Patent ID: 8360928

Claim:
A drive apparatus for a vehicle having a differential device through which an output of a drive power source is distributed to a first electric motor and a transmitting member, and a second electric motor disposed between the transmitting member and drive wheels, comprising: a differential action limiting device for selectively switching the differential device in a differential state and a locked state; the differential device and the differential action limiting device being disposed between the first electric motor and the second electric motor; a case accommodating the first electric motor, the differential device and the second electric motor therein; and a partition wall protruding inwardly from the case to partition an inside of the case into a plurality of compartments and having a convex portion of thick-wall shape formed at an outer circumferential periphery end portion thereof, the convex portion protruding inward toward an inside of the case, wherein the differential action limiting device includes a brake including a plurality of friction plates and a piston for forcing the plurality of friction plates to be coupled to each other, for coupling rotating elements forming the differential device to a non-rotating member; and upon movement of the piston toward the convex portion of the partition wall, the piston and the convex portion of the partition wall pressurize the plurality of friction plates into a coupled condition.