Patent ID: 6528918
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: F02N,H02K

Abstract:
A drive system for connection to a drive shaft, comprising:an electric machine having a rotor arrangement arranged for rotating about an axis of rotation and a stator arrangement; a coupling device having an inlet region; and a coupling element operatively arranged for connection to the drive shaft, said rotor arrangement having a rotor interaction region operatively connected to said coupling element such that said rotor interaction region is supported by said coupling element, and said inlet region of said coupling device being connectable to said coupling element for rotation therewith about the axis of rotation, said coupling element comprising a first engagement formation and said inlet region of said coupling device comprising a second engagement formation, said first engagement formation being operatively arranged for engagement with said second engagement formation when said second engagement formation is moved toward said first engagement formation, the engagement forming a mutual circumferential driving engagement between said coupling element and said inlet region; and an engagement holding arrangement operatively arranged for holding said first and second engagement formations in the circumferentially driving engagement, wherein the engagement holding arrangement comprises: a holding element operatively axially supported on and arranged for rotating relative to one of said coupling element and said inlet region, said holding element having a third engagement formation; and a fourth engagement formation arranged on the other one of said coupling element and releasably engagable in a holding engagement with said third engagement formation via rotation of said holding element relative to the one of said coupling element and said inlet region.