Patent ID: 7489114

Claim:
A hybrid vehicle drive unit, comprising: an intermediate shaft that is connected to an input shaft of a transmission such that the intermediate shaft can rotate relative to the input shaft; a starting clutch that includes a clutch drum, which has an output side end portion that is coupled to the input shaft of the transmission and an input side end portion that is rotatably supported by the intermediate shaft, wherein the clutch drum accommodates a clutch mechanism that is engaged by hydraulic pressure, and the clutch drum operates as an output element that transmits to the input shaft a driving force that is imparted to the intermediate shaft by an engine when the clutch mechanism is engaged; and a motor-generator that includes: a stator that is fixed to an interior portion of a motor casing that is attached to a housing of the transmission; a rotor support member that is coupled to the clutch drum and has an inner end portion that is rotatably supported by an end wall of the motor casing and a rotor support portion that is fitted to an outer perimeter face of the clutch drum in an axial direction such that there is play between the rotor support portion and the outer perimeter face; and a rotor that is held by the rotor support portion of the rotor support member and is disposed such that an outer perimeter face of the rotor faces an inner perimeter face of the stator.