Drive arrangement for a motor vehicle

A drive arrangement for a motor vehicle, which has at least one internal combustion engine and a down-line clutch, via which the internal combustion engine can be connected to an output drive shaft. An electric machine is provided and includes a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor can be coupled to a drive train formed by the internal combustion engine, the clutch and the output drive shaft by at least one switchable interlocking device.

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We claim:

1. A drive arrangement for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine comprising:

a clutch for operative coupling the internal combustion engine to an output drive shaft, wherein the internal combustion engine, said clutch and said output drive shaft form drive train;

an electric machine operatively coupled to the clutch and having a rotor and a stator; and

at least one switchable interlocking device operative to selectively couple the rotor to said drive train, wherein said switchable interlocking device comprises a switching mechanism, wherein said clutch further comprises a clutch operator, andsaid switching mechanism is operable to selectively couple the rotor to one of the drive train and the clutch operator.

2. The drive arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein said clutch further comprises a flywheel operatively connected to the internal combustion engine when said clutch is in a disengaged state, said at least one interlocking device beingoperatively connected to the rotor on one side and to the flywheel on an other side.

3. The drive arrangement in accordance with claim 2, wherein the rotor is coaxially arranged with said flywheel.

4. The drive arrangement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a torsional vibration damper in communication with said rotor and having at least one spring element with a working point and associated stops, said rotor being operativelyconnected to the drive train with said torsional vibration damper being interposed between such connection, wherein said working point is adjustable in a predetermined manner by changing a relative position of the rotor with respect to a component ofsaid drive train being connected to said at least one spring element.

5. The drive arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein said clutch is disposed at least partially radially inside said electric machine and further comprises a rotationally operated clutch operator operatively connected to said electricmachine, wherein rotational movement required to disengage the clutch is introduced by activating said electric machine.

6. The drive arrangement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one interlocking device for selectively coupling said rotor to the output drive shaft.

7. The drive arrangement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a selector device for selectively coupling said rotor to one of said clutch operator and the output drive shaft.

8. The drive arrangement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a bearing for enabling rotation of said stator with respect to a fixed clutch housing, and a locking device for preventing displacement of the stator with respect to thefixed clutch housing.

9. The drive arrangement in accordance with claim 8, wherein said electric machine provides rotational movement required to disengage said clutch using a restoring force resulting from when said locking device is released.

10. The drive arrangement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an interlocking device for coupling the drive shaft to the clutch when said clutch is disengaged in order to provide active synchronization during a shifting operation.

11. The drive arrangement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an interlocking device for de-coupling the rotor from the output drive shaft in order to reduce an inertial mass during a shifting operation.