Patent ID: 7410444

Claim:
A drive unit ( 1 ) for a hybrid motor vehicle for coupling an internal combustion engine ( 2 ) and a dynamo electric machine ( 3 ) to a transmission ( 4 ), said drive unit ( 1 ) comprising an input shaft ( 5 ) which is connected to the internal combustion engine ( 2 ) for rotation therewith, a starter-generator ( 6 ) serving also as the dynamic electric machine ( 3 ), an output shaft ( 7 ) which is connected to the transmission ( 4 ) for rotation therewith, wherein the starter-generator ( 6 ) and the internal combustion engine ( 2 ) are capable of supplying power to said output shaft ( 7 ), a clutch ( 8 ) for coupling the starter generator ( 6 ) to the internal combustion engine ( 2 ), said clutch ( 8 ) including radially outwardly movable engagement members ( 11 ) for the centrifugal-force enhanced actuation of the clutch ( 8 ) and also stationary electromagnets ( 14 ) arranged radially around said engagement members ( 11 ) for generating an electromagnetic field, said engagement members ( 11 ) consisting of magnetic material providing for a magnetic force based engagement of the clutch ( 8 ) when the engagement members ( 11 ) are subjected to an electromagnetic field generated by energization of the stationary electromagnets ( 14 ).