Patent ID: 8522924

Claim:
A vehicle drive apparatus that includes a hydraulically operated speed change mechanism, and that is connected to an engine for use, the vehicle drive apparatus comprising: a case main body portion accommodating the speed change mechanism; an inlet side supply oil passage and an outlet side supply oil passage that are formed in the case main body portion and supply pressure oil to the speed change mechanism; a connection case portion connecting the engine and the case main body portion, wherein the case main body portion and the connection case portion are separate members; a mechanical oil pump positioned in a connection region between the case main body portion and the connection case portion, the mechanical oil pump having an inlet oil passage that is connected to the inlet side supply oil passage and an outlet oil passage that is connected to the outlet side supply oil passage; an electric oil pump capable of supplying pressure oil to the inlet side supply oil passage and the outlet side supply oil passage, the electric oil pump having an inlet oil passage that is connected to the inlet side supply oil passage and an outlet oil passage that is connected to the outlet side supply oil passage; and an inlet side connection oil passage and an outlet side connection oil passage that are provided in the connection case portion and allow the inlet oil passage and the outlet oil passage of the electric oil pump to communicate with the inlet side supply oil passage and the outlet side supply oil passage.