Patent ID: 6848406
Filing Date: 2005-02-01
Classification: F02N,F16H

Abstract:
1. An engine for a vehicle comprising: an engine body having a cylinder block, a lower case, a cylinder head and a cylinder head cover; a plurality of pistons slidably fit within cylinders and being connected to a crankshaft via connecting rods; a rotor of a generator being connected to a first end of the crankshaft rotatably supported by a crankcase forming part of the engine body; a starting motor having a rotational axis, said starting motor being mounted at an approximately central portion of said engine body along a rotational axis of said crankshaft; an over-running clutch for inputting a rotational power from the starting motor, said rotational axis of said starting motor being parallel to the rotational axis of said crankshaft, wherein said over-running clutch is mounted to said engine body through a second end of said crankshaft; and a starting clutch being interposed between said crankshaft and a main shaft having a rotational axis parallel to the rotational axis of said crankshaft, said starting clutch being mounted to a first end of said main shaft, wherein said starting motor is disposed within an angular range defined by a cylinder axis (C) of said cylinders of said engine body and a straight line connecting the rotational axis of said crankshaft to the rotational axis of said main shaft, and along a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of said crankshaft.