Integrated electric drive unit including an electric motor and an electronic control and monitoring module

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to provide an electric drive unit in which an electric motor and an electronic module are more effectively and more simply integrated together, than was the case in the prior art.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an electric drive unit that has a simple construction, a low cost, a high reliability, and a simplified manufacturing thereof.
The invention further aims to avoid or overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, while achieving all of the prior art advantages as well as additional advantages, as apparent from the present specification.
The above objects have been achieved in an integrated electric drive unit according to the invention, comprising an electric motor and an electronic module The electric motor includes a rotor and a stator or any other known motor components arranged within a double-walled housing, wherein cooling passages forming a cooling circuit are provided between the inner wall and the outer wall of the motor housing.
A cooling medium can flow through the cooling passages forming the cooling circuit.
The electronic module comprises at least one functional unit that dissipates heat energy and thus requires cooling, and an electronic module housing in which the functional unit is arranged.
The outer wall of the electric motor housing has an opening which provides access into the cooling passages of the cooling circuit between the outer and inner walls of the motor housing.
The electronic module housing has an opening or recess at least generally corresponding to the dimensions and shape of the opening in the motor housing.
The functional unit of the electronic module that requires cooling is mounted on a cooling insert, especially in the form of a cylindrically curved cooling plate.
The cooling insert is received in the recess of the electronic module housing, and is arranged in the opening of the outer wall of the electric motor housing, so that it is in direct contact with the cooling medium flowing in the cooling circuit between the inner and outer walls of the motor housing