the external pipe  69  is connected to a radiator (not illustrated). As shown in  FIG.  4   , a direction which the opening  75   a  of the outflow side refrigerant flow path  75  faces is parallel to the output axis J 3 . Thus, according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   , when the external pipe  69  is attached to the drive apparatus  1 , the external pipe  69  can be connected to the opening  75   a  from the other side in the axial direction while the output shaft  55  is easily avoided. Therefore, a work of attaching the external pipe  69  to the drive apparatus  1  can be simplified. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the opening  75   a  is provided on the vehicle rear side (+X direction side) with respect to the output shaft  55  and the pump  8 . Thus, a position of the opening  75   a  can be easily visually recognized from the outside of the drive apparatus  1 , and the work of attaching the external pipe  69  to the drive apparatus  1  can be further simplified. 
     According to the present embodiment, the housing  6  includes the motor housing portion  81 , the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  located on one side of the motor housing portion  81  in the axial direction, the inverter housing portion  84 , and the support portion  83  located radially outside the motor housing portion  81  and on one side of the inverter housing portion  84  in the circumferential direction when viewed from the axial direction and connected to the outer peripheral portion of the motor housing portion  81  and the bottom portion of the inverter housing portion  84 . Thus, the support portion  83  can be provided in the above-described dead space formed between the motor housing portion  81 , the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 , and the inverter housing portion  84 . In addition, the support portion  83  supports the pump  8  and the cooler  9 , one of the pump  8  and the cooler  9  is disposed on one side in the circumferential direction with respect to the support portion  83  when viewed from the axial direction, and the other thereof is disposed radially outside with respect to the support portion  83 . Thus, the pump  8  and the cooler  9  can be provided in the dead space. Therefore, the entire drive apparatus  1  can be downsized. 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, the support portion  83  is connected to the outer peripheral portion of the motor housing portion  81 , and the pump  8  and the cooler  9  are supported by the support portion  83 . Thus, the oil passage  90  connected to the motor housing portion  81 , the pump  8 , and the cooler  9  via the support portion  83  can be shortened. Therefore, a pressure loss in the oil passage  90  can be reduced, and efficient circulation of the oil O can be realized when the drive apparatus  1  is driven. In addition, the support portion  83  is connected to the outer peripheral portion of the motor housing portion  81  and the bottom portion of the inverter housing portion  84 , and the cooler  9  is supported by the support portion  83 . Thus, the refrigerant flow path  70  connected to the motor housing portion  81 , the inverter housing portion  84 , and the cooler  9  via the support portion  83  can be shortened. Therefore, a pressure loss in the refrigerant flow path  70  can be reduced, and efficient circulation of the refrigerant L can be realized when the drive apparatus  1  is driven. 
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, one of the pump  8  and the cooler  9  is disposed on one side in the circumferential direction with respect to the support portion  83  when viewed from the axial direction, and the other thereof is disposed radially outside with respect to the support portion  83 . That is, the pump  8  and the cooler  9  are disposed in different directions from each other with respect to the support portion  83 . Thus, in the present embodiment, an oil passage connected to the pump  8 , oil passages connected to the pump  8  and the cooler  9 , and a cooling flow path connected to the cooler  9 , which are provided inside the support portion  83 , can be easily and linearly provided. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the first flow path  91   a,  the second flow path  91   b,  the connection flow path  92   a,  the connection refrigerant flow path  73 , and the outflow side refrigerant flow path  75  are linearly provided. Thus, pressure losses in the oil passage  90  and the refrigerant flow path  70  can be further reduced, and more efficient circulation of the oil O and the refrigerant L can be realized. 
     According to the present embodiment, the support portion  83  is located on the other side of the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  in the axial direction and is connected to the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . That is, the support portion  83  is connected to the motor housing portion  81  and the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . Thus, it is possible to shorten the oil passage  90  connected to the motor housing portion  81 , the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 , the pump  8 , and the cooler  9  via the support portion  83 . Therefore, the pressure loss in the oil passage  90  can be reduced, and efficient circulation of the oil O can be realized. 
     According to the present embodiment, the pump  8  is disposed on one side in the circumferential direction with respect to the support portion  83  when viewed from the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the pump  8  is disposed on the lower side of the support portion  83 . The cooler  9  is disposed radially outside with respect to the support portion  83  when viewed from the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the cooler  9  is disposed on the vehicle rear side (+X direction side) of the support portion  83 . That is, the pump  8  and the cooler  9  are disposed in different directions from each other with respect to the support portion  83 . Thus, the support portion  83 , the pump  8 , and the cooler  9  can be compactly disposed, and the support portion  83 , the pump  8 , and the cooler  9  can be disposed in the dead space. Therefore, the entire drive apparatus  1  can be downsized. 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, the pump  8  can be disposed near the oil pool P located in the lower region of the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 . Thus, the first flow path  91   a  connected to the oil pool P and the pump  8  can be shortened. In addition, the first flow path  91   a  can be, for example, a linear flow path. Thus, a pressure loss in the first flow path  91   a  can be reduced, and efficient circulation of the oil O can be realized. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the suction port  8   c  of the pump  8  is located on one side in the axial direction. Thus, the suction port  8   c  can be disposed near the oil pool P, and the first flow path  91   a  connected to the oil pool P and the suction port  8   c  can be shortened. Thus, a pressure loss in the route from the oil pool P to the pump  8  can be further reduced, and more efficient circulation of the oil O can be realized. 
     According to the present embodiment, the transmission mechanism  3  includes the output shaft  55  amount the output axis J 3  parallel to the motor axis J 1 , and the output shaft  55  penetrates the support portion  83 . That is, in the dead space, the support portion  83  is provided to surround the periphery of the output shaft  55 . Thus, the support portion  83  can be connected to the motor housing portion  81 , the transmission mechanism housing portion  82 , and the inverter housing portion  84 . Thus, the oil passage  90  provided across the support portion  83 , the motor housing portion  81 , and the transmission mechanism housing portion  82  can be shortened. In addition, the refrigerant flow path  70  provided across the support portion  83 , the motor housing portion  81 , and the inverter housing portion  84  can be shortened. Therefore, the pressure losses in the oil passage  90  and the refrigerant flow path  70  can be further reduced, and more efficient circulation of the oil O and the refrigerant L can be realized. 
     Note that the pump and the cooler may be disposed in any manner as long as the pump and the cooler can be disposed in the dead space. For example, the pump may be disposed radially outside the support portion, and the cooler may be disposed on one side of the support portion in the circumferential direction. In addition, both the pump and the cooler may be disposed on one side of the support portion in the circumferential direction, or may be disposed radially outside the support portion. 
     The pump may not be an electric pump as long as oil can be pumped to the oil passage. For example, a mechanical pump may be used. In this case, a pump drive unit is connected to the output shaft via a coupling mechanism such as a gear, and the pump can be driven by using the rotation of the output shaft. 
     The flow path is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment as long as the motor can be cooled. For example, any one of the third flow path, the fifth flow path, and the second intra-shaft flow path may not be provided. In addition, a separate flow path for supplying a fluid to the motor may be added. In addition, the refrigerant flow path is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment as long as the refrigerant flow path can cool the inverter and the fluid. Two or more pumps and coolers may be provided. 
     Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the respective configurations in the embodiment and combinations thereof are merely examples, and addition, omission, substitution, and other alterations may be appropriately made within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, the present invention is not limited by the embodiment. 
     Features of the above-described preferred embodiments and the modifications thereof may be combined appropriately as long as no conflict arises. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.