Drive unit

A drive unit for a vehicle and configured to drive a pair of left and right wheels independently from each other, the drive unit comprising:

• a first motor configured to drive one of the left and right wheels;
• a first reduction drive configured to reduce rotation of the first motor;
• a first inverter electrically connected to the first motor;
• a second motor configured to drive another of the left and right wheels;
• a second reduction drive configured to reduce rotation of the second motor;
• a second inverter electrically connected to the second motor;
• a lock mechanism configured to mechanically lock and unlock the first reduction drive;
• and
• a casing housing the first motor, the first reduction drive, the first inverter, the second motor, the second reduction drive, the second inverter, and the lock mechanism,
• wherein the casing comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is disposed on one side of the pair of left and right wheels and the second portion is disposed on another side of the pair of left and right wheels when the drive unit is mounted in the vehicle,
• the first motor, the first reduction drive, the first inverter, and the lock mechanism are disposed in the first portion of the casing,
• the second motor, the second reduction drive, and the second inverter are disposed in the second portion of the casing, and
• a motor central plane located between and equidistant from the first motor and the second motor is offset closer to the second portion of the casing relative to an inverter central plane located between and equidistant from the first inverter and the second inverter.