# US 9,038,754 B2 · Hybrid vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,754 B2 - Document ID: US9038754B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/341,747 - Filed: 2011-12-30 - Published: 2013-07-04 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-30 - Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Izumi Takagi - Inventors: Izumi Takagi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038754B2 ## CPC - B60K 5/06: with the engine main axis substantially vertical - B60K 6/20: the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs - B60K 2001/0422: {Arrangement under the front seats} - B60K 2005/003: {the internal combustion or jet propulsion unit is arranged between the front and the rear axle} - B60Y 2200/124: Buggies, Quads - B60Y 2200/23: Ridable golf cars - B60Y 2200/86: Carts; Golf carts - B60Y 2200/92: Hybrid vehicles - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract A hybrid vehicle is provided. The hybrid vehicle may include an engine, an electric generator joined to the engine, and an electric drive motor, comprises a driver seat on which a driver is seated; and an engine room provided forward or rearward relative to the driver seat. Further, the engine is placed such that a crankshaft extends vertically, and a rotor of the electric generator is mounted to an upper end portion or a lower end portion of the crankshaft such that the rotor is rotatable integrally with the crankshaft. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hybrid vehicle comprising: an engine; an electric generator joined to the engine; an electric drive motor for actuating wheels of the vehicle, the electric generator configured to supply electric power to the electric drive motor; a driver seat on which a driver is seated; and an engine room provided forward or rearward relative to the driver seat; wherein the engine is placed such that a crankshaft of the engine extends vertically, and a rotor of the electric generator is mounted to an upper end portion or a lower end portion of the crankshaft such that the rotor is rotatable integrally with the crankshaft; and wherein the engine is placed such that a cylinder extends rightward or leftward and in an obliquely forward or rearward direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive motor and a driving power transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving power of the electric drive motor to right and left wheels of the wheels of the vehicle are arranged in the engine room. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The hybrid vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the engine, the electric generator, the electric drive motor, and the driving power transmission mechanism are mounted to a common sub-frame to form an assembly mounted to a vehicle body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rotor of the electric generator is mounted to the lower end portion of the crankshaft of the engine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the engine room is provided below a cargo bed disposed behind the driver seat. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The hybrid vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the engine is placed such that a cylinder extends rightward or leftward and in an obliquely rearward direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: a battery coupled to the electric drive motor, to supply electric power to the electric drive motor; wherein the electric generator generates electric power based on SOC of the battery. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, where the engine is placed such that a vibration of the engine is dispersed in a rightward or leftward direction and in a forward or rearward direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the hybrid vehicle is a parallel hybrid vehicle or a series-parallel hybrid vehicle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electric generator is positioned in close proximity to the electric drive motor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an air-intake system and an exhaust system are positioned in spaces which are forward and rearward relative to the engine, or rightward and leftward relative to the engine. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the hybrid vehicle is a series hybrid vehicle. ### Claim 13 A hybrid vehicle comprising: an engine; an electric generator joined to the engine; an electric drive motor for actuating wheels of the vehicle, the electric generator configured to supply electric power to the electric drive motor; a drive seat on which a driver is seated; and an engine room provided forward or rearward relative to the driver seat; wherein the engine is placed such that a crankshaft of the engine extends vertically, and a rotor of the electric generator is mounted to an upper end portion or a lower end portion of the crankshaft such that the rotor is rotatable integrally with the crankshaft; and wherein the engine is placed such that a cylinder extends rightward or leftward in a portion of the engine room; and the electric drive motor is positioned at an opposite side in a rightward and leftward direction relative to the crankshaft of the engine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The hybrid vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the electric drive motor and a driving power transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving power of the electric drive motor to right and left wheels of the wheels of the vehicle are arranged in the engine room; and wherein the engine, the electric generator, the electric drive motor, and the driving power transmission mechanism are mounted to a common sub-frame to form an assembly mounted on a vehicle body. ### Claim 15 A hybrid vehicle including an engine, an electric generator joined to the engine, and an electric drive motor, comprising: a driver seat on which a driver is seated; and an engine room provided forward or rearward relative to the driver seat; wherein the engine is placed such that a crankshaft extends vertically, a cylinder extends rightward or leftward in a portion of the engine room, and a rotor of the electric generator is mounted to an upper end portion or a lower end portion of the crankshaft such that the rotor is rotatable integrally with the crankshaft; and a controller for controlling at least one of the electric generator and the electric drive motor is positioned in a portion of the engine room which is at an opposite side of the portion where the cylinder extends, in a rightward and leftward direction. ### Claim 16 A hybrid vehicle comprising: an engine; an electric generator joined to the engine; an electric drive motor for actuating wheels of the vehicle, the electric generator configured to supply electric power to the electric drive motor; a drive seat on which a driver is seated; and an engine room provided forward or rearward relative to the driver seat; wherein the engine is placed such that a crankshaft of the engine extends vertically, and a rotor of the electric generator is mounted to an upper end portion or a lower end portion of the crankshaft such that the rotor is rotatable integrally with the crankshaft; and wherein the electric generator is mounted to one of an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the crankshaft, and a fan mounted to the other of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the crankshaft such that the fan is rotatable integrally with the crankshaft. ### Claim 17 A hybrid vehicle comprising: an engine; an electric generator joined to the engine; an electric drive motor for actuating wheels of the vehicle, the electric generator configured to supply electric power to the electric drive motor; a drive seat on which a driver is seated; and an engine room provided forward or rearward relative to the driver seat; wherein the engine is placed such that a crankshaft of the engine extends vertically, and a rotor of the electric generator is mounted to an upper end portion or a lower end portion of the crankshaft such that the rotor is rotatable integrally with the crankshaft; and wherein the electric generator is mounted to the lower end portion of the crankshaft.