Hybrid vehicle powertrain

Abstract

A hybrid vehicle is powered by a drive system including an internal combustion engine, a generator and an electric motor. A differential gear unit includes at least three elements, the first connecting to the generator, the second connecting to a first gear and the third connecting the internal combustion engine. A second gear is connected to the output shaft of the electric motor. A counter shaft carries a third gear meshing with the first and second gears and connects to the differential gear unit. The internal combustion engine, differential gear unit and generator are aligned on a first axis, the electric motor is aligned on a second axis parallel to the first axis, the counter shaft is aligned on a third axis parallel to the first and second axes, the differential gear unit is aligned on a fourth axis parallel to the first, second and third axes, and the third axis is disposed inside of a triangle defined by the first, second and fourth axes when viewed on end.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A hybrid vehicle powertrain, comprising: 
       an internal combustion engine for driving an engine output shaft and thereby generating mechanical energy;  
       a generator for converting said mechanical energy into electricity;  
       an electric motor driven by said electricity to output rotational power at a motor output shaft;  
       a differential gear unit including at least three elements, the first connecting to said generator, the second connecting to a first gear and the third connecting to said internal combustion engine;  
       a second gear connected to said motor coupled shaft; and  
       a counter shaft connected to an output differential gear unit and having mounted thereon a third gear meshing with the first and second gears; and  
       wherein said internal combustion engine, differential gear unit and generator are aligned on a first axis, said electric motor is aligned on a second axis parallel to the first axis, said counter shaft is aligned on a third axis parallel to the first and second axes, said output differential gear unit is aligned on a fourth axis parallel to the first, second and third axes, and the third axis is disposed inside of a triangle defined by the first, second and fourth axes viewed on end .  
     
     
       2. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 1 , wherein said counter shaft carries a fourth gear for driving said differential gear unit. 
     
     
       3. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 2 , wherein said differential gear unit includes a fifth gear meshing with said fourth gear. 
     
     
       4. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third elements of said differential gear unit are, respectively, a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier forming a planetary gear unit. 
     
     
       5. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third elements of said differential gear unit are, respectively, a sun gear, a carrier and a ring gear forming a planetary gear unit. 
     
     
       6. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 1 , wherein said generator is a magneto generator. 
     
     
       7. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 1 , wherein said generator is an excitation generator. 
     
     
       8. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 1 , further comprising a resolver aligned on said first axis on the opposite side of the generator from said internal combustion engine. 
     
     
       9. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and third gears have a gear ratio different from that of the second and third gears. 
     
     
       10. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 1 , wherein said engine output shaft has one end rotatably supported by a case housing said differential gear unit, said generator and said electric motor and a second end connected to said generator through said differential gear unit. 
     
     
       11. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 1 , wherein said generator is axially aligned with said engine output shaft. 
     
     
       12. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 1 , wherein the first gear connected to the second element is axially aligned with said engine output shaft. 
     
     
       13. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 1 , wherein said generator is provided with a brake to regulate the rotation thereof. 
     
     
       14. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 10 , wherein said brake is a wet multiple disk brake. 
     
     
       15. A hybrid vehicle powertrain according to  claim 1 , wherein said third axis is disposed inside of a triangle defined by the first, second and fourth axes viewed on end.