Patent ID: 7219646
Filing Date: 2007-05-22
Classification: F02B

Abstract:
1. An in-line multicylinder combustion engine which comprises: a crankshaft having a crankshaft axis; an input shaft having an input axis and drivingly connected with the crankshaft through a clutch gear, a first imaginary plane containing the crankshaft axis and the input axis; an output shaft having an output axis and drivingly connected with the input shaft, the output axis being positioned above the first imaginary plane; an electric generator having a generator longitudinal axis and also having a drive gear, the electric generator being positioned between the crankshaft and the output shaft with the generator longitudinal axis positioned above a second imaginary plane inclined to contain the crankshaft axis and the output axis, the drive gear of the electric generator also being operatively connected with the clutch gear functioning as a coupling gear that is mounted on the input shaft and constantly drivingly connected with the crankshaft; a clutch mechanism having the clutch gear mounted thereon and positioned laterally of the combustion engine; a starter motor having a motor longitudinal axis, wherein the electric generator and the starter motor are positioned closer to a widthwise intermediate portion of the combustion engine than the clutch mechanism, with the generator and starter longitudinal axes held radially close to each other, such that the electric generator and the starter motor overlap relative to each other when viewed from the lateral side of the combustion engine and wherein the starter motor is connected to the crankshaft through a coupling unit different from the clutch gear through which the drive gear of the electric generator is connected to the crankshaft; and an engine casing including a cylinder block and a crankcase, the engine casing comprising an upper casing component and a lower casing component separatable from each other, and wherein the crankshaft and the output shaft are positioned on a plane of joint interface between the upper and lower casing components, wherein a center axis of the cylinder block lies substantially perpendicular to the plane of joint interface between the upper and lower casing components.