Hybrid vehicle

Abstract

A hybrid vehicle may include an engine, a drive wheel, a CVT for driving the drive wheel by continuously changing an engine power, an electric motor for driving the drive wheel, and a transaxle mechanically linked to the drive wheel. The transaxle may include an input shaft having first and second ends axially opposite each other and a clutch interposed between the motor and the input shaft. The first end of the input shaft is structured to receive power from the CVT and the second end of the input shaft is structured to receive power from the electric motor, The clutch, the second end of the input shaft and a motor shaft serving as a rotary axis of the motor are coaxially disposed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
 an engine;   a drive wheel;   a CVT for driving the drive wheel by continuously changing an engine power;   an electric motor for driving the drive wheel; and   a transaxle mechanically linked to the drive wheel;   wherein the transaxle comprises,   an input shaft having first and second ends axially opposite each other, the first end of the input shaft being structured to receive power from the CVT and the second end of the input shaft being structured to receive power from the electric motor; and   a clutch interposed between the motor and the input shaft;   wherein the clutch, the second end of the input shaft and a motor shaft serving as a rotary axis of the motor are coaxially disposed.   
     
     
         2 . The hybrid vehicle according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the transaxle comprises the electric motor, the clutch and the motor shaft being assembled as a motor-and-clutch assembly, and a housing incorporating the entire motor-and-clutch assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The hybrid vehicle according to  claim 1 , further comprising,
 a controller and a drive mode selection device;   wherein when a motor assist mode is selected by the drive mode selection device, the controller operates the electric motor and engages the clutch.   
     
     
         4 . The hybrid vehicle according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein when a regeneration mode is selected by the drive mode selection device, the controller does not operate the electric motor and engages the clutch.