Patent attributes
A drive unit includes an engine, a generator, an electric motor and a power distributing device. The engine drives the generator to generate electric power. The electric motor is driven by the electric power generated by the generator and rotates a drive wheel. The power distributing device distributes the drive power generated by the engine between the generator and the drive wheel. A crankshaft of the engine can extend in a transverse direction of the vehicle. The generator, the motor and the power distributing device are disposed on a shaft, which is different from the crankshaft and extends substantially parallel to the crankshaft. The power of the engine and the drive force of the motor are output from a portion of the shaft through the power distributing device and the rotor of the motor.
