Patent ID: 7951033
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: B60K,B60W,F16H,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A power unit for driving a driven member, comprising: a prime mover; a fluid coupling that includes an input member and an output member, said fluid coupling being configured to be capable of transmitting power between said input member and said output member via working fluid; a first power transmission mechanism that includes first, second and third elements, and has a function of distributing power input to said second element to said first element and said third element, and a function of combining power input to said first element and power input to said third element, and then outputting combined power to said second element, said first to third elements being configured such that respective rotational speeds of said first to third elements satisfy a collinear relationship and are aligned in order in a collinear chart representing the collinear relationship, said first element being mechanically connected to said driven member, said second element being mechanically connected to said prime mover, and said third element being mechanically connected to said input member; a second power transmission mechanism that includes fourth, fifth and sixth elements, and has a function of distributing power input to said fifth element to said fourth element and said sixth element, and a function of combining power input to said fourth element and power input to said sixth element and then outputting combined power to said fifth element, said fourth to sixth elements being configured such that respective rotational speeds of said fourth to sixth elements satisfy a collinear relationship and are aligned in order in a collinear chart representing the collinear relationship, said fourth element being mechanically connected to said prime mover, said fifth element being mechanically connected to said driven member, and said sixth element being mechanically connected to said output member; a rotating machine mechanically connected to one of said third element and said sixth element; a control unit for controlling an operation of said rotating machine; and an electric power storage device electrically connected to said rotating machine.