Hybrid drive apparatus

Abstract

A hybrid drive apparatus formed from an engine, a generator, a differential gear mechanism linking the engine and the generator, an electric motor, and a differential apparatus. The power transmission system on the side of the engine that links the differential apparatus with the output element of the differential gear mechanism and the power transmission system on the side of the electric motor that links the differential apparatus with the electric motor are each formed from separate power transmission elements and are each linked to the differential apparatus at the most downstream point of the power transmission system of each. As a result, it is possible to easily alter the setting of the total gear ratio on the engine side by altering the meshing diameter of the power transmission elements without altering the mutual positions between the axes of the engine, electric motor, and differential apparatus. Moreover, the implementing of measures against noise is simplified because the upstream side of the power transmission system is formed separately.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hybrid drive apparatus, comprising: 
 an engine;    a generator;    a differential gear mechanism linking the engine and the generator;    an electric motor; and    a differential apparatus, in which an output element of the differential gear mechanism is drive linked to the differential apparatus via a power transmission system on the side of the engine and generator, and the electric motor is drive linked to the differential apparatus via a power transmission system on the side of the electric motor, wherein: 
 the engine and the generator and the differential gear mechanism are placed on a common axis and output shafts of the electric motor and the differential apparatus are each placed on their own different axes which are parallel to the common axis, and  
 the power transmission system on the side of the engine and generator and the power transmission system on the side of the electric motor are each formed from separate power transmission elements, and both are drive linked at the most downstream ends of their respective power transmission systems with the differential apparatus.