# US 2026/0074580 A1 · Rotor support method for generator of hybrid application > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2026/0074580 A1 - Document ID: US20260074580A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/828,195 - Filed: 2024-09-09 - Published: 2026-03-12 - Earliest claimed: 2024-09-09 - Assignees: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG - Applicants: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG - Inventors: Matthew Payne - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20260074580A1 ## CPC - H02K 5/16: Means for supporting bearings, e.g. insulating supports or means for fitting bearings in the bearing-shields (magnetic bearings H02K7/09) - H02K 5/10: with arrangements for protection from ingress, e.g. water or fingers - H02K 7/006: {Structural association of a motor or generator with the drive train of a motor vehicle} - H02K 7/1807: {Rotary generators (H02K7/006 takes precedence)} - H02K 7/1815: {structurally associated with reciprocating piston engines (general aspects of generating sets, e.g. housing, F02B63/04)} - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) ## Abstract A generator for a hybrid vehicle includes a housing including an end cover having an axially extending center support, a stator supported in the housing, a rotor assembly supported for rotation in the housing relative to the stator, and a center shaft coaxial with the rotor assembly. The center shaft is supported for rotation at a first axial position by the center support of the end cover, the center shaft extends axially from the center support and supports the rotor assembly at a second axial position, and the rotor assembly is supported at the first axial side of the generator by a support plate extending radially between a carrier of the rotor assembly and the center support of the housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A generator for a hybrid vehicle comprising: a housing including an end cover having an axially extending center support; a stator supported in the housing; a rotor assembly supported for rotation in the housing relative to the stator; and a center shaft coaxial with the rotor assembly; wherein the center shaft is supported for rotation at a first axial position by the center support of the end cover; wherein the center shaft extends axially from the center support and supports the rotor assembly at a second axial position; and wherein the rotor assembly is supported at the first axial side of the generator by a support plate extending radially between a carrier of the rotor assembly and the center support of the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the center shaft is supported for rotation by a first bearing in a bore of the center support. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The generator according to claim 2, wherein the support plate is supported for rotation by a second bearing on an outer diameter of the center support. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The generator according to claim 3, wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are axially offset along the center support. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The generator according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first bearing or second bearing comprises a bushing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The generator according to claim 4, wherein the center shaft is coupled to a hub, and wherein the hub is coupled to the carrier of the rotor, whereby the center shaft provides cantilevered support to the hub. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The generator according to claim 6, wherein the center shaft is press-fit into the hub. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The generator according to claim 6, further comprising a seal extending between the housing and the hub. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The generator according to claim 6, further comprising a drive plate configured to be coupled to the hub, wherein the drive plate is configured to receive torque from an engine crankshaft to rotate the rotor assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the center shaft includes an axial passageway for distributing fluid to at least one of the first bearing, the second bearing or the rotor assembly. ### Claim 11 A drivetrain for an electric or hybrid vehicle comprising: an engine including a crankshaft; and a generator driven by the crankshaft of the engine; wherein the generator includes: a housing including an end cover having an axially extending center support; a stator supported in the housing; a rotor assembly supported for rotation in the housing relative to the stator; and a center shaft coaxial with the rotor assembly; wherein the center shaft is supported for rotation at a first axial position by the center support of the end cover; wherein the center shaft extends axially from the center support and supports the rotor assembly at a second axial position; and wherein the rotor assembly is supported at the first axial side of the generator by a support plate extending radially between a carrier of the rotor assembly and the center support of the housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The drivetrain according to claim 11, wherein the center shaft is supported for rotation by a first bearing in a bore of the center support. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The drivetrain according to claim 12, wherein the support plate is supported for rotation by a second bearing on an outer diameter of the center support. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The drivetrain according to claim 13, wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are axially offset along the center support. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The drivetrain according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the first bearing or second bearing comprises a bushing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The drivetrain according to claim 14, wherein the center shaft is coupled to a hub, and wherein the hub is coupled to the carrier of the rotor, whereby the center shaft provides cantilevered support to the hub. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The drivetrain according to claim 16, wherein the center shaft is press-fit into the hub. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The drivetrain according to claim 16, further comprising a seal extending between the housing and the hub. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The drivetrain according to claim 16, further comprising a drive plate configured to be coupled to the hub, wherein the drive plate is configured to receive torque from an engine crankshaft to rotate the rotor assembly. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The drivetrain according to claim 11, wherein the center shaft includes an axial passageway for distributing fluid to at least one of the first bearing, the second bearing or the rotor assembly.