Patent ID: 8590648

Claim:
A hybrid drive train for a vehicle, comprising: an internal combustion engine, first and second electric machines and a transmission connected mechanically to one another to drive at least one axle of the vehicle, the hybrid drive train further comprising an electric accumulator, the internal combustion engine and the first electric machine being provided on an input shaft of the transmission, and the second electric machine being provided on an output shaft of the transmission for acting on an axle of the vehicle, the first electric machine being operable as a generator to charge the electric accumulator or to operate the second electric machine, a maximum power or a maximum torque that can be transmitted by the transmission being substantially less than a maximum power or a maximum torque of the internal combustion engine and a difference between the maximum power or the maximum torque of the internal combustion engine and the maximum power or a maximum torque that can be transmitted by the transmission operating the first electric machine as a generator to charge the electric accumulator or to operate the second electric machine.