IP Library Granted Patent US 12665471
Granted Patent B2
US 12665471 · App. 18/408,915 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Electric drive assembly with cooling

Inventors: Torsten Tietgen (Overath, DE); Simon Broicher (Hürth, DE)
Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
H02K9/193H02K2201/03
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12665471
App. No.
18/408,915
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electric drive assembly has a housing, an electric machine with a stator having a stator core and winding heads, a rotor being connected to a rotor shaft, a transmission rotationally drivable by the rotor shaft, and at least one fluid distribution element for supplying coolant to one of the winding heads. The fluid distribution element at least partially covers an upper part of the winding head in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction, and has a guide structure with a gradient in the circumferential direction. Coolant supplied to the fluid distribution element from above is distributed in the circumferential direction and runs onto the winding head in several angular positions over a circumferential area of at least 30° with respect to the axis of rotation.

Claims (45)

1 . An electric drive assembly for driving a motor vehicle, comprising:

a multi-part housing,

an electrical machine with a stator and a rotor, wherein the stator is accommodated in the housing in a rotationally fixed manner and includes a stator core and windings with winding heads projecting axially beyond sides of the stator core, wherein the rotor is connected to a rotor shaft which is mounted in the housing so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation,

a transmission that is rotatably drivable by the rotor shaft and is configured to translate a rotary motion introduced by the electric machine to a reduced speed,

a fluid distribution element for supplying coolant to one of the winding heads by using gravity,

wherein the fluid distribution element at least partially covers an upper section of the winding head in a circumferential direction and in an axial direction, and comprises a guide structure with a gradient in the circumferential direction, so that coolant supplied to the fluid distribution element from above is distributed in the circumferential direction and flows onto the winding head in several angular regions over a circumferential area of at least 30° of the axis of rotation,

wherein the fluid distribution element has a varying circumferential extension over an axial length thereof, so that one of the distribution sections has a different circumferential extension axially adjacent to the stator core than axially remote from the stator core.

2 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 1 ,

wherein a feeder is provided in the housing, via which the fluid distribution element is supplied with coolant during operation, with the fluid distribution element being arranged at a distance vertically below the feeder.

3 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 1 ,

wherein the fluid distribution element extends over at least half an axial length of the winding head.

4 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 2 ,

wherein the fluid distribution element includes a receiving section, which is supplied with coolant from the feeder during operation, and distribution sections, which are fluidically connected to the receiving section and distribute coolant flowing from the receiving section in the circumferential direction.

5 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 4 ,

wherein the receiving section has at least one radial through-opening.

6 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 4 ,

wherein the distribution sections have a plurality of channels of different lengths extending in the circumferential direction.

7 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 1 ,

wherein the fluid distribution element is mounted axially in the housing and comprises connecting elements with which the fluid distribution element is form-fittingly connected in the housing.

8 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 1 ,

wherein one of the fluid distribution element is provided at each of the winding heads of the stator, wherein the fluid distribution elements at each of the winding heads widening in a same axial direction in the circumferential direction.

9 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 1 ,

wherein the fluid distribution element for cooling the stator is part of a cooling system with a coolant sump and a pump.

10 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 9 ,

wherein the cooling system is configured such that at least 10% of a circulating coolant is conveyed to the fluid distribution element.

11 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 1 ,

wherein a gap is formed between the stator and the rotor, wherein at least one of a static or dynamic coolant level in the housing is below the gap.

12 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 1 ,

wherein a reservoir is provided within the housing, with the reservoir being separate from a motor housing chamber and from a transmission housing chamber, with the reservoir configured to receive coolant during operation and a suction opening for the pump arranged in the reservoir, wherein a coolant level in the reservoir is above the coolant level of at least one of the motor housing chamber or the transmission housing chamber during operation.

13 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 12 ,

wherein a fluid guiding structure is provided in the housing, which is designed to collect coolant thrown off by a rotating component of the electric drive during operation and to direct it into the reservoir.

14 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 12 ,

wherein the reservoir is closed by a reservoir cover, the reservoir cover having a filter element and a connecting element which is connected to the suction opening.

15 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 14 ,

wherein the reservoir cover has a coolant catching rib which is designed to guide coolant conveyed from the pump via an oil inlet into the housing to a gearing region of the transmission.

16 . An electric drive assembly for driving a motor vehicle, comprising:

a multi-part housing,

an electrical machine with a stator and a rotor, wherein the stator is accommodated in the housing in a rotationally fixed manner and includes a stator core and windings with winding heads projecting axially beyond sides of the stator core, wherein the rotor is connected to a rotor shaft which is mounted in the housing so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation,

a transmission that is rotatably drivable by the rotor shaft and is configured to translate a rotary motion introduced by the electric machine to a reduced speed,

a fluid distribution element for supplying coolant to one of the winding heads by using gravity,

wherein the fluid distribution element at least partially covers an upper section of the winding head in a circumferential direction and in an axial direction, and comprises a guide structure with a gradient in the circumferential direction, so that coolant supplied to the fluid distribution element from above is distributed in the circumferential direction and flows onto the winding head in several angular regions over a circumferential area of at least 30° of the axis of rotation,

wherein a reservoir is provided within the housing, with the reservoir being separate from a motor housing chamber and from a transmission housing chamber, with the reservoir configured to receive coolant during operation and a suction opening for the pump arranged in the reservoir, wherein a coolant level in the reservoir is above the coolant level of at least one of the motor housing chamber or the transmission housing chamber during operation,

wherein the reservoir is closed by a reservoir cover, the reservoir cover having a filter element and a connecting element which is connected to the suction opening.

17 . The electric drive assembly according to claim 16 ,

wherein the reservoir cover has a coolant catching rib which is designed to guide coolant conveyed from the pump via an oil inlet into the housing to a gearing region of the transmission.