Patent ID: 7892128

Claim:
A hybrid electric vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle comprising: an engine operable to output mechanical power and including an engine output shaft defining a first axis; a first electric machine including an output shaft defining a second axis that is not coincident with the first axis, the first electric machine being operable as a motor to output mechanical power, and operable as a generator configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and to output electrical power; a power transfer arrangement cooperating with the engine and the first electric machine to provide power flow paths between the engine and at least one of the vehicle wheels, and between the engine and the first electric machine, the power transfer arrangement including a planetary gear set having a plurality of members, including a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a carrier connecting the planet gears to each other, and a ring gear, one of the members of the planetary gear set providing an output member for the planetary gear set, the engine output shaft being directly connected to one of the members of the planetary gear set such that the mechanical power output from the engine is split between the first electric machine and the output member of the planetary gear set; a second electric machine defining a motor axis and having an output connected to one of the members of the planetary gear set such that the motor axis is coincident with the first axis; and a planetary gear reduction arrangement torque-transmittingly connected to the output of the second electric machine and the output member for the planetary gear set, thereby increasing the torque transferred from the second electric machine to the output member for the planetary gear set, the planetary gear reduction arrangement including a plurality of pinion gears and a grounded carrier connecting the pinion gears to each other.