DE102017222331A1 - Drive unit, in particular for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Drive unit (2) comprising at least: - at least one first piston (3) which is linearly movable within a respective guide (7) between a first reversal point (5) and a second reversal point (6), - at least one electric drive power generator (11) which is arranged such that the at least one first piston (3) is at least temporarily drivable by a magnetic field generated by the at least one electric drive power generator (11).

Description

The present invention relates to a drive unit, in particular for a motor vehicle.

Most of the current vehicles have an internal combustion engine. Internal combustion engines used are usually designed as reciprocating engines. A reciprocating engine is a motor that converts the change in volume of a gas via a linearly moving piston via a connecting rod and a crank in a rotary motion. According to this principle, most known internal combustion engines work by the movement of the pistons by the thermal expansion in the course of combustion of an ignitable mixture of fuel and air.

However, internal combustion engines produce exhaust gases. To avoid this, there are a variety of different approaches to use more environmentally friendly electric drives in the future. With known electric drives can be achieved in motor vehicles but in particular only a very short range.

It is also known to combine internal combustion engines and electric drives, especially in hybrid vehicles. Because such concepts but require two drives in a vehicle, they are regularly particularly expensive, heavy and expensive in construction.

On this basis, it is an object of the present invention to solve the technical problems described in connection with the prior art or at least reduce. In particular, a drive unit is to be presented with which a particularly flexible drive of a motor vehicle is made possible and with which, in particular, electrical energy can be used particularly simply to drive a motor vehicle.

This object is achieved with a drive unit according to the features of the independent claim. Further advantageous embodiments of the drive unit are specified in the dependent formulated claims. The features listed individually in the claims can be combined with each other in any technologically meaningful manner and can be supplemented by explanatory facts from the description, with further embodiments of the invention being shown.

• - mindestens einen ersten Kolben, der innerhalb einer jeweiligen Führung linear zwischen einem ersten Umkehrpunkt und einem zweiten Umkehrpunkt bewegbar ist,
• - mindestens einen elektrischen Antriebskrafterzeuger, der derart angeordnet ist, dass der mindestens eine erste Kolben durch ein von dem mindestens einen elektrischen Antriebskrafterzeuger erzeugtes magnetisches Feld zumindest zeitweise antreibbar ist.

According to the invention, a drive unit is presented which at least comprises:

• at least one first piston, which is movable linearly between a first reversal point and a second reversal point within a respective guide,
• - At least one electric drive power generator, which is arranged such that the at least one first piston is at least temporarily driven by a generated by the at least one electric drive power generator magnetic field.

The drive unit described can be used in particular to drive a motor vehicle. In particular, electrical energy can be converted into mechanical energy with the drive unit described. This can be done by linearly reciprocating the at least one first piston between the reversal points. The drive unit can be constructed, in particular in terms of size, shape and functionality comparable to a conventional internal combustion engine, the drive, however, not via fuel, but via electrical energy. Accordingly, the described drive unit of internal combustion engines differs in this regard. Therefore, the described drive unit can be used in existing motor vehicle models, wherein structural changes to the motor vehicle are required only to a relatively small extent. Thus, in particular, despite a switch to electrical energy for driving motor vehicles on a particularly large scale resort to experience in the field of construction of motor vehicles with internal combustion engine. Also, a conversion of a fuel-powered motor vehicle is possible in which an existing internal combustion engine including fuel lines and fuel tank is replaced by the drive unit described. Conventional combustion engines can thus be easily converted into the described drive unit and reused. Also, existing manufacturing plants can be largely used for the drive unit described. It can thus be used on existing technology know-how.

The described drive unit can therefore be constructed in a particularly similar manner to a conventional internal combustion engine, in particular because the at least one first piston is provided. The term "first piston" is to be understood in contrast to the "second piston" specified in more detail below, which are used in a different way, namely, not by electric forces, but by combustion of fuel driven. The at least one first piston preferably has a shape as is customary for pistons of an internal combustion engine. This means in particular that the at least one first piston is preferably cylindrical. But it is also possible that the at least one first piston has a different shape. For example, the at least one first piston may also have a rectangular, a square or an elliptical cross section. The at least one first piston is preferably closed on a lateral surface and on at least one end side and at least partially hollow in its interior. Alternatively, it is preferred that the at least one first piston is solid, ie completely filled with material. In particular, this allows existing constructions of crankcases to be used, for example.

The at least one first piston is preferably formed with a ferromagnetic material. It is also preferred that the at least one first piston has a remanent magnetization, that is, it can therefore be referred to as a permanent magnet. If the at least one first piston is in an external magnetic field, a force is thus exerted on the at least one first piston. The at least one first piston can thus be moved by generating an external magnetic field.

However, in embodiments, the at least one first piston can also comprise an electromagnet with a coil and possibly a core, which is magnetized by an electric current through the coil. Then, it is regularly required that the at least one first piston has a power supply, with which an electric current for the coil can be provided.

The movement of the at least one first piston can be effected by an electromagnetic force. The force may be repulsive and / or attractive to the at least one first piston. The force can also act in the form of a parallel thrust.

A movement of the at least one first piston is limited by the respective guide such that the at least one first piston can only move linearly between the first reversal point and the second reversal point. For each first piston a respective guide is provided. In this case, parts of a guide more than a first piston (in particular two adjacent first piston) lead. The guide may be, for example, one or more guide rails or guide rods which engage, for example, in grooves on an outer side of the first piston or which extend through one or more openings in the first piston. In a preferred embodiment of the drive unit, the guide is formed as a hollow cylinder. The guide can be designed in the case in particular as a cylindrical combustion chamber of a conventional internal combustion engine.

The external magnetic field, on the basis of which the at least one first piston can move, can in particular be generated by the at least one electric drive power generator. The electric drive power generator may also be referred to as a magnetic field generator. It serves to generate a force which acts on the first piston and causes the driving of the first piston.

Preferably, at least one respective electric drive power generator is provided for each first piston. But it can also be provided for several first piston a common electric drive power generator. Also can be provided for one, several or all first piston in each case a plurality of electric drive power generator. Preferably, different electric drive force generators are provided at least for first piston to be moved in opposite directions. By opposite polarity of the electric drive power generator so an opposite movement of the first piston can be achieved.

It is also possible for the electric drive force generator provided for one of the first pistons to generate a magnetic field which at least also acts in the region of another first piston. There, the magnetic field thus generated can overlap as a stray field with a magnetic field that was generated for the first piston located there. Stray fields are preferably kept as small as possible by designing the electric drive power generator, the first piston and / or the guide and / or by shielding.

Preferably, the at least one electric drive power generator comprises at least one electrical coil, for example made of copper wire. By applying an electrical voltage to the electrical coil, a magnetic field can be generated. The magnetic field thus generated is preferably designed and in particular oriented so that the at least one first piston can be moved linearly between the first turning point and the second turning point. By changing the polarity of the applied electrical voltage, the orientation of the magnetic field thus generated can be changed. Accordingly, it is possible to switch between a movement of the first piston in a first direction from the first reversal point to the second reversal point and a second direction opposite the second direction from the second reversal point to the first reversal point. A reversal of the coil is preferably carried out when the corresponding first piston is located at one of the reversal points.

But it is also possible that the at least one electric drive power generator comprises one or more permanent magnets. This may be the case in addition to or as an alternative to one or more electrical coils. Switching on or off or changing the magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet can be done in particular by changing a position and / or an orientation of the permanent magnet. For example, when a permanent magnet is rotated by 180 °, a direction of the magnetic field generated by this permanent magnet can also be rotated by 180 °.

The at least one electric drive power generator can also be firmly connected to the at least one first piston. For example, each first piston may each comprise an electric drive power generator. The magnetic field thus generated by the at least one electric drive power generator can interact with a corresponding counterpart (preferably comprising a ferromagnetic material), which is provided for example on the guide of the respective first piston or is the part of this guide. Through this interaction, the at least one first piston can be moved.

The at least one first piston can be driven by the magnetic field generated by the at least one electric drive power generator. This is preferably done so durably during operation of the drive unit that the at least one first piston is driven both in the movement in the first direction from the first turning point to the second turning point and in the second direction from the second turning point to the first turning point, wherein the electric drive power generator is reversed at the reversal points accordingly.

Alternatively, it is preferred that the at least one first piston is driven only temporarily. For example, a driven movement can only take place from the first turning point to the second turning point, while a movement from the second turning point back to the first turning point is not driven. In this case, there is a non-driven movement in the sense used here, when the at least one first piston (apart from influences by stray fields) is not driven by a magnetic field. A co-moving of the at least one first piston via a connection to other first piston should not be understood here as a driving of the at least one first piston, even if the other first piston (directly) is driven by a magnetic field. Such a movement may be referred to as a movement indirectly driven by a magnetic field. In the present case, however, only a movement driven directly by a magnetic field should be regarded as a driven movement.

An electric drive power generator associated with the corresponding first piston is switched off in a movement of the corresponding first piston that is not driven by the electric drive power generator. This means that, for example, no current flows through a corresponding electrical coil.

Similarly, it may be provided that a movement is driven only from the second reversal point to the first reversal point, while a movement from the first reversal point back to the second reversal point is not driven. It can also be provided that a movement is driven over sections arbitrarily distributed over one cycle (from the first reversal point to the second reversal point and back to the first reversal point) and is not driven in the other sections. For each first piston and / or for each cycle, the division into driven and non-driven movement sections may be otherwise switched off.

Preferably, a plurality of first pistons is provided. The first pistons can preferably move in groups in opposite directions. That is, a first group of first pistons moves in the first direction while a second group of first pistons moves in the second direction. Preferably, an even number of first pistons is provided. In that case, the first and second groups of the first pistons can be selected to be the same size.

The drive unit described may also be referred to as an electromagnetic reciprocating engine. Such is characterized in particular by the fact that the pistons are driven by an electromagnetic force. The electromagnetic force thus replaces an explosion force of an internal combustion engine. The number of pistons and the design of the engine (eg as a series engine, V-engine, boxer engine, etc.) can be designed differently depending on the application.

In a further preferred embodiment, the drive unit further comprises a crankshaft which is connected via connecting rods with the at least one first piston and which is rotatable by the linear movement of the at least one first piston.

By the present embodiment, the linear movement of the at least one first piston can be converted into a rotating movement of the crankshaft.

The drive unit can thus be constructed in a particularly similar manner, in particular in terms of size, shape and functionality of a conventional internal combustion engine, in particular in contrast to known electric drives.

In a further preferred embodiment, the drive unit comprises at least one electric rotary drive, via which the crankshaft is rotatably drivable.

This electric rotary drive is designed as an additional drive, which can be provided in addition to the actual piston drive machine. In particular, the electric rotary drive can be an electric motor that can convert electrical energy into rotary mechanical energy. For example, via a gear arrangement or via a transmission, the electric rotary drive can be connected to the crankshaft. This connection can be made detachable so that the electric rotary drive is connected only in such operating conditions with the crankshaft, in which the electric rotary drive is turned on. Also, it is possible to connect the electric rotary drive to the crankshaft to use the electric rotary drive as a generator, so that the rotational energy of the crankshaft is converted to electric power by the electric rotary drive (which is used as a generator in this case).

In a further preferred embodiment, the drive unit further comprises at least one combustion chamber, which can be enlarged and reduced by a movement of at least one second piston, wherein the at least one second piston is drivable movable by combustion of fuel.

It is particularly preferred if at least one first piston simultaneously forms a second piston.

The at least one combustion chamber and the at least one second piston can in particular be designed as combustion chambers or pistons of conventional internal combustion engines. This applies to both diesel and gasoline engines. Preferably, the at least one combustion chamber (hollow) is cylindrical. The at least one second piston is preferably cylindrical and fitted to the corresponding combustion chamber. Preferably, the at least one second piston is connected to the crankshaft via a respective connecting rod. Preferably, valves are provided on the at least one combustion chamber via which fuel and air can be introduced into the at least one combustion chamber and exhaust gas can be discharged from the at least one combustion chamber.

If the first piston also forms a second piston, a piston is at the same time and / or electrically and can be driven by a combustion process. An electric drive of a piston can be assistive to support movements of the piston that can not or only suboptimal supported by a combustion process. This applies, for example, to a compression phase in which an electric drive can be used to assist a compression of a fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber. Such a supporting drive can be used in particular to equalize a torque supply of an internal combustion engine over the movement angle of the internal combustion engine.

That a piston can be driven by both a combustion process and electric current does not mean that the piston in any direction or in any range of motion along the possible movement from a first reversal point to a second reversal point both by a combustion process and with electric Electricity can be driven. Rather, it is possible that a piston is drivable only in a first range of motion (for example, from a first reversal point to a second reversal point) by a combustion process and in a second range of motion (for example in the reverse direction of movement from the second reversal point to the first reversal point) by magnetic Forces is drivable.

In further embodiments, it is possible that an electric drive power generator can also be used at the same time to use a magnetic field generated by a piston or a movement of a piston to generate an electric current. An electric current thus generated with an electric drive power generator and a piston may be used to drive another piston with another electric drive power generator of the drive unit.

In the present embodiment, the drive unit may be powered by electrical energy (through the at least one first piston) and / or fuel (by the at least one second piston). Thus, the advantages of both drive options can be combined. Thus, a particularly environmentally friendly electric drive can be done as far as electrical energy is available. The fuel which can also be provided for longer operating phases can be used, for example, when the stored electrical energy has been consumed. Thus, in a motor vehicle equipped with the described drive unit, the range can be increased by using fuel in comparison to the purely electrical Drive. It is also possible, depending on the operating situation between electric and fuel-based drive to change. For example, in a motor vehicle in city traffic, the electric drive may be preferred because no exhaust gases are generated by this and an efficiency at low speeds and frequent startup and braking is comparatively high. On a motorway journey, however, a fuel-based drive may be preferable.

In comparison to known drive concepts for hybrid vehicles, the described drive unit is particularly simple. In particular, it is not necessary with the drive unit described to provide two separate drive motors. Instead, sufficient with the drive unit described a single component. Also, no complex gear design is needed to transform the provided by two different drives mechanical energy into kinetic energy of a motor vehicle.

Preferably, all pistons of the drive unit are both first piston and second piston and thus drivable by combustion of fuel and by magnetic fields or electric current. In particular, only first pistons (and no second pistons) may be provided, wherein all the first pistons are drivable both by combustion of fuel and by a magnetic field.

In this embodiment, at least one of the first pistons is adapted for driving both by combustion of fuel and by driving through a magnetic field. Accordingly, the respectively necessary precautions (such as supply lines and valves for fuel on the one hand and an electric drive power generator on the other hand) are present. Depending on the operating phase, such a first piston can be driven solely by combustion of fuel, solely by a magnetic field, both by combustion of fuel and by a magnetic field or not at all.

Also to be described here is a drive unit, wherein at least one electric drive power generator axially spaced from the first piston is arranged so that a generated magnetic field substantially acts in a disposed between the first piston and the Mangetfeldzeuger first gap, wherein the first gap at a linear movement of the first piston increases and decreases.

In this embodiment, there is a varying distance between the electric drive power generator and the acting force between the electric drive power generator and the piston usually depends on the distance between the electric drive power generator and the piston. The larger the distance, the lower the force acting.

The drive unit is also preferred if at least one electric drive force generator is arranged laterally of the at least one first piston, so that a generated magnetic field essentially acts in a second gap arranged laterally of the first piston.

In this embodiment variant, the electric drive power generator preferably generates a force acting (aligned) along or parallel to the electric drive power generator. This force is preferably at least in a range of movement between a first turning point and a second turning point substantially independent of the position of the first piston.

More preferably, the drive unit when the at least one electric drive power generator is cylindrical and surrounds the at least first piston in full circumference.

Preferably, the electric drive power generator comprises a coil which surrounds or surrounds the piston.

With this configuration, the drive unit described can be designed to save space. Thus, with the drive unit as a single component (in comparison to separate combustion and electric motor), a drive can be effected both by fuel and by electrical energy, with the first pistons in both cases using largely the same components. For example, if a drive of a conventional hybrid vehicle only by fuel, the electric motor remains unused. In a purely electric drive while the internal combustion engine remains unused. In contrast, the first pistons of the described drive unit are used in both fuel-based and electric drive.

Here is also an alternative embodiment of the drive unit will be described, which also follows the basic idea of the invention described herein. It is also a drive unit that is very similar to the basic design concept for an internal combustion engine or is constructed, but which is set up for the electric drive.

• - mindestens einen zylinderförmigen Raum, welcher senkrecht zu einer Welle der Antriebseinheit angeordnet und ausgerichtet ist, und
• - mindestens einen elektrischen Rotationsantrieb, welcher sich in dem zylinderförmigen Raum befindet und welcher mit der Welle über ein Zahnradsystem verbunden ist.

It is intended to describe a drive unit comprising at least:

• - at least one cylindrical space which is arranged and aligned perpendicular to a shaft of the drive unit, and
• - At least one electric rotary drive, which is located in the cylindrical space and which is connected to the shaft via a gear system.

This type of drive unit is also called "described drive unit of the second type" here. The special features and advantages explained above in connection with the drive unit with at least one first piston and with at least one electric drive power generator are analogously applicable and transferable to the drive unit of the second type described here. In contrast to the drive unit of the second type, the drive unit described above is called "drive unit of the first type".

Also, the special features and advantages of a drive unit of the second type described below are applicable to the drive unit of the first type and transferable. In particular, the overall disclosure also includes combinations of drive units of the first type and drive units of the second type. These are in particular a drive unit which has a (common) shaft on which sections electrical rotary drives in corresponding cylindrical spaces according to the second type and partially driven pistons according to the operating principle of the drive unit of the first type attack.

The rotational drive of the drive unit of the second type is ultimately in effect a subspecies of the electric drive power generator according to the first group, which generates a rotating drive force as a special type of drive force. The electric drive power generators of the described drive unit of the first type are drive power generators which generate a linear force with which a piston can be moved linearly.

By a "cylindrical space" is meant here an imaginary space, which may for example correspond to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. This space may, for example, be provided in a block of an internal combustion engine which has been converted to a drive unit described herein by replacing the crankshaft with a corresponding gear system against a shaft and using at least one combustion chamber to provide electrical rotary drive therein.

An electric rotary drive usually consists of a stationary part (stator) and a rotating part (rotor). Measures are preferably provided which allow a fixation of the stator in the cylindrical space. This can be, for example, at least one screw connection and / or at least one bond.

The gear system consists of a preferably of two spur gears, which are arranged at 90 ° to each other. One of these spur gears sits on the shaft. The other spur gear sits on the electric rotary drive.

Such a drive unit (drive unit of the second type) can be constructed in particular by conversion of an internal combustion engine. The conversion of an internal combustion engine to such a drive unit comprises in particular the expansion of piston and connecting rod from at least one combustion chamber or cylinder and the conversion of the crankshaft. The conversion of the crankshaft includes the removal of the crank normally driven by the connecting rod as well as the attachment of the crankshaft described here. Crankshaft is modified to the shaft described here insofar as where the connecting rod engages in a "conventional" internal combustion engine now the gear system is arranged, which transmits the force from the electric rotary drive to the shaft.

As a further aspect, a control unit is presented, which is set up to operate the drive unit described.

The particular advantages and design features described further above for the drive unit are applicable to the control unit described and transferable.

As a further aspect, a method for operating the described drive unit is presented in which energy is recovered at least temporarily from a movement of the at least one electric drive power generator.

The particular advantages and design features described further above for the drive unit are applicable to the method described and transferable, and vice versa.

The electromagnetic force with which the at least one electric drive power generator is driven may act repulsively and / or attractively on the at least one first piston (when a piston is driven by the electric drive force generator). If the force is used in one direction only (repulsive or attractive), each time the piston returns in the opposite direction of the force used can be recovered by the recuperation energy. Even with an electric rotary drive can Energy can be recovered in the kinetic energy converted in the form of an applied torque from the electric rotary drive into electrical energy by the electric rotary drive acts like a generator.

The recovery of energy can increase the efficiency of the drive unit described. In particular, the movement of the at least one first piston can be driven from the first turning point to the second turning point, while energy is recovered in the movement from the second turning point back to the first turning point. Similarly, the movement of the at least one first piston may be driven from the second reversal point to the first reversal point while energy is recovered in the movement from the first reversal point back to the second reversal point.

The recovery of energy can in particular take place in that the movement of the at least one first piston induces an induction current in the at least one electric drive power generator. In particular, it is preferred that the at least one first piston is formed from a ferromagnetic material and in particular has a remanent magnetization (thus can be referred to as a permanent magnet). A magnetic field generated by the at least one first piston can induce a particularly large current in the at least one electric drive power generator when the at least one first piston moves. The same principles of energy recovery apply when using an electric rotary drive for energy recovery.

As a further aspect, a motor vehicle with a drive unit is presented, which is designed as described.

The particular advantages and design features described above for the drive unit and the method are applicable to the motor vehicle described and transferable.

1. a) Entfernen mindestens eines zweiten Kolbens aus mindestens einem Brennraum der Antriebseinheit, und
2. b) Einsetzen mindestens eines elektrischen Antriebskrafterzeugers in den mindestens einen Brennraum.

Also to be described here is a method for retrofitting a motor vehicle with a drive unit designed as an internal combustion engine for an electric drive operation, comprising the following steps:

1. a) removing at least one second piston from at least one combustion chamber of the drive unit, and
2. b) inserting at least one electric drive power generator in the at least one combustion chamber.

The method can be used in the context of a first production of a described motor vehicle to convert the motor vehicle for the partial electrical operation and the partial operation with an internal combustion engine. However, the method can also be used in particular in the context of retrofitting (also called retrofit). The method is suitable, for example, to convert old motor vehicles with the operation of the internal combustion engine (in particular vintage cars) for electrical operation. In this case, even the basic mechanical operation of the internal combustion engine is maintained.

• 1: ein Kraftfahrzeug mit einer beschriebenen Antriebseinheit,
• 2: eine weitere Variante eines Kraftfahrzeuges mit einer beschriebenen Antriebseinheit,
• 3: noch eine weitere Variante eines Kraftahrzeuges mit einer beschriebenen Antriebseinheit, und
• 4: noch eine weitere Variante eines Kraftfahrzeuges mit einer beschriebenen Antriebseinheit.

The invention and the technical environment will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. The figures show a particularly preferred embodiment, to which the invention is not limited. In particular, it should be noted that the figures and in particular the illustrated proportions are only schematic. Show it:

• 1 a motor vehicle with a described drive unit,
• 2 : a further variant of a motor vehicle with a described drive unit,
• 3 : Yet another variant of a motor vehicle with a described drive unit, and
• 4 : Yet another variant of a motor vehicle with a drive unit described.

The 1 , the 2 and the 3 show three different variants of a motor vehicle with a drive unit described, which will be described here together first. 1 . 2 and 3 each show a motor vehicle 1 with a drive unit 2 , The drive unit 2 includes two first pistons 3 as indicated by double arrows within a respective hollow cylindrical guide 7 linear between a first reversal point 5 and a second reversal point 6 are movable. For every first piston 3 is a respective electric drive power generator 11 provided, which is arranged such that the respective first piston 3 by one of the corresponding electric power generator 11 generated magnetic field is at least temporarily driven. The electric drive power generator 11 are connected to a control unit 14 connected, about which in particular one of the electric drive power generators 11 generated magnetic field can be adjusted. The linear float of the first pistons 3 can be via connecting rod 9 on a crankshaft 10 be transmitted. So can the crankshaft 10 by the linear movement of the first piston 3 be rotated.

In the embodiments according to the 1 and 3 includes the drive unit 2 furthermore an electric rotary drive 13 over which the crankshaft 10 is rotatable drivable. These are gears 15 provided over which the electric rotary drive 13 with the crankshaft 10 connected is.

In the embodiment according to 1 There are two combustion chambers 8th caused by a movement of corresponding second piston 4 can be enlarged and reduced. The second pistons 4 are due to combustion of fuel in the respective combustion chamber 8th drivable movable. These are valves 12 at the combustion chambers 8th provided over the fuel and air into the combustion chambers 8th let in and exhaust from the combustion chambers 8th can be left out. Also the second pistons 4 are over connecting rods 9 with the crankshaft 10 connected and can drive the crankshaft. The electric drive power generator 11 are in the embodiment according to 1 axially spaced from the first piston 3 arranged. Between the electric drive power generators 11 and the first piston 3 There is a first gap, resulting in a linear movement of the first piston 3 in the lead 7 enlarged and reduced.

In the embodiment according to 3 are the electric power generator 11 laterally from the at least one first piston 3 arranged so that a generated magnetic field substantially in a side of the first piston 3 arranged second gap becomes [sentence?]. The electric drive power generator 11 surrounds the first piston 3 preferably fully. The electric drive power generator 11 preferably comprises a coil which is the first piston 3 completely surrounds.

In the embodiment according to 2 are all first pistons 3 at the same time also second pistons 4 each with a combustion chamber 8th and valves 12 for supply of fuel-air mixture. The pistons 3 . 4 can each with the electric drive power generator 11 or with one in the combustion chamber 8th to be driven incipient combustion.

4 shows yet another variant of a motor vehicle 1 with a described drive unit 2 , Here is in particular the drive unit already described above 2 second type shown. In cylindrical spaces 18 , which are here formed by former combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine, were used as a rotary drive 13 executed electric drive power generator 11 used, in each case via gears 15 on the crankshaft 10 Act.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

motor vehicle

2

drive unit

3

first piston

4

second piston

5

first reversal point

6

second reversal point

7

guide

8th

combustion chamber

9

pleuel

10

crankshaft

11

electric drive power generator

12

Valve

13

electric rotary drive

14

control unit

15

gear

16

first gap

17

second gap

18

cylindrical space

19

gear system

Claims (14)

Drive unit (2) comprising at least: at least one first piston (3) which is linearly movable within a respective guide (7) between a first turning point (5) and a second turning point (6), - At least one electric drive power generator (11) which is arranged such that the at least one first piston (3) by at least one of the at least one electric drive power generator (11) generated magnetic field is at least temporarily driven. Drive unit (2) after Claim 1 , wherein the guide (7) is formed as a hollow cylinder. Drive unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a crankshaft (10) which is connected via connecting rods (9) with the at least one first piston (3) and which rotatable by the linear movement of the at least one first piston (3) is. Drive unit (2) after Claim 4 , further comprising at least one electric rotary drive (13), via which the crankshaft (10) is rotatably drivable. Drive unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one combustion chamber (8) which can be enlarged and reduced by a movement of at least one second piston (4), wherein the at least one second piston (4) by combustion of fuel is drivable movable. Drive unit (2) after Claim 5 , wherein at least a first piston (3) at the same time forms a second piston (4). Drive unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one electric drive power generator (11) axially spaced from the first piston (3) is arranged, so that a generated magnetic field substantially in one between the first piston (3) and the electric Actuate force generator (11) arranged first gap (16) acts, wherein the first gap (16) increases and decreases in a linear movement of the first piston (3). Drive unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one electric drive power generator (11) is arranged laterally of the at least one first piston (3), so that a generated magnetic field substantially in a laterally of the first piston (3) arranged second Gap (17) acts. Drive unit (2) after Claim 9 , wherein the at least one electric drive power generator (11) is cylindrical and surrounds the at least first piston (3) completely. Drive unit (2) comprising at least: - At least one cylindrical space (18) which is perpendicular to a shaft (19) of the drive unit (2) arranged and aligned, and - At least one electric rotary drive (13), which is located in the cylindrical space (18) and which is connected to the shaft (19) via a gear system (20). Control unit (14), which is set up to operate a drive unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims. Method for operating a drive unit (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 10 , wherein energy is recovered at least temporarily from a movement of the at least one electric drive power generator (11). Motor vehicle (1) with a drive unit (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 10 , Method for retrofitting a motor vehicle (1) with a drive unit (2) designed as an internal combustion engine for an electric drive operation, comprising the following steps: a) removing at least one second piston from at least one combustion chamber (8) of the drive unit (2), and b) inserting at least one electric drive power generator (11) in the at least one combustion chamber (8).

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