Drive apparatus
A drive apparatus includes a power assembly rotatable about a first axis, a transmission to transmit power of the power assembly, and a parking assembly provided in the transmission. The transmission includes a first gear rotatable around a first axis, a second gear to mesh with the first gear and rotatable around a second axis, a third gear to rotate around the second axis together with the second gear, and a fourth gear to mesh with the third gear and rotatable around a third axis. The parking assembly includes a parking gear rotatable around the first axis together with the first gear, a parking pawl that includes a meshing portion and is rotatable around a fourth axis, and a drive assembly to rotationally move the parking pawl around the fourth axis and operate the parking pawl.
1. A drive apparatus comprising:
a power assembly rotatable about a first axis;
a transmission to transmit power of the power assembly; and
a parking assembly provided in the transmission; wherein the transmission includes:
a first gear rotatable around the first axis;
a second gear to mesh with the first gear and rotatable around a second axis parallel to the first axis;
a third gear rotatable around the second axis together with the second gear; and
a fourth gear to mesh with the third gear and rotatable around a third axis parallel to the first axis;
the parking assembly includes:
a parking gear rotatable around the first axis together with the first gear;
a parking pawl that includes a meshing portion and is rotatable around a fourth axis parallel to the first axis; and
a drive assembly to rotationally move the parking pawl around the fourth axis and operate the parking pawl between a locked state in which the meshing portion meshes with the parking gear and an unlocked state in which the meshing portion is separated from the parking gear;
the parking gear overlaps the third gear when viewed from a radial direction, and overlaps the second gear when viewed from an axial direction; and
the parking pawl in the locked state overlaps the second gear when viewed from the axial direction.
2. The drive apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the parking gear is between the power assembly and the first gear in the axial direction.
3. The drive apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first axis extends along a horizontal plane above the second axis;
the parking pawl includes an acting portion to receive a force from the drive assembly;
the meshing portion is positioned to mesh with the parking gear from below; and
a first imaginary line connecting the fourth axis and the acting portion extends along a second imaginary line connecting the first axis and the second axis when viewed from the axial direction.
4. The drive apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein an inclination angle of the first imaginary line with respect to the horizontal plane is in a range from 45° to 60°.
5. The drive apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the parking pawl includes an acting portion to receive a force from the drive assembly; and
the meshing portion is located between the fourth axis and the acting portion when viewed from the axial direction.
6. The drive apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly includes:
a manual shaft that extends along a fifth axis in a direction orthogonal to the first axis and rotatable around the fifth axis;
a cam rod connected to the manual shaft; and
a cam that is attached to the cam rod and is in contact with the parking pawl to move with operation of the cam rod to operate the parking pawl;
the cam rod includes:
a rod main body to support the cam;
a connection end portion connected to the manual shaft; and
a joint portion to connect the rod main body and the connection end portion; and
the joint portion extends toward the first axis side when viewed from the axial direction.