Breather device for power train of electric vehicle

• US 6,719,096 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2002
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Mogi, Seiichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Bucci, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCANULTY, TIMOTHY P
• Application Number:
  US10/216,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20030098204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 746/06.R, 746/06.A, 746/07, 184/6.12, 184/6.23, 184/11.1, 310/89, 310/75.R
• US Class Current: 184/6.23
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/027 characterised by means for venting gearboxes, e.g. air breathers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2186 Gear casings

Abstract

A breather device for a power train of an electric vehicle including an electric motor and a gearbox connected to the electric motor. The breather device comprises: a breather chamber provided above a connecting portion connecting an electric motor housing and a gearbox casing; a first breather passage providing a communication between the breather chamber and an inside of the electric motor housing; and a second breather passage providing a communication between the breather chamber and a lubricating oil separation chamber formed in the gearbox casing.

Claims

1. A breather device for a power train of an electric vehicle including an electric motor and a gearbox connected to the electric motor, comprising:

a breather chamber provided above a connecting portion connecting an electric motor housing and a gearbox casing;

a first breather passage providing a communication between the breather chamber and an inside of the electric motor housing; and

a second breather passage providing a communication between the breather chamber and a lubricating oil separation chamber formed in the gearbox casing.

2. A breather device for a power train of an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a terminal box is provided above the connecting portion in communication with the electric motor housing, wherein an outer wall forming the terminal box and an outer wall forming the gearbox casing are used to form part of the breather chamber, and wherein part of a cover member which covers the terminal box is used as an upper wall of the breather chamber.

3. A breather device for a power train of an electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said outer wall forming the terminal box extends such that an upper end thereof tilts toward the gearbox.