Patent ID: 8241161

Claim:
A hybrid module configured for interconnecting an output of an engine and a transmission, said hybrid module comprising: an electric motor configured for rotation about a central axis at a first rotational velocity; a first carrier operatively connected to said electric motor and configured for common rotation about said central axis with said electric motor at said first rotational velocity; wherein said first carrier is configured for being operatively connected to a transmission to transfer said first rotational velocity of said first carrier to the transmission; a second carrier configured for being operatively connected to the output of the engine and rotatable about said central axis at a second rotational velocity; a first pinion gear rotatably surrounding a first pinion axis in spaced and generally parallel relationship to said central axis; a second pinion gear rotatably surrounding a second pinion axis in spaced and generally parallel relationship to said central axis; wherein said first and second pinion gears are rotatably supported by said first carrier; a first sun gear rotatable about said central axis; wherein said first sun gear is rotatably connected to said second carrier and is rotatable about said central axis with said second carrier; a second sun gear rotatable about said central axis; wherein said second pinion gear is rotatably supported by said first carrier and is in meshing engagement with said second sun gear; wherein said first sun gear is in meshing engagement with said first pinion gear such that said first pinion gear rotates about said first pinion axis, relative to said first sun gear, as said first pinion gear, said second pinion gear, said first sun gear, said second sun gear, and said first carrier rotate about said central axis in unison.